Every week, I will highlight a few players to start and a few players to sit at each position. I’m a firm believer in starting your studs, so I won’t suggest you bench Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson because they have tough matchups – just go ahead and keep them in your lineup. Instead, I’ll focus on the borderline guys – players you’ll only start under the right circumstances.

As usual, I’ll discuss these players within the context of my weekly positional rankings, so remember — everything is relative.

I like Shaun Hill again this week given his matchup at home with the Pats’ 31st-ranked defense…Eli Manning is a little short on weapons, but the Jaguars have given up 246 yards and 2.0 pass TDs per game this season and have enough offense to keep the Giants throwing…Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s matchup isn’t as bad as it looks. The Steelers are 22nd against the pass, though they’ve only given up 1.1 TDs per game this season. Still, I think Buffalo’s plan will be to spread Pittsburgh out and throw, throw, throw…Sam Bradford figures to have another solid outing against a Denver defense that has given up an average of 2.0 pass TDs per game on the year.

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Every week, I will highlight a few players to start and a few players to sit at each position. I’m a firm believer in starting your studs, so I won’t tell you about how Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson has a tough matchup – just go ahead and keep them in your lineup. Instead, I’ll focus on the borderline guys – players you’ll only start under the right circumstances. It’s important to note that depending on your roster and situation, you may not be able to follow these recommendations. For example, if I suggest you bench a solid starter like Tony Romo, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.

The “love ‘em” players are listed in the order that I’d start them this week.

Brett Favre should have a big game against a Bears secondary that has been really spotty, especially lately…Despite leaving the game early last week, Kurt Warner still looks like a nice start against a Titans defense that is ranked 31st against the pass…Carson Palmer faces a Cleveland defense that is yielding 247 yards and 1.5 pass TD per game…Matt Hasselbeck has a nice matchup with the Rams’ 24th-ranked pass defense….In five starts, Alex Smith is averaging 207 yards and 1.8 pass TD, and with the Jags’ 25th-ranked pass defense coming to down, he should have a nice day…Matt Ryan has been struggling of late, and the Bucs pass defense is somewhat improved, but he is still a pretty good start…Desperate? Josh Freeman (@ ATL) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. MIA) both have nice matchups this week.

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