Every week in the Pregame, I’ll provide a few players to start and a few to bench. These recommendations are based on that player’s strength of schedule (SOS) for that particular week or that player’s specific situation.

I’m a strong advocate of always starting your studs, so I won’t be telling you about LaDainian Tomlinson’s tough matchup or how Peyton Manning and company will light it up against a bad defense. Anyone can make those calls. I’ll be discussing marginal fantasy starters – guys that can start for you, but only under certain circumstances.

START

J.P. LOSMAN has a great matchup with a Lions defense that has allowed an average of 266 yards and 2.2 pass TD per game this season. Don’t bench a good QB for him, but if you are desperate, he’s a decent fill in this week…DREW BLEDSOE didn’t inspire much confidence last week, but he’s at home against the Texans, who have allowed 295 yards and 2 TD through the air this season…JULIUS JONES, TATUM BELL, RONNIE BROWN and CARNELL WILLIAMS all have great matchups this week. Unless you have to sit a stud, these guys should be in your lineup…He’s been struggling, but stick with CHRIS CHAMBERS this week against the Jets, who haven’t been able to put much pressure on the QB this season. He and Joey Harrington should be on the same page after a week’s worth of practice.

BENCH

JAKE DELHOMME has a tough matchup with the Ravens, who have only allowed 146 pass yards and 0.6 pass TD this season…ALEX SMITH and ELI MANNING also have tough matchups (against the Chargers and Falcons, respectively), but don’t bench Manning unless you have a good backup…DESHAUN FOSTER won’t have to share time with DeAngelo Williams this week, but he’s going to find the going tough against he Ravens…EDGERRIN JAMES and the Cardinals will struggle to move the ball against the Bears. So even though he was a hot pickup this week, it’s doubtful that BRYANT JOHNSON (and, to a lesser extent, ANQUAN BOLDIN) will be able to rack up many yards Monday night.

Check back Saturday for a complete injury update. In the meantime, feel free to post your questions on the Fantasy Q & A.