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
BRETT FAVRE has a nice matchup with a Miami defense that has yielded just 172 passing yards per game, but has allowed 10 TD through the air, which is tied for fourth worst in the league…BYRON LEFTWICH and CHAD PENNINGTON also have good matchups with the Texans and the Lions, respectively…The Bengals haven’t been able to stop the run, so it’s a good week to play DESHAUN FOSTER…Likewise, EDGERRIN JAMES, COREY DILLON and LAURENCE MARONEY have great matchups against the Raiders and Jets, respectively…LEE EVANS has been playing well of late and is a good start against the Patriots, who have allowed an average of 222 passing yards per game…REGGIE WILLIAMS is also a solid start against the Texans, who have one of the worst secondaries in the league.
BENCH
Several fringe QBs have tough matchups this week. CHARLIE FRYE, DAVID CARR, BEN ROETHLISBERGER and PHILLIP RIVERS should be avoided if at all possible…WALI LUNDY owners are certainly happy with the recent news that he is going to be much more involved in the offense in the near future, but he has a tough matchup week against the Jaguars (9th in the league in rushing yards allowed)…WARRICK DUNN may find the going tough against the Steelers, who have allowed just 78 rushing yards per game thus far…If you have another good option, it wouldn’t be a bad week to bench BRAYLON EDWARDS, who faces a Broncos squad that has allowed only one passing TD in five games.
Be sure to check back on Saturday for a complete injury update. In the meantime, feel free to post your questions on our Fantasy Q & A.
