Each 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
If you’re a Donovan McNabb owner (like me) you might be scrambling this week for a starter at QB. CHARLIE FRYE has a terrific matchup with a porous Bengals defense that has allowed the most points to opposing QBs over the last six weeks. Cincinnati will probably put up some points, so the Browns will have to throw to stay in the game. JAKE DELHOMME, AARON BROOKS and VINCE YOUNG also have favorable matchups… FRED TAYLOR and AHMAN GREEN have nice matchups against the Bills and Seahawks, respectively…SANTONIO HOLMES is worth a spot start this week. He’s been playing pretty well of late and actually has a great matchup against the Ravens, who have allowed the fourth most points to WRs over the last six weeks…
BENCH
REX GROSSMAN has a very tough matchup against the Pats this week. PHILLIP RIVERS, JON KITNA and JASON CAMPBELL also face tough pass defenses and may struggle…EDGERRIN JAMES, THOMAS JONES and LADELL BETTS will probably find running room tough to come by as they face the Vikings, Pats and Panthers, respectively…JOEY GALLOWAY, REGGIE BROWN and DONTE STALLWORTH have tough matchups this week and should be benched if you have another (decent) option.
INJURY UPDATE (THURSDAY GAMES)
Good news for KEVIN JONES owners: it’s not a high ankle sprain. He’s listed as questionable for Thursday’s game, but is not expected to play. He should be back for Week 13…RONNIE BROWN is listed as probable and did practice this week…TONY GONZALEZ returned to practice Tuesday and is a game-time decision against the Broncos…ROD SMITH is listed as questionable and, considering his production, shouldn’t be in fantasy lineups this week…MIKE BELL and TATUM BELL are both expected to play against the Chiefs, making any of the Denver RBs a risky play this week. Damn you, SKELETOR!
