Every week, I 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 Carson Palmer or LaDainian Tomlinson has a tough matchup – just go ahead and start them. 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 Ben Roethlisberger, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.
START ‘EM
QB: Matt Hasselbeck has a terrific matchup against the Browns, who have allowed a second worst 271 passing yards per game and a league worst 18 TD passes…Jay Cutler faces the Lions, who played well last week against the Bears, but are the league’s third worst pass defense on the season…Phillip Rivers looks like a great start against the Vikings, who are terrific against the run but can’t stop the pass to save their lives…Jon Kitna has a nice matchup against the Broncos, who are pretty good yardage-wise, but have allowed 13 pass TD thus far this season.
RB: This may be the last time that owners can use Travis Henry and he has a nice matchup against the Lions, who have yielded 109 yards and 1.0 TD on the ground in the first seven games…If Ahman Green plays, he’s not a bad start against the Raiders, who are good against the pass, but can’t stop the run…Clinton Portis is a nice start this week as he faces the Jets, who are 27th against the run this season…LenDale White also has a good matchup against Carolina.
WR: Lee Evans has been spotty this year, but he’s a nice start this week against the Bengals, who are simply awful against the pass…Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers are sneaky good starts this week against the Vikings, who have allowed a league worst 289 yards per game this season…D.J. Hackett returns from a high ankle sprain to a nice matchup against the Browns. It looks like Deion Branch is out, so Hackett should start…Roddy White looks like a nice start against the 49ers, who have been pretty bad lately against the pass.
SIT ‘EM
QB: Kurt Warner has a number of good weapons to throw to, but he faces the Bucs, who have allowed the second fewest yards passing yards and just six TD this season…Desperate owners should not look to Sage Rosenfels for help this week. He faces the Raiders who have the league’s third best pass defense…Likewise, keep David Carr on your bench. He faces the Titans who have allowed just 7 TD against 11 INT this season.
RB: DeShaun Foster should be benched this week since he faces the Titans, who have the league’s best rush defense…Thomas Jones is an iffy start given his tough matchup with the Redskins who are 9th in the league against the run.
WR: Andre Johnson may return this week, but he faces the Raiders who are very stingy against he pass. On the season, they have allowed just 179 yards and 0.8 TD per game this season…Ron Curry is dinged up, so he should be benched against a Texans defense that is peaking against the pass.
Check back on Friday for my Sleeper of the Week, players that may face Tough Sledding as well as a few DT picks.
