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 Drew Brees 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.

LOVE ‘EM

QB: There are a number of fringe starters with nice matchups this week. Jake Delhomme (@ MIN), Matt Cassel (vs. MIA), Brett Favre (@ SD), J.T. O’Sullivan (vs. DET), Matt Hasselbeck (vs. STL) and Kerry Collins (vs. HOU) all have favorable matchups this week…For the desperate, Joe Flacco (vs. CLE) has a date with a sketchy Browns defense.

RB: Michael Turner (vs. KC) is a must-start against a Chiefs run defense that has given up an average of 213 rushing yards and 1.5 rush TD per game…Kevin Smith (@ SF) has a nice matchup against the 49ers, who have yielded 139 rushing yards and 1.5 rush TD per game…It hasn’t been pretty, but don’t take Larry Johnson (@ ATL) out of your lineup this week. The Falcons are bad against the run…Julius Jones (vs. STL) is a good start this week, especially if Maurice Morris misses again.

WR: It would be wise to start Steve Smith (and Muhsin Muhammad) against a questionable Vikings secondary…This almost goes without saying, but Eddie Royal (vs. NO) should be in your lineup against a Saints defense that has yielded the 5th most passing yards per game this season…Both Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles (@ SD) have a good matchup against the Chargers, who gave up a ton of fantasy points to the Denver wideouts last week… Bryant Johnson (vs. DET) is a sneaky good start against a troubled Lions secondary…For the desperate, Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason (vs. CLE) are adequate starts against a bad Browns pass defense…For the super desperate, Koren Robinson (vs. STL) gets the start against the Rams, who have been brutal against the pass.

LEAVE ‘EM

QB: Matt Ryan (vs. KC), Derek Anderson (@ BAL), Matt Schaub (@ TEN), David Garrard (@ IND), JaMarcus Russell (@ BUF) and Brian Griese (@ CHI) all have unfavorable matchups this week and should be benched if better options are available.

RB: With Tim Hightower vulturing his goal line carries and a tough matchup with the Redskins this week, it’s not a bad time to sit Edgerrin James (@ WAS)…Jonathan Stewart (@ MIN) had a nice Week 2, but I wouldn’t depend on him for much production against a very stout Vikings defense…Jamal Lewis’ brutal schedule continues with a date with the Ravens in Baltimore…Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams seem like a bad idea against a Patriots defense that is tough against the run.

WR: It’s not a good week to start any of the Jacksonville receivers as the Colts have been decent against the pass. But if you’re desperate, Bob Sanders is out, so Matt Jones might be startable in a PPR league…Keep Ronald Curry (@ BUF) on the bench until he and JaMarcus Russell show us that they’re using the same playbook…I’d sit Vincent Jackson (and maybe Chris Chambers) this week against a Jets secondary that is playing pretty well.

DTBWW

Welcome to the world of Defensive Team By Waiver Wire. Each week, you pick up a defense usually playing at home against a bad offense, and each week, you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position. All teams are available in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Here are this week’s picks:

ATL (vs. KC)
SF (vs. STL)