Every week, I will 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 suggest you bench Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson because they have tough matchups – just go ahead and keep them in your lineup. Instead, 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 Tony Romo, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.
The “love ‘em” players are listed in the order that I’d start them this week.
Michael Vick showed that he still has the speed to cause headaches and with the Lions on tap, he’s probably going to have a big day… Despite missing much of the preseason due to an ankle injury, Donovan McNabb looked pretty good against the Cowboys, all things considered. This week, he has a terrific matchup with the Texans, who gave up over 400 yards passing to Peyton Manning last week. I wouldn’t expect that kind of production from McNabb, but 250 yards and a TD or two is well within reach…Joe Flacco has a big arm, and he threw for 248 yards against the Jets’ vaunted defense last week. With a much easier matchup against the Bengals coming up, he should have a very nice day…Need a sleeper? Jason Campbell threw for 180 yards and a TD against the Titans last week and even ran for 35 yards. With the Rams coming to town, he’s in line for a solid week…Need another sleeper? How about Josh Freeman, who faces a Panthers defense that struggled mightily against Eli Manning and the Giants last week?
DeAngelo Williams had a quiet game last week but had a decent ypc (3.9) against the Giants. The Panthers should be able to stick with the run the entire game and given the Bucs’ problems last week (104 rushing yards allowed, TD), Williams is a threat to go off…Remember what Arian Foster did to the Colts last week? Start Ahmad Bradshaw…LeSean McCoy should have a nice day against the Lions, who did a pretty good job against the Bears’ rush defense last week, but couldn’t stop Matt Forte in the passing game…Carnell Williams isn’t a bad RB2/RB3 this week. The Panthers struggled against the Giants last week and Caddy looked pretty good against the Browns.
Definitely get Anquan Boldin in your starting lineup this week. The Cincy pass defense was shredded by Tom Brady and the Pats last week and Boldin was terrific against the Jets…Louis Murphy is a sleeper that I’d start in a pinch against the Rams, who gave up 266 yards and a TD to Derek Anderson last week…I like both Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee this week against a Jags defense that gave up a ton of yardage to Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal last week. Phillip Rivers and the SD passing game should have a field day…Rookie Mike Williams (TB) is primed for another good week, as he faces a Carolina pass defense that was shredded by Hakeem Nicks…I love Santana Moss this week against the Texans, who struggled against the pass last week against the Colts. Moss and Donovan McNabb already look like they have a nice rapport.
Don’t expect much from Carson Palmer this week against the Ravens. They completely shut down the Jets’ offense last week and Cincy’s isn’t much better…Vince Young is typically a solid start, but the Pittsburgh pass defense made Matt Ryan look bad last week, so Young may not produce at his usual level…I think I’d steer clear of Sam Bradford this week, despite last week’s reasonably solid fantasy performance. The Raiders pass defense was pretty good last season.
The Buffalo running game was pretty ugly against the Dolphins last week, so I’d keep C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson on the bench this week against the Packers…Matt Forte had a nice game last week against the Lions, but that was the Lions. The Cowboys’ rush defense was pretty solid against the Redskins and I don’t think Forte is going to go off in the passing game again this week. He’s startable, but you can probably do better…Speaking of Clinton Portis, the Texans were fairly stout against the run last week and I don’t think Portis is in any danger of going off…The Jets managed a few yards against the Ravens, but I don’t think Cedric Benson is going to have much luck against Baltimore’s front-seven.
I’d leave Eddie Royal on the bench this week. He has missed practice due to a leg injury, and the Seahawks shut down Michael Crabtree last week…I suspect Nmadi Asomugha will be shadowing Mark Clayton after his big week against the Cards, and that doesn’t bode well for his production…Don’t bother with Lee Evans this week. He was a non-factor last week and if he draws Charles Woodson, it probably won’t be pretty.
