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
MARK BRUNELL has been hot of late, throwing for 590 yards and four TD against only one pick in the last two games. Sure, the first of those games was against a bad Texans defense, but last week Brunell torched a normally stout Jacksonville defense. This week, he faces a Giants defense that has allowed 281 pass yards and 2.7 pass TDs per game. Even though Brunell has been known to disappear at times, this looks like a nice matchup…BRAD JOHNSON faces a Lions defense that has given up 282 pass yards and 2.5 pass TD per game. It’s a good week to start BJ and his #1 WR, TROY “STONE HANDS” WILLIAMSON…FRED TAYLOR has a nice matchup with a Jets D that has allowed 141 rush yards and 2 rush TD per game…GREG JENNINGS should get lots of work against the Rams, especially with Donald Driver hurting. Jennings is quickly becoming a trustworthy target for Brett Favre and that means lots and lots of targets for the talented rookie.
BENCH
Let’s see, JAKE PLUMMER had a week to think about how close he was to losing his job, and he gets to play the Ravens this week. Ouch…I think I’d also leave ALEX SMITH on the bench. It’s not that he’s not capable of torching the Oakland defense, I just don’t think he’ll have to. Teams have been able to run at will on the Raiders, so it doesn’t look like he’ll need to throw much…I don’t know that I’d bench him if I didn’t have a pretty good backup plan, but WILLIE PARKER faces a Chargers defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season…DERRICK MASON could have a quiet game against the Broncos, who have only allowed one score through the air thus far this season. This matchup has the feel of a low scoring defensive battle.
Check back Saturday for a complete injury update. In the meantime, if you have roster questions, be sure to post them on the Fantasy Q & A. We’re happy to give you a second opinion.
