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
A number of marginal starting QBs have good matchups this week. MATT LEINART, REX GROSSMAN, CHARLIE FRYE, TONY ROMO, DAMON HUARD and JAKE PLUMMER are all decent starts…TRAVIS HENRY and WALI LUNDY face each other this Sunday, and both guys are good starts even if they aren’t completely dependable…THOMAS JONES and REUBEN DROUGHNS also have good matchups, while TATUM BELL is a must-start this week…EDDIE KENNISON and BRAYLON EDWARDS have nice matchups against the Seahawks and Jets, respectively. Both teams have had trouble against the pass in recent weeks.
BENCH
BEN ROETHLISBERGER, ALEX SMITH and SENECA WALLACE have tough matchups against the Raiders, Bears and Chiefs respectively. Of those three, Big Ben probably has the best chance of having a decent game, though the other two could throw for a lot of yards in garbage time…It might be a good week to sit DEUCE MCALLISTER and REGGIE BUSH down. They’ve been splitting carries and they face a very tough Ravens defense this week…The entire 49ers offense should have a tough go, so FRANK GORE and ANTONIO BRYANT should be benched if you have another good option…Likewise, MARQUES COLSTON and JOE HORN should find the going tough against the Ravens.
Be sure to check back on Saturday for a complete injury update. In the meantime, feel free to post your questions on our Fantasy Q & A.
