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
TONY ROMO, BRAD JOHNSON, DREW BREES and DAVID CARR are all marginal starters that have nice matchups this week against subpar pass defenses…If he plays, LAMONT JORDAN should be a nice start against the Seahawks, who have had trouble stopping the run in recent weeks…JAMAL LEWIS and WILLIS MCGAHEE also have good matchups, but don’t bench a stud that’s playing well for any of these guys…MIKE FURREY, EDDIE KENNISON, ANTONIO BRYANT and LEE EVANS are good options this week. They all face subpar pass defenses.
BENCH
PHILLIP RIVERS has a tough matchup against a Browns defense that is pretty good against the pass. Likewise, SENECA WALLACE, MARK BRUNELL and BEN ROETHLISBERGER should probably ride the pine this week…RUDI JOHNSON, RONNIE BROWN, THOMAS JONES and FRANK GORE all have tough matchups this week, but only bench these guys if you have another good option. In fact, I’d probably still start Rudi over the disappointing Jamal Lewis at this point…The NEW ENGLAND RECEIVERS might find the going tough against a Colts team that is pretty good against the pass. The Pats should be able to run at will, so Tom Brady and company may not have to throw it much…SANTANA MOSS also has a bad matchup, but he can explode at any time, so it’s wise only to bench him if you have another good option.
Be sure to check back Saturday for a full injury update. In the meantime, feel free to post your questions on our Fantasy Q & A.
