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 tell you about how Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson has a tough matchup – 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.
Jay Cutler is a must-start against the Lions, who have given up 10 pass TD in the first three weeks…Start Eli Manning this week against the Chiefs, who are 20th against the pass…The Titans have been brutal against the pass (275 yards, 2.3 TD), so David Garrard should be in for a nice game…Shaun Hill had a good fantasy game last week against the Vikings, and he should be able to have some success against the Rams defense, which is 25th against the pass…Brett Favre is a pretty good start this week against the Packers, who are just so-so (2.0 TD allowed) against the pass…For the desperate, Trent Edwards (MIA), Jason Campbell (TB) and Kerry Collins (JAX) all have favorable matchups this week.
Cedric Benson is pretty much a must-start this week against a Browns defense that has yielded eight rush TD in three games. Benson is running great and should be considered every week from here on out…Ronnie Brown should have a nice game against the Bills, who have allowed 117 rushing yards and 1.3 rush TD per game this season…Darren McFadden should be in lineups this week versus the league’s worst rush defense…Stick with Steve Slaton! He has had a rough schedule thus far, but that’s about to change. The Raiders’ 28th-ranked rush defense is coming to town and the Texans should finally be able to get Slaton going…I know he hasn’t performed up to expectations thus far, but Matt Forte should be in your lineup as he faces a Lions defense that has historically struggled to stop everyone…The Rams own the league’s 27th-ranked rush defense, so Glen Coffee is a very nice start this week…Willie Parker is dinged up, but if he can go, he’s a pretty solid start against the Chargers. If he can’t go, expect Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore to post decent numbers in his absence.
Brandon Marshall had a nice game last week and if he’s as involved this week, he should be a good start against a Cowboys defense that has struggled to stop the pass…Santana Moss finally busted out with a nice game last week and has another good matchup this week against a Bucs defense that has yielded seven pass TD in three games. He and Jason Campbell should be able to hook up deep at least once…Mike Sims-Walker has a great matchup with a Tennessee defense that has been absolutely shredded in the passing game this season…Chicago has a great matchup against the Lions, so Devin Hester is a good start, while Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett are decent starts for the desperate…Percy Harvin is a pretty good start in PPR leagues. The other Minnesota WRs — Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice — aren’t as dependable, but they all have a nice matchup with the Packers, who have given up an average of 2.0 pass TD per game this season…Eddie Royal has really stunk it up, but if you are desperate for a fill in, he’s worth a shot. The Cowboys should put up some points, so the Broncos may have to pass more than they did in the first three weeks.
I’d still start him in certain cases, but the Broncos defense has been great thus far this season, so Tony Romo may not be the greatest start in the world. Keep in mind that Denver has faced the Bengals, Browns and Raiders so far this season, so they may be overrated…Matt Cassel has a rough matchup with the Giants’ top-rated pass defense…Don’t go crazy and start Seneca Wallace (@ IND) or Kyle Boller (@ SF) this week. Aside from the fact that they’re Seneca Wallace and Kyle Boller, they also have bad matchups this week.
It doesn’t take a genius to tell you to bench the Patriots’ RBs (versus Baltimore) and Ryan Grant (versus the Williams Wall)…The Jets defense is 9th against the rush, so Pierre Thomas has a tough matchup this week. On the other side of the ball, the Saints’ are surprisingly stout against the run (5th), so Thomas Jones and Leon Washington should be avoided if possible. I’d still start Washington in PPR leagues, but not in standard formats…LaDainian Tomlinson is back, so that bites into the value of Darren Sproles. It also doesn’t help that the duo have to face the Steelers’ 6th-ranked rush defense.
He’s still startable in certain situations, but Roy Williams isn’t clicking with Tony Romo right now and complicating matters is a rough matchup with Champ Bailey…Dwayne Bowe may play this week, but he should be benched against a great Giants defense. Only use him if you have no other good options…He’s still worth starting if you are in a tight spot, but Santonio Holmes usually only plays well when the Steelers can’t run, and they should be able to move the ball on the ground against the Chargers. Keep an eye on Willie Parker — if he can’t go, Holmes may be more startable…I’d stay away from the Baltimore WRs this week. The Pats have pretty much shut down opposing wideouts this season.
