Every week, I 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 LaDainian Tomlinson has a tough matchup – just go ahead and start them. 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 Donovan McNabb, 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.
LOVE ‘EM
QB: There are a number of fringe QBs that have nice matchups this week. Matt Schaub (vs. DET), Trent Edwards (vs. SD), Matt Cassel (vs. DEN), Jeff Garcia (vs. SEA), Brad Johnson (@ STL, assuming Tony Romo doesn’t play), JaMarcus Russell (vs. NYJ) and Dan Orlovsky (@ HOU) all face suspect pass defenses.
RB: Chris Johnson (@ KC) and LenDale White have a tantalizing matchup against the Chiefs, who are dead last in the league against the run…Thomas Jones (@ OAK) is a good start against the Raiders, who have allowed 1.6 rush TD per game this season…Steve Slaton (vs. DET) should be in your iineups against a very bad Lions defense (171 rush yards per game). Detroit did play inspired ball against the Vikings, but I’d expect the Texans to have more success…Ryan Grant (vs. IND) faces a Colts defense that has yielded 161 rushing yards per game. If he can’t get it going against Indy, he may not get it going this season…With Laurence Maroney and LaMont Jordan hobbled, Sammy Morris (vs. DEN) against a bad Bronco rush defense…For the desperate, Rudi Johnson (@ HOU) has a nice matchup with the Texans, who have given up 2.0 rush TD per game this season.
WR: This wouldn’t be a bad week to start Derrick Mason (@ MIA), as the Dolphins are #29 against the pass (239 yards per game)…Steve Smith is a no-brainer, but Muhsin Muhammad (vs. NO) should start as well. The Saints are 21st against the pass…Bernard Berrian (vs. MIN) is on fire right now (4.8-100-0.5 over the last four games) and he faces a Bears defense that is 27th in the league against the pass.
LEAVE ‘EM
QB: Just as there are a number of fringe QBs with nice matchups, there are several with bad matchups as well. Derek Anderson (@ WAS) showed some life last week, but he has a tough matchup with the Redskins this week…Brodie Croyle (vs. TEN) should not be trusted against a very good Titans defense…Chad Pennigton (vs. BAL) should ride the pine against what is probably the best defense in the league.
RB: The Chris Perry/Cedric Benson/Kenny Watson nightmare should be benched this week against a very good Steeler rush defense…Julius Jones and Maurice Morris (@ TB) face a Bucs defense that is 9th in the league against the rush and still hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown this season…I would still start them, but these players have tough matchups this week: Willis McGahee (@ MIA), Jamal Lewis (@ WAS), Ronnie Brown (vs. BAL), Adrian Peterson (@ CHI) and Reggie Bush (@ CAR).
WR: I don’t know that I would bench any of the WR1’s on these teams, but the Bengals, Browns, Packers, Chiefs, Saints and Steelers all have bad matchups. You can probably still start Housh, Brylon, Jennings, Bowe, Colston, Ward and Holmes, but you might want to leave Ocho Cinco, Stallworth, Driver and Lance Moore on the bench.
DTBWW
Welcome to the world of Defensive Team By Waiver Wire. Each week, you pick up a defense, usually playing at home against a bad offense. And each week, you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position. All teams are available in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
HOU (vs. DET)
MIA (vs. BAL)
Last week’s picks:
Redskins: 19 PA + 2 SK + 1 FR = 5 fantasy points
Jets: 14 PA + 5 SK + 1 FR = 10 fantasy points
