Week 12
Games through November 24

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START

QB:

Jake Plummer, Den: Plummer is back, and it looks like he didn’t gather any rust during his four-game absence. In last week’s three touchdown effort, he showed why everyone in Denver was desperate to have him back in the lineup. While he still might struggle against good defenses, Sunday’s home game against Chicago looks like a good opportunity for Plummer and his fantasy owners.

Donovan McNabb, Phi: McNabb’s resurgence is one of the reasons why the Eagles have won five in a row, and seven of their last eight. He has some tough games ahead, particularly once the fantasy playoffs begin, but this week, McNabb should help you to move a step closer to the post-season. He might not only have a good day through the air, but could also exploit a vulnerable New Orleans front on the ground.

Others to start:
Quincy Carter, Dal
Aaron Brooks, NO
Brad Johnson, TB
Tom Brady, NE
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
Brett Favre, GB
Jon Kitna, Cin

No-brainers:
Peyton Manning, Ind
Marc Bulger, StL
Steve McNair, Ten
Daunte Culpepper, Min
Chad Pennington, NYJ
Trent Green, KC

RB:

Antowain Smith, NE: As things stand, it looks like Smith should get the majority of touches in New England for now, and that immediately makes him worth a look this week against a weak Houston defense. The Texans have allowed a 100-yard rusher four weeks in a row and are only 29th in the league against the rush. Smith is by no means a sure thing, but the potential reward is intriguing, especially for owners struggling at the RB position.

Rudi Johnson, Cin: Even though Corey Dillon might play a greater role in the offense this week, this matchup might be too good to pass up. San Diego is giving up 134 yards on the ground per game, and the Bengals should try to exploit that. Keep a close eye on Cincinnati’s RB situation heading toward game time, but don’t automatically bench Johnson due to Dillon’s return. Another high risk, high reward situation – whether starting Johnson this week depends on your other options.

Others to start:
Marcel Shipp, Ari
Moe Williams, Min
Eddie George, Ten
Shaun Alexander, Sea
Edgerrin James, Ind
Domanick Davis, Hou

No-brainers:
Jamal Lewis, Bal
Ahman Green, GB
LaDainan Tomlinson, SD
Deuce McAllister, NO
Clinton Portis, Den
Stephen Davis, Car
Ricky Williams, Mia
Priest Holmes, KC
Marshall Faulk, StL

WR:

Deion Branch, NE: Branch has emerged as the top receiver on the Patriots, and he could see a lot of action this week against the Texans. With his speed, he could get open deep more than once, and is worth considering this week in spite of New England’s habit of spreading the ball around.

Keenan McCardell, TB: With the deactivation of Keyshawn Johnson, McCardell should be the undisputed top receiver in Tampa Bay, and should be started almost on a weekly basis if you haven’t been doing so already. The Giants allowed McNabb to throw for over 300 yards last week, and you can be sure the Buccaneers have been studying plenty of tape from that matchup.

Others to start:
Rod Smith, Den
David Boston, SD
Donald Driver, GB
Amani Toomer, NYG
Koren Robinson, Sea
Jimmy Smith, Jax
Steve Smith, Car
Anquan Boldin, Ari
Isaac Bruce, StL

No-brainers:
Randy Moss, Min
Chad Johnson, Cin
Terrell Owens, SF
Reggie Wayne, Ind
Eric Moulds, Buf
Laveranues Coles, Was
Chris Chambers, Mia
Joe Horn, NO
Derrick Mason, Ten
Torry Holt, StL

TE/K/D:

Daniel Graham, TE, NE: He was held to just one catch last week by a stingy Dallas defense, but, like Deion Branch, should profit from playing the Texans. Considering the lack of dependable options at TE position, he is practically a must start this week.

Olindo Mare, K, Mia: Playing the weak Redskins defense, the Dolphins might be able to provide Mare with numerous scoring opportunities. He still is the reliable kicker, and should make the best out of his chances.

Cleveland: The Browns have played very good defense over the last weeks and should make things difficult for the Steelers on Sunday afternoon. Combine it with the mistakes Tommy Maddox makes from time to time, and you have a pretty good start for this unit this week.

 
BENCH

QB:

Tommy Maddox, Pit: The Browns are fifth in the league against the pass, only allowing 178 yards per game, and they keep getting better. They held Jeff Blake to a mere 121 yards last week, and Pittsburgh’s offense may fare no better than Arizona’s.

Jake Delhomme, Car: Dallas leads the league against the pass, so the Panthers’ game plan may well be to hand the ball to workhorse Stephen Davis all day. There are certainly better QB options this week.

RB:

Anthony Thomas, Chi: Thomas put up respectable numbers in five of the last six games he played, but that impressive run might come to an end this week. The Broncos have allowed only 90.5 yards per game and a league low four TDs on the ground, and have only lost once at home this season.

Curtis Martin, NYJ: Pennington’s return to the Jets’ lineup has opened up a lot holes for Martin, but finding those gaps might be more difficult this Sunday than in recent weeks. The Jaguars haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher since Stephen Davis in week 1.

WR:

Muhsin Muhammad: Muhammad had a great game last week, but keep in mind that the matchup against Washington worked in his favor. Things might be very different this week, as Carolina could have trouble moving the ball through the air (see Jake Delhomme).

Darell Jackson, Sea: With the emergence of Bobby Engram as a reliable third receiver in Seattle, the number of catches by Jackson and Koren Robinson may continue to drop. Add in a tough road game this week against the Ravens, whose defense is ranked third against the pass, and there’s reason to feel less confident in Jackson than usual.

TE/K/D:

Billy Miller, TE, Hou: The Patriots’ defense keeps improving, and this is not good news for anyone on the Texans squad. New England shut down Dallas last week, and could do the same to Houston. At a position where you’re hoping for looks in the red zone, matchups are key, and Miller doesn’t have a good one.

Paul Edinger, K, Chi: Chicago faces a tough Broncos defense in Denver, which may be bad news for the Bears and Edinger. Chances are you’ll find kickers with far better matchups this week on your waiver wire.

Buffalo: The Bills have handled Indy well at home in recent years, but counting on that success to continue may not be wise: the Colts haven’t been held to less than 20 points since week 1. Buffalo’s banged up offense won’t make things any easier for their defense, either.

 
Fantasy Football Cafe’s Start & Sit lists are suggestions intended to give fantasy football players an edge in their weekly matchups. Savvy owners will see these lists not as an absolute ranking, but as an indication of possible outcomes of a given week, and use them together with their own opinions and hunches to field the lineup that will give their team the greatest odds of winning. The Start & Sit lists are compiled by Dan Spazierer (not Madame Zelda). For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section as well as Charles Budd and Steve Maluk’s weekly Player Projections.