Week 13
Games through December 1

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START

QB:

Patrick Ramsey, Was: After a great start into the season, Ramsey has become more and more undependable, but this week he looks like a solid start again. The Saints have one of the worst defenses in the league, so it should be safe to put him in.

Doug Flutie, SD: He could be this week’s surprise, as he should get a lot of chances to throw against Kansas City. If the Chiefs’ high-scoring offense gets rolling, the Chargers will have to turn to their passing game to keep up. Of course, Flutie remains a gamble, as always, but definitely one to consider this week.

Others to start:
Aaron Brooks, NO
Jon Kitna, Cin
Jake Plummer, Den
Tommy Maddox, Pit
Brad Johnson, TB

No-brainers:
Peyton Manning, Ind
Marc Bulger, StL
Steve McNair, Ten (if cleared to play)
Daunte Culpepper, Min
Chad Pennington, NYJ
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
Trent Green, KC

RB:

TJ Duckett, Atl: Now that Warrick Dunn ist out for the season, the stage is set for Duckett to showcase his skills. And it could not be a better opportunity for Duckett, as the Falcons play lowly Houston. Duckett has looked solid lately when given the rock, and more playing time should turn him into a solid fantasy starter down the stretch.

Michael Bennett, Min: It may have come earlier than expected, but Bennett was the main ball carrier for the Vikings last week, and he definetely convinced us that he is back. The Vikings play the Rams in a what may turn out to be a shootout, and Bennett should be an important factor in this game.

Others to start:
Marcel Shipp, Ari
Moe Williams, Min
Eddie George, Ten
Shaun Alexander, Sea
Edgerrin James, Ind
Domanick Davis, Hou
Michael Pittman, TB
Fred Taylor, Jax

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

WR:

David Boston, SD: He has been inconsistency personified this season, and after a great game last week, many expect him to be a no-show on Sunday. But with San Diego possibly having to throw a lot to catch up with the Chiefs, Boston shouldn’t be counted out. Boston is the Chargers’ only reliable receiver, and could receive a ton of looks.

Plaxico Burress, Pit: Burress never really got close to the form he had last season, but a big part of that was also the inconsistent play of his quarterback, Tommy Maddox. Anyhow, this could change this week. Cincinnati may be 6 and 5, but their pass defense has been awful at times. And this is exactly what the Steelers should aim to exploit. Expect to see a lot of Ward and Burress on Sunday.

Others to start:
Rod Smith, Den
Koren Robinson, Sea
Jimmy Smith, Jax
Steve Smith, Car
Isaac Bruce, StL

No-brainers:
Randy Moss, Min
Marvin Harrisson, Ind
Chad Johnson, Cin
Terrell Owens, SF
Anquan Boldin, Ari
Laveranues Coles, Was
Derrick Mason, Ten
Torry Holt, StL
Santana Moss, NYJ

TE/K/D:

Desmond Clark, TE, Chi: The Bears play Arizona, who are allowing 223 yards per game through the air, at home. Clark has become one of the more dependable Bears receivers, so he may see a lot of action again this week.

John Carney, K, NO: Washington vs New Orleans: this one has shootout written all all over it. If the game unfolds as many expect, Carney could be one of the players to profit most from the offensive fireworks.

New York Giants: The way Buffalo is playing on offense right now, anyone can stop them. The Giants have a lot to prove in this game and should be play some very aggressive football. Put them into your lineup; this matchup should be worth exploiting.

 
BENCH

QB:

Kerry Collins, NYG: Collins has been disappointing in his last couple of starts, and things may not get any better this time around. Buffalo may be struggling offensively, but their defense still knows how to play. The Bills defense is ranked fourth in the league in passing yards allowed, so don’t expect too much from Collins.

Anthony Wright, Bal: Right, Anthony threw four touchdowns last week in an incredible (not to mention controversial) comeback win over the Seahawks. But he is not likely to duplicate his stellar performance, as the Ravens may once again struggle to move the ball through the air on Sunday. If you picked him up, it might be wise to leave him on your bench.

RB:

Tyrone Wheatley, Oak: Charlie Garner should get the majority of the carries for the Raiders, which reduces Wheatley’s value drastically. Moreover, the Broncos are sixth in the league against the rush. Hopefully, you have better options than Wheatley.

Curtis Martin, NYJ: The Titans have allowed the fewest rushing yards of any team this season, which is not good news for Martin owners. Curtis may still have value against weaker teams, but this doesn’t like like the best week to start him.

WR:

Reggie Wayne, Ind: Marvin Harrisson should be back in the starting lineup for the Colts, which means less looks for Wayne. Additionally, the Patriots’ creative defensive schemes should make it tough for the Colts to throw. Consider other options before turning to Wayne.

Ike Hilliard, NYG: Hilliard, like so many Giants, has not been very consistent recently. The Giants play against a tough Bills defense (see Kerry Collins), and the matchup doesn’t look good for Hilliard. The risk of starting him outweighs the potential reward.

TE/K/D:

Kyle Brady, TE, Jax: Brady has not done much this season to convince us that he is a legitimate fantasy starter. This shouldn’t change this week, as the Buccaneers come to Jacksonville. Tampa Bay will seek to shut down the Jaguars’ passing game, which doesn’t bode well for Brady.

Sebastian Janikowski, K, Oak: Will Oakland be able to move the ball consistently against Denver’s tough defense? The Raiders will certainly have their work cut out for them, making Janikowski a questionable start.

Cleveland: This is a tough call, but the Seahawks offense is on a roll right now, especially at home, and doesn’t make very many mistakes. The Browns have been a very effective defense recently, but this week, it may be safer to look elsewhere.

 
Note: Start and Sit lists for this week’s early games can be found here.

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.