Week 11
Games through Nov. 22

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Finally, all those bye weeks are behind us. Nobody has to search for viable bye-week replacements, nobody has to play a game with star players riding the pine anymore. Well, almost nobody. Injuries are still with us, and this week, Priest Holmes, arguably the top fantasy player, is likely out for a second consecutive game. His replacement, Derrick Blaylock, was one of the hottest pick-ups off the wire last week, yet after burning the weak Saints defense, it won’t be quite so easy going this Monday against a Patriots squad that stopped Willis McGahee last weekend. Elsewhere, in Minnesota, Randy Moss is also likely out for another week, and while fantasy players have made do with Nate Burleson as a replacement, the fading Vikings need him back urgently. Fortunately, there are still plenty of healthy fantasy stars – let’s take a look at which ones to start and which ones to leave on the pine in this week’s edition of Start & Sit.

START

QB:

Joey Harrington, Det: Harrington has not gotten the job done the last two weeks, and Detroit lost both games. But, to his credit, it was against two of the better defenses in the league, the Redskins and Jaguars. For Harrington owners, this week’s opponent may finally bring relief, as the Lions travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings, who have the fourth-worst pass defense in the NFL.

Kyle Boller, Bal: Yes, you read this one right, the name here is Kyle Boller – but before calling this column’s author completely insane, consider the following. This is by no means a recommendation to play Boller over Peyton Manning, Daunte Culpepper or even Jake Plummer. But there are several other quarterbacks whose matchups are a lot less promising than Boller’s. And Boller has made strides recently, throwing for three TDs in the last three weeks, with an average of 192 yards per game, while throwing only one interception in that span. This week, he plays at home against a Dallas defense that sometimes seems have quit trying, as seen on Monday night against the Eagles (at home, no less). Boller will not give you five TDs, but he could be worth a shot this week if your regular QB has matchup trouble.

Others to start:
Jake Delhomme, Car
Ben Roethlisberger, Pit
Marc Bulger, StL
Trent Green, KC
David Carr, Hou
Michael Vick, Atl

No-brainers:
Daunte Culpepper, Min
Peyton Manning, Ind
Donovan McNabb, Phi
Jake Plummer, Den
Drew Brees, SD
Brett Favre, GB
Tom Brady, NE

RB:

Emmitt Smith, Ari: Smith has been surprisingly solid this year and still shows no signs of slowing down. He is definitely worth starting this week against a Carolina team that has allowed a league high 15 rushing TDs so far and might have to play without leading tackler Dan Morgan, who has been downgraded to doubtful

Jerome Bettis, Pit: Filling in for injured Duce Staley, Bettis has come up huge the past two weeks. It looks like Staley will be out another week, but even if he can play, Bettis may be worth starting anyway. Cincinnati is only ranked 30th in the league against the run, and the Steelers will try to pound the Bengals defense on the ground, with Bettis getting the carries around the goal line regardless of Staley’s health.

Others to start:
Marshall Faulk, StL
Fred Taylor, Jax
Kevan Barlow, SF
Clinton Portis, Was
Onterrio Smith, Min
Corey Dillon, NE
Derrick Blaylock, KC
Deuce McAllister, NO
Willis McGahee, Buf

No-brainers:
Shaun Alexander, Sea
LaDainan Tomlinson, SD
Edgerrin James, Ind
Tiki Barber, NYG
Curtis Martin, NYJ
Jamal Lewis, Bal
Ahman Green, GB
Domanick Davis, Hou
Reuben Droughns, Den

WR:

Jerry Porter, Oak: The Raiders come off their bye week to face the Chargers, a team that burned them 42-14 three weeks ago. While San Diego has to be considered the favorite again, at least the Oakland passing game should produce some useful stats against a mediocre Charger defense that is allowing 240 yards per game through the air. And that ise good news for Porter owners, who should enjoy a fine game on Sunday.

Ashley Lelie, Den: With a rejuvenated Rod Smith stealing the limelight, Lelie hasn’t received the attention he deserves. Yet Lelie is producing numbers almost equal to Smith’s in a flawless Denver passing game, scoring a TD in four of his last five games. This week, against the worst passing defense in the league, Lelie is a must-start in all fantasy formats.

Others to start:
Eric Moulds, Buf
Isaac Bruce, StL
David Givens, NE
Michael Clayton, TB
Jimmy Smith, Jax
Reggie Wayne, Ind
Muhsin Muhammad, Car
Joe Horn, NO (if healthy)
Santana Moss, NYJ

No-brainers:
Torry Holt, StL
Terrell Owens, Phi
Marvin Harrison, Ind
Darrell Jackson, Sea
Javon Walker, GB
Andre Johnson, Hou
Hines Ward, Pit
Marcus Robinson, Min
Rod Smith, Den

TE/K/D:

Jeremy Shockey, TE, NYG: Hampered by injuries, Shockey has not produced at the level his owners expected, but he has 10 catches and two TDs in his last two games, indicating he could be on the verge of breaking out big. Some may doubt Shockey this week because of the QB change in New York, but this might even raises Shockey’s value since he’ll spend the game serving as Eli Manning’s safety blanket against a weak Atlanta pass defense.

Paul Edinger, K, Chi: After winning three in a row without too much help from their offense, the Bears should finally be able again to move the ball a bit against the vulnerable Colts defense. On the other hand, the lack of true offensive power might mean that Chicago will have to settle for field goals rather than touchdowns. Edinger therefore looks like a nice start this week.

Indianapolis Defense: As stated above, Chicago should be able to move the ball well but will have problems scoring TDs. The Colts will do their best to hurry unproven QB Craig Krenzel, giving fantasy owners points through sacks and turnovers. Take a chance on this promising matchup.

 
BENCH

QB:

Matt Hasselbeck, Sea: Just when we thought Hasselbeck found his touch again after throwing three touchdowns last week at San Francisco, he let a lot of us down with only 172 yards, an interception and no TDs. And yes, this letdown came against the mediocre Rams defens. So what should we expect against a Dolphins defense that leads the league against the pass? Probably not much, so bench him this week if you have alternatives.

Aaron Brooks, NO: Despite showing improvement, Brooks again fell short of expectations last week, throwing for just one score and 259 yards against the unimpressivee Chiefs defense, far lower numbers than expected. This week, those stats would be anything but disappointing with as the Broncos, who only allow 168 yards per game through the air, coming to New Orleans. Better take your chances elsewhere.

RB:

Rudi Johnson, Cin: Johnson surprised everyone in this season’s first meeting between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, running for 123 yards and a score against the Steelers. However, his owners probably shouldn’t pin their hopes on a re-run of that game, since Pittsburgh’s run-stopping ability is much improved, having not allowed more than 54 yards to any back since then. The Steelers are rolling, and Johnson it’s unlikely that Rudi Johnson will be the one to derail them.

Tyrone Wheatley, Oak: Wheatley has three rushing TDs in his last two games since returning from injury, but has just 77 yards in those two contests. He should find it much tougher to find the end zone this week against a Chargers team that leads the league against the run. And if the Raiders wind up having to play from behind, Wheatley might not see too many carries on Sunday.

WR:

Koren Robinson, Sea: This week’s game may be the last we see of Robinson for a month, as he likely will be suspended for four games by the NFL on Monday. With the Seahawks tangling with one of league’s top pass defenses this week, don’t wait until his suspension becomes official: bench him now.

Keyshawn Johnson, Dal: It’s always tough to bench a player of Johnson’s potential, but Keyshawn has not gotten over the 100-yard hump since week 1. Right now, TE Jason Witten is clearly Vinny Testaverde’s top target. Dallas has a tough away game in Baltimore this week. The Ravens have allowed only 178 yards per game through the air, limiting the chances of a breakout game by Johnson.

TE/K/D:

Boo Williams, TE, NO: Williams finally showed improvement in the last two weeks, catching a total of eight passes and reaching the end zone once. However, this was against the weak defenses of Kansas City and Oakland, and not the Denver Broncos. If you were thinking about putting him into your lineup, think again, and choose a different tight end.

Shayne Graham, K, Cin: Graham was hot in recent last weeks, scoring an average of 9.5 points per game. But this week, things don’t look good with the Steelers coming to town. Pittsburgh has given up the second-fewest points in the league, and have shut down more potent offenses than Cincinnati. Don’t expect Graham to get many chances to score.

Detroit Defense: Minnesota scores almost 27 points per game on average, and does not turn the ball over much (11 turnovers in nine games), so doesn’t look like a matchup to be optimistic about the Detroit defense. Yes, Eddie Drummond is among the best return men in the league, but special teams points aren’t worth the risk of starting this unit.

 
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.