Week 12
Games through Nov. 29

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Finally, Thanksgiving is here. I simply love the taste of turkey, especially combined with a day of watching football. The early games on Thursday mean that fantasy owners need to make lineup decisions early as well, often without the benefit of full information on the severity of banged-up players’ injuries. Additionally, you have to remember to set your roster early, so you don’t miss out on good matchups in these early games.

After the two Thanksgiving games, there is still a lot of football to be played on Sunday and Monday. All fantasy eyes will on the Kansas City – San Diego matchup, which has all the makings to be a shootout. Two of the best offenses face off against one another, and virtually all starters from these two teams are worth a spot in your fantasy lineup. As far as the other games are concerned, let’s take a closer look at whom you should avoid and whom you shout keep active in our weekly Start & Sit column.

START

QB:

Joey Harrington, Det: Harrington may not be very dependable right now, but playing against the Indianapolis Colts is a matchup you should look to exploit. The Colts even let Bears QB Craig Krenzel throw for a season high 175 yards and a score, and Harrington could do even better. If you are hurting at QB this week, Harrington is worth a look.

Steve McNair, Ten: McNair is back again, and Tennessee is winning again. well. Actually the Titans escaped with a victory in Jacksonville despite a mediocre showing by their quarterback. This week, McNair should bounce back to post nice stats for your fantasy team against a weak Houston pass defense, the third-worst in the league.

Trent Green, KC: After not surpassing 230 yards in the first four games of the season, Green has thrown for less than 300 only once the rest of the way. This week, against San Diego, it should be easy for him to reach that mark again, as the Chargers are vulnerable against the pass.

Others to start:
Aaron Brooks, NO
Tom Brady, NE
David Carr, Hou

No-brainers:
Peyton Manning, Ind
Daunte Culpepper, Min
Donovan McNabb, Phi
Jake Plummer, Den
Marc Bulger, StL
Brett Favre, GB
Drew Brees, SD
Michael Vick, Atl

RB:

Julius Jones, Dal: In his debut as a starter this season, and only the second game of his career, Julius Jones was impressive for the Cowboys in their loss last week at Baltimore. Jones rushed for 81 yards against one of the best defenses in the league. On Thanksgiving, he faces a defense which was picked apart by Edgerrin James last Sunday, so if you need some help at running back, take a chance on Jones and put him into your lineup.

Lee Suggs, Cle: Despite the uncertainty surrounding Cleveland’s sometimes it’s a committee, sometimes it’s not running game, Suggs should be worth a start this week. He recently received the majority of carries and should be the centerpiece of the Browns offense against the weak Bengals running defense. Due to the injury to Jeff Garcia, the Browns will rely even more on the ground game, so expect a heavy dose of Suggs. William Green might also see a larger number of carries than usual.

Michael Pittman, TB: Don’t get fooled by the Cardinals’ weak rushing numbers last week, the Carolina Panthers are still a team you can beat on the ground. Pittman has excelled as Tampa’s #1 option in the last four weeks, averaging 101 yards and scoring a total of six TDs .The Panthers allow over 133 yards per game to opposing runners, and lead the league in rushing TDs allowed.

Others to start:
Edgerrin James, Ind
Corey Dillon, NE
Chris Brown, Ten (if healthy!!!)
Domanick Davis, Hou
Clinton Portis, Was
Onterrio Smith, Min
Deuce McAllister, NO
Rudi Johnson, Cin
Willis McGahee, Buf

No-brainers:
Shaun Alexander, Sea
LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
Tiki Barber, NYG
Curtis Martin, NYJ
Marshall Faulk, StL
Fred Taylor, Jax

WR:

Roy Williams, Det: Williams is healthy again, and the weak Colts passing defense should not only help Harrington, but also Williams. We expect a nice game from the rookie on Thanksgiving; don’t leave him on your bench.

Peerless Price, Atl: We know some you might already have given up on Price, especially after his zero catches last week against the Giants. Nonetheless, things might be looking up for the struggling receiver in this week’s home game against New Orleans. The Saints are last in the league against the pass, and Atlanta can therefore rely on Vicks arm instead of his feet.

Drew Bennett, Ten: After having several off games, Bennett came back strong after the Titans’ bye week, and the return of quarterback McNair only helps. It could be good all-around week for the Titans passing game, and Bennett should get his share of the action, too.

Others to start:
Marvin Harrison, Ind
Reggie Wayne, Ind
Eric Moulds, Buf
Chad Johnson, Cin
David Givens, NE
Michael Clayton, TB
Muhsin Muhammad, Car
Rod Smith, Den
Darrell Jackson, Sea
Marcus Robinson, Min
Hines Ward, Pit

No-brainers:
Torry Holt, StL
Terrell Owens, Phi
Joe Horn, NO
Javon Walker, GB
Andre Johnson, Hou
Jimmy Smith, Jax
Isaac Bruce, StL

TE/K/D:

Ken Dilger, TE, TB: Carolina has given up an average of 62 yards per game to opposing TEs, while Dilger has scored two TDs in his last three games. His role in the Buccaneers’ passing game has increased recently, so he could be a nice surprise at the TE position this week.

Jay Feely, K, Atl: Feely was one of the top kickers on many draft boards, but his value dropped like a brick during the season. Feely simply has not gotten enough chances to score. That might change this week, when the Falcons play at home against the weak New Orleans defense, second in the league in most points allowed. Atlanta’s kicker looks like a solid option this week.

San Francisco Defense: The 49ers have not played well this year, neither on offense nor on defense. But at least the defense could have a bit of success this week, as they face a Miami offense which can be found near the bottom of the heap in practically all offensive statistics.

 
BENCH

QB:

Craig Krenzel, Chi: If you think that Krenzel is slowly turning into a viable fantasy QB based on his not too shabby performance last week, think again. In particular, don’t make the mistake of thinking he can shine against a Dallas defense that has given up six passing TDs in the last two weeks. Krenzel is no Donovan McNabb, and he might not even be a Kyle Boller.

Jake Delhomme, Car: Carolina’s QB has had four fine game in a row, but this week’s tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might well mark the end of this streak. The Tampa Bay defense ranks second in the league in passing yards allowed, and should give the Panthers’ passer more trouble than other recent opponents.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pit: Roethlisberger has not lost a game as a starter so far, and that streak might not be at an end yet. Still, the young QB might have trouble throwing against a strong Washington defense. Don’t be fooled by the numbers Donovan McNabb put up against the Redskins last week (four TDs and 222 yards with considerable help from the Eagles’ defense and special teams). Those four TD passes are more than a third of the total given up by Washington all season. Roethlisberger has not thrown more than two TDs in any game, and it will not be easy for him to reach that mark this time.

RB:

Eddie George, Dal: The emergence of Julius Jones might have sealed the end of Eddies successful career as a starting RB in the NFL. The Cowboys don’t have much left to play for, so they will give their rookie all the playing time he needs to get used to facing NFL defenses. George will back up Jones and teach him, but nothing more.

Chester Taylor, Bal: Jamal Lewis is out and Taylor will again get the starting nod for the Ravens. However, he has not really produced big stats as the feature back, and it’s doubtful that this will change on Sunday, especially as he faces a New England defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher or a rushing TD in the last three weeks.

Emmitt Smith, Ari: Smith has surprised us this year with some strong games, but the veteran has slowed down a bit recently. The main reason isn’t his age, however, but the lack of a consistent passing game in Arizona to take the pressure off. This week, Smith has to play against a strong Jets front that allows only 104 yards per game on the ground and has given up just five rushing TDs all season. Look elsewhere if you have other options available.

WR:

David Terrell, Chi: 10-0-14-70-11-76. Those are Terrell’s yardage totals in the last six games. Even though he had two solid games in the last three weeks, that may not mean that he is a safe fantasy option yet. He hasn’t scored a TD all season, and is dependent on a young, inexperienced QB (see Craig Krenzel). Bench him if you have more reliable receivers on your squad.

Jerry Rice, Sea: Rice got the start last week in place of Koren Robonson, who was late on a team meeting, and he will do so for the next four weeks as well now that Robinson has finally been suspended by the league. Rice responded with a three-catch, 86-yard effort against the strong Dolphins defense, also scoring a TD. Unfortunately, it will not get any easier this week. The Bills are almost as tough on defense as their AFC East rival, and unlike Miami, Buffalo won’t be caught by surprise by Rice. Bench the veteran receiver unless you’re fond of taking large gambles.

Cedrick Wilson, SF: Wilson has been doing an excellent imitation of David Terrell lately – Wilson may be second only to the Bears’ WR when it comes to frustrating fantasy owners. After a 101-yard game two weeks ago, he had just eight yards on one catch last Sunday. This week, it might not get any better, since the aggressive Miami defense will fight the 49ers for every yard.

TE/K/D:

Eric Johnson, TE, SF: Johnson has been a real surprise this year at the TE position, but he has cooled of a bit recently. This week, San Francisco plays against the Dolphins, who are number one in the league against the pass, and have only allowed two catches per game to opposing TEs over the last four games. This doesn’t look like the best possible time to have Johnson in your lineup.

Sebastian Janikowski, K, Oak: Janikowsi is one of the few remaining dependable players on the Raiders’ roster, but he too could have a tough time this week. The stingy Denver Broncos defense will attempt to put the clamps on the Raiders, and Janikowski may not get too many scoring chances.

New York Giants Defense: With the exception of the game against the Steelers, the Eagles attack has been running at full power all season, moving the chains consistently and turning the ball over just nine times in ten games. Donovan McNabb has only been sacked twice per game, so do not expect too much from the G-men this week.

 
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.