Week 14

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With the playoffs starting in most fantasy leagues this week, one of the most burning questions fantasy owners are asking is when and to which extent the Colts and maybe also the Seahawks will bench their star players once they lock up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Edgerrin James, Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne were key players on many a fantasy team cruising into the playoffs. So was Shaun Alexander, of course, along with Matt Hasselbeck and Joe Jurevicius (who may see less playing time anyway with the possible return of Darrell Jackson).

Colts owners are hoping that their players will continue to stay in the game as long as the unbeaten streak lasts, but only Tony Dungy knows whether this will be the case. Still, you simply cannot bench any of these Colts right now, so just keep your fingers crossed and keep an eye on Dungy’s statements.

Alexander owners, on the other hand, simply have to hope that either the Panthers or the Bears keep winning, or that the Seahawks suffer a loss (preferably with a high score), keeping Seattle from locking up the top spot. For now, at least, Seahawks owners are still safe, as the earliest the Seahawks star could be benched would be week 16.

No matter who you own, it’s crunch time now. Ride your best players, and play the matchups with the rest of your roster. To help you do so, here is our look at players to start – and others you may wish to leave on your bench – in this week’s edition of Start & Sit.

START

QB:

Brad Johnson, Min: A lot of people did not believe that Johnson would be able to turn around the sinking Viking ship. Well, he did, and while doing so, he also produced solid fantasy points for those who picked him up when the matchup was favorable. Against a weak Rams defense, he therefore could be a very good option at QB.

Drew Bledsoe, Dal: In what is almost a must-win game for both teams, Bledsoe should have good success throwing against a Chiefs defense that is ranked 30th in the league against the pass.

Others to start:
Brett Favre, GB
Michael Vick, Atl
Kurt Warner, Ari
Jake Plummer, Den
David Carr, Hou
Tom Brady, NE
Steve McNair, Ten

No-brainers:
Peyton Manning, Ind
Eli Manning, NYG
Carson Palmer, Cin
Drew Brees, SD
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea

RB:

Corey Dillon, NE: Against the weak Bills rushing defense, Dillon looks like a must-start after coming back from his calf injury last week. The only caveat this week is that you have to hope his injury does not get worse. Follow the news closely, and be sure to have him active as soon as it appears that he will be able to play at full strength.

Antowain Smith, NO: The Falcons have had big troubles stopping the rush recently, and the Saints will try to exploit that weakness fully on Sunday. Smith could therefore be due for a good day, and is worth considering when you set your lineup.

Others to start:
LaMont Jordan, Oak
Thomas Jones, Chi
Reuben Droughns, Cle
Willis McGahee. Buf
Sam Gado, GB
Curtis Martin, NYJ
DeShaun Foster, Car
Steven Jackson, StL
Domanick Davis, Hou
Rudi Johnson, Cin

No-brainers:
Shaun Alexander, Sea
Larry Johnson, KC
LaDainan Tomlison, SD
Chris Brown, Ten
Mike Anderson, Den
Warrick Dunn, Atl
Tiki Barber, NYG
Clinton Portis, Was
Edgerrin James, Ind

WR:

Lee Evans, Buf: Three weeks after his first breakout game this year, Evans had a huge three-touchdown effort last Sunday. While it’s hard to put your faith in the Bills offense as a whole, the improved chemistry between Evans and QB JP Losman is undeniable. This should be on display again this week against a Patriots defense that is still hurting.

Antonio Bryant, Cle: With Braylon Edwards out for the season, Bryant should be the go-to receiver again in Cleveland. Against the Bengals, who have problems against the pass at times, he should be a frequent target for rookie QB Charlie Frye.

Others to start:
Derrick Mason, Bal
Joe Jurevicius, Sea
Brandon Lloyd, SF
Drew Bennett, Ten
Jimmy Smith, Jax
Isaac Bruce, StL
Keenan McCardell, SD
Donald Driver, GB
Randy Moss, Oak
Roy Williams, Det
Koren Robinson, Min
Keyshawn Johnson, Dal
Rod Smith, Den

No-brainers:
Chad Johnson, Cin
Bobby Engram, Sea
Chris Chambers, Mia
Steve Smith, Car
Joey Galloway, TB
Marvin Harrison, Ind
Reggie Wayne, Ind
Plaxico Burress, NYG
Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
Anquan Boldin, Ari
Santana Moss, Was
Torry Holt, StL
Andre Johnson, Hou

TE/K/D:

Ben Troupe, TE, Ten: With Erron Kinney out, Troupe will be targeted even more often in the Titans passing attack. Against the weak Texans defense, Troupe could do very well and therefore be active in your lineup.

Rob Bironas, K, Ten: The Titans should be able to move the ball well against the Texans at home and provide Bironas with lots of chances. If you like to play the matchups at the kicker position, Bironas might just be your man this week.

Minnesota Defense: The Vikings defense continues to surprise and could do very well against a struggling Rams offense that continues to start third-stringer Ryan Fitzpatrick.

 
BENCH

QB:

Marques Tuiasosopo, Oak: Tuiasosopo will start for the Raiders, but he might struggle against a Jets defense allowing only 180 yards per game through the air. But even more importantly, the Raiders’ game plan will probably feature LaMont Jordan against the porous Jets run defense, so the new guy under center might spend most of the day handing the ball to his RB.

Jake Delhomme, Car: While he had a good game last week, Delhomme has struggled during the past five games, throwing for more than 220 yards just once and tossing only five TDs (and an equal number of interceptions). This trend could continue, as Delhomme faces an effective Tampa Bay defense that is fifth in the league against the pass.

RB:

Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams, Mia: The Dolphins’ running back tandem has worked well in recent weeks, but it will face a very tough challenge this Sunday. The Chargers lead the league in fewest rushing yards allowed, and should be able to stop the duo this week. Neither back is a good start this week, so better leave both on the bench.

Jamal Lewis, Bal: After his huge game against the Bengals, fantasy owners had hoped that Lewis would keep up the good work. Yet he disappointed everyone last week against the weak Texans defense. With Denver’s defense playing far better against the run than Houston, it’s hard to imagine Lewis doing much damage this week.

WR:

Eddie Kennison, KC: Kennison is enjoying a very solid season so far, and has established himself as a reliable fantasy receiver. Still, he tends to disappear against tough secondaries, and that’s exactly what he’ll be up against this week. The Dallas Cowboys are playing very well against the pass, and it’s possible that Kennison will be shut down. Yes, it’s not easy to bench him, but this might be the week to do so.

Ernest Wilford, Jax: Wilford had established solid on-field chemistry with Byron Leftwich, but it appears that David Garrard is looking primarily in Jimmy Smith’s direction so far. In the last two weeks, Wilford averaged 2.5 catches for 32 yards per game. With the tough Colts defense coming up, Wilford doesn’t look like an enticing option.

TE/K/D:

Bryan Fletcher, TE, Ind: Fletcher has scored a TD in three consecutive weeks, but can he do it again this time? Maybe not: he is still just the fifth or sixth option in the Colts’ attack, and against a feisty Jacksonville defense, his success might be limited.

Olindo Mare, K, Mia: Miami continues to play well at home, but keeps struggling on foreign ground. With the Chargers defense playing well recently, Mare might not see too many scoring chances this week.

Baltimore Defense: The Ravens defense is not playing up to its reputation this year, and could have problems stopping the Broncos’ powerful rushing attack this week. To make matters worse, the Broncos are tied for fewest giveaways in the league, so do not expect much from the Baltimore defense on Sunday.

 
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.

 

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