I’d like to start off this week’s Start & Sit by extending a thank you to Tony Romo and Joseph Addai for making me look smart for highlighting them in last week’s edition. Nine combined touchdowns from those two is better than some of my fantasy teams did as a whole last week. Hopefully a little bit of that mojo carries over to this week, as the fantasy football regular season winds to a close. And don’t forget, if you have any Ravens or Bengals you would like to start – they play on Thursday this week! Once again, have a look at our rankings, and good luck!
Our system is based on two separate rankings: Risk and Reward. Each player or defense was given a statistical ranking for each of the two categories.
Risk is determined by anything that could negatively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as matchup, situation, and injuries.
Reward is determined by anything that could positively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as talent, matchup, and situation.
The Ranking for the two categories is as follows:
Risk: Score of 0 being the lowest risk, 10 being the highest risk.
Reward: Score of 0 being lowest reward, 10 being the highest reward.
| Quarterbacks | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Peyton Manning – IND | at TEN | 17.8 | 1.8 | 9.6 |
| Drew Brees – NO | vs SF | 15.8 | 3.0 | 8.8 |
| Tom Brady – NE | vs DET | 15.0 | 3.2 | 8.2 |
| Carson Palmer – CIN | vs BAL | 14.4 | 3.6 | 8.0 |
| Tony Romo – DAL | at NYG | 13.4 | 4.2 | 7.6 |
| Marc Bulger – STL | vs ARI | 13.2 | 3.8 | 7.0 |
| Philip Rivers – SD | at BUF | 12.8 | 4.0 | 6.8 |
| Steve McNair – BAL | at CIN | 12.4 | 3.8 | 6.2 |
| Trent Green – KC | at CLE | 11.8 | 4.2 | 6.0 |
| Matt Leinart – ARI | at STL | 11.8 | 4.8 | 6.6 |
| Jake Delhomme – CAR | at PHI | 11.8 | 4.8 | 6.6 |
| Matt Hasselbeck – SEA | at DEN | 11.8 | 4.8 | 6.6 |
| Chad Pennington – NYJ | at GB | 11.6 | 4.4 | 6.0 |
| Brett Favre – GB | vs NYJ | 11.6 | 4.6 | 6.2 |
| Michael Vick – ATL | at WAS | 11.4 | 5.4 | 6.8 |
| Rex Grossman – CHI | vs MIN | 11.0 | 5.8 | 6.8 |
| Joey Harrington – MIA | vs JAC | 10.8 | 4.8 | 5.6 |
| Ben Roethlisberger – PIT | vs TB | 10.8 | 5.6 | 6.4 |
| Alex Smith – SF | at NO | 10.6 | 5.2 | 5.8 |
| Vince Young – TEN | vs IND | 10.4 | 5.8 | 6.2 |
| David Carr – HOU | at OAK | 10.0 | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Jon Kitna – DET | at NE | 9.8 | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Eli Manning – NYG | vs DAL | 9.6 | 6.0 | 5.6 |
| Jason Campbell – WAS | vs ATL | 9.2 | 5.4 | 4.6 |
| David Garrard – JAC | at MIA | 9.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Brad Johnson – MIN | at CHI | 9.0 | 5.6 | 4.6 |
| Charlie Frye – CLE | vs KC | 8.4 | 5.8 | 4.2 |
| JP Losman – BUF | vs SD | 8.4 | 6.2 | 4.6 |
| Jeff Garcia – PHI | vs CAR | 8.2 | 6.4 | 4.6 |
| Bruce Gradkowski – TB | at PIT | 8.0 | 6.2 | 4.2 |
| Jay Cutler – DEN | vs SEA | 7.6 | 7.0 | 4.6 |
| Aaron Brooks – OAK | vs HOU | 7.2 | 6.6 | 3.8 |
Start:
Steve McNair, BAL (12.4 rating): Last week I advocated leaving McNair on your bench against a usually solid Pittsburgh defense. Well, the Ravens dispatched of Pittsburgh with little trouble, and McNair, had a decent although unspectacular day. Why change my tune now? Easy, this week McNair goes up against the Bengals 32nd ranked pass defense. Expect the Ravens to have continued success through the air on Thursday.
Sit:
Vince Young, TEN (10.4 rating): Giants fans are still in shock over what Young and his Titans did to their team in the 4th quarter last week. I imagine his performance last week will garner a lot of interest from fantasy owners who find him on their league’s waiver wire. He is certainly a good prospect, so while I would not advise against adding him to your team for the playoffs, he is probably not the greatest start next week against the Colts. Indianapolis has the third stingiest pass defense in the NFL, and could cause the rookie quarterback problems with their talented pass rushing defensive ends.
| Running Backs | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| LaDainian Tomlinson – SD | at BUF | 18.3 | 1.5 | 9.8 |
| Larry Johnson – KC | at CLE | 17.5 | 2.0 | 9.5 |
| Steven Jackson – STL | vs ARI | 16.0 | 2.3 | 8.3 |
| Frank Gore – SF | at NO | 15.3 | 3.0 | 8.3 |
| Brian Westbrook – PHI | vs CAR | 15.3 | 3.3 | 8.5 |
| Willie Parker – PIT | vs TB | 15.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 |
| Shaun Alexander – SEA | at DEN | 13.8 | 4.0 | 7.8 |
| Joseph Addai – IND | at TEN | 13.5 | 3.5 | 7.0 |
| Marion Barber – DAL | at NYG | 13.3 | 4.0 | 7.3 |
| Tiki Barber – NYG | vs DAL | 13.3 | 4.0 | 7.3 |
| Deuce McAllister – NO | vs SF | 13.0 | 3.5 | 6.5 |
| Corey Dillon – NE | vs DET | 12.5 | 4.5 | 7.0 |
| Jamal Lewis – BAL | at CIN | 12.3 | 4.3 | 6.5 |
| Ahman Green – GB | vs NYJ | 12.3 | 4.8 | 7.0 |
| Travis Henry – TEN | vs IND | 12.3 | 4.8 | 7.0 |
| Laurence Maroney – NE | vs DET | 12.0 | 5.3 | 7.3 |
| Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC | at MIA | 11.8 | 4.8 | 6.5 |
| Ladell Betts – WAS | vs ATL | 11.8 | 5.0 | 6.8 |
| Edgerrin James – ARI | at STL | 11.5 | 4.5 | 6.0 |
| Warrick Dunn – ATL | at WAS | 11.5 | 4.8 | 6.3 |
| Fred Taylor – JAC | at MIA | 11.5 | 5.0 | 6.5 |
| Reggie Bush – NO | vs SF | 11.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 |
| Cadillac Williams – TB | at PIT | 10.8 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| DeAngelo Williams – CAR | at PHI | 10.8 | 5.5 | 6.3 |
| Chester Taylor – MIN | at CHI | 10.8 | 5.8 | 6.5 |
| Brandon Jacobs – NYG | vs DAL | 10.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| Willis McGahee – BUF | vs SD | 10.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| Thomas Jones – CHI | vs MIN | 10.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dominic Rhodes – IND | at TEN | 10.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Julius Jones – DAL | at NYG | 10.3 | 5.8 | 6.0 |
| Rudi Johnson – CIN | vs BAL | 10.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Wali Lundy – HOU | at OAK | 9.8 | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| Justin Fargas – OAK | vs HOU | 9.3 | 5.5 | 4.8 |
| Samkon Gado – HOU | at OAK | 9.0 | 5.8 | 4.8 |
| Leon Washington – NYJ | at GB | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Tatum Bell – DEN | vs SEA | 8.8 | 6.0 | 4.8 |
| Mike Bell – DEN | vs SEA | 8.8 | 6.0 | 4.8 |
| Reuben Droughns – CLE | vs KC | 8.5 | 6.0 | 4.5 |
| Kevin Jones – DET | at NE | 8.5 | 6.8 | 5.3 |
| DeShaun Foster – CAR | at PHI | 8.3 | 6.3 | 4.5 |
| Sammy Morris – MIA | vs JAC | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Kevan Barlow – NYJ | at GB | 7.8 | 6.5 | 4.3 |
| Jerious Norwood – ATL | at WAS | 7.8 | 6.8 | 4.5 |
| TJ Duckett – WAS | vs ATL | 7.3 | 6.3 | 3.5 |
| Musa Smith – BAL | at CIN | 7.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 |
| Cedric Houston – NYJ | at GB | 7.0 | 6.5 | 3.5 |
| Vernand Morency – GB | vs NYJ | 6.8 | 6.8 | 3.5 |
| Cedric Benson – CHI | vs MIN | 6.5 | 6.8 | 3.3 |
| Correll Buckhalter – PHI | vs CAR | 6.5 | 6.8 | 3.3 |
| LenDale White – TEN | vs IND | 6.3 | 6.5 | 2.8 |
| Michael Turner – SD | at BUF | 6.0 | 6.5 | 2.5 |
| Najeh Davenport – PIT | vs TB | 6.0 | 6.8 | 2.8 |
| Ron Dayne – HOU | at OAK | 6.0 | 7.3 | 3.3 |
| Mike Anderson – BAL | at CIN | 5.8 | 6.5 | 2.3 |
| Maurice Morris – SEA | at DEN | 5.8 | 7.0 | 2.8 |
| Arlen Harris – DET | at NE | 4.8 | 8.5 | 3.3 |
| Jerome Harrison – CLE | vs KC | 4.3 | 8.0 | 2.3 |
| Michael Robinson – SF | at NO | 4.0 | 7.8 | 1.8 |
| Noah Herron – GB | vs NYJ | 3.8 | 8.3 | 2.0 |
Start:
Deuce McAllister, NO (13.0 rating): Sharing time with Reggie Bush may have limited Deuce’s yardage total this year, but he has still managed to score eight touchdowns, including four in his last four games. He should get the chance to get in the endzone again this week as the Saints host a 49er defense that has given up twelve rushing touchdowns this year. Only two other teams have been more accommodating to running backs in this respect.
Sit:
Julius Jones, DAL (10.3 rating): Jones may still be the starter in Dallas, but from a fantasy perspective he may have been passed by the Cowboy’s goalline back Marion Barber III. Barber has not only scored five touchdowns in the past four weeks to Jones’ zero, but he also outcarried Julius last week for the first time this year. I have to think Barber will see the field almost as much if not more than Jones in the coming weeks, while still stealing most of Jones’ touchdown opportunities, seriously limiting Julius’ fantasy potential. Not to mention a division game on the road against the Giants is not a great matchup this week for either back.
| Wide Receivers | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Steve Smith – CAR | at PHI | 15.8 | 3.2 | 9.0 |
| Reggie Wayne – IND | at TEN | 15.0 | 3.2 | 8.2 |
| Anquan Boldin – ARI | at STL | 14.4 | 3.4 | 7.8 |
| Larry Fitzgerald – ARI | at STL | 14.4 | 3.4 | 7.8 |
| Chad Johnson – CIN | vs BAL | 14.4 | 4.0 | 8.4 |
| Donald Driver – GB | vs NYJ | 14.2 | 3.4 | 7.6 |
| Terrell Owens – DAL | at NYG | 14.2 | 4.0 | 8.2 |
| Marvin Harrison – IND | at TEN | 13.8 | 3.8 | 7.6 |
| Torry Holt – STL | vs ARI | 13.6 | 4.0 | 7.6 |
| Roy Williams – DET | at NE | 13.2 | 4.6 | 7.8 |
| Andre Johnson – HOU | at OAK | 12.8 | 4.2 | 7.0 |
| Lee Evans – BUF | vs SD | 12.6 | 4.6 | 7.2 |
| Darrell Jackson – SEA | at DEN | 12.6 | 4.6 | 7.2 |
| Terry Glenn – DAL | at NYG | 12.2 | 4.6 | 6.8 |
| Laveranues Coles – NYJ | at GB | 12.2 | 4.6 | 6.8 |
| Plaxico Burress – NYG | vs DAL | 12.2 | 5.0 | 7.2 |
| Marques Colston – NO | vs SF | 12.2 | 6.0 | 8.2 |
| TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN | vs BAL | 12.0 | 4.6 | 6.6 |
| Bernard Berrian – CHI | vs MIN | 12.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| Javon Walker – DEN | vs SEA | 12.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| Joe Horn – NO | vs SF | 12.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| Deion Branch – SEA | at DEN | 11.8 | 4.8 | 6.6 |
| Mark Clayton – BAL | at CIN | 11.6 | 4.8 | 6.4 |
| Greg Jennings – GB | vs NYJ | 11.4 | 4.8 | 6.2 |
| Braylon Edwards – CLE | vs KC | 11.4 | 5.0 | 6.4 |
| Joey Galloway – TB | at PIT | 11.4 | 5.2 | 6.6 |
| Muhsin Muhammad – CHI | vs MIN | 11.2 | 5.2 | 6.4 |
| Chris Chambers – MIA | vs JAC | 11.2 | 5.2 | 6.4 |
| Marty Booker – MIA | vs JAC | 11.2 | 5.2 | 6.4 |
| Reche Caldwell – NE | vs DET | 11.2 | 5.4 | 6.6 |
| Isaac Bruce – STL | vs ARI | 10.8 | 5.0 | 5.8 |
| Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ | at GB | 10.8 | 5.2 | 6.0 |
| Keyshawn Johnson – CAR | at PHI | 10.6 | 4.8 | 5.4 |
| Chris Henry – CIN | vs BAL | 10.6 | 5.6 | 6.2 |
| Donte’ Stallworth – PHI | vs CAR | 10.6 | 6.0 | 6.6 |
| Santana Moss – WAS | vs ATL | 10.6 | 6.0 | 6.6 |
| Antonio Bryant – SF | at NO | 10.2 | 6.2 | 6.4 |
| Reggie Brown – PHI | vs CAR | 10.0 | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Drew Bennett – TEN | vs IND | 10.0 | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Derrick Mason – BAL | at CIN | 9.8 | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Nate Washington – PIT | vs TB | 9.6 | 5.6 | 5.2 |
| Santonio Holmes – PIT | vs TB | 9.6 | 5.8 | 5.4 |
| Mike Furrey – DET | at NE | 9.4 | 6.0 | 5.4 |
| Eddie Kennison – KC | at CLE | 9.2 | 6.2 | 5.4 |
| Rod Smith – DEN | vs SEA | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Eric Moulds – HOU | at OAK | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Eric Parker – SD | at BUF | 8.8 | 5.8 | 4.6 |
| Bryant Johnson – ARI | at STL | 8.6 | 6.0 | 4.6 |
| Wes Welker – MIA | vs JAC | 8.6 | 6.0 | 4.6 |
| Chad Jackson – NE | vs DET | 8.6 | 6.0 | 4.6 |
| Kevin Curtis – STL | vs ARI | 8.6 | 6.2 | 4.8 |
| Matt Jones – JAC | at MIA | 8.6 | 6.4 | 5.0 |
| Ernest Wilford – JAC | at MIA | 8.4 | 6.2 | 4.6 |
| Keenan McCardell – SD | at BUF | 8.0 | 6.4 | 4.4 |
| Michael Jenkins – ATL | at WAS | 8.0 | 6.6 | 4.6 |
| Joe Jurevicius – CLE | vs KC | 8.0 | 6.6 | 4.6 |
| Reggie Williams – JAC | at MIA | 8.0 | 6.6 | 4.6 |
| Michael Clayton – TB | at PIT | 7.8 | 6.6 | 4.4 |
| Arnaz Battle – SF | at NO | 7.8 | 6.8 | 4.6 |
| Doug Gabriel – NE | vs DET | 7.6 | 6.2 | 3.8 |
| Josh Reed – BUF | vs SD | 7.6 | 6.4 | 4.0 |
| Mark Bradley – CHI | vs MIN | 7.6 | 6.6 | 4.2 |
| Marcus Robinson – MIN | at CHI | 7.6 | 6.6 | 4.2 |
| Randy Moss – OAK | vs HOU | 7.6 | 7.2 | 4.8 |
| Troy Brown – NE | vs DET | 7.2 | 6.4 | 3.6 |
| Roscoe Parrish – BUF | vs SD | 7.2 | 6.8 | 4.0 |
| Troy Williamson – MIN | at CHI | 7.2 | 7.4 | 4.6 |
| Nate Burleson – SEA | at DEN | 7.0 | 6.8 | 3.8 |
| Travis Taylor – MIN | at CHI | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 |
| Sammie Parker – KC | at CLE | 6.8 | 6.8 | 3.6 |
| Tim Carter – NYG | vs DAL | 6.8 | 7.2 | 4.0 |
| Hank Baskett – PHI | vs CAR | 6.8 | 7.4 | 4.2 |
| Antwaan Randle El – WAS | vs ATL | 6.8 | 7.4 | 4.2 |
| Ashley Lelie – ATL | at WAS | 6.6 | 6.8 | 3.4 |
| Justin McCareins – NYJ | at GB | 6.6 | 7.0 | 3.6 |
| Brandon Stokely – IND | at TEN | 6.6 | 7.2 | 3.8 |
| Roddy White – ATL | at WAS | 6.2 | 7.2 | 3.4 |
| Bobby Engram – SEA | at DEN | 5.6 | 7.6 | 3.2 |
| Brandon Lloyd – WAS | vs ATL | 5.4 | 7.8 | 3.2 |
| Dennis Northcutt – CLE | vs KC | 5.0 | 7.8 | 2.8 |
| Jerry Porter – OAK | vs HOU | 4.8 | 8.2 | 3.0 |
| Rashied Davis – CHI | vs MIN | 4.4 | 8.0 | 2.4 |
Start:
Marvin Harrison, IND (13.8 rating): It has been a slightly disappointing fantasy season for Marvin Harrison, at least by his standards. It came to its low point last week, as he managed only 1 catch for 8 yards against the Eagles. But fear not, I expect Harrison to get back on track this week, and have a nice comeback game against the Titans.
Sit:
Braylon Edwards, CLE (11.4 rating): Edwards is a streaky receiver. He started the season with a pretty nice stretch, and had another good three game stretch recently, but I think now may be a bit of a down period. Last week was not pretty for any Brown. Braylon could only come up with 29 yards against a Bengal secondary that, as I mentioned before, has had trouble stopping the pass. When you end a game having to be restrained from going after your quarterback, you know things did not go as planned. It won’t get much easier for Braylon this week as he gets matched up against the Chiefs’ Ty Law.
| Tight Ends | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Antonio Gates – SD | at BUF | 13.5 | 4.0 | 7.5 |
| Todd Heap – BAL | at CIN | 13.3 | 4.0 | 7.3 |
| Tony Gonzalez – KC | at CLE | 12.8 | 3.8 | 6.5 |
| Chris Cooley – WAS | vs ATL | 12.7 | 4.0 | 6.7 |
| Jeremy Shockey – NYG | vs DAL | 12.3 | 4.3 | 6.5 |
| Alge Crumpler – ATL | at WAS | 12.3 | 4.5 | 6.8 |
| Kellen Winslow – CLE | vs KC | 12.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| Jason Witten – DAL | at NYG | 12.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| Ben Watson – NE | vs DET | 11.3 | 5.0 | 6.3 |
| LJ Smith – PHI | vs CAR | 11.3 | 5.0 | 6.3 |
| Heath Miller – PIT | vs TB | 11.3 | 5.0 | 6.3 |
| Desmond Clark – CHI | vs MIN | 10.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| Randy McMichael – MIA | vs JAC | 10.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Owen Daniels – HOU | at OAK | 9.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 |
| Jermaine Wiggins – MIN | at CHI | 9.8 | 5.8 | 5.5 |
| Daniel Graham – NE | vs DET | 9.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Ben Utecht – IND | at TEN | 8.5 | 5.3 | 3.8 |
| Stephen Alexander – DEN | vs SEA | 8.5 | 6.3 | 4.8 |
| Eric Johnson – SF | at NO | 8.3 | 6.0 | 4.3 |
| George Wrighster – JAC | at MIA | 8.3 | 6.3 | 4.5 |
| Bo Scaife – TEN | vs IND | 8.3 | 6.7 | 5.0 |
| Bubba Franks – GB | vs NYJ | 7.8 | 6.5 | 4.3 |
| Chris Baker – NYJ | at GB | 7.5 | 6.0 | 3.5 |
| Reggie Kelly – CIN | vs BAL | 7.3 | 6.8 | 4.0 |
| Bryan Fletcher – IND | at TEN | 7.0 | 6.5 | 3.5 |
| Joe Klopfenstein | vs ARI | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 |
| Marcus Pollard – DET | at NE | 6.5 | 7.0 | 3.5 |
| Jeremy Stevens – SEA | at DEN | 6.3 | 7.0 | 3.3 |
| Alex Smith – TB | at PIT | 6.3 | 7.3 | 3.7 |
| Kris Mangum – CAR | at PHI | 6.3 | 7.3 | 3.5 |
| Adam Bergen – ARI | at STL | 6.0 | 6.8 | 2.8 |
| Courtney Anderson – OAK | vs HOU | 6.0 | 6.8 | 2.8 |
| Itula Mili – SEA | at DEN | 6.0 | 7.3 | 3.3 |
| Dan Campbell – DET | at NE | 6.0 | 7.5 | 3.5 |
| Jeb Putzier – HOU | at OAK | 5.5 | 7.0 | 2.5 |
| Jason Dunn – KC | at CLE | 5.3 | 7.5 | 2.8 |
| David Martin – GB | vs NYJ | 5.3 | 7.8 | 3.0 |
| John Gilmore – CHI | vs MIN | 5.0 | 7.3 | 2.3 |
| Anthony Becht – TB | at PIT | 4.3 | 8.0 | 2.3 |
| Mike Sellers – WAS | vs ATL | 3.3 | 8.3 | 1.7 |
Start:
Tony Gonzalez, KC (12.8 rating): Gonzalez was on a four game tear when he got injured against the Dolphins in week 10, but surprisingly missed only one game. He has now had one game to work out the kinks, and should be ready to go against a Cleveland team that got blasted by the Bengals last week. You should not have any reservations about plugging Gonzo into your lineup this week.
Sit:
Jerramy Stevens, SEA (6.3 rating): Stevens’ pass catching struggles were well documented against the Packers on Monday Night. While he did manage to pull down a touchdown late in the game, he is still wasting way too many opportunities. Those opportunities will be much less frequent against Denver than they were against Green Bay, so I would not advise using Stevens this week if you have the option.
| Kickers | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Adam Vinatieri – IND | at TEN | 15.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 |
| Robbie Gould – CHI | vs MIN | 14.3 | 3.3 | 7.5 |
| Nate Kaeding – SD | at BUF | 13.8 | 4.3 | 8.0 |
| Jeff Wilkins – STL | vs ARI | 13.0 | 3.8 | 6.8 |
| Shayne Graham – CIN | vs BAL | 13.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 |
| John Carney – NO | vs SF | 13.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 |
| Stephen Gostkowski – NE | vs DET | 12.8 | 3.8 | 6.5 |
| Lawrence Tynes – KC | at CLE | 12.5 | 3.8 | 6.3 |
| Matt Stover – BAL | at CIN | 12.5 | 4.3 | 6.8 |
| Jason Elam – DEN | vs SEA | 12.5 | 4.3 | 6.8 |
| John Kasay – CAR | at PHI | 12.3 | 4.5 | 6.8 |
| Jay Feely – NYG | vs DAL | 12.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| Josh Brown – SEA | at DEN | 12.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| David Akers – PHI | vs CAR | 11.8 | 5.0 | 6.8 |
| Josh Scobee – JAC | at MIA | 11.5 | 4.0 | 5.5 |
| Joe Nedney – SF | at NO | 11.5 | 4.0 | 5.5 |
| Neil Rackers – ARI | at STL | 11.5 | 5.3 | 6.8 |
| Morten Andersen – ATL | at WAS | 11.3 | 4.5 | 5.8 |
| Rian Lindell – BUF | vs SD | 11.3 | 4.8 | 6.0 |
| Jeff Reed – PIT | vs TB | 11.0 | 4.5 | 5.5 |
| Kris Brown – HOU | at OAK | 10.5 | 4.8 | 5.3 |
| Mike Nugent – NYJ | at GB | 10.5 | 4.8 | 5.3 |
| Sebastian Janikowski – OAK | vs HOU | 10.5 | 4.8 | 5.3 |
| Dave Rayner – GB | vs NYJ | 10.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Phil Dawson – CLE | vs KC | 9.8 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Olindo Mare – MIA | vs JAC | 9.8 | 5.5 | 5.3 |
| Matt Bryant – TB | at PIT | 9.3 | 5.5 | 4.8 |
| Jason Hanson – DET | at NE | 9.0 | 5.5 | 4.5 |
| Rob Bironas – TEN | vs IND | 9.0 | 5.5 | 4.5 |
| Nick Novak – WAS | vs ATL | 8.8 | 5.8 | 4.5 |
| Ryan Longwell – MIN | at CHI | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Martin Gramatica – DAL | at NYG | 4.0 | 8.3 | 2.3 |
| Michael Koenen – ATL | at WAS | 2.5 | 8.8 | 1.3 |
Start:
John Carney, NO (13.0 rating): He’s an old man, but Carney is still getting it down for the division leading Saints. At home in a dome, he should have a good game against the 49ers, who rank second to last in the NFL in scoring defense.
Sit:
Jason Hanson, DET (9.0 rating): Hanson has not had too bad of a season for the Lions, but this week he will not be working in the ideal conditions for a kicker. Not only will he be kicking outside in New England in December, but the Patriots have the second best scoring defense in the league, so his chances will also probably be limited.
| Team Defense | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Chicago | vs MIN | 15.3 | 3.3 | 8.5 |
| Baltimore | at CIN | 14.0 | 4.3 | 8.3 |
| New England | vs DET | 13.5 | 3.8 | 7.3 |
| Dallas | at NYG | 12.8 | 4.8 | 7.5 |
| San Diego | at BUF | 12.5 | 4.0 | 6.5 |
| Denver | vs SEA | 12.3 | 4.5 | 6.8 |
| Pittsburgh | vs TB | 12.0 | 4.8 | 6.8 |
| Indianapolis | at TEN | 11.8 | 4.3 | 6.0 |
| Kansas City | at CLE | 11.8 | 4.3 | 6.0 |
| New Orleans | vs SF | 11.5 | 4.3 | 5.8 |
| Miami | vs JAC | 11.5 | 4.8 | 6.3 |
| Jacksonville | at MIA | 11.3 | 4.8 | 6.0 |
| Carolina | at PHI | 11.3 | 5.0 | 6.3 |
| Houston | at OAK | 10.8 | 4.5 | 5.3 |
| Seattle | at DEN | 10.8 | 4.8 | 5.5 |
| Green Bay | vs NYJ | 10.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| St. Louis | vs ARI | 10.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Minnesota | at CHI | 10.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Philadelphia | vs CAR | 10.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Cincinnati | vs BAL | 9.8 | 5.8 | 5.5 |
| Atlanta | at WAS | 9.3 | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| New York Jets | at GB | 9.0 | 5.8 | 4.8 |
| Oakland | vs HOU | 9.0 | 5.8 | 4.8 |
| Arizona | at STL | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Washington | vs ATL | 8.8 | 6.3 | 5.0 |
| San Francisco | at NO | 8.5 | 6.0 | 4.5 |
| Tampa Bay | at PIT | 8.3 | 5.8 | 4.0 |
| New York Giants | vs DAL | 8.3 | 6.3 | 4.5 |
| Cleveland | vs KC | 8.0 | 6.5 | 4.5 |
| Buffalo | vs SD | 7.3 | 7.3 | 4.5 |
| Tennessee | vs IND | 6.8 | 7.0 | 3.8 |
| Detroit | at NE | 6.0 | 7.5 | 3.5 |
Start:
San Diego (12.5 rating): Shawne “Light’s Out” Merriman returns this week for the Chargers, who go into Buffalo on a five game win streak. His presense alone greatly increases the value of a defense that was allready pretty good from a fantasy perspective. The Bills have shown some improvement on offense in recent weeks, but San Diego should still get enough sacks and turnovers to be a good fantasy start.
Sit:
Denver (12.3 rating): Now I don’t know if I would recommend benching the Broncos no matter what, but I would certainly see if there was another viable option available before plugging them into your starting lineup. They get Seattle at home, but the Seahawks finally have both Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck, and if last week’s game against Green Bay is any indication, particularly the second half of last week’s game, they have that offense rolling again. I think Seattle gives the Broncos’ defense all they can handle this week.
Special thanks to BlueBandit24, danielrp, dream_017, Kilroy1872, Leber, m16a, madaslives911, mattb47 and SwiperNoSwiping for their rankings and involvement with this week's article. For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section or listen to The Coach's Voice on Fantasy Cafe Radio.
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(26 votes, average: 4.08 out of 5)




