The end is almost here. For many owners, Week 16 represents the Fantasy Championship. For the rest, the final game is but a week away. Time to lay it all on the line to bring home the fantasy gold. The very best of luck to all those lucky enough to have made it this far. Here is the Fantasy Football Cafe’s Week 16 Start & Sit.
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 HOU | 17.6 | 1.4 | 9.0 |
| Drew Brees – NO | at NYG | 15.6 | 2.8 | 8.4 |
| Carson Palmer – CIN | at DEN | 14.8 | 3.4 | 8.2 |
| Marc Bulger – STL | vs WAS | 14.2 | 3.2 | 7.4 |
| Matt Leinart – ARI | at SF | 13.8 | 3.6 | 7.4 |
| Matt Hasselbeck – SEA | vs SD | 13.6 | 3.4 | 7.0 |
| Brett Favre – GB | vs MIN | 13.6 | 3.6 | 7.2 |
| Tony Romo – DAL | vs PHI | 13.4 | 3.4 | 6.8 |
| Michael Vick – ATL | vs CAR | 13.4 | 4.0 | 7.4 |
| Eli Manning – NYG | vs NO | 13.0 | 3.8 | 6.8 |
| Philip Rivers – SD | at SEA | 12.0 | 3.8 | 5.8 |
| Tom Brady – NE | at JAC | 12.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| Jay Cutler – DEN | vs CIN | 12.0 | 4.6 | 6.6 |
| Jeff Garcia – PHI | at DAL | 11.6 | 4.0 | 5.6 |
| JP Losman – BUF | vs TEN | 11.4 | 4.6 | 6.0 |
| Rex Grossman – CHI | at DET | 11.4 | 4.6 | 6.0 |
| Alex Smith – SF | vs ARI | 11.2 | 4.0 | 5.2 |
| Vince Young – TEN | at BUF | 11.2 | 4.6 | 5.8 |
| Chad Pennington – NYJ | at MIA | 11.2 | 4.8 | 6.0 |
| Joey Harrington – MIA | vs NYJ | 10.2 | 4.8 | 5.0 |
| Jason Campbell – WAS | at STL | 10.2 | 5.2 | 5.4 |
| Trent Green – KC | at OAK | 9.8 | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Tim Rattay – TB | at CLE | 9.8 | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Jon Kitna – DET | vs CHI | 9.6 | 5.8 | 5.4 |
| Tarvaris Jackson – MIN | at GB | 9.4 | 5.8 | 5.2 |
| David Garrard – JAC | vs NE | 9.2 | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Derek Anderson – CLE | vs TB | 9.2 | 5.6 | 4.8 |
| Ben Roethlisberger – PIT | vs BAL | 8.6 | 6.2 | 4.8 |
| David Carr – HOU | vs IND | 7.4 | 6.2 | 3.6 |
| Chris Weinke – CAR | at ATL | 7.0 | 6.8 | 3.8 |
| Steve McNair – BAL | at PIT | 7.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 |
| Kyle Boller – BAL | at PIT | 6.2 | 7.0 | 3.2 |
| Aaron Brooks – OAK | vs KC | 6.0 | 7.2 | 3.2 |
| Jake Delhomme – CAR | at ATL | 3.8 | 8.4 | 2.2 |
Start:
Matt Leinart, ARI (13.8 rating): Leinart ran into a little trouble against the Broncos last week, but overall he has had a very solid rookie season. If you are rotating quarterbacks at this point in the fantasy season, Leinart might be worth a hard look this week. The Cardinals go up against the San Francisco 49ers, and while the Niners held the Seahawks’ passing game in check last week, they are still at the lower end of the NFL in terms of passing yards and touchdowns allowed. Matt Leinart should have a productive game throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in San Francisco.
Sit:
Jon Kitna, DET (9.6 rating): Kitna’s 3,600 passing yards and 16 total touchdowns have been a useful addition to many fantasy rosters, but the Lions’ quarterback has slipped down the stretch run. Kitna has only two touchdowns against eight interceptions in his last three games, and it will not get any easier this week against the imposing Chicago Bears defense. He would appear to offer little help to teams in need of a starting quarterback this week.
| Running Backs | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| LaDainian Tomlinson – SD | at SEA | 18.5 | 1.2 | 9.7 |
| Larry Johnson – KC | at OAK | 18.2 | 1.3 | 9.5 |
| Frank Gore – SF | vs ARI | 17.5 | 1.5 | 9.0 |
| Steven Jackson – STL | vs WAS | 16.8 | 2.2 | 9.0 |
| Brian Westbrook – PHI | at DAL | 16.2 | 1.8 | 8.0 |
| Ladell Betts – WAS | at STL | 16.0 | 2.2 | 8.2 |
| Tiki Barber – NYG | vs NO | 15.5 | 2.2 | 7.7 |
| Willis McGahee – BUF | vs TEN | 15.0 | 2.8 | 7.8 |
| Rudi Johnson – CIN | at DEN | 14.8 | 2.7 | 7.5 |
| Shaun Alexander – SEA | vs SD | 14.7 | 3.2 | 7.8 |
| Marion Barber – DAL | vs PHI | 14.5 | 3.2 | 7.7 |
| Reggie Bush – NO | at NYG | 14.2 | 3.2 | 7.3 |
| Deuce McAllister – NO | at NYG | 13.8 | 3.3 | 7.2 |
| Cedric Benson – CHI | at DET | 13.7 | 3.2 | 6.8 |
| Chester Taylor – MIN | at GB | 13.7 | 3.5 | 7.2 |
| Travis Henry – TEN | at BUF | 13.3 | 3.3 | 6.7 |
| Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC | vs NE | 12.7 | 3.8 | 6.5 |
| Sammy Morris – MIA | vs NYJ | 12.5 | 3.5 | 6.0 |
| Edgerrin James – ARI | at SF | 12.5 | 3.8 | 6.3 |
| Jamal Lewis – BAL | at PIT | 12.3 | 4.0 | 6.3 |
| Willie Parker – PIT | vs BAL | 12.2 | 4.5 | 6.7 |
| Dominic Rhodes – IND | at HOU | 12.0 | 4.2 | 6.2 |
| Joseph Addai – IND | at HOU | 12.0 | 4.8 | 6.8 |
| Cedric Houston – NYJ | at MIA | 11.8 | 3.8 | 5.7 |
| Corey Dillon – NE | at JAC | 11.5 | 4.2 | 5.7 |
| Ron Dayne – HOU | vs IND | 11.3 | 4.0 | 5.3 |
| Julius Jones – DAL | vs PHI | 11.2 | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Mike Bell – DEN | vs CIN | 11.2 | 5.2 | 6.3 |
| Thomas Jones – CHI | at DET | 11.0 | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Ronnie Brown – MIA | vs NYJ | 11.0 | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Brandon Jacobs – NYG | vs NO | 11.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 |
| Tatum Bell – DEN | vs CIN | 11.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 |
| Warrick Dunn – ATL | vs CAR | 10.5 | 4.8 | 5.3 |
| Michael Turner – SD | at SEA | 10.3 | 4.8 | 5.2 |
| Justin Fargas – OAK | vs KC | 9.2 | 4.7 | 3.8 |
| DeAngelo Williams – CAR | at ATL | 9.2 | 5.3 | 4.5 |
| Ahman Green – GB | vs MIN | 9.2 | 5.3 | 4.5 |
| Cadillac Williams – TB | at CLE | 9.2 | 5.5 | 4.7 |
| Correll Buckhalter – PHI | at DAL | 9.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Wali Lundy – HOU | vs IND | 8.7 | 5.3 | 4.0 |
| Reuben Droughns – CLE | vs TB | 8.7 | 5.5 | 4.2 |
| Jerious Norwood – ATL | vs CAR | 8.3 | 5.8 | 4.2 |
| DeShaun Foster – CAR | at ATL | 8.0 | 5.8 | 3.8 |
| Fred Taylor – JAC | vs NE | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Laurence Maroney – NE | at JAC | 8.0 | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| Leon Washington – NYJ | at MIA | 7.7 | 6.0 | 3.7 |
| Jerome Harrison – CLE | vs TB | 7.5 | 6.0 | 3.5 |
| Vernand Morency – GB | vs MIN | 7.0 | 6.2 | 3.2 |
| Najeh Davenport – PIT | vs BAL | 7.0 | 6.3 | 3.3 |
| Arlen Harris – DET | vs CHI | 7.0 | 6.8 | 3.8 |
| Maurice Morris – SEA | vs SD | 6.3 | 6.8 | 3.2 |
| TJ Duckett – WAS | at STL | 6.0 | 6.7 | 2.7 |
| Lendale White – TEN | at BUF | 5.8 | 6.7 | 2.5 |
| Samkon Gado – HOU | vs IND | 5.7 | 7.0 | 2.7 |
| Mike Anderson – BAL | at PIT | 4.5 | 7.5 | 2.0 |
| Musa Smith – BAL | at PIT | 4.5 | 7.8 | 2.3 |
| Michael Robinson – SF | vs ARI | 4.0 | 7.8 | 1.8 |
| Noah Herron – GB | vs MIN | 3.7 | 7.8 | 1.5 |
| Ciatrick Fason – MIN | at GB | 3.2 | 8.3 | 1.5 |
| LaBrandon Toefield – JAC | vs NE | 2.5 | 8.7 | 1.2 |
| Kevan Barlow – NYJ | at MIA | 2.3 | 8.8 | 1.2 |
Start:
Ladell Betts, WAS (16.0 rating): Betts has been on a tear since he took over the starting role in Week 12. The Redskins’ runner has recorded four straight 100-yard games, and goes into St. Louis needing only 67 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. Look for him to get that and then some, as the Rams are second worst in the NFL against the run, giving up 147.8 rushing yards a game.
Sit:
Cedric Houston, NYJ (11.8 rating): Houston has quietly taken over the role of lead back for the Jets, as he’s carried the ball 18 times or more in each of their last three games. However, he does not make the best start in Week 16 against a Miami defense that has been strong against the run all season. The Dolphins have allowed only six rushing touchdowns, and a paltry 3.5 yards per carry average to opposing running backs.
| Wide Receivers | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Marvin Harrison – IND | at HOU | 17.5 | 1.5 | 9.0 |
| Reggie Wayne – IND | at HOU | 17.3 | 1.5 | 8.8 |
| Donald Driver – GB | vs MIN | 17.0 | 1.8 | 8.8 |
| Larry Fitzgerald – ARI | at SF | 16.7 | 2.0 | 8.7 |
| Torry Holt – STL | vs WAS | 16.3 | 2.0 | 8.3 |
| Steve Smith – CAR | at ATL | 16.3 | 2.5 | 8.8 |
| Terrell Owens – DAL | vs PHI | 16.0 | 2.2 | 8.2 |
| Plaxico Burress – NYG | vs NO | 15.8 | 2.5 | 8.3 |
| Lee Evans – BUF | vs TEN | 15.2 | 2.7 | 7.8 |
| Anquan Boldin – ARI | at SF | 15.0 | 2.7 | 7.7 |
| Marques Colston – NO | at NYG | 14.8 | 2.7 | 7.5 |
| Chad Johnson – CIN | at DEN | 14.8 | 3.0 | 7.8 |
| TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN | at DEN | 14.8 | 3.0 | 7.8 |
| Andre Johnson – HOU | vs IND | 14.3 | 3.0 | 7.3 |
| Javon Walker – DEN | vs CIN | 14.2 | 3.5 | 7.7 |
| Laveranues Coles – NYJ | at MIA | 14.0 | 3.5 | 7.5 |
| Braylon Edwards – CLE | vs TB | 13.3 | 3.3 | 6.7 |
| Santana Moss – WAS | at STL | 13.3 | 3.3 | 6.7 |
| Donte’ Stallworth – PHI | at DAL | 13.2 | 3.3 | 6.5 |
| Joey Galloway – TB | at CLE | 13.0 | 3.3 | 6.3 |
| Devery Henderson – NO | at NYG | 13.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 |
| Reggie Brown – PHI | at DAL | 12.8 | 3.7 | 6.5 |
| Isaac Bruce – STL | vs WAS | 12.7 | 3.2 | 5.8 |
| Muhsin Muhammad – CHI | at DET | 12.7 | 3.5 | 6.2 |
| Bernard Berrian – CHI | at DET | 12.7 | 4.2 | 6.8 |
| Marty Booker – MIA | vs NYJ | 12.7 | 4.2 | 6.8 |
| Mark Clayton – BAL | at PIT | 12.5 | 3.7 | 6.2 |
| Terry Glenn – DAL | vs PHI | 12.3 | 3.8 | 6.2 |
| Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ | at MIA | 12.3 | 3.8 | 6.2 |
| Reche Caldwell – NE | at JAC | 12.2 | 3.7 | 5.8 |
| Hines Ward – PIT | vs BAL | 12.2 | 4.0 | 6.2 |
| Roy Williams – DET | vs CHI | 12.2 | 5.2 | 7.3 |
| Chris Henry – CIN | at DEN | 12.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| Deion Branch – SEA | vs SD | 11.8 | 4.0 | 5.8 |
| Derrick Mason – BAL | at PIT | 11.3 | 4.2 | 5.5 |
| Drew Bennett – TEN | at BUF | 11.2 | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Rod Smith – DEN | vs CIN | 11.0 | 3.8 | 4.8 |
| Joe Jurevicius – CLE | vs TB | 11.0 | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Nate Washington – PIT | vs BAL | 11.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 |
| Keyshawn Johnson – CAR | at ATL | 10.8 | 4.3 | 5.2 |
| Keenan McCardell – SD | at SEA | 10.5 | 4.2 | 4.7 |
| Antonio Bryant – SF | vs ARI | 10.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Michael Jenkins – ATL | vs CAR | 10.2 | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Santonio Holmes – PIT | vs BAL | 9.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| Mike Furrey – DET | vs CHI | 9.8 | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Arnaz Battle – SF | vs ARI | 9.8 | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Greg Jennings – GB | vs MIN | 9.7 | 4.7 | 4.3 |
| Eddie Kennison – KC | at OAK | 9.7 | 4.7 | 4.3 |
| Bryant Johnson – ARI | at SF | 9.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 |
| Mark Bradley – CHI | at DET | 9.5 | 5.2 | 4.7 |
| Joe Horn – NO | at NYG | 9.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Troy Brown – NE | at JAC | 9.3 | 4.7 | 4.0 |
| Brandon Marshall – DEN | vs CIN | 9.3 | 5.2 | 4.5 |
| Matt Jones – JAC | vs NE | 9.2 | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Wes Welker – MIA | vs NYJ | 9.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Travis Taylor – MIN | at GB | 9.0 | 5.7 | 4.7 |
| Terrance Copper – NO | at NYG | 8.8 | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Chad Jackson – NE | at JAC | 8.8 | 5.5 | 4.3 |
| Ashley Lelie – ATL | vs CAR | 8.7 | 5.3 | 4.0 |
| Josh Reed – BUF | vs TEN | 8.7 | 5.8 | 4.5 |
| Drew Carter – CAR | at ATL | 8.5 | 5.3 | 3.8 |
| Reggie Williams – JAC | vs NE | 8.5 | 5.5 | 4.0 |
| Hank Baskett – PHI | at DAL | 8.5 | 5.7 | 4.2 |
| Eric Parker – SD | at SEA | 8.5 | 5.7 | 4.2 |
| Vincent Jackson – SD | at SEA | 8.5 | 5.8 | 4.3 |
| Chris Chambers – MIA | vs NYJ | 8.5 | 6.2 | 4.7 |
| Roddy White – ATL | vs CAR | 8.2 | 5.5 | 3.7 |
| Troy Williamson – MIN | at GB | 8.2 | 5.8 | 4.0 |
| Eric Moulds – HOU | vs IND | 7.8 | 6.0 | 3.8 |
| Nate Burleson – SEA | vs SD | 7.8 | 6.3 | 4.2 |
| Ernest Wilford – JAC | vs NE | 7.7 | 6.2 | 3.8 |
| Jabar Gaffney – NE | at JAC | 7.5 | 6.0 | 3.5 |
| Antwaan Randle El – WAS | at STL | 7.3 | 6.0 | 3.3 |
| Rashied Davis – CHI | at DET | 7.3 | 6.5 | 3.8 |
| Bobby Engram – SEA | vs SD | 7.2 | 6.7 | 3.8 |
| Marcus Robinson – MIN | at GB | 6.5 | 6.5 | 3.0 |
| Tim Carter – NYG | vs NO | 6.5 | 7.2 | 3.7 |
| Kevin Curtis – STL | vs WAS | 6.2 | 6.8 | 3.0 |
| Justin McCareins – NYJ | at MIA | 6.0 | 6.8 | 2.8 |
| Sammie Parker – KC | at OAK | 5.5 | 7.0 | 2.5 |
| Mike Williams – DET | vs CHI | 5.3 | 7.0 | 2.3 |
| Cedrick Wilson – PIT | vs BAL | 5.3 | 7.2 | 2.5 |
| Brandon Lloyd – WAS | at STL | 4.8 | 7.3 | 2.2 |
| Roscoe Parrish – BUF | vs TEN | 4.7 | 7.8 | 2.5 |
| Dennis Northcutt – CLE | vs TB | 4.5 | 7.7 | 2.2 |
| Doug Gabriel – OAK | vs KC | 3.8 | 8.7 | 2.5 |
| Darrell Jackson – SEA | vs SD | 3.5 | 8.2 | 1.7 |
| Az Hakim – SD | at SEA | 3.2 | 8.2 | 1.3 |
| Randy Moss – OAK | vs KC | 2.2 | 8.7 | 0.8 |
| Jerry Porter – OAK | vs KC | 1.5 | 9.2 | 0.7 |
Start:
Lee Evans, BUF (15.2 rating): It seems like the light has come on for Buffalo’s quarterback J.P. Losman. The young signal caller struggled early in the year, but in his past five games Losman has thrown a whopping ten touchdowns and only four picks, as the Bills have won four of five. And as you would expect, the quarterback’s success has translated to good numbers for the Bills’ #1 wide out. Evans has four touchdowns in the past five games, after grabbing only two in the first nine. There is reason to expect more of the same this week against the Titans below-average passing defense.
Sit:
Hines Ward, PIT (12.2 rating): The fall of the Steelers has been well-documented, and while running back Willie Parker was able to have a stellar year despite the Steelers’ troubles, Hines Ward was dragged under. Ward is on pace for his lowest yardage total since 2000. He is in his second week after returning from an injury that kept him sidelined in weeks 13 and 14, and will have to face the Ravens defense. This is a pretty good week to sit Ward if you can afford it.
| Tight Ends | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Jeremy Shockey – NYG | vs NO | 16.5 | 1.7 | 8.2 |
| Antonio Gates – SD | at SEA | 16.5 | 2.3 | 8.8 |
| Tony Gonzalez – KC | at OAK | 16.2 | 1.7 | 7.8 |
| Alge Crumpler – ATL | vs CAR | 15.2 | 2.3 | 7.5 |
| Chris Cooley – WAS | at STL | 14.8 | 2.3 | 7.2 |
| Todd Heap – BAL | at PIT | 14.5 | 2.7 | 7.2 |
| Desmond Clark – CHI | at DET | 14.3 | 2.8 | 7.2 |
| LJ Smith – PHI | at DAL | 14.2 | 2.5 | 6.7 |
| Kellen Winslow – CLE | vs TB | 13.8 | 2.8 | 6.7 |
| Vernon Davis – SF | vs ARI | 13.8 | 3.0 | 6.8 |
| Jeremy Stevens – SEA | vs SD | 13.3 | 2.8 | 6.2 |
| Jason Witten – DAL | vs PHI | 12.5 | 3.5 | 6.0 |
| Ben Utecht – IND | at HOU | 11.2 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Tony Scheffler – DEN | vs CIN | 11.2 | 4.5 | 5.7 |
| Jermaine Wiggins – MIN | at GB | 11.0 | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Heath Miller – PIT | vs BAL | 11.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 |
| Stephen Alexander – DEN | vs CIN | 10.2 | 4.3 | 4.5 |
| Randy McMichael – MIA | vs NYJ | 10.0 | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| Owen Daniels – HOU | vs IND | 9.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Chris Baker – NYJ | at MIA | 9.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 |
| Daniel Graham – NE | at JAC | 9.3 | 4.8 | 4.2 |
| David Martin – GB | vs MIN | 9.2 | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Alex Smith – TB | at CLE | 9.2 | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Ben Watson – NE | at JAC | 8.7 | 5.8 | 4.5 |
| Eric Johnson – SF | vs ARI | 8.5 | 5.2 | 3.7 |
| Joe Klopfenstein – STL | vs WAS | 8.3 | 5.8 | 4.2 |
| Courtney Anderson – OAK | vs KC | 8.2 | 5.5 | 3.7 |
| Bryan Fletcher – IND | at HOU | 7.8 | 5.7 | 3.5 |
| George Wrighster – JAC | vs NE | 7.8 | 6.0 | 3.8 |
| Kris Mangum – CAR | at ATL | 7.2 | 5.8 | 3.0 |
| Bubba Franks – GB | vs MIN | 6.7 | 6.5 | 3.2 |
| Steve Heiden – CLE | vs TB | 6.3 | 6.3 | 2.7 |
| Jeb Putzier – HOU | vs IND | 6.3 | 6.3 | 2.7 |
| Leonard Pope – ARI | at SF | 5.8 | 6.5 | 2.3 |
| Reggie Kelly – CIN | at DEN | 5.8 | 6.8 | 2.7 |
| Jason Dunn – KC | at OAK | 5.7 | 6.5 | 2.2 |
| Dan Campbell – DET | vs CHI | 5.5 | 6.8 | 2.3 |
| Bo Scaife – TEN | at BUF | 4.5 | 7.3 | 1.8 |
| Anthony Becht – TB | at CLE | 4.3 | 7.7 | 2.0 |
| Marcus Pollard – DET | vs CHI | 4.2 | 7.5 | 1.7 |
| Itula Mili – SEA | vs SD | 3.8 | 8.0 | 1.8 |
Start:
Kellen Winslow, CLE (13.8 rating): Pro-bowl snubs may not be too important to most people, but I have a feeling Winslow may be a little miffed at being left off the team, as he always seems to be looking for respect. And, he may have a good point. He has had a very nice season. He could very well have a statement game against Tampa Bay. The Bucs have given up more passing touchdowns (25) than any other NFL team.
Sit:
Owen Daniels, HOU (9.5 rating): Daniels has had a decent year for a rookie, but the fact is, he has not found the end zone since Week 8. The Texans would appear a little over-matched this week against the Colts, so Daniels is probably not your best bet at tight end this week.
| Kickers | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Adam Vinatieri – IND | at HOU | 16.2 | 1.8 | 8.0 |
| Robbie Gould – CHI | at DET | 16.2 | 2.0 | 8.2 |
| Nate Kaeding – SD | at SEA | 15.2 | 2.2 | 7.3 |
| Shayne Graham – CIN | at DEN | 14.2 | 3.2 | 7.3 |
| Jeff Wilkins – STL | vs WAS | 13.7 | 3.2 | 6.8 |
| Neil Rackers – ARI | at SF | 13.5 | 3.5 | 7.0 |
| John Carney – NO | at NYG | 13.3 | 3.2 | 6.5 |
| Jason Elam – DEN | vs CIN | 13.0 | 3.3 | 6.3 |
| Jay Feely – NYG | vs NO | 13.0 | 3.5 | 6.5 |
| Matt Stover – BAL | at PIT | 13.0 | 3.8 | 6.8 |
| Lawrence Tynes – KC | at OAK | 12.3 | 3.7 | 6.0 |
| Josh Brown – SEA | vs SD | 12.2 | 3.5 | 5.7 |
| Martin Gramatica – DAL | vs PHI | 12.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| John Kasay – CAR | at ATL | 11.8 | 4.0 | 5.8 |
| Dave Rayner – GB | vs MIN | 11.7 | 3.8 | 5.5 |
| Ryan Longwell – MIN | at GB | 11.7 | 3.8 | 5.5 |
| David Akers – PHI | at DAL | 11.5 | 4.2 | 5.7 |
| Joe Nedney – SF | vs ARI | 11.3 | 4.2 | 5.5 |
| Shaun Suisham – WAS | at STL | 11.3 | 4.2 | 5.5 |
| Stephen Gostkowski – NE | at JAC | 11.3 | 4.3 | 5.7 |
| Rian Lindell – BUF | vs TEN | 11.0 | 4.3 | 5.3 |
| Morten Andersen – ATL | vs CAR | 10.7 | 4.5 | 5.2 |
| Mike Nugent – NYJ | at MIA | 10.5 | 4.7 | 5.2 |
| Phil Dawson – CLE | vs TB | 10.3 | 4.3 | 4.7 |
| Jeff Reed – PIT | vs BAL | 10.3 | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Josh Scobee – JAC | vs NE | 10.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Rob Bironas – TEN | at BUF | 9.7 | 5.2 | 4.8 |
| Olindo Mare – MIA | vs NYJ | 9.5 | 4.7 | 4.2 |
| Jason Hanson – DET | vs CHI | 9.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Matt Bryant – TB | at CLE | 8.8 | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Kris Brown – HOU | vs IND | 8.7 | 4.8 | 3.5 |
| Sebastian Janikowski – OAK | vs KC | 7.8 | 5.8 | 3.7 |
Start:
Lawrence Tynes, KC (12.3 rating): Tynes accounted for all nine of the Chiefs points last week against the Chargers, and he has a good chance to put up some points this week against the Raiders as well. Oakland has allowed 26 field goals this season, good for 5th most in the league.
Sit:
Olindo Mare, MIA (9.5 rating): This has not been the best season for the Dolphins’ usually dependable place kicker. In fact, Mare is on pace for the second worst season of his ten year career. The Jets have only given up 16 field goals on the year, so this week would not be the week to pluck Mare from your league’s waiver wire.
| Team Defense | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Chicago | at DET | 17.8 | 1.2 | 9.0 |
| Baltimore | at PIT | 17.0 | 1.8 | 8.8 |
| Kansas City | at OAK | 14.3 | 2.8 | 7.2 |
| San Diego | at SEA | 13.7 | 3.0 | 6.7 |
| Green Bay | vs MIN | 13.3 | 2.8 | 6.2 |
| Indianapolis | at HOU | 13.2 | 3.3 | 6.5 |
| Pittsburgh | vs BAL | 13.2 | 3.5 | 6.7 |
| New England | at JAC | 12.7 | 3.7 | 6.3 |
| Buffalo | vs TEN | 12.0 | 3.8 | 5.8 |
| Minnesota | at GB | 12.0 | 3.8 | 5.8 |
| Dallas | vs PHI | 12.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| Miami | vs NYJ | 11.5 | 4.0 | 5.5 |
| Jacksonville | vs NE | 11.5 | 4.5 | 6.0 |
| Arizona | at SF | 11.3 | 4.3 | 5.7 |
| Philadelphia | at DAL | 11.3 | 4.5 | 5.8 |
| New York Jets | at MIA | 11.0 | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Tennessee | at BUF | 11.0 | 4.5 | 5.5 |
| Atlanta | vs CAR | 10.8 | 4.7 | 5.5 |
| Denver | vs CIN | 10.8 | 5.0 | 5.8 |
| Cincinnati | at DEN | 10.3 | 4.8 | 5.2 |
| Carolina | at ATL | 10.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| St. Louis | vs WAS | 9.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| Cleveland | vs TB | 9.5 | 4.7 | 4.2 |
| Oakland | vs KC | 9.5 | 5.2 | 4.7 |
| Seattle | vs SD | 9.3 | 5.3 | 4.7 |
| Washington | at STL | 9.0 | 5.2 | 4.2 |
| San Francisco | vs ARI | 8.8 | 5.5 | 4.3 |
| Tampa Bay | at CLE | 8.7 | 5.2 | 3.8 |
| New Orleans | at NYG | 8.7 | 5.5 | 4.2 |
| New York Giants | vs NO | 8.5 | 6.0 | 4.5 |
| Detroit | vs CHI | 6.3 | 7.0 | 3.3 |
| Houston | vs IND | 4.3 | 7.7 | 2.0 |
Start:
Green Bay (13.3 rating): Green Bay at home against the Vikings is a pretty sneaky play this week if you need a defense. The Packers have forced a respectable 26 turnovers and have recorded 41 sacks, the fourth most in the NFL. Vikings’ rookie quarterback Tarvaris Jackson will probably experience some growing pains in his first career start. Green Bay should be able to capitalize on this and put up some solid fantasy numbers.
Sit:
Denver (10.8 rating): Denver is a good defense in a bad situation this week. I know I would not want to be the defense that has to face a high-powered Bengals’ offense that has a chip on its shoulder after being shut down by the Colts in Week 15. I have a hard time believing that Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, and company will be quieted for the second week in a row. If there are any good alternatives available, give Denver’s defense the week off.
Special thanks to black_hawk8888, BlueBandit24, killiansjmd, lmcjaho, madaslives911, NittanyLions, 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.
Questions or comments for Nick? Post them in the Cafe Forums! Want to write for the Cafe? Check out the Cafe's Pencil & Paper section! |

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