Week 12

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Happy Turkey Day folks! Here’s to a day of food, family, and football! If you were one of the poor suckers who got stuck up against Tom Brady, Randy Moss, or Terrell Owens last week, keep your chin up, because a new week is upon us! The fantasy playoffs are creeping ever closer, and lineup decisions are as crucial as ever. Don’t forget to get in any players from Thursday’s matchups (Packers/Lions, Cowboys/Jets, Colts/Falcons) before it is too late. But that’s enough small talk… on to the rankings!

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
Tom Brady – NE	vs PHI	18.8	0.8	9.7
Tony Romo – DAL	vs NYJ	17.3	1.8	9.1
Matt Hasselbeck – SEA	at STL	15.9	2.2	8.1
Derek Anderson – CLE	vs HOU	15.2	2.8	7.9
Ben Roethlisberger – PIT	vs MIA	15.1	2.8	7.9
Peyton Manning – IND	at ATL	15.0	3.2	8.2
Brett Favre – GB	at DET	14.9	3.1	8.0
Kurt Warner – ARI	vs SF	14.5	3.4	7.9
Matt Schaub – HOU	at CLE	14.3	3.3	7.5
Drew Brees – NO	at CAR	13.9	3.7	7.6
Eli Manning – NYG	vs MIN	13.5	4.1	7.6
Carson Palmer – CIN	vs TEN	13.4	3.5	6.9
Vince Young – TEN	at CIN	13.0	4.3	7.3
Jay Cutler – DEN	at CHI	12.8	4.1	6.9
Jon Kitna – DET	vs GB	12.8	4.2	6.9
Marc Bulger – STL	vs SEA	12.6	4.2	6.8
David Garrard – JAC	vs BUF	12.4	3.7	6.1
Jeff Garcia – TB	vs WAS	12.3	3.8	6.2
Jason Campbell – WAS	at TB	11.3	4.9	6.2
Kellen Clemens – NYJ	at DAL	10.5	5.4	5.9
JP Losman – BUF	at JAC	10.3	5.1	5.4
Kyle Boller – BAL	at SD	10.2	5.7	5.8
Philip Rivers – SD	vs BAL	10.1	5.1	5.2
Brodie Croyle – KC	vs OAK	9.9	5.2	5.1
Rex Grossman – CHI	vs DEN	9.8	5.8	5.5
Vinny Testaverde – CAR	vs NO	9.6	5.6	5.2
Joey Harrington – ATL	vs IND	9.3	5.8	5.1
John Beck – MIA	at PIT	8.2	6.3	4.5
Tarvaris Jackson – MIN	at NYG	7.3	6.7	4.0
Donovan McNabb – PHI	at NE	6.5	7.3	3.8
Byron Leftwich – ATL	vs IND	6.0	7.6	3.6
Trent Dilfer – SF	at ARI	5.8	7.3	3.1
Brian Griese – CHI	vs DEN	5.6	7.5	3.1
Cleo Lemon – MIA	at PIT	4.6	8.1	2.7
Daunte Culpepper – OAK	at KC	4.3	8.1	2.4
Steve McNair – BAL	at SD	4.2	8.2	2.3
Matt Moore – CAR	vs NO	4.1	8.2	2.3
Alex Smith – SF	at ARI	4.1	8.2	2.3
Chad Pennington – NYJ	at DAL	4.0	8.5	2.5
Quinn Gray – JAC	vs BUF	3.9	8.4	2.3
Sage Rosenfels – HOU	at CLE	3.7	8.4	2.1
Brooks Bollinger – MIN	at NYG	3.3	8.5	1.8
Damon Huard – KC	vs OAK	3.0	8.5	1.5
JaMarcus Russell – OAK	at KC	2.2	8.9	1.1

 
Start:
Matt Schaub, HOU (14.3 rating): Schaub looked good last week in his first game back after missing time because of a concussion. He connected on over 60% of his passes for almost 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has a good matchup this week against a Cleveland defense that continues to struggle against the pass. The Browns are 31st in the league in that department, after surrendering 279 yards to a dismal Baltimore passing game.

Sit:
Phillip Rivers, SD (10.1 rating): Rivers seems to be in a bit of funk at the moment. In his last 3 games he has only one touchdown pass to five interceptions, and the Chargers are 1-2 despite squeaking out a win over Indianapolis. Chris McAlister is back and playing well for the Ravens. Baltimore gave up 33 points to Cleveland last week, but they held the Browns’ dangerous passing game in check for the most part, allowing 274 yards with an interception and no touchdowns.
 

Running Backs	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Joseph Addai – IND	at ATL	16.6	2.4	9.0
LaDainian Tomlinson – SD	vs BAL	14.6	3.4	8.0
Willie Parker – PIT	vs MIA	14.5	3.4	7.9
Reggie Bush – NO	at CAR	14.2	3.8	8.0
Steven Jackson – STL	vs SEA	14.2	3.9	8.1
Brian Westbrook – PHI	at NE	13.7	3.3	7.0
Ron Dayne – HOU	at CLE	13.7	3.8	7.5
Chester Taylor – MIN	at NYG	13.6	3.6	7.2
Willis McGahee – BAL	at SD	13.6	3.4	7.0
LenDale White – TEN	at CIN	13.4	3.7	7.1
Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC	vs BUF	13.2	4.2	7.4
Jamal Lewis – CLE	vs HOU	13.1	4.4	7.5
Ryan Grant – GB	at DET	13.1	4.4	7.5
Earnest Graham – TB	vs WAS	12.9	3.5	6.4
Marion Barber – DAL	vs NYJ	12.9	4.2	7.1
Maurice Morris – SEA	at STL	12.5	3.9	6.4
Clinton Portis – WAS	at TB	12.4	4.1	6.5
Edgerrin James – ARI	vs SF	12.1	4.6	6.7
DeShaun Foster – CAR	vs NO	11.7	4.5	6.2
Kenny Watson – CIN	vs TEN	11.6	4.7	6.3
Justin Fargas – OAK	at KC	11.5	4.9	6.4
Cedric Benson – CHI	vs DEN	11.4	4.7	6.1
Frank Gore – SF	at ARI	11.4	5.2	6.6
Fred Taylor – JAC	vs BUF	11.3	4.6	5.9
Thomas Jones – NYJ	at DAL	11.3	4.7	6.0
Julius Jones – DAL	vs NYJ	10.9	4.6	5.5
Jesse Chatman – MIA	at PIT	10.4	5.1	5.5
Selvin Young – DEN	at CHI	10.4	5.2	5.6
Reuben Droughns – NYG	vs MIN	10.1	5.2	5.3
Warrick Dunn – ATL	vs IND	10.0	5.3	5.3
Andre Hall – DEN	at CHI	10.0	5.8	5.8
Chris Brown – TEN	at CIN	9.9	5.1	5.0
Rudi Johnson – CIN	vs TEN	9.9	5.6	5.5
Kevin Jones – DET	vs GB	9.9	5.6	5.5
Anthony Thomas – BUF	at JAC	9.7	5.4	5.1
Michael Pittman – TB	vs WAS	9.7	5.5	5.2
Laurence Maroney – NE	vs PHI	9.7	6.0	5.7
DeAngelo Williams – CAR	vs NO	9.5	5.3	4.8
Leon Washington – NYJ	at DAL	9.4	5.7	5.1
Kolby Smith – KC	vs OAK	9.2	5.9	5.1
Kenton Keith – IND	at ATL	9.0	5.8	4.8
Adrian Peterson – CHI	vs DEN	8.4	6.1	4.5
Najeh Davenport – PIT	vs MIA	8.4	6.2	4.6
Jason Wright – CLE	vs HOU	8.4	6.4	4.8
Correll Buckhalter – PHI	at NE	8.3	6.0	4.3
Aaron Stecker – NO	at CAR	8.2	6.1	4.3
Jerious Norwood – ATL	vs IND	7.6	6.7	4.3
Chris Henry – TEN	at CIN	7.5	5.5	3.0
Greg Jones – JAC	vs BUF	7.3	6.5	3.8
Joe Echemandu – HOU	at CLE	7.2	6.7	3.9
Brandon Jacobs – NYG	vs MIN	7.2	6.9	4.1
Leonard Weaver – SEA	at STL	7.1	6.7	3.8
Dwayne Wright – BUF	at JAC	7.0	6.8	3.8
TJ Duckett – DET	vs GB	6.8	7.1	3.9
Michael Turner – SD	vs BAL	6.8	6.9	3.7
Mewelde Moore – MIN	at NYG	6.7	6.8	3.5
Ricky Williams – MIA	at PIT	6.7	6.9	3.6
Antonio Pittman – STL	vs SEA	6.6	7.0	3.6
Ladell Betts – WAS	at TB	6.5	7.0	3.5
Musa Smith – BAL	at SD	6.0	7.4	3.4
Travis Henry – DEN	at CHI	6.0	7.6	3.6
Brandon Jackson – GB	at DET	5.9	7.6	3.5
Maurice Hicks – SF	at ARI	5.8	7.6	3.4
Jerome Harrison – CLE	vs HOU	5.8	7.2	3.0
Adrian Peterson – MIN	at NYG	5.7	6.4	2.1
Marcel Shipp – ARI	vs SF	5.6	7.4	3.0
Michael Robinson – SF	at ARI	5.6	7.8	3.4
Mike Anderson – BAL	at SD	5.3	7.6	2.9
Brian Leonard – STL	vs SEA	5.2	8.0	3.2
LaMont Jordan – OAK	at KC	5.2	7.7	2.9
Tony Hunt – PHI	at NE	5.1	7.5	2.6
Vernand Morency – GB	at DET	5.1	8.0	3.1
Marshawn Lynch – BUF	at JAC	4.7	8.5	3.2
Dominic Rhodes – OAK	at KC	4.5	8.4	2.9
Derrick Ward – NYG	vs MIN	4.2	8.2	2.4
Ahman Green – HOU	at CLE	4.1	8.2	2.3
Shaun Alexander – SEA	at STL	4.1	8.3	2.4
Kevin Faulk – NE	vs PHI	3.9	8.0	1.9
Patrick Cobbs – MIA	at PIT	3.9	8.3	2.2
Michael Bennett – TB	vs WAS	3.9	8.3	2.2
Tatum Bell – DET	vs GB	2.1	9.1	1.2

 
Start:
Chester Taylor, MIN (13.6 rating): Taylor proved last week that Adrian Peterson isn’t the only Viking runningback capable of putting up big numbers. He made a statement with 164 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, carrying the Vikings to victory over Oakland. Chester should be considered a safe start at this point. And by the way, it’s games like this that make the case that Minnesota’s offensive line should be getting a lot more credit for Peterson’s big start this season.

Sit:
Laurence Maroney, NE (9.7 rating): Maroney is a good player, but his fantasy value is taking a major hit for one main reason: the Patriots just don’t need him that much. New England rides it’s passing game with Brady, Moss, Welker, and Stallworth to big leads, and then never lets up. The Pats don’t tend to run out the clock until so late in the game that backups like Kyle Eckel are getting a lot of the carries. Not to mention Philly is solid against the run, allowing only 3.7 yards per carry and 4 total rushing touchdowns this year.
 

Wide Receivers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Randy Moss – NE	vs PHI	17.8	1.6	9.4
Terrell Owens – DAL	vs NYJ	17.2	1.9	9.1
Larry Fitzgerald – ARI	vs SF	16.2	2.3	8.5
Torry Holt – STL	vs SEA	15.5	2.7	8.2
Andre Johnson – HOU	at CLE	15.2	2.7	7.9
Braylon Edwards – CLE	vs HOU	15.2	3.0	8.2
Reggie Wayne – IND	at ATL	15.1	3.1	8.2
DJ Hackett – SEA	at STL	14.8	3.0	7.8
Marques Colston – NO	at CAR	14.7	3.3	8.0
Anquan Boldin – ARI	vs SF	14.3	3.0	7.3
Joey Galloway – TB	vs WAS	14.2	3.2	7.4
TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN	vs TEN	14.0	3.3	7.3
Wes Welker – NE	vs PHI	14.0	3.7	7.7
Chad Johnson – CIN	vs TEN	13.8	3.6	7.4
Roy Williams – DET	vs GB	13.7	3.8	7.5
Plaxico Burress – NYG	vs MIN	13.7	3.8	7.5
Brandon Marshall – DEN	at CHI	13.5	3.7	7.2
Chris Henry – CIN	vs TEN	12.9	3.7	6.6
Santana Moss – WAS	at TB	12.8	4.0	6.8
Lee Evans – BUF	at JAC	12.7	4.1	6.8
Greg Jennings – GB	at DET	12.7	4.1	6.8
Derrick Mason – BAL	at SD	12.5	4.1	6.6
Dwayne Bowe – KC	vs OAK	12.4	4.2	6.6
Bernard Berrian – CHI	vs DEN	12.4	4.4	6.8
Brandon Stokley – DEN	at CHI	12.3	4.1	6.4
Bobby Engram – SEA	at STL	12.3	4.1	6.4
Donald Driver – GB	at DET	12.2	4.3	6.5
Shaun McDonald – DET	vs GB	12.2	4.5	6.7
Drew Carter – CAR	vs NO	12.1	4.3	6.4
Hines Ward – PIT	vs MIA	12.0	4.4	6.4
Chris Chambers – SD	vs BAL	11.8	4.8	6.6
Roddy White – ATL	vs IND	11.7	4.3	6.0
Ike Hilliard – TB	vs WAS	11.7	4.3	6.0
Isaac Bruce – STL	vs SEA	11.7	4.4	6.1
Mark Clayton – BAL	at SD	11.6	4.2	5.8
Roscoe Parrish – BUF	at JAC	11.6	5.0	6.6
Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ	at DAL	11.4	4.3	5.7
Joe Jurevicius – CLE	vs HOU	11.4	4.6	6.0
Calvin Johnson – DET	vs GB	11.4	4.6	6.0
Brandon Jones – TEN	at CIN	11.3	4.4	5.7
Justin Gage – TEN	at CIN	11.3	4.4	5.7
Kevin Walter – HOU	at CLE	11.2	4.5	5.7
Roydell Williams – TEN	at CIN	11.2	4.9	6.1
Patrick Crayton – DAL	vs NYJ	11.1	4.6	5.7
Ronald Curry – OAK	at KC	11.1	4.6	5.7
Mike Furrey – DET	vs GB	11.0	4.9	5.9
Donte Stallworth – NE	vs PHI	11.0	4.9	5.9
Eric Moulds – TEN	at CIN	10.9	4.6	5.5
Kevin Curtis – PHI	at NE	10.8	4.8	5.6
Reggie Williams – JAC	vs BUF	10.8	5.0	5.8
Deion Branch – SEA	at STL	10.8	5.2	6.0
Arnaz Battle – SF	at ARI	10.5	5.0	5.5
Amani Toomer – NYG	vs MIN	10.5	5.4	5.9
Muhsin Muhammad – CHI	vs DEN	10.4	5.1	5.5
Andre Davis – HOU	at CLE	10.3	5.5	5.8
Antwaan Randle El – WAS	at TB	10.1	5.1	5.2
Darrell Jackson – SF	at ARI	10.1	5.2	5.3
Ted Ginn – MIA	at PIT	10.1	5.5	5.6
Nate Burleson – SEA	at STL	10.0	5.0	5.0
David Patten – NO	at CAR	9.9	5.3	5.2
Drew Bennett – STL	vs SEA	9.9	5.6	5.5
Jerry Porter – OAK	at KC	9.9	5.2	5.1
Reggie Brown – PHI	at NE	9.6	5.6	5.2
Michael Jenkins – ATL	vs IND	9.6	5.5	5.1
Laveranues Coles – NYJ	at DAL	9.4	6.0	5.4
Sidney Rice – MIN	at NYG	9.3	5.6	4.9
James Jones – GB	at DET	9.3	5.9	5.2
Troy Williamson – MIN	at NYG	9.1	5.7	4.8
Devery Henderson – NO	at CAR	8.9	6.0	4.9
Dennis Northcutt – JAC	vs BUF	8.8	6.0	4.8
Marty Booker – MIA	at PIT	8.7	5.8	4.5
Nate Washington – PIT	vs MIA	8.6	6.1	4.7
Derek Hagan – MIA	at PIT	8.6	5.7	4.3
Ernest Wilford – JAC	vs BUF	8.6	6.0	4.6
Sammie Parker – KC	vs OAK	8.6	6.0	4.6
Dwayne Jarrett – CAR	vs NO	8.3	6.1	4.4
Bryant Johnson – ARI	vs SF	8.1	5.9	4.0
Ashley Lelie – SF	at ARI	8.1	6.4	4.5
Santonio Holmes – PIT	vs MIA	8.0	6.2	4.2
Anthony Gonzalez – IND	at ATL	8.0	6.4	4.4
Steve Smith – NYG	vs MIN	7.8	6.4	4.2
Craphonso Thorpe – IND	at ATL	7.8	6.5	4.3
Justin McCareins – NYJ	at DAL	7.8	6.5	4.3
Bobby Wade – MIN	at NYG	7.7	6.3	4.0
Jabar Gaffney – NE	vs PHI	7.7	6.3	4.0
Lance Moore – NO	at CAR	7.7	6.3	4.0
Eddie Kennison – KC	vs OAK	7.6	6.0	3.6
Robert Ferguson – MIN	at NYG	7.6	6.5	4.1
Glenn Martinez – DEN	at CHI	7.5	6.4	3.9
James Thrash – WAS	at TB	7.5	6.4	3.9
Jacoby Jones – HOU	at CLE	7.4	6.7	4.1
Vincent Jackson – SD	vs BAL	7.2	6.7	3.9
Matt Jones – JAC	vs BUF	7.1	6.6	3.7
Dante Hall – STL	vs SEA	7.0	6.9	3.9
Tim Carter – CLE	vs HOU	6.9	6.8	3.7
Cedrick Wilson – PIT	vs MIA	6.9	6.8	3.7
Michael Clayton – TB	vs WAS	6.9	6.9	3.8
Devin Hester – CHI	vs DEN	6.8	6.8	3.6
Laurent Robinson – ATL	vs IND	6.8	6.7	3.5
Rashied Davis – CHI	vs DEN	6.8	6.9	3.7
Buster Davis – SD	vs BAL	6.8	6.9	3.7
Hank Baskett – PHI	at NE	6.7	6.8	3.5
Ruvell Martin – GB	at DET	6.6	6.9	3.5
Antonio Chatman – CIN	vs TEN	6.3	7.0	3.3
Ben Obomanu – SEA	at STL	6.3	7.0	3.3
Terrance Copper – NO	at CAR	6.1	7.2	3.3
Brandon Lloyd – WAS	at TB	5.9	7.5	3.4
Steve Smith – CAR	vs NO	5.8	8.5	4.3
Koren Robinson – GB	at DET	5.7	7.2	2.9
Malcolm Floyd – SD	vs BAL	5.6	7.6	3.2
Demetrius Williams – BAL	at SD	5.6	7.2	2.8
Jerheme Urban – ARI	vs SF	5.5	7.5	3.0
Sam Hurd – DAL	vs NYJ	5.1	7.7	2.8
Sam Aiken – BUF	at JAC	5.0	7.8	2.8
Javon Walker – DEN	at CHI	4.5	7.9	2.4
Terry Glenn – DAL	vs NYJ	4.2	8.2	2.4
Joe Horn – ATL	vs IND	3.6	8.6	2.2
Marvin Harrison – IND	at ATL	3.4	8.7	2.1
Aaron Moorehead – IND	at ATL	2.7	8.9	1.6

 
Start:
Joey Galloway, TB (14.2 rating): Joey Galloway may be 36 years old, but he is still going strong. The old timer is on pace for over 1000 yards and double digit touchdowns on the year, and he could be in for a big game this weekend. Dallas took advantage of the Redskins’ secondary missing two starters last week (Carlos Rogers and Sean Taylor). Terrell Owens caught 4 touchdowns passes – 3 of them were bombs that were virtually uncovered. If Galloway is able to be even half as successful he should definitely be in your fantasy lineup.

Sit:
Kevin Walter, HOU (9.8 rating): Walter had a string of nice games from Week 4 to Week 8, in which he recorded at least 67 yards in each game. But in his past two games he had only 33 and 31 yards, respectively. If you picked him up and started him while he was hot, now is probably the right time to get out. Andre Johnson’s return to the lineup should mean less looks for Walter.
 

Tight Ends	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Kellen Winslow – CLE	vs HOU	15.4	2.4	7.8
Jason Witten – DAL	vs NYJ	15.4	2.7	8.1
Antonio Gates – SD	vs BAL	15.0	2.8	7.8
Jeremy Shockey – NYG	vs MIN	14.4	3.4	7.8
Dallas Clark – IND	at ATL	14.2	3.5	7.7
Tony Gonzalez – KC	vs OAK	13.8	3.5	7.3
Donald Lee – GB	at DET	13.7	3.7	7.3
Chris Cooley – WAS	at TB	13.5	3.6	7.1
Heath Miller – PIT	vs MIA	13.1	3.6	6.7
Ben Watson – NE	vs PHI	13.0	3.8	6.8
Owen Daniels – HOU	at CLE	12.0	4.2	6.2
Greg Olsen – CHI	vs DEN	11.6	4.4	6.0
Tony Scheffler – DEN	at CHI	11.5	4.3	5.8
Chris Baker – NYJ	at DAL	11.3	4.6	5.9
Jeff King – CAR	vs NO	10.9	4.5	5.4
Vernon Davis – SF	at ARI	10.8	5.0	5.8
Eric Johnson – NO	at CAR	10.6	4.9	5.5
Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN	at NYG	10.6	5.0	5.6
LJ Smith – PHI	at NE	10.5	5.3	5.8
Leonard Pope – ARI	vs SF	10.4	5.2	5.6
Randy McMichael – STL	vs SEA	10.3	5.0	5.3
Alge Crumpler – ATL	vs IND	10.3	5.2	5.5
Desmond Clark – CHI	vs DEN	9.9	5.3	5.2
Bo Scaife – TEN	at CIN	9.8	5.1	4.8
Zach Miller – OAK	at KC	9.3	5.5	4.8
Quinn Sypniewski – BAL	at SD	9.2	5.7	4.8
Alex Smith – TB	vs WAS	8.9	5.3	4.3
David Martin – MIA	at PIT	8.9	5.6	4.5
Marcus Pollard – SEA	at STL	8.8	5.7	4.4
Kyle Brady – NE	vs PHI	8.8	5.8	4.5
George Wrighster – JAC	vs BUF	8.7	5.8	4.5
Ben Utecht – IND	at ATL	8.5	5.9	4.4
Daniel Graham – DEN	at CHI	8.4	5.8	4.3
Marcedes Lewis – JAC	vs BUF	8.4	6.0	4.4
Bryan Fletcher – IND	at ATL	8.1	6.0	4.1
Justin Peelle – MIA	at PIT	7.8	6.3	4.0
Todd Heap – BAL	at SD	7.8	6.5	4.3
Ben Troupe – TEN	at CIN	7.4	6.3	3.8
Reggie Kelly – CIN	vs TEN	7.3	6.5	3.8
Robert Royal – BUF	at JAC	7.3	6.6	3.9
Anthony Fasano – DAL	vs NYJ	7.3	6.6	3.8
Will Heller – SEA	at STL	7.1	6.5	3.6
Matt Schobel – PHI	at NE	7.0	6.5	3.5
Dan Campbell – DET	vs GB	6.8	6.8	3.7
Bubba Franks – GB	at DET	6.3	6.8	3.2
Jeb Putzier – HOU	at CLE	6.3	7.2	3.4
Anthony Becht – TB	vs WAS	6.2	7.1	3.3
Christian Fauria – CAR	vs NO	6.1	7.1	3.2
Matt Spaeth – PIT	vs MIA	6.1	7.2	3.3
Dwayne Blakley – ATL	vs IND	4.4	7.9	2.3

 
Start:
Donald Lee, GB (13.7 rating): Donald Lee has been one of the NFL’s most productive tight ends this season. He is currently on pace for 61 catches for 733 yards and 6 touchdowns, a very impressive total for a tight end. He seems to have become a reliable target for Favre, who has found him in the endzone three times in their past two games. Look for another good game out of Donald this week against the Lions, who have the NFL’s 30th ranked passing defense.

Sit:
LJ Smith, PHI (10.5 rating): LJ seems to have finally broken out of his season-long slump, catching 4 balls for over 40 yards in each of his past two games, with his first touchdown coming two weeks ago in Washington. He is a risky start this week however, as the Eagles play New England, and could possibly be without starting quarterback Donovan McNabb due to injury. Maybe the backup will look to the tight end more… but then again he may not be looking at much of anything but the sky with the way the Pats have been playing.
 

Kickers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Rob Bironas – TEN	at CIN	15.0	2.8	7.8
Stephen Gostkowski – NE	vs PHI	14.9	2.3	7.2
Nick Folk – DAL	vs NYJ	14.9	2.7	7.6
Shayne Graham – CIN	vs TEN	14.4	3.0	7.4
Matt Stover – BAL	at SD	14.3	2.8	7.1
Josh Brown – SEA	at STL	14.0	2.9	6.9
Neil Rackers – ARI	vs SF	13.9	3.2	7.1
Phil Dawson – CLE	vs HOU	13.7	3.5	7.2
Mason Crosby – GB	at DET	13.7	3.5	7.2
Jeff Reed – PIT	vs MIA	13.6	2.9	6.5
Shaun Suisham – WAS	at TB	13.3	3.4	6.8
Jason Elam – DEN	at CHI	13.3	3.7	6.9
Kris Brown – HOU	at CLE	13.2	3.6	6.8
Adam Vinatieri – IND	at ATL	13.1	4.0	7.1
Robbie Gould – CHI	vs DEN	12.8	3.8	6.7
Jason Hanson – DET	vs GB	12.7	3.9	6.6
Josh Scobee – JAC	vs BUF	12.4	3.6	6.0
Mike Nugent – NYJ	at DAL	12.1	3.8	5.9
Lawrence Tynes – NYG	vs MIN	11.8	4.1	5.9
Sebastian Janikowski – OAK	at KC	11.6	5.0	6.6
John Kasay – CAR	vs NO	11.4	4.0	5.4
David Akers – PHI	at NE	11.3	4.4	5.8
Nate Kaeding – SD	vs BAL	11.3	4.8	6.1
Ryan Longwell – MIN	at NYG	11.1	4.3	5.4
Olindo Mare – NO	at CAR	11.0	4.6	5.6
Jeff Wilkins – STL	vs SEA	10.9	4.7	5.6
Rian Lindell – BUF	at JAC	10.8	4.6	5.3
Matt Bryant – TB	vs WAS	10.3	4.3	4.6
Dave Rayner – KC	vs OAK	9.8	5.3	5.1
Jay Feely – MIA	at PIT	9.0	5.6	4.6
Joe Nedney – SF	at ARI	8.9	5.6	4.5
Morten Andersen – ATL	vs IND	8.8	5.6	4.3

 
Start:
Phil Dawson, CLE (13.7 rating): After the Browns’ miracle win last week in Baltimore, it seems Phil Dawson can do no wrong. Dawson had four field goals and 15 total points in the game, including an exciting-but-controversial 51 yarder to send the game into overtime. His opponent this week, Houston, has given up 23 field goals this year, tied for second most in the NFL.

Sit:
Dave Rayner, KC (9.8 rating): Rayner had a tough game last week, missing two of his three field goal attempts as the Chiefs fell by just 3 points to the Colts. Rayner and the Chiefs’ offense were hardly lighting up the scoreboard to start with, but now the retirement of Priest Holmes has left them with one less offensive weapon. With rookie Kolby Smith shouldering most of the load at runningback, the Chiefs will likely struggle to score points. And so Rayner remains waiver wire fodder.
 

Team Defense	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Indianapolis	at ATL	14.7	2.9	7.6
Arizona	vs SF	14.5	3.2	7.7
New England	vs PHI	14.3	2.9	7.3
Pittsburgh	vs MIA	14.2	3.3	7.5
New York Giants	vs MIN	13.8	3.4	7.3
Jacksonville	vs BUF	13.8	3.3	7.2
San Diego	vs BAL	13.8	3.5	7.3
Green Bay	at DET	13.7	3.4	7.1
Dallas	vs NYJ	13.5	3.4	6.9
Kansas City	vs OAK	12.6	4.0	6.6
Tampa Bay	vs WAS	12.1	4.1	6.2
Denver	at CHI	12.0	4.7	6.7
Baltimore	at SD	11.9	4.4	6.3
Tennessee	at CIN	11.9	4.4	6.3
Seattle	at STL	11.7	4.3	6.0
Washington	at TB	11.7	4.2	5.8
Chicago	vs DEN	11.4	4.6	6.0
Minnesota	at NYG	11.3	4.9	6.2
Houston	at CLE	10.3	4.7	5.0
Buffalo	at JAC	10.3	5.3	5.6
Oakland	at KC	10.3	5.3	5.6
Detroit	vs GB	10.3	5.6	5.8
New Orleans	at CAR	10.0	5.0	5.0
Cincinnati	vs TEN	9.6	5.2	4.8
Carolina	vs NO	9.5	5.4	4.9
San Francisco	at ARI	9.3	5.2	4.5
Cleveland	vs HOU	9.0	5.4	4.4
St. Louis	vs SEA	8.1	5.8	3.8
New York Jets	at DAL	7.8	6.2	4.0
Miami	at PIT	7.4	6.3	3.8
Philadelphia	at NE	7.1	6.8	3.8
Atlanta	vs IND	7.0	6.9	3.9

 
Start:
Arizona (14.5 rating): The Cardinals are a good start this week almost entirely because of their matchup. The 49ers are really in a bad way as a team, particularly on offense. San Francisco ranks dead last in the league in both yards and points per game. Frank Gore is still not 100% and is struggling to get anything going. Alex Smith is out again, so Trent Dilfer will once again be under center. Grab the Cardinals quickly if they are available and your current defense has an unfavorable matchup.

Sit:
Detroit (10.3 rating): Detroit has been solid on defense this year, at least from a fantasy perspective, but this is not a good week to start them. Brett Favre and the Packers are rolling into town this week, and they don’t seem like they are going to be slowing down anytime soon. Everyone on the Packer’s offense seems to be stepping up. The dependable Donald Driver is now complemented by breakout seasons from wide receiver Greg Jennings, tight end Donald Lee, and running back Ryan Grant. With that kind of balance the Packers will be a tough matchup for any defense.

 
Special thanks to SwiperNoSwiping, dream_017, madaslives911, WaCougMBS, totalair32, and murphysxm 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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