Week 15

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It’s Week 15 and we are now into the thick of the fantasy playoffs! Hopefully you made it this far, avoiding being knocked out by big games from players like Tom Brady, Joseph Addai, and Marion Barber III. I know I almost had seasons finished by clunkers from normally reliable studs like Carson Palmer and Adrian Peterson. But this is a new week, with new games, and new intriguing matchups. It all starts on Thursday as the Texans host the Broncos. There’s no time to waste – 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 NYJ	18.1	1.2	9.3
Peyton Manning – IND	at OAK	16.6	1.9	8.6
Tony Romo – DAL	vs PHI	16.3	2.6	8.9
Matt Hasselbeck – SEA	at CAR	16.1	2.3	8.4
Brett Favre – GB	at STL	15.7	2.5	8.2
Drew Brees – NO	vs ARI	15.0	3.0	8.0
Derek Anderson – CLE	vs BUF	14.8	2.9	7.7
Carson Palmer – CIN	at SF	14.7	3.1	7.8
Jay Cutler – DEN	at HOU	14.5	2.9	7.4
Kurt Warner – ARI	at NO	13.2	4.1	7.3
Kyle Boller – BAL	at MIA	13.0	3.7	6.7
Ben Roethlisberger – PIT	vs JAC	13.0	3.9	6.9
Philip Rivers – SD	vs DET	12.7	3.9	6.6
Jeff Garcia – TB	vs ATL	12.6	4.0	6.6
Trent Edwards – BUF	at CLE	12.5	4.5	7.0
Vince Young – TEN	at KC	12.2	4.1	6.3
Donovan McNabb – PHI	at DAL	12.2	4.3	6.6
David Garrard – JAC	at PIT	12.1	3.8	6.0
Tarvaris Jackson – MIN	vs CHI	12.0	4.3	6.2
Eli Manning – NYG	vs WAS	11.9	4.2	6.1
Sage Rosenfels – HOU	vs DEN	11.8	4.6	6.4
Jon Kitna – DET	at SD	11.4	4.7	6.0
Chris Redman – ATL	at TB	10.4	5.2	5.6
Todd Collins – WAS	at NYG	9.9	5.4	5.3
Brodie Croyle – KC	vs TEN	9.5	5.0	4.6
Marc Bulger – STL	vs GB	9.1	6.0	5.1
Vinny Testaverde – CAR	vs SEA	9.0	5.7	4.7
Cleo Lemon – MIA	vs BAL	8.9	5.3	4.1
Kellen Clemens – NYJ	at NE	8.9	5.9	4.8
Luke McCown – TB	vs ATL	8.8	4.9	3.7
JaMarcus Russell – OAK	vs IND	7.3	6.0	3.3
Trent Dilfer – SF	vs CIN	6.8	6.4	3.2
JP Losman – BUF	at CLE	6.3	6.1	2.4
AJ Feeley – PHI	at DAL	6.0	5.9	2.0
Josh McCown – OAK	vs IND	6.0	6.7	2.7
Damon Huard – KC	vs TEN	6.0	6.1	2.1
Brian Griese – CHI	at MIN	6.0	6.4	2.4
Joey Harrington – ATL	at TB	5.9	6.2	2.1
John Beck – MIA	vs BAL	5.5	7.2	2.7
Billy Volek – SD	vs DET	5.4	6.9	2.3
Kyle Orton – CHI	at MIN	5.3	6.2	1.6
Brooks Bollinger – MIN	vs CHI	5.2	6.5	1.7
Chad Pennington – NYJ	at NE	5.2	6.5	1.7
David Carr – CAR	vs SEA	4.9	6.5	1.4
Gus Frerotte – STL	vs GB	4.7	6.7	1.4
Jason Campbell – WAS	at NYG	4.6	6.6	1.2
Matt Schaub – HOU	vs DEN	4.0	7.6	1.7
Daunte Culpepper – OAK	vs IND	3.9	8.3	2.2
Byron Leftwich – ATL	at TB	3.7	7.2	0.9
Shaun Hill – SF	vs CIN	3.6	7.2	0.7

 
Start:
Matt Hasselbeck, SEA (16.1 rating): Hasselbeck had his best game of the season last week against Arizona, throwing four touchdown passes without an interception. He should have another good game in Carolina against the struggling Panthers. The Panthers pass defense looks respectable on paper (12th in the NFL) but they have given up 18 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, and have not really looked good in any facet of the game over the second half of the season. Carolina is 1-6 in their past 7 games, giving up 30+ points four times over that stretch.

Sit:
David Garrard, JAX (12.1 rating): Garrard has been quite a pleasant surprise for his fantasy owners this year, recording an astounding 13-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio this season. In four games since returning from an injury he has picked up the pace even more, with 7 touchdowns to only one pick. The only reason he is a “Sit” candidate this week is because of the strong Steelers’ pass defense he is up against. Pittsburgh got exposed a bit last week against the Pats, but I expect them to bounce back with a strong showing this week. The nice thing about Garrard, however, is that even if you are forced to start him you know he is unlikely to give you too bad of a game.
 

Running Backs	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
LaDainian Tomlinson – SD	vs DET	18.2	1.3	9.6
Joseph Addai – IND	at OAK	17.4	1.9	9.2
Brian Westbrook – PHI	at DAL	16.1	2.8	8.9
Ryan Grant – GB	at STL	16.1	2.7	8.8
Willis McGahee – BAL	at MIA	16.0	2.5	8.5
Earnest Graham – TB	vs ATL	15.9	2.4	8.3
Adrian Peterson – MIN	vs CHI	15.4	3.1	8.6
Frank Gore – SF	vs CIN	14.8	3.3	8.1
Jamal Lewis – CLE	vs BUF	14.7	2.9	7.6
Marion Barber – DAL	vs PHI	14.7	3.3	8.0
Marshawn Lynch – BUF	at CLE	14.6	3.1	7.7
Steven Jackson – STL	vs GB	14.5	3.4	7.9
LenDale White – TEN	at KC	14.4	3.3	7.6
Rudi Johnson – CIN	at SF	14.3	2.9	7.2
Brandon Jacobs – NYG	vs WAS	14.1	3.5	7.6
Willie Parker – PIT	vs JAC	13.6	3.8	7.3
Edgerrin James – ARI	at NO	13.4	3.4	6.8
Clinton Portis – WAS	at NYG	13.3	3.8	7.1
Shaun Alexander – SEA	at CAR	13.3	3.8	7.1
Selvin Young – DEN	at HOU	13.2	3.6	6.8
Justin Fargas – OAK	vs IND	13.2	3.7	6.9
Fred Taylor – JAC	at PIT	12.6	4.2	6.8
Laurence Maroney – NE	vs NYJ	12.3	4.0	6.3
Chester Taylor – MIN	vs CHI	12.3	4.4	6.7
Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC	at PIT	12.2	4.4	6.6
Aaron Stecker – NO	vs ARI	12.1	4.3	6.4
Travis Henry – DEN	at HOU	11.5	4.5	6.0
Kevin Jones – DET	at SD	11.4	4.9	6.2
Thomas Jones – NYJ	at NE	11.2	4.5	5.7
Kenton Keith – IND	at OAK	10.9	4.4	5.3
Samkon Gado – MIA	vs BAL	10.9	4.7	5.6
Kenny Watson – CIN	at SF	10.7	4.7	5.4
Reuben Droughns – NYG	vs WAS	10.6	4.9	5.6
Jerious Norwood – ATL	at TB	10.6	4.9	5.4
Fred Jackson – BUF	at CLE	10.6	4.8	5.3
Kolby Smith – KC	vs TEN	10.2	5.0	5.3
Adrian Peterson – CHI	at MIN	10.1	5.0	5.1
Chris Brown – TEN	at KC	10.0	5.2	5.3
Julius Jones – DAL	vs PHI	10.0	5.0	5.0
Maurice Morris – SEA	at CAR	9.9	4.7	4.6
Warrick Dunn – ATL	at TB	9.8	5.0	4.8
Darius Walker – HOU	vs DEN	9.5	5.7	5.2
DeShaun Foster – CAR	vs SEA	9.4	5.6	5.0
Michael Pittman – TB	vs ATL	9.3	4.7	4.0
Kevin Faulk – NE	vs NYJ	9.3	5.2	4.4
Leonard Weaver – SEA	at CAR	9.1	4.6	3.7
Ladell Betts – WAS	at NYG	8.9	5.6	4.4
Correll Buckhalter – PHI	at DAL	8.6	5.6	4.2
Jason Wright – CLE	vs BUF	8.6	5.3	3.9
DeAngelo Williams – CAR	vs SEA	8.6	5.8	4.3
Maurice Hicks – SF	vs CIN	8.2	5.3	3.4
LaMont Jordan – OAK	vs IND	8.1	6.0	4.1
Leon Washington – NYJ	at NE	8.1	6.2	4.3
Antonio Pittman – STL	vs GB	8.0	5.4	3.4
Pierre Thomas – NO	vs ARI	8.0	5.8	3.8
Vernand Morency – GB	at STL	7.9	5.4	3.2
Musa Smith – BAL	at MIA	7.7	6.4	4.1
Garrett Wolfe – CHI	at MIN	7.7	6.6	4.3
Heath Evans – NE	vs NYJ	7.6	5.6	3.2
Brian Leonard – STL	vs GB	7.6	5.9	3.4
Patrick Cobbs – MIA	vs BAL	7.5	5.6	3.1
Michael Turner – SD	vs DET	7.5	6.2	3.7
Najeh Davenport – PIT	vs JAC	7.3	6.4	3.7
TJ Duckett – DET	at SD	7.0	6.0	3.0
Marcel Shipp – ARI	at NO	7.0	6.5	3.5
Michael Robinson – SF	vs CIN	6.9	5.7	2.6
Michael Bennett – TB	vs ATL	6.7	6.0	2.8
Joe Echemandu – HOU	vs DEN	6.7	6.8	3.6
Lorenzo Booker – MIA	vs BAL	6.6	7.0	3.5
Jerome Harrison – CLE	vs BUF	6.5	6.7	3.2
Dwayne Wright – BUF	at CLE	6.1	6.6	2.7
Mike Anderson – BAL	at MIA	6.0	7.1	3.1
Jesse Chatman – MIA	vs BAL	5.9	7.1	3.0
Aveion Cason – DET	at SD	5.7	7.0	2.7
Ron Dayne – HOU	vs DEN	5.6	7.3	2.9
Tony Hunt – PHI	at DAL	5.5	6.2	1.7
Greg Jones – JAC	at PIT	5.5	7.4	2.9
Brandon Jackson – GB	at STL	5.4	6.7	2.1
Mewelde Moore – MIN	vs CHI	5.4	7.4	2.8
Jason Snelling – ATL	at TB	4.8	7.6	2.4
Tatum Bell – DET	at SD	4.8	6.6	1.4
Ahmed Bradshaw – NTG	vs WAS	4.8	7.6	2.4
Gilbert Harris – KC	vs TEN	4.8	7.9	2.7
Mike Bell – DEN	at HOU	4.6	7.3	1.8
Dominic Rhodes – OAK	vs IND	4.3	7.9	2.2
Larry Johnson – KC	vs TEN	4.2	7.4	1.6
Ahman Green – HOU	vs DEN	4.0	7.0	1.0
Chris Henry – TEN	at KC	3.9	7.6	1.5
Andre Hall – DEN	at HOU	3.7	8.1	1.8
Anthony Thomas – BUF	at CLE	3.6	7.6	1.1

 
Start:
Jamal Lewis, CLE (14.7 rating): I’ll admit, I did not think Jamal had much left when the Browns picked him up last off-season, but he has put together a nice year. The bruising back is 79 yards away from 1000, to go with 9 touchdowns. And he has looked his best in recent weeks, rushing for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns in his past four games. He has a good matchup this week at home against Buffalo.

Sit:
Kolby Smith, KC (10.2 rating): Smith burst onto the scene three weeks ago with a 150-yard, two-touchdown game against Oakland, but he has since come back down to Earth. He had a very disappointing game last week, carrying the ball 13 times for only 12 yards against a weak Denver run defense. I would expect another mediocre game against the Titans’ 10th ranked run defense this week.
 

Wide Receivers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Randy Moss – NE	vs NYJ	18.0	1.4	9.4
Reggie Wayne – IND	at OAK	16.4	2.5	8.9
Terrell Owens – DAL	vs PHI	16.1	2.5	8.6
Marques Colston – NO	vs ARI	16.0	2.5	8.5
Braylon Edwards – CLE	vs BUF	15.7	2.6	8.3
Larry Fitzgerald – ARI	at NO	15.7	2.7	8.4
Wes Welker – NE	vs NYJ	15.2	2.6	7.9
Greg Jennings – GB	at STL	15.2	2.8	8.0
Brandon Marshall – DEN	at HOU	15.2	2.7	7.9
Joey Galloway – TB	vs ATL	15.0	2.8	7.8
Chad Johnson – CIN	at SF	14.5	3.1	7.6
TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN	at SF	14.4	3.2	7.6
Andre Johnson – HOU	vs DEN	13.7	3.8	7.6
Hines Ward – PIT	vs JAC	13.7	3.7	7.4
Lee Evans – BUF	at CLE	13.6	3.9	7.6
Plaxico Burress – NYG	vs WAS	13.6	3.8	7.3
Torry Holt – STL	vs GB	13.5	3.6	7.1
Derrick Mason – BAL	at MIA	13.5	3.6	7.1
Roddy White – ATL	at TB	13.4	3.6	7.0
Deion Branch – SEA	at CAR	13.1	3.8	7.0
Donald Driver – GB	at STL	13.0	3.6	6.6
Bobby Engram – SEA	at CAR	12.9	3.6	6.4
Shaun McDonald – DET	at SD	12.5	4.2	6.7
Anthony Gonzalez – IND	at OAK	12.5	4.5	7.0
Jabar Gaffney – NE	vs NYJ	12.4	4.0	6.3
Calvin Johnson – DET	at SD	12.3	4.3	6.6
Kevin Curtis – PHI	at DAL	12.1	4.4	6.6
Patrick Crayton – DAL	vs PHI	11.9	4.3	6.2
Chris Henry – CIN	at SF	11.9	4.4	6.3
Dwayne Bowe – KC	vs TEN	11.9	4.4	6.3
Bernard Berrian – CHI	at MIN	11.9	4.5	6.3
Brandon Stokley – DEN	at HOU	11.7	4.1	5.8
Chris Chambers – SD	vs DET	11.7	4.1	5.8
Arnaz Battle – SF	vs CIN	11.7	4.1	5.9
Mark Clayton – BAL	at MIA	11.6	4.2	5.8
Donte Stallworth – NE	vs NYJ	11.4	4.5	5.9
Joe Jurevicius – CLE	vs BUF	11.1	4.6	5.7
Reggie Williams – JAC	at PIT	11.1	4.7	5.8
Reggie Brown – PHI	at DAL	11.1	4.8	5.9
Santonio Holmes – PIT	vs JAC	11.1	5.0	6.1
Michael Jenkins – ATL	at TB	11.0	4.9	5.9
Amani Toomer – NYG	vs WAS	11.0	4.8	5.8
Nate Burleson – SEA	at CAR	11.0	4.8	5.8
Kevin Walter – HOU	vs DEN	11.0	4.6	5.6
Sidney Rice – MIN	vs CHI	11.0	5.1	6.1
Justin Gage – TEN	at KC	10.9	4.8	5.6
Bryant Johnson – ARI	at NO	10.7	4.7	5.4
Vincent Jackson – SD	vs DET	10.7	4.6	5.3
David Patten – NO	vs ARI	10.4	4.9	5.3
Jerry Porter – OAK	vs IND	10.3	5.1	5.4
Ronald Curry – OAK	vs IND	10.3	5.3	5.6
Laveranues Coles – NYJ	at NE	10.2	5.0	5.3
Ike Hilliard – TB	vs ATL	10.2	4.8	5.0
Muhsin Muhammad – CHI	at MIN	10.2	4.9	5.1
Steve Smith – CAR	vs SEA	10.1	5.1	5.3
Javon Walker – DEN	at HOU	10.0	5.1	5.1
Jerheme Urban – ARI	at NO	10.0	5.1	5.1
Santana Moss – WAS	at NYG	10.0	5.4	5.4
Roydell Williams – TEN	at KC	9.9	4.9	4.8
Devery Henderson – NO	vs ARI	9.9	5.2	5.0
Ted Ginn – MIA	vs BAL	9.6	5.6	5.3
Josh Reed – BUF	at CLE	9.5	5.0	4.6
Roscoe Parrish – BUF	at CLE	9.4	5.2	4.6
Dennis Northcutt – JAC	at PIT	9.4	5.4	4.8
Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ	at NE	9.2	5.7	4.9
Robert Ferguson – MIN	vs CHI	9.2	5.7	4.9
Antwaan Randle El – WAS	at NYG	9.2	5.3	4.5
Devin Hester – CHI	at MIN	9.1	5.6	4.8
Darrell Jackson – SF	vs CIN	9.0	5.1	4.1
Mike Furrey – DET	at SD	9.0	5.9	4.9
Drew Bennett – STL	vs GB	9.0	5.7	4.7
Michael Clayton – TB	vs ATL	8.9	5.3	4.2
Bobby Wade – MIN	vs CHI	8.9	5.7	4.6
Nate Washington – PIT	vs JAC	8.8	5.7	4.6
Andre Davis – HOU	vs DEN	8.1	6.3	4.4
James Jones – GB	at STL	8.0	6.2	4.2
Ernest Wilford – JAC	at PIT	8.0	6.2	4.2
Drew Carter – CAR	vs SEA	7.9	5.9	3.8
Anquan Boldin – ARI	at NO	7.7	7.1	4.9
Ben Obomanu – SEA	at CAR	7.7	5.2	2.9
Ruvell Martin – GB	at STL	7.6	6.0	3.7
Laurent Robinson – ATL	at TB	7.6	6.1	3.7
Craig Davis – SD	vs DET	7.6	6.2	3.7
Sam Hurd – DAL	vs PHI	7.6	6.2	3.8
Keenan McCardell – WAS	at NYG	7.5	6.3	3.8
Ashley Lelie – SF	vs CIN	7.4	6.1	3.4
Derek Hagan – MIA	vs BAL	7.3	6.3	3.6
Demetrius Williams – BAL	at MIA	7.3	6.2	3.5
Matt Jones – JAC	at PIT	7.3	6.7	4.0
Isaac Bruce – STL	vs GB	7.3	6.6	3.8
Sammie Parker – KC	vs TEN	7.0	6.4	3.4
Marty Booker – MIA	vs BAL	7.0	6.9	3.8
Eric Moulds – TEN	at KC	7.0	6.5	3.4
Antonio Chatman – CIN	at SF	7.0	6.1	3.1
Glenn Martinez – DEN	at HOU	6.7	6.9	3.6
Eddie Kennison – KC	vs TEN	6.7	6.5	3.3
Brandon Jones – TEN	at KC	6.7	6.6	3.4
Koren Robinson – GB	at STL	6.7	6.4	3.1
Rashied Davis – CHI	at MIN	6.7	6.7	3.4
Lance Moore – NO	vs ARI	6.6	6.5	3.1
James Thrash – WAS	at NYG	6.5	6.7	3.2
Tim Carter – CLE	vs BUF	6.4	6.5	3.0
Dwayne Jarrett – CAR	vs SEA	6.3	6.8	3.1
Justin McCareins – NYJ	at NE	6.3	6.9	3.2
Hank Baskett – PHI	at DAL	6.2	6.8	3.0
Tim Dwight – OAK	vs IND	6.0	7.3	3.2
Malcolm Floyd – SD	vs DET	5.9	7.0	2.8
Troy Williamson – MIN	vs CHI	5.6	7.4	3.0
Aaron Moorehead – IND	at OAK	5.5	6.7	2.2
Terrance Copper – NO	vs ARI	5.5	7.2	2.7
Dante Hall – STL	vs GB	5.4	7.3	2.7
Jason Avant – PHI	at DAL	5.2	7.6	2.8
Jacoby Jones – HOU	vs DEN	5.1	7.7	2.7
Cedrick Wilson – PIT	vs JAC	5.0	7.6	2.6
Sam Aiken – BUF	at CLE	4.9	7.6	2.5
Joe Horn – ATL	at TB	4.9	7.6	2.4
DJ Hackett – SEA	at CAR	4.6	7.3	2.0
Craphonso Thorpe – IND	at OAK	4.6	7.3	1.9
Terry Glenn – DAL	vs PHI	4.2	7.0	1.2
Steve Smith – NYG	vs WAS	4.1	8.2	2.4
Marvin Harrison – IND	at OAK	3.6	8.0	1.6

 
Start:
Marques Colston, NO (16.0 rating): The resurgence of the Saints’ passing game has benefited no one more than Colston. The second year wideout has been on fire lately, recording at least 7 catches and 90 yards in 5 of his last 6 games. I see no reason for that pace to fall off, as the Saints will continue to rely heavily on their passing game because of their weak defense and decimated backfield. Colston has a good matchup this week against an Arizona team that was torched by Matt Hasselbeck for four touchdowns last week.

Sit:
Steve Smith, CAR (10.0 rating): Ouch, how the mighty have fallen. Considered a top-5 fantasy receiver before the season, Smith has not gone over 100 yards or scored a touchdown since Week 6! As long as Carolina continues to struggle (especially at quarterback) Smith’s numbers will suffer. Don’t be afraid to sit this stud wide receiver if you have better options on your bench.
 

Tight Ends	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Jason Witten – DAL	vs PHI	16.5	2.3	8.9
Antonio Gates – SD	vs DET	16.4	2.4	8.8
Kellen Winslow – CLE	vs BUF	16.2	2.4	8.6
Chris Cooley – WAS	at NYG	14.7	3.1	7.9
Dallas Clark – IND	at OAK	13.6	3.5	7.1
Donald Lee – GB	at STL	13.3	3.6	6.8
Tony Gonzalez – KC	vs TEN	13.2	3.8	7.0
Jeremy Shockey – NYG	vs WAS	13.0	3.9	6.9
Robert Royal – BUF	at CLE	12.6	4.0	6.6
Ben Watson – NE	vs NYJ	12.4	4.0	6.4
Owen Daniels – HOU	vs DEN	12.3	3.9	6.2
Tony Scheffler – DEN	at HOU	12.3	4.2	6.4
Vernon Davis – SF	vs CIN	11.7	4.2	5.9
Heath Miller – PIT	vs JAC	11.6	4.6	6.1
Eric Johnson – NO	vs ARI	11.4	4.1	5.5
Greg Olsen – CHI	at MIN	11.0	4.9	5.9
Zach Miller – OAK	vs IND	10.3	4.7	5.0
Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN	vs CHI	10.1	4.8	4.9
Ben Patrick – ARI	at NO	10.1	4.4	4.5
Marcedes Lewis – JAC	at PIT	10.0	4.9	4.9
Randy McMichael – STL	vs GB	9.9	4.9	4.8
Alex Smith – TB	vs ATL	9.9	4.9	4.8
Chris Baker – NYJ	at NE	9.9	5.3	5.1
Marcus Pollard – SEA	at CAR	9.9	5.0	4.9
Desmond Clark – CHI	at MIN	9.9	5.5	5.4
Daniel Graham – DEN	at HOU	9.5	5.1	4.7
Reggie Kelly – CIN	at SF	9.4	4.7	4.1
Alge Crumpler – ATL	at TB	9.3	5.4	4.7
Jeff King – CAR	vs SEA	9.2	5.5	4.7
Bo Scaife – TEN	at KC	9.2	5.1	4.3
Ben Utecht – IND	at OAK	8.6	5.6	4.1
Matt Schobel – PHI	at DAL	8.3	5.6	3.9
Quinn Sypniewski – BAL	at MIA	8.3	5.6	3.8
Sean McHugh – DET	at SD	8.2	5.9	4.1
Anthony Fasano – DAL	vs PHI	8.0	5.9	3.8
Ben Troupe – TEN	at KC	7.9	5.6	3.5
Kyle Brady – NE	vs NYJ	7.9	5.8	3.7
Bryan Fletcher – IND	at OAK	7.8	5.9	3.6
Anthony Becht – TB	vs ATL	7.7	5.8	3.4
Billy Miller – NO	vs ARI	7.5	6.1	3.6
LJ Smith – PHI	at DAL	7.4	6.3	3.7
David Martin – MIA	vs BAL	7.3	6.0	3.3
Will Heller – SEA	at CAR	7.0	6.5	3.5
Bubba Franks – GB	at STL	6.9	6.4	3.3
Justin Peelle – MIA	vs BAL	6.6	6.1	2.7
Matt Spaeth – PIT	vs JAC	6.5	6.7	3.2
Christian Fauria – CAR	vs SEA	6.1	6.7	2.9
Casey Fitzsimmons – DET	at SD	5.9	6.8	2.7
Todd Yoder – WAS	at NYG	5.8	7.1	2.9
Richard Angulo – JAC	at PIT	5.6	7.3	2.9
Jeb Putzier – HOU	vs DEN	5.4	7.4	2.7
Jason Dunn – KC	vs TEN	5.2	7.1	2.3
Todd Heap – BAL	at MIA	4.3	7.6	1.9

 
Start:
Robert Royal, BUF (12.6 rating): Desperate for a tight end and looking to pluck one off the waiver wire? Robert Royal might be your man. The Bills seem to be interested in working Royal into the offense. He had four catches two weeks ago against Washington, and another three last week for 46 yards and two touchdowns. Does that make him a sure thing? Certainly not, but he could be worth a shot if your tight ends are weak as it is. Plus, he performed one of funniest touchdown dances (more like a touchdown “wiggle”) I have ever seen when he was with the Redskins a few years back, so I’ve got to show him some love.

Sit:
Heath Miller, PIT (11.6 rating): Miller owners have to be getting a little concerned at this point. Heath has only caught 10 passes with no touchdowns over the past four weeks. He faces off against another tough defense in Jacksonville this week. Just something to keep in mind if you are debating between Miller and another tight end.
 

Kickers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Stephen Gostkowski – NE	vs NYJ	16.1	1.9	8.0
Mason Crosby – GB	at STL	16.1	2.1	8.2
Shayne Graham – CIN	at SF	15.4	2.4	7.9
Nick Folk – DAL	vs PHI	15.4	2.4	7.9
Phil Dawson – CLE	vs BUF	15.2	2.4	7.6
Adam Vinatieri – IND	at OAK	15.1	2.6	7.7
Rob Bironas – TEN	at KC	14.5	2.6	7.1
Matt Stover – BAL	at MIA	14.2	2.5	6.7
Jason Elam – DEN	at HOU	14.2	2.9	7.0
Rian Lindell – BUF	at CLE	14.2	3.1	7.3
Nate Kaeding – SD	vs DET	14.1	2.9	7.0
Josh Brown – SEA	at CAR	13.9	3.0	6.9
Neil Rackers – ARI	at NO	13.9	2.9	6.8
Kris Brown – HOU	vs DEN	13.6	3.1	6.8
Ryan Longwell – MIN	vs CHI	13.3	3.4	6.7
Robbie Gould – CHI	at MIN	13.3	3.6	6.9
Olindo Mare – NO	vs ARI	13.3	3.1	6.4
Josh Scobee – JAC	at PIT	13.0	3.4	6.4
Lawrence Tynes – NYG	vs WAS	12.9	3.7	6.6
David Akers – PHI	at DAL	12.9	3.6	6.5
Matt Bryant – TB	vs ATL	12.9	3.2	6.1
Shaun Suisham – WAS	at NYG	12.9	3.6	6.4
Jason Hanson – DET	at SD	12.7	4.1	6.7
Jeff Reed – PIT	vs JAC	12.2	4.1	6.3
Sebastian Janikowski – OAK	vs IND	11.4	4.4	5.8
Jeff Wilkins – STL	vs GB	11.3	4.6	5.9
Joe Nedney – SF	vs CIN	10.9	4.3	5.2
Mike Nugent – NYJ	at NE	10.5	4.9	5.4
John Carney – KC	vs TEN	9.9	5.1	5.0
John Kasay – CAR	vs SEA	9.8	5.1	5.0
Jay Feely – MIA	vs BAL	9.5	5.4	4.9
Morten Andersen – ATL	at TB	9.4	5.1	4.5

 
Start:
Mason Crosby, GB (16.1 rating): The Packers keep scoring and Crosby keeps booting it through the uprights. He hasn’t been perfect, but he has been about as reliable you could expect a rookie kicker to be. His matchup this week is very favorable. He is playing in a dome against a Rams team that gives up an average of 24.3 points per game (7th highest in NFL) and has allowed 26 field goals on the year (3rd most in NFL).

Sit:
Mike Nugent, NYJ (11.5 rating): A kicker playing against the Patriots? In Foxsboro? In December? In inclement weather? I’ll pass…
 

Team Defense	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Minnesota	vs CHI	15.4	3.0	8.4
New England	vs NYJ	15.3	3.0	8.4
Seattle	at CAR	14.6	2.8	7.4
Indianapolis	at OAK	14.4	2.9	7.3
Baltimore	at MIA	14.4	3.0	7.4
Tampa Bay	vs ATL	14.3	3.0	7.3
Green Bay	at STL	13.9	3.2	7.0
San Diego	vs DET	13.8	3.4	7.2
Tennessee	at KC	13.8	3.2	7.0
New York Giants	vs WAS	13.0	3.5	6.6
Cincinnati	at SF	12.8	3.4	6.1
Dallas	vs PHI	12.3	4.0	6.3
Denver	at HOU	12.1	3.7	5.9
Jacksonville	at PIT	11.2	4.6	5.8
Pittsburgh	vs JAC	11.1	4.6	5.6
Chicago	at MIN	10.8	5.1	6.0
Washington	at NYG	10.7	4.4	5.0
New Orleans	vs ARI	10.3	4.5	4.9
Houston	vs DEN	10.2	4.7	4.9
Arizona	at NO	9.8	4.8	4.6
Cleveland	vs BUF	9.7	5.0	4.7
Buffalo	at CLE	9.4	5.2	4.6
Detroit	at SD	9.3	5.5	4.8
Kansas City	vs TEN	8.9	5.3	4.1
Philadelphia	at DAL	8.2	5.7	3.9
St. Louis	vs GB	7.9	5.9	3.7
Miami	vs BAL	7.7	6.1	3.8
Carolina	vs SEA	7.5	5.9	3.4
San Francisco	vs CIN	7.2	6.2	3.4
Atlanta	at TB	6.5	6.6	3.0
Oakland	vs IND	5.8	7.0	2.7
New York Jets	at NE	3.3	8.7	2.0

 
Start:
Minnesota (15.4 rating): Minnesota’s opportunistic defense has played a huge role in their surprising season and current position as the NFC’s second wildcard representative. The Vikings are 4th in the NFL in sacks with 34 and second in fumble recoveries with 16, but most impressive are their EIGHT defensive touchdowns (6 off interceptions, 2 off fumbles). This week the Vikes host the Bears and their QB carousel.

Sit:
Washington (10.7 rating): The Redskins’ defense has played much better than it did last year, but injuries have really taken a toll on this team. Washington has not played well in the Meadowlands against the Giants for the past few years anyway. Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey will likely take advantage of the Skins’ depleted secondary.

 
Special thanks to SwiperNoSwiping, dream_017, madaslives911, treat24, plantation, Amuk, WaCougMBS, BlueBandit24, and tarpon17 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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