Every week, usually on Friday, we will put together our "start them - sit them" list.
Every week, usually on Friday, we will put together our "start them - sit them" list. Obviously, if Maurice Jones-Drew, Adrian Peterson and Tom Brady aren't walking on crutches you are going to start them. This list is aimed at the borderline "start-or-sit" players.
Because this is being written on Wednesday, extra care should be taken to follow those who are trying to play through injuries. If they are scheduled for a Thursday start, like quarterback Matthew Stafford or tight end Jason Witten, they have less of a chance to play than if they have a full week to heal.
Green Bay at Detroit
Packers
Start - Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Mason Crosby
Lions
Start - Kevin Smith, Calvin Johnson
Comments - The Cleveland Browns inept offense put a 37-spot up on Detroit's defense, how high will the Packers go particularly knowing their defense is missing a few big pieces in Al Harris and Aaron Kampman. Calvin Johnson (hand/knee) and Kevin Smith (hip) are also hurting, so you'll have to make sure they are active on Thursday.
Oakland at Dallas
Raiders
Start - Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, Zach Miller
Cowboys
Start - Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Patrick Crayton, Martellus Bennett, Nick Folk, Cowboys defense
Comments - Although you can never take an NFL lightly, expect the Cowboys to sit Witten in favor of Bennett, who has the tools to excel. Romo, won't miss a chance to play in front of a national audience. Despite their win against Cincinnati last week, the Raider offense is still the worst in the league at 227.3 ypg. Use Oakland players as a last resort.
New York Giants at Denver
Giants
Start - Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Kevin Boss, Lawrence Tynes
Broncos
Start - Kyle Orton, Knowshon Moreno, Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Matt Prater
Comments - The Giants have the No.4 offense and the Broncos have a top-10 defense, but this game will be decided by the other two squads, the New York defense and the Denver offense. Can the Giants shore up their defense which has yielded 164 points over the past five games (32.8 ppg) and can Orton get the ball to his two dangerous receivers - Marshall and Royal?
Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Buccaneers
Start - Josh Freeman, Kellen Winslow
Falcons
Start - Matt Ryan, Jason Snelling, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez
Comments - "It's an ankle sprain. These injuries are kind of like funny. Some guys take six weeks to bounce back, but I don't think I'll take that long, said Turner. But he's only in the second week of rehab and no matter how much he protests, he's not likely to play. Snelling filled in nicely for fantasy owners with 89 yards and two scores (20 points). The Bucs' defense is last against the run, so Snelling should have a another big day.
Miami at Buffalo
Dolphins
Start - Ricky Williams, Dan Carpenter, Dolphin defense
Bills
Start - Fred Jackson, Terrell Owens, Rian Lindell
Comments - Buffalo's rush defense "improved" to 31st, but that won't stop Williams from cracking the 100-yard mark again. Fred Jackson might get to play more with Marshawn Lynch suffering a shoulder injury. This is one of those injuries you'll have to watch all week up until game-time.
Cleveland at Cincinnati
Browns
Start - Mohammed Massaquoi
Bengals
Start - Carson Palmer, Bernard Scott, Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles, Shayne Graham, Bengals defense
Comments - Scoring 37 against the Lions doesn't mean your offense "is back." The Bengals are a top-10 defense and second against the run. Do it again this week and maybe I'll believe. Palmer & Co. should be able to put up 30 points against the Browns 32nd-ranked (last) defense. Cedric Benson should sit out this week, but again, this will be a last-minute decision. Obviously, if Benson plays he's a must-start in your lineup and Scott is back on your bench.
Indianapolis at Houston
Colts
Start - Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai, Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Dallas Clark, Matt Stover
Texans
Start - Matt Schaub, Steve Slaton, Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Kris Brown
Comments - This game and the Monday night game between New England and New Orleans ought to be the highest scoring of the weekend. Manning has scored the most fantasy points of any quarterback (217) and Schaub is fifth (181). If you have a player in this game on your roster, start him - except the defenses.
Carolina at New York Jets
Panthers
Start - DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Steve Smith, John Kasay
Jets
Start - Thomas Jones, Jerricho Cotchery, Jets defense
Comments - The only way the Panthers can win right now is running the ball with the occasional pass to Smith to keep the defense honest. Despite the Jets' defense yielding 85 points over the last three games, all losses, start them against the turnover-prone Jake Delhomme.
Washington at Philadelphia
Redskins
Start - Rock Cartwright, Shaun Suisham
Eagles
Start - Donovan McNabb, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek, David Akers, Eagles defense
Comments - The Redskins are running out of ball carriers, their down to third- string Rock Cartwright. Meanwhile, the Eagles defense is patched together with duct tape because of so many injuries. Should be an interesting matchup between Washington's top-ranked passing defense and McNabb/Andy Reid who love to throw the ball to their two young wideouts - Jackson and Maclin.
Seattle at St. Louis
Seahawks
Start - Matt Hasselbeck, Justin Forsett, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Seahawks defense
Rams
Start - Steven Jackson
Comments - Normally I hate to start any Seahawks on the road, but the Rams will struggle without Marc Bulger. Steven Jackson getting 100 yards is about as close to a sure thing as there is in the NFL.
Kansas City at San Diego
Chiefs
Start - Jamal Charles
Chargers
Start - Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, Nate Kaeding, Chargers defense
Comments - The Chiefs are ranked 30th in offense, but Charles has put together two good games. He's the only bright spot in a disastrous season. San Diego is on a roll and even Tomlinson looks good. He's had 20+ carries in his last two games and has fantasy relevance again. Rivers had his first sub-200 yard game of the season last week as the Chargers blew out the Broncos. He should get back on track this week at home against the Chiefs weak secondary.
Jacksonville at San Francisco
Jaguars
Start - Maurice Jones-Drew, Mike Sims-Walker, Josh Scobee
49ers
Start - Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis
Comments - The 49ers are No.6 against the run and No.30 against the pass, but the Jacksonville offense is based on Jones-Drew and the running game. Should be an interesting matchup. Sims-Walker and even Torry Holt might have big days.
Chicago at Minnesota
Bears
Start - Matt Forte, Devin Hester, Greg Olsen, Robbie Gould
Vikings
Start - Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Ryan Longwell, Vikings defense
Comments - Jay Cutler against the Vikings pass rush is not a good matchup. The Bears will have to use Forte in both the running and passing games. The Minnesota offense is doing whatever they want and the Bears defense doesn't have enough weapons to stop them.
Arizona at Tennessee
Cardinals
Start - Kurt Warner, Chris Wells, Tim Hightower, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, Neil Rackers
Titans
Start - Vince Young, Chris Johnson, Kenny Britt, Rob Bironas
Comments - The Titans yield a lot of yards through the air and the Cardinals have the perfect team to take advantage of the situation, assuming Warner's concussion doesn't put him on the bench for a game. Start all your Arizona players as everyone should get involved. Young's ability to run the ball for a touchdown gets him on the list alongside the No.1 offensive threat in the league - Chris Johnson. Justin Gage is still out, leaving Britt as a viable receiving option.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Steelers
Start - Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Jeff Reed
Ravens
Start - Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Derrick Mason, Ravens defense
Comments - If Charlie Batch hadn't gotten hurt, I think the Steelers would be resting Roethlisberger. But Batch is out six weeks with a wrist injury and the only other option would be former Oregon QB Dennis Dixon. Suddenly, "Big Ben's" headache isn't so bad that he can't play this Sunday. Where is the outside doctor to evaluate his health? The Baltimore defense isn't what it once was and is vulnerable to the pass. The Pittsburgh defense is not the same with Troy Polamalu yielding about nine point more per game when he's on the bench. Both teams should be able to put up at least 20 points.
New England at New Orleans
Patriots
Start - Tom Brady, Laurence Maroney, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Steven Gostkowski
Saints
Start - Drew Brees, Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, Marques Colston, Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, John Carney
Comments - What a great way to end the week! Brady versus Brees. Expect Moss to rebound from a quiet Week 11 with a big game on national television. I'm looking for a 35-34 type game, so make sure you get a piece of the scoring if you want to win your week
Every week, usually on Friday, we will put together our "start them - sit them" list. Obviously, if Maurice Jones-Drew, Adrian Peterson and Tom Brady aren't walking on crutches you are going to start them. This list is aimed at the borderline "start-or-sit" players.
Because this is being written on Wednesday, extra care should be taken to follow those who are trying to play through injuries. If they are scheduled for a Thursday start, like quarterback Matthew Stafford or tight end Jason Witten, they have less of a chance to play than if they have a full week to heal.
Green Bay at Detroit
Packers
Start - Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Mason Crosby
Lions
Start - Kevin Smith, Calvin Johnson
Comments - The Cleveland Browns inept offense put a 37-spot up on Detroit's defense, how high will the Packers go particularly knowing their defense is missing a few big pieces in Al Harris and Aaron Kampman. Calvin Johnson (hand/knee) and Kevin Smith (hip) are also hurting, so you'll have to make sure they are active on Thursday.
Oakland at Dallas
Raiders
Start - Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, Zach Miller
Cowboys
Start - Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Patrick Crayton, Martellus Bennett, Nick Folk, Cowboys defense
Comments - Although you can never take an NFL lightly, expect the Cowboys to sit Witten in favor of Bennett, who has the tools to excel. Romo, won't miss a chance to play in front of a national audience. Despite their win against Cincinnati last week, the Raider offense is still the worst in the league at 227.3 ypg. Use Oakland players as a last resort.
New York Giants at Denver
Giants
Start - Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Kevin Boss, Lawrence Tynes
Broncos
Start - Kyle Orton, Knowshon Moreno, Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Matt Prater
Comments - The Giants have the No.4 offense and the Broncos have a top-10 defense, but this game will be decided by the other two squads, the New York defense and the Denver offense. Can the Giants shore up their defense which has yielded 164 points over the past five games (32.8 ppg) and can Orton get the ball to his two dangerous receivers - Marshall and Royal?
Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Buccaneers
Start - Josh Freeman, Kellen Winslow
Falcons
Start - Matt Ryan, Jason Snelling, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez
Comments - "It's an ankle sprain. These injuries are kind of like funny. Some guys take six weeks to bounce back, but I don't think I'll take that long, said Turner. But he's only in the second week of rehab and no matter how much he protests, he's not likely to play. Snelling filled in nicely for fantasy owners with 89 yards and two scores (20 points). The Bucs' defense is last against the run, so Snelling should have a another big day.
Miami at Buffalo
Dolphins
Start - Ricky Williams, Dan Carpenter, Dolphin defense
Bills
Start - Fred Jackson, Terrell Owens, Rian Lindell
Comments - Buffalo's rush defense "improved" to 31st, but that won't stop Williams from cracking the 100-yard mark again. Fred Jackson might get to play more with Marshawn Lynch suffering a shoulder injury. This is one of those injuries you'll have to watch all week up until game-time.
Cleveland at Cincinnati
Browns
Start - Mohammed Massaquoi
Bengals
Start - Carson Palmer, Bernard Scott, Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles, Shayne Graham, Bengals defense
Comments - Scoring 37 against the Lions doesn't mean your offense "is back." The Bengals are a top-10 defense and second against the run. Do it again this week and maybe I'll believe. Palmer & Co. should be able to put up 30 points against the Browns 32nd-ranked (last) defense. Cedric Benson should sit out this week, but again, this will be a last-minute decision. Obviously, if Benson plays he's a must-start in your lineup and Scott is back on your bench.
Indianapolis at Houston
Colts
Start - Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai, Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Dallas Clark, Matt Stover
Texans
Start - Matt Schaub, Steve Slaton, Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Kris Brown
Comments - This game and the Monday night game between New England and New Orleans ought to be the highest scoring of the weekend. Manning has scored the most fantasy points of any quarterback (217) and Schaub is fifth (181). If you have a player in this game on your roster, start him - except the defenses.
Carolina at New York Jets
Panthers
Start - DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Steve Smith, John Kasay
Jets
Start - Thomas Jones, Jerricho Cotchery, Jets defense
Comments - The only way the Panthers can win right now is running the ball with the occasional pass to Smith to keep the defense honest. Despite the Jets' defense yielding 85 points over the last three games, all losses, start them against the turnover-prone Jake Delhomme.
Washington at Philadelphia
Redskins
Start - Rock Cartwright, Shaun Suisham
Eagles
Start - Donovan McNabb, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek, David Akers, Eagles defense
Comments - The Redskins are running out of ball carriers, their down to third- string Rock Cartwright. Meanwhile, the Eagles defense is patched together with duct tape because of so many injuries. Should be an interesting matchup between Washington's top-ranked passing defense and McNabb/Andy Reid who love to throw the ball to their two young wideouts - Jackson and Maclin.
Seattle at St. Louis
Seahawks
Start - Matt Hasselbeck, Justin Forsett, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Seahawks defense
Rams
Start - Steven Jackson
Comments - Normally I hate to start any Seahawks on the road, but the Rams will struggle without Marc Bulger. Steven Jackson getting 100 yards is about as close to a sure thing as there is in the NFL.
Kansas City at San Diego
Chiefs
Start - Jamal Charles
Chargers
Start - Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, Nate Kaeding, Chargers defense
Comments - The Chiefs are ranked 30th in offense, but Charles has put together two good games. He's the only bright spot in a disastrous season. San Diego is on a roll and even Tomlinson looks good. He's had 20+ carries in his last two games and has fantasy relevance again. Rivers had his first sub-200 yard game of the season last week as the Chargers blew out the Broncos. He should get back on track this week at home against the Chiefs weak secondary.
Jacksonville at San Francisco
Jaguars
Start - Maurice Jones-Drew, Mike Sims-Walker, Josh Scobee
49ers
Start - Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis
Comments - The 49ers are No.6 against the run and No.30 against the pass, but the Jacksonville offense is based on Jones-Drew and the running game. Should be an interesting matchup. Sims-Walker and even Torry Holt might have big days.
Chicago at Minnesota
Bears
Start - Matt Forte, Devin Hester, Greg Olsen, Robbie Gould
Vikings
Start - Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Ryan Longwell, Vikings defense
Comments - Jay Cutler against the Vikings pass rush is not a good matchup. The Bears will have to use Forte in both the running and passing games. The Minnesota offense is doing whatever they want and the Bears defense doesn't have enough weapons to stop them.
Arizona at Tennessee
Cardinals
Start - Kurt Warner, Chris Wells, Tim Hightower, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, Neil Rackers
Titans
Start - Vince Young, Chris Johnson, Kenny Britt, Rob Bironas
Comments - The Titans yield a lot of yards through the air and the Cardinals have the perfect team to take advantage of the situation, assuming Warner's concussion doesn't put him on the bench for a game. Start all your Arizona players as everyone should get involved. Young's ability to run the ball for a touchdown gets him on the list alongside the No.1 offensive threat in the league - Chris Johnson. Justin Gage is still out, leaving Britt as a viable receiving option.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Steelers
Start - Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Jeff Reed
Ravens
Start - Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Derrick Mason, Ravens defense
Comments - If Charlie Batch hadn't gotten hurt, I think the Steelers would be resting Roethlisberger. But Batch is out six weeks with a wrist injury and the only other option would be former Oregon QB Dennis Dixon. Suddenly, "Big Ben's" headache isn't so bad that he can't play this Sunday. Where is the outside doctor to evaluate his health? The Baltimore defense isn't what it once was and is vulnerable to the pass. The Pittsburgh defense is not the same with Troy Polamalu yielding about nine point more per game when he's on the bench. Both teams should be able to put up at least 20 points.
New England at New Orleans
Patriots
Start - Tom Brady, Laurence Maroney, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Steven Gostkowski
Saints
Start - Drew Brees, Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, Marques Colston, Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, John Carney
Comments - What a great way to end the week! Brady versus Brees. Expect Moss to rebound from a quiet Week 11 with a big game on national television. I'm looking for a 35-34 type game, so make sure you get a piece of the scoring if you want to win your week
