Week 12 Start 'em Sit 'em

Week 12: Start 'em Sit 'em.

Game 1: Arz @ Min
Start 'Em Arz:
M. Leinart, QB
L. Fitzgerald, WR
A. Bolden, WR
B. Johnson, WR
N. Rackers, K

Sit 'Em Arz:
E. James, RB
L. Pope, TE

Minnesota has the #1 rushing Defense in the league, and James has been brutal this year, so he is out. Minnesota's pass defense has been as brutal as James has been on the ground. Start Leinart and his WRs with confidence. This also brings Rackers into play as he should have a nice game.

Start 'Em Min:
C. Taylor, RB
R. Longwell, K

Sit 'Em Min:
Everyone else.

Minnesota's offense begins and ends with Chester Taylor. He is the focal point of the offense. The passing game is anemic at best. I refer to the 'Offensive Storm' of the Minnesota Vikings as a sunny spring afternoon. Sit Johnson until he can throw some TDs. Sit Robinson until his back stops hurting. Sit Williamson until he can catch. Sit Wiggins until he gets noticed in the offense. Sit Taylor until he can stop fumbling. However, one thing is certain. The Vikings are the best team in the league in starting the game with a field goal, so Longwell might be good for one or two today.

Game 2: Car @ Wash
Start 'Em Car
J. Delhomme, QB
S. Smith, WR
K. Johnson, WR
D. Williams, RB
J. Kasay, K

Sit 'Em Car
D. Foster, RB - Questionable, Elbow.

The Washington Defense hasn't been that good this year. This is one of their worst years in takeaways, since the Steve Spurrier years. Carolina's defense has been clicking. Last week it brutalized Marc Bulger and the Rams. This week Julius Peppers and company should harass second week starting quarterback Jason Campbell, and cause plenty of turnovers and excellent field position, to give the Panther's offense plenty of scoring opportunities.

Start 'Em Wash
S. Moss, WR
C. Cooley, TE

Sit 'Em Wash
L. Betts, RB
J. Campbell, QB
A. Randle El, WR

The Redskins offense is in disarray right now, which makes starting any of them a challenge. I lean to starting Moss because he is explosive and can make something out of nothing, which is what I expect Campbell to throw him, a whole lot of nothing. Cooley is a must start in all TE mandatory leagues, but if you aren't in one of those bench him. Cooley makes a good play in those leagues as raw QBs often like to seek out their TE when they get in trouble, and Cooley could put up decent numbers. Otherwise I expect this game could get ugly quick.

Game 3: Cin @ Cle
Start 'Em Cin
R. Johnson, RB
C. Johnson, WR
C. Palmer, QB
C. Henry, WR
T. J. "Championship", WR (?)
S. Graham, K

Sit 'Em Cin
T. J. Championship, WR (?)

This game should have all the aerial fireworks we've come to expect from the Bengals in the last couple of weeks. Cleveland isn't very good against the pass, and Rudi Johnson like to chew them up on the ground. Rudi hasn't had a career game under 120 yards against the Browns. You may be questioning why I have Houshmandzadeh listed both in the start/sit categories. Well this is because he hasn't done anything in the last two weeks that should warrant starting aside from going up against a brutal pass defense. I suspect he still thinks he could be James Bond, or Batman, or worse, one of the Crab People from a past episode of 'South Park'. That concussion he suffered was a doozy, and I don't think he is 100% yet. If you have a safer option that TJ, go with it.

Start 'Em Cle
C. Frye, QB
B. Edwards, WR
K. Winslow, TE
P. Dawson, K

Sit 'Em Cle
All Browns RBs

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a new 32nd ranked pass defense in the NFL! It's your Cincinatti Bengals! After Drew Brees lit them up for 510 yards, the Bengals dropped to 32nd in the league. This brings all your Browns passing offense into play. Charlie Frye makes an especially sneaky play this week, in one league I'm starting him over Tom Brady. Braylon Edwards is the play maker on this team, and Kellen Winslow is a must start in TE mandatory leagues. Phil Dawson will also see plenty of field goal opportunities. Don't start any Brown runners today. The Bengals are good against the run, and if Droughns doesn't play, his backups are terrible, since Romeo Crennel doesn't seem to want to play the best RB on the team, Jerome Harrison.

Game 4: Hou @ NYJ
Start 'Em Hou
W. Lundi, RB
S. Gado, RB
A. Johnson, WR

Sit 'Em Hou
D. Carr, QB
E. Moulds, WR
O. Daniels, TE

This game is a fantasy nightmare, even though there could be plenty of points to be harvested out of it. In Houston, we have the apprentice to the Dark Lord of Fantasy Football, in Gary Kubiak (Shanahan's assistant in Denver all those years), who can't decide on a RB to save his life. Normally, in a case like this, I would say sit them both. In today's game though, the Jets are so bad against the run, both of them might actually do well enough to take the chance on them. Of course, if you have better options, take them. Andre Johnson is one of the best options in the world of Fantasy Football, even though he plays on an absolutely brutal team. If he were on a real team I would bet money he would put up early career Randy Moss type numbers. However, he's stuck in Houston putting up good numbers. Start him with confidence every week, and just hope that Carr gets pulled.

Start 'Em NYJ
L. Washington, RB
L. Coles, WR
J. Cotcherty, WR

Sit 'Em NYJ
C. Pennington, QB
Everyone Else.

This is almost exactly the mirror image of the Houston side. There is only one real safe start on New York, and that Leon Washington. Everyone else is Start and Pray. Start them, and pray they score well for you. If you have better options look elsewhere today, but don't be surprised if someone like Coles, tries to do a Lee Evans impression, and rattle off a 230 yard, 3 TD game or something insane like that. It's the NFL, and that kind of crazy stuff happens on a week to week basis.

Game 5: Jax @ Buf
Start 'Em Jax
Fraud Taylor, RB
M. Jones-Drew, RB
E. Willford, WR

Sit 'Em Jax
D. Garrad, QB
M. Jones, WR
R. Williams, WR
G. Wrightster, TE

The Jacksonville running attack should be the name of game in this one today. Coach Del Rio has probably learned that David Garrad isn't the answer at Quarterback, as he pretty much sucks. Bench all your WRs if you can. If you must start one, start Willford as he seems to be Garrard's go-near guy. Garrard isn't accurate enough to have a go-to guy. Taylor and J.D. split enough carries to make them both viable options, and Drew is the pass catching back to further increase his value. Buffalo's defense is hard to get a read on, but if Houston can light them up for 3TDs, and Jacksonville can torch the Giants, then Jacksonville shouldn't have a problem doing damage to the Bills today.

Start 'Em Buf
L. Evans, WR

Sit 'Em Buf
J. Losman, QB
A. Thomas, RB
W. McGahee, RB - Broken Ribs - rumored to play?

I really don't like anyone on Bufflo in this game. I especially don't like the fact that McGahee is rumored to be coming back, and splitting carries with Thomas. Against a defense that held Tiki Barber to 27 yards on Monday, that means ..... do the math.... neither one of them is getting anything worth a starting line up spot. The only Bill you want to start this week is Lee Evans. As he showed last week, he is the focal point of the passing game, that if it gets time to take off, he could do magnificent things with the ball, and put up huge numbers. he is also bolstered by the fact that Donovin Darius is out for the game with his knee injury that he suffered in the New York game on Monday night.

Game 6: N.O. @ Atl
Start 'Em N.O.
D. Brees, QB
D. McAlister, RB
D. Henderson, WR
J. Horn, WR

Sit 'Em N.O.
M. Colston, WR- Questionable - Ankle
T. Copper, WR- Probable- Ankle
R. Bush, RB- Probably - Overrated

How do you follow up 510 passing yards? You play the Atlanta Falcons of course. While I don't expect Brees to chuck the rock for 500, I do expect him to move it for 300, for the fifth straight week. The Atlanta defense is decent but not great, and it's own worst enemy is the Atlanta offense. Duece McAlister makes a good play this week, as he likes to run for over 100 yards every time he plays the Falcons. Separation for the lead of the division is also on the line here, so look for the Saints to put on a show. Bench Reggie Bush at least one more week until he shows that defenses don't absolutely key on him every time he steps onto the field.

Start 'Em Atl
A. Crumpler, TE
W. Dunn, RB

Sit 'Em Atl
M. Vick, QB
J. Norwood, RB
All Falcon WRs

Noone is more Schizophrenic besides me, and the pink elephant that sits beside me and edits my content. Well no one that is besides the Atlanta Falcons and their offense. They are absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to get a read on. They light up good teams, lay down against bad teams, and Michael Vick will just randomly drop the ball while running in for game winning Touchdowns. How are you supposed to predict anything fantasy wise from that. The simple solution is you don't. You start Alge Crumpler in TE mandatory, and deep leagues, because Crumpler and Vick love each other. You start Dunn because he gets 20 touches a game, and has the chance to do something special with each one. The Saints defense isn't special against the run, so Dunn could actually score a TD in this game. You bench all WRs in this game because they are terrible, and probably couldn't start on the Vikings. You bench Vick, unless you are in a yardage heavy league, and a penalty free league, because he's the best running back EVER to play quarterback in the NFL.

Game 7: Pit @ Balt
Start 'Em Pit
W. Parker, RB
H. Ward, WR - Questionable, Knee

Sit 'Em Pit
B. Roethlesberger, QB
H. Miller, TE
S. Holmes, WR

In an epic battle of Defense vs. Defense, this game shouldn't yield very many fantasy points. You have to start Parker because you probably don't have many other options to go to. Parker isn't very special on the road, but he's too explosive to sit and take that chance, that maybe this is the week he figures out how to travel. Hines Ward is a start if he goes, but watch the pre-game festivities to see if he starts. He's one of the toughest players in the game, so expect him to go. If he starts, he's Big Ben's go to guy, so he is far to valuable to sit. Roethlesberger is a sit though, he is too mistake prone to take a chance on, against a swarming Raven defense. Miller, Holmes, and the rest of the offense, won't be worth much more beyond that as well.

Start 'Em Balt
J. Lewis, RB
T. Heap, TE - injured? check pregame if starting...
D. Mason, WR
S. McNair, QB
M. Clayton, WR

Sit 'Em Balt
none (backups)

Since Baltimore fired Jim Fassel, their offense has really taken off. Jamal Lewis has seen a resurgence. Mark Clayton has become noticed in the passing attack. Steve McNair has also looked like the old Co-MVP the Ravens thought he could be when they signed him this year. Pittsburgh has a stout running defense, but their pass defense definitely leaves something to be desired. McNair and company could quite possibly put up big fantasy numbers today, especially with their defense creating opportunities in good field position.

Game 8: SF @ StL
Start 'Em SF
F. Gore, RB

Sit 'Em SF
Everything else

Frank Gore is San Fransisco's offense right now. The rest of the bits are just along for the ride. That is why you really can't start anyone else. Alex Smith is starting to come around and is pretending to be a real NFL quarterback, but is still too inconsistent to start. The WRs on this team are no-names outside of Antonio Bryant, that shouldn't be on your roster. Bryant could be a sneaky start if you are absolutely stuck, but I'm sure you have better options. Leonard Little of the Rams, and his friends will try their best to make it very tough for the 49er passing game to get off the ground. Vernon Davis will be coming back this week from a broken fibula, but I'd like to see him do something before suggesting you start him.

Start 'Em StL
S. Jackson, RB
T. Holt, WR

Sit 'Em StL
M. Bulger, QB
I. Bruce, WR
K. Curtis, WR
Tight Ends

The Saint Louis offense is in flux right now, following the lose of OT Orlando Pace. Last week, against Carolina the Rams looked lost and completely out of sync, allowing Marc Bulger to be sacked 7 times, and to be shut out. Steven Jackson only had 57 combo yards from scrimmage, and no touchdowns. He should fair better against a defense that isn't as strong as the Panthers, but the loss of Pace still has me questioning how good he can do. Another week of practice, should have the kinks worked out, and Jackson and Holt should be able to put up respectable numbers. Leave Bruce and Curtis, and the smattering of Tight Ends on the bench because they haven't shown success against the Niners in the past, and with the uncertainty of the offense, you would be better served to find better options elsewhere.

Game 9: Oak @ SD
Start 'Em Oak
none
No one
Nil
Not even Randy Moss
Move along.

Sit 'Em Oak
That means All
Fargas
Moss
Brooks
etc.

Oakland. Sucks.
It's a pity too. The defense is playing well enough to have them competing in the BRUTAL AFC West. Al Davis has essentially ran this team into the ground. When they hired Art Shell, (read: he took the job as a mercy kill to Davis) and hired an offensive coordinator that worked in Bed and Breakfast in Idaho for the last 6 years, this team was in trouble. After 12 weeks they proved it. Moss has checked out mentally, wanting to be traded. Rumor around the league is that he isn't worth a 4th round pick anymore. The running game is a mess. It's a sad state of affairs when the best news out of Oakland for fantasy players is when we can say 'thank you' to LaMont Jordon, for calling it a year due to his back injury. Oakland is a mess. Don't start any of these players. Especially against a rabid San Diego defense.

Start 'Em SD
LT, RB - Perhaps you've heard of him?
A. Gates, TE

Sit 'Em SD
P. Rivers, QB
E. Parker, WR
K. McCardell, WR

When I was doing some research for this game I read an article in a highly respected newspaper that there was a petition to rename San Diego, "LaDainian Tomlinsonville". He is San Diego right now, which has been making a certain Antonio Gates owner here cringe. Gates is still a must start in TE mandatory leagues, because you have to hope that eventually they will stop neglecting their monster TE in the red zone. However, I think I have a better shot of winning Selma Hayek's heart than Gates scoring two TDs in a game as long as Marty Shottenheimer is in charge of the 'Lets rename San Diego' fan club. Oakland is weak against the run, as was the case last week when fellow RB (that's Running Beast) Larry Johnson torched them on the ground. Oakland's pass defense is surprisingly good, and that's why you are sitting your San Diego WRs this week.

Game 10: Chi @ NE
Start 'Em Chi
R. Gould, K

Sit 'Em Chi
Everyone else.

Can you say, 3-0? That's about what I see the final score of this game being. If you are stuck go ahead and start Grossman, and Moose Muhammad. The Patriots secondary is banged up, but their front seven are absolutely dominant. They can make life hell for Rex in the pocket. This is also the reason you aren't starting Thomas Jones, and Cedric Benson. They won't have any running room in this game. Bill Belichick would love nothing else than to extend his dominance over the NFC North with this game. It all starts and ends in this game with the defense. If you need to put a cowlicky baby to sleep, turn this one. It will be a real snoozer.

Start 'Em NE
Nada.

Sit 'Em NE
All.
Even Brady.

I don't like anyone in this game. The Chicago defense will be completely on fire this game. Brady doesn't make a good play because it will be so hard to predict how it will work out. I choose to sit him because there are much better options that were probably on your waiver wire (C. Frye, J. Harrington, etc.) that will have much better success against weaker defenses than Brady will this week. You can never really start any WRs from New England because they spread the ball around so much. Reche Caldwell was becoming Brady's favorite toy, so look for him next week, but sit him this week. Sit Dillion and Maroney, as there will be no running room given up by Chicago's front seven. Urlacher is getting a complex constantly being called the 'Most over-rated player in the league', and would love nothing more than to shut a few people up by stuff the illuminated ones, the New England Patriots. Expect a very low scoring, fantasy un-friendly game here.

Game 11: NYG @ Ten
Start 'Em NYG
T. Barber, RB - Questionable - hand (my injury report)
B. Jacobs, RB
J. Shockey, TE
P. Burress, WR
E. Manning, QB
T. Carter, WR

Sit 'Em NYG
D. Tyree, WR

New York is banged up right now, both physically and mentally. Thankfully they get Tennessee. Eli Manning has been decent at home, and brutal on the road, and now he's on the road. Thankfully, he gets Tennessee. Hopefully he snaps out of his funk, and starts to 'get it' a little bit. If you have a better QB this week, perhaps go with him. I put Eli in the start pile because I like his receivers against a brutal Tennessee secondary. On to the Running Back tandem, Barber and Jacobs. I don't think Barber is 100% with his thumb injury. He was having trouble catching balls against the Jags on Monday night. Look for Jacobs to get extra carries mid field, along with his traditional goal line carries. If you are carrying both, I'd lean to start Jacobs over Barber this week. Jeremy Shockey is a must start in all TE mandatory leagues, as he is one of Eli's favorite targets, and a legitimate red zone option. Plaxico Burress has a nagging back issue, but with the team struggling, his pride will be the best medicine for him, and he'll give it a go to win. Tim Carter and David Tyree will be splitting time at WR in place of the IR'd Amani Toomer, with Carter being the better option of the two if you need a play from these two. However, I would try my best to look elsewhere.

Start 'Em Ten
T. Henry, RB

Sit 'Em Ten
V. Young, QB
D. Bennett, WR
B. Scaife, TE

The Tennessee Titans are a strange team indeed. Travis Henry is one of the more frustrating running backs in the league. When he challenges good defenses, and is expected to do poorly, he lights them up for 150 yards and some tds. When he challenges pop warner squads like the Texans, and you expect him to go for 150 and the tds, he's either inactive, or you wish he were. It'll be interesting to see how he does against a supposedly good, but banged up New York Giants front this week at home. He will probably do well enough to warrant being used with confidence. Vince Young. The number 3 pick in last years draft. The pet of the owner. Matt Leinart is obviously the better quarterback, but Young is supposedly the more 'exciting' one. The truth is, Young sucks. He sucks worse than Vick. His completion percentage is worse than 50%, he has one 200+ yard passing game on his resume. Young has more Ints than passing Tds. Unless you are in a keeper league, he shouldn't be on a roster. His receivers aren't special either, due mostly to Young's ineffeciencies at QB. Sit them until Young can prove he can complete more than 8 passes in a game, which is how many he completed last week against the Eagles.

Game 12: Phi @ Indy
Start 'Em Phi
B. Westbrook, RB
L. Smith, TE

Sit 'Em Phi
J. Garcia, QB
R. Brown, WR
D. Stallworth, WR - Questionable - Hammy

No team was devastated more last week than the Philadelphia Eagles. I'm also willing to wager that every owner that had Donovan McNabb on their roster also was devastated when the quarterback went down with his season ending knee injury. I personally lost 3 of 4 games thanks to that injury. That said, enter Jeff Garcia, stage right. Garcia looks to save the Iggles' season. To do that the whole game plan will have to change. Gone are the days of the downfield passing game, back are the days of pounding the ball, and the short dump offs. Brian Westbrook looks to increase his roll in the offense, and L. J. Smith looks to increase his production, as Garcia scrambles and dumps to the tight end. What does all this mean for the wide receivers? You can all but kiss their seasons good bye. Reggie Brown was already on his way down with the emergence and return of Donte Stallworth, from his injuries. When Stallworth is healthy, Brown was invisible in the passing game. Stallworth reinjured 'a' hamstring late this week, while it could be good news for Brown, it remains to be seen if Garcia has the talent left to get Brown the ball. The same will be said for Stallworth if he plays, which is why we are leaving them on the bench this week. It doesn't help that the Colts pass defense is the better part of its defense. If Philly hopes to win this game, and keep its playoff hopes alive, it will need to attack Indy on the ground. This is what make Westbrook such a good option this week.

Start 'Em Indy
P. Manning, QB
M. Harrison, WR
R. Wayne, WR
J. Addai, RB

Sit 'Em Indy
D. Rhodes, RB
B. Utecht, TE
D. Clark, TE
B. Stokley, WR

Indianapolis has a prolific offense that looks to run up on down the field tonite against the Eagles. Peyton Manning is one of the hottest QBs in the league right now, and should NEVER be benched EVER. Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne are two of the league leaders in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. While it is hard to get a read on who will get the majority of looks from Peyton in any given week, you can't bench either one of them. Last week, Wayne went off a bit, so look for Harrison to get a bit more 'love' this week to keep things balanced. Joseph Addai has passed Domanic Rhodes to be the number one back in Indy, (closed circut to ESPN). Addai is also the better back, and the better fantasy play. If Garcia can't keep the Iggle offense moving, and on the field, look for Peyton and company to run up the score early. Once this happens look for Addai to get his action late in the game running wild on a tired Eagles defense, while the Colts run down the clock. You can't start the Colts tight ends because they split too much time, and it is too hard to get a read on who will get what on any given week. Stokley hasn't played much all year, so leave him alone as well.


Game 13: GB @ Sea (Monday night)
Start 'Em GB
B. Favre, QB -Probable, Elbow
D. Driver, WR
G. Jennings, WR -Probable, Ankle
A. Green, RB

Sit 'Em GB
B. Franks, TE
Backup, RB

It's a good thing that Favre should be ready to go for this game. It could be a track meet for the two teams. Outside of Ohio this week, there isn't any two more feeble teams meeting that are as terrible against the pass as Green Bay and Seattle. Seattle may rank well, but their stats are skewed because as of late they went up against some of the most inept passing attacks in the NFL, such as Minnesota and San Fran. Look for Favre, Driver, and Jennings to all have good games on the national stage of Monday Night Football. Ahman Green also makes a good play Monday night as the Seahawks tend to struggle against the run.

Start 'Em Sea
S. Alexander, RB
M. Hassleback, QB
D. Jackson, WR
D. Branch, WR

Sit 'Em Sea
J. Stevens, TE
D. Hackett, WR
B. Engram, WR
M. Morris, RB

Seattle is finally getting healthy, and just in time too. They meet Green Bay, the 31st ranked pass defense in the league. Hassleback comes back just in time to knock the rust off of his knee and get healthy, by tossing bombs to his favorite receivers, Jackson and Branch. Branch makes the better play because he will draw the Cornerback not named Al Harris. Jackson isn't bad either, because Al Harris has been known to just forget to cover people every once in a while. Alexander came back last week and tested out his foot, and seemed to get back into the flow of the game. He makes a good play against a Green Bay team that can be ran against. He may lose a few carries to Maurice Morris in the middle of the field, but Alexander will get the money carries around the goal line. Expect alot of fantasy points out of this game. You don't want to start Stevens because he is just far to inconsistant to rely on. If you are stuck at TE though, you could do a lot worse.