Week 14 Start Em / Sit Em

Week 14. Make or Break week for Fantasy Football. Many of you are in the playoffs. Many are out, and some, like me in some leagues, need a win this week to get in. This week is very important to many people this week. So without further adieu, lets get on with the predictions.

Thursday's Game:
Cle @ Pit
Start 'Em Cle
K. Winslow, TE
B. Edwards, WR

Sit 'Em Cle
C. Frye, QB - Questionable/Out Wrist
Backup QB Guy, QB - Questionable, Talent
R. Droughns, RB
J. Wright, RB
D. Northcutt, WR

On Thursday Night the Browns roll into Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. When they get there they'll be playing without starting quarterback Charlie Frye. He injured his wrist last week vs. the Chiefs. He hasn't practiced all week, and with the short week, he probably won't play. Frye's backup, Derek Andersen would take the helm of the Brown's offense. Derek himself is not a useful start in fantasy leagues, but after his comeback win against the Chiefs, some of his supporting cast may be useful. The Steelers have one of the better rush defenses in the league so that makes the running backs unusable. Also, Droughns and Wright will continue to split time, negating each others value. One place that could be harvested for fantasy value, are the Cleveland Wide Receivers and Tight Ends. Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow make excellent plays this week against a soft Pittsburgh pass defense. If there is a way to beat the Steeler's it is through the air. The benefit the Browns have is that they have a new Quarterback getting his second action of the year. Damon Huard and Tony Romo come to mind as successful quarterbacks that took off with a week of practice. The Steelers haven't been giving up many points to quarterbacks, but they have been giving up plenty of points to wide outs and tight ends all year. It doesn't help Pittsburgh's cause, with Troy Palomalu out for the game.

Start 'Em Pit
W. Parker, RB
S. Holmes, WR
H. Miller, TE

Sit 'Em Pit
B. Roethlesberger, QB
H. Ward, WR -Out Knee
N. Washington, WR

Willie Parker had been trying to establish himself as a stud running back in fantasy football. Owners began to pick up on one little flaw in his game. He was only productive at home. That streak came to an end last week versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Parker put up poor numbers at home against a relatively strong rush defense. This week Parker shouldn't have the problem with the strong defense. Cleveland is more known for its pass defense than it's run defense. Larry Johnson ran effectively last week against the Browns. He didn't score a TD, but that was more because Trent Green was tossing TDs from all over the field. LJ scores most of his TDs inside the 10 yard line. Look for Parker to put up good numbers this week. As for the Steelers passing game, stay far away from it. Hines Ward is out for the game, after undergoing knee surgery last week. His replacements aren't too special. Santonio Holmes may be the best option if you need a replacement for Ward. Washington may be the one that gets the most looks, but he has established that he has a problem catching the ball. Heath Miller is a must start in all tight end mandatory league, especially with Ward out as Big Ben needs a safety valve. Speaking of Big Ben, He is a quarterback you definitely want to stay away from. He has been brutal this year. He is wildly inconsistent, and throws far too many interceptions to be relied upon from a fantasy perspective. Cleveland can be passed against, but I would bet they try and refocus on the run this week.

Sunday's Games: