Week 13 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start Drew Brees and Dwayne Bowe, or bench Derek Anderson and C.J. Spiller? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for real help with your starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 13 of the 2010 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Sam Bradford, QB, Rams at Cardinals. He threw three interceptions in his first meeting with the Cardinals, which also was his first game as a pro. Arizona won’t recognize the Bradford they see Sunday, who is playing lights-out despite his supporting cast of no-names.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers at Seahawks. After rushing for nearly 100 yards in Week 12 against the Browns, Stewart appears to be back at full strength. Though Mike Goodson has earned a share of the carries going forward, he has been missing practice this week due to the “stress” associated with his wife’s late-term pregnancy. Hmm. Seattle’s pathetic run defense awaits.

Matt Forte, RB, Bears at Lions. He has been a little better than average over the last several weeks, but at least Chester Taylor is no longer a major competitor for carries. Now Forte faces the team he torched for 201 combined yards and two TDs in Week 1.

Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets at Patriots. He’s taken a backseat to Santonio Holmes, who is now an every-week fantasy starter. But Edwards should be in your lineup, too, against a Patriots secondary that is coughing up a league-worst 288 passing yards per game.

Jabar Gaffney, WR, Broncos at Chiefs. Denver’s wideouts all had fun the last time these teams met, with Gaffney pulling in one of five passing TDs. Look for Kyle Orton, Brandon Lloyd and Gaffney to have another fine afternoon against Kansas City’s slumping secondary.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Jay Cutler, Matt Cassel, David Garrard, Eli Manning, Mark Sanchez; RBs Jamaal Charles, Felix Jones, Brandon Jacobs, LaDainian Tomlinson, Knowshon Moreno; WRs Larry Fitzgerald, Stevie Johnson, Santonio Holmes, Pierre Garcon, Johnny Knox, Davone Bess, Percy Harvin, Mario Manningham, Mike Williams (TB), Derrick Mason, Dez Bryant.

Roll ‘em back

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers at Ravens. He has been limping through practice on an injured foot – either broken or sprained, depending on whom you believe – but he should play Sunday night. Just don’t count on much against the Ravens’ stingy pass defense. Big Ben hasn’t connected on more than a single TD pass in a game against Baltimore since 2007.

Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders at Chargers. McFadden’s production has fallen off precipitously over the past three weeks, and he appears to be wearing down with the heavy workload. The NFL’s second-ranked run defense is an unlikely opponent to allow him to rebound.

Keiland Williams, RB, Redskins at Giants. His 15 minutes of fantasy fame may be over, even though Ryan Torain (hamstring) is unlikely to return this week. James Davis is now sharing backfield carries and Washington’s offensive line isn’t opening holes for either rusher lately.

Chad Ochocinco, WR, Bengals vs. Saints. New Orleans continues to hold opposing receivers out of the end zone, while Cincinnati’s starting wideouts were shut down by the Jets in Week 12. Look for both trends to continue this weekend.

Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers at Packers. He has caught all three of Troy Smith’s TD passes over the past four games, which tells you all you need to know about Smith’s fantasy value. But Crabtree’s yardage and targets have been mediocre. Green Bay has allowed just 10 passing TDs all season, so don’t expect much from the duo on the frozen tundra.

More thumbs down: QBs Brett Favre, Kerry Collins, Joe Flacco, Donovan McNabb, Carson Palmer, Jason Campbell; RBs Ronnie Brown, Maurice Morris, Marshawn Lynch, Donald Brown, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Brian Westbrook, Mike Goodson; WRs Malcom Floyd, Santana Moss, Ben Obomanu, Miles Austin, Jacoby Ford, Deion Branch, Donald Driver, Anquan Boldin, Brandon Marshall.

TAKING A FLIER

Seyi Ajirotutu, WR, Chargers vs. Raiders. Vincent Jackson barely made a cameo appearance before injuring his groin; Malcom Floyd is still bothered by a hamstring; Antonio Gates may not play due to his feet issues and Patrick Crayton (wrist) is already ruled out. Ajirotutu and Legedu Naanee may be Philip Rivers’ last healthy wideouts standing, which could open the door for solid production from one or both vowel-blessed receivers.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…fails to check on Adrian Peterson’s playing status on Sunday morning (on your own or via my tweets). He’ll be a game-time decision; and if he doesn’t go, Toby Gerhart could be in for a monster outing against the Bills’ sieve-like run defense.

In Fantasyland, as in the NFL, expect the unexpected

Four weeks into the 2010 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs are the only undefeated team still standing, with an assist from this week’s bye. No disrespect, but who would be shocked if Don Shula and his ’72 Dolphins have already popped the champagne?

Meanwhile, in Fantasyland – where this columnist resides – Kyle Orton has out-performed Drew Brees, Matt Schaub and Tony Romo, and Michael Vick’s injury is cause for mourning.

Chris Johnson has almost fallen out of the Top 10 ranks among running backs, which now features a former practice squad player (Arian Foster), a presumed draft bust (Darren McFadden), a rookie on a winless team (Jahvid Best) and a 7th-round draft pick and Denver castoff (Peyton Hillis).

Among wideouts, the players to own thus far include Brandon Lloyd, Mark Clayton, Kevin Walter and, of course, the incomparable…Austin Collie.

Can you imagine the ridicule you would have endured had you drafted a roster comprised of such newcomers, no-names and has-beens?

To be sure, just as Maurice Jones-Drew showed that it’s too early to give up on slow-starting fantasy studs, there’s plenty of time for the shooting stars to fall back to Earth. Just ask your neighborhood Jay Cutler owner how quickly your fantasy fortunes can change.

All of which is to say that a losing record at this point of the season, though undesirable, is not irreversible. Bye weeks, an unrelenting parade of injuries and the temperamental fantasy gods are sure to wreak havoc on your high-flying competitors at some point.

Keep tweaking your roster, concentrate on making wise starting lineup decisions and, if all else fails, cross your fingers. As we’ve seen already, anything can happen in today’s NFL.


FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, you need to start with a good draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents can also make a big difference. Here’s a look at a few players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else’s line-up.

Catch ‘em while you can

Sam Bradford, QB, Rams – It’s hard not to be impressed by what this rookie is doing in, and for, St. Louis. He’s tossed a touchdown or two in every game, and aside from a three-interception debacle in his debut, he’s kept the turnovers to a minimum. With a favorable schedule ahead, owners with bye-week or injury issues could do worse than Bradford, especially with the Lions on tap next.


Ryan Torain, RB, Redskins – He looked great on his 12-yard scoring rumble, and finished with 70 rushing yards on the day. With Clinton Portis adding a groin injury to his wrist problems, Torain should stay busy for at least another week, and possibly much longer.

Michael Bush, RB, Raiders – If Darren McFadden’s hamstring injury forces him out of action, Bush can be a decent proxy in his absence. Oakland is actually moving the ball this season, and Bush is a battering ram at the goal-line.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, Broncos – I had reservations about him earlier this season, but Lloyd has consistently been one of Kyle Orton’s favorite targets. And this year, that’s a very good thing. Despite his status as a Top 10 wideout after four weeks, Lloyd is still available in more than a third of fantasy leagues. (For that matter, Orton is still available in many leagues, too!)

Don’t be fooled

Kevin Kolb, QB, Eagles – It’s too early to project when Michael Vick will return from his rib cartilage injury, but it’s not too soon to know that Kolb will yield the job back the minute Vick is ready. Kolb has been unimpressive in limited playing time this season, so despite the weapons at his disposal, he can’t be counted on in the interim.

Laurence Maroney, RB, Broncos – Even if Knowshon Moreno doesn’t return as expected in Week 5, Maroney’s performance since being traded to Denver – capped by Sunday’s five-yard rushing effort against the Titans – confirms his expendability, especially with Baltimore up next.

Derrick Ward, RB, Texans – The box score shows 80 rushing yards and a touchdown. Look closer and you’ll see that the bulk of his damage was done while Arian Foster was being disciplined for missing a team meeting. Ward may not even be the best handcuff to Foster, as Steve Slaton remains above him on the depth chart.