Week 13 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start Tom Brady and Calvin Johnson, or to bench T.J. Yates and Ryan Torain? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 13 of the 2011 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Cam Newton, QB, Panthers at Buccaneers. Some of the shine has worn off the rookie sensation recently, as Newton has failed to keep up the ridiculous pace he set at the dawn of his NFL career. But things get much easier in Tampa Bay, where the Bucs’ sieve-like secondary won’t stand a chance against the Newton-Steve Smith combo. You can count on a rushing score from the jumbo-sized passer as well.

Reggie Bush, RB, Dolphins vs. Raiders. Rookie Daniel Thomas has taken a back seat to Bush, who consistently piles up multi-purpose yardage even when he doesn’t reach the end zone. Bush should have little trouble dominating the weak Oakland defense, and at least one TD seems assured.


DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers at Buccaneers. It took a dozen weeks, but Williams finally delivered. Sadly, he did so while sitting on most owners’ benches. Slot him back in your lineup Sunday so you don’t miss out on another rousing performance against Tampa Bay’s reeling run defense.

Eric Decker, WR, Broncos at Vikings. It’s hard to get excited about a guy who posted a goose egg two weeks ago, and who plays with a quarterback that rarely throws. On the other hand, Decker has four scoring receptions over the last five games, and he’s facing the league’s most generous secondary (22 passing TDs surrendered). Start him.

Deion Branch, WR, Patriots vs. Colts. Branch is typically a boom or bust play in any given week, but when the opponent is the hapless Colts, the odds are in your favor. Tom Brady could set records in this matchup if he doesn’t hit the showers early, which he rarely does.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Tim Tebow, Eli Manning, Matt Stafford; RBs Willis McGahee, DeMarco Murray, Marshawn Lynch, Toby Gerhart, Roy Helu, LeGarrette Blount, Darren Sproles, Ryan Mathews, BenJarvus Green-Ellis; WRs Percy Harvin, Dwayne Bowe, Johnny Knox, Stevie Johnson, Antonio Brown, Victor Cruz, Laurent Robinson, Dez Bryant, Lance Moore, Mike Williams (TB), Nate Washington, Michael Crabtree.

Roll ‘em back

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers at Jaguars. The incredible, shrinking Rivers travels cross-country to face a bad team with a solid pass defense. While we never know in advance whether Vincent Jackson will show up, it is clear that Rivers is not firing on all cylinders. Reserve him if you can.


Steven Jackson, RB, Rams at 49ers. I have no choice but to start Jackson in one league, but I wouldn’t if I had a reasonable alternative. Not only have the 49ers refused to allow a runner into the end zone all year, but Jackson has been weighed down by the Rams’ anemic offense for weeks.

Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns vs. Ravens. On the positive side, Hillis appears to be reasonably healthy and he has reclaimed his workhorse role in the Browns’ offense. However, that offense struggles to move even in favorable matchups, and the Ravens are far from favorable.

Julio Jones, WR, Falcons at Texans. Not only did he post a goose egg last week, but he wasn’t even targeted once by Matt Ryan. That’s a pretty strong signal that his hamstring isn’t yet fully healed. The concerns mount this week, as Jones is facing the NFL’s second-ranked pass defense.

Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens at Browns. Baltimore’s lead wideout has been in a rut lately, with a 35-yard TD catch comprising his highlight reel since Week 8. He’s unlikely to break out of his slump against Cleveland’s top-ranked secondary.

More thumbs down: QBs Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez, Sam Bradford, Rex Grossman, Carson Palmer, Andy Dalton, Kevin Kolb; RBs Shonn Greene, Jackie Battle, Kevin Smith, James Starks, Joseph Addai; WRs Andre Johnson, Earl Bennett, Jason Avant, Santana Moss, Vincent Brown, Mario Manningham, Miles Austin.

Taking a flier

Matt Moore, QB, Dolphins vs. Raiders. If you’re hurting at quarterback this week, consider Moore, who has been respectable or better in three of his last four starts. Moore has developed a nice rapport with Brandon Marshall, and he has enough additional weapons to keep the Raiders’ mediocre secondary on their heels.

Don’t be the bonehead who…stops competing just because you missed the postseason. Not only is there satisfaction in playing the spoiler, but rolling over could unfairly help your competition advance over a more deserving foe. Remember, there’s no “I” in fantasy, but there is in “weenie.”

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.

Week 13 Starters & Benchwarmers

You don’t need me advising you to start Drew Brees and Chris Johnson, or to bench Jake Delhomme and Eddie Royal. So I’ll leave the obvious recommendations to the network bozos and focus instead on players typically on the bubble of most fantasy lineups. Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 13.

Watch ‘em roll

Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles at Falcons. Will Mike Vick play a big role in his return to Atlanta? Don’t be ridiculous. McNabb will soar against one of the NFL’s most generous secondaries, even without DeSean Jackson (concussion). McNabb has thrown multiple TDs in three of his past five games. Make that four of six.

Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals vs. Lions. Three short weeks ago, Benson was the toast of Cincinnati, and Fantasyland. Don’t think for a minute that a 100-yard game by Larry Johnson against the lowly Browns has suddenly changed that. If Benson starts as projected Sunday, he’ll reclaim his workhorse status and trample the defenseless Lions.

Matt Forte, RB, Bears vs. Rams. The odds-on favorite for Fantasy Bust of the Year “honors” has had exactly two stellar rushing performances in 2009: against the Lions and Browns. His last promising start of the fantasy season comes Sunday against the third member of the NFL’s Axis of Ineptitude.

Pierre Garcon, WR, Colts vs. Titans. With two scores and a 108-yard receiving game over the past three weeks, Garcon has emerged as a reliable weapon in Peyton Manning’s arsenal. Despite Tennessee’s resurgence, its secondary has surrendered more passing TDs than any team in the NFL outside Detroit

Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings at Cardinals. Make sure the multi-talented rookie is in your lineup for Sunday night’s barn-burner, especially if Kurt Warner suits up. Both teams will move the ball more easily through the air, and Brett Favre has a habit of rising to the occasion in primetime matchups.

More thumbs up: QBs Matt Schaub, Tony Romo, David Garrard; RBs LeSean McCoy, Knowshon Moreno, Jamaal Charles, Laurence Maroney; WRs Chad Ochocinco, Smilin’ Miles Austin, Brandon Marshall, Jeremy Maclin, Vincent Jackson, Donnie Avery.

Roll ‘em back

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers vs. Raiders. Though he’s expected to return to the starting lineup, the team would be wise to keep him out of harm’s way as much as possible by attacking one of the league’s worst run defenses. Meanwhile, Oakland has surrendered just 10 passing TDs in 11 games, so a multi-TD outing is unlikely for Big Ben.

Chris Jennings, RB, Browns vs. Chargers. Now that Jamal Lewis has been shelved for the season (likely ending his career), Jennings will get a chance to prove himself as a starter. Used sparingly as a change-of-pace back in just a handful of games this season, the rookie has shown little to suggest he will provide a jump-start to the Browns’ moribund offense, especially against a defense that’s stepped up its game recently. Jennings’ sore shoulder and the presence of Jerome Harrison further limit his upside.

Justin Forsett, RB, Seahawks vs. 49ers. You and I know Forsett is better than Julius Jones, but his coaches aren’t yet willing to admit it. With Jones expected to start again, his backup is a risky play against the NFL’s fifth-ranked run defense, especially when he’s sharing carries.

Santana Moss, WR, Redskins vs. Saints. New Orleans demonstrated rather convincingly Monday night that they know how to shut down a prolific passing attack. Jason Campbell and his top target don’t stand a chance if the Saints bring their A game. Though Moss reached the end zone last weekend for the first time since Week 4, he won’t make it two in a row.

Chris Chambers, WR, Chiefs vs. Broncos. He’s been on a tear since moving to KC, but Denver sports the league’s fifth stingiest pass defense and a formidable pass rush that will give Matt Cassel fits.

More thumbs down: QBs Eli Manning, Joe Flacco, Vince Young, Jason Campbell; RBs Beanie Wells, Kevin Smith, all Raiders backs, Jason Snelling; WRs Roddy White, Roy Williams, Antonio Bryant, Kenny Britt.

TAKING A FLIER

Alex Smith, QB, 49ers at Seahawks. Though overshadowed by Vince Young’s rebirth, Smith has been building a strong case for comeback recognition as well. With five passing scores over the past two games, he’s shown that he can produce when given the chance. Seattle’s pass defense has been torched repeatedly over the past several weeks, so Smith could come through for you in a pinch this weekend.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…benches Rashard Mendenhall against the Raiders. After his blazing early-season run, he’s had a disappointing five-week stretch, with just one 100-yard rushing day and a single TD (reception) over that span. He’ll get back on track Sunday against one of the worst run defenses in the land.