Start or Bench?

It's safe to say that if you are reading this column, you also read other fantasy sites with player notes (i.e. Rotoworld, Rotowire, etc.). Because of this, we don't need to tell you to start guys that you would start every week, regardless of the matchup. We also won't use this column to tell you that Jeff Garcia is a great sleeper QB this week, because any QB is good against the Lions' secondary, and you know this already. What we we will do is go through every game, and select one player to start, and one player to bench from the opposing team. We'll start with the 1PM games:

New England at Miami

Start: Marty Booker
Booker is one of those guys that never gets drafted year in, year out, but at the end of the season, he has been picked up and dropped by half the league. However, the token cheap fantasy whore actually has some value this week. The Pats will likely jump out to a big lead, forcing the Fins to abandon the running game early (sorry Ronnie Brown owners). And while Hagan and Ginn Jr. have been getting the publicity this week, it wouldn't surprise me to see Booker end up with better #'s than both guys, say 75 yards and a TD...

Bench: Kevin Faulk
I feel like I am the only one not drinking the Kevin Faulk Kool-Aid this week. Trust me, he is no Sammy Morris. Yes he is a decent receiver out of the backfield, and he usually has 1 double digit run per game, but that's about it. It sounds as if Maroney is going to be playing this week (finally - Parcells would have cut him by now..). If the game starts getting out of hand, Faulk will probably be splitting carries with Heath Evans (with Evans getting the goal line carries as well). I would only start Faulk as an absolute last resort, as 50 yards of offense is about his max...

Atlanta at New Orleans

Start: Marques Colston
Although I'm a bit weary of him due to the most recent injury update, I do believe he'll play this week. Despite the fact that he is on pace for roughly the same amount of catches as last season, Colston has been seen as a severe disappointment this year, which isn't surprising given Brees' struggles so far. But I expect a big game from both players, and Colston may even reach the century mark in yards for the first time this season, along with a TD.

Bench: Alge Crumpler
With the exception of the immortal George Wrightster in 2006, no TE has ever caught more than 30 passes in a season with Byron Leftwich at QB. Crumpler has more talent than any of the TE's Leftwich has worked with in the past, but I do not see him having anything more than a 4 catches for 36 yards type of game...

Update: Crumpler has been downgraded to "Doubtful" this week, so you don't have to worry about him anyways...

New York Giants at San Fransisco

Start: Brandon Jacobs
Another guy that is a bit dinged up, Jacobs faces a 49'ers defense that has allowed over 120 rushing yards per game. This week appears to be the perfect opportunity for the G-Man to focus more on the running game so that they will be able to rely less on Eli to Plaxico, allowing Burress to rest his ankle. Look for Jacobs to score a TD along with 70+ yards rushing...

Bench: Vernon Davis
At what point can we call Davis a bust? Ridiculously hyped before the season last year, Davis ended up missing 6 games due to injury, and only had 20 catches in 10 games. This year he has already missed 2 games, and has only 8 catches on the season. Although whoever starts at QB for SF may look to Davis as a safety valve in future weeks, I don't expect anything more than a couple of short yardage receptions this week...

Arizona at Washington

Start: Jason Campbell
For whatever reason, I'm not very high on any of Washington's receivers this week, but I do expect Campbell to have a strong game. Arizona's pass defense isn't that bad (17th in passing yards per game), but I just have a hunch that he has another 250 yard, 2 TD performance similar to the one against Detroit a few weeks back.

Bench: Anquan Boldin
Washington is ranked 5th in passing yards per game, and have only allowed 2 passing TD's all year. Not the best matchup for Boldin to return to after missing the past few weeks with a hip injury. It sounds like Warner may actually play after all (the healing power of Brenda Warner's hair is nothing short of miraculous), which helps, but if Rattay does end up getting the start, it could be a long day for Boldin owners. Give him another week off if you have a passable replacement on your bench, as 4 catches for 50 yards may be his ceiling this week...

Tampa Bay at Detroit

Start: Kevin Jones
While I don't think that Detroit will win this week, they will keep it closer than a lot of people think. Even if Tampa is successful at stopping the run, people forget what a great receiver Jones is out of the backfield; in 12 games last year, he had 61 catches! The numbers may not be pretty, but I expect around 100 total yards for Jones this week, which is very solid against a (once again) tough Tampa defense...

Bench: Earnest Graham
Oh, so this is why he only had about 200 yards rushing total in the 3 seasons prior to this year - he sucks! You know your running back situation is bad when you trade for Michael Bennett (who is just as awful). In the last 3 games, Graham has 36 carries for just 88 yards, or 2.4 YPC, which is horrendous. Garcia is going to be airing it out all game, and this should be a fun matchup to watch, just not for Earnest Graham owners. He'll probably end up with around 55 yards in total offense this week...

Baltimore at Buffalo

Start: Quinn Sypniewski
In a week where two of the best TE's in Fantasy are on byes (Gates, Winslow), with another 3 unlikely to play (Watson, Heap, & Crumpler), there are bound to be a number of fantasy owners looking for a one week pickup at TE. Sypniewski has 12 catches in the last 3 games along with a TD, making him a very passable pickup, especially in PPR leagues. His yardage numbers have been a bit low, but 5 catches, 40 yards and a TD are very attainable numbers for Quinn this week.

Bench: Marshawn Lynch
I know most of Lynch's owners probably have to start him this week, but I really don't like this matchup for him. Although Baltimore's front line is a bit overrated these days, I can see them having a field day with Buffalo's offensive line. The only way Lynch will help you out this week is if he scores a TD or catches a lot of passes, as the rushing yards will be hard to come by. Something around 17 carries for 59 yards seems about right.

Tennessee at Houston

Start: Lendale White
White has the pleasure of facing a Texans' defense that has allowed 4.8 yards per carry this season. This, combined with the fact that Kerry Collins will likely be the starting QB this week makes for a fantastic matchup for White. The Titans will look to exploit Houston's rush defense, and control the clock. And with Chris Brown being injured, White may get 30 carries this week, which would result in the first 100 yard rushing game of his career...

Bench: Kevin Walter
Raise your hand if the first waiver pickup in your league this week was Kevin Walter... Walter had a career game last week, with 12 catches for 160 yards. But this game should be a lot closer than the beating the Jags laid down last week, meaning fewer passes thrown Walter's way. In addition, the Titans have only allowed 3 passing TD's all season. If Walter has half the output from last week, you should be very happy...

Kansas City at Oakland

Start: Damon Huard
Huard should fare well against an average secondary and a Raiders’ defensive front that has not generated much pressure or many sacks so far this season. Huard has some nice weapons with Dwayne Bowe emerging as a big-time target and Tony Gonzalez playing at a high level.

Bench: Jerry Porter
Porter has loads of talent and has scored three touchdowns this season, but he is too inconsistent to start each week unless you are somewhat desperate. Plus, Ronald Curry has emerged into a potent weapon and is getting most of the looks from Daunte Culpepper.

New York Jets at Cincinnati

Start: Thomas Jones
Jones ran for over 100 yards last week against the Eagles and faces an awful Bengals defense this week. Jones has yet to score a touchdown this year, but it would be very surprising if that streak did not end on Sunday.

Bench: Rudi Johnson
Johnson is one of the better running backs in football, but he is not completely healthy after injuring his hamstring in Week 3. Johnson played last Sunday, but received just four carries and has not practiced this week. Johnson may play against the Jets, but Kenny Watson will be in the mix as well.

Minnesota at Dallas

Start: Patrick Crayton
Crayton faces a Vikings’ defense that is last in the league in passing yards allowed. Crayton has scored four touchdowns over the last three games as opposing defenses have focused on Terrell Owens and Jason Witten.

Bench: Chester Taylor
There are a couple of things working against Taylor for this week’s game at Dallas. The first is that rookie teammate Adrian Peterson is a stud and coming off a 224-yard rushing performance. The other negative is that the Cowboys are one of the best teams in the league at stopping the run.

Chicago at Philadelphia

Start: Reggie Brown
Brown had his best game of the season in last week’s win over the Jets, grabbing six passes for 89 yards. Brown still has not scored a touchdown, but this could be the week he scores because the Bears’ secondary has been surprisingly mediocre this year.

Bench: Cedric Benson
Benson has not shown much this season, averaging 3.1 yards per carry with a long run of only 16 yards. And it won’t get much easier this week against a strong Eagles’ rush defense.

St. Louis at Seattle

Start: Shaun Alexander
Just a few years ago, fantasy owners would never consider sitting Alexander against any team. But with just 60 yards over the last two games, Alexander is starting to show signs of aging. However, Alexander goes against the Rams on Sunday, a team that has been horrible against the run all season.

Bench: Marc Bulger
Bulger (ribs) returns from a two-game absence, but he is not a good play this week. The entire Rams’ receiving unit is banged up and Steven Jackson (groin) is still out. Do not expect much from Bulger, who might not even be fully healthy.

Pittsburgh at Denver

Start: Brandon Marshall
Marshall faces a tough Pittsburgh defense on Sunday, but fellow Broncos’ wideout Javon Walker (knee) will miss the game and several more. This means more targets, especially in the red zone, for the supremely talented Marshall.

Bench: Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh has been a run-heavy team all season so Roethlisberger has not been asked to air it out. Roethlisberger has the potential to post fantasy friendly numbers, but it won’t be this week facing a Broncos’ secondary featuring Champ Bailey and Dre Bly.

Indianapolis at Jacksonville

Start: Marvin Harrison
Harrison will play after suffering a knee bruise in Week 4. The Jaguars have only allowed three passing touchdowns this season, but Harrison is due with only one touchdown himself. Also, Harrison has fared well in 11 career games against Jacksonville with eight touchdowns.

Bench: Fred Taylor
Taylor was involved in just two plays in the second half of last week’s game because his groin “locked up” on him. For a player that has had major durability issues over his career, this does not sound good. Maurice Jones-Drew has been playing well of late anyway so Taylor is not someone to use right now.