Start or Bench? (Week 11)

Cleveland at Baltimore

Start: Derrick Mason/Mark Clayton, BAL- Although I'm not a big Kyle Boller fan, he is definitely an upgrade over Steve McNair at this point in his career. Although I'm sure McGahee will have himself a nice game as well, I have a hunch that Boller is going to try to use this game to prove that he should be the full-time starter for the Ravens. And in facing a CLE defense that is dead last in fantasy points allowed to QB's, Mason and Clayton are in line for very strong games...
Prediction: 4+ catches each, 70+ yards each, at least 1 of them scores...

Bench: Jamal Lewis, CLE - I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here, but another brutal matchup for Lewis in Week 11, this time against his former team, the Baltimore Ravens. If you own Lewis, I promise that he'll be a "Start" in one of the next few games, just not this one. Last week's predictions sound about right this week...
Prediction: 18 carries, 42 yards, 2 catches, 11 yards, 0 TD's.

Oakland at Minnesota

Start: Chester Taylor, MINN - What a difference a week makes! The only reason I put Sidney Rice as a bench last week was because we were tired of putting Taylor's name down, as the Vikes have zero fantasy players on offense other than AP. And now that he's going to be out for at least a few weeks, Taylor once again gains the starting job. And like Boller, he has a great matchup against a porous OAK rush defense. I wouldn't be surprised if Taylor gets 30 touches this week, provided that either the Vikes have a big lead, or it is a close game. Either way, it definitely wins the award for worst fantasy game to watch this season...
Prediction: 23 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches, 19 yards.

Bench: Justin Fargas - Although Fargas has been a beast since taking over the starting job from LaMont Jordan, this may be his first week where he struggles a bit. Who knows, maybe Ryan Grant exposed the MINN rush defense last week. I just don't see it though. He may have enough touches to be startable in deep leagues (MINN has allowed about 7 catches per game to RB's), but he'll be on my bench for this week...
Prediction: 18 carries, 60 yards, 4 catches, 24 yards, 0 TD's.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

Start: Earnest Graham, TB - I wasn't very big on this guy when Pittman went down, but he has been an absolute workhorse, with 83 touches in his last 3 games. I know that Pittman is getting some hype this week, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Gruden is blowing smoke up our asses, and Pittman won't be anything more than a 3rd down back in passing situations, at least for this week...
Prediction: 26 carries, 94 yards, 4 catches, 34 yards, 1 TD.

Bench: Roddy White, ATL - I knew Tampa's defense has been better than expected, but I was surprised to see that they are only allowing 10 receptions per game to WR's, along with 3 TD's for the year. Needless to say, they are #1 in terms of fantasy points against WR's. Couple that with the fact that they are facing Joey Harrington, and it might be a long day for the Falcons...
Prediction: 4 catches, 47 yards, 0 TD's.

New Orleans at Houston

Start: Drew Brees, NO - My one "gimme" for this week. Despite the final #'s of 270+ yards and 2 TD's, Brees was awful against the Rams last week. Look for a nice bounce back game against the Texans. It doesn't hurt that only 5 teams have less interceptions than HOU, who have 7 on the year. Brees is a must start against the Texans, who might be up for a shootout with Andre Johnson back.
Prediction: 295 yards, 2 TD's, 0 INT's.

Bench: Kevin Walter, HOU - Walter has two things going against him this week:

1. Andre Johnson is back.
2. Here are his receiving yards the past 4 weeks: 160/97/77/33. See a trend here? And despite having 367 yards in those 4 games, he only had 1 TD, which doesn't bode well against the Saints...
Prediction: 4 catches, 49 yards, 0 TD's.

Carolina at Green Bay

Start: Jeff King, CAR - As I mentioned in my rankings this week, GB has been absolutely abysmal against TE's this year. Put it this way; only 3 teams are allowing 8 or more fantasy points against TE's: CLE (8.4), DEN (9.9), and GB (11.1). And it's not just a couple of bad weeks. Other than last week's game against the hapless Vikings, in the previous 5 games, the opposing TE's had at least 1 TD or 100 yards (sometimes both) in every game! I don't know that King will see enough balls thrown his way to go over the century mark, but he is a near lock for a TD...
Prediction: 7 catches, 71 yards, 0 TD's.

Bench: Ryan Grant, GB - I'm probably the last guy that still isn't completely sold on Grant, despite the fact that he was the first RB to go over 100 yards against the Vikings this year in Week 10. People quickly forget that this is the same guy that had 19 carries for 55 yards the week before against a very average KC rush defense... I'm not saying he'll be horrible, but we're not looking at the second coming of Ahman Green circa 2003...
Prediction: 19 carries, 76 yards, 3 catches, 18 yards, 0 TD's.

Kansas City at Indianapolis

Start: Tony Gonzalez, KC - Man, Herm Edwards must really be desperate if he's starting Croyle for this week (and possibly beyond). Facing a Colts team that is motivated higher than everyone except the Pats this week, I think Brodie already threw up in his mouth at practice this week. At least Freeney won't be playing... Because the game plan will probably not call for a lot of long passes downfield, I expect Gonzalez to follow up last week's poor performance with another good one...
Prediction: 7 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD.

Bench: Dallas Clark, IND - As mentioned on Wednesday, the Chiefs have allowed zero TD's to TE's this year, and although Peyton is ready to put last week's 6 INT debacle in the past, I don't think Clark is going to find his way into the end zone this week... I'd still start him if he's your #1, but don't expect a monster game...
Prediction: 5 catches, 65 yards, 0 TD's.

Arizona at Cincinatti

Start: Edgerrin James, ARI - Will the real Edge please stand up? I traded for him a few weeks ago, just prior to him reverting back Edge, version 2006. CINCI is allowing 135 yards per game on the ground, and if Warner is smart, he'll allow James to have one of his 30 carry, 105 yard games. I'm guessing (and hoping) that he will...
Prediction: 29 carries, 102 yards, 2 catches, 15 yards, 1 TD.

Bench: Rudi Johnson, CIN - Formerly the most consistent RB in fantasy football, Rudi is having his worst year as a pro, with injuries being the primary factor (along with 1000+ carries the past 3 years combined). At this point many feel that Marvin Lewis should name Watson the starter, and let the two fight it out in camp next year. They may start to split carries more and more if Johnson doesn't step it up this week...
Prediction: 19 carries, 63 yards, 1 catch, 8 yards, 0 TD's.

San Diego at Jacksonville

Start: Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX - MJD was a huge surprise against a stout TENN rush defense in Week 10, rushing for 101 yards on 19 carries, and adding another 28 through the air. The torch may have finally been passed from Fragile Freddy to him, as Taylor is best served in a relief role at this point in his career. SD is due for a big letdown after the surprising win against INDY last week, and with only 1 road win in 4 games this year, it could be another ugly one for Norv and the boys...
Prediction: 18 carries, 90 yards, 3 catches, 26 yards, 1 TD.

Bench: Chris Chambers/Vincent Jackson - I'm surprised that Rivers still made my Top 20 this week, barely squeaking in at #20. Is it possible to have negative confidence in a starting QB? Seriously, if he keeps it up, he's going to be a backup by the middle of next season (with whomever SD drafts to be their next QB sitting on the sidelines for the 1st half of the year). I know everyone thinks McNabb is headed to CHI or MINN, but why shouldn't AJ Smith cut Rivers and go after him? Oh yeah, I really don't like Chambers or Jackson this week...
Prediction: No more than 4 catches and 50 yards each, & 0 TD's...

Miami at Philadelphia

Start: Jesse Chatman, MIA
Chatman has run very well since taking over for Ronnie Brown, including 124 yards in last week’s loss to Buffalo. The Dolphins are not good at much, but they run block well and their backs have been heavily involved in the passing game. Philadelphia is solid against the run, but Chatman should receive a ton of carries, especially with a rookie quarterback starting for Miami.
Prediction: 110 yards from scrimmage and 1 TD.

Bench: Kevin Curtis, PHI
Curtis has not been getting many looks lately from Donovan McNabb and has not scored since Week 6. The Dolphins have given up 15 TD passes this season, but nine of them came in two games against Tom Brady and Derek Anderson. Look for Curtis to be just a mini factor and not reach the end zone for the fifth straight week.
Prediction: 5 catches for 60 yards.

New York Giants at Detroit

Start: Brandon Jacobs, NYG
Jacobs is near a must start in most leagues so we’re not really providing much insight on this one. But we expect him to do exceptionally well this week against the Lions because that gives the Giants the best chance to win with Plaxico Burress (ankle) hobbling. Jacobs has the speed to break long runs and the power to score at the goal line. Jacobs should have a monster game with the strong possibility of a couple of scores.
Prediction: 125 yards rushing with 1-2 TD’s.

Bench: Jon Kitna, DET
Kitna threw a pair of touchdown passes for the second straight game, but he also made a couple of key mistakes, which he has a tendency to do. The Giants were torched by Tony Romo last week, but there is a major difference between Kitna and Romo - Kitna cannot avoid the pass rush like Romo. Look for Kitna to see a lot of pressure and throw a couple of interceptions.
Prediction: 240 yards with 1 TD and 2-3 INT’s.

Pittsburgh at NY Jets

Start: Santonio Holmes, PIT
Holmes was quiet last week after scoring twice the week before against Baltimore. Hines Ward has stolen some opportunities away from Holmes so fantasy owners might be shy about playing the speedy Holmes. Don’t bench him this week though. The Jets do not defend the pass well and Holmes will probably catch at least one long pass.
Prediction: 5 receptions for 90 yards with 1 TD.

Bench: Thomas Jones, NYJ
Jones is a good player, probably one of the best on the Jets, but he won’t do well this week against Pittsburgh. The Steelers are playing dominating defense right now, especially against the rush so running lanes will be tough to find. Jones is overdue for a touchdown, he has yet to score this season, but it won’t come this week.
Prediction: 13 carries for 50 yards.

Washington at Dallas

Start: Jason Witten, DAL
Witten had a quiet game in last week’s win over the Giants, catching just two passes for 12 yards. Witten is Tony Romo’s second favorite target, however, and he has not had back-to-back unproductive games all season. So expect Witten to bounce back against the Redskins, who allowed L.J. Smith to post solid numbers last week.
Prediction: 4 catches for 55 yards and a TD.

Bench: Clinton Portis, WAS
Portis has been productive as of late, but his heavy workload (66 carries over the last two games) is going to backfire in the long run. The Cowboys stop the run very well and will gang up on Portis to force Jason Campbell to beat them in the passing game.
Prediction: 15 carries for 50 yards.

Chicago at Seattle

Start: D.J. Hackett, SEA
Hackett has scored in both games since returning from a high ankle sprain and went over 100 yards in Monday’s win against San Francisco. Without much of a running game, Seattle will be airing the ball out early and often. Expect Hackett to continue producing against an average Bears’ pass defense.
Prediction: Five receptions for 80 yards with a TD.

Bench: Rex Grossman
Grossman threw the game-winning touchdown pass at Oakland on Sunday in relief of Brian Griese, but this is still Rex Grossman we’re talking about. Grossman has always been a turnover machine and Seattle is a ball-hawking unit, especially at home. Look for Grossman to make a couple of big plays, but be inconsistent in general.
Prediction: 200 yards with 1 TD and 2 INT.

St. Louis at San Francisco

Start: Frank Gore, SF
Gore has been a disappointment this season, but it’s not all his fault. San Francisco has grossly underachieved as a team and Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer have played lousy. Gore is still a good running back - he made some nice cuts and displayed a lot of power in Monday’s loss at Seattle. The Rams are near the bottom of the league at stopping the run and Gore is long overdue for a big game.
Prediction: 110 yards from scrimmage with a TD.

Bench: Isaac Bruce, STL
Bruce scored a touchdown last week and has played well over the last two games with 132 yards over that span. But Bruce is banged up again with a hamstring injury so he probably won’t be 100 percent. Steven Jackson should have a big game and control the clock, allowing St. Louis to cruise to victory.
Prediction: 3 catches for 45 yards.

New England at Buffalo

Start: Laurence Maroney, NE
We’ve advised starting Maroney a couple of times in this column and this week it should pay off. The Bills allowed Miami’s Jesse Chatman to run wild last week so Maroney should fare well if given an adequate number of carries. The early weather forecast in Buffalo calls for rain and possible snow showers so expect the Patriots to pound the ball a little more than usual.
Prediction: 90 yards rushing and 1 TD.

Bench: Marshawn Lynch
Lynch hurt his ankle in Sunday’s win at Miami so he probably won’t be 100 percent facing a tough New England defense. And considering the Patriots have blown out most of their opponents, expect Buffalo to abandon the run early. Lynch might be a mini factor in the passing game, but he won’t rush for many yards.
Prediction: 40 yards rushing and 0 TD’s.

Tennessee at Denver

Start: Jay Cutler, DEN
I’m going out on a limb here, but this a hunch call. Cutler has been inconsistent this season, but he ran the team efficiently last week in a win at Kansas City and protected the ball. The Titans boast a very tough defense, but I have a feeling Cutler will hook up with Brandon Marshall on a bomb and play well in the red zone.
Prediction: 240 yards and 2 TD’s.

Bench: LenDale White, TEN
Here is another controversial decision. Yes I know Denver has one of the worst rush defenses in the league. However, they usually play better at home and I have a gut feeling that Chris Brown will somehow be a factor on Monday night. White (toe, knee) is banged up too, although he is expected to play, and for some reason I don’t see him getting enough carries to be relevant.
Prediction: 14 carries for 55 yards.