Quarterbacks to start
Matt Schaub (HOU) – Over the past four games, Schaub has thrown for over 1,200 yards to go with nine touchdowns and only two interceptions.  This week he gets to face the Minnesota Vikings, who currently sit as the fifth-worst pass defense in the NFL.  Expect Schaub to put on a good show and be one of the top-producing quarterbacks this week.

Kyle Orton (CHI) – The Bearded One is back from his open week for a matchup with the doormat of the NFC North.  In the five weeks before his open week, Orton was averaging over 270 passing yards and two touchdowns per game.  Look for him to pick up right where he left off by beating up a Lions defense that just surrendered over 300 yards to Jason Campbell (WAS).

Eli Manning (NYG) – "Bad Eli" has shown up for three weeks in a row and the results were not pretty: He has failed to crack 200 passing yards in any of those games, while averaging one interception and one touchdown per contest. Expect this streak to end against a depleted Dallas defense that will still be missing cornerbacks Terence Newman and Adam Jones, along with safety Roy Williams.  The Giants' multiple weapons will give Dallas fits and send Bad Eli back into hiding.

Quarterbacks to sit
Brett Favre (NYJ) – Take away Favre’s monster game against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth week of the season and he is averaging only 220 yards per game, while accumulating nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions.  Further, Favre has been taking a beating, as this past week against Kansas City was the first game this year that he was not sacked multiple times.  The Bills won’t make things any easier on the Jets, as their defense has been surprisingly effective.  At the end of the season, Favre’s stats will look nice with over 3,000 passing yards and 20-plus touchdowns, but he is best reserved for a tough game in Buffalo. 

Derek Anderson (CLE) – Anderson has shown some encouraging signs lately, looking good in two of the last three games.  This week, against a Baltimore defense that has battered opponents on its way to once again ranking as an elite fantasy defense, you simply cannot trust him in your lineup.

Running backs to start
Earnest Graham (TB) – Get him active despite the fact that he has not done much lately.  The Kansas City defense did not suddenly learn how to stop the run in time for the game last week.  Though it sounds cliché, the Jets stopped themselves instead of the Chiefs stopping them.  K.C. has the worst run defense in the league, so expect a heavy dose of Tampa Bay running behind their solid offensive line.  Graham should be hogging the carries as the last standing running back for Tampa Bay. Carnell Williams is working his way back into shape and Warrick Dunn was limited last week with shooting pain in his back and lower body.

LenDale White (TEN) – With 10 touchdowns in seven games, White should be starting for most teams.  The yardage totals usually will not be pretty, but Tennessee likes to run the ball and White gets the carries at the goal line.  Just don’t expect a 149-yard rushing performance like he had a couple weeks ago. 
 

Michael Turner has averaged 4.5 yards per carry and has six rushing touchdowns on the year.  Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Michael Turner (ATL) – There is common misconception that Turner has performed well at home and poorly on the road.  In fact, Turner’s performances have varied with the quality of the opponent, not where the game is being played.  This week, against a very bad Oakland running defense, go ahead and plug him into your lineup without fear.

Matt Forte (CHI) – Just letting you know not to be worried about the poor rushing totals lately, keep starting him without hesitation.  He is a must-play no matter the matchup.

Running back to sit
Mewelde Moore (PIT) – Moore has filled in admirably for the injured Willie Parker, but don’t expect the production to continue this Monday night at Washington.  The tough run defense of the ‘Skins will keep Moore from posting useful numbers, as they have not allowed an opposing running back to reach 100 rushing yards since Week One of the season.  The pending return of Parker further diminishes the value of Moore.

Wide receivers to start
Steve Breaston (ARI) – "Breasty" has moved from obscurity to a vital cog as the third wide receiver in the Arizona Cardinals potent aerial attack.  He has racked up 33 receptions for over 390 yards in the past four weeks, making him a viable second wide receiver on most fantasy teams and golden in PPR leagues.  His only downside is the lack of red zone looks, as he's only reached the end zone once this season. 

Donnie Avery (STL) – Last week’s deep play is a must-start this week against the Arizona Cardinals.  He is quickly developing into a trusted receiver and deep threat for Marc Bulger.  Last week’s explosion will definitely go down as an outlier in his game log for the season, but there is no arguing with his 20 receptions over the past five weeks.  He has receptions over 40 yards in each of his last three games.  The Cardinals have a beatable secondary, and Avery should find himself open often enough to make a strong flex play or second/third wide receiver. 

Kevin Curtis (PHI) – Go ahead and plug him back into your lineups. He had a week to get re-acclimated to the NFL and this week brings a good matchup with Seattle.

Anthony Gonzalez (IND) – Gonzalez has been up and down all season, with the down far outweighing the up.  This week, however, facing the Patriots should lead to a big game, as he has the speed to blow past any of their linebackers, leaving him against a secondary that has not been able to stop many receivers this season.  Further, Reggie Wayne will be drawing double teams as the focus of the Colts passing game, putting Gonzalez in man-to-man coverage, where he can shine.

Wide receivers to sit
Terrell Owens and Roy Williams (DAL) – There are three things to consider before starting either Dallas receiver this week:  1. Brad Johnson and his spaghetti arm are expected to be starting at quarterback.  His longest completion last week was for 14 yards and he looked just brutal.  Should Brooks Bollinger take over, don’t expect much of an upgrade.  2. The Giants’ defensive line and linebackers will make life hard on Marion Barber III and downright miserable for Johnson (or Bollinger) in the pocket.  Expect whoever is quarterbacking for the Cowboys to be running for his life from the Giants pass rush.  3.  Jason Witten took a shot to the ribs last week that required an MRI.  If he is does not play or is playing hurt, the coverage on Owens and Williams will be even tougher with the Cowboys having their only valuable short-range target at less than full strength.  

Donald Driver (GB) – The run-heavy, ball control offense of the Tennessee Titans will limit the number of times Green Bay will be throwing.  When Aaron Rodgers is passing, he will be looking towards his primary target, Greg Jennings.  The tough Tennessee defense will prevent Driver from posting respectable numbers.

Tight end to start
Greg Olsen (CHI) – Chicago’s second-year tight end finally seems to be emerging as the reliable receiver that he was projected to be when drafted by the Bears.  In their last game, nine of Kyle Orton’s 21 completions were to his tight ends, with Olsen grabbing six and Desmond Clark getting three.  Olsen is currently leading the Bears in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and is second in receptions (trailing Matt Forte).  Olsen also has Chicago’s longest play from scrimmage this year.  Olsen is moving up the tight end list and is a must start.

Tight end to sit
Visanthe Shiancoe (MIN) – Sure, he is tied for his team lead with three touchdowns, but he is also averaging just over two catches and 30 receiving yards per game.  There is a chance that Gus Frerotte looks for him in the red zone, but it is more likely that he is outperformed by at least 12 other tight ends this week. 

Deep plays for deeper leagues
Ray Rice (RB, BAL) – The Baltimore Ravens will be pounding the ball all game against a mushy Cleveland run defense.  While Rice will only receive a handful of carries (anticipate 10 or less) he has the potential to have a productive day and you could do a lot worse for a flex play.

Harry Douglas (WR, ATL) – Expect Roddy White to have the unpleasurable experience of being covered by shut-down cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha for most of the game, which means that Douglas will get to line up against DeAngelo Hall and the approximately 10-yard cushion that he gives every receiver.  Douglas has not done much, but he makes a decent gamble as a flex play or third wideout in a deep league.

When not analyzing NFL matchups, Bangs spends his free time on the ROTOEXPERTS forum and making guest appearances on ROTORADIO.  E-mail him NFL, NBA and MLB questions as Bangs@Rotoexperts.com

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