Quarterbacks to start

Matt Ryan (ATL) – Though he disappointed last week against the Carolina Panthers (250 passing yards, no touchdowns), prior to that game "Flyin’ Ryan" had a five-game stretch in which he threw for 1,260 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Playing against a San Diego team that is decent against the run, but has a porous secondary, will allow Ryan to once again put the Atlanta Falcons on his back and win the game by throwing to must-start stud Roddy White, the emerging Harry Douglas and non-descript Michael Jenkins.  Ryan should provide strong numbers to aid in the playoff push for any fantasy team that starts him.

Chad Pennington (MIA) – During his time with the New York Jets, Chad Pennington was thought of as an efficient quarterback who was incapable of carrying his team.  This year with the Dolphins, however, he seems like a completely different player.  He has two games with over 300 passing yards and has thrown 11 touchdowns with only six interceptions.  Now, fresh off the best game of his career (341 passing yards, three touchdowns), Pennington and the Dolphins roll into St. Louis needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.  Despite having Leonard Little and Chris Long on their line, the Rams simply don’t have the pass rush to get to Pennington.  With time in the pocket, Pennington will be able to pick apart the St. Louis secondary by spreading the ball around to virtually every Dolphin who takes the field.  Against the patsy St. Louis Rams, plug in Pennington and watch him have another good game. 

Quarterback to sit

Jay Cutler (DEN) – Over the first 10 games of the season, Cutler had not only thrown 19 touchdowns, but he also had at least one touchdown pass in every game.   So last week against the Raiders must have been an aberration?  Oakland must have figured something out, but Cutler will be back strong this week, right?  Wrong.  The solid Jets defensive line will shut down Peyton Hillis, Tatum Bell or whomever Mike Shanahan decides to let tote the rock this week.  The lack of a running game to keep the defense honest, combined with trying to keep up with the suddenly potent Jets offense, will force Cutler and the Broncos to throw the ball against a solid secondary, while the pass rush plows through the Denver line.   Factor in the swirling November winds at the Meadowlands and you can expect a very long, unproductive day for Cutler.

Running backs to start

Chris Johnson (TEN) – Wow the bloom came off this rose pretty quickly, huh?  Johnson has neither scored a touchdown nor reached 70 rushing yards in any of his last three games and all his hype seems to have faded away.  Luckily, Johnson and the rest of the Tennessee Titans get to play the Detroit Lions, who are like a tonic that cures all offensive woes.   The Lions rank at or near the bottom in most defensive categories, but they should be even worse than normal as their best run stuffer, Jared DeVries, broke his hand last week in Detroit’s loss to Tampa Bay.  Expect Johnson to get back on track and to plow through Detroit for over 100 yards and a touchdown or two.

Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden (OAK) – The Oakland Raiders don't do many things right, but last week they knew to run the ball against a Denver team that has trouble stopping opponents on the ground.  Hopefully, the Raiders remember to keep on running the ball when they host the Kansas City Chiefs, who are much worse at stopping the run than the Broncos.  Both Fargas and McFadden are worth a shot as a flex players.
Running back to sit

Kevin Smith (DET) – Even if there were no questions about the shoulder he hurt on Detroit’s final drive last week, there is no justifying starting Smith against an angry Tennessee defense.  The Titans were sliced and diced by Thomas Jones and Leon Washington of the New York Jets, and they will be looking to prove that their defense is still solid.  Even if their stalwart defensive lineman, Albert Haynesworth. can’t play, expect the rest of the Titans to shut down Detroit.  Couple the emotional facet with the ball-control offense of the Titans limiting the time of possession for the Lions and you end up with a disappointing day for Mr. Smith.

Weather permitting, Lee Evans is a solid start against the week San Fran secondary.  Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Wide receiver to start

Lee Evans (BUF) – Evans surely gets the honor of being the player I receive the most e-mails about.   This week, I’ll save you the trouble … start him without fear.  Though it has been an up-and-down season for Evans, expect him to shine against cornerbacks Nate Clements and Walt Harris of the San Francisco 49ers.  Last week, Trent Edwards and Evans finally showed some chemistry, hooking up five times for 110 yards.  How much of this chemistry was due to the return of Josh Reed to the starting lineup, taking pressure off Evans?  Who cares, just expect more of the same this week as the Bills roll over San Francisco in Buffalo on Sunday.

Roy Williams (DAL) – Seriously?  Yes indeed.  Seattle has such an undersized, poor-tackling secondary that you want to be sure to plug in Williams and obvious start Terrell Owens.   While T.O, might be able to plow right over the Seattle defenders, Williams can be expected to run circles around them.  Though Williams has done nothing since being traded to Dallas, his years of playing in Detroit let him grow accustomed to the Thanksgiving Day spotlight and he will take this opportunity to shine. 

Wide receivers to sit

T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco (CIN) – If I had room, I would have listed every Bengals player, but the two receivers are most likely the only ones you would have started anyway.   During the beat-down that Cincinnati received from the Steelers, the Bengals looked confused and completely demoralized.  Now they face an even tougher task in dealing with a Ravens defense that is superior to Pittsburgh’s and has only allowed opposing teams to score more than 14 points four times this season.    Ryan Fitzpatrick will be under pressure the entire game and will not have much time to throw.  Houshmandzadeh will even have trouble maintaining his value in PPR leagues, as he will have to deal with Ray Lewis on any balls over the middle. 

Tight End to start

Kevin Boss (NYG) – If you exclude his game against the Baltimore Ravens on November 16, Boss is averaging over four receptions for over 40 yards with a touchdown in each of his last four games.    Though the Redskins boast a solid run defense, they do not have a potent pass rush as they are tied for 27th in the NFL in sacks.  Without having to worry about his quarterback being pressured, Boss won’t be roped into staying in to help with pass protection.  Therefore he should be free to act as the primary safety valve for Eli Manning and post another day of double-digit fantasy points.  

Defense/Special Teams to start

Arizona Cardinals – The aggressive (fourth in the NFL in forcing fumbles and leading in recovering fumbles) hard-hitting Cardinals should prove effective against an Eagles team that is disorganized, to say the least.  Brian Westbrook, though hurting, should play, but his legs alone will not be able to keep up with the aerial antics of Kurt Warner and his talented trio of receivers.   That means the Eagles will be forced to rely on the uncertainty that surrounds Donovan McNabb, who according to reports will be starting at quarterback despite being pulled from the game last week.   The Cardinals should be able to get good penetration through Philadelphia’s line and freely roam in the backfield.  Philadelphia won’t get shut out, but the turnovers that the Cardinals generate will be a boon to owners who need to pick up a defense to play this week. 

Deep Plays

Leon Washington (RB, NYJ) – Washington has received a lot of hype in this column over the year, and for the most part he has produced results.  In the New York Jets offense, Washington is the big-play threat, as he has the speed to turn any touch into a long score.  Against the defensively-challenged Broncos, Washington makes a fine flex play or second running back in large leagues.

David Martin (TE, MIA) – With Greg Camarillo out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, quarterback Chad Pennington will need a target besides Ted Ginn, Jr. to throw to.  While Davone Bess may gather in some balls while getting the start at wide receiver, expect Pennington to look towards his reliable tight end plenty of times during the game.  Martin is averaging over two catches a game and is worth a gamble over most of the tight ends out there.

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