Start Em
TJ Yates QB – With Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Moore questionable for Sunday a lot people are running with their heads off looking for a QB. While this isn’t the ideal situation to be in, when looking around for available quarterbacks the name that appears to be the safest is TJ Yates. Yates, unlike Carson Palmer, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Rex Grossman isn’t an interception machine who could do more damage than good. Also, Yates is playing against a Carolina defense that has scored double digit points once this season. After watching him lead a game winning drive in Cincinnati, I bet the coaching staff in Houston was impressed and will let the rookie air it out. Far from sexy, if you’re in a QB conundrum go with the QB who ended the Bengals playoff chances.
Felix Jones RB – To be honest, I am not the biggest Jones fan. I thought he was vastly overrated coming into the season and his play on the field early on as well as an injury out him to a third down role where truly belongs. But for running backs most of the time it’s not about how talented the guy is but the opportunity and the opponent. On Saturday night Jones gets a shot at the Buccaneers run defense that has given up the most fantasy points to running backs this season. Jones should see anywhere from 20-25 through the air and on the ground in what should be a high scoring affair.
More Start em Sit em after the jump:
Mike Williams WR – Owners of Williams have been disappointed as many thought he would be a top 20 WR with top 10 upside. We can still harp about what should have been, but if you are a forward thinker you would see that Williams has been targeted 38 times over the past four weeks. Also, the Cowboys secondary is made of swiss cheese after watching Rex Grossman and Eli Manning tear them apart in recent weeks. I would consider Josh Freeman a sleeper in this game since Tampa Bay should have no problem moving the ball up and down field. Start the Syracuse receiver as he showcases his skills on prime time.
Anthony Fasano TE – Recently Fasano has been utilized in the Dolphins game plan resulting in Maimi wins. The veteran has accumulated over 100 receiving yards the past two weeks and is facing a Buffalo team that has given up the seventh most fantasy points to TE’s. I could see concern if Moore is out but if that is the case; as everyone knows a QB’s favorite weapon is his TE so I would expect J.P. Losman to rely on Fasano a lot. Get him into your top 10 this week as Fasano is an even better play in ppr leagues.
Atlanta Falcons D/ST – The Falcons when they need to can buckle down and swallow a solid passing game as was evident last week in their comeback victory over Carolina. This week against rookie Blaine Gabbert, I envision him running for his life as his inexperience will show up in a must win for Atlanta in the Georgia Dome. Yes, Jacksonville scored 40 plus a week ago but any competent offense would have done the same. Atlanta is a top five defense this week in what should be a Falcons blowout led by their defense.
Sit Em
Carson Palmer QB – I mentioned the injuries to Roethlisberger and Moore so this could have people struggling for someone under center on Sunday and my advice is to avoid Palmer. Yes, I see the upside as he could throw bombs against a weak Lions secondary. The Detroit defense continues to give up points and they have been dreadful in the second halves of games. And Palmer could easily exploit that defense; the fact that he’s thrown six interceptions to three touchdowns over the last three weeks shows once again the Palmer hasn’t been a relevant QB for over three seasons. Even in desperation, Palmer is not the solution so stay away now and forever.
Rashard Mendenhall RB – A borderline first round pick Mendenhall has been up and down all season long. But last week was the final straw for me as I watched him get stuffed on the one yard line four times in a row against the Browns. Running backs have been awful against the 49ers as San Francisco has the league’s best run defense limiting runners to a dreadful 3.. Expect the 49ers to eliminate Mendenhall as an option and for the Steelers to incorporate a lot of Isaac Redman and Mewelde Moore. Outside of the top 20, Mendenhall should a take a seat in what has been a season of disappointment.
Mario Manningham WR – Manningham is no slouch. In fact I could see myself dreading the fact that I have him in the hate section. On the other hand the Redskins have a solid pass defense. They were able to take away the Patriots receivers last week with the exception of Rob Gronkowski which seems to be an impossible feat these days. Hakeem Nicks has recently regained the form that made him a top five wideout coming into the season and Victor Cruz’s Cinderella story continues to amaze defenses everywhere. As the third receiver in an offense that will go to the ground against Washington, I don’t see the upside of starting Manningham.
Dustin Keller TE – Since he dominated the Bills in week 12 Keller has gone missing from an offense that seems to be finding its groove. The reason the Jets are jelling at the moment is because Shonn Greene is doing his usual second half outburst to get the New York into the playoffs. Keller is an afterthought in the red zone as Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress are options 1-6 in the passing game. Stay away from the talented Boilermaker as he’s become useless once again.
Tennessee Titans D/ST –Wait, the Colts are their opponent and I am telling you to bench the Titans? If anything has been consistent with the Tennessee defense is how inconsistent they have been. Four times this year they have had negative points so even against the Colts I am not sure you can rely on them. Donald Brown has run the ball well of late and Pierre Garcon is capable of having a big game against this secondary. Indianapolis is getting healthy on offense and the Titans don’t scare even the weakest offenses. The Colts should get anywhere between 17 -20 points while staying competitive against their AFC South rival.