2009 Start/Bench List Week 12 Nov 25, 2009 | More

The fantasy playoffs are right around the corner and if you’re like me, you’ve suffered your fair share of injuries as of late. Keep plugging away at the waiver wire. There is no shame in heading into the playoffs with guys who haven’t been in your starting lineup for more than a month. Just find a way to the dance and see what happens. Lots of yards in the air this week as the Colts, Texans, Packers and Jaguars light up the sky like the Fourth of July. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

When using this list, try and remember a couple basic rules:

1) Studs - always play your studs. Each position will include a list of players that are considered studs and should not be benched. If you have the luxury of needing to decide between studs, check out the matchups or feel free to let the shark tank assist you in your decisions.

2) Depth - Every fantasy team is different and some have more depth than others. Only follow the recommended moves if your team depth allows you to make such a move.

Quarterbacks

Studs

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay at Detroit
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis at Houston
Tom Brady, New England at New Orleans
Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. New England
Matt Schaub, Houston vs. Indianapolis
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Philip Rivers, San Diego vs. Kansas City

Start

David Garrard, Jacksonville at San Francisco: Garrard had a touchdown pass in each of his past three games and this week he faces a 49ers defense that has allowed over 300 yards passing in three of their previous four games. Look for Garrard to eclipse the 300-yard mark for the third time this season as newly appointed stud Mike Sims-Walker has a huge game.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle at St. Louis: The last time Hasselbeck faced the Rams, he threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-0 stomping back in Week 1. Both the yards and touchdowns will be there for the taking again the St. Louis defense as they have allowed an average of 238.7 passing yards per game this season and two touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks in three of their past four games.

Bench

Brady Quinn, Cleveland at Cincinnati: Quinn’s 304 yards and four touchdowns last week was impressive, but that was the Lions. This week, he faces a real defense in Cincinnati. Look for Quinn to return from his peek atop the fantasy mountain with a resounding thud.

Kyle Orton, Denver vs. N.Y. Giants: Orton’s ankle in still in question, but even healthy, he would not be recommended against the Giants this week. Orton has thrown for less than 200 yards in three of his past four starts and the Giants have allowed the second-fewest passing yards in the NFL all season. Not a good combination for your starting quarterback.

Running Backs

Studs

Chris Johnson, Tennessee vs. Arizona
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville at San Francisco
Ray Rice, Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota vs. Chicago
DeAngelo Williams, Carolina at N.Y. Jets
Steven Jackson, St. Louis vs. Seattle
Frank Gore, San Francisco vs. Jacksonville

Start

Ricky Williams, Miami at Buffalo: Ricky was oh-so-fine last Thursday night scoring three touchdowns and rushing for over 100 yards for the second straight game. This week, Williams will enjoy feasting on the Buffalo defense that has allowed the second most rushing yards in the NFL this season … another big day on tap for Williams.

Marion Barber, Dallas vs. Oakland: Barber had the most carries all season last week as he rushed 20 times for 99 yards against the Redskins. Look for the Cowboys to run the ball often with an injured Tony Romo and Jason Witten and a stout Oakland pass defense. Another 20+ carries for Barber this week should translate into his second 100-yard rushing performance of the season.

Jason Snelling, Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay: With Michael Turner unlikely to play with an ankle injury, Snelling will make the most of his opportunity against a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL this season. Enjoy your late season waiver wire pickup for at least another week.

Bench

Kevin Smith, Detroit vs. Green Bay: With Matthew Stafford unlikely to play on Thursday and Smith facing a Packers run defense that has only allowed an average of 90.7 rushing yards per game this season, it’s wise to keep Smith on your bench and squash the hopes that he’ll be receiving a turkey leg.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore: After rushing for 155 yards against the Broncos in Week 9, Mendenhall has averaged only 58 yards rushing in the last two games, averaging 3.4 yards per carry. The Ravens have held opposing running backs to less than 75 yards rushing in three of their previous four games. Look for Ben Roethlisberger to prove he’s fully recovered from the concussion suffered last week as he airs it out against a depleted Ravens secondary, limiting the chances for Mendenhall.

Rock Cartwright, Washington at Philadelphia: With Ladell Betts done for the season and Clinton Portis still sidelined, Cartwright is the main man in Washington. However, Cartwright has a tough matchup against the Eagles, who held Matt Forte and Marion Barber to 50 yards or less in two of their past three games. Keep Cartwright reserved this week.

Wide Receivers

Studs

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis at Houston
Randy Moss, New England at New Orleans
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona at Tennessee
Wes Welker, New England at New Orleans
Andre Johnson, Houston vs. Indianapolis
Hines Ward, Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Steve Smith, N.Y. Giants at Denver
Vincent Jackson, San Diego vs. Kansas City
Roddy White, Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay
Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville at San Francisco *NEW*
Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati vs. Cleveland
Marques Colston, New Orleans vs. New England

Start

Greg Jennings, Green Bay at Detroit: Jennings and the Packers must be licking their lips for this matchup on Thursday. Jennings has at least five catches in five of his past six games and the Lions have allowed an average of 275.3 yards passing per game this season. Jennings will be marching up and down the field as often as you fill your plate this Thursday.

Kevin Walter, Houston vs. Indianapolis: Since taking over as the No. 2 receiver in the Texans offense, Walter has caught nine passes for 113 yards in two games, including five catches for 67 yards against the Colts just three weeks ago. With Matt Schaub getting more comfortable with Walter, look for his numbers to improve this week as the Texans pass often to try and keep pace with the electric Colts offense.

Nate Burleson, Seattle at St. Louis: Burleson hasn’t found the end zone since Week 5, but in three of their four previous games, Burleson has caught at least six passes averaging 88 yards receiving. Burleson posted seven catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in Week one 1 the Rams so you can expect those stats and then some this week as the Seahawks pass it with ease in St. Louis.

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco vs. Jacksonville: Crabtree caught his first NFL touchdown last week against the Packers and should quickly add to that total this week against a Jaguars pass defense that has given up 17 passing touchdowns this season. After watching Terrell Owens torch the Jaguars for 197 yards receiving last week, you can bet Crabtree will be ready for his day in the spotlight on Sunday.

Bench

Brandon Marshall, Denver vs. N.Y. Giants: It’s always a risky play if you sit someone of the caliber of Marshall, but if you’re deep enough at wide receiver, you should consider it this week. Kyle Orton is less than 100 percent and the Giants pass defense has been stellar all season. Play the matchups and look for alternatives if you can.

Chris Chambers, Kansas City at San Diego: Chambers posted his best numbers as a Chief last week by catching four passes for 119 yards. However, the Chiefs passing attack was horrible against the Chargers back in Week 7 when Matt Cassel threw for just 97 yards including one touchdowns and three interceptions. Look for more struggles from Cassel this week and the Chargers secondary taking it to their former teammate, keeping Chambers in check all day.

Braylon Edwards, N.Y. Jets vs. Carolina: When the Jets acquired Edwards, his role was to stretch the field as his ability to go deep would open up things for Mark Sanchez. The problem has been Sanchez hasn’t been able to stay on his feet long enough to find Edwards down field as his average of three catches per game over the past three games can attest to. Sanchez won’t have much time this week to find Edwards deep this week either as the Panthers will bring the noise and continue the struggles of the Jets passing game.

Donnie Avery, St. Louis vs. Seattle: So much for the return of Avery. After catching two touchdowns in Week 10, Marc Bulger won’t play this week after getting injured against the Cardinals last week. Kyle Boller and fantasy points do not belong in the same sentence. Sorry Donnie.

Tight Ends

Studs

Dallas Clark, Indianapolis at Houston
Vernon Davis, San Francisco vs. Jacksonville
Brent Celek, Philadelphia vs. Washington
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay
Antonio Gates, San Diego vs. Kansas City
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Greg Olsen, Chicago at Minnesota

Start

Zach Miller, Oakland vs. Dallas: At least someone is excited for the Bruce Gradkowski era in Oakland! Miller caught five passes for 65 yards and a touchdown last week in his first fame with the new quarterback. The Cowboys have defended opposing tight ends fairly well this season having allowed only three touchdowns, but the number of options in the Raiders passing attack is limited, which means Miller will see a good majority of the targets. Look for Miller to post another solid game with B-Grad at the helm.

Greg Olsen, Chicago at Minnesota: Olsen has caught at least five passes in the past three games and once Jay Cutler can figure out he shouldn’t be throwing the ball to the other team in the red zone, Olsen should add to his touchdown total of six on the season. Look for another 5-7 catches and a score from Olsen as the Bears running attack will be stuck in neutral, forcing Cutler to pass often. Close your eyes Bears fans, it’s going to be scary.

Bench

Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans vs. New England: So far this season, the Patriots have faced Dallas Clark, Kellen Winslow, Todd Heap and Tony Gonzalez and not one of them has scored. The chances are pretty slim that Shockey breaks the pattern and there won’t be enough yards to go around to make up for the lack of scores. Look elsewhere for your tight end this week.

Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets vs. Carolina: After posting back-to-back solid weeks against Miami and Jacksonville, Keller returned to earth last week, catching only three passes for 38 yards against the Patriots. Look for more of the same against the Panthers as Keller keeps dreaming of the glory days with Brett Favre at quarterback.