2009 Start/Bench List Week 13 Dec 2, 2009 | More

It’s Week 13, and there’s lots of offense to go around this week. The Vikings, Chargers, Bengals and Cowboys will post serious numbers in both passing and rushing, the Colts will dominate the air, and the Panthers will crush on the ground. Take advantage of this buffet of stats as they provide you with enough points for that one last playoff push.

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

Drew Brees, New Orleans at Washington
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay vs. Baltimore
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis vs. Tennessee
Tom Brady, New England at Miami
Brett Favre, Minnesota at Arizona
Matt Schaub, Houston at Jacksonville
Philip Rivers, San Diego at Cleveland

Start

Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia at Atlanta: McNabb has thrown two touchdowns in two of the past three games and this week he faces a Falcons defense that has allowed an average of 252.6 yards per game this season (sixth-most in the NFL) and two passing touchdowns in each of the past three games. Even without DeSean Jackson, look for McNabb to find plenty of success in the passing game.

Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants vs. Dallas: Despite Manning having a “stress reaction” in his foot (whatever that means), he makes a strong play against the Cowboys this week. The last time Manning faced the Cowboys (Week 2) he threw for 330 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Expect similar numbers as the Giants running game has not been up to snuff lately.

Bench

Joe Flacco, Baltimore at Green Bay: Flacco has had his ups and downs this season. He threw for less than 200 yards in three straight games between Weeks 8-10 and then responded with over 250 yards in each of the past two games. Look for the roller coaster ride to continue with Flacco as he struggles against the Packers this week, who have only allowed an average of 192.5 passing yards per game this season.

Matt Cassel, Kansas City vs. Denver: Cassel has surpassed 250 yards passing only twice this season and he’s sure to fall short of that mark again this week against the Broncos, who have only allowed 10 passing touchdowns all season. Denver righted the ship against the Giants on Thanksgiving and will have a much easier time shutting down Cassel and the Chiefs this week.

Running Backs

Studs

Chris Johnson, Tennessee at Indianapolis
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville vs. Houston
Ray Rice, Baltimore at Green Bay
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota at Arizona
Steven Jackson, St. Louis at Chicago
DeAngelo Williams, Carolina vs. Tampa Bay *Questionable for Week 13*
Frank Gore, San Francisco at Seattle

Start

Thomas Jones, N.Y. Jets ‘at’ Buffalo: Prior to last week’s game when Jones rushed for only 75 yards against the Panthers, he had rushed for over 100 yards in four of his past five games. Look for Jones to start a new streak this week against Buffalo, who Jones dominated back in Week 6 to the tune of 22 carries for 210 yards and a touchdown.

Pierre Thomas, New Orleans vs. Washington: Even the Saints have to run the ball sometimes, and when they do this week Thomas will be the main beneficiary. He has only 11 carries in each of the past three games, but look for that number to increase against a Redskins defense that has defended the pass well, but has allowed 127.9 yards per game rushing this year.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh vs. Oakland: Mendenhall performed very well against the Ravens last Sunday night rushing for 95 yards on 24 carries, which is no small feat. This week, even with Ben Roethlisberger returning, look for Mendenhall to take advantage of a Raiders run defense that has allowed the second-most rushing yards all season as Mendenhall breaks the 100-yard barrier for the third time this season.

Bench

Tim Hightower, Arizona vs. Minnesota: Hightower surprised everyone when he rushed for 110 yards two weeks ago against the Rams. However, he came back down to earth last week as he rushed for only 55 yards and caught just three passes for 23 yards. Don’t expect much more than what you got last week from Hightower against the Vikings, who have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL this season. Plus, Hightower hasn’t had more than 25 yards receiving in the past four weeks.

Joseph Addai, Indianapolis vs. Tennessee: While Addai has been getting the lion’s share of the carries for the Colts as of late, his yardage totals have been far from stud-like rushing for an average of 61 yards over the past three games. The last time Addai faced the Titans he rushed for only 27 yards on 14 carries, although he did score a touchdown and he caught 10 passes for 53 yards. Look for the suddenly dangerous Titans defense to continue to keep Addai’s rushing totals in check and his receiving totals won’t be enough to warrant a start.

Justin Forsett, Seattle vs. San Francisco: Forsett has rushed for over 100 yards in two of the past three games, but that was against the Cardinals and the Rams. The 49ers defend the run much better than their NFC West counterparts and given the fact that Julius Jones may return this week, Forsett owners look long and hard over their options as this surprising fantasy star fades back to the pack.

Wide Receivers

Studs

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis vs. Tennessee
Randy Moss, New England at Miami
Wes Welker, New England at Miami
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. Minnesota
Andre Johnson, Houston at Jacksonville
Steve Smith, N.Y. Giants vs. Dallas
Hines Ward, Pittsburgh vs. Oakland
Vincent Jackson, San Diego at Cleveland
Roddy White, Atlanta vs. Philadelphia
Marques Colston, New Orleans at Washington
Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville vs. Houston
Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati vs. Detroit

Start

Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis vs. Tennessee: Don’t look now, but Garcon has caught a touchdown in two of the past three games and in the game he didn’t score, he caught six passes for 108 yards. Garcon has officially filled the void by Anthony Gonzalez, who is still not expected to play anytime soon. Look for Garcon to continue to produce solid numbers in the passing game making him a valuable commodity down the stretch run.

Jason Avant, Philadelphia at Atlanta: With DeSean Jackson unlikely to play this week after suffering a concussion against the Redskins last week, Avant should fill in nicely and produce solid numbers. Avant caught five passes for 94 yards last week and he has at least four catches in the past three games. Donovan McNabb will have plenty of success in the passing game this week and Avant will be the main target all day long.

Sidney Rice, Minnesota at Arizona: Rice has had back-to-back games of six catches for 89 yards after his monster game in Week 10 when he caught seven passes for 201 yards. The Cardinals have allowed an average of 258.4 yards passing per game this season (fourth-most in the NFL) and if Vince Young can throw for 387 yards against them, what do you think Brett Favre will do? 400 yards? Five touchdowns? Nothing is out of the question this week. Start Rice along with any other Viking you have this week and enjoy.

Kenny Britt, Tennessee at Indianapolis: This rookie had his best game of the season last week, catching seven passes for 128 yards and a touchdown, which was the game-winner. The Titans will need to pass to keep pace with the Colts’ high-powered offense this week, and Britt should post another solid game. Go get him if you can.

Bench

Terrell Owens, Buffalo vs. N.Y. Jets: Owens is happy with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick since he has caught a touchdown pass in each of the past two weeks averaging 146.5 yards, but that will all change this week. The Jets held Owens to only three catches for 13 yards in Week 6 and they’ll continue to put pressure on the quarterback, minimizing Fitzpatrick’s ability to look down field for Owens. Let’s see if Owens continues to praise his new quarterback after the clunker he posts this week.

Chris Chambers, Kansas City vs. Denver: Chambers has yet to post a bad game in a Chiefs uniform as he has averaged 80 receiving yards a game and has caught four touchdowns in his four games as a Chief. That streak will come to an end this week against the Broncos who held Chambers to only two catches for 33 yards in Week 6 when he was still a Charger. Look for Matt Cassel to struggle along with Chambers as the Chiefs passing attack won’t get anything going this week.

Steve Smith, Carolina vs. Tampa Bay: After catching three touchdowns in two weeks, Smith was completely shut down last week, catching only one pass for five yards. The last time Smith faced Tampa Bay, he caught only one pass for four yards. With Jake Delhomme likely to miss the game, Smith shouldn’t be counted on much of anything this week.

Derrick Mason, Baltimore at Green Bay: Mason has posted very solid numbers the last two weeks, averaging eight catches for 102 yards during that span. The last time Mason had back-to-back games like that was back in Weeks 3 and 4, which was followed by a zero-catch day in Week 5 against the Bengals. While Mason won’t get shut out this week, he also won’t post numbers worthy of a start. Look elsewhere.

Tight Ends

Studs

Dallas Clark, Indianapolis vs. Tennessee
Vernon Davis, San Francisco at Seattle
Antonio Gates, San Diego at Cleveland
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta vs. Philadelphia
Brent Celek, Philadelphia at Atlanta *Questionable for Week 13*
Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay at Carolina
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh vs. Oakland
Greg Olsen, Chicago vs. St. Louis

Start

Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota at Arizona: Shiancoe has a touchdown in each of the past two games, averaging six catches for 65 yards. Look for more of the same from him this week as Brett Favre’s favorite red zone target continues to produce big numbers.

Tony Scheffler, Denver at Kansas City: Consistency isn’t exactly Scheffler’s game, but look at what tight ends have done against this Chiefs defense the last two weeks: (7 catches, 95 yards and 1 TD; 7 catches, 118 yards and 2 TDs). Looks like it’s go time for Scheffler this week.

Bench

Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville vs. Houston: Lewis has averaged three catches for 56 yards over the past three weeks, but he’s only scored two touchdowns all season and hasn’t found the end zone since Week 4. The Jaguars will run the ball all day and when they pass, David Garrard will struggle. Look for Lewis to match his output from his last meeting with the Texans when he caught one pass for 18 yards.

Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets ‘at’ Buffalo: Keller was on his way to a big game last week against the Panthers, but a fumble cost him his third touchdown of the season. Keller caught only two passes for 16 yards in Week 6 against the Bills and there’s no reason to believe he’ll improve on those numbers this week playing in Buffalo (well, technically Toronto).