2009 Start/Bench List Week 17 Dec 30, 2009 | More

In Week 17, it’s all about finding those teams fighting for their playoff lives with the best matchups and exploiting them. There are seven AFC teams and four NFC teams trying to play beyond this week. Take advantage of their desperation and use the information to dominate in the final week of the season.

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 Arizona **Expected to play but team does not need to win**
Drew Brees, New Orleans at Carolina **Expected to play but team does not need to win**
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis at Buffalo **May not play in Week 17**
Matt Schaub, Houston vs. New England
Tom Brady, New England vs. Houston **Expected to play but team does not need to win**
Philip Rivers, San Diego vs. Washington **Expected to play but team does not need to win**
Tony Romo, Dallas vs. Philadelphia

Start

Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia at Dallas: The Eagles can clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win over Dallas this week. McNabb threw for only 227 yards with one touchdown and one interception the last time he faced Dallas back (Week 9). Look for those numbers to improve this week as McNabb does his part to ensure the Eagles are well-rested for the playoffs.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh at Miami: The Steelers need to win and get some help this week to make the playoffs. Miami can also clinch a playoff spot with a win and lots of help. Roethlisberger has had a very tough stretch of solid pass defenses. The Dolphins pass defense is not one of the tough ones. Look for Pittsburgh to abandon the running game early, and Big Ben will march the Steelers up and down the field with ease.

Bench

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets: The Bengals are already in the playoffs and a Jets win will clinch their playoff spot. The Jets pass defense has allowed the fewest passing yards all season, and with a home game on Sunday Night Football and a chance to go to the playoffs, I’d avoid the Bengals passing attack in its entirety.

Brett Favre, Minnesota vs. N.Y. Giants: Despite his strong performance in Monday night’s game against the Bears, Favre has been heading in the wrong direction since December started. Since Week 13, Favre has thrown five touchdowns and four interceptions and has averaged 253 yards passing. Even though the Vikings are still fighting for the No. 2 seed in the NFC, they would do themselves justice to give Favre some time off this week. If Favre does play, don’t expect much against a Giants team that was eliminated from the playoffs last week and has nothing to lose.

Running Backs

Studs

Chris Johnson, Tennessee at Seattle
Ray Rice, Baltimore at Oakland
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota vs. N.Y. Giants
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville at Cleveland
Frank Gore, San Francisco at St. Louis
Steven Jackson, St. Louis vs. San Francisco **Questionable for Week 17**

Start

Knowshon Moreno, Denver vs. Kansas City: Even though Moreno hasn’t rushed for more than 65 yards since Week 13, he comes recommended against a Chiefs run defense that is ranked 31^st in the NFL in rushing yards allowed. By the way, Moreno’s highest fantasy point total this season? Week 13 against, you guessed it, the Chiefs.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina vs. New Orleans: Stewart dominated the Giants last week, rushing for 206 yards on 28 carries with a touchdown. With DeAngelo Williams still nursing an ankle injury, look for Stewart to once again make some noise as he runs with a purpose against a Saints defense that has nothing to play for.

Jason Snelling, Atlanta at Tampa Bay: With Michael Turner unlikely to play this week, Snelling will be primed to post big numbers against a porous Tampa Bay run defense that has allowed a league-worst 22 runs for 20 yards or more on the season. Even if Snelling splits time with Jerious Norwood, look for Snelling to play a role in the short passing game as well as the goal line making him a solid start this week.

Bench

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia at Dallas: Brian Westbrook is back and McCoy failed to capitalize on his chance to claim the starting running back role while Westbrook was sidelined. With the Eagles likely to dominate the Cowboys in the air, don’t expect much from McCoy as his disappointing rookie season continues.

Tim Hightower, Arizona vs. Green Bay: While the Cardinals have an outside shot at a first-round bye, don’t expect the starters to play the full game. Hightower hasn’t rushed for more than 50 yards in a game since Week 11 and he’s averaged less than three catches a game in the past four weeks. What little playing time Hightower will get this week won’t be enough to warrant a start against a Packers run defense that has allowed the fewest rushing yards in the NFL.
Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh at Miami: Mendenhall has seen better days. He’s averaged only 42 yards rushing over the past three weeks and he faces another tough run defense on the road this week. The Steelers will find success in the passing game, minimizing Mendenhall’s value this week.

Wide Receivers

Studs

Andre Johnson, Houston vs. New England
Wes Welker, New England at Houston **Expected to play but team does not need to win**
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis at Buffalo **May not play in Week 17**
Randy Moss, New England at Houston **Expected to play but team does not need to win**
Brandon Marshall, Denver vs. Kansas City
Miles Austin, Dallas vs. Philadelphia
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. Green Bay **May not play in Week 17**
Steve Smith, N.Y. Giants at Minnesota
DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia at Dallas
Vincent Jackson, San Diego vs. Washington **Expected to play but team does not need to win**
Hines Ward, Pittsburgh at Miami **Questionable for Week 17**
Sidney Rice, Minnesota vs. N.Y. Giants
Marques Colston, New Orleans at Carolina **Expected to play but team does not need to win**

Start

Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh at Miami: With Hines Ward questionable after aggravating his hamstring injury last week against the Ravens, Holmes is in line for a big game against the Dolphins. Miami has allowed a league-worst 8.2 yards per catch this season and they had no chance at stopping Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson last week. Look for Roethlisberger and Holmes to provide a repeat performance as the Steelers post big numbers in the passing game.

Hakeem Nicks, N.Y. Giants at Minnesota: While Nicks has shown flashed of brilliance, he’s also made his fair share of rookie mistakes this season. Look for Eli Manning to air it out against a Vikings defense that hasn’t been able to stop Matt Moore and Jay Cutler the last two weeks. Nicks should post big numbers along with Steve Smith against a suddenly suspect Vikings defense.

Calvin Johnson, Detroit vs. Chicago: Remember this guy? He’s still in Detroit and he’s still posting big numbers. The last time Johnson faced the Bears (Week 4) he posted eight catches for 133 yards. While the Bears will suffer from the Monday night hangover after a huge win over the Vikings, Johnson will run rampant posting yards at will and finding the end zone at least once this week.

Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville at Cleveland: He may no longer be on the Studs list, but don’t overlook Sims-Walker this week against the Browns. Sims-Walker has posted some lousy numbers lately, but the Browns are ranked 29^th in the NFL in passing yards allowed including a league-worst 58 passes for 20 yards or more. Look for Sims-Walker to make one final claim to be a stud at the start of the 2010 season.

Bench

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City vs. Denver: While Bowe has been Matt Cassel’s favorite target since his return, his numbers are on the low end thanks to the level of competition he has faced. Things won’t get any easier this week as Bowe and the Chiefs face the Broncos who have allowed the second-fewest passing yards this season.

Derrick Mason, Baltimore at Oakland: If the Ravens beats the Raiders this week, they are in the playoffs. So why then should you sit Mason since the Ravens have something to play for this week? Well, Mason suffered a foot injury towards the end of last week’s game, and this week he has the privilege of trying to catch passes with the Oakland secondary covering him like a blanket. The Raiders will see Ray Rice running all day and not be able to stop him. Not much for Mason in this game.

Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets: From the Studs list to the Bench list in one week? Normally, this wouldn’t happen but this is done to emphasize how much I dislike the Bengals passing attack this week. If you’re relying on Ochocinco to help you win your Super Bowl, please look elsewhere. You will be terribly disappointed if you put your eggs in Ochocinco’s basket this week.

Donald Driver , Green Bay at Arizona: With the Packers already in the playoffs with little to no chance of moving up in the seedings, don’t expect Driver or Greg Jennings to play very much this week. Driver’s old bones could use the rest and he’ll get it this week.

Tight Ends

Studs

Dallas Clark, Indianapolis at Buffalo **May not play in Week 17**
Vernon Davis, San Francisco at St. Louis
Antonio Gates, San Diego vs. Washington **Expected to play but team does not need to win**
Brent Celek, Philadelphia at Dallas
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta at Tampa Bay **Questionable for Week 17**
Jason Witten, Dallas vs. Philadelphia
Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta

Start

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh at Miami: See Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes. Lots of passing yards to go around for the Steelers this week. Lots of them.

Greg Olsen, Chicago at Detroit: Olsen’s only catch against the Lions back in Week 4 was a touchdown. Look for more receptions this week as the Bears offense came to life against the Vikings last week and Olsen played a big part in the offense.

Bench

Tony Scheffler, Denver vs. Kansas City: The Broncos will run, run, and run some more this week which means Scheffler will block, block and then block some more.

Fred Davis, Washington at San Diego: Should you really be considering starting anyone from the Redskins this week? I didn’t think so.