Start/Bench list 2008 Week 13 Nov 26, 2008 | More

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. May the joy you receive from your second helping of pumpkin pie only be surpassed by the mountain of fantasy points your team scores on this glorious holiday weekend. These next two weeks will determine the playoff teams in most leagues. Don't over-think the matchups. Remember, your studs brought you this far. Let them take you the rest of the way.

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. This list will change from week to week.

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.

Enough of the chit-chat, onto the list!!

Quarterbacks

Studs

Jay Cutler, Denver at N.Y. Jets
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis at Cleveland
Kurt Warner, Arizona at Philadelphia
Tony Romo, Dallas vs. Seattle
Philip Rivers, San Diego vs. Atlanta
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay vs. Carolina
Drew Brees, New Orleans at Tampa Bay

Start

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh (at New England): With Willie Parker's status in doubt, look for the weight of the Steelers offense to fall on the shoulders of Roethlisberger. The Patriots allowed 341 yards passing last week and will continue to struggle defending the pass at home against Pittsburgh.

Chad Pennington, Miami (at St. Louis): Pennington threw for over 300 yards last week and three TDs in a loss to New England last week. His accuracy was never in question, but his yards per game average this season (246.8) is far better than his career best (213.9) back in 2003. Look for more success from Pennington this week against the Rams who are ranked 21st in the NFL in passing yards allowed.

Bench

Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants (at Washington): Manning threw for only 216 yards with no TDs and one INT in Week 1 when the Giants faced the Redskins earlier this season. Look for another tough day at the office for Manning as the Redskins have held opposing quarterbacks to less than 200 yards passing in six of their past seven games.

Jason Campbell, Washington (vs. N.Y. Giants): It won't be much of an aerial show in Washington this week as both Manning and Campbell will struggle in the passing game. Campbell has thrown two TDs against three INTs over the past three weeks and hasn't thrown for more than 206 yards since Week 8. Don't expect things to change against the defending Super Bowl champs.

Running Backs

Studs

Joseph Addai, Indianapolis at Cleveland
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota vs. Chicago
Michael Turner, Atlanta at San Diego
Frank Gore, San Francisco at Buffalo
Matt Forte, Chicago at Minnesota
Marion Barber, Dallas vs. Seattle
Ladainian Tomlinson, San Diego vs. Atlanta
Clinton Portis, Washington vs. N.Y. Giants
Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia vs. Arizona

Start

Ronnie Brown, Miami (at St. Louis): Look for Brown to bounce back from last week's disappointing numbers against the Patriots with more wildcat-driven stats against a Rams run defense ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed.

Thomas Jones, N.Y. Jets (vs. Denver): Jones fell four yards short of his third straight 100-yard rushing game last week against the undefeated Titans. Jones should find plenty of running room against a Broncos defense that has allowed an opposing RB to rush for over 100 yards in three of the past six games.

Chris Johnson, Tennessee (at Detroit): Johnson rushed for only 46 yards on 10 carries in a loss to the Jets last week which was 10 times as many carries as backfield mate LenDale White received. Look for a return to power football which should translate into 30-35 carries between Johnson and White with Johnson making his bid for a turkey leg against the Lions run defense that has allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL this season.

Bench

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh (at New England): Parker is questionable for this week's matchup against the Patriots with a knee injury. Even fully healthy, Parker would have been a questionable fantasy start against a Patriots run defense that has held opposing RBs to less than 50 yards rushing in three of the past four games.

Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay (vs. New Orleans): Dunn may get the nod as the Bucs starter the rest of the season, but that doesn't mean he's an automatic start in your fantasy lineup. Don't expect another shootout with the Saints involved this week. The Bucs will struggle moving the ball down the field and while Dunn may see some action catching passes out of the backfield, his rushing stats will be hard to come by.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo (vs. San Francisco): I hope you started Lynch when you had the chance the last two weeks, because this week it's back to mid-to-low range stats. The 15 catches in the last two games will drop this week and his inability to surpass 100 yards rushing will make him a very low end RB2 at best.

Wide Receivers

Studs

Brandon Marshall, Denver at N.Y. Jets
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis at Cleveland
Anquan Boldin, Arizona at Philadelphia
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona at Philadelphia
Randy Moss, New England vs. Pittsburgh
Wes Welker, New England vs. Pittsburgh
Terrell Owens, Dallas vs. Seattle
Andre Johnson, Houston vs. Jacksonville
Calvin Johnson, Detroit vs. Tennessee
Greg Jennings, Green Bay vs. Carolina
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati vs. Baltimore
Steve Smith, Carolina at Green Bay

Start

Eddie Royal, Denver (at N.Y. Jets): Where you been, Eddie? After averaging seven catches and 100 yards receiving between Weeks 7 and 10, Royal posted back-to-back stinkers catching only six passes for a total of 48 yards the last two weeks. The Jets defense has played very well against the run but has struggled defending the pass. Their primary focus will be Brandon Marshall opening things up for Royal. Expect the rookie to return to form with a big game in Denver.

Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis (at Cleveland): Harrison has picked up the pace lately averaging six catches per game over the past three weeks. Look for another solid week from Harrison as Peyton Manning begins to use his old reliable receiver in pressure situations.

Hines Ward, Pittsburgh (at New England): After two consecutive 100-yard receiving games, Ward caught only one pass for 37 yards last week against the Bengals. Look for another big game from the veteran as the Patriots will have trouble defending the Steelers passing attack and Ward will be the biggest benefactor.

Ted Ginn Jr., Miami (at St. Louis): The season-ending knee injury to Greg Camarillo only increases Ginn's value in the Miami passing attack. While Ginn has been the focal point, he has only one game of over 100 yards receiving this season. Look for that to change this week as Ginn lights up the Edward Jones Dome with a huge game on Sunday.

Bench

Amani Toomer , N.Y. Giants (at Washington): Even without Plaxico Burress last week, Toomer could only muster four catches for 30 yards although one catch was a TD. Expect more struggles from Toomer as Eli Manning and the Giants offense will have their hands full on Sunday.

Chad Johnson, Cincinnati (vs. Baltimore): Ocho Cinco returns from a one-game suspension for violating team rules to face the Ravens. Don't expect more than the one catch for 22 yards that Johnson posted in the first meeting of these teams back in Week 1.

Donald Driver, Green Bay (vs. Carolina): Driver has surpassed 100 yards receiving only once this season. That won't change this week against the Panthers who have allowed an opposing WR to surpass 100 yards receiving only once all season (Larry Fitzgerald).

Santana Moss , Washington (vs. N.Y. Giants): So much for the Studs list. Jason Campbell is not consistent enough to get Moss enough touches to make him an automatic start. As Campbell struggles this week, so will Moss.

Tight Ends

Studs

Dallas Clark, Indianapolis at Cleveland
Owen Daniels, Houston vs. Jacksonville
Kellen Winslow, Cleveland vs. Indianapolis
Antonio Gates, San Diego vs. Atlanta
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City at Oakland
Jerermy Shockey, New Orleans at Tampa Bay
Chris Cooley, Washington vs. N.Y. Giants

Start

Tony Scheffler, Denver (at N.Y. Jets): The Broncos will find success in the passing game this week and Scheffler should return to the TE-elite range of 5-6 catches for 75-80 yards and a TD as Jay Cutler tears apart the Jets secondary.

Ben Watson, New England (vs. Pittsburgh): Watson only caught one pass against the Dolphins last week after posting eight catches the week before against the Jets. Look for solid numbers from Watson as the Steelers pressure will force Cassel to check down to his RBs and TEs and Watson will benefit.

Bench

Dante Rosario, Carolina (at Green Bay): Yeah, like you were thinking about starting him anyway.

Kevin Boss, N.Y. Giants (at Washington): Maybe Boss will get a chance to dance with Jason Taylor on a snap or two as he is relegated to blocking for most of the game this week.