Only two weeks until fantasy playoffs begin. If you haven’t already, it’s a good time to review the schedules of your roster in Weeks 14-17 to see how you match up. There are still plenty of Shaun Hill‘s and Justin Gage‘s on the waiver wire. Start digging.
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
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis at San Diego
Kurt Warner, Arizona vs. N.Y. Giants
Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia at Baltimore
Philip Rivers, San Diego vs. Indianapolis
Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. Green Bay
Jay Cutler, Denver vs. Oakland
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay at New Orleans
Tony Romo, Dallas vs. San Francisco
Start
Sage Rosenfels, Houston (at Cleveland): With Matt Schaub out until Week 16 at the earliest, the Texans offense is in the hands of Rosenfels who should have a much easier time finding open receivers this week against the Browns than he did against the Colts last Sunday. Look for both
Houston receivers to post big numbers as Rosenfels has his best day of the season.
Jason Campbell, Washington (at
Seattle):
Campbell struggled last week against the Cowboys thanks to constant pressure. That pressure will cease to exist this week as the Seahawks have allowed more passing yards than every team in the NFL this season with the exception of the Chargers.
Bench
Jake Delhomme,
Carolina (at
Atlanta): Any time a QB throws for less than 100 yards in two straight weeks and didn’t get hurt, it’s probably a good idea to keep him on your bench.
Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle (vs.
Washington): Hasselbeck struggled in his first game back from injury last week throwing for only 170 yards with three INTs. It won’t get much easier for Hasselbeck this week against the Redskins who contained Tony Romo and the Cowboys passing attack a week ago and will have similar success holding the
Seattle aerial assault in check.
Running Backs
Studs
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota at Jacksonville
Matt Forte, Chicago at St. Louis
Larry Johnson, Kansas City vs. Buffalo
Clinton Portis, Washington at Seattle
Frank Gore, San Francisco at Dallas
Ladainian Tomlinson, San Diego vs. Indianapolis
Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia at Baltimore
Willie Parker, Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati
Joseph Addai, Indianapolis at San Diego
Marion Barber, Dallas vs. San Francisco
Start
Steve Slaton, Houston (at Cleveland): Despite Ahman Green‘s two TDs last week, Slaton still posted solid numbers rushing for a season-high 156 yards against the Colts. Look for Slaton to become more involved in the passing attack as Rosenfels will spread the ball around well against the Browns. A score and 150 total yards is not out of the question for Slaton this week. Sounds like starting numbers to me.
Thomas Jones, N.Y. Jets (at
Tennessee): Forget about Brett Favre, Jones has been the key to success for the Jets as of late. Jones rushed for over 100 yards for the fourth time this season last week including his fourth straight week with a rushing TD. While the Titans run defense has been good this year, their pass defense has been even better. Look for Jones to once again be the catalyst that keeps the Jets in the game against the undefeated Titans.
Marshawn Lynch,
Buffalo (at
Kansas City): Patience is rewarded! Hopefully some of you Lynch owners had the stones to keep starting Lynch despite his struggles. If you did, you were rewarded with a huge performance on Monday night including 119 rushing yards, 10 catches for 58 yards and a receiving TD. While Lynch is unlikely to be as active in the passing game this week against the Chiefs, he is likely to break the 100-yard rushing mark again as the Chiefs are ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing yards allowed.
Bench
Tim Hightower,
Arizona (vs. N.Y. Giants): Is it me, or did Hightower have the shortest stint of a starting RB in the history of RBs without an injury? Hightower has combined to rush for 57 yards over the last two games after exploding for 109 yards on the ground in Week 9. Expect more struggles from the rookie this week against a formidable Giants run defense.
Maurice Jones-Drew,
Jacksonville (vs.
Minnesota): The rushing yards haven’t been there for Jones-Drew as of late, but he has scored six TDs in the past three weeks. The Vikings are second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed and you can bet their focus will be on keeping Jones-Drew out of the end zone this week. MJD will come up E-M-P-T-Y in TDs this week.
Kevin Smith,
Detroit (vs.
Tampa
Bay): Don’t fret former Smith owners, last week’s 100-yard rushing performance isn’t likely to happen again any time soon with
Tampa Bay,
Tennessee and
Minnesota on the schedule the next three weeks.
Wide Receivers
Studs
Andre Johnson, Houston at Cleveland
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis at San Diego
Santana Moss, Washington at Seattle
Randy Moss, New England at Miami
Anquan Boldin, Arizona vs. N.Y. Giants
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. N.Y. Giants
Brandon Marshall, Denver vs. Oakland
Roddy White, Atlanta vs. Carolina
Greg Jennings, Green Bay at New Orleans
Calvin Johnson, Detroit vs. Tampa Bay
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Steve Smith, Carolina at Atlanta
Start
Marvin Harrison,
Indianapolis (at
San Diego): It only took 11 weeks, but the
Harrison those of us expected this season finally showed up. Look for more of the nine-catch, 77-yard, one-TD type of numbers this week against the Chargers who rank dead last in the NFL in passing yards allowed.
Lee Evans, Buffalo (at Kansas City): I’m the first to talk about the inconsistency of Evans, but his zero catches this past week was all on Trent Edwards who looked just horrible. The Chiefs defense will be much more accommodating to Edwards, and Evans will reap the benefits. Look for Evans to surpass the 100-yard receiving mark for the fourth time this season in
Kansas City.
Ted Ginn Jr.,
Miami (vs.
New England): Ginn has become a playmaker in the Dolphins offense. His 40-yard TD on a reverse was a thing of beauty last week. With
Miami likely to experience success in the air against the Patriots, Ginn will exceed the five-catch, 49-yard performance he posted against
New England back in Week 3.
Dwayne Bowe,
Kansas City (vs.
Buffalo): Despite the drops, Bowe has caught at least six passes in four of the past five weeks including TDs in two of the past three weeks. While the Chiefs may struggle offensively, Tyler Thigpen loves throwing to Bowe and that won’t stop this week at home against the Bills.
Bench
Bernard Berrian,
Minnesota (at
Jacksonville): After being held without a catch in Week 10, Berrian caught only three passes for 46 yards last week against the Bucs. It seems like a long time ago that Berrian had a TD catch in four straight games with three of those four games including over 100 yards receiving. More struggles are on the way for Berrian this week as Adrian Peterson will be the only offense the Vikings can muster.
Bobby Engram, Seattle (vs.
Washington): If you’re looking for two catches for 25 yards out of your starting WR, then Engram is your man. Otherwise, look elsewhere.
Plaxico Burress
,
N.Y. Giants (at
Arizona): With the Giants running the ball so effectively, Burress has turned into a No. 3 WR at best for your fantasy team. Expecting more than the three catches for 32 yards which he has averaged over the past six weeks is setting yourself up for disappointment.
Ronald Curry,
Oakland (at
Denver): Just a reminder for those of you looking at Curry’s six catches for 73 yards last week and thinking, “Ooh, here’s a steal off the waiver wire!”. He’s on the waiver wire for a reason, leave him there.
Tight Ends
Studs
Owen Daniels, Houston at Cleveland
Dallas Clark, Indianapolis at San Diego
Chris Cooley, Washington at Seattle
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City vs. Buffalo
Antonio Gates, San Diego vs. Indianapolis
Jason Witten, Dallas vs. San Francisco
Start
Anthony Fasano,
Miami (vs. New England): Fasano caught three passes for 66 yards and a TD back in Week 3 against
New England and hasn’t done much since then. As
Miami finds success in the air, Fasano will enjoy a solid game for those of you looking for a sleeper.
Bo Scaife,
Tennessee (vs. N.Y. Jets): Forget about Scaife’s two-catch, 28-yard performance last week. That was against the Jaguars. The Jets defense is much more friendly in the passing attack and Scaife will return to the six-catch, 70-yard, one-TD neighborhood that we all enjoy.
Bench
Jeff King,
Carolina (at
Atlanta): I like Dante Rosario‘s name much better. The name Jeff King is so boring. Neither King or Rosario will be worth much this week as Jake Delhomme‘s struggles keep every
Carolina receiver down in the stats column.
Vernon Davis,
San Francisco (at
Dallas): Two TDs in the last two weeks for
Davis, however
Davis only caught two passes in the last two weeks. The TD won’t be there this week against the Cowboys which means
Davis shouldn’t be in your starting lineup.
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