Start’em
QB
Carson Palmer – Playing indoors on Minnesota’s fast track, with speedy WR’s and Minn Def lacking it’s top two corners is a matchup that Fantasy Owners can start confidently. Surely Minnesota saw last week that despite no DMC, the Oak running game is legit and should be respected. That said the safety better keep their eyes open because play action hitting on 2 or 3 big plays and Oak should be able to open up their entire playbook. Carson should be considered a low QB1 for this week.
RB
Brandon Jacobs – No Bradshaw, along with the Eagles Wide 9; provides no beef to stop this downhill beef roller. No DRC, so Eli should find matchups he likes and is able to move the ball pretty easy at home. This sets up the run well and should provide a couple goal line opportunities.
James Starks – This game could be in clock killing mode at half time. Want more of a reason? Tampa lost their starting DT McCoy and can’t stop anyone in the run game. Expect 17-20 carries along with some passing down work. Only drawback is Kuhn at the goal line, but yards and rush or pass td are to be expected from Starks. Start with confidence as Flex and low end RB2.
WR
Denarius Moore – See QB Start’em Carson Palmer. Also with Jacoby Ford expected to be out Moore offers more in return yardage leagues as PR KR. Low WR2 in standard and solid WR2 in PPR and return yardages leagues.
David Nelson – We all saw what David Nelson did last week against a strong run defense when he scored and gave the ball to his Dallas cheerleader girlfriend. Stevie Johnson has sore shoulder and hasn’t practiced fully yet. Even if he plays Vontae Davis is sure to limit him and that opens up Nelson in the slot. Nelson is a sneaky upside WR3 with more gravy in a PPR scoring setting.
TE
Brent Celek – Brent Celek is a good play this week with Vick against the Giants pass rush. He is an even better play if Vince Young plays and rolls out on every play for the in or out route by Celek. In what should be an above average scoring affair, the more involved Celek is set up just fine in this matchup. A low to mid TE1 this week.
Sit’em
QB
Matt Ryan – Without Julio Jones this week, the Tennesse Titans will try the same game plan they used last week against the Carolina Panthers. Limit Roddy/Smitty and Gonzalez/Olsen and stop the run. Sure Harry Douglas was productive last week, but a lot of that came in come back desperation mode. Prior to New Orleans he was a non factor in the absence of Julio. Matty is low QB1 high QB2 material this week against a tough Titans defense.
RB
Chris Johnson – CJ is getting things going as of late, but mostly as a product of touches, versus effectiveness. Last week was season high and that came against the league’s worst run defense. Atl is stout against the run and held N.O.’s stable of backs last week at bay. Without Kenny Britt, defenses can load the box. You didn’t draft him to sit him, but he’s RB2 at best in this matchup, and that’s due to amount of touches.
Beanie Wells – This has more to do with San Frans Dline and linebackers than it does with his sore knee. Combine the two and it’s a situation to avoid. AZ isn’t afraid to keep sending Beanie into that line as long as the score is close and it should be in this division rivalry. If you have options consider them carefully before inserting Beanie, bc folks aren’t yet scared of Skelton. RB2 / Flex.
WR
Greg Jennings – Yes. Really. This game will be over at half time and during that time he will see plenty of Talib, an elite cover corner. Rodgers will look elsewhere. Jennings back shoulder catch is unstoppable, but how many of those will there be? Too many outlets available to Rodgers in a game that GB should run easy and not be forced to pace the game.
Roddy White – See QB Sit’em and Matt Ryan. You can’t sit Roddy because he is a tremendous threat, but coverage will be rolled with Harry Douglas on the other side. I am sure ATL will get him in space with creativity but Cortland Finnegan should do a good job pacing him.
TE
Antonio Gates – This is strictly a matchup sit’em. Gates is as healthy as he has been this season, he is not on the injury report and practiced all week. However, he is sure to see plenty of Urlacher and Briggs. Urlacher has great cover and ball skills and the speed to keep up with a slowing Gates. With both Mathews and Tolbert healthy for this one, those flat passes should go to RB’s. Urlacher can chase Gates up the middle.