Forth and 1 debate; Who are your top start/sit candidates headed into week 13?
Ryan Lester @ Lesters Legends says,
After seeing how Michael Turner and Kurt Warner destroyed fantasy teams last week, I would be cautious with players who miss a significant portion of practice this week.
A prime example is DeSean Jackson, who suffered a concussion this week. Teams do not mess around when it comes to concussions, so it's unlikely he suits up against Atlanta this week.
Another play that I would sit out is Cedric Benson. He's dealing with a hip injury, and I fear he could aggravate it like Turner did to his ankle. Besides, Larry Johnson and Bernard Scott have been highly effective in his absence. Finally, they are playing the Lions. I know you have to take every team seriously, but why risk your star Running Back against inferior talent.
If DeSean Jackson does miss this week's game, I would be willing to gamble on either Jeremy Maclin or Jason Avant. The Eagles are a pass-happy team, and both of these WRs would be due for a big game if DeSean couldn't go. Tight End Brent Celek is dealing with hand injuries, and he could have a smaller role, which would also benefit Maclin and Avant.
Fred Jackson and Jonathan Stewart are a couple of RBs that I would gamble on this week. Jackson was easily the Bills' best RB this weekend, and he has shown he is better suited for their offense. He should put up solid numbers against the Jets. Meanwhile, Stewart should have a field day against Tampa Bay. This could be a multiple-TD/100 yard day for J-Stew.
Smitty @ Fantasy Football Xtreme says,
My start of the week this week is LeSean McCoy at Atlanta. The Falcons are 23rd in the league against the run, but they will be without starting quarterback Matt Ryan (toe) and will most likely be without stud running back Michael Turner. Once the Eagles get out to an early lead, look for McCoy to grind it out between the tackles. I see McCoy having well over 100 rushing yards and at least 1TD in Week 13 against the Falcons.
My top sit of the week is Kevin Smith at Cincy. First off, the Bengals are ranked 3rd in the league against the run this year. I actually feel that Smith is the perfect sell-high candidate in dynasty leagues. I don't have much faith in him moving forward in 2009 and I don't see that Lions' rushing attack being even close to consistent in 2010. His value is relatively high right now, so if you're in a dynasty league that still allows for trading, act now. If you're in a redraft league, your trade deadline has most likely passed, so I say bench Smith if you have safer alternatives (like Justin Forsett, Fred Jackson, etc).
Hatty @ Hatty Waiver Wire Guru says,
Kyle Orton gets the lowly Chiefs and I am looking for him to light it up. I like him as a sleeper stud for week 13 and Marshall see's the end-zone two times. He also makes Scheffler relevant this week as well.
Bryce McRae @ KFFL.COM says,
My top start candidate? The Tennessee Titans' Chris Johnson. No way am I sitting him now. For one that's a sleeper, I'm making sure the Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart is in my lineup. He hasn't done much in the last two weeks (88 totals yards); this week the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the docket. The Bucs have surrendered 132.0 rushing yards per game to this position in the last month and a half. Oh, and if Matt Moore is starting at quarterback for Jake Delhomme (finger), we could see a ton of running from the Panthers. At the very least, we'll see more than their usual heavy dose of it. Stewart's only 100-yard game came against TB in Week 6, too. He should outperform most expectations this week.
As for a sit candidate, I'm leery of playing the New York Jets' Jerricho Cotchery. The Jets wideout was barely looked at last week as New York's quarterback Mark Sanchez (knee) threw the ball just 17 times. With an injured knee, I can see the Jets taking the ball right out of his hands again and leaning on the run heavily. That'd be the smart move, at least, given the Buffalo Bills' surprisingly effective pass defense and porous run defense. Even when Sanchez does throw, the knee could hurt his accuracy delivering the ball. There's just too much risk, which makes Cotchery a borderline play for me against the Bills.
Jacob @ fantasyfootballfools.com says,
Starts
Thomas Jones vs. Bills
One of the NFL's leading rushers faces one of the NFL's worst run defenses. Yes, please. The Jets need this one badly, and Jones should get plenty of work.
DeAngelo Williams vs. Bucs
Once again, a weak defense faces one of the NFL's most dangerous runners, and it looks like the starting quarterback will be out, forcing Carolina to lean on the run. Of course, Jake Delhomme's been terrible all season, so leaning on the run is no new concept to the Panthers.
Sits
Brandon Jacobs vs. Cowboys
The Cowboys shut down Jacobs last time he faced the Cowboys, and Jacobs has continued to be worthless despite playing in every game this season. I don't know what happened to the Giants offensive line and Jacobs' smashing runs, but they just aren't there this year. He's a must-sit in this matchup.
All You Falcons vs. Eagles
The Eagles want to win this one. They want to win this one BAD. Right now, they are hot on the heels of the Cowboys for the NFC East crown, and a win in Atlanta could tie it up if the Cowboys fall to the Giants in New York. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner both look like they'll sit this one out.
Even though I thought highly of Chris Redman when he finished out the 2007 season for the Falcons, I don't think he'll be successful this week against the Eagles stingy defense. Jerious Norwood will try to establish the running game with some help from Jason Snelling, but the two lesser Atlanta backs should struggle to make headway. All in all, I'd sit my Falcons outside of Tony Gonzalez and put my fantasy chips elsewhere in this critical week.
RC @ JunkyardJake.com SAYS,
Heading into week 13, I think the Bengals contingent of QB Carson Palmer and WR Chad Ochocinco make solid starts. Palmer has been fairly unpredictable, but with his running backs banged up, and with the luxury of facing Detriot's poor pass defense, Cincinnati's pass offense should come through with a solid performance. The Eagles/Falcons matchup also presents an interesting situation, where both defenses have had a tough time defending opposing tight ends. As such, you certainly want to stick with Brent Celek and Tony Gonzalez again this week. For Minnesota, Brett Favre and gang should continue their hot streak against the inconsistent Cardinals secondary, and I also like Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall against a Raiders run defense that has been giving up 157 rush yards per game.
As for the guys who may be bench material this week, I think Laurence Maroney is a little bit risky given that Sammy Morris is back, especially against Miami's #9 ranked run defense. It's probably also a good idea to find alternatives for Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery against Buffalo's surprisingly stout pass defense. Mark Sanchez had an absolutely horrible game in the first meeting against the Bills, throwing 5 INTs and only 119 yards. Lastly, Chiefs QB Matt Cassel and his new receiving weapon Chris Chambers have been productive in recent weeks, but they could face more resistance against a Denver secondary that has been allowing just under 200 pass yards per game, and only 9 passing TDs all year.
Paul @ FantasyPros911.com
Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers – Smith had another strong performance at home against Jacksonville. That gives him two or more touchdowns in four of his last six games. Smith is very comfortable throwing to Vernon Davis and is working well with Michael Crabtree. San Francisco faces Seattle and Arizona in upcoming weeks and he is available in 84% of ESPN leagues and 77% of Yahoo! leagues.
Vince Young, Tennessee Titans – After throwing for 387 yards against Arizona, Young is worth a bench spot. After monitoring his performance at Indianapolis, he could be a sneaky start at home against St. Louis and Miami in Weeks Fourteen and Fifteen. Young is available in 87% of ESPN leagues and 76% of Yahoo! leagues.
Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles – Maclin now has 17 grabs, 203 yards and a score in his last three games. He may be the number one receiver in Philadelphia next week with DeSean Jackson’s Week Twelve concussion. Teammate Jason Avant may also benefit from Jackson’s unfortunate injury and is worth a look in deeper leagues. The Eagles travel to Atlanta and rookie from Missouri is available in 57% of ESPN leagues and 37% of Yahoo! leagues
Check out all our Rankings, in our usual start sit fashion.
