Start 'Em / Bench 'Em - Week 14

 This is the beginning of the playoffs in most leagues this week so be sure you get the right guys in to score big.

Week 14

Thursday Night:

Cleveland @ Pittsburgh
Hines Ward is still out and Charlie Frye will likely be a game time decision.  This affects values of players on both teams.  Willie Parker needs Hines Ward to be effective otherwise the opposing defense keys on stopping him.  Frye is the best chance for Edwards and Winslow to put up points. It is a risk with anyone else to start those guys if someone else is under center, but this is a playoff week so you need to be sure of who is starting.

Start ‘em – B. Roethlisberger, N. Washington, K. Winslow
Bench ‘em – R. Droughns or any Cle. RB, J, Jurevicius
Marginal – W. Parker, B. Edwards, C. Frye
 

Sunday’s Games:

Minnesota @v Detroit
Not a good week if Kevin Jones is your primary back for the playoffs.  Minnesota has been a huge disappointment outside of their defense and there are questions around the QB position.  Minnesota will play solid defense and Detroit will be frustrated, especially on the ground.  There should be enough talent at the WR position to squeeze out some points, but so not expect a big day from any WR.  Minnesota’s best chance will come from it’s ground game and they will need to be able to pass a little to make it effective.  Chester Taylor is ailing right now so check his status prior to game time – not that it is much, but we see that as the best fantasy option in this game.

Start ‘em – C. Taylor (if he plays)
Bench ‘em – K. Jones, M. Furrey, Brad Johnson, T. Taylor, T. Williamson, M. Robinson
Marginal – J. Kitna, R. Williams

Oakland @ Cincinnati
This may not be the cake walk that anyone thinks it should be.  Oakland has been solid on defense for most of the season and have stifled many teams from blowing them out and accumulating tons of fantasy points against them, especially in the passing game.  This week we think it may be different.  With 10 days to prepare and a new hope for playoff contention the Bengals will score many points on the Raiders.

Start ‘em – C. Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, C. Palmer, R. Johnson
Bench ‘em – All Other Raiders
Marginal – Chris Henry, R. Moss

N.Y. Giants @ Carolina
With another week comes a new low in the NFC wild card playoff race – these 2 teams are still in it and we will say again that the loser is probably out of the playoffs, but one never knows as it looks like 8-8 may do it at some point.  This will be a hard fought game with 2 QB’s that have made plenty of mistakes and cost their teams wins – the running attack of both teams will be negated by 2 strong run defenses so it is up to the QB’s to win.

Start ‘em – S. Smith, D. Williams, T. Barber, J. Shockey, P. Burress
Bench ‘em – K. Johnson, D. Foster, B. Jacobs, T. Carter

Philadelphia @ Washington
Fresh of re-entering the playoff picture on Monday night the Eagles enter a 3 game divisional road stretch this week in Washington.  They will need more miracles to win this one as Ladell Betts should run wild against a really bad run defense.  The Eagles offense has been scoring plenty and should be able to put up some points, but they will need to start fast to limit the running of Betts to have a good shot.

Start ‘em – L. Betts, C. Cooley, B. Westbrook, J. Garcia, D. Stallworth, R. Brown
Bench ‘em – J. Campbell, S. Moss, B. Lloyd, L.J. Smith

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay
Tampa has the distinct pleasure to be able to virtually end division rival Atlanta’s season.  Atlanta was in a tailspin until last week and the Bucs’ have played poorly as well.  Atlanta needs this game to have a shot at the playoffs and Vick and Co. have played better on the road this season. 

Start ‘em – J. Galloway, M. Stovall, W. Dunn, A. Crumpler, M. Vick
Bench ‘em – B. Gradkowski, M. Jenkins, R. White, A. Lelie
Marginal – C. Williams

Indianapolis @ Jacksonville
After losing to Tennessee, Indy needs to get its head on straight if they want to have a chance to play for the big prize this year.  The D stinks and the offense did not show up last week.  Jacksonville has a better defense then Tennessee.  Jacksonville will run plenty like the last time when they almost beat Indy.  Indy could lose this one as well as their top seed in the AFC.  Expect them to be ready after losing at the buzzer last week, but it still may not be enough.

Start ‘em – F. Taylor, M. Drew, P. Manning, M. Harrison
Bench ‘em – R. Williams, E. Wilford, B. Utecht, D. Clark
Marginal – R. Wayne, M. Jones, B. Stokely

Tennessee @ Houston
Tennessee is playing better, but this is a revenge game for Houston.  David Carr lost the last game for the Texans and was replaced during the game.  After his performance last week against the Raiders, he may be on a short leash in this one.  Tennessee is playing good football right now and has dented many teams playoff hopes lately.  Houston needs to get the ball into Andre Johnson’s hands more and should be able to this week.

Start ‘em – A. Johnson, O. Daniels, T, Henry, B. Scaife, V. Young
Bench ‘em – D. Carr, E. Moulds, R. Dayne, W. Lundy, D. Bennett, B. Wade

Green Bay @ San Francisco
Well, Favre will have to come back next season to give it a whirl again to get to some of the all time records it seems.  San Francisco was marching toward the playoffs last week and got creamed by the Saints putting a damper on their hopes, but in the NFC – who knows.  Frank Gore will be running amuck in this matchup – he may carry your fantasy team to the next round by himself.

Start ‘em – F. Gore, A. Smith, A. Bryant, A. Green, D. Driver, B. Favre
Bench ‘em – D. Martin, B. Franks, A. Battle, V. Davis
Marginal – G. Jennings


Seattle @ Arizona
Seattle is not that good of a team, but has stayed in the forefront of the NFC West due to lackluster competition from their division.  This week is not any different.  Arizona stinks.  Expect a heavy dose of Shaun Alexander and top that off with trying to fix what is wrong with QB, Matt Hasselbeck.  Arizona will move the ball through the air only – James will find no running room.

Start ‘em – S. Alexander, M. Hasselbeck, D. Jackson, D. Branch, L. Fitzgerald
Bench ‘em – E. James, M. Leinart, A. Boldin, J. Stevens

Denver @ San Diego
After the Way Denver lost to the Chargers last time this should be a revenge game.  The problem is that they have a rookie QB in playing and the Chargers D should eat him alive.  One never knows, but the Chargers should be favored in this one just because of Jay Cutler’s inexperience.  LT should wow the crowd at home the way he did in Denver a few weeks ago.

Start ‘em – L. Tomlinson, A. Gates, T. Bell
Bench ‘em – J. Cutler, M. Bell, K. McCardell, V. Jackson
Marginal – J. Walker, E. Parker

Buffalo @ N.Y. Jets
The Jets are still fighting for a playoff spot and the Bills have been too much of a Jekyll and Hyde team to figure out.  Expect the Jets to pound Washington and look for Coles and Cotchery to get some catches.  The Bills will rely on McGahee and go deep to Evans if the line can hold long enough.

Start ‘em – L. Coles, J. Cotchery, L. Washington, L. Evans, W. McGahee
Bench ‘em – P. Price, J. P. Losman
Marginal – C. Pennington


Sunday Night:

New Orleans @ Dallas
Good one for NBC.  Dallas is fresh off a last minute win to the Giants and New Orleans off a spanking of the 49ers.  Dallas is a better team and should prove that on Sunday night.  The Dallas D is one of the best that the Saints will see.  The Dalls O has too many weapons for the Saints to cover.  The only plus is that Brees does not give up and coach Payton knows Parcells.  Colston also needs to play.

Start ‘em – D. Brees, M. Colston (If he plays), M. Barber III, T. Owens, T. Glenn, T. Romo
Bench ‘em – J. Witten, J. Jones, J. Horn
Marginal – D. McAllister, R. Bush


Monday Night:

Chicago @ St. Louis
This game is to see if Rex can pass the ball again or not.  St. Louis has been bad, real bad lately and their defense has lost many games.  Bulger is in for a long night now that Pace has been out and opened the flood gates.  Chicago wins this one big and ESPN interviews another celeb for 30 minutes to drown out the game.

Start ‘em – T. Jones, B. Berrian, D. Clark
Bench ‘em – M. Bradley, M. Bulger, I. Bruce
Marginal – R. Grossman, C. Benson, T. Holt, S. Jackson