Start ‘em Sit ‘em is our weekly look at favorable and unfavorable match-ups and how they might affect lineup decisions for your fantasy football team. Other than a few elite players, no one should be classified as a must start every week, and analyzing match-ups can go a long way to giving your team a weekly edge. If you have any start’em sit’em questions feel free to post them in our Fantasy Football Forum.
Joe Flacco has a nice week 14 matchup against the Texans, who have given up at least 300 yards passing to three of the last four QBs they have faced.
Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco BAL vs HOU: Start’em
Flacco faces a Texans team on Monday night that simply gives up a ton of yards in the air. If that is not reason enough to start Flacco then look at the produce by Ray Rice over the last few weeks. He has had way more success in the passing game and we believe the Ravens will continue to use short dump off to Rice as their running attack. A two yard throw and catch that goes 50 yards still help your fantasy numbers the same as a 50 yard bomb.
Eli Manning NYG vs MIN: Start’em
Nicks might be back which certainly helps if you are thinking of starting Eli but the poor secondary of the Vikings is a good enough reason with or without Nicks to start him. Furthermore is has been an unsung quarterback this entire season putting up top ten numbers in most passing categories all year.
Sam Bradford STL vs NO: Risky Start
The Saints need this win and they love to blitz and cause chaos on the defensive side of the ball. Bradford is almost certainly a lock to win offensive rookie of the year but this youngster might have his hands full with the blitz packages he will see this weekend. The Saints are a risk/reward type of defensive which will make Bradford a risk/reward start for you.
Running Backs
Jonathan Stewart CAR vs ATL: Risky Start
Stewart has by no means lived up to his draft position this season but his owners that have held onto him this long might be enticed to start him again this week due to his solid play the last two. He will get the majority of carries again but he faces a tough Falcons run defensive. Stewart is not a must sit but if you have better options then feel free to leave him on the bench this week.
Chris Ivory NO vs STL: Pick-up and Play
Owners have kept away from Ivory since everyone assumed the return of Thomas would drastically hurt his value this week. We don’t believe that will be the case. Head coach Sean Payton has stated that Ivory has earned the carries and his role will not change even with the return of Thomas. You might be rolling the dice with starting Ivory because that backfield is a little crowded but you might win big as well.
Tim Hightower ARZ vs DEN: Pick-up and Play
This saga has been terrible for owners all year but it looks as if Hightower is back as the lead ball carrier for the Cardinals and this week he faces one of worst run defenses in the league. If you are in a ppr league and hurting for a flex play Hightower is a decent guy to pick and play this week simply due to his match-up.
Wide Receivers
Derrick Mason BAL vs.HOU: Spot Start
What have we learned all year? Start anyone that throws or catches a football against the Texans secondary and Mason certainly catches a football. Take out Boldin’s huge week three performance and Mason has been arguably the most consistent fantasy receiver for the Ravens. This week against the Texans means 80 yards and a touchdown is not out of question.
Stevie Johnson BUF vs. CLE: Start’em
First off when did he become Stevie Johnson? Maybe because after his drop against Pittsburgh and him not showing up last week he decided to change his name. Either way we discussed this fact in the video this week: Start your studs and go with who got you there. Johnson is considered a stud and a must start so get him in your line-up.
Roy Williams DAL vs.PHI: Spot Start
When Dez Bryant was out during a three game stint in the middle of the season Roy Williams blew up. Now that Bryant is on IR Williams should get every opportunity to do that again. Philly might look like a scary match-up but they have a banged up secondary which could lead to Williams having himself a nice little day.
Tight Ends
Tony Gonzalez ATL vs CAR: Start’em
With all the injuries to Tight End over the course of the year old man Gonzalez is looking like an iron man. Last week he tweaked his ankle but should be starting for the Falcons this week. Carolina has an ok pass defense but all the attention will be on White giving Gonzalez a decent shot of finding the endzone this week.
Defense
Atlanta Atlanta vs Carolina: Start’em
As stated whoever plays Carolina will make this list the rest of and I really like the Falcons against them. Atlanta is good at stopping the run and that is the only thing that Carolina can do. If the run game is shut down expect the Falcons to hold the Panthers to very few points.
New England NE vs.CHI: Spot Start
This might be crazy but last week we had the Lions in a pick-up and play spot since they were facing the Bears and it worked out. Just like last week your league would need to count sacks to make the Pats a viable option but, even if it doesn’t and you are in pinch, they might be a decent play because Cutler always has the blow-up potential. (not in a good way)
If you have any start’em sit’em questions feel free to post them in our Fantasy Football Forum.