Start/Bench
List - Week 13
By Whitney
Walters
November 26, 2003 |
| |
| Player
List by Position |
| Start/Bench Codes (SBC) |
S1: Must
start, 1st string.
S2: Solid starter, 2nd
string. |
X: No start or bench indications
/ Could go either way.
B: Bench 'em / Too much
risk. |
| U: Upside
player / Possible sleeper. |
| Early Injury Status (O): Out (D): Doubtful (Q): Questionable (P): Probable |
|
|
| Green Bay (6-5) at Detroit (3-8) |
|
| Thu, Nov 27, 12:30 PM ET on FOX at
Ford Field |
Back to top |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre (P) |
S2 |
Favre is being called on to do less
now that the running game is in high gear. He hasn't
had a 200 yard passing game since October, but he's
typically good for multiple touchdowns. If you don't
mind the interceptions then Favre is a decent start
this week. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S1 |
Went off for 160 yards and a TD
in week two against the Lions, and that was before
the Pack really got the running game going.
|
| WR |
Donald Driver |
X |
Getting the most attention in
a limited passing game. With the dominance of the
Packer running game Driver is getting few chances
to produce. Hasn't seen the end-zone since week five.
|
| WR |
Robert Ferguson |
X |
Ditto for Ferguson. Has been over
36 yards receiving only twice this season. Did score
last week, but it was his first since week two.
|
| WR |
Javon Walker |
B |
Made a splash with his single
catch last week, but that makes only four in the
past three
games. Until there is some consistent production
from Favre to Walker, he's bench material.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks |
B |
The team has stopped calling his
number at the goal-line and he was never much of a
fantasy producer outside of the scores. |
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington |
B |
May have a future with Detroit,
but with NO talent around him on offense, the future
is NOT now.
|
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
X |
Bryson's best chance to help fantasy
owners was last week. But in a close game against
a Viking defense giving up an average of 221 yards
rushing in their past three games, he flopped with
only 21 yards on eight carries. The Pack aren't that
good at stopping the run, but at this point it doesn't
really matter for Bryson owners.
|
| RB |
Olandis Gary |
B |
Out-carried Bryson by two last week,
but had a pathetic 19 yards (1.9 per carry). |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim |
X |
Has scored in each of the last
two games and has achieved fantasy relevance by attrition
due to injuries. About the best you can say about Hakim
at this point is that he's just about all Harrington
has to throw to.
|
| WR |
Bill Schroeder |
B |
Had 44 yards receiving last week,
his second-highest total of the season. Has had
trouble staying healthy and had sit out some of last
week's game with a concussion.
|
| TE |
Mikhael Ricks |
X |
As the wide receivers continue to
be decimated by injury the tight end position is playing
a bigger role in the passing game. Ricks is the best
the Lions have to offer and did pull in five balls
last week (second on the team). |
|
|
| Miami (7-4) at Dallas
(8-3) |
|
| Thu, Nov 27, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Texas Stadium |
Back to top |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jay Fiedler (P) |
B |
Say what you will about Fiedler,
he remains one of the winningest active quarterbacks
in the NFL. That doesn't typically translate consistently
into fantasy value however, and surely won't this
week against the stiff Cowboy pass defense.
|
| RB |
Ricky Williams |
S2 |
After failing to utilize their only
star performer for a few weeks, the Dolphins have found
run, Ricky, run again. Has carried the ball 59 times
in the past two games and put up 100+ yards in each.
Dallas is ranked #2 in run defense, but they are undersized
up front. You should expect a heaping portion of Ricky
to top off your Thanksgiving day. |
| WR |
Chris Chambers |
X |
It took Fiedler all of one play to
find his down field play maker Sunday night. The past
two weeks with Griese under center have brought only
six
catches
for
64 yards.
May catch a break for fantasy owners this week against
the suspect Redskin pass defense. |
| WR |
James McKnight |
B |
Will be needed as the Dolphins look
to spread the Cowboys' defense out as much as possible
with multi-WR sets, but outside of Chambers and McMichael
there is no consistent force in the Miami passing attack. |
| WR |
Derrius Thompson (P) |
B |
Same goes for Thompson, who is looking
like a forgotten man. |
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
S2 |
Didn't have the numbers last week,
but Fiedler was definitely looking his way often. If
the Cowboys are forced to commit safety support to
stop the Dolphin running attack (a likely scenario)
McMichael should stretch the middle of the field vertically
with some success. |
| Dallas |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Quincy Carter |
X |
With no running game last week
Carter stepped up and had one of the better games
of his career with the offense squarely on his shoulders.
Is he up for a repeat in this short week against
the Dolphins' run defense? Hard to tell as he's shown
week-to-week inconsistencies in
the past.
|
| RB |
Troy Hambrick |
B |
The running game continues to
struggle as Hambrick has now
averaged under 2.6 YPC in four of the past five
games. Expect
more of the same this week against another of the
league's
toughest
run
defenses.
|
| RB |
Aveion Cason |
B |
With Murrell getting cut last week
Cason moved up to the backup RB position. Had the nice
16 yard TD on the double option, but was ineffective
otherwise. |
| WR |
Joey Galloway |
X |
Hey, was that Galloway I saw in
the end-zone last week? Yeah, I think it was. Could
mean nothing as the Cowboys had to turn to the passing
game against Carolina. Or it could mean something
as he's healthy now and back to being a viable part
of the
passing game after a seven week absence. Odds are
it'll be both this week against another stingy run
defense.
|
| WR |
Terry Glenn |
X |
Look for more passing in this
matchup and just like last week for Glenn to be the
biggest benefactor.
|
| WR |
Antonio Bryant |
B |
With 44 passes thrown last week
Bryant was only able to pull in two.
|
| TE |
Dan Campbell
Jason Witten |
B |
The rookie Witten may have a future,
but for now the TE position should be avoided in Dallas
as it's another of those fantasy killing two-headed
TEs. |
|
|
| Arizona (3-8) at Chicago (4-7) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Soldier Field |
Back to top |
| Arizona |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Blake |
S2 |
Given the right matchup Blake can bail you out of a
tough QB spot. This may be one of those weeks. He's
always more dangerous when given time in the pocket
and
little pressure. That is exactly what he'll get this
week against a Bears defense that has a league low
13 sacks on the year. |
| RB |
Marcel Shipp |
X |
The Bears have trouble stopping the
run and Shipp has proven himself very effective when
given a heavy workload. And there lies the problem
for Shipp owners this week and beyond. Emmitt Smith
is due to return to action and may see as
much as half the carries. Not good. |
| WR |
Anquan Boldin |
S2 |
The best fantasy option the Cards
have to offer. Has scored four touchdowns in the last
four games. The CB pair of Azumah and Tillman do not
match up will with Boldin. Look for him to make a few
big plays after the catch. |
| WR |
Bryant Johnson |
B |
Johnson is sharing time with
Bryan Gilmore as the Cards try to find
a complementary
receiver for Boldin. So far it isn't working. |
| TE |
Freddie Jones |
U |
Has become a solid second tier TE
and is getting as many looks as any other receiver
on the team other than Boldin. |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kordell Stewart |
B |
Yeah, right. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas |
S2 |
Chicago's only hope with Kordell
back at QB is to pound Thomas at Arizona, so he should
see plenty of carries. It won't be easy however as
the Cardinals are surprisingly strong against the run,
allowing only 3.6 YPC. Only four teams have a lower
average. Kordell stealing carries at the goal-line
will also hurt. |
| WR |
Marty Booker |
U |
Had only one fantasy worthy game
with Kordell as QB earlier in the season. But hey,
that's one more than he's had with Chandler. |
| WR |
Dez White |
B |
A straight-line speed receiver
that is most effective when he has a QB that can
(and is willing) to wait in the pocket for him to
clear in deep patterns. Does that sound even remotely
like Stewart?
|
| WR |
David Terrell |
B |
Five catches for 32 yards in the
past three games.
|
| TE |
Desmond Clark |
X |
Hasn't been the breakout many expected
this year, but he remains fairly consistent. That shouldn't
change with Kordell back under center now. |
|
|
| Atlanta (2-9) at Houston (4-7) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Reliant Stadium |
Back to top |
| Atlanta |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Doug Johnson |
U |
Looked fairly sharp in his return
to action last week against a solid Titan defense,
but
nearly half of his effort went to Dunn. The
Texans do however provide a much better matchup this
week. Johnson could surprise with another decent
fantasy performance.
|
| RB |
T.J. Duckett |
S2 |
With Dunn gone for the year (placed
on IR) Duckett will now carry the load. He obviously
doesn't have Dunn's home run abilities, but given 20+
carries against a Houston defense allowing 140 YPG
on the ground he could put up big numbers. |
| WR |
Peerless Price |
U |
Anything can happen when one of the
leagues worst passing offenses meets one of the league
worst passing defenses. Price doesn't match up well
against the Texan corners, Glenn and Coleman, but
he's the best down field option Johnson has. |
WR
|
Brian Finneran |
B |
Has been worthless since his return
and is now bothered by a broken thumb. |
| TE |
Alge Crumpler |
X |
Just isn't getting the looks now
that he's being kept in so much for pass protection.
Hasn't had more than two catches in a game since week
five and hasn't scored since week two. |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tony Banks |
X |
Continues to be somewhat effective
filling in for the injured Carr but has completed only
23 passes in his two starts. If there's ever a time
to succeed it may be this week
against
one
of the only defenses that may be worse than their own
against
the
pass. |
| RB |
Domanick Davis |
S2 |
Just what the fantasy doctor ordered
for Davis, who's been getting the carries (50) but
averaging only 2.7 YPC in the last two games. There
may not be a team playing worse against the run right
now than the Falcons.
|
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
S2 |
On talent alone Johnson has the ability
to produce most weeks but has been inconsistent. Against
the league's worst pass defense this week you have
to give him a shot. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
U |
His only fantasy value comes from
his ability to turn in the occasional long touchdown
reception, which has happened three times now this
season for an average of 72 yards per TD. Can you say
number four? |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B |
#3 WR in a bad passing attack
being run by the backup QB again this week.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
S2 |
Has scored in three of the last five
games. The Falcons' soft coverage schemes in the red-zone
continue to be abused by opposing receivers. Look for
Miller to score again this week. |
|
|
| Buffalo (4-7) at N.Y. Giants (4-7) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Giants Stadium |
Back to top |
| Buffalo |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Bledsoe |
B |
The Giants are only so-so against
the pass, but they do pressure the QB as good as anyone.
They are second in the league with 30 sacks. Not
a good situation
for a QB that's showing week after week to be unable
to handle an unstable pocket. |
| RB |
Travis Henry |
X |
22 carries on a cracked fibula isn't
bad at all. In fact, it's pretty amazing. But he had
to fight for every one of his 77 yards. If Moulds
isn’t healthy enough for Buffalo to run 3-WR
sets to spread the defense, Henry will have to fight
for every yard again against the physical Giant front
seven. |
| WR |
Eric Moulds |
X |
The Bills passing game just isn't
getting it done and Moulds hasn't been the same since "returning" from
his groin injury. He also had to leave last week's
game due to a hamstring cramp. If 100% healthy he could
produce against the beat-up Giant secondary, but he's
not. |
| WR |
Josh Reed |
X |
Since his breakout
game in week seven Reed's numbers have tailed off each
week along with the Bills passing game. This is a decent
matchup against a secondary hit by injuries, but it's
hard to recommend Reed or ... |
| WR |
Bobby Shaw |
B |
... Shaw with the offensive line
and Bledsoe playing so poorly.
|
| TE |
Mark Campbell |
B |
Good for a few catches a game at
best. |
| New York Giants |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kerry Collins |
B |
His numbers have been terrible
in two of the past three games and he looked somewhat
shell-shocked Monday night against Tampa. Getting
Shockey back will help, but the Giants are completely
out of sync in the passing game. No pass protection,
hurt receivers dropping balls, etc, etc. Not a good
option this week.
|
| RB |
Tiki Barber |
S2 |
No one will be happier to see
Shockey back in the lineup than Barber. With Shockey
back to open up the field and keep SS Lawyer
Milloy off the line, Barber will have more room to
run.
|
| WR |
Amani Toomer |
X |
The typically sure-handed Toomer
looked out-of -sorts Monday night. He will have a
good change to redeem himself this week. The Bills'
corners are very physical, but when matched up against
the 5'-9" Winfield he'll have a significant height
advantage.
|
| WR |
Ike Hilliard |
B |
Not only is he being slowed by
injury problems, but he does not match up will against
physical
cornerbacks like Clements and Winfield.
|
| TE |
Jeremy Shockey |
S2 |
Expected to return this week but
won't be 100%, probably for the rest of the season.
Unless you've backed him up with a very good option,
Shockey owners have little choice but to stick him
back into their lineups this week. |
|
|
| Cincinnati (6-5) at Pittsburgh
(4-7) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Heinz Field |
Back to top |
| Cincinnati |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jon Kitna |
U |
Look for more of the spread offense
the Steelers hate, and for another fine performance
from Kitna this week.
|
| RB |
Corey Dillon |
X |
HC Marvin Lewis keeps saying that
Dillon is the team's starter, and this week he proves
it. After out-carrying and out rushing Rudi last
week, look for Dillon to get the starting nod this
week. The downside is the stingy Steeler run defense
and the continued presence of Rudi. |
| RB |
Rudi Johnson |
B |
It's hard to figure at this point,
but it looks like for now Johnson will begin to fill
more of a somewhat used backup. That will likely translate
into 10-12 carries a game. Enough to help his team
but not enough to help yours. |
| WR |
Chad Johnson |
S2 |
Gentlemen (and ladies), may I introduce
to you the first legitimate stud receiver to wear a
Bengal uniform. The Steelers have nothing in the secondary
to slow this guy down. |
| WR |
Peter Warrick |
S2 |
The way to beat the Steelers
is to run 3-WR sets. Warrick typically moves to the
slot in those formations and will have his way with
Steeler nickel back Dewayne Washington in this matchup. |
| WR |
Kelly Washington |
B |
The rookie has a lethal combination
of size and speed, very similar to Chad Johnson. He's
been learning the ropes behind Warrick's very successful
season as the #3 WR. Last week's 5-61, TD performance
showed a flash of what may be in store for the Bengals
as this young talent develops further. |
| TE |
Matt Schobel |
B |
With the vertical passing game working
and Warrick tearing it up underneath there's no
need for the tight end in the Bengal offense right
now. |
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox |
X |
A dismal season took a terrible turn
for the worst last week with the 9-24-73, TD performance.
The Bengals have enough holes in their pass defense
to provide Maddox the opportunity to bounce back, but
the loss of his center to injury won't help. |
| RB |
Amos Zereoue |
B |
Has been virtually worthless since
losing his starting job to Bettis. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis |
X |
Finally received the carries he needs
(24) and it paid off with his best performance of the
year (93 yards). If the Steelers are smart offensively
(and the jury's still out on that one) they will repeat
the running approach against the Bengals, a team not
nearly as solid against the run as last week's Browns
are. |
| WR |
Plaxico Burress |
B |
Two catches for 16 yards last
week. Still waiting...
|
| WR |
Hines Ward |
S2 |
After a one-catch stinker last week
you can bet Pittsburgh will look to get Ward involved
early and often. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
Another season of worthless Steeler
tight ends. |
|
|
| Minnesota (7-4) at St. Louis (8-3) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Edward Jones Dome |
Back to top |
| Minnesota |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Daunte Culpepper |
S2 |
Has struggled lately (4 interceptions
and only 1 TD in the past two games) and the Rams'
cover-2 schemes will test his patience. The opportunities
will be limited, but they will be there if the running
game is clicking. If Culpepper waits on them he'll
make some big plays. |
| RB |
Moe Williams |
B |
Bennett is back and Williams will
receive minimal carries now. He will stay active in
the passing game and likely at the goal line, but that's
not going to be enough to make him a fantasy starter
in most leagues. |
| RB |
Michael Bennett |
S2 |
Looks solid and received three times
Moe's carries last week. Would have had more if not
for the coffee incident at half-time (link).
Bennett will find plenty of running room as the Vikings
will spread a Rams' defense that has struggled of late
stopping the run. |
| WR |
Randy Moss |
S2 |
Appears at times to be far from 100%
and he's obviously playing hurt. But in a shootout
like this I'll take a less than 100% Moss any day of
the week, especially Sunday. |
| WR |
Nate Burleson
Kelly Campbell |
B |
Even with Moss hobbled,
Burleson and Campbell are afterthoughts in the offense.
Through eleven
games
they have only a combined 38 catches between them.
|
| TE |
Jim Kleinsasser |
S2 |
An ankle injury slowed him down last
week. He has become very involved in the passing game
and remains a solid
fantasy
starter most weeks. |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marc Bulger |
X |
Bulger has hit a bit of a fantasy
slump. Even against the woeful Cardinals last week
he didn't pay off for his owners, tossing only one
TD and four interceptions (making 10 in the last 4
games). Most weeks the Vikings mask a very bad pass
defense with several interceptions. If Bulger can get
back to making good reads he'll torch the Vikings secondary.
If not, then he'll continue to struggle. |
| RB |
Marshall Faulk |
S1 |
With Bulger's struggles and the Vikings
opportunistic secondary, the smart thing would be to
lean heavily on Faulk this week. |
| WR |
Torry Holt |
S1 |
On pace to break Jerry Rice's single
season receiving yards record. Should add another buck-fifty
to that total this week against the overmatched Viking
corners. |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce |
S2 |
Got into the end-zone last week for
the first time since week three. Very nice. Has a good
chance to repeat this week against an overmatched secondary. |
| TE |
Brandon Manumaleuna |
B |
Another one of those many "2-catch-a-game"
tight ends. |
|
|
| New England (9-2) at Indianapolis
(9-2) |
|
| Sun, Nov 30, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
RCA Dome |
Back to top |
| New England |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tom Brady |
S2 |
Brady is hitting a nice late season
groove, his offensive line is providing him with
excellent protection and the running game is improving.
Brady has a great feel for hitting soft spots against
cover 2 schemes like the Colts' and his healthy receivers
this week have pretty decent matchups.
|
| RB |
Antowain Smith |
X |
Okay, I give up! If possible you
should avoid this whole Patriots running back situation.
After two solid performances since returning from injury
Smith
is basically ignored and given only 8 carries last
week and did nothing with them. |
| RB |
Kevin Faulk |
X |
Ditto for Faulk. Since Smith's
return Faulk's touches were decreasing significantly.
Then BAM, he gets 31 touches and puts up 188 total
yards. The Colts struggle to stop the run, so if you're
felling lucky and think Faulk will get the touches
again, plug him into your lineup. |
| WR |
Troy Brown
David Givens |
B |
Missed his third game last week.
Due to the early nature of this report this week,
some injury situations are going to be unknown. This
is one of them. If you turn in early lineups this
week avoid both Brown and Givens as neither may play
this week.
|
| WR |
Bethel Johnson |
X |
Filled in nicely last week for the
injured Brown and may be called upon again Sunday.
The production won't come as easily this week however
against a very tough Colt pass defense. |
| WR |
Deion Branch |
S2 |
Should again see extra looks as
the top WR due to all the injuries. Branch is a great
matchup against the soft zone coverages Indy play
and his run
after-the-catch
abilities could result in a few big plays.
|
| TE |
Daniel Graham |
S2 |
Continues to struggle with consistency
and dropped passes, but Graham has become a valuable
part of the Patriot passing game due to his great talent
and all the WR injuries. |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S2 |
Hit a bump in the road last week
against Buffalo, and my hit another this Sunday. In
an interesting anomaly in an otherwise flawless career,
Manning seems to struggle the most against Bill
Belichick coached defenses and has
thrown more interceptions than touchdowns against them.
But he hasn't faced the Pats since 2001 so maybe it's
time for a little payback. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James |
S2 |
Has put up two monster fantasy games
in a row but faces a team that has given him problems
in the past and has improved against the run since
the return of NT Ted Washington. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
S2 |
Seems to be close to 100% recovered
from the hamstring injury. A great matchup this week
with "The (Ty) Law", who is dinged
up as well. They will likely play to a draw and Harrison
will get his numbers.
|
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
X |
Even with Harrison's return to
action, Wayne remains a key player in the passing
attack. Look for the Colts to continue to try and work
matchup advantages for him against the #2 and #3 cornerbacks
in both the man and zone coverages run by the Patriots. |
| WR |
Troy Walters |
B |
Walters' hamstring
injury may keep him out again this week. |
| TE |
Marcus Pollard |
X |
May return after missing two
game due to a sprained knee. |
| TE |
Dallas Clark |
B |
May miss this week's game due to
a strained back suffered last week. At a minimum he'll
be limited. |
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