Start/Bench
List - Week 14
By Whitney
Walters
December 4, 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 |
|
|
| Chicago (5-7) at Green Bay
(6-6) |
|
| Sun, Dec 7, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Lambeau
Field |
Back to top |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Kordell Stewart |
X |
Surprised many last week. Can't play
Arizona every week though and the Pack will provide
a tougher challenge Sunday at Lambeau. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas (P) |
S2 |
Killed a great matchup for fantasy
owners last week, but should return to full strength
Sunday. May have a slight downside now since he might
lose a few carries to the up-and-coming Brock Forsey
and goal-line opportunities to Stewart. |
| WR |
Marty Booker |
X |
Putting up mediocre numbers since
his return from injury four weeks ago, but did score
last week. But in this offense, with that quarterback,
on a cold and possibly snowy day in Green Bay, Booker
can not be relied on. |
| WR |
Dez White |
X |
Has scored twice in the last three
weeks. Has also totaled more than 60 receiving yards
only twice this season. At best White is a borderline
starting option in leagues that start more than 2
WRs.
|
| WR |
Justin Gage |
B |
Put up the first 100 yard receiving
game by a Bear this season. His size makes him a
good target, but he lacks top-notch speed and suffers
from typical rookie inconsistency.
|
| TE |
Desmond Clark |
X |
Hasn't been the breakout season many
expected this year, but he remains just consistent
enough to frustrate you into not starting him on a
regular basis. |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre (P) |
S2 |
Should have plenty of time in the
pocket Sunday against a Bears team with a league low
14 sacks. Maybe he won't hurt his fantasy owners this
week by throwing more interceptions than touchdowns
again. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S1 |
Last time these two teams met
Green rushed for 176 yards and 2 TDs.
|
| WR |
Donald Driver |
X |
Continues to get the most attention
in the Pack's limited passing game. With the dominance
of the Packer running game Driver is getting few
chances
to produce and hasn't crossed the goal-line
since week five.
|
| WR |
Robert Ferguson |
B |
Continues to be a non-factor,
unless his 3 catch for 30 yard average is to your
liking.
|
| WR |
Javon Walker |
B |
Walker's only value the past two
weeks has been two long TD catches. That's not something
you want to rely on each week.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks |
B |
Scored his first TD since week six
on Sunday. |
|
|
| Cincinnati (7-5) at Baltimore
(7-5) |
|
| Sun, Dec 7, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at M&T
Band Stadium |
Back to top |
| Cincinnati |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jon Kitna |
X |
Kitna is one of the hottest fantasy
QBs right now, but with only a few exceptions the
Ravens defense has forced sub-par games out of each
of it's opponents. Fortunately one of those exceptions
was Kitna's 274 yard, 3 TD effort in week seven.
|
| RB |
Corey Dillon |
B |
Since his quiet return he's split
carries with Rudi almost right down the middle. He
has however been the more effective runner, averaging
5.6 YPC to Rudi's 3.6. But against a very tough Raven
defense, that average is sure to take a dive. |
| RB |
Rudi Johnson |
B |
Has not been as effective with the
shared role since Dillon's return. That effectiveness
surely won't improve this week against the stingy Ravens. |
| WR |
Chad Johnson |
S2 |
Getting it done each and every week.
On the road against the Ravens is a challenge, but
he met that challenge successfully in week seven. |
| WR |
Peter Warrick |
X |
Since his big game in week 11 Warrick
has caught only 7 balls for 68 yards and has been outperformed
by Washington. His underneath route running will be
called upon against the aggressive 3-4 schemes of the
Ravens. |
| WR |
Kelly Washington |
B |
Has moved to the forefront scoring
two TDs in the past two weeks. But the rookie's receiving
only limited looks and his inexperience will not serve
him well in this critical matchup. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
Over the past three weeks three
different TEs have caught passes for the Bengals, and
only one of those with more than a single catch. |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Anthony Wright |
X |
Well, he proved that week 12 was
no fluke with another solid performance last week.
Week 13 is more likely going to be the norm for
Wright however (177 yards and 2 TDs), which doesn't
exactly make him a late season savior for your team. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis |
S2 |
His numbers are slipping as he's
only scored twice in the past five games and is averaging
only about 90 yards rushing. But he remains a fantasy
force and the Bengals are only average at stopping
the run. |
| WR |
Marcus Robinson |
X |
Looks to be the only Raven receiving
option outside of Heap that warrants any fantasy attention.
No real matchup advantage in this one as the Bengal
corners are playing solid right now. |
| WR |
Travis Taylor |
B |
The Raven passing game has really
stepped it up since Wright took over at QB. Taylor's
contribution -- 6 catches for 78 yards. Steer clear. |
| TE |
Todd Heap |
S2 |
Terry Jones?!? Give me a break.
Get those scrub tight ends outta there coach. |
|
|
| Dallas (8-4) at Philadelphia (9-3) |
|
| Sun, Dec 7, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Lincoln
Financial Field |
Back to top |
| Dallas |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Quincy Carter |
B |
Carter has obviously improved
this season, but as the Cowboys are in the midst
of their toughest stretch he's shown he still struggles
with the blitz. The Eagles are one of the league's
best at applying pressure through the blitz. Don't
look for Carter to be your starter this week.
|
| RB |
Troy Hambrick |
U |
The Eagles are surprisingly weak
against the run (160 YPG over the last six), especially
up the middle where Hambrick is the most effective.
While Hambrick has been just awful the past month,
look for him to get over 20 carries and have a solid
game this week.
|
| WR |
Joey Galloway |
B |
With Carter struggling to beat
the blitz and the Philly secondary improving each
week, this isn't a week you want to rely on the emerging
Galloway, or ...
|
| WR |
Terry Glenn |
B |
... the inconsistent Glenn.
|
| WR |
Antonio Bryant |
U |
With Galloway and Glenn likely
to struggle, Bryant's matchup with nickel corner
Terrell Buckley may give Carter his best receiving
option outside of his TE.
|
| TE |
Jason Witten |
S2 |
14 catches in the last two games.
Looks like the rookie is healthy and finally coming
on. With the wideouts battling very difficult matchups
all day Witten could easily lead the team in receptions,
as he did on Thanksgiving. |
| Philadelphia |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Donovan McNabb |
B |
His play in improving each week
and he's doing what it takes to push the Eagles to
victories. But he's at best only an average fantasy
QB this season. That isn't likely to change this week
against Dallas' #1
defense. Only one other QB that has played every
game this season (Bledsoe) has fewer than his nine
TDs. |
| RB |
Brian Westbrook |
X |
It's hard to imagine that a player
in a 3-man RBBC that has had double digit carries only
four times this season is a top 20 fantasy back. But
his production will likely be limited this week against
a Dallas defense that held him to only 37 rushing yards
in week six. |
| RB |
Duce Staley |
B |
The occasional TD on anywhere from
three to eight carries a game. Not exactly what you
want your team relying on each week. |
| RB |
Correll Buckhalter |
B |
The most ineffective of the three
Philly backs and is a non-factor in the short passing
game (only four catches on the season). But he keeps
finding his way into the end-zone. His only value is
in TD-only leagues. |
| WR |
James Thrash (P) |
X |
In one of his better matchups of
late Thrash found the end-zone last week for the first
time this season. Thrash remains an average receiver
with little down field speed however and has a difficult
matchup this week with a very tough Dallas secondary. |
| WR |
Todd Pinkston
Freddie Mitchell |
B |
The ball is being spread around to
as many as 10 receivers each week and Pinkston and
Mitchell play only bit roles in passing game. |
| TE |
L.J. Smith
Chad Lewis |
B |
These two continue to split the tight
end production, making both of little fantasy value. |
|
|
| Houston (5-7) at Jacksonville (3-9) |
|
| Sun, Dec 7, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at ALLTEL
Stadium |
Back to top |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
David Carr (Q) |
B |
Expected to return to action due
to the season ending injury to Banks. It's unlikely
that Carr's shoulder will be 100% and the Jags have
one of the most underrated defenses in the league this
season. |
| RB |
Domanick Davis (Q) |
B |
Will be leaned on heavily as Carr
will not be 100%. Unfortunately neither will Davis.
He'll be battling a quad bruise and mild ankle sprain
this week. Throw in facing the league's #2 run defense
and it's likely time to move Davis to your bench
for a week.
|
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
X |
Don't expect much from the Houston
passing game in this one as the Jags will have little
trouble dealing with this talented rookie, ... |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
B |
... the disappearing Bradford, and
... |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B |
... the ineffective Gaffney.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller (P) |
X |
Has scored in three of the last six
games and lead the team in receiving last week. If
you just have to get a Texan in your lineup this week,
Miller is your best bet. |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Byron Leftwich |
U |
They stuck with the rookie last week
and were rewarded with one of his best performances
of the season. A great matchup this week against a
terrible Houston secondary. If you're in a bind at
QB this week, Leftwich might not be a bad option. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
S1 |
Should have a big day against the
injury riddled Texan defensive front. |
| WR |
Jimmy Smith |
S2 |
Pulled in a season high 10 passes
last week and that trend should continue as Leftwich
is learning to rely on his elite receiver and
the Houston secondary will struggle all day to keep
up with this old-timer.
|
| WR |
Troy Edwards |
B |
Not a factor now with the arrival
of KJ. |
| WR |
Kevin Johnson |
U |
Faded just a bit last week after
a successful debut two weeks ago. Should get back into
the flow this week against a secondary that will be
overmatched. |
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
B |
If you are looking for 2-3 catches
and 20-30 yards, this guy MAY get you that. |
|
|
| Indianapolis (9-3) at Tennessee
(9-3) |
|
| Sun, Dec 7, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at The
Coliseum |
Back to top |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S1 |
Aside from the Bills game two weeks
ago Manning has been on a roll since week three. That
roll should work it's way down to Nashville this weekend
against a Titan pass defense that struggles and is
ranked 30th in the NFL. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James |
S2 |
Has been held under 100 yards rushing
five times this season. Four of those games were against
Miami, Jacksonville (twice) and New England. Three
of the top five run defenses in the league. While this
week he draws the #1 run defense, they suffered a big
blow in losing MLB Rocky Calmus. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison (P) |
S1 |
The Titans just don't have an
answer for Harrison this week.
|
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
X |
With Harrison drawing the best Tennessee
can offer (Samari Rolle) Wayne should have a matchup
advantage on the other side of the field. |
| WR |
Troy Walters |
U |
With the lose of TE Clark the Colts
will be forced into more traditional 3-WR sets, and
the primary benefactor may be Walters as he receives
more playing time. Walters was very productive in November,
catching a TD in three of the four games he played.
He will push the Titans' nickel coverage to it's limits
this week. |
| TE |
Marcus Pollard |
S2 |
Has scored three TDs in the last
four games he's played. Now he'll shoulder the entire
TE production with Clark out. |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair (Q) |
S2 |
Gutted it out Monday night but with
obvious limited mobility. Should be much improved this
weekend, but not likely 100%. No matter. Could be the
biggest game of the year for the Titans at home. Start
him. |
| RB |
Eddie George |
S2 |
The Titans will surely look to limit
the opportunities of the Colt offense by controlling
the clock. The best way to do that is to commit to
running the ball. George will have success against
the forgiving Indy run defense if given 25+ carries,
which is likely. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
S2 |
His precise route running and down
field speed will provide him a matchup advantage against
both the zone and man coverage schemes used by the
Colts' secondary. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
X |
Still only the #2 option at WR,
but has scored a TD in four straight games.
|
| TE |
Frank Wycheck |
S2 |
The Titans have increased their usage
of the TE since Wycheck's return, especially around
the goal-line. Some throws are still going
Kinney's way, but Wycheck appears
to be the primary focus. |
|
|
| Oakland (3-9) at Pittsburgh
(4-8) |
|
| Sun, Dec 7, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Heinz
Field |
Back to top |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rick Mirer |
B |
If they stick to the run as they
want he has few opportunities. If they are forced to
pass then he's completely ineffective. |
| RB |
Charlie Garner |
X |
Shouldn't be forced to throw in this
matchup and will continue to give both Garner and ... |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley |
X |
... Wheatley plenty of carries. Both
should be effective, but neither enough to warrant
you risking them in your starting lineup. |
| WR |
Jerry Rice |
X |
The Steelers secondary has proven
to be vulnerable all season, but with Rice now at
an obvious physically disadvantage they can limit
his effectiveness with bracket coverages using press
coverage at the line and zone help over the top.
|
| WR |
Tim Brown |
B |
Ditto for Brown.
|
| WR |
Jerry Porter |
X |
Porter should have his usual advantage
matched up against nickel coverage. Problem is,
with Mirer under center there just isn't much passing
going on. And when there is, it's not very good.
|
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
The tight end appears to be a
forgotten position in the Oakland offense.
|
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox (Q) |
S2 |
The knee checks out okay and he should
be good to go Sunday. About all the Raiders have to
offer is a decent set of corners, so Maddox and the
passing game will be challenged. Just enough to make
him only a borderline start. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis (P) |
S2 |
Getting the carries he
needs (20+ in each of the last two games) to be effective.
He's also scored twice in the past three games. While
not great fantasy numbers, he does have the honor of
facing the new worst run defense in the NFL. |
| WR |
Plaxico Burress |
X |
Hey, was that a Burress sighting
on Sunday? I believe it was. He put up his first
100 yard game since week TWO, but still hasn't scored
since then. Against the solid Oakland corners, Burress'
huge size advantage should give Maddox some openings
in the passing game.
|
| WR |
Hines Ward (P) |
S2 |
Banged up but will play. If Ward
is able to be on the field he should be in your starting
lineup. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
Another season of worthless Steeler
tight ends. |
|
|
| San Diego (2-10) at Detroit (4-8) |
|
| Sun, Dec 7, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at Ford
Field |
Back to top |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Doug Flutie |
U |
Outside of CB Dre' Bly, injuries
have left the Lions with what many believe to be the
worst secondary in the league. Flutie has been
ineffective since his first start
shocker a month ago, but against the Lions you have
to believe there's an upside here. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S1 |
The Lions have been surprisingly
solid against the run this season. No matter, gotta
start LT. |
| WR |
David Boston |
S2 |
The best Detroit has to offer is
5'-9" Dre' Bly. Puuulease. |
| WR |
Kassim Osgood |
U |
The undrafted rookie got his first
chance last week with some extended playing time. He
made good with three catches for 62 yards. Against
a terrible secondary preoccupied with Boston he could
easily match or surpass those numbers this week. |
| TE |
Antonio Gates |
U |
Prior to last week's garbage-time
TD he had only seven catches on the season and the
Chargers were using three different TEs each week.
If he remains the primary TE this week he could surprise
again against a terrible set of safeties for the Lions. |
| Detroit |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Joey Harrington |
S2 |
The Chargers have allowed a whopping
28 passing TDs this season, but it's likely that
most fantasy teams have much surer options at QB
that will prevent them from taking a chance on Harrington
this week.
|
| RB |
Shawn Bryson |
S2 |
Another good opportunity for Bryson
to help fantasy owners. The Chargers can't stop anything
and if Bryson can get the carries he can produce
this week. The downside is the frustrating and unexpected
lack of touches at times. But last week's 20 is a
positive sign.
|
| RB |
Olandis Gary |
B |
The only fantasy impact Gary is having
this year is hurting the value of Bryson as he steals
about 10 touches a week from him and does little with
them. |
| WR |
Az-Zahir Hakim |
U |
Averaging 6-60 over the last three
games and has scored twice. Will see solid press
coverage from CB Quentin Jammer but Hakim's quickness
will help him do some damage underneath.
|
| WR |
Bill Schroeder |
B |
This may be one of Schroeder's
last chances for success this season. But if you're
looking to him for help you're in trouble.
|
| TE |
Mikhael Ricks |
X |
As the wide receivers continue to
be hit by injury and ineffective Ricks has been playing
a larger role in the passing game. Since emerging from
the doghouse three weeks ago he's averaged over
12 yards per catch. |
|
|
| Seattle (8-4) at Minnesota (7-5) |
|
| Sun, Dec 7, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at Metrodome |
Back to top |
| Seattle |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Matt Hasselbeck |
S1 |
The man's been on fire the last two
weeks. The Vikings will be just another log to burn
Sunday. |
| RB |
Shaun Alexander (P) |
S1 |
The Vikings are the only team to
allow more than 5 YPC and have given up a staggering
17 rushing TDs this season. |
| WR |
Koren Robinson |
S2 |
Coming off his best game of the season.
His deep speed will cause problems for the Minnesota
corners all day. |
| WR |
Darrell Jackson |
S2 |
There's not a hotter WR in the league
right now than DJax. Always stick with the hot hand,
especially against a weak Viking secondary. |
| WR |
Bobby Engram |
X |
After scoring four TDs in three
weeks Engram disappeared last week, getting lost
as the starting WRs took center stage. Should bounce
back this week as he's very adapt at finding the
soft spots in zone coverages. Especially weak zone
coverages like the Vikings'.
|
| TE |
Itula Mili (P) |
B |
Should be able to play this week
after suffering a concussion in last week's game. Has
been inconsistent all season. |
| Minnesota |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Daunte Culpepper |
S2 |
Has thrown for over 300 yards
in three of the last four games. Too bad he's
thrown
for only a single or no touchdown in three
of
the past
four games also. The opportunities
may be limited this week, but they will be there
if the running game is clicking.
|
| RB |
Moe Williams |
X |
Williams received only six carries
last week, but three were at the goal-line and resulted
in him scoring the team's only rushing TD. He also
remains very active in the passing game, averaging
over seven catches a game in the past four weeks. Still,
without a TD Williams is a difficult start. |
| RB |
Michael Bennett |
S2 |
Getting about two-thirds of the carries
now as expected and producing solid numbers. Should
get his first 100 yard game this week as the Vikings
look to run a bit more in an attempt to minimize the
time the potent Seahawk offense is on the field. |
| WR |
Randy Moss |
S1 |
A monster game waiting to happen
each and every week. |
| WR |
Nate Burleson
Kelly Campbell |
B |
For the most part Burleson and
Campbell remain an afterthought
in the Vikings passing game. The Seattle secondary
has the depth and talent to shut these two down.
|
| TE |
Jim Kleinsasser |
S2 |
Will play Sunday despite a hip pointer.
Matched Moss catch for catch last week. He
remains a key part of
the
passing
game
and a solid fantasy starter most weeks. |
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