Start/Bench
List - Week 15
By Whitney
Walters
December 11, 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 |
|
|
| Seattle (8-5) at St. Louis
(10-3) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Edward Jones Dome |
Back to top |
| Seattle |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Matt Hasselbeck |
S2 |
The hot streak ended last week in
of all places, Minnesota. The Rams pose a much stiffer
challenge this week but when running on all cylinders
the Seattle passing game can work against any defense
(i.e. Baltimore three weeks ago). |
| RB |
Shaun Alexander |
S2 |
Even with the offensive struggles
last week Alexander was able to produce the Seahawks
only score. He has scored in all but three games this
season. This could turn into a barn-burner but look
for Seattle to get
Alexander
22-25
carries
in
an attempt to wear down the Rams' undersized defensive
front. |
| WR |
Koren Robinson |
S2 |
Possesses the size and speed
to stretch the Rams' cover-2 zone schemes. Put up 95
yards and a TD on them in week three. |
| WR |
Darrell Jackson (P) |
S2 |
Jackson, like Robinson, has a size
advantage on the Ram corners. With his
precise route running and quickness after the catch
he should be able to make enough plays to warrant a
start this week. |
| WR |
Bobby Engram (P) |
B |
Has been on a nice run and bounced
back last week from his only bad game in the past
five weeks. But he suffered a concussion last week
and the Rams have the ability to limit Engram out
of the slot as they use FS Aeneas Williams in coverage
of those underneath routes.
|
| TE |
Itula Mili |
U |
Has been inconsistent
all season but may play a bigger role in the short passing
game as his good route running and ability to find
soft spots in zone coverages will be in high demand
Sunday against the Rams. |
| St. Louis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Marc Bulger |
S2 |
Good but not great. Bulger has
thrown for more than a single TD only once in the past
seven weeks.
It's
another borderline recommendation this week, but this
should be a high scoring affair and the explosiveness
of this offense keep Bulger in starter status. |
| RB |
Marshall Faulk |
S1 |
Four straight 100 yard games and
almost a lock for 20+ carries in December. Keep him
in your lineup and this week with no worries. |
| WR |
Torry Holt |
S1 |
Last week's 31 yards was a season
low. Who cares, start him. |
| WR |
Isaac Bruce |
S2 |
Won't get you the big 100+ yard receiving
efforts, but remains one of the most consistent #2
WRs in the league and has a TD in each of the past
three games. |
| TE |
Brandon Manumaleuna |
B |
Another one of the many "2-catches-a-game,
if that" tight ends. |
|
|
| Baltimore (8-5) at Oakland (3-10) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Network Associates Coliseum |
Back to top |
| Baltimore |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Anthony Wright |
B |
Since his monster game four weeks
ago Wright's stats have decreased each week as the
running game grows stronger. Look for more of the same
this week against an Oakland defense ranked 31st in
the league against the run. |
| RB |
Jamal Lewis (Q) |
S1 |
The Raiders run defense continue
to sleepwalk their way through games. They gave up
The
Bus' first
100 yard game of the year last week and could give
up Lewis' first ever 2000 yard season this week. Heck,
all he needs
is 378
yards. It could happen. |
| WR |
Marcus Robinson |
X |
Wright's go-to receiver and is the
only real downfield threat. The Oakland corners, Buchanon
and Woodson, are great athletes and have the speed
to stay with Robinson, but he has a size advantage.
This will likely play to a draw as the focus will be
on watching Jamal run, run and then run some more. |
| 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 |
Wright is not throwing to Heap as
much as Boller was on a week-to-week basis, but with
the Raiders having to focus on stopping the run there
should be plenty of opportunities over the middle on
Sunday. |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rick Mirer |
B |
Why bother? I mean, the Raiders'
offense just flat out can't get it done. To make things
worse this week Ray and the boys are coming to town.
It makes no sense recommending any Raider player this
week for fantasy purposes. This may be a first for
me. Benching an entire team. |
| RB |
Charlie Garner |
B |
See above. |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley |
B |
See above. |
| WR |
Jerry Rice |
B |
See above.
|
| WR |
Tim Brown |
B |
See above.
|
| WR |
Jerry Porter |
B |
See above.
|
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
See above.
|
|
|
| Cleveland (4-9) at Denver (8-5) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 4:15 PM ET on CBS at
Invesco Field at Mile High |
Back to top |
| Cleveland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tim Couch |
B |
Here we go again. Back to Couch.
It's playoff time in most leagues so steer clear
of this situation. You never know. Couch could easily
stink up the joint and be replaced by Holcomb.
|
| RB |
Jamel White |
X |
White
will replace the injured Jackson for the remainder
of the season. The battered OL lost another starter
Monday night, continuing to take a toll
on the Browns'
ability
to run the ball with any consistency. They are near
the bottom of the league in most rushing categories.
Those struggles will likely continue this week against
the Broncos who, despite numerous injuries and lineup
changes,
remain a
top 5 run defense.
|
| WR |
Dennis Northcutt |
X |
Northcutt remains dangerous due
to his speed and is getting the most looks in the
passing attack right now. Problem is that Couch isn't
likely to have much time in the pocket this week
behind
an OL decimated by injury.
|
| WR |
Andre' Davis |
B |
The ball is being spread around too much for Davis
or ...
|
| WR |
Quincy Morgan |
B |
... Morgan to have much value. Both
have put up single catch games in the past few weeks. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
A no-name TEBC. |
| Denver |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Plummer |
S2 |
When your RB is ripping off 50-yard
runs there isn't much for you to do. So last week's
sub-par fantasy performance is understandable. The
Browns continue to lose players to injury. This week
they will be without DE Courtney Brown who lead the
team in sacks. That should provide Plummer a bit more
time in the pocket to make plays down field. |
| RB |
Clinton Portis |
S1 |
Do you really need a reason? |
| WR |
Rod Smith (P) |
S2 |
Has had his best games of the season
by far since Plummer's return in week 11.
Should be able to keep it going Sunday
against a Browns team that just lost one of their pass
rush specialists and a cornerbacks to injury. |
| WR |
Ashley Lelie |
U |
With McCaffrey back Lelie has
shifted into the slot, where he should find matchup
advantages most weeks against nickel coverage. This
is one of those weeks against a Cleveland secondary
that lacks depth due to injury. Hasn't had more than
two catches since the bye four weeks ago but could
surprise Sunday with a big play or two.
|
| WR |
Ed McCaffrey |
B |
Just not the tough, fearless receiver
he used to be. Only three multi-catch games all season. |
| TE |
Shannon Sharpe (P) |
S1 |
On a serious fantasy roll and SS
Robert Griffith is not good enough in coverage to slow
him down. |
|
|
| Dallas (8-5) at Washington (5-8) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 4:15 PM ET on FOX
at FedEx Field |
Back to top |
| Dallas |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Quincy Carter |
X |
Despite Carter's improvements
this season he has struggled of late due to the
stiffer competition and his inability to make opponents
pay for blitzing him.
The Redskins have problems applying pressure and
do turn to the blitz to help. It tends to be mostly
ineffective however and Carter has a chance to bounce
back a bit this week.
|
| RB |
Troy Hambrick |
X |
The Cowboys ran the ball 32 times
last week. Unfortunately Hambrick only got 17 of
those, the rest going to Anderson and the surprising
Bickerstaff. This would be a great matchup against
the Skins if Hambrick was "the man" in Dallas. But
the more likely scenario is a continued sharing of
the load.
|
| RB |
Richie Anderson |
X |
In deeper leagues that award points
for catches Anderson has been paying off for his owners
most of the season. That shouldn't stop. |
| WR |
Joey Galloway |
B |
As Carter's struggles grow so
does the inconsistency of both Galloway and ...
|
| WR |
Terry Glenn |
X |
... Glenn. The solid corners for
the Skins don't indicate that will change much this
week. Glenn's last touchdown came against Washington
in week nine, so maybe there's some hope in that.
|
| WR |
Antonio Bryant |
U |
Typically fairs well when both
Galloway and Glenn are limited by solid coverage,
like he did in his last meeting with the Redskins,
one of his two five catch games this year.
|
| TE |
Jason Witten |
S2 |
Saw his production take a dip last
week. But so did the rest of the team against the tough
Eagles. Look for him to bounce back this week against
the overmatched Redskins SS Ifeanyi Ohalete. |
| Washington |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tim Hasselbeck |
B |
The "other" Hasselbeck gets the
reins for the rest of the season. He's played well
enough to keep the Skins competitive, but he offers
little in the way of fantasy. This week he'll see
an array of blitz and stunt looks from Dallas that
will likely lead to a long day.
|
| RB |
Trung Canidate (Q)
Rock Cartwright (P)
Ladell Betts (D)
Chad Morton (P)
|
B |
The Redskins ran the ball an amazing
46 times last week. Usually that would be gold for
fantasy owners. But all four backs touched the ball,
none enough to make any of their owners happy. With
the addition of Canidate to the injury list this week
all are banged up and all could see action. Avoid this
mess. |
| WR |
Laveranues Coles |
S2 |
Remains the primary target in the
passing game but his numbers have suffered since
Hasselbeck took over at QB. Coles could still be a
good play this week as he'll likely draw single coverage
all game from rookie CB Terence Newman. |
| WR |
Rod Gardner |
B |
Has had a few brief moments this
season but his lack of consistency keeps him from being
a viable fantasy option. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
Four different Redskin tight ends
have totaled fourteen catches this season. |
|
|
| Carolina (8-5) at Arizona (3-10) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Sun Devil Stadium |
Back to top |
| Carolina |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Delhomme |
U |
For the last four weeks the Cardinals
have been the "feel good tonic" for each opponent.
That shouldn't change this week. Look for Delhomme
to have one of this best statistical games of the season. |
| RB |
Stephen Davis |
S1 |
Arizona started the season playing
pretty solid run defense. But like the rest of the
Cardinal's season that has fallen apart lately. They
are giving up almost 170 YPG on the ground in the past
three weeks. |
| WR |
Muhsin Muhammad |
S2 |
With Smith continuing to draw
double coverage each week, Muhammad will have an opportunity
to work
one-on-one
against one of the league’s worst cornerback
tandems. |
| WR |
Steve Smith |
S2 |
Being double covered by a terrible
secondary shouldn't prove to be much of a deterrent
for Smith this week. |
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
The team down to it's third TE due
to injury. |
| Arizona |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Josh McCown |
B |
Blake goes to the bench as the Cards
want to get a look at McCown. Don't expect much from
the rookie, especially this week against the Panthers. |
| RB |
Marcel Shipp |
X |
If the Cards can stay close enough
in this contest Shipp MAY get enough carries to warrant
fantasy consideration. That's a long-shot against the
Panthers. |
| WR |
Anquan Boldin |
S2 |
The lone bright spot in a season
that continues to spiral down the crapper for the Cardinals.
Boldin's physical tools allow him an advantage in most
matchups,
regardless of opponent. |
| 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 (P) |
X |
With the QB switch last week Jones
was an ineffective 3-14. Too much of an unknown this
week with McCown taking over. Best find another option. |
|
|
| Green Bay (7-6) at San Diego (3-10) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Qualcomm Stadium |
Back to top |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre (P) |
S2 |
The Chargers have allowed a whopping
29 passing TDs this season. Only one other team, Arizona,
is even close with 25. Unlike most weeks for the Packers,
when they stop handing the ball off to Green this
week there will be many options available for Favre
in the passing game. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S1 |
Interesting factoid: This season
Green averages over 25 carries a game at home and
only
19 a game
on the road.
|
| WR |
Donald Driver |
X |
What has been a disappointing
season for Driver owners took it's worst turn with
last week's 1 catch - 4 yard performance.
|
| WR |
Robert Ferguson |
U |
Broke out of what has been a season
long slump last week with a team leading seven catches.
May finally get it going. A good thing given Driver's
under performing each week.
|
| WR |
Javon Walker |
B |
Leads all receivers in touchdowns
with seven but his catch totals leave a lot to be
desired for fantasy owners. Over the past eight games
he's averaging only two catches per. Too many options
and too few passes to go around.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks
Wesley Walls |
X |
The TE should get some extra work
this week as the Chargers' coverage from the safeties
and linebackers is a liability. Problem is that both
Franks and Walls are being used about equally, with
Franks getting the edge down by the goal-line. |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Doug Flutie
Drew Brees |
B |
With only a single down field option
(Boston) the Charger passing game is highly ineffective
most weeks. This week it's further complicated by the
decision to not name the starter until late in the
week. Odds are they go back to Brees to close out the
season. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S1 |
The Packers are much better equipped
to stop the run than earlier in the season, but with
LT's ability to do damage in both the running and passing
attack, he'll get his. |
| WR |
David Boston (Q) |
S2 |
A physical mismatch against any opposing
cornerback and the Chargers' only legitimate weapon
at receiver. Will be fighting press coverage all day
and may have the ineffective Brees tossing him the
ball again. A borderline starter this week. |
| WR |
Kassim Osgood |
B |
A promising undrafted rookie that
is getting a chance to prove himself due to all the
injuries to the Charger WRs this season. Will get looks
opposite all the attention Boston gets, but it's not
likely to amount to much. |
| TE |
Antonio Gates |
X |
The TE has been a part of the passing
game plan all year. Now that it's boiled down to mostly
Gates due to injury there's potential each week for
fantasy production here. Problem is it's way too inconsistent
to rely on during this critical part of the fantasy
season. |
|
|
| N. Y. Giants (4-9) at New Orleans
(6-7) |
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
Superdome |
Back to top |
| New York Giants |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jesse Palmer |
B |
Welcome my friend. Step on into
the fire.
|
| RB |
Tiki Barber |
S2 |
The injury depleted offensive
line and new QB don't help his case, but Barber remains
the only Giant player worth any fantasy consideration.
With Palmer at QB they will likely turn Barber's
way a bit more this week and the Saints do not stop
the run well at all.
|
| WR |
Amani Toomer |
X |
Still has the ability to occasionally
produce fantasy worthy numbers. Has a chance to get
it done this week as the New Orleans' corners are
a liability in the red-zone due to Toomer's great
size advantage.
|
| WR |
Ike Hilliard (D) |
B |
Very banged up and hasn't scored
since week nine.
|
| TE |
Jeremy Shockey (D)
Marcellus Rivers (D) |
B |
Both Shockey and Rivers may be done
for the year. Vishante Shiancoe isn't the answer. |
| New Orleans |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Aaron Brooks |
U |
It's never a good thing when your
coach threatens to bench you if you continue to fumble.
That shouldn't be much of a problem this week as he'll
have plenty of time in the pocket as the Giants can't
afford to blitz much given their injury problems in
the secondary. |
| RB |
Deuce McAllister |
S1 |
Missed out on his tenth straight
100-yard game last week, but the way the Giants are
playing defense now odds are good he'll get number
ten this Sunday night. |
| WR |
Joe Horn |
S2 |
The Giants' depleted secondary provides
another great opportunity for Horn and his owners this
week. Even with Brooks' struggles Horn is a good play
as he's his only consistent target outside of Boo. |
| WR |
Donte Stallworth (Q) |
B |
Still battling injuries and should
be avoided. |
| WR |
Jerome Pathon |
B |
Despite his opportunities
with the injuries to starter Stallworth, Pathon is
having a forgettable second half of the season.
|
| TE |
Boo Williams |
S1 |
Since taking over as the starter
three weeks ago Williams is the hottest fantasy TE
out there. He has 16 catches and three TDs in that
span. Never mess with a hot streak. Just ride it out. |
|
|
| Philadelphia (10-3) at Miami (8-5) |
|
| Mon, Dec 15, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at
Pro Player Stadium |
Back to top |
| Philadelphia |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Donovan McNabb |
X |
Impressed last week by putting up
his best numbers of the season against the very tough
Dallas defense. Gets another chance this week on the
road against another of the league's finer defenses. |
| RB |
Brian Westbrook |
X |
Overshadowed by Buckhalter's blow
up last week, but Westbrook remains the most consistent
and fantasy starter worthy Eagles back. Has scored
five touchdowns and leads all backs with 53 touches
in the last four games. |
| RB |
Duce Staley |
B |
The occasional TD on anywhere from
three to eight touches a game. While it's great when
it happens, the risk of getting left with very little
if he doesn't score is just too high to make him a
starter. |
| RB |
Correll Buckhalter |
B |
Just when you're about to give up
on him due to the decrease in production,
BAM, he hits
you
with
another
100 yard game. Go figure. Actually, I wouldn't suggest
trying to figure out this three-headed monster as it
will likely give your one head a sharpe pain right
between the eyes. |
| WR |
James Thrash (P) |
X |
Thrash remains the only viable fantasy
wide receiver for the Eagles, but he's rarely one you
want to turn to as your starter due to the way this
offense is spreading the ball around to as many as
10 targets each week. |
| WR |
Todd Pinkston
Freddie Mitchell |
B |
Each has scored only once this season
and has only a single game with at least 60 yards receiving. |
| TE |
L.J. Smith
Chad Lewis |
B |
These two continue to split the tight
end production, hurting the value of both. Smith did
score his first NFL TD last week. It was also the first
for an Eagle TE this season. |
| Miami |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jay Fiedler (Q) |
X |
Fiedler is a fairly mobile QB,
but his re-injured knee will limit him this week.
Against a blitz-crazed Eagle defense with excellent
man coverage, that will likely either force hurried
throws or cause him to hold on to
the ball
too long because of tight coverage. Don't expect
a good night from Fiedler.
|
| RB |
Ricky Williams |
S1 |
The Eagles continue to be soft
against the run. You can expect a heavy dose of Run
Ricky, Run Monday night.
|
| WR |
Chris Chambers |
X |
Could prove to be a most intriguing
matchup against the physical press coverage from CB's
Vincent and Taylor. Can their physical play disrupt
his timing with Fiedler, or will he be able to use
his explosiveness and speed to get behind it for some
big plays. Hmm... |
| WR |
James McKnight
Derrius Thompson |
B |
Outside of Chambers and McMichael
there is no consistent force in the Miami passing attack. |
| TE |
Randy McMichael |
X |
McMichael has not put up the numbers
his owners were expecting upon Fiedler's return to
the starting lineup even though matchups have been
to his advantage. He hasn't scored since week eight
and has only five
catches
with Fiedler
back.
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