Starts
QB
Josh Freeman @ WAS- Freeman has been spectacular for the most part this year, much better than anyone could have predicted coming into his sophomore season. The Redskins allow the 5th most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and Freeman is definitely someone to consider as a playoff starter if you’re using a committee approach.
Joe Flacco @ HOU- The Monday night game this week is a big game for both teams, especially the Texans as their playoff hopes have almost all but evaporated. The Ravens coming off a big home loss to the Steelers and Flacco and company are out for blood this week. The Texans allow the most fantasy points and passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks. Flacco is a must start this week if you don’t have one of the top 5-6 options on your roster.
Jay Cutler vs. NE- Cutler has now thrown 5 touchdowns and zero interceptions over his last two games, and this week gets the Patriots pass defense which is allows the 3rd most fantasy points to quarterbacks. I know the Pats shut down the Jets Monday night, but Cutler has been playing great and is at home. The Pats defense will give up some big plays to Cutler and the Bears in what should be a very good game, even after watching what the Pats did to the Jets on Monday night football.
RB
LaGarette Blount @ WAS- The Redskins allowed 200 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns last week to the Giants and Blount very well could put up 100 yards and two scores. I know this week there has been rumors that Earnest Graham may steal goal line carries, and I’m not sure what Blount’s issue is around the goal line, but Blount regardless is a must start against the Redskins this week. Blount posted 103 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons 6th ranked run defense last week, so expect even better numbers this Sunday.
Brian Westbrook/Anthony Dixon vs. SEA- Both these guys are solid flex plays this week against the Seahawks at home. The Seahawks allowed 128 yards rushing and two touchdowns to the Panthers last week, and would have allowed more had the Seahawks not turned it into a blow out early in the second half. Look for around 100 yards for Westbrook and around 60-70 yards and a touchdown for Dixon.
Mike Tolbert vs. KC- Tolbert never got going in Sunday’s loss to the Raiders but that was mainly because of their need to come back from a 21-3 deficit. He did however play a big role in the receiving game grabbing 6 balls for 47 yards so he was still productive in PPR leagues. This week he gets the Chiefs defense who allowed 161 yards to Knowshon Moreno last week. The Chiefs couldn’t stop the much smaller Moreno at home so chances of them stopping a monster like Tolbert on the road is very slim. Tolbert is a mid-level RB2 this week.
WR
Michael Crabtree vs. SEA- Crabtree has been decent in Alex Smith’s absence but is a much better option with Alex instead of Troy under center. This week he get’s Alex back and the Seahawks come to town who allow the 3rd most fantasy points to receivers. He’s a solid WR3 in a great matchup this week.
Steve Smith vs. ATL- Smith has been very frustrating in 2010 from the injuries to the quarterback issues, but could have a big game this week. The Falcons allow the 2nd most fantasy points to wide receivers, and with the Panthers likely to fall behind early, they’ll have to air it out, with Smith the likely recipient. I like him as a flex play this week with WR3 upside. If you’re every going to start him the rest of the season, this is the week.
Derrick Mason @ HOU- Mason had his least productive game since week 1 last week with two catches for 22 yards. That will not happen again this week against the Texans and their 32 ranked pass defense. Mason and Boldin are in for solid games Monday night and I highly recommend getting Mason in your Flex spot.
Sits
QB
Sam Bradford @ NO- Bradford has been very good during his rookie campaign, but this week he faces the Saints pass defense which allows the least fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Also, they go on the road where the Rams aren’t as good and the Saints are lights out at home since their loss to the Browns. In a two QB league, Bradford is a decent start, but he’s not your go to guy this week.
Mark Sanchez vs. MIA- I know after Monday night’s game against the Patriots, Sanchez isn’t likely to be on your fantasy radar this week but just in case you were thinking about it, don’t. The Dolphins are the 4th ranked pass defense and I wouldn’t look for this to be Sanchez big bounce back game. I’m not saying he won’t play well against Miami, he just won’t put up legit fantasy starter numbers this week.
RB
Cedric Benson @ PIT- Really don’t need to say much here, he’s facing the Steelers, so if you have another option, use him.
Marshawn Lynch @ SF- Don’t let last week’s fluky 3 touchdown performance fool you. The Panthers allow the 5th most points to opposing running backs while the 49ers are the 9th ranked defense against opposing backs. Keep Lynch on your bench this week and more than likely for the rest of the playoffs.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis @ CHI- He’s been very solid for most of the season, but if you’re not in a touchdown heavy league, BenJarvus isn’t a great start especially this week. The Bears are the 4th ranked run defense and the 6th best defense in points allowed to running backs. He’s a flex play at best this week, but if you have a better option, go that route as BenJarvus won’t give you the numbers your looking for this week.
WR
Santonio Holmes vs. MIA- Holmes has been very productive since his return, but he will be blanketed by Vontae Davis, possibly the league’s most underrated corner. Sanchez will have to look elsewhere to move the ball down the field as I just can’t see Holmes putting up big numbers.
Larry Fitzgerald vs. DEN- If last week was any indication, Fitzgerald is a must sit this week. Dwayne Bowe, the league’s hottest receiver going into week 13 was completely shut down by Champ Bailey finishing with zero catches. Now Fitz could pull out a few catches if things get out of hand like Bowe did in their first meeting, but with rookie John Skelton under center and Bailey covering Fitz, Skelton will be looking elsewhere to completions.
Jacoby Ford @ JAC- Ford has been a tremendous story the last few weeks, but unbelievably, the Jaguars, have allowed the least fantasy points to receivers over the last three weeks. Their defense has really stepped up as of late and Ford could be in for a long day. He had just one catch last week, but fortunately for his owners, it was for a touchdown. The Jags at home play much better and they should be able to get a lot of pressure on Jason Campbell.
Fantasy Savvy 