Question 1: Asked by Zach

Hey so with Schuab being out the rest of the season (most likely) how do you think this affects Andre Johnson?  I Remember Fitzgerald delt with a bad QB and went from a #1 WR to a #2 WR last season… of course they did not have a huge running game like Houston but still, should I worry at all about AJ going forward?  I am in a PPR league.

Answer

You certainly should be worried but I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. You mentioned how Fitzgerald slid last season and I think that is the worst case scenario.  On pure talent alone I do not see him dropping below WR 2 status, no matter how poorly Matt Leinart plays. The two-headed attack of Foster and Tate will clearly be the primary focus of opposing defenses and this should lead to a few deep passes throughout the game.  There really isn’t anyone else with the deep threat capability of Johnson on the Texans roster, so he should be good for a decent yardage total and a score in most every game the rest of the way.

Question 2: Asked by @UofMnumber1Fan

Brandon Marshall or Denarius Moore at WR2?

Answer

I write a lot of cautions against the Raiders’ receivers ever since I started this site and while Moore has admittedly looked really good this season and even with Palmer, I don’t think you can afford to bench Marshall here.  He has been targeted a lot recently and has really started to develop a chemistry with Matt Moore. Last season I wrote about how Matt Moore was able to make Steve Smith a viable fantasy option in Carolina because even though he is NOT a very good QB, he trusts in his top guy and gives him an opportunity to make plays.  The Bills secondary has allowed a lot of yardage all season and with Reggie Bush providing a rushing threat that is worth paying attention to, Marshall will have his chance to make a big play this week.

Question 3: Asked by @Shaban09

Let’s say vick’s out. Do I go with Bradford or V. Young?

Answer

With how mediocre Bradford’s play has been this season I have to say you should play Young.  Philly’s offense is VERY QB friendly and if you remember the recent past, Kevin Kolb was always able to put up good fantasy production as a fill-in. The Eagles just pass so much that the numbers are bound to show up by the end of the game and the Eagles will be able to keep a very similar playbook to what it is when Vick is out there.  In standard leagues, I don’t think Bradford is an own-able QB.

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Joseph Addai, RB, IND - Inactive
Bernard Berrian, WR, MIN – Active
Percy Harvin, WR, MIN - Active
Andre Johnson, WR, HOU - Active
Jacob Tamme, TE, IND – Active
Vince Young, QB, TEN – Active

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Love

Peyton Manning, QB, IND - How can you NOT love Manning, especially against the leagues worst overall defense? With the running game being so banged and the Texans pass defense being absolutely abysmal, Manning could easily top 400 yards in his effort to avenge their Week 1 loss.

Calvin Johnson, WR, DET - Matthew Stafford is a MUCH better QB than Shaun Hill and Megatron was able to keep his value up in the absence of the team’s franchise quarterback.  Lions fans should be excited to see what they can do with Stafford back in the lineup… and fantasy owners should also be excited about the increase in upside for all their Lions players.

DeAngelo Williams, RB, CAR – The Panthers have a pretty nice schedule coming up and that has me excited to see how their offense is able to rebound.  But, if Williams can’t get it done this week against the Rams then I will get very nervous very quickly.

Thomas Jones, RB, KC – I don’t understand why Todd Haley is so invested in using Jones extensively in the running game when Jamaal Charles is clearly a much more dynamic play maker that would make the most of the additional carries.  With that said, it is not my job to understand it… just to analyze it.  As long as Jones is looking to get 15 carries against the Bills’ terrible run defense, then I love his chances at having a very productive game as a #2 RB for his fantasy owners.

Arian Foster, RB, HOU – Foster has lit the league on fire thus far this season.  This week he will be going against a Colts defense allowing an average of 20 fantasy points per game and he is a must start for your #1 RB spot this week.  This is the same match up that led to Foster putting up 231 yards and three TDs (41 fantasy points) in Week 1.

Hines Ward, WR, PIT - In the past two games with their starting QB back, the Steelers receivers have been on fire.  Ward is a possession receiver so his upside is less than his teammate Mike Wallace, but he will prove to be much more consistent throughout the season.

Miles Austin, WR, DAL - Who has two thumbs and isn’t worried about Jon Kitna for this week? THIS GUY!  I love every WR when they play against the Jaguars and until Kitna proves to be completely inept, I am going to assume that he is not.  A veteran QB should have very little issue hitting an elite receiver that is wide-open all day.  Austin may no longer be a top 10 WR, but with this match up he still is.

Wes Welker, WR, NE – If its a PPR league, you should still be using Welker as a top 15 option and a must-start… but even in standard leagues it is not time to panic yet.  Minnesota’s secondary is banged up and the offense will not be the same even if Favre continues his consecutive start streak this week.  With two fractures in his ankle, there is little chance Favre will be able to push off as firmly on his throws and pick up the long 3rd down conversions he usually can.  This will lead to more time on the field for the Patriots offense and opportunities for their receivers.

Tony Moeaki, TE, KC - The Bills are allowing an average of 13 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends and Moeaki has made some great catches this year.

Jahvid Best, RB, DET - I like him for the same reason that I liked Matt Forte last week.  That prediction backfired, but the Redskins still allow a lot of yardage and are currently ranked 31st in overall defense.  With Best being involved in both the running and passing game the stage is set for a big game like we have not seen since week two… which was the last time he found the end zone.

Hate

Owen Daniels, TE, HOU – The Colts are so bad at defending the run that teams tend to focus on that in order to keep Peyton Manning off the field.

Danny Woodhead, RB, NE - The front seven of the Vikings is among the best in the NFL and I don’t see the Patriots trusting Woodhead with the ball in the red zone.  Given he is in a committee situation there is a better option for this week on your team somewhere.

Vince Young, QB, TEN – The Chargers allow just over 7 fantasy points per week to opposing Quarterbacks and even if active Young will not be 100%.  Stay away if possible this week.

Sam Bradford, QB, STL – The Panthers rank 24th against the run and 4th against the pass. You tell me what your game plan would be against the Panthers, but I am guessing it would include a lot of Steven Jackson.

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Vikings at Jets

The Headline trade made yesterday morning to send Randy Moss back to the Vikings as they make their last ditch effort to regain their offensive firepower they had last season.  With Favre only in town for one year and the passing offense being pretty bad, Randy Moss is sure to provide a spark.  Every time Moss has changed teams he has used the fresh start to its maximum potential.  Sidney Rice will be returning from injury and the Vikings will likely have the best receiving corp in the NFL.  For now, they have to face the best defense in the league and Moss has to lineup against his ex-division rival Darelle Revis.  Expect this to be a low scoring game given the caliber of defense on each team.  Players like Moss, Keller and Peterson have to be started anyways, but if you have viable options instead of LT, Favre, Holmes and Greene you should use them.  I like the home team to squeak out a win with a healthy Revis shutting down Moss and the Vikings looking like they did before the bye for just one more game.

Chiefs at Colts

The Colts are pissed, they must be sick of hearing them mentioned along with the phrase “Super Bowl Hangover” and after losing to the third longest field goal in NFL history you can expect them to try and put on a show.  The Chiefs are the last undefeated team left in the league after their early bye week.  Even with the extra time to prepare, the challenge is the Colts at home and I don’t see them managing an upset.  The abysmal Colts run defense will allow Jamaal Charles and, to a lesser extent, Thomas Jones to have plenty of value to their fantasy owners in a losing effort.  Despite the Chiefs success thus far, Matt Cassell is not a quality QB and they will not be able to hold the division lead for too long.  Pierre Garcon participated fully in practice on Wednesday and with him back in the lineup Austin Collie will need to have a big day in order to keep the attention of Peyton Manning and hopefully the number 2 spot on the depth chart.

Titans at Cowboys

Both of these teams are at the bottom of competitive divisions.  The Cowboys are part of a wide-opening competition where every win is crucial and the Titans have to compete with the Colts and the newly-dominant Texans. Whichever team loses this game will probably go into crisis-mode and do something in an effort to shake things up.  Last season a mid-season shake up at QB led to a huge win streak to come back from an 0-6 start to be a part of the playoff hunt at the end of the season for Vince Young and the Titans.  Both teams are playoff contenders and this just may be the best game of the week.  I like the Cowboys to win a high-scoring game given their home field advantage as well as the match up of Miles Austin against the Titans secondary.  The Titans have allowed two straight 300 yard passers and Romo will also have a great game.  Don’t take a chance on a Cowboys RB or Titans WR unless you have no other choice, but Chris Johnson and Vince Young should do just fine if you are counting on them.

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One hell of a kickoff game has me pretty jacked up for Sunday, I don’t know about you all.  Lots of busts from the Saints offense this week, everyone but Devery Henderson for you deep format players.  Pierre Thomas was shut down in the first half but made up for it with one hell of a 2nd half to seal a close, physical and defensive week 1 victory.  On to the questions I have answered on twitter and during Yahoo! Q&A’s.  To get your questions answered ask me on Twitter (click the bird at the top of the screen) or you can tweet with the #StartSit hashtag, I am trying to get people to start using that! So help me out.

Question 1. Asked by Butcha

#2 wr this week?
Floyd vs kc
Knox or Aromashodu vs det

Answer

This is a really difficult call here, each guy comes in close to each other on my rankings.  I would try and use both Floyd and Knox if you are able to start one in the flex position, but I do not have any RB info to confirm that.  My rankings give the edge to Floyd but I am going to say to play Knox.  He is the deep threat and the Bears are going to allow big plays against the Lions on Sunday.  Aromashodu is a big goal line threat and ought to provide you some interesting options and depth at WR this season, but he won’t be your guy this week.

Question 2. Asked by @packers4

OK …Vince Young or Jason Campbell as starting QB in #fantasyfootball?

Answer

This is a tough decision, I don’t quite rank either as a starter this week. Campbell feels low in my ranks looking back on it at 22, but regardless Vince Young will be a better choice.  The Titans will be able to control the ball and VY should be able to get you in the area of 15 points.  Without the presence of a consistent receiving threat on Oakland it is not likely that Campbell can be as productive.

Question 3. Asked by @robertodileo

Someone help!! Who should I start at flex.. Bradshaw, TJ housh, dez bryant or maclin? #fantasyfootball #StartSit

Answer

Play Bradshaw here, the Panthers are not the strongest defense by any means and the running game can’t quite match-up to the firepower of the Giants offense.  Jacobs has been reacting like a child regarding being passed up on the depth chart, but should still see some goal line work.  Bradshaw is, in my opinion, a shoe-in for a thousand yard season, with 500 receiving likely as well.

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Photo by Mark Humphrey / Associated Press

I still cannot decide what was more surprising last season, the Titans starting 0-6 or still coming close to making the playoffs despite that start.  Recently, the bar fight incident makes the QB situation a little shaky but barring any disciplinary action taken against Vince Young I expect the Titans to make a push for the playoffs in a wild card spot.  Being without Young for anywhere near a 4 game stretch would make this goal near impossible to attain as it is a tall order to begin with.

Top Fantasy Players

Chris Johnson – Not much you can say about this guy’s season last year, it was just that good.  CJ is the consensus number one pick in every league for this coming season and he has earned it.

Kenny Britt – Britt had some nice plays last year, but as there was a QB change midway through the season we still have not seen exactly how good this guy can be.  Britt is a sleeper this season that could make a splash similar to what Robert Meachem did last year.

Vince Young – he is a mobile QB and they are bad from a fantasy football perspective… But last year Young was a leader and had quite an impressive run that started the moment he was handed the ball. From a fantasy perspective he put up QB2 numbers every week and will be an adequate backup QB.

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Actives and Inactives for early games in Week 15!

Larry Fitzgerald – ARI: Active
Steven Jackson – STL: Active
Calvin Johnson – DET: Active
Terrell Owens – BUF: Active
Matt Ryan – ATL: Active
Matthew Stafford – DET: Inactive
Michael Turner – ATL: Active
Vince Young – TEN: Active

LATE GAME UPDATES!

Brent Celek – PHI: Active
Devin Hester – CHI: Inactive
Zach Miller – OAK: Inactive
Kellen Winslow – TB: Active

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Cowboys at Saints – This is a match-up between a team struggling for a playoff birth and another team striving for a perfect season.  There is a lot of emotion involved in a game like this.  If the Cowboys lose to the perfect Saints their playoff hopes are all but gone, and many people with-in the organization will need to update resumes.  I actually think that this Cowboys offense is playing well and that despite everything that is stacked up against them, the Boys will find a way to win this one.  They are a desperate team that has struggled as of late, however good games from Romo and the receiving core could give the Saints their only loss of the year if they can force a couple turnovers on defense.  Upgrade Miles Austin, Tony Romo, Marques Colston and Reggie Bush as this should be a game of big plays.

Dolphins at Titans – This is a battle for the inside track to the wild-card seed in the playoffs.  The Titans need to win out, and the Dolphins still have the division within their grasp, though they need some help from the Patriots to over take them.  Both teams are fighting for their lives and this always leads to some exciting football.  Williams owners should curb your expectations for him… he is still as a RB2 or a great flex option but he wont be having a huge yardage game this week.  Davone Bess is the best fantasy option at receiver from the Dolphins but you’re digging deep if your going there anyways because there are no big play threats in that receiving core which was built for Pennington and can’t take advantage of Henne’s deep ball ability.  Kenny Britt should be fine as a flex or WR3 play in 12 team leagues (or more) assuming VY is active, and of course Chris Johnson is the best back in fantasy this season and there is no reason that should change this week.

49ers at Eagles – DeSean Jackson is set to go off this week against a 9ers secondary vulnerable to the big play.  They beat up on the Cardinals because they got so much pressure, they wont have as much luck against this offensive line.  Gore is a great play at RB as last week there was an excellent balance in the San Francisco offense which is the environment that Gore thrives in.  Maclin is going to be inactive for this week so Jason Avant is a great play at WR this week, and Michael Crabtree is also a great play.  As this offense matures so does Crabtree, excellent flex option this week in what could be a shoot out.

Bengals at Chargers – Two AFC studs meet this weekend in a potential playoff preview.  The Chargers don’t lose in December, and the Bengals have only been beaten twice this year (I know they have three losses, I just don’t count that fluke play against Denver as being “beaten”) and are coming off a loss and want the momentum back for going into the playoffs.  The Chargers are pretty decent at stopping the run but Benson gets so many carries that he overcomes bad match-ups and he remains a good start this week.  Temper expectations on players in this one, as there are good defenses on the field and big plays wont come easy.  Vincent Jackson should stay on track as an elite receiver.

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Steven Jackson – STL: Active

Vince Young – TEN: Active

Still no word on Maclin for the night game tonight!

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Love

Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace (PIT) – With a bad Browns team having a short week to prepare, and with receiver Hines Ward unlikely to play, Thursday night should be a big game for the two would-be starting receivers.

Drew Brees, Marques Colston and Robert Meachem (NO) – The Falcons have a pretty bad passing defense ranked 29th in the league and go against the best Offense in football lead by Drew Brees.  Brees’ favorite targets include receivers Colston and Meachem who will be creating mismatches in the secondary all day long.  Colston is a WR1 this week and Meachem is a great WR3 or flex play!

Andre Johnson (HOU) – Seahawks rank 25th against the pass and should be in over their heads on Sunday vs Johnson and the Texans.  Also a heavier emphasis will be placed on the passing game with Steve Slaton placed on IR.

Jamaal Charles (KC) – The Bills are dead last against the run and Charles has a 4.8 yards per carry average!  He is a must start at RB this week!

Terrell Owens (BUF) – Owens has been a part of the Bills offense since Perry Fewell took over as interim head coach.  The Chiefs are 28th in the league against the pass and wont be likely to contain TO and Evans.

Jets (D/ST) – The Buccaneers are pretty bad this year as you know.  Last week Freeman threw 5 interceptions against the Panthers.  The Jets will dominate this game on defense and play ball control on offense.

Vince Young, Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt (TEN) – The Rams are a great match-up for anyone, and the Titans are still red hot even though they lost last week (it was the Colts, you didn’t expect it anyways).  Rebound week for Vince Young!

Phillip Rivers (SD) – Rivers has been very productive and mistake-free the past few weeks even with the statistical absence of Vincent Jackson.  You cannot expect this lack of production to continue for Jackson and that only stands to improve Rivers’ production even more.

Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) – Best receiver in the league versus the 27th ranked passing defense.

Hate

Bruce Gradkowski (OAK) -You may have picked him up for a deep format but the Skins can only defend the pass, so this is not the week to try to use him.

Antonio Bryant (TB) -If Bryant was on a winning team with a real QB he would be a household name and he would really be something special to watch.  He’s not, he gets his passes thrown to him by a rookie and he plays the top passing defense in the league.  Sit him!

Jerome Harrison (CLE) -Like Gradkowski, you picked him up for other weeks, not this match-up sit him down this week.

Kevin Smith (DET) -Hard to imagine the Lions getting much done on offense against the Ravens.  I wouldn’t trust Smith enough for a playoff start this week.

Devin Hester and Matt Forte (CHI) – You got a decent week from Forte so don’t think it’s the start of something.  You need to have multiple productive weeks to get trust in fantasy football, not one versus a squishy match-up.  The Packers have been playing pretty well as of late and should roll right over the Bears.  Oh, and Hester was on my dump-list a couple weeks ago…. please do yourself a favor and ditch him!

Matt Cassel and Chris Chambers (KC) – The Bills passing defense has been about the only bright spot throughout the season.  If the Chiefs are going to win it will be on the back of Jamaal Charles and not the arm of Matt Cassel.

Frank Gore (SF) – The 9ers offense has gone the way of the pass as Alex Smith matures in that offense.  The Cardinals looked like Super Bowl contenders last week and the 49ers are struggling.  I don’t like any 49ers this week.

Brandon Jacobs (NYG) – Jacobs has been terrible, the only game he was any good for you was when he had a 74 yard screen pass.  It’s time to find his replacment (it was time a month ago actually).

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