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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Nick

Ok, here is the deal. I’m having a lot of mixed emotions on who I should start this week. I don’t think I can go wrong with my options, but it is the playoffs and I need all I can get. In our league, our roster looks like this. QB WR WR RB RB TE W/T W/R. I’m set at QB with Schaub and my #1 and #2 RB are AP and MJD. My starting TE is Dallas Clark. As of now I have Greg Jennings and Robert Meachem in my WR spots. This is where I don’t know who to play. I have 2 spots to fill (W/T and W/R). I have Antonio Bryant, who I really like this week. Dwayne Bowe who has a good match-up against the Browns. Heath Miller who may see some action with Woodson on Holmes and Ward being banged up. I also have Beanie Wells and Arian Foster who have great match-ups. Which 2 players should I play in my last 2 spots? And I forgot to mention it is a PPR league. PLEASE HELP!

I would put Bryant in as the WR2 and probably play Bowe and Wells this week.  Wells isn’t a PPR threat but he has a great match-up and they seemed to cut out Hightower really early after that fumble last week.

John

gore maroney moreno charles or jacobs which 3 do i start

Gore Moreno Charles for sure Maroney is going to share too much to have a big game

Kolby R

Baltimore vs Chicago or Arizona vs Detroit
I am currently planning on starting Baltimore. They will crush the pocket and force turnovers. What do you think?

Ravens are my number 1 defense this week, good luck bud!

Matthew

hi jim. i decided to bench sims-walker last night (ugh!), and now i’ve got to go with bowe or manningham this week. what do you think?

Manningham shouldn’t be on your roster anymore so its definitely Bowe!

Quiet Time

Defense: GREEN BAY vs Steelers or ARIZONA vs Lions this week?

WR PPR league: Calvin Johnson??? or Derrick Mason?

Manningham shouldn’t be on your roster anymore so its def Bowe.  And Cardinals Defense is my 3rd, so play them.

Weez

Do I have a better chance starting Boldin/Breaston against the Lions with a banged up Fitzgerald? Or should I start Meachem over Breaston? No way I’m sitting Boldin though. Even after he cost me a win last week….*grumbles*

I like the Boldin Breaston play, and it has nothing to do with Fitz =D

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Sunman

Cinci defense ok to start against Minnesota? My other choice is to get buffalo def off waivers.

I think they are ok, something has Peterson not at 100%, what that is we don’t know.  What we do know is that he was absolutley a non-factor in last weeks game and Childress won’t let that happen again… With that said the Bengals are very stout vs the run, however haven’t faced more than one ELITE back this season.  It will be a really interesting game, but I do not think you can trust the Bills defense in the playoffs.  Also to take into consideration Harvin has had issues with migraines since he was a boy, and they have flared back up this week, he has now missed two practices.

MR.MVP

WR help who Rober Meachem (NO) @ Atl, Terrell Owens (Buf) @ KC, Michael Crabtree (SF) vs Ari, or Mario Manningham (NYG) vs Phi

I’m planning on starting RB’s Ricky Williams (Mia) @ Jac and Cedric Benson (Cin) @ Min, other option would be Laurence Maroney(NE) vs Car.. what do you think??

Well MVP, I see no reason to hold a roster spot for Manningham if you can get a britt, or a crabtree, or avant, or lots of people really so your good to go ahead and drop him.  TO is your starter this week, the Chiefs are not a very good team by any stretch, and apart from his turn on Revis island (I think he had a photo shoot there for his modeling gig) TO has been very productive recently.  Trust him against a week secondary as the Bills are likely to slide in draft position this week after a win.

Benson is a workhorse, 30+ carries last week, you got it right and here is why: Sammy Morris looked explosive last week as well as Fred Taylor is possibly making his return this week.  Maroney looked good, but there are two guys around now that will take goal line work (Taylor) and 3rd down as well as some regular work (Morris).  Not much is left as far as being relevant in fantasy football.

T Hop

Hi Big Jim,
I can start 2 RBs, which 2 do I start. Addai, D. Williams, or J. Charles. I’m completely stuck here so thanks for your help!

This actually goes a little contrary to my rankings, but I’m going to put a stipulation on it.  I would start Charles and Addai, however, If Williams looks like he will be 100% based off late week practices then go with him over Charles.  This is the playoffs so we can’t take a risk and bench a guy like Williams if he is healthy.

Willie M.

hey Jim two questions:
1. Whats the deal with Mike Sims-Walker; yahoo says he has a calf injury. Is he worth a start?
2. Whats the deal with Kenny Britt and Justin Gage? yahoo says Gage is back in the starting lineup but im still starting Britt at this point. Good idea?

Well Willie, MSW does indeed have a calf injury, but he will be a game time decision for Sunday so we’ll have to wait until then to decide.  His role might be minimized but i cannot speak to whether he is still worth a start without your other receivers.  Also Gage will be coming back at some point, but he has been out a while and will take some time to get used to the speed of the game again.  He won’t likely start eating at Britt’s productivity for a couple weeks.

Josh

which 2 wrs???
ocho, sims walker, V.Jax, smith NYG, D.Mason
thanks

VJax and Ocho – Jackson wont stay in this slump, I still trust him as a WR one without a doubt. The Vikes have proven they can be thrown on so Ocho should be just fine as well assuming they Bengals O-Line can contain Jared Allen.  I think they do a good enough job where Ocho gets in the end zone (this is what play action is for, and why Benson gets 30 carries a game).

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Had some good questions in my email this morning I want to share!  Remember Noon’s injury update is coming… AT NOON!

Scott

My WRs in 1 league are brutal..I currently have Steve Smith (CAR), Hines Ward, Nate Burlesson, Antonio Bryant and Braylon Edwards…FAs available are Crabtree, Walter and Floyd.

I could drop any of these receivers for them and/or I could drop Sproles as well for 1 of them. Please advise and pick 3 for week 13

Hey Scott, so for this week Carolina steve smith is a def start, and you’re fine with Burleson.  Make a move to get Crabtree for Edwards going into the playoffs, Walter is worth a pickup too, you just don’t need him if u get Crabtree (your third for this week!)

Scott

My starting WRs this week are Fitz and Wayne and I have 85 as my flex..My RBs are Chris Johnson and Mendenhall..Just found out that Slaton is out and have Chris Brown on my bench..Would you substitute any of the above with either Brown or Cartwright in a flex role since it’s a PPR league??

Def not Scott, you got an awesome lineup right now, and Chris Brown is pretty out of shape and untalented in my opinion, you can drop him!

Kevin

big week need help at RB/Flex in a ppr league…have 3 options, can use 2…Maroney-NE/McCoy-Phil/Charles-KC…i have Ray Rice as my other RB starter

McCoy is a top 20 back till Westbrook’s return so use him, and Charles has been insane so ride that wave.

Kyle

Starting QB – Favre or Shaub? Favre seems to be on fire but Arizonas secondary is better than Jac. Plus there’s always the possibility that Peterson could steal the show. Houston has virtually no run game so they’ll do it all through the air against a not so good Def.

Hightower or Wells or Cartright? Hightower is listed as Questionable so even if he starts will Wells see more carries at RB esspecially against a tourgh Minny run D? Or should I nix them both and start Rock Cartright against a Saint’s defense who is missing 4 of its starters because of injuries?

Flex Spot – Crabtree or Cartright?

If I DO start Hightower or Wells in the RB slot should I start Cartright or Crabtree in the Flex spot?

I’m a Favre believer now but I gotta say Jacksonville cannot defend the Texans passing game and that Schaub is your guy this week. Play Cartwright at RB2 for the reason you said, match-up is terrible for Hightower and Beanie, at least you know Cartwright is getting every carry. And Crabtree for sure in your flex, bench your cardinals RB’s this week for sure!

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Brad

Pick 2 (PPR/PPC League) Mendenhall vs. Oak, Jacobs vs. Dal, Charles vs. Den, Forsett vs. SF, McCoy @ Atl, and Wells vs. Min

Mendenhall is a given versus the Oakland run defense, in my eyes, and I was leaning towards Jacobs vs. Dallas because both Bradshaw and their 3rd string RB may be unable to play, leaving Jacobs with a bulk of the carries.

What do you think?

I gotta disagree with ya here Brad, I think Charles and McCoy are better options for you.  McCoy is a solid RB2 down the stretch till Westbrook comes back, and Charles has been on a tear as of late and I don’t foresee his production getting any worse this week!  McCoy is the safest play, and Charles is the guy if you need a big game!

Ed T

I am in a 12 team no PRR league and trying to get into playoffs with an important match-up.  Any advice on setting my line up would be highly appreciated.

QB’s – V. Young against Indy or J. Flaco against Green Bay or A Smith against Seattle.

RB’s – 1) J. Addai, against TItans 2) S. Slaton against Jacksonville 3) J. Stewart against Tampa Bay 4) J. Charles against Denver 5) R. Mendenhall against Raiders 5) J. Forsett against 49ers

WR’s 1)R. White against Eagles 2)Derek Mason against Green Bay or 3) Randy Moss against Miami

TE – D. Clark against Titans

Def – Steelers against Raiders

I need 2 RB’s 2 WR’s and a FLex RB

Thanks in advance!!!!

QB – Flacco is a no go given the quality of the GB secondary as of late not to mention his inconsistancy.  Young is a solid option, but with a tough match-up I don’t think he is your best bet. Smith plays a soft defense and has plenty of weapons, he is your guy this week.

RB1 – J Addai’s been very consistent and he’s the guy your going to need.

RB2 – Rashard Mendenhall is your best bet with Big Ben likely not be the focal point coming off his concussion and versus a SOFT rushing D

WR1 – REVENGE! The Patriots are looking for it and they wont stop scoring till time runs out.

WR2 – Backup QB or not Roddy White is the most talented guy you’ve got and will probably be facing man coverage while the Eagles blitz heavy to confuse the back up.

Flex – J Charles has been a BEAST lately, ride that wave!all set on TE and D/ST so good luck buddy!

MyZou

Should I start Cedric Benson or Pierre Thomas? Adrian Peterson is my other RB.

Benson all the way here buddy, i’m currently riding these two backs into the playoffs with a bye week already locked down. Hope you were able to have as much success! Benson was held out last week as mostly as a precaution, he is at 100% and is set for a big game. Don’t value him any differently because of the injury. It wasn’t bad and they just didn’t need him at all banged up going into the playoffs.  I wouldn’t value Benson any differently than you did before he got hurt, he is still a top10 guy.

JoshG

Avant or Mason?

Start Indy or Balt for defense?

Avant for sure, much bigger upside and he’s is facing the 27th ranked passing defense!  I’d have to say go with Baltimore due to their play making ability. It is very possible that both teams have 28 points scored on them, but Baltimore seems more likely that they have a defensive score or even possibly two. Ravens are ranked near number 10 this week and the Colts are around 15th.

Brett

I’m starting Ray Rice and Matt Forte, but if Deangelo Williams is out on Sunday, do I swap Jonathan Stewart for Forte?

If Williams is INACTIVE then yes, if they say he’s got a decreased role that could be BS and just start Forte since his match-up is so good.

Eddie

Should I play Santonio Holmes or Jason Avant?

Avant, he has been vulturing big plays from Jackson and Maclin lately anyways, now he’s going to be used a lot more often.

That is it for this weeks columns folks, stay tuned on game-day for injury updates as well as a link to my live Q&A on game-days!

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Bruce

Is T Owens worth keeping as a wide receiver?

Probably not, unless you are in a deep league with like 12 teams and starting 3 WRs you probably do not need to worry about Owens.  Evans is the better fantasy option in Buffalo and T.O. is on my dump list this week.

I have two kickers on my team and am going to be dropping one, Longwell of Minn has been pretty consistent all year but last week Carney of NO gave me 13 points who would be better for the rest of the year

Both are pretty good options, its pretty even and almost impossible to pick kickers.  Assuming neither have had issues with misses that I’m unaware of I’d say Longwell is best.

Brad

If Michael Turner can’t go who in the free agents might look good, what about his back up in Atlanta

Jason Snelling and Justin Forsett are both solid options as pick-ups this week.  Snelling is the guy you want if you need a player right now, Forsett has a tough match-up against the Vikings stout run D Sunday.

Andrew

So in my fantasy league, I am thinking about making a trade. I am strong at RB (I have DeAngelo Williams, Frank Gore, Ricky Williams, and Marian Barber). I can only start 2 RB and a Flex. I am a little weak at WR so I was thinking I could try and get stronger there. Someone is putting Gregg Jennings, Steve Smith (NYG), Mike Sims-Walker, and T.J Houshmandzadeh up on the block. I was told I could give up DeAngelo Williams, Ricky Williams or Frank Gore for 2 of the WR. Or I could give Marian Barber up for Gregg Jennings (or maybe Sims-Walker or Houshmandzadeh)…What should I do?!?

I would hold onto your three top RB’s your set to benefit from the injury to Brown being season ending.  Ricky is 32 and cannot handle a full workload, so he won’t be picking up where Brown left off, but he wont be getting any less productive.  I am a firm believer in a solid group of running backs being the key to a deep fantasy playoff run.  I do not think you have any need for Barber so make the lesser trade for Houshmanzadeh if you can get him, if not you have to ask yourself if Jennings will rebound and be able to outperform Sims-Walker.

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