Start’em
QB - Ben Roethlisberger PIT (at CIN): Ben returns home to Ohio and goes up against a tough run defense, without the pass defense support of Jonathan Joseph. With the potential of the Steelers Defense taking advantage of the Rookie QB Andy Dalton, expect additional scoring opportunities. Although Emmanuel Sanders is not expected to be back, Antonio Brown has proved himself and provides great speed along with Mike Wallace to allow Ben to beat the pass rush and assist Mendy against the tough Cinn run defense.
RB - DeMarco Murray DAL (vs BUF): Lots of positives here. No Felix Jones, No Kyle Wilson and no Miles Austin. Jason Garrett has clearly chosen to control Tony Romo and the game by running and running. DeMarco is averaging a crazy 6+ YPC and should see plenty of touches here. Phillip Tanner flirts with goal line touches, but as long as Demarco is fresh, he should finish out the drives.
WR - Plaxico Burress NYJ (vs NE): There is just something to love about Plax playing in NY against the leagues worse secondary. The play action is very viable here so look for Plax to take advantage of his straight away speed. The safety should be paying attention to Dustin Keller on the seam so that will leave Plax alone on the outside. May not be as great for a PPR choice but yards and tds are abound here.
TE - Greg Olsen CAR (vs TEN): If you saw any of the Bengals Titans game last week you know the middle of the field is going to be available and with Cortland Finnegan doing his best to make Cam Newton check away from Steve Smith, Olsen stands to benefit greatly in this Chudzinski game plan in a home game off the bye.
Sit’em
QB – Matt Cassel KC (vs DEN): I don’t like Cassel in Denver against a pass rush that has awoken with Dumervil the last week. He and Von Miller should find easy path to Cassel with Champ locking up D-Bowe. With Battle starting at RB and rookie Baldwin manning the slot, I wouldn’t put my line up at risk on the road in Tebow-Nation when all I had was Steve Breaston.
RB - Brandon Jacobs NYG (at SF): Even without Bradshaw I don’t like Jacobs here, traveling across country to face the first place 49ers and their stout run defense. Eli is going to throw, throw and throw. The middle of the field will be mixed in with Andre Ware and even if they make it to the goal line, Gilbride might be taking his chances with Nicks who is supposed to play versus sending Jacobs and Patrick Willis on a date.
WR - Brandon Lloyd STL (at CLE): Two words. Joe Haden. Cleveland pass defense is stout. Usually because Joe shadows and follows the opponents #1 WR wherever he goes. This sets up a big load for SJAX and new started Pettis should see plenty of dump offs. Haden may not follow Lloyd every play, and Lloyd will see his share of targets, but in a week where there is no byes, look elsewhere. Then after this week, get Lloyd in and lock it up… His schedule much easier upcoming.
TE - Vernon Davis SF (vs NYG): I thought getting Braylon and Crabtree on the field at the same time would allow Davis to stop blocking so much, but just when he starts running routes, Delaney Walker is on the other side of the field running the same route and catching half the TE targets. With Smith only throwing 20 times a game and 2 ‘name’ WR’s and Gore featured in passing game, there just is enough to go around even when Davis isn’t blocking or in catch up mode.