We had a mediocre week with our start and sit calls for Week 12, and like many fantasy owners and experts, were shocked to see Michael Turner start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, other than some Jacksonville Jaguars promotions that didn’t pan out, we made the right call on suggesting a start for Greg Olsen, while telling you to sit Ray Rice and Jeremy Shockey.
Read on for this week’s Start/Sit calls:
Start
QB Jay Cutler, CHI vs. STL
Cutler and the Bears have to be the most disappointing team in football this year. With 20 INTs, Cutler is having a “young Favre”-like year. However, Cutler will not only pass well this week, but should have some open running lanes for scrambling too.
Projected stats: 28/36, 291 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 4 rushes, 32 yards, 1 TD
WR Jeremy Maclin, PHI @ ATL
With Matt Ryan and Michael Turner likely both out, the Eagles should be able to dominate ball control. This will mean more potential targets for the rookie sensation Maclin.
Projected stats: 6 catches, 125 yards, 1 TD
RB Fred Jackson, BUF vs. NYJ
Jackson is clearly becoming the number one back, especially after the firing of Dick Jauron. Look for Jackson to light up the scoreboard multiple times in Canada on Thursday night (if you get NFL Network).
Projected stats: 16 rushes, 76 yards, 2 TD, 3 catches, 31 yards
TE Zach Miller, OAK @ PIT
Miller is one of the most athletic tight ends in the league, but he needs a QB who can throw him the ball. If Gradkowski can get him the ball, he could have a big day.
Projected stats: 6 catches, 86 yards
Sit
QB Eli Manning, NYG vs. DAL
It’s a huge divisional game in the NFC East. Besides a 384 yard outburst in an overtime game against the Falcons, Manning is only averaging 210 ypg over 6 games. Who knows what the weather will be like in the Meadowlands, and Manning may be inconsistent all game against an attacking Dallas defense.
Projected stats: 18/30, 210 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
WR Greg Jennings, GB vs. BAL
It’s going to be cold and potentially snowy Monday night in Green Bay, and the Ravens have shut down top WRs all year. Expect Rodgers to look for more dump offs and check downs to players like Driver, Lee, Finley, and Grant, and for the run to dominate both teams’ offensive schemes.
Projected stats: 3 catches, 34 yards, 0 TD
RB Rashard Mendenhall, PIT vs. OAK
Believe it or not, the Raiders’ run defense actually is not that bad. And with Willie Parker slowly stealing back some touches, Mendenhall’s value has gone down a bit. He will still get a good amount of touches, but don’t expect anything huge.
Projected stats: 18 carries, 56 yards, 0 TD, 1catch, 5 yards
TE Todd Heap, BAL @ GB
The Packers have shut down premiere tight ends all year, including a few weeks ago when they completely shut down Jason Witten. Especially with potentially bad weather, Heap won’t do much for you on Monday night.
Projected stats: 2 catches, 13 yards, 0 TD
[...] Verdict: Manning has all the potential in the world, just like Cutler, and we still like the offense around him, but the match-up just isn’t there. Cutler, on the other hand, faces a very beatable Rams defense, and quite frankly, the guy is due. Go against your gut and run with ours: Start Cutler. [...]
[...] only area of concern for Minnesota is their pass defense, which misleads experts and suggests that they struggle more [...]
[...] Jay Cutler: Solid match-up, but only use him if you have to. *** RB Matt Forte: Rams aren’t good against [...]
[...] Heath Miller vs. OAK 10. Kellen Winslow @ CAR 11. Jermichael Finley vs. BAL 12. Zach Miller @ PIT (Start) 13. Jeremy Shockey @ WAS 14. Kevin Boss vs. DAL 15. Fred Davis vs. NO 16. John Carlson vs. [...]
[...] Heath Miller vs. OAK 10. Kellen Winslow @ CAR 11. Jermichael Finley vs. BAL 12. Zach Miller @ PIT (Start ) 13. Jeremy Shockey @ WAS 14. Kevin Boss vs. DAL 15. Fred Davis vs. NO 16. John Carlson vs. [...]
[...] BAL 8. Donovan McNabb @ ATL 9. Carson Palmer vs. DET 10. Tony Romo @ NYG 11. Jay Cutler vs. STL (Start) 12. Vince Young @ IND 13. Ben Roethlisberger vs. OAK 14. Matt Hasselbeck vs. SF 15. Kyle Orton @ [...]