Week Eleven
Bench, Start and Sleepers By Ted Kluck

Arizona at Cincinnati

Bench:

Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson, RB’s, Bengals: Both players have ability, however, the presence and continued fragility of both of them has been problematic. Rudi hasn’t seemed to have rushed for positive yardage since his return from a pesky hamstring, and Watson’s production has been curtailed by Rudi’s presence. Steer clear until something definitive happens here.

Start:

Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald: The Cardinal passing game should have continued success this week against a Bengals secondary that specialized in giving up big passing days.

Carolina at Green Bay

Bench:

Each and Every Carolina Panther: The fact of the matter is, this offense is terrible, and while Jake Delhomme’s injury rendered Steve Smith worthless, their backs haven’t done much either.

Start:

Ryan Grant, RB, Panthers: Kudos to you if you had the wherewithal to grab this Golden-Domer no-namer a couple of weeks ago. Grant actually makes a decent start this week against a defense that has given up over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 scores.

Cleveland at Baltimore

Bench:

Jamal Anderson, RB, Browns: Won’t get numbers this week against a Ravens rush defense that is relinquishing 2.7 yards per carry.

Start:

Your Browns: Yes, it’s the Ravens, but don’t get matchup jitters and consider benching Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow. They will still produce.

Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens: The Browns give up huge rushing games to mediocre backs. McGahee is a good back. You do the math.

Kyle Boller, QB, Ravens: McNair’s injury is convenient in that it allows Brian Billick to play the better of his two quarterbacks ­ Boller. Luckily, he starts against the Browns.

Kansas City at Indianapolis

Bench:

Chiefs Offense: If you have other options go with them this week. The Colts lost last week, but not because their defense faltered.

Start:

Joseph Addai, RB, Colts: Has faltered a bit of late, but should right the ship against a Chiefs D that gives up over 100 rushing yards per game.

Miami at Philadelphia

Bench:

Jesse Chatman, RB, Dolphins: Chatman was a great sleeper play last week, but his good fortunes will end against the Eagles, who have only given up 4 rushing TD’s on the season.

Start:

Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: You’re already starting Westbrook, who will almost certainly score, but the Phish have also given up 15 passing TD’s, making McNabb a nice option as well.

New Orleans at Houston

Bench:

Ahman Green, RB, Texans: Don’t get too excited about Ahman’s return to the lineup, as New Orleans has only given up 5 rush TD’s on the season and Green has only proven that Houston still needs to draft a RB.

Start:

Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Texans: Johnson is back after what has seemed like forever and Schaub, for the moment, is healthy. They should join forces for a nice afternoon vs. a mediocre secondary.

New York Giants at Detroit

Bench:

Kevin Jones, RB, Giants: The G-Men are solid against the run, and if last week proved anything it’s that Kevin Jones may not get the touches he needs to post solid numbers.

Start:

Eli Manning, QB, Giants: Manning proved he could get numbers last week, even without a prime Plax, so expect him to exploit a bad Lions secondary this week.

Oakland at Minnesota

Bench:

Justin Fargas, RB, Raiders: Fargas has put up over 100 yards twice this season ­ both times against bad defenses. It won’t happen this week vs. Minnesota, especially with Dom Rhodes and, potentially, Michael Bush, in the mix.

Start:

Chester Taylor, RB, Vikings: The Raiders gave up a rushing TD to Cedric Benson, which is hard to do. That said, I expect to Chet to get one this week, behind a solid Vikings o-line.

San Diego at Jacksonville

Bench:

Chris Chambers, WR, Chargers: The Jags only allow 18 points and game and the Chargers passing game has been abysmal. Those two items don’t add up to fantasy glory for C-Chamb, who hasn’t done much since the trade.

Start:

David Garrard, QB, Jags: The Jags are starting Garrard, who was pretty consistent before his injury, and you should too. The Chargers have given up 13 aerial scores this season.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

Bench:

Roddy White, WR, Falcons: White has had some nice games this season despite abysmal quarterbacking. Unfortunately, this week, against the Bucs 3rd ranked pass defense won’t be one of them.

Start:

Earnest Graham, RB, Bucs: Should find room against a Falcon defense that is giving up over 121 yards per game.

Pittsburgh at New York Jets

Bench:

Thomas Jones, RB, Jets: Jones has exactly zero rushing TD’s this season, and I’m not confident of him getting one this week.

Start:

Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers: Holmes has 6 TD’s and has seen his profile increase within the Steeler offense. He is becoming an every-week start.

Chicago at Seattle

Bench:

Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Bears: It doesn’t seem to matter who plays QB for the Bears ­ Muhammad just isn’t a factor.

Start:

Maurice Morris, RB, Seahawks: Maurice scored a rushing TD last week and topped 40 yards, which is something that Shaun Alexander seemingly hadn’t done all season. That said, he makes a good play against a Bears D that is, well, bad.

St. Louis at San Francisco

Bench:

Frank Gore, RB, 49ers: This whole offense is a mess, and that extends to Gore, who hasn’t been in the end zone since way back in Week 2.

Start:

Steven Jackson, Marc Bulger, Rams: Your Rams are finally healthy and producing decent numbers, which should continue against the Niners and their underachieving defense.

Washington at Dallas

Bench:

Cowboys Backs: The Cowboys are a team that is more and more defined by its passing game, which leaves Julius Jones and Marion Barber the odd men out.

Start:

Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys: Witten was quiet last week, but the ‘Skins will be without the services of hammer Shaun Taylor over the middle, so Witten should find the seam more to his liking.

New England at Buffalo

Bench:

Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots: AKA the only Patriot who hasn’t scored this season. For perspectives sake, consider the fact that Mike Vrabel has scored twice.

Start:

Everyone Else, Patriots: Because they’re the Patriots, and it’s Buffalo and your only potential Bill starter (Marshawn Lynch) is out with an injury.

Tennessee at Denver

Bench:

Travis Henry, RB, Broncos: As funny as it is to imagine T-Hen strapped to a lie-detector machine, and trying to convince Shanny of his innocence, the writing is on the wall here. That writing being that T-Hen is going to be suspended, and probably never heard from again, and Selvin Young represents the near future in Denver.

Start:

LenDale White, RB, Titans: He’s questionable, and had a horrible game last week, but if he’s healthy he needs to be in your lineup against Denver’s rush D, which is akin to scrimmaging “on air” in practice.

Sleepers:

John Beck, QB, Dolphins: Beck makes this list only because he will be a starting quarterback this week. Time will tell, but he may be worth a flyer in keeper leagues.

Chet Taylor, RB, Vikings: What Viking fans and fantasy owners forget is that while Adrian Peterson has been sensational, Chet wasn’t too bad either.

Mark Clayton, WR, Ravens: The promising young receiver may finally get his act together and build on last week’s performance now that Kyle Boller is under center.

Craphonso Thorpe, WR, Colts: Because I just wanted to type Craphonso. Twice.

Ted Kluck is the author of three books, including “Paper Tiger: One Athlete’s Journey to the Underbelly of Pro Football.” Visit him online at www.tedkluck.com.

[Home] [Newsletters] [FREE Plays] [Publications]
[Sample Copy] [NCAA Lines] [NFL Lines]
for information purposes only ©2007 Northcoast Sports, Inc.
Customer Support--> CustomerSupport@ncsports.com
Technical Issues---> Webmaster@ncsports.com