Week Seventeen
Bench, Start and Sleepers By Ted Kluck

New England at New York Giants

Bench:

Eli Manning, QB, Giants: Eli has been wholly mediocre, and the G-men are talking about resting starters anyway, which may be a good thing for them at the quarterback position.

Start:

Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants: Has been a beast of late, and the Pats have shown periodic vulnerability to the run.

Buffalo at Philadelphia

Bench:

Trent Edwards, QB, Bills: If you’re in your league’s championship game and are starting Trent Edwards, good luck to you.

Start:

Lee Evans, WR, Bills: Has been resurrected over the last few weeks, and could find the end zone again.

Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: 5 TD’s and 0 INT’s in his last 3 games.

Carolina at Tampa Bay

Bench:

Jeff Garcia and Joey Galloway, Bucs: The fact that Gruden rested his starters last week doesn’t bode well for this Sunday. Look for a McCown appearance and bench accordingly.

Start:

Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: If you’re reading this, you’re in your league’s super bowl, and Smith scored last week. He’ll also likely be facing backups.

Cincinnati at Miami

Bench:

The Bengals: Their offseason started three weeks ago, and the only drama surrounding this game is whether Rudi Johnson will re-aggravate his hamstring running to his UHaul after the game.

Start:

Samkon Gado, RB, Dolphins: Gado has scored 3 times in the last 3 weeks and if you’re desperate ­ I mean, really, desperate ­ he could be worth a start against a horrendous Bengals run defense.

Detroit at Green Bay

Bench:

Your Packers Starters: Which is unfortunate, because they face a positively junior varsity Lions defense. If you’re desperate and want to get cute, you could try starting Aaron Rodgers and/or Vernand Morency, but do so at your own risk.

Start:

TJ Duckett, RB, Lions: A sneaky play this week, as he’ll be facing Green Bay’s backups and has looked good in spot duty.

Jacksonville at Houston

Bench:

Darius Walker, RB, Texans: It’s a nice story, but Walker hasn’t found the end zone.

Start:

Sage Rosenfels and David Garrard: Ever think you’d be in a situation where Sage Rosenfels and David Garrard are two of the NFL’s most effective QB’s? Me neither.

New Orleans at Chicago

Bench:

Bernard Berrian, WR, Bears: Has 3 catches in the last 2 games.

Start:

Your Saints: Reggie Bush might be back, which would muddy the waters considerably for Aaron Stecker owners, but last week aside, this Bears D just hasn’t been very good.

Seattle at Atlanta

Bench:

Shaun Alexander, RB, Seahawks: Coming soon to a journeyman backup role near you.

Start:

Roddy White, WR, Falcons: Had a monster 12-catch game last week, and should see some backups in the Seahawk secondary this week.

San Francisco at Cleveland

Bench:

Frank Gore, RB, Niners: Hasn’t scored since Week 12, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Niners shut him down in what is, for them, a meaningless game.

Start:

Your Browns: Don’t get the shakes because of a few iffy performances latelyÉthese guys are solid and the Niners aren’t.

Shaun Hill, QB, Niners: 5 TD’s and 1 pick since taking over the starting job.

Dallas at Washington

Bench:

Todd Collins, QB, Redskins: Now isn’t the time to get cute, and start the geriatric Collins.

Start:

Santana Moss, WR, Redskins: Often goes nuts against the Cowboys, and has shown signs of life lately.

Kansas City at New York Jets

Bench:

Everybody Except the Two Guys Listed Below: See below.

Start:

Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe: The only startable players in this game.

Minnesota at Denver

Bench:

Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Vikings: If you’re reading this and starting Tarvaris Jackson this week, you must be in a 25 team league.

Start:

Chester Taylor, RB, Vikings: May get more work against a bad Bronco defense as AP is treated with caution.

Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos: Hasn’t scored in a couple of weeks but is still a fantasy stud.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore

Bench:

Troy Smith, QB, Ravens: You might be tempted to start last year’s Heisman winner, after he tossed a TD pass last week. Don’t.

Start:

Najeh Davenport, RB, Steelers: With Fast Willie shelved for the year, give Najeh a look ­ his 100 yard, 1 TD performance last week was more than just a drop in the basket. Sorry.

San Diego at Oakland

Bench:

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: In addition to the fact that he sucks every other week, Phil might rest in a game that means little to the Chargers.

Start:

Dominic Rhodes, RB, Raiders: The Raiders’ free agent acquisition finally got a chance to shine in Huggy’s absence last week, and responded with 100 yards. Think of it this way: The Raiders aren’t going to pass the football.

St. Louis at Arizona

Bench:

Edgerrin James, RB, Cardinals: Unless you’re in the market for 25 carries, 75 yards, and no TD’s.

Start:

Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: Seems good for a TD a game these days.

Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals: Had a monster outing last week, and if he plays (toe), he should put up nice numbers.

Tennessee at Indianapolis

Bench:

Colts Starters: This is why fantasy leagues should all finish by Week 16. If you’ve been riding Peyton Manning and Joseph Addai all year, they may play a series and then sit.

Start:

LenDale White, RB, Titans: The Colts will probably rest their starters, so White should find plenty of room to run.

Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Colts: Even if they sit their starters, the rookie Gonzo should get a lot of looks from Jim Sorgi.

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.

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