FANTASY 101
Now Is The Time To Handcuff: last week for byes ahead. Now could be the perfect time to cut wait with dead wait on your roster for players that have upside in the event of an injury. For example, even owners who don’t have Matthew Stafford on their team should consider adding Shaun Hill if they need quarterback depth. At this point he’s more valuable than carrying a player like Colt McCoy on your roster.
SETTING YOUR LINEUP (Byes: HOU, IND, NO, PIT)
START 'EM
QB Jay Cutler (vs. SD) – Over the past month The Bolts have given up 245.0 passing yards and 2.50 touchdowns per game. They have intercepted only a pass per game, on average, and have let signal callers complete 64.9 percent of their throws.
RB James Starks (vs. TB) – Tampa Bay has given up the most average fantasy points (39.7) per game to the position in standard scoring. He has averaged 13.0 attempts and 68.0 yards (5.2 per carry).
SIT 'EM
QB Joe Flacco (vs. CIN) - The Bengals are without their top corner Leon Hall, but the defense has allowed only one quarterback over their last seven games to throw for multiple TD’s and Flacco has thrown for more than one score in a game since Week 3.
RB Cedric Benson (@BAL) – has four-game average of 18.8 attempts for 61.3 yards and 0.25 TDs. He's still producing enough to be a weekly starter, but the Ravens are allowing 103 rushing yards and 0.8 TDs per game over the past four weeks to opposing RBs.
FANTASY INFIRMARY
RB Darren McFadden (foot) – The good news is he is now out of the walking boot. The bad news is he still not practicing. I would be surprised if he plays in Week 11.
QB Michael Vick (ribs) – Vick suffered two broken ribs in Week 10 and will likely be a game-time decision for this week’s tilt with the Giants. Vince Young will start should he not go, but I am not very confident in him as a fantasy starter.
WR Jeremy Maclin (hamstring/shoulder) –There a good chance the Eagles’ wideout sits in Week 11 as he battles a variety of injuries. It his shoulder that his status in doubt.
WR Julio Jones (hamstring) – Not looking good after he missed his second straight practice on Thursday. Owners need to look elsewhere.
RB Felix Jones (ankle) – Set to make a return from ankle injury, but his role is going to be limited with DeMarco Murry on a roll. Playing a wait-and-see approach is recommended.
Other injuries of note: Matt Schaub (foot), Matt Cassel (hand), Ben Roethlisberger (thumb)
TEAMS RESTING PLAYERS
There are some teams that could have too big of a lead and opt to rest players come fantasy playoff time…
GB – The Packers have a three-game in the NFC North and are a game up on the 49ers for homefield advantage. If San Fran keeps pace it may help owners that are hoping the team doesn’t rest Aaron Rodgers and other key members of its offense during the fantasy playoff drive. Picking up Matt Flynn may not be a bad idea or Rodgers’ owners. The quest for a perfect regular season will likely keep Green Bay’s starters playing to the finish.
SF - With a five-game lead in the division the 49ers are a lock to make the playoffs. A win this week gives them a two-game edge for a first-round bye. If they lose a game they will likely begin resting players. It’s already started for banged up running back Frank Gore, who’s starting to lose, carries to Kendall Hunter.
NO – The Saints fit the bill as a team with a nice division lead, but one that likely will struggle to catch the top two seeds, the Packers and 49ers, for a first-round bye.
HOU – If they keep winning the Texans could decided to cut down on Arian Foster’s workload, but with Matt Leinart taking over at quarterback they could hit some bumps in the road that prevents them from that opportunity.
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