NFL Fantasy Versus Week 13: Coin Flip

Last week's "Coin Flip" article was destroyed before it even started. We pitted Matt Ryan against Donovan McNabb, vouching for Ryan against a hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, only to see the second-year star to hit the sidelines with a turf toe injury before he could do any damage.

It didn't stop there. We also had a match-up between two injured running backs (Cedric Benson and Michael Turner) who had the possibility of returning last week, and you didn't stand a chance going with either of them. Benson didn't even suit up, while Turner's triumphant return ended with 12 carries and under 40 yards, as well as a return to the sidelines after he re-injured his ankle.

We're sticking with guys who aren't riding gimpy legs into Week 13, and encourage you to rely on our advice this week:


Jay Cutler, QB, CHI (vs. STL) VS. Eli Manning, QB, NYG (vs. DAL)

Cutler has been awful for a large portion of the season, and no amount of yardage or touchdowns can hide his 20 interceptions (and counting). Don't get us wrong, we loved his potential going into the season, and there's no dispute that he has had some strong performances this season, but there's also no arguing that he's been a huge disappointment.

Eli Manning, on the other hand, has been very inconsistent since the Giants 5-0 start. He did drop in two nice performances in the two games prior to Week 12, but his recent foot issues (regardless of what he says) have to make you wonder if he's really a safe bet. Factor in that he's playing in a tough division game, and he has the makings to disappoint on a Cutler-level.

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.


Ray Rice, RB, BAL (@GB) VS. Thomas Jones, RB, NYJ (@ BUF)

This is an interesting match-up because both of these backs have been fantasy stalwarts for most of 2009, and really, in any given week, have the role and ability to save your team. Rice is in a brutal division that does a great job against the run (except for Cleveland), yet he's still put up elite numbers on a consistent basis. The week-to-week match-up is the complete opposite for Jones, however, yet the backs' numbers are very comparable.

Rice is going up against a very solid Green Bay Packers defense this Monday, one that has done a great job containing running backs in the past three games, yet still has a bit of trouble on screens (as most teams do). In a match-up of two beastly running backs, their respective match-ups have to be the deciding factor.

Verdict: Rice is very hard to leave on your bench, but if you have the choice between the two, you can't pass up Jones' beautiful match-up with a very leaky Bills run defense. Jones broke-out of 200+ yards on them last time, and that was with Mark Sanchez throwing five picks. How do you like his chances this week? Needless to say, TJ is our guy.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, PHI (@ATL) VS. Terrell Owens, WR, BUF (vs. NYJ)

Maclin has been a solid model for consistency since taking over Kevin Curtis' job as the Eagle starter opposite of DeSean Jackson, while T.O. has finally developed some chemistry with a quarterback not named Romo, McNabb, or Garcia. Trent Edwards wasn't giving him any love, but who would have thought Ryan Fitzpatrick would do the trick?

Maclin has a tasty match-up against a weak Atlanta pass defense, and also has some nice luck with DeSean Jackson likely out with a concussion. If D-Jax says he can't go (which he did), we believe him. Owens, on the other hand, although on an absolute tear the past two weeks, and self-proclaiming that "he's back", has a brutal match-up against the Jets' stud cover man, Darrelle Revis.

Verdict: Owens has looked so good lately, that we still like him to put up WR3 numbers and, at the very worst, he should be a decent Flex play. But his match-up is trash compared to Maclin's, and we know the Eagles love to throw the ball. That, and we have a little more faith in Donovan McNabb than Fitzpatrick. Roll with Maclin.