Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 17: Eli Manning In, Tom Brady Out
Here’s some sit and start advice as you set your lineups for Week 17 of the 2010 NFL season.
Quarterbacks
Start:
Eli Manning, New York Giants
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Eli and the Giants have had their backs against the wall before and they’ve responded. In a must win, with Hakeem Nicks out or limited, I just get the feeling Peyton’s brother will come up with a big performance. Eli quietly has 30 touchdown passes on the year. I think he adds to it against the Redskins 31st ranked pass defense.
Sit:
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
As tough as it is to sit the likely league MVP, he’s too big of a risk to use in a championship game. The Patriots have nothing to play for, and while his three touchdown passes last week were nice, he only threw for 140 yards. This is precisely why leagues should wrap up in Week 16.
Running Backs
Start:
Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers
Perhaps it’s a little late for Mathews to reward fantasy owners, but he should do so this week against Denver’s 31st ranked run defense (153.9 yards allowed per game). They have also yielded the most rushing touchdowns (23). With Matt Tolbert (neck, shoulder) banged up, Mathews should lead the way.
Sit:
Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals
The Ravens shut down Peyton Hillis last week and will look to do the same this week against Benson. Baltimore ranks fourth with just 94.2 rushing yards allowed per game and tied for first, coincidentally with fellow AFC North mates Pittsburgh and Cleveland, with just five rushing touchdowns allowed.
Wide Receivers
Start:
Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
Crabtree redeemed himself to fantasy owners last week six catches for 122 yards and a touchdown against the Rams. He scored against the Cardinals back in Week 12, and is a decent bet to reach paydirt once again.
Jerome Simpson, Cleveland Browns
Simpson showed what he’s capable of going off for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Chargers’ top ranked pass defense. While Baltimore is tough against the run, they are just average defending the pass.
Sit:
Deion Branch and Wes Welker, New England Patriots
As I mentioned with Brady, you just don’t know what the Patriots’ plans are. Knowing what happened the Patriots against the Ravens last year when Wes Welker was hurt late last season, I’d be surprised if his snaps weren’t limited. Branch could be a little more active, but given his injury history, I wouldn’t be surprised to see reduced snaps for him as well.
Tight Ends
Start:
Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders
Miller turned in a monster performance last week catching nine passes for 66 yards and a score. It was his third straight game with at least four catches. He figures to be quite active against the Chiefs this week.
Sit:
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons
Gonzo has not reached 40 yards in any of his last four games, and has topped 51 yards just twice on the year. He’s got decent overall numbers, but has ten games that he didn’t score and had 46 or fewer yards.
Defenses
Start:
New York Giants
The Giants defense looked more like the unit that collapsed against the Eagles than the one that kept Vick and company in check for three quarters when they faced Green Bay last week. With their backs against the wall, and Coughlin’s job in question, the defense should respond against the Redskins.
Sit:
Tennessee Titans
The Titans are one of three teams, along with Green Bay and Pittsburgh, that have at least 39 sacks and 17 interceptions. Unfortunately the odds aren’t in their favor that they’ll add significantly to either category against Peyton Manning.
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