Fantasy Football's Week 13 IDP's Start/Sit

By Sean Haugh

Now that it’s crunch time, I am mostly going to concentrate on Starts this week.

I’m guessing you are in a playoff hunt or two with little time left and may be in need of a spot starter.

Frankly, my Sit advice has been less than stellar this year, so let’s go with what works. In lieu of Sit advice, I will cover the main injuries and game time decisions at the end.

Defensive Linemen to Start

Minnesota has been doing a horrible job the last four weeks of keep Gus Frerotte’s jersey clean, giving up 13 sacks in that time. Opposite that formerly proud offensive line this week comes Chicago, who features a couple defensive linemen who have stepped up their play of late. Start DE Adewale Ogunleye and DT Tommie Harris.

Kyle Vanden Bosch had all but disappeared since his injury in Week Four. I was cautioning people against him last week because since Week Five he has been responsible for all of one fantasy point...

Vanden Bosch proved me wrong last week with four tackles and half a sack against the Jets. This week, he gets to feast on the Lions for Thanksgiving. He is safe to plug back into your lineup or even pick him up if some fool (such as myself, for example) dropped him earlier.

I love looking for blood in the water, most especially on behalf of defensive linemen. This week’s victim is the Philadelphia Eagles. I believe they are in full hysteria mode. I believe they are petitioning the league for an emergency second bye week right now. Enter Darnell Dockett, from whom his owners could use a strong performance. He will get one on Thursday.

The trail of blood leads us across the country to Denver. I am still unsure if losing to Oakland was a fluke or a sign of total offensive meltdown from a team, which already has no defense. If it were the Rams or 49ers, maybe. But the Raiders? Ouch. DE Shaun Ellis and DT Kris Jenkins should rebound as the Jets flex their newfound muscles and demolish the Broncos.

Linebackers to Start

Two of the three teams that have given up the most points to opposing linebackers in the last four weeks meet when the Giants travel to Washington. I know I gave slightly different advice earlier in the forums, but upon further study, I really like Rocky McIntosh this week, as well as London Fletcher.

New York’s linebackers led by Antonio Pierce should cash in as well.

A big part of the Saints walking a mudhole into the Packers on Monday night and walking it dry was the inspired play of linebackers Scott Fujita and Scott Shandle. This week’s matchup against the other Bay in Tampa should be just as tasty. And don’t forget Jonathan Vilma either, he’s bound to get his.

One bright spot for the Packers from Monday night’s debacle is that the new linebacker set with A.J. Hawk in the middle and Brandon Chillar on the weak side is working out rather well, especially for Chillar. I see that continuing against Carolina’s running game this week.

Defensive Backs to Start

Another statistical cripple fight is set up for us when the Patriots and Steelers meet. Both teams rate in the top three in points allowed to defensive backs in the last four weeks. Someone who should have been in my all-prospect column last week is New England...

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