Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: DeSean Jackson and 7 Studs Who Will Turn to Duds

DeSean Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald and Chris Johnson head the list of seven fantasy studs that should be benched this week.

Two players should be benched because of an injury to themselves or a key player on their team.  Four should be benched because of the defense they will face. And one should be benched because he is having a just plain, dismal season.

Ahmad Bradshaw: Stress Fracture

It has been reported that Ahmad Bradshaw of the New York Giants has a stress fracture in his foot. So his status for this week's game against the New England Patriots is questionable.

Bradshaw managed to play games in 2009 with a similar injury, so he might try to play this week. But his number of reps should be limited. You need to look for another alternative at running back.

Ben Roethlisberger: Coming Back to Earth Against the Ravens

Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been a fantasy stud the past four weeks. During that period he has thrown 11 touchdown passes with only two interceptions.

But this week against Ed Reed and the Baltimore Ravens, it should be a different story. The Ravens have given up only 16 plays greater than 20 yards so far this season. That is quite a remarkable stat.

More interceptions than touchdown passes is a reasonable expectation for Roethlisberger. So you need to look elsewhere for a starting quarterback this week.

Larry Fitzgerald: A Kolbless Sunday?

Normally you would want to start a player against the St. Louis Rams. But this week might be different.

Quarterback Kevin Kolb of the Arizona Cardinals has been hampered by a case of turf toe and has not practiced this week. Even if does start, he might not be able to last the entire game.  

Add to this the fact that Larry Fitzgerald has only two touchdown passes this year, and you should be convinced to bench him this week.

Ray Rice: Tough Road Against the Steelers

Last week against the Arizona Cardinals, Ray Rice had three touchdowns and seven pass receptions. That put his fantasy production for the week in the elite stratosphere.

This week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rice will be just an average running back. So if you have another option, I would bench him this week.

DeSean Jackson: No More Long Bombs

The game-winning punt return last year against the New York Giants might have been the worst thing that could have happened to DeSean Jackson's fantasy production.

This season Jackson has only had two touchdown receptions. He has fewer pass receptions than both Jason Avant and Jeremy Maclin.

Teams have devised schemes to take Jackson out of the game, and they are working. I expect more of the same from the Chicago Bears this week. He won't be more than a marginal WR2 this week, so I would bench him in place of a more reliable producer.

Chris Johnson: I've Seen Enough

Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans was my No. 1 draft pick in the league I run. He is killing me with his lack of production.

Over the last three games, Johnson has averaged 34 yards a game. This is not acceptable for a RB1. I've seen enough. This week he is up against the hot Cincinnati Bengals. He rides my bench until I see some progress.

I urge you to do the same thing.

El Manning: The Fun Is over

During the easy part of the New York Giants' schedule, Eli Manning has done very well. He has completed almost 65 percent of his passes. He has 13 touchdown passes compared with five interceptions.

But on Sunday, the easy part of the schedule comes to an abrupt halt. Possibly playing without Ahmad Bradshaw, the Giants should fall behind the New England Patriots early. Then Manning will be forced to pass to catch up, and everything will fall apart for Manning and eventually the Giants' season.

Earlier this week I recommended that you trade Manning. If you still have him, he needs to ride the bench this week.