Everyone is confronted with tough decisions week in and week out. Those who make the right decisions on who to start and who to bench will win. Outsiders often attribute the ability to make the right decision to luck. It can be the case, but skilled owners make far more right choices than wrong. Makes sense, right? Below is my way of making those tough decisions a little bit easier.
QUARTERBACKS
David Carr, Titans (YES!): It’s been a tough year so far for Carr and the Texans, but this matchup with the Titans should give them an opportunity to get their offensive house in order. The Titans have been horrific against the pass so far. Working further in Carr’s advantage from a fantasy perspective is the fact that the Texans shouldn’t be able to stop the Titans either. This should be a high-scoring game between two evenly matched bad teams.
Byron Leftwich, Jaguars (NO!): On the other end of the defensive spectrum are Marvin Lewis’ Bengals, who have allowed two passing touchdowns to go with 12 interceptions in four games. They can’t possibly keep it up, but it certainly isn’t a coincidence.
RUNNING BACKS
Michael Pittman, Bucs (YES!): As long as your league gives running backs points for receiving yards, Pittman should be a good play this week. Even if Cadillac Williams can go, expect him to get relieved liberally. While Pittman may not get 20 carries, he ought to be productive this week even in his worst case scenario.
Curtis Martin, Jets (NO!): Gone, at least for now, are the days where everyone in the stadium could expect Curtis to get the ball, and he’d still get four yards per carry. With a quarterback who was out of the league two weeks ago, and up against one of the best rushing defenses in the league, Martin isn’t likely to go anywhere.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Joe Horn, Saints (YES!): Don’t let the “questionable” designation fool you – Horn is practicing and traditionally plays hurt. He’s got a great matchup this week against a poor Green Bay secondary.
Eric Moulds, Bills (NO!): I’m not sure if Moulds is any good anymore, and the quarterback situation in Buffalo is making it very hard to find out.
TIGHT ENDS
David Martin, Packers (YES!): With a couple of major tight ends on the bye week this week, Martin is a good alternative. Just make sure that Bubba Franks doesn’t get upgraded before the game.
Erron Kinney, Titans (NO!): I think I jinxed him last week. He’s hurt, and he’s got Ben Troupe to contend with.
KICKERS
John Carney, Saints (YES!): They should be able to score on the Pack without too much difficulty.
Ryan Lindell, Bills (NO!): The Bills are struggling on offense.
DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS
Cincinnati Bengals (YES!): They just might be the big defensive scorer this year. They’re averaging three picks per game.
New England Patriots (NO!): Obviously they have some defensive issues to work out. They probably will, but it’s better not to start them until they prove worthy.