WEEK 11 START EM AND SIT EM

Start em

QB’s:

Matt Hasselbeck: The Seahawks travel to the Twin Cites to face Favre and the Vikes in Week 11. As stout as the Vikings are against the run, they are just 23rd against the pass. Seattle will likely be forced to air it out all day, as Minnesota’s explosive offense will dictate the pace of the game. Win or lose, Hasselbeck will attempt a ton of passes, surpass 300 yards, and toss a couple of TD’s.

Marc Bulger: In a battle between past and present St. Louis franchises, the passing game should be on display for both sides. Kurt Warner is of course always a threat to put up big numbers, but Marc Bulger will be facing Arizona’s the 30^th ranked pass defense in the dome. Bulger is finally healthy and as usual will have the presence of a reliable Steven Jackson to take the pressure off the receiving corps. Far from a stellar WR group, Bulger’s targets will nevertheless have ample opportunities to make plays against a porous Cardinals D. Bulger is a sneaky play this week at home.

RB’s

Rashard Mendenhall: The Steelers try to rebound this Sunday at Kansas City, which bodes well for those fantasy owners that carry guys like Mendenhall. Pittsburgh is desperate to return to its winning ways, and the abysmal Chiefs defense should accommodate the defending Champs. Mendenhall has been a decent starter for Pittsburgh, and has showed flashes of brilliance as a fantasy force. This week’s date with a brutal Chiefs rushing defense should yield over 100 yards and a score for the young Steeler RB.

Ricky Williams: The season-ending injury to Ronnie Brown has opened the door for Ricky Williams. The former Longhorn and Heisman winner will have an opportunity to shine the rest of the way, beginning at Carolina on Thursday Night Football. The Panthers have been up and down this year, similar to Miami. While Carolina has been able to control the passing attack of its opponents, the Cats have surrendered an average of 128.1 yards per game. Ricky had been averaging about 65 yards per game sharing the load with Ronnie Brown. If form holds against a very weak Panthers run defense, Williams should have no problems cashing in on a big day.

WR’s

Percy Harvin: Last week it was Sidney Rice who blew up with 201 receiving yards for the Vikings. True to form for the 2009-10 Minnesota Vikings, a new weekly hero should emerge on Sunday. Harvin is healthy and always a danger to produce a couple of game-breaking plays. Percy is due for one of those types of weeks. The Vikings onslaught continues.

Brandon Gibson: Although coach Spags has not yet committed to the rookie Gibson as a Week 11 starter, it makes sense that Brandon will again be the primary target of Marc Bulger. The Rams have nothing to play for but a glimpse of what the future might bring. Last week, the freshman wide-out hauled in seven catches for 93 yards. At home, against a poor Cardinals secondary, Gibson will likely put up comparable numbers, and possibly register his first career TD.

TE’s

Brandon Pettigrew: Similar to the situation in St. Louis, the Lions are playing for the future. Pettigrew has begun to play a prominent role in Detroit’s young offensive scheme. Week 11 has the awful Browns visiting the Motor City. Look for B-Pet to record 60-80 yards and score against the calamity that is the Cleveland Browns.

Jason Witten: Through ten weeks, the Dallas TE has not been the fantasy lock that owners have gotten used to over the past few years. Tony Romo has found success spreading the wealth, which has left Witten owners short. Jason is just too talented; however, to be kept quiet all season. The All-Pro TE is seeking jus this second trio to the end zone, and will see it this week against the rival Skins.

Sit em

QB’s:

Joe Flacco: It’s not that the Ravens haven’t been winning ballgames this season. The formula for success, however, is once again rushing and defense. Flacco certainly has the ability to put up flashy numbers, but Baltimore seems to have settled back into its comfort zone, which reduces the QB to a game manager. Take a “pass” on Flacco until further notice.

Mark Sanchez: The rookie Jets QB will likely be heading into a buzz saw in New England on Sunday, as the Pats will be seeking revenge against Gang Green, not to mention redemption from last week’s defeat in Indy. As expected “The Sanchize” has been slow to develop, and should be facing another painful rookie lesson in Week 11.

RB’s:

Justin Forsett: Stepping in for the injured Julius Jones, Forsett delivered an outstanding performance against the Cardinals last week in Arizona. Justin will again be the featured back this week for Seattle, but facing the dominant Vikings run defense, in Minnesota, is simply too much to ask of the young Hawk.

Jason Snelling: In case you were considering another fine replacement starting RB in Week 11, think again. Snelling had a decent outing against Carolina last week, as he filled in for the injured stud Michael Turner. A trip to the Meadowlands will not yield the same result, however, as the Giants are unlikely to surrender much to the Atlanta ground game. If Turner remains out for Week 12’s game against the Bucs, a distinct possibility, then Snelling should be considered, but not against Big Blue on Sunday.

WR’s:

Roddy White: The Falcons leading receiver is not one that you’d normally consider benching. Unless of course he was banged up, and facing the NFL’s 2^nd ranked pass defense, on the road, in a windy Giants Stadium. A difficult decision for fantasy owners, yes, but I have a hunch that Roddy and the entire Falcons offense is going to have a quiet afternoon in New Jersey.

Devin Hester: The Bears continue to struggle to find their identity. It’s unclear which team will show up on a weekly basis. At times, Jay Cutler and the offense have been able to move the ball, but more often than not, have victimized themselves by turning the ball over. Hester has been steady throughout this stretch, but against a defensively superior Eagles team looking to snap a two game skid, and remain in the NFC East hunt, Hester and Chicago will fall short Sunday Night.

TE’s

Vernon Davis: The suddenly explosive Davis has surprised many by this break-out season. Not many fantasy owners could have expected the previously underachieving TE to bust out with seven TD’s through the first ten weeks of the season. Davis may continue to be a reliable starter for the rest of the year, but the Niners travel to Green Bay this week, and face one of the league’s best overall defenses. Following a lackluster performance at home against Chicago last Thursday night, Vernon will be hard-pressed to return to the elite TE category against the Packers.

Tony Scheffler: With the exception of a monster Week 6 against these same San Diego Chargers that he’ll face in Week 11, the Broncos TE has been ineffective. The absence of starting QB Kyle Orton will further diminish Scheffler of a repeat performance. Tony will occasionally turn in a sparkler, but he’s not nearly consistent enough to rely on each week.