Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the weekly NFL matchups and how they'll affect your fantasy football team. Sleeper alert features an under-the-radar player who could produce good numbers. Owners beware features a regular fantasy starter who could fail to meet expectations based on the strength of his opponent. Obvious fantasy starters like Aaron Rodgers and Arian Foster will not be featured in this column. For your final lineup decisions, check our lineup rankings.
Start of the week
Anquan Boldin vs. Indianapolis Colts: Boldin has been an all-or-nothing fantasy wideout, posting a huge line in Week 1 before a stinker against the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday night. I think his fortunes will change for the better against the Colts, who have allowed a touchdown to each of their first two opponents' No. 1 wideout. Start Boldin with confidence. (Maximum value: High-WR2)
Start 'em
Mike Wallace vs. Atlanta Falcons: The squeaky wheel gets the grease, right? After doing nothing in Week 1 -- and complaining about it -- Wallace went off for 115 yards and one touchdown in a win over the Colts. Next up is a date with the Falcons, who have allowed four touchdowns and the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in their first two contests. (Maximum value: Mid-WR2)
Hakeem Nicks at Carolina Panthers: Nicks hasn't found the end zone yet, but he has averaged close to 100 yards per game through the air. He has also held up well in terms of his health. This week the former Tar Heel travels to Carolina to face the Panthers, who have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers after two weeks. (Maximum value: Mid-WR2)
Julian Edelman vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: If you're in a PPR league, Edelman needs to be in your starting lineup - even if it's just as a third wideout or flex starter. With Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski both dealing with injuries, Tom Brady will continue to look to the receiver he trusts most in the pass attack - these days, that's Edelman. (Maximum value: Mid-WR2)
Sleeper alert -- Tavon Austin at Dallas Cowboys: Austin made a nice impact in Week 2, finding the end zone twice in a loss to the Falcons. So while he's not likely to be consistent in his rookie season, Austin now warrants consideration when the matchup is right. That's the case against the Cowboys, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wideouts. (Maximum value: High-WR3)
Sit of the week
Roddy White at Miami Dolphins: White's high ankle ailment continues to hamper him, as he has recorded a meager four combined fantasy points over his first two contests. Couple that with a matchup against the Dolphins, who have surrendered the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts this season, and it's very obvious that starting White is a major gamble. (Maximum value: High-WR3)
Sit 'em
Power Rankings: Steelers sinking
Things are bad for Big Ben and the Steelers -- as in, "hurtling toward the bottom" bad. Elliot Harrison ranks all 32 teams. **More ...**
Greg Jennings vs. Cleveland Browns: Jennings recorded a respectable 8.40 fantasy points last week, but you have to wonder if we're going to see a lot of so-so stat lines from him with Christian Ponder under center. He remains a shaky starting option against the Browns and CB Joe Haden, who has held down both Wallace and Torrey Smith in his first two contests. (Maximum value: High-WR3)
Cecil Shorts at Seattle Seahawks: There isn't one member of the Jaguars offensive roster I would trust as a starter this week. Even the most explosive offensive attacks seem to struggle in Seattle, where the stadium rocks the opposition like a hurricane (excuse the Scorpions reference). The Jags might have the worst offense in the NFL, so bench Shorts if possible. (Maximum value: Low-WR3)
Mike Williams at New England Patriots: The Buccaneers are dealing with question marks in their pass attack, trade rumors about their quarterback and a tough upcoming matchup in Foxboro. After two weeks, New England has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Williams also has just 61 yards on the season, which is less than mediocre. (Maximum value: High-WR3)
Owners beware -- Antonio Brown vs. Chicago Bears: Brown was a breakout candidate in the preseason, but the struggles of the Steelers offense has made it tough to trust him against a formidable team. That's the case this week, as the Bears and their tough pass defense come to town. If you have to start Brown, make him a third wide receiver - and temper expectations. (Maximum value: High-WR3)
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
