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 Adrian Peterson will not be featured. For your final lineup decisions, check our lineup rankings.
Start of the week
Julius Thomas at Dallas Cowboys: Thomas scored just 4.30 fantasy points in last week's win over the Philadelphia Eagles, but he is bound to bounce back against the Cowboys. Their defense has been vulnerable to tight ends, allowing the most receptions, the most receiving yards and the seventh-most fantasy points to the position in 2013. (Maximum value: High-TE1)
Start 'em
Antonio Gates at Oakland Raiders: Gates has been resurrected both in the stat sheets and in fantasy football leagues, ranking second in receiving yards and an impressive fourth in points at his position. Next on the schedule is a date with the Raiders: Gates has recorded a touchdown catch in four of his last six games against them. (Maximum value: High-TE1)
Greg Olsen at Arizona Cardinals: Olsen averaged a solid 8.5 fantasy points per game before Carolina's bye week, and his success should continue after the break in Arizona. The Cardinals have been a tight end's fantasy dream come true, allowing the second-most receiving yards and the third-most fantasy points to the position this season. (Maximum value: Mid-TE1)
Jared Cook vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cook has been tough to figure this season. After a 24.10-point explosion in Week 1, he's recorded a combined 9.90 fantasy points in his last three games. With the bye weeks here and a matchup against the Jags up next, however, Cook should still be considered a viable starting option in most leagues. (Maximum value: Low-TE1)
Sleeper alert -- Coby Fleener vs. Seattle Seahawks: Fleener's value is on the rise, as he's scored 12-plus fantasy points in two of his last three games. The unquestioned No. 1 option for the Colts, Fleener is a nice option against the Seahawks: Their defense has surrendered an average of 12.85 fantasy points per road game to tight ends. (Maximum value: Low-TE1)
Sit of the week
Owen Daniels at San Francisco 49ers: Daniels had a hot start to the season, catching three touchdown passes in his first two contests. Since then, however, he has scored a combined 10.10 fantasy points with no end-zone visits. His struggles could continue against the Niners, who have allowed just 14 catches for 142 yards to tight ends.(Maximum value: Low-TE1)
Sit 'em
Martellus Bennett vs. New Orleans Saints: The sixth-highest scoring tight end in fantasy football, Bennett has been a draft bargain. So while it's tough to bench him during the bye weeks, keep in mind that this week's matchup against the Saints isn't favorable. Their defense has allowed just 11 receptions to tight ends in four games. (Maximum value: High-TE2)
Brandon Myers vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Myers scored a combined 20 fantasy points in his first two games, but the proverbial wheels have fallen off since then -- he's scored 3.30 points in his last two contests. This week's matchup against the Eagles is favorable for the Giants, but their defense hasn't allowed a tight ends to score. (Maximum value: High-TE2)
Zach Miller at Indianapolis Colts: Miller has had one game where he scored double-digit fantasy points, and that was against the Jaguars in a game where he had five yards (and two touchdowns). In his other three games, he's recorded a combined 7.10 fantasy points. The Colts are tough on tight ends, so keep Miller on your fantasy bench. (Maximum value: Mid-TE2)
Owners beware -- Vernon Davis vs. Houston Texans: If Davis is on your team, chances are you're starting him. Just keep in mind that over the last three weeks, he's missed one game and has a combined 38 yards in the other two. The Texans are tough on tight ends, allowing the fourth-fewest yards and third-fewest fantasy points. (Maximum value: Low-TE1)
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**!
