Start 'em & sit 'emis the ultimate look at weekly matchups and how they'll affect your fantasy team.Sleeper alertfeatures a player who's under the radar and could produce good numbers.Owners beware features a player who's a regular fantasy starter but could fail to meet expectations. For your final lineup decisions, check our lineup rankings.
Start of the week
Jamaal Charles vs. Cardinals: Charles has been a solid fantasy contributor in recent weeks, scoring double-digit points in five straight games in an expanded role in the offense. His success should continue against the Cardinals, who have allowed 12 total touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2010.
Quarterbacks - start 'em
Mark Sanchez vs. Texans: Sanchez has had an up-and-down season in fantasy leagues, but he's been hot in recent weeks. In fact, the Southern California product has averaged close to 23 fantasy points on NFL.com in his last two games. With a matchup against the Texans up next, Sanchez should find continued statistical success.
Joe Flacco at Panthers: Flacco, ranked 10th in fantasy points among quarterbacks on NFL.com, is a nice low-end starting option for owners against the Panthers. Their defense has allowed an average of 16.5 fantasy points to the last three signal-callers to face them, so Flacco will be in a very good position to produce a solid stat line.
Josh Freeman at 49ers: Believe it or not, but Freeman is in the top 12 in fantasy points among quarterbacks on NFL.com. The underrated Kansas State product is a very nice option for fantasy leaguers this week against the 49ers -- their defense has allowed 15 total touchdowns and an average of 15 fantasy points per game to signal-callers.
Carson Palmer vs. Bills: Palmer is dealing with a cranky shoulder, but he should be ready to face the Bills at home in Week 11. The veteran quarterback has thrown multiple touchdown passes in six straight games, and Buffalo's defense has allowed an average of over 16 fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers this season.
Matt Cassel vs. Cardinals: Whether it's been in real time or garbage time, Cassel has posted some nice fantasy numbers in recent weeks. In fact, he's scored multiple touchdowns in four of his last five starts including four last week. Next on the schedule is a questionable Cardinals defense, so Cassel could be in line for another nice week.
Sleeper alert - Shaun Hill at Cowboys: The Cowboys did pull out a shocking road win against the Giants last week, but the fact remains that their pass defense has been vulnerable. In fact, only the Texans have allowed more touchdown passes. Enter Hill, who has some real sleeper value based on the matchup in what could be a shootout.
Quarterbacks - sit 'em
Brett Favre vs. Packers: Favre has been a shell of his former self, throwing for 10 touchdowns with a miserable 21 total turnovers in nine games. In his last game against his former team, the Green Bay Packers, he threw just one touchdown pass and three interceptions. The old gunslinger shouldn't be active in most fantasy leagues.
Donovan McNabb at Titans: Outside of Monday night's loss to the Eagles, where he was afford a ton of garbage time, McNabb had averaged a mere one touchdown pass per game. His fortunes aren't likely to change at LP Field against the Tennessee Titans, who have surrendered just 11 touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this season.
Matt Schaub at Jets Schaub is coming off a solid game against the Jaguars, but this week's matchup against the Jets is far more formidable -- their defense has given up 13 or fewer fantasy points to two of the last three quarterbacks they have faced, one of which was Aaron Rodgers. Schaub also has a knee issue, so he's even more of a risk.
Ryan Fitzpatrick at Bengals: Fitzpatrick has started to slow down in recent weeks, posting a combined 22.8 fantasy points on NFL.com in his last two games. Next on the slate is a game against the Bengals, who have surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Keep the Harvard graduate on the sidelines.
Matt Hasselbeck at Saints: Hasselbeck is coming off a solid performance against the Cardinals, throwing for 333 yards and one touchdown in a win over the Cardinals. However, he'll be hard pressed to replicate that stat line against the Saints. Their defense has allowed an average of just 8.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Owners beware - Jay Cutler at Dolphins (Thurs.): Cutler has posted decent numbers in his last two games, throwing for a combined five touchdowns. But don't be too shocked if he falters against the Dolphins. Their defense has allowed an average of just 12 fantasy points to quarterbacks in their last three games at Sun Life Stadium.
Running backs - start 'em
Peyton Hillis at Jaguars: Hillis proved last week that he's matchup proof, scoring 14.90 fantasy points on NFL.com despite facing a stout Jets run defense. Well, the bruising runner should better those numbers against the Jaguars. Their defense is tied for the most rushing touchdown allowed (11) to opposing running backs this season.
Ahmad Bradshaw at Eagles: The Eagles offense is on a roll right now with Michael Vick under center, but their defense hasn't been all that spectacular. In fact, it has allowed an average of close to 20 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. That's good news for Bradshaw, who is in the midst of a career fantasy season.
Darren McFadden at Steelers: McFadden has a terrible matchup on paper, but I'd still start him against the Steelers. Their defensive line is riddled with injuries, as DE Aaron Smith and DE Brett Keisel are both out of action. With SS Troy Polamalu also at less than 100 percent, McFadden should be able to post good numbers for fantasy owners.
Felix Jones vs. Lions: Jones is coming off one of his best games of the season, posting 136 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in a win over the Giants. Now he'll go up against the Lions, who have surrendered the most fantasy points to running backs. Look for Jones to make some noise in what could be a high-scoring game at the Jerry Dome.
Fred Jackson at Bengals: Jackson made mincemeat of the aforementioned Lions last week, scoring 27 fantasy points on NFL.com. He should produce another nice stat line against the Bengals -- their defense has allowed an average of close to 17 fantasy points per game to runners. With C.J. Spiller out, Jackson will also see most of the work.
Sleeper alert - Mike Tolbert vs. Broncos (Mon.): If Ryan Mathews is out this week, fantasy owners should consider Tolbert a viable No. 2 back or flex starter based on a matchup against the Broncos. Their defense has been absolutely brutal against the run, allowing an average of 22 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.
Running backs - sit 'em
Jahvid Best at Cowboys: Best scored a combined 56.8 fantasy points on NFL.com in his first two NFL games. Since then, he's scored a total of 46 points. Whether it's the result of his sore toes or an offense that is throwing the ball a ton, it's hard to trust the rookie out of California even against a questionable Cowboys defense.
LeGarrette Blount at 49ers: Blount has been a nice find off the fantasy waiver wire this season, scoring double digit points in two of his last three games. However, he could be in for a rough week against LB Patrick Willis and the Niners. Their defense has allowed three rushing touchdowns to running backs all season long.
Marshawn Lynch at Saints: The Saints haven't been great against the run, but Lynch has simply been too unproductive to trust right now. In his last four games, the veteran back has averaged 6.6 fantasy points on NFL.com. What's more, Lynch also lost nine carries and quite a bit of playing time to Justin Forsett in Week 10.
Brandon Jackson at Vikings: How about this for an odd trend -- Jackson has alternated solid stat lines with very poor ones in each of his last seven games. In his last start, he put up 18.80 fantasy points against the Cowboys. Does this mean a bad number is coming? Well, a matchup against the Vikings could continue this strange trend.
Mike Goodson at Ravens: With DeAngelo Williams done for the season and Jonathan Stewart a question mark, Goodson could draw another start for coach John Fox. However, owners shouldn't expect another 100-yard game like the one he had against the Buccaneers. In fact, the Ravens have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to backs.
Owners beware - Matt Forte at Dolphins (Thurs.): Forte has started to disappear from the stat sheets in recent weeks, scoring a combined 21.3 fantasy points in his last three games. He could be in for another weak performance against the Dolphins, who have surrendered just four rushing touchdowns to running backs in 2010.
Wide receivers - start 'em
Marques Colston vs. Seahawks: Colston had a slow start to the season, but he was starting to get hot before the Saints had their bye week with a combined 24 catches in his last three games. With a matchup against a weak Seahawks pass defense next on the schedule, the Hofstra product should make some noise in the Superdome.
Dez Bryant vs. Lions: The Cowboys haven't had a lot of bright spots this season, but Bryant is one of them. The superstar rookie has been a stat-sheet monster in recent weeks, posting 328 yards and four touchdowns in his last four games. Against the Lions, Bryant should remain red hot for the Polks and fantasy owners alike.
Santonio Holmes vs. Texans: Holmes' tenure with the Jets got off to a slow statistical start, but he is finally starting to put up some great fantasy totals. In his last two games, the veteran has posted a combined 190 yards and one touchdown. Holmes, who now has a great matchup against the Texans, should remain in fantasy lineups.
Mike Williams at 49ers: Williams, a talented rookie out of Syracuse, is on pace to finish with an impressive 71 receptions for 1,115 yards and nine touchdowns. He should remain active in fantasy leagues this week against the 49ers -- their defense has surrendered an average of 154 receiving yards per game to opposing wideouts.
Nate Burleson at Cowboys: Burleson has recorded a combined 24 receptions in his last four games, so he's clearly a major part of the Lions pass attack. As a result, owners should consider him an attractive No. 3 fantasy wideout against the Cowboys -- their defense has allowed the third-most points to wide receivers after 10 weeks.
Sleeper alert - Nate Washington vs. Redskins: Washington has scored a touchdown in two straight games, and the addition of Randy Moss should help his overall value down the stretch. This week he's a nice sleeper pick against the Redskins, who have allowed 1,864 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches to opposing wideouts in 2010.
Wide receivers - sit 'em
Brandon Marshall vs. Bears (Thurs.): Do you think Marshall would like to be back with the Broncos right about now? His fantasy owners certainly do. The veteran has just one touchdown all season, and now third-string quarterback Tyler Thigpen will take over the offense. What's more, the Bears have been tough on opposing wideouts.
Santana Moss at Titans: Moss is on pace to finish the season with a career-best 91 receptions based on his current totals, but he's averaged just 49 yards in his last three games. Moss also has a tough matchup this week against the Titans -- their defense has surrendered just four receiving touchdowns to wideouts all season long.
Mike Williams at Saints: Here's an odd stat -- of Williams' 46 catches this season, almost 48 percent of them have come against the Cardinals. And unfortunately, he won't see the Cards again this season. Instead, Williams must face a Saints defense that has surrendered the fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.
Steve Smith vs. Ravens: Smith is still one of the most talented wideouts in the NFL, but he can't throw himself the football. With Matt Moore done for the season and Jimmy Clausen injured, it looks like inexperienced quarterback Brian St. Pierre will start against the Ravens. That's all you need to know about Smith -- he needs to be benched.
Donald Driver at Vikings: If Driver is able to return from an injured quadriceps this week, fantasy leagues should still keep him on the sidelines based on his awful numbers against the Vikings. In his last seven games against the NFC North rival, the veteran wideout has averaged a mere four catches for 46 yards with no touchdown catches.
Owners beware - Andre Johnson at Jets: I realize it's close to impossible to bench Johnson based on his out-of-this-world value, but his numbers could be less than stellar this week as he takes a trip to Revis Island. In his last game against Jets CB Darrelle Revis, Johnson was held to four catches, 35 yards and no touchdowns.
Tight ends - start 'em
Dustin Keller vs. Texans: Keller hasn't scored double-digit fantasy points on NFL.com since Week 4, but he's still the fourth-rated fantasy tight end with all of the injuries at the position. The Purdue product is a nice option for owners against the Texans, who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.
Zach Miller at Steelers: Assuming that Miller is able to practice all week, he should be a nice option for fantasy owners against the Steelers. Despite their overall stout defense, the Steelers have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Miller should also see a ton of targets with so many Raiders wideouts out with injuries.
Todd Heap at Panthers: Heap is the definition of inconsistent in fantasy land, but owners in need of a tight end this week could do worse than start him against the Panthers. Their defense has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to the position in 2010, so don't be surprised if Heap finds the end zone in what could be a blowout.
Kevin Boss at Eagles: With Steve Smith out of action, Boss should see more targets in the Giants pass attack moving forward. That was the case last week, as he went off for 81 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. This week Boss faces an Eagles defense that struggles to defend tight ends, so he's well worth a look in deeper leagues.
Marcedes Lewis vs. Browns: Lewis has been an all-or-nothing player in fantasy leagues, but this week's AFC matchup against the Browns makes him worth starting in all leagues. Cleveland's defense has struggled to stop tight ends all season, and opposing teams know it. Tight ends have been targeted a league-high 82 times against them.
Sleeper alert - Jermaine Gresham vs. Bills: Gresham is coming off a huge game against the Colts, posting nine catches for 85 yards with one touchdown in a 23-17 loss. This week he faces the Bills, who have surrendered the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. That makes the rookie well worth a look in all leagues.
Tight ends - sit 'em
Brent Celek vs. Giants: Celek has gone from being a fantasy stud last season to becoming waiver-wire fodder in 2010. In the five games that Vick has played the majority of the snaps for the Eagles, he has just 11 catches for 109 yards with no touchdowns. Celek also posted a meager eight yards against the Redskins last week.
Kellen Winslow at 49ers: Winslow posted six catches for 65 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season last week, but fantasy owners shouldn't expect a repeat performance against the Niners. Their defense has allowed just three touchdowns and an average of fewer than six fantasy points per game to tight ends after 10 weeks.
Rob Gronkowski vs. Colts: Gronkowski is coming off a huge three-touchdown performance against the Steelers, but fantasy owners shouldn't rush to start him in Week 11. While his value is rising, Gronkowski could still lose playing time to Aaron Hernandez. What's more, the Colts have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends.
Greg Olsen at Dolphins (Thurs.): Olsen, who caught 60 passes last season, is now on pace to finish the 2010 campaign with a mere 42 catches based on his current totals. That's what will happen to a tight end in Mike Martz's offense. The Dolphins have also been tough on the position this season, so look elsewhere for an option.
Anthony Fasano vs. Bears (Thurs.): Coming off a 107-yard, one-touchdown performance, Fasano is no doubt getting some looks off the fantasy waiver wire. But I see the Notre Dame product as a one-week wonder who will struggle against the Bears. Their defense hasn't surrendered a single touchdown to an opposing tight end in 2010
Owners beware - Visanthe Shiancoe vs. Packers: Shiancoe appeared to be back on the fantasy radar after putting up a nice stat line in Week 9, but he followed it up with a two-point dud against the Bears. With a matchup against a tough Packers defense looming, fantasy leaguers are better off leaving Shiancoe on the fantasy sidelines.
Kickers - start 'em
Matt Bryant at Rams: Bryant, the third-ranked kicker based on fantasy points on NFL.com, is coming off a solid 10-point performance against the Ravens last Thursday night. Next on the schedule is a favorable matchup against the Rams -- their defense has surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing kickers this season.
Billy Cundiff at Panthers: This week's game between the Ravens and Panthers is pretty simple from a fantasy perspective -- owners should start most of Baltimore's prominent players. That includes Cundiff, who is a nice option at kicker each week. The Panthers have allowed more than nine fantasy points per game to the position.
Graham Gano at Titans: Gano is another one of those matchup-based fantasy starters for those owners that lack an "elite" fantasy kicker. He faces a Titans defense that has allowed an average of close to 10 fantasy points per game to the position. That includes giving up a total of 23 field-goal conversions and 14 extra points.
Sleeper alert - Ryan Succop vs. Cardinals: Succop isn't a household name in fantasy circles, but this week's matchup against the Cardinals makes him a legitimate deep-league option. No defense in the entire league has allowed more fantasy points to opposing kickers than Arizona, so Succop should make some noise in this contest.
Kickers - sit 'em
Josh Scobee vs. Browns: Scobee hasn't been overly consistent from a fantasy perspective, but he does rank a respectable 11th in fantasy points at his position on NFL.com. However, this week's matchup against the Browns isn't favorable -- they have allowed an average of fewer than six fantasy points per game to opposing kickers.
Josh Brown vs. Falcons: After a few poor fantasy seasons, Brown has popped back up on the radar with Sam Bradford under center for the Rams. However, owners should keep him on the sidelines this weekend against the Falcons. No team in the entire league has surrendered fewer fantasy points to opposing kickers this season.
Olindo Mare at Saints: Mare is coming off a monstrous 18-point performance in a win over the Cardinals, but fantasy leaguers shouldn't rush to add him this week in a game against the Saints. Their defense has allowed a mere nine field-goal conversions and the second-fewest fantasy points to kickers overall this season.
Owners beware - Neil Rackers at Jets: The ninth-rated kicker on NFL.com based on fantasy points, Rackers is having a solid season for the Texans and owners alike. However, this week's game against the Men in Green makes him a risk. Their defense has surrendered an average of fewer than six fantasy points to opposing kickers.
Defenses - start 'em
Packers defense at Vikings: The Packers have put together some impressive defensive performances for fantasy owners in recent weeks, averaging close to 20 points on NFL.com in their last three games. That high level of statistical success should continue against the Vikings and Favre, who has been a turnover machine this season.
Ravens defense at Panthers: The Ravens defense has not been very good from a fantasy perspective this season, but it can still be a useful option against St. Pierre and the Panthers. Opposing defenses have found a ton of fantasy success against them, so the Ravens are worth adding in all leagues -- even if it's just for one week.
Saints defense vs. Seahawks: The Saints had started to get hot before their bye week, scoring a combined 32 fantasy points on NFL.com in their last two games. This week the boys from the Big Easy will face Hasselbeck and what has been a questionable Seahawks offense. They have averaged fewer than 16 points per game on the road.
Sleeper alert - Dolphins defense vs. Bears (Thurs.):Fantasy owners in deeper leagues looking for a defense should consider the Dolphins, based on their matchup against Cutler and the Bears. Opposing defenses facing them have combined to score the fourth-most fantasy points this season, so coach Tony Sparano's crew is worth a look.
Defenses - sit 'em
Giants defense at Eagles: I'm still trying to figure out how the Giants allowed over 30 points to the Cowboys last week, but the fact remains that unit is really only useful in fantasy leagues against weaker opponents. Clearly, facing Vick and the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field does not fit into the category of a weaker opponent.
Vikings defense vs. Packers: Despite the fact that the Vikings were one of the first defenses selected in most fantasy drafts, this unit has been mostly below average. With Rodgers and the explosive Packers offense coming to town, the Vikes simply can't be trusted to produce. This unit also scored just four points against the Pack in Week 7.
Redskins defense at Titans:Chris Johnson is playing at a high level, and the addition of Moss just makes him more dangerous. As a result, defensive teams with the task of shutting him down are at a major disadvantage. Enter the Redskins, who have been vulnerable to runners, and you have the recipe for a perfect sit 'em defense.
Owners beware - Patriots defense vs. Colts: Surprisingly, the Patriots tied for the second-most fantasy points on NFL.com last week despite facing a tough Steelers offense. Still, this week's home game against Peyton Manning and the Colts doesn't make their defense very attractive in the majority of fantasy leagues.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question for Michael on anything fantasy football related? Leave it in our comments section or send it to **AskFabiano@nfl.com**!
