Which two running backs should I start from Ronnie Brown, Matt Forte and Maurice Jones-Drew? -- M. Dillman, Arkansas
Michael Fabiano: All three backs have very good matchups, but I'd start Brown and Forte and reserve Jones-Drew. I'm expecting a monster game from Brown, who faces one of the league's worst defenses. The Broncos are ranked 30th against the run. You also have to love Forte against Detroit and it's 31st-ranked run defense.
Which wide receiver should I start with Bernard Berrian and Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston, Eddie Royal and Roy E. Williams? -- N. Nielsen, Denmark
M.F.: I would sit Breaston and Williams and start Royal against the Dolphins. Breaston does have a great matchup in St. Louis, but he has to contend with the duo of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in the Cardinals' pass attack. Royal, one of several rookie wideouts to make an impact for fantasy leaguers, should see more than his share of targets against Miami's defense that's 25th in pass defense.
Which quarterback should I start from Jay Cutler, Donovan McNabb and Kyle Orton? -- M. Dunaieff, Japan
M.F.: I realize that Cutler hasn't performed well in recent weeks, but I think he'll rebound against the Dolphins. As I mentioned in the previous answer, the Fins field one of the worst pass defenses in the entire league. That bodes well for Cutler's chances to bounce back and produce a solid stat line. However, fantasy owners who have McNabb or Orton should start them with confidence as well. Both quarterbacks have played well and face vulnerable pass defenses in Week 9.
Thanks for the Donnie Avery tip. You're the man! Now I need help with my lineup this week. I have to start three wide receivers from Avery, Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes and Santana Moss. Also, I need to start two backs from Tim Hightower, Ryan Grant and Fred Taylor. I lose Frank Gore this week. -- B. Neely, Claremont, Calif.
M.F.: Moss, who is tied with Roddy White for the most fantasy points among wide receivers on NFL.com, is too valuable to sit even against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The same can be said of Burress, who has a tremendous matchup against the patchwork Cowboys pass defense. The third wideout to start is Avery. Believe it or not, but he ranks fifth in fantasy points in standard formats over the past three weeks. The four players ahead of him include Carolina's Steve Smith, Andre Johnson and Calvin Johnson.
Michael, I have a question about Start 'Em & Sit 'Em. Last week you said that owners should beware Kurt Warner against the Panthers. But in your quarterback rankings, you listed Warner ahead of Jake Delhomme, who has a favorable matchup in the column. In a case like that, which player should I start? -- J. Dacuma, Jr., Lakewood, Calif.
M.F.: Good question. The "owners beware" spot is reserved for star players who face a very difficult matchup that week. However, that's not an indication that he should be reserved. In such a case as the one you've mentioned, I would utilize the player rankings to make a final decision on who to start and who to sit. Remember that the weekly rankings are based on a combination of the player's matchup and overall value. So while Delhomme had a better matchup on paper last week, Warner was still too valuable to reserve unless you had another elite quarterback on your roster.
Is Larry Johnson playing this week? I see him on your running backs rankings, but I heard he's not playing against Tampa Bay. -- J. Hammonds, Seattle, Wash.
M.F.: Johnson practiced with his teammates on Wednesday, and there's been no definitive word from the Chiefs that he will miss Week 9. When that word comes down, then he will be removed from the player rankings. If I have Johnson (and I do in a few leagues), however, I would plan on setting my lineup without him and maybe add Kolby Smith as insurance if you lack running back depth. He's not on the same level as Johnson, but he has a chance to see significant carries for at least one week with Jamaal Charles injured.
Hi Michael, which quarterback should I start this week: Kyle Orton or Kurt Warner? - R. Duarte, Brazil
M.F.: I like Orton a lot this week, but I love Warner. He's facing his former team, the Rams, and their 26th-ranked pass defense. Warner has also averaged 272 yards and thrown for eight touchdowns in his last five starts against them. As I mentioned earlier, Warner is just too valuable to sit regardless of the opponent. In fact, I might look to deal Orton now while his value is high in order to improve a weaker part of your roster.
Which two running backs should I start from Joseph Addai, Brandon Jacobs, Tim Hightower and LenDale White? Also, I need two wide receivers from Donald Driver, Joey Galloway, Marvin Harrison and Santonio Holmes. Cheers! -- A. Asmussen, Madison, Wis.
M.F.: The Boston Globe reports Colts coach Tony Dungy indicated that Addai would play against the Patriots in a Wednesday conference call with the media. So barring setbacks, Addai should start and be a safe choice for fantasy owners. I'd also start Jacobs ahead of Hightower and White. At the wide receiver position, I'd side with Driver and Holmes.
Which two quarterbacks should I start this week from Jason Campbell, Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub? Thanks! -- B. McAuley, Canada
M.F.: I would put Campbell on the sidelines out of that trio. He's got a tough matchup against the Steelers defense, which is ranked first against the pass. Schaub has been on fire and has established himself as a must-start fantasy quarterback in almost all formats. Ryan, who looks nothing like a rookie quarterback, threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Eagles. What makes those numbers even more impressive is that he produced them in one of the most hostile venues in sports. He has thrown for 578 yards and three touchdowns in his last two starts and has a good matchup against the Raiders. They're ranked 26th in total defense.
Is now the time to sit Terrell Owens? I can start Donnie Avery ahead of him this week. -- N. Fossett, Nashville, Tenn.
M.F.: The decision to sit Owens all depends on your wide receiver depth. Would I sit him in favor of wideouts like Santonio Holmes or Derrick Mason? No, but I would sit him in favor of Avery. He's been one of the hottest wide receivers in fantasy football and faces a Cardinals team that's tied for the league lead with 14 receiving touchdowns allowed.
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