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
Matt Bryant vs. New York Jets: Bryant had a slow start to the season, but he's picked things up with a combined 24 fantasy points over the last two weeks -- including 11 against the New England Patriots. Next up is a date with the Men in Green, who have surrendered an average of 10 fantasy points to kickers over the last two weeks. (Maximum value: High-K1)
Start 'em
Mason Crosby vs. Detroit Lions: Crosby hasn't been the same elite kicker he was a few years back, but it's hard not to like a matchup against the Lions. There won't be a lot of defense in this contest, so Crosby should see more than his share of chances to produce in the stat sheets. He is a free agent in 86 percent of NFL.com leagues. (Maximum value: Low-K1)
Alex Henery at New York Giants: A free agent in more than 80 percent of NFL.com leagues, Henery makes for a nice one-week option for those fantasy owners who like to stream kickers. This week he goes up against the Giants, who have given up an average of 10.50 fantasy points to kickers -- that's tied for the second-most in the league. (Maximum value: Mid-K1)
Sleeper alert - Greg Zuerlein vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Zuerlein has struggled in recent weeks, scoring a combined 10 fantasy points over his last three games. Still, this week's matchup against the Jaguars makes him worth a look -- their defense has surrendered an average of just under 10 fantasy points per game to kickers this season. (Maximum value: Low-K1)
Sit of the week
Adam Vinatieri vs. Seattle Seahawks: Vinatieri went off last week against the Jaguars, scoring 13 fantasy points on the strength of three field goals. However, his fortunes aren't likely to remain positive against the Seahawks -- their defense has surrendered 4.25 fantasy points per game to kickers -- that's third-fewest in the NFL. (Maximum value: High-K2)
Sit 'em
Randy Bullock at San Francisco 49ers: A preseason sleeper candidate among kickers, Bullock has been an unreliable option in fantasy leagues after four weeks. Next on the schedule is a date with the 49ers, who have been tough on kickers. In fact, the position has averaged a pedestrian 6.25 fantasy points against them so far this season. (Maximum value: Mid-K2)
Robbie Gould vs. New Orleans Saints: Gould has started the season off strong, scoring eight or more fantasy points in three of his first four games. That streak could come to a halt this weekend, though, as he'll face a Saints defense that has allowed an average of 3.25 fantasy points per game to kickers - that's the fewest in the NFL. (Maximum value: Mid-K2)
Owners beware -- David Akers at Green Bay Packers: Akers, owned in 52.9 percent of NFL.com leagues, went off last week for an impressive 16 fantasy points in a win over the Bears. He does have a far tougher matchup this week, though, as the Packers have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers during the 2013 campaign. (Maximum value: Low-K1)
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**!
