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
Eric Decker vs. Washington Redskins: Decker has been fantastic in recent weeks, scoring just under 48 fantasy points in his last four games. He should remain active against the Redskins, who have been a virtual cornucopia of fantasy points to wideouts -- their defense has surrendered the seventh-most points (25.73 PPG) to the position. (Maximum value: Mid WR1)
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Start 'em
Larry Fitzgerald vs. Atlanta Falcons: Fitzgerald has been a disappointment, but with six teams on a bye and a good matchup against the Falcons, he should be active this week. Only the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos have surrendered more fantasy points (28.25 PPG) to wide receivers, so look for Fitzgerald to shine. (Maximum value: Low WR1)
Pierre Garcon at Denver Broncos: Garcon has gone through a rough patch, ranking a mere 45th in fantasy points among wide receivers over the last four weeks. Still, it's hard to ignore what is a huge matchup against the Broncos. After seven weeks, Denver's defensive unit has allowed the third-most fantasy points (28.73 PPG) to wide receivers. (Maximum value: High WR2)
Marques Colston vs. Buffalo Bills: If Colston is on your fantasy team, you know how much he has struggled this season. But with a great matchup against the Bills next on the schedule, he's still a player to start in fantasy leagues. Over the last two weeks, no defensive team has allowed more fantasy points (35.90 PPG) to wide receivers. (Maximum value: High WR2)
Sleeper alert - Harry Douglas at Arizona Cardinals: With Julio Jones out for the season and Roddy White a question mark for Week 8, Douglas is now in line to play a more prominent role in the pass attack for Atlanta. He proved he can handle his new increased duties last week, recording 149 yards, one touchdown and 20.90 fantasy points. (Maximum value: Mid WR2)
Sit of the week
Steve Johnson at New Orleans Saints: Over the last four weeks, 95 wide receivers (including three members of the Bills) have scored more fantasy points than Johnson. If that weren't enough reason to keep him on the sideline, also consider that the Saints have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points (16.56 PPG) to wideouts at home.(Maximum value: Mid WR3)
Sit 'em
Denarius Moore vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Moore has been an underrated fantasy asset this season, but facing Steelers CB Ike Taylor is not a favorable scenario. A.J. Green, Brandon Marshall and Torrey Smith have all had subpar stat lines this season when going up against this tough cover corner, so Moore's expectations should be tempered. (Maximum value: Mid WR3)
Dwayne Bowe vs. Cleveland Browns: A total of 54 wide receivers have scored more fantasy points than Bowe this season! His fortunes aren't likely to change against the Browns, who have surrendered the eighth-fewest fantasy points (17.36 PPG) to wideouts this season. Bowe is also a good bet to be stuck facing stud CB Joe Haden all afternoon. (Maximum value: Low WR3)
Kenbrell Thompkins vs. Miami Dolphins: Thompkins is a respectable 27th in fantasy points among wide receivers, but he's scored fewer than two fantasy points in two of his last three games. This week, he has a tough matchup against the Dolphins -- their defense has given up the sixth-fewest fantasy points (14.96 PPG) to wideouts on the road. (Maximum value: Mid WR3)
Owners beware - Mike Wallace at New England Patriots: Wallace has sort of been what we expected in Miami, and it hasn't been so good. He's 50th in points among wide receivers, and this week's game in New England is anything but favorable. The Patriots have surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points (16.33 PPG) to wideouts at home. (Maximum value: Low WR2)
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**!
