Week 11 in Fantasy Football: Favorable and Unfavorable Matchups

Jason and Justin Sablich are here to help you with your fantasy football team. The Sablich brothers will provide fantasy football advice throughout the season on this blog and on Twitter (@5thDownFantasy).

If you submit one of the 50 most accurate responses this week, you can win a prize from FantasyPros.com.

It’s hard to fathom how poorly the talented Eagles secondary has played at times this season. The low point came against Arizona last week when it allowed the Cardinals’ backup quarterback, John Skelton, to throw for 315 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Maybe it has to do with distribution of talent? Nnamdi Asomugha voiced his frustration this week about his not being allowed to shadow the opposing team’s best receiver, as he did when he played for the Oakland Raiders.

The bottom line is that the Eagles have allowed a 24-point fantasy average to Chicago’s Jay Cutler and Skelton over the last two weeks. No, seriously, they have. Eli Manning (NYG) has averaged 271 yards a game in his last two meetings with the Eagles and has thrown for four touchdowns in each of those games. We’re liking Manning’s chances Sunday night.

View Complete Week 11 Rankings

Favorable/Unfavorable Quarterback Matchups

Favorable

Carson Palmer (OAK) vs. Minnesota — Palmer bested Philip Rivers last Thursday, which was definitely one of the bigger surprises of Week 10, but we’re more surprised by how much stronger his arm has looked compared to last season. Averaging 315 yards and 2 touchdowns in his first two starts, he gets the second best QB fantasy matchup in Week 11. The depleted Vikings secondary is surrendering 23 fantasy points a game to the position and Kevin Kolb has been the only quarterback this season who has failed to post at least 15 fantasy points against them.

Matt Hasselbeck (TEN) vs. Atlanta — The only reason you would be interested in Hasselbeck in standard leagues is if your quarterback is on a bye week. Having said that, Atlanta does give up 18 fantasy points a game to opposing quarterbacks, and the Titans’ ground game could struggle considering how good Atlanta has been against the run (4th best in N.F.L.), forcing the Titans to deviate from their run-heavy ways and take to the air.

Mark Sanchez (NYJ) vs. Denver —  Sanchez was under fire for most of Sunday night against the league’s worst defense (New England), which could explain away some of the quarterback’s poor performance. But luckily for us, fake football is all about points, and Sanchez delivered 21 of them, if you had him in your lineup. A similar situation is brewing for Thursday night’s matchup with Denver. Nobody allows more fantasy points to quarterbacks than the Broncos (24), but Sanchez will have to survive Denver’s talented pass rushing duo of Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, who notched 7 hits and 2 sacks on the Chiefs’ Matt Cassel last week.

Unfavorable

Joe Flacco (BAL) vs. Cincinnati — This matchup got a little easier after the Bengals’ top cornerback, Leon Hall, was placed on I.R., but Flacco has a bad track record against this team and has been too unpredictable to trust as a starter this week. He has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in each of his last four games against the Bengals, with just two touchdowns and nine interceptions (sixth worst QB matchup, 16 FPPG).

Andy Dalton (CIN) vs. Baltimore — Dalton managed 14 fantasy points against a tough Pittsburgh defense last week (eighth worst QB matchup), which is what you can only hope for against an even tougher Baltimore defense (worst QB matchup), and there is a serious possibility he will be without his main weapon, A. J. Green, who is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee and will be a game-time decision.

Tony Romo (DAL) vs. Washington — The Redskins and a busted rib cage were responsible for Romo’s worst outing of the season in Week 3 (255, 0 TD, 1 INT). A healthier and more confident Romo should fare a lot better this time around, but he may not put up huge numbers against the league’s ninth ranked pass defense.

Cam Newton (CAR) vs. Detroit — Newton is coming off the worst outing of his young career, largely because of the Titans’ ability to generate a lot of pressure (five sacks). The Lions have the meanest defensive line in football and can bring the blitz with the best of them (tied for fourth in sacks with 26), and Ford Field isn’t exactly a friendly place to play, considering opposing quarterbacks have averaged just 9.8 fantasy points in the four games played there this season.

Favorable/Unfavorable Running Back Matchups

Favorable

Marshawn Lynch (SEA) vs. St Louis — What has gotten into this guy over the last couple of weeks? Touches. No running back has more of them over the last two games than Lynch. His 32 attempts in Week 10 helped him achieve his second consecutive 100-yard game against a normally stout Ravens run defense. His Week 11 opponent is allowing 21 fantasy points a game on the ground and just gave up a solid 10-point outing to the previously terrible Chris Ogbonnaya.

James Starks (GB) vs. Tampa Bay —  O.K., even in a total blowout, the Packers aren’t going to run the ball much. But at least Starks is getting the bulk of the carries over Grant and Kuhn, and his matchup with the Buccaneers (second best for RBs, 26 FPPG) will warrant high-end flex appeal this weekend.

Reggie Bush (MIA) vs. Buffalo — Even with a healthy Daniel Thomas, Bush continues to be the main man in the Miami backfield, including the red zone, as he produced his first multiple-touchdown game since 2007 against Washington last week. Both backs should see plenty of action against a depleted Bills defense that took a heavy beating from DeMarco Murray in Week 10 and has surrendered 21 fantasy points per game to the position in 2011.

Maurice Morris (DET) vs. Carolina — Despite the re-signing of Kevin Smith, Morris continues to see the bulk of the work in the Detroit backfield and he should see more than the 10 touches he received last week (the Lions surely don’t want to throw the ball 62 times again). That could mean some solid flex production against fantasy’s best matchup for running backs in 2011.

Unfavorable

Chris Johnson (TEN) vs. Atlanta — Was Johnson’s 23-point fantasy day last Sunday the turning point his owners were hoping for, or did the Panthers’ 28th ranked run defense have more to do with it? Atlanta ranks fourth best against the run and is allowing just 3.9 yards a carry this season. No running back has eclipsed the century mark on them and they haven’t surrendered a touchdown on the ground since Week 6.

Jackie Battle (KC) vs. New England — This isn’t a bad matchup on paper, as the Patriots have allowed 18 points a game on the ground, but Battle needs a Kansas City lead to be effective, and you really can’t expect that to happen against the N.F.L.’s third best offense. With the Chiefs down to Tyler Palko behind center, this one could get ugly in a hurry.

Roy Helu (WAS) vs. Dallas — It would make perfect sense to give your best players the most opportunities to get the ball, but apparently Coach Shanahan knows something we don’t. After breaking Art Monk’s single-game reception record the week before, Helu found himself on the bench watching an ineffective Ryan Torain run like mud for most of the first half last weekend. He reprised the role of starter for the second half, and logic would again point to his getting the start this week. But with Tashard Choice possibly suiting up against his old team, one can’t be sure. Dallas played the run much better last week with the return of their best run stopper, Sean Lee, holding Buffalo’s Fred Jackson to just 9 fantasy points.

Beanie Wells (ARZ) vs. San Francisco — You know the drill by now when it comes to the 49ers’ run defense. But if you’re getting on the Internet for the first time, San Francisco fields the top-ranked defense against the run, allowing just 3.4 yards a carry, and have yet to concede a rushing touchdown. Wells has not played well recently because of an injured knee and missed practice Wednesday, giving you that much more incentive to sit him.

Favorable/Unfavorable Wide Receiver Matchups

Favorable

Damian Williams (TEN) vs. Atlanta — The Titans’ leading receiver in touchdowns (4), Williams is doing his part to ease the pain from the loss of Kenny Britt, with an excellent 5-catch, 107-yard, 1-TD outing against Carolina last week. He could make for a solid WR3 spot start with Atlanta surrendering the 10th most fantasy points to the position this season (22).

Denarius Moore (OAK) vs. Minnesota — Moore propelled to the top of Oakland’s pass-catching food chain last week thanks in part to his teammate Jacoby Ford’s injury, and an incredible 46-yard reception. Start him against the league’s 30th ranked pass defense if you were lucky enough to score him off your wire.

Brandon Marshall (MIA) vs. Buffalo — Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore is not an elite talent, but Marshall owners don’t need him to be as long as he keeps feeding him the ball the way he has been (15 receptions, 204 yards, 1 TD last two weeks). In his last meeting with the Bills, Marshall recorded 11 receptions, 106 yards and 1 TD. Not a whole lot has changed since then with the Bills yielding the eighth most fantasy points to opposing receivers in 2011.

David Nelson (BUF) vs. Miami —  There are not a lot of good things to say about the Buffalo passing game right now, as it appears to be suffering a repeat of last season’s dropoff after a hot start. But Miami’s secondary actually allows more fantasy points to the position than the Bills (seventh best matchup), and with Steve Johnson looking doubtful to play in this one, Nelson could end up being Fitzpatrick’s top option.

Unfavorable

Dwayne Bowe (KC) vs. New England —  Palko is the only reason we would be concerned with Bowe’s fantasy production this week since nobody allows more fantasy points to receivers than the Patriots.

Roddy White (ATL) vs. Tennessee — The Titans held Steve Smith to just 33 yards on five catches last week, which brings their average against teams’ No. 1 receivers down to 5.7 on the season. The underachieving White will have his work cut out for him.

Steve Smith (CAR) vs. Detroit — Smith is in for another tough one, as the Lions haven’t allowed a 100-yard game to the position since Week 4 and have coughed up just two receiving touchdowns during that time. Still, Smith is still too good to consider benching.

Eric Decker (DEN) vs. Jets — Decker has caught a touchdown pass in three consecutive games, and amazingly so considering his quarterback has just 12 completions during his last two games. But with a running back for a quarterback, and of course the Revis factor, you can’t expect a lot from him Thursday night.

Favorable/Unfavorable Tight End Matchups

Favorable

Fred Davis (WAS) vs. Dallas — Davis has gone M.I.A. over the last couple of weeks, but has a chance to redeem himself as a low-end TE1 with his Week 11 opponent being the second best matchup a tight end can have.

Unfavorable

Jermaine Gresham (CIN) vs. Baltimore — Gresham could see plenty of targets if A. J. Green ends up missing the game, but it might not make much of a difference. The Ravens allow the fewest fantasy points to tight ends (3 FPPG), and have yet to surrender a touchdown to one this season.

Favorable/Unfavorable Defense/Special Teams Matchups

Favorable

New England vs. Kansas City, Dallas vs. Washington, Jacksonville vs. Cleveland, San Francisco vs. Arizona, Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay.

Unfavorable

Philadelphia vs. New York, San Diego vs. Chicago, Tennessee vs. Atlanta, Washington vs. Dallas, Minnesota vs. Oakland.

Week 6 in Fantasy Football: Favorable and Unfavorable Matchups

Jason and Justin Sablich are here to help you with your fantasy football team. The Sablich brothers will provide fantasy football advice throughout the season on this blog and on Twitter (@5thDownFantasy).

If you submit one of the 50 most accurate responses this week, you can win a prize from FantasyPros.com.

Raise your hand if you thought Buffalo’s Fred Jackson would be the top-ranked fantasy running back heading into Week 6? Right, didn’t think so. Don’t worry, neither did we. That’s why fantasy football analysts don’t get paid the big bucks: there are too many things we just can’t see coming. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop trying. We feel confident enough to tell you that Jackson and Ahmad Bradshaw are in line for big fantasy days in Week 6 when the Buffalo Bills and Giants meet on Sunday. Keep reading to find out why.

Do you have a “start or sit” question? We are taking questions on Twitter. Follow us at @5thDownFantasy. Also, check out our complete rankings for Week 6.

Favorable/Unfavorable Quarterback Matchups

Favorable

Andy Dalton (CIN) vs. Indianapolis
 – Dalton has been too inconsistent to warrant starting status in standard 12-team leagues, but he’s certainly worth a look this week in leagues that start two quarterbacks. The Colts just gave up 257 yards and 4 touchdowns to Matt Cassel, and have allowed 26 fantasy points on average to the position over the last three weeks.

Tony Romo (DAL) vs. New England
 – Romo got in some much needed rest during his bye week and will have a healthy Miles Austin and Dez Bryant at his disposal for a meeting with the N.F.L.’s worst-ranked passing defense.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (BUF) vs. Giants
 – Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst combined to throw 315 yards and 2 touchdowns on the Giants last week, so it’s not just their run defense that is having issues. Fitzpatrick hasn’t been racking up a lot of yards lately, but he is coming off a career-high 77.8 completion rate. This game has the feel of a high-scoring affair with both defenses hemorrhaging yards.

Eli Manning (NYG) vs. Buffalo
 – This defense has allowed 330 yards and 2.25 touchdowns a game to quarterbacks over the last four weeks. Manning has averaged 25 standard fantasy points over his last two contests and has found a new emerging weapon in Victor Cruz.

Unfavorable

Alex Smith (SF) vs. Detroit
 – Smith has been solid of late, posting 20-plus fantasy points in his last two games. But we’ve been down this road before with him, only to have him implode a week or two later. With Smith on the road against Detroit (sixth worst QB matchup), we could think of less risky starts this weekend.

Curtis Painter (IND) vs. Cincinnati 
– Sure he had 21 standard points last week, but keep in mind that came against the Chiefs, and his second-half performance was nothing to write home about. The Bengals are 17 times tougher on quarterbacks than the Chiefs are in fantasy football, and a quarterback has yet to post more than 19 fantasy points a game on them this season.

Rex Grossman (WAS) vs. Philadelphia
 – Grossman came into his bye week on a down note, and could come out on one as well with his matchup against the surprisingly desperate Eagles. The Redskins will most likely try to attack Philadelphia’s weak run defense as much as possible, and the Eagles’ secondary is coming off its best performance of the season, limiting Ryan Fitzpatrick to 14 fantasy points.

Matt Schaub (HOU) vs. Baltimore — Not having Andre Johnson on the field last week against the Raiders did not stop Schaub from having an outstanding fantasy day, but it could catch up to him here against a much nastier defense, which has allowed just 15 points a week to quarterbacks through its first four games.

Favorable/Unfavorable Running Back Matchups

Favorable

Cedric Benson (CIN) vs. Indianapolis 
– With a decision on Benson’s appeal not likely for another few weeks, you can expect him to be active in this extra-friendly matchup (sixth best for RB, 22 FPPG). In Week 5, the Colts surrendered 194 yards on the ground to a Chiefs team that has had major problems running the ball all season.

Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG) vs. Buffalo 
– Bradshaw’s Week 5 was a disappointment considering he didn’t have to share the ball with Brandon Jacobs. But we all knew running on Seattle’s ninth ranked rushing defense wasn’t going to be easy. The Bills are a much better matchup as they have allowed 138 yards on the ground per contest.

Fred Jackson (BUF) vs. Giants – Seattle recently became the third consecutive team to rush for at least 100 yards on the Giants’ defense, which now puts them just ahead of Oakland (21st over all, 122.2 YPG). Coach Tom Coughlin believes it’s a matter of gap responsibility, while some want to blame injuries or defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. Whatever the case may be, it will most likely get worse before it gets better with fantasy’s No. 1 running back in town for Week 6.

Michael Turner (ATL) vs. Carolina
 – Another week, another Panthers defender injured (LB Omar Gaither will miss the next two to four weeks), just more bad news for fantasy’s third best running back matchup (26 FPPG). Turner should have no problems topping the 56 yards he tallied last week against the Green Bay Packers.

Unfavorable

Jahvid Best (DET) vs. San Francisco
 — Best’s 163-yard breakout against the Bears basically came on two plays (not that owners are complaining). But a tough Niners run defense comes to town allowing just 9 fantasy points a game through the first five weeks.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE) vs. Dallas 
– New England’s sixth-ranked running game goes head to head with the Dallas Cowboys’ top-ranked rushing defense. The Law Firm is always a threat to find the end zone, but the yards will be hard-earned this week.

Delone Carter (IND) vs. Cincinnati
 – Carter will split carries with Donald Brown against the Bengals’ seventh ranked run defense, which is surrendering just 3.2 yards a carry.

Earnest Graham (TB) vs. New Orleans 
– Graham will carry the load against the Saints this week, but there isn’t a ton of talent here to get excited about, and the Saints are a quality run defense, limiting the likes of Maurice Jones-Drew, Matt Forte, James Starks and Ben Tate to a 70-yard average in previous games.

Favorable/Unfavorable Wide Receiver Matchups

Favorable

Miles Austin/Dez Bryant (DAL) vs. New England – Both receivers participated in practice this week, and both should be feeling better after their Week 5 bye. This is bad news for a Patriots secondary that is yielding 30 standard fantasy points a game to the position.

A.J. Green (CIN) vs. Indianapolis
 – Dwayne Bowe was the latest receiver to toy with Colts cornerback Jacob Lacey last Sunday (7 receptions, 128 yards, 2 touchdowns). WR1s are averaging 16 fantasy points a week against the Colts this season, which makes Green an even more appealing WR2 option in Week 6.

Greg Little (CLE) vs. Oakland
 – Little has been promoted to full-time status and will have a solid matchup to display his talents against this weekend (23 FPPG). He’s a solid WR3 play.

David Nelson (BUF) vs. Giants 
– The injury to Donald Jones will force Ryan Fitzpatrick to rely more on Nelson, and with Corey Webster expected to shadow Steve Johnson, he should have the easier challenge of facing Aaron Ross. This could be the game Nelson gets back on track.

Unfavorable

Reggie Wayne (IND) vs. Cincinnati
 – Pierre Garcon seems to have emerged as Painter’s favorite target, at least for the time being, and this matchup isn’t a good one (sixth worst for receivers).

Santana Moss (WAS) vs. Philadelphia
 – WR1s are averaging a minuscule 36 yards with one touchdown against the Eagles through five weeks this season.

Mike Thomas (JAX) vs. Pittsburgh – This is the worst matchup a receiver can have through five games (12 FPPG).

Steve Johnson (BUF) vs. Giants – Johnson owners can expect a better week than his 2-point performance against the Eagles, but it won’t come easy against Corey Webster. The Giants have limited No. 1 receivers to a 70-yard average this year.

Favorable/Unfavorable Tight End Matchups

Favorable

Dustin Keller (NYJ) vs. Miami – Miami has allowed 13 points a game to tight ends this season, a nice matchup for fantasy’s 10th-ranked TE to bounce back in.

Unfavorable

Owen Daniels (HOU) vs. Baltimore – If you own him, you’re starting him — just keep in mind that the Ravens have surrendered just 112 yards to the position and have yet to cough up a touchdown.

Favorable/Unfavorable Defense/Special Teams Matchups

Favorable

Cincinnati vs. Indianapolis, Minnesota vs. Chicago, Pittsburgh vs. Jacksonville, New Orleans vs. Tampa Bay, Jets vs. Miami.

Unfavorable

Dallas vs. New England, Giants vs. Buffalo, San Francisco vs. Detroit, Atlanta vs. Carolina.

Do you have a “start or sit” question? We are taking questions on Twitter. Follow us at @5thDownFantasy. Also, check out our complete rankings for Week 6.

Week 4 in Fantasy Football: Favorable and Unfavorable Matchups

Jason and Justin Sablich are here to help you with your fantasy football team. The Sablich brothers will provide fantasy football advice throughout the season on this blog and on Twitter (@5thDownFantasy).

If you submit one of the 50 most accurate responses this week, you can win a prize from FantasyPros.com.

How do you know it’s been a bad week for your team’s ground game? One clue is your punter and your lead running back gaining the same number of rushing yards. Yes, the finger is slowly inching toward the panic button for Chris Johnson owners, and losing Kenny Britt for the season is not going to make things any easier on Tennessee’s offense. Yet, despite his incredibly disappointing start to the season, you’ll find him on our favorable matchups list for Week 4. Continue reading to find out why.

Do you have a “start or sit” question? We are taking questions on Twitter. Follow us at @5thDownFantasy.

Favorable/Unfavorable Quarterback Matchups

Favorable

Eli Manning (NYG) vs. Arizona – 
While playing with a patchwork receiving corps against the talented Eagles secondary, Manning tossed four touchdowns in the Giants’ upset win over the Eagles. Raise your hand if you saw this one coming. Put your hand down because you’re lying. Manning gets his WR2 back (Mario Manningham) this week against the N.F.L.’s 8th worst passing defense, a much more favorable situation if you need to use him. 



Matt Ryan (ATL) vs. Seattle –- This is not a great matchup on paper, as the Seahawks have been respectable against the pass so far. But their numbers might be a bit padded considering they played the 49ers in Week 1 and an inexperienced Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals in Week 3. With the Falcons at 1-2, they’re going to need a big game from Ryan this week, and we expect him to meet that challenge. Sure, his offensive line has been terrible, but Seattle hasn’t exactly been scaring quarterbacks with just five sacks. Ryan should still be considered a QB1 option in Week 4. 



Jason Campbell (OAK) vs. New England
 – Need a spot start this week? Campbell might be your guy. No team has allowed more fantasy points to quarterbacks through the first three weeks than New England. His supporting cast is starting to gel as well, with Denarius Moore quickly becoming a dangerous weapon in the passing game and tight end Kevin Boss returning to action last week. He may even get Jacoby Ford back for this one.

Unfavorable

Colt McCoy (CLE) vs. Tennessee 
– McCoy was shaky against Miami last week and hasn’t thrown for more than 213 yards in a game yet. He’s unlikely to top that mark against a stingy Titans defense allowing quarterbacks just 13 fantasy points per game, which is the second-lowest average after to Pittsburgh. 



Joe Flacco (BAL) vs. Jets
 – The Ravens’ passing game surprised everyone last week, including the Rams secondary, which was caught off guard by speedster Torrey Smith. Surely Darrelle Revis and the Jets will take note of Flacco’s big day and we think that his pass-happy, Brady-esque outing was more of a fluke than a sign of things to come. Don’t forget that Ray Rice is still the best thing this offense has to offer. The Jets have allowed just 13.6 fantasy points a game to guys like Flacco. 



Tony Romo (DAL) vs. Detroit
 – His weak fantasy numbers aside, Romo deserves a lot of respect for his gutsy Monday night performance. Playing with a broken rib is one thing, but leading your team to victory despite the horrible play of your offensive line and receivers is another. He’ll need to pull another rabbit out of his hat if his supporting cast doesn’t get it together in a hurry, with Ndamukong Suh (1 sack, 6 hurries, 1 deflected pass vs. MIN) and the rest of the Lions’ emerging defense coming to town (14 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks). 



Matt Hasselbeck (TEN) vs. Cleveland 
– Losing a talent like Britt is going to have negative implications on Hasselbeck’s numbers. As John Glennon from the Tennessean points out, Hasselbeck was 14-of-15 passing for 163 yards with Britt on the field last week. His percentage went down considerably without him, going 12-of-22 for 148 yards. A road game against the Browns third-ranked secondary presents a tough challenge for this reeling offense. 



Favorable/Unfavorable Running Back Matchups

Favorable

Matt Forte vs. Carolina – 
Matt Forte ran for a career-low 2 yards on 9 carries against the Packers last Sunday. Give credit to the league’s best run defense, and put some blame on Mike Martz for completely abandoning the run in the second half. At least his hands kept his Week 3 outing from being a total fantasy disaster (7 receptions, 80 yards). He gets a great Week 4 matchup against a depleted Panthers defense that surrenders 19 fantasy points per game to running backs this season.

Chris Johnson (TEN) vs. Cleveland
 – Johnson was expected to break out against a weak Denver run defense in Week 3 but managed just 21 yards on 13 carries. But there are a few good reasons to keep Johnson in your lineup this week: Cleveland has yielded 20 points a game to the position in 2011; he was active in the passing game last week (7 targets) and the Steelers are on deck for Week 5, meaning the Browns will be his last good matchup before the Titans Week 6 bye.

Tim Hightower (WASH) vs. St. Louis – 
Giving up 174 yards a game on the ground makes the Rams the league’s worst run defense, which makes Hightower, who has averaged 13 fantasy points a game so far this season, a high-end RB2 start this week.



James Starks (GB) vs. Denver 
– It was a Week 3 to forget for Starks and his owners, but things may be already looking up as Packers Coach Mike McCarthy told the media Wednesday that he doesn’t expect Ryan Grant to play Sunday. The matchup here is pretty inviting as well, with Denver giving up an even 100 yards a game through the first three weeks. 



Unfavorable

Jahvid Best (DET) vs. Dallas – 
Averaging just 2.9 yards per carry through three weeks, Best has certainly struggled carrying the ball. While importance in the Lions’ passing game has made him worth a weekly start in your lineup, expect more of the same on the ground against the N.F.L.’s second-ranked run defense.



Peyton Hillis (CLE) vs. Tennessee
 – Hillis is expected to return this week against a Titans unit that has been tough on the run, giving up just 3 yards a carry through the first three games. His backup, Montario Hardesty, is also expected to steal more carries going forward, but that might actually be a good thing considering the heavy workload Hillis has already endured. 



Daniel Thomas (MIA) vs. San Diego — 
Thomas has been outstanding since taking over in the Dolphins’ backfield and needs to be in your lineup despite his tough matchup with the Chargers this week (4th worst RB matchup, 13 points per game). 



Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) vs. New Orleans 
– This is another guy too good to bench, but there is concern that the Saints could blow this one wide open, leaving Jaguars rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert and Co. playing catch-up for most of the day. It’s a situation that doesn’t generally favor running backs.

Favorable/Unfavorable Wide Receiver Matchups

Favorable

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) vs. Arizona – 
Philadelphia did a fine job containing Nicks last Sunday, but with Manningham set to return this week, the Cardinals (9th best WR matchup) will have a much tougher time shutting him down. The Cardinals just allowed Sidney Rice to grab 8 balls for 109 yards in his Seahawks debut, and have yielded 25 fantasy points a game to wideouts on average. 



Santonio Holmes (NYJ) vs. Baltimore – 
Holmes saw just two targets in the Jets’ frustrating loss to the Raiders and was quick to criticize Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive game plan. But the Jets’ receivers didn’t exactly follow through on their eagerness to take on the Raiders’ struggling man-to-man coverage. Holmes will have to be much more involved this week if the Jets expect to win Sunday night in Baltimore, and we expect him to be. 



Brandon Lloyd (DEN) vs. Green Bay – 
Denver doesn’t figure to get much going on the ground against the league’s best run defense, but the Green Bay secondary has been beaten up badly the first three weeks, allowing the second most fantasy points to the position. Lloyd should see plenty of opportunities trying to keep up with the Packers’ explosive offense.



Percy Harvin (MIN) vs. Kansas City – 
Harvin having played in nearly 75 percent of Minnesota’s offensive snaps against the Lions means somebody was listening to all the negative criticism last week about the Vikings’ best receiver not being on the field enough. The Chiefs allow plenty of fantasy points to receivers (24 points per game), and may be missing their best cornerback Brandon Flowers after he suffered a right leg injury against San Diego.



Unfavorable

Nate Washington (TEN) vs. Cleveland
 — The Browns cornerback Joe Haden has quickly developed into an unfriendly matchup for wideouts, shutting down A.J. Green, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Marshall through the first three weeks. With Britt missing from the Titans’ passing attack, the Browns secondary (5th worst matchup) will be able to focus its attention on stopping Washington.



Andre Johnson (HOU) vs. Pittsburgh
 – Johnson gets his worst receiver matchup so far this season as the Steelers have coughed up just 12 fantasy points a game to the position. We couldn’t bench him if we tried, though. 



Steve Johnson (BUF) vs. Cincinnati – Johnson has been dealing with a groin injury, although you wouldn’t know it based on his excellent play (8th ranked fantasy receiver, 43 points). The Bengals represent the third worst matchup a receiver can have, but Johnson is too good to sit. 



Torrey Smith (BAL) vs. Jets – 
Smith had an amazing game last week and you might have grabbed him off the wire because of it, but it probably would be wise to sit him against a Jets’ secondary allowing just 14 points a game to opposing receivers.



Favorable/Unfavorable Tight End Matchups

Favorable

Greg Olsen (CAR) vs. Chicago – 
Olsen beat out Jeremy Shockey in the targets (10 to 7) and turned in a nice fantasy day against Jacksonville with 7 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Sharing Cam Newton with Shockey doesn’t do Olsen’s fantasy value any favors, but he’ll still get his looks and his former team, the Bears, is allowing the third most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. 



Randy McMichael (SD) vs. Miami – 
Antonio Gates’s status is up in the air and there is talk that he is considering resting his ever-troublesome foot for several weeks. McMichael would still be a desperation start, even though the Dolphins have been the friendliest matchup to the position so far this season (16 points per game). 



Unfavorable

Dustin Keller (NYJ) vs. Baltimore – 
Speaking of the Jets, this one is off to a great start, ranking in as the third best fantasy tight end behind Rob Gronkowski and Jermichael Finley heading into Week 4. His meeting with the Ravens will be tough, as they have allowed just 115 yards and 0 TDs so far this season, but sitting him isn’t an option unless you have the luxury of a Jason Witten or Jimmy Graham on your roster. 



Favorable/Unfavorable Defense/Special Teams Matchups

Favorable

Buccaneers vs. Colts, Redskins vs. Rams, Saints vs. Jacksonville, Falcons vs. Seahawks, Bills vs. Bengals



Unfavorable

Dallas vs. Detroit, Pittsburgh vs. Houston, New England vs. Oakland, Cincinnati vs. Buffalo, San Fransisco vs. Philadelphia

Do you have a “start or sit” question? We are taking questions on Twitter. Follow us at @5thDownFantasy.