Stewart filled in nicely this week.
It’s been another mediocre week from out Start/Sit column, but we made enough solid calls that should have helped you win this week.
So, give us the benefit of the doubt, take a quick look at a recap on last week’s winners and duds, and then stay tuned for Week 14’s Start and Sit column.
A quick stat line for our calls for Week 13:
Start: 3-2
Sit: 2-3
Sleeper: 1-4
Winners
Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears (Start)
He didn’t top 200 yards passing, only threw one touchdown, and really didn’t look that great against a weak Rams defense. But he didn’t throw any picks, either. If you had to resort to Cutler this week, he actually didn’t kill your team’s chances.
Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers (Start)
Smith was very solid against the Seahawks, connecting with Vernon Davis on a touchdown, and throwing another, despite losing in Week 13. He added a career high 310 yards, making him a very solid start call.
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers (Start)
Stewart filled in nicely for injured starter DeAngelo Williams, as he rushed for 120 yards and a score on 26 carries. This was a fantastic effort in a Panthers win, and even though Williams is likely to reclaim the starting job next week, Stewart can still serve as a moderate RB2.
Jerricho Cotchery, WR, New York Jets (Sit)
Cotchery did register four grabs for 60+ yards, but he failed to score, and took a backseat to Braylon Edwards in their match-up against the Bills. His yardage out-put wasn’t bad, but e knew to sit him against a solid Bills pass defense, and hopefully you did, too.
Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers (Sit)
Grant had a tough time against the Ravens aggressive run defense, just as imagined, totaling just 41 rushing yards off of 18 attempts. He wasn’t involved in the passing game at all, either, making him a terrible play this week. Good thing we suggested to get him out of your line-up.
Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans (Sleeper)
Britt tallied 46 yards and a touchdown against the Colts this week, making him an excellent sleeper, and a very solid WR3. We have a good amount of confidence in Britt going forward, as Vince Young is getting stronger every week, and their connection should only grow.
Duds
Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills (Start)
Jackson started for the Bills and continued to get RB1 touches, rushing the ball 13 times and catching three passes out of the backfield, but his meager 55 total yards made him a weak play this week, and is suddenly sparking rumors of Marshawn Lynch taking the starting job back. Keep away from Bills running back as far as your starting line-up is concerned.
Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers (Start)
Floyd dropped back down to mediocrity after his 80+ yard tease effort last week. He still hasn’t caught more than four passes all season, and has caught more than four just once. He is not a reliable fantasy option, despite his starting status.
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants (Sit)
Despite going just 11-25 and throwing a pick, Manning actually put up solid numbers in the Giants win over the Cowboys, as he topped 240 passing yards and threw two touchdowns. He was a touchdown away from being a solid sit call, but in the end, Manning does what he always does best: mess with fantasy owner’s heads.
Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis Colts (Sit)
Addai had a ton of success against a supposedly stout Titans run defense, scoring two rushing touchdowns, and getting enough total yards to make us feel like a bunch of jackasses. We’ll never bet against Addai again.
Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons (Sit)
White scored a touchdown on the game’s final play, preventing a shut-out against the Eagles, and rescuing what was turning out to be merely a “solid” fantasy day, and turning it into an elite one. He struggled, just like we thought he would, but he is in fact Roddy White, and put the numbers up needed to be considered a WR1, as usual.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Buffalo Bills (Sleeper)
Fitzpatrick delivered a forgettable performance after two solid outings, and was nowhere near a decent play against the Jets in Week 13.
Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders (Sleeper)
McFadden has the most carries since his return from injury (nine), but still remained just another “one of the guys” in the running back group. McFadden’s 25 yards made him a weak play, even if just as a Flex.
Jerious Norwood, RB, Atlanta Falcons (Sleeper)
Norwood got the touches (13), but with a tough match-up with the Eagles, and his passing offense not doing him any favors, he only managed 18 yards on the ground, and another 24 through the air. Not suitable numbers, even if you only used him as a Flex.
Bernard Berrian, WR, Minnesota Vikings (Sleeper)
Berrian was supposed to do his part in helping Brett Favre and co. destroy the 30th ranked Arizona pass defense. With just 36 yards on five receptions, he clearly didn’t live up to expectations, making him a poor play in Week 13.
