Make sure you start the right guys, and that starts by checking out my sit and start recommendations. If you are one of the owners dealing with under performers, bye weeks, or injuries and you need help figuring out who to start, I am here to help. Feel free to hit me up on Twitter at @mikekelleydlp with any additional sit/start questions you might have. Or you can join my Facebook Group, Dynasty League Problems and be a part of the conversation.

NoHalftime START of the Week:

QB Drew Brees (N.O.)

Brees is playing at home this week. Do I really need to say more? Fine I will. In six home games, which include games with Denver, Seattle, Panthers, and Chiefs Brees has averaged 357 passing yards and a little over three touchdowns per game. So tell me what the Lions are going to do to stop Brees and the Saints offense. That’s what I thought. I am expecting like just about everyone else this game between the Lions and Saints should offer plenty of offensive fire power. Of course with the way things have gone this year I am sure it will end up 9 – 6 as a final. All jokes aside though this should be a great game for Brees and rest of the Saints offensive weapons. I would freely start Brees this week and expect well over 300 passing yards and three touchdowns.

NoHalftime SIT of the Week:

QB Blake Bortles (JAC)

As far as fantasy football is concerned Bortles is maintaining QB1 status, but those of us that have had the unfortunate pleasure of watching him play know it has been ugly. Essentially most of his points have come in garbage time and that is carrying his overall numbers. Well I think that luck is about to run out. This week he faces a Broncos defense who have just about shut down every quarterback this season. There are plenty of quarterback options and most of them are better than Bortles this week and honestly most weeks remaining this season. Feel free to cut Brotles in redraft leagues if you need to.

Quarterback

START Matthew Stafford (DET)

We already talked about the Lions and Saints when I declared Brees as my must start of the week. I think it is fair to say that the game just might feel like 7-on-7 drills. So the other QB benefiting from this match up is Stafford. This game has all the marking of being a shoot out and both quarterbacks should be able to light up the scoreboard. Stafford should push 300 yards and two plus touchdowns. The Saints should score at will which will force the Lions into a heavy passing attack, which is fantasy gold for managers looking for a big win right before the playoffs.

Other STARTS:

• Tyrod Taylor (BUF)
• Matt Barkley (CHI)

SIT Dak Prescott (DAL)

This is a tough one for me. Every time I think this is the week that Dak is going to remind all of us he is a rookie he just continues to produce. Whether it is the benefits of the best offensive line in football or he really is just that good, it does not really matter when it comes to producing for fantasy football. This week though I think will be a great indicator of where Dak stands as an NFL quarterback. The Vikings defense have shut down some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season, which it should be noted that none of them have had the line the Boys do, but Vikings also have guys that can cover in the secondary buying some time for the rush to get to Dak. I still think the line can do enough to help Dak produce just not QB1 numbers this week, but I would still start him in QB2 or super flex leagues.

Other SITS:

• Andy Dalton (CIN)
• Ryan Tannehill (MIA)

Running Back

START Jordan Howard (CHI)

Dead last in yards from scrimmage, touchdowns, and points to fantasy football running backs the 49ers and a dream come true for fantasy team owners that are trying to make the playoffs and have Howard on their team. I think Howard can approach 150 total yards and at least one touchdown this week. Even with a third sting quarterback likely starting for the Bears, start Howard without hesitation.

Other STARTS:

• Spencer Ware (K.C.)
• Kenneth Dixon (BAL)

SIT Frank Gore (IND)

Since week eight Gore has been rapidly trending down. This week against the Jets should do nothing to stop that trend. I think it is finally time to admit that age is finally winning the battle here with Gore. He is hanging on by a thread to RB1 status overall but he is falling fast and currently playing at a RB4 level. He might have a few spot starts left in him, but this week is not one of them.

Other SITS:

• Jonathan Stewart (CAR)
• Terrance West (BAL)

Wide Receiver

START Stefon Diggs (MIN)

After practicing everyday this week I suspect Diggs will be a full go on Thursday night against the Cowboys. Despite missing two games Diggs this year is still on pace for almost 100 receptions and over 1,000 yards, and this week against a Cowboys team ranked 31st against the pass should not stand in his way in getting closer to those numbers. I expect double digit targets for him this week and possibly even double digit receptions. He should also go over 100 yards and if his owners are lucky he might even find the endzone this week.

Other STARTS:

• Tyreek Hill (K.C.)
• T.Y. Hilton (IND)

SIT Kelvin Benjamin (CAR)

Benjamin has not had a great year, but he has not had a bad one either. Since week three he has only two games where he caught more than five passes and those are the only games since week three that he has gone over 80 receiving yards. He also only has two touchdowns in that same span. This week the Panthers travel to Seattle, where they have done well in the past, but this year is different for them. Cam Newton has been hit a lot this year and I suspect the Hawks plan on going after him making it difficult to let passing play develop. I would recommend looking else where for WR help this week.

Other SITS:

• Demaryius Thomas (DEN)
• Allen Robinson (JAC)

Tight End

START Kyle Rudolph (MIN)

After a down week against Arizona, where I told everyone to sit him because the Cardinals have been tops at stopping tight ends, Rudolph bounced back with a line of 9/64 the next week against the Lions. This week he faces the Cowboys who have been abused by tight ends all year. I consider Rudolph a top tight end option this week hauling in at least five receptions for 60 yards and a possible touchdown.

Other STARTS:

• Travis Kelce (K.C.)
• Zach Ertz (PHI)

SIT Jared Cook (G.B.)

After the Packers played Washington two weeks ago and Cook had a stat line of 6/105/1 many people were asking if the should pick him up. I said no way. As games were approaching a lot of people were asking should I start Cook. Again I said no way. 1.7 points later I hoped they listened. Each time I was asked I reminded people that Cook was always good for one game a year and then just enough to keep up hoping. So again if you have Cook don’t waste your time and don’t even consider him.

Other SITS:

• Charles Clay (BUF)
• Dennis Pitta (BAL)

Defense

START Denver Broncos

Jacksonville is not playing well at all. The QB is making bad decisions, the RB’s are all banged up, the WR’s are not catching balls, and the offensive line is playing poorly. All things a top defense in the league look forward to. There should be plenty of turnovers and sacks in this one.

Other STARTS:

• New England Patriots

SIT Detriot Lions

We have talked about this game enough, just know there will be plenty of scoring and yards gained. So if your league punishes a defense for stats then stay away from the Lions.

Other SITS:

• Arizona Cardinals

Michael Kelley is a member of the Going For 2 team. You can check out his website Dynasty League Problems for more writings or find him on Twitter @mikekelleydlp spreading fantasy knowledge for the masses.

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