Gridiron Experts Start’em Sit’em Week 12

Gridiron Experts Start’em Sit’em Week 12

Most sites recycle imaginary fantasy numbers with yards and touchdowns and quick blurbs on how great Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson is going to do, but you already know that. We here at Gridiron Experts are not about to insult your fantasy football intelligence by posting the obvious numbers, instead we go out on a limb and try spotting great fantasy match-ups that many people might be overlooking. Star players will always perform, but key players can thrive in one week situations through either an offensive game plan or an excellent match-up. Our goal is to zone in on these perfect match-ups and offer advice that might make your life a little easier. It always comes down to you making the last minute call with your line-up, but hopefully we can help.

Start’em

• Alex Smith vs the Jaguars- The Jags are on a hot streak right now, but we see the 49er’s surprising a few people this week. Cross country road trips have been terrible for east coast teams, and this week should be no different. Jacksonville ranks 25th in defensive passing yards per game and are facing a team that is in a must win situation. The 49er’s can’t afford to lose too many more games from here on out and will be “throwing” everything they have at this hot AFC South opponent. Could be a 3 touchdown day.
• Sleeper QB Mark Sanchez- The Jets have gone from Mom’s home cooking to a frozen microwave dinner. New York has lost their last three games and are almost a team playing with nothing to lose. Sanchez has had a typical up and down rookie season but faces off against a team that has probably lost all hope. The Panthers were beat at home last Thursday by the Dolphins and now have a near impossible mission, facing off against a tough final schedule. If Sanchez and the Jets can strike fast, the Panthers season could implode on the field this week. Many Carolina players are unhappy with the way the season has gone, and if they fall behind early, the team will no doubt throw in the towel.
• LeSean McCoy- The Eagles are facing the the top passing defense in the NFL this week and will want to call more running plays. While many fantasy and Eagles fans know that the birds love to throw the ball, last week was the first time in years the play calling was very evenly balanced. The Eagles were almost 50/50 pass to run in their big win on the road in Chicago last Sunday night. Expect more carries and a good day for McCoy.
• Marion Barber- Barber is not having the fantasy season owners were hoping for, but this weeks match-up is too good to ignore. Start Barber against the Raiders as he should be in for a good day.
• Rashard Mendenhall- Mendenhall is being snubbed in the redzone, and fantasy owners are tired of yelling at the TV for more running plays. Roethlisberger is banged up and Mendenhall will get more carries, it’s not as bad of a match-up as it seems. Start him!
• Sleeper RB Correll Buckhalter- Knowshon’s fumbles in the redzone aren’t going to keep him in the starting role for too long. Buckhalter and Dawkins will have bigger roles on Thanksgiving, and Buck should be a great RB sleeper.
• Donald Driver- Fantasy owners are bragging about this late round fantasy starter on a weekly basis. Driver has been a go-to in line-ups and should have another big performance against the Lions. The game is in a dome and close to home.
• Michael Crabtree- Going with our Alex Smith prediction and the 49er’s passing game at home this week, Crabtree should have a decent performance. The rookie  is slowly finding his place in the offense, and with the Jaguars defense freshly torched from Terrell Owens’ big day, the coaching staff will have a blueprint to find the kid the ball.
• Sleeper WR Robert Meachem- 4 touchdowns in the last 3 games plus becoming a go-to target for Brees should make you re-think your average fantasy receiving core.

Sit’em

• Eli Manning- A bad foot injury should keep Manning stuck standing still, limiting his ability to buy time in the pocket. Normally we wouldn’t care over such a minor injury, but on a short week and on the road Manning’s numbers should be average at best. The Broncos have an excellent pass defense and need to respond from a poor performance against the Chargers last week. Denver will send a little more heat Mannings’ way, so you might want to look at other options.
• Both Falcon Running Backs- Michael Turner is back but not 100%, and Jason Snelling will play but how much is anybody’s guess. Splitting hairs with RB’s is never a good idea this late in the fantasy season, a better option is to start somebody who you know will get their carries this week. If you’re going to guess…make sure you get it right, because this one might cost you.
• Hines Ward- Both Ward and Roethlisberger are banged up this week and could be in for vanilla type numbers. The Steelers have yet to face the Ravens this season (strange?) but the hungry birds are tired of losing . Expect a low scoring game with 3rd and 4th receivers making the plays in a chess match between coaches.

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