Jan 11, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs the ball during the second quarter of the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Starts:
QB - Blake Bortles, JAC (@ BAL)
With Andrew Luck missing 2-6 weeks with a lacerated kidney (plus, the bye) and Ben Roethlisberger likely out with a sprained foot there is more of a need to replace your quarterback other than the bye week (Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan on bye). Bortles' opponent, Baltimore, has allowed 16 passing TDs and the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. That puts Bortles in line to have a great day. I have him ranked in the Top 8 for fantasy quarterbacks in Week 10.
Other notables: Kurt Cousins (WAS), Teddy Bridgewater (MIN), and Derek Carr (OAK)
RB - LeGarrette Blount, NE (@ NYG)
Dion Lewis suffered a season-ending ACL injury last week and now Blount is back to being the main RB in New England. With Lewis out of the picture, Blount accounted for 129 rushing yards on 29 carries. This season, the Giants are allowing 114.8 rushing yards per game to their opponents.
Other notables: Antonio Andrews (TEN), Charcandrick West (KC), and T.J. Yeldon (JAC)
WR - Kamar Aiken, BAL (vs. JAC)
Players benefiting from others being injured is a theme in this week's Start/Sit piece. Aiken is second on the Ravens in total targets (43), but the team-leader, Steve Smith Sr. (73 targets), is out for the year. While Chris Givens and Marlon Brown will also get some looks, it seems as though Aiken will be the man in Baltimore. Also, for three consecutive weeks, Jacksonville has allowed two touchdowns per game to the opponent's wide receivers.
Other notables: Dorial Green-Beckham (TEN), Sammy Watkins (BUF), and Stefon Diggs (MIN)
TE - Jordan Reed, WAS (vs. NO)
Even though Reed has only played in six games this season, he is second on the team in receptions, targets, and yards. He leads Washington with four TDs, too. Reed has scored three touchdowns in the past two games. With DeSean Jackson still not at 100 percent, Reed will continue to be a premiere target for Kurt Cousins.
Other notables: Gary Barnidge (CLE), Richard Rogers (GB), and Kyle Rudolph (MIN)
Sits:
QB - Jay Cutler, CHI (@ STL)
He has been very consistent with his fantasy totals this season (between 24-26 points). However, Cutler hasn't faced a defense quite like St. Louis this season. The only comparison would be Arizona in Week 2. Though Cutler only tallied 120 passing yards and one TD in that game, he also left early because of an injury. Still, the fact remains that the Rams have only allowed one QB to throw for more than 270 yards in a game in 2015 (Carson Palmer threw for 352 yards in Week 4, but only one TD).
Others include: Russell Wilson (SEA), Alex Smith (KC), and Marcus Mariota (TEN)
RB - Ronnie Hillman, DEN (vs. KC)
Mike Shanahan isn't calling plays in Denver anymore, but it sure seems like it. The C.J. Anderson/Ronnie Hillman flip-flop has pestered fantasy owners for weeks. In the last game, Hillman was said to be bothered by a thigh injury. Against the Colts, Hillman carried the ball seven times and tallied only one yard. CJA also carried the ball seven times, but he recorded 34 yards. Without knowing who to trust as the Broncos starter, it is better if you avoid both RBs. Plus, the Chiefs have only allowed one running back to rush for more than 71 yards in a game: Le'Veon Bell (121 rushing yards in Week 7).
Others include: Andre Ellington (ARI), Alfred Blue (HOU), and Rashad Jennings (NYG)
WR - John Brown, ARI (@ SEA)
Quietly, Brown has notched three successful games in a row. However, that streak will likely come to an end as his Cardinals fly to Seattle. This season, the Seahawks have only allowed one TD to opposing wide receivers (James Jones). Also, only one WR tallied over 78 receiving yards in a game against them: Randall Cobb (116 yards). While I would still start Larry Fitzgerald, I cannot condone starting Brown in your fantasy lineups.
Others include: DeSean Jackson (WAS), Marquess Wilson (CHI), and Vincent Jackson (TB)
TE - Vernon Davis, DEN (vs. KC)
I tried to warn you last week. I said that it would take some time before Davis became a decent fantasy TE and that Owen Daniels was doing a serviceable job as Denver's starter. Yet, I still saw people plug Davis into their lineups. He was targeted once and didn't record a catch. Now, even with a week of practice, he faces a Chiefs defense that is the best against opposing TEs. Only one TE has scored on KC this season (Kyle Rudolph) and no one has caught more than four passes or tallied over 70 receiving yards.
Others include: Julius Thomas (JAC), Jared Cook (STL), and Larry Donnell (NYG)
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