Hope you are ready to shuffle your line-up this week because the bye weeks are officially here. It is possible that you might be without full time starters like Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson or Joseph Addai entering week four’s action. That’s not usually a good thing but lets see if we can help you minimize the blow.

Here are a few players you can stick in the line-up and not miss a beat along with a few you will be better off avoiding.

Start em if you got em

Chris Perry RB (CIN) – Believe it or not, Perry has done an admirable job so far this season with little help from the passing game and has done it against some tough opponents. In his last two games he’s had 64 and 74 yard against Tennessee and New York respectively. More importantly, he has put it in the endzone once each in both games.

Enter Cleveland. The Browns are 25th against the run due to the fact that they are offering up 145 yards per game. Better yet, they have allowed 6 touchdowns this season. Look for a resurgent passing attack and weak opponent to help Chris to 100+ yards and 2 touchdowns.

Final stats: 28 yards rushing and 5 catches for 15 yards, 0 touchdowns.

Final thoughts: The late scratch of Palmer had a huge impact on this game and Perry stats.

Jonathan Stewart RB (CAR) – He doesn’t have the most carries on his team but he is leading the team in yards per carry (4.7) and he is the only back at least one rushing touchdown (3 total). This week, after a tough Sunday against the Vikes, I think Jonathan breaks out against an Atlanta defense that is giving up 136.7 yards a game and has allowed 4 td’s. Look for 100+ and at least one touchdown.

Final stats: 14 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Final thoughts: 109 yards between Stewart and Williams. Looks like Fox is going to continue splitting the carries down the middle.

Sit em if you got em

Rashard Mendenhall RB (PIT) – Willie Parkers out and I suppose your thinking, “oh well, I’ll just plug in the rookie. Afterall, here’s the perfect opportunity for him to justify his draft position on Monday night, playing at home in front of a national audience.” No problem right? Not so fast.

Believe it or not but I was going to suggest that you sit Parker this week. Why? The Ravens defense. They are back and haven’t allowed a touchdown or a team to rush for more than 75 yards this year. If that wasn’t enough, they haven’t allowed a 100 yard rusher since December 2006. And the nail in the coffin, the Pittsburgh line is struggling. Don’t take my word for it, just ask Big Ben.  Look for 50 yards if he’s lucky, 0 touchdowns and a fumble.

Final thoughts: infective before getting injured and now out for the season.

Matt Schaub QB (HOU) – It’s one thing if your quarterback isn’t getting it done but when his stud receiver is dropping touchdown passes (Andre dropped two last week) it is REALLY hard to believe that things will turn around quick. Add to that the fact that they are playing a third straight road game against a solid Jacksonville defense. Look elsewhere if you can or you will be stuck with less than 200 yards passing and 1 touchdown or less.Final stats: 307 yards and 3 TD’s

Final thoughts: FINALLY!

Sleepers: Don’t be surprised if…

…Damon Huard QB (KC) gets the start this week and throws a few touchdowns against a horrible Denver defense (ranked 32nd against the pass). I don’t think 225 and 2 touchdowns is out of the question.

Final stats: 21/28 for 160 and 1 touchdown.

Final thoughts: Efficient, no mistakes and best of all effective. The Chiefs win!
…Johnnie Lee Higgins WR (OAK)  pulls in 3-4 catches with one of them going for a touchdown of 30+ yards against the Chargers 31nd ranked passing defense.

Final stats: 4 catches for 35 and 0 touchdowns.

Final thoughts: He was targeted deep at least twice. In fact he was targeted at least 7 times overall (i lost track at the point).

More for you

Don’t forget to check this post again after the games. Every Monday or so I go through and grade my performance based on the final stats so that you know how much stock you can put into my picks the following week.

Also, be sure to stop by and check out the Fantasy Football Librarians blog for her extremely thorough listing of start em, sit ems from around the web. I may have a few more for you too so check back later in the week.

Listen to this

Do you like to do more than just read? Grab your iPod or mp3 player and check out my start em sit em podcast. Each Thursday morning I put my start and sit ideas out in audio format. Not only do I offer up more insight on the picks above BUT I add a few more players and discuss some injuries for you to keep an eye on.

Also, check out my Waiver Wire Live radio show over on Blog Talk Radio’s Fantasy Sports Network.  I give you a ton of players that may be available to help your team out as well as give you an early bird preview of next weeks games.

Stick around

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