Well we’ve passed the half way point and it is crunchtime my friend. It won’t be long now and you will either be counting your cash or listening to your wife, girlfriend or both complain about the fact that you don’t have any cash because you had to hand it all over to the commish.

No cash means you can’t take her to that fancy french joint and that you will have to settle for the Dollar Menu, a made-for-cable movie and, more than likely, old fisty.

Yep, the stakes are high and there is no time to waste. Here’s who will make or break you this Sunday.

Start em if you got em

Kyle Orton QB (CHI) – He plays winless Detroit for the second time this year and, if the first game was any indication (334 yards with two touchdowns), he shouldn’t have much of a problem laying the smack down. Look for another 300 yard with 2+ touchdowns this weekend.

Maurice-Jones Drew RB (JAC) – If you are an owner of MJD I feel for you. One week he is tearing it up, the next week he posts next to nothing. But, there is a pattern developing. Every time he faces a bottom feeding rush defense – Indy and Denver for example – he scores touchdowns and surpasses 100 yards. Every time he faces an above average rush defense – which has been every games besides the two I mentioned – he just plain sucks.

Fortunately for you, this week he faces a bottom feeder in  28th ranked Cinci. Put him in and get your 100 yards and 1-2 touchdowns.

Sit em if you got em

Jamal Lewis RB (CLE) – He will be running into what equates to a brick wall as he faces number one rushing defense in the league – and his old squad – the Baltimore Ravens.  And yeah, yeah, yeah, I know he has been pretty solid the past few weeks BUT the last time he face the Ravens he was only able to scratch together a dismal 56 yards – and no score. Expect similar numbers this week. Bottom line, that isn’t the kind of performance you need to make a playoff run.

Ryan Grant RB (GB) – Perhaps I am pointing out the obvious here but just so you don’t get any ideas. Look for Grants 3.4 yards per rush average get even lower this week when he takes on the smothering Tennessee defense. Start him and you will be the proud owner of a 40 yard and zero performance touchdown.

Sleepers: Don’t be surprised if…

…Ted Ginn Jr. and Greg Camarillo WR (MIA) post solid numbers against a bad, 28th ranked and banged up Denver defense. I’m thinking 5-7 catches, 75+ and 1 touchdown each.

…Tim Hightower RB (ARI) gets more of the work this week now that Edge is testing the patience both by fumbling during a crucial moment in last weeks game and by being a bitch by sayin he isn’t being used right (that’s old running back language for I should’ve never left Indy and I’m starting to suck). I’m thinking a nice solid 50 yards and a touchdown or two.

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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