Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the weekly NFL matchups and how they'll affect your fantasy football team. Sleeper alert features an under-the-radar player who could produce good numbers. Owners beware features a regular fantasy starter who could fail to meet expectations based on the strength of his opponent. Obvious fantasy starters like Aaron Rodgers and Arian Foster will not be featured in this column. For your final lineup decisions, check our lineup rankings.
Start of the week
Stephen Gostkowski vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The 10th-ranked kicker in fantasy football based on points, Gostkowski has averaged nine points in his first two games. He should improve on that total against the Buccaneers, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to the position this season. That includes surrendering a total of six field-goal conversions. (Maximum value: High-K1)
Start 'em
Garrett Hartley vs. Arizona Cardinals: Is this finally the season Hartley reaches his fantasy potential? He's done well after two weeks, scoring 21 points while ranking second in the league at the position based on most fantasy scoring systems. This week's contest against the Cardinals smacks of a shootout, so Hartley should have plenty of opportunities to score. (Maximum value: High-K1)
Steven Hauschka vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Let's face it - the Jaguars have the worst offense in the entire NFL at this point in the season. However, their defense isn't terrible. So much like last week against the Raiders, this unit bent enough to give Sebastian Janikowski a number of scoring chances. That should be the case for Hauschka, who is a very nice option. (Maximum value: Mid-K1)
Sleeper alert - Graham Gano vs. New York Giants: If you're one of those fantasy owners who likes to stream kickers, well, Gano is someone to consider. This week he faces the Giants, who have given up more fantasy points to kickers than any other team in the National Football League. Gano is still a free agent in over 99 percent of NFL.com leagues at this point. (Maximum value: Low-K1)
Sit of the week
Matt Bryant at Miami Dolphins: A fantasy starter in recent seasons, Bryant has had a slow start to 2013 with a combined 12 fantasy points in two games. His fortunes don't figure to change against the Dolphins, who have been tough on kickers. In fact, the new-look 'Fins have allowed just 12 fantasy points to the position after two weeks. Consider Bryant a risk. (Maximum value: Low-K1)
Sit 'em
Greg Zuerlein at Dallas Cowboys: Zuerlein has had a nice start to 2013, scoring 19 fantasy points - that's tied for the fourth-most in the league after two weeks. However, don't be shocked if he sees a drop in production against the Cowboys. Their defense has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to kickers, including a mere five last week against the Chiefs. (Maximum value: High-K2)
Adam Vinatieri at San Francisco 49ers: Once an elite fantasy kicker, Vinatieri now has more name value than actual value. He ranks an unimpressive 26th in fantasy points among kickers so far this season, and a matchup in San Francisco against a tough Niners defense isn't going to improve his fantasy value. Vinatieri should not be in most fantasy starting lineups. (Maximum value: Mid-K2)
Owners beware - Justin Tucker vs. Houston Texans: It's been a tough start for Tucker, who ranks just 25th in fantasy points among kickers (11 points in two games). Next up is a matchup against the Texans, who have been tough on kickers. In fact, Houston has surrendered a mere six fantasy points per game to the position. That makes Tucker a risk heading into Week 3. (Maximum value: Low-K1)
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
