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 Adrian Peterson will not be featured. For your final lineup decisions, check our lineup rankings.
Start of the week
Blair Walsh at New York Giants: Walsh scored just four fantasy points last week, but he has recorded at least nine points in his previous three games, including two 12-point performances. He's in a position to thrive on Monday night against the Giants -- their defense has allowed more fantasy points to kickers than any team in the NFL. (Maximum value: High K1)
Start 'em
Dan Bailey at Philadelphia Eagles: If the numbers are correct, this matchup between the Cowboys and Eagles should be a serious barn burner. That's good news for Bailey, who should see more than his share of opportunities to score. What's more, the Eagles have allowed 14.50 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers on their home field. (Maximum value: High K1)
Matt Bryant vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Falcons offense will be without at least one of its top options in the pass attack, which could mean more field-goal chances for Bryant at the Georgia Dome. It should also be noted that the Buccaneers have allowed the second-most fantasy points (11.5 PPG) to kickers on the road. (Maximum value: Mid K1)
Sleeper alert - Caleb Sturgis vs. Buffalo Bills: Prior to Miami's bye week, Sturgis scored 11 fantasy points in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens -- it was his third such performance in five games. A free agent in most NFL.com leagues, Sturgis now faces a Buffalo team that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing kickers in 2013. (Maximum value: Mid K1)
Sit of the week
Phil Dawson at Tennessee Titans: Dawson is coming off a fine performance in the stat sheets, scoring 12 fantasy points in a win over the Arizona Cardinals. However, this week's matchup against the Titans isn't as favorable on paper -- Tennessee's defense has surrendered the sixth-fewest fantasy points (6.17 PPG) to opposing kickers. (Maximum value: Mid K2)
Sit 'em
Greg Zuerlein at Carolina Panthers: Zuerlein has been posting good numbers in recent weeks, scoring a combined 18 fantasy points in his last two games. However, he remains a risk against the Panthers based on the numbers -- their defense has surrendered the fewest fantasy points (3.0 PPG) to opposing kickers at home in 2013. (Maximum value: Mid K2)
Randy Bullock at Kansas City Chiefs: Once considered a viable fantasy sleeper, Bullock has failed to meet expectations due in large part to the failures of the Texans offense. He's someone to put on the pine this week against the Chiefs, who have given up fewer fantasy points to kickers than any other team in the entire league. (Maximum value: Mid K2)
Owners beware - Robbie Gould at Washington Redskins: Gould was a member of the start 'em portion of this column last week, and he rewarded fantasy owners with 11 points. This week he has a tough matchup, though, as the Redskins have given up the fifth-fewest fantasy points (6.00 PPG) to opposing kickers over the last four weeks. (Maximum value: Mid K2)
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**!
