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
Larry Fitzgerald vs. Indianapolis Colts: Fitzgerald has been anything but consistent in 2013, but he is coming off a 12.1-point performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He should remain in your starting lineup against the Colts, who have allowed more fantasy points to wide receivers over the last four weeks than any other team. (Maximum value: Mid WR1)
Start 'em
Victor Cruz vs. Dallas Cowboys: Cruz has struggled in recent weeks, scoring seven-plus fantasy points just once in his last six games. Still, owners need to keep him active in what should be a nice matchup against the Cowboys. Back in Week 1, Cruz went off for 118 yards, three touchdowns and an impressive 29.8 fantasy points against them. (Maximum value: Mid WR1)
Torrey Smith vs. New York Jets: The Jets have been most impressive against the run, but their defense against the pass has been anything but solid. In fact, CB Antonio Cromartie and his mates in the defensive backfield have allowed the second-most fantasy points (32.3 PPG) to wideouts on the road. That makes Smith a nice starting option. (Maximum value: Low WR1)
Danny Amendola vs. Denver Broncos: Amendola has been a disappointment this season, but I still like him as a PPR wideout in this week's matchup against the Broncos. Their defense has been more than a bit vulnerable to wideouts, as their defense has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points (28.3 PPG) to wide receivers on the road this year. (Maximum value: Mid WR2)
Sleeper alert - Kendall Wright at Oakland Raiders: Wright hasn't been a decent option in standard leagues, but did you know he's 22nd in fantasy points among wideouts in PPR formats? Owners who are in such leagues should start him against the Raiders, who have surrendered the third-most fantasy points (30 PPG) to wideouts at home this season. (Maximum value: Mid WR2)
Sit of the week
Mike Wallace vs. Carolina Panthers: Wallace has seen a drastic decline in his level of statistical success as a member of the Dolphins, and his chances to reverse those fortunes this week are not very good. Carolina's defense is just plain nasty, surrendering the second-fewest fantasy points (12.9 PPG) to opposing wideouts on the road. (Maximum value: Mid WR3)
Sit 'em
Pierre Garcon vs. San Francisco 49ers (Mon.):Fantasy owners in standard scoring leagues who have wideout depth should consider their options this week, as Garcon has a tough matchup against the Niners. Their defense has been solid against the pass, surrendering the fifth-fewest fantasy points (15.7 PPG) to wide receivers on the road. (Maximum value: High WR2)
Cecil Shorts at Houston Texans: Shorts had some choice words for his coaches after last week's loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and the squeaky wheel often gets the grease. Still, a matchup against the Texans makes him a risk -- their defense has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points (17.4 PPG) to wide receivers this season. (Maximum value: Low WR3)
Steve Smith at Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins haven't been able to stop the run all season long, but their pass defense is a unit to be reckoned with on the gridiron. In fact, Miami has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points (16.5 PPG) to wide receivers on their home field, so starting the veteran Smith is a major risk. (Maximum value: High WR3)
Owners beware - Antonio Brown at Cleveland Browns: Brown has been one of the hottest wideouts in fantasy in recent weeks, so it's tough to bench him. However, No. 1 wide receivers going up against Browns CB Joe Haden have not fared well. Just ask A.J. Green, whom Haden held to a mere seven yards with no touchdowns last weekend. (Maximum value: High WR2)
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**!
