Which wide receiver should I start in Week 13: Lee Evans, Brandon Marshall or Derrick Mason? -- L. Sanchez, Miami, Fla.
M.F.: Evans has been cold as ice in recent weeks and Mason has scored once in his past eight starts, so I'd have to side with Marshall. He does have a tough matchup against an Oakland team with a formidable pass defense, but Marshall has found the end zone in consecutive weeks and has developed into the top option in the Denver pass attack for quarterback Jay Cutler.
What should fantasy owners expect from Marshawn Lynch the rest of the season? Will he be back on the field in Week 13? -- B. Bugler, Plainfield, Ind.
M.F.: Lynch has a high ankle sprain, which is the worst kind to have as an athlete. He is out of his walking boot and no longer walks with a limp, but Bills head coach Dick Jauron still didn't seem optimistic about Lynch's status for this week's contest in Washington.
If Lynch is unavailable, the Bills might have to turn to Dwayne Wright and Fred Jackson. Anthony Thomas sustained an injured calf in a loss to Jacksonville, so he could be limited or out. Be sure to check in with NFL.com all week to follow Lynch's and the A-Train's status.
Michael, I sat Frank Gore last week based on your Start 'Em & Sit 'Em column. Luckily, I added and started Kolby Smith based on your advice instead, so I'm not that mad at you! Anyways, which one of these two backs should I start in Week 13? I also have Andre Hall and Thomas Jones and need to start two of four total. -- C. Santangelo, Brooklyn, N.Y.
M.F.: Funny, I did that same thing in one of my 13 leagues. Gore did outscore Smith, but I still won without him. I still think Gore is a bit of a risk, as San Francisco offensive coordinator Jim Hostler has been inconsistent in the use of his top offensive threat, but I'd still start him against a Carolina defense that ranks 20th against the run. I would also start Smith ahead of Hall, who has an injured ankle, and Jones, who has a nice matchup in Miami but has been a disappointment this season.
I need to start three wide receivers from Chris Chambers, Joey Galloway, Brandon Marshall, Steve Smith and Roddy White. Advice? -- L. Marks, Portsmouth, N.H.
M.F.: It looks like Vinny Testaverde will start for Carolina if he's able, and that's good news for Smith. In fact, anything outside of David Carr (even Matt Moore) would make Smith more attractive as a starter. I'd use the veteran wideout against the Niners and Marshall, who has been hot in recent weeks, against the Raiders. The third wideout to start is Galloway, who turns into Superman against this week's opponent, New Orleans. In his past five starts against the Saints, the ageless wonder has 455 yards and an impressive eight touchdowns. Earlier this season, Galloway went for 135 yards and two scores against them.
