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
Jets defense vs. Arizona Cardinals: As long as Ryan Lindley is the quarterback in Arizona, the Cardinals are going to be a great matchup for opposing fantasy defenses. That was apparent last week, as the St. Louis Rams scored 23 fantasy points against them. This week Lindley faces the Jets, who should be active in all fantasy leagues.
Start 'em
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles: The Cowboys defense hasn't been consistent in terms of fantasy points, but it's tough not to like this weekend's matchup against the Eagles. Opposing defenses have combined to score the second-most fantasy points when facing this team. Also, the 'Boys put up 24 points against them back in Week 10.
Cardinals defense at New York Jets: The Jets defense has a great matchup against Lindley and the Cardinals, but Arizona's defense is also a stellar option in fantasy leagues against Mark Sanchez's offense. Opposing defenses that have faced the Men in Green at MetLife Stadium have combined to score the sixth-most fantasy points this season.
Sleeper alert - Panthers defense at Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs continue to stroll out Brady Quinn under center, so opposing defenses should continue to feast in the fantasy stat sheets. In fact, opposing defensive units have combined to score the third-most fantasy points at the position when facing the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Sit of the week
Steelers defense at Baltimore Ravens: Remember when the Steelers had a great fantasy defense? Well, this unit is just 25th in fantasy points at the position right now. Opposing defenses that have faced the Ravens in Baltimore have put up an average of one fantasy point per game, so clearly this version of the Steel Curtain needs to be sidelined.
Sit 'em
Rams defense vs. San Francisco 49ers: As I mentioned earlier, the Rams put up a huge total last week against the Cardinals. Too bad the Niners come to town this week. Opposing defenses playing on their home field have combined to average a mediocre 6.40 fantasy points when facing the 49ers, so don't look for St. Louis to make much noise.
Bills defense vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Opposing defenses facing the Jaguars have combined to score the eighth-most fantasy points at the position overall. However, home defenses have put up the fourth fewest versus Jacksonville. Strange trend, right? Regardless, the Jags offense has been much better with Chad Henne under center.
Owners beware - Giants defense at Washington Redskins: The G-Men have one of the top-scoring defenses in fantasy land right now, but this week's matchup against Robert Griffin III and the Redskins isn't favorable. In fact, opposing defenses have combined to score the fifth-fewest fantasy points when facing Washington overall this season.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
