National Football League

FPPG: Nice matchups for Romo, Gore, Stills

Published Dec. 4, 2014 8:43 a.m. ET

John Halpin

Through 13 weeks, our Position vs. Fantasy Defensive Points Allowed tool has been a tool to help you find good matchups. It was hoping to tell you to start Johnny Manziel against the Colts 21st-ranked fantasy defense (20.7 FPPG to opposing QBs), but Mike Pettine got in the way. What a jerk.

As always, please remember that the players listed are mostly meant to be borderline guys, who need reasons for you to play or bench them. You won't see recommendations to start Demaryius Thomas and Matt Forte, because you should always start Thomas and Forte. Make sense? Good.

Note: The fantasy points per game (FPPG) referenced below are from FOXSports.com standard leagues.

Thursday game: Cowboys at Bears

Quarterbacks

Stay away: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (at Bengals)

Even if we hadn't seen the report about Roethlisberger having a broken hamate bone in his right hand, he wouldn't be a strong start against the Bengals' second-ranked fantasy defense (15.6 FPPG to opposing QBs).

Also:

Richard Sherman and the Legion of Boom have played well lately, and stand atop the NFL against opposing fantasy quarterbacks (14.7 FPPG allowed). They're heading to Philly to face Mark Sanchez, and as good as The Sanchize has looked since taking over for Nick Foles, I'd sit him if I had a decent alternative.

Play, play, play: Tony Romo, Cowboys (at Bears)

The over-under for tonight's Cowboys-Bears game is 51.5, which is the second-highest on this week's slate. That's because the Bears haven't been able to stop opponents all season, and the Cowboys' D has declined lately, allowing 61 points to the Giants and Eagles over the last two weeks. Forget Romo's bad Thanksgiving outing - you'll want to start him against the Bears' 31st-ranked fantasy defense (24.5 FPPG allowed to opposing QBs). Jay Cutler owners should feel confident about this matchup, too.

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Ryan Tannehill faces a Ravens' defense that has been hurt by defensive backfield injuries, and ranks 27th with 22.3 FPPG allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Tannehill's short-to-intermediate game isn't necessarily the best to capitalize on this issue, but he still looks like a top-12 QB this week.

Running Backs

Stay away: Fred Jackson, Bills (at Broncos)

Jackson was back at full strength in Week 13 against the Browns, getting 24 touches and 97 yards from scrimmage. However, he has a road matchup with a Bronco team that ranks second in overall run defense (72.7 ypg) and fifth in fantasy defense (14.7 FPPG to opposing RBs). Jackson isn't a horrible start, but he's not a top-25 option.

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Doug Martin had 18 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown in Week 13, but before you say, "Finally â now I can start this guy!," know that he'll face the Lions' seventh-ranked fantasy defense (14.9 FPPG allowed to opposing RBs) on Sunday. No, thanks.

Play, play, play: Frank Gore, 49ers (at Raiders)

Can we all agree that the 31-year-old Gore (59 rushing yards per game) is on the downside of his career? Get past that, and look at this week's tantalizing matchup against a league-worst Raider defense that has given up 23.2 FPPG to opposing running backs. How about a last hurrah, Frank?

Also:

Bishop Sankey gets pulled at the goal line, and he hasn't rushed for more than 61 yards in a game this season. Is this the week he breaks out? Against the Giants' 27th-ranked fantasy defense (21.2 FPPG to opposing RBs), he'll have his best chance before the end of the season. He's RB25 on my board, meaning that you can kinda sorta maybe start him.

Jonathan Stewart looked terrific against the Vikings, running 12 times for 85 yards amd catching two passes for 25 yards. More importantly, teammate DeAngelo Williams appears likely to miss the Week 14 matchup with the Saints (22.2 FPPG to opposing RBs) due to a broken finger. If you've had Stewart sitting on your bench for awhile, this could be the time to sneak him into your lineup.

Wide Receivers

Stay away: Martavis Bryant, Steelers (at Bengals)

Remember a few weeks ago, when people were asking questions like, "Should I start Bryant over Julio Jones?" Bryant is a talented wideout, but he was bound to slow down, and he's got a matchup with the Bengals' second-ranked fantasy defense (17.1 FPPG) on tap this week. Sit Bryant if you have him.

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Vincent Jackson ... sigh. He ranks 13th among wideouts with 107 targets, but ranks 41st in fantasy points. This week, V-Jax faces a Lions' defense that ranks third with 17.7 FPPG allowed to opposing wide receivers, and he isn't an advisable fantasy play.

Play, play, play: Kenny Stills, Saints (vs. Panthers)

Stills has stepped up since Brandin Cooks got hurt, with 13 catches for 260 yards and a score in his last two games. Do you really need encouragement to start him? Maybe just a reminder, and an alert that he faces the Panthers' 24th-ranked fantasy defense (24.6 FPPG to opposing WRs).

Also:

The aforementioned Ravens' DB problem has helped make them fantasy's worst defense against wide receivers (28.9 FPPG allowed). Mike Wallace should start for his owners, and PPR-friendly Jarvis Landry can be considered in standard leagues as well.

Stedman Bailey has emerged as the Rams' top wideout, catching 12 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. It's hard to trust anyone in this receiving corps, but Bailey is a WR3/flex option against the Redskins' 26th-ranked fantasy defense (25.4 FPPG to opposing WRs).

Tight Ends

Stay away: Owen Daniels, Ravens (at Dolphins)

Are you still playing Daniels, despite just six receptions in his last three games? If so, you need to avoid him against the Dolphins' top-ranked fantasy defense (4.7 FPPG to opposing TEs). Really, there aren't any good tight ends this week with matchups that scream "SIT!"

Play, play, play: Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (vs. Jets)

In two games since returning from a groin injury, Rudolph has caught five passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. Not great, but not terrible, right? On Sunday, he'll face the Jets' 31st-ranked fantasy defense (11 FPPG to opposing TEs). The guess here is that Rudolph is due for a nice game.