Breaking News

Kyle Orton is officially out of the game and will be replaced by Chris Simms.

Reggie Bush is out.

Cedric Benson will have a reduced role today after missing a week of practice.

Steve Slaton will be the starting running back for the Houston Texans today.

Josh Cribbs will be in the line-up today.

Michael Turner is out with an injury.

Clinton Portis will not play.

Thursday, November 19

Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers

Start – Last week, in perhaps the most comedic Thursday Night broadcast in years, Steve Young criticized the NFL network for putting such a craptastic game on national television when execs scheduled a Bears-49ers showdown with zero playoff implications, half a dozen interceptions, and 13 total fans. I mention this, not only because the ESPN vs. NFL “feud” has instantly become one of the best rivalries in the sport, but due to the fact that this week shouldn’t be much better. The Thursday night game (once again between two non-playoff teams) features the intrigue of a Jake Delhomme tell-all biography only with more poor choices and awkward mistakes. With Ronnie Brown out with an injury, Ricky Williams is a must-start against the Panthers’ 25th-ranked rush defense. He and a scorching hot DeAngelo Williams (over 100 total yards in each of his last five games) should control the ball for most the game. Williams is a little banged up, but should be good to go. Steve Smith should also have a nice day against the Dolphins' awful pass defense. Mushin Muhammad is also worth starting at the flex or third WR position after his season-high 91 yards last week.

Sit – Jake Delhomme may have had his best game of the season last Sunday (two whole touchdown passes), but isn’t worth putting much faith into again. Reports from Carolina still indicate that he is playing a lot like Jake Delhomme. Jonathan Stewart has had one good week, then one awful one three consecutive times and is due for a bust performance. Not to mention the fact that he is only receiving between 10-15 carries per game and is listed as questionable. On the other side of the field, Chad Henne has no help from a thin receiving core and has just two touchdown passes in his last four games. There is zero reason to start Henne or any of his receivers.

Sunday, November 22

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

Start – Was anyone aware that the Washington Redskins had the number one pass defense in the NFL? Seriously, look it up. Sure, their $180 million rush defense is awful and should let Marion Barber run all over them, but it will be a difficult day for Tony Romo and Miles Austin. Give them both a start, but don’t expect huge days – just good ones. Jason Witten is always good for five receptions and fills the “big ugly white guy” flex position that many leagues have adopted. After rushing for over 100 yards against the Broncos, give Ladell Betts the start, as Clinton Portis is still suffering from the effects of a concussion.

Sit – What’s the opposite of being a “clutch quarterback?” Oh yeah, being Jason Campbell. He lives to choke in big games, and this one should be no exception. Along with Santana Moss, give Campbell a seat. In Dallas, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice simply aren’t getting the carries to justify a start at this point and with the way the Redskins secondary is playing, Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton aren’t good bets either.

Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions

Start – Is there a less interesting event going on than this Browns-Lions game? Not just sports related, I mean – on this planet, in the next ten days is there anything with as little intrigue as a game between the laughing stock of 2008 vs. the embarrassment of 2009? This game is alarmingly awful, but should produce one or two decent performances. Kevin Smith, Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford should do enough damage against the NFL’s worst defense to make them worth starting in what could be a great 17-10 thriller.

Sit – How bad are the Cleveland Browns? They’re playing the league’s second worst defense and people are openly questioning whether or not they’ll score a single point. Nobody on this team has been fantasy relevant in weeks (including an injured Jamal Lewis) and won’t be till early 2012. Also sit Bryant Johnson – he hasn’t broken 50 yards since week 3.