Start 'Em

C.J. Spiller @ SD
With Fred Jackson done for the season, Spiller will continue to try and make the most of his feature-back opportunity. Last week he had 14 carries for 83 yards and a TD versus the Titans and chipped in 3 catches for 19 yards. He would likely have been even better had the Bills not fallen behind early; he also had a 41-yard TD run negated by a phantom holding penalty. I like his chances this week in San Diego; the Chargers are fresh off allowing 188 total yards to Maurice Jones-Drew. On the season, Norv Turner’s squad has allowed 131.7 rushing yards per game and could find difficulty in containing Spiller.

Reggie Bush vs. Phi
Bush was given a season/career-high 22 carries last week and he responded with his second 100-yard game of the season (third of career) and a TD. For the first time this season he did not catch a pass out of the backfield. With 5 TDs in his last five games, Bush has emerged as solid RB2 (in PPR leagues) and/or flex option. He’s got a great matchup this week against the reeling Eagles team. Last Thursday, the Eagles were lit up by Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch to the tune of 148 yards and 2 TDs. The Eagles, losers of four out of their last five games have allowed 11 ground TDs and 4.4 yards per carry to opposing RBs.

Roy Helu vs. NE
Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan made good on his word to feature Helu last week; the Nebraska product again responded, this time rushing for 100 yards and a TD on 23 carries with 4 catches for 42 yards sprinkled in. That’s 46 carries for 208 yards (4.52 yards per carry) and 2 TDs over the last two weeks for Helu. He should be in most lineups this week against the Patriots. By no means has New England been bad against the run, but when a RB is averaging 28.5 touches per game and churning out yards and TDs, he needs to be locked in. The downside, of course, would be if the Patriots open up a big enough lead that the ‘Skins run game gets abandoned, but Colts RB Donald Brown and Eagles RB LeSean McCoy both scored TDs against the Pats in the last two weeks under similar circumstances.

A comfortable Week 14 start.

Shonn Greene vs. KC
Frequently-criticized RB Shonn Green went to our nation’s capital last week with 2 rushing TDs on the season and headed back to New York with 5 scores. His big day also included a season-high 22 carries (1 shy of tying his career high) for 88 yards and added 3 catches for 26 yards. This was a much-needed effort from Green from the perspective of both his coaches and fantasy owners alike; both should feel comfortable deploying him this week against the Chiefs. After a two-week absence, LaDainian Tomlinson returned and promptly tweaked his knee, so he doesn’t appear to be a threat to Green’s recent emergence. Kansas City has been burned for 130.3 rushing yards per game and 10 TDs.

Bench 'Em

Cedric Benson vs. Hou
Unfortunately for Benson’s owners, his schedule has really tightened up recently and he was unable to find much room to run last week in Pittsburgh. It will not get any easier versus the Texans. Houston has allowed just 6 rushing TDs, which is tied for the 4th lowest total in the NFL. Over the last three, the Texans have held RBs Michael Turner (14 carries, 44 yards), LeGarrette Blount (10 carries, 34 yards) and MoJo Drew (18 carries, 99 yards) out of the endzone and have not allowed a rushing TD since October 30 (MJD). Benson is likely to see a lot of work this week, but his 3.9 yards per carry on the season does little to invoke much confidence.

Steven Jackson @ Sea
It has been an up and down fantasy season for Jackson; he was basically a must-start from Week 4 through Week 10, but the situation has turned ridiculously ugly in St. Louis. It is unfortunate that a player of Jackson’s caliber is stuck on such a disastrous team. Defensively sound opponents can key on stopping him as the Rams have a terrible offensive line and QB Sam Bradford does very little to open up the field. After rushing for 128 yards in Cleveland during Week 10, Jackson has managed just 125 yards in his last three games combined (41.7 per game) with 0 TDs. The last time he faced the Seahawks he had 15 carries for 42 yards. He’ll struggle to reach those totals in Seattle this week; the ‘Hawks have held opponents to 3.7 yards per carry, tied for the 4th lowest number in the league.

Beanie Wells vs. SF
In his last game against the 49ers (Week 11), while dealing with his knee injury, Wells led the Cardinals with just 8 carries for 33 yards. Since then, he has had 47 carries for 295 yards and 2 TDs in two games, which proves that he’ll continue to see significant touches in close games despite the lingering knee issues. Wells has run hard this season but he should not be relied upon this week. The 49ers far and away have the best run-defense in the NFL: they have allowed just 71.8 rushing yards per game, 3.3 yards per carry and 0 rushing TDs, easily leading the league in those three categories. They are not susceptible to allowing big runs; Wells will have to earn every single yard he gains on Sunday. As such, he is not an advisable start.

Wide Receivers