Empty the Bench

Ranks Preview by Brian Spencer

With playoff berths and seeding on the line this week in most fantasy leagues, now’s not time to get overly cute with your starting lineup: stick with the horses that have gotten you here (unless they’re injured, of course) and ride them to the end.

Example: last week was the first time all year that I left Jason Witten on my bench. His production has been way down, I don’t particularly have much faith in Tony Romo, and Green Bay Packers TE Jermichael Finley was there for the taking on waivers. Healthy and getting more and more looks by the week, Finley seemed like a lock to go off against the Paper Lions secondary on Thanksgiving Day. I went with his upside over Witten’s proven fantasy track record.

Maybe that was the right play on paper, maybe not, but in the end it was the wrong play: Finley was somehow limited to just 3 catches for 25 yards, while Witten turned his best performance of the year with 5 catches for 107 yards. He didn’t score, and has still only done so once this year (thanks for that, guy), but he’s going back into the fray from here on out. No more being cute.

See also:
- Week 13 QB Rankings
- Week 13 RB Rankings
- Week 13 WR Rankings
- Week 13 DEF Rankings

1. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers @ CLE
3. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers @ SEA
4. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys @ NYG
5. Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Bucs @ CAR
6. Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings @ ARZ
7. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons vs. PHI
8. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. OAK
9. Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears vs. STL
10. Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles @ ATL
11. Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints @ WSH
12. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers vs. BAL
13. Dustin Keller, New York Jets @ BUF
14. John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks vs. SF
15. Kevin Boss, New York Giants vs. DAL
16. Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders @ PIT
17. Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos @ KC
18. Fred Davis, Washington Redskins vs. NO
19. Donald Lee, Green Bay Packers vs. BAL
20. Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots @ MIA