Who plays, who rides the pine?

Published 9:10 pm Wednesday, December 5, 2007

So it’s come to this.

Finally after 13 weeks of clawing and scraping, teams are either in or out of the fantasy playoffs — unless your league starts playoffs in Week 15 — which means either the fun is really about to start or you have no use for this column anymore.

When it comes to fantasy playoffs the No. 1 rule is don’t overthink things. Don’t bench Peyton Manning because he’s facing Baltimore. You have to ride or die with the guys who got you into the playoffs.

That said, there are a couple of players out there who have tantalizing matchups in Week 14 that may be a good plug and play. But what big names should ride the pine this Sunday in favor of one of those upstarts? Well, I’m glad you asked, because instead of the normal five questions this week, let’s take a position-by-position (except kicker) look at some lower-end guys who should play, some higher-end studs who may need to take a seat and some players who can go if you’re desperate.

QUARTERBACK

Play him: Jon Kitna, Lions

Going up against the Cowboys, who have a suspect secondary (remember Ken Hamlin, Seahawks fans?), Detroit is desperate and will air out the ball. Last time he faced Dallas, Kitna had 306 yards and four TDs. I know that Roy Williams is out for the season, but that may help Detroit. Williams has been disgruntled for some time and now Calvin Johnson can be the man.

Desperate?: Trent Dilfer, 49ers

Sit him: Brett Favre, Packers

It’s hard to sit one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time during a season when he seems to have rekindled the magic, but he’s coming off an injury and the Raiders are actually decent against the pass (5th in NFL in yards given up) and terrible against the run.

RUNNING BACK

Play him: Ryan Grant, Packers

With Favre banged up and the Raiders (who give up 148.8 rushing yards per game) coming to town, Green Bay will ride Grant. Expect at least 120 yards and a couple of scores.

Desperate?: Jerious Norwood, Falcons

Sit him: Justin Fargas, Raiders

The former Trojan is having a breakout season for Oakland (four 100+ games), but going up against an angry Packers defense, which was torched by Dallas last Thursday, expect just 50 yards and no score.

WIDE RECEIVER

Play him: Roddy White, Falcons

Atlanta may have found a quarterback in Chris Redman, who arguably played better than any Falcons QB has played all season last Sunday in rallying the Falcons to within a whisker of a come-from-behind victory over the Rams. That, and the fact Atlanta goes up against the porous Saints’ pass defense on Monday, should be a bonus for White, who has quietly had a stellar season in Atlanta. Expect 110 yards and a score for White.

Desperate?: Mike Furrey, Lions

Sit him: Andre Johnson, Texans

Tampa Bay prides itself on shutting down wideouts with its Cover-2 scheme (remember Deion Branch’s zero catch performance in Week 1). Throw in the fact that Sage Rosenfels will be behind center this Sunday and you probably have better options than Johnson this weekend.

TIGHT END

Play him: Vernon Davis, 49ers

Davis’ sophomore campaign hasn’t gone as expected, but he’s been strong in four of the past six games and the Vikings are very beatable through the air.

Desperate?: Chris Baker, Jets

Sit him: Donald Lee, Packers

Tight end isn’t a deep enough position to sit any of the big names, but Lee, who is having a surprisingly solid season, might need to ride some pine. As stated earlier, the Packers will likely focus on the run Sunday, which would limit Lee’s chances.

DEFENSE

Play it: Packers

The Raiders like to turn the ball over and Green Bay’s defense has been stout all season. Throw in the fact they’re not too happy about being run over by Dallas last Thursday and this could get ugly.

Desperate?: Bills

Sit it: Chargers

San Diego’s defense is ranked third in most scoring formats, but it’s had highs and lows all season. Expect a low against Tennessee this weekend. Vince Young is coming around since his quad injury and he’s just the kind of QB that gives San Diego trouble.

Starting today, check out cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/sports for my blog on the fantasy playoffs.