It's Friday. You're getting ready to set your fantasy football lineups for the weekend. If you're looking for fantasy starters in this coming weekend's matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns - well, you're in trouble. But we'll cover your bases for you anyways.
Kurupt usually does this feature, but this week, he's passed the buck to me as he is quite ill. Yes, Kurupt is a solid fantasy player, and I'd rather take advice from him myself - but you're in good hands. I don't quite know how to put this, but... I'm kind of a big deal. Seven-time fantasy champ here. But yeah, I still wouldn't blame you if you asked Kurupt in the comments section what he'd do, because the [insert vulgar insult] has beaten me out for the championship two years running.
Who are you starting out of this Bills/Browns game? Find out after the jump. By the way - for advice from all of SB Nation's NFL bloggers, be sure to check out sbnation.com/fantasy throughout the day today.
Quarterbacks
Trent Edwards - Edwards was a fringe fantasy starter at QB (and he was definitely there in two-QB leagues) after two strong games to start the season. In his last two games... not so much. Edwards has thrown four interceptions in Buffalo's last two losses (to just one touchdown), and he's averaging a paltry 174 yards per game. But you're thinking "Uh, Brian, it's Cleveland!", right? Well, Trent got picked off three times in a single quarter by those ever-stingy Browns last season. Buffalo will have chances to make big plays through the air this week, but considering Edwards' recent struggles, I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot pole. Sit 'Em
Derek Anderson - Well, let's see here. Anderson actually had a passable game last week against Cincinnati, throwing for 269 yards and a score (with a pick) in an overtime loss to Cincinnati. He's got a good offensive line in front of him, too. But for all of Buffalo's shortcomings defensively, their pass rush and their overall pass defense have been above acceptable. Cleveland historically struggles on the road, too. Oh, and did I mention that the Browns traded away Anderson's favorite receiving target this week? Sit 'Em
Running Backs
Fred Jackson - He'll remain Buffalo's "starting" running back for the foreseeable future. He'll see a lot of playing time. But his workload will undoubtedly be reduced now that a certain suspended running back is no longer suspended. Jackson has been a fantasy mainstay early in the season; while he may be slipping from that status, he's got a good matchup this weekend, and is a must-start in PPR leagues. Start 'Em in PPR, Consider as Flex in all other leagues
Marshawn Lynch - His return to the lineup came at the cost of a fully effective Jackson, with less than a yard per carry from Lynch himself, and two moderate gains in the receiving game. Lynch looked very rusty in last week's loss to Miami, but he has a chance to kick it into a higher gear now that he's got a game and two weeks' worth of practices under his belt. Still, Buffalo has tended to go with the hot hand in the past, so if Jackson gets hot, Lynch might not see the field. Sit 'Em, but only for now
Jamal Lewis - He's missed two straight games, and only had 95 rushing yards in the first two games of the season. He's been limited in two consecutive days of practice this week, and may miss a third straight game. Even if he plays, he's not a great fantasy play - Buffalo contained him a year ago, and Lewis has competition for carries now. Sit 'Em
Jerome Harrison - In his fourth year out of Washington State, Harrison is finally seeing significant playing time in Cleveland. He's had a couple of solid, productive weeks in a row, accumulating 237 yards for an anemic Browns offense. Let's not forget, either, that Harrison's only NFL touchdown came last year against Buffalo on a long gainer - and that Buffalo's defense has been putrid. Don't expect monster numbers (even though you might get them), but Harrison is actually a solid play this week. Start 'Em in PPR, Consider as Flex in all other leagues
Wide Receivers
Terrell Owens - No matter what his stats look like, Owens is a must-play every week, because the man is a playmaker. If Buffalo is smart, they'll focus on the ground game and opening up play-action, which plays to Owens' strengths. Start 'Em
Lee Evans - For the same reasons as Owens, Evans has a chance to make big plays this week. He has yet to shake the label of "maddeningly inconsistent fantasy option," however. If you have more consistent options, by all means throw them into the lineup ahead of Evans. If you don't... well, Evans has certainly had worse matchups. Word of warning: Evans had a whopping zero receptions against the Browns last season. Sit 'Em unless you can't
Josh Reed - Weeks like last week, when he scored a touchdown, are incredibly rare for Reed. Sit 'Em
Joshua Cribbs - Hasn't done much of anything as a receiver this season, but his opportunities will jump up now that Braylon Edwards has been traded to New York. Still, he's not a good play until Cleveland proves that they're using Cribbs as their top target - and given the next guy on our list, that's unlikely to ever happen. Sit 'Em
Mohamed Massaquoi - Had a bit of a break-out game last week with 8 catches for 148 yards against Cincinnati. Right now, he appears to be Anderson's favorite target - but that could spell doom for Cleveland, as teams will focus on taking him away. Still, he has the hot hand right now. Sit 'Em unless you can't
Chansi Stuckey - Stuckey comes over from New York in the Edwards trade. He's got a familiarity with Browns coach Eric Mangini, but that's about all he's got going for him right now. Sit 'Em
Tight Ends
Derek Fine - If a TE that can catch 5 passes for 40 yards, and then drop three more, is your key to fantasy dominance, then start Derek Fine this week. Sit 'Em
Shawn Nelson - Someday, Buffalo will find ways to get him more looks in their offense. Of course, they need to get Owens and Evans more looks first, so Nelson is a virtual non-factor for the foreseeable future. Sit 'Em
Robert Royal - ... next. Sit 'Em
Steve Heiden - ... never mind. Sit 'Em
Kickers
Rian Lindell - He's a strong option this week, considering how putrid Buffalo's offense is and how terrible Cleveland's defense is. When putrid offenses meet terrible defenses, field goals ensue. Start 'Em
Billy Cundiff - Rejoice, Bills fans, for Bill-killer Phil Dawson is injured! Well, don't rejoice about the injury; that's rude. Just rejoice that he won't kill the Bills this week, as he's done in successive seasons. Cundiff? Not exactly fantasy gold, and I'm predicting that Cleveland's offense will look bad this week. Sit 'Em
Defenses
I won't even separate this out. Both of these defenses have been awful. Both are capable of picking up a few sacks and maybe a turnover or two, but they're unreliable at best. Sit 'Em
Sleepers
Jerome Harrison - I'm telling you, he's going to have a strong week. Buffalo loves to force offenses to check down to runners, and the Bills have already proven that they struggle some with speed backs. At a minimum, Harrison will have an OK week. His fantasy potential is through the roof.
Nobody from Buffalo - I don't think it's likely that any of the Bills' role players will have good production this week. Stick to the big guns.