We are past the midpoint of the season and before you know it your fantasy football play-offs will be in full swing. Every start becomes even more critical from this point forward if you expect to be in the playoffs. That is why my friend I took a little extra care in choosing my seven players for this weekends games.

Real quick, here’s a little reminder of how I have things set up. I list two players who I think deserve a start and two players that I think should ride the pine. Also, I have another section that will deal with some of the gray area associated with some players.

This section is called Sleepers: Don’t be surprised if. It will deal with players who, regardless of stature, will perform better or worse than expected. Rather than tell you that you should start or sit these players - since I do not know every circumstance surrounding your team in particular - I am just offering up a little food for thought for those of you who have tough decisions to make this weekend. So lets get to it.

Start’em if you got’em

Edgerrin James RB (ARI) - Don’t let the Bucs defense fool ya, they aren’t that great against the run. Even though they are 8th in total defense they are a below average 22nd against the run. They also allow one touchdown per game on average. With a healthy quarterback Edgerrin has been solid this year. He should be solid this weekend in Tampa with 90 plus and a touchdown.

Shaun Alexander RB (SEA) - He is no longer a must start on a week to week basis but this week he should actually be worth something. With the exception of one, every running back that has faced the Browns this year has posted a 100 yard game. The only one that didn’t was Stephen Jackson but he was injured and had 8 for 41 with a touchdown in just under a quarters work. Look for 100 and a TD this week.

Sit’em if you’ve got em

Steve McNair QB (BAL) - Not only does he struggle throwing the long ball but I am really not even sure he can make it through a whole game without pulling something. There are worries among NFL insiders that he will be rusty after not playing for 3 weeks. Then you couple all that with the fact that he is playing the Steelers fourth ranked defense on their turf; not good. Don’t put your playoff hopes in the hands of someone starring down a 175 yard and 0 touchdown performance.

Ryan Grant RB (GB) - Boy, he sure looked pretty solid against Denver the other night in primetime. Hell he’s even a great pick-up this week. However, unless you need a third running back, or you are decimated by the bye week, stay away. Remember the Broncos have struggled mightily against the run this year and aren’t a good measuring stick in this case. Better yet, the Chiefs defense is always tough at home and since the return of Jared Allen they have turned it up even more. Don’t be hypnotized by the Monday night hype, he will struggle to get 75 and won’t sniff the endzone without divine intervention.

Sleepers: don’t be surprised if…

…Vernon Davis TE (SF) has a solid outing against a poor Atlanta pass defense. I know this is the San Fransisco offense we are talking about but right now he is about all they have and Atlanta has been pretty shaky vs the pass as of late. 75 and a TD on a bad San Fran offense is worthy of the sleeper tag.

…JP Losman QB (BUF) and Lee Evans WR (BUF) hook up over and over against the Bengals. I think it is a pretty safe bet considering Cinci has allowed 18 touchdowns through the air (which is tied for the most in the league). Thats 18 touchdowns in 7 games, you do the math. Also, Losman knows his opportunities are becoming more and more limited. He needs to make the best of every start. J.P. Should go over 250 with 2 TD’s and Lee “Late Season All-Star” Evans should get his 100 and at least one touchdown.

As always, that is not all my friend. There are a few other stops you should make before finalizing your starting lineup. First, Stop by my site FantasyFootballGoat.com for more fantasy info.

Second, make sure you stop by and see how the Fantasy Football Librarian can help you. Every week she posts all of the start’em sit’em articles, player ranking posts and waiver wire lists that she can find so that you don’t have to hunt for them yourself. Check her out and tell her the Goat says hi.

Third, you can get more in-depth NFL player projections throughout the week by checking out the Bruno Boys website over on MVN.com.

Fourth, be on the lookout for the weekly fantasy football start’em sit’em podcast I co-host with Marc Caviglia.

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