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Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your fantasy team. Sleeper alert highlights a player who's under the radar but could produce strong numbers based on the opponent. Owners beware highlights a player who's a regular starter in most fantasy leagues but could fail to meet expectations. For your final lineup decisions, check our weekly lineup rankings.    Start of the Week                                       Team        Player        Analysis                       Houston Texans         Matt Schaub        Schaub has proved in the last two weeks that his injured left shoulder isn't an issue, throwing for a combined 732 yards and three touchdowns. His success should continue against the Dolphins, who have allowed an average of close to 20 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Schaub, who is on pace for over 4,700 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, is a solid option across the board.                                   Quarterbacks -- Start 'Em                                        Team         Player         Analysis                       San Francisco 49ers         Alex Smith        Smith has hit a bump in the road in terms of statistical success in recent weeks, averaging just 10 fantasy points on NFL.com in his last two games. But this week's game against the Lions should be good for what ails him. Detroit's defense has allowed more fantasy points (22.7 PPG) to quarterbacks than any other team in the league, so Smith should produce good numbers in fantasy's title week.                                                                   More quarterbacks with favorable matchups                      1. Tom Brady vs. Jaguars: Jacksonville has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points (19.9 PPG) to quarterbacks. 2. Kurt Warner vs. Rams: Warner has averaged 263 yards with nine TD passes in his last five games vs. St. Louis. 3. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Ravens: Baltimore has allowed 21.7 PPG and 244.5 passing YPG on the road in 2009. 4. Vince Young vs. Chargers (Fri.): Young has averaged 20.7 fantasy points on NFL.com in his last four games. 5. Carson Palmer vs. Chiefs: Kansas City has allowed an average of 18.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.  Sleeper alert: Joe Flacco at Steelers: Pittsburgh has allowed 75 fantasy points to QBs in its last two home games.                                   Quarterbacks -- Sit 'Em                                        Team         Player         Analysis                       Atlanta Falcons         Matt Ryan        Ryan made a surprise return from his turf toe ailment in Week 15, but he mustered just 12 fantasy points in a win over the Jets. His numbers don't project to improve against the Bills, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game (11.8 PPG) this season. Furthermore, Ryan still isn't back to 100 percent. These factors make him just too much of a risk to use in the final fantasy weekend.                                                                   Team         Player         Analysis                       Seattle Seahawks         Matt Hasselbeck        Hasselbeck has left the equivolent of fantasy coal in the stockings of fantasy owners in recent weeks, averaging just 10.2 fantasy points on NFL.com in his last five games. He'll struggle to reverse his fortunes against the Packers, who have allowed an average of 185.7 passing yards per game on their home field. That makes Hasselbeck a very risky option across the board and better left to the sidelines.                                                                   More quarterbacks with unfavorable matchups                      1. Eli Manning vs. Panthers: Hard to bench; Carolina has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. 2. David Garrard at Patriots: New England has allowed an average of 13.7 PPG and 163.0 passing YPG at home. 3. Jay Cutler vs. Vikings (Mon.): Cutler has averaged just 8.5 fantasy points (seven INTs) in his last four games. 4. Matt Cassel at Bengals: Cincinnati has allowed an average of just 13.9 PPG and 293.6 total YPG at home. 5. Mark Sanchez at Colts: Indianapolis has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.  Owners beware: Peyton Manning vs. Jets: Risk-reward option; Manning could be rested for part of Week 16.                                   Running backs -- Start 'Em                                        Team         Player         Analysis                       Cincinnati Bengals         Cedric Benson        While it's true that Benson's numbers have fallen in recent weeks -- he's posted a combined 27 fantasy points in his last three games -- he's still an attractive option against Kansas City. The Chiefs just allowed 286 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Browns RB Jerome Harrison,Mikael Ishak Sweden Jersey, so Benson must be licking his chops at this juicy matchup. Expect the veteran runner to make a significant impact.                                                                   Team         Player         Analysis                       Arizona Cardinals         Beanie Wells        Wells has picked up steam at the most important time in the fantasy season, scoring a combined 31 points in his last two games. He should continue to play fantasy Santa Claus and deliver statistical gifts against the Rams, who enter the week a dreadful 27th in the league against the run and have allowed an average of 137.3 rushing yards per game on the road. Consider Wells a No. 2 fantasy runner.                                                                   More running backs with favorable matchups                      1. Frank Gore vs. Lions: Detroit has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points (24.8 PPG) to running backs this season. 2. Ryan Grant vs. Seahawks: Seattle has allowed an average of 30.3 PPG and 132.4 rushing YPG on the road in 2009. 3. Jerome Harrison vs. Raiders: Oakland has allowed an average of 145.7 rushing YPG on the road this season. 4. Fred Jackson at Falcons: Atlanta has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points (20.6 PPG) to running backs in 2009. 5. Pierre Thomas vs. Buccaneers: Tampa Bay ranks 30th vs. the run; have allowed an average of 158.9 rushing YPG.  Sleeper alert: Jason Snelling vs. Bills: Buffalo has allowed the most fantasy points (26.8 PPG) to running backs.                                   Running backs -- Sit 'Em                                        Team         Player         Analysis                       Chicago Bears         Matt Forte        Has there been a bigger disappointment in fantasy football than Forte? In standard leagues, he's averaging a mere 9.4 fantasy points per game. He's also scored double-digit points just once since Week 11. His lack of production will be extended into Week 16, as Forte goes up against a Vikings defense that's allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Keep him on your bench.                                                                   Team         Player         Analysis                       Philadelphia Eagles         Brian Westbrook        Westbrook is expected to be back in action after missing most of the past eight games due to multiple concussions. However, he's not much of an option in fantasy leagues despite his previous elite status. The Eagles plan to bring Westbrook at a very slow pace, so LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver will both continue to see their share of the workload. Bottom line, Westbrook is far too much of a risk right now.                                                                   More running backs with unfavorable matchups                      1. Rashard Mendenhall vs. Ravens: Hard to bench; Baltimore ranks seventh in run defense (99.5 YPG) this season. 2. Joseph Addai vs. Jets: New York ranks 11th vs. the run (103.0 YPG); Addai could be rested for part of Week 16. 3. Marion Barber at Redskins: Washington has allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points (16.4 PPG) to running backs. 4. Maurice Morris at 49ers: San Francisco ranks fifth in run defense (15.3 PPG, 96.5 YPG at home) this season. 5. Julius Jones at Packers: Green Bay has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season.  Owners beware: DeAngelo Williams at Giants: Check injury status; New York ranks eighth in run defense in 2009.                                   Wide receivers -- Start 'Em                                        Team         Player         Analysis                       Green Bay Packers         Greg Jennings        Jennings is coming off one of his best fantasy performances of the season, posting 118 yards and one touchdown in a 37-35 loss to the Steelers. He should have another nice stat line against the Seahawks, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points (25.1 PPG) to wide receivers and are especially bad on the road. Owners should start Jennings and Donald Driver with confidence based on this matchup.                                                                   Team         Player         Analysis                       New Orleans Saints         Marques Colston        Colston should reach his third 1,000-yard season at the NFL level this weekend against the Buccaneers,J. R. Sweezy Buccaneers Jersey, who have struggled to stop the opposition's wideouts in the red zone in 2009. In fact, their defense has given up the fifth-most touchdown catches (25). Colston, who has averaged close to six receptions in seven career games against the Buccaneers, should make it a very Merry Christmas for owners.                                                                   More wide receivers with favorable matchups                      1. Anquan Boldin vs. Rams: Boldin has posted 23 catches and three touchdowns in his last four games vs. St. Louis. 2. Vincent Jackson at Titans (Fri.): Tennessee has allowed the most fantasy points (27.1 PPG) to wide receivers. 3. Sidney Rice at Bears (Mon.): Chicago ranks eighth in receiving yards allowed and has given up 25 TD catches. 4. Steve Smith at Giants: New York ranks 12th in receiving yards allowed and has given up 24 TD catches in 2009. 5. Derrick Mason at Steelers: Pittsburgh has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (22.4 PPG) to wide receivers.  Sleeper alert: Antonio Bryant at Saints: New Orleans has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.                                   Wide receivers -- Sit 'Em                                        Team         Player         Analysis                       Indianapolis Colts         Reggie Wayne        I know, you're supposed to start all of your studs in the fantasy postseason. And if I had Wayne and no legitimate options to replace him, I would keep him active. But in a game where he'll go up against Jets CB Darrelle Revis,Custom Jaguars Jersey, even a wideout as good as Wayne is a risk. Furthermore, there's a chance that coach Jim Caldwell could rest some of this starters, including Wayne, in the second half.                                                                   Team         Player         Analysis                       Kansas City Chiefs         Dwayne Bowe        Bowe made a ho-hum return from a four-game suspension last week, posting just five fantasy points despite being targeted 10 times in a loss to the Browns. This week he'll head to Cincinnati,San Francisco Giants Jeff Samardzija Jersey, where an underrated Bengals defense awaits. These new-look Cats have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, so Bowe could post less-than-cheerful totals in this AFC clash.                                                                   More wide receivers with unfavorable matchups                      1. Calvin Johnson at 49ers: Johnson has averaged three fantasy points in two games without QB Matthew Stafford. 2. Roy E. Williams at Redskins: Williams was held without a single catch in his last game vs. Washington (Week 11). 3. T.J. Houshmandzadeh at Packers: Houshmandzadeh will struggle vs. Packers shutdown CB Charles Woodson. 4. Braylon Edwards at Colts: Edwards has scored single-digit fantasy points (6.5 PPG) in four his last six games. 5. Hakeem Nicks vs. Panthers: Carolina has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2009.  Owners beware: Roddy White vs. Bills: Buffalo has allowed the third-most fantasy points (14.3 PPG) to wideouts.                                   Tight ends -- Start 'Em                                        Team         Player         Analysis                       Minnesota Vikings         Visanthe Shiancoe        Shiancoe has done his best Ebenezer Scrooge impersonation in his last two games, scoring a combined three fantasy points on NFL.com. But this Monday night against the Bears,Boston Red Sox Jackie Bradley Jr Jersey, Shiancoe will make up for his recent struggles with a golden stat line. Chicago's defense surrendered five catches, 51 yards and a touchdown to Shiancoe in Week 12, so keep him active in this important fantasy weekend.                                                                   Team         Player         Analysis                       Washington Redskins         Fred Davis        Over the last four weeks,Cheap Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys, Davis has scored the third-most fantasy points among tight ends (behind Antonio Gates and Dallas Clark) on NFL.com. In those games, he's hauled in a combined 17 passes (31 targets) for 211 yards and five touchdowns. That alone makes him a viable No. 1 fantasy option against a Cowboys defense that allowed eight catches and 77 yards to Saints TE David Thomas in Week 15.                                                                   More tight ends with favorable matchups                      1. Antonio Gates at Titans (Fri.): Tennessee has allowed an average of close to eight fantasy points to tight ends. 2. Jermichael Finley vs. Seahawks: Finley has the third-most fantasy points among tight ends since Week 13. 3. Greg Olsen vs. Vikings (Mon.): Olsen posted seven receptions in his last game against the Vikings (Week 12). 4. Tony Scheffler at Eagles: Philadelphia has allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. 5. John Carlson at Packers: Carlson has scored a combined 22 fantasy points (two TDs) in his last two games.  Sleeper alert: David Thomas vs. Buccaneers: Tampa Bay has allowed an average of 7.8 fantasy points to tight ends.                                   Tight ends -- Sit 'Em                                        Team         Player         Analysis                       Pittsburgh Steelers         Heath Miller        Miller is coming off a solid 11-point performance in a win over the Packers,Santiago Casilla Giants Jersey, but he's still a risk in fantasy championship week based on a recent trend. In his last five games against this week's opponent, the Ravens, Miller has produced a combined 11 catches for 73 yards with one touchdown. That includes a one-catch dud against them in Week 12. If you can find a viable replacement, Miller should be benched.                                                                   Team         Player         Analysis                       New York Jets         Dustin Keller        After a solid start to the season, Keller has seen his numbers fall across the board. He hasn't scored double-digit fantasy points since Week 8 and has averaged a miniscule 2.5 points in his last six games. The Purdue product won't see an increase in production against the Colts, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points (4.2 PPG) to tight ends this season. Keep Keller riding the fantasy pine.                                                                   More tight ends with unfavorable matchups                      1. Brent Celek vs. Broncos: Hard to bench; Denver has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2009. 2. Kellen Winslow at Saints: New Orleans has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points (5.3 PPG) to the tight end spot. 3. Kevin Boss vs. Panthers: Carolina ranks south in fewest receiving yards allowed (203.6 YPG, 13 TDs) this season. 4. Todd Heap at Steelers: Heap has two catches for 30 yards and no touchdowns in his last three games vs. Steelers. 5. Marcedes Lewis at Patriots: New England has allowed an average of 5.7 fantasy points per game to tight ends.  Owners beware: Jason Witten at Redskins: Washington has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends.                                   Kickers -- Start 'Em                                        Team         Player         Analysis                       Cleveland Browns         Phil Dawson        Fantasy owners looking to add a kicker with a great matchup this week should pick up Dawson, who's coming off a solid 12-point performance against the Chiefs. His success should continue against the Raiders, who have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points (9.2 PPG) to kickers in 2009. That includes a 16-point outburst from Broncos K Matt Prater in Week 15. Consider Dawson in all leagues.                                                                   More kickers with favorable matchups                      1. David Akers vs. Broncos: Denver has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points (7.8 PPG) to kickers this season. 2. Garrett Hartley vs. Buccaneers: Tampa Bay has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (8.6 PPG) to kickers in 2009. 3. Shayne Graham vs. Chiefs: Kansas City has allowed the second-most fantasy points (9.7 PPG) to kickers. 4. Ryan Longwell at Bears (Mon.): Longwell scored 14 fantasy points in his last game vs. Chicago (Week 12). 5. Kris Brown at Dolphins: Miami has allowed an average of 9.5 fantasy points per game (23/27 FGA) to kickers.  Sleeper alert: Sebastian Janikowski at Browns: Cleveland has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to kickers.                                   Kickers -- Sit 'Em                                        Team         Player         Analysis                       Jacksonville Jaguars         Josh Scobee        Scobee has been a viable matchup-based starter for fantasy owners this season, but this week he's facing anything but an attractive opponent. The Patriots have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to kicker this season, surrendering an average of just 5.4 points per game. That makes Scobee,Jamari Lattimore Packers Jersey, who has averaged just 6.6 fantasy points in his last six starts, a poor starting choice in fantasy championships.                                                                   More kickers with unfavorable matchups                      1. John Kasay at Giants: New York has given up the third-fewest fantasy points (5.6 PPG,Michael Wacha Cardinals Jersey, 13/16 FGA) to kickers. 2. Robbie Gould vs. Vikings (Mon.): Gould was held to four fantasy points in his last game vs. Minnesota (Week 12). 3. Matt Stover vs. Jets: New York has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points (5.9 PPG) to kickers this season. 4. Jeff Reed vs. Ravens: Baltimore has surrendered an average of 6.1 fantasy points per game to kickers in 2009. 5. Olindo Mare at Packers: Green Bay has allowed the fewest fantasy points (5.4 PPG) to kickers this season.  Owners beware: Lawrence Tynes vs. Panthers: Carolina has allowed an average of 6.4 fantasy points to kickers.                                   Defenses -- Start 'Em                                        Team         Player                       Cardinals defense        If you're in need of a defensive unit to start in Week 16, the Cardinals are a solid option against the St. Louis Rams. Outside of RB Steven Jackson, the Rams are devoid of any offensive firepower with QB Keith Null at the helm. This is also the first home game for the Cardinals since the first week of December, so they'll be charged up to perform well in front of their fans in this NFC West contest. I see the Cards as a top-10 option.                                                                   More defenses with favorable matchups                      1. Vikings defense at Bears (Mon.): Minnesota scored 22 fantasy points in its last game vs. Chicago (Week 12). 2. Packers defense vs. Seahawks: Seattle has averaged just 15.3 PPG and 300.1 total YPG on the road this season. 3. Bengals defense vs. Chiefs: Defenses facing Kansas City have scored the seventh-most fantasy points in 2009. 4. 49ers defense vs. Lions: Defenses facing Detroit have scored the second-most fantasy points per game in 2009. 5. Cowboys defense at Redskins: Defenses facing Washington have scored the most fantasy points per game.  Sleeper alert: Browns defense vs. Raiders: Defenses facing Oakland have scored the eighth-most fantasy points.                                   Defenses -- Sit 'Em                                        Team         Player                       Titans defense        The Titans defense has been a much more viable option in fantasy leagues in recent weeks, but owners shouldn't lean on this unit against San Diego. The Chargers offense as been extremely productive on the road this season, averaging 27.4 points and 337.6 total yards per game. This game has the potential to turn into a shootout, especially with Titans QB Vince Young playing well, so both defenses should be avoided in Week 16.                                                                   More defenses with unfavorable matchups                      1. Jets defense at Colts: Defenses facing Indianapolis have scored the fewest fantasy points per game in 2009. 2. Broncos defense at Eagles: Philadelphia is averaging 28.4 PPG and 385.6 total YPG at home this season. 3. Chargers defense at Titans (Sat.): Tennessee is averaging 29.3 PPG and 406.3 total YPG at home in 2009. 4. Dolphins defense vs. Texans: Houston has allowed an average of 23.6 PPG, 407.0 YPG on the road in 2009. 5. Jaguars defense at Patriots: New England has averaged 30.7 PPG and 434.7 total YPG at home this season.  Owners beware: Ravens defense at Steelers: Pittsburgh has averaged 25.4 PPG and 402.9 YPG at home.                                   Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question for Michael on anything fantasy football related? Leave it in our comments section or send it to AskFabiano@nfl.com!