NFL and College Football

Start ‘em or Sit ‘em-Week 8
So Last week I recommended starting Austin Collie, which didn’t turn out bad for owners, but I guess I should have also mentioned the other Austin, who had a breakout game. Maybe I’ll have better luck this week.
Start ‘em
Roddy White
It seems that there may be a shootout when the undefeated Saints face the Atlanta Falcons. While any Saints receiver is probably a safe start, Roddy White may have enough success to be a flex choice or even a main starter in larger leagues. He has at least a touchdown in the last three games and has success against the Saints in the past. He’s averaged over 17 yards per game against the New Orleans. The Saints’ defense can only help his chances of success. In four of their last six games, they have given up over 22 points, including 34 against Miami. Giving up over 214 passing yards per game, New Orleans is going to have trouble keeping the football from White.
Visanthe Shiancoe
Shiancoe is a strong start this week, especially since is tied with Owen Daniels with 5 touchdowns this season. His entire 2008 season he only caught 7. Favre probably doesn’t have a hard time seeing him in the red zone, with Shiancoe is a 6’4” target. Minnesota held Adrian Peterson to 55 rushing yards in their last meeting, and Shiancoe caught a touchdown that game, so look for Favre to go to the air often. The Vikings Tight End has had a lot of success this season, but is only being started in 50% of yahoo leagues and is only starting in 79% of yahoo leagues.
Sit ‘em
Ray Rice
Ray Rice has had a lot of success this season for fantasy owners that were lucky enough to have him fall in the draft, but his numbers lead me to believe he isn’t a smart start, if a start at all this week against Denver. First of all, Rice has only 3 rushing touchdowns this season, with 2 coming in week 6. Fellow running back Willis McGahee has 5. Splitting carries with McGahee, Rice is only averaging 10 carries a game, and only week 4 Rice had over 100 yards. The Broncos are showing a strong defense this season, only giving up 2 rushing touchdowns all year while giving up only 80 rushing yards per game.
Frank Gore
San Francisco’s quarterback troubles are probably going to hurt Gore this week, rather than help because Indianapolis can stack the line and force San Francisco to go to the air, especially if Indy has a sizeable lead. The Colts’ defense is only allowing 111 yards per game rushing with 4 touchdowns, so sharing the carries with Glen Coffee will likely limit Gore’s yards. If you remove an 80-yard run Gore had this season, his total rushing yards are really close to Coffee’s. He has also only scored 3 rushing touchdowns on the season.

BY NFLANDCOLLEGEFOOTBALL.COM EXPERT: JASON TIMMS