We're into the stretch run for fantasy football season. Most leagues only have three weeks left in the regular season before playoffs begin in Week 14. If you're like me, you're battling for a playoff spot. My team is sitting at 5-5 along with five other teams in the league - I guess that NFL parity translated to fantasy this year. Also if you're like me, you're looking to squeeze every last point out of your roster.
There are no bye weeks this week, so everybody is playing with a full deck. If you're staring down a bad quarterback matchup, such as Matt Schaub against the Jets, then starting Jon Kitna is a good idea. Kitna, according to Rotoworld, is the 14th best quarterback option this week, rated ahead of Schaub, Joe Flacco, Matt Cassel, Shaun Hill and Vince Young. It's tough to fully trust Kitna as a fantasy option, but he has thrown for over 300 yards in two of his three starts. That trend should continue at home against a fairly weak Detroit Lions secondary.
Dallas' running backs aren't worthy of an RB1 designation this week and haven't been for the year thus far. Felix Jones, however, is an RB2 or flex spot option. Rotoworld has him ranked as the 19th best running back option this week, which in most leagues makes him a low end RB2 or a good flex option. Marion Barber is ranked 43rd and is irrelevant fantasy wise.
Miles Austin is a low end WR1 and a very, very good WR2. Rotoworld has him rated as the 11th best option at wide receiver this week, with his teammate Dez Bryant not far behind at No. 13. Both players are must starts and both are capable of putting up a 100 yard game with a touchdown grab or two. Roy Williams is not worth starting this week, being ranked 60th and having only four receptions the last four games combined.
If you're banged up and looking for a spot start at WR, I suggest taking a flyer on two players. Brandon Gibson of the St. Louis Rams has had 14 receptions the past two games combined and seems to be developing a rapport with rookie quarterback Sam Bradford. Seyi Ajirotutu of the Chargers should be on a spot-start radar again with Malcom Floyd still battling injury and Antonio Gates' health in question.
Jason Witten is a top 5 tight end fantasy option, ranked as the fifth best this week per Rotoworld but he really may be the fourth best. Antonio Gates is the top rated tight end this week, but he might not play this weekend due to injury. Vernon Davis, Jacob Tamme and Dustin Keller are the other three tight ends ahead of Witten. As always, Witten must be started despite the inconsistent year.
Dallas' defense should not be started against the Lions passing attack. Sunday's win over the Giants was the first time the Cowboys gave up fewer than 35 points since October 17 in Dallas' loss to the Vikings. Rotoworld ranks the Cowboys defense as the 23rd best option this week, so there has to be a better option out there.
Finally, do not start David Buehler. There is no reason for him even to be owned at this point.