Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 7

Are you in a bye-week bind? Have no fear, here are a list of not-so-obvious starts this week that may be residing on your bench or on the waiver wire in shallow leagues.

START

SHAUN HILL(SF-QB): Hill is one of those players who’s much better in real life than he is for fantasy purposes.

Numbers-wise, Hill ranks 23rd among quarterbacks with an 80.7 passer rating.

That number jumps up to 113.5, though, in the fourth quarter, which leads you to believe that Hill stands a good chance of working his lategame magic again in what should be a tight contest between San Francisco and Houston.

Also helping Hill’s cause is the fact that the Texans 19th ranked pass defense has not only been ineffective in the way of producing big plays, but it has also has allowed opposing quarterbacks to average 253 passing yards.

Having Frank Gore back in the lineup should also contribute in creating more daylight for Niners receivers.

DONALD BROWN (IND-RB): It’ll be Brown to the right, left and up the gut in the latter stages of what will probably be a blowout victory over St. Louis for a well-rested Indianapolis team this week coming off its bye-week.

St. Louis’ less-than-formidable defensive tackle duo of LaJuan Ramsey and Clifton Ryan and the rest of the Rams’ 27th-ranked run defense should be no match for Brown or Joseph Addai this week.

JONATHAN STEWART (CAR-RB): For a running back, it doesn’t get any better than facing a Buffalo Bills team that is allowing 182 rushing yards-per-game and over five yards-per-carry.

Carolina’s dynamic duo of Stewart and DeAngelo Williams got back on track last week with over 100 yards a piece on the ground and three touchdowns between them.

MILES AUSTIN (DAL-WR):

Yes, Tony Romo still makes too many bone-headed mistakes to be considered an elite quarterback, but he’s also passed for over 250 yards in four of his five contests so far.

With Austin now entrenched as a starter, expect him to manhandle Atlanta’s undersized secondary, which ranks 21st against the pass.

The 6’3” speedster is coming off a career game in which he burned Kansas City for 250 yards and two touchdowns.

STEVE BREASTON (ARIWR): Breaston appeared to finally be over his sprained PLC last Sunday by recording seven receptions for 77 yards and a score; that number is likely to go up with a banged-up Anquan Boldin, who’s questionable to play this week.

Boldin should be limited even if he does suit up, which means that Breaston will be targeted all night in the Cardinal pass-heavy attack.

HAKEEM NICKS (NYG-WR):

The rookie has outproduced Mario Manningham three weeks in a row, and is beginning to assume the look of a future go-to guy.

Look for Eli Manning to target the former Tar Heel with some deep balls this Sunday versus a very beatable Arizona secondary in what should be a rather high-scoring affair in East Rutherford, N.J.

VISANTHE SHIANCOE (MIN-TE): Many might still view Shiancoe as an all-or-nothing option that can’t be counted on every week, but that shouldn’t preclude anyone from inserting the former Giants backup in their starting lineups in Week 7.

In addition, to catching four touchdowns in his last three games, Shiancoe faces a tight-end friendly Pittsburgh defense that has surrendered three touchdowns to players at his hybrid position.

The Maryland native, however, shouldn’t be counted on for big yardage; he has yet to exceed 50 receiving yards so far this season.

SIT

LARRY JOHNSON (KC-RB):

The addition of Ian Scott hasn’t exactly filled the massive void left behind by Jamal Williams at nose tackle, but he has made a difference thus far.

San Diego’s front-seven appeared very motivated in limiting Denver running backs to 90 yards on the ground last Monday.

The defense’s run-stuffing duties should be much easier this week versus a very poor Kansas City offensive line.

LEE EVANS (BUF-WR):

There’s a very good chance that the awful Ryan Fitzpatrick gets the nod this week over an ailing Trent Edwards, which automatically lowers expectations for every Bill wideout and/or tight end.

The weak-armed Fitzgerald almost single-handedly torpedoed Chad Ochocinco’s season last year and he’ll undoubtedly have the same effect on a deep threat like Evans.

MUHSIN MUHAMMAD (CAR-WR): Carolina’s passing game is a joke and the coaching staff would much rather put the game in the hands of its running backs and road-grating offensive line rather than have Jake Delhomme spray the ball all over the yard.

As bad as Delhomme is, though, there’s no way a major weapon like Steve Smith should be limited to one catch for four yards.

Carolina must try to appease an unhappy Smith and will most likely look to force the ball in his hands, even if that means throwing him a bunch of two-yard screens.

As a result, Muhammad looks to be the odd man out versus Buffalo.