Editor's note: Senior Fantasy Writers Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg disagree a lot on particular players in a given week. Instead of trying to convince each other they are right, we feel it makes for good reading to hear each argument. Here are their best debates entering Week 12.
| Start Kyle Orton at St. Louis? |
| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
 Forget about Orton's awful start last week against the Packers. The Bears fell behind and were forced to throw against one of the best secondaries in the league. Now Orton, with a game of rust knocked off, will play at St. Louis against a Rams pass defense that has allowed 15 touchdowns through the air. Matt Cassel and more recently Shaun Hill have had success against the Rams, so Orton has every reason to follow suit, especially with his receiving corps healthy and the opposition locked in on trying to slow down Matt Forte.
I'd start him over: Eli Manning at Arizona and Donovan McNabb at Baltimore |  I wouldn't start Orton as a top 12 Fantasy quarterback in Week 12. Even with the matchup at the Rams, I'm concerned about Orton getting back to being a starting Fantasy option after his ankle injury in Week 9. He looked awful at Green Bay last week, and the Bears are going to rely on Matt Forte and the running game at St. Louis. The Rams pass coverage has improved since Jim Haslett took over as coach, but the run defense is horrible. The Rams lead the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns allowed, so Orton's best talent Sunday will be handing off to Forte and watching him do all the work.
I'd rather start: Brady Quinn vs. Houston |
| Start DeAngelo Williams at Atlanta? |
| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
Erase Williams' last two weeks from your memory: His incredible stat totals came in cupcake matchups against two of the three worst run defenses in the NFL. The Falcons' run defense isn't bad and in the last seven weeks, they've allowed one 100-yard rusher. Moreover, Williams has an awful history against the Falcons: He's never scored on them or totaled over 100 yards. I know that after two huge games, the idea of sitting Williams seems strange, but expecting a third straight 100-yard game from Williams against an opponent he and most other running backs have struggled against seems unrealistic.
I'd rather start: Warrick Dunn at Detroit | Why would anyone sit Williams right now? All he's done in his past five games is run for 461 yards and four touchdowns, and he also added a receiving score. He's becoming a No. 1 Fantasy option, and he has a great matchup at the Falcons. Atlanta is allowing 119.6 rushing yards per game with 11 touchdowns this season, and last week the Falcons gave up two touchdowns at home to Peyton Hillis. We can all agree Williams is better than Hillis, so start Williams in all formats this week. He's having a breakout season, and that will continue at Atlanta.
I'd start him over: Chris Johnson vs. N.Y. Jets |
| Start Santana Moss at Seattle? |
| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
Seattle's pass defense has fallen to 31st in the league and could be without cornerback Marcus Trufant in Week 12. That's great news for Moss, who will play at Seattle and should decimate a pass defense that let the Cardinals' receiving duo top 150 yards each. Throw in Redskins coach Jim Zorn coming back to take on his former team and Moss' recent success in Seattle (68 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs last year) and you've got plenty of reason to expect a big game from him this week.
I'd start him over: Randy Moss at Miami | It's hard to start Moss right now because of his inconsistent play. One week you can get 140 yards and a touchdown, and the next week he could have two catches for 14 yards. He also has just seven catches for 43 yards his past two games, so he's riding a cold streak. If you need to play Moss this week because of poor matchups for your other receivers, then do so. But if you have players who are more consistent with an equal or better matchup, keep Moss on the bench.
I'd rather start: Donnie Avery vs. Chicago |
| Start Shaun Hill at Dallas? |
| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg |
Shaun Hill has been playing incredible ball dating back to his starts last year, but the matchup against an improved Dallas secondary doesn't look appealing. The 49ers' receiving corps isn't going to be a problem for the Cowboys to cover, and the pass rush they'll bring will disrupt Hill's timing. Moreover, there are too many good quarterbacks this week that warrant starting over Hill.
I'd rather start: Kerry Collins vs. N.Y. Jets | All Hill does is produce with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in six appearances going back to last year. The Cowboys are vulnerable in pass coverage even with Terrence Newman back, and Hill will be throwing a lot this week because that's what Mike Martz quarterbacks do. Start Hill and expect about 240 passing yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He will finish among the top 12 Fantasy quarterbacks this week.
I'd start him over: Jake Delhomme at Atlanta |
Do you agree with Dave or Jamey? Send your thoughts to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com and we'll post the best responses. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Faceoff in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.
