Week 13 Fantasy Faceoffs

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 13.

Start Aaron Rodgers vs. Carolina?
Dave Richard	Jamey Eisenberg
If Rodgers couldn't throttle the Saints pass defense, then he'll definitely struggle with the Panthers. Carolina has given up just eight passing touchdowns this season and only one 300-yard passer (MVP candidate Kurt Warner). They've stymied the likes of Philip Rivers and Drew Brees and should be able to contend with a Packers offense coming off a Monday night game. Additionally, the Panthers have been leaky against the run, so Ryan Grant could see the bulk of the work on Sunday, taking the ball out of Rodgers' hands. Besides, only nine of Rodgers' 21 total TDs have come at Lambeau. I'd rather start: Tyler Thigpen at Oakland	I'll definitely start Rodgers at home in this matchup even with Carolina allowing only eight passing touchdowns on the season, which is No. 3 in the NFL. At home, Rodgers has played well with seven passing touchdowns and two interceptions and two rushing touchdowns in five games. He is going to be throwing -- he averages about 33 attempts a game -- and I'll take my chances with Rodgers against the Panthers in Lambeau Field. Rodgers might not pass for 300 yards, but he will finish as a top 12 Fantasy option. If this game were in Carolina, I might have some reservations, but I like Rodgers at home. I'd start him over: Eli Manning at Washington

Start Matt Cassel vs. Pittsburgh?
Dave Richard	Jamey Eisenberg
My argument for Cassel against the Steelers won't involve previous stats. Instead, let's focus on the Patriots' incredible ability to game plan against opponents. The Steelers may be top-ranked against the pass, but they are far more fearsome against the run, and the Patriots have to know they don't match up well there (they thought as much vs. Pittsburgh last season). That will mean a lot of passing, which translates into a lot of attempts for Cassel. Lots of attempts usually means lots of yards, and considering the way the Patriots spread-out offense has moved in recent weeks, a decent amount of touchdowns, too. I'd start him over: Ben Roethlisberger at New England	Cassel has been a nice story the past two weeks with back-to-back 400-yard passing games against Miami and the Jets, but the Steelers will end the fairy tale. Pittsburgh's defense is much better than Cassel's two previous opponents, and Cassel will be running for his life. The Steelers are No. 1 in pass defense, No. 5 in passing touchdowns allowed and No. 2 in sacks. Cassel will see plenty of zone blitzes, and his stats will plummet from the past two games. Remember, prior to facing these porous defenses, Cassel was a terrible Fantasy option. His confidence might be high, and justifiably so, but this is a terrible matchup for any quarterback. I'd rather start: Jeff Garcia vs. New Orleans

Start Peyton Hillis at N.Y. Jets?
Dave Richard	Jamey Eisenberg
His matchup might be tough, but the Broncos haven't gotten away from using him since giving him playing time following their bye week. Hillis has seen his total reps increase in each of the last four weeks while being a consistent power rusher for the Broncos. Plus, he's also their goal-line back, and with the Broncos' penchant for scoring, it puts him in play as a threat for six points regardless of any matchup. I'd start him over: Tim Hightower at Philadelphia	Hillis might make some plays in the passing game for the Broncos, but there's no chance he runs on the Jets and Kris Jenkins, who is the frontrunner for defensive MVP. Last week, the Jets shut down Chris Johnson and the Titans, and this week's victim will be Hillis. He's a nice story and worth owning in all leagues, but don't count on him in this matchup. The Jets are No. 3 in run defense for a reason. I'd rather start: Darren McFadden vs. Kansas City

Start Jamal Lewis vs. Indianapolis?
Dave Richard	Jamey Eisenberg
I don't mean to alarm you, but the Colts have only allowed two 100-yard rushers in their last eight games. Their weakness against the run comes in the touchdown department, but a running back has to usually get near the end zone before he can score. That's something Lewis and the Browns haven't been able to do for much of the season. With zero 100-total-yard games and only four scores on the season, I don't see Lewis breaking out. I'd rather start: Derrick Ward at Washington	Lewis has struggled the past four weeks with less than 70 yards rushing in each game and only one touchdown. But now he faces a run defense that has struggled all year and could again be without standout safety Bob Sanders (knee). The Colts allow 136.8 rushing yards per game with 15 touchdowns on the season. This is a game where the Browns will feed Lewis the ball with Brady Quinn dealing with the broken finger. Lewis will respond with a good outing. I'd start him over: Deuce McAllister at Tampa Bay

Start Torry Holt vs. Miami?
Dave Richard	Jamey Eisenberg
I know Holt has been putting up some relatively good numbers of late, but I can't trust him even in a good matchup at home against the Dolphins. His quarterback will either be a concussed Marc Bulger or an over-the-hill Trent Green, neither of whom have shown much ability to feed Holt touchdowns. The guy has had no 100-yard games even with a season littered with favorable matchups. I don't know how 30 percent of CBSSports.com owners are even starting this guy. I'd rather start: Derrick Mason at Cincinnati	Holt has to be saying to the Dolphins that he wants the same single coverage they gave Randy Moss last week when Moss had eight catches for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Regardless, Holt has played well at home this year with 23 catches for 334 yards and two touchdowns in five games. The Dolphins secondary has been terrible most of the season and is No. 29 this week. Holt should post solid enough stats to be used as a No. 3 Fantasy option. I'd start him over: Braylon Edwards vs. Indianapolis

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.