This week’s Fantasy Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em presents some interesting experiments at the running back position. Most of the top backs have neutral to below average matchups. Plenty of unknowns and ne’er do wells have the best matchups. Of course, quality often rises to the top, though matchups certainly matter. Will players like Vick Ballard, LaRod Stephens-Howling, and yes, Shonn Greene take advantage of plus matchups to shoot up the charts this week? I wouldn’t start them over other established stars, but if you need a matchup play, they all present positive situations.

At quarterback, my value play is Kevin Kolb against the Bills. We’ve seen Mark Sanchez and last week Alex Smith light this defense up. That offensive line is Arizona has struggled, so we can’t go overboard, but Kolb should be in your top twelve based on how poorly Buffalo has played against the pass.

QUARTERBACK

1. Matt Ryan vs. OAK
2. Peyton Manning at SD
3. Andrew Luck at NYJ
4. Tom Brady at SEA
5. Eli Manning at SF
6. Robert Griffin III vs. MIN
7. Andy Dalton at CLE
8. Aaron Rodgers at HOU
9. Kevin Kolb vs. BUF
10. Michael Vick vs. DET
11. Matt Stafford at PHI
12. Matt Schaub vs. GB
13. Alex Smith vs. NYG
14. Tony Romo vs. BAL
15. Joe Flacco vs. DAL

AVOID: Philip Rivers vs. DEN

DEEP SLEEPERS: Already recommended Kevin Kolb as the start of the week among non-stars, if you have Drew Brees or Cam Newton on bye. Christian Ponder would be next based on matchup. If you have to go deeper, my desperation choice would be Bradford going against the Dolphins.

RUNNING BACK

1. Arian Foster vs. GB
2. Ray Rice vs. DAL
3. Jamaal Charles at TB
4. Trent Richardson at CIN
5. Marshawn Lynch vs. NE
6. Stevan Ridley at SEA
7. Frank Gore vs. NYG
8. Ryan Mathews vs. DEN
9. LeSean McCoy vs. DET
10. Darren McFadden at ATL
11. Adrian Peterson at WAS
12. Michael Turner vs. OAK
13. Reggie Bush vs. STL
14. Willis McGahee at SD
15. Benjarvus Green-Ellis vs. CLE
16. Alfred Morris vs. MIN
17. DeMarco Murray at BAL
18. Ahmad Bradshaw at SF
19. Mikel Leshoure at PHI
20. Vick Ballard at NYJ
21. Doug Martin vs. KC
22. C.J. Spiller at ARI
23. Alex Green at HOU
24. LaRod Stephens-Howling vs. BUF
25. Shonn Greene vs. IND
26. Steven Jackson at MIA
27. Jacquizz Rodgers vs. OAK
28. Fred Jackson at ARI
29. Kendall Hunter vs. NYG
30. LeGarrette Blount vs.KC

SLEEPERS: If Shaun Draughn is active, the Chiefs should continue a run heavy approach against Tampa Bay, he’s questionable, though.

WIDE RECEIVER

1. Percy Harvin at WAS
2. Calvin Johnson at PHI
3. Roddy White vs. OAK
4. Larry Fitzgerald vs. BUF
5. A.J. Green vs. CLE
6. Julio Jones vs. OAK
7. Reggie Wayne at NYJ
8. Demaryius Thomas at SD
9. Victor Cruz at SF
10. Dwayne Bowe at TB
11. Andre Johnson vs. GB
12. Jordy Nelson at HOU
13. Wes Welker vs. SEA
14. Brian Hartline vs. STL
15. Miles Austin at BAL
16. Vincent Jackson vs. KC
17. Dez Bryant at BAL
18. Michael Crabtree vs. NYG
19. DeSean Jackson vs. DET
20. James Jones at HOU
21. Eric Decker at SD
22. Steve Johnson at ARI
23. Torrey Smith vs. DAL
24. Malcom Floyd vs. DEN
25. Denarius Moore at ATL
26. Jeremy Maclin vs. DET
27. Andre Roberts vs. BUF
28. Randall Cobb at HOU
29. Hakeem Nicks at SF
30. Brandon Lloyd at SEA

AVOID: Pierre Garcon still limited by injury against Minnesota

SLEEPERS: Jeremy Kerley is one of the few Jets options and has a decent matchup against the Colts. Brandon Gibson is in the same boat in STL with Amendola out, and a decent matchup against Miami.

TIGHT END

1. Vernon Davis vs. NYG
2. Tony Gonzalez vs. OAK
3. Owen Daniels vs. GB
4. Rob Gronkowski at SEA
5. Jason Witten at BAL
6. Kyle Rudolph at WAS
7. Brent Celek vs. DET
8. Antonio Gates vs. DEN
9. Brandon Pettigrew vs. PHI
10. Dennis Pitta vs. DAL
11. Jermaine Gresham vs. CLE
12. Fred Davis vs. MIN
13. Martellus Bennett at SF
14. Jacob Tamme at SF
15. Coby Fleener at NYJ

AVOID: Jermichael Finley against the pass rush and linebackers of Houston, especially with his great hands.

DEEP SLEEPER: Well, he’s not a deep sleeper, but Aaron Hernandez is a game time decision. If he plays, he’s worth a flyer even though the matchup isn’t great, if you don’t have a top 10 matchup otherwise.

[photo via US Presswire]