Week 14 matchups to exploit or avoid

Matchups to exploit

A Monday-night matchup with the Texans is the time to start Ravens QB Joe Flacco with confidence. While he hasn't been as prolific as many hoped this season, Houston's lousy secondary is giving up 287.4 yards per contest, and it has surrendered a league-high 27 passing TDs. Now that WR Anquan Boldin has bounced back, he also should be in line for a terrific night.

Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno has been on fire in the past month, and he just burned a good K.C. defense for 23-161-0 rushing. His roll should continue against the Cardinals, whose defense has been awful of late. Arizona is getting gashed for 144.3 yards on average — look for Moreno to approach that number, with Denver looking to establish the run more.

Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman is far from being a fantasy superstar, but he can be serviceable in the right matchup. That's what he'll get this week vs. the Redskins, who have been beatable through the air, allowing 260.3 yards per game. Those in larger leagues should give him a look this week, and WR Mike Williams is well worth a start in just about any format.

The Packers appear to have a new lead dog in their backfield, and his name is James Starks. Seeing his first NFL action Sunday, the rookie ran for 73 yards on 18 carries against the 49ers, and he'll get an even better matchup this week at Detroit. The Lions have surrendered a whopping 15 rushing TDs, so don't be shocked to see the Buffalo product find paydirt.

Matchups to avoid

The move to Washington hasn't gone well for QB Donovan McNabb, as he has thrown multiple TD passes in a game once all year. He'll be hard-pressed to get on track this week against the Bucs, who are holding opposing passers to 205.8 yards per game. Tampa Bay has a strong secondary and isn't going to get beat through the air, so be careful with WR Santana Moss, as well.

Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart appears to be all the way back from his early-season struggles after rushing for 190 yards and a score the past two weeks, but a matchup with the Falcons could bring him back to earth. Atlanta is limiting opposing rushers to 98.5 yards on average and has allowed only five TDs on the ground. With Stewart still sharing carries with Mike Goodson, he isn't likely to go off again.

Chad Henne is back under center for Miami, but it hasn't led to better results. It wouldn't be smart to expect anything different against the Jets, who still boast one of the league's better secondaries despite being torched by the Patriots on Monday night. Especially with WR Brandon Marshall banged up, the Dolphins' passing game is in for a long day in the cold weather at the New Meadowlands.

It comes as no surprise, but Bengals RB Cedric Benson does not belong in lineups against the Steelers. Pittsburgh's top-ranked run defense is giving up a miniscule 62.3 yards per contest, and only four times has a runner crossed the goal line against them in 2010. One of those scores happened to come from Benson, who had 18-54-1 in a Week Nine meeting, but don't let that fool you into deploying him in the fantasy playoffs.