NFL fantasy start 'em, sit 'em

J.T. O'Sullivan, QB, 49ers: Although he didn't light up the Lions as expected last week, O'Sullivan should be a more than adequate bye week replacement, especially with San Francisco taking on the Saints and their second worst passing defense in the NFC. Look for big games from Frank Gore and Bryant Johnson, too.

Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals: Palmer showed signs of life last week in throwing for a more Palmer-like 286 yards with a TD against the Giants, 146 of which went to the now-jump-started T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Despite the fact that the Browns have given up just two passing TDs this season, you should still start Palmer, who has torched Cleveland for an average of 284.5 yards and three TDs in non-December games in his career.

Damon Huard, QB, Chiefs: No, you're not reading this wrong. The Chiefs are leaning toward starting Huard against a Broncos defense that has allowed a league high 937 passing yards. Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall & Co. will pull away early from the beaten up Chiefs defense, leaving lots of opportunities for Huard to throw the ball downfield to Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez. A 250-yard, two touchdown day isn't out of the question.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers: Squelched last week against the tough Vikings rushing defense for just 15 yards on seven carries, the rookie will bounce back in a big way against the Falcons, who have allowed 100-yard games in back-to-back weeks to Earnest Graham and Larry Johnson, who, like the 5-10, 235-pound Stewart, are heavier backs. Look for the rookie TD leader (tied with Dallas' Felix Jones) to reach the end zone at least once to extend his streak to three straight games.

LenDale White, RB, Titans: White has been splitting carries with Chris Johnson, but when it counts, down by the goal line, he's been getting the call, scoring on the ground in every game. The task of going against the Vikings in a daunting one since only Green Bay's Ryan Grant has been able to gain more than 40 yards on the ground against them thus far, however Minnesota has allowed a rushing TD in each contest and when the pattern holds true on Sunday, it's more than likely White will be the beneficiary.

Lee Evans, WR, Bills: With Roscoe Parrish sidelined you'd think that the Rams would be able to neutralize the Bills' top receiving threat, but so far this season St. Louis hasn't been able to contain anyone, surrendering eight pass plays of 25-yards or more through three games. It should be quite advantageous to start Evans, who has four such big catches this season already (second only to Brandon Marshall's five) and should be in line to score his first TD of the season.

Chris Cooley, TE, Redskins: In the only career game Jason Campbell has played against the Cowboys he threw 10 times to Cooley, connecting on eight receptions, including a 19-yard TD pass. With Roy Williams out with a broken arm, the Cowboys will run into difficulty against the man who scored three TDs against them in a 2005 contest, which is still the record for TDs by a tight end in a game versus Dallas.

Trent Green, QB, Rams: You may have picked up Green, who was named the replacement for the ineffective Marc Bulger, in hopes that he'd recapture the glory he enjoyed in Kansas City when he threw for 4,000 yards in three straight seasons ('03-05). However, as Torry Holt intimated this week, the problem in St. Louis' offense lies in the offensive line, which allowed Bulger to be put on his back 11 times for a league high 81-yards lost. Not a good situation for someone who lost most of the last two seasons due to severe concussions.

Matt Forte, RB, Bears: The league's rookie rushing leader (304 yards) places fourth overall, having put together three solid games to start his career. But the Eagles come to town brandishing a defense that leads the league in overall rushing defense (137 yards) and yards per attempt (2.4) after facing Steven Jackson, Marion Barber and Willie Parker. Expect more of the same from Philly's D, which will feel responsibility for this game with both Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook playing at less than 100 percent, if they play at all.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers: After not getting a single carry last week against the Eagles, Mendenhall is expected to get his first NFL start this week, replacing the banged up Willie Parker against the equally tough to run against Ravens. Mendenhall was a very popular waiver pickup this week, and for the long term he'll be a solid fantasy contributor, but look for Mewelde Moore and his 4.9 yards per rush career average to be the more effective option against Ray Lewis' crew.