The Guru Gridiron Report: Week 11 Bench/Start Defenses

NO MORE BYE WEEKS! We may be rid of the BYE weeks, but the new challenge is weather. Since we can only check forecasts, we cannot truly determine the weather until game time. We always tell our readers to examine the weather very closely and start/bench according. We do make our recommendations based on expected weather, but that can change. Also keep an eye on your injured players. This is the time of the year where guys play hurt and don't play good. We will let you know who those guys are. Good luck in week 11.

DEFENSES AND YOU MUST START
We like Atlanta this week. They are a bit risky, but they play very well at home and they will force Cutler to make mistakes. The Carolina defense should man-handle the Detroit Lions in what we think will be a blowout. The New York Giants should have no problem hammering Joe Flacco and company. That is great matchup for them. You have to like Buffalo on Monday night football in a must win scenario. Start them. The Green Bay Vs. Chicago game will be a battle of defenses and we figure a relatively low scoring games with sacks and turnovers. Without a doubt we figure on at least 2 defensive/Special Teams TDs. We are just not sure who gets them. Finally, the San Francisco defense plays the beat up Rams at home and should be able to rack up some big points against Bulger and company. A great slide in start if you can get them.

Others: Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Miami

Other DEFENSES To Consider Starting With Some Risk
Tennessee is a bit of a risk this week. This game has upset written all over it. Jacksonville needs a win badly, they are at home, and gelling very well. You have to start Tennessee if you own them, but temper your expectations cause it just won't be there. On the flip side, we like Jacksonville, but they are a risk. They need to able to stop Collins. If they do that they make a great defense and we say start them. Arizona is a risky defense that won't start this week. After getting pushed around by San Francisco at home we don't have the confidence to start them on the road against Seattle. Of course on paper its a good matchup, even with Hasselbeck coming back.

Others: Minnesota, Dallas, Washington

Please Bench These DEFENSES

Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, Denver, Seattle, Oakland, Detroit, Kansas City, Baltimore, Cleveland, San Diego

Sleeper Defenses

We really like Bob Sanders and the Indianapolis defense this week at home against Houston. We expect them to keep the game somewhat low scoring and force some turnovers and sacks. A deep sleeper defense is the St. Louis Rams defense. They can force some turnovers and confuse Shaun Hill. However, it is a deep deep sleeper with lots of risk.

The True Guru