STARTERS & BENCHWARMERS

You don't need me advising you to start Kurt Warner and Brian Westbrook, or to steer clear of Ken Dorsey and Plaxico Burress. So I'll spare you the obvious recommendations, focusing instead on the players typically on the bubble of most fantasy rosters. Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 14.

Watch 'em roll

Tyler Thigpen, QB, Chiefs at Broncos. Prior to being held in check by the Raiders last week, Thigpen had thrown eight TDs and just three interceptions in his previous three games. Look for a strong bounce-back against the toothless Broncos secondary. Weather in Denver is expected to be unseasonably mild, so don't hesitate to roll with the Chiefs' gunslinger in what could be a high-scoring affair.

Ryan Grant, RB, Packers vs. Texans. He exited last week's game with a sprained thumb, but he is on track to return without limitations on Sunday. That's good, because backup Brandon Jackson tweaked his quadriceps in practice this week. With the possibility of blustery weather in Green Bay on Sunday, the running game will be paramount. Grant should get plenty of carries, including those near the goal-line.

Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins at Bills. Normally, you might be wise to avoid Miami's players on the road against Buffalo in December. But this game will be played at Toronto's Rogers Center, and the retractable roof will be closed if the weather warrants. So keep Brown in your lineup if he's a regular starter, as the Bills' rushing defense isn't as good as they appeared against Frank Gore last week.

Eddie Royal, WR, Broncos vs. Chiefs. The rookie overcame a gimpy toe in time to lead his team with 84 receiving yards, including a tightrope-balancing touchdown grab, in the big win over the Jets. That game also halted a two-game slump for Royal, who will now face Kansas City's doormat of a secondary on a nice roll.

Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings at Lions. Take away one magical 99-yard TD connection against the Bears on Sunday night, and Berrian has been virtually invisible over the last four games. That can happen when Adrian Peterson is your featured running back. But Berrian should get plenty of attention from Gus Frerotte against the lowly Lions.

Roll 'em back

Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys at Steelers. I'm one of his biggest fans, and two of my teams are counting on him to lead me to the Promised Land. But I have a very bad feeling about Romo and his teammates' ability to handle Pittsburgh's relentless defense on the NFL's worst playing surface in frigid conditions. Fortunately, I have Kurt Warner as an option in one league, but I'll be praying that I'm wrong about Romo in the other. If he manages to throw for 250 yards and one TD, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Any Browns at Titans. When you're down to Ken Dorsey at quarterback, and you're traveling to face one of the league's top teams and stingiest defenses, everyone's prospects are dim. That includes Jamal Lewis and Braylon Edwards, who haven't scored since Week 10 and 9, respectively. Cleveland will be lucky to avoid a shut-out in this one.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers vs. Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has still allowed just one rushing TD all season. You can't afford to bench the ultra-hot DeAngelo Williams, but his hamstrung backup should sit this one out.

Santana Moss, WR, Redskins at Ravens. Through Week 8, Moss was the top fantasy wideout in the land. Since then, he hasn't visited the end zone or exceeded 72 receiving yards in a game. His skid will continue against Baltimore's second-ranked pass defense, which will harass Jason Campbell mercilessly throughout the contest.

Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers, WRs, Chargers vs. Raiders. For the third consecutive game, Oakland kept a hot quarterback (Thigpen) out of the end zone in Week 13. The Raiders' secondary is playing for keeps, even though the rest of the team is in shambles. Meanwhile, Jackson and Chambers caught just one ball between them against the Falcons last week. There's nowhere to go but up from there, but that doesn't justify either in a starting role against Oakland's secondary.

TAKING A FLIER

Tim Hightower, RB, Cardinals vs. Rams. The rookie has been mediocre at best in three of his last four outings, including a seven-rushing yard effort against Philly last week. But Arizona won't be playing from behind in this one, and the Cardinals' passing game will likely set up a couple of goal-line plunges for Hightower to go along with plenty of yards between the twenties.

DON'T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO ...

... fails to put Matt Cassel back in your lineup against the Seahawks this week. You reserved him against the fearsome Steelers' defense in Week 13, and he tanked as expected. Now watch as he returns to his prolific ways against the league's worst pass defense. Let the good times roll again.