Play Him: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
After being suspended for the first four games of the season, Big Ben returned to doing what he does best: throwing touchdown passes. He tossed three of them against the Browns last Sunday and notched 257 passing yards. It was an impressive first game for a player who hasn’t even been allowed to practice with his team. If you were concerned about arm-rust, you shouldn’t be. Roethlisberger will be in prime form the rest of the season.
Sit Him: Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
Cutler is the Dr. Jekyll of fantasy players. He can be as good as anyone when his confidence is high and the offensive line is giving him time to set his feet, but when things start going wrong the incompletion monster rears its ugly head. After leading the league in passer rating two games into the season, Cutler has spent more time laying on the turf than throwing passes, getting sacked an incredible 15 times in his last two starts. He doesn’t have it mentally right now, so go with your second option until he gets on a roll again.
Get Him: Mark Sanchez, QB, New York Jets
No, he’s not Joe Namath. But with that vicious defense, he doesn’t have to be. Sanchez is slowly turning into a decent game manager. He won’t win your league for you, but if your starting quarterback has been dreadful (Cutler, Brett Favre, raise your hands) you might want to give him a shot. He has decent weapons lining up with him and he’s young and talented so there’s always a chance for a breakout performance. As for now, he’s ranked as the 10th-best quarterback in standard ESPN leagues and he’s still available in more than 20 percent of leagues.