Poor lady on the couch. You know the one, the star of every weatherproofing commercial in the Western Hemisphere, who sits perched on the couch in horror as mystery money materializes out of thin air, only to rush through the crack under the front door. If you noticed a steady lag in your point total each week, it’s because you are the lady in question. I know it’s hard to believe your eighth round pick of the Ravens could have spoiled, but guess what, it did. While the readily available Raiders (27 percent owned) have climbed into the top five in many leagues, your Ravens have cost you 41 points in the most foolproof position in the game. Defenses are a dime a dozen; don’t be afraid to cut bait on a failed experiment (Vikings, 49ers included) and play it week-by-week. That goes for kickers as well; don’t get attached or you’ll be right back on the couch with a robe and 41 fewer points.

Start ‘em

Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo

The Japanese commuter train days are officially over in Buffalo’s backfield now that C.J. Spiller is likely out with a pulled hamstring. Jackson (38 percent started) is the lone man standing and is startable this week at Cincinnati after posting 20 or more carries for the third time in four weeks Sunday. Ryan Fitzpatrick has also been looking Jackson’s way on passing downs as of late, which means Jackson is headed toward the dual-threat status he earned last year when he rushed for 1,062 yards and caught 46 balls. Expect five catches and 90-plus yards even after the Bengals limited the Colts to just 256 yards of total offense in Week 10.

Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City

Forget the 469 yards Cassel threw last week against the Broncos; numbers are meaningless when a team is down 35 at the half. In fact, if head coach Todd Haley has Cassel throw 53 times again I’ll personally serve myself a plate of newspaper à la Morrissey. Cassel (20 percent started) is, however, a solid play for the next three weeks because of his incredible efficiency. Despite throwing just 158 times this season, USC’s most successful backup has posted a very respectable 16 touchdowns. Considering he faces a Cardinals defense this week that would make Rick Moranis blush, Cassel projects to 250 yards and two touchdowns. Just don’t expect a handshake from Todd Haley.

Sit ‘em

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh

Roethlisberger has torched the league’s bottom-feeding secondaries, but then again who hasn’t? Last week he was spectacular in a rare Steeler shootout against the Swiss cheese Patriots and finished with 387 yards and three touchdowns. A look at his track record against the stingier opponents points to a sit this week, however, for the 51 percent of you who have him in your starting spot. Oakland, his opponent this week, is second in the league in passing yards allowed. Figuring the Raiders pose a threat somewhere between the No. 1 Saints (who he faced in Week 8) and the No. 12 Bengals (Week 9), Roethlisberger could be in for a long day, with numbers along the lines of 200 yards, a touchdown and plenty of clock-eating handoffs to Rashard Mendenhall.

Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego

The Chargers’ top wideout is back after three weeks and a bye’s worth of injury pine. While all signs point to his healthy return, one more week on the bench isn’t a bad idea. Floyd’s 19 percent starting number could triple by Sunday, but take my advice and don’t follow the other lemmings off the cliff. A badly injured hamstring is no easy feat to recover from, even with four weeks off the field. Floyd also faces the Champ Bailey-led Broncos, who have a very average defense as a unit but have a knack for stopping opposing teams’ top receivers. Nobody has so much as slowed Philip Rivers, so if you are desperate at receiver then give Floyd the starting nod. If you’re stocked at the position, though, you’re better off waiting to see if Floyd is fully recovered.

Booster shot

Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis

Bradford (42 percent owned) looked good against the 49ers last week, throwing for 251 yards and a touchdown. The game marked the fourth consecutive time Bradford has gone interception-less, with six touchdowns over that span. This week against the unstable Falcons defense he should post similar numbers, with the potential to throw 2+ touchdowns.

Gordon Voit is a junior in LAS. Submit your lineup questions to voit1@illinimedia or on Twitter @G_Voit.