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It’s Thursday and time to get that lineup submitted. Here are some players to not drag upward and crack in your starting lineup.

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford-
The Detroit Lions sharp decline to a mediocre season in 2012 has started with Stafford. The whole team seems off-beat and might stem from the teams lack of discipline off the field and on the field. It’s never easy winning in the NFL but Detroit seemed to come into 2012 expecting to win football games. They’re not going to be handed to them. This weekend’s matchup against Philadelphia will be a true battle tester. Philadelphia has kept every game close but this may be the one they finally break open.

Sam Bradford-
Miami’s defense is wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks, from their front line to their secondary they’ve had a balanced defense thus far. It’s allowing for Miami to dictate their offense to a ball control style. Jeff Fisher’s Rams defense has been great at home, but on the road they’re not as good. Bradford is missing his favorite target Danny Amendola and will have a tough time finding someone to fill his shoes.

Russ Wilson
There is going to be that game where the wheels fall off on Russ Wilson’s bandwagon. He has been the epitome of a game manager that has thrived off a potent running game and 12th man crowd. A couple of years ago when things were going bad offensively the 12th man didn’t matter. The Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants blew out the Seahawks in 2010 on their home turf. New England is in too much of a rhythm offensively to be disturbed by the Seahawks home crowd.

Running Backs

Alfred Morris-
It’s amazing what confidence Mike Shanahan can instill in a young back. His system has worked again and again on drafting backs out of nowhere that end up doing well. Whether RG3 returns or not, Minnesota’s defense makes Morris a likely sit this week. They’ve been stout against the run. You should have proper depth on your bench to make a roster upgrade in your starting lineup for the weekend.

Jackie Battle-
The Chargers way of listing Battle as the starter is all a show. It appeared as if Battle was just on the field in the first quarter and disappeared after that in last weeks contest against the Saints. He does not have the shiftiness to be an every down back. Surprisingly Ronnie Brown’s hard work has seemed to payoff, as he looks to be in the best condition he has been in years. Don’t be surprised if Brown starts to steal more snaps away from Battle. Clearly though this team needs to rely on Ryan Matthews more until he fumbles the football again.

Wide Receivers

Larry Fitzgerald-
Buffalo’s defense may be atrocious, but the game plan Sunday should primarily be on doubling up Larry Fitzgerald. The Cardinals offensive line can’t hold up for more than a few seconds, meaning Kevin Kolb will be looking for many hot route throws. Larry does better stretching out his routes to get an advantage over the defender. With the Cardinals breaking in a new running back the offensive line woes should continue for poor Kevin Kolb and Fitzgerald.

Darrius Heyward-Bey
Part of the Raiders old style was drafting speed receivers. Based on their current status as one of the leagues worst at throwing the football downfield, that tendency may change. Bey is a home run threat or nothing, and last year Denarius Moore was much of the same. Palmer is forced to have to check the football down time and time again because his receivers just aren’t able to get open and run proper routes.

Jerome Simpson-
It’s amazing how balanced Minnesota’s fantasy talent on offense is actually doing. Christian Ponder has not had any stellar games, but is making the most of his mediocre stats amongst Percy Harvin, Jerome Simpson, and Kyle Rudolph. I expect this game to not be a display of high action as most would expect with RG3 on the field. Expect a lot of punts and for one of the Vikings studs to take a hit in terms of fantasy points, and that will be Simpson.