I have to choose between Rodgers and Big Ben this week.
Green Bay vs Minesota And Pitt vs Jacksonville.
Here's the deal. I know Big Ben should easily get over 15 points versus Jacksonville. Probably 20+.
Rodgers on the other hand might have trouble against Minnesota. He might get 10. He should get 15-25. Maybe 30. Big Ben is probably not nearing 30 at all.
So, you can gamble and get a little extra out of Rodgers. Or you can guarantee some good points out of Big Ben and not worry about it.
People need to consider mathups. Blindly saying that you need to use your QB1 is ignorant. In my case, Minnesota has allowed 21 PPG. The Jags, 38 ppg.
To the person above with a similar issue. Arizona has allowed an average of 15 PPG.
It should be a no brainer to start Rodgers over Ben. Looking at PPG doesn't take into account bend but don't break defenses. A lot of fantasy points can be scored in that bending.
Further dissecting the matchup, Edelman and Cooks had decent outings against Minny's secondary. Rhodes did well against Roddy/Julio/Hester (defended 4 passes out of 11) but ATL doesn't really have a back that can keep them honest like Lacy. MN is above average against the run, but they really haven't faced anyone on Cobb/Jordy's elite talent level yet. Green Bay's pass blocking has been holding up, there is no reason for Rodgers not to beat this secondary.
Regarding the statement that you always start your studs, it's true. The only defense that would give me pause is Seattle, @Seattle. Even then I started Jordy and he did fine despite missing 2 TD's by an inch. Minnesota is nowhere even close to Seattle's level. Saying that you should never start Rodgers is laughable, especially at Lambeau. The only reason you wouldn't start Rodgers is if all of his weapons are second string (like Matt Ryan last year) or other variables (like McCoy missing 3 stud run blockers from last year) or the weather (Calvin Johnson in the snowstorm last year).
The only position I'd give pause for studs = the RB position with a so-so to shitty Oline vs a studly Run D (like Forte vs NYJ 2 weeks ago). Then I'd see if there is an amazing RB2 (not RB3) matchup on my bench that could be worth taking a risk on. 9 times out of 10 you're still going with your studs.