| K |
| Nate Kaeding |
| Stephen Gostkowski |
| Jeff Reed |
| David Akers |
| Garrett Hartley |
| Ryan Longwell |
| Mason Crosby |
| Rob Bironas |
| Matt Prater |
| Neil Rackers |
| Jay Feely |
| Nick Folk |
| Robbie Gould |
| Shayne Graham |
| Lawrence Tynes |
| Rian Lindell |
| Matt Stover |
| Olindo Mare |
| Josh Scobee |
| Billy Cundiff |
| D/ST |
| Steelers |
| Ravens |
| Jets |
| Packers |
| Saints |
| Patriots |
| Titans |
| Eagles |
| Vikings |
| Chargers |
| Bengals |
| Cardinals |
| Giants |
| Bills |
| Cowboys |
| 49ers |
| Broncos |
| Redskins |
| Raiders |
| Bears |
First off, WELCOME TO THE PLAYOFFS! You made it!
Week 13 was a frustrating one for fantasy owners as it had its fair few upsets and narrow scrapes. Superbowl champs fell to Bruce Gradkowski, the Patriots lost consecutive games, the struggling Giants got a win versus a good Cowboy team that is thirsty to prove itself, and the lowly Redskins had to literally drop the ball in order for the undefeated Saints to scrape by in an overtime win. This week was filled with huge disappointments for fantasy owners and both cost people playoff births, as well as allowed some people to scrape in. My Studs and Duds tomorrow should be a pretty lengthy one… but this is Player Adds and the Dump List, so lets get down to it! Not really any injuries that elevate a back-up workload to that of a feature back so not an exciting list here, mostly for deeper formats. With that said if you are in the playoffs then you’re starting cast is probably pretty well locked down. Most all of these players are for insurance in case of an injury that you obviously can’t foresee, planning for injury is the key to success in the playoffs!
Robert Meachem (NO) – I hate relying on a teams fifth offensive weapon, but Meachem is earning trust after a surprisingly consistent November, followed by
Garrett Hartley (NO) – I KNOW, WHO?! Garrett Hartley is possibly the best player at his position for fantasy football and is owned in your league almost guaranteed. John Carney is out in New Orleans and Hartley has taken over. Gostkowski was ranked the number one kicker pre-draft this season and mostly because he was on an great offense. The Saints are the top offense in the league and Hartley is their kicker… end of story.
Jason Campbell (WAS) – If you think this name is surprising wait for the next one! Here are some numbers for you to consider: 24, 19, 12, 13. These are his fantasy points (ESPN standard scoring) in four of his last five games, excluding an 8 point week 11 where he lost 6-3 versus Dallas. If you start two QBs or are in a 14 team league you could do much worse for a back-up.
Bruce Gradkowski (OAK) – Ok, so this is definitely a bigger stretch than Campbell but I have been asked a few times about what to do in a 12 team 2 QB league where the fad is to hold 4 QBs in order to completely screw over the people who are in need. This to me is a terribly fun format to play in and I want to help those of you out who are in this situation.
Louis Murphy (OAK) – This isn’t the first time he’s showed big play potential. Trust him as far as Gradkowski can throw him.
Jerome Harrison (CLE) – OK, so I wouldn’t want to start any Cleveland Brown in the playoffs, but he finished Sunday as the second best fantasy back in the league with 21 points. Harrison was only second to Brandon Jacobs who looked mediocre at best running the ball, however he had a huge screen pass go to the house and make the day look more impressive than it really was. If Quinn can keep the offense on the field then Harrison could become relevant.
Devone Bess (MIA) – 12 team three WR league? Bess is a nice backup to have as he is an explosive player that can score from anywhere on the field.
Kenny Britt (TEN) – Not believe me last week!? Go get him!
Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) – 100% dependant on Quinn’s performance, however he gets open plenty so look for him to make some plays while Brady develops.
Bo Scaife (TEN) – This guy is a favorite target for Vince Young, was before he got benched and has been since his return.
Fred Davis (WAS) – Great production recently, as far as TEs are concerned, great fill in if you lost someone to an injury.
Matt Ryan (ATL) – The Falcons lost their swagger down the stretch this season. Key injuries to Ryan and Turner have left the team struggling to stay mathematically in the playoff hunt. Any chance they have at this point is minimal and I do not think you see a rush back on Turner or Ryan, and without both of these weapons at 100% the offense is very one dimensional, and mediocre. Ryan has been a fantasy disappointment this season and it is time to drop him for a more capable replacement.
Mario Manningham (NYG) – Even when the Giants recovered and played good football Manningham was not part of the equation… I do not see the dynamic of the Giants receivers changing in the minimal time you have left. I see questions about teams with Crabtree, Maclin, Avant, or Britt on free agents… all much better options down the stretch.
Rock Cartwright (WAS) – The Redskins did everything no one thought they could… keep the strength of their game (running) relevant throughout the entirety of the game! And even with this being the case Cartwright was still a huge disappointment and can not be counted on for fantasy production in my book. No Redskins back can be counted on till they get Portis back.
Larry Johnson (CIN) – If you took a gamble and gobbled up Johnson after his 100 yard performance you can drop him. Benson had 36 carries coming back, he is the workhorse and there is little to no room for anyone else to produce stats. LJ is only a handcuff at best, and I’d rather have Bernard Scott.
Early games
Reggie Bush – NO: Active
Steven Jackson – STL: Active
Sammy Morris – NE: Active
Steve Slaton – HOU: Inactive
Michael Turner – ATL: Inactive
Roddy White – ATL: Active
DeAngelo Williams – CAR: Inactive Stewart is a MUST START today! BIG GAME ALERT!
Late games
Ahmad Bradshaw – NYG
Justin Forsett – SEA
Julius Jones – SEA
Night game (8:20 p.m. ET)
Tim Hightower – ARI
Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN
Kurt Warner – ARI - BIG NEWS!!!! ESPN IS REPORTING THAT WARNER WILL BE ACTIVE IN THE NIGHT GAME TONIGHT! They have not made it official on their site but they reported it on Fantasy Football Now and credited Adam Schefter!
Had some good questions in my email this morning I want to share! Remember Noon’s injury update is coming… AT NOON!
Scott
My WRs in 1 league are brutal..I currently have Steve Smith (CAR), Hines Ward, Nate Burlesson, Antonio Bryant and Braylon Edwards…FAs available are Crabtree, Walter and Floyd.
I could drop any of these receivers for them and/or I could drop Sproles as well for 1 of them. Please advise and pick 3 for week 13
Hey Scott, so for this week Carolina steve smith is a def start, and you’re fine with Burleson. Make a move to get Crabtree for Edwards going into the playoffs, Walter is worth a pickup too, you just don’t need him if u get Crabtree (your third for this week!)
Scott
My starting WRs this week are Fitz and Wayne and I have 85 as my flex..My RBs are Chris Johnson and Mendenhall..Just found out that Slaton is out and have Chris Brown on my bench..Would you substitute any of the above with either Brown or Cartwright in a flex role since it’s a PPR league??
Def not Scott, you got an awesome lineup right now, and Chris Brown is pretty out of shape and untalented in my opinion, you can drop him!
Kevin
big week need help at RB/Flex in a ppr league…have 3 options, can use 2…Maroney-NE/McCoy-Phil/Charles-KC…i have Ray Rice as my other RB starter
McCoy is a top 20 back till Westbrook’s return so use him, and Charles has been insane so ride that wave.
Kyle
Starting QB – Favre or Shaub? Favre seems to be on fire but Arizonas secondary is better than Jac. Plus there’s always the possibility that Peterson could steal the show. Houston has virtually no run game so they’ll do it all through the air against a not so good Def.
Hightower or Wells or Cartright? Hightower is listed as Questionable so even if he starts will Wells see more carries at RB esspecially against a tourgh Minny run D? Or should I nix them both and start Rock Cartright against a Saint’s defense who is missing 4 of its starters because of injuries?
Flex Spot – Crabtree or Cartright?
If I DO start Hightower or Wells in the RB slot should I start Cartright or Crabtree in the Flex spot?
I’m a Favre believer now but I gotta say Jacksonville cannot defend the Texans passing game and that Schaub is your guy this week. Play Cartwright at RB2 for the reason you said, match-up is terrible for Hightower and Beanie, at least you know Cartwright is getting every carry. And Crabtree for sure in your flex, bench your cardinals RB’s this week for sure!
Brad
Pick 2 (PPR/PPC League) Mendenhall vs. Oak, Jacobs vs. Dal, Charles vs. Den, Forsett vs. SF, McCoy @ Atl, and Wells vs. Min
Mendenhall is a given versus the Oakland run defense, in my eyes, and I was leaning towards Jacobs vs. Dallas because both Bradshaw and their 3rd string RB may be unable to play, leaving Jacobs with a bulk of the carries.
What do you think?
I gotta disagree with ya here Brad, I think Charles and McCoy are better options for you. McCoy is a solid RB2 down the stretch till Westbrook comes back, and Charles has been on a tear as of late and I don’t foresee his production getting any worse this week! McCoy is the safest play, and Charles is the guy if you need a big game!
Ed T
I am in a 12 team no PRR league and trying to get into playoffs with an important match-up. Any advice on setting my line up would be highly appreciated.
QB’s – V. Young against Indy or J. Flaco against Green Bay or A Smith against Seattle.
RB’s – 1) J. Addai, against TItans 2) S. Slaton against Jacksonville 3) J. Stewart against Tampa Bay 4) J. Charles against Denver 5) R. Mendenhall against Raiders 5) J. Forsett against 49ers
WR’s 1)R. White against Eagles 2)Derek Mason against Green Bay or 3) Randy Moss against Miami
TE – D. Clark against Titans
Def – Steelers against Raiders
I need 2 RB’s 2 WR’s and a FLex RB
Thanks in advance!!!!
QB – Flacco is a no go given the quality of the GB secondary as of late not to mention his inconsistancy. Young is a solid option, but with a tough match-up I don’t think he is your best bet. Smith plays a soft defense and has plenty of weapons, he is your guy this week.
RB1 – J Addai’s been very consistent and he’s the guy your going to need.
RB2 – Rashard Mendenhall is your best bet with Big Ben likely not be the focal point coming off his concussion and versus a SOFT rushing D
WR1 – REVENGE! The Patriots are looking for it and they wont stop scoring till time runs out.
WR2 – Backup QB or not Roddy White is the most talented guy you’ve got and will probably be facing man coverage while the Eagles blitz heavy to confuse the back up.
Flex – J Charles has been a BEAST lately, ride that wave!all set on TE and D/ST so good luck buddy!
MyZou
Should I start Cedric Benson or Pierre Thomas? Adrian Peterson is my other RB.
Benson all the way here buddy, i’m currently riding these two backs into the playoffs with a bye week already locked down. Hope you were able to have as much success! Benson was held out last week as mostly as a precaution, he is at 100% and is set for a big game. Don’t value him any differently because of the injury. It wasn’t bad and they just didn’t need him at all banged up going into the playoffs. I wouldn’t value Benson any differently than you did before he got hurt, he is still a top10 guy.
JoshG
Avant or Mason?
Start Indy or Balt for defense?
Avant for sure, much bigger upside and he’s is facing the 27th ranked passing defense! I’d have to say go with Baltimore due to their play making ability. It is very possible that both teams have 28 points scored on them, but Baltimore seems more likely that they have a defensive score or even possibly two. Ravens are ranked near number 10 this week and the Colts are around 15th.
Brett
I’m starting Ray Rice and Matt Forte, but if Deangelo Williams is out on Sunday, do I swap Jonathan Stewart for Forte?
If Williams is INACTIVE then yes, if they say he’s got a decreased role that could be BS and just start Forte since his match-up is so good.
Eddie
Should I play Santonio Holmes or Jason Avant?
Avant, he has been vulturing big plays from Jackson and Maclin lately anyways, now he’s going to be used a lot more often.
That is it for this weeks columns folks, stay tuned on game-day for injury updates as well as a link to my live Q&A on game-days!
Titans @ Colts – I am so excited to sit down and watch this game Sunday, it is hard to think that we can even be talking about this match up when one team is 11-0 and the other started 0-5, but how can we not?! We are about to have sooooo many questions answered about Vince Young and his red hot Titans. I cannot expect the Titans to win it, but what if they do!? We would not be able to argue that they weren’t SUPER BOWL contenders let alone playoff bound. The Colts have not displayed the Dominance that the Saints have but they are winning every game on the fortitude and genius of Manning. But what about the Fantasy Relevance of the players? Wayne and Manning are auto starts, and Addai has been so productive you probably don’t have a better option for your RB2 spot so no worries there. Garcon is a flex play or a WR3 if your league starts that many, and he should get more credit for how well he does in that offense. On the other side of the ball Young is not really a good fantasy option here unless it’s a 2 QB league or you’re counting on someone who ends up inactive, but I think Kenny Britt is the most relevant Titan this week. He is an interesting flex play here as if the Titans win Britt will find the end zone. No question CJ is the home run hitter, but you cannot stay in a ball game with Peyton Manning unless you get big plays from your passing game.
Eagles @ Falcons – Both teams are suffering some key injuries that really rob us of an even better match-up, however both teams are also fighting to make the Playoffs and the Falcons realistically can’t lose with back-up QB Redman taking the snaps and a week after rushing Michael Turner back too fast and causing him to re-injure his ankle. The Eagles are missing starting RB Westbrook and start WR Jackson both with concussions. White had decent production with Redman last weekend so I do not downgrade him too much, just some for the match-up. The win here for the Eagles will give them the inside track to the Wild Card round and keep them in the hunt for the division. I am very unsure about the Falcons RB situation this week, Snelling got minimal work and Norwood looked pretty good, so I am expecting a time share between the two making it a coin flip for who is the better start. Eagles WRs Avant and Maclin both see big upside as they are facing a very soft Falcons secondary that ranks among the worst in the NFL. Both WRs were active in the passing game even with Jackson in the lineup so McNabb will have little issues getting used to them. McCoy has done very well as a fill in for Westbrook and remains a solid RB2 start till Westbrook comes back and takes some snaps away from him.
Cowboys @ Giants – Alright readers it’s December so we all know what that means! Snow falling on Sundays, Fantasy Football playoffs are here, Egg Nog, and absurd amounts of terrible QB play in Dallas. Romo is facing a division rival in the month of December so I don’t much like the Cowboy’s chances here, but for the sake of Fantasy Football I remind you all once again to have a very short memory! All we care about is the last three weeks really, and while that’s not that good for Romo I think it levels out your expectations and gives him a chance to meet them. Miles Austin is slated to have a big game and I agree, the only other player with upside around that city right now is Felix Jones as they are finally using him as the home run hitter he ought to have been all season. Bottom line is that we get to watch the Cowboys make the playoffs this month or we get to watch the melt down and find a new head coach and starting QB in the off season, great entertainment either way. As for the Giants, Eli wasn’t anyone’s starting QB at this point in the season anyways but with his foot injury we need to downgrade the wide outs a little bit. Jacobs has been a huge disappointment so far and productivity from him would help this team down the stretch tremendously. Unfortunately Jacobs has shown none of the talent he did last season and I have no reason to expect anything to improve.
Vikings @ Cardinals – Hard not to get excited about two playoff bound teams meeting at the end of the season, it’s a preview of coming attractions! Warner has come back to limited participation in practice Wednesday but is still splitting the snaps with Leinart in case he cannot go. Options in Warner’s place if he doesn’t go are Alex Smith and Vince Young. Tough match-up for the Duo of Cardinals RBs this week, you should find a better option. Peterson had an off game and had pretty bad production until the Vikes were putting the game on ice late with the running game. Favre remains a trusted start this week as I do not think the Cards can with stand the balanced attack the Viking offense has this season. I think Minnesota is stronger in all three phases of the game and should win impressively.
LOVE
Thomas Jones – Bills are soft against opposing RBs given the injuries that have plagued their entire team. Jones has been a model of consistency all season there is no reason it doesn’t happen again.
Matt Forte – I love all offensive players against the Rams unless they are Browns.
Cedric Benson – Benson was over rested to ensure his production deep into the playoffs. He is aching to get back and they wont be afraid to use him in a great match up!
Brandon Marshall – The fact that the Chiefs have been on a tear as of late only makes it more likely that the passing game will be relevant deep into the game.
Jason Avant – Avant is a great pickup this week as Jackson’s absence is going to be missed against a weak Falcons secondary in week 13. Avant is the lead candidate to fill the void Jackson will leave in the offense.
Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson – The game is in Jacksonville but the Jags are quite bad against the pass. This duo is all set to have quite a great week for fantasy owners especially considering coach Kubiak is intent on ruining their running game.
Randy Moss – Bill Belichick is not pleased with the outing Monday night and is out for revenge against a team Ryan Fitzpatrick just torched!
Rashard Mendenhall – He’s been a bit quiet this past few weeks but with Ben Roethlisberger on the mend they will lean on the running game.
Pierre Thomas – Thomas looked good last week and the Saints wont need to pass against the leagues number one passing defense with Thomas ready to carry it as much as the Saints let him.
Ladainian Tomlinson – The Browns are really soft and if the Chargers can get to the goal line LT can still punch it in.
Vincent Jackson – Jackson has been a big disappointment over the past few weeks but the Browns have been much more disappointing for a lot longer.
Michael Crabtree – Seattle has the 25th ranked pass defense allowing an average of 231 yards per game. Coach Singletary has this team believing in itself and they are still on the skirts of the wild card hunt.
Burleson and Houshmandzadeh – SF has the 28th ranked passing defense allowing 256.5 yards per game. I do not think both can put up big numbers but one should have a big game and the other one should be respectable. It’s up to Hasselbeck and the 49ers defense who gets the scores!
Donald Driver – Driver and Jennings have reversed their roles from what we thought they would be preseason and I have seen nothing to make me expect the roles to switch back.
Brett Favre and Sydney Rice – It’s near impossible to develop the kind of chemistry these two have over the single season time frame that these two have known each other. I was skeptical but have recently hopped on board…
HATE
Terrell Owens – Guess whose turn it is to get shut down by Darrelle Revis!
Beanie Wells – Hightower got more work last week, and it appears that the Cards trust him more in the critical scenarios!
Calvin Johnson – Now that he has had some good production over the last fort night I’m afraid he has peaked, certainly I can’t expect much from the playoff bound Bengals.
Ryan Grant – I don’t foresee that much production from Grant Monday night against a stout Ravens run defense and struggling secondary.
STUDS
Drew Brees (NO) went 18/23 with 371 yrds and 5 TDs in what was the biggest chance the Saints had left to be beaten. No team but Dallas has much chance of beating the Saints this season and Romo in December is a pretty good opponent to have. If your in the playoffs with Brees your only concern is him sitting out in weeks 16 or 17 if its relevant.
Brett Favre (MIN) – All season I have been warning people of what would happen at the end of the season, and it sure wasn’t this! We are at the end now and he tallied 392 yards and 3 TDs, I can no longer advise anyone to not trust him till he gives you a reason not to. You gotta have a short memory in fantasy football so forget last season already!
Justin Forsett (SEA) – This was a big game, and Forsett owners will be using him again, but maybe not this week as apparently the Seahawks don’t want to start him over Jones once he is healthy. I cannot see the reasoning here as Jones is elusive and explosive and Jones is not so much of either any more. 130 yards and 2 TDs, break out game!
Fred Jackson (BUF) – The Lynch injury was kept really quiet and we knew he would be active but they made Jackson the feature back and Lynch the backup given his shoulder. The Bills appear to be keeping this dynamic even as Lynch gets back to full strength. Jackson proved he gets better with more carries and that he can be a very productive part of the offense when given the feature role. He ran for 73 yards and 2 scores while also catching all five throws that came his way for another 43 yards.
Jamaal Charles (KC) -Despite losing pretty big Charles was still able to rack up 93 yards rushing and a TD. He also added 54 yards on just 3 catches making for pretty impressive output from a RB whose team lost 43-14. His point totals over the last three weeks have been 18, 17, and 18.
Donald Driver (GB) – Driver beat out Jennings for the majority of the workload on Thanksgiving again this season, he has been a big surprise for the Packers at his age. He pulled down 142 yards and a score.
Miles Austin (DAL) – The return of Austin this week was very good for the Cowboys offense, same with Felix Jones who got him self a decent amount of work this week as well. Austin had 145 yards and a TD Thursday evening and looks to be critical to their success. If Romo can produce in December… big if… Austin will benefit greatly.
Percy Harvin (MIN) -146 all purpose yards Sunday as well as a receiving TD make the Vikings slot receiver tied for top fantasy WR in week 12. a few more weeks with these kinds of numbers will give Harvin rookie of the year honors of Byrd or Britt. Should the Bills somehow rally Byrd will give him a run for his money.
Terrell Owens (BUF) – Owens got 5 grabs for 96 yards and a TD Sunday in a solid victory for the Bills. He’s starting to get exciting to watch again, he’s a low WR2 but a definite flex play for as long as Fitzpatrick plays like he has been.
Kenny Britt (TEN) – The Titans are for real and have a shot at making a playoff run. They are on a tear and momentum is a powerful force. Britt looked like his late 4th quarter fumble, but when the Titans got the ball back on their own one yard line 2 minutes and 37 seconds on the clock Britt redeemed himself by catching a 4th and 4 conversion from the 7 yard line as well as his last second TD catch to win the game.
Antonio Gates (SD) – Gates finally performed like owners have hoped for all season. He caught all 7 passes Rivers threw to him getting 118 yards and two scores. I said it in yesterdays entry, you play your most talented tight end regardless of match-up. Since you didn’t draft Witten AND Gates then your playing Gates every single week.
New York Jets (D/ST) – Four INTs and a TD this week by Revis and the Jets in a win over the tough running Panthers. Their fantasy value dropped off since the beginning of the year but they are still usable based on match-up.
DUDS
The Seahawks Passing Game – This is purely from a fantasy football sense, but we all expected at least one TD to go to Housh or Burleson. Forsett got two and so did the return game putting them so far ahead they were able to just control the clock and get the win. Good win for the team, but it was done in an unfortunate manner for plenty of fantasy owners.
Beanie Wells and Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) – Was a tough loss for the Cardinals who lost to a last second TD pass on Sunday while using back up QB Matt Leinart. The offense didn’t have the rhythm it usually does and most all Arizona players suffered stat wise. This should be fixed my Warner’s return next week.
Chad Ochocinco (CIN) -The Bengals won the game on the ground, and they really had no need to put the ball up in the air Sunday. None-the-less he hurt some owners this weekend but he should be a viable starting WR in any format down the stretch.
Vincent Jackson (SD) – This makes three dud performances in a row for Jackson and it hurts but before that he’d been money ever week before that so deal with it he’s a stud and you have to start him. Its not like shutting him down is working for these teams, they are still losing.
