Studs and Duds from Week 12!
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.
