Audio: Week 16 Fantasy Podcast

While the Giants struggled in the passing game last week, they did have success on the ground with Ahmad Brashaw, when he was used, so if Peterson is up for taking up to 20 carries this week, he should be good for over 100 yards and a score. Where he will likely struggle is in the passing game, as I suspect that you will see the coaching staff use Toby Gerhart on passing downs to give Peterson’s ankle some rest, throughout.

Hopefully, we will see Peterson gash the Redskins defense early, as it’s likely that Peterson’s ankle will give him some trouble as we get deeper into the game. For more help as we get set for Super Bowl weekend, take a listen to the podcast on this page, as I talk with Matt De Lima about players like Michael Vick, Vincent Jackson, Kyle Orton, Felix Jones, Chris Johnson and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Good luck this weekend and have a happy holidays.

Audio: Week 15 Fantasy Podcast

As of Friday, Smith is expected to play against the Raiders, and IF he can stay on the field for a throughout, Smith will likely put up respectable RB-2 numbers, especially for PPR leagues. I’m not so sure that will happen, and fantasy owners should view Smith as more of a high upside flex play, but a roll of the dice, because of his bum ankle.

For more playoff help, please listen to the podcast as we talk about players like Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, James Jones and the other Packer receivers, Dwayne Bowe and Roy Helu.

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Audio: Week 14 Fantasy Podcast

This week the Eagles head down to Miami and face a tough front seven that consistently pushed the Raiders offensive line back into Carson Palmer’s face, forcing errant passes from the veteran.

While Vick is a hard play this week and next week against the Jets, at some point we have to account for the talent around Vick, his skill set and the friendly offense he plays in for fantasy success. With all that said, look to Vick as a border line starter in ten team leagues, and if you have another option like Carson Palmer on your bench, with a respectable matchup, you might want to consider sitting Vick and seeing how he plays in his first game back. For more advice, please listen to our podcast found on this page.

Updated Week 14 Position Rankings For Standard Leagues

Please Note: Brown and Steeler players have been taken off the lists because they played on Thursday.

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Flex Play (RB,WR)

In light of Whitt’s complimentary words, it will be interesting to see how the Packers game plan for Cruz this week, as we will find out if he’s up to the challenge of teams strategizeing against him a legit No.1 receiver.

With the Giants facing such a competitive schedule going forward, Eli Manning will be forced to throw the football, trying to lead his teams back to victory, late in games. Don’t expect Cruz to go away any time soon, as he could end up the top-scoring receiver for fantasy, if Calvin Johnson should suffer an injury, at some point.

Check out the podcast on this page for more injury updates, and player advice as we head into what is likely to be the final regular-season week, in most leagues.

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Running Backs

Toby Gerhart -

The former Standford standout didn’t get much done on the ground after Adrian Peterson left the game, but he should have better success against the Falcons this week. A reasonable flex play start, Gerhart is a must add as Peterson is likely to miss more than just this weeks’ game with an ankle sprain.
Audio: Toby Gerhart A Waiver Wire Pickup
With so many injuries and poor play from the running back position this year, it never hurts to have another running back that can give you helpful points down the stretch.

Kevin Smith -

What a great game it was for Kevin Smith, and for those fantasy owners who paid attention to him coming back to the Lions and picked him up, you were rewarded. Smith should be the first player to target off the waiver wire this week, as his fresh legs clearly made an impact for the Lions with over 200 total yards and three touchdowns last week.

You might think his up-coming matchups against the Packers, and Saints would be bad starts, but both teams have struggled against the run all year.

C.J. Spiller -

With the Bills getting blown out by the Dolphins, C.J. Spiller failed to get much done when Fred Jackson went down with a calf injury. Jackson has already been listed out for Wednesday’s practice, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s out this week. At this time Spiller should be viewed as nothing more than a desperate start in standard leagues, but if he should get the nod as a starter this week, he’s a worthy flex play in PPR leagues.

Bottom line, the Bills have been running the football well this year, and if Spiller should get a chance to run for a stretch, he could start running better, so at least put him on your depth chart.

More WK 12 Rankings – QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex | K/D| Start/Sit |

Quarterback

Vince Young -

After a slow start, Vince Young got things going down the stretch as he led the Eagles down the field for a game-winning drive that was finished off with a touchdown pass to Riley Cooper. Young threw for 258 yards on the game and a couple touchdown passes, but he did throw three interceptions.

If Vick can’t go this week, Young should be a respectable play against the Patriots at home, but it would be nice to see Young use his feet more as he only totaled five rushing yards last week.

Wide Receivers

Jerome Simpson –

A knee injury kept A.J. Green out of last weeks’ game against the Ravens, and he will likely be out again this week. With Green out, rookie quarterback Andy Dalton clearly favored Jerome Simpson in the passing game as he was the third highest targeted (13) pass catcher in the NFL last week.

Simpson went on to roll up 152 yards on eight receptions against the Ravens, and he should continue to be the Bengals top receiver until Green proves he’s recovered from his knee injury. Consider Simpson a solid WR-3 play against the Browns this week.

Nate Burleson -

A disappointing start from Nate Burleson made him a trendy drop in many leagues throughout October. In recent weeks Burleson’s targets have been one of the top on the team, and he is out playing rookie Titus Young of late. Last week Burleson posted seven receptions for 63 yards and a score and should help you in the coming weeks, when the Lions square off against the Packers and Saints.

Riley Cooper –

Targeted over ten times by Vince Young Riley Cooper posted five receptions for 75 yards and a score. With Jeremy Maclin out, Cooper filled in well as a possession receiver opposite DeSean Jackson, and while it’s unknown if Maclin will be back this week, Cooper should be owned off the waiver wire, especially in PPR leagues.

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Kevin Smith vs. Packers -

What a game it was for Kevin Smith as his road back to a healthy NFL career has been a long one, since he tore his ACL towards the end of the 2009 season. Last year Smith was with the Lions but clearly wasn’t the same player he was before his injury, and until injuries and poor play opened the door for Smith again in Detroit, he was out of the league, just a few weeks back.

Audio: Kevin Smith’s Breakout Game

Two attributes I’ve always admired about Smith his big heart and determination, and that served him well in a three touchdown performance with over 200 total yards from scrimmage on only 20 touches last week.

Smith will face off against two of the better teams in the coming weeks but both the Packers and Saints have struggled against the run this year. Look to Smith as low end RB-2 going forward as he’s earned the starting job in Detroit going forward.

Mark Ingram vs. Giants –

Finally healthy from a heal injury suffered week seven, Ingram should be a worthy flex play option this week against the Giants defense. New York played well against the run last week until LeSean McCoy broke loose for a 60 yard run at the end of the game. While the Giants should play well early, I expect the same thing to happen this week, as New York has had trouble putting four quarters of solid run defense together of late.

The Saints love to run the football at the end of games, and if your in need of a third running back to start, this should be a week where we see Ingram’s rush for over 50 yards and a score. In the end, Ingram’s missed time could work in your favor down the stretch as he will have fresh legs.

Last Updated – Nov. 21st

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LeGarrette Blount @ Titans - 

The Buccaneers haven’t been the same since LeGarrette Blount suffered a knee injury against the 49ers, but with his first 100-yard performance against the Packers, since his injury, the Buccaneers played a close game in Green Bay. It’s hard to know what to expect from the Titans as they look good one week and then bad the next, but expect Blount to perform like a RB-2 this week.
Audio: Blount Breaks Out Against The Packers
Last weeks’ performance was just a nice stat line, but the second year tail back out of Oregon flashed his trademark physical running when he broke six tackles on his way to a 54-yard touchdown run. Look for anther head cracking performance from Blount this week.

Jonathan Stewart / DeAngelo Williams @ Colts –

The Panthers backfield has been a disappointment this year, as Cam Newton has been the star of the offense. Look for Williams and Stewart to be start-worthy options this week as the Panthers should have no problems rolling up a big lead in Indianapolis, and they will run the football most of the game.

Stewart should be considered a worthy RB-2 play, and Williams is a flex-play option after both posted over 100 yards from scrimmage last week against the Lions.

Chris Johnson vs. Buccaneers –

After a breakout game of sorts for Chris Johnson against the Panthers, he looked horrible against the Falcons running the football 12 times for only 13 yards. Johnson will be an up and down player down the stretch, but he should have a respectable RB-2 performance against a bad Tampa Bay run defense.

Last Updated – Nov. 21st

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Andre Johnson @ Jaguars - 

It looks like Andre Johnson is ready to come back after his long absence from the Texans lineup. Now without Matt Schaub for the rest of the season, former USC great, and Cardinals first round bust Matt Leinart will take over. Like many backup quarterbacks, they tend to look for a great receiver in the offense, so expect Johnson to be targeted ten plus times weekly going forward.

While the Texans don’t have a solid No.2 receiver they do have some tight ends to draw attention and Arian Foster underneath. Houston running game is top notch, so if Leinart can connect with Johnson down the field, opportunities should be available against a shaky Jaguars secondary.

Vincent Jackson vs. Broncos –

The up and down season continues for Vincent Jackson, and as long as he’s healthy this guy just has to be in your lineup. Sure, Jackson will have his horrible performances, but like we’ve seen in two of the Chargers last three games, Jackson can pull of monster performances that win you weeks.

Audio: Vincent Jackson’s Boom / Bust Season Continues
San Diego has dug themselves into a hole once again, but playing in the weakest division in football, the Chargers still have a chance to win the division and Jackson should have a solid stretch run.

Last Updated – Nov. 21st

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Matthew Stafford vs. Packers -

After a horrible performance against the Bears, Matthew Stafford rebounded against the Panthers with 335 yards and five touchdown passes against the Panthers, as the Lions scored 49 points. In a huge game on Thanksgiving, I’m sure the Lions will try to run the football, but if the Lions win this game on Stafford throwing arm.

Audio: Stafford Plays Well Against The Panthers
With Aaron Rodgers on the other side of the field, this promises to be a back and forth game, with highlight plays throughout. That said, the Packers have struggled over the years in Detroit, but expect a high scoring as Stafford rolls up over 300 yards and two or more touchdowns.

Josh Freeman @ Titans –

Finally, Josh Freeman put a fantasy worthy stat line together against the Packers last week, but I don’t trust him enough to recommend him as a starter, except in deep leagues. The Buccaneers head out to Tennessee to face a suspect Titans team that looks like a playoff team one week and then one of the five worst teams in the league the next.

Let’s see if Freeman can throw for up to 250 yards and a couple of scores in this one, if so, he would start to garner more attention in fantasy circles for the stretch run. In all likeliness, this will be a low scoring defensive game where LeGarrette Blount pounds the football often.

Last Updated – Nov. 21st

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Audio: Week 11 Fantasy React

Cutler is just one of the players discussed in our week eleven game react podcast as we look back at some of the top players from the weekend and what that future may hold for them going forward.

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