Dr. Pigskin: Week 12
Week 12 is in the books and teams are jockeying for playoff (or draft) position. Just like in the NFL, fantasy teams just want to make the playoffs and then believe anything can happen. Make sure you scour the free agent list for any guys that could potentially improve your team. Go with good matchups and give yourself the best chance to win.
Let’s take a look at some studs and duds.
Studs
Matt Cassel, QB, New England Patriots – Does Cassel’s performance downgrade the numbers Tom Brady has put up in the past? Either Cassel is the product of the system or a damn good NFL quarterback. Matty C threw for over 400 yards (again!) with three passing touchdowns, and even added a rushing touchdown for good measure.
Trent Edwards, QB, Buffalo Bills – Edwards threw for 273 yards, but he had four total touchdowns, including two on the ground. Those rushing TDs help out a lot if you are in a four-point passing TD league.
Chad Pennington, QB, Miami Dolphins – In the Fins/Pats shootout, Pennington accounted for four scores and 341 yards through the air.
Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints – Brees put on a passing clinic on Monday night as he inched closer to the single season passing yards record.
Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons – Anytime your running back scores four times, you are very happy. Add in a 100-yard rushing day and you are ecstatic. Looks like the Chargers got rid of the wrong running back.
Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears – Forte, by far, has been the most consistent fantasy player all year. This continued in Week 11 as he accumulated 146 yards and two scores.
Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots – Looks like No. 81 has his head back in the game as he racked up 125 yards and a trio of touchdown catches.
Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas Cowboys – How much man love does TO have for Tony Romo? Owens had one of his best games of the year as he went over 200 yards with a score.
Duds
Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles – First he does not know games can end in a tie, and then he forgets how to play quarterback. Not a good week for McNabb. He needs some more Chunky soup, obviously. And no, we didn’t make any money from that sentence. Crap.
Brady Quinn, QB, Cleveland Browns – If for some reason you are counting on this first time starter to carry your fantasy squad, look elsewhere.
Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts – I am always surprised to see a Colt victory with Wayne only gaining 34 yards and no scores.
Roy Williams, WR, Dallas Cowboys – You would think he would be making a bigger splash, but TO still wants the damn ball. As Roy Williams No. 2 will quickly learn, TO will always want the damn ball.
Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers – The ‘Niners stud back was held to 32 total yards as San Francisco was forced to play catch up and throw the ball an inordinate amount of times.
Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans – If you were to tell me that LenDale White would only get three touches, I would think CJ had a field day. In actuality, the rookie RB had only 61 total yards and lost a fumble. Looks like someone ran into the rookie wall and did not hold onto the ball.
Call of the Week
The call of the week at QB is to start Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday at home against ‘Zona. McNabb will bounce back on Turkey Day and have himself a feast. The Eagles throw a lot anyways, but will be keeping the aerial attack going all night as they try to keep up with the Cardinal offense.
The call of the week at RB is to sit Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland. LJ goes up against an underrated Raider defense and he has been so inconsistent this year. If you have other options, take advantage of them.
The call of the week at WR is to sit T.J. Houshmandzadeh of the Cincinnati Bengals at home against Baltimore. The one-win Bengals face the Ravens this week and I expect B-More to totally engulf the Cincy offense. I would stay miles away from any Bengal this week.
Sleeper of the Week
The Sleeper of the Week is Justin Fargas, RB, Oakland Raiders, at home against KC. Fargas is a talented runner who finally is healthy. He will be complimented by Darren McFadden and they are going up against a battered Chief defense. If you need a RB, Fargas is a decent option.
Good luck!
