Monday Pickup

It's Playoff time Boom!

So let's talk about pickups that will help you in the weeks to come.


It seems like the Tight End position is the most decimated position in football this year. So many big names are out or hurt. Last night didn't help any with Heath Miller (concussion) and Todd Heap (quad) both going out and being out for the game.

So let's look at some TEs who should be available to help you.

Ben Watson (Browns) - the next two weeks the Browns face Buffalo and the the Bengals, then it's Pitt and the Ravens so you at least like him for two weeks.

Jimmy Graham (Saints) - if Shockey misses any more time then Graham is a decent start, he will have up and down weeks, but at least he will score some points.

Joel Dreessen - (Texans) as long as Owen Daniels is out he is the guy I think he is a top ten guy with no Daniels.

Possibly the backups to Miller and Heap, if they miss time,  David Johnson and Ed Dickenson, but chances are you are not that desperate, I know I am not.


Other Pickups

Browns and Falcons Defenses - if you are matchup playing defenses these two are pretty good, and have meetings with the Bills (Browns) and Panthers x 2(Falcons) on tap.

At this point in time in the fantasy season you know who is good and who isn't. So just dance with you brought you and hopefully at the end of prom you will make 3rd base. ;)

Sit Start Week 13

Well it's week 13 and that means last week before the playoffs.

Word to the wise here.... since it is week 13 it could your last week of meaningful fantasy play. So here is a strategy you can try to help give you the best chance this week. If you are a team who has a playoff spot locked then just start your normal guys, yeah that was easy. Now, if you are a bubble team or a team that needs to win to get the bye in the playoffs then try this. Instead of just blindly starting the "normal" guys start guys with high upside... meaning if you are stuck between two guys pick the one who "could" provide you with the better day. Example, say you have Joel Dreesen as your TE, and you also have Aaron Hernandez, consider starting Hernandez, sure he may only get 2 fantasy points, but he may have the 100 yard 2 touchdown, 22 fantasy day.....

Sunday December 5

1 PM EST Kickoff Games

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans

Well if you own any Titan you really really hope that Kerry Collins plays. If he does you start Chris Johnson "no brainer", if not well chances are you have to start him. Without some threat of a pass I really don't like Johnson who has been, shall we say, no where near the back he was last year. If Collins plays I think that means good things for Moss and to a lesser degree Nate Washington. If Collins does not play the only Titan I consider is Johnson.  For the Jags I think it's MJD and Mike Thomas, and that's about it. The Titans defense is better than they showed last week, and the Defense will have to play well to keep them in the game. 

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions

Da' Bears defense is tough against the pass and the run. Since Stafford and Shaun Hill are both out for the Lions, I really don't like any of them here. I think that if you have Calvin Johnson you have to start him, but there are instances where I think he is a flex or less this week depending on your team. Maurice Morris should have flex consideration this week, other than that I am down on the Lions. For the Bears it's pretty much the opposite. I see Cutler, Forte, and Johnny Knox all having big games. The Lions blitz quite a bit so I can see Greg Olson and Earl Bennett getting some check downs, so if you like to roll the dice, there you go. 

Cleveland Browns @ Miami Dolphins

The Browns are still the Browns... you start Hillis, possibly the Browns defense, and Ben Watson if you are desperate at TE. Don't get cute, it's the Browns. For the Fins, with Chad Henne back in the lineup it helps their offense quite a bit. I really like Ronnie Brown this week as he has been looking better over the past few weeks. If Brandon Marshall plays then you really like him in this match up, if not then Davon Bess should elevate to a top 30 guy or so. Also Anthony Fasano to me is a good play at TE this week, the Browns average giving up about 8 points per week to the position. I really like him if Marshall is out.

Washington Redskins @ New York Giants

To me this game will be all Giants. I think that Eli, Manningham, Bradshaw, and Kevin Boss go off in this game. I can see Jacobs being a flex play as well, but no matter who the starter is Bradshaw is the back you want here. Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith are both going to be out again so expect good things from Manningham. For the Skins maybe Santa Moss as a WR 2 or a flex, and Chris Cooley will probably be ok, I don't trust McNabb or any of the 45 running backs. 

San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers

For all of you who rushed to the wire to get Westbrook good job, now put him on the bench. I think that going forward the rushing will be much more 50/50 between Westbrook and Antony Dixon. For me I like Dixon better, because I think that the 49ers will want to see what they have in him, and that he could see a starter's workload in the weeks to come. So what did all that mean? I really have no confidence in starting any 49er. I say Westbrook and Crabtree are flex at best. Start Vernon Davis if you must, but he has been below average too this year. For the Packers you have to love Rodgers and Jennings in this match up. I like Brandon Jackson as a flex type guy this week. For me I think that James Jones has the most value of all the other WRs

New Orleans Saints @ Cincinnati Bengals

This one is easy, you are starting all of your Saints pass catchers with the exception of the TEs, I'm not a fan of the Saints TEs. Also, I think that Chris Ivory is still the guy you want there at least for this week, but Bush is back and Pierre Thomas should be too, so I really have no faith in just the RBs seeing enough work to be relevant. For the Bengals I guess you have to consider T.O. and Benson, but honestly I am not really a fan of either this week, so beware. 

Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings

For the Bills, Steve Johnson and Fred Jackson have elevated to start regardless of match up status. That said other than those guys, maybe Ryan Fitz if you are weak at QB, maybe because Shaun Hill is out or Palmer has a tough match up. For the Vikes, if Peterson plays and it looks like he will start him, if not start Gerhart, I don't think it will matter against the Bills soft defense. I actually like Harvin and Rice as a WR2 and WR3 in this game, no way you ever start the jeans salesman.... sorry. 

Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs

I think all the Broncos should be good plays here, Orton, Lloyd, Moreno, Royal. I can see this one getting into a shootout. For the Chiefs I like everyone here too, Charles, Thomas Jones to a lesser extent, Bowe, Moeaki, and Matt Cassell. I think Cassell is a top 8 QB this week.

4:05 PM EST Kickoff Games

Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers

Vincent Jackson is a no go this week, that being the case I really like Malcom Floyd and Legadu Naanee to come up big in the passing game. Obviously you are starting Rivers and Tolbert, Gates if he is active and Kaeding the kicker and heck start the defense while you are at it. For the Raiders, McFadden is the only guy I start with any certainty. To a degree I guess you go with Louis Murphy and possibly Jacoby Ford. The Chargers defense has been up and down this year, so it could be feast or famine, my guess famine. 

Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks

I can see Matt Hasselbeck being decent in this match up, but I don't love him. Not really a fan of the Seahawks rushers either, if you have to Marshawn Lynch is the guy there. I really like Mike Williams this week if he plays, but he is likely to be a game time decsion, so my gut says go with WR Ben Obomanu. For the Panthers I really like Mike Goodson and Johnathan Stewart this week. Still not trusting the passing game, but hey, as long as your name is Steve Smith someone might throw it to you. 

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucks defense is not the worst in the League, but they are also not very scary. I see no reason not to start all your Falcons here. For Tampa Bay I think they are down big and will need to throw. I like Josh Freeman, Mike Williams, and possibly Kellen Winslow (to return from the dead) and play well.  Not a huge fan of the running game for the Bucs, because the Falcons defense is pretty good and they will be down big.

St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals

After last week's garbage performance how do you possibly start any Cardinal other than Larry Fitz and possibly Steve Breaston? Answer... you don't. On the Rams side of the ball I look for Bradford, Steven Jackson and Danny Amendola all to have big games. Don't really trust the TEs of the Rams even after a few big weeks. Just call it a hunch. 

Dallas Cowboys @ Indianapolis Colts

Dallas has been really up and down this whole year. The Colts come in with one of the league's worst run defenses. So I guess that makes Felix Jones a decent start this week. I see this one as the Colts being up big and Dallas needing to throw, so in all honestly I think for Dallas you roll the dice on Miles Austin, and Dez Bryant, play Witten and leave everyone else alone. For the Colts you love Peyton Manning, Jacob Tamme, and Reggie Wayne this week.  If I am starting a Colts RB it's Donald Brown who I think will be good, not great this week. I like him more than Jones though.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens  

The last time these two team met the Ravens as a team played awful. This time, however, I think they have their offense a bit more figured out, and I like Ray Rice, Boldin, and Mason in this game. Not a huge Flacco fan and not real big on Todd Heap either as the Steelers are fantastic against the TE. For the Steelers I can see Mike Wallace and Mendenhall being decent here. I'm not real high on Roethlisberger this week because of the tough match up and the fact he has been in a walking boot most of the week. I see this game being a 14 - 10 type knock down drag out game so it's hard to love anyone here. 

Monday December 6


Could this be the biggest game of the year so far??? You tell me.

New York Jets @ New England Patriots  

To me for the Jets, Tomlinson, Sanchez, Holmes, and Keller are must starts. This is because as good as the Jets defense is New England will still score points and the Jets will have to match them. That should not be hard considering the Pats defense is not all that great. For the Pats much of the same argument as above applies. Brady, Branch, Welker, and Green-Ellis are must starts. Reason would show that Revis should cover Branch part of the time and Welker part of the time, giving each a chance to make plays. I could see anything from no catches to a 20+ fantasy day for either of the TEs for New England, sorry folks your guess is as good as mine on this one.   Should be a fun game. 

You want to know who's terrible???

Well it's time to be terrible again.

So you want to know who is terrible?

Courtland Finnegan - I still maintain that both he and Andre Johnson should have been suspended, even though that would have killed a few of my fantasy teams. But back to Finnegan, I mean who is this guy? He gets in a fight with Johnson and then after it's over stands in the middle of the field and shouts at the Texans sidelines. Then, as he is being escorted off the field is smiling and waving to the Texans fans? Truly Terrible.

Onto more fantasy related terribleness.

Frank Gore - not that he is terrible just that he is out for the season, which makes Brian Westbrook the pickup of the week by far, so if you have number 1 waiver priority I say you use it on this one, if not put a claim on Westbrook and see if you get lucky.

Any Tennessee Titan not named Chris Johnson - so yes I did just tell you to drop Randy Moss. To me as long as Rusty Smith is the QB you want no part of this passing game.

Any Buffalo running back that is not Fred Jackson should have been dropped weeks ago.

Any New England RB that is not Green-Ellis should also go.

It's a week before the playoffs, folks. Gone are the days of holding onto someone "just in case" they breakout.

Get the terribleness off your team.

Monday Pickup

Well it's the Monday after a four day weekend and that leaves everyone in need of a pickup.

So let's get to it.

Toby Gerhart, RB Vikings - there are reasons to handcuff your studs, folks. If Adrian Peterson misses any time, you have to pick this guy up. If you are a Peterson owner you should have already had him.

Rant... Folks agree and disagree on this, but you have to handcuff your studs. Do you handcuff every number one running back in the NFL? No. Who should I handcuff?  For me it's any running back that is an elite talent and had more than about 80% of the workload in the backfield. That would be who? Peterson, Chris Johnson, Michael Turner, Frank Gore, and Ray Rice. Why do you not handcuff guys like Fred Jackson and Peyton Hillis then? Because I believe that in their situation it's the player that makes the difference, not the touches. Meaning that I think Javon Ringer would be a starting fantasy RB if Chris Johnson was out. At the same time, no way you start C.J. Spiller if Fred Jackson is out.

Onto more pickups.

Matt Cassell, QB Chiefs - if you need QB help going into the playoffs here is your guy. He struggled early, but since week six he has had double digits all the way.

Maurice Morris, RB Lions - He seems to be the starter at this point, should be worthy of a flex play.

Joel Dreessen, TE Texans - He is not the best TE in the league, but you could do worse. Just watch for the return of Owen Daniels which could kill his value.

Remember for most of you this is the last week before the fantasy playoffs so get it going!

Lots of Lists

My attempt is try to do a week's worth of fantasy in one day since it's the holiday and I may or may not be able to write for Friday.

This post will consist of lots of lists that will hopefully carry you through till next week.

List of guys you should own if no one in your league does:

1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB Bills
2. Browns Defense ... Playing Carolina next week
3. Shaun Hill, QB Lions
4. Mike Goodson, RB Panthers - as bad as that team is, why not let him run. 
5. Nate Washington, WR Titans - guy opposite Randy Moss syndrome

List of guys who need to be dropped:

1. Brandon Jacobs, RB Giants - Since the bye week Bradshaw has stolen the show.
2. Kellen Winslow, TE Bucs - only one double digit game this year, no thanks. 
3. Jahvid Best, RB Lions - come on, one 40 point game doesn't mean a lifetime roster spot
4. Anyone on the Dolphins... yeah I am serious. 

List of teams that play on Thanksgiving Day, meaning that you should think about getting them in or out of your lineup before you slip into a turkey coma:

1. Dallas 
2. New Orleans
3. New England 
4. Detroit
5. Cincinnati 
6. J.E.T.S (Jets Jets Jets) I typed the ( ) part really fast. 

List of things to eat on Thursday in order of importance:

1. Turkey
2. Dressing
3. Pumpkin Pie
4. Green Beans
5. Rolls
6. repeat 
7. Tums

List of my best calls of the year:

1. Running Backs by Value.... well 2 out of three wasn't bad
2. My boyfriend Peyton Hillis oh yeah, best call of the year. If you got him I accept gift cards to all major restaurants. 
3. Ridding yourself of Chad Johnson (85) 

Sigh... Worst calls of the year

1. Shonn Green  oh yeah I loved him.
2. Jacoby Jones oh yeah loved him too.+
3. Kareem Huggins Who?

Friday Sit/Start

Week 11 - No more teams on a bye, also for most of you your trade deadline will pass in the coming week, so if you want to trade you better get to stepping.

BUF @ CIN Paul Brown Stadium 1:00 PM
With C.J. Spiller out you have to love Jackson in this game, well at least as a flex play. I think that the passing game will be decent not great. Steve Johnson should be better this week than last week, and I like him more than Lee Evans who I probably would not play this week. I think that Ryan Fitz will be decent, not great, somewhere around 12 fantasy points. I think you like the usual guys for the Bengals, T.O. should be great, Ochocinco =good, and Carson Palmer serviceable. Benson should be good this week, he also should have been good last week too, so I don't love Benson. Sorry, play him only if you must.

ARI @ KC Arrowhead Stadium 1:00 PM
I think that the Chiefs look to bounce back after last week. This means probably a bad fantasy day for most Cards. I like Fitzgerald to continue his streak of goodness, and that's about it. Hightower with Wells ailing should be decent but chances are you have someone better. For the Chiefs, it's simple, start them all. I think if you had one week to use Matt Cassell, this is the week. I also expect a big game from Charles and Bowe.

GB @ MIN Mall of America Field 1:00 PM
I look for the Packers to put the beat down on a Vikings team that couldn't care less about the rest of the season. I think Rogers and Jennings have a big game here and Brandon Jackson too. I also love the Packers "D" this week to score some big points off all of those interceptions "Grey Beard" will throw. For the Vikes, I like Peterson, Shiancoe and that's it. Minnesota will have to rely on Peterson if they want to stay in this one.

WAS @ TEN LP Field 1:00 PM
Well do we think that Vince Young is capable of scoring 50 fantasy points on the Skins? No. But I think this is a game to start all your Titans, Johnson, Young (if you need a QB), Washington (who I like better than Moss), Moss, the defense and Bironas the kicker. For the Skins I think you start Cooley and Santana Moss and stop there, the Titans defense is top five in the league against the run and the Skins backfield is a mess.

CLE @ JAC EverBank Field 1:00 PM 
Over the Hillis and through the woods to Jacksonville we go.... Hillis I think will trash the Jags this week, Cleveland may or may not win, but Hillis should be great. I think that Massaquio and Ben Watson could also be decent plays, but you would have to be pretty bad off to need to play them. For the Jags be careful as the Browns are not nearly as bad a team as most think. I still love Jones-Drew in this match up however. To a lesser extent I like the pass game, Sims-Walker and Mike Thomas.


HOU @ NYJ New Meadowlands Stadium 1:00 PM
For Houston it's Foster and Johnson, and that's it. I don't love the matchup versus the Jets for Schaub and only really think that Foster and Johnson will be decent. In my opinion they are the only two Texans worth playing. Texans defense is bad... just start all your Jets will ya.

BAL @ CAR Bank of America Stadium 1:00 PM
I just can't see any way that you start anyone from the Panthers. Mike Goodson should get plenty of work, but 15 carries for 35 yards and a touchdown should be about all he is worth. I think that Steve Smith could have the same kind of 8 to 9 point fantasy day, you just don't want any part of the Panthers. I could see Baltimore being up big in this one and running a lot so I really like Ray Rice. I think that Flacco, Boldin and Todd Heap will also be good plays. I am also going to buy in on the Ravens defense to look like the Ravens defense, if not this week then never.


DET @ DAL Cowboys Stadium 1:00 PM
This one could be a tough call based on which Dallas team shows up. The thing is, the defense for Dallas is not very good regardless. So for the Lions I really like Calvin Johnson and Shaun Hill to have good games, especially because I see this one being a shootout. I also like Jahvid Best in this game, the Cowboys gave up some yards to the Giants RB last week. For the Boys I think you gotta start Witten, Dez Bryant, Felex Jones, and if you need a QB Kitna. I like Miles Austin but much less than Bryant who has emerged as Kitna's favorite target.


OAK @ PIT Heinz Field 1:00 PM
The Steelers carry the league's best defense, so you really can't be too high on any players that play them. I think though that Mcfadden and Louis Murphy will be good in the matchup. I don't love Jason Campbell to continue his streak of awesome. For the Steelers, I think it's the normal cast of guys, Big Ben, Mendenhall, Mike Wallace, and to a lesser degree Hines Ward. Ward seems to be cleared to play, but if you plan on using him I would still have another option just in case.

ATL @ STL Edward Jones Dome 4:05 PM
The Falcons are typically bad on the road, but against the Rams it's hard to look too bad. I think that this is the game where Michael Turner looks like Michael Turner. Also, Roddy White is a must start, no questions. I am really not a big Matt Ryan fan, he would probably be 10th or worse for me this week if I were ranking QBs. I like Flacco, Palmer, and Ortin all better than him. For the Rams, Steven Jackson is a must start. I think that Amendola could be a flex if you are desperate, other than that I leave the Rams alone.

TB @ SF Candlestick Park 4:05 PM 
The Bucks are a lot better than you think. I think that the 49ers will struggle in this game. You still have to start Gore and Vernon Davis, but that is about it. For the Bucs I look for Josh Freeman, Mike Williams and Winslow to have a good game. I also think that LaGarette Blount will be good, not great, because Cadillac could always rob some of his value.


SEA @ NO Superdome 4:05 PM 
I am not really that high on any Seahawk this week, I think that Mike Williams and Lynch could be decent flex plays, but I really don't even like them in that spot. For the Saints I think its Brees, Colston, and Lance Moore. I know that Reggie Bush is going to play, but I still don't trust the amount of work they might give him coming off the injury.

IND @ NE Gillette Stadium 4:15 PM
All I can say with any confidence is that Manning, Wayne and Jacob Tamme are must starts, after that who knows. Austin Collie is still a big question mark, Garcon has been bad as of late, and it looks like Donald Brown and Javarris James will run the ball, neither of which I like. For the Pats I like Brady, Green-Ellis, and Woodhead. I also like Branch and Tate but less than the other guys, because this game could turn into a shootout. It's a toss up between the TEs Hernandez and Gronkowski, one of them will probably have 10+ points and the other 0. Just remember any time you play a Patriot you are at the mercy of the game plan. Also, you should note that I am not a fan of Welker here.

NYG @ PHI Lincoln Financial Field 8:20 PM
Here is another one that has the potential to turn into a shootout. I really like Manning, Nicks, Bradshaw, and Manningham in this one. They are going to have to produce to win. For the Eagles, um Vick and DeSean Jackson are a nasty combo, that said I think there is no way the Gaints give them that many big plays. It should also be a good game for LeSean McCoy.

Monday Night
DEN @ SD Qualcomm Stadium 8:30 PM
I could see this game getting crazy, so I love Ortin and Lloyd for Denver. I like the other receivers too, but the problem is I have no idea which of them will be good, there are just so many. If I had to guess I would say Gaffney, but it would not surprise me to be any of the others. I like Moreno to be a good #2 RB or flex. For the Chargers if all were healthy you would love Rivers, Floyd, Tolber and Gates. I think that all the guys mentioned will play, but if you are not a gambler you may want to consider other options as this is a Monday night game so, once you commit the chances of you having a replacement for an injured guy are slim.

Terrible Tuesday

Here it goes....... Terrible Tuesday


Eddie Royal, WR Denver - too many WRs not enough passes, Royal just falls behind.

Shocker Alert.....

Steve Smith, WR Carolina - here are some numbers 2, 1, 0, 3, 6, 0, 4, those are his fantasy points since week 2. Are you really still holding on to him???

C.J. Spiller, RB Bills - One... he is hurt, Two... he is just bad.

Jahvid Best, RB Lions - One... he is bad, two... he is bad, three... see point 1, four... he has gotten worse since since you read point 1.

Any Browns WR - Browns offense.... Run Hillis, Run Hillis, Throw to a TE, Run Hillis, notice anything missing?