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All our week 13 content

Week 13 Upgrades, Downgrades, and Waiver Wire Wonders

by Clayton Gray, Jeff Haseley, Jeff Pasquino, Jeff Tefertiller, and Maurile Tremblay, Exclusive to Footballguys.com


Quarterback

Upgrade

  1. QB Tony Romo, DAL
  2. QB Matt Cassel, NE
  3. QB Tyler Thigpen, KC
  4. QB Peyton Manning, IND
  5. QB Shaun Hill, SF
  6. QB Trent Edwards, BUF
  7. QB Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
  8. QB Sage Rosenfels, HOU *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM ***
  9. QB Kerry Collins, TEN
  10. QB Chad Pennington, MIA
  11. QB Derek Anderson, CLE *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM ***

Downgrade

  1. QB Jay Cutler, DEN
  2. QB Donovan McNabb, PHI
  3. QB Brady Quinn, CLE

Holding steady

  1. QB Eli Manning, NYG
  2. QB Kyle Orton, CHI
  3. QB Daunte Culpepper, DET
  4. QB Drew Stanton, DET
  5. QB Trent Green, STL
  6. QB Marc Bulger, STL


Running Back

Upgrade

  1. RB DeAngelo Williams, CAR
  2. RB Michael Turner, ATL
  3. RB Thomas Jones, NYJ
  4. RB Matt Forte, CHI
  5. RB Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX
  6. RB Maurice Morris, SEA *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM ***
  7. RB Peyton Hillis, DEN
  8. RB Darren McFadden, OAK
  9. RB Warrick Dunn, TB
  10. RB Kevin Faulk, NE
  11. RB Cadillac Williams, TB *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM ***
  12. RB Mewelde Moore, PIT
  13. RB LeRon McClain, BAL

Downgrade

  1. RB Ahman Green, HOU
  2. RB Julius Jones, SEA
  3. RB Antonio Pittman, STL
  4. RB LenDale White, TEN
  5. RB Willis McGahee, BAL
  6. RB Jonathan Stewart, CAR
  7. RB Willie Parker, PIT
  8. RB Deuce McAllister, NO
  9. RB Brian Westbrook, PHI

Holding steady

  1. RB Larry Johnson, KC
  2. RB Steven Jackson, STL
  3. RB Steve Slaton, HOU
  4. RB Derrick Ward, NYG
  5. RB Pierre Thomas, NO


Wide Receiver

Upgrade

  1. WR Terrell Owens, DAL
  2. WR Randy Moss, NE
  3. WR Lance Moore, NO
  4. WR Josh Reed, BUF
  5. WR Greg Jennings, GB
  6. WR Lee Evans, BUF
  7. WR Isaac Bruce, SF
  8. WR Kevin Walter, HOU
  9. WR Jabar Gaffney, NE *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM ***
  10. WR Mark Clayton, BAL *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM ***
  11. WR Steve Breaston, ARI
  12. WR Anthony Gonzalez, IND
  13. WR Harry Douglas, ATL *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM ***

Downgrade

  1. WR Greg Camarillo, MIA
  2. WR Chad Johnson, CIN
  3. WR Koren Robinson, SEA
  4. WR Donnie Avery, STL
  5. WR Kevin Curtis, PHI
  6. WR Bernard Berrian, MIN
  7. WR Plaxico Burress, NYG
  8. WR Marques Colston, NO

Holding steady


Tight End

Upgrade

  1. TE Heath Miller, PIT
  2. TE Kevin Boss, NYG
  3. TE Jerramy Stevens, TB *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM ***
  4. TE Vernon Davis, SF
  5. TE Martellus Bennett, DAL *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM ***

Downgrade

  1. TE Owen Daniels, HOU
  2. TE L.J. Smith, PHI
  3. TE Jason Witten, DAL

Holding steady

  1. TE Kellen Winslow, CLE


Kicker

Upgrade

  1. PK Neil Rackers, ARI
  2. PK Stephen Gostkowski, NE
  3. PK Adam Vinatieri, IND
  4. PK John Carney, NYG

Downgrade

  1. PK Matt Prater, DEN
  2. PK Josh Scobee, JAX

Holding steady


Team Defense

Upgrade

  1. TD Baltimore Ravens, BAL
  2. TD Dallas Cowboys, DAL
  3. TD Minnesota Vikings, MIN

Downgrade

  1. TD Philadelphia Eagles, PHI

Holding steady

  1. TD Miami Dolphins, MIA


Quarterback

Upgrade

QB Derek Anderson, CLE - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Brady Quinn struggled to get much of anything going against the Houston Texans in Week 12, forcing Romeo Crennel to pull him late in the third quarter and put Derek Anderson back in the lineup. Odds are that Quinn continues to start, but if Cleveland makes an irrational move and pulls Quinn, fantasy owners in desperate need for QB help should try and grab Anderson as Braylon Edwards is starting to heat up and pickings for quarterbacks can be slim this late in the year.

QB Matt Cassel, NE - Don't look now, but is Matt Cassel turning into Tom Brady Lite? Not only does Cassel have two 400-yard passing games in a row, but he is now getting Randy Moss involved in the high-flying heroics. It looks like the Patriots are back to their record-breaking, full throttle offensive game plan from 2007. Cassel has seven TDs (six passing, one rushing) in his last two games. Maybe it is the system?

QB Kerry Collins, TEN - As the Titans continue to become more of a passing team, Collins' fantasy value continues to increase. In his first five games as a starter this season, Collins averaged 26.4 pass attempts per game; over the last five games, he has averaged 35.4 pass attempts per game. And in fact, over the last three weeks, Collins has been the #6 fantasy QB in the league (FBG scoring). While we still do not consider Collins to be a decent fantasy starter in twelve-team leagues, he is looking more and more like a quality QB2.

QB Trent Edwards, BUF - It was good to see Edwards bounce back after a dismal showing last week. He had a monster game in Week 12. Yes, it was against the porous Kansas City Chief defense. Edwards was able to score four touchdowns, two through the air and two on the ground. He was very efficient, completing 24 of 32 passes for 273 yards. Edwards added 38 yards on six scampers. This was a huge fantasy game for the young passer. Trent Edwards quieted the talk of J.P. Losman for a little while with this strong performance.

QB Shaun Hill, SF - Hill is able to put up good yardage numbers in the Mike Martz offense. Hill seems to be getting more comfortable with each game that passes. He had 158 passing yards in the first half against the Cowboys. Hill ended the game completing 21 of 33 for 303 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. With the way the 49er defense is playing Shaun Hill should be able to put up garbage time stats almost every week.

QB Peyton Manning, IND - After a relatively slow start to the season (bothered by an injured knee), Peyton Manning has returned to form and is playing like his normal self. In each of the last five games, he has thrown for 220+ yards and 2+ touchdowns, giving his fantasy owners the steady performances they had come to expect from Manning. The Colts' next three games are against the Browns, Bengals, and Lions, all of whom have below-average pass defenses. Manning should be considered a top-tier fantasy QB from here on out.

QB Chad Pennington, MIA - Pennington may have let it loose against New England, passing for 341 yards and 3 TDs, but should you buy into a repeat performance in the coming weeks? He and the Dolphins were a FG or more behind New England for most of the game. The game dictated more from the passing game and Pennington followed suit. The main reason for his upgrade is his schedule in the next two weeks @STL and @BUF, both dome games (the Bills game will be in Toronto under a dome). Pennington probably won't be among the top five QBs next week, but chances are he won't have a bad game against the hapless Rams.

QB Ben Roethlisberger, PIT - Roethlisberger had a solid game against the Bengals on a sloppy Heinz field, throwing for one score and adding another with his legs. With issues with Willie Parker, Roethlisberger may have to take to the air more the rest of the way, which should be good news for his receivers and his fantasy owners alike. The best news for Big Ben was that he was not sacked at all by Cincinnati, very good news considering all the problems that the Steelers' offensive line has had in 2008. With some tough matchups to come, Roethlisberger may be up to the challenge and ready to put up some stronger fantasy performances.

QB Tony Romo, DAL - Romo is back and playing well with the splint on his pinkie finger. In the first half, Romo had 166 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Romo looked to Terrell Owens down the field for the big play, and he delivered. Romo finished the game with 23 completions in 39 pass attempts for 341 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers. The Cowboys get the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday. This is the same Seahawk team that gave up the huge game against the Arizona Cardinal passing game.

QB Sage Rosenfels, HOU - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Rosenfels settled into the starter role for the Texans in Week 12, thanks in part to the Cleveland Browns defense. He completed 75% of his passes (24 of 32) after starting the game by going 14 for 15, marred only by a dropped pass by Ahman Green. He did throw two bad interceptions in the second half but it has to be appreciated that he is capable of good fantasy numbers in certain matchups. Houston may also shut down Matt Schaub for the rest of the year, giving Rosenfels the reins for the remainder of the season. Rosenfels faces another favorable opportunity against Jacksonville in Week 13 and looks to be a solid fantasy QB2 the rest of the year.

QB Tyler Thigpen, KC - Tyler Thigpen is putting up good fantasy numbers every week since taking over as the starter. Against a respectable Buffalo Bill defense, Thigpen completed 17 of 31 passes for 240 yards, and three touchdowns to three different receivers. While he did throw two interceptions, Thigpen also added 29 rushing yards. He has been hot the last three weeks. In this span, Thigpen has thrown for at least 235 yards, two touchdowns, and added more than 25 rushing yards in each contest.

Downgrade

QB Jay Cutler, DEN - Cutler has now had two straight poor outings. He has thrown for just 420 yards and one passing touchdown combined the last two weeks. Cutler had better stats in just the week ten game against the Browns. Against the Raiders, Jay Cutler completed just 16 of 37 passes for 204 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Cutler has found it difficult to find Royal or Marshall down the field.

QB Donovan McNabb, PHI - After a bad first half in Week 12 the Eagles decided to go in another direction after the intermission, benching McNabb in favor of Kevin Kolb. A questionable decision to be sure in a 10-7 game, but McNabb has been inconsistent of late (seven turnovers the last two games) and was not reading the field well - other receivers were open on both of his interceptions. He also looks hesitant to tuck the ball and run, unlike the McNabb that was once of Pro Bowl caliber. McNabb has been named the team's Week 13 starter, but it's obvious that HC Andy Reid won't be afraid to bench him going forward.

QB Brady Quinn, CLE - Young quarterbacks with little NFL experience are supposed to struggle in their first efforts, but the game against Houston was particularly bad for Quinn. He targeted the wrong receiver in several instances, putting his passes in harms way on several occasions. Many of his throws gave the defense easy interception chances, two of which they grabbed. Coupling this effort with three more drops by Braylon Edwards and it is easy to see why Quinn's numbers were terrible on the day. Do not expect, however, for the Browns to go back to Anderson as they seem committed to go forward with Quinn under center.

Holding steady

QB Marc Bulger, STL - Marc Bulger left the game in the first quarter and did not return after getting his helmet hit on a play that left him a bit woozy. He was replaced by Trent Green who wasn't able to do much on offense against the Bears. It is unknown if Bulger will play or start next week vs. Miami. The fact that Trent Green wasn't effective means they are likely better off with Bulger at QB - provided he's healthy enough to play. The offense tends to play better with Steven Jackson in the lineup and it's looking like he might be back next week against Miami. Even so, there have to be better options available than Bulger.

QB Daunte Culpepper, DET - Culpepper had another less than inspiring game that was filled with some promise, but even more disappointment. The Lions as a whole were 4-for-14 in third down attempts and Culpepper had another back breaking INT that widened the point margin in their opponents favor. After the INT, Culpepper was benched for Drew Stanton, but he later returned when Stanton left with an apparent concussion. It is not known who will start at QB for the Lions on Thursday, but the quick week and the unknown status of Drew Stanton has us thinking it will again be Culpepper. It doesn't get any easier - the Lions face the Titans, who will be plenty upset about losing their first game of the year. Expect the Titans to come out with a chip on their shoulder.

QB Trent Green, STL - Green replace Bulger in the first quarter after the starter took a blow to the helmet. Bulger did not return, but Green may have wished he was the one on the bench. Green was pressured all game long by the Bears. He was sacked five times, intercepted four times and had several tipped or batted balls. Green clearly is nowhere near the QB he once was. It is unclear if Bulger will be able to play next week against Miami. If he can't go, Trent Green may have one more game before his retirement speech, but he still isn't a viable fantasy option.

QB Eli Manning, NYG - Manning played exceptionally well against the Cardinals. For the third time this season, he threw three touchdown passes. He completed 79% of his passes with no interceptions. There are three reasons he does not get an upgrade, however: (1) With Brandon Jacobs out of the lineup, the Giants relied on the pass more than usual; Jacobs is expected back next week. (2) Manning's stellar performance came against the Arizona Cardinals, the softest defense in the league against opposing fantasy QBs. (3) Manning's schedule is difficult the rest of the way, as he faces the Redskins, Eagles, Cowboys, Panthers, and Vikings. There isn't an easy game in that set.

QB Kyle Orton, CHI - Kyle Orton may have started two weeks now since he suffered his high ankle sprain three weeks ago, but he is clearly favoring it. Luckily for Orton, the Bears put the offense on cruise control against the Rams and let Matt Forte do his thing. He gets another dome game next week at Minnesota, but it won't be a cake walk. Expect Orton to see a heavy pass rush next week that could result in a game similar to the fate he suffered in Green Bay in week 11. We recommend reserving Orton against the Vikes strong pass rush. Keep in mind that he was categorized as having an ankle injury that wasn't supposed to be fully healed for 4-6 weeks. The fourth week will be next week. If you have a better option, you may want to consider it.

QB Drew Stanton, DET - Stanton entered the game in the third quarter for the Lions after Daunte Culpepper threw an INT for a TD to Ronde Barber giving the Bucs a 35-17 lead. He then proceeded to suffer an apparent concussion and Culpepper had to take his place. It is not clear how severe the injury is at this point, nor is it known if Culpepper will regain his starting duties. Detroit has a quick rest before playing on Thanksgiving this Thursday against the mighty, mighty Titans. We expect Culpepper to be the starting QB, with such a quick week, but keep an eye on this situation.


Running Back

Upgrade

RB Warrick Dunn, TB - The season ending injury to Earnest Graham opens the door for Warrick Dunn. Dunn split carries with the now healthy and active Cadillac Williams, but it was Dunn who was the team's primary carrier and we expect that to continue. Don't be worried about Cadillac Williams taking over; the RB responsibility is still very much Dunn's job. Williams didn't receive the bulk of his carries until the game was well at hand. Dunn can be used as a RB2 going forward. Expect him to be the featured back for the rest of the season.

RB Kevin Faulk, NE - Faulk gets the upgrade here, because of the increase in involvement of the Patriots passing game. The rushing duties are split between himself, Sammy Morris and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but it's Faulk that will see his share of pass receptions. Faulk is averaging four catches per game for the season, but the increasingly potent Patriots pass attack should yield more opportunities in the passing game. Consider Faulk as a RB3 or flex option, especially in PPR leagues.

RB Matt Forte, CHI - Matt Ryan may wind up being the NFL's rookie of the year at the end of the season, but right now, it's hard to think of anyone else as the fantasy rookie of the year. Forte has seven consecutive double-digit fantasy point games with a total of nine TDs on the year. Many owners drafted him as a RB3 - how's that working out for you? Forte is on pace for a top five finish and he's battling Reggie Bush for the most receptions by a RB. That's exactly what you want out of your RB1, the fact that he is putting up those numbers as a RB3 is what really adds to his value. Continue to start Forte going forward.

RB Peyton Hillis, DEN - Hillis is solidifying his spot in the starting lineup. This was his second consecutive week with a good fantasy game. The Broncos were blown out in the second half or Hillis might have had more rushing attempts and chances to score. Against the Raiders, Hillis carried the ball 17 times for 74 yards and a scoring run. He added 22 yards on a pair of grabs. Hillis is not a threat to break a long play, but he is a tough runner inside the tackles.

RB Thomas Jones, NYJ - Jones got off to somewhat of a slow start this season, but from Week 6 forward, Jones has been the #1 fantasy RB in the league by a surprisingly large margin. (Over that period, he has scored 139 fantasy points; Adrian Peterson is second with 106 fantasy points.) Jones had 117 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on Sunday against the league's best defense, and his 27 rushes against the Titans give him more than 25 carries in each of the last three games. The Jets' schedule gets easier from here on out, as their remaining games are against the Broncos, 49ers, Bills, Seahawks, and Dolphins.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX - Jones-Drew and the Jaguar rushing game were ineffective against the stout Minnesota Viking defense. He carried the ball just three times for four yards. But, he made up for it in the passing game. David Garrard targeted the diminutive back ten times, most of any Jaguar by a good margin. He caught nine of those passes for 113 yards. The Jaguars are making an effort to get the ball to Jones-Drew through the air when the running game is not effective. They recognize that he is the best playmaker for the Jacksonville offense.

RB LeRon McClain, BAL - McClain dominated the RB duties for the Ravens against the Eagles in Week 12, rushing 18 times for 88 yards or more than twice Willis McGahee's or Ray Rice's carry totals. The Eagles had no answer for the powerful McClain, who punished the interior of the line carry after carry to move the chains and control the time of possession for Baltimore. While the three-headed rushing attack in Baltimore is difficult to decipher week by week, expect McClain to get a larger workload against smaller defensive lines and continue to contribute more and more in December, especially if McGahee is less than full strength.

RB Darren McFadden, OAK - McFadden is finally getting healthy and getting touches and looked pretty good against a subpar run defense of Denver. On ten carries, the rookie totaled 38 yards and two scores. He added a pair of receptions for 14 yards. McFadden looked to be almost at full speed.

RB Mewelde Moore, PIT - Moore came in once again for Willie Parker, this time taking over for him in the second half in Week 12. Moore had a combined 97 yards on 19 touches against the Bengals and once again looked like a solid starting NFL tailback. He could easily be the starter for the Steelers next week against New England and possibly longer. The Steelers face some tougher matchups the rest of the way but Moore has proven to be capable of putting up solid numbers.

RB Maurice Morris, SEA - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Morris dominated the workload for the Seahawks on the ground, rushing for over 100 yards and taking nearly all of the tailback carries for Seattle. He started the Week 12 game over Julius Jones and seems to have established himself as the leading rusher for Seattle at this point. Morris is also a contributor on passing downs where he also added a touchdown catch for the Seahawks. Fantasy options are thin in Seattle, but Morris looks to be the best tailback to have in that offense.

RB Michael Turner, ATL - Turner may have solidified a top five ranking this year after his four-TD game against Carolina. He now has 13 TDs this year with five games to go. Yeah, that's pretty good. Continue to start Turner, no matter who the opponent. His remaining schedule is fairly easy compared to the other NFC South teams (@SD, @NO, TB, @MIN, STL).

RB Cadillac Williams, TB - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Williams returned to action on Sunday after suffering a torn patella tendon to his knee in October of 2007. He saw limited action when it counted and only did he see an increase in carries until the game was well in hand. He clearly had some rust as evidenced by a fumble return for a TD he caused Jeff Garcia on a play-action attempt in the first quarter. That play alone kept him from being more of a presence in the offense in the early part of the game. We expect Cadillac to see an increased role going forward, but Dunn should continue to be the team's primary ball carrier. One note to point out. Williams suffered his knee injury at Carolina last year. He'll face the Panthers on Monday night in two weeks. Don't be surprised to see him unleash his desire more for that game.

RB DeAngelo Williams, CAR - Williams has been flat out amazing over the last three weeks. He has been incredibly consistent while totaling 383 yards and four TDs in those last three games. He is currently an elite fantasy back.

Downgrade

RB Ahman Green, HOU - Just when he was beginning to have some fantasy value, Green's body failed him again. Green will miss a couple weeks with a left knee injury. Given Green's recent history of slow rehabs, he might be out longer.

RB Julius Jones, SEA - Jones barely touched the ball against the Redskins in Week 12 as Maurice Morris started over him against Washington. Jones also has a calf injury which likely contributed to the decision, but for now Jones has very limited fantasy value.

RB Deuce McAllister, NO - McAllister is awaiting a decision on the appeal of his suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. The decision could come this week, and if the suspension is upheld, McAllister will lose all fantasy value. Even if McAllister is not suspended, he has fallen behind Pierre Thomas on the depth chart and would not get many snaps from here on out. So either way, his fantasy value is close to nil.

RB Willis McGahee, BAL - McGahee was not a factor at all against Philadelphia in Week 12, getting only seven rushes for eight yards against the Eagles. He went down easily on first contact and was not able to establish a ground game for the Ravens while Le'Ron McClain grabbed yardage by the handful in similar situations. McGahee might not be at full strength, but regardless the evidence is there that he is not an effective back right now and that the Ravens are comfortable with the committee approach.

RB Willie Parker, PIT - Willie Parker looked slower than usual in Week 12 against the Bengals, some of which could have been blamed on the field. In the third quarter Parker ran around the right end of his line and picked up good yardage but pulled up lame as he headed towards the sideline. It did not look good and he left the game at that point and did not return, being replaced by Mewelde Moore. Until Parker looks good in practice again fantasy owners would be wise to think twice about using him.

RB Antonio Pittman, STL - The return of Steven Jackson (possibly next week) will likely make Antonio Pittman's role obsolete. The Rams are hurting on the offensive line anyway, even if Jackson can't go. Pittman was likely a stopgap, flier if you did have him on your roster. If it's determined that Jackson will play next week, go ahead and drop Pittman and hunt for the next best waiver wire find.

RB Jonathan Stewart, CAR - Stewart appears to only have value when the Panthers running game flourishes. He is strictly a change of pace RB with limited action here and there depending on the type of situation. If Carolina struggles offensively, don't expect to see much from Stewart. Carolina's difficult remaining schedule (@GB, TB, DEN, @NO, @NYG) could mean more offensive struggles, which would put a damper on Stewart's value. Start him at your own risk. If Carolina thrives, he'll have a chance. If they don't thrive, he probably won't either.

RB Brian Westbrook, PHI - Westbrook was questionable even to play in Week 12, but he gutted it out to start against Baltimore. He was hemmed in by a swarming Ravens defense all game and was not able to get on track either as a rusher or as a receiver as Baltimore sniffed out several screen attempts. Westbrook needs to rest up and get healthy quickly on a short week for the Cardinals game Thursday night, but if the Eagles cannot get a passing attack going then his upside is very limited.

RB LenDale White, TEN - White was perfectly healthy, but was on the field for only three plays against the Jets. He got one carry for -1 yards, and dropped a short pass. White's workload has decreased recently as Chris Johnson has gotten a larger share of the carries. The Titans started throwing the ball a lot more in the second half of the season, and the additional pass attempts have come at the expense of LenDale White's rush attempts. Comparing the first six games to the last five, Chris Johnson's average number of rushes per game have dropped only by 0.4, going from 17.2 to 16.8. Meanwhile, LenDale White's average rushes per game have dropped from 13.3 to 8.6. Johnson has recently been getting about twice as many rushes as White, and Sunday's game against the Jets signals that the disparity may continue to increase.

Holding steady

RB Steven Jackson, STL - Jackson missed his second game in a row with a quadriceps injury. If all goes well, he may play next week against Miami. Even if he does play, he may not be that effective. The Rams OL has been hit hard with injuries and the offense as a whole has suffered in his absence. His return will help the offense, but it may not be enough. The Rams are losing nearly every battle on the line of scrimmage - that doesn't bode well for any RB, no matter who you are. Take caution with Jackson. It may be wise to see how he and the offense do first before inserting him back into your lineup.

RB Larry Johnson, KC - Johnson was able to break some big runs in the first half against the Bills. The Chiefs did not run much, but Johnson still had 78 yards on only four carries. Johnson did not see much action in the second half. He carried the ball three times for just three yards in the last half of the game. For the game, Johnson totaled 81 rushing yards on seven carries. Also, he added 24 receiving yards. Totaling 105 combined yards on just nine touches is very efficient. The spread offense of Kansas City makes it difficult to get 20+ carries a game. It is good to see Larry Johnson play well, but he needs more touches to be an every-week fantasy starter.

RB Steve Slaton, HOU - Slaton had a mediocre game against Cleveland, a defense that should provide a top fantasy running back ample opportunities to post big numbers. Slaton is reportedly dealing with sore ribs and has been since Week 11, one of the reasons that head coach Gary Kubiak was working Ahman Green more into the mix. Slaton had zero targets in the passing game while Green had 14 touches against Cleveland compared to Green's 14, but now that Green is out for at least two weeks look for Slaton's touches and production to increase.

RB Pierre Thomas, NO - Thomas has played very well over the last two weeks. He has clearly outplayed Deuce McAllister, and has given the Saints some versatility in their running game. Thomas can run inside or out, and is also a skilled receiver out of the backfield. He should continue to get carries even after Reggie Bush returns to the lineup. Nonetheless, his workload will decrease (especially in the passing game). The Saints will try to get Reggie Bush the ball in open space, while Thomas is likely to get some inside runs and the goalline carries. He has earned a role in the offense and therefore still has value, but he won't get as many touches as he has been getting.

RB Derrick Ward, NYG - Ward had 99 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown subbing in for Brandon Jacobs, but Jacobs is expected to return and be fully healthy this week against the Redskins.


Wide Receiver

Upgrade

WR Steve Breaston, ARI - Breaston has been inconsistent as a fantasy WR this season, but in the Cardinals' passing attack, his big-play potential makes him a viable fantasy WR3 in twelve-team leagues. Breaston was targeted 9 times against the Giants -- the sixth time this season he received 8+ targets.

WR Isaac Bruce, SF - Bruce was able to have a big game as the 49ers were in catch-up mode most all game. He caught a 21-yard pass on the team's first play of the day and two catches for 38 yards on the first drive. The veteran receiver was targeted nine times on the game, plus once on a two-point conversion. Bruce ended the game with eight catches for 125 and a scoring grab.

WR Mark Clayton, BAL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Clayton is working his way back into the Ravens' passing game, helped some by defenses rolling coverage towards Derrick Mason. Clayton slipped through a blown coverage by the Eagles in the fourth quarter where he split the defense on a quick slant and then sprinted for an easy touchdown. Even though he had just two catches and most of his production came on the long score, he received eight targets and should be more involved as Mason nurses his shoulder injury.

WR Harry Douglas, ATL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Slight upgrade here for Douglas. It was Douglas who had a 7-yard run for a TD in the first quarter, but he also had a key 69-yard reception in the Falcons 28-point fourth quarter that helped widen the gap on the Falcons lead. He also added a 61-yard punt return for a TD late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. Douglas may be the third pass option for Matt Ryan, but it's clear that he has play making skills and could see an increased role going forward. Keep an eye on him; he looked very impressive against Carolina.

WR Lee Evans, BUF - Evans had been very quiet the last few weeks. Coming into the Week 12 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had only a combined 63 receiving yards the last three games. Evans caught five of his eight Trent Edwards pass targets for 110 yards, including a 51-yard reception. Yes, this was against the Chiefs, but Edwards made a concerted effort to find his big play receiver down the field. In addition, Josh Reed was back from injury which opened the field more than Steve Johnson and James Hardy.

WR Jabar Gaffney, NE - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Gaffney appears to be the Patriots third receiving option behind Wes Welker and Randy Moss. Perhaps what's more important is the Patriots offense from 2007 is alive and kicking. QB Matt Cassel has two consecutive 400-yard passing games and Gaffney is getting looks in a wide open, spread offensive style that is very similar to what Tom Brady ran last year. If you're looking for WR help for the Playoffs, Gaffney could be a nice WR3 to consider. Gaffney has 12 catches for 174 yards and 1 TD in his last two games.

WR Anthony Gonzalez, IND - Marvin Harrison has been targeted 20 more times than Gonzalez this season, but Gonzalez has been much more effective on his looks, catching one more pass than Harrison for 90 more yards. Gonzalez has become a favorite of QB Manning on third downs, and his effectiveness overall should lead to more targets down the stretch. Indeed, Gonzalez led the Colts in targets and receiving yards against the Chargers, and was the only Colt WR to score a touchdown. The Colts' next three opponents are the Browns, Bengals, and Lions, all of whom have below-average pass defenses.

WR Greg Jennings, GB - Jennings had an impressive game against the Saints on Monday night, hauling in 8 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. He was by far Aaron Rodgers' favorite target, as Rodgers looked his way 15 times. Jennings does everything well as a receiver: he catches the ball with his hands away from his body, he is a strong runner after the catch, and he can come down with the ball in traffic after taking a big hit. All of those skills were on display before a national audience on Monday night, and we expect Jennings to be a top-tier fantasy WR going forward.

WR Lance Moore, NO - Lance Moore continues to be Drew Brees' favorite receiver. Since week 3, Moore has averaged nearly 9 targets a game, and his targets have actually increased since Marques Colston's return. Colston or no Colston, Moore is a huge part of the Saints' offense, and will continue to get looks and be productive with them for the rest of the season.

WR Randy Moss, NE - Matt Cassel threw for 400 yards against the Jets in week 11, but Randy Moss only accounted for 26 of those yards. Then came week 12 and another 400-yard passing game, but this time Randy exploded for 125 yards and three TDs. It looks like Matt Cassel is getting very comfortable with the Patriots spread offensive system. If this continues, like we expect, Randy Moss could pick up where he left off in 2007, which is the #1 ranked fantasy WR.

WR Terrell Owens, DAL - Owens was finally able to break free for big gains against the 49ers. In just the first half, he was able to total 125 yards and a score. On the game, Owens was targeted a whopping 13 times by Tony Romo. He caught three passes that went for at least 45 yards. He ended the game with seven catches for 213 yards and a touchdown that was from 75 yards out. With the Seahawks next up on the schedule, Owens could have another tremendous game.

WR Josh Reed, BUF - Reed got back on the field in Week 12 and looked good while catching five balls for 50 yards and a TD. He should continue to be a nice option for the remainder of the season.

WR Kevin Walter, HOU - Walter caught seven passes in Week 12, five of which went for first downs including a 17-yard touchdown reception. Very quietly Walter has put up some respectable numbers this season and is on something of a hot streak with 79 or more yards receiving in the last three weeks and touchdowns in two of those three contests. Playing opposite of Andre Johnson has its benefits, and as defenses cover both Johnson and TE Owen Daniels it opens chances up for Walter. Houston has a nice passing matchup against Jacksonville in Week 13 so Walter may continue to put up solid fantasy numbers.

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WR Donnie Avery, STL - Avery had one catch for 14 yards in the first quarter and that was it for the game. He was targeted only three times, despite the heavy need for a passing attack due to the large deficit. The Rams were severely limited in their passing game due to the relentless Chicago pass rush. Steven Jackson's possible return next week could help the offense, but Jackson won't be playing offensive line, where the big trouble is. The Orlando Pace injury appears to really make things difficult for the Rams passing game. Don't rely on Avery to get 4-6 catches next week against Miami. We recommend looking elsewhere for a WR4 or flex option.

WR Bernard Berrian, MIN - Berrian had another off game. He only had one catch for six yards in the first half. He ended the game with the same stat line. This gives him a total of 4 catches for 52 yards the past three games combined. He did add 22 yards on two carries (one early in each half) against the Jaguars, but it is disappointing how little the speedy receiver was used. Berrian was only targeted twice in the game, both in the first half.

WR Plaxico Burress, NYG - Burress tweaked his hamstring in Wednesday's practice and was a gametime decision. He tried to play, but reaggravated it in the first quarter and did not return. The hamstring may be a problem for the rest of the season; it is hard to loosen it up once the weather gets cold.

WR Greg Camarillo, MIA - Camarillo was enjoying a nice season, but he will miss the remainder of 2008 with a knee injury.

WR Marques Colston, NO - Colston was all but forgotten in the Saints' offense until he broke free for a 70-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter. He appeared to be favoring one leg, as perhaps his knee is still bothering him. He had a very difficult matchup against Al Harris of the Packers, and Colston's matchups will get better going forward, but it is disconcerting for Colston owners that QB Brees seems quite content looking elsewhere with his passes. Colston got only one target on Monday night as Lance Moore continues to be the Saints' number one WR.

WR Kevin Curtis, PHI - Curtis had seven targets again in Week 12, the fourth week in a row with at least that many chances. He struggled against Baltimore on deep passes to go up and fight for the ball and he also had difficulty separating himself from defenders when he does get targeted. Curtis has yet to top 100 yards on the season and has just one score all year (five games so far this season). With uncertainty for the Eagles at quarterback as they decide whether to pick McNabb or Kolb for their starter in Week 13 and beyond, Curtis is a questionable fantasy starter at best. Consider other receiving options for your fantasy lineups.

WR Chad Johnson, CIN - Johnson was benched in Week 12 due to insubordination of Marvin Lewis in a team meeting. Johnson should be back in the mix next week against a tough Baltimore Ravens' defense, but that's not a viable fantasy option in most leagues. Johnson needs to step back on the field and show other teams that he can perform if he has any hope of playing elsewhere in 2009, but we do not expect strong efforts from him the rest of the way. Whether it's his attitude or Ryan Fitzpatrick's terrible play (he misses badly on so many passes), there are too many reasons for Johnson to fail.

WR Koren Robinson, SEA - The return of Deion Branch has killed Robinson's production. The Seattle offense can not support very many skill players, so Robinson is not a viable option as long as Branch is healthy.

Holding steady


Tight End

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TE Martellus Bennett, DAL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Bennett has benefited from the injury to Jason Witten. While Witten's health is improving, Bennett continues to get looks (especially in the redzone) from Tony Romo. Over the last three games, Bennett has only five catches, but two of them are TDs.

TE Kevin Boss, NYG - Boss got back on the scoreboard on Sunday after posting a goose egg in Week 11. Boss sometimes disappears in games, which can be disheartening, but he is a redzone force (tied with Tony Gonzalez with three TDs over his last four games).

TE Vernon Davis, SF - We're giving Davis a slight upgrade - not so much for how well he's performing now, but due to how low his value was a few weeks ago. After being sent to the showers early, Davis has seemed to gotten his mind right and has a small role in the 49ers' offense. He also has a pair of TDs over his last three games.

TE Heath Miller, PIT - Miller was a major part of the offense once again for the Steelers, catching four out of eight targets against the Bengals. Miller found the end zone once and was tackled just shy of another score, showing how confident Ben Roethlisberger is in his big target on the end of his line. With questions about Willie Parker's health, Roethlisberger could take to the air more and look to Miller and others to punch it in down inside the Red Zone. Miller faces some tough matchups the rest of the way but deserves a fantasy roster spot and a consideration for a start as long as he gets end zone chances.

TE Jerramy Stevens, TB - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - With Alex Smith ailing, Stevens has produced out of necessity. Over his last two games, Stevens has caught eight balls for 113 yards and a TD.

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TE Owen Daniels, HOU - Daniels has fallen off the cliff in the last three weeks. In that span, he has caught only five passes for 55 yards and no TDs. Those numbers have likely killed many fantasy rosters.

TE L.J. Smith, PHI - Smith hasn't excelled this season and seems to have been passed by Brent Celek. Regardless of his starting status, Smith's numbers are going to be hurt by Donovan McNabb's terrible play.

TE Jason Witten, DAL - Witten is still struggling to deal with the pain of the rib injury. He seemed to be favoring the rib. In addition, Tony Romo did not rely on the athletic tight end like he did when Witten was healthy. He had to exit the game late in third quarter after a big hit by Nate Clements. There was concern that Witten hurt his jaw on the play and X-Rays were run. He re-entered the game in the fourth quarter. Witten ended the game catching just one of four Romo passes for 11 yards.

Holding steady

TE Kellen Winslow, CLE - Winslow was able to go in Week 12 despite questions about his shoulder that limited his practice time earlier in the week, but he only caught one pass against the Texans. Houston blanketed Winslow in coverage and he was not able to do much at all with his seven targets. Winslow's QB situation is also questionable as the Browns decide between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, but Winslow remains a solid fantasy tight end.


Kicker

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PK John Carney, NYG - While HC Tom Coughlin maintains that the starting kicker is a week-to-week decision, Carney got the nod again in Week 12. After being deactivated the week before in favor of the longer leg of Lawrence Tynes, Carney was on the field against the Cardinals. He was perfect on three FGs and four PATs and appears to be the odd on favorite to keep the job. However, there is speculation that Tynes could get the call in bad weather (like in Week 11) as he is able to drive the ball farther.

PK Stephen Gostkowski, NE - Gostkowski has obviously benefited from the excellent productivity of Matt Cassel. With Cassel surpassing 400 yards seemingly every week, Gostkowski is back to being an elite fantasy kicker and has kicked 10 PATs and six of seven FGs over his last three games.

PK Neil Rackers, ARI - Rackers has been incredibly productive over the last three weeks. As the Cardinals have bogged down in the redzone in that time span, Rackers has booted 10 of 11 FG attempts while being perfect on six PATs.

PK Adam Vinatieri, IND - Vinatieri has been perfect in his last two games. Against the Texans and Chargers, Vinatieri has been perfect on 12 kicks (seven FGs and five PATs.

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PK Matt Prater, DEN - Prater started off the season hot but has tailed off of late. Week 12 was the fourth straight week that Prater has missed at least one field goal. During this span, he has only made five of his ten field goal attempts. The issue is not one of opportunities, but of execution. In Week 12, he made just one of three field goals and his only extra point chance.

PK Josh Scobee, JAX - Scobee was reliable earlier in the season. But, the veteran kicker missed two field goal opportunities in the first half, one from 46 yards and one from 38 yards out. The Jaguars may be losing faith in their kicker. In the two games prior to the Week 12 matchup against the Vikings, Scobee only had just one field goal attempt.

Holding steady


Team Defense

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TD Dallas Cowboys, DAL - The Cowboys aren't putting up flashy totals, but this unit is improving. Over their last three games, they have allowed fewer than 300 yards per game while forcing six turnovers and accumulating 11 sacks. This group is now a viable fantasy option.

TD Baltimore Ravens, BAL - This unit bounced back in a big way and clamped down hard on the Philadelphia offense. Even better news for Ravens owners is the Week 13 opponent. With Cincinnati up next, Baltimore should have another great showing in Week 13.

TD Minnesota Vikings, MIN - The Vikings defense shut down David Garrard and the Jaguar running game. They held Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew to 24 combined rushing yards. Forcing Garrard to pass, the Viking pass rush was able to get keep the pressure on. They sacked Garrard four times, caused five fumbles and two interceptions. In addition, one of the fumbles was returned for a touchdown in the first quarter. The Viking defense played exceptionally well. The Vikings' defense has played well of late. Note, however, that this is a qualified upgrade. If the Williams boys are suspended by the NFL, the Vikings' run defense will be devastated.

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TD Philadelphia Eagles, PHI - The Eagles defense is entering a rough stretch. Not only are they being hamstrung by a suddenly terrible offense, but they are about to face some of the league's elite offenses with the Cardinals and Giants on tap. Philadelphia simply isn't a viable option right now.

Holding steady

TD Miami Dolphins, MIA - Yes, the Patriots absolutely shredded this unit in Week 12, but the Dolphins will get back on track on Sunday in St. Louis. The Rams have been an excellent opponent for fantasy defenses this season, so Miami is certainly a viable option in Week 13.