How was your week 12? We’re now perilously close to fantasy playoffs in many leagues and you need to win to get in.
NOTE: This guide doesn’t include Thursday’s NYJ/BUF game.
Start of the Week:
RB Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) vs. OAK: Becoming a bigger fantasy stud every week, he is a great option against the lowly Raiders this Sunday who gives up 161.6 rush yards a game on the road, and only the Lions and Browns give up more fantasy points to running backs.
Who to Start: QB Carson Palmer (CIN) vs. DET: It is against the Lions who give up almost 300 yards a game through the air on the road, and despite the fact that the Lions have had 12 days to prepare, it won’t matter to an inconsistent Carson Palmer.
RB Matt Forte (CHI) vs. STL: What? I recommend him to be started? Against the Rams, sure you should start him. The Rams are 28th against the run, and it is the Rams after all.
WR Wes Welker (NE) vs. MIA: He has 37 receptions for 446 yards against his former team in his last 5 games, and did I mention that Miami is missing their starting corner?
WR Vincent Jackson (SD) vs. CLE: I think he has done enough to legitimately be regarded as one of the better fantasy wide outs around, and with Cleveland missing big Shaun Rodgers; he should start despite his terrible past 3 games.
TE Tony Gonzalez (ATL) vs. PHI: He has 2 factors going for him this Sunday against the Eagles. One thing is that the Birds give up plenty of yards to Tight Ends. Also, you have the safety blanket for Chris Redman.
DEF San Diego vs. CLE: The Chargers have been one of the best fantasy D’s in the past couple of weeks, and against Cleveland, it will only continue, with the Browns scoring less than 2 TD’s a game at home.
Who to Sit:
QB Tony Romo (DAL) vs. NYG: It is the month of December, the time of year when the native Dallas Tony Romo begins to get scared. And, against the Giants who allow only 184 pass yards a game at home, the Tony Romo will cower in fear.
RB Kevin Smith (DET) vs. CIN: One of the many Lions to sit this week is Kevin Smith. The Bengals allow 68.7 rush yards a game at Paul Brown Stadium, which doesn’t help.
WR Chris Chambers (KC) vs. DEN: He has been great since being added by the Chiefs, but he could be very limited against Champ Bailey, who is a very good corner, if you remember.
WR Derrick Mason (BAL) vs. GB: Against shut-down corner Charles Woodson, he will likely struggle even if he has no help from the other side of the field missing Al Harris.
TE Fred Davis (WSH) vs. NO: New Orleans has allowed the third fewest fantasy points to tight ends this week, and I don’t think that Jason Campbell will have a good day anyway.
DEF Tennessee vs. IND: Although they have been one of the more reliable fantasy D’s in the past couple of weeks, however against the Colts, who can make even good D’s look bad, I would recommend benching the Titans D.
Sleepers:
QB Matt Schaub (HOU) vs. JAX: He always has huge success against the Jags, and he will be facing a pass D without the Jags best corner.
RB Knowshon Moreno (DEN) vs. KC: The Chiefs are 28th against the run, and Moreno will have success along with the 10 other Denver running backs.
WR Jeremy Maclin vs. ATL: He should see many targets without Desean Jackson in the lineup and should fare well against a bad Atlanta pass D.
WR Sidney Rice (MIN) vs. ARZ: With Sidney Rice faring very well with the suddenly less gunslinger Brett Favre, he will fare well against a ‘Zona pass D that allows the 8th most fantasy points to wide outs this year, he will have a great game.
TE Greg Olsen (CHI) vs. STL: The Rams have struggled against Tight Ends allowing 5 TD’s to TE’s all year.
DEF Chicago vs. STL: They are facing the Kyle Boller lead Rams, enough said.
Good Luck in Week 13! And happy December!