Week 13: Sit 'Em
Week 12 wrap-up:
Torrey Smith - Smith had 2 receptions for 23 yards.
Michael Vick - Vick's two broken ribs kept him sidelined last week and again this week.
Jackie Battle - Battle gained 20 yards on 9 attempts. Jones and McCluster rushed for more yardage, but not much more.
Jabar Gaffney - Gaffney grabbed 5 passes for 72 yards, but did not score.
Eric Decker - Decker was able to score and had 65 yards over three receptions.
James Starks - Starks gained 19 yards on 4 attempts. Ryan Grant gained 20 yards on 6 attempts. The Green Bay rushing game is slow this season.
Brandon Jacobs - Jacobs rushed 13 times for 46 yards, but did score.
As you approach the last few weeks before fantasy playoffs, consider your options carefully. There are several key match-ups this week that could make or break certain player's fantasy production. Analyze your roster and make the best adjustments to ensure success in these later competitive weeks. This week I think you should sit:
Carson Palmer - The Oakland rushing game is working despite missing McFadden and this means that Palmer and his ailing wide outs can take a breather. Expect to see Michael Bush quite a bit this week vs. Miami.
Steven Jackson - Jackson faces a brutal match-up with San Francisco this week. Keep him on your bench.
Marshawn Lynch - Lynch has produced lately, but this week I predict he will have trouble against the Philadelphia defense.
Ben Tate - It might seem obvious to start Tate alongside Foster this week as Houston is in trouble with their QB situation, but I think the stout Atlanta defense will keep the Houston backs at bay.
Willis McGahee - The Denver offense is run-focused. Minnesota will stifle the running game and likely jump out to an early lead. Look for McGahee's production to be down this week.
Jerome Simpson - Simpson is the third option in the Cincinnati passing game after Green and Gresham. This week's match-up vs. Pittsburgh is not the time to start Simpson.
New York Defense - The New York defense faces Green Bay this week. Look for them to get torched.
QB Carson Palmer, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Oakland's wide outs are hurting and the Oakland rushing attack is working with Michael Bush instead of McFadden. McFadden is likely out again this week vs. Miami, but the success of Bush takes some pressure off Palmer and the passing game. Many experts expect that Oakland will pressure with Bush again this week to keep the game close. This means the passing game will work as needed, especially since the wide outs are ailing. Palmer has not been a horrible option at QB since his NFL return, but this week I think he will fall into the one touchdown, 200 yard passing range. Palmer will likely throw for around 200 yards with one TD and one interception this week. Keep him on your bench.
RB Steven Jackson, NE
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
St. Louis is struggling this season. Steven Jackson cannot carry the entire burden of his team. This week vs. San Francisco is going to be a brutal match-up. San Francisco's defense has been a powerhouse this season and Jackson is in for it this week. Several key injuries on the St. Louis offensive line have caused disruptions in the offense and as St. Louis faces a stout defense, this will become glaringly evident. I foresee Jackson rushing for 65 yards maximum without a score. If Jackson can get involved in the passing game he might get some fantasy points, but in all likelihood, the entire St. Louis offense will be in trouble this weekend.
RB Marshawn Lynch, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Lynch has produced this season (and at times, surprisingly well against some stout defenses), but this week I think Lynch and the Seattle offense are going to struggle against Philadelphia. Philly has been on a significant slide this season and is looking to win more than four games this season. Lynch has rushed for over 100 yards in three of his last four games and I believe he is due for a down game. Look for the Seattle offense to struggle against the Philadelphia defense this week. I predict Lynch will rush for 65 yards tops, maybe have a few short yardage receptions, and come away without a touchdown.
RB Willis McGahee, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Denver's current offensive scheme features the run. McGahee, Ball and Tebow are running the show, no pun intended. The problem with this is that defensive units can adjust appropriately and stifle the run. Minnesota is equipped to stop Denver's running game and this means that McGahee's production is going to suffer this week. I have a feeling that Denver is going to fall behind early this week and Denver will be forced to abandon their current schemes. Minnesota will also severely limit the running game. Look for McGahee to rush for 60 yards at most with no score.
RB Ben Tate, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
It might seem logical to start Tate since Houston is now starting an unknown and untested QB, but as Houston focuses on the run this week, I would expect that Atlanta's highly ranked run defense cues in on Foster and Tate in order to stifle Houston's attack. Atlanta will look to block running lanes and force Houston to pass the ball. T.J. Yates is in for a treat. I think that both Foster and Tate will be limited this week. We know Foster can post huge numbers, but with defensive focus on the rush, Foster will be kept at bay. This means that Tate is likely to see less action as well.
