Week 12: Pickups of the Week

QB Vince Young, ---

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Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner both got their respective bells rung last weekend and neither is a sure bet to play in week 12. Rather than rushing out to pick up Matt Leinart or Dennis Dixon (who could vault from number three to number one thanks to Charlie Batch's wrist injury), why not give Vince Young a chance? Playing in his home town against the Texans on Monday Night, Young showed the game-changing athleticism that used to be his calling card. He's been solid behind center in each of his four starts this year, but it was what he did with his legs against the Texans -- 11 rushes for 73 yards -- that shows his real value. Fantasy leagues tend to weigh rushing stats heavier than passing stats, and Young provides owners with both. He also benefits from a relatively soft end of season schedule with the Rams and Dolphins on the slate for weeks 14 and 15 -- crucial weeks in the fantasy playoffs.

RB Justin Forsett, ---

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Forsett may get one more start before Julius Jones is back to full strength, or he could be splitting time again this week. Either way, he's put up solid numbers in both the running and passing game and has almost certainly earned himself a bigger chunk of the backfield time share going forward. Against the Vikings, Forsett couldn't find any room up front and was stymied for just nine yards on nine carries. He did manage to sneak into the end zone and made up for his poor yards-per-carry by chipping in five catches for 80 yards. The running lanes should be a lot easier to find this week in St. Louis. The Rams are giving up more than 146 yards per game to go along with 14 rushing touchdowns. They're also coming off being burned by the Tim Hightower/Beanie Wells combo, who tallied a combined 184 yards on 28 carries against them last week.

RB Jason Snelling, ---

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Snelling became a starter thanks to injuries and was a top performer in week 11, earning an impressive two rushing touchdowns against a stingy Giants defense. The verdict is still out on both Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood for next Sunday's game against the Buccaneers -- who, by the way, have given up the most rushing yards of any team in the league. There's a good chance that Snelling gets his second consecutive start this weekend and, even if one of the other backs improves his health significantly over the next few days, Snelling figures to play a prominent role in the Falcons' game plan. The third year man out of Virginia is averaging a decent 4.2 yards per carry on the season and has filled in seamlessly since taking over for Turner, whose high ankle sprain may mean an extended absence. Norwood, on the other hand, could be ready to go this week. With Snelling playing at such a high level, Norwood would have to really make the most of some limited opportunities in order to re-earn the role of Michael Turner's handcuff and seat-warmer.

WR Chris Chambers, ---

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Dwayne Bowe was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy and there's no guarantee he will resume his #1 WR role when he's eligible to return in week 15. Keep in mind that Bowe had ticked off coaches during preseason and started out training camp buried on the team's depth chart. Yes, Chris Chambers' outlook just keeps getting brighter. He had a paltry 122 yards over the course of the first seven games of the season prior to being released by the Chargers. In the three games since the Chiefs picked him up, he's racked up 249 yards and now finds himself as Kansas City's top receiving weapon for at least the next three weeks. Is anyone else interested to see how he plays against his old team? The team that left him to rot on the sideline? The team that dumped him mid-season? Yeah. I'm betting he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder this week.

WR Robert Meachem, ---

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On the one hand, it can be infuriating to see such a gifted receiver figure so infrequently in an offense. On the other hand, you can't complain about six touchdowns in ten games, including four TDs since week nine. Just consider this guy extremely efficient. In order to get to six TDs, Atlanta's Roddy White burned up 51 catches; Denver's Brandon Marshall wasted 52 . By comparison, the thrifty Meachem only needed 16 receptions. Imagine what happens when (if) New Orleans wises up and makes him a focal point. The Saints can afford to leave this situation well enough alone and stay with what works. Until Devery Henderson or Marques Colston get injured, Meachem will have to keep making the most of limited opportunities from his position in the slot.