Week 13: Pickups of the Week

QB Alex Smith, ---

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Alex Smith has gone winless in his three away games this year, yet has performed better on the road statistically than he has at home (seven scores versus only three interceptions and no fumbles). He heads into hostile territory this week, but will be facing a defense that has 10 interceptions and has allowed 20 passing touchdowns and 238 passing yards per game. Smith is on a bit of a roll right now with only one INT and five TDs over the last two weeks; the Seahawks' secondary, on the other hand, has had a rough go of it lately. First they were torched by Kurt Warner (340 yards, two TDs), then Brett Favre lit them up (213 yards, four TDs), and even the Kyle Boller-led Rams had some luck against them (282 passing yards and a TD). Matt Ryan, Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger owners should take a hard look at Alex Smith, at least as an insurance option this week.

RB Rock Cartwright, ---

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Clinton Portis has been ruled out for week 13, which leaves the door wide open for Rock Cartwright to pick up his second start on the year (and only the fifth start of his eight year career). He lost a few carries to Quinton Ganther and Marcus Mason last week, but still got the bulk of the ground work and some action in the passing game with three receptions for 26 yards. He draws the New Orleans Saints this week who, for all their offensive prowess, have been fairly accommodating to opposing running backs. They were giving up 4.6 yards per game and had allowed 12 touchdowns prior to Monday Night's tilt with New England*. I like Rock's chances, especially with QB Jason Campbell iffy with concussion-like symptoms.

*As I write this, they're letting Laurence Maroney run roughshod all over them.

RB Justin Forsett, ---

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On Monday, Seahawks coach Jim Mora told the Seattle Times, "Julius Jones is our starting running back." However, he wouldn't say whether Jones would be ready for action in week 13. Jones is banged up and healing gradually. Coach's public vote of confidence or not, it's tough to imagine the team risking their starter's long-term health when Seattle is all but eliminated from playoff contention (and while the supposed backup, Justin Forsett, is playing at such a high level). Forsett now has two 100-yard rushing games in the last three weeks, which is one more than Jones has all season. Yeah, Jones may be number one on the depth chart, but Forsett has brought some undeniable electricity to this team and will be a big factor in this team's plans through the end of the season and beyond. Whether as a starter or spelling a not-yet-100-per-cent Jones, Forsett should have a big workload in week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers.

WR Danny Amendola, ---

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He returns kicks, he returns punts, and now he's become the Rams' safety valve as a receiver. With the streak he's on lately, it's worth considering Danny Amendola as a number three or flex play this week and for the rest of the season. Amendola led all St. Louis receivers with seven catches last week and has become a legitimate playmaker who bears watching in fantasy leagues. He broke out early in the season as a special teams spark plug after a five week stretch in which he racked up a massive 770 return yards. Now that he's becoming a main target for the offense, he has the opportunity to be a steady week-in, week-out fantasy performer in PPR leagues and leagues that count return yardage. He gets a soft schedule to end the year, facing only defenses that rank in the bottom half of the league in pass coverage.

WR Pierre Garcon, ---

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Peyton Manning is coming under scrutiny for his "human" level of play lately. Seriously. Ludicrous FOX commentary aside, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis passing game are hitting on all cylinders and both the team and the "human" QB are enjoying the success of a young player who's really starting to come into his own. Plagued by drops, bad routes and rookie mistakes earlier in the season, Garcon is starting to look like a veteran these days and he's putting up steady production as Manning's third receiving option. Though Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne will continue to draw the bulk of Manning's targets, there are more than enough to go around. As of press time Monday Night, Peyton Manning led the league in passing attempts and has been finding Garcon with regularity in the past three weeks. Garcon has three touchdowns over that span and notched his first career 100-yard game against a stingy Ravens team in week 11. He could significantly boost his numbers against a Tennessee team that is second to last in the league against the pass, giving up more than two TDs and 267 yards per game to opposing receivers.