Week 13: Pickups of the Week
QB Kerry Collins, ---
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Rusty Smith flat-out sucked in his first NFL start, throwing his second, third and fourth INTs on the season while failing to find the end zone. Kerry Collins is banged up, but the Titans would probably be willing to roll him out in a wheelchair if it means avoiding another week with Smith behind center. Mark my words: Collins will start in Week 13. With Jacksonville, Houston and Kansas on the schedule, the grizzled veteran will face the kind of feeble opposition that could make him a fantasy hero down the stretch.
RB Toby Gerhart, ---
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Adrian Peterson owners are conspiring to bring down Google with a barrage of anxious searching as they try to learn the state of their prized running back. As of Monday evening, there was no definitive news and there may not be any until just before game time on Sunday. Gerhart is next in line behind Peterson. He's been strong in limited opportunities so far this season and would take on a major role if Peterson ends up missing any time. It's a risk worth taking as it never hurts to own the understudy for one of the league's top fantasy players.
RB Mike Goodson, ---
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Yes, I recommended him last week, but I just couldn't pass up this last chance to recommend him again before he's owned in 70% or more MyFantasyLeague.com leagues. Goodson had been holding down the fort with Jonathan Stewart out of the picture. Stewart has returned and it may actually be a good thing for both backs. In the past, Carolina has thrived rotating two running backs. Stewart has an obvious advantage as a speed/power runner who can break a defense's will, while the slimmer Goodson has shown nifty receiving skills and the kind of deceptive quickness that keeps linebackers and DBs guessing. These two should play off one another and find success while alternating reps. Even skeptics should feel confident trying out the new backfield dynamic against the soft Seattle defense.
RB Brian Westbrook, ---
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Frank Gore got knocked out of the Monday Nighter with a hip injury. San Francisco handled the Cardinals with ease and had no need to force Gore back into action, so there's no way to properly gauge the severity of the injury until we get further reports from the training room. In the meanwhile, the safe play is to go ahead and add Brian Westbrook. Dixon is the goal line specialist, but Westbrook handled the vast majority of the carries in Gore's absence on Monday. His dual abilities as a runner/receiver would be put to use if Gore can't go against Green Bay.
WR Jacoby Ford, ---
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Three weeks ago, Ford lit up the Chiefs with nearly 150 receiving yards and more than 150 return yards, including a kick return for touchdown. Last week he outdid himself, scoring through the air and on the ground while surpassing the century mark in receiving yards and notching an inhuman 208 return yards. This week's opponent -- San Diego -- is solid against the pass, but has already been victimized twice this season by slick kickoff returners. The following week Ford faces a Jaguars team that has kept returners in check this season, but has been laughable when it comes to covering opposing receivers. Ford should find a way to exploit them both. This electric playmaker clearly deserves a roster spot in most fantasy leagues.
