What a crazy week… With all the duds this week (more to come on them tomorrow) a LOT of people missed the playoffs and just as many people snuck their way in! If you are one of these fantasy-ninjas, then congrats and let’s take a look at how you can bolster your roster moving into the playoffs!

Pickups

Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR - After last week’s game I was torn… Stewart looked like the more complete RB, he ran hard and hit holes quickly.  Goodson looked good too however, slightly less polished… but he contributed a lot in the passing game and looked to have the most fantasy value of the duo.  Not anymore! Stewart saw 21 carries to Goodson’s 3 and he also was able to rack up 91 yards. While both backs found the end zone in this game, the staggering difference in the number of carries make the decision on who to own a no-brainer.  I wouldn’t drop Goodson yet, especially in PPR formats, but I also wouldn’t trust him next week!

Tashard Choice, RB, DAL - Tashard Choice gave the Cowboys balance.  Felix Jones saw more touches, but he wasn’t able to find the end zone like Choice did.  We should expect this to continue and probably trend more towards Felix, as was the case this week.  One thing you should count on is Tashard Choice being the one to see the work at the goal line.  Choice is a flex play at best, but he has to be owned after a performance like this because if he follows it up with another good game, you will be able to count on him against Washington and Arizona in Weeks 16 and 17.

Donald Driver, WR, GB – I had my concerns about Driver being able to return to the same level of play he had demonstrated earlier in his career, but if you have seen his TD catch this week… then you wont have any more worries either.  If you didn’t see it, I will let the highlight reel provide all the evidence you will need to grab this guy off waivers… if he was dropped that is!

Anthony Dixon, RB, SF – There is a disclaimer that comes with this one: Brian Westbrook SHOULD be the guy!  Westbrook was quicker into the hole and looked to be a much more complete back on the carries that he received.  With that said, Singletary and the 49ers split carries evenly between Dixon and Westbrook.  Until we see that they will make a commitment to the injury-prone veteran, Dixon has to be owned too as he will see more of the goal line carries.

Earl Bennett, WR, CHI – We really can’t treat Bennett’s production as an anomaly any longer.  He is as close to a big and physical wide receiver as the Bears have, so he is likely to see the most red zone targets of any of the WRs on the Bears.  This week Bennett led the team in targets with 8 and hauled in 7 of them for 105 yards.  Assuming Driver was never let go in your league, Bennett is by far the best option available for pickup at WR this week.

Anthony Armstrong, WR, WAS – If you have to start a Redskins receiver, it looks like it should be Armstrong.  He was an unknown talent before the season and because of this we have been (correctly) suspicious about adding this guy to our fantasy teams.  Now however, the Redskins have lost hopes for a playoff run and are turning to their younger players so they can be developed for the future.  Since they are a bad team, the Skins will be down and throwing… so it seems like you should be able to count on their young, deep threat!

Roy Williams, WR, DAL – With Dez Bryant’s ankle broken and him being out for the season, Roy Williams will return to fantasy-relevance.  The whole reason he fell in value was due to the injury to Romo and Kitna not being good enough to keep THREE receivers valuable to their fantasy owners.  Since Williams is back to the 2nd spot on the depth chart, he is likely to be a worthy flex play for the fantasy playoffs.

James Starks, RB, GB – Who the hell saw this coming!? Starks saw by far the most carries of any Packer this weekend and performed well with them totaling 73 yards on 18 carries.  John Kuhn saw the 2nd most carries with just 6, but he maintained his role as the goal line back and was able to punch one in.  With Starks looking to take the lead carries and Kuhn sure to get the work at the goal line, Brandon Jackson may not have any value left outside of PPR leagues.  Wait a week to drop him, but I wouldn’t start Starks or Jackson until we see if this was just a one week thing, or a new trend.

Benjamin Watson, TE, CLE – TEs are a mess this season… now Heath Miller and Todd Heap join the list of injured players at this position.  Watson had 100 yards receiving with Jake Delhomme at QB this week.  Colt McCoy loved Watson before his injury and he has been a consistent producer for fantasy owners in deep leagues.  It’s time to call him up to be used in standard leagues with the injuries stacking up!

Rashad Jennings, RB, JAC - We are moving into the playoffs for fantasy owners and handcuffs are a must-have if your lucky enough to have one of the few studs left at RB.  The trend in the NFL is to split RB carries to ensure long careers out of their highly paid young prospects.  This is not beneficial to fantasy owners who have a late draft pick. However, what is worse is when your star goes down with an injury late in the season… just like Michael Turner did last year!  If you own Maurice Jones-Drew, Jennings is a must-add for your team to ensure that this aging star doesn’t go down and leave you SOL.

Dump List

Randy Moss, WR, TEN – In the playoffs, fantasy owners must rely on their trusted players to make it through each week.  Since one loss ends your season, you have to ask yourself if you can live with your decision through the entire off season should it go the wrong direction!  After an entire season of disappointments, Moss is not able to be trusted so you may as well get someone who actually has upside.

Mike Williams, WR, SEA - His injury isn’t likely to be season ending, but with it being his 2nd one in a row… he is likely to need a game or two to get used to the speed of a live game again.

Justin Forsett, RB, SEA – There are no really good match ups left on the Seahawks schedule and since Forsett was so far behind Lynch in production this week, there just isn’t enough time left in the fantasy season for Forsett to be a factor again.

Keiland Williams, RB, WAS – It was a short run… but Williams’ ride is over. Torain is about to come back from injury and James Davis appears to be the guy that Shanahan wants to see get the work.

Ryan Mathews, RB, SD – See Randy Moss.

Donald Brown, RB, IND – There just doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel for Brown.  He hasn’t had a break out performance all year and Javarris James is the guy getting the goal line work with Addai being out.  The Colts are DYING for Addai to return and when he does, Brown will only be used when necessary.  Expect Addai to make it into the lineup for week 14, but even if he isn’t, don’t leave your season in the hands of Brown.

Blair White, WR, IND – Collie is expected to return from injury this week and that will kill White’s value.  You may want to hold him for a week to see if Collie can stay healthy, but definitely don’t start White when he is 4th on the depth chart.

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Studs

Steve Johnson, WR, BUF – Why so serious?!  The Joker made a big statement in a phenomenal 2nd half comeback against the Batman and Robin led Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.  Johnson scored three TDs in the 2nd half to push the Bills to their biggest comeback in 13 years.  He is fast becoming an exciting young talent and has officially reached must-start status as this Bills offense is on a roll.  Also, in this career-performance, Johnson had his face painted as the Joker and wore a t-shirt with “Why So Serious” written on it underneath his jersey and showed it off after his first TD.  Lower your expectations for Week 12 against the Steelers, but unless you drafted really well… you’re probably going to be starting Johnson anyways.

Greg Jennings, WR, GB – Jennings had his best game of the season this week.  He was on the receiving end of 3 of the 4 TD passes thrown by Aaron Rodgers and he totaled 152 yards as well.  You should be just fine relying on him down the stretch as he and the Packer’s offense appear to be firing on all cylinders.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT - Big Ben had a slow start in this storied rivalry, but ended with one of his most productive games of the year and the top scorer of the week in standard formats.  He also was able to show off his toughness in this physical battle by taking a punch to the face from Richard Seymour.  Ben is a top 10 QB for the rest of the season and if you weren’t able to get an elite QB, then you should feel fine using him as your starter the rest of the way and in the playoffs.

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAC - MJD looked like he is in the prime of his career this week, he totaled 220 yards which included the longest reception of his career.  He had a slow start this year due to starting with an injury, but the Jaguars keep finding a way to win games and the fact that they will be in the playoff hunt means that he will remain the feature of their offense.  Jones-Drew is a starting running back from here on out and will remain in my top10 regardless of the match up he has in any particular week.

Santonio Holmes, WR, NYJ - The Jets have been giving fans their money’s worth for the past few weeks as they have managed to come from behind and win games in the dying seconds or overtime for three weeks in a row.  A big part of the Jets success has been Santonio Holmes who, when the game is on the line, is the favorite target of Mark Sanchez.  This big performance was relatively expected against the league’s worst pass defense, but you can count on Holmes being a top 20 guy and a great WR2 for fantasy owners the rest of the season.

Thomas Jones, RB, KC - The Chiefs are back to their old insane way of dividing carries between their two-headed rushing attack.  Jamaal Charles is the one with all the talent and production, but Jones still sees enough carries to make us all shake our heads and wonder what Charles could do if he saw 20-25 touches.  In his defense, Jones performed quite well with his 15 carries.  He totaled 71 yards and scored twice in this game, so he remains a flex play.

Mike Tolbert, RB, SD – On Monday night, Tolbert had a career high 111 yards rushing and scored a TD.  He was able to compliment his tough running-style with 42 yards receiving.  He demonstrated an ability to read defenses and find holes that Ryan Mathews was not able to show all season.  Tolbert is likely to remain a key part of the offense even if Mathews comes back and could develop into a great flex option with the balance of a Philip Rivers led offense.

Duds

Percy Harvin, WR, MIN – The inconsistency of the Vikings offense was not kind to Harvin this week.  Childress lost the respect of his players a while ago and hopefully Leslie Frazier is able to get them back on the right track… otherwise Harvin owners will lose their confidence in him and relegate him to a flex play at best.  Personally, I see no reason to panic as Sidney Rice should be able to have an impact when the Vikings aren’t playing a team as good as the Packers.

Anquan Boldin, WR, BAL – Boldin only managed 29 receiving yards this week, but since he lost a fumble… he put up zero points for fantasy owners.  The issue here is inconsistency, owners will not be able to trust a guy that has zero point weeks going into the playoffs.  Until he is able to demonstrate his big play ability, he will be at best a flex play.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, NYG – There has been a lot of talk recently about Bradshaw’s recent fumbling issues.  I do not share any concern about him losing his starting job, but with the receiving corp quickly depleting due to injury… Bradshaw just might drop significantly in production as they are likely to turn to a heavy running style.  Keep him in your starting lineup for now, but be concerned and make plans in case something more develops while the Giants try and get back on the winning track.

Michael Crabtree, WR, SF - Even though he was only able to manage 15 receiving yards, the 9ers offense struggled in this game.  I don’t have any long-term concerns just yet, not after ONE bad game… but if they struggle next week too, it will be time to worry.

Randy Moss, WR, TEN - I went from excited about the Titans, to terrified.  Another 0 catch game from Moss means that you can’t start him… especially not with Rusty Smith at QB.

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Question 1: Asked by rwfleener

I figure on starting Larry Fitzy but I need to start 1 more reciever which one would you start, Randy Moss or Hines Ward?

Answer

Well, one thing is for sure… Drama doesn’t impact Moss’s fantasy points.  Vince Young has been a phenomenal passer when healthy this year.  He has seen a lot of pressure since teams were stacking 8 in the box to stop Chris Johnson, but now with the presence of Moss that won’t happen near as often. I am a firm believer in the Titans since they have made this trade, if Young can stay on the field for the rest of the season then the Titans will win their division. Moss also has a history of strong outings right after changing teams, so he is worth the risk here. You can see my original answer and the answers of others on Fandemic.

Question 2: Asked by @thebudmonster

I need 1 player at wr, rb & flex? dez, bowe, s. moss, s. smith(south), breaston, t. jones, r. brown.

Answer

Alright, well for your RB I am leaning towards Thomas Jones.  Denver has not been a strong run defense this year and for some insane reason, Todd Haley and Charlie Weiss keep giving him the ball.  Logic says he should see less carries with how bad he was last week, but this is the 15th time I have said that in a post so I expect him to get at least 50% of the carries again this week.  Dez Bryant is essentially the entire running game of the Cowboys in the past few weeks.  They have been using him on a lot of very short routes and bubble screens to substitute for their complete inability to run the ball.  And for any other owners out there, I would put him just outside the top 10 in a PPR format this week.  For your flex go with Santana Moss.  He has been very effective this year and with Vick playing the best football of his career, the Redskins are going to be down and throwing to try and stay in the game.

Question 3: Asked by latinangel5439

Matt Schaub vs Jags or Kyle Orton vs KC Chiefs??

Answer

I have seen a lot of Matt Schaub questions this week and they all are coming from owners who are frustrated and have completely given up on him. I can’t blame you guys, but the numbers don’t lie.  The Jaguars are allowing an average of 18.5 fantasy points per game to opposing Quarterbacks.  With the Texans being the only team in the league to allow more, this should be a very high-scoring and passing oriented game.  It would be a mistake to sit Schaub, since Andre Johnson alone could easily get 150 yards and 2 TDs by himself and he won’t be the only one to catch the ball. You can see my original answer and the answers of others on Fandemic.

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*Game is being played in London

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*Game is being played in London

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1. Miles Austin                               @ MIN
2. Reggie Wayne                           @ WAS
3. Andre Johnson                         vs. KC
4. Roddy White                              @ PHI
5. Hakeem Nicks                           vs. DET
6. Randy Moss                               vs. DAL
7. Anquan Boldin                          @ NE
8. Brandon Marshall                    @ GB
9. Wes Welker                               vs. BAL
10. Calvin Johnson                          vs. NYG
11. Malcom Floyd                            @ STL
12. DeSean Jackson                        vs. ATL
13. Marques Colston                     @ TB
14. Mike Wallace                             vs. CLE
15. Greg Jennings                           vs. MIA
16. Steve Smith (NYG)                  vs. DET
17. Santana Moss                            vs. IND
18. Brandon Lloyd                           vs. NYJ
19. Percy Harvin                               vs. DAL
20. Hines Ward                                 vs. CLE
21. Austin Collie                               @ WAS
22. Kenny Britt                                 @ JAC
23. Santonio Holmes                      @ DEN
24. Jeremy Maclin                           vs. ATL
25. Donald Driver                            vs. MIA
26. Michael Crabtree                     vs. OAK
27. Dwayne Bowe                           @ HOU
28. Mike Williams (TB)                   vs. NO
29. Johnny Knox                              vs. SEA
30. Braylon Edwards                      @ DEN
31. Derrick Mason                           @ NE
32. Pierre Garcon                            @ WAS
33. Danny Amendola                     vs. SD
34. Eddie Royal                                 vs. NYJ
35. Dez Bryant                                  @ MIN
36. Nate Washington                     @ JAC
37. Louis Murphy                            @ SF
38. Brandon Tate                             vs. BAL
39. Davone Bess                              @ GB
40. Mike Sims-Walker                   @ATL
41. Roy Williams                               @ MIN
42. Jabar Gaffney                            vs. NYJ
43. Kevin Walter                              vs. KC
44. Lance Moore                             @ TB
45. Deion Branch                             vs. BAL
46. Devin Hester                              vs. SEA
47. Dexter McCluster                    @ HOU
48. Mike Thomas                             vs. TEN
49. Robert Meachem                    @ TB
50. Nate Burleson                           @ NYG

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Cowboys @ Vikings

This is going to be one hell of a football game.  Both the Vikes and the Cowboys were popular Super Bowl picks and are now 1-3 struggling to stay alive for playoff consideration.  Neither team has really been able to establish a balanced offensive attack before last week.  The Cowboys have been among the worst rushing teams in the NFL but were finally able to get Felix Jones up over 100 yards last week vs the Titans on just 15 carries.  The Vikings made a high-profile trade to acquire Randy Moss to help them stretch the field and open up the passing game. On his 5th day back with his old team he was able to find the end zone in a losing effort to the Jets.  With some more time to learn the offense and scheme for their new weapon the Vikings should be able to get a big home victory to put them selves right back into the race for the NFC North.  They will be effective with an aerial assault against a secondary that looked foolish last week against the Titans.  Look for the usual studs to live up to their expectations. (Moss, Peterson, Harvin, Austin and Romo)  Stay away from Jones and Barber vs the front seven of the Vikes.

Ravens @ Patriots

I love playoff re-matches that occur in the first half of the season!  The Ravens ended the Patriots season last year and they will want their revenge.  The problem they will have won’t be the lack of Moss, but the inability of their defense to cover anyone down the field. Ray Rice had his best game of the season last week and if they are able to maintain that balance in their offense then I would expect a big game from Rice, Flacco  and Boldin.  The Patriots offense replaced Randy Moss with Deion Branch and will need to re-invent themselves.  Brady and Welker are the only fantasy players I trust against this great Ravens defense.  Many people have speculated that Welker is likely to see a lot of double coverage and his production should decrease as a result, but I don’t see that happening.  Welker is a possession receiver that runs his routes flawlessly every time.  You cannot double someone that is running a slant route because typically the double team would come from a safety and not someone lined up on the line of scrimmage.  If you put two people on Welker at the line, then you have one person on someone else and Brady will abuse this and get the deep play without Randy.  I like the Ravens in a very tough road game.

Saints @ Buccaneers

I am a sucker for divisional match-ups but with the Buccs beating the Saints last year and currently being higher in the standings, this game will show us the future of this division.  If the Saints fall this week then everyone will become a Buccaneers fan and for good reason.  Josh Freeman has been playing with poise and maturity that players his age don’t typically have.  Mike Williams rose ahead of a fellow (higher drafted) rookie, Arrelious Benn, on the depth chart and has scored in three of his first four games.  Smart money is on the Saints in this game and you can feel confident about starting any Saints you may have on your fantasy team (Thomas, Colston and Brees).  As for Buccaneers, Williams is too consistent to ignore at this point and is on his way to being a top 20 WR and if you are in a 2QB format you should be fine using Freeman as well.

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1. Andre Johnson                 vs. KC
2. Miles Austin                       @ MIN
3. Reggie Wayne                   @ WAS
4. Roddy White                      @ PHI
5. Randy Moss                       vs. DAL
6. Hakeem Nicks                   vs. DET
7. Brandon Marshall            @ GB
8. Anquan Boldin                  @ NE
9. Wes Welker                       vs. BAL
10. Calvin Johnson                  vs. NYG
11. Malcom Floyd                    @ STL
12. DeSean Jackson                vs. ATL
13. Marques Colston             @ TB
14. Mike Wallace                     vs. CLE
15. Greg Jennings                   vs. MIA
16. Brandon Lloyd                   vs. NYJ
17. Steve Smith (NYG)          vs. DET
18. Santana Moss                    vs. IND
19. Percy Harvin                       vs. DAL
20. Hines Ward                         vs. CLE
21. Austin Collie                       @ WAS
22. Jeremy Maclin                   vs. ATL
23. Kenny Britt                         @ JAC
24. Santonio Holmes              @ DEN
25. Dwayne Bowe                   @ HOU
26. Donald Driver                    vs. MIA
27. Michael Crabtree             vs. OAK
28. Mike Williams (TB)           vs. NO
29. Johnny Knox                      vs. SEA
30. Braylon Edwards              @ DEN
31. Derrick Mason                   @ NE
32. Pierre Garcon                    @ WAS
33. Dez Bryant                          @ MIN
34. Eddie Royal                         vs. NYJ
35. Danny Amendola             vs. SD
36. Louis Murphy                    @ SF
37. Mike Sims-Walker           @ATL
38. Nate Washington             @ JAC
39. Roy Williams                       @ MIN
40. Jabar Gaffney                    vs. NYJ
41. Brandon Tate                     vs. BAL
42. Kevin Walter                      vs. KC
43. Davone Bess                      @ GB
44. Lance Moore                     @ TB
45. Deion Branch                     vs. BAL
46. Dexter McCluster            @ HOU
47. Mike Thomas                     vs. TEN
48. Robert Meachem            @ TB
49. Devin Hester                      vs. SEA
50. Nate Burleson                   @ NYG

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