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Fantasy Football Week 13 Q&A

Looking for Internet Fantasy Predictions then look no further than Dave B’s week 13 fantasy football watch list…

Watchlist Q & A – Week 13

After all of the weekly games are finished be sure to check our waiver wire column, studs and duds, a who’s hot, and who’s not report plus more in our fantasy football guide.

Finally – Week 12 has started. The Thanksgiving games are mercifully over. Although they produced some good Fantasy days, the games were basically duds.

There are some interesting Story lines that I will bet watching this Week. There are some interesting injury situations, some key divisional matchups, and some disappointing individual players to consider when making lineup decisions for your Fantasy teams.

Week 13 is finally upon us and there are some very interesting Story Lines that I will be keeping an eye on.

There are many injury concerns, some underachieving teams, and some super subs that are looking to retain their place on the Fantasy Radar.

Here, then is Dave B’s Week 13 Watchlist Q & A.

1. What are the repercussions of the rash of concussions in the NFL?

Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh – Big Ben was a surprise scratch in last week’s game, but all signs point to him starting this week (he had better or Hines Ward might say something stupid again). Pitt. plays Oakland at home this week and is a good bet to have a good game. He won’t have to do too much however, Rashard Mendenhall figures to be the centerpiece of the offense.

Kurt Warner – Arizona – Another surprise scratch last week, Warner figures to be active and effective this week at home against Minnesota. He is not as good a bet as Big Ben because Minnesota has proven to be an elite Defense. Keeping Warner from getting knocked around is a tall order for the Cardinals Offensive Line, and if they do, it should be a great game. Hopes for a huge week have to be tempered, but Warner should be OK for your Fantasy teams.

DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia – It doesn’t look good for Jackson to play this week. He will be ruled OUT this week with the expectation that he returns to full practice next week. Reggie Brown and Jason Avant will take Jackson’s place – there’s no need to rush DeSean back this week against a pretty bad Oakland team.

Brian Westbrook – Philadelphia – Those hoping to see Westbrook back in uniform this season might be sadly disappointed. Westbrook has been summoned to see yet another specialist, and until he starts practicing, he won’t be a consideration for the Eagles.

Clinton Portis – Washington – Whispers out of Washington are that Portis could be placed on Injured Reserve, ending his 2009-2010 season.

2. How will the “good teams playing badly” fare this weekend?

New York Giants – Whew, what a disappointment. The Giants have lost 5 of their last 6 games and have played their way out of a playoff spot. Injuries could be to blame, but its more like a lack of cohesiveness that is the main factor of their struggles. This week, they could make a move toward respectability against the Cowboys. It seems unlikely doesn’t it? The team is just too out of sync to be considered a contender.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Losers of 3 straight games, the Steelers enter Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders with health on their sides. The Steelers haven’t been playing all that badly, but their results have been disappointing as of late. A certain win against the Raiders will get the Steelers back on the track toward the playoffs.

Houston Texans – Remember when they were 5-3? Losers of 3 straight games, the Texans are now out of the playoff picture in the AFC. On paper, this team is quite good, but the results on the field suggest otherwise. Although they play a beatable Jacksonville team this weekend, it seems that the heart was ripped out of their chest last week. I believe that the struggles continue, and the voices calling for Gary Kubiak’s head will only get louder.

3. How will “the replacements” do in their Week 13 matchup?

Vince Young – Tennessee – Ahhh, Vince. You have really grown up and learned what it takes to win in the NFL. Although they are a long shot to make the playoffs in the AFC, the Titans are poised to make things miserable for their opposition going forward. They play a HOT Indianapolis team this week, ending their 5 game winning streak under Young. I still think that Young will perform well – I can now say, with confidence, that he’s a good player and good leader.

Alex Smith – San Francisco – The Offensive coordinator in San Fran seems to have taken the reigns off Smith a bit, allowing him to throw the ball more often. He’s had success and is in no danger of losing his starting job. Smith will do well against Seattle and will make his coach look like a genius with his decision to rely on him.

Justin Forsett – Julius Jones is apparently gonna play this weekend, but Forsett will still be a big part of the Seattle Offense going forward. He seems to be exactly what the Hawks need, and won’t be ignored this weekend. He should get at least 15 touches against the 49ers and find some success off of those touches.

LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia – He should be a Stud against Atlanta this weekend and for the rest of the season. He rushes the ball extremely well, and he catches the ball out of the backfield with great regularity. He’s on his way to Fantasy stardom.

Jamaal Charles – Kansas City – Larry Johnson was let go and the Chiefs running game has improved significantly. Charles has become start worthy in all Fantasy leagues and has given the Chiefs hope for next season.

4. Will the struggling passing games finally get on track?

Seattle Seahawks – Matt Hasselbeck, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, and John Carlson have been off for the last few weeks, and there seems to be no reason for it. The talent is there as is the weakish opposition (particularly St. Louis). They are better than they are playing – they have to snap out of their funk sometime – don’t they? My guess is that they get on track this weekend.

Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals are playing some good football, yet for some reason, the passing game has gone cold. Carson Palmer has only 1 td. in his last 3 games, and Ochocinco’s numbers have followed suit. The Bengals play Detroit at home – the perfect cure for a struggling unit. Watch for the passing game to rebound this weekend.

Chicago Bears – The Bears are awful right now and it’s a good thing that the St. Louis Rams are coming to town this weekend. Outside of Greg Olsen, the receiving corp has been invisible. Jay Cutler needs support, and if he can find some rhythm with his pass catchers, the passing game should be OK. It doesn’t look good though, and this weekend’s game smells like an upset.

5. What will the struggling Wide Receivers deliver this week?

Calvin Johnson – Detroit – Growing pains with a rookie QB have plagued the Lions to say the least. A couple of weeks removed from injury, Johnson HAS to step up and become the player that we all know that he can be. Johnson is stuck in the mud, but you can’t keep a talent like him down for too long. Look for Johnson to snap out of his funk this week and reestablish himself as an elite WR.

Chad Ochocinco – Cincinnati – I already spoke about Carson Palmer. If he’s right, then the whole passing game benefits. It was only a few years ago that Palmer was a Pro Bowler – he has the talent to get Chad the ball. The Bengals know that their passing game has to right itself and will do all they can to get Ochocinco the ball. A bounce back week is ahead for sure.

Roddy White – Atlanta – Roddy has only scored once in his last 4 games. With Matt Ryan out this week with a toe injury, Chris Redman will start in his place. This should affect White in a big way. As long as Redman is the starter, White is an average Wide Receiver.

Vincent Jackson – San Diego – The Chargers are putting up a lot of points right now and for some unforseen reason, Jackson is not part of the bonanza. He has only caught 7 balls in his last 3 game and hasn’t scored in those games. They play at Cleveland this week, so his ineptitude shouldn’t continue.

6. Which of the resurgent players will have the best Fantasy stat line this weekend?

Vince Young – Tennessee – I already discussed Young and his rebirth. Young is playing with a lot of confidence right now, and has become a quality NFL player. Indy will be a true test for Young and although I don’t think he’ll lead his team to victory, he should be good enough to keep the Titans in the game.

Terrell Owens – Buffalo – Has finally delivered in his last 2 games for the Bills. This week, unfortunately, he was matched up against Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets who has shut down every receiver that he has faced so far this year. Week 13 might be a speed bump, but Owens appears to be rounding into the form that has made him a multiple Pro Bowler.

7. Which injuries will affect lineup decisions in Week 13?

  • Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh – Good to go.
  • Kurt Warner – Arizona – ditto
  • Jake Delhomme – Carolina – Broken finger – OUT this week. Matt Moore will start – Good!!!!
  • Joe Flacco – Baltimore – Bad ankle – will play.
  • Matt Ryan – Atlanta – Bum toe – will sit out this week.
  • Michel Turner – Atlanta – Didn’t practice this week – keep tabs – doesn’t look good.
  • DeAngelo Williams – Carolina – Didn’t practice – expected to play.
  • Ricky Williams – Miami – Practiced all week – he’ll be fine.
  • Reggie Bush – New Orleans – Still limited in practice. Might not play this weekend.
  • Steven Jackson – St. Louis – Dude’s a warrior – he’ll play.
  • Jamaal Lewis – Cleveland – OUT FOR THE YEAR.
  • Cedric Benson – Cincinnati – Practiced all week and is expected to play.
  • Bernard Scott – Cincinnati – Bad toe – not expected to play.
  • Mike Bell – New Orleans – Banged up – might not play this week. Keep tabs Pierre Thomas owners.
  • Julius Jones – Seattle – Expected to play – Boooooooo!
  • DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia – Likely OUT for Sunday
  • Vincent Jackson – San Diego – Bad ribs – Good to go.
  • Roddy White – Atlanta – Expected to play
  • Reggie Wayne – Indianapolis – Ditto.
  • Calvin Johnson – Detroit– Ditto.
  • Bernard Berrian – Minnesota – Ditto.
  • Via… Shiancoe – Minnesota – Bad ribs – limited in practice – keep tabs.
  • Brent Celek – Philadelphia – Bad hand, but he’ll play.

8. How will the Thursday Night game play out?

One thing that we learned is that the Jets are a running team! Another thing we learned is that Buffalo’s Offense is horrible. Thank you Jay Feely for the 13 Fantasy points!!

Lots of information for ya folks, lots to digest. Hope it helps – good luck this week!

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.