Finally – Week 12 has started. The Thanksgiving games are mercifully over. Although they produced some good Fantasy days, the games were basically duds.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Week 13 is finally upon us and there are some very interesting Story Lines that I will be keeping an eye on.<\/p>\n
There are many injury concerns, some underachieving teams, and some super subs that are looking to retain their place on the Fantasy Radar.<\/p>\n
Here, then is Dave B\u2019s Week 13 Watchlist Q & A.<\/strong><\/h2>\n1. What are the repercussions of the rash of concussions in the NFL?<\/strong><\/h3>\nBen Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh – <\/strong>Big Ben was a surprise scratch in last week\u2019s 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\u2019t have to do too much however, Rashard Mendenhall figures to be the centerpiece of the offense.<\/p>\nKurt Warner – Arizona<\/strong> – 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.<\/p>\nDeSean Jackson – Philadelphia<\/strong> – It doesn\u2019t 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\u2019s place – there\u2019s no need to rush DeSean back this week against a pretty bad Oakland team.<\/p>\nBrian Westbrook – Philadelphia<\/strong> – 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\u2019t be a consideration for the Eagles.<\/p>\nClinton Portis – Washington<\/strong> – Whispers out of Washington are that Portis could be placed on Injured Reserve, ending his 2009-2010 season.<\/p>\n2. How will the \u201cgood teams playing badly\u201d fare this weekend?<\/strong><\/h3>\nNew York Giants<\/strong> – 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\u2019t it? The team is just too out of sync to be considered a contender.<\/p>\nPittsburgh Steelers<\/strong> – Losers of 3 straight games, the Steelers enter Sunday\u2019s game against the Oakland Raiders with health on their sides. The Steelers haven\u2019t 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.<\/p>\nHouston Texans<\/strong> – 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\u2019s head will only get louder.<\/p>\n3. How will \u201cthe replacements\u201d do in their Week 13 matchup?<\/strong><\/h3>\nVince Young – Tennessee<\/strong> – 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\u2019s a good player and good leader.<\/p>\nAlex Smith – San Francisco<\/strong> – 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\nJustin Forsett<\/strong> – 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\u2019t be ignored this weekend. He should get at least 15 touches against the 49ers and find some success off of those touches.<\/p>\nLeSean McCoy – Philadelphia<\/strong> – 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\u2019s on his way to Fantasy stardom.<\/p>\nJamaal Charles – Kansas City<\/strong> – 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.<\/p>\n4. Will the struggling passing games finally get on track?<\/strong><\/h3>\nSeattle Seahawks<\/strong> – 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\u2019t they? My guess is that they get on track this weekend.<\/p>\nCincinnati Bengals<\/strong> – 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\nChicago Bears<\/strong> – The Bears are awful right now and it\u2019s 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\u2019t look good though, and this weekend\u2019s game smells like an upset.<\/p>\n5. What will the struggling Wide Receivers deliver this week?<\/strong><\/h3>\nCalvin Johnson – Detroit<\/strong> – 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh – <\/strong>Big Ben was a surprise scratch in last week\u2019s 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\u2019t have to do too much however, Rashard Mendenhall figures to be the centerpiece of the offense.<\/p>\n Kurt Warner – Arizona<\/strong> – 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.<\/p>\n DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia<\/strong> – It doesn\u2019t 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\u2019s place – there\u2019s no need to rush DeSean back this week against a pretty bad Oakland team.<\/p>\n Brian Westbrook – Philadelphia<\/strong> – 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\u2019t be a consideration for the Eagles.<\/p>\n Clinton Portis – Washington<\/strong> – Whispers out of Washington are that Portis could be placed on Injured Reserve, ending his 2009-2010 season.<\/p>\n New York Giants<\/strong> – 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\u2019t it? The team is just too out of sync to be considered a contender.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Steelers<\/strong> – Losers of 3 straight games, the Steelers enter Sunday\u2019s game against the Oakland Raiders with health on their sides. The Steelers haven\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Houston Texans<\/strong> – 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\u2019s head will only get louder.<\/p>\n Vince Young – Tennessee<\/strong> – 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\u2019s a good player and good leader.<\/p>\n Alex Smith – San Francisco<\/strong> – 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Justin Forsett<\/strong> – 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\u2019t be ignored this weekend. He should get at least 15 touches against the 49ers and find some success off of those touches.<\/p>\n LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia<\/strong> – 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\u2019s on his way to Fantasy stardom.<\/p>\n Jamaal Charles – Kansas City<\/strong> – 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.<\/p>\n Seattle Seahawks<\/strong> – 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\u2019t they? My guess is that they get on track this weekend.<\/p>\n Cincinnati Bengals<\/strong> – 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Chicago Bears<\/strong> – The Bears are awful right now and it\u2019s 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\u2019t look good though, and this weekend\u2019s game smells like an upset.<\/p>\n Calvin Johnson – Detroit<\/strong> – 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n2. How will the \u201cgood teams playing badly\u201d fare this weekend?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. How will \u201cthe replacements\u201d do in their Week 13 matchup?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Will the struggling passing games finally get on track?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. What will the struggling Wide Receivers deliver this week?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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