Need a Spot Starter this Week? Listed Here are Players You Should Consider Picking up for Week 13, as they Have Good Matchups and Should be Available in your League’s Free Agent Pool.
QUARTERBACK – (QB Rankings – Week 13)
START:
Chad Pennington – Mia = @StL
Great matchup for Pennington makes him an excellent sleeper pick and spot starter this week. 200 passing yards, 1 touchdown on the low end, 250-300 passing yards, 2 touchdowns on the high end.
61% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
Tyler Thigpen – KC = @Oak
Thigpen has been posting great fantasy stats the past few weeks, and yet he is owned in under 50% of 10 team yahoo leagues. Even though he finally had an “off” game last week, he STILL managed to pass for 3 touchdowns. And while Oakland is fresh off a masterful game last week against Cutler and the Denver offense, I don’t think their defense can put up two great showings in back to back weeks. 250-300 passing yards and 2 touchdowns on the high end, but if Oakland’s defense played like they did last week, 175 passing yards and maybe 1 touchdown is more likely.
45% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Trent Edwards – Buf = SF
After a horrible past month of fantasy stats, Edwards become nearly universally un-owned in many leagues. That was until his 4 touchdown outburst last week. A matchup against the bad 49ers defense could net Edwards 2 touchdowns. 225 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. But remember, Edwards is a complete risk play, considering he has had just 1 good fantasy week in the past 5 weeks.
44% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Joe Flacco – Bal = @Cin
Simply put, Flacco is getting the job done in Baltimore. As usual, fantasy owners can expect 175 passing yards and 1 touchdown either passing or rushing. At just 25% owned in 10 team leagues, Flacco is a decent spot starter option this week.
25% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
RUNNING BACK – (RB Rankings – Week 13)
START:
Justin Fargas – Oak = KC
Fargas is clearly the most reliable RB option in Oakland right now, and a matchup against Kansas City means another 100 rushing yards is possible.
35% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
Ricky Williams – Mia = @StL
Williams has been posting decent fantasy stats over the past few weeks, and an excellent matchup against St. Louis could lead to a big game for Ricky this week. He is definitely flex option worthy.
42% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Leon Washington – NYJ = Den
Great matchup for Washington means he should once again get some touches in this game. The potential for a touchdown is always there. So if you need a flex option this week, Washington is a great pick.
44% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Warrick Dunn – TB = NO
Even after last weeks strong game as the starting RB in Tampa, Dunn is still just 67% owned in 10 team yahoo leagues. Don’t wait on him any longer, grab him now and use him this week if you need an RB.
67% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
WIDE RECEIVER – (WR Rankings – Week 13)
START:
Ted Ginn Jr – Mia = @StL
Now that Greg Camarillo is out for the year, Ginn will be the main passing target for Pennington. If he is available in your league, Ginn is a great pickup and spot-starter option this week against a bad St. Louis defense.
49% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
Justin Gage – Ten = @Det
Like usual, anyone that plays Detroit’s defense is fantasy worthy. And Gage is no exception. Assuming the Titans don’t run the ball all day, expect Kerry Collins to hook up with Gage for 80 yards and 1 touchdown easily.
47% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Mark Bradley – KC = @Oak
Another 50 receiving yards and touchdown is possible this week. Bradley is a decent spot starter as a #3 WR on fantasy teams.
17% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Michael Jenkins – Atl = @SD
A matchup against the worst passing secondary in the NFL means Jenkins could have a good fantasy week.
38% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
TIGHT END – (TE Rankings – Week 13)
START:
Bo Scaife – Ten = @Det
Scaife may just be the safest TE play this week after Tony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark. He is the main option in the Titans passing attack, and Detroit’s defense is terrible. 50-75 receiving yards and 1 touchdown is very possible.
69% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
Dustin Keller – NYJ = Den
With the Favre-Keller combination heating up, fantasy owners in need of a tight end simply cannot ignore him and his matchup this week. 50-75 receiving yards and 1 touchdown is very possible.
49% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Zach Miller – Oak = KC
Unlike many of the popular fantasy tight end names, Miller actually has a good matchup this week and has the potential to be a sneaky fill-in option at TE.
36% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Robert Royal – Buf = SF
A matchup against San Fran makes Royal a decent spot starter this week if you are desperate for someone.
6% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
KICKER – (K Rankings – Week 13)
START:
Rian Lindell – Buf = SF
If Buffalo’s offense plays like they did last week, San Fran’s defense wont be able to stop them.
29% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
Neil Rackers – Ari = @Phi
As long as Warner, Fitzgerald, and Boldin are healthy and playing, Rackers will have very good fantasy value for a kicker.
54% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Adam Vinatieri – Ind = @Cle
Manning and the Colts offense is starting to heat up, which means the Colts offense should put up a ton of points on the Browns defense this week.
57% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
DEFENSE – (D Rankings – Week 13)
START:
Miami – @St Louis
A matchup against the terrible Rams offense makes Miami a great spot starter this week. Half a dozen sacks, an interception or two, and a fumble recovery all sound like a good bet this week.
42% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
New York Jets – Denver
Cutler has been a turnover machine lately, and the NY Jets are very good at forcing turnovers.
68% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Buffalo – San Francisco
After a revival last week, Buffalo played like the 4-0 team we saw to start the season. A matchup against a bad 49ers offense makes Buffalo a great spot starter this week.
30% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Arizona – @Philadelphia
If McNabb once again struggles and is benched, Arizona is a decent fill in spot starter this week.
53% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
For a weekly update of my free agent pickups, just post your email below and I will email you the article each week. Thanks for Reading and Good Luck this Week!
Last Week’s Results – Week 12:
Here is a follow-up of my free agent pickups from last week.
QUARTERBACK
START:
Jeff Garcia – TB = @Det
Assuming the Buccaneers don’t run the ball ALL day, Garcia could have a great fantasy week against the lowly Lions. 175 passing yards, 1 touchdown on the low end, 275 passing yards, 2 touchdowns on the high end.
38% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 13-18, 165 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 fumbles
OTHERS:
Matt Cassel – NE = @Mia
Played Tom Brady’like last week. Maybe Cassel is finally coming into his own… 200-250 passing yards, 2 touchdowns on the high end, but otherwise a fantasy letdown is looming this week for Cassel owners looking for a repeat performance of last week.
56% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 30-43, 415 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception; 14 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Tyler Thigpen – KC = Buf
This guy is in a GROOVE. A matchup at home against a so-so Buffalo defense makes Thigpen a pretty good spot starter this week.
38% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 17-31, 240 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 29 rushing yards, 1 fumble
RUNNING BACK
START:
Warrick Dunn – TB = @Det
Dunn will take over the #1 RB duties in Tampa now that Earnest Graham is likely out for the year, and a matchup against Detroit this week has me thinking 100 rushing yards and 1 touchdown I very likely. Grab Dunn NOW if you need a RB for this week.
52% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 90 rushing yards, 1 touchdown; 37 receiving yards
OTHERS:
Peyton Hillis – Den = Oak
Hillis is the #1 RB option and he produced admirably last week. Another good performance could be in store for this week against the bad Oakland defense.
21% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 74 rushing yards, 1 touchdown; 22 receiving yards
Derrick Ward – NYG = @Ari
Ward could become fantasy gold this week if Brandon Jacobs misses this weeks game or is limited.
39% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 69 rushing yards, 1 touchdown; 30 receiving yards
Antonio Pittman – StL = Chi
Steven Jackson has already been ruled out for this week, and the Green Bay offense just posted 200 rushing yards on the Bears defense last week. 50-75 rushing yards sounds like a good bet from this free-agent pickup if you are in search of a few points.
9% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 8 rushing yards; 11 receiving yards
Justin Fargas – Oak = @Den
Denver can’t stop the run, and Oakland can’t pass the ball. Hmmm what do you think….might the Raiders finally decide to run the ball this week?!?! If management can figure this tough one out, Fargas should post close to 100 rushing yards and probably even a touchdown.
32% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 107 rushing yards
WIDE RECEIVER
START:
Antonio Bryant – TB = @Det
Great matchup for Bryant, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him post 100 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.
62% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 48 receiving yards
OTHERS:
Kevin Walter – Hou = @Cle
Walter has been on fire lately, and a matchup against the lowly Cleveland secondary should net him another 75 receiving yards and possible touchdown this week.
72% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 93 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
Mark Bradley – KC = Buf
Another 50 receiving yards and touchdown is possible this week. Bradley is a decent spot starter as a #3 WR on fantasy teams.
18% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 52 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
Brandon Stokley = Den = Oak
If you need a spot-starter this week, Stokely has a great matchup which may net him 50-75 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. At under 10% owned in 10 team leagues, you cant go wrong with this guy.
9% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 44 receiving yards
Steve Breaston – Ari = NYG
Breaston could be the secret weapon for the Cardinals if they want to knock off the Giants. As the #3 WR, you can bet the Giants aren’t deep enough at DB to cover this guy with Warner tossing the ball.
60% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 86 receiving yards
Rashied Davis – Chi = @StL
Assuming Chicago will actually throw a pass during the game, Davis has a great chance of posting a long TD reception. If you are in a deep league, Davis is a decent starter this week.
7% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 10 receiving yards
TIGHT END
START:
Bo Scaife – Ten = NYJ
Now that Collins has the Titans passing attack rolling, you can bet Scaife is good for 50 yards every game, with a touchdown always possible. I still can’t believe he is available in over 30% of 10 team leagues! He is a must own with fantasy playoffs inching closer.
68% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 40 receiving yards
OTHERS:
Donald Lee – GB = @NO
Lee was finally involved in the Packers offense last week, but it seems like so was everyone else for the Packers. Still the potential for a TD is there which makes Lee a very good spot starter this week.
32% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 8 receiving yards
Greg Olsen – Chi = @StL
So the Bears can’t run on EVERY play…can they? Well if they can’t, you can bet Olsen will be the #1 dump off option for whoever the Bears QB is this week.
58% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = NA
Zach Miller – Oak = @Den
Great matchup for Miller has me thinking he could be in the top 5 fantasy producing TE’s this week…but with JaMarcus at QB…at bets are off.
36% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 41 receiving yards
Dustin Keller – NYJ = @Ten
Favre finally found his love connection. 50 receiving yards.
31% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 42 receiving yards
KICKER
START:
Matt Bryant – TB = @Det
You can rest assured that Tampa will score their share of points against the Detroit defense.
28% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 1 FG, 5 XP / 8 points
OTHERS:
Adam Vinatieri – Ind = @SD
Manning is clicking, Addai is getting healthy, Marvin is looking like the Marvin of old, and Wayne and Dallas Clark are stellar as usual. Expect a ton of points by the Colts offense this week.
57% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 3 FG, 2 XP / 11 points
Robbie Gould – Chi = @StL
The Bears should have no problem moving the ball and getting into scoring range against the Rams defense this week.
53% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 2 FG, 3 XP / 9 points
Matt Prater – Den = Oak
Denver is starting to put up offensive numbers once again and Prater will reap the rewards.
57% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 1 FG, 1 XP / 4 points
DEFENSE
START:
Kansas City – Buffalo
Kansas City is a decent spot starter this week, as they face the turnover prone Bills offense.
2% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 48 points allowed
OTHERS:
Arizona – New York Giants
Tough matchup, but Eli hasn’t been great lately and Brandon Jacobs may miss this game with an injury. If it all pans out, Arizona could be a sneaky defensive play this week.
56% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 37 points allowed, 1 sack
New York Jets – @Tennessee
The Jets D has been very good all year and yet are still available in over 30% of 10 team leagues.
65% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 13 points allowed, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery
Washington – @Seattle
Even with Hasselbeck back last week, the Seattle offense looked horrible. And after last weeks loss, the Redskins are searching for a WIN and shouldn’t hold anything back against the terrible Seattle offense this week.
18% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Week 12 = 17 points allowed, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions