Need a Spot Starter this Week? Listed Here are Players You Should Consider Picking up for Week 14, as they Have Good Matchups and Should be Available in your League’s Free Agent Pool.
QUARTERBACK – (QB Rankings – Week 14)
START:
Tyler Thigpen – KC = @Den
Even though Thigpen’s past two outings haven’t been great, a matchup against the Denver defense makes him worthy of starting on most fantasy teams this week. 200 passing yards, 1 touchdown on the low end; 275 passing yards, 2 touchdowns on the high end.
47% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
Joe Flacco – Bal = Was
Flacco has looked very good lately, and a matchup at home against Washington looks favorable. Expecting an average week of 175-200 passing yards and 1 touchdown is likely, with the potential for more.
30% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Matt Ryan – Atl = @NO
Its hard to imagine, but Ryan is still available in 25% of 10 team yahoo leagues. A matchup against the Saints defense should lead him to another very good fantasy week. Pick him up and start him with confidence if he is available in your league. 200-250 passing yards, 1-2 touchdowns.
75% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Matt Schaub – Hou = @GB
If he returns from injury and plays this week, the struggling Packers defense should give up their share of passing yards and a touchdown pass or two.
44% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
RUNNING BACK – (RB Rankings – Week 14)
START:
Peyton Hillis – Den = KC
Hillis has been everything the Broncos and fantasy owners could have hoped for. At just over 50% owned in 10 team yahoo leagues, pick him up NOW and start him this week if he is still available in your league. 100 rushing yards, 1 touchdown.
56% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
LaRon McClain – Bal = Was
McClain appears to once again have reclaimed the #1 RB role with McGahee out. A matchup at home against Washington makes him a great flex option and spot starter this week.
42% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Pierre Thomas – NO = Atl
With Deuce McAllister suspended, Thomas will become the feature running back alongside Reggie Bush, and get all the goal line carries.
39% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Justin Fargas – Oak = @SD
Even with Darren McFadden finally healthy and playing, Fargas is still the #1 running back option and should get a significant amount of touches this week.
37% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
WIDE RECEIVER – (WR Rankings – Week 14)
START:
Mark Clayton – Bal = Was
If Flacco can continue to throw the ball well, Clayton could have a huge finish to the 2008 season. If he is available in your league, now is the time to take a chance on him. If anything, Clayton is a good flex and 3rd wide receiver option this week.
23% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
Steve Breaston – Ari = StL
Assuming the Rams will try their best to stop Fitzgerald and Boldin, you can be sure Breaston will be matched up against the Rams worst defensive back all game long. If this happens, Breaston is a great flex option this week.
64% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Malcom Floyd – SD = Oak
With Chambers struggling to come back from injury, and Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates nowhere to be found lately, Floyd has evolved in Rivers’ favorite passing target.
8% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Chansi Stuckey – NYJ = @SF
Stuckey is a sneaky play if you need a receiver and are in a bigger league.
14% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
TIGHT END – (TE Rankings – Week 14)
START:
Dustin Keller – NYJ = @SF
At this point in the season, Keller seems like a safer play then pro-bowl options Antonio Gates, Jason Witten, Dallas Clark, Chris Cooley, Kellen Winslow, and Jeremy Shockey. 75 receiving yards and 1 touchdown is very likely for Keller this week.
61% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
Tony Scheffler – Den = KC
After last weeks resurgence, Scheffler looks ready to go full speed, and Cutler knows how to throw him the ball. 75 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.
62% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Zach Miller – Oak = @SD
Considering San Diego is terrible against the pass, and Miller is Oakland’s best pass catching option, a good fantasy week good be in store for Miller this week. So if you need a tight end, Miller is a great pickup option this week. 75 receiving yards, maybe 1 touchdown.
36% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
John Carlson – Sea = NE
Carlson is slowly evolving into Matt Hasselbeck’s favorite passing target. He is a great spot starter option this week. 75 receiving yards is possible.
39% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
KICKER – (K Rankings – Week 14)
START:
Neil Rackers – Ari = StL
It’s not a question if Arizona will score this week, just a matter of how many field goals instead of extra point attempts Rackers will get. But either way, Rackers is a sure bet to put up some fantasy points this week.
56% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
Jay Feely – NYJ = @SF
San Francisco’s defense is pretty bad, and the Jets offense should take advantage. A couple field goal attempts are likely for Feely this week.
10% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Ryan Longwell – Min = @Det
Detroit gives up points.
68% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Jason Elam – Atl = @NO
Atlanta’s offense has been very productive this year, and a matchup against a somewhat depleted Saints defense because of suspensions, makes the Falcons scoring potential even greater.
69% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
DEFENSE – (D Rankings – Week 14)
START:
Arizona – St. Louis
With the way Bulger has been throwing the ball, 2 or 3 interceptions and 6 sacks is likely for the Cardinals defense this week.
54% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
OTHERS:
New England – @Seattle
Seattle’s offense has been terrible this year, which mean there is plenty of potential for half a dozen sacks and an interception or two from the Patriots defense this week.
57% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues
Miami – @Buffalo
Either way you look at, the quarterback situation in Buffalo looks very favorable for the Miami defense this week. A handful of sacks and an interception is likely.
44% 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 13:
Here is a follow-up of my free agent pickups from last week.
QUARTERBACK
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
Week 13 = 13-23, 166 passing yards; 15 rushing yards
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
Week 13 = 15-22, 162 passing yards, 1 interception; 48 rushing yards
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
Week 13 = 10-21, 112 passing yards
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
Week 13 = 19-29, 280 passing yards, 2 touchdowns; 15 rushing yards
RUNNING BACK
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
Week 13 = 82 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 1 fumble
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
Week 13 = 54 rushing yards
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
Week 13 = 4 rushing yards; 60 receiving yards
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
Week 13 = 74 rushing yards
WIDE RECEIVER
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
Week 13 = 55 receiving yards
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
Week 13 = 40 receiving yards
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
Week 13 = NA
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
Week 13 = 22 receiving yards
TIGHT END
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
Week 13 = 8 receiving yards
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
Week 13 = 77 receiving yards
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
Week 13 = 79 receiving yards
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
Week 13 = NA
KICKER
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
Week 13 = 1 FG / 3 points
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
Week 13 = 2 XP / 2 points
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
Week 13 = 1 FG, 1 XP / 4 points
DEFENSE
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
