Stock rising
QB: Alex Smith, 49ers
Smith’s newfound effectiveness has been essential to San Francisco’s turnaround; unfortunately, that success has failed to translate into the fantasy forum. Yet Smith submitted one of his finest games to date, tossing for 274 yards and two touchdowns in the Niners’ 26-0 whoopin’ of the Rams. San Fran’s remaining slate features three porous pass defenses in Arizona, Seattle and St. Louis. For owners in two-QB leagues still searching for alternatives for Jay Cutler, Matt Cassel and Josh Freeman, the City by the Bay’s signal caller is a respectable replacement.
QB: Christian Ponder, Vikings
Granted, it was against a dubious Denver defense that was without sackmaster Von Miller, but Ponder posted his best fantasy performance in his early career, accumulating almost 400 total yards (381 passing, 12 rushing) and finding the end zone three times in Minnesota’s loss to the Broncos. Ponder did have two interceptions, and a lost fumble certainly didn’t help his cause. Still, it was encouraging to see Ponder’s potential of presenting such figures, and Minnesota’s December schedule (a depleted Detroit secondary, New Orleans, Washington and Chicago) should facilitate said figures to be repeated.
RB: Marion Barber, Bears
Matt Forte’s injury (possibly spelling an end to the running back’s season) thrusts Barber into the starting spotlight in Chicago. Barber was so-so in substitution on Sunday, rushing for 44 yards on 14 carries in defeat. Yet Forte’s absence, along with relative greenhorn Caleb Hanie under center, should equate for a heavy workload for Barber in the Windy City. The Minnesota product offers little in the passing game, and Chicago’s shaky offensive line won’t assist Barber’s efforts on the ground. Oh, and Hanie’s less-than-dexterous display thus far won’t alleviate the opposition’s focus on Barber. Despite these reasonable forewarnings, Barber is a safe bet to receive 16-plus carries this week against a Bronco unit that is surrendering 121.2 yards per contest, as well being the beneficiary of any goal-line opportunities. At this juncture of the season, one will be hard-pressed to find a player with such a plethora of prospects. Owned in just 15.6 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, snatch Barber up if still available.
RB: C.J. Spiller, Bills
Spiller made good on our Fantasy Fever forecast from last week (which almost offsets the erroneous projection on Vince Young), running for 83 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown on Sunday. Spiller added three receptions for 19 yards, and his day could have ranked among Week 13’s paramount had a 41-yard touchdown run that was nullified by a suspicious holding call stood. Look for Spiller to continue his fantasy contributions next Sunday against the Chargers.
WR: Riley Cooper, Eagles
Aside from my aversion for Cooper thanks to his dropped ball that led to a Seattle interception, the former Florida Gator has been one of the hottest receivers in fantasy the past three weeks, hauling in 13 receptions for 240 yards and a touchdown. Michael Vick’s return puts Cooper’s future somewhat in doubt, as much of Cooper’s fruition was correlated to Young’s affinity for the wideout. However, Jeremy Maclin’s lingering health issues and DeSean Jackson’s apparent obliviousness to the definition of “contract year” makes Cooper still worthy of a roster spot heading into the fantasy playoffs. In a related note, why do we associate toughness and a certain Neanderthal pride with the long locks of Clay Matthews, yet compare the uncut ‘dos of Blaine Gabbert and Cooper to Fabio and pretty boys? Is it because they play on offense that conjures a frat-boy impression? Or an irrational fear that Matthews will pile-drive anyone that dares to take a rip on his hirsute appearance? I demand an Outside the Lines piece on the subject.
WR: Michael Crabtree, 49ers
Crabtree brought in four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, giving the Niner receiver 17 receptions for 270 yards in his last three games. Crabtree is finally illustrating the prowess and playmaking ability that led to his first-round selection, causing separation and confusion downfield. The same sentiment from Smith’s outlook applies to Crabtree, making him a solid flex or low No. 2 WR play in the upcoming weeks.
TE: Jermichael Finley, Packers
A few drops prohibited Finley from attaining top standing, but frustrated owners will gladly accept six receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. The Packers’ final four games come against teams that are pedestrian against tight ends, providing the platform for Finley to contribute in the homestretch of the fantasy season.
DEF: Kansas City Chiefs
Two straight solid performances make the Chiefs a waiver-wire candidate for Week 13 against an erratic Jets’ offense. The ambiguity at quarterback for Kansas City could put the defensive unit in precarious situations, but they have yet to yield under such duress.
Stock regressing
QB: Andy Dalton, Bengals
He was due for a disappointment, and there is certainly no shame in falling short to the 9-3 Steelers. Nevertheless, this week’s foray against Houston forebodes failure, as the Texans enter as the second-best overall defense in the NFL and boast a conference-high 17 interceptions. The Red Rifle endures as a fantasy asset, as the Who-Deys encounter St. Louis and Arizona in Weeks 15 and 16, yet contain him to backup status for this weekend.
QB: Vince Young, Eagles
Well, that was fun while it lasted.
The Vince Young Reclamation Project came to a screeching halt in Seattle, as the Philly field general threw four passes to the wrong team in the Eagles’ 31-14 loss. In his defense, a couple of the picks were the result of dropped passes or miscommunication; alas, the fantasy box scores account for no such pretext. As noted above, Vick is set to return this week, meaning Young should be jettisoned to the waivers.
RB: LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers
The Buccaneer back failed to capitalize on one of pigskin’s worst rush resistances, accruing 19 yards on 11 carries in Tampa’s disappointing drop to Carolina. The Bucs fell behind early, forcing backup Josh Johnson and the offense to attack from the air, meaning fewer chances for Blount to amount any damage. It was just the latest of letdowns for the second-year man out of Oregon, who is clearly mirrored in a sophomore slump. With stout defenses on the December docket, Blount is a low No. 2 back at best in the fantasy postseason.
RB: Matt Forte, Bears
Word out of Chicago is Forte suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain, an injury that usually equates to a downtime of two to six weeks. Wait for further confirmation, but in non-keeper leagues, feel free to cut ties with Forte.
WR: Steve Smith, Panthers
Our chats last week were inundated with inquires on Smith’s recent return to Earth after setting the fantasy realm aflame in the first half. I thought these pleas were a tad premature and petitioned Smith proprietors to pump their breaks, that the Carolina receiver was continuing to receive a high number of targets and his upcoming matchup with Tampa would produce dividends. Turns out the people were right, as Smith turned in his third flop in four games, finishing with two balls for 32 yards. I’m keeping the faith with the perennial Pro Bowler, although his value is downgraded with upcoming tilts against Atlanta and Houston. Instead of a No. 1 wideout, view Smith as a low No. 2 or even flex play.
WR: DeSean Jackson, Eagles
In my extensive research on the matter (read: five seconds of skimming Google results), I have deduced that Jackson is in the midst of the worst contract year in the history of mankind (at least that’s the hyperbole used in almost every blog entry on the subject). My man, you’re supposed to break bank then proceed to get down with your bad, apathetic self. For what it’s worth, Jackson has to collect 302 yards, well within his capacity, to post a 1,000 yard season, so perhaps we are being slightly harsh on the guy.
TE: Fred Davis, Redskins
An appeal will probably be made, just hard to see Davis getting out of his four-game suspension after reports surfaced that the tight end failed two drug tests since the lockout ended. Sad too, as Davis was developing into a top-10 player at the position.
DEF: Oakland Raiders
The Dolphins have been a formidable foe in the second half of the season, and Matt Moore has been better than expected. But a 3-8 (well, 4-8 now) squad lighting you up for 34 points is unacceptable for a so-called playoff team.
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