Were you able to choke down your early-evening turkey sandwich or that fifth piece of pie during the San Francisco-Baltimore nightcap? That was some dry, straightforward football. It was marred by a few officiating blips (I loathe 50-yard PI calls) and textbook examples of goal-line defense (San Francisco) and poor pass-blocking execution (also San Francisco). In the end, Joe Flacco made one more throw (tight end Dennis Pitta caught his first touchdown pass of the year) and Billy Cundiff was one field goal better than David Akers.
This slugfest fit right in line with the rest of the day’s action. No NFL fan could have pushed back from the trough (umm, table) unsatisfied, as the two late games were decided in the waning moment and the first featured a new movement. I have dubbed it “Suh-ing.”
Fantasy owners, on the other hand, weren’t as enthralled.
- Aaron Rodgers “only” threw two touchdown passes. James Jones (three receptions for 94 yards, including his 65-yard sprint) and Greg Jennings (five receptions for 74 yards) were the lucky recipients.
- Tony Romo threw two interceptions before coming alive and connecting with Laurent Robinson another pair of touchdown strikes. Owners of Robinson still cursed him for a missed opportunity on a crossing route early in the game.
- Jermichael Finley, Jordy Nelson, Dez Bryant, Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith (the huge pass interference call means nothing in fantasyland), Frank Gore, Ray Rice Vernon Davis and Jason Witten were invisible.
- The 49ers shooed away Ray Rice and the Ravens repeatedly near the goal line. San Francisco has yet to cede a rushing touchdown this season.
- Waiver wire darling Kevin Smith exited the fantasy scene as quickly as he entered with a high-ankle sprain. Maurice Morris caught a ton of check-downs passes from Matthew Stafford (nine for 81 yards) and becomes the No. 1 guy again because of Smith’s quick departure.
- I told you to take the “anybody but James Starks” to get the ball at the goal line. B.J. Raji was shut out this week, but the Packers were bound and determined to give John Kuhn another touchdown romp.
Click here for Harmon’s Week 12 QBs
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- The Detroit Lions’ radio network had perhaps the call of the year in the waning moments of the game to describe the Matthew Stafford-Calvin Johnson connection for a touchdown. They dismissed its meaning in anything other than fantasy football. It all looks the same in the morning’s box score.
Shake it off. We still have 13 games to dominate on the Week 12 schedule. Fantasy owners are seeking plug-in options to replace Fred Jackson and other injured starters as the chase for playoff berths intensifies. Let’s get back to the white board for this week’s “Lineup Calls.”
Exclude: Arian Foster, Michael Turner, LeSean McCoy, Maurice Jones-Drew, Matt Forte, Steven Jackson
Week 12 RB Heroes
Cedric Benson vs. CLE: Benson was already ranked among the top projected performers for this week’s slate before word came down that A.J. Green would be returning to the field. The Browns rank 29th against the run, surrendering nearly 140 yards per game (seven touchdowns). Cleveland has allowed the 10th-most points to opposing rushers. Benson started the line moving in Week 1 when he broke off a 39-yard run touchdown late to finish the Bengals’ win. He completed the game with 121 yards on 25 attempts.
Andy Dalton gets his security blanket back to torment Joe Haden and the Cleveland secondary, thereby stretching the field and creating lanes for Benson.
Michael Bush vs. CHI: Bush has logged 30 carries in back-to-back weeks for the Raiders, and he figures to assume another large workload against Chicago. He’s eclipsed 90 rushing yards in all but one start in place of Darren McFadden during his career. Injuries have ravaged the Oakland receiving corps. As such, the Raiders (third in rushing offense) will try to muscle the Chicago defensive front.
The Bears allow nearly five yards per carry, but opponents have been drawn into passing contests with Jay Cutler. That appears somewhat less likely with Caleb Hanie under center, meaning that the Raiders can stick to what works.
Rashard Mendenhall at KC: It’s clear that the Steelers aren’t returning to the ground-and-pound, slug it out offense of years past. Ben Roethlisberger will continue to sling it around against the Kansas City secondary as Bruce Arians makes full use of his speedy wideouts.
Despite the emphasis on the aerial assault, Mendenhall continues to pile up a sizable touch count. The results have been spotty, but I can’t discount his value in this matchup. Kansas City ranks 28th against the run (136 yards and a touchdown per game) and has allowed the fourth-most points to running backs. Take the goal-line chances and multiple short field opportunities as Tyler Palko whiffs against the Pittsburgh defense.
Chris Johnson at TB: The matchup is juicy, as the Buccaneers have been positively terrible against running backs since Gerald McCoy’s injury. Tampa Bay serves up the second-most points to running backs (behind Carolina), so I have to endorse, however tepidly, the former all-world back. The superhero is in there somewhere, and I have to believe that this matchup serves as a fantasy séance in which Johnson channels that power. Then, it’s just a matter of perspective on the Good/Evil scale.
Beanie Wells at STL: You didn’t expect much success against the 49ers in Week 11, but Wells’ total of 33 rushing yard on just eight attempts took the air of your sails. On paper, this reads as a better spot for Wells against the Rams. However, the Rams essentially erased Wells from the box score in their first matchup (10 carries for 20 yards).
Still, I can’t ignore the Rams’ overall ineptitude against the run in the balance of the 2011 campaign. St. Louis retains its grasp on last place against the run at 148 yards per game and has ceded the sixth-most points to running backs. Close your eyes and try to block out the passing plays.
Willis McGahee at SD: McGahee ranked among the biggest fantasy disappointments of Week 11 when the Jets positively shut him down. He was also limited by a hamstring injury and saw Lance Ball and Jeremiah Johnson worked into the attack.
I expect a return to basics this week against the Chargers (19th against running backs). McGahee rushed 16 times for 125 yards in the first meeting between these teams. I can’t wait to see the new wrinkles installed into the offense for this all-important AFC West showdown.
Marshawn Lynch vs. WAS: Lynch has now been operating in “Beast Mode” for six weeks. He carries a six-week scoring streak into Sunday’s action and has rushed for at least 88 yards in four of those contests. Lynch remains high on the fantasy radar this week at home against the middling Washington run defense (117 yards and 0.8 touchdowns allowed per game).
The Seahawks are committing to running the ball with Lynch and taking infrequent shots downfield with Tarvaris Jackson (much to the chagrin of Sidney Rice owners). In the past three weeks, Lynch has amassed 82 carries. His rushing average won’t overwhelm you most weeks (3.4 and 3.3 in the past two weeks, respectively), but like Cedric Benson, he chips away to produce a strong day.
LeGarrette Blount at TEN: Blount’s long touchdown run in Week 11 will go down as one of the top plays of the year. He readies for an encore against the Tennessee front (tied for 22nd against the run at 124.3 yards allowed per game). Tennessee has surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs. Tampa Bay has been frustrating this season, but this game figures to remain close. Ergo, Blount piles up touches and delivers for fantasy owners.
DeAngelo Williams at IND: Williams continues to split carries with Jonathan Stewart (and ostensibly, Cam Newton), but he finally returned to the good graces of fantasy owners in Week 11. He amassed 105 total yards on 11 touches (one reception for 32 yards), his second-best performance of 2011.
I’ll stand at the front of the crowd and proclaim Williams’ Week 12 fantasy worthiness against Indianapolis. The Colts have allowed the third-most points to running backs, ceding a frightening 146 yards and 1.2 touchdowns per game.
Week 12 RB Flops
Ryan Mathews vs. DEN: I already didn’t like Mathews’ chances for a big day against the surging Denver defense on Sunday. He was downgraded further on Thursday afternoon when Mathews missed the Chargers’ practice because of a knee injury. Norv Turner was noncommittal about Mathews’ status and gave a nod to the availability of Mike Tolbert and Curtis Brinkley. Take him out of the mix and find another option.
Brandon Jacobs at NO: Jacobs has now had three weeks to serve as the Giants’ primary back. He produced 100 total yards and a touchdown in Week 9 against the Patriots before failing miserably against the 49ers and Eagles. I didn’t expect much against the 49ers, but he was positively shut down by the previously suspect Philadelphia defense. As a result, he’s a tepid RB3 option this week against New Orleans. Sure, the Saints allow 5.2 yards per carry, but how often do teams get to comfortably pound away on the ground? Opponents have averaged 23.4 carries per game against the Saints, tying this unit for seventh-fewest in the NFL. This game is won or lost on Eli Manning’s arm.
Roy Helu at SEA: Mike Shanahan told reporters that he doesn’t want to put pressure on Helu. I won’t do so, either. The Redskins waived Tashard Choice, but added Evan Royster to the mix to compete for carries with Helu and Ryan Torain. The matchup is against the stingy Seattle defense (3.5 yards per carry allowed) on the road. If John Beck was under center, I’d hold out hope for a huge receiving effort and a mountain of receptions. With Grossman slinging the ball downfield, I’m not nearly as optimistic.
Shonn Greene vs. BUF: To call Greene a disappointment in fantasyland would be a gross understatement, but he’s the lead in New York while healthy in a strong matchup. LaDainian Tomlinson remains shelved because of a knee issue and Joe McKnight has issues with ball security. Bilal Powell, a rookie out of Louisville, may eat into the workload, but Greene still creeps toward the 20-touch mark if this game plays out as expected.
Greene amassed 76 yards on 19 carries in the earlier meeting with Buffalo. It was part of a four-game stretch in which he carried the ball at least 19 times in every game. I have Greene ranked as a mid-RB2, but I’m uninspired.
Week 12 RB Ninja Alerts
Joe McKnight vs. BUF:McKnight won’t approach last week’s touch count with a healthy Shonn Green (see above) in tow, and I fear that his ball security issues might open the door for Bilal Powell. However, McKnight is an explosive runner in the open field and will remain the third-down back for Mark Sanchez (six receptions in Week 11). He’s an intriguing low-end RB3 option against the sinking Bills.
Donald Brown vs. CAR: The Panthers possess the most generous run defense in all of football (141 yards and 1.4 touchdowns allowed per game). Indianapolis returns from the Bye week refreshed, rested and eager to stop the bleeding. That happens with a greater level of consistency in the passing game and more of Brown in the running game. The former first-round selection has averaged 4.5 yards per carry in limited action this season and figures to retain the top spot in a crowded situation.
C.J. Spiller at NYJ: Fantasy owners were dealt another huge blow when it was announced that Fred Jackson would miss the balance of the season because of a broken leg. The spotlight is now on Spiller as he seeks to end the Bills’ slide into oblivion.
The former first-round selection leaps onto the fantasy radar as a Flex option for this week against New York (I ranked him 28th). The Jets have allowed 117 yards and one touchdown per game, though Spiller’s ability to excel as the top option (Johnny White, anyone?) remains in question. I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge the myriad injuries affecting the Buffalo offensive line and receiving corps.
Marion Barber at OAK: The Raiders run the ball well. They can’t defend it. Opponents are averaging 5.2 yards per carry on 25.5 attempts (131.6 yards and one touchdown per game). With Caleb Hanie under center, the Bears will likely rely on the ground game more frequently to speed up the game and play ball control. He’s scored in four of the Bears’ past five games, averaging 9.2 carries per contest during this stretch.
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