Nov 30, 2009
17. Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers) @ Seattle
Another former first-round draft pick that turned into a bust but is now making a comeback is San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Alex Smith. Five double-digit fantasy football performances in his last six games can’t be ignored, and this week, Smith faces a favorable match-up against the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle has multiple injuries on their defense, including along the defensive line, so Smith so have plenty of time to pick apart the secondary. However, the 49ers are looking to get back to the running game and the weather in Seattle will likely be unfavorable, two things that prevent Smith from being higher on the list this week.
Point Projection: 13 points
18. Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) @ Green Bay **CHECK INJURY STATUS**
Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco played well in week 12 in the team’s overtime win over the Steelers, looking almost as good as he did at the beginning of the season. He was properly identifying blitzes, picking up the hot receiver and threw to multiple targets instead of locking onto Derrick Mason. Not coincidentally it was his best fantasy football performance since week six. The Green Bay defense isn’t as strong as the Steelers, but you shouldn’t expect too much more from Flacco this week than what he did this past Sunday Night. If you do plan on rolling him, though, be sure to check on his injured ankle to make sure he’s a go this coming week.
Point Projection: 13 points
19. Chris Redman (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Philadelphia
Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan left last week’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a toe injury and has already been ruled out for week 13. That means Chris Redman will get the start for the Falcons against an aggressive Philadelphia defense. Redman isn’t a starter for a reason, but he does have some talent - recall two years ago when Redman filled in for the injured Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich and threw for 898 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions in four starts.
Point Projection: 13 points
20. Eli Manning (New York Giants) vs. Dallas **CHECK INJURY STATUS**
Part of the reason Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning hasn’t been himself this season has been a foot injury that was aggravated last week in the team’s loss to the Broncos. Manning had been starting to play better recently, so it will be interesting to see how he does with this injury. Given the Giants struggles with the running game recently, the Cowboys will be able to focus more on the pass, meaning there won’t be a repeat of Manning’s week two game against Dallas where he threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns.
Point Projection: 12 points
21. Matt Hasselbeck (Seattle Seahawks) vs. San Francisco
For as good as Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looked in the three games following the bye week, he’s looked just as bad in the last two weeks. In his last two games, Hasselbeck has thrown for 333 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Considering how well the San Francisco defense played last week, you shouldn’t expect too much from Hasselbeck this week.
Point Projection: 12 points
22. Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Carolina
There’s no doubt about Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman’s potential. The concern about Freeman is his consistency. After all, in his first three starts, he went from 20-plus points in one game to 10 points in his second to less than five in week 11. But, this past weekend, Freeman played well as he threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns in a last-second loss to the Falcons. The Panthers yield a lot of points, 23.3 to be exact, so even if Freeman does toss a couple picks in this game, he should get a score or two as well.
Point Projection: 11 points
23. Kyle Boller (St. Louis Rams) @ Chicago
In his first start since week five, St. Louis quarterback Kyle Boller threw for 282 yards with one touchdown and an interception last week in a loss to the Seahawks. The Chicago defense will provide a tougher challenge for Boller, but not by much, so expect a second consecutive double-digit fantasy football game from Boller this week.
Point Projection: 11 points
24. Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) vs. New York Jets
Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is enjoying life under interim coach Perry Fewell as he’s posted back-to-back double-digit fantasy football performances, including in week 12 when he threw for 246 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while also running one into the end zone, in a win over the Dolphins. Fitzpatrick won’t enjoy life this week against the New York Jets, who rank second in passing yards allowed and seventh in points allowed.
Point Projection: 10 points
25. David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Houston
The Jaguars and quarterback David Garrard really struggled last week against a strong San Francisco pass rush. Garrard just didn’t have the time to accomplish anything as he wound up on his back a total of six times. The Jaguars made a lot of moves of the offensive line before the season, so perhaps the lack of continuity is hurting them there. Either way, no time to throw the ball means little fantasy production.
Point Projection: 10 points
26. Chad Henne (Miami Dolphins) vs. New England
In the Miami Dolphins’ week nine loss to the Patriots, Miami quarterback Chad Henne threw for 219 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He has the luxury of playing at home in the second meeting between the two teams, but that doesn’t mean he’ll fare any better. Henne is simply expected to act as a game manager and not a game changer. As such, he shouldn’t be used for fantasy purposes.
Point Projection: 9 points
27. Jason Campbell (Washington Redskins) vs. New Orleans
It seems that no matter what the Redskins do, they just can’t win. Quarterback Jason Campbell had one of his best games of the season in week 12, going for 231 passing yards, 3 total TDs, and 2 INTs, and Washington still lost to the Eagles. This week Campbell will go against a New Orleans defense that leads the league in interceptions and a team that just held Tom Brady in check, so you should probably keep him on your bench.
Point Projection: 9 points
28. Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) @ Buffalo
Since the bye week, New York Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez hasn’t posted a double-digit fantasy football performance. That won’t change this week as the Bills are very good at intercepting passes as evidenced by the four picks they forced Henne into last week. They also don’t allow many passing TDs as they’ve given up just eight on the year. All around, it looks like Sanchez is in for a very long week 13.
Point Projection: 8 points
29. Bruce Gradkowski (Oakland Raiders) @ Pittsburgh
The Raiders clearly made the right decision in going to Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback the last two weeks. While it’s only translated to one win, Gradkowski has posted two double-digit fantasy football outings, something previous starter JaMarcus Russell didn’t do at all this season before being benched. Expect Gradkowski’s double-digit streak to end this week against the Steelers.
Point Projection: 8 points
30. Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) @ Cincinnati **CHECK INJURY STATUS**
Detroit Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford was great in throwing five touchdowns and leading the Lions to a come-from-behind win over the Browns two weeks ago. He then turned around and threw four interceptions in a loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving. A trip to Cincinnati looms this week, and the Bengals have only allowed an average of 11.2 points per game over their last five games, not a good sign for the rookie QB, who is, also, dealing with a shoulder injury.
Point Projection: 8 points
31. Brady Quinn (Cleveland Browns) vs. San Diego
Similar to Stafford, Brady Quinn was huge two weeks ago only to lay an egg in week 12, throwing for just 100 yards. Not all was lost, however, as the Browns’ QB did rush one into the endzone. This week, Quinn has the luxury of playing at home - and that’s about it. The Chargers are coming to town, and they’ve caused seven turnovers in the last two games. That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in Quinn for this week.
Point Projection: 7 points
32. Jake Delhomme / Matt Moore (Carolina Panthers) vs. Tampa Bay **CHECK INJURY STATUS**
Mr. Interception is back to his old ways. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme threw one interception in the four games previous to week 12, then reverted to his old self as he had four picks in a loss to the Jets. Delhomme suffered a broken finger on his throwing hand during the game, which could be enough, combined with the four picks to put him on the sideline this week. If Delhomme does sit, Matt Moore will fill in, and while he can’t do much worse than Delhomme has, he still comes in at the bottom of our QB ranks.
Point Projection: 6 points
Week 13 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to read)
Week 13 Start & Sit: START ‘EM | SIT ‘EM (click to read)
Week 13 Waiver Wire Advice: PICK THEM UP | CUT THEM LOOSE (click to read)
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