Every Monday, I shall show the top players at each offensive skill position - fantasy-style, with the percentage owned and started in parenthesis. All data is from espn.com.
Let's begin:
Quarterback:
Tom Brady (82.3%/100%)
21/27, 341 yards passing and 4 TD's
29 Fantasy Points (projected: 18 fantasy pts)
Brady made minced meat of the Detroit Lions' secondary on Thanksgiving afternoon - specifically picking on cornerback Alphonso Smith (yes, the guy that did the Carlton Dance earlier in the year) and burning him for three of the six total offensive touchdowns. I see no reason why he should be benched for the remainder of the season - even if the Pats face off against the 9-2 Jets next week.
Running Back:
Peyton Hillis (95.5/100)
26 Carries, 131 rushing yards and 3 TD's; 0 fumbles; 6 catches for 63 yards
37 Fantasy Points (projected: 25 fantasy pts)
Hillis was projected by ESPN's projected rankings to have a monster performance, and did he ever! Hillis had the BEST performance by a player this year, and that was his best game of his career against the woeful 1-10 Carolina Panthers. Even though the Browns face a stout run defense in the Miami Dolphins (who allowed only FOUR fantasy points to the Raiders' running backs yesterday), Hillis should remain your #1 RB for the rest of the season. Just look at what he did against the Ravens (144 yds and 1 TD) and the Patriots (184 yds and 2 TD's).
Running Back:
Three-way Tie
Fred Jackson (23.3/94.1)
12 Carries, 59 rushing yards; 5 Catches for 104 Yards and 1 TD; 0 Fumbles
21 Fantasy Points (projected: 5 fantasy pts)
Jackson was supposed to be shut-out against the stout Steelers' run defense (#1 in the NFL). I guess he did not get the memo. Most of his yards and 1 touchdown came on a 74-yard reception. For the third straight week, he is here as the top #2 running back. I see no signs of slowing down for the remainder of the season. He is the #1 running back, and deserves to be at least a flex-play in all leagues (and a possible #2 RB, depending on the matchups)
Jamaal Charles (95.4/100)
22 Carries, 173 rushing yards; 1 Fumble
21 Fantasy Points (projected: 17 fantasy pts)
Charles and the Chiefs had another dominant running performance against the Seahawks and their terrible run defense. He had the most rushing yards out of all running backs this week. No reason for benching him now.
Arian Foster (97.5/100)
30 Carries, 143 rushing yards; 9 Catches for 75 Yards; 0 Fumbles
21 Fantasy Points (projected: 19 fantasy pts)
Foster continues to shine this year as the main Texans' running back. Despite being touchdown-less for the first time since his dismal performance in Week 5 against the Giants, Foster had remained a constant threat to opposing defenses. Like Hillis and Charles, there's no reason why you should bench him AT ALL.
Wide Receiver/Running Back (Flex):
Jacoby Ford (0.5/3.0)
4 Catches for 108 Yards and 1 TD; 1 Rush for 13 Yards
23 Fantasy Points (projected: 3 fantasy pts)
Since their running game was non-existant against the injury-prone Miami Dolphins, the Raiders had to pass, and their minute rookie speedster Jacoby Ford led the charge. He had a spectacular reception in the second half, ripping the ball away from Cleo Clemons for the amazing catch. He also opened the game with a 101-yard kickoff return for a TD. He's not worth owning in any league, however.
Wide Receiver:
Deion Branch (21/46.1)
3 Catches for 113 receiving yards and 2 TD's
23 Fantasy Points (projected: 13 fantasy pts)
Branch and Brady were on cue the entire second half against the Lions. And like I said before, both were burning Alphonso Smith repeatedly, especially in the above 79-yard touchdown catch-and-run. Smith was so poor on passing defense that he was benched in the fourth quarter - despite his stellar season. Branch has become Brady's go-to-target the past three games and will do so moving forward. Branch is a flex-play in all leagues.
Wide Receiver:
Dwayne Bowe (80.3/100)
13 Catches for 170 receiving yards and 3 TD's
37 Fantasy Points (projected: 16 fantasy pts)
Bowe had the biggest game of the season, connecting with Cassel 13 times during yesterday match against the Seahawks and their 29th-ranked pass defense. The 'Hawks got beat via the ground and through the air, which is why they are almost dead last in many defensive categories. But it's about Bowe's historic day in Seattle that continues to amaze me. He has beaten the total receiving touchdowns in a season during yesterday's game, and there still is five games to go. Bowe has had a touchdown in SEVEN straight games (13 TD's during that span) and continues to be an uber-stud going forward. Why would you bench a wide receiver that's 'en fuego'?
Tight End
Billy Bajema (0.0/0.0)
3 Catches for 32 yards and 2 TD's
15 Fantasy Points (projected: 0 fantasy pts)
Try pronouncing the starting and back-up tight end for the St. Louis Rams. Both had great games but unpronounceable last names (the starter is Michael Hoomanawanui). Good luck with that. But because Bajema is not owned in any league, there's no reason why you should grab him now, when there are various other better options at tight end.
Kicker
Nick Kaeding (41.3/51.6)
5 for 5 on Field Goals; 3 for 3 on Extra-Points
20 Fantasy Points (projected: 9 fantasy pts)
Look who's back! Kaeding, the San Diego kicker, has had a sub-par season, but continues to be the Chargers' kicker for the present and near future. He had a great performance against the Colts, but that was an aberration compared to his normal output of about 6 fantasy points per game. He's a consistent kicker for your fantasy team.
Defense/Special Teams
San Diego Chargers (8.9/22.1)
4 Ints for 72 yards and 2 TD's; 1 Sack; 1 Fumble Recovery
24 Fantasy Points (projected: 0 fantasy pts)
Manning had an un-Peyton-like three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns by the Chargers' defense. The Chargers continue their trend of starting off a season VERY slowly, then peaking late into a season under head coach Norv Turner. Despite losing Maryland alum Shawne Merriman and Antonio Cromatie, the Chargers defense has had two straight weeks of solid performances - they are worth owning as a #2 D/ST now.
TOTAL Fantasy Points: 229 (Predicted: 98)
No comments:
Post a Comment