Top Targets for 2011 Week 13

Quarterbacks

Kyle Orton, Kansas City Chiefs – Kyle Orton is a quarterback that I have dumped on for many, many seasons. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he is a good option, but he may be the best one you have available to you. He will still make bad decisions and read defenses terribly, but the Bears, Packers and Raiders are awful against the pass. I my humble opinion (which is what you paid for) your best bet is listed directly below.

Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins The following is what I wrote last week… still true. 31, 17, 27, this is the passing defenses that Sexy Rexy faces in weeks 14, 15 and 16 respectively. Now if “good Rex” shows up he could put up 25 a game for you, if “bad Rex” shows up it could be the end of your fantasy season.

Running Backs

Head Smacker

CJ Spiller, Buffalo Bills – With Fred Jackson out for the season, it was only a matter of time before the Bills turn to the versatile and highly drafted CJ Spiller to finally step up. With 22 touches in week 12 he did that and should continue to be a critical piece of the offense for the rest of the season. Best part is that 3 of the 4 teams he faces down the stretch have bad run defenses. Grab him.

Not so Obvious

Maurice Morris, Detroit Lions – Mo Morris is no Javid Best, he is not Kevin Smith and he probably isn’t even Keiland Williams. He is however, a starter this week on a team that can score playing against a team that gives up points.

Wide Receivers

Santana Moss, Washington Redskins – In for a penny in for a pound right? If Rex is Good so is his best deep threat. Moss has been battling injuries most of the season but he has declared himself “good to go” just in time for fantasy football playoffs. And remember, he plays the same terrible pass defenses that Rex plays down the stretch.

Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles – It looks like Jeremy Maclin is going to miss more time which means that Riley Cooper will once again be the only WR in uniform that has the stones to go across the middle. Mike Vick looks like he will be out again too and since Vince Young can only hit receivers when they are in the dead middle of the field Cooper should continue to see plenty of off target balls coming his way.

Pretzel’s Picks Week 12

Carolina Panthers by 3.5 at the Indianapolis Colts
Has anyone else watched these 2 teams?  The Panthers are a young team with playmakers including the Grandpa of the group Steve Smith and the Colts are the town bike.  Panthers by 10.
Atlanta Falcons by 9.5 at the Minnesota Vikings
I would have taken the Falcons in this one last week.  Now with Adrian Peterson out this should be a cake walk for Atlanta.  Falcons by 14.
Seattle Seahawks by 3 at home over the Washington Redskins
Seahawks have the 12th man work for them but I don’t think they will need it on this one.  look for 3 picks from Grossman and a 7 point victory for the Seahawks.
Oakland Raiders by 3 at home over the Chicago Bears
Oakland Raiders have looked good this lately and the Bears did lose Cutler but for my upset pick of the week i will take Chicago over Oakland.  You are going to see some old school Bears football based on strong defence and a heavy dose of Matt Forte.  Bears by 6.
Eliminator
For my eliminator pick I will take the Steelers over the Chiefs

Top Targets for 2011 Week 12

The most important part of picking up players now that bye weeks are behind us, is grabbing players, who are available, on productive offenses and play bad defenses down the stretch. Keep that in mind when you are grabbing everything that glitters this week.

Quarterbacks

Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins – Matt Moore has quietly been one of the most consistent (non blue chip) fantasy qbs over the last 5 weeks. He is not flashy and probably won’t carry your team, but if you lost your QB in the last couple of weeks Matt Moore could help. He plays some bad defenses down the stretch and he throws more TDs than INTs, both critical in the playoffs.

Hail Mary

Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins 31, 17, 27, this is the passing defenses that Sexy Rexy faces in weeks 14, 15 and 16 respectively. Now if “good Rex” shows up he could put up 25 a game for you, if “bad Rex” shows up it could be the end of your fantasy season.

Matt Leinart, Houston Texans – I was a week early on this but here it is again…Leinart could not stay on the field with Kurt Warner helping him and Larry Fitzgerald catching his wounded ducks. Chances of a resurrection in Houston are slim….but possible. Maybe he has matured, maybe he likes Andre Johnson better than Fitzy? Who knows, maybe.

Running Backs

Head Smacker

Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions – 200 total yards and 3 touchdowns……..man i hope you were reading this last week! Kevin Smith is a strong play from here until Best is back in the game.

Not so Obvious

Chris Ogbannaya, Cleveland Browns – On paper, Ogbannaya looks like a very mediocre play, but hear me out. 4 of the next 5 weeks he faces very stiff run defenses which is bad but here is the deal, all of these teams are division match ups which are always wild cards. Plus, in week 15 the Browns play the awful Cardinal defense. I was in Cleveland 2 weeks ago and watch Ogbannaya in person and he a good burst and good feet, he just might rise to the occasion.
Wide Receivers:

Head Smacker

Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions – Burleson doesn’t get much ink because he lives in the GIGANTIC shadow of Megatron. But he also doesn’t get much coverage which means he runs wide open all the time. The key to wide receivers pick ups at this point the season (as I stated earlier) is that players have to be available, on teams that face bad defenses and throw a lot. It is even better if they are players who play opposite superstars who can’t be covered. By that standard…Burleson is perfect!

Pretzel’s Picks Week 11

Atlanta Falcons by 6 at home over the Tennessee Titans
Falcons lost last week to the division leading Saints because of a bad coaching decision late in the 4th.
Mike Smith won’t make that mistake again. Falcons win by 10.
Cleveland Browns by 1 at home over the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville continues to show up every game and make the other team work for it.  Obviously their record shows
more losses than wins but so does Cleveland’s.  The Browns have lost 3 in a row including last week to the awful Rams.
Look for MJD to have a big game and Blaine Gabbert does just enough for the Jags to take this one down.
Minnesota Vikings by 1 at home over the Oakland Raiders
The Raiders looked good last week beating up on the Chargers.  Palmer looks like he is getting chemistry with his
receivers and their always strongrunning game is making big plays to keep defences needing 8 in the box.
Minnesota’s 2 wins have come against the Panthers and Cardinals.  They have shown no ability to beat winning teams.
Raiders will take this one with ease.
Chicago Bears by 3.5 at home over the San Diego Chargers
Chicago has won 4 in a row and the Chargers have lost 4 in a row.  After beating the Eagles and Lions in the last
2 weeks the Bears seem to have a knackfor beating Talented teams that are not playing very well…which pretty
much defines the San Diego Chargers.  Bears by 10.
Eliminator
For my eliminator I will take the undefeated Packers over the disappointing Buccaneers.