Fantasy Football Week 12 Redraft League Report
By Andrew Porter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – And down the stretch we come! Only two weeks left in most fantasy football regular seasons, unless of course, you play in weekly re-draft leagues. In that case, it's just another week. Time to start from scratch again.
Here are some of the top week 12 starts at each position.
*These projections and stats are based on standard fantasy scoring systems
QB
Matthew Stafford at home vs. Tampa Bay
Stafford is the third most expensive fantasy quarterback behind Peyton Manning (at NE) and Drew Brees (at ATL-Thurs night) per FanDuel, but I think Stafford is the #1 fantasy QB play this week.
Stafford gets the Buccaneers and their dreadful pass defense at home this week. The Bucs give up the seventh most fantasy points to opposing QB's, including 1.9 passing TD's per game. Stafford has thrown for 581 yards and 5 TD's over his last two games. Monster day for Stafford and Megatron, for a change.
RB
Zac Stacy vs, Chicago
Zac Stacy has been on a tear and it's kind of going unnoticed. Since Stacy has been featured as the Rams running back, beginning in week 5, he has averaged 21.3 carries per game and 88.8 yards per game on the ground, including two 100+ yard rushing games and three rushing touchdowns. Not to mention, he has 15 catches for another 97 yards and a touchdown over that six game span.
The Rams are coming off a bye and get the Bears at home. The Bears give up the seventh most fantasy points to opposing running backs, and are second worst in the NFL against the run allowing 133.9 yards per game. I actually think the Rams win this game.
Stacy is the seventh most expensive running back this week on FanDuel, but I say he's a top five play.
Ben Tate vs. Jacksonville
With Arian Foster done for the season, Ben Tate has seen the bulk load of the work for the Texans at running back. Tate's total carries his last four games: 15, 22, 15, and 19. The Jags give up the most rushing yards in the NFL (139.1/game), and if Houston gets a lead Tate could get 25+ carries.
Tate is only the 18th most expensive running back on FanDuel, so there is good value with Tate here.
WR
*Disclaimer - If you can find a way to get Megatron in your lineup at WR, do it. Every week. He's matchup proof.
Vincent Jackson at Detroit
Detroit gives up the second most fantasy points to opposing receivers (30.3/game) and V-Jax is coming a ten catch, 165 yards, 1 TD performance against the Falcons. Jackson has a legitimate shot to be the number two wide receiver this week.
Larry Fitzgerald vs. Indianapolis
Some excellent value here, as Fitz is only the 16th most expensive wide receiver on FanDuel.
The Colts give up the ninth most fantasy points to opposing receivers (25.5/game) and while Fitz does have two touchdown catches in his last three games, he is due for that breakout game. Fitz has only one 100+ yard receiving game this season (week 6 at SF) and I have a gut feeling he gets his second this week.
TE
Coby Fleener at Arizona
If you read these posts and you read my week 11 plays, you used Fleener last week who caught eight balls for 107 yards. I'm rolling with Fleener again this week, as he plays the Cardinals who allow the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends (14.6/game).
K
Fine, I'll budge.
Complete guess, but Nick Folk. He's cheap. He's been good. The Jets can't score touchdowns. Whatever.
Defense
New Orleans at Atlanta (Thursday Night Football)
Thursday night games are traditionally sloppy games, with less scoring, and more turnovers.
New Orleans has the third best pass defense in the NFL, in terms of yards allowed per game through the air (191.4/game) and the Atlanta pass offense is reeling. QB, Matt Ryan, has nine INT's to five TD's over the past four games, and was even benched for a period of time last week in a blowout loss to the Bucs.
To add injury to insult, Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White, while both are expected to play, are battling through injuries.
Andrew Porter is the Audio Roadshow Coordinator for SportsRadio WIP, editor and writer for The School Philly, and a contributing sports blogger for CBS Philly. You can follow him on Twitter @And_Porter.
