It sure was an interesting weekend of fantasy football. Similar to previous seasons, as we get closer to the fantasy playoffs, lesser-known players like Justin Forsett, Fred Jackson and Kenny Britt could very well be the keys to several fantasy football championships. Let’s take a closer look at some of the players that stood out in Week 12.
Vince Young is making one of heck of an impression on the NFL after being benched at the beginning of last year. Since taking over the starting QB position for the Titans, Young has led the Titans to 5 straight wins and is slowly but surely becoming an interesting fantasy football add. This week he threw for 387 yards and a game-winning TD pass to Kenny Britt (more on him later). Brett Favre continued his MVP-worthy season this week by throwing for 392 yards and 3 TDs in the Viking’s rout of the Bears.
Other QBs who put together nice stats in Week 12 were…
*Aaron Rodgers: 28-39/392 YDS/3 TDs – Has to be considered for 2009 Fantasy MVP
*Philip Rivers: 21-28/317 YDS/2 TDs – Did what he was supposed to do against a weak KC secondary
*Peyton Manning: 27-36/244 YDS/3 TDs – You can always count on Manning for good #’s at the QB position for your fantasy teams
*Alex Smith: 27-41/232 YDS/2 TDs – Impressive win by the 49ers against a better-than-advertised Jaguars team
*Tony Romo: 18-29/309 YDS/2 TDs – Is this the year that Romo leads fantasy owners to a championship? Or will he choke in the fantasy playoffs as usual?
Fred Jackson shines every time he gets an opportunity to carry the full workload for the Buffalo Bills running game. With a banged-up Marshawn Lynch and an interim head coach looking to make some changes, F-Jax took the reins on Sunday and tore up the Dolphins for 177 all-purpose yards and 2 TDs. It’s going to be hard to take any work away from Jackson as the Bills welcome a tough Jets defense to Orchard Park next week. Justin Forsett had another impressive outing for the Seahawks, rushing for 130 yards and 2 TDs. It looks like he may have earned hiimself a starting role with Seattle.
Other RBs who put together nice fantasy stat-lines were…
*Chris Johnson: 154 RUSHYDS/1 TD/3 REC/32 RECYDS – I’m really beginning to believe this guy is better than AP
*Jamaal Charles: 93 RUSHYDS/1 TD/3 REC/54 RECYDS – Charles will be a great RB to have in the playoffs with home games against the Bills and Browns in Weeks 14 & 15
*Steven Jackson: 89 RUSHYDS/1 TD/5 REC/27 RECYDS – Mr. Consistent
*Knowshon Moreno: 88 RUSHYDS/1 TD/2 REC/19 RECYDS – Impressive day for the rookie against a tough NYG defense. Will be interesting to see if he can take control of the backfield in Denver
*Ricky Williams: 115 RUSHYDS/1 TD – I wonder if the weed makes him better…
*Larry Johnson: 107 RUSHYDS/2 REC/-2 RECYDS – What will his role be when Benson is back next week?
*Thomas Jones: 75 RUSHYDS/1 TD/3 REC/11 RECYDS – Not as good as last year, but still pretty darn good
*Adrian Peterson: 85 RUSHYDS/1 TD/2 REC/18 RECYDS – Not easy to put up stats like this with Mr. Favre slinging the rock constantly
So I guess this Miles Austin character is for real. After sort of disappearing for a few games Austin shined in the Thanksgiving spotlight catching 7 balls for 145 yards and a touchdown. It will be interesting to see if he and Romo can continue to click with the fantasy playoffs just 2 weeks away. Rookie Kenny Britt is quietly putting together a very respectable rookie season. On Sunday, Britt posted the best game of his young career with 7 catches, 128 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Most importantly, it looks like Britt is quickly becoming Vince Young’s favorite target. The Titans have 3 home games during the fantasy playoffs. Britt is a great player to target on the waiver-wire.
Other WRs who posted nice statistical outputs in Week 12 were…
*Donald Driver: 7 REC/142 YDS/1 TD – Dude never ages. Quality player and Green Bay’s most valuable receiver in ’09
*Percy Harvin: 6 REC/101 YDS/1 TD/45 RUSHYDS – Puts together a quality performance every week. It doesn’t hurt that he has Favre throwing to him
*Terrell Owens: 5 REC/96 YDS/1 TD – Has TO finally arrived? Who knew all he needed was Ryan Fitzpatrick?!
*Chris Chambers: 7 REC/70 YDS/1 TD – Maybe the release from SD lit a fire under him. He’s been very good for KC
*Antonio Bryant: 3 REC/91 YDS/1 TD – Is he warming up just in time for the fantasy playoffs?
*Pierre Garcon: 5 REC/63 YDS/1 TD – What will his role be when Gonzo comes back from injury?
*Roddy White: 5 REC/57 YDS/1 TD – Good game even with Redman under center for most of the game
*Michael Jenkins: 7 REC/80 YDS – If Redman remains starter, does Jenkins become his go-to guy?
*Sidney Rice: 6 REC/89 YDS – Continues to solidify his case for most improved fantasy player of 2009
*Donnie Avery: 4 REC/48 YDS/1 TD – It’s been a tough year for Avery. He’s a talented WR who should have a nice career
*Kevin Walter: 7 REC/73 YDS – Solid game for Walter in the IND-HOU shootout
*Steve Smith (NYG): 7 REC/71 YDS – Smith should also be considered for 2009 most improved player
*Brandon Marshall: 6 REC/86 YDS – Prime time performer made some spectacular catches on Thanksgiving Day
Antonio Gates is a beast. He is one of the few tight ends who can put together WR1 numbers on a weekly basis. This week he proved worth to fantasy owners who reached to draft him with 7 catches for 118 yard and 2 TDs. Colts TE Dallas Clark continued his monster year with 9 catches for 63 yards and a TD. Clark will continue to post excellent numbers as long as Anthony Gonzalez is inactive.
Other tight ends who had nice games were…
*Vernon Davis: 6 REC/69 YDS/1 TD – Maryland graduate has continued his pro-bowl worthy season
*Tony Gonzalez: 9 REC/83 RDS – Doesn’t matter who is QB is, he will always put together nice games
*Visanthe Shiancoe: 5 REC/51 YDS/1 TD – Even I could put these numbers up with Favre as my QB
*Jason Witten: 5 REC/107 YDS – Impressive outing considering he was a game-time decision
*Kellen Winslow: 7 REC/81 YDS – Exceptional TE is clicking with young QB Freeman. Could have a bright future together
*Fred Davis: 4 REC/43 YDS/1 TD – Athletic TE from USC will have a bright future if given the opportunity
Alright folks, one more week to go until the fantasy playoffs begin. Stay tuned to FootballNewsNow.com for all of your late-breaking NFL news fantasy analysis!