The playoffs are approaching quickly and we’re getting into some must-win weeks for many dynasty league owners. In a year full of surprises, week twelve didn’t disappoint.
Week Twelve Fantasy MVP
Once is a fluke. Twice is a coincidence. Fourteen is ridiculous. Yet, that’s exactly the number of touchdowns Dwayne Bowe has after his 13-catch, 170 yard, 3 touchdown performance this week against Seattle.
Say what you want, but there may be no other wide receiver I’d want for the stretch run this season.
Week Nine Fantasy LVP
Dez Bryant was a chic pick as a potential No. 1 wide receiver this week. You must have thought it was Easter instead of Thanksgiving as he laid in egg. No catches? Ouch.
Lineup Fun
You probably won if your lineup looked like this…
QB Tom Brady = 341 passing yards, four touchdown passes
RB Peyton Hillis = 131 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB Fred Jackson = 59 rushing yards, 104 receiving yards. one touchdown
RB Jamaal Charles = 173 rushing yards, one touchdown
WR Dwayne Bowe = 13 catches, 170 receiving yards, three touchdowns
WR Deion Branch = 3 catches, 113 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Jacoby Ford = 4 catches, 108 receiving yards, one touchdown, one KO return TD
TE Billy Bajema = 3 catches, 32 receiving yards, two touchdowns
You probably lost if your lineup looked like this…
QB Carson Palmer = 135 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions
RB Brandon Jackson = 26 rushing yards, 10 receiving yards
RB Cedric Benson = 41 rushing yards
RB LeGarrette Blount = 55 rushing yards
WR Dez Bryant = No catches
WR Terrell Owens = 3 catches, 17 yards
WR DeSean Jackson = 2 catches, 26 yards
TE Aaron Hernandez = 1 catch, 17 yards
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if…
I’m running to the waiver wire to pick up Billy Bajema.
I have Montario Hardesty in a dynasty league. It’s looking more and more like Peyton Hillis has more long term potential than we thought.
I’m relying on Dez Bryant to be a No. 1 receiver this season. While he’ll surely get there eventually, he’s still a rookie.
I own any Lions player outside of Calvin Johnson.
I own any Cardinals player, including Larry Fitzgerald.
I have Frank Gore in a dynasty league. This latest injury really puts into question how many productive years he has left. He could be a “sell medium” candidate.
I expect Jonathan Stewart to be the bellcow for the Panthers any time soon. Mike Goodson has shown the ability to at least be a steady compliment to Stewart.
I need Ahmad Bradshaw to carry my team into the playoffs. While he’ll surely regain his starting job at some point, his production is likely to dip here in the next few weeks.
I didn’t buy low on Josh Freeman this offseason. We really pushed him this Summer as a candidate to add and he’s doing nothing to show he can’t be a productive NFL or fantasy quarterback.
I have Anquan Boldin as a No. 2 receiver. There are just too many weapons in Baltimore for him to be relied on heavily.
I’m hoping for Pierre Garcon to come out of his funk. His timing with Manning is just off.
I didn’t handcuff Clinton Portis to Ryan Torain, Keiland Williams, AND James Davis. Boy, nobody saw this coming with Shanahan, right!?!
A Look Ahead to the Hot Name on the Week Thirteen Waiver Wire
1. Brian Westbrook, RB, SF
I’d expect Anthony Dixon to be more involved than he was last night, but Westy proved he could still play, though I could have probably run for 100 yards against the Cardinals. Regardless, Westbrook has major value right now with Gore likely done for the year.
2. Joel Dreesen, TE, HOU
Owen Daniels can’t stay healthy and Dreesen has flashed some ability. You could do worse if you’re in need of a Tight End.
3. Toby Gerhart, RB, MIN
He’s certainly already owned in most dynasty leagues, but he could prove to be valuable in yearly formats if Peterson’s ankle acts up again.
Keep in mind the names found on this list are added to ones from previous weeks. That’s why you don’t see a player like Ben Obomanu…we recommended him in our lineup advice column WEEKS AGO.
Good luck this week!
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Where do you come down on Ben Obamanu or Danario Alexander in a dynasty format? I’m currently in 2nd place, likely have a first round bye wrapped up, but my receivers are, in a word, abysmal: Dez Bryant, Santana Moss, Michael Crabtree start…followed by Brandon Gibson and David Gettis. Yikes. Who is a lightning in a bottle WR I can snag for the last 3 weeks until I can draft AJ Green next year?
I think you hit two good candidates for this season. I like Alexander’s upside long and short term a little better as Obomanu will go back to obscurity a little when Williams returns.
Derek Hagan had a bad week, but he still has value as long as Smith is out as well. Earl Bennett could be another guy to snag is he’s available to you. Blair White and Anthony Armstrong could be a couple more to think about.
I’d say Alexander is your best bet for “lightning in a bottle.” He may not get on the field as much as the others, but he’s shown big play ability. If he can stay healthy, he’s a major sleeper.
Speaking of young Rams receivers…does Mardy Gilyard every reach his potential?
I have Bennett, Obamanu and Alexander on my radar, hopefully the waiver claims go through. Here is a tough one:
I bought low on Josh Freeman before the season started (traded Braylon Edwards straight up to get him) and after Tony Romo went down Freeman has been carrying my team.
At this point, who would you rather have: James Starks or Montario Hardesty?
I wouldn’t have said this a month ago, but I now think James Starks has a better chance at long term value.
I’m in a super deep dynasty league with 27 roster spots and one IR. Since last year my RB crew has been pretty much devastated, with the last event being Gore’s hip. Which RB do you see becoming more of a producer in the future, Sutton (CAR), Ware (NYG), Choice (DAL), Sproles, Redman (PIT), Hart (IND)?
Sad but true…these are my RBs
Hopefully that’s not your ENTIRE list of RBs! If so, you have some building to do.
All is not lost, though. I like Ware and Choice the best from a dynasty aspect. Hart is in a good spot, but can’t stay healthy. If I had to take a stab at one of those guys, it would be Tashard Choice.
Yeah I made some poor drops and waiver decisions. At one point I had Tolbert, BJGE, Blount (drafted), and Keiland Williams on my roster
Seriously bad judgement/impulse on trying to juggle too many players.
If AP can’t go this weekend; who do I go with as RBs:
Bradshaw, Morris, Jacobs (Need two)
The buzz around Mike Goodson has died down considerably! Is JStew’s performance last week a sign of things to come?
Going a little further…what happens if JStew completely falls apart and Goodson continues to be solid? Do you see a scenario where Carolina lets DeAngelo Williams walk and find a way to trade Stewart to, oh lets say…Seattle? Does Goodson have the wheels to carry the entire load?
Hey Ken,
My Dynasty league has an add/drop deadline coming up Monday, which means Saturday night is really the last time I can make some acquisitions that will pay off through training camp! What are the chances you guys will update your Dynasty rankings sometime this week? (I’m thinking slim…)
-p