Fantasy Football 2010: Top 10 QBs for 2010

It’s never too early to start thinking about the next season of fantasy football ! So with the two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL still to face off in the Super Bowl, I thought I would go ahead and start the discussion on next year’s top pass-throwers in fantasy football.

As we know, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees made our 2009 All-Fantasy Football Team, and thus they top my top 10 list here, as well.

However, a lot of things can change between now and fantasy football drafting time late this summer. Trades can be made, injuries can occur, and coaches can still be shuffled. Knowing all of that, take this list for what it is, a prediction/projection of next year’s best quarterbacks based on last year’s performance, as well as the limited off-season minutia we’re already aware of.

Here are the top 10 quarterback projections for the 2010 NFL season (as of February 4, 2010):

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: There’s little reason to believe that Rodgers won’t be among the top fantasy football quarterbacks in 2010. His receiving core is likely to stay the same, and we know he’s not going anywhere. Not to mention, the Packers are going to do everything in their power to strengthen their offensive line and protect Rodgers at a higher level next season. Assuming they make even the smallest of improvements to the line, Rodgers fantasy performance in 2010 could outshine last year’s tremendous efforts.

2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts: Manning’s numbers this past season weren’t out of this world, but there are two things about his 2009 fantasy football season that make me think he can move up the boards in 2010. First of all, he only got sacked 10 times this past year. So as if he we didn’t have enough reason to not worry about Manning getting injured, now he’s barely even being touched. Secondly, Manning played with a slew of new characters on offense, and he did it against some of the better defenses in the NFL. With Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez with another year under their belt (or healthy), Manning could post a 2004-like season in 2010.

3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: So why did I move Brees down? To be honest, it was his own doing. After an extremely fiery start to the year, Brees just wasn’t that impressive at the end of season, as if other teams somewhat figured him out. Excluding his postseason game against the Cardinals, where he had 2 weeks to prepare and faced an egregious defense, Brees has been mundane for a long time. In fact, he hasn’t thrown for 300 yards since Week 14 against Atlanta. Of course, by ranking him #3, you can see that I’m not putting too much stock in this, so I don’t want you to be afraid to draft him. However, his late-year blemishes are enough to bump Manning ahead of him.

4. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: While Brees didn’t finish the season on fire, Tony Romo did. I don’t know what lies ahead for the Cowboys off-season, but if they don’t do much, they have a very formidable passing attack. There are names I could have put ahead of Romo, but I really believe that he and Roy Williams will figure it out this off-season, and if they do, that Cowboys offense might reach elite status in 2010.

5. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers: The Chargers offense was a big play machine in 2009, and it won’t be any different tin 2010. One thing you can expect is a much faster start to the season. I think one thing a lot of people have overlooked in seasons past when the Chargers started slowly is that the team has lacked continuity, whether it was in the coaching staff or on the field. This year, assuming they bring LT back, they’ll have a smooth transition into 2010, and should start off the season as well as they finish it. That should be the entire boost Rivers needs to have a top 5 fantasy football season at the quarterback position.

6. Tom Brady, New England Patriots: I think the Patriots offense is getting progressively worse, but then again, it’s falling from the greatest heights the NFL has ever seen.

7. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans: Why the Top-5 snub? I have a sneaking suspicion that a guy by the name of Andre Johnson might want out of Houston this summer.

8. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: He’s too good to be left out of the top 10.

9. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles make big plays, but expect them to bring more consistency to the offense in 2010 and make McNabb less of a boom or bust play on Sundays.

10. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears: Call me crazy, but I’ve always been a believer in his new offensive coordinator, Mike Martz.

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Fantasy Football All-Star Team 2009

Well, we’re about 3 or 4 weeks removed from the end of the fantasy football season, which is more than enough time for people to get over their inevitable losses and rehash on the season that was. Don’t worry, you made some good picks. Yes, picking Adrian Peterson over Chris Johnson looks dumb now, but it wasn’t nearly as silly as picking Calvin Johnson over Andre Johnson.

But at the end of the day, it’s about the numbers, and there were those players that were far and above the rest when it came to putting up stats.

Here is our All-Star team for the fantasy football season that just ended, and here’s to looking forward to counting down the days until the 2010 fantasy football draft season right here on TheSportsWatchers.com!

Quarterback #1: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (ADP: 35, Final PRK: #1)
Talk about coming out from the shadows, Aaron Rodgers quickly transformed from promising quarterback to prolific in just one off-season. His 30 touchdown passes and 4,434 passing yards made fantasy owners very happy, and limited the bad, throwing just 7 interceptions all season long.

Quarterback #2: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (ADP: 4.7, Final PRK: #2)
Well, I could gloat, but I’m not…psych! I have to gloat a little bit. The world was divided as to which quarterback would have the better season, Tom Brady or Drew Brees, and in most people’s opinion, Brees won out, beating Brady by just 19 fantasy points (ESPN Standard). Yes, it was a small margin of victory, but it was victory nonetheless. Not to mention, Brees stats in his head to head matchup with Brady were probably the difference between their final numbers.

Running Back #1: Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans (ADP: 8.0, Final PRK: #1)
If you saw this coming, you were the only one. Chris Johnson’s speed was the most feared thing in fantasy football season, and his four 35-plus-point fantasy outings probably won weekly matches for fantasy football owners alone. And in half of his games (8) he scored more than 20 fantasy points, making him the runaway fantasy football point king this season. He did all of this despite starting off with 4 of his first 5 games in the single digits.

Running Back #2: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars (ADP: 4.7, Final PRK: #3)
MJD was a beast this season, and he carried the full load much better than I gave him credit for before the start of the year. Of course, he did slow down a bit in the final 2 games of the season, but much of that can be attributed to the Jaguars offense slowing down as a whole. MJD’s real value this season came from his consistency, as he caught the ball and avoided the fumbles all season long.

Running Back #3: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (ADP: 1.2, Final PRK: #2)
Yes, I could have went with Peterson at #2, but his second half of the season was very disappointing, and I know a few AD owners who lost games because of his fumbling woes. That being said, AD’s ability to catch the ball this season was a welcomed surprised, and you can never keep a guy with 18 rushing touchdowns off the fantasy football all-star team.

Wide Receiver #1: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans (ADP: 13.4, Final PRK: #1)
Once again, I have to take the opportunity to gloat. I had Andre Johnson at the top of my boards before the start of the fantasy football season, and at the top of the board is where he finished. And in all honesty, he was injured and dinged up enough to the point where he could have had a much less productive season. Still, his 101 receptions were 3rd best in the NFL, while his 1,569 receiving yards led all NFL pass catchers.

Wide Receiver #2: Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys (ADP: UNDRAFTED, Final PRK: #3)
You have to make Austin the #3 selection here on expectations alone. This guy wasn’t on anybody’s radar before the start of the season, and he wound up being one of the most explosive football players in the league this past season. Austin wore off a little bit in the waning games of the season, but his three 20+-point games helped make up for the lack of production late in the year.

Wide Receiver #3: DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles (ADP: 61.8, Final PRK: #4)
Yes, Randy Moss was ranked higher, but only slightly. Besides, when a wide receiver gives you a “negative-point” outing, he’s pretty much banished from All-Star voting. That said, Jackson earned this spot, putting up a ton of big plays and big games that made the fantasy owners who drafted him look like genius. Like Austin, his final 2 games weren’t too impressive, but four 20+-point games softened some of the blow he produced late in Week 17.

Tight End #1: Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts (ADP: 53.4, Final PRK: 2)
I could have gone with point-leader Vernon Davis here, but Clark barely played in the final two games and finished just a mere 5 points behind Davis in the standings. Besides, Clark’s 100 receptions gives him the lead in points-per-catch leagues, even though his 10 touchdowns were 3 fewer than that of Davis’s.

Defense #1: San Francisco 49ers (Final PRK: #1)
Well, playing in the NFC West does have its advantages. The 49ers had the pleasure of taking advantage of the Seahawks and Rams on two occasions, and they beat up on the Arizona Cardinals both times they faced off too. The 49ers held their opponents to single digits in six games this season, and they produced turnovers in all but 4 games this year. Chalk it up to Mike Singletary, but these 49ers made plays on defense despite an offense that wasn’t on the field very long.

Kicker #1: Nate Kaeding, San Diego Chargers (Final PRK: #1)
It’s funny how the best kicker during the season was the worst kicker during the playoffs, but that’s how it played out. Fortunately, for fantasy football players, Kaeding’s playoff woes didn’t cost them. During the regular season, Kaeding was a kicking machine, scoring in the double-digits on 9 occasions, a very rare feat for a kicker. He also made 3 kicks of 50 yards or more, and 6 kicks of 40 yards or more, giving him the bonus points he needed to capture this year’s title of best fantasy football kicker.

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Fantasy Football Week 16 Projections: Championship Week

Well, we’re very late with the projections this week, but this will be our last post of the season. It’s time to unveil our final picks for Week 16 of fantasy football, and boy do we have a couple of surprises for you in the sleeper category.

So sit back, relax and enjoy these tid-bits of information we’re giving you to help you put forth your best Sunday lineup of the 2009 fantasy football season!

Quarterbacks

Start’em: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I know the Saints aren’t going for history anymore, but they still want that #1 seed in the playoffs, and it’s anything but locked up, even though they are 13-1. The Minnesota Vikings don’t play until Monday, so the Saints won’t be scoreboard watching or anything. So expect Drew Brees to go out with a blaze of glory, in what will probably be his final full game of the season against the lowly, lowly, Tampa Bay Bucs.

Sit’em: Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
I know it’s anything but logical to tell you to sit Tony Romo who has been on fire all December. But if you’ll recall, Romo didn’t fair so well against the Redskins last time out, and I don’t expect it to be that different. Yes, the Skins look as if they have checked out after that horrible game against the Giants, but the Cowboys aren’t the Giants. These two teams hate each other, and the Skins will come out to play the best they can. Remember, the Skins were coming off a woeful loss to the Bengals a season ago before they beat Philadelphia, nearly ruining their playoff hopes in the process.

Sleeper Pick: JaMarcus Russell (if he starts), Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns
Surely, you’ll never start Russell in your league’s championship game, but you’ll be sorry afterwards. No, I’m not salivating over Russell’s come-from-behind win a week ago; I’m salivating over a Browns defense that is horrible. Besides, when it comes to the Browns, every time we say they’re in the worst game of the week, it turns out to be the offensive shootout of the day. I’m sticking with that trend and the Browns woeful “D.” I like Russell to have a career day in Week 16.


Running Backs

Start’em: Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins vs. Houston Texans
Ricky has been running wild as of late, and I expect the same this Sunday. The Texans defense hasn’t slowed anybody down all season, and with their postseason fate on the line, I expect the Texans to do what they do every season—fall apart. Ricky goes for 125+ in this game!

Sit’em: Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Ray Rice may be having one heck of a season right now, but I doubt the Steelers will let him go off when their playoff chances are on the line. I fully expect the Steelers defense to commit to stopping the run and making Joe Flacco beat them. We know the Steelers can’t defend the pass no matter what they do, so they’ll do their best to stack the box and control the part of the game that they can control. That’s why Ray Rice is a no-no in fantasy football Week 16.

Sleeper Pick: Thomas Jones, New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
I know this isn’t much of a sleeper pick, but many people think that this perfection driven Colts defense is going to clobber a sloppy Jets defense. However, the Colts have already hinted at resting defensive players, and the defensive players have said themselves. I think that side of the ball won’t be mentally ready for the run dosage the Jets are going to give them on Sunday, so I like Thomas Jones to do work in Week 16.


Wide Receivers

Start’em: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins
While I don’t like the Texans chances of winning this game, wins haven’t stopped Johnson from performing this season. Add up the hot weather, perfect conditions, and a Dolphins' secondary full of young, aggressive corners, and what you end up with is a field day for Johnson. If he doesn’t get 150 receiving yards on Sunday, I will be very surprised.

Sit’em: Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
I’m sticking with my Cowboys-Skins theory here, and I really do believe that the Redskins will be able to slow down the Cowboys offense, just as they did a few weeks ago. The scheme is in place, the Skins just have to execute it again. Besides, the Skins are one of the few teams in the NFL that can matchup with the Cowboys offensive line. Because of that, they can play pass coverage with 7 and limit the Cowboys offense…again. I’m not saying the Skins win this game, but that defense is going to make it hard for anyone on the Cowboys offense to get into a rhythm.

Sleeper Pick: Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets (aka, Darrell Rivas)
This is the matchup everyone wants to see. Wayne has been a top flight wide receiver this year, and Rivas has been outstanding at cornerback. But at the end of day, a great offense beats a great defense, and we’ll see that again here in Week 16. I fully expect Wayne and Rivas to be locked up one-on-one on many occasions, but Rivas won’t be winning too many of these matchups. Wayne is too skilled, and his quarterback is too smart, to let a youngster like Rivas get away with being over aggressive for 4 quarters. Wayne will bust one this game, and it’s going to be pretty. Do start Wayne in your fantasy football lineups.

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Fantasy Football Week 15 Projections

Once again, the fantasy football playoffs are here, so I won’t give you a plethora picks this week either.

In fact, I’m narrowing it down to just at top pick and a sleeper pick at the 3 major positions, because at this point in the season, you really don’t have too many other options.

Anyway, here are your fantasy football Week 15 projections at the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions.

Quarterback

Top Pick: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys
I really do feel sorry for the Cowboys. After all of their past woes, people are really going to kill them when they lose to the Saints on Saturday Night. But quite frankly, they got a bad roll of the dice. Right before their game against the Saints, DeMarcus Ware was seriously injured, leaving an already struggling pass rush to face Drew Brees without their best pass-rusher. That’s going to give Brees way too much time in the pocket, which should equate to a very productive day for the Saints quarterback.

Sleeper Pick: Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants
I know Campbell isn’t anyone’s favorite pick, but he has had his moments this season, especially since the playcalling duties were taken way from Coach Jim Zorn. And in Week 15, Campbell will be up against a New York Giants defense that was absolutely shredded, giving up big play after big play against the Eagles wide receivers. Well, last time I checked, the Redskins have a wide receiver with similar speed and quickness to DeSean Jackson with their own Santana Moss. So expect the Redskins to do everything they can to get Moss favorable matchups, and with that Campbell should have no problem finding him and continue his recent success in passing the ball.


Running Backs

Top Pick: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
Considering what Jones-Drew did to the Colts in Week 1, I have very little reason to believe he won’t do it again. Yes, Jones-Drew may have slowed down a little bit over the past few weeks, but I like him this week against a Colts defense that is kind of soft against the run. Not to mention, at the sign of the slightest injury, the Colts are going to pull back anyone of importance to their defense. So for that reason, and Jones-Drew’s past against this team, I like the Jags running back to go for at least 125 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Colts building.

Sleeper Pick: Quinton Ganther, Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants
With all of these Redskins’ picks, one might think I’m predicting the upset (and perhaps I am). Still, this is a very reasonable sleeper pick, especially given Gaither’s ability throughout the fantasy football leagues. And in Week 15, the Redskins are simply trying to play spoiler and pull their Giants down in the NFC East cellar with them. They should have little problem running the ball against the Giants, who showed serious problems with the run last week against the Eagles. Gaither has been running roughshod on everyone over the past 2 weeks, so the Redskins aren’t afraid to give him the ball and let him do what he does—and it is my projection that he’ll do what he does again against the Giants.


Wide Receivers

Top Pick: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans at St. Louis Rams
The Rams aren’t good and Andre Johnson is. It’s a pretty simple realization to come to, which is why anyone with Andre Johnson should be smiling from ear to ear for getting this matchup during the fantasy football playoffs. The only problem with this is the Texans could get too far ahead in the game before Johnson has a chance to put up his numbers. But given the lack of any type of running game, Houston probably won’t have too many other options to take advantage of the Rams defense, so expect Andre to get the ball early and often.

Sleeper Pick: Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
Owens hasn’t had the best of seasons, but he has had some big games, especially over the 2nd half of the season. The Pats really don’t have anyone of note in their secondary, which is going to make it impossible for them to guard T.O. one-on-one. And with single coverage, Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is certainly going to send the ball Owens’ way. Knowing that, one has to expect Owens to have a big day against a Bills pass defense that has been scorched all season long. I project at least 7 catchers for 100 yards and a score for future Hall of Fame wide receiver.

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Fantasy Football Week 14 Projections

Here it is!

If you’re still reading fantasy football projections and what not, then that means you’re in the fantasy football postseason! Well, unless you’re in one of my leagues where we are foolishly playing our championship game in Week 17, but that’s a story for another day.

Anyway, here are our fantasy football Week 14 projections at the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions.

Quarterbacks

Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Typically, I don’t like to go with Donovan McNabb in any week, but in Week 14, he’s going up against a familiar foe in the New York Giants. McNabb’s performances against the Giants are generally feast or famine, and earlier this season, McNabb certainly did feast on the Giants in the Eagles route of New York in a game back in Philly. Quite frankly, I don’t expect things to change in Week 14. The New York Giants still have the same beat up secondary (with the exception of Aaron Ross’s return), but they also lost Antonio Pierce. The combination of the former and latter makes the Giants weak in the passing in running game, and I don’t see how it’s even remotely possible that the Eagles explosive offense doesn’t take advantage of that.

Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
At the beginning of the season, I was all over Warner beating down the 49ers, and I was 100% wrong, as the 49ers took it to the Cardinals in Week 1. But now that the Cardinals offense seems to be back on track and is getting the ball to Larry Fitzgerald, I have no doubt that Kurt Warner will carve the 49ers up for dinner on Monday Night Football. This should be an easy one for Warner, as Anquan Boldin is back to being healthy and Warner seems to be quite healthy again himself. The 49ers secondary has just been abused throughout the season, and the fact they are pretty good at stopping the run will mean that Warner will have to pass the ball early and often, and what I presume, quite accurately too.


Running Backs

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans vs. St. Louis Rams
There really is no better lock in fantasy football Week 14 than this matchup right here. Chris Johnson should tear up the Rams rushing defense, which has been essentially nonexistent all season long. Teams are averaging a staggering 4.6 yards per carry against the Rams, and now they have to face Johnson, who leads all feature backs at 6.2 yards per carry. This could get really ugly, really fast, but it will be nothing but roses for Chris Johnson fantasy football owners.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions
Wow! As if this matchup could get any easier. The Lions have been a mess all season, and now Ray Rice gets to come to town and wreck havoc on a team with very little reason to play the remainder of the season. So you tell me what’s going to happen when a team with everything to fight for plays a team with nothing to play for. Yeah, I can already see the headlines now; “Ray Rice Runs Roughshod over Lions.” How’s that for alliteration? Anyway, the Lions are in the bottom-third against the rush and have given up the 4th most touchdowns on the ground. Needless to say, Ray Rice should have no problem moving the ball against the defense of the Lions.


Wide Receivers

Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Can you imagine the type of reaction we’ll get from coach Mike Tomlin if the Steelers manage to lose this game? Scary. Well, we probably won’t have to see that, because the Steelers should take care of the Browns easily. And with the Steelers new propensity to pass the ball early and often, Hines Ward should wrap up his day well before the 3rd quarter is over with at least 100 receiving yards a touchdown. The Browns haven’t been able to stop anyone from passing the ball, as they rank 26th against the pass and have given up a 96.9 quarterback rating to opposing quarterbacks. Yes, I know Ward has a hamstring tear, and that it usually takes those things a week or so to heal. But given that the Steelers desperately need a win, the fact that Ward had 159 yards against the Browns back in Week 6, and the notion that Ward just got done critiquing Ben Roethlisberger for sitting out due to injury, it’s hard to imagine Ward not “shooting up” and playing in this game.

Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Earlier this season, Jennings scored the go-ahead touchdown and had 106 receiving yards in the Packers win over the Bears in the opening week of the 2009 NFL season; to expect things to be any different in fantasy football Week 14 would be insane. The Bears defense has gotten worse and worse as the season progresses, and now they have been whittled down to a team that has given up 21 passing touchdowns this season. Yes, they tend to limit the years of teams (they rank 9th in that category), but when opposing teams are knocking on door of the Bears end zone, they tend to do pretty well, so I don’t think Aaron Rodgers will find it terribly hard to find Jennings for another big score in this game. In fact, I like Jennings to score two touchdowns against this Bears defense which tends to fall hard for the playaction fake.

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Fantasy Football Week 13 Sleeper Picks: Quarterbacks

Well, that time of year is here! Just about everyone playing fantasy football is in the postseason, which makes every decision that much more important.

If by any chance you’re looking for a quarterback, well first, I wish you luck. And secondly, here are a couple of fantasy football Week 13 sleeper picks to help you out:

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears vs. St. Louis Rams
Going with Jay Cutler won’t be the popular pick of Week 13, especially in the playoffs when so much is riding on the quarterback position. However, Cutler has done one thing quite consistently this season: he has feasted on bad NFL teams. Enter the St. Louis Rams, one of the worst teams in all of football, and a team that has trouble taking advantage of quarterback mistakes. The Rams have just 8 interceptions in 11 weeks, and are among the bottom-third in terms of stopping the pass. Cutler’s best games this season have come against defenses in that rung, and I don’t expect Week 13 to be any different. Cutler will have a hell of a game against the Rams; only the weary need not go with him this week.

Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
Okay, so Henne had a horrible game against the Bills last week, but that’s what you’re going to get from a Miami team on the road in late November. And while most of you would be scared to play Henne against the almighty New England Patriots, the fact is that the Dolphins always play the Patriots tough, quarterbacks included. The Patriots aren’t going to come into this game concerned about the Dolphins passing game, they will look to take Ricky Williams and the Dolphins rushing attack out of the contest—not Henne. That should give Henne the opportunity to make some plays, especially in the intermediate range, behind the linebackers, that likely won’t get too deep on their drops out of respect for Ricky Williams. But that strategy will be to the detriment of the Patriots, as Henne has one of the stronger arms in the NFL, and if you give him windows, he can burn you. So I like his chances in the matchup against the Patriots, as New England’s lack of respect should give Henne all he needs to score a few points for your fantasy football team.


This is just one of several fantasy football articles for Week 13. For more fantasy news and picks, check out these articles:

Fantasy Football Week 13 Sleeper Picks
1. Quarterback Sleeper Picks
2. Running Back Sleeper Picks
3. Wide Receiver Sleeper Picks
4. Tight End Sleeper Picks
5. Defensive Sleeper Picks

Fantasy Football Week 13 Projections
1. Quarterback Projections
2. Running Back Projections
3. Wide Receiver Projections
4. Tight End Projections
5. Defensive Projections

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Fantasy Football Week 13 Sleeper Picks: Running Backs

Looking for a running back that can give you a boost in Week 13? Well, here are our Week 13 sleeper picks to help you out:

Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
I know what you’re saying: Ricky Williams isn’t a sleeper pick! But in a way, he kind of is. Afterall, he’s going up against the Patriots, who despite not being that great of a defense this year, still does what Bill Belichick has always been able to do: take away a team’s best attribute. And in Week 13, the best thing going in Miami is Ricky Williams. However, I don’t think the Patriots will slow him down all that much. Say what you will about these Dolphins, but they usually bounce back strong from defeat, and they always play the New England Patriots tough. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the wildcat formation in full effect this week, with some Pat White sprinkled in to introduce something new to the Patriots. But at the end of the day, it’s going to be Ricky running that rock, and I’m sorry, but I don’t think the Patriots can stop him.

Steve Slaton, Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s a shame that I guy I had ranked among the top 10 running backs entering the 2009 fantasy football season is now a sleeper pick in Week 13, but that’s what has happened to Mr. Slaton. Slaton has disappointed us all with his subpar effort this season as well as his lack of carries. However, against the Jaguars, Slaton could be in for somewhat of a “bounce back” game. Slaton actually faired quite well against the Jaguars in Week 3, rushing for 76 yards, which just happens to be his season-high on the year. So if ever there was a week to employ this preseason bust of a fantasy pick, it’s this week against the Jaguars.


This is just one of several fantasy football articles for Week 13. For more fantasy news and picks, check out these articles:

Fantasy Football Week 13 Sleeper Picks
1. Quarterback Sleeper Picks
2. Running Back Sleeper Picks
3. Wide Receiver Sleeper Picks
4. Tight End Sleeper Picks
5. Defensive Sleeper Picks

Fantasy Football Week 13 Projections
1. Quarterback Projections
2. Running Back Projections
3. Wide Receiver Projections
4. Tight End Projections
5. Defensive Projections

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Fantasy Football Week 13 Sleeper Picks: Wide Receivers

Anyone who says they can’t find a receiver each and every week better check again. Receivers are vast and plentiful in 2009, which is why our fantasy football Week 13 sleeper picks were two easy names to come by.

Joshua Cribbs, Cleveland Browns vs. San Diego Chargers
Call me crazy, but I really do believe that we will see a rare good performance from Cribbs in Week 13. The Browns are getting to that point where they can see the finish line and the exuberant, all-inclusive vacation packages they have waiting for them at the end of the season. So expect Eric Mangini to throw everything he can at the Chargers this week, including Joshua Cribbs and the wildcat formation. Word is that the Browns are going to do everything they can to get him the ball this week since they have lost all faith in their two quarterbacks. So expect plenty of carries, a few passes, and a fair share of screen plays for this all-purpose player. Given how poorly the Chargers tackle ball carriers, who knows? This could be the biggest game of the year for Mr. Cribbs.

Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
It may be crazy to put any faith in this guy either, but with your fantasy football playoff life riding on it, I’m not afraid to boast Williams as a legitimate flex option in Week 13. The Cowboys receivers have been playing Jekyll & Hyde, with each receiver failing to beat double coverage. Week 13 should be the week that Miles Austin gets the majority of the coverage after his impressive game this past Thanksgiving. That means Williams should see little double coverage, and beating a single cornerback is something Williams does quite well. So since you were already considering playing Williams after he grabbed that touchdown this past Thursday, why not go ahead and take this little push I’m giving you and play him in Week 13. Trust me, with single coverage against one of the Giants wide receivers, Williams shouldn’t have any trouble making plays in this contest.


This is just one of several fantasy football articles for Week 13. For more fantasy news and picks, check out these articles:

Fantasy Football Week 13 Sleeper Picks
1. Quarterback Sleeper Picks
2. Running Back Sleeper Picks
3. Wide Receiver Sleeper Picks
4. Tight End Sleeper Picks
5. Defensive Sleeper Picks

Fantasy Football Week 13 Projections
1. Quarterback Projections
2. Running Back Projections
3. Wide Receiver Projections
4. Tight End Projections
5. Defensive Projections

Read More......

Fantasy Football Week 13 Sleeper Picks: Tight Ends

The tight end position showed up rarely and infrequently this past week, and I don’t expect much to change in fantasy football Week 13. Thus, I had to go with some rather risky sleeper picks, but two guys that should pan out this week.

Here are our fantasy football Week 13 sleeper picks at the tight end position:

Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals
Wow! Shiancoe was actually a major factor in the Vikings win over the Bears, leading me to believe that he can be a big part of the Vikings offense against the Cardinals in Week 13. Quarterback Brett Favre just seems to have locked on to Shiancoe when the Vikings get near the end zone, and the oft-used tight end is taking advantage of it, catching everything thrown his way in the red zone. So if you’re looking for a tight end, Shiancoe is still available in a lot leagues, and at the very least, he’s good for at least one touchdown against a Cardinals defense that has trouble defending the middle of the field.

Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers
Because of JaMarcus Russell, Miller has been one of the most overlooked tight ends in football. In just the last two weeks with a new, respectable quarterback, Miller has 10 catches for 138 receiving yards a touchdown catch. In Miller’s other 9 games, he has just one touchdown catch, and he is averaging just over 3 catches per game—not exactly Jay Novacek type numbers. But with Gradkowski in there at quarterback, Miller is no longer a forgotten commodity for the Raiders, but he is one in fantasy football. Available in about 42% of fantasy leagues, Miller is a must have in Week 13, as they go up against a Steelers defense that could be missing Troy Polamalu. But even if Polamalu plays, I still like Miller in this one. With his size and speed, he runs routes as well and as crisply as Jason Witten, and may put up Witten-like numbers in this game against Steelers defense that is reeling after 2 horrible losses.


This is just one of several fantasy football articles for Week 13. For more fantasy news and picks, check out these articles:

Fantasy Football Week 13 Sleeper Picks
1. Quarterback Sleeper Picks
2. Running Back Sleeper Picks
3. Wide Receiver Sleeper Picks
4. Tight End Sleeper Picks
5. Defensive Sleeper Picks

Fantasy Football Week 13 Projections
1. Quarterback Projections
2. Running Back Projections
3. Wide Receiver Projections
4. Tight End Projections
5. Defensive Projections

Read More......