Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

NFC West Fantasy Outlook

November 21, 2007 @ 13:19:49

By Mark Traas
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 8-11, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Running Back Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams: For the second straight week, Jackson had a solid full-game performance as he rushed for 92 yards on 23 carries and caught four receptions for 20 yards against the Niners. With the Rams offense having few red zone opportunities, Jackson did not score the Rams single touchdown of the low-scoring game. He continues to be a very active component of the Rams offense, involved in 37.8 percent of all plays over his last two games. Jackson should be started each week in nearly all fantasy league lineups, barring any unexpected injury setbacks. This week at home against the Seahawks defense allowing an average of 4.0 yards per rush and two rushing touchdowns to backs over their past three games, Jackson rates as an upper-tier No. 1 back and a strong play.
Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals: Fitzgerald had eight catches for 93 yards with a touchdown in the Cardinals victory over the Bengals in Week 11. After starting the season with just one touchdown in his first eight games, he now has three touchdowns in his last two games. Averaging 11.3 looks and 1.67 red zone plays per game over his last three games, his touchdown scoring prospects look good while Warner is under center. This week at home against a weak Niners' pass defense that has allowed wideouts six touchdowns and an average of 174.2 total receiving yards per game over their past four games, Fitzgerald is a strong play as a mid-tier No. 1 wideout.
Wide Receiver Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams: Holt scored the only touchdown of the game in the Rams' win over the Niners, catching seven passes for 55 yards. The Rams offense is still coalescing with Jackson back in the game, so Holt looks more likely to score in coming weeks. This week, however, Holt faces a Seahawks' pass defense that has allowed only two receiving touchdowns all year and none since Week 7. Given his steady pace of an average of 96.3 receiving yards from 7.0 receptions per game over the last three games, Holt should be started as a lower-tier No. 1 wideout on your fantasy roster this week.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Kurt Warner	Arizona Cardinals	3	214.0	1.67	1.00	-1.3	0.00
Marc Bulger	St. Louis Rams	3	255.7	1.33	0.33	-0.7	0.00
Alex D. Smith	San Francisco 49ers	3	151.0	0.33	1.00	7.3	0.00
Trent Dilfer	San Francisco 49ers	1	231.0	0.00	2.00	0.0	0.00
Matt Hasselbeck	Seattle Seahawks	3	311.0	2.00	0.67	12.7	0.00

Warner - Still playing through his injury, Warner (elbow) had a second straight solid week with a 16-for-28 passing line for 211 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals in Week 11. Backup quarterback Tim Rattay did not make a play. This week Warner faces a relatively weak Niners' pass defense, which has allowed seven passing touchdowns, only two interceptions and an average of 226.8 passing yards per game over their last four games. Warner has been playing well recently, with five touchdowns and one interception in his last two games, so Warner can be played this week as a borderline low-tier No. 1 quarterback against the Niners if better options are not available.

Bulger - Bulger had more difficulty with the Niners defense in Week 11 than he did with the Saints the week earlier as he went 21-for-32 for just 155 yards and a touchdown in a low-scoring game. This week Bulger faces a tough Seahawks' pass defense that has allowed an average of 248.0 passing yards and no touchdowns over their past three games. In this weak play matchup, Bulger can be started as a lower-tier No. 1 quarterback.

Smith - Smith (shoulder/forearm) is out for Week 12 and possibly longer as his injury is reevaluated. Smith played poorly in his three games up through Week 10 and has not been fantasy relevant. Quarterback Trent Dilfer replaced Smith last week and Dilfer will be under center for at least the next week or two.

Dilfer - Dilfer played his first game since Week 7, airing 42 passes for 20 receptions and 231 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns against the Rams. Averaging 173.5 yards per game in his four games for the year, along with a total of three touchdowns and seven interceptions, Dilfer is best left on the bench. His fantasy prospects look dim, and there may be better quarterback alternatives on your fantasy waiver wire.

Hasselbeck - Hasselbeck successfully led the Seahawks' pass-oriented offense against the Bears last week, connecting on 30 of 44 pass attempts for 337 yards and two touchdowns. Hasselbeck found receiver D.J. Hackett in the end zone for the third straight week, along with receiver Nate Burleson for his other passing score. This week Hasselbeck faces a softer Rams pass defense that has allowed 250.3 yards and 1.67 passing touchdowns per game over their last three games. Play Hasselbeck as a solid upper-tier No. 1 quarterback.

Running Backs

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TD/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Edgerrin James	Arizona Cardinals	3	18.33 (34.84)	2.67 (34.81)	42.3	0.67	1.33	9.0	0.00
Frank Gore	San Francisco 49ers	3	16.67 (22.07)	1.00 (13.08)	48.3	0.00	2.67	12.7	0.00
Shaun Alexander	Seattle Seahawks	1	17.00 (7.26)	4.00 (11.33)	32.0	0.00	1.00	1.0	0.00
Maurice Morris	Seattle Seahawks	3	22.00 (28.18)	3.33 (28.32)	76.3	0.67	2.00	26.0	0.00

James - In Week 11 action against the Bengals, Edge ran 22 times for 52 yards and a touchdown and added one reception for nine yards. While he had trouble breaking out for longer runs, he continues to get red zone opportunities as the team's primary back. This week, James faces the 49ers defense, which has allowed three rushing touchdowns in their last four games along with an average of 108.2 yards per game to running backs. This week James ranks as a mid-tier No. 2 back with a strong play against the Niners defense.

Gore - Gore rushed for 32 yards on 15 carries and caught five passes for 31 yards against the Rams in Week 11 action that saw the Niners fail to score a touchdown. Gore should start again this week against the Cardinals' rush defense that has allowed an average of 68.7 yards per game, 3.27 yards per rush and 0.67 rushing touchdowns per game over the last three games. For this week, Gore looks to be a mildly productive lower-tier No. 2 or upper-tier No. 3 back that may not run much later in the game if the Niners are playing from behind.

Alexander - Alexander (knee, wrist, ankle) was inactive in Week 11 and is questionable for Week 12. Even in the event that Alexander becomes active this week, Morris is expected to be more involved in the Seahawks offense. Alexander should be benched until it becomes clear that he will start and be able to contribute significantly to the Seahawks' offense.

Morris - Against the Bears, Morris had an impressive performance with 87 yards and a touchdown on 18 rushes, also picking up one reception for 19 yards. With the possibility that Alexander may see limited action in the coming weeks, Morris is a worthy waiver wire pickup. Against a Rams rushing defense that has allowed just an average of 63.3 rushing yards and 0.67 touchdowns per game to backs in their past three games, Morris is a weak play as a lower-tier No. 1 back.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Anquan Boldin	Arizona Cardinals	3	6.67 (12.67)	0.67 (8.70)	3.33	45.3	0.33
Isaac Bruce	St. Louis Rams	3	9.33 (13.08)	1.33 (14.50)	5.00	62.0	0.33
Drew Bennett	St. Louis Rams	3	4.67 (6.54)	0.67 (7.25)	3.67	36.3	0.33
Arnaz Battle	San Francisco 49ers	4	10.00 (17.66)	1.25 (21.79)	4.25	55.2	0.00
Deion Branch	Seattle Seahawks	1	7.00 (2.99)	0.00 (0.00)	4.00	31.0	0.00
D.J. Hackett	Seattle Seahawks	3	10.67 (13.66)	3.33 (28.32)	7.67	98.3	1.00
Bobby Engram	Seattle Seahawks	3	13.00 (16.65)	1.00 (8.50)	8.67	92.0	0.33

Boldin - After two weeks with a total of only six catches for 65 yards, Boldin broke his slump against the Bengals in Week 11 with four catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. Although Fitzgerald is getting more open-field looks and red zone looks than Boldin is, Boldin continues to be an integral part of the Cardinals passing offense. This week against a porous San Francisco pass defense that has allowed 1.5 touchdowns per game in their last four games, Boldin could continue his scoring ways as a strong play upper-tier No. 3 wideout for Week 11.

Bruce - Playing through a hamstring injury in Week 11, Bruce (hamstring) continued his steady involvement within the Rams passing game with five receptions for 54 yards on 10 looks from Bulger. Monitor his status as the level of his involvement may depend on his health. If Bruce is good to go again, he is a borderline lower-tier No. 2 or upper-tier No. 3 receiver with a weak play against Seattle.

Bennett - With only two looks from Bulger, Bennett caught a single pass for nine yards in Week 11. Bennett has just 19 receptions and two touchdowns for the season, so he is an unreliable fantasy play with some upside in favorable matchups. This week against Seattle, Bennett should be benched or possibly played as a risky borderline lower-tier No. 3 wideout as an injury replacement if no better options are available.

Battle - In the Niners' Week 11 game against the Rams, Battle caught six passes from quarterback Trent Dilfer for 86 yards, while receiver Darrell Jackson caught only two balls for 36 yards. Battle has proven to be more fantasy worthy than Jackson, although Battle's fantasy value is still marginal due to the Niners' problematic offense. Battle should be benched or possibly started in this week's strong play against the Cardinals as a lower-tier No. 3 receiver or as an injury replacement if better options are not available.

Branch - Branch returned from injury in Week 11 to play against the Bears, catching just four receptions for 31 yards. While fellow receivers D.J. Hackett and Bobby Engram combined for 24 looks from Hasselbeck, Branch received just seven looks with no looks in the red zone. Until Branch becomes more involved within the Seahawks' passing game, he rates as a borderline lower-tier No. 3 wideout or injury replacement for this week's strong play against the Rams.

Hackett - Hackett scored a touchdown for his third straight game as he hauled in nine receptions for 136 yards against the Bears. He continues to be a favored target of Hasselbeck, particularly in the red zone. By this week, Hackett should be off the waiver wires and starting in most fantasy lineups as he ranks third in scoring out of all wideouts in many standard-scoring fantasy leagues over the past three weeks. This week, Hackett faces the Rams, who have allowed an average of 184.3 receiving yards and 0.67 touchdowns per game in their past three games. Hackett rates as a strong play, and he should be started as a mid-tier No. 1 receiver.

Engram - Engram caught eight passes for 84 yards in Week 11. Although Engram is about as active in the passing game as Hackett is, Hackett is drawing more attention in the red zone. With both Hackett and Branch back in the lineup, it appears that Engram owners can expect consistent yardage but modest red zone chances. This week against the Rams, Engram rates as a strong play and a mid-tier No. 2 wideout.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Leonard Pope	Arizona Cardinals	3	2.67 (5.07)	0.67 (8.70)	2.00	24.7	0.67
Randy McMichael	St. Louis Rams	3	4.33 (6.07)	0.67 (7.25)	2.33	28.0	0.33
Marcus Pollard	Seattle Seahawks	2	2.00 (1.71)	0.00 (0.00)	2.00	26.0	0.00
Vernon Davis	San Francisco 49ers	4	7.75 (13.68)	1.00 (17.43)	4.50	50.5	0.25

Pope - After coming up big in Week 10, Pope caught only one pass for 22 yards in Week 11. Pope's low number of looks makes him a risky fantasy start. This week in a weak play against a San Francisco defense that has allowed an average of 23.2 yards and 0.25 touchdowns to tight ends over the past four games, Pope should be benched or used as an injury replacement if better options are not available.

McMichael - In Week 11 action against the Niners, McMichael only caught one pass for four yards. Against a Seattle defense which has allowed an average of 62.3 yards but no touchdowns by tight ends in their last three games, McMichael is best benched or played as a bottom-tier No. 1 tight end as a stop-gap or injury replacement.

Pollard - Pollard picked up only 33 yards on two receptions while fellow tight end Will Heller caught just one pass for seven yards in Week 11 against the Bears. With a weak play against the Rams and with it hard to tell which tight end might get red zone looks, both Pollard and Heller should be benched this week.

Davis - Davis was frequently targeted with nine looks in Week 11 action against the Rams, bringing in four receptions for 50 yards. This week, Davis is up against the Cardinals' defense that has allowed 14.3 yards and no touchdowns to tight ends per game in their last three games. Even as a weak play, Davis is a viable lower-tier No. 1 tight end.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Neil Rackers	Arizona Cardinals	3	3.33	3.33	1.00	0.67	5.3
Jeff Wilkins	St. Louis Rams	3	2.33	2.33	2.33	2.33	9.3
Josh Brown	Seattle Seahawks	3	3.00	3.00	3.00	2.33	10.0
Joe Nedney	San Francisco 49ers	4	0.50	0.50	1.75	1.75	5.8

Rackers - Rackers missed one field goal attempt but booted five extra points for the Cardinals in their win over the Bengals last week. This week the Cardinals face the Niners, who have allowed an average of 1.50 field goals and 2.50 extra points over their past four games. Rackers is a weak play this week and should be benched.

Wilkins - Wilkins hit both of his field goal attempts and one extra point in Week 11 against the Niners. Wilkins will be kicking this week against the Seahawks, who have allowed an average of just 1.67 field goals and one extra point over their past four games. The Rams offense has been moving and getting into field position within Wilkins' range, so this week rates Wilkins as a mid-tier No. 1 kicker.

Brown - Brown made three of four field goal attempts along with two extra points in Week 11 against the Bears. His scoring in recent weeks has risen in tandem with the revived Seattle offense. Brown stands as a strong play against the Rams this week as an upper-tier No. 1 kicker.

Nedney - The 49ers team score against the Rams in Week 11 all came from Nedney's foot as he hit all three of his field goal attempts. However, Nedney's future opportunities will likely suffer as a result of San Francisco's faltering offense. Against the Cardinals this week, leave Nedney on your bench in favor of better alternatives.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Arizona Cardinals	3	19.7	2.00	2.7	1.33	0.7
St. Louis Rams	3	21.7	1.33	2.3	0.00	0.0
Seattle Seahawks	3	18.7	0.33	2.7	1.00	0.3
San Francisco 49ers	4	22.0	0.50	2.0	0.50	0.0

Cardinals - The Cardinals defense had four interceptions against the Bengals last week, two of which where returned for touchdowns. They also forced one fumble and picked up one sack for a surprisingly high fantasy point score. The underrated Cardinals defense is available in many leagues and may be worth picking up for this week's strong play matchup as a top-tier No. 1 defense against the struggling 49ers.

Rams - With few forced turnovers and no touchdowns from the defense or special teams in recent weeks, the Rams defense has not been much of a factor in fantasy football this season. This week, the Rams defense faces the solid Seattle offense and is best left on your bench as a weak play.

Seahawks - In their win against the Bears in Week 10, the Seahawks got five sacks with one fumble recovery. In week 11, Seattle plays the Rams, whose offense is showing signs of life again. Play the Seahawks defense as a low-tier No. 1 defense for the week.

49ers - The Niners' defense continues to struggle along with the offense and should be left on the bench as a weak play against Arizona this week.