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NFC West Week 13 Fantasy Outlook

November 29, 2007 @ 16:13:42

By Mark Traas
Edited by Herija C. Green

AFC East

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 9-12, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Running Back Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams: Jackson had a solid performance against the Seahawks last Sunday as he rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries with three receptions for 15 yards. Jackson continues to be a key contributor in the Rams' overall offense, involved in 37.61 percent of all plays and 33.40 percent of red zone plays over the last three weeks. This week, at home against the Falcons defense allowing an average of 116.5 rushing yards and 0.75 rushing touchdowns per game over their past four games, Jackson rates as a solid mid-tier No. 1 back.
Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals: Fitzgerald had a big game against the Niners with nine catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He now has five touchdowns in his last three games. Averaging 12.25 looks and 1.25 red zone plays per game over the last four games, his touchdown scoring prospects continue to look good. This week against a weak Browns' pass defense that has allowed wideouts an average of 204.5 total receiving yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game over their past four games, Fitzgerald is a strong play as an upper-tier No. 1 wideout.
Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals: With four receivers each getting at least seven looks by quarterback Kurt Warner in Week 12 action, Boldin made six catches for just 76 yards. Fellow receivers Bryant Johnson and Sean Morey were also as involved in the passing game as Boldin was, which somewhat cut into Boldin's fantasy value. Against a porous Browns pass defense, Boldin is a strong play as a lower-tier or mid-tier No. 3 wideout for Week 13. While Boldin hasn't posted great numbers recently, he still possesses the ability to explode any given week and is a must-start as a result.
Wide Receiver Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams: In the Rams' loss to the Seahawks with quarterback Gus Frerotte under center for most of the game, Holt caught just five passes for 54 yards on 12 total looks. Fellow wideout Isaac Bruce caught the Rams' only passing touchdown of the game. Holt's prospects for this week may depend how effectively Frerotte can get the ball to the wideouts with quarterback Marc Bulger (concussion) out this week. As a weak play, Holt should be started as a mid-tier No. 2 receiver.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Kurt Warner	Arizona Cardinals	4	281.5	1.75	1.25	-1.0	0.00
Marc Bulger	St. Louis Rams	3	163.0	1.00	0.33	-0.7	0.00
Alex D. Smith	San Francisco 49ers	2	131.5	0.00	1.50	3.0	0.00
Matt Hasselbeck	Seattle Seahawks	4	295.5	1.75	0.75	10.2	0.00

Warner - In their overtime loss to the Niners, Warner (ribs, elbow) completed 34 of 48 passes for a career-high 484 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Also, for the second time in three games, backup quarterback Tim Rattay threw for a touchdown on a single end-zone play for the game. This week Warner plays against the soft Browns' pass defense, which has allowed seven passing touchdowns and an average of 282.8 passing yards per game over their last four games. Warner has been playing well recently, with seven touchdowns and three interceptions in his last three games, so Warner can be played this week as a mid-tier No. 1 quarterback against the Browns.

Bulger - Bulger (concussion) went out of last Sunday's game early against the Seahawks with a concussion and did not return. Backup quarterback Gus Frerotte completed 20 passes on 32 attempts for a modest 161 yards with one touchdown and one interception. However, Frerotte also lost a costly fumble at the end of the game. Bulger's status for next week's game against the Falcons is uncertain. If Bulger cannot start, backup quarterback Gus Frerotte will take his place. With a weak-play match up against the Falcons, Frerotte should be benched.

Smith - Smith (shoulder/forearm) is out for Week 13 and possibly longer. Quarterback Trent Dilfer replaced Smith last week against the Cardinals, scoring two touchdowns with a 25-of-39 passing line for 256 yards. It appears that Dilfer will be under center for at least another week. This week, Dilfer could be started as a borderline lower-tier No. 1 quarterback with a strong play against the Panthers' defense that has allowed seven passing touchdowns in their last four games.

Hasselbeck - Hasselbeck completed 21 of 38 pass attempts for 249 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Seahawks' narrow win against the Rams last week. This week Hasselbeck faces a soft Eagles pass defense that has allowed 257.0 yards and 1.75 passing touchdowns per game over their last four games. You can play Hasselbeck as a solid mid-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	4	18.50 (31.23)	2.75 (32.26)	51.2	0.50	1.50	9.5	0.00
Frank Gore	San Francisco 49ers	3	23.33 (29.78)	2.00 (23.92)	73.3	0.67	6.00	45.3	0.00
Shaun Alexander	Seattle Seahawks	1	17.00 (5.75)	4.00 (8.62)	32.0	0.00	1.00	1.0	0.00
Maurice Morris	Seattle Seahawks	4	20.75 (28.08)	3.25 (28.02)	77.0	0.50	1.75	20.8	0.00

James - In Week 12 action against the Niners, Edge ran 17 times for 78 yards and catching two receptions for 11 yards. He still has trouble breaking out for longer runs, with his longest gain last week being just nine yards. James still gets red zone opportunities as the team's primary back, but fellow backs J.J. Arrington and Marcel Shipp also get some red zone chances, with Shipp scoring one touchdown in Week 12. This week at home against a fairly stiff Browns rushing defense that has allowed only one rushing touchdown to backs in their last four games, James ranks as a lower-tier No. 2 or upper-tier No. 3 back.

Gore - Active in both the Niners' rushing game and passing game against the Cardinals last Sunday, Gore rushed for 116 yards on 21 carries and caught 11 passes for 98 yards, resulting in a fantasy point bonanza for Week 12. This week, Gore goes against the Panthers' rush defense that has allowed a modest average of 98.0 yards and 0.50 rushing touchdowns per game over the past four games. Given his heavy involvement within the Niners' offense as a whole, Gore can be played this week as a fairly solid lower-tier No. 1 back.

Alexander - Alexander (wrist, knee) was inactive in Week 12 and is questionable for Week 13. Even in the event that Alexander becomes active this week, Morris is expected to be more involved in the Seahawks offense. Alexander probably should be benched until it becomes clear that he will be able to contribute significantly to the Seahawks' offense.

Morris - Against the Rams in Week 12 action, Morris had a fairly solid performance with 79 yards on 16 rushes and one reception for five yards. With Alexander's status still unclear, Morris is looks likely to start Week 13 against Philadelphia. Against an Eagles rushing defense that has allowed just an average of 90.2 rushing yards and one touchdown per game to backs in their past four games, Morris is a strong play as a lower-tier No. 1 or upper-tier No. 2 back.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Isaac Bruce	St. Louis Rams	3	9.00 (12.09)	2.67 (22.27)	5.00	59.7	0.67
Drew Bennett	St. Louis Rams	3	4.00 (5.37)	1.00 (8.35)	3.00	27.0	0.33
Darrell Jackson	San Francisco 49ers	4	7.75 (13.19)	0.50 (7.97)	2.50	26.0	0.00
Deion Branch	Seattle Seahawks	2	8.50 (5.75)	0.50 (2.16)	4.50	61.5	0.50
D.J. Hackett	Seattle Seahawks	4	9.50 (12.86)	2.50 (21.55)	6.75	84.0	0.75
Bobby Engram	Seattle Seahawks	4	12.00 (16.24)	1.00 (8.62)	8.25	86.5	0.25

Bruce - In Week 12 action against the Seahawks that saw quarterback Gus Frerotte under center for most of the game, Bruce caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, his second of the year. Bruce continues to be actively involved in the Rams' passing game, including within the red zone. This week, Bruce is a mid-tier No. 2 receiver with a weak play against the Falcons.

Bennett - Bennett caught four passes for 35 yards in Week 12 on five looks, including one in the red zone. Bennett's involvement in the Rams' passing game has been sporadic, making his fantasy value unreliable. This week against the Falcons, Bennett should be benched or possibly played as a risky injury replacement if no better options are available.

Jackson - In the Niners' Week 12 game against the Rams, Jackson caught five passes from quarterback Trent Dilfer for 43 yards. Fellow receiver Arnaz Battle caught just one pass for a 57-yard touchdown, but most of the receiving work was done by tight end Vernon Davis with six receptions and Frank Gore with 11 receptions. Until Jackson steps up his involvement in the San Francisco passing game, his fantasy value is marginal at best. This week against Carolina, Jackson should be benched, while Battle might be started as a weak-play mid-tier No. 3 receiver if better options are not available.

Branch - After a weak performance in Week 11, Branch was more involved in the Seahawks' passing game in Week 12 action against the Rams with five receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. With fellow receiver D.J. Hackett out due to injury, Branch should continue to figure heavily within the Seahawks' passing attack. As a strong play against the Eagles, Branch should be started as a lower-tier No. 1 or an upper-tier No.2 wideout this week.

Hackett - After pulling in four receptions for 41 yards, Hackett (ankle) suffered an ankle injury during the Week 12 game against the Rams. It appears that Hackett will be out at least two weeks, possibly longer. Hackett owners may want to keep him on their roster in the hope that he is available for fantasy playoffs during Week 15 and/or Week 16. However, Hackett's injury also comes with added risk of another early game exit due to re-injury, so owners who are short of roster space and in need of a healthy and reliable receiver in the coming weeks may want to consider alternatives.

Engram - Engram caught seven passes for 70 yards on nine looks from Hasselbeck in Week 12. With fellow wideout Branch back in the lineup, but Hackett out again due to ankle injury, Engram should continue to be actively involved in the Seahawks' passing game. This week against the Eagles, Engram rates as a strong play and a lower-tier No. 1 or upper-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	4	2.75 (4.64)	0.75 (8.80)	2.00	28.2	0.50
Randy McMichael	St. Louis Rams	3	3.33 (4.48)	0.67 (5.57)	2.33	23.7	0.33
Marcus Pollard	Seattle Seahawks	3	2.00 (2.03)	0.00 (0.00)	2.00	23.3	0.00
Vernon Davis	San Francisco 49ers	4	7.00 (11.91)	1.00 (15.94)	4.50	44.0	0.25

Pope - Pope caught only two passes for 39 yards in Week 12 action. Pope's continued low number of looks makes him a risky fantasy start. As a weak play against the Browns this week, Pope should be benched in favor of better alternatives.

McMichael - In Week 12 action against the Seahawks, McMichael caught two passes for 26 yards. Against a Falcons defense which has allowed an average of 61.5 yards and 0.75 touchdowns by tight ends in their last four games, McMichael is a moderately risky bottom-tier No. 1 tight end with this week's strong play.

Pollard - Pollard picked up only 18 yards on two receptions while fellow tight end Will Heller caught just one pass for three yards in Week 12 against the Rams. With a weak play against the Eagles 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 seven looks in Week 12 action against the Cardinals, bringing in six receptions for 45 yards and his second touchdown of this season. This week, Davis plays against a Carolina defense that has allowed an average of one touchdown and 49.2 yards per game to tight ends in their last four games. As a strong play against the Panthers, Davis rates as a 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	4	3.50	3.50	1.25	0.75	5.8
Jeff Wilkins	St. Louis Rams	3	2.33	2.33	2.00	2.00	8.3
Josh Brown	Seattle Seahawks	4	3.00	3.00	3.00	2.00	9.0
Joe Nedney	San Francisco 49ers	4	1.25	1.25	2.00	1.75	6.5

Rackers - Rackers missed one field goal attempt but made another and kicked four extra points for the Cardinals in their loss to the Niners last week. This week the Cardinals face the Browns, who have allowed an average of 2.50 field goals and 2.50 extra points kicked against them over their past four games. Kicking many more extra point attempts than field goal attempts in recent weeks, Rackers should be benched this week in favor of better alternatives.

Wilkins - Wilkins hit his only field goal attempt and scored two extra points in Week 12 against the Seahawks. Wilkins will be kicking this week against the Falcons, who have allowed an average of 1.75 field goals and 2.50 extra points scored against them over their past four games. Wilkins should either be benched or played as a borderline lower-tier No. 1 kicker if better options are not available.

Brown - Brown missed two of three field goal attempts, scoring just one field goal along with two extra points in Week 12 against the Rams. His opportunities in recent weeks have risen in tandem with the revived Seattle offense. Brown should be started against the Eagles this week as an upper-tier No. 1 kicker.

Nedney - Against the Cardinals in Week 12 action, Nedney hit one of two field goals and scored four extra points. With the recent uptick in the Niners offense and as a strong play in Week 13 against the Panthers, Nedney could either be benched or played as a borderline lower-tier No. 1 kicker in lieu of better kicker alternatives.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Arizona Cardinals	4	22.5	1.50	2.8	1.00	0.5
St. Louis Rams	3	18.7	1.67	3.3	0.33	0.0
Seattle Seahawks	4	18.2	0.75	3.0	0.75	0.5
San Francisco 49ers	4	22.0	1.00	3.0	0.75	0.2

Cardinals - The Cardinals defense did poorly against the high-scoring Niners last Sunday, getting just three sacks with no turnovers. As a weak play against the prolific but careful Cleveland offense, the Cardinals' defense should be benched this week.

Rams - Against the Seahawks, the Rams got in five sacks along with an interception, a recovered fumble and a safety. The Rams defense appears to be gaining some sense of purpose and momentum along with the somewhat revived Rams offense with Jackson back in the game. This week, the Rams defense is a strong play at home against the Falcons and can be played as a mid-tier No. 1 defense.

Seahawks - In their win against the Rams, the Seahawks got four sacks and two interceptions, with one interception each against both Rams quarterbacks. An 89-yard kickoff return by Josh Wilson also added to the special-teams fantasy point total. In week 13, the Seahawks are a strong play against the Eagles. Start the Seahawks defense as a mid-tier to upper-tier No. 1 defense for the week.

49ers - In their Week 12 tussle against the Cardinals, the Niners' defense showed some mettle with four sacks and two interceptions. The Niners also got two fumble recoveries, one of which led to the touchdown in the Cardinals' end zone ending the game in overtime. Although the Niners defense has not been much of a fantasy factor so far this season, their recent performance puts them back on the radar as a borderline lower-tier No.1 defense this week with a strong play against the offensively struggling Panthers.