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NFC West Week 14 Fantasy Outlook

December 6, 2007 @ 16:51:57

By Mark Traas
Edited by Tim Heaney

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 10-13, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Running Back Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams: Jackson had his best fantasy performance so far this year as he rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries with four receptions for 71 yards against the Falcons last week. Jackson is the centerpiece of the Rams' overall offense as he was involved in 44.20 percent of all plays last week. Even as a weak play this week against a stiff Bengals rushing defense allowing an average of 63.8 rushing yards and 0.50 rushing touchdowns per game over their past four games, Jackson continues to be a must-play mid-tier No. 1 back.
Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals: Fitzgerald (groin) sat out the Cardinals' Week 13 game against the Browns with a groin injury. Although Fitzgerald remains questionable for Week 14, he may start, particularly if wide receiver Anquan Boldin is unable to play. With five touchdowns in his last three games in Week 10 through Week 12, his touchdown scoring prospects continue to look good. This week's matchup is a weak play against a tough Seattle Seahawks pass defense that has limited wideouts to an average of 149.5 total receiving yards and 0.50 touchdowns per game over their past four games. If Fitzgerald is able to play, he should be in your lineup as a lower-tier to mid-tier No. 1 wideout.
Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals: After bringing in only two receptions for 25 yards, Boldin suffered a toe injury that took him out of the game in Week 13 action. Boldin looks unlikely to play in Week 14 and possibly longer with news of possible surgery, but he has not been ruled out. While Boldin owners can hope that Boldin might be able to return to action as early as Week 15 for fantasy playoffs, owners should consider alternatives to cover for Boldin in case he is unable to play for the next two to three weeks. One possible alternative for Boldin owners is teammate wide receiver Bryant Johnson, who could be picked up as a No. 3 quality wideout this week to fill in for Boldin.
Wide Receiver Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams: In the Rams' win over the Falcons with quarterback Gus Frerotte under center, Holt caught six passes on nine looks for 135 yards and a touchdown. Holt seems comfortable working with whichever quarterback is under center, which preserves his high fantasy value even with quarterback changes. Against the Bengals this week, Holt is a must-start as an upper-tier No. 1 receiver.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Kurt Warner	Arizona Cardinals	4	280.8	2.25	1.00	-1.0	0.00
Marc Bulger	St. Louis Rams	3	163.3	1.00	0.33	-0.7	0.00
Trent Dilfer	San Francisco 49ers	3	219.3	1.33	2.00	3.0	0.00
Matt Hasselbeck	Seattle Seahawks	4	262.8	1.75	0.75	5.8	0.00

Warner - In the Cardinals' Week 13 win over the Browns, Warner (elbow, ribs) completed 18 of 30 passes for just 169 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Even with two banged-up receivers - Larry Fitzgerald (groin) already out and Anquan Boldin (toe) suffering a toe injury later in the game - Warner's primary target was wide receiver Bryant Johnson with six receptions. This week Warner is a weak play against a tough Seahawks pass defense, which has given up only two passing touchdowns, compiled six interceptions, and allowed an average of 198.2 passing yards per game over their last four games. Warner has been playing well recently, with nine touchdowns and four interceptions in his last four games, but his prospects for stretching the field against the Seahawks this week as an upper-tier No. 1 quarterback may depend partly on the availability of at least one of the team's two primary receivers.

Bulger - With Bulger (concussion) sitting out the Rams' game against the Falcons, backup quarterback Frerotte (shoulder) completed 23 passes on 35 attempts for 311 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. However, Frerotte sprained his shoulder and likely will not play on Week 14. Meanwhile, Bulger has been cleared to practice, but it has not yet been determined whether he will play as hoped against the Bengals this week. Bulger owners will want to continue to monitor him for further developments. With a weak play matchup against a fairly stiff Bengals passing defense which has allowed an average of 214.5 yards and one touchdown per game to quarterbacks in their last four games, Bulger rates as borderline lower-tier No. 1 quarterback.

Dilfer - Trent Dilfer had an erratic game against the Panthers on Sunday with a weak 14-of-29 passing line for 171 yards, tossing four interceptions to go with two touchdowns. Dilfer will likely be under center for at least another week as Niners' quarterback Smith (shoulder, forearm) is questionable for Week 14. This week against the Vikings, Dilfer should be benched or played only if no other viable quarterback options are available.

Hasselbeck - In the Seahawks' win against the Eagles last Sunday, Hasselbeck completed 19 of 34 pass attempts for 187 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. This week Hasselbeck plays against a Cardinals pass defense that has allowed an average of 296.2 yards and 2.00 passing touchdowns and taken 2.00 interceptions per game over their last four games. You can play Hasselbeck as a solid mid-tier No. 1 quarterback this week against the Cardinals.

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	22.50 (35.42)	3.75 (34.69)	76.0	0.25	1.50	9.5	0.00
Frank Gore	San Francisco 49ers	4	21.75 (38.34)	1.50 (28.54)	69.5	0.50	5.75	47.2	0.00
Shaun Alexander	Seattle Seahawks	1	20.00 (7.14)	3.00 (7.26)	65.0	1.00	0.00	0.0	0.00
Maurice Morris	Seattle Seahawks	4	19.25 (27.48)	3.00 (29.04)	79.2	0.75	1.25	10.0	0.00

James - In Week 13 action against the Browns, Edge ran 24 times for 114 yards, with his longest gain being 16 yards. James continues to get red zone opportunities as the team's primary back, but last Sunday he failed to take advantage of six red-zone opportunities, including two opportunities inside the 5-yard line. With just one touchdown scored in his last four games, James rates as a potentially productive but unspectacular mid-tier No. 2 back against Seattle this week.

Gore - Against the Panthers last Sunday, Gore rushed for 58 yards on 12 carries and was the team's leading receiver with five receptions for 53 yards. This week, Gore goes against a tough Vikings rush defense that has allowed an average of a combined 69.8 rushing yards, 36.0 receiving yards and 0.50 rushing touchdowns to opposing backs per game over their past four games. As a weak play against Minnesota, Gore can be started this week as an upper-tier No. 2 or lower-tier No. 1 back.

Alexander - Alexander (knee) started for the Seahawks against the Eagles on Week 13, rushing 20 times for 65 yards and a touchdown. With fellow back Maurice Morris seeing only five touches, it was clear that the Seahawks are trying to get Alexander involved in the offense again. Last week, Alexander was utilized in 30.64 percent of all plays, including 42.35 percent of the red zone plays. Alexander is expected to practice this week and will likely start next week at home against Arizona. Alexander can be taken off of most fantasy team benches this week and cautiously played as a lower-tier No. 1 back as long as it appears that he will start as the team's primary back.

Morris - Returning to a backup role in Week 13, Morris still had a fairly solid performance with 64 yards and a touchdown on just five carries. However, with teammate Shaun Alexander resuming his role as the team's primary back, Morris' fantasy value is diminished. As such, Morris is a potentially risky play as a lower-tier No. 2 back for this week.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Isaac Bruce	St. Louis Rams	4	8.75 (12.41)	2.25 (23.73)	4.75	52.5	0.75
Arnaz Battle	San Francisco 49ers	4	8.00 (14.10)	1.00 (19.03)	3.75	68.0	0.50
Deion Branch	Seattle Seahawks	3	9.00 (9.64)	0.67 (4.84)	4.67	54.3	0.33
Nate Burleson	Seattle Seahawks	4	5.00 (7.14)	0.50 (4.84)	2.50	36.5	0.50
Bobby Engram	Seattle Seahawks	4	8.50 (12.13)	0.75 (7.26)	6.00	66.8	0.25

Bruce - With Frerotte under center for their Week 13 game against the Falcons, Bruce caught four passes on eight looks for 31 yards and a touchdown. This was his third touchdown of the year, with all three coming within the last four games. Bruce continues to be actively involved in the Rams' passing game, including within the red zone, making him a fairly reliable and potentially rewarding fantasy option. This week, Bruce rates as a lower-tier No. 2 receiver against the Bengals.

Battle - As the only Niners' wideout worthy of mention in their Week 13 game against the Panthers, Battle caught four passes from Dilfer for 51 yards and a touchdown. With five receptions, running back Frank Gore was the only other player to get more than one reception. Battle has been consistently targeted by Dilfer as he has found his way into the end zone twice in two weeks. Battle's recent performance makes him an upper-tier No. 2 wideout with upside potential this week as a strong play against the Vikings' porous pass defense.

Branch - On 10 looks from Hasselbeck, Branch caught five passes for 40 yards in Week 13 action against the Eagles. Branch's involvement in the Seahawks' passing game has increased over the last two games as he settles into his role as a primary receiver. This week at home against the Cardinals' soft passing defense, Branch is strong play as a No. 2 wideout.

Burleson - As the Seahawks rebalanced their passing attack with receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle) out, Burleson stepped up his involvement in Week 13 with four receptions on eight looks for 71 yards and a touchdown, his fifth of the year. Listed as the third option in the current pecking order of the Seahawks receiving corps, Burleson rates as a mid-tier to lower-tier No. 3 wideout this week.

Engram - Engram caught five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, his fourth of the year, in Week 13 action. This week, much like his teammate Branch, Engram rates as a No. 2 wideout with a strong play against the Cardinals.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Leonard Pope	Arizona Cardinals	4	3.25 (5.12)	1.25 (11.56)	2.50	31.8	0.75
Randy McMichael	St. Louis Rams	4	3.50 (4.96)	0.75 (7.91)	2.25	20.2	0.50
Marcus Pollard	Seattle Seahawks	4	2.50 (3.57)	0.00 (0.00)	2.00	20.2	0.00
Vernon Davis	San Francisco 49ers	4	5.50 (9.69)	0.75 (14.27)	3.00	29.5	0.25

Pope - Pope caught two passes for 14 yards and his fifth touchdown of the year in Week 13 action. Although he gets occasional red zone chances, Pope's continued low number of looks makes him a risky fantasy start. As a weak play against the Seahawks this week, Pope should be benched or only played as a borderline lower-tier No. 1 tight end if there are no better alternatives.

McMichael - In Week 13 action against the Falcons, McMichael caught two passes for 10 yards and a touchdown. This score was his third touchdown for the year and his second in the last four games. However, as a weak play against the Bengals defense, McMichael should be benched.

Pollard - Pollard picked up just 11 yards on two receptions against the Eagles. With few receptions and no involvement within the red zone in recent weeks, Pollard should be benched as a weak play against the Cardinals this week.

Davis - Davis was targeted by Dilfer with four times in Week 13 action against the Panthers, but he caught just one pass for 19 yards. Instead, fellow tight end Delanie Walker scored a 21-yard touchdown with a single reception of his own. This week, Davis rates as a borderline lower-tier No. 1 tight end against the Vikings.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Neil Rackers	Arizona Cardinals	4	4.00	4.00	1.50	1.00	7.0
Jeff Wilkins	St. Louis Rams	4	2.75	2.75	1.50	1.50	7.2
Josh Brown	Seattle Seahawks	4	3.25	3.25	2.50	1.25	7.0
Joe Nedney	San Francisco 49ers	4	1.50	1.50	1.25	1.00	4.5

Rackers - Rackers made both of his field goal attempts and all three extra points for the Cardinals in their win over Cleveland last week. This week the Cardinals face the Seahawks, who have allowed an average of 1.25 field goals and 1.75 extra points made against them over their past four games. Still kicking many more extra point attempts than field goal attempts in recent weeks, Rackers should be benched or played as a borderline lower-tier No. 1 kicker if better options are not available.

Wilkins - Wilkins scored four extra points without a field goal attempt in Week 13 against the Falcons. Wilkins kicks this week against the Bengals, who have allowed opposing kickers an average of just 0.75 field goals and 2.25 extra points per game over their past four games. As a weak play, Wilkins should be benched this week in favor of better alternatives.

Brown - Brown scored four extra points in Week 13 against the Eagles, missing his only field goal attempt. Brown can be started against the Cardinals this week as a lower-tier No. 1 kicker.

Nedney - Against the Panthers in Week 12 action that saw the Niners score two touchdowns, Nedney hit two extra points without any field goal attempts. Ranking near the bottom of the active kicker list throughout the season in most fantasy leagues, Nedney should be benched or dropped in favor of other more productive kickers if they are available.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Arizona Cardinals	4	23.5	2.00	2.2	1.50	0.8
St. Louis Rams	4	18.0	1.75	3.5	0.50	0.0
Seattle Seahawks	4	16.0	1.50	3.2	0.75	0.2
San Francisco 49ers	4	23.2	1.25	3.2	0.75	0.2

Cardinals - In a game-winning performance against Cleveland in Week 13, the Cardinals defense picked up one sack, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. As a strong play against Seattle offense, the Cardinals defense rates as a lower-tier to mid-tier No. 1 defense this week.

Rams - Against the struggling Falcons, the Rams got in four sacks along with two interceptions and a recovered fumble. The Rams' defense appears to benefit from running back Steven Jackson continuing to spark the offense. This week, however, the Rams defense is a weak play against the prolific Bengals and should be played as a borderline lower-tier No. 1 defense if better options are not available.

Seahawks - In their win against the Eagles, the Seahawks got in just one sack, but picked off four interceptions, three of them by Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu. This week, the Seahawks defense can be started as a mid-tier No. 1 defense against the Cardinals.

49ers - In their Week 13 loss against the Panthers, the Niners defense came up with two sacks and two interceptions for the game. Although the Niners defense has not been much of a fantasy factor so far this season, their improved performance in recent weeks puts them back on the radar as a borderline lower-tier No. 1 defense this week against the Vikings.