16.48

Opponents have been doubling and playing a lot of Cover 2 against Mike Wallace, which is opening things up for Antonio Brown as the Pittsburgh Steelers' go-to guy. Look for Wallace to see some bubble screens and let him use his speed to exploit the secondary this week and in the near future. Ben Roethlisberger's aggravated finger injury probably facilitates trying to get the ball in Wallace's hands sooner anyway; both Wallace and Brown are top-notch fantasy plays against a Cincinnati Bengals D that lost CB Leon Hall for the season. - Tim Heaney

16.45

Don't get overly excited, but OC Dirk Koetter could fix Blaine Gabbert now that he's also the Jacksonville Jaguars QB coach. Koetter has a good mind for schemes and hasn't really had many hands-on opportunities to try to mold the rookie. It's a long shot, but maybe getting on the same page with the team's playbook producer will help Gabbert finish ... relatively strong. - Tim Heaney

16.39

Cutting Jason Hill doesn't guarantee a Jacksonville Jaguars wideout will step up; there's still plenty of work to do under new WR coach Mike Sheppard. If you had to pick a receiver that could show a little something, it'd be Jarett Dillard, but you're at a point in the fantasy season where you can't risk anything on finding out. - Tim Heaney

16.37

There's ... excitement with the Jacksonville Jaguars? Their first practice this week with interim head coach Mel Tucker was fast-paced and energetic; they finished 20 minutes early because they accomplished everything. The players think highly of him, especially given the way he has transformed the defense and how him cutting Jason Hill sent the message that they have to earn roles. Tucker has an outside shot of earning consideration for the official HC gig next season if they finish strong. - Tim Heaney

16.32

The New England Patriots' pass defense can thank their much improved QB pressure with Andre Carter and Mark Anderson, who's thriving now that he's limited to passing situations. NE has also been a little more aggressive on D and has been using more man-to-man personnel. - Tim Heaney

16.30

Ever since their loss to the St. Louis Rams, the New Orleans Saints have seen great play from their offensive line. Brian De La Puente has been an upgrade at center, and Zach Strief's return at RT has aided an already sack-repellent Drew Brees. - Tim Heaney

16.27

If Mario Manningham (knee) has to miss anymore time, we could see more of Devin Thomas and Ramses Barden. But the New York Giants won't be going back to a run-heavy game plan even if that happens. That would probably mean more Jake Ballard. - Tim Heaney

16.26

If Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) comes back this week, he probably won't be fully healthy, so it should be a 50-50 touch split in the New York Giants backfield with Brandon Jacobs. Too bad regardless of how many touches Bradshaw gets, this offensive line won't allow the run game to blossom to its previous levels. - Tim Heaney

16.22

Green Bay Packers RT Bryan Bulaga has only given up one sack all season and should contain New York Giants pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul; without Osi Umenyiora, the Giants' QB pressure won't be the same. - Tim Heaney

16.21

Expect Green Bay Packers rookie RB Brandon Saine to eat into some of Ryan Grant's work on third downs and passing formations for the foreseeable future. Saine has some elusiveness and has run better than Grant of late. James Starks (ankle) shouldn't be affected. - Tim Heaney

16.15

Don't be surprised if Joe Haden covers Baltimore Ravens wideout Torrey Smith in Week 13; he probably has a better chance than any other Cleveland Browns CB of staying with the rookie on deep routes. Anquan Boldin could face Sheldon Brown, who's a more applicable physical matchup. If the assignments flip-flop at any point during the game, it could be disastrous for Cleveland. - Tim Heaney

16.14

Though Colt McCoy still runs a bit too much, he's making better decisions of when to escape the pocket. It's not something the Cleveland Browns will probably be able to correct soon; he still needs to become a better pocket passer before being a competent fantasy football play. - Tim Heaney

16.14

Expected Cleveland Browns touch split percentage: Peyton Hillis (hamstring) 85, Montario Hardesty (calf) 10, Chris Ogbonnaya 5. Hillis ran stronger up the middle last week and should continue the majority role as long as he's in that shape. - Tim Heaney

16.08

Bill Polian will probably defend Jim Caldwell's credibility as head coach even if the Indianapolis Colts go 0-16. Jim Irsay might force his hand, but Caldwell is a company man that plays ball, something that's highly valued in Indy. - Tim Heaney

16.07

Don't get excited about Peyton Manning's round of good news regarding his neck. The fusion happened; it was supposed to. He still has extensive rehab to go through; he has a better shot at practicing this season than he does playing. - Tim Heaney

16.06

Our New England Patriots scribe thinks Wes Welker will trample the Indianapolis Colts, but our Indy surveyor reminds us not to underestimate the play of cornerback Jerraud Powers, who's having a good year but stuck in a horrific secondary. - Tim Heaney

16.05

Dan Orlovsky should play a more conservative game than Curtis Painter; he has done better at reading defenses and avoiding risky throws. But could the Indianapolis Colts be setting Orlovsky up to fail? Oliver Stone warning: Since Orlovsky has to play the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, a poor performance by him could allow Bill Polian to bring Painter, his draft pick that he supports, back into the fray. 'We gave Orlovsky a chance,' he could say. Apparently, this might be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to questionable management decisions in Indy. - Tim Heaney

15.10

Frank Gore should find plenty of running room against the St. Louis Rams this week, especially if defensive tackle Justin Bannan (shoulder) doesn't play. The Rams run defense has been respectable in the last month when Bannan has been in the game. Make sure Gore, who is seemingly healthier this week, is in your lineup! - Cory J. Bonini

15.04

This Sunday, the New Orleans Saints will be free to send help to various blockers because Ndamukong Suh will be absent from the Detroit Lions' side of the line of scrimmage. It'll be harder for defensive ends Cliff Avril, who's been playing like a beast recently, and Kyle Vanden Bosch to affect the game. Suh frequently occupies two blockers, and it's tough to lay a finger on Drew Brees as it is. - Nicholas Minnix

14.56

For the first time since he began wearing gloves because of the fracture he sustained in the index finger on his throwing hand, Matthew Stafford will play without the hand garments. Detroit Lions OC Scott Linehan conceded that the finger and gloves made it easier for the QB to commit turnovers. The finger isn't 100 percent, but it's past the point where it will affect his ability to protect the football. That's music to the ears of fantasy football players who'd love to see the Lions engage the New Orleans Saints in a shootout and put Stafford back into the high-end QB1 tier. - Nicholas Minnix

14.53

Wide receiver Danario Alexander is not on the injury report for the first time in the last five weeks. He should have a meaningful role going forward, with defenses focusing on stopping Brandon Lloyd. Alexander has looked sharp in practice this week. - Cory J. Bonini

14.44

The Rams want and intend to sign wideout Brandon Lloyd to a contract extension; it appears as though he is willing to return to the team, assuming the coaching staff does, too. The status of Josh McDaniels, specifically, is what should determine Lloyd's future with the team.  - Cory J. Bonini

14.43

There's not much reason to believe that Ndamukong Suh's latest run-in with the league office, or anything after that, is going to convince him to change his attitude. He holds his talent in high regard. His seeming view: The NFL has to get used to him rather than he has to get used to the NFL. There are people in the Detroit Lions' locker room who agreed that he should've been suspended. They'll miss him, but they don't feel cheated. - Nicholas Minnix

14.39

Sam Bradford (ankle) aggravated the ankle injury that cost him two games earlier this season, and he is a game-time decision for Week 13. The Rams have struggled to protect the second-year passer, as he has been sacked 33 times through nine starts. He was taken down 34 times in 16 games last season. Bradford has looked uncomfortable in the pocket - hurrying throws and feeling pressure that is not there. Additionally, he has more fumbles lost (seven) than touchdown passes thrown (six). Two of the fumbles were not Bradford's fault: An offensive lineman tripped him as he pulled away from the center, and Cadillac Williams failed to secure a backwards pass. It doesn't appear as though Bradford's struggle of this will change in the near future, either.  - Cory J. Bonini

14.34

Kevin Smith (sprained ankle) isn't 100 percent, but he looked good in extensive work on Thursday. This Sunday, the Detroit Lions will undoubtedly spell him with Maurice Morris, but, barring a setback, don't expect a significant drop-off in touches for the back in the starting role, Smith. The gift from the free-agent scrapheap has a fine matchup against the New Orleans Saints, particularly for PPR scoring, where he makes an excellent play as a boom-or-bust RB2. - Nicholas Minnix

14.18

Our insider doesn't quite seem ready to buy Mike Shanahan's belief - or at least, the declaration - that Roy Helu Jr. is ready to be a 25- or 30-carry back now that the rookie is slated to start for the Washington Redskins. That doesn't detract from Helu's fantasy football value, though; Shanny's fickle nature does. Helu will get a chance to run with the job, and he should produce, in one form or another. - Nicholas Minnix

14.10

Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers is expected to do battle with the Chicago Bears' Johnny Knox this week, but the wideout may get the best of the feisty defender with double moves and his speed. Expect quarterback Caleb Hanie to target Knox often to take advantage of this matchup. IDP owners should consider Flowers a sneaky play in Week 13. - Cory J. Bonini

13.56

Caleb Hanie's athletic ability was apparent in Week 12. Overall, he was all right, considering it was his first start, but he turned over the ball too much. He played well enough that it is unlikely the Bears will claim Donovan McNabb (Vikings). Hanie's favorite target certainly appears to be Johnny Knox (10 targets). Expect progression from the young quarterback as long as Mike Martz doesn't do too much to overwhelm him - that always is a possibility with Martz. -  Cory J. Bonini

13.42

Houston cornerback Kareem Jackson will have his hands full trying to cover Atlanta Falcons wideout Roddy White in Week 13. Atlanta will move White around the field to take advantage of this matchup and to avoid Johnathan Joseph. - Cory J. Bonini

13.38

The Falcons crept into the top 10 of overall defenses - ninth, to be precise - after Week 12. The significance behind this is 11 of the last 15 Super Bowl winners ranked in the top 10 in this category. They still have several weeks left, but Atlanta faces three rookie QBs in the next month, so their numbers could improve.   - Cory J. Bonini

13.33

The Falcons likely will be down two cornerbacks in Week 13, with Kelvin Hayden (toe) being doubtful and Brent Grimes (knee) listed as out. Dominique Franks is expected to start in place of Grimes, with Chris Owens manning the slot role. Franks has been the best Atlanta corner in practice dating back to training camp, so the team is eager to see how he performs in a game. Owens is in a do-or-die situation if he wishes to remain on the team; he must play well this week. Expect some regression from the position, but the Falcons face three rookie quarterbacks in a row, starting with Houston's T.J. Yates this weekend. - Cory J. Bonini

13.27

Michael Turner is dealing with a groin injury but is expected to receive his normal workload this week. The veteran back underwent a groin procedure last year and played through it, so there is no reason to think the Falcons will shut him down for a game or two at this point. - Cory J. Bonini