Quarterbacks

As we mentioned on our Late Season Strategy Podcast on Tuesday night, Matthew Stafford is a nice pickup if you are rebuilding. Stafford became the youngest player to pass for 5 TD's in a game yesterday. Impressive. Equally as impressive was the toughness he showed coming in for the last play of the game (and passing for the winning TD). The Lions are going to build around the Stafford to Megatron connection and when you throw in Pettigrew and Kevin Smith, they do have young offensive weapons. He is still going to have his ups and downs, but his price tag might have just gone up. If you are looking to acquire him, perhaps wait a week or two until that beastly performance is more of an afterthought.

Brady Quinn, where have you been? Do not get too excited here, but it was good to see the Browns open it up a bit and let Quinn throw it downfield. His receiving options still are not great, but a few more performances like this could mean he has a future in Cleveland. Dynasty leaguers will want to monitor this situation because Quinn does have potential.

Joe Flacco does not have a TD pass in the past three games and has been relatively mediocre since his hot start. We are not too concerned yet because Flacco does have immense potential, but he is not very reliable at this point on your fantasy team. He could turn it around at any time, but he does have two tough matchups against the Steelers and Packers in his next two. If you are looking for a buy low player, he might be a decent target. The price is still going to be high, but not as high as it was around Week 6.

Running Backs

Ricky Williams was impressive as a starter.  He is running hard, and he still has plenty of speed, showing that he can still get to the edge.  He also nearly had a 2nd receiving TD, just missing getting his second foot down.  Ricky will be a reliable starter moving into fantasy playoff time.  If you are out of it, he serves as a great bargaining chip for a team looking to make a push for the playoffs.

Jamaal Charles also looked good as a starter, but his 3.4 ypc average this week will be enough to warrant him a reliable starter.  He is versatile, so he remains flex worthy as long as he is the "guy" in the Chiefs backfield, but temper expectations until you see the ypc rise.

Not a surpise here, but Mike Bell continues to eat heavily into Pierre Thomas's value.  Thomas, in only 13 touches (11 carries, 3 rec.) was over 100 all purpose yards and then lost goal line and late game carries to Bell (2 TD's).  Thomas is easily a Top-7 fantasy talent when getting a heavy workload, but really cannot be counted on for more than flex play potential on a weekly basis.  A frustrating situation for Thomas owners, especially considering the Saints fantasy playoff schedule.  The Saints are winning with a more balanced attack, but the out of control fantasy numbers we have become accustom to haven't been as prevalent.

Four straight 115+ yard games and a TD in his last 3.  On a decent team, Steven Jackson would be having an MVP season, and likely be on pace to break personal career season records.  He is currently on pace to post 2,000 all purpose yards and carry the rock 344 times.  In 2006 (his best statistical season), he had 346 carries and went on to play in only 12 games in '07 and '08.  He is an absolute Beast running hard every week on a team that is terrible.  Unfortunately this workload will take it's toll in 2010. 

Wide Receivers

It's not that Greg Jennings has had a bad season, he just has not been as studly as he was in 2008. He scored just his 3rd TD of the season, along with 5 catches and 126 yards. It was his highest yardage output of the season and his first 100 yard game since Week 3. Jennings has not lost any of his talent and moving forward he should remain just below the first tier of elite WR options. In an explosive offense with a beastly young QB, Jennings figures to heat up in the coming weeks and finish the season on a strong note. He is a strong buy in Dynasty leagues if he is available.

Although he is on pace for 1,165 yards, 67 catches and 8 receiving TD's, DeSean Jackson is not in the midst of a breakout season. While the 2nd year receiver has been electric, he is capable of even more than this. A truly elite option, he is without question a Top 10 WR in Dynasty leagues. He is extremely polished, but he is still developing as a player and his ceiling is sky high. Along with Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek and LeSean McCoy, the Eagles have the makings of a very potent young corp.

Everyone knows Wes Welker is a top WR option, especially in PPR leagues. But he has been an absolute beast this season. He missed two games and is still on pace for 126 catches and over 1,300 yards. The only knock on Welker is that he does not find the endzone often, but when you catch that many balls, it does not even matter. He is only 28 years old and figures to remain a top tier PPR receiver for at least the next few seasons. If you are looking for consistency on your starting roster, Welker is the guy. He had just one "dud" this season - 6 catches and 48 yards against the Ravens in Week 4. He has at least 84 yards and at least 8 catches in every other game this season.

Even with 192 yards, Wes Welker did not lead the list of Week 11 receivers. That honor went to Terrell Owens, who hopped in the way back machine, rattling off 9 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown. That yardage outburst accounted for more than 35% of his season totals. He is a risky start in fantasy leagues, but he just might have some chemistry with Bills "starter" Ryan Fitzpatrick. If you do not need him in your lineup, now would be an excellent time to deal the soon to be 36 year old in your Dynasty league.

Tight Ends

Coach Coughlin has indicated he plans to look for Kevin Boss more in the Red Zone.  This strategy was brilliant this weekend where Boss recorded his first career multi TD game.  The Giants are an awful Red Zone team, and it seems as though Boss may provide a reliable solution to this problem.  For now, Boss is a TE2 value with low TE1 value for the remainder of the season.

Matt Stafford has thrown a TD pass to Will Heller in each of the last two weeks.  He also went to Brandon Pettigrew for the game winner.  Pettigrew is developing into a nice player, that because of this polished blocking ability will be on the field constantly in 2010. 

Visanthe Shiancoe had his best game of the season catching 8 passes and recording a TD.  He is a great option at TE for 2009, but has little long term upside.  Jason Witten has not had a TD since Week 2.  It's been about the same amount of time since Antonio Gates has found the end zone as well (Week 4).  Jermichael Finely is healthy again.  He had 10 targets this weekend, two of which were end zone looks.  Lots of upside here.  Land him now if possible and reap the benefits next season.

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