Week 13
11/30/07
Steppin' Up
David Garrard, JAC: If it weren't for three games missed due to
an ankle injury, David Garrard would likely rank among the top
QBs in most fantasy leagues at the moment. In 8 games played he
is currently averaging just 203 yards per outing. His 9 touchdown
passes however, along with his 142 rushing yards have made him
a consistent performer on a weekly basis. Garrard is also yet
to throw an interception this season, making him even more valuable
in leagues that penalize for turnovers.
Since his return, the former first round pick out of East Carolina
has thrown for 3 more touchdowns and 485 yards in 2 games. This
week he faces a Colts secondary currently allowing just 161.9
passing yards per contest. While the match-up could prove difficult
Garrard should still be reliable for another touchdown and 150-200
yards through the air. He's also a threat to rush for 10-20 yards,
making him a decent play at the position if you lack an obvious
option.
Steppin' Down
Eli Manning, NYG: Currently in his fourth season as the Giants
starting quarterback, Eli Manning has yet to establish himself
as a consistent performer on a week-to-week basis. It seems whenever
his owners begin to gain trust in him, Eli has an outing that
leaves you questioning whether or not you should start him again.
A few weeks ago, Manning had a three game stretch in which he
threw two touchdown passes in each contest (weeks 5-7). Since
then, the former first round pick has struggled. In his last 4
starts Manning has thrown 6 interceptions and only 3 touchdowns.
His performance last Sunday against the Vikings was arguably his
worst of the season. Despite facing the worst ranked pass defense
in the league, Manning completed just 42.9% of his attempts with
4 interceptions and 1 touchdown for 273 yards.
This week, the Giants face a Chicago Bears unit that has allowed
229.1 yards per game through the air and surrendered 13 touchdown
passes this season. Their 7 interceptions are also second fewest
in the league. These numbers would indicate Manning is in for
a strong outing this week. Keep in mind however his disappointing
outings recently have come in games in which it appeared he should
be a reliable start. Keep your fingers crossed if you're relying
on the younger Manning to lead your team to the Championship in
coming weeks.
Steppin' Up
Earnest
Graham, TB: One of the biggest surprises this season has to
be Tampa Bay running back Earnest Graham. When both Cadillac Williams
and Michael Pittman were lost to injury early in the season, the
Buccaneers were forced to go with their third string RB to carry
most of the load. Graham has responded admirably since inheriting
the starting position in Week 6.
In 6 starts the undrafted NFL product out of Florida has carried
118 times for 484 yards. In his 3 most recent outings Graham has
produced two 100-yard games and scored 3 touchdowns, bringing
his total to 6 for the season. This Sunday he'll face a Saints
team that is currently allowing 22.9 points per game. While most
of the scoring against New Orleans has come through the air, expect
Graham to push the 100-yard mark again with a possible score.
In the weeks that follow Tampa faces Houston, Atlanta, and San
Francisco. All three of those defenses allow nearly 120 or more
yards per game on the ground. With that in mind expect Graham
to perform as a solid number two running back the remainder of
the season.
Steppin' Down
LenDale White, TEN: LenDale White has been a pleasant surprise
to fantasy owners for most of the year. Unfortunately, his success
has been directly tied to whether or not he finds the end zone
on Sundays. Despite three consecutive 100-yard outings during
weeks 7-9, White has failed to rush for more than 66 yards in
any other game this season. His 5 rushing touchdowns scored in
5 separate games has been a major factor as well in keeping him
a steady performer from week-to-week.
Lately, White has had a difficult time doing much of anything.
In his last 3 games he has carried the ball 29 times for only
81 yards. He's scored zero touchdowns during that time as well.
Considering his last two outings have come against Denver and
Cincinnati, two of the worst run stopping defenses in the league,
there's legitimate reason to be concerned about White's production
in the weeks ahead. If you've been using him as a number two running
back it's time to consider other options if you have them.
Steppin' Up
Justin Gage, TEN: Justin Gage isn't likely owned in many fantasy
leagues at the moment, but his performance over the last three
weeks is reason enough to grab him. In his three most recent games
the former Chicago Bears wide receiver has caught 17 passes for
254 yards and 1 touchdown. Those performances have brought him
to career highs in both receptions (36) and receiving yards (477)
with 5 games remaining on the schedule.
This Sunday the Titans face a Houston secondary that has allowed
15 touchdown passes and an average of 214.5 yards per game through
the air. In following weeks they face San Diego, Kansas City,
and the New York Jets. Of those three only Kansas City has a defensive
unit that has proven capable of limiting opponent’s air
attack. Gage may not be the most reliable option going forward,
but if you need help at the receiver position he could prove capable
as a third option in leagues that start three wide receivers.
Steppin' Down
Lee Evans, BUF: After a miserable start to the season, Lee Evans
came to life during weeks 7-9 as he compiled 401 yards on 19 receptions
with 2 touchdowns. Unfortunately, that brief period of success
hasn't continued for the Bills lead wide receiver. During the
last three weeks Evans' production has dropped back to level it
was at early in the year.
Evans has caught just 10 passes for 124 yards and zero touchdowns
since his mid-season outburst. With both starting running back
Marshawn Lynch, and back-up Anthony Thomas sidelined due to injury,
the prospects of Evans rebounding with a strong outing soon is
limited. Use him as a third receiver if you lack better options,
but don't expect too many big outbursts from him over the next
few weeks.
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