FANTASY FOOTBALL: Week Twelve Starters

Week #12 of the NFL season is here and it’s getting close to playoff time in fantasy football. Some teams are looking forward to the playoffs, as other teams are just trying to get in. Here is a list of players at their perspective positions and how they should do for you this weekend.

QUARTERBACKS-

1. Daunte Culpepper- This weekend, Culpepper and the Minnesota Vikings play host to the Carolina Panthers. Last weekend against the Arizona Cardinals, Culpepper threw for three touchdowns and ran in another. Culpepper will have another great game this weekend, however don’t expect four touchdowns again this weekend. The Panthers’ defense gives up an average of 232 yards a game, so Culpepper should do very well. In this game, look for Culpepper to throw for close to 300 yards and have at least two scores.

2. Peyton Manning- Last weekend against the NY Jets, Peyton Manning had a so-so game. In that game, Manning passed for 210 yards and threw for one touchdown. This weekend, Manning and the Colts head to Green Bay to play the Packers. Manning should have a better game this weekend, as the Packers have a so-so defense. Look for Manning to throw for at least two scores and have close to 275 yards passing.

3. Trent Green- What a game Trent Green had last weekend. Green passed for almost 300 yards and threw for four touchdowns and ran in another one. This Monday night, Green and the St. Louis Rams play a very important game against the Washington Redskins. On Friday afternoon, Trent Green and the rest of the Rams team learned that Marshall Faulk will be starting Monday night. That’s great news for Rams’ owners. Look for Green to throw for at least two scores and have close to 275 yards passing.

Other Quality Starters-

Jeff Garcia vs. Atlanta

Elvis Grbac vs. Buffalo

Jeff George vs. St. Louis

Sleeper of the Week-

Gus Frerotte- With Brian Griese injuring his throwing shoulder this past Monday night, Gus Frerotte looks to be the quarterback this weekend and possibly for the rest of the season. This is a big blow to the Denver Broncos, as Griese is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. However, the Broncos play some weak defensive teams in the upcoming weeks, so Frerotte should do OK. This weekend is one of them, as the Broncos host the San Diego Chargers. Look for Frerotte to throw for around 225 yards and have at least one touchdown.

RUNNING BACKS-

1. Edgerrin James- Last weekend, James had another stellar game. James once again had over 150 total yards and one score. This weekend, James and the Colts go to Lambeau Field in Green Bay to face the Packers. The Packers’ run defense is nothing to write home about, so James should be in for another great game. Look for James to score at least one touchdown and have around 150 total yards.

2. Jamal Lewis- This weekend, Lewis and the Ravens play host to the Dallas Cowboys. In this game, Lewis should have his best game of the year. The Cowboys’ defense gives up an average of almost 165 yards rushing a game. This is great news for Lewis owners. Look for Lewis to have at least 125 yards combined and have at least one score.

3. Robert Smith- Another good start at running back this weekend is Robert Smith going up against the Carolina Panthers. The Vikings should be able to move the ball with ease this weekend, as the Vikings should be able to put up at least 28 points. Look for Smith to gain around 100 yards on the ground and have one touchdown.

Other Quality Starters-

Stephen Davis vs. St. Louis

Fred Taylor vs. Pittsburgh

Eddie George vs. Cleveland

Sleeper of the Week-

Michael Pittman- This weekend, Pittman and the Arizona Cardinals go to Philadelphia to play the Eagles. In this game, the Cardinals will look to establish the running game with Pittman. The Eagles’ run defense is ranked 25th in the league, so look for Pittman to have a good game. Pittman should finish the game with close to 100 yards and one score.

WIDE RECEIVERS-

1. Randy Moss- There are many great starting fantasy wide receivers this weekend, however, Moss looks like he is going to be the most productive. This weekend, Moss and the Vikings play host to the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers’ cornerbacks are on the smaller side, so both Moss and Carter should be in for good games. Look for Moss to get a bunch of receiving yards in this game and get at least one touchdown.

2. Marvin Harrison- This weekend, Harrison and the Indianapolis Colts go to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers. Last weekend, Harrison scored again against the NY Jets and looks to be getting back on track. Look for Harrison to have a decent game this weekend, as he should once again top the 100-yard receiving mark and have at least one score.

3. Isaac Bruce- With the return of Marshall Faulk this weekend, this could be good news for Bruce and the other Rams receivers. With Faulk in the lineup, the Washington defense will rely on stopping him and not the receivers as much. Bruce will probably face Champ Bailey this weekend, as Deion will go up against Torry Holt. Look for Bruce to get the better of Bailey, as he should top the 100-yard receiving mark and have one score.

Other Quality Starters-

Eric Moulds vs. Kansas City

Torry Holt vs. Washington

Cris Carter vs. Carolina

Sleeper of the Week-

Albert Connell- With the Redskins having a bye last weekend, you can sure bank on the fact that both Jeff George and Albert Connell were working on their pass routes together. This is such a big game for both teams that nothing is going to be held back. George will look to Connell early and often in this game, as the Rams’ pass defense is ranked 28th in the league. Look for Connell to have a decent game this Monday night, as he should have close to 100 yards receiving and one score.

TIGHT ENDS-

1. Frank Wycheck- This is the game that Frank Wycheck will come out of his touchdown slump. This weekend, Wycheck and the Tennessee Titans play host to the Cleveland Browns. The Titans lost a close game last weekend to Baltimore, so look for Tennessee to get revenge this weekend. Wycheck and the Titans’ offense should have a field day this weekend, especially Wycheck. Look for Wycheck to have around 75 yards receiving and two scores in this game.

2. Jay Riemersma- This weekend is a big game for Riemersma and the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are 6-4 and in the hunt for a playoff berth. A loss would be crucial to them. With Buffalo not having a running game, look for Riemersma and the rest of the Bills’ receivers to get a lot of work. Riemersma should have a good game this weekend and have close to 60 yards receiving and at least one score.

3. Shannon Sharpe- Yeah, this game might get pretty ugly this weekend as the Baltimore Ravens play host to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have the 17th ranked defense in the NFL, so look for pretty good numbers from Sharpe and some of the other Ravens players. The Cowboys’ linebackers are pretty small, so Sharpe should be one of those players to have a decent game. Look for Sharpe to get at least 50 yards receiving and at least one score.

Other Quality Starters-

Tony Gonzalez vs. Buffalo

Chad Lewis vs. Arizona

Roland Williams vs. Washington Sleeper of the Week-

Bubba Franks- A good sleeper tight end this weekend could be Bubba Franks of the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are without RB Dorsey Levens again, so they need to establish a decent passing offense. The Colts are ranked 17th in the NFL in passing defense, so look for Franks to have a decent game. Don’t be surprised if Franks catches 5-7 passes for 50 yards and one score.

DEFENSES AND SPECIAL TEAMS-

1. Tennessee- The Titans host the Cleveland Browns this weekend at Adelphia Stadium. The Titans are not going to lose two in a row at home.

2. Tampa Bay- The Buccaneers play the Bears in Chicago this weekend. With both Cade McNown and Jim Miller out with injuries, the starting quarterback is now Shane Matthews. This game is going to get ugly.

3. Baltimore- This weekend, the Ravens play host to the Dallas Cowboys. This defense, ranked # 1 in the NFL, should easily keep the Cowboys under 14 points in this game.

Other Quality Starters-

Miami vs. NY Jets

Philadelphia vs. Arizona

Jacksonville vs. Pittsburgh

Sleeper of the Week-

Oakland- After last Monday’s loss to Denver, look for the Raiders defense to come up big against the “Ricky-less” Saints.