Bringin’ the Noise: Man in Blue

Week 13 Fantasy Flames

Player

Team

Pos

Opp

BNRK

Y!%

Donovan McNabb

QB

8

98, 57

Lowdown:

Chastised for his rudimentary knowledge of basic overtime rules. Questioned for his desire to bake pumpkin pies on the Linc sidelines in cold, wintry conditions. And now, he's the innocent victim of Andy Reid's gross mismanagement. Yeah, McNabb's emotions have surely run the gamut over the past week. But despite his mental rollercoaster ride, he's someone owners absolutely must ride this week. In four contests along and east of the Mississippi River the Cardinals have been beakless. They've conceded 229 passing yards per game and 12 total air scores. For the five-time Pro Bowler, the bendable Birds are exactly what the doctor ordered. Yes, McNabb has performed brutally in leagues that score harshly for turnovers, but he's still averaged 238.8 passing yards per game and totaled seven touchdowns (one rush) since Week 8. Unbelievably his 19.4 FPPG accumulated over that span ranks 10th among signal callers. Sure rumors have already begun to swirl about McNabb returning to his hometown, Chicago, via an offseason trade, but with three home games remaining, he'll likely regain the confidence of the Eagles faithful and his coach, starting Thanksgiving night. Possibly with Lorenzo Booker in the backfield and given the strong likelihood a turkey-tossing shootout will ensue, McNabb could post sweet potato totals on 40-plus attempts.

Fearless Forecast:

26-45, 303 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 17 rushing yards

Darren McFadden

RB

18

85, 27

Lowdown:

Yo, ho, ho! It's finally "Christmas in Hollis" for Run DMC's very patient owners. An "ill reindeer" in last week's unforeseen pounding of the Broncos, the rookie rushed for two touchdowns and totaled 52 yards on 12 touches. This week, McFadden is primed to see another spike in productivity against the arrowless Chiefs. The first-rounder's playmaking panache will prove devastating for a makeshift K.C. D-line that has yielded 4.4 yards per carry, 171.1 total yards per game and seven scores to backs since Week 8, equal to the fifth-most fantasy points allowed. Undoubtedly, Justin Fargas will tote at least 60 percent of the load, but McFadden's versatility at the goal-line and explosiveness in the open field implies another multi-TD performance is on the horizon. With his turf toe no longer an issue and his confidence at an all-time high, count on the electric youngster to finish in the Week 13 RB top-20. Remember, the last time he faced Kansas City (Week 2) the Raiders' rocket totaled 173 yards and a score.

Fearless Forecast:

15 carries, 71 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 16 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns

Leon Washington

RB

19

73, 30

Lowdown:

According to Irish lore if anyone keeps an eye fixed upon a leprechaun, he cannot escape, but the moment the gaze is withdrawn, he vanishes. The 5-foot-8, 200-pound Washington is New York's own mischievous sprite equipped with superhuman powers. Grossly underrated, the diminutive scatback has quietly flourished in recent weeks. Since Week 8, he's totaled 68.8 yards per game and crossed the chalk five times on just 9.4 touches per contest. His 12.9 fantasy points per game compiled over that five-game stretch ranks 13th among RBs, one spot ahead of Clinton Portis. Jets fullback Tony Richardson credits Washington's intestinal fortitude for his sudden emergence, "If you look at Leon's stature as far as his weight, size and height, you'd say by NFL standards, especially for the running-back position, he can't survive. But the size of his heart is probably bigger than half the guys' in this room. I'll put him in a fight with anybody, especially on the football field because he's going to give you everything he has with his ability." Although still underused, Washington's role is slowly increasing. This week, a workload similar to what he logged against St. Louis in Week 10 (16 touches) could be in order against Denver. Over the past five weeks, the My Little Ponies have allowed 150.5 total yards per game and six touchdowns to rushers, equal to the seventh-most fantasy points conceded. The expected return of Champ Bailey is a significant boost for Lucifer's suspect secondary, but it’s also a major benefit for Washington. In order to avoid Bailey and exploit Denver's primary weakness, look for Mangenious to tailor a gameplan around the legs of Thomas Jones and little Leon. Owners in 12-team and deeper leagues should bite into this leprechaun's Lucky Charms.

Fearless Forecast:

11 carries, 50 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 33 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

Santonio Holmes

WR

11

92, 49

Lowdown:

With the same number of touchdowns as such dominating superstars David Anderson, Marty Booker and Dane Looker, few have wanted to shout "What up?" to Holmes this season. Before he was cold-Crocked by Cincinnati's Chris Crocker last week, the inconsistent wideout was having one of his best games of the season. His final five-reception, 84-yard tally was his third-highest yardage effort of 2008. Mike Tomlin reiterated earlier this week his premiere home run threat is "going to be fine" and expects to see him in action Sunday. The Steelers' Week 13 adversary, New England, has recently performed inefficiently against the pass. Since Week 8, the Pats have conceded six touchdowns and five 70-yard games to wideouts, equal to the third-most fantasy points allowed. Plus, they've allowed the third-most 40-yard pass plays in the league this season. With Ben Roethlisberger almost fully recovered from a myriad of injuries and the running game in limbo, it's very likely Bruce Arians will attack New England by uncorking several downfield bombs to Holmes. Consider the irregular receiver an upper-tiered WR2 in all leagues.

Fearless Forecast:

5 receptions, 93 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

Roy Williams

WR

26

92, 43

Lowdown:

Dallas' game of musical quarterbacks hasn't done Williams any favors. Playing with three different signal callers in his past five games, the former Lion is slowly adjusting to life as a Cowboy. Although nearly universally owned, R2-D2 has produced uneventful numbers since donning the blue star. Since Week 7 he's caught just nine passes for 110 yards and one touchdown. On Tuesday, Wade Philips discussed Williams' progression with the Cowboys stating, "I think he's worked in pretty well. It's not an easy thing for him or for us to do. He's a big receiver with big play ability. We'll try to work him more and more into the offense as the season goes on." Tony Romo's confidence in his No. 2 appears to be growing, evident in Williams' increase in targets over the past two weeks. Thanksgiving could finally be the day R-Dubs resembles the standout receiver from his pre-Calvin Johnson years in Detroit. Seattle has surrendered the most 20-yard pass plays this year and the ninth-most fantasy points to receivers since Week 8. With Terrell Owens officially "unleashed" look for the Seahawks to rotate an extra defender over to No. 81's side, which could isolate the 6-foot-2 Williams on smallish corner (5-foot-9) Josh Wilson. Insert him into all 12-team lineups as a WR3.

Fearless Forecast:

5 receptions, 62 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

Shocker Special of the Week

Player

Team

Pos

Opp

BNRK

Y!%

Davone Bess

WR

29

6, 1

Lowdown:

The former Hawaii Warrior is primed to stamp a tribal tattoo on each member of the Rams' secondary. Vaulting into the No. 2 spot after Greg Camarillo was sidelined last week by torn knee ligaments, the undrafted rookie should build on his season-best nine targets for five catches and 87 yards Week 12 versus New England. Primarily working as a slot receiver, Bess has steadily grown more comfortable with the Dolphins offense as the season has progressed, ''I'm getting more and more confident each week. I'm continuing to work hard. Now, I feel like I need to stay ready. I know every position on the field. That goes for all of the receivers, just in case something like this happened. So we're all prepared.'' A turquoise-clad blur who runs precise routes, Bess' talents should pose a serious threat to a St. Louis defense which has surrendered the seventh-most 20-yard pass plays this season. Yes, the Rams have only yielded three touchdowns and four 70-yard efforts since Week 8, but because most offenses have pounded them on the ground, the perception they're an adequate vertical defense is skewed. With Chad Pennington searing, deep-thinking owners in dire straits for an upside WR3 should employ the Dolphins overachiever.

Fearless Forecast:

5 receptions, 73 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

Week 13 Fantasy Lames

Player

Team

Pos

Opp

BNRK

Y!%

Tyler Thigpen

QB

15

77, 37

Lowdown:

Attention aroused ladies Thigpen owners: Your ultimate man-tasy is about to be auctioned off for charity. For the sake of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, hopefully his manliness will raise more money than Screech did for the Bayside cheerleaders on "Saved by the Bell." Based on Thigpen's dramatic transformation, it's understandable why his fantasy supporters would be willing to pay top-dollar for a night of uncomfortable conversation. His 11 total touchdowns, 237 passing yards and 28.4 rushing yards per game averages since Week 8 have propelled him into the QB top-five. Remarkably, his 23.5 FPPG accumulated over that stretch is book-ended by megastars Kurt Warner (25.1) and Peyton Manning (23.0). Despite his marked success in Chan Gailey's spread scheme, Herm Edwards still isn't convinced he's the organization's franchise quarterback, "By the end of this season, we'll know if he's a starting quarterback in this league or if he's just a really good number two. But the good thing is that he knows he can control that." This week, Edwards likely won't be impressed with Thigpen's performance. The suddenly competitive Raiders have surrendered just 170.6 passing yards and four TDs to QBs in their past five contests, equal to the fifth-fewest fantasy points allowed. Because Oakland is relatively defenseless in the trenches, K.C. may revert to a classic smash-mouth style feeding Larry Johnson some 25-plus times. Matt Ryan (at SD), Chad Pennington (at StL) and David Garrard (at Hou) are more trustworthy options.

Fearless Forecast:

16-32, 213 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, 21 rushing yards

Michael Turner

RB

20

100, 93

Lowdown:

The Chargers, Turner's former employer, are fully equipped with fire extinguishers strapped to their backs and water buckets clinched in their fists. Labeling the Burner a lame after posting a scoring sombrero (4 TDs) last week may seem absurd, but no one knows his nuances better than his old teammates. Earlier this week, Turner acknowledged the circumstances are strange, "In practice, I'd run against them to make each other better. Now we're trying to beat each other. That's an entirely different tempo. But it'll be weird … It's going to be a fun game. I'm sure there will be a lot of trash-talking." Occasionally, the Chargers have been manhandled in the interior this season, but most of those poor performances have been away from SoCal. In five games at Qualcomm they've yielded one RB touchdown and limited backs to 4.0 yards per carry and 73.2 rushing yards per game. Turner, who ranks No. 2 among RBs in Y! leagues on the year, is practically unbenchable, but an uneventful tally could be on deck in what will likely be a sour homecoming.

Fearless Forecast:

23 carries, 89 rushing yards, 0 touchdowns

Reggie Bush

RB

28

99, 25

Lowdown:

A lame-duck much like his presidential namesake, Bush, sidelined by a torn meniscus in his knee, has rotted away on fantasy benches for the past five weeks. But the Fathead pitchman claims this is the week he'll return to action, "I definitely feel like this is the week. I'm just trying to make sure you're 100 percent before you get back out on the field." The last time Mr. Kardashian faced the Bucs, Week 1 in New Orleans, he plundered their treasure chest, totaling 163 yards (112 receiving) and a touchdown. But the Swashbucklers are a completely different squad with the pirate ship firing off shots in the background. In five contests at the Ray Jay, Tampa has not surrendered a rushing TD and has held backs to only 78 total yards per game. Yes, Bush's incredible hands and smooth moves in space can obliterate the Cover 2, but it's very possible he will cede touches to Pierre Thomas initially, especially in the red-zone. Throw in the lessons the Bucs likely learned in their first encounter with Bush and he's an untrustworthy option in non-PPR leagues this week.

Fearless Forecast:

10 carries, 33 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 37 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns

Braylon Edwards

WR

30

99, 85

Lowdown:

Pass the gravy to Edwards and a disastrous result is bound to occur. Embarrassed by his ball-dropping incompetence, the maligned wideout, who dropped three more passes last week versus Houston, finally manned-up to his dreadful play, "I haven't been what I was last year for this team. I don't know what it is. All I know is that I work hard. I know what I'm supposed to do. I'm healthy. It hasn't been all bad or all good, but it's definitely been more of the bad. Last year I was one guy. This year I'm a different guy. I know the fans are upset with me right now, and I don't blame them. But I want them to know that I'm trying. I don't ever drop a ball that I don't care about." Kudos to Edwards for accepting his shortcomings, but this week's matchup likely won't get his game back on track. Hosting an Indianapolis Colts defense that has allowed the second-fewest 20-yard pass plays this year, Cleveland, once again led by the horrifically inaccurate Derek Anderson, is primed to post atrocious aerial numbers. Edwards has averaged a healthy four receptions and 70.8 yards per game over the past five weeks, but during that same stretch, Indy has surrendered just one wideout touchdown and four 60-yard WR games, equal to the seventh-fewest fantasy points conceded. Sure, his targets will rise with the stronger-armed Anderson behind center, but the Colts are an outstanding pass defense who will be more concerned stopping Jamal Lewis, not Edwards.

Fearless Forecast:

4 receptions, 47 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns

Plaxico Burress

WR

33

100, 62

Lowdown:

Hogtied by reoccurring hamstring strains, Burr-ess' fantasy temperature has plummeted. He has not surpassed 50 receiving yards in a game since Week 6 and has found pay-dirt just one time in his past five contests. An MRI on his balky hammy Tuesday revealed only a strain. Tom Coughlin called him "day-to-day" Wednesday, but remained cautious on whether or not his prized receiver will be available for Sunday's pivotal intradivisional tango with Washington, "Hopefully it's something that he can overcome in a short amount of time. But let's face it, it's a hamstring." The game-time temperature in Washington is forecasted to be near 50 degrees, which is good news for Burress' prospects of staying loose. However, even if Plax is available, he's not a recommended play. Sure, Burress scalped the Redskins for 10 receptions and 133 yards Week 1, but the acquisition of DeAngelo Hall three weeks ago has solidified an already stalwart Washington secondary. Over the past five weeks, including two games with Hall, the 'Skins have surrendered a mere two scores and two 60-yard games to wideouts, equal to the third-fewest fantasy points yielded. Managers with playoff aspirations on the line who back Burress will be very regretful come Monday. Deactivate him in all formats.

Fearless Forecast:

3 receptions, 28 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns