Forsett was an elite Start.
We had a horrible week with our Start/Sit column in Week 12, and not to make excuses, but injuries to Matt Ryan and Michael Turner (again) played a helping hand in it.
While we finished with a less then desirable 5-10 record on the week (counting sleeper picks), we still vouched for Week 12 fantasy gems such as Justin Forsett and Ryan Grant, and correctly urged you to sit Matt Forte and Kevin Smith.
Read on for Week 12’s review and exlanations, and remember, Don’t Kill the Messenger:
Winners
Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks (Start)
Forsett stepped in for Julius Jones, who misses another game, and topped 100 yards rushing for the second time in three games, while chipping in two scores against the Rams. Well worth a starting nod.
Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers (Start)
Grant made mince meat of the Detroit Lions run defense, gashing them for 100+ total yards. He wasn’t an elite option as we had hoped, but he still got you at least 10 points in standard scoring leagues.
Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears (Sit)
You never play your running back against the Williams Wall, unless his name is Maurice Jones-Drew. You just don’t. Forte was perfect evidence why, as he totaled just 80+ total yards, and only 27 on the ground.
Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions (Sit)
Smith had trouble finding room to run all day against a solid Green Bay Packers run defense, rushing for just 43 yards on 18 carries. He did produce nearly 90 total yards, but considering the no scores and low rushing production, we’re taking this a as a win. Hey, they were hard to come by this week.
Rock Cartwright, RB, Washington Redskins (Sleeper)
Cartwright works just the opposite way that Forte and Smith did. Forte and Smith are supposed to be feature backs that get you RB1 (or at worst) RB2 numbers, and considering where you drafted them, they simply didn’t deliver in Week 12. Cartwright, on the other hand, is a reasonable Flex play as the Redskins starter, so getting 70+ yards out of him has to be rewarding.
Duds
Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons (Start)
Judging by the way back-up Chris Redman handled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, we still feel very confident that Ryan would have made a fantastic start in Week 12, had he not left the game in the first half due to a toe injury. Forgive us, but our crystal ball didn’t fill is in on an in-game injury.
Jason Snelling, RB, Atlanta Falcons (Start)
Snelling only managed eight yards as he played second fiddle to Michael Turner (unexpectedly returned to line-up), and was still taking a backseat to Jerious Norwood, even after Turner left the game due to re-injuring his ankle. Again, unforeseen circumstances.
John Carlson, TE, Seattle Seahawks (Start)
Carlson was a risky bet regardless of us vouching for him, but judging by his last performance against the Rams (7/97/2), we felt he’d have a break-out game. We were wrong, but this was actually largely due to Forsett’s success (above in “winners”), and Matt Hasselbeck’s mediocre play.
Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys (Sit)
We weren’t willing to allow anyone to play Tony Romo against a very solid Oakland Raiders pass defense. Not after what we saw what that defense did to Carson Palmer, Matt Schaub, and Donovan McNabb. Who would have thought Romo would have played better than all three of those guys?
Tim Hightower, RB, Arizona Cardinals (Sit)
Hightower was almost a sit with just 50+ yards rushing, but he did find his way into the end-zone, making himself a solid Flex play in Week 12, and even an admirable RB2. We didn’t think he had much of a chance going up against a solid Titans run defense, but as we’ve learned in the past, Hightower will shock some folks from time to time.
Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers (Sit)
Floyd still hasn’t caught more than three passes in a game all season (and we still don’t love him), but he did crack 80 yards receiving, and he had a heck of a catch on a long ball from Phillip Rivers against the Chiefs.
Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins (Sleeper)
The Dolphins has it going on with a stout rushing attack against the Bills, and then Henne had to ruin it by stinking up the joint. We weren’t promoting him as a starter, and aren’t completely down on him as a sleeper, but his poor Week 12 showing didn’t do him (or you) any favors.
Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers (Sleeper)
Nelson continued to share the third receiver spot with James Jones, and while he was somewhat involved in the offense, his role wasn’t (and likely won’t be) anything to get worked up about. Leave him on your waiver wire.
Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Cleveland Browns (Sleeper)
We should have known better labeling Massaquoi as a sleeper, especially after he laid an egg the last time we begged you to keep your eye on him. He might be good for another random 120+ yard day down the road, but that can’t be enough to keep him on your roster.
James Casey, TE, Houston Texans (Sleeper)
We still think Casey has loads of potential in his new role, but he simply hasn’t been getting on the field enough, due to his inability to block effectively. He could break-out at any time, but unfortunately, we suggest you watch that happen with Casey riding the waiver wire, or at the very least, your bench.
