Fantasy FanHouse

Randy Moss Won't Be Seeing Much of Nnamdi Asomugha on Sunday

Adam Gretz — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST

Perhaps the most interesting individual matchup in Sunday's Patriots-Raiders game will be New England wide receiver Randy Moss taking on Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. In theory, anyway. Asomugha has quietly -- because he plays for Oakland -- become one of the league's best corners, while Moss continues to be, well, Randy Moss. Granted, he's not going to haul in 20+ touchdowns this season, but he's still a force to be reckoned with in the passing game.

One would think that since Asomugha is the best in the business at shutting down opposing receivers, and because Moss is still one of the NFL's best big-play threats -- even without Tom Brady -- the Raiders would use their franchise player to shadow Moss everywhere he goes. But, since they're the Raiders, they won't.

Earlier this week, Asomugha told the media in Oakland that he won't be used as a shadow on Moss, and instead, will be chasing around Wes Welker.

File this under: this is why you're 3-10.

I realize Welker leads the NFL with 96 catches, and already has over 1,000 yards, but this just doesn't seem to make much sense from an Oakland standpoint. If I were Tom Cable or Rob Ryan, I'd have Asomugha following Moss everywhere he goes on Sunday. If Moss goes to the left side, Asomugha would be going left. If Moss goes to the right, Asomugha would be going right. If Moss leaves the field to go to the bathroom, Asomugha would be following him there, too. Just to send a message.

Welker is a nice player, and as it turns out, tough as nails, but everybody in the NFL knows where he's going to be in the Patriots' passing game - behind the line of scrimmage, or, at most, six yards down field. Of his 96 catches this year, 33 have been caught behind the line of scrimmage, while 54 have been on passes thrown less than 10 yards in the air. Only nine times this season has Welker caught a pass more than 10 yards down field.

And you're going to leave Asomugha on him? While Moss is left with the inviting target of Chris Johnson and/or Stanford Routt?

Doesn't make sense. Though, I'm sure the Patriots are loving the idea.

Randy Moss Won't Be Seeing Much of Nnamdi Asomugha on Sunday originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brandon Jacobs Out for Sunday Showdown Against the Cowboys

Shane Bacon — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:43:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy Football, NFL Injury Report

It wasn't "shoots self in leg," but it might be just as big a blow for the NFC-leading New York Giants.

Running back Brandon Jacobs, who has rushed for 1,002 yards this season, will not play this Sunday night against the Cowboys because of an injured left knee, says Ralph Vacchiano over at The Blue Screen.

Tom Coughlin made that announcement (earlier today) after Jacobs missed his third straight practice with an injured left knee.

"We just didn't feel like he'd be ready to play," Coughlin said.

Derrick Ward, who is second on the team in rushing and sports an impressive 4.8 yards per carry, will replace Jacobs with Ahmad Bradshaw helping out with the load.

How big is this for the Cowboys' chance of winning? In their first meeting of the season, a 35-14 Giants win, Jacobs carried 17 times for 117 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys already have a rather stingy rush defense, so missing Jacobs will only give the front line a better chance to disrupt Eli Manning and the passing game.

(H/T PFT)

Brandon Jacobs Out for Sunday Showdown Against the Cowboys originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fantasy Football Playoff Chat Extravaganza Kicks Off at 2 PM ET

Matt Snyder — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy Football, Expert Chats

So, once again, Reggie Bush tweaked his knee and Pierre Thomas took full advantage. He exploded for 25+ points in most leagues, and hopefully you had him active. Moving forward, it's pretty obvious that even though the Saints would like to use Bush more, his knee just isn't totally healthy yet. In the meantime, they are finding Thomas can be an every down back in this league.

That's not all we have to discuss today, not in the least. We'll be piggy-backing the NFL FanHouse 1:00 chat and kick off right when it ends -- because we know that you definitely don't want to do any work after lunch on a Friday. No way, not with the fantasy playoff season in high gear and the NFL playoff picture remaining completely out of focus.

Make sure to check out our player rankings and other analysis lower down on the Fantasy FanHouse page, and we'll help fill in any gaps or answer any questions about our top-notch analysis you may have.

Fantasy Football Playoff Chat Extravaganza Kicks Off at 2 PM ET originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings

Matt Snyder — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football

Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye on the Prize: Fantasy Football Defense/Special Teams Rankings

Matt Snyder — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football

It's playoff time! FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled in order to provide answers to lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.

For two straight weeks we've given you the Colts as a D/ST to watch, and they have not disappointed. Their monster day in Cleveland, where they carried the team to a victory -- and likely your fantasy team -- was outdone last week at home against the Bengals. Five sacks, three picks, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown were accompanied by only three points allowed.

If it's possible, the Colts' opponent this week is even worse offensively. The Detroit Lions were already really bad, but now it looks like neither Daunte Culpepper nor Dan Orlovsky are going to be healthy enough to play. That means Drew Henson is taking snaps. He's attempted 20 passes in his ~~illustrious~~ career, and only two since 2004.

The collective chops -- as they say -- are being licked by the Colts' fantasy owners. Again.

More notes after the rankings.

1. Colts, vs. DET
2. Eagles, vs. CLE
3. Steelers, at BAL
4. Ravens, vs. PIT
5. Jets, vs. BUF
6. Titans, at HOU
7. Redskins, at CIN
8. Patriots, at OAK
9. Giants, at DAL
10. Dolphins, vs. SF
11. Cardinals, vs. MIN
12. Bucs, at ATL
13. Packers, at JAX
14. Chargers, at KC
15. Falcons, vs. TB
16. Vikings, at ARI
17. Panthers, vs. DEN
18. Cowboys, vs. NYG
19. Bears, vs. NO
20. Niners, at MIA
21. Bills, at NYJ
22. Raiders, vs. NE
23. Bengals, vs. WAS
24. Seahawks, at StL
25. Rams, vs. SEA
26. Texans, vs. TEN
27. Jags, vs. GB
28. Saints, at CHI
29. Chiefs, vs. SD
30. Browns, at PHI
31. Broncos, at CAR
32. Lions, at IND

- The Redskins are a very solid defensive choice against the Bengals. For proof, check out what just happened in Indy.

- Even if it's really cold, I'm expecting the scoreboard operator to be busy in Soldier Field. Neither defense is a great option. Of course, the Saints offense can be turnover-prone at times, and you never know when the Bears take one to the house. Shaky option, but viable if you don't have other options.

- It's funny, the Seahawks and Rams have been laughingstocks in fantasyland this season. Yet here they are, playing each other, and they aren't incredibly embarrassing. You shouldn't be using them, I'm just saying it's funny.

- Hail Mary sleeper? Niners in Miami. They've done quite well in four of the past five weeks, only really being hurt by Tony Romo and the Cowboys. Miami's good, but not because of a high-octane offense.

Eye on the Prize: Fantasy Football Defense/Special Teams Rankings originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings

Sean Lalley — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football

Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings

Sean Lalley — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football

It's playoff time! FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled in order to provide answers to lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.

Diving right into this week's all-too-important receiver rankings, the clear choice was to keep Larry Fitzgerald on top. Yup, he has a history of sealing fantasy titles in the crucial weeks of the season. And this week he gets to go against a subpar Vikings pass defense that can be exploited.

This is it for Reggie Wayne. His owners (like myself) are at wits end, but we'll all rest easy as he's in line for a huge day against the ~~laughingstock of the NFL~~ Lions. Patience will once again pay off for all those who stuck with the Colts' struggling offense in the early part of the season, as I fully expect Peyton Manning to also reward Wayne's buddies Marvin Harrison and Anthony Gonzalez.

Not much shakeup in the Top 10, but there is one thing to note before you dismiss Terrell Owens this weekend. Since joining the Cowboys, in five games against the Giants he has 430 receiving yards and six TDs. So, you get my drift ... he's a "must" start. Lastly, you'll notice the Jets receivers plummeting in these rankings. Well, there's a reason, and that it is they both have been terrible lately. Seriously, you should find other options.

And now with the rest of the ranks.

1. Larry Fitzgerald, MIN
2. Steve Smith, DEN
3. Reggie Wayne, DET
4. Anquan Boldin, MIN
5. Brandon Marshall, @ CAR
6. Terrell Owens, NYG
7. Greg Jennings, @ JAX
8. Calvin Johnson, @ IND
9. Andre Johnson, TEN
10. Roddy White, TB
11. Dwayne Bowe, SD
12. Lee Evans, @ NYJ
13. Wes Welker, @ OAK
14. Marques Colston, CHI
15. Antonio Bryant, ATL
16. Vincent Jackson, @ KC
17. Lance Moore, CHI
18. Randy Moss, @ OAK
19. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WSH
20. Bernard Berrian, @ ARZ
21. Deion Branch, @ STL
22. DeSean Jackson, CLE
23. Eddie Royal, @ CAR
24. Santana Moss, @ CIN
25. Devin Hester, NO
26. Kevin Walter, TEN
27. Anthony Gonzalez, DET
28. Marvin Harrison, DET
29. Hines Ward, @ BAL
30. Isaac Bruce, @ MIA
31. Amani Toomer, @ DAL
32. Donald Driver, @ JAX
33. Davone Bess, SF
34. Chad Johnson, WSH
35. Santonio Holmes, @ BAL
36. Derrick Mason, PIT
37. Torry Holt, SEA
38. Justin Gage, @ HOU
39. Kevin Curtis, CLE
40. Braylon Edwards, @ PHI
41. Steve Breaston, MIN
42. Ted Ginn Jr., SF
43. Chris Chambers, @ KC
44. Muhsin Muhammad, DEN
45. Jerricho Cotchery, BUF
46. Laveranues Coles, BUF
47. Domenik Hixon, @ DAL
48. Roy E. Williams, NYG
49. Reggie Williams, GB
50. Jason Hill, @ MIA

Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

Matt Snyder — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football

It's playoff time! FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled in order to provide answers to lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.

I can't say I ever thought we'd see this day.

Look at all the stud running backs, or even the quality running backs who don't split carries. Heading into this season, would anyone have ever thought the top running back in a week of the fantasy football playoffs was DeAngelo Williams? The same Williams who many thought would lose his job completely to Jonathan Stewart by now, or at least be splitting carries with him -- which he still kind of is.

He's just emerged as too much of a stud. The strength of the run defense doesn't matter, DeAngelo shredded the Tampa Bay Bucs, and he made it look easy.

The Denver Broncos have a terrible defense, and the Panthers are especially tough running the ball at home. There is not one player I'd start over Williams this week. Not a single one.

More notes after the rankings.

1. DeAngelo Williams, vs. DEN
2. Adrian Peterson, at ARI
3. Brian Westbrook, vs. CLE
4. Matt Forte, vs. NO
5. Chris Johnson, at HOU
6. LaDanian Tomlinson, at KC
7. Clinton Portis, at CIN
8. Thomas Jones, vs. BUF
9. Maurice Jones-Drew, vs. GB
10. Steven Jackson, vs. SEA
11. Michael Turner, vs. TB
12. Ryan Grant, at JAX
13. Reggie Bush, at CHI
14. Steve Slaton, vs. TEN
15. Marion Barber, vs. NYG
16. Ronnie Brown, vs. SF
17. LenDale White, at HOU
18. Frank Gore, at MIA
19. Marshawn Lynch, at NYJ
20. Sammy Morris, at OAK
21. Maurice Morris, at StL
22. Derrick Ward, at DAL
23. Kevin Smith, at IND
24. Jonathan Stewart, vs. DEN
25. Pierre Thomas, at CHI
26. Dominic Rhodes, vs. DET
27. Warrick Dunn, at ATL
28. Larry Johnson, vs. SD
29. Joseph Addai, vs. DET
30. Jamal Lewis, at PHI
31. Tatum Bell, at CAR
32. LeRon McClain, vs. PIT
33. Willie Parker, at BAL
34. Tim Hightower, vs. MIN
35. Tashard Choice, vs. NYG
36. Chester Taylor, at ARI
37. Ricky Williams, vs. SF
38. Mewelde Moore, at BAL
39. Ahmad Bradshaw, at DAL
40. DeShaun Foster, at MIA

- As you can see by rankings number 22 and 39, I do not believe Brandon Jacobs is going to play this week. I expect Derrick Ward to get most carries, but Ahmad Bradshaw mixed in enough to be a low-end flex option in really deep leagues.

- I believe Frank Gore will be limited, to the point that DeShaun Foster gets enough touches to put up five to eight points or so.

- The Colts are facing the worst run defense in the NFL, but I have lost all faith in Joseph Addai. I can't continue to support him and watch him make me look stupid. Plus, he's hampered and may not even play. Dominic Rhodes is the better play, regardless, but if Addai sits out, I'd elevate Rhodes all the way up to No. 13 on the list.

- Reggie Bush is regaining the spring in his step, and he is exactly the type of guy who gives the Bears defense fits. He's so elusive they'll have trouble getting their mitts on him to gang-tackle, and he's liable to break a long one -- just like in the NFC Championship a few years ago.

- Fred Taylor is not going to be playing., so Maurice Jones-Drew gets a boost. I understand the Jags' offense is pretty stagnant right now, but the Packers defense has been pretty awful of late. I like MJD lots this week.

- Fingers crossed on Clinton Portis ...

[EDIT: When shuffling names and copying-and-pasting them back and forth, I accidentally omitted Marshawn Lynch in the original version. I have now plugged him in -- in bold -- where I would slot him. Thanks to "Erik" for the heads-up.]

Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings

Matt Snyder — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football

It's playoff time! FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled in order to provide answers to lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.

The Minnesota Vikings will still have the Williams boys on Sunday, in all likelihood, so the Cardinals won't be running much against the league's second-best run defense. No matter, Kurt Warner's plenty equipped to throw all over them.

The Vikings have allowed 300-plus yards passing to Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. Kyle Orton had his way with them when they visited Chicago, and the Texans torched them for 363 passing yards.

When Warner and the Cardinals play at home, they have some fun lighting up the scoreboard, and I expect this week to be no different.

More notes after the rankings.

1. Kurt Warner, vs. MIN
2. Peyton Manning, vs. DET
3. Drew Brees, at CHI
4. Philip Rivers, at KC
5. Aaron Rodgers, at JAX
6. Tyler Thigpen, vs. SD
7. Donovan McNabb, vs. CLE
8. Jay Cutler, at CAR
9. Tony Romo, vs. NYG
10. Kyle Orton, vs. NO
11. Matt Cassel, at OAK
12. Matt Ryan, vs. TB
13. Shaun Hill, at MIA
14. Eli Manning, at DAL
15. Matt Schaub, vs. TEN
16. Brett Favre, vs. BUF
17. Seneca Wallace, at StL
18. Chad Pennington, vs. SF
19. Jeff Garcia, at ATL
20. Ben Roethlisberger, at BAL
21. Kerry Collins, at HOU
22. Jason Campbell, at CIN
23. Marc Bulger, vs. SEA
24. Jake Delhomme, vs. DEN
25. Joe Flacco, vs. PIT
26. J.P. Losman, at NYJ
27. David Garrard, vs. GB
28. Gus Frerotte, at ARI Tarvaris Jackson, at ARI
29. JaMarcus Russell, vs. NE
30. Ryan Fitzpatrick, vs. WAS
31. Ken Dorsey, at PHI
32. Lions' starter, who is looking more and more like Drew Henson. Seriously.

- You think the Panthers need to throw the football? They just embarrassed the Bucs' run defense on Monday night. Now they get to face the Broncos' pathetic run defense. Don't bother with Jake Delhomme.

- I realize the Texans won't have it nearly as easy throwing against the Titans as they did against the Packers, but the Packers pass defense had held down opposing passers many times this season. Plus, this game is at home for Houston. I don't think Matt Schaub is a great start by any means, but he's better than many other options.

- Kyle Orton's a very solid start, getting the Saints defense at home. The temperature won't exactly be conducive to passing the football, but the Bears are used to the weather and the Saints are not.

- Tarvaris Jackson is now starting for the Vikes, not Gus Frerotte.

- Deep sleeper? I like Seneca Wallace if you have injury/depth issues. He put up quite spectacular numbers against the Patriots last week, and the Rams are a gigantic step down from the Pats. Keep an eye on the status of Matt Hasselbeck, because you don't want to plug in a backup quarterback as your fantasy starter.

Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye on the Prize: The Brutus Boys Set You Up and Will Knock You Down

Matt Snyder — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football, NFL Injury Report

Et tu, Brute?

It's one of the most famous phrases in the history of literature, and it's appropriate in this fantasy football playoff season.

Much like Brutus was a loyal friend to Caesar, helping him all way the to the top, he conspired to stab his former-friend in the back when it mattered most (kind of, just stick with me).

In fantasy football, you've likely had the pleasure of riding some studs to the playoffs. Some of them are primed to pull a Brutus on you and handcuff your team in the playoffs.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Brutus Boys:

Brandon Jacobs, Giants - My fantasy football affection for Jacobs hasn't been a secret, but ever since he tweaked his knee he's been unreliable. The Giants could easily hold him out of the rest of the regular season, as they'll easily walk to the top overall playoff seed.

Marion Barber, Cowboys - He hurt his calf favoring his injured toe. All of a sudden Tashard Choice is coveted in fantasy circles. Even if Barber plays, he won't be 100 percent -- which is really bad in light of his punishing run-style -- and faces the stout Giants and Ravens defenses.

Brett Favre, Jets - He exploded against the Cardinals at home, and had five other weeks where he was at least serviceable. You definitely could have made the playoffs with him as your quarterback, as long as you were strong elsewhere. Of course, in the past two weeks, he's sucked against the Broncos and 49ers, neither of whom could be confused with the 2000 Ravens on defense. I'm not even sure the visit to Seattle in Week 16 makes him desirable at this point.

Clinton Portis, Redskins - He was the best player in fantasy football heading into the Redskins' bye week, and since then he's been bad three out of four weeks. He's hurt -- though he claims he's not -- been benched, been ineffective, and now he's feuding with his coach.

Marshawn Lynch, Bills - He's been inconsistent, but the high points have been good enough his owners have let that slide. No more, as the Bills suck now and are using Fred Jackson in the red zone more often. You've gotta play him in Week 16 against the Broncos, but if you are counting on him this week in the Meadowlands against the Jets' stellar run defense, you likely won't be playing in Week 16.

Frank Gore, 49ers - A high ankle sprain on a running back is never good news. Hopefully you can survive without him this week, because if he gets healthy the Rams await in Week 16.

Santana Moss, Redskins - He's blown up twice, and mixed in four other solid games. Other than that, he's been terrible and hasn't helped owners since Week 8. I'm not expecting a change anytime soon.

Lee Evans, Bills - Similar to Moss, Evans appeared to be finally carving out some consistency in Weeks 4-8. Now, the quarterback situation in Buffalo has made Evans his old, unreliable self. You can gamble you'll get that long touchdown, but you could also end up with a three point performance.

Antonio Gates, Chargers - The once-gold-standard fantasy tight end hasn't accrued more than three fantasy points since Week 10. For the record, I do think he breaks through this week against KC, but the Week 16 game in Tampa Bay isn't lovely.

Reggie Wayne, Colts - He's one of those guys you just can't bench, but he's killed owners for three straight weeks against subpar competition. More of the same for the next two weeks. You just have to put him in and hope he plays like himself.

Willie Parker, Steelers - Hey, he got you off to a 1-0 start!

It's one thing if you counted on J.T. O'Sullivan or Peyton Hillis to carry you to championship gold, but it's quite another to have one of your elite players sell you out when you are so close to the crown. It's like a dagger to the lumbar.

Et tu, Brute?

Eye on the Prize: The Brutus Boys Set You Up and Will Knock You Down originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye on the Prize: Hail Mary Candidates for Hardcore Fantasy Footballers

Matt Snyder — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Sleepers, Fantasy Football

First, a disclaimer. This list is not necessarily a go pick this guy up right now type deal. If you play in an 8-12 team league and you don't have injury or ineffectiveness issues, this list is not for you. If you, however, play in a 16 or more team league with a deep bench, and you have been sitting there waiting on Willis McGahee to show up with a pulse for the past couple weeks, well, I may have something for you.

We call them "Hail Mary" choices because picking up some of these guys would be like throwing a Hail Mary pass. The odds of it winding up helping your team are slim, but there's enough of a chance FTW to hurl it up there. If you have dead weight on your deep bench, let us consider the following dudes.

I've attempted to list them in the order of their likelihood at helping you.

And, actually, the top guy is a sleeper is most leagues for this week ...

Maurice "MoMo" Morris, Seahawks
He's overtaken Julius Jones in the Seahawks backfield. Sure, he's done very little all season -- save for a 100-yard game in Week 12 -- but he gets the hapless Rams in Week 15. You could do worse.

Reggie Williams, Jaguars - Matt Jones is suspended, so someone will have to account for the nine targets a game Jones averaged. Williams caught 10 touchdown passes from David Garrard last year, so he's the obvious choice.

Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants - If Brandon Jacobs is held out of any games, Bradshaw is definitely usable in large leagues. I don't believe the Giants would put the game solely in Derrick Ward's hands, and they are predominantly a running team.

Brandon Jackson, Packers - I missed the mark badly last week on him, but he has looked like a better back than Ryan Grant -- in my humble opinion -- when given carries this season. If anything happens to Grant, Jackson's an immediate stud.

Desmond Clark, Bears - Kyle Orton loves his tight ends, especially in the red zone. The Saints and Packers aren't exactly faring well defensively of late, so you could do worse.

Brandon Jones, Titans - The Texans can be thrown upon, so Jones is a deep sleeper for Week 15. I would not, however, expect him to record more than a catch or two in Week 16 against the Steelers.

Fred Jackson, Bills - For some reason, Jackson's been getting most of the red zone touches instead of Marshawn Lynch lately. Up until this past week -- where he didn't touch the ball -- Jackson usually received at least five touches. Don't look at him this week against a solid Jets run defense, but in Week 16 against the atrocious Broncos run defense he's worth a flier.

J.J. Arrington, Cardinals - I don't expect the Cardinals to run the ball very well in the next two weeks (home against Minnesota and a trip to New England), and Arrington is the pass-catching back.

Steve Smith, Giants - The Giants offense was stagnant this past week. They'll look to get it back on track, and they'll need to find a reliable receiving option for the times they do go through the air. Why not Smith?

Jordy Nelson, Packers - You could find a lot tougher passing defenses than the Jags and Bears. Here's a gamble with huge reward potential because I expect the Pack to be passing frequently.

Harry Douglas, Falcons - Speaking of huge upside gambles, you can do much worse than trying to use a young speedster who is liable to take it to the house from any point on the field.

Patrick Cobbs, Dolphins - While the Niners are vastly improved under Mike Singletary, they still grade out as a subpar defense overall. The Chiefs defense is, well, pretty pathetic. Those are the Dolphins' opponents for the next two weeks. Cobbs went nuts one time this year. If you want to gamble with your championship that he does it again in Week 16, now is the time to stash him on your bench.

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs - Maybe I'm just hoping the Chiefs finally wash their hands of Larry Johnson. Whatever. Charles rushed for over 100 yards against the Bucs -- which would have meant a ton more if I said that last week -- so why not build for the future around a young and exciting back?

Adrian Peterson, Bears - If the Bears get scared about Matt Forte's workload, Forte gets injured, or the Bears blow out the Saints or Packers at home, then Peterson is the guy who gets the touches. Last year against Green Bay at home, Peterson went for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Ken Dorsey, Browns - He's terrible. I know, but we're getting to the bottom of the barrel here. You know what else is terrible? The defense the Bengals run out every week. That's who Dorsey and the Browns get at home in Week 16.

Quinton Ganther, Titans - He had three carries for 23 yards on Thanksgiving. The Titans are one win and one Steelers loss away from clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. If they decided to rest LenDale White and Chris Johnson anytime, Ganther should get around 10 touches.

Todd Collins, Redskins - If the Redskins bench Jason Campbell, Collins jumps in.

I seriously just unearthed some sleepers for those of you playing in 24-team leagues with the last three picks. I can't reiterate the point enough that you have to be in a huge league or have a really deep bench -- probably both -- to check out the bottom of this list.

Either way, it's always fun to think about possible breakthrough guys where you can tell your league how sagacious you are, right?

Eye on the Prize: Hail Mary Candidates for Hardcore Fantasy Footballers originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fantasy Backfield Shakeups

Ryan Dembinsky — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy Football, NFL Injury Report

Just in time for the fantasy playoffs, Week 14 provided fantasy owners with plenty of heart palpitations and an awful lot to think about. Going into Week 15, the most nerve-racking of all fantasy weeks in my opinion, we have no less than five superstar running backs with totally uncertain futures after suffering injuries.

At this point, we at Fantasy FanHouse do not know much more than you about these situations, but we will attempt to shed some light on how to approach them (with more definitive updates coming later this week).

Broncos: Peyton Hillis / Tatum Bell - You can't paint a turd. Sure, Peyton Hillis is officially on the injured reserve, which will inevitably lead many fantasy players to jump all over Tatum Bell, but the problem with this situation is you are still talking about Tatum Bell -- the same guy who got cut by the Detroit Lions. It is conceivable that cutting Bell was another event in a long line of boneheaded moves by the Lions, but I wouldn't stake my fantasy playoffs on Bell if I were you. He may have looked decent against the Chiefs, but temper the expectations against better run defenses in Carolina and Buffalo. In fact, if you insist on starting Bell, I have a red hot investment portfolio for you that includes sub-prime mortgages and Lehman Brothers stock that I'd like you talk to you about as well.

49ers: Frank Gore / DeShaun Foster - Frank Gore looks to have a fairly serious ankle sprain. There is no telling as of yet if he will play at this point, but this news makes DeShaun Foster an obvious pickup. In fact, to put my money where my mouth is, I already added Foster and plan to start him this week for sure if Gore sits. There is an additional question mark as to Michael Robinson's level of activity given Gore's absence. Martz is supposedly a big fan of Robinson, so he might see some carries, but I expect Foster to carry the load. The matchups are decent with Miami this week and a tasty St. Louis game for the fantasy Super Bowl in Week 16.

Colts: Joseph Addai / Dominic Rhodes - Addai's injury status and effectiveness are totally in question this week and, with the Lions on the docket for Week 15, definitely snag Rhodes if you can get him. Check back with us later in the week to see how things unfold, but given Addai's lame effort against Cincy and Dominic Rhodes' nice touchdown scamper, Rhodes might be a good option this week.

Giants: Brandon Jacobs / Derrick Ward - This one is a toss up as Jacobs has been messing with fantasy owners all season with his knee injury. If he plays, you have to stick with Jacobs, but at this point Derrick Ward is a huge add if he is still available. While Jacobs' testing showed no structural damage, he did say he tweaks his knee every week and this time it was a particularly bad tweak. If you want my gut feeling, which is worth about as much as a bus ticket, I think Jacobs is going to miss this upcoming game.

Cowboys: Marion Barber / Tashard Choice - Even though I went against the grain in our Sunday Tailgate and predicted a nice game from Tashard Choice against a dominant Pittsburgh defense, I don't think it's wise to bank on him from here on out. Apparently, Barber missed the Week 14 game due to a calf injury as opposed to the toe injury that everyone thought. I have no idea if this bodes better or worse for Barber, considering that overcompensating for the toe caused the calf injury. Either way, the Cowboys face the Giants and the Ravens in the next two weeks, so you're playing with fire with both backs. Keep Choice around if you already have him, but only start him as a No. 3 RB if you have no other good options.

Fantasy Backfield Shakeups originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Week 14 Fantasy Football Recap: Thoughts and Observations with an Eye on the Prize

Sean Lalley — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:59:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy Football

Like we always do just after Monday Night Football, it's time to recap the week that was in fantasy football. Hey, it's go time folks. That's right, it's playoff time. There's very little time to prepare as the games start coming at you four days a week. You've gotta be on your toes -- there's no more gambling, no more getting cute. You roll the dice with what you've got and hope for the best.

Let's touch all the bases and recap everything that happened in Week 14. And for many, that means the beginning of the fantasy football playoffs.

"Wow." That's one thing that can be said of what just took place on MNF. And here we thought those were supposed to be top-notch defenses? Well, for fantasy football purposes that's a dream game. A plethora of offense and all the usual suspects delivering epic stat lines. Yes, I'm referring to you Antonio Bryant, who killed any chance I had of winning a playoff game in one of my leagues. Thanks.

More on that: Antonio Bryant is finally turning in a productive and consistent season. However, NOBODY saw 200 yards and two TDs coming in one game. And I'm not banking on that EVER happening again this or any season. Sorry, sometimes the stars just align. No, I'm not bitter. Deep sigh.

Hmm. The Carolina running game. Yes, yes. A healthy Jonathan Stewart certainly has the tools to be a feature workhorse back in this league. One problem though: he's gonna be splitting carries with DeAngelo Williams as long as they're together in Carolina.

And on to DeAngelo, he was simply amazing against Tampa Bay. The difference between he and Stewart is that you know exactly what you're going to get each week with DeAngelo. He's the first option in Carolina for the time being.

Calvin Johnson is going to continue to be productive regardless of who is lobbing the ball to him. You can't say it enough, but the guy is an absolute beast. In a depressing season and era of Lions football, he's the lone bright spot of hope. Can you imagine what he would accomplish if he actually had the ball thrown his way more often than his usual four or five targets per game?

Adrian Peterson was supposed to drop two bills on the Lions, instead he dropped the football a couple times and clawed his way to 100 yards without a TD. Still though, it happens and he'll be just fine.

It's OK to bench or cut loose all of your Jags, sans Maurice Jones-Drew. Really, a disappointing team all around the board. Sorry, not even Matt Jones is of use anymore ... plus he's looking at a suspension.

Kyle Orton appears to be rounding back into pre-ankle injury form. That's a good thing for those owners who were patient with the neck beard.

Can we safely say that Joseph Addai and Reggie Wayne are still must-starts? I think not. Both guys are killing fantasy teams worldwide. Yup, I know we've heard about the Colts' schedule before, but I say the only guy you can trust is Peyton Manning. Oh yeah, what a game for Manning against the Bengals, and expect more of the same against the Lions.

Well, well ... how about Chad Johnson and T.J Houshmandzadeh showing up in the same game. Both had decent stat lines. A sign of the times? Nope ... just one of those days.

So, I guess it should be noted that I did suggest sitting Vincent Jackson against the Raiders. My apologies. That's just what happens sometimes in fantasy football.

LaDainianTomlinson may have delivered a decent game against the Raiders, but if he can't break 100 ... hmm, I'm a little nervous moving forward. (See Addai and Wayne).

Yeah, nobody will ever suggest sitting Brian Westbrook again. He's closing the season on a tear and no matchup on the table is going to slow his roll.

The Giants offense is stiff without Plaxico Burress and Brandon Jacobs. Be sure to monitor Jacobs' situation, because he's a a key cog in many a fantasy team.

And so much for the Peyton Hillis era. That was fun.

Welcome back Brandon Marshall, it's been a while. We were wondering.

Chris Johnson and LenDale White ... use them both from here on out. However, just remember the Steelers are lurking.

Um, Jamal Lewis ... yup, he's done. I hate to say I told you so.

Matt Schaub is back and healthy. The key word is healthy. If the dude can stay healthy he's gonna be a an asset. After seeing him drop 400 yards at Green Bay coming off the rust, it's time to expect big dividends.

A fantasy dilemma is brewing in New Orleans for the remainder of this season and moving into next. And that's who is the most valuable RB in the Saints offense, Reggie Bush or Pierre Thomas.

Roddy White, yawn. You've gotta love him for this season, but also the future he has ahead of him with Matt Ryan at the helm. Just a hint for the 2009 draft ... you know, in case you like to prepare a year in advance.

Marshawn Lynch should apologize to his fantasy owners.

Seriously, is Thomas Jones becoming the only "real" fantasy option on the Jets? Brett Favre is in a swoon and he's killing his receivers' value.

Welcome back to Earth, Dustin Keller.

I say it every week in this space: Shaun Hill is a viable fantasy QB option if you have nothing else.

Yeah, maybe Larry Johnson really has lost it. I expected more of an effort down the stretch as he auditions for his new team.

Is there a RB controversy in Washington with Clinton Portis? Of course not, but again I'd like to remind everyone the suggestion I made about trading Portis just before the deadline. Since then, he's had a bye week and only topped double-digit fantasy points (in standard leagues) once.

And while we're here ... how about Marion Barber. With a nagging toe injury and a brutal schedule ahead, maybe you should've traded him as well.

The Dallas offense will be just fine, nobody fares well against the Steelers defense in December at Pittsburgh. Triple whammy.

Week 14 Fantasy Football Recap: Thoughts and Observations with an Eye on the Prize originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Waiver Wire Wonders: Week 14

Ryan Dembinsky — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:55:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Waiver Wire, Fantasy Football

Weeding through those unwieldy waiver wires requires a keen eye and a quick trigger. Thus, Waiver Wire Wonders provides a weekly snapshot of players worthy of consideration who should be available on a good portion of league waiver wires. Enjoy those pickups...

With the holiday season and the first big week of the fantasy playoffs in full effect, let's kick things off with a little scene from 'A Christmas Story'.

Mr. Parker: It's a Major Award!
Swede: Shucks I wouldn't know that. It looks like a lamp.
Mr. Parker: What is a lamp, you nincompoop? It's a Major Award. I won it!
Swede: Damn, hell, you say won it?
Mr. Parker: Yeah, mind power, Swede; mind power.

As we learned from Ralphie's old man, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When it comes to waiver wire decisions in the fantasy playoffs, most rosters are pretty stable by now, but there are always a few holes to fill. This week, for those of you looking to fill specific needs, there are a few major prizes out there.

Derrick Ward (RB, Giants) - Derrick Ward looked like a decent add coming into this week's game against the Eagles, but with Brandon Jacobs leaving the game with an injured knee, he is officially this week's leg lamp -- a major award. Coach Tom Coughlin says he is hopeful that the injury is nothing big, but Jacobs did not return to action after injuring the knee early, so snag Ward now in case Jacobs misses some time. Jacobs has struggled this season with injuries, so it is very conceivable that this might be more problematic than the coaches are leading on at this point. In Jacobs' absence, Ward carried the ball eight times for just 39 yards. Hence, this payoff only comes to fruition if Jacobs misses action, but I think it is worth the add if you can spare a roster spot.

Shaun Hill (QB, 49ers) - I have to throw out the caveat here, because Shaun Hill led my team to victory against our very own Matt Snyder in our FanHouse vs. SB Nation league. I might be officially biased in favor of Shaun Hill, but he looked genuinely very impressive against the Jets, both in throwing the ball and maneuvering in and out of the pocket. In Sunday's victory, Hill posted nice numbers including 285 yards and two touchdowns, as well as keeping the San Francisco offense on the field for almost 40 minutes.

Deion Branch (WR, Seahawks) - Is Deion Branch ever going to return to his old self after being saddled with injuries for the better part of the season? He finally answered the questioning doubters when he nabbed four passes for 88 yards and two scores. Surprisingly, the Seahawks' best passing game of the season came via strikes from Seneca Wallace, not Matt Hasselbeck. Wallace got the start as Hasselbeck's back was bothering him again, so keep an eye on the quarterback situation, but it appears the connection between Wallace and Branch might be the ticket for Branch going forward. He looks like a great add at this point.

Pierre Thomas (RB, Saints) - Pierre Thomas seems to have a regular stool and an open tab at the Waiver Wire Wonders Bar, but he answered key questions against the Falcons: How will he fit in when Reggie Bush returns, and is there room for the both of them? It should come as no surprise considering Reggie and Deuce shared the backfield for years and now Pierre forms the second half of the equation. Thomas posted 102 yards and a touchdown on the ground and added a seven-yard touchdown on a screen pass, making him one of the day's biggest performers. Thomas is still only owned in about 45 percent of leagues.

Matt Schaub (QB, Texans) - Matt Schaub's return to action provided a welcome boost for the Texans. In his first game back after missing four weeks with a knee injury, Schaub led all quarterbacks with a monster 414 yards and two touchdowns. He did throw one interception, but with those yards, one pick is certainly no deal killer. While the Texans get Tennessee next week, which is probably a bad start for Schaub, they have Oakland in Week 16, so he could be a great spot start there.

Tashard Choice (RB, Cowboys) - With Marion Barber and Felix Jones both laid up, Tashard Choice is next in line to run the ball for Dallas. Against a Pittsburgh defense that shuts down everybody on the ground, Choice racked up 88 yards rushing and added five catches for 78 yards. Unfortunately, while it's impressive that he could pull those numbers off against the Steelers, it doesn't get any easier with the Giants and Ravens in Weeks 15 and 16. Still, if Marion Barber remains out of commission with his dislocated pinky toe, Choice looks like a solid No. 3 RB start given his high touches.

Kevin Walter (WR, Texans) - Alright, this time I think it's safe to finally pull the trigger on Walter. In conjunction with Schaub's big game, Walter was the primary beneficiary, catching six passes for 146 yards and one 58-yard touchdown. Walter keeps showing up and with Schaub back, he is a decent start for Week 16.

Waiver Wire Wonders: Week 14 originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Week 14 Fantasy Football Sunday Morning Tailgate Kicks off at 10:30 Eastern

Matt Snyder — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sunday Morning Tailgate, Fantasy Football, Expert Chats

It's time to step up your game. Depending on your league's setup, you are either competing in the playoffs or positioning yourself for the playoffs in the last week of your regular season (seriously, like any of our readers would have bad teams).

Hopefully you had Vincent Jackson and Philip Rivers active Thursday night, so you won't have to worry about those spots for today.

Regardless, we have you covered here at FanHouse for any of your needs.

You want playoff previews? We got 'em, division by division ... NFC North, NFC South, NFC East, NFC West, AFC North, AFC South, AFC East, AFC West.

You want Week 14 positional rankings? We got 'em ... quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker, and defense/special teams.

There are several injury issues, like Clinton Portis, Marion Barber, Matt Hasselbeck, Trent Edwards, Brian Westbrook, Joseph Addai, and a bevy of others. To keep up with all that, make sure to keep your eyes glued on the up-to-the-minute player updates.

Finally, we can give you that personal touch, here in the chat. We'll get to as many questions as we can, but if you ask something that could not be answered with any of the above links, there's a better chance you'll get through.

Week 14 Fantasy Football Sunday Morning Tailgate Kicks off at 10:30 Eastern originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fantasy Football Playoff Chat Spectacular, Friday Afternoon at 2:00PM ET

Matt Snyder — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy Football, Expert Chats

Couldn't get enough during the NFL chat? That's fine, we'll keep the party rolling over here in the fantasy section with a discussion of our own. Really, it's just one big NFL chat gala here at FanHouse. We'll kick off right when Ryan Wilson shuts down his NFL chat.

Whether your fantasy playoffs begin this week or next, Week 14 is a pivotal week for you. While we've already hooked you up with some rankings and team-by-team previews of how your players should fare in the playoffs, we're always open to discuss flex position decisions or defend things we've already said.

We can also discuss the epic Raiders/Chargers game from last night and any fantasy fallout. For example, LaDanian Tomlinson is not a definite weekly starter anymore, but Philip Rivers is.

Fantasy Football Playoff Chat Spectacular, Friday Afternoon at 2:00PM ET originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mason Crosby Tops List: Week 14 Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings

Matt Snyder — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football

Mason Crosby Tops List: Week 14 Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Titans Licking Their Chops: Week 14 Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings

Matt Snyder — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football

FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled weekly by the staff in order to provide answers to possible lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.

Just look at the celebration already taking place (pictured right). The mighty Tennessee defense gets to play Ken Dorsey and the Browns this week.

They've had extra rest. They are a dominant defense anyway, and they are playing at home for the first time since their lone loss of the season.

Blood. Bath.

Hell, even Dorsey's coach doesn't think he's good. You know who is good? The Titans fantasy D/ST. Ride them this week to the next round of your fantasy playoffs -- or into the playoffs, if you don't start them until Week 15.

More notes after the rankings.

1. Titans, vs. CLE
2. Ravens, vs. WAS
3. Colts, vs. CIN
4. Giants, vs. PHI
5. Steelers, vs. DAL
6. Vikings, at DET
7. Bucs, at CAR
8. Cardinals, vs. StL
9. Bears, vs. JAX
10. Patriots, at SEA
11. Packers, vs. HOU
12. Jets, at SF
13. Dolphins, at BUF
14. Redskins, at BAL
15. Panthers, vs. TB
16. Cowboys, at PIT
17. Chargers, vs. OAK
18. Bills, vs. MIA
19. Eagles, at NYG
20. Raiders, at SD
21. Falcons, at NO
22. Niners, vs. NYJ
23. Broncos, vs. KC
24. Jags, at CHI
25. Saints, vs. ATL
26. Texans, at GB
27. Seahawks, vs. NE
28. Browns, at TEN
29. Lions, vs. MIN
30. Chiefs, at DEN
31. Rams, at ARI
32. Bengals, at IND

- I liked the Colts last week, and they came through with a touchdown. This week they'll get to face the pathetic Bengals offense -- led by a Harvard graduate, so there's that -- at home. They are a superb start again.

- The Cardinals defense should be in line for a solid bounce-back week at home. The Rams do have Steven Jackson back in the fray, but that doesn't do much to protect Marc Bulger from himself.

- I also love my Bears against the pathetic Jaguars offense. The Jags couldn't mount anything against the Houston Texans. Now they head north on short rest. Oh, and I'm pretty sure the Bears defense is pissed. After not playing at home for the past three weeks, and having their backs against the wall, you can expect big things.

- A sleeper? They haven't done much all year after high expectations, but the Chargers defense at home against a terrible Raiders offense definitely has the capability to make a fantasy playoff run for you.

Titans Licking Their Chops: Week 14 Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Great Gonzo: Fantasy Football TE Ranks for Week 14

Sean Lalley — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football

FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled weekly by the staff in order to provide answers to possible lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.

The separation between Tony Gonzalez and his counterparts this year can't be measured simply be the disparate statistical gap. In the preseason buzz, when everyone was content that Jason Witten had finally overtaken Antonio Gates as the "must have" tight end, many forgot about Gonzo. Yup, we all heard were the whispers about the "Big 2," and oh my how we all forgot this was still the "Big 3."

Gonzo has delivered reliable lines every single week to serve as a reminder. At this point in the season, it's nearly impossible to pry him from the head and shoulders above all No. 1 ranking. And we should expect him to punish Denver this weekend and reward all those who just knew there was gas left in the tank. The tight end position continues its whirlwind of flux, but now more than ever you have gotta award two key rookies as they close in on the upper echelon. Yes, Dustin Keller and John Carlson continue to pay dividends and are knocking on the fantasy stardom door. Can't you hear them knocking?

It's been said in this space for the past few weeks, but outside of Gonzo there is no hotter commodity at tight end right now than Keller and that's why he makes the leap into the top five this week. He continues to be prime target for Brett Favre as he and his receivers struggle to get on the same page.

As for Antonio Gates, you've gotta think history is on his side with the Raiders, but for Jason Witten it's hard to feel so comfortable when one has to face the Steelers. The list for solid TE matchups actually goes fairly deep this week. Even if you were to roll out Jeremy Shockey against Atlanta, that wouldn't be all that bad. That means... you shouldn't have to dig all that deep to find your security blanket for this all important fantasy weekend.

And now on with the ranks...

1. Tony Gonzalez, @ DEN
2. Dallas Clark, CIN
3. Antonio Gates, OAK
4. Dustin Keller, @ SF
5. Jason Witten, @ PIT
6. Tony Scheffler, KC
7. John Carlson, NE
8. Owen Daniels, @ GB
9. Kevin Boss, PHI
10. Donald Lee, HOU
11. Jeremy Shockey, ATL
12. Todd Heap, WAS
13. Chris Cooley, @ BAL
14. Heath Miller, DAL
15. Bo Scaife, CLE
16. Zach Miller, @ SD
17. Jerramy Stevens, @ CAR
18. Greg Olsen, JAC
19. L.J. Smith, @ NYG
20. Benjamin Watson, @ SEA
21. Vernon Davis, NYJ
22. Visanthe Shiancoe, @ DET
23. Steve Heiden, @ TEN
24. Marcedes Lewis, @ CHI
25. Robert Royal, MIA

The Great Gonzo: Fantasy Football TE Ranks for Week 14 originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Birds of a Feather Are Flocking Outside: Fantasy Football WR Ranks for Week 14

Sean Lalley — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Position Rankings, Fantasy Football

FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled weekly by the staff in order to provide answers to possible lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.

Surprise, surprise. Look what favorite tandem is back on top. Well, let's be honest, the dynamic duo of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin has been on top all season and haven't disappointed. Moving forward they'll both continue to sit on the throne, as they get to carve up a soft, soft schedule for your playoff journey. Go ahead and take a deep sigh of relief if you own either guy, because you're sitting pretty.

As for the remainder of the top-10 receiver rankings, it's a bit of a slight shakeup this week. You may recall, I've often said you can put the best fantasy receiver names into a hat or shuffle them like a deck of cards to pick the order, but not this week. Creeping his way back into the mix would be Randy Moss. Often given the cold shoulder in this space, Moss is primed to shred the Seabird collapsing defense.

A usual mainstay and fantasy animal, Andre Johnson has been pushed just out of the top 10 for this week only, based on my timid fears of the Green Bay secondary. And yes, I know said secondary has been torched the past few weeks. Ahem.

If you're looking for the clever play of the week, I'm going with Marvin Harrison. Yup, he's done minimal damage this season, but something tells me the Bengals are in for Manning torture 101 this weekend. And despite the fact that you may see Reggie Wayne down a peg in a few "other" sites' ranks ... I'm just not feeling that at all. My prediction is big games all around for Harrison and Wayne just like it's circa 2004 all over again.

And now on with the rest of the ranks...

1. Larry Fitzgerald, STL
2. Anquan Boldin, STL
3. Greg Jennings, HOU
4. Reggie Wayne, CIN
5. Roddy White, @ NO
6. Randy Moss, @ SEA
7. Terrell Owens, @ PIT
8. Calvin Johnson, MIN
9. Brandon Marshall, KC
10. Steve Smith, TB
11. Andre Johnson, @ GB
12. Lee Evans, MIA
13. Lance Moore, ATL
14. Bernard Berrian, @ DET
15. Marques Colston, ATL
16. Eddie Royal, KC
17. Hines Ward, DAL
18. Dwayne Bowe, @ DEN
19. Wes Welker, @ SEA
20. DeSean Jackson, @ NYG
21. Marvin Harrison, CIN
22. Antonio Bryant, @ CAR
23. Jerricho Cotchery, @ SF
24. Mark Clayton, WAS
25. Isaac Bruce, NYJ
26. Santonio Holmes, DAL
27. Donald Driver, HOU
28. Santana Moss, @ BAL
29. T.J Houshmandzadeh, @ IND
30. Steve Breaston, STL
31. Domenik Hixon, PHI
32. Vincent Jackson, OAK
33. Kevin Curtis, NYG
34. Chad Johnson, @ IND
35. Amani Toomer, PHI
36. Davone Bess, @ BUF
37. Torry Holt, @ ARI
38. Derrick Mason, WAS
39. Braylon Edwards, @ TEN
40. Anthony Gonzalez, CIN
41. Matt Jones, @ CHI
42. Roy E. Williams, @ PIT
43. Laveranues Coles, @ SF
44. Ted Ginn Jr., @ BUF
45. Devin Hester, JAC
46. Josh Reed, MIA
47. Mark Bradley, @ DEN
48. Deion Branch, NE
49. Chris Chambers, OAK
50. Harry Douglas, NO

Birds of a Feather Are Flocking Outside: Fantasy Football WR Ranks for Week 14 originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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