FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

SYMBOL LEGEND
	Rock Star Free Agent
	Injury Replacement
	Worth a Look
	1 Week Plug & Play
	Sleeper

QUARTERBACKS

Commonly owned  QBs worth adding: Mark Sanchez (90%) and Andy Dalton (82%)

Joe Webb, Vikings
A month or two ago, it looked like rookie Christian Ponder was a no-brainer to be Minnesota’s starting QB in 2012. It seems Joe Webb might have something to say about that. In two stints relieving Ponder (concussion), Webb has looked nothing short of spectacular. On Saturday, Webb entered the game in the second half and led three touchdown drives, passing for two scores and rushing one in. The offense runs much better with him under center. Look for Webb to get the start on Sunday against the Bears. Chicago’s defense is solid but Webb’s ability to run the football will make him useful. Dynasty leaguers should take note or add him if it’s allowed. He could be a poor man’s Cam Newton in 2012.

Availability: Owned in ~1% of leagues.
FAAB: $$
Forecast: Despite a dicey matchup, Webb should deliver useful fantasy numbers if he gets the start.

Kyle Orton, Chiefs
Orton passed for 300 yards and a touchdown on Sunday against the Raiders. It wasn’t quite the level of production the Forecast was expecting but not altogether disappointing either. Orton will enter Week 17 with revenge on his mind. Kansas City faces a Broncos squad that unceremoniously cut Orton several weeks ago. With a keen understanding of Denver’s defense, he should again post useful numbers. Trust him if you’re desperate for QB help.

Availability: Owned in ~24% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: Look for Orton to put up 240+ yards and a pair of scores against his former team.

RUNNING BACKS

Commonly owned RBs worth adding: N/A

Kahlil Bell, Bears
Last week’s top pickup recommendation was the featured offensive weapon for the Bears on Sunday night. He carried the ball 23 times and caught 4 passes for a combined 159 yards. Chicago faces Minnesota in the finale. The Vikings have gotten progressively worse against the run in 2011. Exhibit A: They couldn’t contain Evan Royster in Week 16. Look for Bell to get 25+ touches and put up over 100 yards. He’s a viable RB2 for fantasy.

Availability: Owned in ~39% of leagues.
FAAB: $$$-$$$$
Forecast: Bell should be owned in all leagues.

Kendall Hunter, 49ers
With the 49ers postseason ticket punched, don’t be surprised to see head coach Jim Harbaugh rest some of his starters in Week 17. The player who stands to see the biggest boost is backup RB Kendall Hunter. Hunter looks like a stud RB in the making. If he gets 20 carries against the Rams, it’s not an exaggeration to state that he could be the top fantasy RB for the week. Don’t hesitate to use him if the 49ers indicate that Gore will only play one quarter.

Availability: Owned in ~64% of leagues.
FAAB: $$-$$$
Forecast: Hunter could surprise in Week 17 if the 49ers limit Frank Gore’s work.

Toby Gerhart, Vikings
Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson tore his ACL and MCL and will miss the remainder of the season. He also might not be ready in time for the 2012 opener. Toby Gerhart will get the majority of carries in Week 17 and could be in the backfield as the starter on opening day 2012. He produced like a capable RB2 for fantasy when Peterson missed time with an ankle injury earlier in the year. Although the Vikings face a stingy Bears defense on Sunday, Gerhart’s volume of work will make him relevant. Look for 80 total yards and a score.

Availability: Owned in ~61% of leagues.
FAAB: $$-$$$
Forecast: Fantasy owners can bank on a heavy dose of Gerhart this week.

Evan Royster, Redskins
With regular starter Roy Helu inactive with knee and toe injuries, Evan Royster came on and punished the Vikings for 132 yards rushing. He averaged 6.9 yards per attempt. If he gets the start on Sunday against Philadelphia’s middling run defense, Royster merits consideration as a RB2 of flex option. Look for him to get around 20 carries and post north of 80 yards. Just make sure to check Helu’s status.

Availability: Owned in ~7% of leagues.
FAAB: $$
Forecast: Royster is a borderline RB2 for the season finale.

Stevan Ridley, Patriots
Attempting to project New England’s backfield is akin to a game of Russian roulette. However, with the Patriots locking up a first round bye, rookie Stevan Ridley could see an increased workload in Week 17. He carried the ball 13 times for 64 yards in Saturday’s win over the Dolphins. It was his second straight game with 11 or more rushing attempts. A favorable matchup against the Bills moves Ridley from risky option to borderline deep-league starter.

Availability: Owned in ~13% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: Ridley is a boom-or-bust option in Week 17.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Commonly owned WRs worth adding: James Jones (71%), Malcom Floyd (70%) and Jabar Gaffney (70%)

Denarius Moore, Raiders
In his second game back from a foot injury, Moore returned to fantasy relevance. He posted four catches for 94 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. QB Carson Palmer threw his way nine times. Moore is an explosive WR who is typically good for a couple deep receiving attempts per game. He’s a highly attractive pickup in any league in which he’s available. Oakland plays the Chargers in Week 17. Moore had his best game of the season in Week 10 against San Diego, putting up 123 yards and two scores. Consider him a viable WR2.

Availability: Owned in ~70% of leagues.
FAAB: $$$-$$$$
Forecast: Add and start Moore vs. San Diego if you’re shorthanded at QB.

Damian Williams, Titans
The oft-mentioned Williams grabbed a season-high eight receptions in Saturday’s win over the Jaguars. He ended the day with 83 yards receiving. Up next, Tennessee faces Houston. Williams is a passable WR3 for the matchup. He has put up at least 60 yards or a touchdown in seven out of the last nine contests. Start him if you’re desperate for WR help.

Availability: Owned in ~45% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: Williams should put up decent WR3 numbers in the finale.

David Nelson, Bills
Nelson is a crafty matchup-based pickup for owners in deep leagues. Although he failed to score in December, he should close out the 2011 campaign with a strong performance against the Patriots. No team allows more WR points than New England. In the previous meeting with the Patriots back in September, Nelson ended with a season-high 84 yards receiving. He should approach that number this time around.

Availability: Owned in ~58% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: With a juicy matchup against New England, Nelson is worth a flier.

Andre Roberts, Cardinals
Roberts was a nonfactor for the first half of the season but he’s really come on strong of late. He has notched four straight quality fantasy performances in a row. This includes 12 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown in the last two games. Fantasy owners in dire need of a spark at the WR position can lean on Roberts and expect 5-6 receptions with decent yardage. Arizona hosts the Seahawks in Week 17. Roberts has scored or put up 100+ yards in three straight home games.

Availability: Owned in ~4% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: Roberts is a low-end WR3 for Week 17.

TIGHT ENDS

Commonly owned TEs worth adding: Brent Celek (76%)

Jared Cook, Titans
Cook backed up a Week 15 breakout game (9-103-0) with another monster effort. He ripped the Jaguars for 169 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions. Based on the team’s effort to incorporate him into the offense, Cook can be trusted as a TE1 for the final game of the regular season. Tennessee will square off against the Texans. Although Houston is one of the better teams in the NFL against TEs, Cook is still worth a look. He caught two passes for 22 yards last time out against Houston but one of the catches went for a touchdown.

Availability: Owned in ~25% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: Ride Cook’s hot streak to a fantasy championship.

KICKERS

Commonly owned PKs worth adding: N/A

Alex Henery, Eagles
The Eagles offense has shown a pulse over their last two games. As a result, kicker Alex Henery merits attention from fantasy owners who could use some kicking help. Henery has posted decent numbers in both of the last two games and has drilled his last 14 field goal attempts. With an upcoming meeting with a Redskins team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to kickers this season, Henery has a good chance to be a top 10 kicker in Week 17. He posted eight points earlier this year against Washington.

Availability: Owned in ~51% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: Consider Henery a solid plug-and-play option for Week 17.

DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS

Commonly owned DSTs worth adding: New York Giants (75%) and Philadelphia Eagles (82%)

Atlanta Falcons
With a plus matchup this weekend against the reeling Buccaneers, Atlanta’s defense merits consideration for a spot start. Tampa hasn’t scored more than 19 points in six weeks. Their offense seems to be completely dysfunctional at this point. In their last three outings, the Buccaneers have given up nine sacks, 12 turnovers and two DST touchdowns. Start the Falcons and look for considerable production by way of sacks and turnovers.

Availability: Owned in ~48% of leagues.
FAAB: $
Forecast: The Falcons are start-worthy in all leagues and scoring systems.

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COMMENTS (page 1 of 1)

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MOD Squad

Posted Jan 2, 2012 4:45pm EST

This is only my second year playing ffb. I was in 4 leagues and finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th. Even though I love researching stats and finding those diamonds in the rough, I could not have been so successfull without The Huddle. Thanks you to all the guys.

drariel

Posted Dec 28, 2011 8:20pm EST

I've been doing fantasy football since 1988 (when you really had to work to find information and stats) I have tried many sites throughout the years and feel that the huddle is by far the best. Mr. Dorey is the best of the best. Thank you for all you provide here at the huddle and not stopping at already being the best but providing improvements every year.
Hope you get well soon, Dave, and thanks again for all your hard work.

jojo

Posted Dec 28, 2011 7:54pm EST

mr. dorey has been doing the projections for 15 years. so you want someone else to just "fill in" so they avoid coming out just 24 hours late? you obviously don't care who gives you your projections, so here's an idea... use the free agent advice on this very page and figure out your own picks.

W Ottmann

Posted Dec 28, 2011 6:57pm EST

Get Well. However:
This information is something I have grown to rely on and it hurts my waiver action to night.

It seems to me that one should have a colleague cover for each other in 'down times"

Oh well, it is only money (mine) that us affected and it is after all only money.

Bummed out. Get well.

Matt

Posted Dec 28, 2011 2:34pm EST

Get well Dave

DAVID DOREY

Posted Dec 28, 2011 12:35pm EST

I am currently doing the projections as I have done for the last 15 years and yes, they are delayed one day because of a severe illness that I have contracted that only allows me to work between "episodes" and sleeping. I am not going into the actual description of what I have been going through as my present to you. I will finish them sometime today despite the hardship of doing it. We do not consider week 17 any differently than week one. As for Coyote wanting week 17 rankings, the sorted projections would be the same thing.

Darthlingus

Posted Dec 28, 2011 12:03pm EST

My guess here is that the complainers don't see the player projections yet. They've been used to seeing it by now since there were Thursday night games for the past few weeks. There ISN'T a Thursday night game this week hence we won't see the projections posted until tomorrow.

jojo

Posted Dec 28, 2011 11:40am EST

complainers---name one feature that they don't have this week that they had last week? they are putting them all out as far as i can see.

Coyote

Posted Dec 28, 2011 8:42am EST

I play in a high stakes total point league that plays all 17 weeks. It would be nice to have the rankings.

Viper

Posted Dec 28, 2011 8:20am EST

My issue is that the Huddle gives up after week 16. Some leagues keep going and I would like to continue getting the regular weekly reports (Player projections) for week 17. Every year, the Huddle gives up after week 16 on part of their site. Does that mean we should reduce our payment for the site by 1/16? What's the big deal. Keep up the site for the last week!

Bartman

Posted Dec 27, 2011 11:26pm EST

I don't feel unfortunate playing this week. I have another week of fantasy football, and I drafted (and WWed) for depth and backups. You are sitting on the couch dreaming of next year.

It was a great year fellas. Thanks to theHuddle.com for all your help.

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