Saturday
Edition
November
23rd, 2013
David's Daily Digest
WEEK 12: Perfect Lineup
I don’t know if it’s possible to come up with it and surely I have not
been close all season, but I am more than happy to share my week 12 Perfect
lineup. There are no keys, there is no science, it takes a lot of luck and
maybe an authentic and working crystal ball.
Now
looking at week 12, if I owned a working crystal ball, what it might be telling
me is the following;
Quarterback
The
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford
has been not just hot, not just on fire, but rolling thunder over his past five
games. When he’s not tossing scores (13 in the five-game span), he’s lighting up opposing defenses for nearly 500 yards (488 yards passing in
week 8). Stafford has a nice matchup this week against the Buccaneers (8th
most fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks), so I like his chances of
having a big Sunday.
Running back
The
Bears defense showed last week why they are one of the worst against the run
allowing running back Ray Rice to
ramble free for 131 yards on the ground. It was Rice’s best game of his 2013 campaign; enter Rams running back Zac Stacy. The Bears allow the 5th
most fantasy points to opposing running backs and Stacy has been solid rushing
for more than 100 yards in two of his last three starts, including three
touchdowns in his last two. Stacy with his 15 receptions is also a two-dimensional
back that can contribute in the pass game.
Running back
The
Niners are need of a big win and with a Monday night matchup against the
Redskins, their key could lie with the legs of running back Frank Gore. The Redskins allow the 2nd
most fantasy points to running backs and Gore has been very consistent this
season rushing for 70 or more yards in 7 of his last 8 games. The Niner’s ball carrier is coming off a 13 carry effort, so I am expecting him to
see at least 20 touches on Monday.
Wide receiver
The
Texans are at home this week and wide receiver Andre Johnson has been on a roll the past three weeks. Over that
span he’s grabbed 24 passes for 382 yards and five scores; he’s been a fantasy stud for owners. This Sunday poses a small bit of a
challenge, but one he should overcome facing a Jaguars defense that allows the
16th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers; including 12
touchdowns.
Wide receiver
It’s been a tough campaign this season for the Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, but he is coming off
a nice six-catch, 61-yard, with a touchdown effort. This week could offer
similar, if not better results for the playmaking wide receiver. Fitz will be
lining up against the Colts secondary that allows the 11th most
fantasy points to opposing wide receivers including 12 touchdowns. Look for a
nice Sunday from Ftiz.
Tight End
I may
have missed out on the best chance of getting this one right after Jimmy Graham’s Thursday night performance, but with
the same confidence I will roll with the Patriots Rob Gronkowski. The big tight end is a force over the middle and he’s just starting to get his (football) sea legs. He’s scored in each of his last two games and facing the Broncos defense tomorrow
evening, a secondary that allows the 6th most fantasy points to
opposing tight ends, Gronkowski is poised to have a big night.
Place Kicker
Since we
have to pick a kicker, I guess it makes sense to go with one that has a shot at
multiple trips into the red-zone. The Broncos Matt Prater could get numerous looks at opportunities in a classic
Sunday matchup where points will be at a premium. Both teams should be able to
move the ball, but on the road the Broncos won’t
want any trips into New England territory coming out empty.
Defense
It seems
each week the Jaguars offense (allow 2nd most fantasy points to
opposing defenses) is usually on the wrong end of fantasy matchups, making the
opposing defense one of the top plays each week. At home this week, nothing is
different of the Texans defense
facing the 1-9 Jaguars. I like the chances of JJ. Watt and company coming up with a nice performance this Sunday!
This is my
take for Week 12.
~David
Ortega
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