FSH: THE FANTASY SPORTS ZONE (DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH)

December 10th, 2009 11:30pm PST

The Fantasy Sports Zone

"Diamonds in the Rough"

(fantasy sleepers)

Players that you may want in your lineup this week!

It's plenty late in the season to be calling some of these gems diamonds, but this could be the week they shine best. With the fantasy playoffs underway in many leagues, starting lineups are critical because no owner wants to leave any points on the bench. When you are setting your game winner for Sunday, make sure you consider these Week 14 jewels...

This Week's Gems....

In Washington....

The Redskins will travel to the bay area on Sunday to meet the Raiders and their 30th ranked run defense. With Clinton Portis shelved for the season, this will be a huge opportunity for running back Rock Cartwright to break out. Cartwright has started the past couple of games, but has yet to really get untracked. He's averaging a mere 3.5 yards per carry and has only racked up 144 yards on the ground, but this Sunday could be very different. The Raiders defense is allowing 4.6 yards a carry, has surrendered 18 rushing touchdowns, and has given up 16 run plays of 20 yards or more this season. Cartwright has remained a steady part of the offense (averaging 18 touches per game over last three weeks) and this Sunday he has a prime matchup, owners should consider this option a strong play for Week 14.

In Jacksonville....

The Jaguars play host the Dolphins on Sunday and although the passing game has not been all that this season (ranked 17th), on Sunday it could get a little healthy. One of the keys for Jacksonville will be wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker, the teams leading receiver with 52 receptions and six touchdowns. In the Dolphins last three games they have been burned by the opposing teams leading receivers for a total of 22 receptions, 350 yards, and two touchdowns. The Dolphins ranked 24th against the pass and have allowed 43 pass plays for 20 yards or more; this could be a very good week to get Sims-Walker in the lineup.

In Buffalo...

The Bills offense has yet to really get off the ground this season, but over the past several weeks it has begun to show some life. One of the biggest reasons for the passing games recent surge has been the utilization of wide receiver Terrell Owens. In his last four games Owens has been targeted 35 times and has caught four passes for 25 yards or more. In his last four games Owens has 20 receptions for 409 yards and two touchdowns. With the Chiefs 28th ranked pass defense next on the slate, fantasy owners could see a big payoff this weekend.

Worth Noting for this week....

The Niners passing game has not been much to speak of, but since rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree's arrival and Alex Smith's return to the starting role there has been improvement. Crabtree (32 receptions, 406 yards receiving) is slowly, but surely developing into the type of receiver the Niners had hoped they would be getting when they drafted him with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. This week he and the Niners will face the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. With Smith under center Crabtree has been steady this season. With the Cards 30th ranked pass defense that has allowed 45 pass plays of 20 yards or more coming to town, Monday night could be very productive for the rookie.

Check back every week for more "Diamonds in the Rough"

FSH: THE FANTASY SPORTS ZONE (TARGET PRACTICE)

December 9th, 2009 7:45pm PST

The Fantasy Sports Zone

Target Practice

In these hands we trust

It's time to stop foolin about. The fantasy post season is upon us and now it's time for the nitty-gritty. With very point being critical now is not the time to take any chances or unecessary risks.

Over the past several weeks there have been some familiar names returning to their normal roles, while some new names have managed to work their way into the mix. Despite a sub-par past couple of weeks fantasy owners should not let their confidence be shaken with wide receiver Roddy White who had 21 targets last week. You can bet he'll continue to be a fantasy mainstay moving into the fantasy post season, as will the Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice who had 16 targets on Sunday and Chad Ochocinco who was targeted 14 times in Week 13.

A couple of new names that will figure into the fantasy post season are the Dolphins Davone Bess (14 targets last week) and the Titans rookie wide out Kenny Britt (10 targets in week 13). Bess caught a season high 10 passes on Sunday and quietly has grabbed 19 balls over the past three weeks. Britt has now scored in three straight games and has tallied 14 catches for 216 yards with three touchdowns along the way. And don't look now, but suddenly the Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall seems to be relevant once again with 16 receptions for 206 yards and a score in his last three starts.

It makes no sense to just consider season long numbers, although they do carry some merit, but you have to also keep up with the "what have you done for me lately." So now looking ahead to week 14, take careful aim when choosing your receivers;

What have you done for me lately?

Over the past three Weeks...

(unoffical numbers)

A few names you'll want to remember!

Derrick Mason (Bal)............36 targets

Sidney Rice (Min)...............33 targets

Steve E. Smith (NYG).........32 targets

Austin Miles (Dal)..............30 targets

Santonio Holmes (Pit).........30 targets

Brandon Marshall (Den).......29 targets

Mohamed Massaquoi (Cle)....29 targets

Donnie Avery (Stl).............29 targets

Anquan Boldin (Ari)...........28 targets

Terrell Owens (Buf)...........28 targets

Pierre Garcon (Ind)............27 targets

Michael Crabtree (SF).........27 targets

Kenny Britt (Ten)..............27 targets

2009 Season Target leaders Top 10

1. Andre Johnson (Hou)............130 targets

2. Roddy White (Atl)...............127 targets

3. Larry Fitzgerald (Ari)...........125 targets

4.Wes Welker (NE).................122 targets

5. Steve E. Smith (NYG)...........121 targets

6. Reggie Wayne (Ind)..............121 targets

7. Randy Moss (NE).................115 targets

8. Tony Gonzalez (Atl).............109 targets

9. Santonio Holmes (Pit)...........105 targets

10. Chad Ochocinco (Cin)..........104 targets

10. Brandon Marshall (Den).......104 targets

10. T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Sea)..104 targets

Keep Checking back for more football!!

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

December 9th, 2009 10:30pm PST

David's Daily Digest

[My Take]

More football news and happenings from around the league; here’s the latest I am hearing, reading, and following with my take on things and how they will impact the coming fantasy week……

Player Notes From Across My Wire...

Benson looks solid in return….

There's no question that the Bengals have themselves a bonafide feature back with Cedric Benson. On Sunday returning from a hip injury that sidelined him a week earlier Benson powered his way through the Lions defense for 110 yards. The bigger stat was his 36 carries and with the Bengals inching their way towards the post season, it would not surprise to see this move become more prevalent.

Owens could breakout this Sunday….

Fantasy owners have not had a lot to get excited about with Terrell Owens arrival in Buffalo. Only once this season has he had a monster fantasy weekend, back in week 11 when he blew up for 25 fantasy points. This week he and his quarterback (FItzpatrick) have more than a favorable matchup against the Chiefs 28th ranked pass defense. This season the Chiefs have allowed a league high 15 pass plays of 40 yards or more and have surrendered 21 passing touchdowns. T.O. hasn't had many big games this season, but this could be one of those weeks.

Rivers has been flowing all season….

While Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Brett Favre grab all the headlines, all the Charger's quarterback Philip Rivers has done this season is complete nearly 65 percent of his passes, throw 21 touchdowns, pass for 3,311 yards, with just six interceptions. With a 104.9 passer rating only Brees and Favre rank higher and over the past seven weeks Rivers is 7-0, with 14 touchdowns, just three picks and 256 yards passing per game. Right now Rivers is playing as well as anyone and just continues to get better.

IDP Notes....

Laurinaitis is a bright spot on Rams defense….

The Rams rookie linebacker James Laurinaitis has been studly since his arrival and all season he's been one of the defenses biggest anchors. Laurinaitis leads the team with 97 tackles this season and in his last three starts he's tallied 37 tackles, including 34 solo. With the Rams defense likely to see a lot of action the rest of the way, this rookie stud will remain a huge IDP play.

Check back with "Your Fantasy Sports Home" for more Football to digest....

FSH: TUESDAY FOOTBALL TALK

December 8th, 2009 9:37pm PST

FOOTBALL TALK

Looking under the hood

(Week 13)

Saints, Colts looking more one dimensional....

Even though both teams remain undefeated, one can not help but notice over the past couple of week how both teams have come dangerously close to seeing their perfect seasons end. One notable factor that might be of concern has been the teams lack of committment to the run. In the Saints last two games they are only averaging 84 yards on the ground compared to their season average of 142 yards. In those two games the Saints have passed for 775 net yards. The Colts are also not setting any ground game records averaging 92 yards on the ground over their last four, just a tick better than their 32nd ranked season average of 88 yards. In the same span the Colts are averaging 278 yards passing per game. One thing fantasy owners will note, these teams know where their strengths lie and figure to lean heavy as the post season approaches.

Chargers set to ride the rolling Rivers....

The Chargers have quietly crept up on the competition in the AFC and sitting at 9-3 in first place of the West, they have a great oppportunity to grab the number two seed in the post season. One of the major reasons for the Chargers surge and great success has been the play of quarterback Philip Rivers. Not only has Rivers led the Chargers to seven straight wins, but he's been passing among the elite as of late. In his last two starts he's passed for nearly 700 yards and thrown four touchdowns while completing over 73 percent of his passes. Just as impressive are his 14 touchdown passes and just three interceptions during the seven game win streak. With the number two seed in their grasp, expect the Chargers to ride Rivers hot hand right into the playoffs.

More fantasy Notes

When the Bills face the Chiefs on Sunday, one thing fantasy owners can expect to be missing is any kind of defense. For the Bills this could be a great opportunity for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to continue to earn the trust of his coaches by utilizing his playmaking receiver Terrell Owens. Over the past three games that Fitzpatrick has been the starter Owens has seen 28 targets and caught 17 passes. With the Chiefs 28th ranked pass defense next on the dockett, expect these two to improve those numbers.

A big key for the Chiefs in their matchup with the Bills will be to stay with the run. The Bills are ranked dead last against the run, so expect the Chiefs to feature a lot of running back Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs 2nd year back has one 100-yard rushing game this season, but he is averaging over 90 yards from scrimmage in his last three games. Even though he has yet to break out this season Charles is averaging nearly five yards a carry. The Bills defense allows nearly five yards a tote, so this could be a big week for Charles if the defense can keep things close.

By David Ortega

Check back every Tuesday for more “Tuesday (Football) Talk”

FSH: ON THE COVER

December 8th, 2009 10:00pm PST

This Week on the Cover….

What Perfection looks like!

For those of us that have yet to take note, not only could we be watching history in the making, but we could very well be seeing two of the greatest ever put their stamp on history. Never before in the modern history of the NFL have two NFL teams started a season 12-0 and after 13 weeks of action here we are with both the Saints and the Colts sitting with perfect records.

Take a good look at these two teams, as dissimilar as they are, they have more in common than you think and at 12-0, this is what perfection looks like.

The Colts have one of the leagues very best field generals with Peyton Manning under center. This season Manning has completed 70 percent of his passes completing 322 0f 460 throws. In 12 games this season he's tossed 25 touchdowns, only thrown 11 interceptions, and passed for 3,685 yards (on pace for 4,913-yards). He's only been sacked 10 times, has a passer rating of 101.9 and has guided the Colts offense to 331 points (27.6 per game/ranked 4th in the NFL).

The Saints quarterback Drew Brees is also the team's biggest cheerleader, but when he's not leading the pregame rah-rah, he's lighting up opposing defenses. This season Brees has once again found his rhythm completing 69 percent of his passes completing 271 of 392 throws. Brees has 29 touchdown passes with only 10 interceptions and has passed for 3,536 yads. He's only been sacked 15 times, has a 111.3 passer rating (1st in the NFL), and has led his club to 440 points.

When you stack these two up, there's not a lot that seperates them and when you look closely, this is what perfection looks like!

Check back everyday for more football!