Prepare Thyself: Week 12
Many apologies for no column last week. I was without Internet which, trust me, was the most painful experience of my life. How did humanity survive before the Net? I vaguely recall a period before computers, but I’m pretty sure I’ve mostly blocked it out of my memory. Anyway, because I teach you freaks how to fish (rather than just giving you fish), I trust my absence wasn’t too big of a deal. Except for RotoRob. He cried and cried.
On to Week 12 (!) sneaky starts and surprising sits.
Sneaky Starts
Roy Williams – Dallas Cowboys (vs. 49ers): Somehow, leaving the epic disaster that is the Detroit Lions has hurt Williams’ fantasy stock. Of course, part of the problem has been the whole Tony Romo injury fiasco. After three receptions in two games with Brad Johnson at the helm, he managed three in his first game with Romo back. The 49ers possess a sub par pass defense, so I’m thinking Williams will finally have a “breakout” game in a Cowboy uniform.
Greg Olsen – Chicago Bears (@ Rams): Olsen has had quite the roller coaster season. He averaged two catches, 20 yards and no scores over the first three games. Then, over the next four games, he jumped to four catches, 59 yards, and 0.5 scores per. The last three weeks saw the numbers regress to three and a half grabs, 32 yards, and no scores per game. The good news is that the Bears are playing the Rams, which is one of the nicer matchups possible. Olsen has also gelled well with Kyle Orton, who is in line to start this weekend. All in all, Olsen represents a decent fill in for an injured tight end.
Donald Lee – Green Bay Packers (@ Saints): Prior to the season, Lee was getting some sleeper talk due to his strong ’07 season and continued development in the Green Bay offense. Unfortunately, while Aaron Rodgers has exceeded expections, Lee hasn’t been on the receiving end of many passes. That is, of course, until last week when Lee managed six catches and a score. His stats this week could be boosted further by the injuries that Donald Driver is trying to play through. Those bumps and bruises clearly slowed Driver last week, and they won’t be much better this week. Lee is a touchdown waiting to happen this week.
Surprising Sits
Joseph Addai – Indianapolis Colts (@ Chargers): Even though it was his third game back from injury, Addai didn’t really do much until last week when he exploded for two scores and more than 150 total yards. So let me rain on your parade: Don’t start Addai this week. At least, don’t expect over 100 yards or a touchdown. Last week’s ginormous totals came against the Texans, a team that ranks 24th against the run. The Chargers place 10 spots higher in that department, which means the Colts are going to have to score points through the passing game, which is probably okay with them.
Maurice Jones-Drew – Jacksonville Jaguars (@ Vikings): Jones-Drew will score a touchdown this week. That’s about all the good news I have. The Vikings rank second in rushing defense, which is bad news for any back. The Jaguar rushing game has been exceptionally fragile this season. Jones-Drew has six games with fewer than 50 rushing yards this season, and I fully expect that number will be pushed to seven.
Good luck in Week 12!
