As the NFL encounters its final weeks of the regular season, fantasy football owners make their final push for a playoff spot.
The trade deadline has passed in most every league, so rosters will now be tweaked inside the limitations of the waiver wire and critical last second adjustments to the starting lineup.
Start/Sit:
Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson, WR, New Orleans- If anybody left in America had the slightest doubt about the Saints, Monday night eliminated it.
Facing the Patriots in a much anticipated, playoff implicated game, New Orleans pounded away on the Patriot defense that came into the game ranked sixth in the NFL in yards allowed per game.
Two individuals who took part in the blowout were Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson, who racked up a combined 185 receiving yards and two touchdowns for the night.
These guys have become an integral part of the Saints explosive offense, breaking big plays at any time.
Keep them in your starting lineup until they prove themselves unworthy, which seems unlikely.
Their chance of a long touchdown reception is worth a spot at your flex position.
Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City- With Larry Johnson out in KC, Jamaal Charles has done a commendable job at becoming the featured back for the Chiefs.
Though they lost both Johnson and top receiving threat Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs’ offense has still found a way to be somewhat productive, even stealing a win from the Steelers in week 11.
Charles was shut down for the most part against the tough Steelers defense, but still managed to score a touchdown and totaled 66 yards from scrimmage.
He had a much better game against the weak Chargers run D in week 12, accumulating 93 yards on the ground with another touchdown.
In week 13, the Chiefs face the Broncos, who allow well over 100 yards rushing per game.
Charles has proven to be of fantasy value regardless of the opponent simply because the Chiefs don’t have many other options; Charles gets the nod to start once again.
Terrell Owens, WR, Buffalo- Owens has reemerged as a viable fantasy starter after slumping most of the season.
His success might be attributed to new Buffalo starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, as the two have connected 22 times in the four games Fitzpatrick has started, that’s four more receptions for Owens than in the seven games Trent Edwards started as QB.
However, the Jets are coming to town in week 13 touting a defense that is good against the run and great against the pass.
Expect the Jets to slow down the run game and put pressure on Fitzpatrick, disrupting his rhythm.
Oh, and Darrelle Revis is a pretty good cornerback as well. Give Owens a breather for this one unless your options are slim.
Defense/ Special Teams of the Week:
I am going to make a grossly bold prediction here by picking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST as my waiver wire pickup this week. It is no surprise that the Buccaneers are available in practically all of ESPN leagues, and for good reason.
Interestingly enough, though, one of their few successful defensive games was against the Panthers earlier this year when they forced three turnovers.
Additionally, the Bucs demoted their defensive coordinator and showed improvement directly after the move with a week twelve battle with Atlanta.
Yes, this improvement came against a backup quarterback and running back for most of the game, but nonetheless, Jake Delhomme of the Panthers has played horribly this year.
Delhomme might not even be starting come Sunday, so the lack of performance and certainty in the Carolina QB position greatly favors Tampa Bay.
Look for them to have a respectable showing on defense and maybe even get a return for a touchdown by Clifton Smith.
Daniel Feingold can be reached at dfeingold@ut.edu.