Week Twelve's Top Scorers, Under Performers, and other Trends.

And I was traded for Brady Quinn?

I would hate to play a broken record, but 7 out of the top 10 performers were QBs once again. However, this Sunday's king of scoring was not a QB, but a RB traded for a 2nd string QB before the beginning of the season. Peyton Hillis continued to add to his breakout season with 26 rushes for 131 yards and 3 touchdowns plus 6 receptions for 63 yards.

Not even the second leading scorer was a QB, but benefited from Matt Cassel play (22/32 233 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 5 carries for 28 yards) as he hauled in 13 receptions for 170 yards and 3 scores.

However, 7 out of the next 8 top scorers were QBs highlighted by Tom Brady's turkey day trashing of Detroit (21/27 341 yards, 4 touchdowns), Jay Cutler's surprising performance against Philadelphia (14/21 247 yards, 4 touchdowns), and rookie of the year Sam Bradford's play against Denver (22/37 308 yards, 3 scores).

On the flip side, if you didn't catch the SD/ Indianapolis game last night and saw the final score of 36-14 you would assume Philip Rivers threw at least 2 touchdowns, however, Rivers had his first 0 touchdown game of the season going 19/23 for 185 yards. Speaking of weird stats Cowboys RB Tashard Choice hurt the production of Marion Barber owners by taking his one and only carry across the goal line for a touchdown Thursday after Barber failed twice.

Hot commodity Keiland Williams made owners wonder why they picked him up instead of Fred Jackson going for 5 yards on 3 carries while adding 4 receptions for 21 yards. Speaking of under producing many notable WRs had poor games resulting in less then 30 yards; including Randy Moss, Sidney Rice, DeSean Jackson, Donald Driver, Anquan Boldin, Braylon Edwards, Mike Williams (TB), Terrell Owens.

The Indianapolis Colts are now 1-13 when Peyton Manning throws 2 or more interceptions.

Interim head coaches are 3-1 for the season.

All 3 of Sam Bradford's touchdown passes were to tight ends.

Brent Celek found his way out of the fantasy black hole Sunday by catching his first TD pass in 5 weeks, and his first from Vick all season.

Peyton Manning threw 4 touchdowns Sunday night; two to his receivers and two to the Chargers defense.

Week Ten Pickups

T

With Portis and Torain possibly out Williams may be your dude

Quarterback's:

Josh Freeman, TB Buccaneers: In case you haven't noticed the 2nd year player from Kansas St. is quietly becoming a solid QB giving you at least 1 touchdown and 180+ yards of offense per game. Still unowned in nearly half of all standard leagues means he's available for you this Sunday if you're regular is on bye. What more then the word "Carolina" do you need to hear to pick him up?

Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams: as a Mizzou fan it pains me to recommend him, but when he has thrown at least 2 scores in 1/2 of his games he is definitely worth considering. He has no interceptions in 3 straight games, and plays a weak SF defense this weekend.

Runningback's:

Keiland Williams, Washington Redskins: with Ryan Torain ailing from a hurt hamstring and Clinton Portis questionable to return Sunday Williams should be in everyone's view. 2 weeks ago he was given a few carries/ passes which resulted in a touchdown. If neither Torain or Portis can go this Sunday Williams will get a lions share of the offense.

Mike Goodson, Carolina Panthers: with three backs down Goodson is the only healthy back left for the Panthers. Although the situation doesn't look good with no one else currently on the roster to relieve him, and defenses don't have to respect the Panthers play-action because of the rookie caroussel with Clausen and Pike; Goodson may be the only "available" pickup on your waiver wire. In no way am I saying he is Michael Turner, but if Turner could burn TB for nearly a 100 yards and 2 scores Goodson should have good results as well.

Wide Receiver's:

Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins: although he isn't getting much yardage what he is getting is targets which makes him a prime pickup if in a ppr league. Catches of 8-5-6-7-5 over the last 5 weeks make him a great PPR performer.

While you may be tempted to pick up Seyi Ajirotutu hinder your desires. The SD Chargers are on bye and Ajirotutu will fall in the depth chart with Floyd, Naanee, and Jackson all return.

Tight End's:

Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions: when Megatron is covered up like he was this past Sunday Pettigrew becomes a nice red zone target for whoever is throwing for the Lions.

Jacob Tamme, Indianapolis Colts: filling in for the injured Dallas Clark, Tamme has caught 17 passes for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is a definite starter in all leagues now.

Week Six Start 'em or Start 'em

Have you seen me lately?

Before you set your lineup be sure to remove players from Arizona, Buffalo, Carolina, or Cincinnati. Here are your week 6 starters and bench warmers...

Start these guys or else:

• QB, Eli Manning, NY Giants: this week at home Manning and his 280 ypg, 8 touchdowns, faces off against the 26th ranked passing defense in Detroit giving up 235 ypg. Normally I would be against playing Eli because of his turnover problems, however, this matchup looks so good on paper you have to play Eli. A changed NY defense will keep a Calvin Johnson-less Lions offense off the field, and give Eli more chances to score. 
• QB, Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben is coming off a 4 week break/hiatus from all things Steelers football, plus throw in a bye week, and looks to take the reigns of a team QBed by Dennis Dixon and Charlie Bath to a 3-1 record. He will be welcomed back at Heinz Field to a steady receiving core, one of the top RB's in the league, and an opposing defense that has given up 8 touchdowns through the air while only picking off opposing QB's three times. 
• RB, Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins: despite rushing for 40 yards the Redskins showed their trust in Torain by handing off to him 16 times. This week, on Sunday night, Torain faces a banged up Indy defense giving up 142 yards and a score per game to opposing RB's. 
• RB, LaDainian Tomlison, NY Jets: against a good Minnesota D LT ran the ball 20 times for 94 yards, however, this week he faces off against the 26th ranked rushing defense in Denver giving up on average 127 ypg and a touchdown. For the season LT has been given the ball 14 more times then Shonne Green, 76-62, and the trend should continue as Rex Ryan looks to use his running game to keep Kyle Orton off the field. 
• WR, Malcolm Floyd: San Diego Chargers: in the pick 'em world you have to take the Rams because the Chargers have no idea how to win on the road this year no matter how badly the opponent tries to let them back into the game. However, individual wise Floyd is a great play as he has cemented himself as Rivers #1 WR option. With touchdowns in 3 of his 5 games this year, and playing against a Rams defense that was roasted by Shaun Hill last week, not to mention giving up 231 ypg and 6 scores, bodes well for the Rivers to Floyd combination. 
• WR, Brandon Lloyd, Denver Broncos: a guy who has been so inconsistent throughout his playing career is finally showing some consistency; thanks in part to his QB Kyle Orton. Floyd has caught for more then 100 yards in 4 of 5 games this year, and should have a repeat performance against a Jets defense that has given up 9 touchdowns and 235 ypg. With stats like that Kyle Orton looks like an amazing play, but with the year he has had it should be a no brainer to play him. 
• TE, Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders: it doesn't matter who his QB is; Gradkowski or Campbell both have looked early and often to Zach. He has scored a touchdown in each of his last 3 games and caught for 82 ypg, and plays against a 49ers defense that has given up at least 40 ypg and 3 touchdowns to opposing TE's. 
• D-ST, TB Buccaneers: most people know about QB Josh Freeman, and most people know about WR Mike Williams. However, most people don't know how well their defense has been performing this year. Save their game against Pittsburgh; the TB defense has scored double digit points in 2 out of their 3 games. This week they play against a shaky NO offense with little to no running game, and a QB who is probable for Sunday who just went for 3 interceptions and a fumble against the Cardinals. Digest this last morsel as well; for the season TB is ranked 5th against the pass. 

Unless you want to lose this Sunday keep these guys on the bench:

• QB, Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams: he just lost his favorite target in Mark Clayton, his "new" favorite target will be double teamed beyond belief, and his running back is finally healthy. 
• RB, Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns: still recovering from a thigh injury, ran for just 28 yards last week, runs for a rookie QB who will be looking for his TE Ben Watson (also a nice play if you need a TE), and runs against a Steelers defense that has only given up 2 rushing touchdowns and 80 ypg. 
• WR, Greg Jennings, GB Packers: in his last 4 games he is averaging 25 ypg with only 2 touchdowns. His QB may not play Sunday, and the opposing Miami defense only gives up 182 ypg through the air. He will continue to be a 2nd/3rd round disappointment. 
• TE, John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks: the Seahawks stink on the road, he is averaging 40 ypg on 4 rpg with only 1 touchdown in those 4 games, the Bears defense has yet to give up a touchdown to an opponents TE, and on top of that he is probable. This late round sleeper will continue to sleep. 
• D-ST, Oakland Raiders: don't expect another performance from the Raiders like we witnessed last week against the Chargers. In 2 of their previous 4 games they had actually had negative scores. Coincidentally against teams with good running games. This week a hungry SF team comes to town looking for their first win along with a running back, Frank Gore, looking for his 2nd touchdown of the season. You may get a handful of points from Oakland's D, but hamper your expectations. Especially after the Chargers gave them three turnovers that resulted in immediate scores. 

Week Five Start 'em/ Sit 'em

Averages, averages, averages

Week five brings us to week two of bye weeks with such notable fantasy studs sitting this weekend (Tom Brady,  Brandon Marshall, Rashard Mendenhall); possibly leaving you with an empty roster spot previously filled by a for sure starter. Based on bye week implications here are your week five starters.

QB, Sam Bradford, Detroit Lions: who cares that you don't have Tom Brady available to play this week? You picked up Bradford after his week one play when he showed he wasn't the second coming of Ryan Leaf. Always a good decision. After four games he ranks 12th among QB's with 6 touchdowns and 236 yards per game. This week he plays the 26th ranked passing defense in Detroit giving up 241 ypg and 13 touchdowns over all. Detroit's Shaun Hill has shown his ability to throw and should light up St. Louis 22nd ranked passing defense, thus providing Bradford with ample opportunity to light up the board for more yards and scores.

RB, Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins: of course you could be recommended to start Arian Foster or Frank Gore, but where is the risk in that? Torain looks to get most if not all of the carries this weekend against the Packers, thank you Clinton Portis, and their 25th ranked rushing defense giving up 118 yards per game. In one week Torain moves from pickup of the week to fantasy stud.

WR, Hakeem Nicks, NY Giants: can you be 3-1 and have the worst defense against the pass? If you are Houston yes you can. If Eli Manning didn't have such a tendency to turn the ball over he would be a great play at QB this week, however, his main squeeze Nicks definitely is. Facing a defense that averages on giving 2 touchdowns and 338 ypg means Nicks will get his targets, and you uber points.

However, you may want to bench these guys unless you have no other options...

QB, Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals: despite a bad game against a fiery Charlie Batch the TB defense is limiting QBs to 194 ypg with 6 interceptions. Palmer has given up more turnovers then touchdowns in four games, and has shown against good defenses his inability to rack up yardage or touchdowns. In fact, discounting garbage time against NE or a trashy Cleveland defense Palmer has thrown only two meaningful touchdowns.

RB, Ryan Matthews, San Diego Chargers: even though he was healthy last week for his return against Arizona he still split plenty of carries with Ryan Tolbert to the point that Tolbert rushed for more yardage and more fantasy points. Perhaps this is SD still being cautions with Matthews and his concussion, or Norv Turner trying to figure out if he has a usable two RB system, but without Matthews being a foreseeable #1 in this offense he is bench worthy.

WR, Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals: Greg Williams crazy blitzes + rookie QB Max Hall + healthy Beanie Wells = bad fantasy points. Over the past two weeks, with Max Hall throwing his way, Fitzgerald is average 41 yards and .5 touchdowns. In fact, it hasn't mattered who has thrown the ball to Larry because his production has been horrible all year long.

• 2 touchdowns through four games
• Averaging 4.5 receptions per game
• Averaging 52 yards per game

Need any other reason not to start him?