Sunday night at the Meadowlands, the Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) and New York Giants (7-5) will meet for the 23rd time this decade and the 20th, and final, time during the regular season. To say that this showdown is important would be to understate one of the NFL’s best and most ferocious rivalries.

To put this matchup in perspective, one needs to look no further than the success both franchises have had over the past decade.

New York and Philadelphia have combined to win eight of the last nine NFC East crowns (the Cowboys won the East in 2007), earn 13 playoff berths, play in seven of the last nine NFC Championship games, win three NFC titles and one Super Bowl.

The best part? Their rivalry couldn’t be more balanced.

Philadelphia has won 10 of this decade’s 19 regular season games with the Giants. Of those 19, nine have been decided by six points or less. The Birds also hold a 2-1 edge in playoff meetings, with the most recent being a 23-11 win at the Meadowlands in January’s NFC divisional showdown.

But, the icing on the cake when it comes to Philadelphia vs. New York is when the game takes place in December.

In six December meetings since 2000, four have been decided by three points or less, while five battles have been decided by fewer than six points. The closest thing these teams have had to a lopsided affair in December took place in 2006, when the Birds beat the G-Men 36-22.

Sunday night’s game at the Meadowlands will be no different, as both teams are fighting for their right to represent the NFC East in the playoffs.

But, before we get to another chapter in Eagles-Giants lore, let’s take a look at five of the best and most significant matchups these two teams have played over the past decade.

 

5. Big Blue’s march to the Super Bowl

Week 14: Dec. 9, 2008 Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

Giants 16, Eagles 13

A rock solid defense led the Giants, who had won eight of their previous 10 games, into Philadelphia on a bitter December afternoon with dreams of the postseason. But a 5-7 Eagles team that was all but eliminated from the playoff race had no plans to roll out the red carpet for their hated division rivals.

The Giants were on their way to a fourth quarter score that would have put the game out of reach when running back Brandon Jacobs fumbled the ball—his second of the half—breathing life into the Philly faithful. After grabbing an early 7-0 lead, Philadelphia found themselves with the ball on their own 10-yard line, trailing 16-13 with 5:51 left to play.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb led the Eagles down the field just far enough to set up kicker David Akers for a 57-yard attempt to tie the game with no time remaining.

The kick had the distance, but it hit the right goal post with one second left to give the Giants a hard-fought 16-13 win and move them one step closer to an eventual Super Bowl championship.

Giants killer Brian Westbrook finished the game with 154 total yards and one touchdown, while Eagles killer Plaxico Burress ended his day with seven receptions for 136 yards and one score.

Said Giants defensive end Michael Strahan after watching Akers’ 57-yard attempt from the sideline, “I was holding my breath, man. I’m glad the goal post was right where it was—not an inch left or right.”

 

4. The Rebirth of Jeff Garcia

NFC wild-card round: Jan. 7, 2007 Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

Eagles 23, Giants 20

McNabb was lost for the season with a knee injury in Week 11 that, for many Philadelphia fans, put an end to any hopes of making another run at a Super Bowl title. Enter backup quarterback, Jeff Garcia, who stepped in, admirably running head coach Andy Reid’s West Coast offense and led the Eagles to five consecutive wins entering this wild-card matchup with the G-Men.

Burress did what he did best and torched the Eagles for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Tiki Barber rushed for 137 yards on 26 carries.

Led by quarterback Eli Manning, the Giants tied the game late in the fourth quarter as Manning overcame a 2nd-and-30 by connecting with Burress on three straight passes of 18, 14, and 11 yards. With 5:04 remaining in the game, Manning found Burress for an 11-yard touchdown that tied the game 20-20.

But, Garcia engineered yet another late drive that was capped off with Akers’ game-winning 38-yard field goal in a steady rain. It was the sixth consecutive win for the Eagles under Garcia.

Said Barber after the game, “This was one of the hardest places I’ve ever played in. It was fitting to come down here and play my last game.”

 

3. The Punt Return

Week 7: Oct. 19, 2003 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Eagles 14, Giants 10

The Giants and Eagles may have entered this matchup with the same record, but by the end of the game both teams would be headed down very different paths.

Entering the 2003 season, second-year running back, Brian Westbrook, was an unknown third-round pick out of Villanova. The future Pro Bowler had carried the ball just 46 times for 193 yards and no touchdowns in his rookie campaign, so he wasn’t exactly the focal point of opposing teams’ game plans.

The Eagles entered Week Seven at 2-3, a disappointment to the fans who had watched their team make it as far as the NFC Championship game the year before (Philly lost to Tampa Bay 27-10 in that game). Meanwhile, the Giants were having problems of their own as they came into this divisional showdown at 2-3 as well.

Led by Strahan, a Pro Bowl defensive end, the Giants’ defense stifled the Philadelphia offense, holding McNabb and company to just 134 total yards for the game and only one first down in the second half.

Leading 10-7 with 1:34 left to play, the Giants lined up to punt the ball with the idea that the defense would hold McNabb and the Eagles—as they had done all afternoon—and Big Blue would escape with a hard-fought win.

It all went south shortly thereafter.

Westbrook fielded the punt at his own 16-yard line, and aided by a questionable Ike Reese block on gunner David Tyree, raced down the sideline for an 84-yard touchdown that gave the Eagles a 14-10 lead and ultimately the win.

The Eagles went on to win nine games in a row and finished the season 12-4, earning another trip to the NFC Championship game.

The Giants, conversely, dropped eight of their last 10 to finish 4-12.

Said Westbrook after the game, “I had a feeling I was going to get a return.”

 

2. The Comeback

Week 2: Sept. 17, 2006 Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

Giants 30, Eagles 24 (overtime)

Big Blue opened up their 2006 campaign with a 26-12 home loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the first ever “Manning Bowl.” Meanwhile, Philadelphia handled their Week One business by disposing of the Houston Texans 24-10. This game would mark just the sixth time since 1990 that these two teams would meet in the regular season before the month of October.

The Giants struck first as Eli Manning hooked up with wide receiver Amani Toomer for a 37-yard touchdown pass that put New York up 7-0 just 2:36 into the game.

After that, it appeared as if the Eagles could not be stopped.

McNabb connected with wide receiver Reggie Brown for a 23-yard touchdown strike with 11:42 to go in the third quarter that put the Birds up 24-7. For everyone who had been watching this showdown, the game looked to be quickly getting out of hand.

But Eli and the Giants weren’t finished.

Down 24-7 entering the fourth quarter, Manning went hot as the young quarterback led three scoring drives over the final 15 minutes, capped off by Jay Feely’s 35-yard field goal with just 15 seconds to play to send the game into overtime.

A silenced Philadelphia crowd could only look on in horror as Manning found Burress for a 31-yard touchdown pass in overtime to give the Giants a thrilling 30-24 comeback win.

The comeback marked just the third time in 21 seasons that the Giants had rallied from a 17-point deficit.

After the game, Strahan said, “We’re on the road, we’re down 17 going into the fourth quarter in Philadelphia, the fans are cursing at us, screaming at us, yelling obscenities at us, mooning us on the way in. To win in this hostile territory and have it end on such a good play…priceless.”

 

1. The Changing of the Guard

Week 6: Oct. 22, 2001 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

Eagles 10, Giants 9 (Monday night)

Arguably the most significant meeting of the decade for these two teams, it wasn’t so much what happened during this October showdown that mattered, as what the fallout brought with it.

The Giants came into the 2001 season as the defending NFC champions, having destroyed the Minnesota Vikings 41-0 the previous January. While the G-Men ended up losing the Super Bowl that year to the Baltimore Ravens, they were still the cream of the crop in the NFC East.

On the other sideline stood the Philadelphia Eagles, who had lost to the Giants 20-10 in the divisional round of the playoffs the previous January. It had been the first trip to the postseason for the Eagles since 1996, which was considered a very successful season for a team that had gone 14-43 from 1997-1999.

Philly traveled to New York at 2-2 to meet the 3-2 Giants. The big storyline in this game was the fact the G-Men had won eight straight regular-season meetings over the Eagles. In what had been one of the more lopsided rivalries of the past four years, you could sense something was different on this cool October evening.

In a game that saw the Giants get out to a 9-0 halftime lead, young quarterback Donovan McNabb and the Eagles would not be deterred. This game was a defensive war—the trademark of so many great Philly-New York showdowns—that saw just one touchdown scored the entire evening.

That TD took place in the fourth quarter, with the Eagles trailing 9-3, when McNabb hit wide receiver James Thrash for an 18-yard touchdown strike with 1:52 left in the game, giving Philadelphia a 10-9 lead it would not relinquish.

The Eagles won nine of their final 12 games to go 11-5 and made it as far as the NFC Championship game, where they lost to Kurt Warner and the St. Louis Rams 29-24.

New York dropped seven of its final 11 contests to finish 7-9 and miss the playoffs.

After losing eight straight games to the Giants, Philly’s 10-9 win began a run in which the Birds would appear in four consecutive NFC Championship games.

They also went on to beat the Giants in six of their next seven regular-season meetings.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

With 13 weeks in the books, just about everybody is now entering the fantasy playoffs. It’s time to take a serious look at those rosters and upcoming schedules to make sure you’re sending the best possible team onto the field in these crucial upcoming matchups.

Let’s take a look at some of the key performances in Week 13…with an eye to next Sunday.

MBP Award (Most Beastly Performance)

Bruce Gradkowski    Quarterback    Oakland Raiders

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo may have had a slightly better statistical performance, but Gradkowski got the win…on the road, at Pittsburgh.

The fourth-year veteran out of Toledo turned in an exceptional game, completing 20 of 33 passes for 308 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in a 27-24 upset win of the Steelers.

Gradkowski now has six touchdowns with just one interception in his past three games and is averaging 230.3 passing yards per contest in that span. The next two games on the schedule (Washington, at Denver) will be tough, but Gradkowski has a favorable matchup in Week 16 (championship weekend) when the Raiders head to Cleveland to take on a struggling Browns defense.

Be sure to check out…

The National Football Post Experts Fantasy League , which concludes its regular season after tonight’s Monday night game.

After a miserable 0-4 start, yours truly ripped off six wins in the final nine games — including a “thrilling” Week 13 upset — to grab the No. 5 seed heading into wild card weekend.

The league champion will be walking away with a brand-new Plasma television, courtesy of the National Football Post.

In your opinion, who has the best odds of taking home the TV?

On the rise

Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys offense: With four games remaining in the 2008 regular season, I went out on a limb and predicted that Romo and the Cowboys would collapse down the stretch and miss the playoffs, which they did by losing three of their final four games. After dropping a 31-24 divisional showdown to the Giants on Sunday and with an upcoming schedule that features games against the Chargers, Saints and Eagles, could another December meltdown be in store for Wade Phillips and the ‘Boys?

The good news is that in terms of fantasy football, the offense is clicking right now. Romo looked fantastic on Sunday against the Giants, completing 41 of 55 passes (74.5 percent) for 392 yards and three touchdowns, with zero interceptions. The Dallas signal-caller now has 16 touchdowns with just three interceptions in his last eight games and has posted five 300-plus-yard passing efforts over that span.

Tight end Jason Witten continued his recent streak of success by hauling in 14 passes for 156 yards. Witten hasn’t found the end zone since Week 2 against the Giants (his only score of the year), but he’s posted two consecutive games with 100-plus yards. Wide receivers Miles Austin (10 receptions, 104 yards, one touchdown) and Roy Williams (six receptions, 60 yards, two touchdowns) also got in on the act and brought home solid fantasy performances.

Expect the Cowboys to keep throwing the football as three of their final four games take place against three of the NFL’s top-12 offenses.

Roddy White    WR    Atlanta Falcons: Even without quarterback Matt Ryan running the show, White still found a way to bring home a clutch Week 13 fantasy performance by catching nine passes for 104 yards and one score against the Philadelphia Eagles. White found most of his success when he was matched up with cornerback Sheldon Brown, who is nursing a bad hamstring. The good news for White owners is that after posting three straight games without a score, the Falcons’ top wideout has now found the end zone in each of his past two games, giving him at least one touchdown in six of his last nine games.

Donovan McNabb    QB    Philadelphia Eagles: Don’t look now, but the veteran signal-caller from the City of Brotherly Love has been a solid fantasy start over the past four weeks. McNabb is 3-1 with six touchdowns and three interceptions while averaging 298.0 passing yards over the Birds’ last four outings.

D-Mac and the Eagles travel to the Meadowlands in Week 14 for the always-popular showdown with the G-Men. The good news is that in McNabb’s last eight games against Big Blue, he’s tossed 15 touchdown passes with just one interception.

Knowshon Moreno    RB    Denver Broncos: One of the NFP’s favorite rookies was at it again Sunday as the former Georgia standout carried the football 21 times for 86 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos’ 44-13 blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Since hitting a rough patch in the middle of the season, Moreno has bounced back to average 12.7 fantasy points per week (standard scoring) over his past four games. What’s even better is that he’s gotten 40 carries in his last two games, the highest two-game total of his rookie season.

Antonio Gates    TE    San Diego Chargers: Is this guy a beast or what? If you watched the Chargers-Browns game Sunday, you saw exactly how deadly Gates can be when he’s 100-percent healthy, as he time and time again out-jumped two defenders to make big grabs down the field. Gates has exceptional downfield balance, which makes him such a lethal threat against opposing linebackers who are asked to drop into coverage and defend him. The tight end hauled in eight passes for 167 yards in the Chargers’ 30-23 win at Cleveland.

Robert Meachem    WR    New Orleans Saints: Is there anyone in the NFL hotter than Meachem right now who is receiving LESS press? The Saints wideout continued his current run of dominance on Sunday when he snagged eight passes for 142 yards and one score against the Washington Redskins. As if that wasn’t enough, the third-year receiver out of Tennessee made a huge play in the second quarter when Redskins defensive back Kareem Moore intercepted a Drew Brees pass – only to have Meachem rip the ball from him and scamper 44 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.

Crazy plays aside; Meachem has now hauled in seven touchdown passes in his last seven games and should be considered a must-start in all fantasy formats moving forward. He’s producing too much to be left on the bench.

Gates now has 15 receptions for 285 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games.

Look for him on waivers

Davone Bess    WR    Miami Dolphins: The second-year wideout from Hawaii caught 10 passes for 117 yards and one score in the Dolphins’ 22-21 win over the Patriots. That was just his first touchdown reception of the season, so Bess is only an advised acquisition for owners in deeper fantasy leagues. That being said, he’s hauled in six or more passes in three of his last five games. In addition, his next three games (at Jacksonville, at Tennessee, Houston) come against three of the NFL’s softest pass defenses.

Falling down the boards

Laurence Maroney    RB    New England Patriots: Heading into Week 13, Maroney had put together an impressive six-game stretch in which he scored eight touchdowns. But just as fantasy owners were beginning to get comfortable with the idea of having Maroney in the starting rotation every week, here comes head coach Bill Belichick handing the football to three different running backs in the Pats’ 22-21 loss at Miami.

While Maroney still handled the lion’s share of the workload (13 carries for 41 yards and no touchdowns), Sammy Morris (9-40) and Kevin Faulk (3-15) got in on the act as well. To make matters worse, running back Fred Taylor is expected to return to the lineup any day now after missing the last eight games due to injury. Be cautious starting Maroney moving forward as the Patriots could be on their way back to a backfield time-share.

Vincent Jackson    WR    San Diego Chargers: V-Jax caught just two passes for 54 yards on Sunday, moving his current four-game slump to nine receptions for 147 yards and no touchdowns on only 18 targets. The scary thing is that during this poorly timed lack of productivity, the Bolts are 4-0 and averaging 34.0 points per game. The possibility exists that the rib injury Jackson has been battling the last few weeks is affecting his game more than people think.

Justin Forsett    RB    Seattle Seahawks: The second-year back out of California had been on a roll heading into Week 13, picking up 403 total yards and five touchdowns in his last four games. But he tweaked his quad in practice Friday, which paved the way for former starting running back Julius Jones to carry the workload on Sunday as he rushed for 67 yards on 20 carries. Forsett did see some action (eight touches for 34 yards and one score), but fantasy owners have to worry that head coach Jim Mora is going to make the switch back to Jones moving forward. Stay tuned.

Carson Palmer    QB    Cincinnati Bengals: A home date with the Detroit Lions in Week 13 was supposed to be Palmer’s chance to post some serious fantasy numbers. Instead, the Bengals quarterback completed 17 of 29 passes for 220 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Over his past five contests, Palmer has thrown only three touchdown passes and is averaging just 187.8 passing yards per game. Part of the problem is that during that span he has only completed more than 18 passes just once — something he was able to accomplish five times in his first seven games.

With three of his last four games coming against Minnesota, San Diego and the New York Jets, Palmer owners may want to start thinking about Plan B for their upcoming playoff run.

Pittsburgh    D/ST: The defending champs are on the ropes as the Steelers have dropped four straight contests while giving up an average of 23.0 points per game. During that span, Pittsburgh is allowing 321.5 total yards per game and has been unable to force an interception. What’s worse is that the once-feared rushing defense from the Steel City has been gashed for 241 rushing yards over the past two weeks.

These guys need safety Troy Polamalu back in a hurry.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Enter the Red Zone is back at the NFP after a short hiatus.

So before you shut down the office computer for the week and head out for happy hour, get involved in some serious statistical analysis and game predictions (with a little Start ‘em/Sit ‘em on the side).

Because that’s how we do things around here on Fridays.

You are now entering the red zone…

 

From the 20: You must protect the quarterback

I’ve already decided that before the start of the 2010 fantasy season, the National Football Post is going to publish a detailed study of all 32 teams’ offensive lines. Why? Because this information is essential to the fantasy draft process.

As we’ve analyzed before, it all comes down to pressure. The ability to get after the quarterback and disrupt his rhythm plays a huge factor in determining offensive success.

In standard scoring formats, seven of the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks rank 12th or lower in sacks. Four of those quarterbacks (Kurt Warner, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning) all rank 23rd or lower.

In addition, six of the seven MOST-sacked quarterbacks in the NFL (JaMarcus Russell, Jake Delhomme, Matt Cassel, Jason Campbell, Donovan McNabb, David Garrard) rank 15th or lower in fantasy scoring (Jay Cutler, who ranks seventh in sacks, ranks 11th among fantasy quarterbacks in scoring).

It’s simple. Give your quarterback time to throw and he’ll produce.

 

From the 19: In news that shouldn’t surprise you…

The five teams with the highest run-to-pass ratios this season (New York Jets, Miami, Cincinnati, Tennessee, and, surprisingly, New Orleans) have produced six of the top 15 fantasy running backs through 12 weeks (Thomas Jones’ numbers exclude Thursday night’s game).

Additionally, seven of the top 10 highest-scoring running backs rank in the top nine in carries this year (Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Adrian Peterson, T. Jones, DeAngelo Williams, Steven Jackson, Michael Turner).

This information just goes to reiterate that running backs who share the workload (Knowshon Moreno, Brandon Jacobs, Marion Barber) should fall a little bit farther down your board on draft day. Touches lead to production.

 

From the 18: Speaking of Chris Johnson…

The Titans’ Pro Bowl running back is still leading the NFL in a statistical category known as “stuffs.” A stuff occurs when a running back gets tackled at or behind the line of scrimmage for no gain.

Johnson and Lions running back Kevin Smith are currently tied for the NFL lead in stuffs with 27. Rounding out the top five are Adrian Peterson (26), DeAngelo Williams (25), and Steve Slaton (21).

Despite ranking seventh in carries (205), Bengals running back Cedric Benson is currently ranked 17th in stuffs (16).

On the defensive side of the football, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes leads the NFL in stuffs with eight.

 

From the 17: Did you know?

If you play in a standard-scoring fantasy league that starts the following positions:

QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, W/R, TE, D/ST, K

And you could go back to August and use your first nine draft picks on:

Round 1: Ricky Williams

Round 2: Tim Hightower

Round 3: Miles Austin

Round 4: Donald Driver

Round 5: Brett Favre

Round 6: Laurence Maroney

Round 7: Vernon Davis

Round 8: Cincinnati D/ST

Round 9: David Akers

You would currently be averaging 100.7 points per week?

 

From the 16: Game Prediction No. 1

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS -13.5 at Cleveland Browns

Key Game Notes

1. The Browns are averaging only 230.6 total yards of offense per game in 2009 (32nd).

2. The Browns are averaging only 11.1 points per game in 2009 (31st).

3. The Chargers are averaging 28.4 points per game in 2009 (third).

4. During their current six-game winning streak, the Chargers have scored an average of 30.8 points per game.

5. During their current six-game winning streak, the Chargers are beating their opponents by an average of 17.0 points.

Lightning will strike big in Cleveland this Sunday.

 

From the 15: Start ‘Em

Rashard Mendenhall    Running Back    Pittsburgh Steelers

This is a no-brainer for Mendenhall owners in deeper leagues, but for those of you playing in a smaller fantasy format, you should get the Pittsburgh workhorse into your starting lineup.

The Steelers play host to the Oakland Raiders and the NFL’s 31st-ranked run defense this weekend (161.1 yards per game). The Raiders are giving up an average of 26.0 fantasy points per week to opposing running backs (30th), have allowed 17 touchdowns via the ground, and are getting torched for an average of 23.5 points per game (23rd).

Don’t forget, after losing to the Ravens last week, the Steelers no doubt went through a tough week of practice under head coach Mike Tomlin. Don’t discredit the motivation factor.

 

From the 14: Notes from the Week 12 Target Report

1. Colts receiver Reggie Wayne is currently ranked first, with 114 targets.

2. Seahawks receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is currently ranked eighth, with 97 targets.

3. Both Randy Moss (111, fourth) and Wes Welker (109, fifth) rank in the top five.

4. The first New Orleans Saint to appear on the list is Marques Colston, who ranks 38th with 73 targets.

5. The top five tight ends in targets are Tony Gonzalez (96, 10th), Vernon Davis (92, 16th), Dallas Clark (91, 17th), Kellen Winslow (88, 19th), and Antonio Gates (83, 24th). All five tight ends rank in the top six in scoring in standard-scoring formats.

Below the radar: Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason is currently tied for 10th in targets, with 96. He’s quietly put together a nice season (52-734-5) and is now ranked 17th in scoring among fantasy wideouts.

 

From the 13: Burned Defenders

Yes, burned defenders is an official statistic. Here are the top five heading into Week 13:

1. Ike Taylor, Pittsburgh Steelers, 54

2. Derek Cox, Jacksonville Jaguars, 47

3. William Gay, Pittsburgh Steelers, 47

4. William James, Detroit Lions, 47

5. Bryant McFadden, Arizona Cardinals, 45

You think Cox will be matched up with Andre Johnson this weekend?

 

From the 12: Speaking of defenders…

Is it time to pronounce Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis the best in the game?

Revis was at it again Thursday night as he locked down Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens and limited the Pro Bowler to just three receptions for 31 yards on nine targets. In addition, Revis came up with a big interception in the fourth quarter that sealed the win for New York.

So far this season, Revis has gone against wide receivers Andre Johnson, Randy Moss (twice), Marques Colston, Terrell Owens (twice), Mike Sims-Walker, and Steve Smith (Carolina).

None of those wideouts has gone for more than 50 yards against Revis, and only two (Moss, Sims-Walker) have scored touchdowns.

 

From the 11: Sit ‘Em

Tony Romo    Quarterback    Dallas Cowboys

Romo heads to New York this weekend to take on the Giants, but what owners should be concerned about is that we have officially moved into the month of December, which is the time of year the Cowboys signal caller is known to collapse.

For his career as a starter, Romo is 5-8 with a 58.9 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, and 33 sacks in December. Not good. Not good at all.

He’s lost four of his last five December games, including three straight on the road.

Send him to the bench.

 

From the 10: IDP Leaders

Passes Defensed: Darrelle Revis (23), Leon Hall (17), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (16)

Tackles: Curtis Lofton (108), Patrick Willis (107), David Harris (105)

Sacks: Elvis Dumervil (14), Jared Allen (12.5), James Harrison (10)

Interceptions: Jairus Byrd (8), Darren Sharper (8), Asante Samuel (7)

LOOK OUT FOR: Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams, who goes up against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The Jags have struggled to protect quarterback David Garrard, who’s been sacked 28 times in just 12 games (fifth).

 

From the 9: Game Prediction No. 2

NEW YORK GIANTS +2.5 vs. Dallas Cowboys

What you need to know:

1. See “From the 11” above for the analysis of Tony Romo.

2. You HAVE to love the fact that an NFC East divisional game is featuring a home team GETTING points coming off 10 days’ rest.

3. In the Cowboys’ last six trips to the Meadowlands, they are 3-3 and are giving up an average of 25.3 points per game.

4. In 10 career games against the Cowboys, Eli Manning has thrown 18 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions.

 

From the 8: Did you know…

That when the Colts, Texans, Patriots, Bengals, Cowboys, and Chargers have a turnover differential of plus-one, they’re a combined 19-2 on the season?

The only two losses come from the Texans and Patriots.

In addition, the Texans are 1-4 this season when they post a minus-one turnover differential.

 

From the 7: Start ‘Em

Michael Crabtree    Wide Receiver    San Francisco 49ers

He’s averaging just 7.3 targets and 57.6 yards per game this season, but Crabtree is an excellent WR3 option in Week 13 due to a very favorable matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle has been exposed at will through the air and is giving up an average of 238.1 yards per game (25th). In addition, the Seahawks have been torched for 25.7 fantasy points per week by opposing wide receivers (30th).

Look for Crabtree to produce some solid numbers in Week 13.

 

From the 6: Get out of their way!

Here are the top five running backs for each of the following statistical categories:

Broken Tackles: Michael Turner (21), Steven Jackson (19), Chris Johnson (17), DeAngelo Williams (17), Maurice Jones-Drew (16).

Yards After Contact: Chris Johnson (749), Steven Jackson (627), Adrian Peterson (604), DeAngelo Williams (582), Maurice Jones-Drew (579).

Fourth-Quarter Rushing: Chris Johnson (325), Adrian Peterson (309), Ryan Grant (280), Thomas Jones (280), Marion Barber (245).

Is it any surprise that the top fantasy running back through three weeks (Chris Johnson) is listed in all three categories?

 

From the 5: Sit ‘Em

Chris Chambers    Wide Receiver    Kansas City Chiefs

Yes, Chambers has been effective since joining the Chiefs in Week Nine. The former San Diego Charger has caught 17 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns in four games since coming to Kansas City.

But there are two big reasons you should leave him on the bench this weekend: cornerback Champ Bailey and the Denver pass defense.

Now that he’s healthy, Bailey has been very difficult to beat this season. Add in the fact that the Broncos are allowing just 17.0 fantasy points per week to opposing wide receivers (sixth), and you’ve got a Week 13 matchup that offers very little promise.

 

From the 4: Drop some knowledge on me

I can choose two of the following three running backs to start in a standard-scoring, 10-team league this weekend:

1. Chris Johnson (at Indianapolis)

2. Ray Rice (at Green Bay, Monday night)

3. Rashard Mendenhall (vs. Oakland)

Whom do I sit?

 

From the 3: Interceptions happen outside

Completion Percentage: Indoors

1. Drew Brees: 72.3

2. Brett Favre: 71.0

3. Peyton Manning: 68.9

4. Aaron Rodgers: 67.7

5. Jason Campbell: 66.0

These five quarterbacks have combined to throw 63 touchdowns with just six interceptions indoors this season.

Completion Percentage: Outdoors

1. Kurt Warner: 72.6

2. Peyton Manning: 71.3

3. Matt Schaub: 70.0

4. Ben Roethlisberger: 68.2

5. Tom Brady: 66.4

These five quarterbacks have combined to throw 65 touchdowns with 28 interceptions outdoors this season.

 

From the 2: You make the call

In the Game Day fantasy live chat last Sunday, we started talking about which former NFL running back Chris Johnson plays like the most.

While his style is completely unique, if you had to compare Johnson to a former NFL great, who would it be?

My choice was Bo Jackson. Other suggestions were Gale Sayers, Barry Sanders, and Marcus Allen.

What say you, NFP Nation?

 

From the 1: Another Week 13 Winner

This one comes from the world of college football, as the Tipper is taking…

CINCINNATI BEARCATS -2.5 vs. Pittsburgh Panthers

Why? I’ve been on Cincinnati all year. You have to love an offense that runs a no-huddle spread attack throughout the majority of the game. The Panthers folded last week to West Virginia, so there’s no chance they prevent the Bearcats from going undefeated.

 

Enjoy the games this weekend!

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Let’s get right to it today. Fantasy playoffs are right around the corner, so this is a very big week for all of us. Time to dig deep. If you need any motivation, click HERE .

 

MBP Award (Most Beastly Performance)

Brett Favre, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers

At the risk of starting an all-out assault in the comments section, this week’s MBP Award is going out to two players who will be linked forever (thanks, Ted Thompson).

Rodgers lit up the Lions on Thanksgiving by completing 28 of 39 passes for 348 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions (124.7 QB rating) in a 34-12 victory.

Not to be outdone, Favre torched Chicago on Sunday for 392 yards (32 of 48) and three touchdowns, with no interceptions (112.5 QB rating) as the Vikings rolled to a 36-10 win.

In standard scoring leagues, Rodgers is currently the No. 1 ranked fantasy quarterback and is averaging a rock-solid 24.7 points per week. Favre currently ranks fourth, averaging 20.9 points per week.

Either way, if you’re starting one of these two studs, the likelihood of you making the fantasy postseason is very, very good.

 

Players on the Rise

Terrell Owens, WR, Buffalo Bills: Don’t look now, but T.O. has rejoined the ranks of the fantasy relevant. Sunday’s stat line (5-96-1 on five targets) gives the wide receiver 17 receptions for 378 yards and two touchdowns with 26 targets over his past three games. Owens has found the end zone in three of his last four contests (he had a 29 yard rushing touchdown against Houston in week nine) and is averaging 14.7 fantasy points per week during that span (standard scoring). Look for T.O. to continue the trend as the Bills play two of the NFL’s worst passing defenses (Kansas City, Atlanta) in the next four weeks.

Don’t give all the credit to Owens just yet, as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s move to the starting spot has had a tremendous impact. Fitz has been under center the past two games, which includes T.O.’s 197 yard outburst against Jacksonville in week 11. Fitzpatrick is averaging 271.5 yards with two passing touchdowns over his past two games. However, don’t look to him as a reliable fantasy starter yet since he’s also tossed three interceptions in his last two outings.

Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks: I’m not going to lie, I love watching this kid play football. I don’t care if it came against the lowly St. Louis Rams—Forsett’s 22 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns not only had a major fantasy impact in week 12, it also should have been a clear sign that head coach Jim Mora cannot go back to lackluster running back Julius Jones when Jones is fully recovered from his lung contusion.

Forsett brings explosiveness to an offense that’s in desperate need of some firepower. And for those of you who thought his week 12 numbers against a team like St. Louis were a fluke, think all the way back to week 11 when Forsett racked up 89 total yards (eight receptions) and a touchdown at the hostile Metrodome in Minnesota.  Seattle’s next for games are against San Francisco, at Houston, home for Tampa Bay, and on the road in Green Bay.

Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans: If you didn’t get a chance to watch V.Y.’s 99 yard drive to beat the Cardinals, do yourself a favor and catch the replay on NFL Network this week because it truly is must see television. Young completed 62.8 percent of his passes for a staggering 387 yards and one touchdown in the Titans’ thrilling 20-17 comeback win over Arizona.

Young has now won five straight games since taking over for the ineffective Kerry Collins and has led Tennessee back into the playoff hunt. Not only that, the former Texas Longhorn is averaging 16.0 fantasy points per week during that same span. Those numbers won’t win you a fantasy title, but they sure as hell can provide some serious support to a team in need of quarterback help.

 

If you like Vince Young, you should also check out…

Josh Freeman, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: In the four games Freeman has played since replacing Josh Johnson (who replaced Byron Leftwich), he’s averaging 194.2 yards per game with seven touchdown passes and five interceptions. The good news here is that Freeman has thrown a touchdown in all four starts. Again, he won’t win you a fantasy title, but he can definitely step into the lineup if you’re in a jam.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Most of us were calling for the Chiefs to bench the ineffective Larry Johnson about two weeks into the season due to his inability to produce anything other than a three yard carry. It wasn’t just because L.J. was so ineffective, it was because Kansas City has a real talent in Jamaal Charles.

The second-year back out of Texas has been on a terror over the last three weeks, averaging 108.6 total yards per game, with three touchdowns. Charles is now averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per carry on the season and brings some much needed speed to an offense in desperate need of playmakers.  Kansas City has Denver, Buffalo, and Cleveland coming up on their schedule.

Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings: If you still aren’t convinced the Vikings made the best move of the offseason by bringing in quarterback Brett Favre, look no further than the recent production of rookie Percy Harvin.

We’ve all seen wideout Sidney Rice killing it in 2009, but did you know that the speedster from Florida is averaging 79.2 receiving yards with three touchdowns over his past four games? Not only that, but Harvin is seeing an average of 6.8 targets per game over his past five outings, which gives a guy with his explosiveness and open field speed more than enough opportunities to post some respectable fantasy numbers.

Another Viking flying below the radar is tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who is currently trailing only Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers in touchdowns among tight ends, with eight. Shiancoe has hauled in 13 receptions over the past two weeks and has found the end zone seven times in his last eight games. He currently ranks seventh in scoring among tight ends in standard scoring formats.

 

For those of you in need of a wide receiver…

Check out Philadelphia Eagles wideout Jason Avant. The fourth year receiver out of Michigan stepped up big when DeSean Jackson went down with a concussion Sunday, catching five passes for 94 yards in the Eagles’ 27-24 win over the Redskins. With all of the attention being paid to players who suffer concussions this season, D-Jax could very well be out for next Sunday’s game at Atlanta. That would mean plenty of snaps for a reliable wideout who is matched up against one of the league’s worst passing defenses.

 

Falling Down the Boards

Chad Ochocinco, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: 14 receptions for 200 yards and zero touchdowns.

That would be a very nice fantasy performance if the stat line you just read reflected what Ochocinco had produced this weekend against the Cleveland Browns.

Instead, that’s the grand total of what Cincinnati’s top wideout has racked up over his last four games. Keep in mind that two of those matchups came against the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, so it’s not time to start panicking just yet.

Ochocinco has a date with the Lions in Cincinnati this Sunday and then another soft matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in week 16. But be cautious. If he doesn’t get the job done this weekend, fantasy owners may need to rethink their strategy heading into the playoffs.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Buffalo Bills: Do yourself a favor and don’t consider Lynch as anything but a flex option in deeper fantasy leagues moving forward. The Buffalo running back has rushed for an extremely disappointing 278 yards in eight games with only one stinking rushing touchdown while averaging a Joe Fortenbaugh-like 3.1 yards per carry.

Think of it this way—if you’re six feet tall and can get to the hole and fall forward, you just picked up two yards. Lynch has somehow found a way to hit the hole, run for three more feet and then fall forward.

That’s not good enough in the world of fantasy football, especially for a guy playing with a banged-up shoulder who just watched backup Fred Jackson post 116 total yards and two touchdowns against a tough Miami defense.

Matt Ryan & Michael Turner, QB/RB, Atlanta Falcons: Despite battling back to beat the Buccaneers 20-17 and keep their playoff hopes alive, the Atlanta Falcons are in bad shape right now.

Quarterback Matt Ryan completed just two of three passes for 15 yards before exiting Sunday’s win in the first quarter with a toe injury to his right foot. No official word on Ryan’s status for this weekend’s showdown with Philadelphia has been released as head coach Mike Smith said the team would have a better feel for where Ryan is at on Wednesday.

Running back Michael Turner carried 12 times for 33 yards (2.8 YPC) before re-injuring his ankle and leaving the game in the third quarter. While no official word has been released on Turner at this point, the chances of him playing Sunday are not very good. Even if he can find a way to go, he won’t be operating at anywhere near 100 percent.

Sit tight, Turner and Ryan owners—but don’t hold your breath.

New York Giants: They were up last week after putting on an impressive offensive display in week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons. But now, they’re heading south for the winter.

After posting just six measly points at Denver on Thanksgiving, Eli Manning and Co. are looking at the following schedule to close out 2009:

Week 13—Dallas Cowboys (14th in total defense, 16.5 points per game)

Week 14—Philadelphia Eagles (10th in total defense, 20.7 points per game)

Week 15—At Washington Redskins (eighth in total defense, 18.6 points per game)

Week 16—Carolina Panthers (12th in total defense, 23.3 points per game)

Week 17— At Minnesota Vikings (ninth in total defense, 18.5 points per game)

As an Eagles fan, I love it. As a fantasy owner, I’m dreading it.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

GET ‘EM IN YOUR LINEUP

Matt Ryan   QB   Atlanta Falcons

Ryan has struggled of late, throwing 10 interceptions and topping 250 passing yards just twice in his last six games. Many experts have recommended you bench him until further notice. Well, now is the time to get him back in your starting lineup.

Sunday, Ryan and the Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who bring a defense that has been victimized by the passing game this season. In 10 games, opposing quarterbacks are averaging 209.4 yards per game and have tossed 12 touchdowns with just four interceptions for a QB Rating of 94.0 against the Bucs. In addition, the Bucs are allowing 29.4 points per game, good for 31st in the NFL.

Look for Ryan and the Falcons to get back on track in Week 12.

 

Also Start

Wide receiver Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons

White  has caught just 14 passes for 170 yards and zero touchdowns in his last three outings. Expect his three-game scoreless streak to end Sunday. In addition, if running back Jason Snelling gets the start again this week (there’s a chance Michael Turner will play), make sure he’s in your lineup as well. Tampa ranks dead-last against the run in 2009, allowing 168.9 yards per game on the ground.

 

Mike Sims-Walker   WR   Jacksonville Jaguars

For owners in deeper leagues, this is a no-brainer. But for those of you with a stacked receiving unit in smaller leagues, be sure to get MSW in the starting rotation for his Week 12 showdown with the San Francisco 49ers . Sims-Walker has been red hot over his past three games, catching 17 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns on 24 targets.

On the other side of the field, the 49ers have struggled against the pass this season and are currently allowing 256.1 yards per game through the air (30th). San Francisco has given up five 300-plus-yard passing games this season as well as 20 plays of 25 or more yards and 11 touchdowns via the air.

 

Justin Forsett/Julius Jones   RB   Seattle Seahawks

This one is up in the air at the moment as Jones returned to practice on Thursday for the first time since bruising his lung Nov. 15. In any event, whichever running back gets the nod on Sunday should be in your starting lineup.

The Seahawks travel to St. Louis to take on a Rams defense that has really struggled stopping the run. The Rams are giving up an average of 167.0 yards per game over their last five outings with eight touchdowns coming by way of the rush during that span. They’ve given up 11 rushing scores over their past six games while allowing opposing ball carries to average 4.7 yards per rush on the season.

Look for either Forsett or Jones to put up some serious numbers in Week 12.

 

Wide receiver Nate Burleson      WR     Seattle Seahawks   

Burleson caught seven passes for 74 yards and one score on 11 targets the last time these two teams met back in Week 1.

 

Carson Palmer   QB   Cincinnati Bengals

Palmer’s been sluggish in his last two contests, averaging just 192.5 yards per game with zero touchdowns and one interception. However, if there’s one thing that cures a fantasy slump for a quarterback, it’s a date with the Cleveland Browns .

Palmer lit up the Browns secondary for 230 yards and two touchdowns the last time these teams squared off in Week 4 (Cincinnati won 23-20 in overtime). Remember, the Browns gave up five passing touchdowns to rookie Matthew Stafford and the Lions last week, and the Bengals are coming off an embarrassing 20-17 loss to the Raiders in Week 11. You know Cincy had a serious week of practice after that display.

You should also start Chad Ochocinco and Bernard Scott (unless Cedric Benson gets the start).

 

Kellen Winslow   TE   Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Since rookie quarterback Josh Freeman took over the starting job in Week 9, Winslow has quickly become his favorite receiver. The former Miami Hurricane is averaging 9.6 targets and 60.2 receiving yards over his last three games with 16 receptions and one touchdown.

In addition, the Falcons got lit up by Giants tight end Kevin Boss last Sunday for 76 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions. Keep in mind, Atlanta is giving up an average of 7.8 fantasy points to tight ends over the last six weeks. Not great, but definitely a good sign for a player like Winslow.

 

Ray Rice     RB     Baltimore Ravens

While the Steelers have done an excellent job against the rush this season, the Ravens are going to rely heavily on their most potent offensive weapon in this AFC North divisional showdown. Running backs Chris Johnson, Kevin Smith, Cedric Benson, Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles have combined to average 9.0 fantasy points per week against the Steel Curtain (standard scoring). While that number isn’t going to carry you to victory, it should be enough to warrant a starting spot in the rotation, especially with the amount of touches Rice is likely to see.

Keep an eye on…

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas and New England Patriots running back Laurence Maroney.

When the Pats and Saints meet on Monday night , most people assume this will be a pass-happy affair. But the best way to slow down another team’s offense is to keep them off the field. In the Patriots last “shootout” (vs. Indy), Maroney posted 10 fantasy points (standard scoring), while Thomas posted 21 for New Orleans when they took on the Falcons in a Week 8 “shootout.”

 

Three defenses to consider…

1. San Diego Chargers (vs. Kansas City)

The Bolts are allowing an average of just 13.8 points per game during their five-game winning streak.

 

2. Miami Dolphins (at Buffalo Bills)

The Bills rank 28th in total offense (275.7 yards per game) and 28th in points (15.5 per game) this season.

 

3. Seattle Seahawks (at St. Louis Rams)

If you need a sleeper defense to get your through Week 12, check out the Seahawks. Backup quarterback Kyle Boller will get the start in place of the injured Marc Bulger, and the Rams are averaging just 11.3 points per game in 2009 (31st).

 

SEND ‘EM TO THE BENCH

Braylon Edwards   WR   New York Jets

After catching five passes for 64 yards and a score in his Week 5 Monday night debut with the Jets in October, Edwards has been an afterthought in the New York offense. Edwards has hauled in just 12 passes for 217 yards and one touchdown in his past five games. While his lack of production can be partly attributed to the rookie struggles that quarterback Mark Sanchez is currently going through, the fact remains that Edwards is no longer a viable fantasy option.

Look for the trend to continue Sunday when the Jets host the Carolina Panthers and the NFL’s fourth-ranked passing defense (185.0 yards per game). Carolina cornerbacks Richard Marshall and Chris Gamble have been outstanding this season, and if the Panthers can get a decent pass rush on Sanchez, look for Edwards to turn in another sub-standard fantasy performance.

Also sit wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who is averaging just 72.7 receiving yards per game this season and has only topped the 100-yard receiving mark once in eight games.

Joe Flacco   QB   Baltimore Ravens

Flacco’s recent struggles are well documented, as the second-year quarterback has thrown only one touchdown with three interceptions over his past four games. He has topped the 200-yard passing mark just once during that span. But Flacco’s lack of fantasy production is only half of the reason why he should be riding the pine this weekend.

The main reason? Here come the Pittsburgh Steelers and a pass defense that’s holding opposing quarterbacks to an average QB Rating of 79.1 in 2009. The Steelers have given up just 11 passing touchdowns in 10 games and are holding opposing quarterbacks to a 59.1 completion percentage while giving up an average of just 208.7 passing yards per game (12th).

Look for another option at quarterback this weekend as Flacco’s fantasy struggles are going to continue.

Steve Smith   WR   Carolina Panthers

He’s scored four touchdowns in his past four games, but it’s time to send Smith back to the bench. The Panthers travel to New York this weekend to take on the Jets, and shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis will be waiting.

Check out what Revis has done this season against some of the league’s best receivers:

Randy Moss (two games combined): Nine receptions, 58 yards, one touchdown
Marques Colston: two receptions for 33 yards
Andre Johnson: four receptions for 35 yards
Mike Sims-Walker: three receptions, 49 yards, one touchdown

Enough said.

Beanie Wells   RB   Arizona Cardinals

This is a Week 12 matchup that deserves a hell of a lot more attention than it’s going to get.

Wells has been red-hot the past two weeks, touching the ball 34 times for 202 total yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Tennessee defense seems to have figured out how to stop the running game, as they’ve allowed an average of only 73.0 yards over their past two outings, with no rushing touchdowns.

My money’s on the Titans as I expect Arizona to take to the skies in an effort to exploit the NFL’s 31st-ranked passing defense (271.7 yards per game).

 

Matt Forte   RB   Chicago Bears

Back to the bench for Forte this weekend as the Bears travel to Minnesota to take on the NFL’s third-ranked rushing defense (85.5 yards per game). Keep in mind that even when Forte was tearing up the league during his rookie season in 2008, he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and 76.0 rushing yards per game with one touchdown in two meetings with the Vikings.

 

In unrelated, but not surprising news…

You’ve also got to keep Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on the bench this Sunday, no matter how badly you think the Vikings’ pass defense may be. Minnesota is 5-0 at the Metrodome this season with 17 sacks and has allowed just one passing touchdown over the past two games. Meanwhile, Jay Cut has already thrown 18 interceptions and has only one passing TD in his last two games.

Three defenses to avoid in Week 12…

1. Chicago Bears (at Minnesota)

The Vikings are averaging 30.4 points per game at home this season.

 

2. New Orleans Saints AND New England Patriots

They play each other Monday night . Would you feel comfortable going against Drew Brees or Tom Brady?

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Thanksgiving is upon us, and while your favorite NFL team may not be playing on the most gluttonous holiday of the year, you no doubt have at least one fantasy player who could make an impact on Thursday.

So why wait to go through all of Week 12’s Starts and Sits when we can break down some of the key matchups you’ll be falling asleep to tomorrow afternoon?

Here are your Turkey Day NFP Starts and Sits. Don’t worry, the Week 12 Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em column will be in full swing Friday afternoon.

 

GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-4, 2-2 road) at DETROIT LIONS (2-8, 2-3 home)

Green Bay Defensive Ranks

Pass: 7th (191.8 yds/gm) Rush: 4th (90.7 yds/gm) Points: 12th (20.3 points/gm)

Detroit Defensive Ranks

Pass: 32nd (275.3 yds/gm) Rush: 20th (116.2 yds/gm) Points: 32nd (30.1 points/gm)

 

START ‘EM

Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers currently leads all fantasy quarterbacks in scoring (standard scoring leagues) and should be considered a must-start, especially against the league’s worst-ranked passing defense.

Ryan Grant: He’s averaging 13.6 fantasy points per game over his last three outings and has found the end zone twice during that span.

Greg Jennings/Donald Driver: Consider Green Bay’s top two receivers as solid starts in Week 12. The Lions have struggled big time against the pass this season, allowing Brady Quinn to torch them for 304 yards and four touchdowns last Sunday.

Jermichael Finley: He’s our 12th-ranked tight end heading into Week 12 and has been battling a knee injury, so Finley is recommended for owners in leagues of 10 or more owners.

Green Bay D/ST: This unit ranks seventh against the pass, fourth against the run and may be going up against a Lions offense that is without quarterback Matthew Stafford (shoulder). ALERT: Cornerback Al Harris and linebacker Aaron Kampman are both out for the season with injured knees.

Calvin Johnson: ALERT: Megatron was held out of practice Wednesday with a knee injury. In addition, chances are high that Daunte Culpepper could get the start on Thursday. Owners are advised to taper their expectations, but garbage-time numbers should be in effect here.

 

SIT ‘EM

Matthew Stafford/Daunte Culpepper: The Lions may have torn up the Browns secondary, but expect the going to be a lot tougher against the seasoned vets from Green Bay. There are several better options on the board for Week 12.

Kevin Smith: He hasn’t rushed for over 70 yards in a game since Week 3 and hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown since Week Four.

Brandon Pettigrew: Pettigrew is our 17th-ranked tight end for Week 12, meaning you shouldn’t consider him unless you play in an extremely deep fantasy league.

Detroit D/ST: Not against one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses. If the Browns were able to roll up 30-plus points, imagine what Rodgers and Green Bay will do.

 

OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-7, 1-3 road) at DALLAS COWBOYS (7-3, 4-1 home)

Oakland Defensive Ranks

Pass: 12th (207.5 yds/gm) Rush: 30th (157.7 yds/gm) Points: 22nd (23.4 points/gm)

Dallas Defensive Ranks

Pass: 20th (229.3 yds/gm) Rush: 7th (100.6 yds/gm) Points: 5th (17.5 points/gm)

 

START ‘EM

Tony Romo: Romo has struggled of late (three TDs/ three INTs last three games) but should find some success against a defense that’s allowing 23.4 points per game.

Marion Barber: MBIII is averaging 14.8 touches per game over his last five outings. The Raiders have struggled against the run in 2009, making Barber a solid RB2 option in Week 12.

Miles Austin: ALERT: As hot as Austin has been of late, he faces the possibility of going up against one of the league’s premier shutdown cornerbacks in Nnamdi Asomugha. Start Austin with caution and consider him a WR3.

Roy Williams: A decent WR3 option if Oakland rolls coverage in Austin’s direction. Williams has been inconsistent this season, so if you have a better option for Week 12, take it.

Dallas D/ST: They’re allowing only 17.5 points per game and welcome a Raiders team that’s playing on short rest and averaging just 10.8 points per game (32nd in NFL).

Felix Jones: Consider him a decent flex option for owners in deeper fantasy leagues.

 

SIT ‘EM

Jason Witten: ALERT: The Cowboys tight end is a game-time decision for Thursday with a foot injury. Even if he plays, Witten will not be 100 percent and has scored only one touchdown this season.

Patrick Crayton: He’s averaging just 2.7 receptions per week and has topped 55 yards receiving just twice.

Michael Bush/Darren McFadden/Justin Fargas: They’ve combined to average 102.3 rushing yards per game (20th) but steal touches from each other every week. There’s just no dependability in the Oakland backfield.

All Oakland Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: New quarterback Bruce Gradkowski may have brought some life to this offense, but there are plenty of better options available.

Oakland D/ST: No thanks. I’ll take my chances elsewhere.

 

NEW YORK GIANTS (6-4, 3-2 road) at DENVER BRONCOS (6-4, 3-2 road)

New York Defensive Ranks

Pass: 2nd (177.4 yds/gm) Rush: 11th (104.8 yds/gm) Points: 23rd (23.5 points/gm)

Denver Defensive Ranks

Pass: 3rd (182.5 yds/gm) Rush: 18th (115.3 yds/gm) Points: 7th (18.3 points/gm)

 

START ‘EM

Brandon Jacobs: Denver’s rushing defense has gone from top-five in the NFL to bottom half in just four weeks. With backup running back Ahmad Bradshaw hurting, look for Jacobs to see enough touches to get you a respectable fantasy performance.

Mario Manningham: With Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey heading in wide receiver Steve Smith’s direction, Manningham should be free to exploit single coverage. He topped 100 yards receiving last week vs. Atlanta.

Kevin Boss: Four touchdowns in his last three games mean quarterback Eli Manning has found himself a new red-zone target.

Steve Smith: ALERT : Be very cautious here as Smith will most likely be manned up against elite cover-corner Bailey. Downgrade Smith from WR1 to WR3.

Knowshon Moreno: Running back Correll Buckhalter is hurting (knee), and Moreno is getting a crack at a run defense that’s allowing over 100 yards per game. He can make plays in both phases of the offense.

Brandon Marshall: Somebody has to catch the ball in Denver. New York may rank third against the pass, but Matt Ryan, Donovan McNabb, and Tony Romo have posted some big numbers against this unit in 2009.

New York D/ST: They’re our ninth-ranked defense entering Week 12 and could be on the move if Chris Simms is under center again this week.

 

SIT ‘EM

Eli Manning: He’s our 15th-ranked quarterback heading into Week 12 and for good reason. Outside of torching a beat-up Atlanta secondary, Manning has thrown six interceptions in his last five games.

Ahmad Bradshaw: Bradshaw sprained his ankle on Sunday to go along with the foot and ankle injuries he’s been nursing for most of the season. There’s a GOOD chance he won’t play Thursday. Look for third-stringer Danny Ware to steal some carries.

Correll Buckhalter: He’s playing at less than 100 percent (knee) and will likely see fewer carries than Moreno.

Kyle Orton/Chris Simms: There just hasn’t been enough production out of either quarterback to take this risk.

Eddie Royal: He’s been way too inconsistent to warrant a starting roster spot.

Denver D/ST: Since coming off the bye, Denver has gone 0-4 while allowing 29.2 points per game.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Injuries. They’re something every owner has to deal with at one point or another. They can make or break a fantasy season, which is why drafting for depth is so important in August.

One thing Week 10 was not short on was potentially serious injuries to several marquee fantasy stars. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at who’s banged up heading into Week 11.

Michael Turner    RB    Atlanta Falcons: Turner exited Sunday’s 28-19 loss at Carolina with an ankle injury after rushing for 111 yards on just nine carries. He’s expected to undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury. NEXT GAME: at New York Giants.

Cedric Benson    RB    Cincinnati Bengals: Benson picked up just 22 yards on seven carries before suffering a hip flexor in Sunday’s 18-12 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran running back “thinks he’ll be fine,” according to the Bengals’ official Web site. NEXT GAME: at Oakland.

Kyle Orton    QB    Denver Broncos: The Denver quarterback completed 11-of-18 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos’ 27-17 loss at Washington before heading to the locker room with a sprained ankle. NEXT GAME: San Diego.

Ronnie Brown    RB    Miami Dolphins: One of the fantasy world’s most productive running backs is currently listed as “doubtful” for Week 11, after injuring his ankle in a 25-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brown picked up 82 rushing yards on 12 carries with a touchdown, while also catching two passes for 16 yards. “We did some X-rays and stuff, but I don’t feel like it’s too bad,” Brown told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel after the game. NEXT GAME: at Carolina (Thursday).

Brian Westbrook    RB    Philadelphia Eagles: B-West suffered another concussion in the Eagles’ 31-23 loss at San Diego after picking up just 54 total yards on eight touches. Owners need to look at Plan B as this is Westbrook’s second concussion this season. His year could be over. NEXT GAME: at Chicago.

Julius Jones    RB    Seattle Seahawks: Jones went down with a broken rib in Seattle’s 31-20 loss at Arizona after gaining only 10 yards on two carries. He was taken to the hospital after the game. NEXT GAME: at Minnesota

MBP Award (Most Beastly Performance)

Two big-time games from two big-time wide receivers

Sidney Rice    Wide Receiver    Minnesota Vikings

Rice torched the Detroit secondary Sunday afternoon for 201 yards on just seven receptions (28.7 YPC) in a 27-10 divisional win. His performance was the third time in four games that Rice has caught for over 130 receiving yards.

Rice’s breakout season can obviously be tied to the arrival of quarterback Brett Favre. Despite being ranked 39th in the league in targets with 52, Rice is fourth in receiving yards with 786. Upcoming games against the Seahawks and Bears provide two more excellent opportunities to rack up fantasy points.

Randy Moss    Wide Receiver    New England Patriots

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s fourth-quarter decision is grabbing all of the headlines, but the numbers produced by the original “Straight Cash Homie” were nothing short of front-page material.

Moss took advantage of a banged-up Indy secondary and went off like a bomb, catching nine passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns in New England’s 35-34 loss at Indianapolis.

The ever-dangerous outside threat is currently leading the NFL in receiving yards (891), tied for third in touchdowns (seven), and ranked sixth in receptions (58). Another monster year from one of the NFL’s all-time best receivers.

Players on the rise

Justin Forsett    RB    Seattle Seahawks: Starting running back Julius Jones went down with a broken rib on Sunday, creating an opportunity for owners in need of RB help to make a splash. Forsett picked up 123 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in Seattle’s 31-20 loss at Arizona. He also chipped in 26 receiving yards on five receptions.

Expect Forsett to be a heavily targeted waiver-wire acquisition this week as Jones is likely to miss some time with his broken rib.

Next five games: at Minnesota, at St. Louis, San Francisco, at Houston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Calvin Johnson    WR    Detroit Lions: One of the NFL’s best young wideouts finally posted some respectable fantasy numbers, hauling in eight passes for 84 yards in Detroit’s 27-10 loss at Minnesota. The most encouraging news from the defeat was that Johnson was targeted 13 times by rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford—the most targets he’s seen in a game since Week One (13). In addition, the 84 yards Johnson posted was his highest receiving total since Oct. 4.

Next five games: Cleveland, Green Bay, at Cincinnati, at Baltimore, Arizona

Beanie Wells    RB    Arizona Cardinals: The rookie rusher from Ohio State posted another solid fantasy performance Sunday, finding the end zone twice while racking up 117 total yards on 18 touches in the Cardinals 31-20 win over the visiting Seahawks. The Arizona rookie is slowly taking over the top spot in the Cardinals’ backfield. Wells has rushed the ball 12-plus times in each of his last four games while pounding in three touchdowns over that span. In addition, he’s piled up 29 carries over his past two games, the highest two-game total of his young career.

Next five games: at St. Louis, at Tennessee, Minnesota, at San Francisco, at Detroit

Josh Freeman    QB    Tampa Bay Buccaneers: His accuracy is still a concern as Freeman has completed just 50.8 percent of his passes, but the rookie from Kansas State produced some solid fantasy numbers in his first two starts. Freeman now has 401 passing yards and four touchdowns in his last two games, with just two interceptions. What’s more important is the Buccaneers are more competitive with him at quarterback, going 1-1 with Freeman at the helm. Keep in mind, the loss was a tight 25-23 defeat at Miami.

Next five games: New Orleans, at Atlanta, at Carolina, New York Jets, at Seattle

T.J. Houshmandzadeh    WR    Seattle Seahawks: After posting just one 80-plus-yard receiving performance in his first eight games, Seattle’s big free agent acquisition has come on strong the past two weeks, racking up nine-plus fantasy points in each outing. Houshmadzadeh was targeted a season-high 17 times Sunday and hauled in nine passes for 165 yards in Seattle’s 31-20 loss at Arizona. Housh currently ranks sixth in the NFL in targets with 85.

Next five games: at Minnesota, at St. Louis, San Francisco, at Houston, Tampa Bay

Jason Snelling    RB    Atlanta Falcons: Just like with Justin Forsett, Snelling is going to be a hot waiver-wire pickup this week as starting running back Michael Turner went down with an injured ankle. Snelling stepped right in and promptly picked up 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the Falcons’ 28-19 loss at Carolina. Turner is expected to undergo an MRI today, and if the news comes back bad, look for Snelling to start making a name for himself.

Next five games: at New York Giants, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, New Orleans, at New York Jets

Falling down the boards

Marques Colston    WR    New Orleans Saints: The Saints’ No. 1 wideout has been anything but over the past two weeks, with just three receptions for 62 yards and no touchdowns in his last two outings. He’s averaging only 3.5 receptions per game in his past four contests and has topped 75 yards receiving two times in his last seven games.

Next five games: at Tampa Bay, New England, at Washington, at Atlanta, Dallas

Jay Cutler    QB    Chicago Bears: The Chicago quarterback has topped 300 yards passing in each of his last two games, but that’s where the good news ends. Cutler has tossed only four touchdowns with a staggering 10 interceptions over his last four games as the Bears have gone 1-3 over that span. Without a viable receiving unit to get open down the field, Cutler will continue to struggle.

Next five games: Philadelphia, at Minnesota, St. Louis, Green Bay, at Baltimore

Laurence Maroney    RB   New England Patriots: He found the end zone for the fourth time in as many games Sunday night, but the scary statistic for Maroney owners is the number 12, as in the amount of carries running back Kevin Faulk had against the Colts in Week 10, one less than Maroney. With Faulk grabbing a share of the workload and Sammy Morris coming back from injury, Maroney may not see enough touches to be a consistent fantasy producer on a weekly basis. In addition, he averaged just 2.4 yards per carry Sunday and was out-rushed by Faulk 79-31.

Next five games: New York Jets, at New Orleans, at Miami, Carolina, at Buffalo

Monday night mania

MNM is back as the Baltimore Ravens head to Cleveland to take on the Browns in Monday Night Football’s biggest game of the year.

You know how this works. I’m sending out a free NFP T-shirt to whichever one of you picks the winner of tonight’s game and get the closest to the total number of points scored.

Just leave a comment below with your guess. Example: Ravens and 49.

I’ll post the winner tomorrow morning in the comments section, so be sure to check back!

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Check out more of my stuff @ The National Football Post

Injuries. They’re something every owner has to deal with at one point or another. They can make or break a fantasy season, which is why drafting for depth is so important in August.

One thing Week 10 was not short on was potentially serious injuries to several marquee fantasy stars. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at who’s banged up heading into Week 11.

Michael Turner    RB    Atlanta Falcons: Turner exited Sunday’s 28-19 loss at Carolina with an ankle injury after rushing for 111 yards on just nine carries. He’s expected to undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury. NEXT GAME: at New York Giants.

Cedric Benson    RB    Cincinnati Bengals: Benson picked up just 22 yards on seven carries before suffering a hip flexor in Sunday’s 18-12 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran running back “thinks he’ll be fine,” according to the Bengals’ official Web site. NEXT GAME: at Oakland.

Kyle Orton    QB    Denver Broncos: The Denver quarterback completed 11-of-18 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos’ 27-17 loss at Washington before heading to the locker room with a sprained ankle. NEXT GAME: San Diego.

Ronnie Brown    RB    Miami Dolphins: One of the fantasy world’s most productive running backs is currently listed as “doubtful” for Week 11, after injuring his ankle in a 25-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brown picked up 82 rushing yards on 12 carries with a touchdown, while also catching two passes for 16 yards. “We did some X-rays and stuff, but I don’t feel like it’s too bad,” Brown told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel after the game. NEXT GAME: at Carolina (Thursday).

Brian Westbrook    RB    Philadelphia Eagles: B-West suffered another concussion in the Eagles’ 31-23 loss at San Diego after picking up just 54 total yards on eight touches. Owners need to look at Plan B as this is Westbrook’s second concussion this season. His year could be over. NEXT GAME: at Chicago.

Julius Jones    RB    Seattle Seahawks: Jones went down with a broken rib in Seattle’s 31-20 loss at Arizona after gaining only 10 yards on two carries. He was taken to the hospital after the game. NEXT GAME: at Minnesota

MBP Award (Most Beastly Performance)

Two big-time games from two big-time wide receivers

Sidney Rice    Wide Receiver    Minnesota Vikings

Rice torched the Detroit secondary Sunday afternoon for 201 yards on just seven receptions (28.7 YPC) in a 27-10 divisional win. His performance was the third time in four games that Rice has caught for over 130 receiving yards.

Rice’s breakout season can obviously be tied to the arrival of quarterback Brett Favre. Despite being ranked 39th in the league in targets with 52, Rice is fourth in receiving yards with 786. Upcoming games against the Seahawks and Bears provide two more excellent opportunities to rack up fantasy points.

Randy Moss    Wide Receiver    New England Patriots

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s fourth-quarter decision is grabbing all of the headlines, but the numbers produced by the original “Straight Cash Homie” were nothing short of front-page material.

Moss took advantage of a banged-up Indy secondary and went off like a bomb, catching nine passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns in New England’s 35-34 loss at Indianapolis.

The ever-dangerous outside threat is currently leading the NFL in receiving yards (891), tied for third in touchdowns (seven), and ranked sixth in receptions (58). Another monster year from one of the NFL’s all-time best receivers.

Players on the rise

Justin Forsett    RB    Seattle Seahawks: Starting running back Julius Jones went down with a broken rib on Sunday, creating an opportunity for owners in need of RB help to make a splash. Forsett picked up 123 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in Seattle’s 31-20 loss at Arizona. He also chipped in 26 receiving yards on five receptions.

Expect Forsett to be a heavily targeted waiver-wire acquisition this week as Jones is likely to miss some time with his broken rib.

Next five games: at Minnesota, at St. Louis, San Francisco, at Houston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Calvin Johnson    WR    Detroit Lions: One of the NFL’s best young wideouts finally posted some respectable fantasy numbers, hauling in eight passes for 84 yards in Detroit’s 27-10 loss at Minnesota. The most encouraging news from the defeat was that Johnson was targeted 13 times by rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford—the most targets he’s seen in a game since Week One (13). In addition, the 84 yards Johnson posted was his highest receiving total since Oct. 4.

Next five games: Cleveland, Green Bay, at Cincinnati, at Baltimore, Arizona

Beanie Wells    RB    Arizona Cardinals: The rookie rusher from Ohio State posted another solid fantasy performance Sunday, finding the end zone twice while racking up 117 total yards on 18 touches in the Cardinals 31-20 win over the visiting Seahawks. The Arizona rookie is slowly taking over the top spot in the Cardinals’ backfield. Wells has rushed the ball 12-plus times in each of his last four games while pounding in three touchdowns over that span. In addition, he’s piled up 29 carries over his past two games, the highest two-game total of his young career.

Next five games: at St. Louis, at Tennessee, Minnesota, at San Francisco, at Detroit

Josh Freeman    QB    Tampa Bay Buccaneers: His accuracy is still a concern as Freeman has completed just 50.8 percent of his passes, but the rookie from Kansas State produced some solid fantasy numbers in his first two starts. Freeman now has 401 passing yards and four touchdowns in his last two games, with just two interceptions. What’s more important is the Buccaneers are more competitive with him at quarterback, going 1-1 with Freeman at the helm. Keep in mind, the loss was a tight 25-23 defeat at Miami.

Next five games: New Orleans, at Atlanta, at Carolina, New York Jets, at Seattle

T.J. Houshmandzadeh    WR    Seattle Seahawks: After posting just one 80-plus-yard receiving performance in his first eight games, Seattle’s big free agent acquisition has come on strong the past two weeks, racking up nine-plus fantasy points in each outing. Houshmadzadeh was targeted a season-high 17 times Sunday and hauled in nine passes for 165 yards in Seattle’s 31-20 loss at Arizona. Housh currently ranks sixth in the NFL in targets with 85.

Next five games: at Minnesota, at St. Louis, San Francisco, at Houston, Tampa Bay

Jason Snelling    RB    Atlanta Falcons: Just like with Justin Forsett, Snelling is going to be a hot waiver-wire pickup this week as starting running back Michael Turner went down with an injured ankle. Snelling stepped right in and promptly picked up 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the Falcons’ 28-19 loss at Carolina. Turner is expected to undergo an MRI today, and if the news comes back bad, look for Snelling to start making a name for himself.

Next five games: at New York Giants, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, New Orleans, at New York Jets

Falling down the boards

Marques Colston    WR    New Orleans Saints: The Saints’ No. 1 wideout has been anything but over the past two weeks, with just three receptions for 62 yards and no touchdowns in his last two outings. He’s averaging only 3.5 receptions per game in his past four contests and has topped 75 yards receiving two times in his last seven games.

Next five games: at Tampa Bay, New England, at Washington, at Atlanta, Dallas

Jay Cutler    QB    Chicago Bears: The Chicago quarterback has topped 300 yards passing in each of his last two games, but that’s where the good news ends. Cutler has tossed only four touchdowns with a staggering 10 interceptions over his last four games as the Bears have gone 1-3 over that span. Without a viable receiving unit to get open down the field, Cutler will continue to struggle.

Next five games: Philadelphia, at Minnesota, St. Louis, Green Bay, at Baltimore

Laurence Maroney    RB   New England Patriots: He found the end zone for the fourth time in as many games Sunday night, but the scary statistic for Maroney owners is the number 12, as in the amount of carries running back Kevin Faulk had against the Colts in Week 10, one less than Maroney. With Faulk grabbing a share of the workload and Sammy Morris coming back from injury, Maroney may not see enough touches to be a consistent fantasy producer on a weekly basis. In addition, he averaged just 2.4 yards per carry Sunday and was out-rushed by Faulk 79-31.

Next five games: New York Jets, at New Orleans, at Miami, Carolina, at Buffalo

Monday night mania

MNM is back as the Baltimore Ravens head to Cleveland to take on the Browns in Monday Night Football’s biggest game of the year.

You know how this works. I’m sending out a free NFP T-shirt to whichever one of you picks the winner of tonight’s game and get the closest to the total number of points scored.

Just leave a comment below with your guess. Example: Ravens and 49.

I’ll post the winner tomorrow morning in the comments section, so be sure to check back!

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

Check out more of my stuff @ The National Football Post