Fantasy Sports Review

If you are reading this post you are either getting ready for the first round of your fantasy football playoffs, are looking for that one players to help put you in the playoffs or you are in a no playoff league. Either way, congrats because you are still in it!

The good thing about fantasy football sleepers and waiver wire pick-up this time of year is that there isn’t much competition for them. You, my friend, get the pick of the litter because half your league either isn’t looking for anyone because they are out of it or some of the other teams in the playoffs may be satisfied to just roll with what they have. You shouldn’t be.

Look this list over and make sure you aren’t missing an upcoming match up that could give you an edge

May be available now…
Ladell Betts RB (WAS) - Portis injured his ankle against the Bills late in the game and didn’t return. The Redskins have a short week and play the Bears at home Thursday night. Not much time for Portis to recover. Betts would be a great start against a Bears defense that gives up a lot on the ground this year.

Chris Brown RB (TEN) - LenDale White suffered a shoulder injury and Brown finished the game with 46 yards and a TD. If White misses this week Brown should be a solid starting at home against a so-so Charger rush defense.

Fred Jackson RB (BUF) - He showed that he could carry the load if Lynch or Thomas miss any more time. If he gets another start next week he will be a great start against Miami.

Bryant Johnson WR (ARI) - Fitzgerald missed Sundays game and now Boldin looks like he is injured as well. Bryant is very good in relief and easily a solid number two or three receiver on any fantasy team if either of Fitz or Boldin are out. Versus Cleveland he had 6 for 56 and a TD. He should’ve had another TD but dropped it.

Amani Toomer WR (NYG) - With the injuries mounting, Burress seems to get less and less effective with each passing week. Toomer is getting more and more looks from Manning. Against the Bears he had 6 for 69 and a TD.

Roddy White WR (ATL) - Not sure if he would be available but if he is he could be worth a shot this week against the Saints. He has been surprisingly consistent this year despite the rotating QB’s. He went 10 for 146 and a TD versus the Rams. He play a bad Saints passing defense next Monday at home.

Justin Gage WR (TEN) - He posted 5 for 64 and a TD. Four solid weeks in a row means he could be considered for a WR3 spot this week against San Diego.

Dallas defense - Not only are they playing better and better each week but They get to play Detroit this week. I’m not sure they are going to be available this late but just in case.

Trent Edwards QB (BUF) - He could be worth a start in deeper leagues. He had 257 against the Skins. Next up, Miami.

Keep an eye on…
Luke McCown QB (TB) - Word on Garcia is all over the place. Reports on his injury vary greatly. If it is serious and he misses more time, McCown would a decent option in deeper leagues. He had a solid game against the Saints throwing for 313 and 2 TD. Tampa next three games are against Houston, Atlanta and San Fran. Very good match-ups!

Gus Freotte QB (STL) - Likes to throw interceptions but he does have some great players to get the ball to. He went for 311 yards and 2 TD’s against Atlanta. If Bulger can’t go again this week, he gets another start this week he will play against a soft Bengals defense.

Chris Redman/Byron Leftwich/Joey Harrington QB (ATL) - Deep league special. Who know who will play this week but whoever does should be able to have success against the Saints on Monday night (just ask Luke McCown).

Sage Rosenfels QB (HOU) - Schaub went down and he did alright. Keep an eye on the situation. He doesn’t have the greatest match-up this week in Tampa Bay but he does have a few good receivers to throw to.

Aaron Rodgers QB (GB) - It looks like Favre will start this week but at least keep an eye on the situation because you never know. Rodgers isn’t Favre but it is a pretty goo offense to be at the head of.

Notable performances…
Leon Washington RB (NYJ) - 10 carries for 68 yards, 2 TD’s and 2 catches for 35 yards.

Roydell Williams WR (TEN) - Decent performance against Houston with 5 for 74 and a TD.

Sidney Rice WR (MIN) - He has three touchdowns in his last four games. Quietly, Sidney and Tavaris are developing a connection in Minnesota.

A few other resources you should check out are Fantasy Football Librarians waiver wire report and the Bruno Boys week 14 waiver wire report.

Welcome to week 13 and this weeks fantasy football sleeper and waiver wire watch. I like to list more players than most other sites because I play in some deeper leagues and I need to look a little deeper.

This week I am changing things up a bit. I am adding a section called “Notable performances.” The section will note unlikely players who had good weeks but I don’t feel are worthy of a pick up quite yet. That is unless you are desperate. Lets get to it.

May be available now…
**UPDATE** Cecil Sapp RB (DEN) - Believe it or not, it appears that now the status of Andre Hall is in question this week. Mike Bell is another option but he fumbled last week and Shanahan doesn’t forgive to easily. Facing a great match-up against the Raiders this week whoever runs the ball for Denver will be a hot commodity. That said…Man, it is getting hard to keep up with the Denver backfield lately.

**UPDATE** Bobby Engram WR (SEA) - Looks like D.J. Hacket is hurting again and will miss a few weeks. Grab Engram if he is available.

**UPDATE** Fred Jackson RB (BUF) - Who? Turns out that Anthony Thomas’ status for this weeks game is in question. If he or Lynch can’t go, some guy named Fred Jackson should get the call. He had 10 carries for 65 yards last week.

Adrian Peterson RB (CHI) - Benson went down and it didn’t look to good. In my opinion there were many times that Peterson looked better than Benson the way it was. If Benson misses any time, Peterson is a hot pick-up and should be very useful down the stretch.

Andre Hall RB (DEN) - Hopefully you grabbed him last week when Young went down but if not you might want to now. This week 98 rushing, 2 for 69 receiving and a touchdown. Not bad. His value does depend on the status of Young and Henry but he at least makes a very solid handcuff.

Tony Scheffler TE (DEN) - Every week it seems he is being used more and more. This week 5 for 82 and a TD against the Bears. If you are not thrilled with the play of your tight end or have injury problems - aka Todd Heap owners - he is worth a roster spot.

Javon Walker WR (DEN) - He should return any week now. If someone dumped him he could be gold down the stretch.

Isaac Bruce WR (STL) - 6 catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. He has quietly been having a decent season. A solid spot starter as a WR3.

Anthony Thomas RB (BUF) - The A-Train is putting up decent stats and a few decent match-ups on the way if Lynch misses more and more time. A solid RB3 and a possible spot starter at RB2.

Keep an eye on…
**UPDATE** Heinz Field Turf (PIT) - Listening to Sirius NFL this morning I heard Randy Cross and Bob Pappa talking about the weather outlook for Pittsburgh this week. Not good when you are trying to repair trashed grass. Keep an eye on it if you have any Steelers or Bengals.

**UPDATE** Anyone With A Pulse RB (MIA) - I will update you when I have more info but be aware that all of the backs in Miami are hurt. Patrick Cobbs was in the game for awhile last night but the conditions were so bad it is hard to tell how effective he would be. Although it should be noted that he didn’t appear to block well and pick up blitzes which isn’t good.

**UPDATE** Greg Lewis WR (PHI) - Could he be Feeleys favorite target? Who knows foresure right now but keep an eye on him. 4 for 88 and 2 TD’s versus the Patriots.

A.J. Feeley QB (PHI) - He was able to hang with the Patriots and, minus throwing a pick for a touchdown, looked good doing it. If McNabb misses anymore time Feeley could be serviceable down the stretch.

Trent Dilfer QB (SF) - 256 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. Big day but I have to see more. Why didn’t they just throw Frank the damn ball weeks ago?

Justin Gage WR (TEN) - He’s been on the list three week in a row. This week he posts 4 catches 98 yards. He seems to be Vince’s favorite target and, if the defense keeps stinking like they have been, they will be playing from behind alot.

Gus Frerotte QB (STL) - He didn’t have a great day fantasy wise - and he pretty much lost the game for the Rams - but he does throw to guys like Tory Holt, Isaac Bruce and Stephen Jackson.

Notable performances…
Anthony Gonzalas WR (IND) - His value depends a great deal on the status of Harrison. Either way he showed us some things last Thursday with 6 catches for 105 yards.

Sidney Rice WR (MIN) - 3 for 82 and a touchdown. Most of the yards were on one play but this guy is gonna be good when he gets more experience and a quarterback.

A few other resources you should check out are Fantasy Football Librarians waiver wire report and the Bruno Boys week 13 waiver wire report.

As always I will be updating throughout the week if anyone jumps out at me. Also, I know many of you see things I don’t, feel free to throw down some of your thoughts below in the comments.