Who to start? Week 12
by Josh Gaier
Who are some sleepers to start on your fantasy team in Week 12? Josh Gaier has the answers.
Below is a list of sleepers at each position and the projected top five players for every position for the Week 12.
Quarterback: Matt Cassel, New England Patriots
Cassel was on fire last week against the Jets and looks to continue his excellent play Sunday against the division-rival Dolphins. After throwing for 400 yards, matching Tom Brady’s career total of 400-yard games, Cassel and the Patriots know they’re facing a must-win game if they wish to remain in the division hunt. The offense has opened up significantly since Cassel debuted in Week 2 against the Jets. The Patriots are reverting back to the same spread passing formations that were so successful for Brady last season, compared to the quick passes they were utilizing early in the season. This could be a tough game for Cassel, but, with more than a week to prepare and the Patriots playing with a must-win mentality, Cassel should put up solid numbers in the matchup.
Runner-Up: Tyler Thigpen, Kansas City Chiefs
Running Back: Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dunn hasn’t done much this year in terms of production, but he’ll get his chance to shine against the NFL’s worst rushing defense, the Detroit Lions. With Earnest Graham out for the season and Cadillac Williams not ready to return, Dunn will get the majority of the carries. The Bucs aren’t extremely impressive running the ball –- they rank 14th out of 32 teams in the league -– but they should be able to pound the rock against the Lions’ 32nd-ranked rushing defense.
Running-Up: Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders
Wide Receiver: Ted Ginn Jr., Miami Dolphins
Chad Pennington has resurrected the Dolphins passing attack and has incorporated Ted Ginn Jr., a second-year speedy receiver from Ohio State, as the main ingredient. Ginn faces the Patriots secondary that is hobbled by injuries and can’t seem to stop many offenses. Ginn’s speed also poses a tough match-up for a slow, aging defense. Although the Patriots did a good job of slowing Ginn down in their first matchup, don’t expect the same. During their first meeting, the Fins surprised the league by using their new Wildcat offense, with the Patriots fully expecting the formation this time around, expect the Fins to try to work the ball to their playmaker on the outside. Ginn has big-game potential written all over him.
Runner-Up: Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens
Tight End: Dustin Keller, New York Jets
The opposing defense will scare you, and, frankly, it should. The Jets face off against the vaunted Titans defense. However, the Titans don’t let teams run against them, meaning the Jets will most likely spread the field and allow Favre to sling the ball around. During the last two games, Favre seems to have found a new favorite target, Dustin Keller. Keller’s size, speed, and athleticism pose a problem for any defense and Favre has recognized that. Another risky selection here, but Keller has the potential to have a great day. Give him the nod this week if you’re unsure about your tight end position for the week.
Runner-Up: Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders
Defense: Chicago Bears
The Bears defense wasn’t impressive at all last week, but Sunday they go up against a much easier opponent in the St. Louis Rams. The Rams have not been impressive on offense all year, and they have to square off without Steven Jackson. In addition, the Bears Cover 2 defense relies on speed, and they are playing inside a dome this week, where they should be able to utilize their fast linebackers and safeties. Expect the Bears to rebound in a big way after a poor showing last week against a lackluster Rams’ offense.
Runner-Up: Baltimore Ravens
Top Five Players at Each Position
Quarterbacks
1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
4. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
5. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
Running Backs
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
2. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
3. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
4. LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
5. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Wide Receivers
1. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
3. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
4. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
5. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers
Tight Ends
1. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
2. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns
4. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
5. Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins
Defenses
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Tennessee Titans
3. Chicago Bears
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. Pittsburgh Steelers