Gregg Rosenthal

Goal Line Stand

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Week 12 Rankings Update

Friday, November 21, 2008


Emailers were shocked last week – shocked! – when LaDainian Tomlinson was ranked below players like Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, and DeAngelo Williams. I received a surprised instant message from an owner in my keeper league after I decided to bench my genius off-season acquisition Chad Johnson. There is a Torry Holt owner that wonders each week why his second round pick is buried among the Devery Hendersons.

It's past time to forget about where you drafted a player. Forget their name. Some of the lineup decisions above worked out, and others did not, but I don't understand the incredulity about ranking "name" players low. Your league scoreboard doesn't know the relative talents of the immortal Derek Stanley and Terrell Owens. It knows that Stanley has scored more fantasy points than T.O. over the last month (Plaxico Burress too.) It knows Torry Holt is on pace for fewer yards than Zach Miller.

Fantasy football is a bottom line game, and it's helpful to let go of any irrational attachments during these crucial final weeks. Owners of Ben Roethlisberger, Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Thomas Jones, Tim Hightower, Laveranues Coles, and Bernard Berrian face tough decisions this week.

The key, without sounding too much like John Madden, is to do everything possible to win this time of year. If that means a slight one-week upgrade on defense, then do it. "Lose" a trade if it drastically improves your starting lineup. Bench your surprise star or busted high pick if the matchup is brutal. The box score cares not for pedigree.

For projections of every player ranked below, try our fantasy playoff special of Rotoworld's Season Pass for $4.99. It includes our new features like the fantasy playoffs Top-200, and the fantasy points allowed remaining schedule analysis.

Week 12 Quarterbacks

RankPlayer NameOpponentNotes
1Peyton Manningat SD -
2Jay Cutlervs. OAK -
3Aaron Rodgersat NO -
4Kurt Warnervs. NYG -
5Drew Breesvs. GB -
6Tony Romovs. SFProbable(right finger)
7Sage Rosenfelsat CLE -
8Jeff Garciaat DET -
9Eli Manningat ARZ -
10Matt Casselat MIA -
11Donovan McNabbat BAL -
12Tyler Thigpenvs. BUF -
13Philip Riversvs. IND -
14Kyle Ortonat STL -
15Jason Campbellat SEA -
16Ben Roethlisbergervs. CIN -
17Brett Favreat TEN -
18Brady Quinnvs. HOUProbable(finger)
19David Garrardvs. MIN -
20Matt Ryanvs. CAR -
21Trent Edwardsat KC -
22Chad Penningtonvs. NE -
23Shaun Hillat DAL -
24Kerry Collinsvs. NYJ -
25Jake Delhommeat ATL -
26Gus Frerotteat JAC -
27Matt Hasselbeckvs. WASProbable(back)
28Marc Bulgervs. CHI -
29JaMarcus Russellat DENProbable(knee)
30Daunte Culpeppervs. TB -
31Joe Flaccovs. PHI -
32Ryan Fitzpatrickat PIT -


QB Notes: The Jaguars couldn't protect David Garrard last week. Minnesota's secondary is vulnerable, but Garrard won't stay upright for long enough to know it. Look for an inconsistent game that could mirror Aaron Rodgers' experiences against the Vikes a few weeks back. … I'm a big Trent Edwards fan, but the kid is in a serious slump. Monday night's effort was in the JaMarcus zone; it was one of the worst performances all year. The rest of Buffalo's season will largely be about getting his confidence back. He should still be their quarterback of the present and future, but he can't go through another six weeks like this. Buffalo hasn't solved the 3-4 defense.

Donovan McNabb is staying high on the rankings because I expect 40 pass attempts or more against Baltimore. They won't bother to run at the Ravens. McNabb has struggled the last three weeks, but still puts up numbers. He threw for 300 yards in two games, and three touchdowns in the other. He's currently a better fantasy quarterback than reality quarterback. … The Bengals went three and out for five straight drives at one point last week against Philly. Should be a fun Thursday night game!

Sage Rosenfels' ranking is getting some attention. It's based on his previous schedule (very difficult) combined with his current matchup (fantastic.). It's based on his 8.1 yards-per-attempt, which would be in the top-five in the league if he qualified. It's based on my faith in the Sage Rosenfels Experience against a terrible Browns secondary. When I recommended Rosenfels over Brady Quinn a month ago, we knew Rosenfels would struggle against the Colts and Ravens, two of the six hardest teams to score fantasy points against. Now he gets his first plus matchup of the year. Expect something close to his effort against the Vikings – 224 yards and two scores in one half – then his soft numbers the last two weeks.

Drew Brees and Kurt Warner have tough matchups, but they are beyond worrying about the matchups. … Jeff Garcia's stats would be impressive if the Bucs were better in the red zone. Detroit should solve their goal line woes. … The Colts are the best team in the league preventing fantasy points to quarterbacks. That makes Philip Rivers a borderline play, although injuries make the Colts secondary more vulnerable than usual. … Eli Manning hasn't thrown more than 32 passes since Week 3 because the Giants are always playing with the lead. Look for the Giants to be more aggressive against Arizona, because they will need to score a lot to win. … Brady Quinn has a great matchup, but his injured finger hurts his chances for a big game. The Browns will still call a conservative game.


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Gregg Rosenthal has directed Rotoworld's football content since 2003. He co-hosts the NBC Fantasy Fix and covers the NFL for NBCSports.com and Profootballtalk.com. Catch him on Twitter.
Email :Gregg Rosenthal


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