Matchups: Immediate Dividends

1:00PM ET Games

Jacksonville @ NY Giants

Ahmad Bradshaw's "demotion" will be temporary according to starter-for-now Brandon Jacobs, and in terms of role it figures to have little to no impact. With the G-Men down both starting wideouts, OC Kevin Gilbride is going to lean heavily on his backfield. The Jags' No. 19 run defense looks only slightly below average on paper, but the unit has allowed the second most rushing scores in the NFL. Two of Jacksonville's key run defenders are also on this week's injury report: DT Tyson Alualu has been limited with a knee ailment, while WLB Justin Durant's shoulder is hurting. Bradshaw's see-through benching was done to send a message about his ball security after he lost his fifth fumble of the season in Week 11. Expect him to respond positively and see 15-plus touches. Jacobs could turn out to be even more valuable this week in non-PPR leagues.

Owners of Hakeem Nicks (leg, out indefinitely) and Steve Smith (pec, out through Week 13) are scrambling, but turning to fill-in starter Derek Hagan wouldn't be wise. Mario Manningham will be the primary beneficiary of the starters' multi-week absences, as Gilbride turns to a run-first game plan that uses vertical shots as a change of pace. Jacksonville is susceptible to the long ball, having allowed the second most 20-plus yard completions in the AFC and the second most of 40-plus in the league. While Hagan, Duke Calhoun, Travis Beckum, Kevin Boss, and newly acquired Michael Clayton are canceling each other out, Manningham will be doing the real damage. ... It's hard to sit Eli Manning against the No. 28 pass defense, but his attempts will be down and he's lost quite a bit of playmaking ability in the supporting cast. Looking elsewhere isn't a crazy idea.

Stunningly atop the AFC South, the Jags have played just two games against top-19 defenses. In them (@ SD, vs. PHI), David Garrard has combined for a 1:5 TD-to-INT ratio and averaged 139 passing yards. The Giants rank second in total defense and are likely to dial up heavy pressure against a Jacksonville offense that may be without blind-side protector Eugene Monroe (concussion), and also poses little downfield threat without Mike Sims-Walker (ankle). MSW's absence was glaring in Week 11, as a previously white-hot Garrard committed four turnovers and completed just 58.8 percent of his throws against a beatable Browns pass defense. Sims-Walker practiced some this week, but is not expected to play. ... MSW's loss has benefited Marcedes Lewis and Mike Thomas. Thomas saw a game-high 10 targets in Week 11, graduating to every-week WR3 status with a touchdown for the third straight game. Lewis was next with eight targets and ranks second in fantasy points among tight ends.

Maurice Jones-Drew labored through his first seven games with a 3.78 YPC and one rushing TD. Mixing in a Week 9 bye to rest his legs, MJD has exploded for a 4.97 clip in the last month, and three touchdowns. Jones-Drew hasn't faced a run defense as tough as New York's top-five unit yet, but few backs are as difficult to stop when they're in a groove. Jones-Drew's passing-game production has also spiked, and the G-Men are vulnerable to running backs in open space. Felix Jones burned Perry Fewell's defense for a 71-yard touchdown on a screen pass in Week 10, and LeSean McCoy took a toss-sweep 50 yards to the house against them last Sunday night.

Minnesota @ Washington

We saw it two years ago in St. Louis with Jim Haslett, last year in Buffalo with Perry Fewell, and now in Dallas with Jason Garrett. Though always likely to be short-lived, "sparks" are the norm immediately after in-season head-coaching changes. Interim coach Leslie Frazier has observed the offense all year, and is likely to favor a ball-control, run-first approach as most defensive minds do. In the Vikings' three wins this season, Adrian Peterson averages 24 touches and has been heavily involved in the passing game. During the Vikings' last three games, he's averaged just 18.3 touches. Expect a renewed emphasis on the ground attack against the Redskins' No. 27 run defense. Washington is allowing the highest yards-per-carry average (5.08) in the league. A.P. is also sure to benefit from the absence of run-stopping Skins SS LaRon Landry (Achilles).

Brett Favre will remain the Vikings' starting quarterback with a long leash -- we knew two years ago that Tarvaris Jackson isn't a solution -- but it would take quite the leap of faith to use Favre outside of a two-QB league despite a favorable matchup with Washington's No. 29 pass defense. He has a 4:13 TD-to-turnover ratio in his last five games. ... Favre forced ten targets to Sidney Rice in the contract-year receiver's Week 11 return, a move that appeared to instill confidence in Rice as the game progressed. Ultimately, having Rice back is more likely to help than hurt Percy Harvin, but until we see living proof consider both WR3s. This week's matchup is certainly attractive enough for both to be worthwhile starts. ... Bernard Berrian is off the fantasy radar as his groin continues to act up. ... While the Redskins allow the third most fantasy points to wide receivers, they allow the fifth fewest yards to tight ends. Visanthe Shiancoe is a low-end start.

Santana Moss poured 106 yards and a touchdown on a stout Tennessee pass defense last week, bringing his season average to seven catches for 89 yards per game when he doesn't face the Eagles. The Vikings have been obliterated by the pass recently, particularly down the left sideline. Rookie RCB Chris Cook had to be benched last week. Moss is moving all around the formation, so he should see plenty of face time against Cook and the similarly burnable Asher Allen in this one, assuming Moss' hamstring allows for it. He was held out of Thursday's practice. It's a situation to monitor heading to Sunday. ... Like Favre, a declining Donovan McNabb remains only a two-QB league consideration even in the best of matchups. McNabb ranks 19th among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring.

Chris Cooley ranks third among tight ends in receptions, trailing only Jason Witten and Brandon Pettigrew. The touchdowns will come. Cooley remains an every-week starter. ... With Ryan Torain (hamstring) ruled out and Clinton Portis on I.R., Keiland Williams is lined up for another 20-plus touches. Owners should not have lofty expectations, however. The Vikings rank seventh against the run, and only four teams surrender fewer yards per carry. The Skins are also banged up on the line. C Casey Rabach will try to play through a torn MCL. Don't be surprised to see practice squad call-up James Davis get a healthy dose of work Sunday.

Green Bay @ Atlanta

Pass pro is always a concern against the Packers, who rank fourth in the league in sacks and are led by NFL sack leader Clay Matthews (on pace for 18.5). The Falcons' line, though, looks up to the task. Matt Ryan has been sacked just twice in his last four games, a span that includes 160 drop-backs. Ryan also continues to dominate at home, throwing 11 of his 18 touchdowns passes at the Georgia Dome. This matchup appears difficult on paper, but don't shortchange the No. 7 fantasy QB in a potential shootout. ... Throw out a Week 8 game in which he missed significant snaps due to a knee injury, and Roddy White is averaging nearly 10 catches for 131 yards with five touchdowns in four home games this season. A declining Charles Woodson won't stop him.

Our game charter noticed Tony Gonzalez battling a hip or "side-area" injury in Atlanta's Week 11 win over St. Louis. Though Gonzo isn't on the Week 12 injury report, it's another red flag for the 34-year-old. Gonzalez, who's topped 46 yards in just 2-of-10 games, now squares off with a Packers defense that's allowed two touchdowns to tight ends all year. ... Michael Turner posted his second highest rushing yardage total of the season in Week 11 and scored for the fifth time in his last four games. Green Bay's defense as a whole has improved over the last month, but is still permitting 4.52 yards per carry -- the seventh most in the league. Keep trotting out The Burner.

Due in part to lack of production from their tight ends, the Packers intend to increase usage of five-receiver sets, making Aaron Rodgers that much more dangerous. On a tear with seven passing scores since Week 8 and no turnovers since Week 7, Rodgers is likely to rip through a Falcons defense that ranks 24th against the pass. ... Falcons RCB Dunta Robinson hasn't looked the same since his midseason concussion-inducing collision with DeSean Jackson. He's given up touchdowns to Bucs rookie Mike Williams and middling Rams wideout Brandon Gibson in the last three weeks. It's good news for Greg Jennings, who leaped to No. 9 in the fantasy receiver ranks with a 7/152/3 eruption against Minnesota in Week 11. He's one of the NFL's hottest wideouts.

Donald Driver (quadricep) returned to the starting lineup against the Vikings, but didn't adversely impact James Jones. In fact, Jones' snap percentage increased coming off a Week 10 bye. As the Packers continue to play more receiver-friendly offense (i.e. the five wides), Jones will flirt with every-down status. He's a rock-solid WR3 with upside at the Georgia Dome. ... Though he's got his job back, Driver still can't practice fully and isn't making big plays in the slot. His snap count in Week 11 was identical to Jones'. Jones' yards-per-catch average is 15.3 to Driver's 10.6, so it's not hard to differentiate between their fantasy values. ... The Falcons are considerably more stout against then run than the pass, which plays to the Packers' strengths. But it won't help Brandon Jackson, who appears to be in danger of losing short-yardage and goal-line work to emerging rookie Dimitri Nance.

1:00PM ET Games

Jacksonville @ NY Giants

Ahmad Bradshaw's "demotion" will be temporary according to starter-for-now Brandon Jacobs, and in terms of role it figures to have little to no impact. With the G-Men down both starting wideouts, OC Kevin Gilbride is going to lean heavily on his backfield. The Jags' No. 19 run defense looks only slightly below average on paper, but the unit has allowed the second most rushing scores in the NFL. Two of Jacksonville's key run defenders are also on this week's injury report: DT Tyson Alualu has been limited with a knee ailment, while WLB Justin Durant's shoulder is hurting. Bradshaw's see-through benching was done to send a message about his ball security after he lost his fifth fumble of the season in Week 11. Expect him to respond positively and see 15-plus touches. Jacobs could turn out to be even more valuable this week in non-PPR leagues.

Owners of Hakeem Nicks (leg, out indefinitely) and Steve Smith (pec, out through Week 13) are scrambling, but turning to fill-in starter Derek Hagan wouldn't be wise. Mario Manningham will be the primary beneficiary of the starters' multi-week absences, as Gilbride turns to a run-first game plan that uses vertical shots as a change of pace. Jacksonville is susceptible to the long ball, having allowed the second most 20-plus yard completions in the AFC and the second most of 40-plus in the league. While Hagan, Duke Calhoun, Travis Beckum, Kevin Boss, and newly acquired Michael Clayton are canceling each other out, Manningham will be doing the real damage. ... It's hard to sit Eli Manning against the No. 28 pass defense, but his attempts will be down and he's lost quite a bit of playmaking ability in the supporting cast. Looking elsewhere isn't a crazy idea.

Stunningly atop the AFC South, the Jags have played just two games against top-19 defenses. In them (@ SD, vs. PHI), David Garrard has combined for a 1:5 TD-to-INT ratio and averaged 139 passing yards. The Giants rank second in total defense and are likely to dial up heavy pressure against a Jacksonville offense that may be without blind-side protector Eugene Monroe (concussion), and also poses little downfield threat without Mike Sims-Walker (ankle). MSW's absence was glaring in Week 11, as a previously white-hot Garrard committed four turnovers and completed just 58.8 percent of his throws against a beatable Browns pass defense. Sims-Walker practiced some this week, but is not expected to play. ... MSW's loss has benefited Marcedes Lewis and Mike Thomas. Thomas saw a game-high 10 targets in Week 11, graduating to every-week WR3 status with a touchdown for the third straight game. Lewis was next with eight targets and ranks second in fantasy points among tight ends.

Maurice Jones-Drew labored through his first seven games with a 3.78 YPC and one rushing TD. Mixing in a Week 9 bye to rest his legs, MJD has exploded for a 4.97 clip in the last month, and three touchdowns. Jones-Drew hasn't faced a run defense as tough as New York's top-five unit yet, but few backs are as difficult to stop when they're in a groove. Jones-Drew's passing-game production has also spiked, and the G-Men are vulnerable to running backs in open space. Felix Jones burned Perry Fewell's defense for a 71-yard touchdown on a screen pass in Week 10, and LeSean McCoy took a toss-sweep 50 yards to the house against them last Sunday night.

Minnesota @ Washington

We saw it two years ago in St. Louis with Jim Haslett, last year in Buffalo with Perry Fewell, and now in Dallas with Jason Garrett. Though always likely to be short-lived, "sparks" are the norm immediately after in-season head-coaching changes. Interim coach Leslie Frazier has observed the offense all year, and is likely to favor a ball-control, run-first approach as most defensive minds do. In the Vikings' three wins this season, Adrian Peterson averages 24 touches and has been heavily involved in the passing game. During the Vikings' last three games, he's averaged just 18.3 touches. Expect a renewed emphasis on the ground attack against the Redskins' No. 27 run defense. Washington is allowing the highest yards-per-carry average (5.08) in the league. A.P. is also sure to benefit from the absence of run-stopping Skins SS LaRon Landry (Achilles).

Brett Favre will remain the Vikings' starting quarterback with a long leash -- we knew two years ago that Tarvaris Jackson isn't a solution -- but it would take quite the leap of faith to use Favre outside of a two-QB league despite a favorable matchup with Washington's No. 29 pass defense. He has a 4:13 TD-to-turnover ratio in his last five games. ... Favre forced ten targets to Sidney Rice in the contract-year receiver's Week 11 return, a move that appeared to instill confidence in Rice as the game progressed. Ultimately, having Rice back is more likely to help than hurt Percy Harvin, but until we see living proof consider both WR3s. This week's matchup is certainly attractive enough for both to be worthwhile starts. ... Bernard Berrian is off the fantasy radar as his groin continues to act up. ... While the Redskins allow the third most fantasy points to wide receivers, they allow the fifth fewest yards to tight ends. Visanthe Shiancoe is a low-end start.

Santana Moss poured 106 yards and a touchdown on a stout Tennessee pass defense last week, bringing his season average to seven catches for 89 yards per game when he doesn't face the Eagles. The Vikings have been obliterated by the pass recently, particularly down the left sideline. Rookie RCB Chris Cook had to be benched last week. Moss is moving all around the formation, so he should see plenty of face time against Cook and the similarly burnable Asher Allen in this one, assuming Moss' hamstring allows for it. He was held out of Thursday's practice. It's a situation to monitor heading to Sunday. ... Like Favre, a declining Donovan McNabb remains only a two-QB league consideration even in the best of matchups. McNabb ranks 19th among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring.

Chris Cooley ranks third among tight ends in receptions, trailing only Jason Witten and Brandon Pettigrew. The touchdowns will come. Cooley remains an every-week starter. ... With Ryan Torain (hamstring) ruled out and Clinton Portis on I.R., Keiland Williams is lined up for another 20-plus touches. Owners should not have lofty expectations, however. The Vikings rank seventh against the run, and only four teams surrender fewer yards per carry. The Skins are also banged up on the line. C Casey Rabach will try to play through a torn MCL. Don't be surprised to see practice squad call-up James Davis get a healthy dose of work Sunday.

Green Bay @ Atlanta

Pass pro is always a concern against the Packers, who rank fourth in the league in sacks and are led by NFL sack leader Clay Matthews (on pace for 18.5). The Falcons' line, though, looks up to the task. Matt Ryan has been sacked just twice in his last four games, a span that includes 160 drop-backs. Ryan also continues to dominate at home, throwing 11 of his 18 touchdowns passes at the Georgia Dome. This matchup appears difficult on paper, but don't shortchange the No. 7 fantasy QB in a potential shootout. ... Throw out a Week 8 game in which he missed significant snaps due to a knee injury, and Roddy White is averaging nearly 10 catches for 131 yards with five touchdowns in four home games this season. A declining Charles Woodson won't stop him.

Our game charter noticed Tony Gonzalez battling a hip or "side-area" injury in Atlanta's Week 11 win over St. Louis. Though Gonzo isn't on the Week 12 injury report, it's another red flag for the 34-year-old. Gonzalez, who's topped 46 yards in just 2-of-10 games, now squares off with a Packers defense that's allowed two touchdowns to tight ends all year. ... Michael Turner posted his second highest rushing yardage total of the season in Week 11 and scored for the fifth time in his last four games. Green Bay's defense as a whole has improved over the last month, but is still permitting 4.52 yards per carry -- the seventh most in the league. Keep trotting out The Burner.

Due in part to lack of production from their tight ends, the Packers intend to increase usage of five-receiver sets, making Aaron Rodgers that much more dangerous. On a tear with seven passing scores since Week 8 and no turnovers since Week 7, Rodgers is likely to rip through a Falcons defense that ranks 24th against the pass. ... Falcons RCB Dunta Robinson hasn't looked the same since his midseason concussion-inducing collision with DeSean Jackson. He's given up touchdowns to Bucs rookie Mike Williams and middling Rams wideout Brandon Gibson in the last three weeks. It's good news for Greg Jennings, who leaped to No. 9 in the fantasy receiver ranks with a 7/152/3 eruption against Minnesota in Week 11. He's one of the NFL's hottest wideouts.

Donald Driver (quadricep) returned to the starting lineup against the Vikings, but didn't adversely impact James Jones. In fact, Jones' snap percentage increased coming off a Week 10 bye. As the Packers continue to play more receiver-friendly offense (i.e. the five wides), Jones will flirt with every-down status. He's a rock-solid WR3 with upside at the Georgia Dome. ... Though he's got his job back, Driver still can't practice fully and isn't making big plays in the slot. His snap count in Week 11 was identical to Jones'. Jones' yards-per-catch average is 15.3 to Driver's 10.6, so it's not hard to differentiate between their fantasy values. ... The Falcons are considerably more stout against then run than the pass, which plays to the Packers' strengths. But it won't help Brandon Jackson, who appears to be in danger of losing short-yardage and goal-line work to emerging rookie Dimitri Nance.



Carolina @ Cleveland

Vegas projects Panthers-Browns to be the lowest scoring game of Week 12, which is hardly a surprise considering both teams have bottom-five offenses. It's a game to avoid completely if you don't own Peyton Hillis. Though Mike Goodson has earned a place in the Panthers' stretch-run tailback committee, a healthy Jonathan Stewart will probably start over him and vulture all goal-line opportunities. Goodson was a fantasy asset in Weeks 10 and 11 because he was getting the ball 25 times a game. That time has expired, and Goodson's proneness to negative runs makes him an undesirable option on a limited workload. The Browns are also deceptively strong in run defense.

Like Stewart, Jimmy Clausen returns from his concussion as a probable starter against Cleveland. Clausen might be an upgrade on Brian St. Pierre, but that's not saying a whole lot for the causes of his wide receivers. Steve Smith remains a poor bet to top 50 yards week in and week out, and David Gettis' 94-yard Week 11 game will likely prove a mirage. The rookie wideout got 88 of his yards on a blown coverage by Ravens RCB Josh Wilson, and Gettis' targets are likely to decline with Brandon LaFell (concussion) on the way back. LaFell did not play against Baltimore.

Colt McCoy last week became the third Browns QB to suffer a high ankle sprain, and coach Eric Mangini ruled him out on Wednesday. McCoy's replacement will be Jake Delhomme, who hasn't played since Week 5. More aggressive than McCoy and Seneca Wallace, Delhomme is at least willing to take shots downfield to Mohamed Massaquoi. Massaquoi is worth a look as a desperation play. ... Ben Watson was in and out of last week's game with an ankle injury, and may not play against Carolina after missing significant practice time this week. His backup is former Stanford basketball player Evan Moore, although competitive owners should be able to do better.

Power back Peyton Hillis is likely to present matchup problems for a lightweight, Cover-2 style Carolina defense that has lost two starting linebackers to year-ending injuries. Even when he's struggled on the ground this season (and he shouldn't in this one), Hillis has stayed highly effective as a receiver out of the backfield. He's become a safe bet every week for 100 total yards and a score.

Pittsburgh @ Buffalo

Multiple analysts observed this week what a "steal" Santonio Holmes has been for the Jets. Just don't get it twisted: The Steelers knew what they were doing. Replacement Mike Wallace has found pay dirt six times in six games since Ben Roethlisberger's return, averaging 92 yards per contest and 22.8 yards per reception. He's a WR1, and should not struggle to burn deep a Bills defense dangerously short on pass rush. Only two teams have fewer sacks than Buffalo, and only two have given up more passing scores. On paper, it's a matchup that Wallace seems certain to exploit. ... Big Ben has also picked it up since a brief Week 8-9 lull, accounting for seven touchdowns in his last two games. Due to his shaky pass protection, it will be fair to consider sitting Roethlisberger when facing premier pass rushes. But the Bills certainly don't have one.

Clearly passed by Wallace as the Steelers' No. 1 receiver, Hines Ward does get a slight matchup boost from the potential absence of Bills top CB Terrence McGee. McGee is questionable after an in-practice aggravation of a knee injury that required surgery earlier this season. Ward is a WR3. ... The Bills defend tight ends poorly, but Heath Miller isn't easy to trust as more than a low-end TE1 because he's used so heavily as a blocker. ... The Bills continue to pull up the rear in the run defense rankings. Look for Rashard Mendenhall to bounce back from his 23-carry, 59-yard Week 11 with a 100-yard game. Mendenhall has found the end zone in all but three games this season.

Hopefully Fred Jackson owners enjoyed his 299 total yards and four TDs in Weeks 10-11 while they lasted, because his outlook goes back in the gutter this week. C.J. Spiller (hamstring) is tentatively slated to return after a seven-quarter layoff, and the Steelers' No. 1 run defense awaits. Darren McFadden entered a Week 11 game against Pittsburgh as one of the top-four running backs in football. Dick LeBeau's unit promptly smothered him for 30 total yards on 12 touches. Assuming Spiller stays healthy, Jackson won't be more than a flex option the rest of the way.

Ryan Fitzpatrick had come back down to earth prior to Week 11, only to explode for 316 yards and four touchdowns against a Bengals team that suffered three game-ending injuries to starting defensive backs. Fitzpatrick does a great job of leading Chan Gailey's spread-like offense, but keep last week's output in perspective when considering him this week. It's worth noting, though, that Gailey's scheme matches up well against Pittsburgh. The spread can offset vaunted edge rushers LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison. ... Neither of the Steelers' cornerbacks are shutdown-caliber, so Steve Johnson should continue to be started with confidence. There's no reason to doubt him at this point. ... Lee Evans, on the other hand, typically needs at least one deep connection to register as an effective fantasy start. As Fitzpatrick is much better dinking and dunking than bombing away, Evans is always a major roll of the dice.

Tennessee @ Houston

With Vince Young done and Kerry Collins (calf) still two weeks away, rookie Rusty Smith enters Tennessee's starting lineup. Smith played in a pro-style offense at Florida Atlantic and is not short on arm strength, but this will probably end up as a missed opportunity for the Titans' passing offense against Houston's last-ranked pass defense. At least three of Smith's nine pass attempts in Week 11 were intercept-able, and he posted a 0:2 TD-to-INT ratio with a fumble and sack taken on 33 preseason throws. It was somewhat promising to see Smith target Randy Moss on his first two tries against the Redskins, but certainly nothing to read heavily into. Moss is likely to remain a decoy at Houston, with the Titans' employing a Chris Johnson-centric offense.

The Titans are winless since claiming Moss off waivers, but Johnson's yards-per-carry average has spiked to 6.50 with Moss compared to 4.05 without him. In four career meetings with Houston, Johnson is averaging 6.58 yards per carry. He can safely expect a 30-touch workload on Sunday. ... Four of Smith's Week 11 targets were directed to Nate Washington, including a 52-yard bomb with Phillip Buchanon in coverage. Another was picked off, and the final two fell incomplete. You'd still be taking quite the leap of faith by starting Washington with a green rookie at quarterback. ... Smith targeted Bo Scaife once last Sunday. The pass was incomplete short.

Arian Foster reminded us that he's matchup proof with 143 total yards and two touchdowns in Week 11 against the Jets. It's only natural to expect monster performances going forward, regardless of opponent. The Titans aren't as tough against the run as Rex Ryan's team. ... Andre Johnson has resumed practicing on Wednesdays, something he hasn't been able to do since an early-season high ankle sprain. Owners should have no problem shaking off his four-catch, 32-yard Week 11 game against Darrelle Revis. Throughout his career, Johnson has routinely dominated Titans top CB Cortland Finnegan.

Owen Daniels' (hamstring) inability to practice early this week doesn't bode well. Coach Gary Kubiak has vowed to keep Daniels shutdown until he shows he's 100 percent. Keep an eye on practice reports, but Joel Dreessen would make for an excellent TE1 in the event that Daniels is inactive. Tennessee is getting skewered by tight ends. ... Jacoby Jones is off the radar outside of return-yardage leagues, and you should be able to do better than Kevin Walter. ... Matt Schaub owners are well aware of his huge step back from last season. His knee injury is no longer a concern, but as the No. 17 overall fantasy quarterback Schaub is only a confident QB1 in the most favorable matchups. This isn't one.

4:05PM ET Games

Kansas City @ Seattle

Though his pass attempt and yardage totals always threaten to underwhelm, Matt Cassel has graduated into QB1 territory with a 17:2 TD-to-INT ratio since Week 2. The Chiefs' unstoppable ground attack is an ideal table setter for Cassel, who really only needs to make two reads: deep strike to Dwayne Bowe or check down to Jamaal Charles. Qwest Field is not an easy place to play and makes for a viable lineup-decision tiebreaker, but Cassel's matchup looks awfully good on paper. Seattle ranks 30th in pass defense, and may not have top corner Marcus Trufant (concussion). ... Tony Moeaki returns from his own concussion, but has fallen well behind Bowe in the "competition" for targets. Seattle is also one of the NFL's stingiest teams against tight ends.

Stopping vertical shots to Bowe will be an especially tall task for the Seahawks. No team has given up more 20-plus yard completions, and NFL receiving score leader Bowe ranks third in the AFC in 20-plus yard receptions. It's a statistical mismatch, especially if Trufant sits. According to Pro Football Focus, Trufant's rookie fill-in Walter Thurmond allowed eight of nine passes into his coverage to be completed last week, for 135 yards and a TD. ... It's become impossible to predict when Thomas Jones' role will one-up Jamaal Charles', but Seattle's run defense collapse makes both intriguing options. (Charles' big-play ability, of course, gets the big edge.) The Seahawks ranked second in the NFL in run defense just before the season's halfway point. They've plummeted to 14th since losing clogger DLs Red Bryant and Colin Cole to significant injuries.

Seattle's backfield has become a fantasy wasteland, which at least should make lineup decisions easy for owners. Seeing 11 touches to "backup" Justin Forsett's 13 last week, Marshawn Lynch was pulled for ineffectiveness after two third-quarter fumbles and two more drops. Said coach Pete Carroll afterwards, "I didn't want Marshawn to go back out there. The game, I didn't think he could be a factor in it, and I didn't want to put him in the situation where the ball might come out again." If you have any kind of a playoff-relevant fantasy team, you're definitely not using Lynch.

Matt Hasselbeck has strung together back-to-back productive weeks, which bodes well for the NFC West favorites. It's not something to get excited about in fantasy. Top receiver Big Mike Williams (foot) is unlikely to play, and the rest of Seattle's wideout depth chart reads like this: Career special teamer Ben Obomanu, recently benched Deon Butler, and rookie Golden Tate coming off a high ankle sprain. Hasselbeck is only a two-QB league option. ... John Carlson is a sleeper tight end this week. With LT Russell Okung finally healthy, at least some of Carlson's blocking responsibilities will be reduced. He's also the best bet for the "big receiver" role with Williams out. Carlson is worth a look over guys like Brent Celek and Randy McMichael.



Miami @ Oakland

The Dolphins aren't expected announce a starting QB until just before game time. Though Chad Henne (knee) got in some practice reps this week and is the tentative favorite to start, he won't be trotted out at less than 100 percent. Tyler Thigpen, who engineered zero points in last week's loss to Chicago, would be the alternative. ... With Nnamdi Asomugha (ankle) expected back, the attractiveness of Brian Hartline takes a hit, even if Brandon Marshall (hamstring) is inactive. Marshall will be a game-time decision, although his chances don't look good. ... Davone Bess is hard to get excited about with the uncertainty at quarterback. Wild short and more willing to go long than Miami's other quarterbacks, Thigpen struggled to connect with Bess in the slot in Week 11. Henne would improve Bess' outlook, but only slightly.

Ronnie Brown is far from a safe fantasy start, but the Fins' coaching staff is likely to learn from its Week 11 mistake of abandoning the run. Oakland's most glaring weakness is in rush defense, so it makes sense with an ailing and/or struggling QB for Miami to go run heavy. If the Dolphins are going to win on Sunday, they'll have to hitch their wagon to Brown and Ricky Williams. There's a good chance that they'll be without their top receiver, and their quarterbacks are totally unreliable. The Raiders rank 25th against the run and surrender 4.6 yards per carry.

The Raiders have surprisingly decided to turn back to Jason Campbell after his in-game benching last week. It's not like Bruce Gradkowski (13-of-24 for 98 yards and a pick) was noticeably better, but the offense seems to run more smoothly with the Jeff Garcia clone under center. Either way, Campbell will be on a short leash against Miami's top-four pass defense. It's not a good situation for Oakland wide receivers. … Coming off their bye in Week 11, no Raiders wideout topped 37 yards. The team started in a three-receiver set of Louis Murphy, Jacoby Ford, and Johnnie Lee Higgins. They all canceled each other out, and won't be reliable options until we see some separation.

The injured arch in Zach Miller's foot remained problematic last Sunday, as he hauled in just two of his seven targets for nine yards and was noticeably hobbled in the second half. Clearly at significantly less than 100 percent, Miller will be a high-risk play until he shows he's healthy. … Darren McFadden owners should confidently chalk up his 12-touch, 27-yard effort in Week 11 to the Steelers' stingy rush defense and continue starting him. The Dolphins aren't as bad against the run as their No. 20 ranking suggests, but Matt Forte racked up 97 rushing yards and a touchdown against them last week. McFadden is a better player than Forte, and Oakland's line run blocks better than Chicago's.

4:15PM ET Games

Philadelphia @ Chicago

According to Zach Zaidman of the Bears Radio Network, Michael Vick has a passer rating of 127.0 on the road this season – the highest mark since at least 1950. Chicago's pass defense has accounted for a defensive league-best 6:15 touchdown-to-interception ratio and allows an NFL-low 6.0 yards per throw. The matchup certainly is difficult, but no team has shown capable of stopping Vick to this point. It's hard to imagine sitting him when he ranks top-ten in quarterback scoring despite having missed roughly three full games. … It's always interesting to see what happens when an offense with so much firepower meets a defense so stingy. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are both top-12 fantasy receivers. Their bread and butter is the long ball, which the Bears' defense is built to stop. Across the league, only the Bucs have allowed fewer 20-plus yard completions.

Brent Celek has combined for 16 yards on four catches over his last four games. Maybe next year. … The Bears play tough run defense, but so do the Giants, and LeSean McCoy gutted them for 140 total yards, a touchdown, and a 7.9 yards per carry average last Sunday night. No running back in the league has more receptions, and McCoy is averaging nearly a six-yard gain every time he touches the football. He's matchup proof. … Eagles slot receiver Jason Avant is typically a better bet to help Vick as a chain mover than fantasy owners as a WR3. He's only found the end zone once this year.

The Eagles' big-play defense should have kept Jay Cutler up at night this week. Sean McDermott's group leads the NFL in interceptions, ranks in the top ten in sacks, and allows the third worst passer rating in the league. With the Bears having devolved into a ball-control offense due to pass protection issues, Cutler is just 21st among quarterbacks in fantasy points. Expect another long day. … Johnny Knox has yet to enjoy a truly big game, but continues to be the best bet for receptions and yards in the Bears' pass-catching corps. In the eight games that Cutler has played four quarters this season, Knox has led the team in receiving yards six times.

Greg Olsen hasn't topped 64 yards all season, but at least has a favorable matchup this week. The Eagles surrender the fourth most fantasy points to tight ends, and only the Texans and Bills have allowed more tight end touchdowns. … Matt Forte has unseated Chester Taylor as the Bears' goal-line back, increasing his viability as an every-week RB2. He also has at least 22 touches in back-to-back games. Bears OC Mike Martz's running back usage can be volatile, so owners starting Forte should know they're taking a risk. The Eagles rank eighth against the run and have allowed just two carries of 20-plus yards – second fewest behind the Steelers.

Tampa Bay @ Baltimore

In a home game against the Bucs' No. 29 rush defense, the Ravens should be able to impose their will on the ground. Ray Rice has 100-plus total yards in three straight games and five of his last six, quietly moving into the top-15 fantasy running backs despite what's been perceived as a disappointing season. Over the past three weeks, Rice has 69 touches to Willis McGahee's 24, and also got the goal-line carry over McGahee in Week 11, executing from a yard out. Rice is destined to excel in this matchup, which will make a start 'em-sit 'em decision in Week 13 difficult on owners with the Steelers coming to town. … The Bucs are allowing just 40.9 yards per game to tight ends, with three touchdowns allowed. Todd Heap is a low-end TE1 in this one.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh caught two first-quarter passes for 79 yards and a touchdown in Week 11, but contrary to popular belief, his role isn't growing. Housh, in fact, played a smaller percentage of snaps last Sunday than he did in Week 10, when the 33-year-old had 14 yards on two catches. Houshmandzadeh should help Joe Flacco going forward, but he won't be of fantasy use. ... Anquan Boldin's production has tailed off precipitously in the last five games. His yards-per-reception average has dropped on a weekly basis, and his yardage totals are to the point where he needs touchdowns for worthwhile fantasy days. He'll also have to deal with Aqib Talib on Sunday. If you've got better options, play 'em. .. Derrick Mason is never a disaster fantasy start, but with only 2-of-10 games over 48 yards he offers very little upside.

According to Pro Football Focus, Mike Williams South leads the NFL in missed tackles among wideouts and ranks seventh in yards after catch among non-slot receivers. He's for real, in case you didn't already know. Williams also does the majority of his route running down the left sideline, where the Ravens have been shuffling corners. RCB Fabian Washington was benched for Josh Wilson, and Wilson promptly served up an 88-yard touchdown bomb to David Gettis in Week 11. Start the rookie playmaker with confidence. … Arrelious Benn continues to play efficiently with six receptions for over 100 yards and two touchdowns on his last seven targets, but his weekly role has yet to expand. He was targeted just three times in Week 11, gathering in two for 14 scoreless yards.

Baltimore is a top-ten defense against the pass and has allowed the sixth fewest passing touchdowns in football. Josh Freeman moves back to clear-cut QB2 territory this week, particularly with Terrell Suggs catching fire. … Kellen Winslow reverted to mediocrity in Week 11 with a 4/34/0 line after posting 6/65/1 in Week 10. On a good fantasy team, he's a clear-cut TE2. … LeGarrette Blount has officially overtaken Cadillac Williams for the Bucs' starting tailback job and continues to impress with his dominant power. According to Pro Football Focus, Blount leads the NFL in yards-after-contact per attempt. Big fantasy games are always hard to come by against Baltimore's top-ten run defense, but Blount is going to be a good bet for goal-line scores going forward.



St. Louis @ Denver

The return of LB Robert Ayers -- Denver's top run defender and pass rusher in the first five games -- is going to help the Broncos' defense, but Don "Wink" Martindale's group still has plenty of holes. The Broncos have allowed a league-high 35 TDs from scrimmage, and their defensive touchdown-to-interception ratio is 20:6. They're 31st in run defense and have surrendered the most rushing scores in the NFL. Steven Jackson came out this week begging for more carries, and his wish should be granted if the Rams are going to keep this one close. Though St. Louis' rushing offense has scuffled for much of the season, this is a prime opportunity for a jump start.

The Rams don't have a true "No. 1" receiver, so Champ Bailey is likely to stay at left corner on Sunday. Laurent Robinson has seen the most snaps at RWR of late and is an obvious "sit." He isn't producing anyway. ... LWR Brandon Gibson has scored a touchdown or cleared at least 67 yards in three straight games. He's never an elite option, but you could do much worse as a desperation WR3. Gibson has a good matchup and is an every-down player. ... The Broncos have been particularly susceptible in the slot, and now appear to be considering benching slot corner Nathan Jones. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jones is allowing a 67.4 percent completion rate on throws into his coverage. Particularly if this game turns into a throw-happy shootout, Rams slot receiver Danny Amendola should not struggle for 7-9 receptions.

The Broncos have made a concerted effort to get Knowshon Moreno in a groove, giving him at least 20 touches in two straight weeks since removing him from the injury report. Moreno has responded with 110 or more total yards and a TD in each. With 131 rushing yards, a 4.7 YPC average, and a score in Week 11, Michael Turner confirmed that St. Louis' top-ten run defense ranking is a mirage. Keep a red-hot Moreno rolling at home. ... Brandon Lloyd has been the NFL's receiving leader for over a month, yet still doesn't get enough credit. In his last three games, Lloyd is averaging seven catches for 113 yards with four touchdowns. The Rams have also tanked in pass defense recently, letting up 356 passing yards to Troy Smith in Week 10, followed by 253 and two touchdowns from Matt Ryan last Sunday. St. Louis hasn't picked off a pass since facing Matt Moore in Week 8.

For all the aforementioned reasons, Kyle Orton has a terrific matchup. In home games this season, Orton has a 10:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio and is averaging 297.2 passing yards. He's sure to rebound from last week's clunker at Qualcomm. ... Eddie Royal bottomed out with 12 yards on two receptions in Week 11. Having failed to hit 40 receiving yards in every game since Week 4, Royal has taken a major backseat to Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, and a healthy Moreno as the Broncos' fourth option on offense. ... Jabar Gaffney has just two touchdowns this season and under 58 yards in four straight. He's only a good bet for a big day if the Broncos are forced to throw 40-plus times.

Sunday Night Football

San Diego @ Indianapolis

Fantasy owners of Chargers and Colts players won't be surprised, but Vegas projects this game as the highest scoring of Week 12. With a whopping 53-point over-under, the contest is heavy on high-upside fantasy starts. ... Returning from Roster Exempt, Vincent Jackson won't be eased in with Malcom Floyd (hamstring), Legedu Naanee (hamstring), and Antonio Gates (feet) all less than 100 percent, and Patrick Crayton (wrist) already declared out. Reports out of San Diego have indicated that V-Jax is dominating on the practice field. Chemistry should not be an issue. Jackson immediately comes in as a top-15 receiver play. ... Gates' status won't be known until just before game time, and the guess here is that he won't play. With backup Randy McMichael (hamstring) also banged up, Gates owners will want to look elsewhere for a Week 12 tight end.

Floyd and Naanee are tentatively expected to play, but may both be on snap counts. It makes starting either an extremely dicey proposition, while also killing Seyi Ajirotutu's usefulness in fantasy leagues. ... Philip Rivers ranks No. 1 among all fantasy quarterbacks in spite of the injuries in his pass-catching corps. It's scary to think how good he'll be with Jackson back. ... Ryan Mathews (ankle) will be available for a limited role at best, and chances are he won't play. The Chargers are better off with Mike Tolbert anyway. At 250 pounds with elite vision and underrated versatility, Tolbert will give the undersized Indy front seven fits on Sunday night.

Jacob Tamme lucked into an integral role when Dallas Clark went on I.R., but it's not opportunity only that's made great. He's a natural "move" tight end. Tamme has hauled in 70 percent of his tight end-high 47 targets over the past month, dominating linebackers with better-than-expected physicality. As Gates' foot shows no signs of healing, Tamme is the favorite to lead all tight ends in fantasy scoring the rest of the way. ... Blair White moves into the full-time slot role with Austin Collie (concussions) out. White caught two touchdowns off the bench in Week 11, and is an easy top-25 receiver play in the likely shootout. ... Pierre Garcon plays the majority of his snaps on the right side of the offensive formation, meaning he's likely to draw shutdown LCB Quentin Jammer for the majority of Sunday night. This should be enough reason to sit the struggling receiver.

Reggie Wayne reconfirmed that he can still play in a Week 11 torching of Patriots RCBs Kyle Arrington and Darius Butler. Arrington had to be benched during the game for Butler, who was benched earlier this season for Arrington. Though not quite to the extent of New England, San Diego is similarly weak at right cornerback -- the position against which Wayne most often lines up. ... The Chargers' pass defense put clamps on Kyle Orton last Monday night, but the Colts' offense is a different animal because they can get physical inside with Tamme. Peyton Manning won't struggle for a big game. ... Donald Brown would make a fourth straight start if Joseph Addai (neck/shoulder) can't play, but we won't know his status for sure until late Sunday night. Brown has been ineffective against far weaker run defenses than San Diego's top-five unit, and seems likely to lose carries to a returning Mike Hart.

Monday Night Football

San Francisco @ Arizona

The Cardinals' defense has essentially served as the rest of the league's offensive slump buster for the last five weeks. Losers of five straight, Arizona has allowed the following point totals to the following underwhelming opponents: Seahawks 22; Bucs 38; Vikings 27; Seahawks 36; Chiefs 31. The Cards will also be minus 2009 breakout star DE Calais Campbell (ankle), which is a blow to both their run and pass defense. Though the 49ers' offense has been hit or miss under Troy Smith, the latest trends say that Week 12 will prove more boom than bust for OC Mike Johnson's unit. Shake off Frank Gore's Week 11 clunker and start him with confidence. Arizona ranks 28th in run defense, and no team in the NFC is allowing more rushing scores per game.

While the Niners do project to have a healthy degree of offensive success Monday night, it seems more likely to come from Gore than anyone else. The biggest concern for San Francisco's passing offense is the inability to keep Smith upright. In LT Joe Staley's (fractured fibula) first game out last week, the 49ers let up six sacks to a Bucs team that entered the game ranked dead last in the league in sacks. The Cardinals' pass rush isn't much better, but Staley's 6-8 week absence is not going to help Michael Crabtree or Josh Morgan. ... Vernon Davis could stand to benefit if he could stay healthy, something that appears to be the case after he resumed practicing fully late this week. Davis is a physical mismatch for coverage-challenged Cardinals SS Adrian Wilson.

Larry Fitzgerald has at least 90 yards or a touchdown in four straight games, and is on pace for 88 catches, 1,106 yards, and eight scores in what once appeared headed for a lost season. Fitz's production has steadied because the Cardinals are making him the focal point of their offense. He hasn't gone a game without fewer than double-digit targets since prior to Arizona's Week 6 bye. ... Opposite Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston is finally showing some signs of consistency with back-to-back 90-plus yard games. It's hard to ever consider Breaston a truly confident fantasy start with Derek Anderson at quarterback, but the 49ers are below average against the pass. He's a WR3.

More stingy up front than in the back end, San Francisco permits under 3.7 yards per carry, good for the sixth fewest in the NFL. Though Beanie Wells finally looks to be over his season-long knee problems, he's not going to be a good option in such unfavorable matchups until there's separation in the Cardinals' backfield. Tim Hightower received 15 touches compared to Wells' eight last week, and changeup/passing-down back LaRod Stephens-Howling is returning from a hamstring injury on Monday night. Wells should be on fantasy benches against the 49ers, but needs to take a big step forward before a favorable stretch-run schedule versus the Rams, Broncos, Panthers, and Cowboys.