| Fantasy Football University | ||
| Fantasy Football's 10 Commandments | ||
Champs and Chumps Week 12
|
Contributed by:
Jeff Sperber
Last Updated: Nov 29, 2011 3:00 PM |
|
It’s almost playoff time for fantasy football leagues and hopefully your team is still in the mix. Here are the players who helped you win or lose in Week 12.
Tom Brady: 361 pass yds, 3 pass TDs, 28 rush yds (29 pts)
Three AFC East quarterbacks get QB Champs honors this week and we’ll put the best of the trio, Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr., first. Brady returned to early season form and destroyed an Eagles team that, before the game, some analysts (foolishly) alleged still had a chance to make the playoffs. With a super easy remaining schedule (next three games: Colts, Redskins, South Brunswick High School), expect more champ-worthy performances from Tom Terrific.
Mark Sanchez: 180 pass yds, 4 pass TDs, INT, 5 rush yds (23 pts)
Here’s a perfect example of how actual performance doesn’t translate directly into the fantasy world. Sanchez might’ve had four TDs, but he was NOT good out there against the Bills on Sunday. He barely completed over 50% of his passes, tossed one pick, and Buffalo probably should’ve intercepted a few more. Yet, Sanchez had a better fantasy week then Aaron Rodgers. Insane? Yes. Fair? That’s fantasy football. (Note: I am bitter because in my fantasy football league, I started A-Rod and the guy I was playing started Sanchez.)
Ryan Fitzpatrick: 264 pass yds, 3 pass TDs, 34 rush yds (26 pts)
After watching Sunday’s game, it’s official: Fitzpatrick has taken his beard to the next level. It looked like a woodsman wandered out onto the field and started taking snaps under center. If Fitzpatrick is trying to look like someone who didn’t go to Harvard, then he’s definitely accomplishing his goal. (Not that I really know what people who go to Harvard look like; it’s not like I’ve ever been there.)
Stafford didn’t do nearly as well as we expected he would against a poor Packers’ secondary. He’s had more picks over the past three weeks (nine) than he did in the Lions’ first eight games (4).
Beanie is quite the trickster. He does nothing for three weeks in a row so that you consider benching him, then, all of a sudden, he goes out and breaks the Cardinals’ single-game rushing record with 228 yards. You got ‘um, Beanie! Now, you can go back to your standard 20-60 yard, no touchdown games.
Roy Helu: 108 rush yds, rush TD, 54 rec yds (22 pts)
Every now and then a Redskins’ RB has a game like this. Don’t read too much into it since it’s best not to think about running backs on the Redskins. Next week, Helu will have 20 yards with 1.6 YPC against the Jets.
Cedric Benson: 106 rush yds, rush TD, 24 rec yds (19 pts)
He’s getting hot at the right time. Next week, we’ll see just how hot when the Bengals travel to Pittsburgh.
Honorable Mentions: DeAngelo Williams, Marshawn Lynch, and Chris Johnson
Three weeks under 100 yards rushing, five weeks over 100 yards rushing, three weeks under 100 yards rushing. I’ve found a pattern! Does this mean that Gore is going to have over 100 yards in the last five games of the regular season? (Probably not.)
Matt Forte: 59 rush yds, 25 rec yds (9 pts)
Nine points isn’t awful, but it is a lot less than Forte owners expect from him. Things aren’t looking great for Forte and the rest of the Bears’ offense at the moment.
In Weeks 10 and 11, Welker had a combined 68 receiving yards. Clearly, he was saving up his energy to embarrass the Eagles. Either that, or the Eagles just stink.
Johnny Knox: 145 rec yds, 1 TD (21 pts)
If you started Johnny Knox this week you’re either crazy, were very desperate, or you’re related to Johnny Knox. Well, you got very lucky. Not that it matters, since if you played Knox you’re probably not making the playoffs already.
Reggie Wayne: 122 rec yds, 1 TD (18 pts)
A few other receivers did a little better than he did, but I felt like putting Reggie here for old time’s sake. I am certain that being deemed a Week 12 “champ” on this list is the best thing that’ll happen to him all year.
When you have fewer receptions than your team’s number three running back (Mewelde Moore), it’s not a very good day.
Andre Johnson: 22 rec yds (2 pts)
Without a doubt, he’s no longer the best Johnson in football.
Jordy Nelson: 26 rec yds (3 pts)
105 yards and one touchdown, 63 yards and two touchdowns, 123 yards and two touchdowns, 26 yards…wait a minute… 26 yards, that can’t be right. But it is right and you watched it happen on Thanksgiving! I’d make a joke about white wide receivers, but I think Mr. Welker would have something to say about that.
I made a rule a few weeks ago that Jimmy Graham could no longer appear on this list of champs and chumps since he always achieves champ status. After his performance Monday night though, I decided to put him here anyway. The man just deserves it.
Dustin Keller: 61 rec yds, 2 TDs (18 pts)
Keller doubled his yearly touchdown total and caught his first TD pass since Week 2. Who saw that coming? (Except for the guy who beat me in fantasy this week who started Keller, in addition to Sanchez.)
Follow @FFChamps on Twitter
QB CHAMPS
Drew Brees: 363 pass yds, 4 TDs, 8 rush yds, 1 rush TD (38 pts)
Have you seen that NyQuil commercial with Drew Brees where he rolls around in his bed looking like a schlub in plaid pajama bottoms while snoring loudly? Well, if you have that guy on your fantasy football team you won this week. Also, that guy is going to break the single-season passing yards record this year.Tom Brady: 361 pass yds, 3 pass TDs, 28 rush yds (29 pts)
Three AFC East quarterbacks get QB Champs honors this week and we’ll put the best of the trio, Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr., first. Brady returned to early season form and destroyed an Eagles team that, before the game, some analysts (foolishly) alleged still had a chance to make the playoffs. With a super easy remaining schedule (next three games: Colts, Redskins, South Brunswick High School), expect more champ-worthy performances from Tom Terrific.
Mark Sanchez: 180 pass yds, 4 pass TDs, INT, 5 rush yds (23 pts)
Here’s a perfect example of how actual performance doesn’t translate directly into the fantasy world. Sanchez might’ve had four TDs, but he was NOT good out there against the Bills on Sunday. He barely completed over 50% of his passes, tossed one pick, and Buffalo probably should’ve intercepted a few more. Yet, Sanchez had a better fantasy week then Aaron Rodgers. Insane? Yes. Fair? That’s fantasy football. (Note: I am bitter because in my fantasy football league, I started A-Rod and the guy I was playing started Sanchez.)
Ryan Fitzpatrick: 264 pass yds, 3 pass TDs, 34 rush yds (26 pts)
After watching Sunday’s game, it’s official: Fitzpatrick has taken his beard to the next level. It looked like a woodsman wandered out onto the field and started taking snaps under center. If Fitzpatrick is trying to look like someone who didn’t go to Harvard, then he’s definitely accomplishing his goal. (Not that I really know what people who go to Harvard look like; it’s not like I’ve ever been there.)
QB CHUMPS
Matthew Stafford: 276 pass yds, pass TD, 3 INTs, 31 rush yds (15 pts)Stafford didn’t do nearly as well as we expected he would against a poor Packers’ secondary. He’s had more picks over the past three weeks (nine) than he did in the Lions’ first eight games (4).
Ben Roethlisberger: 193 pass yds, pass TD, INT, 8 rush yds (12 pts)
It isn’t hard to be the best quarterback in a game when the opposing team is starting Tyler Palko. Still, Big Ben led the Steelers to only one touchdown against a team that lets up an average of just over 24 points a game.
RB CHAMPS
Beanie Wells: 228 rush yds, rush TD, 1 fumble lost (29 pts)Beanie is quite the trickster. He does nothing for three weeks in a row so that you consider benching him, then, all of a sudden, he goes out and breaks the Cardinals’ single-game rushing record with 228 yards. You got ‘um, Beanie! Now, you can go back to your standard 20-60 yard, no touchdown games.
Roy Helu: 108 rush yds, rush TD, 54 rec yds (22 pts)
Every now and then a Redskins’ RB has a game like this. Don’t read too much into it since it’s best not to think about running backs on the Redskins. Next week, Helu will have 20 yards with 1.6 YPC against the Jets.
Cedric Benson: 106 rush yds, rush TD, 24 rec yds (19 pts)
He’s getting hot at the right time. Next week, we’ll see just how hot when the Bengals travel to Pittsburgh.
Honorable Mentions: DeAngelo Williams, Marshawn Lynch, and Chris Johnson
RB CHUMPS
Jackie Battle: 20 rush yds (2 pts)
There was a time when we thought Jackie Battle would be relevant in fantasy football (and “real” football). That time is over.
Three weeks under 100 yards rushing, five weeks over 100 yards rushing, three weeks under 100 yards rushing. I’ve found a pattern! Does this mean that Gore is going to have over 100 yards in the last five games of the regular season? (Probably not.)
Matt Forte: 59 rush yds, 25 rec yds (9 pts)
Nine points isn’t awful, but it is a lot less than Forte owners expect from him. Things aren’t looking great for Forte and the rest of the Bears’ offense at the moment.
WR CHAMPS
Wes Welker: 115 rec yds, 2 rec TDs (24 pts)In Weeks 10 and 11, Welker had a combined 68 receiving yards. Clearly, he was saving up his energy to embarrass the Eagles. Either that, or the Eagles just stink.
Johnny Knox: 145 rec yds, 1 TD (21 pts)
If you started Johnny Knox this week you’re either crazy, were very desperate, or you’re related to Johnny Knox. Well, you got very lucky. Not that it matters, since if you played Knox you’re probably not making the playoffs already.
Reggie Wayne: 122 rec yds, 1 TD (18 pts)
A few other receivers did a little better than he did, but I felt like putting Reggie here for old time’s sake. I am certain that being deemed a Week 12 “champ” on this list is the best thing that’ll happen to him all year.
WR CHUMPS
Mike Wallace: 17 rec yds (2 pts)When you have fewer receptions than your team’s number three running back (Mewelde Moore), it’s not a very good day.
Andre Johnson: 22 rec yds (2 pts)
Without a doubt, he’s no longer the best Johnson in football.
Jordy Nelson: 26 rec yds (3 pts)
105 yards and one touchdown, 63 yards and two touchdowns, 123 yards and two touchdowns, 26 yards…wait a minute… 26 yards, that can’t be right. But it is right and you watched it happen on Thanksgiving! I’d make a joke about white wide receivers, but I think Mr. Welker would have something to say about that.
TE CHAMPS
Jimmy Graham: 84 rec yds, 2 TDs (20 pts)I made a rule a few weeks ago that Jimmy Graham could no longer appear on this list of champs and chumps since he always achieves champ status. After his performance Monday night though, I decided to put him here anyway. The man just deserves it.
Dustin Keller: 61 rec yds, 2 TDs (18 pts)
Keller doubled his yearly touchdown total and caught his first TD pass since Week 2. Who saw that coming? (Except for the guy who beat me in fantasy this week who started Keller, in addition to Sanchez.)
TE CHUMP
Brandon Pettigrew: 27 rec yds (3 pts)
We wanted a Thanksgiving shootout and the Lions only managed 15 points (seven of which came in garbage time). Way to disappoint.KICKER CHAMP
Sebastian Janikowski: 6/6 FG, 1/1 XP
The best left-footed kicker named Sebastian from Poland in the history of the NFL.KICKER CHUMP
Nick Novak: 2/4 FG, 1/1 XP
He missed the game winning field goal in OT and he was caught on camera urinating on the sidelines.Follow @FFChamps on Twitter
The views and content in this article are not necessarily the opinion of Fantasy Football Champs, www.FFChamps.com, and its in-house experts.
