2012 Fantasy Football: Recapping Week 13 

Jimmy Graham is just one player who continues to disappoint.

Fantasy fortunes were turned upside down on last-second plays Sunday including Andrew Luck’s game winner on the final play. In the afternoon, Carson Palmer and Brandon Meyers undoubtedly vaulted owners into their fantasy playoffs with their incredible final drive. Palmer and Myers connected on six passes for 73 yards and ended the game with a17-yard TD. In PPR leagues that drive was worth 19 points for Myers. Whoa!

Onward to a look back at Week 13:

• That’s the Beanie we knew and loved: Following last week’s two-touchdown shocker, Wells returned to form with 22 yards on 15 rushes. You can do the math, but it’s less than two yards per carry. Oh, and he added zero catches.

• Colin for More: Yes there was a dropped TD by Delanie Walker, but Colin Kaepernick clearly struggled in his first game as “the chosen one.” With just 208 yards passing and 0TD, Kaepernick saved his day with 84 yards rushing (including a late 50-yarder). The Rams defense is solid, but things don’t get a lot easier for Kaepernick next week when they face a Dolphin defense that held the Patriots to just 23 points Sunday.

• Ordinary Joe: By now you’ve likely made the switch, but if you haven’t, it’s time to wave goodbye to Joe Flacco. Yet another lackluster effort (188 yards passing, 1 TD, 1 INT and 1 lost fumble) should have you scouring the wire for someone, anyone, not named Flacco. Of course if you replaced him already with Kaepernick you may still have issues. Two to consider are Russell Wilson, who continues to put up impressive stats and make few mistakes or Carson Palmer who always finds himself having to chuck 50 passes a game with no end in sight.

• Pain Alert # 1 – You debated starting your shiny new pickup Ryan Broyles all week, but were reluctant with the possible return of the suspended Titus Young. Once Young was declared inactive, you pulled the trigger and looked forward to a shootout with the Colts. Shootout yes, Broyles explosion, no. The rookie WR had one catch for three yards before leaving with a first-quarter knee injury.

• Pain Alert # 2 – Following his third consecutive subpar performance, it’s getting more and more painful to start Saints TE Jimmy Graham. Selected first or second among tight ends in any self-respecting league, Graham has 14 catches for 121 yards and 1TD over his past three games. Or to put it another way, almost exactly the same stats Brandon Myers put up Sunday against the Bengals.

• Pain Alert #3 – After establishing himself yet again as Chad Henne’s favorite target and as the Jaguars clear #1 WR with a seven catch, 77 yard, 1 TD day, Cecil Shorts leaves with a concussion, making his owners queasy as they look to the playoffs next week.

• Pain Alert # 4 – You held your nose and decided to give default starter Rashad Jennings another try against the miserable Bills rushing defense. Jennings, never one to miss an opportunity to disappoint, rewards owners with 20 yards rushing and a second quarter exit after suffering a head injury.

• Pain Alert # 5 – Arian Foster 14 rushes, Justin Forsett 14 rushes. While Foster owners knew he’d be sharing some carries this year, they just never imagined it would be with Forsett and not Ben Tate. Foster obviously remains the alpha dog, but at 11-1, the Texans will undoubtedly be easing up on Foster. Forsett might be an excellent stash for teams headed deep into the playoffs.

• Welcome back Greg Jennings, hope you’re ready. After apparently making it through his return Sunday without a setback, Jennings will be in for a heavy workload after Jordy Nelson’s hamstring injury. Jennings caught four passes for 44 yards, but looked spry and will likely return to his role as Aaron Rodgers’ go-to guy. Nelson’s injury is also welcome news for nervous Randall Cobb owners.

• Back and Forth: Luck or RGIII? Luck or RGIII? The rookie phenoms have thrown haymakers at each in their battle for the rookie of the year honors. Last week RGIII surged forward with 304 yards passing and 4TD, but it was Luck on Sunday who starred with 391 yards passing and 4TD. RGIII, what you got tonight?

• What Can Brown Do For You? – If LeSean McCoy wasn’t dizzy enough from his concussion, his head has to be spinning with the emergence of Bryce Brown. Last week’s explosion (178 yards and 2TD) was against a soft Panthers rushing defense, but on Sunday he squared off against the highly-rated Cowboys defense. Brown gashed the Cowboys for 169 yards and 2TD. He also added four catches for 19 yards. Brown owners are clearly hoping McCoy stays in Phase 1 (whatever that is) of recovery for a few more weeks.

About the author: David Hatfield

David Hatfield has never written about fantasy before, but has been participating in leagues for nearly 20 years. Sadly over those two decades there have been far more lowlights than highlights, but he remains convinced he’s very knowledgeable about fantasy football. You’ll have to decide. Email David at [email protected].