Every Friday during the NFL season we review the Yahoo! weekly position ranks. When an expert breaks from the herd, they're asked to show their work. We try to focus on names near the start/sit line in public leagues, or on acts of complete lunacy. Let's play the feud…
Fred Jackson – Pianow RB rank 11, Yahoo! composite rank 19
The Buffalo offense hit a speed bump in Minnesota, no doubt on that, but why is everyone breaking up with this group so quickly? Jackson collected six touchdowns in the previous four games and the Cleveland defense can be had; over the last four weeks, the Browns are the eighth-easiest unit for fantasy backs to score against. Jackson's best work has come at home this year (5.0 YPC), including a dismantling of the Steelers two weeks back. He'll be one of the stalwarts that lead you to victory in Week 14.
Jon Kitna – Behrens QB rank 18, Yahoo! composite 14
First of all, let me just say that I hope my colleagues have this right. I'm starting Kitna in a league where a win sends me to the playoffs, and a loss gets me bounced. (Had CJ2K and Garcon on Thursday, so that helped). Like everyone else, I've been relatively impressed by Kitna's performance thus far in relief of Tony Romo. I'll give him the green light in Weeks 15 and 16, when the Cowboys face Washington and Arizona. But this weekend he gets the Eagles, a team that leads the NFL in interceptions (20) and ranks eighth in sacks (32.0). Honestly, how surprised would you be if Sean McDermott's defense harassed Kitna into a four-turnover performance? When I rank players, I try to account for the full range of plausible outcomes, and Kitna's floor is disastrous. Let's not forget that he's thrown eight picks and he's fumbled six times (losing just one).
Kitna has really been a feast-or-famine commodity thus far, topping 300 passing yards in three of his six starts, but failing to reach 200 in the other three. He isn't actually putting the ball in the air very often, either. In three of Kitna's last four games, he's attempted 26 passes or fewer. And now he's without Dez Bryant, the man who's caught five of his 11 TD passes.
In this instance, you'll want to do as I say, not as I do: Leave Kitna on the bench if possible.
Donald Driver – Behrens WR rank 19, Yahoo! composite 24
Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that last week, the Packers were wearing throwback uniforms from Driver's rookie season ('29). But the veteran wideout delivered one of his best fantasy lines of the year in Week 13, and he appears to have recovered from the quad injury that sidelined him in Weeks 7-9. Driver's 61-yard score may have been the play of the day. For me, the most encouraging thing about No. 80's performance is that he actually led all Green Bay players in total targets (8). If he gets a similar workload on Sunday — indoors at Detroit, unaffected by December weather — you'll like the results. Don't forget that Driver began his season by catching touchdown passes in three of the Packers' first four games. He's not an afterthought in Green Bay's offense. Play him with confidence.
Anthony Dixon – Pianow RB rank NR, Yahoo! composite rank 32
I didn't rank any of the San Francisco running backs this week - it was a spreadsheet mistake on Brian Westbrook (sorry kids, these happen sometimes) but it was an intentional play with Dixon. What am I missing with the San Francisco rookie? He's averaging all of 3.2 yards a carry, he's got a piddly two receptions on the year, he has to share with Westbrook besides (although Westbrook isn't practicing for personal reasons, he's expected to play Sunday against the Seahawks). Dixon ripped off one 17-yard run at Green Bay last week, and his other eight carries went for 16 yards. Now that bye-week season is over, this is not the type of profile that pushes you into my Top 40.
If you’re an owner shopping for mediocrity this playoff season, Matt Ryan is the perfect gift. Over the past three weeks, he’s averaged a mere 218.3 passing yards with a 5:2 TD:INT. His resulting 20.0 points per game ranks No. 17 among passers, behind such world-beaters as Mark Sanchez, Matt Hasselbeck and Sam Bradford.
As The Big Lead recently discussed, Ryan is an invaluable real-life quarterback who excels in every category but one, yards per attempt (6.6 ypa). Unfortunately, in fantasy, efficiency doesn’t necessarily translate to gaudy fantasy numbers.
The Atlanta QB’s effort this week will be a prime example.
Despite a season filled with futility, Carolina has played stiffly against the pass. Signal callers are averaging just 6.7 yards per attempt, 218.6 yards and 1.3 touchdowns per game against it, good for the fourth-fewest fantasy points. That strength combined with the Panthers’ problems stopping the run likely means a conservative, pound-you-into-oblivion game-plan will be installed by Mike Mularkey, even if Chris Gamble sits. In a game which could turn ugly early, handoffs to Michael Turner will be frequent. Ryan may accumulate serviceable numbers (210-230 yards, 1-2 TDs), but marginality advances no owner this time of year. Employ a QB with higher upside.
Tashard Choice – Evans Week 14 RB rank 17, Y! composite 21
At first glance, putting faith behind a timeshare running back facing a defense which ranks just outside the top-10 in run defense may seem idiotic. However, Choice is hardly a shortsighted pick.
Coming off his first 100-yard game since 2008, he has officially carved out a significant role in the Cowboys backfield over the rest of the season. As Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News suggested, Choice may give Big D it’s best chance to win. Felix Jones may posses more finesse, but the former Yellow Jacket has more sting. A hard runner between-the-tackles, he’ll continue to be deployed in goal-line situations. He’ll also be used often on first and second downs, especially this week. Another 15-plus carries should be expected.
Last Sunday, the ‘Boys pounded Indy with a run-heavy attack. Though the Eagles are stingier up front, a similar strategy could be followed. If Dallas has any chance of springing the upset, Jason Garrett has to control the clock in an attempt to limit Michael Vick’s opportunities. The possible absence of corner Asante Samuel, who reportedly suffered a setback in practice Thursday, also benefits the rusher. Assuming Jon Kitna takes advantage, Choice could net a handful of goal-line carries.
Another triple-digit performance seems unlikely, but an 80-yard, 1-2-TD line is certainly possible. Keep in mind, Philly has allowed eight touchdowns to RBs over the past five weeks. Trust the (re)rising star.
Ryan Torain – Pianow RB rank NR, Yahoo! composite rank 26
I've got him on a couple of teams and if he can make it back from the hamstring problem and produce down the stretch, I'll certainly appreciate it. But trusting a Mike Shanahan running back is tricky enough when the player is healthy; how can anyone be confident that Torain will get a full workload out of the chute? I know Tampa's rushing defense is sitting there for the taking, but I'm not prepared to risk anything significant on Torain in Week 14. I need to see something first.
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Images courtesy of US Presswire
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