Joe Flacco's slippery grip might have cost the Ravens on Sunday night, but he continues to come through for fantasy owners. The third-year quarterback has put together 10 consecutive double-digit fantasy performances, based on standard ESPN scoring. He averaged 16.9 fantasy points over that stretch.
Flacco's 13 fantasy points against the Steelers was his lowest total since his four-interception performance in Week 2, but that's still pretty solid. He has been a top-10 fantasy quarterback this season, so hopefully you have been starting him. If you haven't been, make sure Flacco is in your lineup the rest of the way — unless you have a Philip Rivers or a Michael Vick — because he should put up monster numbers in Weeks 14-16.
Yes, even if the Ravens offense continues to struggle while attempting to close out games.
The Ravens play the Texans in Week 14. No team has given up more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than the Texans, and if Houston can exploit the sometimes-vulnerable Baltimore secondary, Flacco might find himself in a high-scoring shootout on "Monday Night Football." There's nothing better than a thrilling come-from-behind Monday night fantasy victory, right?
The Saints, the Ravens' Week 15 opponent, have been pretty good against the pass, but Flacco has been excellent at home this season. If he can figure out the New Orleans blitz, he will deliver a couple of scores.
And in Week 16, the championship game in most leagues, Flacco and the Ravens play the Browns. I've got two words for you: Eric Wright. And here's four more: Lock it up, championship.
Fantasy penthouse:
Tom Brady (326 passing yards and four TDs), Adrian Peterson (107 rushing yards, three scores), Reggie Wayne (14 catches, 200 receiving yards, one touchdown), Vernon Davis (four catches, 126 yards, one TD)
Fantasy doghouse:
Mark Sanchez (164 passing yards, three interceptions), Brian Westbrook (nine carries, 31 yards), Dwayne Bowe (zero catches), Greg Olsen (one catch, five yards)
Start 'em or sit 'em:
We're going to do this a little differently since it's crunch time. Tell me about your roster dilemmas in the comments section (or contact me at matt@bthesite.com or twitter.com/mattvensel) and I'll help you out.
Yeah, I think Adrian Peterson looked OK in Week 13. ... Dallas rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant is out for the season with a broken ankle. ... Mike Goodson has a shoulder injury, so Jonathan Stewart will carry the load. ... Pierre Thomas is expected to return this weekend, but don't play him yet. ... Ditto for Titans wideout Kenny Britt. ... Todd Heap (hammy) isn't expected to play Monday night. Don't wait until then to find out. ... Tony Gonzalez (ankle) should play. ... Giants wideouts Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith could return as soon as this week. Stay tuned there. ... Two injured receivers who sat on my bench due to injury in a season-ending loss last week, Vincent Jackson and Austin Collie, are question marks.
The wire:
Jonathan Stewart is poised to finish the year strong, though it was too late to save one of my lost fantasy seasons (Do I sound bitter?). Pick him up and play him. ... Roy Williams will get more targets with Dez Bryant out if you're courageous enough to put your season in his shaky hands. ... Donald Driver, welcome back to fantasy relevancy! ... Benjamin Watson could have a solid week if you're looking for a tight end ... Raiders wideout Jacoby Ford has nice matchups for Week 14 and 15. ... I'm still high on Josh Freeman, but that's slowly fading. ... Sidney Rice is back to 2009 form. How is he still available in some leagues?
You make the call:
Which player would you rather have going forward this season: Peyton Hillis or Rashard Mendenhall?
Extra point:
It's the time of the fantasy season where we all scrutinize over who to put in our starting lineups, but don't pull a Cam Cameron and overthink yourself: Always, always, always play your best players. Always.
My weekly Fantasy Fodder column will run in some fashion on the Virtual Vensanity blog every Wednesday. E-mail your fantasy questions to matt@btheite.com, Tweet them to twitter.com/mattvensel or leave them in the comments section below. Carrier pigeons are also acceptable.