It was another fantastic week of football this weekend, as the Patriots stayed undefeated at 13-0 knocking off Pittsburgh, the Dolphins remains winless and Tom Brady (399 yards, four TD) and Randy Moss (135 yards, two TD) continued their assault on the record books. The Cowboys battled back late, the Chargers stole one from Tennessee and, on the day Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison, the Saints marched over the Falcons.
This edition of Chutes ‘n’ Ladders will run down this week’s top free agent options and recap the latest on the injury report. We’ll also discuss why guys like Kyle Orton, Shaun Hill and Darius Walker will have some value this week. We’ve got some Thursday and Saturday football this week, so if you are one of the lucky ones and are still alive, set your lineup accordingly right away.
Quarterbacks
Free Agent Possibilities
Trent Edwards, BUF 11-for-23, 165 yards, four TD
Sage Rosenfels, HOU 27-for-36, 209 yards, three TD, two FL
Todd Collins, WAS 15-for-20, 224 yards, two TD, FL
Brian Griese, CHI 27-for-45, 295 yards, TD, two INT, 12 yards rushing
Luke McCown, TB 25-for-38, 266 yards, 10 yards rushing, FL
Cleo Lemon, MIA 22-for-42, 241 yards, two INT, FL
Brock Berlin, STL 17-for-28, 153 yards, INT, -16 yards rushing, FL
JaMarcus Russell, OAK 13-for-21, 121 yards, two INT
Shaun Hill, SF 22-for-27, 181 yards, TD, two FL
Troy Smith, BAL 3-for-5, 33 yards, rushing TD
Major Offensive Injuries
Niners QB Alex Smith will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery in the near future. With Trent Dilfer also likely out with a concussion, San Francisco is expected to give Shaun Hill the start. He completed 82% of his passes last week and commanded the offense with precision it hasn’t seen since Jeff Garcia. He’ll go against the Bengals on Saturday night in his first professional start. The Bengals allow 232 passing yards/gm with 24 TD so he’s an interesting gamble.
The Bears have elected to give Kyle Orton a start on Monday Night Football against the Vikings. He won nine of his last 11 games for Chicago in 2005 before giving way to Rex Grossman (out, knee) and hasn’t played since. The Bears don’t feel Brian Griese projects in their long-term plans so they might as well give the Purdue product a chance. He goes against the Vikings in the national spotlight – Minnesota is dead-last against the pass, surrendering 273.3 passing yards with 17 TDs on the season, so he’s another intriguing flyer.
Jeff Garcia (back) will return in Week 15 against the Falcons after sitting out he past two contests. Luke McCown did well in two spot starts and could be the backup next season over Chris Simms … Matt Schaub (shoulder) remains questionable for Thursday’s game against Denver. It sounds like Rosenfels will get another start at this time … Marc Bulger (concussion) and Gus Frerotte (shoulder) could be available for St. Louis this week. Whoever starts for the Rams won’t be a great option vs Green Bay.
JaMarcus Russell won’t start against Indy, but will play in Week 15. The Raiders continue to ease the No. 1 selection into the pro game. He’ll likely open next season as their starter so grab him in keeper leagues. He's going to be scary good down the road … The Dolphins will decide on their starting QB mid-week. Neither Cleo Lemon nor John Beck would be advisable plays … Phillip Rivers (knee) plans on playing in Week 15. He left for a few series against Tennessee, giving way to Billy Volek temporarily … Kyle Boller will start again for Baltimore, but Troy Smith did score a rushing TD in the closing minutes of a blowout. He could take over if Boller falters again.
Running Backs
Free Agent Possibilities
Samkon Gado, MIA 12 rushes, 52 yards, two TD, two rec, 41 yards
Fred Jackson, BUF 15 rushes, 115 yards
Darius Walker, HOU 16 rushes, 46 yards, six rec, 35 yards
Kenny Watson, CIN 10 yards rushing, six rec, 48 yards
Najeh Davenport, PIT six rushes, 33 yards, 32-yard TD rec
T.J. Duckett, DET nine rushes, 60 yards, TD
Lorenzo Booker, MIA 13 yards rushing, six rec, 34 yards
DeDe Dorsey, CIN four rushes, 81 yards
Garrett Wolfe, CHI three rushes, 13 yards, four rec, 37 yards
Major Offensive Injuries
The Texans will use Darius Walker and Adimchinobe Echemandu at running back during Thursday’s contest against Denver. Ahman Green is out for the season and Ron Dayne (ankle) is doubtful to be ready with the short week. Walker, fresh off the practice squad a couple weeks ago, will likely get the start against Denver, who ranks No. 29 against the rush. The Broncos allow 139 rushing yards/game with 10 TD, making Walker an interesting RB3/flex option this week if you’re still alive in your fantasy league. He’s capable of posting over total yards easily.
The Saints will be without Reggie Bush for the remainder of the season because of a partially torn PCL. The acclaimed physician, Dr. James Andrews, confirmed the diagnosis so the back is expected to shut it down until next season. He won’t need surgery though, so expect him – along with Deuce McAllister – to be ready for training camp in 2008. In his absence, Aaron Stecker has some value. He rushed for 100 yards on Monday Night against Atlanta.
Justin Fargas (ribs) left this week’s contest against the Packers, but said he expects to play in Week 15 against Indianapolis. After entering the season the Raiders No. 3 projected RB, Fargas has quietly rushed for 920 yards. If he cannot suit up, LaMont Jordan or Dominick Rhodes start in the backfield. Jordan filled in with 11 rushes for 21 yards Sunday … The Broncos running back situation is a tough quandary for fantasy owners, as Travis Henry won his suspension appeal, but lost the starting job to Selvin Young (156 yards). Coach Mike Shanahan has been a killer to fantasy owners over the year, so don’t be surprised if even Andre Hall has the biggest game … The Bills will continue using both Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch in their backfield. Both backs rushed for over 100 yards and QB Edwards threw four TDs last week.
Wide Receivers
Free Agent Possibilities
Anthony Gonzalez, IND six rec, 134 yards, two TD
Jabar Gaffney, NE seven rec, 122 yards, TD
Jerheme Urban, ARI six rec, 123 yards, TD
Reggie Williams, JAC five rec, 90 yards, TD
Derek Hagan, MIA eight rec, 93 yards
Nate Burleson, SEA five rec, 50 yards, TD
Mark Clayton, BAL seven rec, 90 yards
Kevin Walter, HOU five rec, 47 yards, TD
Robert Ferguson, MIN four rec, 57 yards, TD
Devin Hester, CHI five rec, 67 yards
Ted Ginn Jr., MIA four rec, 67 yards, FL
Major Offensive Injuries
D.J. Hackett (ankle) is improving, but remains questionable for Week 15. He sat out the past two contests, but Seattle doesn’t need him to rush back. Last week, Matt Hasselbeck threw TD passes to Bobby Engram, Deion Branch, Nate Burleson and TE Marcus Pollard … The Cowboys are expected to get Terry Glenn (knee surgery) back at practice this week. The veteran has missed the entire season and remains questionable for the contest. If he is able to suit up, don’t expect much production. Patrick Crayton, who is dealing with an ankle sprain, is entrenched as the No. 2 WR … It appears Jabar Gaffney has surpassed Donte’ Stallworth as the No. 2 receiver on New England. Gaffney got the start, along side Randy Moss and slot receiver Wes Welker, and caught a big TD against Pittsburgh this week. He’s found the end zone three straight weeks now.
Jerricho Cotchery was able to play through a high-ankle sprain, but was significant pain afterwards. After being rumored to be out for the season last week, his 129-yard outburst was a pleasant surprise. He’ll be questionable for next week, depending on how fast he recovers … Javon Walker (knee) did not suit up in Week 14 and is questionable for Thursday. Brandon Stokley and Brandon Marshall have solidified themselves in the starting lineup so there’s no need to rush him back … It’s anybody’s guess when Marvin Harrison will return. He’s now missed eight of the past nine contests with that bum ankle.
Tight Ends
Free Agent Possibilities
Donald Lee, GB four rec, 71 yards, TD
Robert Royal, BUF three rec, 46 yards, two TD
Daniel Graham, DEN three rec, 55 yards, TD
Delanie Walker, SF six rec, 66 yards
Sean McHugh, DET three rec, 60 yards
Greg Olsen, CHI three rec, 31 yards
Major Offensive Injuries
Todd Heap (hamstring) will try to play this week against the winless Dolphins. He’s essentially missed eight of the past nine contests with the injury. He caught 148 passes the past two seasons, but has only hauled in 23 over six games this year.
Week 15 Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 13 8:00pm ET
Denver @ Houston
Saturday, Dec. 15 8:00pm ET
Cincinnati @ San Francisco
Sunday, Dec. 16 1:00pm ET
Seattle @ Carolina
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay
Green Bay @ St. Louis
Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh
Arizona @ New Orleans
Buffalo @ Cleveland
Tennessee @ Kansas City
Baltimore @ Miami
New York Jets @ New England
Sunday, Dec. 16 4:00pm ET
Indianapolis @ Oakland
Detroit @ San Diego
Philadelphia @ Dallas
Sunday, Dec. 16 8:15pm ET
Washington @ New York Giants
Monday, Dec. 17 8:30pm ET
Chicago @ Minnesota