Tuesday December 7th, 2004 Page updated at 5:40pm
FantasyFootball Grab Bag For Week 14
By: David Bachman
Fantasy Football Editor For WagerOnFootball.com

Week 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14  .15 . 16 . 17

Some Tuesday Thoughts

Well, the playoffs are upon us, which pretty much renders this page obsolete. Those of you who made the playoffs pretty much have your teams intact for the rest of the way. Congrats and good luck. Those of you who didn’t make the playoffs probably don’t much care about picking up anyone at this point anyway.
Jerry Rice caught a touchdown pass on Monday night while getting away with a push-off. Talk about a blast from the past.

I happened to be watching the end of the Chiefs / Raiders game Sunday. The Raiders were driving down the field with a little more than a minute left on the clock. The announcer informed the audience that Sebastian Janikowski was capable of making a 55 yard field goal. Which would have been useful information had the Raiders not been down by 7 points. Sometimes I wonder if some of these guys are really paying attention to the games they are calling.

Touches - Shouldering the load: Most active RB's (carries+catches)

1 Nick Goings, CAR 42
2 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD 35
3 Clinton Portis, WAS 34
4 Julius Jones, DAL 33
5 Fred Taylor, JAC 32
6 Kevin Jones, DET 30
7 Steven Jackson, STL 29
8 Curtis Martin, NYJ 27
9 Chester Taylor, BAL 26
10 Willis McGahee, BUF 24
10 Shaun Alexander, SEA 24

My Favorite I Wish I had Them All Qb’s

1 IND Peyton Manning

He threw for “only” three touchdowns but made up for that horrendous production by putting up 425 yards. The Texans remember how Indy ran up the score on them four weeks ago, but will it really matter?

2 PHI Donovan McNabb

McNabb put up Manning-esque numbers against the hapless Packer defense, and this week goes up against the same Washington D he riddled for four touchdowns on Nov. 21.

3 MIN Daunte Culpepper

The Bears usually seem to give the Vikings fits in Chicago, yet Culpepper still had a good fantasy day. He should find the going much easier at home against the Seahawks.

Some Rb’s I wish I had

1 KC Larry Johnson

Priest will miss Kansas City’s Week 14 Monday night visit to Tennessee and the prevailing hope around Chiefs camp is a Week 15 return in Kansas City against the Broncos.

2 NYG Tiki Barber

Tom Coughlin’s house of cards continues to tumble as the Giants offense under rookie Eli Manning has been anything but “Easy”, most recently displayed in last Sunday’s 31-7 skinning by Washington. Consequently, Barber’s dream 2004 season is increasingly headed for troubled waters as his 38 yards on 15 carries with no receptions and a fumble against the Skins will attest. Perhaps there’s a break this week…oh geez…a road trip to Baltimore and a spurned group of Ravens defenders who just ate major crow last week when Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer went John Elway on them in the Bengals stirring 27-26 comeback win last Sunday.

3 SD LaDainian Tomlinson

A vintage LT performance in a rare, meaningful late season game in his young Chargers career as his 113 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 30 carries keyed San Diego’s 20-17 triumph over the Denver Broncos in the pivotal contest for the AFC West divisional title. This Sunday the Bolts welcome Tampa Bay, a team that has not defended the run well in their last two road games, to the west coast.

4 SEA Shaun Alexander

Alexander struggled for most of the Monday night home matchup with the Cowboys but turned it on in the fourth quarter to finish with 83 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns, now tying Priest Holmes for the NFL lead with 15. The Seahawks travel to Minnesota for Week 14.

5 NYJ Curtis Martin Martin

buoyed by the return of team leader Chad Pennington, ran over and through visiting Houston for 134 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns (1 rush, 1 rec.) in the Jets 29-7 home win over the Texans. Fantasy owners of Martin, many facing their first playoff game this week, have to view his road game against difficult Pittsburgh, yielding only 3.5 yards per carry to opponents, with great apprehension.

6 DEN Tatum Bell

Two straight losses have the Broncos looking for answers. It’s been proven time and time again that head coach Mike Shanahan believes any RB can succeed in his system. Rookie Tatum Bell received seven carries in Sunday’s loss to the Chargers. As the season draws to a close, Bell could continue to see opportunities. If you’re counting on Droughns, consider backing him up with Bell for your playoff run.

OK Lets Get Onto The Week 14 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire

Chad Hutchinson, QB, Bears (18-30, 213 yards, 3 TDs; 3 carries, 14 yards, 1 lost fumble): So much for Jeff George as Hutchinson sparkled in his Bears' debut. Like Craig Krenzel, he won his game. Unlike Krenzel, Hutchinson actually put up nice numbers. Those in fantasy playoffs probably shouldn't take a risk on him, but others could take a flyer.

Chris Chandler, QB, Rams (18-27, 216 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT): The veteran signal caller did just fine in place of the injured Marc Bulger. Chandler would make a nice fill-in if you need to replace Bulger for the stretch run ... if Bulger's injury is serious, which it may not be.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals

Of the three wideouts who were recommended earlier this year a couple times. He's the one that keeps popping back up here. Unfortunately, he has the toughest remaining schedule. Of course, the argument could be made that Houshmandzadeh’s tremendous success in Week 13 came against the Baltimore Ravens. And if he can succeed against the Ravens, he can succeed against anyone. Perhaps, but I’d still give the slight edge to Evans and Bryant, who have much easier schedules.

Lee Evans, WR, Bills

The first-round pick was supposed to give Bledsoe a solid second option, but he's been inconsistent all year. He still needs to put together another strong week to really be considered in the fantasy playoffs, but games like these increase his stock for next season.

Antonio Bryant, Browns

He followed up a breakout performance in Week 12 with another great game on Sunday. With Cleveland out of playoff contention and an interim coach manning the ship, Bryant will likely continue to be a major factor as the front office evaluates their needs for 2005.

Marty Booker, Dolphins

Earlier in the year, it was foolish to shop Miami’s offense for free agents. However, the Dolphins have really been clicking lately. They’ve scored 24+ points in the last two weeks. They’re another one of those teams that needs to evaluate its players for next season. In particular, Miami needs to find out what type of player they have in QB A.J. Feely. Expect them to continue to feature a pass-oriented offense. As a result, Marty Booker could see more stats like the ones he posted Sunday.

Patrick Ramsey, QB, Redskins

Is this a one-week phenomenon or a sign of things to come? I don't think even Ramsey knows the answer to that. And for what it's worth, his three TD passes went to tight ends and running backs, not receivers.

Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs

It's about time he stepped to the forefront with Holmes out. If Holmes can't go next week, it should be Johnson starting over Blaylock.

David Terrell, WR, Bears

Yes, he's back on this list because he seems to have found a nice rapport with Hutchinson. Oddly, Terrell only caught his first TD of the season on Sunday.

Billy Volek, QB, Titans

Another returnee to the list. He got the start over the injured Steve McNair and played well early. You're best to keep him on a bench somewhere because McNair's health is too iffy.

Luke McCown, QB, Browns

He got the start because of injuries to Jeff Garcia and Kelly Holcomb and did decent stats, although he was playing from behind for most of the game. He's at least a better play than John Navarre, who threw four picks in his NFL debut for the Cardinals.

The Only Fantasy Defense I could think of to pick up.....

Green Bay Packers @ Lambeau vs The Lions

After a bloody Sunday against the Eagles, look for a bounce-back performance from the Packers defense in Week 14. In their last three home games against the Lions, the Green Bay’s defense has been dominant. They’ve held Detroit to less than a touchdown in two of those three match-ups. Even more impressive, they’ve scored two defensive touchdowns, recorded eight sacks, seven INTs and one fumble recovery. Maybe it’s the Lambeau Field mystique. More likely it’s the Lions QB stink.

Week 13 STUD I'll say this for Julius Jones: the guy is a horse. Really, if the over the hill Eddie George hadn't gotten into Tunas early doghouse and JJ gets put on IR way back in October we wouldn't be seeing this talent emerging right now. Best move you've made in a while TUNA.

As always folks check back for my Fantasy Football column tomorrow, and until then good luck with your Tuesday Night waiver wire pickups.

Week 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14  .15 . 16 . 17

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