Justin Forsett, Bernard Pierce's Instant Fantasy Reaction After Week 12

Justin Forsett has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners and the Baltimore Ravens, who have deployed him as their feature back in 2014 with exceptional results.

Week 12 saw Baltimore travel to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to take on the inconsistent New Orleans Saints defense, giving both Forsett and backfield mate Bernard Pierce the chance to thrive.

Name	CAR	YDS	REC	YDS	TD	Fantasy Points
Justin Forsett	22	182	2	8	2 (rush)	30
Bernard Pierce	7	28	1	6	0	2

Forsett had already exceeded 100 yards in the opening half, has produced like a fantasy RB1 for most of the year and is a supreme RB2 even in thinner leagues. His emergence has all but made Pierce an afterthought in the Baltimore offense.

ESPN AFC North expert Jamison Hensley observed how quickly Forsett was getting north and south on Monday night:

Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has a history of grooming successful, previously unheralded ball-carriers from his lengthy stints in Denver and Houston. It appears Forsett is the next in line to exceed 1,000 yards rushing under Kubiak's watch.

Fantasy owners face a dilemma in deciding which handcuff option to choose between Pierce and rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro. Both have a near-equal amount of carries this season, and while Pierce has proved himself in the past, Taliaferro is younger and has more upside.

Based on what transpired in Week 12, Pierce seems like the safe bet to hold onto for the foreseeable, as he enters a contract year in 2015 and will have plenty to prove.