Fantasy Football NFL Week 12 Waiver Wire Picks From the Experts

RUNNING BACKS

Each week we at FFSpin.com scour the injury reports and analyze the box scores to offer up some players that are primed for fantasy glory but may still be floating around as free agents.  Four offenses (Kansas City, Oakland, NY Giants, and NY Jets) are averaging over 145 rushing yards per game.  The worst rushing can be found in Seattle,  Arizona, Detroit, Dallas, and Denver.  Those teams are hobbling along at a clip of only 90 yards per contest.

The five best teams at plugging up the run (allowing less than 90 yards/game) belong to Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York (Jets and Giants), and San Diego.  Two unfortunately rushers who have to run into those stout defensive lines are Fred Jackson (vs PIT)  and Cedric Benson (@NYJ).  Both are coming off strong performances, but may find less day light in week 12.  Maurice Jones-Drew has been on fire and remains a must start, but temper your expectations against the New York Giants who boast the third ranked run defense.  

The worst run defenses (allowing over 130 yards/game) exists in Arizona, Indy, Tampa, Denver, and Buffalo.  Many elite options have opponents they can feast off of over the Thanksgiving weekend.  Ray Rice (@ TB), Frank Gore (vs ARZ), Steven Jackson (vs DEN) and Rashard Mendenhall (@ BUF) have it made.  San Diego’s Mike Tolbert (vs Indy) could be a top 20 option in week 12, especially if rookie Ryan Mathews (ankle) remains sidelined.

With only 2 weeks remaining before most fantasy playoffs (weeks14-16), let’s take a look at the remaining NFL schedule to determine which teams face defenses that have been shredded by opposing RBs and which teams face a bevy of formidable pass defenses that should be avoided if you have a legitimate alternative.

Best remaining RB schedules (Weeks 12-16): Dallas, San Diego, San Fran, Kansas City, and Tennessee

Worst remaining RB schedules (Weeks 12-16):  Washington, Carolina, Philadelphia, Buffalo, and Cincinnati

VIEWS:

Rotoworld.com is on board with adding Detroit’s Maurice Morris as rookie Javhid Best’s injuries are piling up and could result in him missing this Thursday’s game (Kevin Smith was already placed on IR ending his season).

BrunoBoys.Net recommends adding Indy’s Donald Brown as the 2009 first round pick flashed his potential in week 11 and could remain the starter with Addai and Hart continuing to battle injuries.  

CBSSports.com points out that Carolina’s Mike Goodson could remain the starter after two impressive performances  - DeAngelo is on IR and Jonathan Stewart continues to battle concussion symptoms.

LestersLegends.com believes that the Saints Chris Ivory is worth adding as the injury news on Pierre Thomas continues to get worse and Reggie Bush will be used more as a pass catcher if he returns this week. 

FANTASY FOOTBALL SPIN:

Carolina has only two 100-yard rushing games this season - both from Mike Goodson over the past two weeks. His week 11 performance against Baltimore’s8th ranked run defense demonstrates his potential for fantasy success as long as he keeps the starting job.  As Jonathan Stewart continues to battle concussion symptoms, the Panthers have no reason to rush him back in what has amounted to a lost season. Goodson has displayed a great size/speed combo but the 212 pound Texas A&M alum has yet to find the end zone. Considering favorable matchups on the horizon like Cleveland (19th vs run) and Seattle (14th) he’s definitely worth adding and starting as long as Stewart remains sidelined.

The Saints run game ranks 26th in the NFL as they averaging only 95 yards per game and added just 4 rushing TDs this season.  In 2009, the New Orleans 3-headed rushing attack (Thomas, Bell, Bush) finished 6th in the NFL averaging 132 yards per outing.  Pierre Thomas hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury in week 3 and Reggie Bush has been sideline since fracturing his fibula in week 2. 

Bush has a chance to suit up in week 12 and would bring needed explosiveness to a team that clearly misses that facet of his game.   Pierre Thomas’ return is uncertain as reports this week indicate he may have suffered a setback, only a guy with a French name could miss 9 weeks with a sprained ankle!  Why did we save the French again?  But, I digress; Chris Ivory displayed a violent running style last week that resulted in 23 carries for 99 yards and a TD.  On the season, the 22 year old Tiffin College alum has posted an impressive 4.8 ypc, gaining 481 yards on 101 carries.  The end zone remains elusive for the youngster who has just one TD.  Over the next two weeks New Orleans has favorable matchups with Dallas (23rd vs run) and Cincy (22nd).  The playoff schedule is not as forgiving for the Saints.  The play games against St Louis (6th), Baltimore (8th), and Atlanta (7th).  Those are great reasons why you should be shopping any Saints RB who has a big week.

Maurice Morris is worth considering especially for Javhid Best owners.  The rookie’s turf toe injuries are worsening and the Lions would be smart to rest their back of the future.  In week 11, Morris carried 10 times for 31 yards and caught 4 passes for 40 yards indicating that he is a smart target for those in PPR leagues. The 30 year old Morris lacks Best’s explosiveness but could have a great chance at 12-15 carries and 5-7 catches on Thanksgiving.  The Lions are on a short work with a Thursday matchup against New England meaning that Best won’t have much time to recover after appearing to re-aggravate his toe injury in week 11.

See the full report on Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers at FFSpin.com.