2011 NFL Fantasy Football Week 12: Flex-Play Rankings and Projections

Kevin Smith vs. Packers

What a game it was for Kevin Smith. His road back to a healthy NFL career has been a long one since he tore his ACL toward the end of the 2009 season. Last year, Smith was with the Lions but clearly wasn’t the same player he was before his injury. Until injuries and poor play opened the door for Smith again in Detroit, he was out of the league just a few weeks back.

Two attributes I’ve always admired about Smith his big heart and determination, and those served him well in a three-touchdown performance with over 200 total yards from scrimmage on only 20 touches last week.

Smith will face off against two of the better teams in the coming weeks, but both the Packers and Saints have struggled against the run this year. Look to Smith as low-end RB-2 as he’s earned the starting job in Detroit.

Mark Ingram vs. Giants

Finally healthy from a heel injury suffered Week 7, Ingram should be a worthy flex play option this week against the Giants' defense. New York played well against the run last week until LeSean McCoy broke loose for a 60-yard run at the end of the game. While the Giants should play well early, I expect the same thing to happen this week, as New York has had trouble putting four quarters of solid run defense together lately.

The Saints love to run the football at the end of games, and if you're in need of a third running back to start, this should be a week where we see Ingram rush for over 50 yards and a score. In the end, Ingram’s missed time could work in your favor down the stretch as he will have fresh legs.

More Week 12 rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Waivers | Start/Sit

1	Arian Foster	@ Jaguars
2	LeSean McCoy	Patriots
3	Matt Forte	@ Raiders
4	Calvin Johnson	Packers
5	Greg Jennings (I)	@ Lions
6	Steve Smith	@ Colts
7	Rashard Mendenhall	Chiefs
8	DeMarco Murray	Dolphins
9	Maurice Jones-Drew	Texans
10	Larry Fitzgerald	@ Rams
11	Mike Wallace	@ Chiefs
12	Dez Bryant	Dolphins
13	Steven Jackson	Cardinals
14	Ray Rice	49ers
15	Michael Bush	Bears
16	Marshawn Lynch	Redskins
17	Michael Turner	Vikings
18	Chris Johnson	Buccaneers
19	Kevin Smith	Packers
20	Marques Colston	Giants
21	Hakeem Nicks	@ Saints
22	Wes Welker (I)	@ Eagles
23	Jordy Nelson	@ Lions
24	Laurent Robinson	Dolphins
25	Antonio Brown	@ Chiefs
26	Andre Johnson (I)	@ Jaguars
27	Fred Jackson (I)	@ Jets
28	Jonathan Stewart	@ Colts
29	LeGarrette Blount	@ Titans
30	Brandon Lloyd	Cardinals
31	Vincent Jackson	Broncos
32	Roddy White	Vikings
33	Victor Cruz	@ Saints
34	Reggie Bush	@ Cowboys
35	Willis McGahee (I)	@ Chargers
36	Ryan Mathews	Broncos
37	Percy Harvin	@ Falcons
38	Anquan Boldin	49ers
39	DeSean Jackson	Patriots
40	Frank Gore (I)	@ Ravens
41	Cedric Benson	Browns
42	Ben Tate	@ Jaguars
43	Brandon Jacobs	@ Saints
44	Chris Ogbonnaya	@ Bengals
45	Brandon Marshall	@ Cowboys
46	Mario Manningham	@ Saints
47	Jeremy Maclin (I)	Patriots
48	Santonio Holmes	Bills
49	Michael Crabtree	@ Ravens
50	Torrey Smith	49ers
51	Mike Tolbert	Broncos
52	Shonn Greene (I)	Bills
53	Toby Gerhart	@ Falcons
54	Sidney Rice (I)	Redskins
55	Jerome Simpson	Browns
56	Denarius Moore	Bears
57	Dwayne Bowe	Steelers
58	Mike Williams (TB)	@ Titans
59	Darren Sproles	Giants
60	Beanie Wells (I)	@ Rams
61	BenJarvus Green-Ellis (I)	@ Eagles
62	DeAngelo Williams	@ Colts
63	Harry Douglas	Vikings
64	James Jones	@ Lions
65	Earl Bennett	@ Raiders
66	Mark Ingram	Giants
67	C.J. Spiller	@ Jets
68	Lance Moore	Giants
69	Damian Williams	Buccaneers
70	Eric Decker	@ Chargers
71	Vincent Brown	Broncos
72	Titus Young	Packers
73	Reggie Wayne	Panthers
74	Roy Helu	@ Seahawks
75	Jackie Battle	Steelers