Fantasy Football Focus: Week 12: Bye Week Replacements

***Nick's New York State of Mind***

As we enter the final weeks of the fantasy football season, most of us are concerned about the playoff picture. Who should we start, and who should we bench? But the most important question is, how many points can I actually get with this player? The match ups should be the deciding factor. The main ingredient in your championship dish is now choosing the right qb. The first 11 weeks we stick to the script and remain patient, but if you're dealing with injuries or even a lack luster performance (Matt Ryan) then you might want to pick up a qb with the best match up. My second key ingredient is finding the team defense that's on a roll. The New York Giants have been just that for the last 3 games. My running back pick of the week is Indy's Donald Brown. For the past 3 weeks he's put up a total of 209 yards and 3 td’s, making the Cleveland Browns look much smarter than they really are. In the famous words of Steve Smith “Ice up son, Ice up”. Don’t be scared to make a one week choice to better your chances of becoming a legend. ~ New York Nick

What's up Football Family?!? Welcome to week 12 of the fantasy football season! This week marks the end of the dreaded bye weeks (applause)...with Cincinnati, Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Seattle sitting this one out. If you need to replace a player from one of these squads, or as New York Nick suggested, looking to tweak your roster to the best match ups available, then you've once again come to the right place. The Boys are back with that news you can use for week 12.

So LET'S...GET...STARTED!!!!!

Rueben Randle: WR, New York Giants

Rueben Randle hauled in yet another td last week for the G-Men, giving him an impressive six td's over the last seven games. Look for Randle to extend that streak this week against Dallas, who's giving up over 310 yards a game through the air....dead last in the league.

Delanie Walker: TE, Tennessee

One of the lone bright spots during Tennessee's losing streak has been tight end Delanie Walker. Setting career highs last week for receptions (10) and yards (91), Walker has quickly become the favorite red zone target for back up qb Ryan Fitzpatrick. Walker's three td's over the last four games makes him a solid play against Oakland this week, who's 25th against the pass....giving up over 250 yards a game through the air. 

***Big Mike's Match Ups***

Le'Veon Bell: RB, Pittsburgh

Bell turned in a solid performance last week against Detroit, racking up 96 total yards and a td. Le'Veon's receiving ability (at least 3 rec's in all but one game this year) makes him an attractive flex play option with upside. Cleveland, this week's opponent, was gashed by a rb with similar catching abilities last week for 96 total yards and four receptions...making this a solid match up in Bell's favor this week. 

Cecil Shorts: WR, Jacksonville

Even without suspended wr Justin Blackmon for most of the season, Jacksonville's Cecil Shorts has been a model of consistency this year. Shorts has at least seven receptions in 5 of 9 games this year, and no fewer than two catches in any game this year. Shorts should be able to continue that trend this week against a Houston team that has put a stamp on it and mailed it in for the season, evidenced by them giving up 3 td's to a rookie back up qb from Oakland named Matt McGloin last week. Another solid match up play for Shorts.

***Homer Alert***

If you are an owner of Baltimore's Ray Rice, and plan on starting him this week, then you...my friend...are on homer alert. Yes, Rice had a great game last week vs Chicago with 148 total yards and a td. But that performance had One Week Wonder written all over it. Last week was Rice's first 100 yard game...of the year! Not only that, Rice has eclipsed 45 yards rushing only three times the entire year. This week Rice has a brutal match up against the New York Jets and their top ranked run defense. A defense that's giving up less than 74 yards a game on the ground. It's raining Red Flags in Baltimore this week.

Be sure to check out Big Mike's College Picks of the Week this Saturday morning.....

Life is a sport...so always play to win! Good Luck!!

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