In week 12 we will see fantasy super stars like Marshawn Lynch and A.J. Green inactive due to a bye week. Luckily we have some pretty favorable matchups this week when some pretty good players, meet some poor defensive units. You also have to factor in that it is the end of the season, giving the games a little drama factor. There are a lot of players that have a good chance of to go big and rack up the points. But these are my five favorite players to put up big points.
5. Tavon Austin Receiver St. Louis Rams
Austin had a really good game last week against the Colts on offense and special teams. This week him and the Rams are playing the Bears in St Louis. The Bears defense has struggled this season with their leader Lance Briggs out due to injury. With his elevated play from last week I expect the Rams to try and get him the ball in space more often this week. It will be hard for the Bears to contain him because he can line up at any spot on the field. I’m looking for another big game from Austin and the Rams against a weak Bears defense.
4. Peyton Manning Quarterback Denver Broncos
Manning has proved to be a top five fantasy player every week this year. After throwing for 323 yards against a really good Kansas City defense, I’ve lost faith in any team doing much better. This week he’s matchup against a Patriot’s team that shouldn’t be able to stop all of his receivers. I expect Wes Welker to play well against his old squad since that seems to always happen in the NFL. Manning should also be tired of hearing about how he can’t beat Tom Brady. Brady has owned Manning in the past but now Manning has his favorite target. This week Manning will make up for some of the heartache the New England Patriots have caused him in the past.
3. Drew Brees Quarterback New Orleans Saints
Brees is a bad Mother shut yo mouth and he is up against division rival Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have had the worst luck this year and have been bit by the injury bug. A team expected to compete for home field advantage in the playoffs is now looking towards next year. The Falcons defense is currently ranked 29th in the league, not where you want to be when facing Brees and the Saints. Brees and his unit are having an outstanding year so far in 2013. With weapons like Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles Brees is in for a big game against the weak Atlanta defense. I also don’t have faith in the Falcons offenses ability to stay on the field and keep Brees on the sideline. Sorry Atlanta fans it’s not looking too good for the Falcons right now.
2. Case Keenum Quarterback Houston Texans
I like Keenum a lot, mostly because of the weapons he has around him. He didn’t play well against Oakland like I predicted he would but he has another opportunity for points this week. The Texans are matched up against the Jacksonville Jaguars arguably the worst team in the league. The only team that is worse than the Jaguars on defense at this point is the Minnesota Vikings, and they’re missing a lot of starters due to injury. Keenum can have a career day against the Jags defense. The Jaguars are giving up 390 yards per game! Along with around 31 points as well. Keenum should have a good game against a team that is competing for the number one pick in the draft next year.
1. Eddie Lacy Running back Green Bay Packers
Lacy is one of the best rookie running backs in this years rookie class. This week he’s going up against the league's worst defense in the league and the Packers are having trouble replacing Aaron Rodgers. The Packers really need this game too after dropping the last three games. With all issues in the passing game the Packers should rely on Lacy to help move the offense up and down the field.
This game will be the perfect game to feature Lacy as well against bad/injured Vikings unit. The Vikings are allowing almost 400 yards a game along with 32 points per game. There’s no way they will keep Lacy from putting up numbers this week, I expect big things from this young ball carrier. I’m predicting at least 15 points for Lacy this week, maybe even more.