BEWARE OF BUST
MICHAEL VICK
QB FALCONS
vs.
Redskins
How likely is itthat a quarterback would run for 166 yards and still post a lousy fantasyscore? That's exactly what happened to Vick on Sunday against the Saints. Itdidn't help that his receivers dropped loads of passes, one of which comicallybounced off the face of a wide-open Roddy White. But no one with a vestedinterest in Vick, who threw for just 84 yards, is laughing. With its27th-ranked pass defense, Washington would seem to provide Vick an opportunityfor a turnaround, but new QB Jason Campbell's moxy has rubbed off on thedefense. Last week the Redskins' D had its best showing of the year, holdingthe Panthers to 246 total yards and blocking two punts. The secondary, whichhas taken its lumps, held WR Steve Smith in check (five catches for 34 yards).The best thing going for Vick: On the road he's likely to get a warmerreception than he did in Atlanta on Sunday.
QUARTERBACK
ELI MANNING
Giants VS. Cowboys
True, Manning has thrown five TD passes in three career games against Dallas,but he has been in a slump (10 picks in his last seven, more than 200 yardsjust once) and injuries to tackle Luke Petitgout and wideout Amani Toomer arehindering the offense. Plus, the Cowboys allow fewer than one passing TD pergame.
VINCE YOUNG
Titans VS. Colts
How might Tennessee pull off the upset of the year? Well, it won't be throughthe air. The Titans will attack the league's worst run defense with heavy dosesof RB Travis Henry, who had 123 yards in a one-point Week 5 loss to Indy. Youngwill pile up yards by scrambling, but he won't be passing downfield much.
MARC BULGER
Rams VS. Cardinals
Once a fantasy must-start, Bulger has struggled the last three weeks, throwingfor 558 yards and one touchdown with three interceptions as injuries haveforced changes along the offensive line. Meanwhile, Arizona has given up only12 passing TDs this year, just two more than the Ravens' vaunted D.
RUNNING BACK
THOMAS JONES
Bears VS. Vikings
Last week at New England, Jones ran 23 times for 99 yards but failed to score.Cedric Benson picked up a TD while carrying just 10 times (for 46 yards)--a badomen for Jones owners. Neither back will have much of an impact againstMinnesota, which has allowed just 56.6 yards rushing per game.
WARRICK DUNN
Falcons AT Redskins
Washington has surrendered a league-low three rushing touchdowns this season.(A horrific pass defense may have a lot to do with that.) Dunn has failed togain 100 yards rushing in his last six games, a span in which he has scoredthree times but has netted 100 yards from scrimmage only once.
CHESTERTAYLOR
Vikings AT Bears
Before moving to St. Louis and then Arizona, the Cardinals called Chicago home.That's about the only shared distinction between the team that Taylor torchedfor 136 yards last week and the one that he'll face at Soldier Field. The Bearsheld Taylor to 74 yards and no TDs in Week 3 at Minnesota.
WIDE RECEIVER
MARTY BOOKER
Dolphins VS. Jaguars
New quarterback Joey Harrington has quickly developed a chemistry with Booker,but he won't be facing a patsy defense like the Lions', which he burned for 115yards and two TDs on Thanksgiving. Jacksonville hasn't allowed a wide receiverto surpass 65 receiving yards for five straight games.
KEYSHAWNJOHNSON
Panthers AT Eagles
After a strong start to the season Johnson hasn't been getting the damn balllately: In his last six games he has one touchdown reception and has failed togain more than 55 yards. Against a similar Philadelphia defense last year,Johnson (with the Cowboys) averaged 51.5 yards and did not score.
SANTANA MOSS
Redskins VS. Falcons
Like most young QBs, Washington's Jason Campbell has been sticking to the easystuff: short routes to tight ends and running backs. (He has hit Chris Cooleyor Ladell Betts 15 times in two games.) In Moss's first game back from ahamstring injury, he had three catches for 12 yards against the Panthers.
TIGHT END
VERNON DAVIS
49ers AT Saints
Owners of Davis have been eagerly waiting since Week 3 for the rookie torecover from a fractured fibula. But while he made his first catch since theopener on Sunday, Davis is too rusty to be counted on, especially against a NewOrleans defense that has allowed only seven completions (and just one TD) toopposing tight ends over its last four games.
KICKER
JASON HANSON
Lions AT Patriots
Even though the footing on Gillette Stadium's new FieldTurf is a lot betterthan than the natural grass it replaced, the Razor is still not a good placefor opponents to try to score--because of the tough New England defense.Without RB Kevin Jones, Detroit will have an even harder time moving the ball,making field goal opportunities rare to come by.
DEFENSE
RAVENS ATBengals
Cincinnati has averaged 34.0 points over its last three games, and CarsonPalmer has thrown nine TD passes and just two interceptions in that span. Andthough it shut out the Steelers on Sunday at home, the Baltimore defense hasgiven up an average of 24.0 points in its last two games away from M&T BankStadium.
FISH OR CUTBAIT?
CHARLIE FRYE
QB BROWNS
Owners hoped thatFrye, with the help of WR Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow Jr., wouldbecome a good fantasy option when Cleveland replaced conservative offensivecoordinator Maurice Carthon with Jeff Davidson before Week 8. But underDavidson's schemes Frye has yet to pass for 250 yards or multiple touchdowns ina game. On Sunday against a Bengals defense ripe for the picking, he racked upjust 186 yards and was intercepted four times. After the 30--0 blowout, it'stime to make a change.
WEEK 13 INJURYWATCH
RONNIE BROWN RBDolphins
out, broken hand
DALLAS CLARK TEColts
sprained knee
MARQUES COLSTON WRSaints
sprained ankle
CHRIS PERRY RBBengals
out, broken ankle
TROY POLAMALU SSteelers
sprained knee
JUNIOR SEAU LBPatriots
out, broken arm
HINES WARD WRSteelers
hyperextended knee
For the latestinjury news, go to SI.com/football/nfl/injuries.
PHOTO
SIMON BRUTY
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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH
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G. NEWMAN LOWRANCE/WIREIMAGE.COM
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JOHN BIEVER
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TOM DAHLIN
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JASON ARNOLD/ICON SMI
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WILLIAM E. AMATUCCI JR./WIREIMAGE.COM
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DAMIAN STROHMEYER
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PETER READ MILLER
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PETER NEWCOMB/WIREIMAGE.COM
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LEON HALIP/WIREIMAGE.COM
