Week 13 Fantasy Football Sunday Scoop

Weather doesn’t look like it will be a big factor this week, which is unusual for December. There will be slight wind and drizzle forecast throughout the Northeast and Great Lakes area, but nothing that should make a huge impact on the gridiron.

With the exception of RB LeGarrette Blount, who has an excellent match-up, temper expectations for all Bucs fantasy players. Josh Freeman (shoulder) won’t be able to play, so Josh Johnson will get the starting nod for Tampa. Johnson is a lesser thrower, but better scrambler.

Tyler Palko will get another start at QB for the Chiefs. This would be a good week to bench and Kansas City fantasy players if you have decent options on your bench.

RB Michael Turner and WR Julio Jones have been listed on the injury report and been limited all week, but will both start in a crucial game for the Falcons in Houston.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson (knee) will be ACTIVE for the Jets. Interestingly, he gave an interview where he claims the Jets are resting him and plan to make him the club’s featured back for the playoffs and the crucial games ending the regular season. If this is true, he makes a good buy low candidate, and Shonn Greene will be phased out.

It’s looking like RB Kevin Smith (ankle) will play, but we shouldn’t be overly optimistic about the kind of number he’ll produce. Ankle injuries are tricky, and Smith will likely be limited as the Lions attempt to keep him healthy.

Rookie QB T.J. Yates makes his first NFL start in a match-up of playoff bound teams, as the Texans host the Falcons. Recently signed QB Jake Delhomme will serve as the back-up.

QB Kevin Kolb will return to the starting lineup as the Cardinals host the Dallas Cowboys. Kolb has missed the last four games. RB Beanie Wells looks good to go.

The Raiders offense is riddled with injuries. RB Darren McFadden will miss another game, meaning Michael Bush will continue be an excellent fantasy contributor. Projected starting wide receivers Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore will also both miss this week, elevating Darrius Heyward-Bey and Chaz Schillens to the starting lineup. MLB Rolando McClain is also expected to play, despite his arrest this week on gun charges.

RB Adrian Peterson (ankle) sits again. This is bad news for the entire Vikings offense. With Toby Gerhart starting at RB, the Broncos are likely to focus their main defensive efforts into shutting down the passing game. Percy Harvin missed practice with an illness, but he’s fine. Superb LB Von Miller (thumb) is INACTIVE.

Looks like the same old story at running back for the Colts. Joseph Addai missed some practice time, but is expected to be active. The only Indianapolis runner worth considering is Donald Brown, who will likely see an expanded role. Brown has actually fared well with his most recent opportunity. Dan Orlovsky gets the start at QB and can’t be much worse than an ineffective Curtis Painter. Orlovsky could get some decent garbage time production against the NFL’s worst ranked pass defense.

The Cowboys have been winning without their top wide receiver and will have to do so again this week. Miles Austin will sit for at least one more game, and continue to be replaced in the starting lineup with red hot Laurent Robinson, who has scored in five straight games. If you’re looking to free up a roster spot for the playoffs, go ahead and dump RB Felix Jones. Despite the fact that Jones is fully healthy, he didn’t even receive a carry last week. This is rookie DeMarco Murray‘s job now.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) has done some light practice this week and could finally return to the playing field in this crucial game against the undefeated Packers. The Giants offense has sorely missed Bradshaw, but even if he plays he’ll likely split time with Brandon Jacobs.  WR Mario Manningham (knee) is OUT, so break-out star Victor Cruz gets the start.

More injured quarterbacks: Sam Bradford won’t be able to start today, so A.J. Feely gets the difficult task of starting against a superb 49ers defense. It would be wise to bench all Rams fantasy players, including Steven Jackson. San Francisco has not given up a rushing touchdown all year.