This article references A.j. Green, Adrian Peterson, Alex Smith, Alfred Blue, Andre Ellington, Andre Johnson, Andre Williams, Andrew Luck, Anthony Fasano, Anthony Sherman, Antonio Brown, Arian Foster, Ben Roethlisberger, Ben Tate, Bobby Rainey, Brandon Lafell, Brandon Weeden, Brian Quick, Cam Newton, Carson Palmer, Charles Sims, Chris Ivory, Chris Johnson, Colin Kaepernick, Damien Williams, Daniel Thomas, Darren Mcfadden, Deandre Hopkins, DeAngelo Williams, DEF, DeMarco Murray, Denard Robinson, DeSean Jackson, Dez Bryant, Doug Martin, Frank Gore, Giovani Bernard, Houston Texans, Jamaal Charles, Jason Witten, Jeremy Hill, Jeremy Maclin, Jerrick McKinnon, Jimmy Graham, Joe McKnight, John Carlson, Julian Edelman, Justin Brown, Justin Forsett, Kenny Britt, Khiry Robinson, Lamar Miller, Larry Fitzgerald, LeSean McCoy, Lorenzo Talia, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Mark Ingram, Mark Sanchez, Markus Wheaton, Marshawn Lynch and more! We're Officially Halfway Through the NFL SeasonWeek 8's NFL slate had some absurd fantasy performances and real-life outcomes, followed up by an equally crazy Week 9. With six teams on a bye, there were bound to be some holes to fill in your league, especially when you consider the caliber of teams that were off. It's not going to get any less concerning in Week 10, with yet another six teams off, so hopefully you've managed to garner some depth by now. There were some performance[...] Keep on reading: Week 9 NFL Recap: Injuries, Breakout Performers & Game by Game Analysis

Players of Note Brandon LaFell, WR, New England - LaFell was 'thrown to' 14 times in Week 9, which is 3 more than Gronk. While the fantasy football world may not have faith in LaFell, it appears that Tom Brady does. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay - Evans set a season, and career, high with 13 'targets' and 7 receptions. His star is rising and fast. Percy Harvin, WR, New York Jets - Harvin had 11 receptions while being 'thrown to' 13 times. Both were season highs. It's pretty clear that the Jets don't view Harvin as just a gadget-type player. Mychal Rivera, TE, Oakland - Need TE help? He was 'thrown to' 11 times for 8 receptions. Both season highs. Jason Witten, TE, Dallas - Witten had a season high 6 receptions. He appears to be Brandon Weeden's BFF. But not so much Romo anymore. Hey, I'm Open! Ladarius Green, TE, San Diego - Green was 'thrown to' only once in Week 9. What a waste of talent. Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis - After finishing Week 8 with a stat line of 7/113/1, he was 'thrown to' only once in Week 9. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota - Was 'thrown to' 7 times for 1 reception. Between dropped passes and erratic QB play, this season has turned into a disaster for Patterson. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Seattle - Maybe this will make Patterson owners feel better. Kearse was 'thrown to' 8 times and only caught 1. Of course, Patterson was probably in your lineup while Kearse was not. For access to the complete Scoring Opportunities interactive tool click here. Data updated through 2014 week 9 Legend Thrown To Ball was thrown to the player (also known as a 'target') Scoring Opportunities Player was thrown to and the play started inside the 10 or ended inside the 5 yard line RedZone Opportunities Player was thrown to and the line of scrimmage was inside the 20 yard line Heart Breaks Player was thrown to more than 5 yards down the field and the play ended inside the 5 yard line All statistics in this report include plays that were nullified by penalty *Season-high Player Team Thrown to Recepts Reception % Scoring Opps Scoring Opps Resulting in a TD % of Scoring Opps Resulting in a TD RedZone Opps RedZone Opps Resulting in a TD % of RedZone Opps Resulting in a TD Heart breaks Brown, Antonio PIT 18* 11* 61.1 8* 1 12.5 7 0 0.0 0 Sanders, Emmanuel DEN 16* 10 62.5 5* 0 0.0 5 0 0.0 0 LaFell, Brandon NEP 14* 6 42.9 6* 1 16.7 6 1 16.7 0 Evans, Mike TBB 13* 7* 53.8 7* 2 28.6 7 2 28.6 0 Harvin, Percy NYJ 13* 11* 84.6 7* 0...

SURPRISES Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay - He's been coming on slowly but Week 9's line of 7/124/2 just gave notice to veteran Vincent Jackson that the changing of the guard may have already happened. Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville - If you had Hurns in your lineup this week then you were either really desperate or you're a soothsayer. Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati - Everyone expected Hill to have a good game filling in for the injured Gio Bernard, but not 29 fantasy points good! Hill's 60-yard TD run in the 4th quarter to ice the game showed that he's a lot more than just a short-yardage back. Bernard won't get Wally Pipp'd, but Hill should be a factor in the Bengals running game even when Bernard returns. Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota - Given up for dead, Asiata comes out of nowhere for 26 yards rushing...and 3 TDs. Jerick McKinnon owners are cursing the Vikings coaching staff today. Mychal Rivera, TE, Oakland - The yardage wasn't there, but with a line of 8/38/2, Rivera may actually have some fantasy value going forward. DISAPPOINTMENTS Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas - Bryant had a big fat goose egg going into the 4th quarter of Sunday's game. He finished 2/15/1. Yeah, I know a lot of the problem was QB Brandon Weeden, but Bryant can't afford to drop the balls that are on target. Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington - With a stat line of 3/15/0, Garcon has become an afterthought in the Washington offense. Branden Oliver, RB, San Diego - He had 13 carries for 19 yards. Hopefully you sold high a few weeks back. Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh - If I told you Big Ben was going to pass for another 6 TDs, what would you have wagered that Miller would have finished with a better line than 1/14/0? So would I. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota - Although QB Teddy Bridgewater passed for 268 yards, Patterson was only able to put up a line of 1/9/0 on 7 targets. Part of it was Bridgewater's fault as he overthrew Patterson on what could have been a long TD. But on the flip-side, Patterson needs to stop dropping passes. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina - 2/18/0 on 10 targets, including a dropped TD pass. If only Steve Smith Sr. had some game left. For access to the compete interactive Points Scored tool click here. *Season-high # Player Team Opp Position Pass Yds Pass TDs Rush Yds Rush TDs Rec Rec Yds Rec TDs Fum Lost Pts 1 Roethlisberger, Ben PIT BAL QB 340 6 1 0 0 0 0 1 36 2 Maclin, Jeremy PHI @HOU WR 0 0 0 0 6 158 2 0 34 3 Evans, Mike TBB @...

This article references Brandon Weeden, Cole Beasley, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Lance Dunbar, Miles Austin, SP, Tony Romo, WR and more! There is no way around the belief that the Dallas Cowboys have gotten even worse than they were during their 8-8 2013 campaign. They are a very dynamic offense with game breaking players which in fantasy world is what is really important. The defense however is looking miserably bad, highlighted by the losses of Ware and Lee. But we're here to talk about fantasy football, and the Cowboys offensive line will help their dynamic offensive players looking pretty juicy and safe during your draft.[...] Keep on reading: Dallas Cowboys: 2014 Fantasy Football Analysis & Team Outlook

This article references Arian Foster, Ben Roethlisberger, Ben Tate, Brandon Weeden, Brian Hoyer, Jason Campbell, Jay Cutler, Jordan Cameron, Josh Gordon, Miles Austin and more! How Do the Browns Stack Up for Fantasy Football in 2014?Offseason Acquisitions -- WR Miles Austin, WR Nate Burleson, WR Earl Bennett, RB Ben TateNo Longer on the Roster -- Expected suspension for WR Josh GordonCoaching Changes -- Entirely new regime including Head Coach Mike Pettine, Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan and Defensive Coordinator Jim O'NeilAt first glance, it might appear as though the Cleveland Browns are a team to completely avoid as far as the 2014[...] Keep on reading: Cleveland Browns: 2014 Fantasy Football Analysis & Team Outlook

Kelvin Benjamin Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State Scott's analysis - Kelvin Benjamin possesses physical tools that most prospects can only dream of. He is going to wow us this weekend at the combine. At 6'5", 235 pounds with a likely mid-4.5 40-time, Benjamin is going to cement his status as a first round draft pick. That said, yes, Benjamin possesses all of the physical tools that we want in a WR. He's a true monster and almost impossible to cover, especially in the red zone. However, there are a lot of warts in his game at this point that will prevent him from having an immediate impact on the NFL. Let's start with the most glaring (to me anyway): Benjamin is a below-average route runner who has simply used his size to his advantage. He seems disinterested at times when running routes, which makes it much easier for smaller and inferior defenders to defend him. Additionally, there have been times where he has shown a lack of effort. He had a relatively high drop percentage last year, which I believe is because of a lack of focus. He's always been better than his competition, simply because he's been more physically talented; that won't happen in the NFL. For a player with his immense size, he doesn't use his body well to gain separation from smaller defenders off the line, either. As someone who needs time to develop and grasp the professional game, he is a ‘project' type of player in which I will have to draft day one in order to acquire. Benjamin is also a bit older. Despite coming off a national-championship season as a redshirt sophomore, Benjamin just celebrated his 23rd birthday. While he's not encroaching Brandon Weeden territory, his age should be a bit worrisome in terms of his long term development. He has yet to get subtle nuances of the game, and had reportedly struggled picking up the nuances of Florida State's offense. It's difficult to believe he'll be better at the next level. I see Benjamin as a boom-or-bust kind of player. Inevitably, he'll gain comparisons to Calvin Johnson or Alshon Jeffery based on his size. Unfortunately, there are too many similar big-bodied WRs that have busted, he reminds us of Stephen Hill. Mark and I were all over the huge bust potential of Stephen Hill before the 2012 draft. I do see a much better player in Benjamin than Hill, but there's also the same bust potential. It'll depend on where he ends up. Mark's analysis -- While I love to play the contrarian role to Scott in our write-ups, I am not ...

Entering the season, Zac Stacy was buried on the St. Louis Rams' depth chart behind Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead. After barely seeing the field in the first four weeks, Stacy took over as the starting running back in Week 5 against Jacksonville and proved worthy of the role. After a couple of average games, Stacy shredded the vaunted Seattle defense with 134 yards on 26 carries. Stacy is a rhythm back, who gains momentum as the game goes on and he piles up carries. The Rams are a young team who will have an early draft pick thanks to the Washington Redskins, and they will look to build around their nucleus and Stacy figures to be the centerpiece. Owners who were able to snag Stacy were rewarded down the stretch as the rookie eclipsed 100 yards three times and found the end zone seven times in the Rams' final seven contests. In limited duty, Stacy will likely finish the season as top-20 running back and will be poised to build off that in 2014. A few days before the regular season began, there were rumblings out of Denver that Knowshon Moreno had nosed his way in to the starting lineup. Fantasy pundits acknowledged that Montee Ball was the more talented back, but Broncos head coach John Fox has a track record of leaning on his veterans. Moreno not only held on to the starting job in the league's most explosive offense, he proved worthy of the spot. Moreno was valuable in pass protection and as a receiver, hauling in 55 passes through Week 16. Ronnie Hillman shrunk under the spotlight and Ball struggled with fumbling problems all season long. The Broncos lightened Moreno's role down the stretch to keep him fresh for the playoffs, so his fantasy production took a small slide. Moreno should be on your radar next season, but he will not match this season's output, and the Broncos will have an entire offseason to correct Ball's ball security issues. Don't overpay next season for this season's stats. Many fantasy owners were scared away by the two-game suspension that Josh Gordon was staring at to start the season. They shouldn't have been! Gordon turned in a fantasy season to rival all the wide receiver studs, despite playing with a quarterback carousel that included Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer. The Browns only have managed five rushing touchdowns through 16 games, so they have done very little to keep defenses honest, but none of those factors could keep Gordon from producing. He immediately made his presence felt with a 10-catch...

This week, let's talk fantasy headlines from Week 14. Looking at the numbers, there are some guys you can trust going forward, and there are others that may even be on waivers that you can either add to your starting lineup or just prevent your opponent from grabbing. Then, we'll discuss guys and matchups that may mean tough decisions for fantasy owners. Roddy White is back healthy. I know, I know. It took him long enough. But White looks like he's finally healthy again. Now, chances are that teams who invested a third- or fourth-round pick in White are probably out of the playoffs. But if you find yourself in a situation where you're still in the running, and White is on your roster, you have to at least consider using him. He caught eight balls for 74 yards on Sunday, meaning he's hauled in 18 balls for 217 yards in his last two games. And this week he gets the Washington Redskins, who have struggled against the pass all season. They also might struggle with all the coach Mike Shanahan drama, and I think White will put on a show in Atlanta this Sunday. James Starks becomes an interesting name this week. Eddie Lacy hurt his ankle against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He played through the pain, but he didn't look all that great following the injury. While Lacy's status is still uncertain, I feel like he probably won't suit up, meaning Starks may draw the start. He faces a Dallas run defense that has been the most generous to opposing running backs. Oh, and he also may be getting back that Aaron Rodgers guy, who I hear is pretty good. If Starks is available in your league, he needs to be owned this week. If you have him on your roster, he's a valuable piece this week. Matt McGloin provides some hope for the Oakland offense. The Oakland offense sputtered quite a bit with Terrelle Pryor at the helm. Since making the switch to McGloin, the Raiders seem like they have more options. They can still throw long, but they also have more flexibility in the short passing game. He provides more offensive balance. On Sunday, he threw for 245 yards and a pair of scores against the New York Jets. Keep in mind that the Raiders do play Kansas City this week, but Rashad Jennings has been cleared to play. Marcel Reece will return to his fullback/receiver role, but I think McGloin's success means better numbers for Jennings and the Oakland receivers, specifically Rod Streater. Josh Gordon: there are no words. Gordon has been the surprise player of the season in my ...

Be honest. Which will consume your mind more on Thursday: preparing for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping or strategizing for the final weeks of the fantasy football season? With three games on the docket for Thanksgiving Day, it is quite possible to enjoy the holiday's festivities without missing a beat in fantasy football. Most fantasy managers are aware whether they have clinched a playoff berth or not. However, the final spot as well as competing for the bye seed will keep each league fiercely competitive. With several key backs enduring injury last weekend, depth may be the key to victory this week. Take a dive with me as we discuss several players that may be difference makers in Week 13. When you are done reading, pass the stuffing and gravy this way! Quarterback It is difficult to recommend a quarterback that has appeared on three different teams already this season, but Matt Flynn has proven to be most effective in Green Bay. After Aaron Rodgers went down, Seneca Wallace took the reins before sustaining his own injury. Scott Tolzien looked solid but then struggled mightily in Week 12, which has now opened up another opportunity for Flynn to shine. After performing well in replacement of Tolzien last weekend, Flynn has been declared the starter for a huge divisional battle against the Detroit Lions. Detroit has allowed at least two passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks over the last six games. Don't forget that Flynn's "one-hit wonder" in 2011 was against Detroit at home where he fired six touchdowns. Week 13 Forecast: 275 passing yards, 2 TD Running Back Bilal Powell entered the scene early this season with a few great performances, and then watched his role diminish with Chris Ivory becoming the featured back. With Ivory suffering an ankle sprain last weekend that appears to be relatively serious, Powell may be in store for another hefty workload against division rival Miami. Powell can be an excellent fill-in if your starting running back is injured or faces a tough matchup. Miami has allowed the seventh-most points to opposing running backs, so Powell may be a difference maker this weekend! Week 13 Forecast: 100 total yards, TD Wide Receiver Michael Floyd is officially legit. Critics questioning his breakout 193-yard performance in Week 11 were silenced after he delivered a near encore after going for 104 receiving yards in Week 12. Floyd will be defended by Philadelphia's weak secondary which has ...

Quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger is a guy you can feel safe starting this week. After his big game last week against New England, his matchup with Buffalo this week should get you some good fantasy points as well. Every quarterback that has faced the Bills (except two) has had two or more passing touchdowns. The two that didn't were Brandon Weeden and Alex Smith . Smith's lack of scores was because Kansas City ran the ball all day, and Weeden is Weeden. Roethlisberger should have no problem getting you a couple of passing touchdowns and close to 300 yards. Start him with confidence. Case Keenum looks like he could be the real deal. Fortunately for him, he gets another favorable matchup this week. The Arizona Cardinals are a below average defense that ranks 21st against quarterbacks. Most quarterbacks who face Arizona break 250 passing yards and get a couple of passing touchdowns as well. They're not great at anything but not horrible in any aspect of the game, either. The Cardinals are middle-of-the-league in sacks, interceptions, passing touchdowns allowed and passing yards per game. If Keenum can perform well in this game he should lock up the starting quarterback job for Houston for the foreseeable future, and I think he will. Scale back your expectations for Matt Ryan this week, and if you've got another good option at quarterback you're going to want to start them. Ryan goes up against the Seattle defense which ranks first in interceptions this year, and is second-best in passing yards allowed at 180 per game. Ryan appears to be missing Julio Jones a lot more than people realize. Even with Roddy White coming back this week Ryan is still going to struggle with the Seahawks defense. Only one quarterback has more than 17 fantasy points this year against Seattle, so I would think that is the ceiling for Ryan this week, and that makes him a bad call. Running Backs Mike James had one heck of a game last week and it helped Tampa Bay almost beat Seattle. This week, expect even more. James faces a Miami defense that ranks as the second-easiest for running backs to go against. Miami allows just shy of 24 fantasy points a game to opposing running backs. Seeing as how James is the primary running back, he should get the majority of these points and that will be very helpful for you this week. Another week or two and James will be a must-start for your fantasy team. Pierre Thomas has been a nice flex play this year with only two games of less than 10 ...