Solid Pickups

The Packers gave Starks the opportunity to start this week, though it is too soon to tell if they have realized he is their best option on the ground or if they just tired of Alex Green and decided to try someone else. Even if Green Bay did settle on one of the two, the starting ground gainer for the Packers isn’t likely to do that much fantasy scoring. Neither back scored, and it was Starks that saw more carries (17 for 61 yards versus Green’s 11 carries for 53 yards). Green caught a couple of passes out of the backfield, but it was Starks that was on the field at the end of the game.  The Packers are off this week, so the mystery of who will get more carries will have to wait another week. This late in the season, anything from a running back on waivers is a victory, so the 15-20 carries and 50-75 yards the Green Bay starter is likely to register is a welcome addition to any fantasy roster in need of help at the position.

Sanders is the “waiting in the wings” wideout for the Steelers, and if Antonio Brown should miss any time it is Sanders that will get a significant bump in playing time and fantasy production. The Steelers have been mum on Brown’s condition, and this will likely stay hidden right up until game time this week. In the meantime, those in need at the wideout position can add Sanders in the hopes that he sees some significant action this week.

We mentioned Bell in last week’s article, and since he’s still owned in less than half of online leagues, he gets a repeat plug in this week’s listing. The Lions’ running back situation is similar to that of Green Bay, in that the quarterback and wideouts score most of the fantasy points. Bell recorded 73 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while also catching three passes good for 36 yards. Mikel Leshoure got the lions’ share of carries (16 carries for 70 yards) and Kevin Smith was in the mix as well, so Bell’s numbers are not going to be predictable from week-to-week. We do see him getting around 75 yards in total offense, so those in need at the running back position can pick him up as he is active in the passing game.

Injuries to both Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson have shuffled things in the Oakland backfield. McFadden is indicating that he will play this upcoming week, but that will likely be a game time decision. Goodson is in the same boat, so we look to see who is next on the depth chart and we find Reece. Though primarily a fullback, it was Reece that was on the field when McFadden and Goodson went to the sideline this past week. All he did was catch eight passes for 95 yards and a score. Our friends at fleaflicker.com have him as one of the top players being added this week, confirming that with the status of the two in front of him in limbo, Reece is worth owning in all formats.

The Saints are another team getting hit by the injury bug as Darren Sproles is slated to miss a few games with a broken hand. Mark Ingram has been a disappointment, and Pierre Thomas is more of a third down threat, so the opportunity for Ivory to see the field on a regular basis is very real. The Saints have thought highly enough of him to keep him on the roster, and having this much depth is now paying off. Ivory found the end zone on Monday night. Look for him to be in the mix for the Saints as New Orleans splits things up between Ivory, Thomas and Ingram.