Another week means another opportunity to sit in judgment of Jeff Mans!  I have poured over Jeff’s rankings and opinions and, well, let us see how he did.  Oh, and as usual, I will pepper this piece with a few of my own masterpieces and pieces of [use a word for dung] from the past week.

Here is the 2015 Week 12 edition of Right, Wrong or Indifferent:

RIGHT

Philip Rivers:  Maestro Mans was dead on when he penned:  “I think that I may be the only one in the world that believes in Rivers this week but I'll tell you that in a lot of my game simulations he is a constant among the top 5 fantasy producers. Having Malcom Floyd back will be a big help to him as it gives him the downfield threat as well as a big WR to utilize in the red zone again. The Jaguars have given up the 25th most passing yards per game and the sixth most fantasy points to QBs this year.”  Rivers made Jeff look good by throwing for 300 yards, four TD and no interceptions.  Nice!  I do not love Denver and KC as the next two opponents but Miami during the fantasy playoffs and then Oakland for fantasy Super Bowl week looks pretty good.

Spencer Ware:  Mr. Mans was spot on regarding Spencer Ware.  Jeff wrote: “MAKE SURE CHARCANDRICK WEST IS OUT!! I don't need you guys blaming me for using him if West plays because you should absolutely not do that. We've seen what the KC running back position does from a fantasy perspective and it has nothing to do with who the actual RB is. Ware is a stronger RB than West anyways and matches up better against this Bills defense. You cannot beat his DK price this week.”  West did sit and Ware did roll up the points.  By game's end, Ware had a strong 114 yards and a TD (and three cheap receptions that are still three PPR points despite gaining only one yard).  This is a guy who runs hard and fits right in with the style of this team.  Keep him on your roster even if West returns and watch the news on who will get the start. 

Alfred Blue:  Jeff is looking good here as he wrote about Alfred Blue:  “Blue is priced beneath many straight backup RBs this week despite having an amazing matchup against the lowly Saints. New Orleans ranks dead last in the NFL in rushing yards given up per attempt and are fourth worst in rushing yards per game surrendered. They've also given up the fourth most fantasy points to RBs this season. This game could get out of hand quickly and the game script is extremely positive for Blue here.”  Given his price, 77 yards rushing, a TD and a reception is a win.  Good for you if you rostered Blue in DFS or started him in your season-long league.  However, with games against Buffalo and New England next two weeks, Blue is more likely to finish in the red. 

Matthew Stafford:  Ok, one for me.  I told all who would listen that the Eagles will make Matthew Stafford a national TV star.  I even started Stafford over Big Ben in one of my leagues.  What did Stafford do?  Not much, he just threw for 337 yards and five TD (and even added 13 yards rushing for good measure).  With New Orleans in Week 15 and SF (who are not good on the road) in Week 16, Stafford is a playoff must own.  As to the Eagles, well, you will have to strongly consider starting whoever they play.  Indeed, Tyrod Taylor in Week 14 and Kirk Cousins in Week 16 are looking pretty good now.

WRONG

Carson Palmer:   Well, now for the other side of the coin.  This Mans prediction hardly came to pass: “Palmer has been incredibly reliable this season accumulating the fourth-most points by any QB. This week he faces a defense in the 49ers that are second worst in overall DVOA, fifth worst in PFF pass rush and coverage, sixth worst in passing yards per game given up and fourth worst in passing yards per attempt. Palmer is as safe as it gets in this slate and is the choice for cash game lineups.”  I was right there with Jeff touting Palmer against the Niners.  However, 271 yards and no TDs is a dud of a fantasy game.  Do not give up on Palmer, he is that good this year.  The lesson of this game is that the Niners play good D at home (and would have been even better but for a series of ticky tack calls that resulted in something like 8th and goal for the Cards).

DeAndre Hopkins:  I think Jeff got twisted around a bit when he wrote: "The Saints defense is horrible for sure but we are likely to see Hopkins shadowed by Delvin Breaux a lot on Sunday. The Texans will move Hopkins around a lot so he will see some incredibly tasty matchups here as well. The Texans run the second fastest paced offense in the NFL and have run the most offensive plays this year. The sheer volume of this matchup calls for a dozen more targets for Hopkins as a baseline. Don't overlook Nate Washington in this matchup as well if you are looking for a value play. Washington draws Brandon Browner most of the afternoon who is the worst CB (No. 110) in the NFL according to PFF.”  Wow, I really cannot kill Jeff here as I, too, was convinced Hopkins would go off against the team that allowed Eli to throw six TD.  Actually, I still cannot believe Hopkins was held to just 36 yards on five receptions.  With nine TD on the season and only one game with fewer than 10 targets all year (last week), Hopkins is a good bet to reassert himself and soon.  Do NOT panic. 

Kendall Wright:  Jeff booted this grounder when he said:  “On the flip side of this matchup, Kendall Wright is coming back from a knee injury and gets to see a lot of No. 106-ranked CB (according to PFF) D.J. Hayden. Wright is a possession WR that has some after-the-catch running ability. The Raiders' secondary is third worst in missed tackles this year.”  Two catches for 19 yards is not doing the job.  The lesson here is clear – injured players (even the great ones) take time to get back into game shape and game flow.  Start them in their first game back at your own risk. 

Jason Witten:  In all fairness, I have to look in the mirror and scold myself at least once.  I really thought Jason Witten would have a really nice game as Tony Romo’s safety valve against a tough Panthers D.  Well, that did not happen.  Witten’s four catches for 36 yards hardly lit up the scoreboard.  Loyal readers know I am a die hard Cowboys fan and a HUGE Witten fan, so put whatever weight you want into this endorsement.  I see Witten having a strong finish to the season in PPR leagues.  This guy is tougher and has more pride than any other player in the league.  With the Cowboys remaining in contention even at 3-8 in the NFC "Least," Witten will do all he can to help the team.  The price will fall so there will be a bargain there. 

INDIFFERENT

T.J. Yeldon:  Jeff noted: "While the Browns are the worst run defense in the NFL the Chargers are among the worst overall defenses. They are third worst in DVOA, worst in PFF's overall defensive ratings, worst in PFF's run defense ratings, seventh worst in rushing yards allowed per game, second worst in rushing yards allowed per attempt, and have given up the most fantasy points to RBs. All of this combined with Yeldon's league leading 70 percent snap percentage amongst RBs make him a very solid cash game play this week.”  36 yards rushing hardly turns anyone on.  However, when you add the four catches for 46 yards, you end up with 12.2 fantasy points in PPR.  That is not world beating but it does earn Jeff an indifferent tag.  Is it time to cut bait on Yeldon?  No.  He puts up decent points most weeks and the coach is promising more red zone touches.  Stay the course. 

Delanie Walker:   Jeff was high on Delanie Walker:  “Walker has been the first read of Marcus Mariota a league high 27 percent of the time this season. He is second among NFL TEs in target percentage as well at 16.9 percent. Over his last six games Walker has averaged eight targets, 6.5 receptions and 78 yards. The Raiders have given up the sixth most fantasy points to TEs and the most TDs to TEs this season.”  Six receptions for 91 yards is solid production.  However, given how many fantasy points tight ends have gobbled up against Oakland, this is just not a win. That said, it is clear that Walker continues to be Mariota’s favorite target and will continue to be a PPR darling all year.  With Jacksonville up next, Walker is a must start.  

Tevin Coleman:  About Coleman, Jeff penned as follows:  “Coleman is my least favorite of the "replacement" RBs this week but he is still a fine choice at this price. I would only use him in tournament lineups, though, as I need to see an improvement in his cut-back vision before trusting him in cash games. Still, there is a reason why many had a first round label on him coming into the draft as he has exceptional balance and speed.”  110 yards would make you think this is a win but without hitting pay dirt or catching even one dump off pass, I think we call this a wash.  With Devonta Freeman set to return next week, Coleman can go back to being fantasy relevant only as Freeman’s handcuff.   

Ok, let’s use what we learned and win in Week 13.  Good luck!

A quick detour for me here:  A few days ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to a pre-screening of "Concussion" starring Will Smith.  For those of you unfamiliar with the soon-to-be-released film, the name tips off the subject – the problems with brain injuries in the NFL.  The movie is thought provoking at the least and indeed compelling in many ways.  Everything else aside, the performance Will Smith delivers makes the film a must see. 

Football is a great game that many of us adore.  Of course, there are also safety issues that continue to need attention.  Personally, I think the film was one-sided in its presentation but it is “based on a real story” told from the perspective of Smith’s character and does not purport to be a balanced news report or documentary.  Keeping that in mind will help you enjoy the film and hopefully lead you to read up on a critical issue facing a great game so many of us enjoy every week every fall.