The purpose of reviewing each game is to allow fantasy players like you to see each team’s players’ fantasy stats in one place. This should help fantasy players get a feel for where their players are in their teams offenses, as well as provide a feel for other players that could become fantasy relevant in the near future. In the end, the fantasy spin lets you evaluate players by where they should be in terms of setting positional rosters each and every week. It can also help you decide whether to go get a player off waivers, whether to try and make a trade, or whether to sit tight.
Contributing to this week’s “360-Spin Game Reviews” is Giorgos Kassakos. Giorgos formerly wrote for the Bleacher Report. He is a sports management graduate and self-described “Sports Fan/Wacko” from Greece. Follow Girogos on Twitter at @Greek_QB.
If you are interested in contributing to the Game Reviews, please contact jim@thefantasygreek.com.
4:05 p.m. EST
COLTS 24 (6-4) v. PATRIOTS 59 (7-3)
By The Fantasy Greek
Colts
| Player | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | INTs | F |
| QB Andrew Luck | 334 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |||
| RB Donald Brown | 17 | 6 | ||||||
| RB Vick Ballard | 72 | 7 | ||||||
| RB Delone Carter | 21 | 1 | ||||||
| WR Reggie Wayne | 72 | |||||||
| WR TY Hilton | 100 | 2 | ||||||
| WR Donnie Avery | 34 | |||||||
| WR LaVon Brazil | 46 | |||||||
| TE Dwayne Allen | 69 |
| Sacks | INTs | DFR | DTD | KRTD | SFY | Yds Allwd | |
| Colts DST | 446 |
The Colts issues on the road continues. As hard as the Colts may have tried, there was just no way the Colts could keep up with a powerful Patriots pass offense. Still, this matters little for fantasy football purposes. Andrew Luck had one heck of a passing game, scoring multiple TDs, but for fantasy football purposes, the performance was crushed by four turnovers. Indeed, this was an off week for go-to wide-receiver Reggie Wayne in what was a fantastic match-up. Since early on, TY Hilton has done little until the past three weeks. This week, Hilton had a breakout game scoring both of the Colts passing TDs. Unfortunately, Hilton was likely on fantasy pines, or waivers. In the past three weeks, in two of three games, Hilton has been solid (202 yards, 3 TDs). With Donnie Avery concussed, Hilton could have a significant offensive role in the passing game. With Coby Fleener still out, Dwayne Allen continued to be an effective tight-end option. Unfortunately, the running game for the Colts continued to be a running back by committee situation with both Vick Ballard and DeLone Carter outpacing the presumptive starter, Donald Brown. This was obviously, as expected, not a good game for the Colts DST. The Colts get a favorable match-up in Week 12, at home.
NEXT UP: Bills
Patriots
| Player | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | INTs | F |
| QB Tom Brady | 331 | 3 | ||||||
| RB Stevan Ridley | 28 | 1 | 11 | |||||
| RB Shane Vereen | 40 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| RB Danny Woodhead | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| WR Wes Welker | 80 | |||||||
| WR Brandon Lloyd | 45 | |||||||
| WR Julian Edelman | 47 | 58 | 1 | |||||
| TE Rob Gronkowski | 137 | 2 |
| Sacks | INTs | DFR | DTD | KRTD | SFY | Yds Allwd | |
| Patriots DST | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 448 |
The two most interesting aspects of this game involved Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. Very quietly, the Patriots Julian Edelman returned to the gridiron. Once on it, however,Edelman made a lot of noise all at the expense of Brandon Lloyd. With Rob Gronkowski breaking his forearm and out for the next six to eight weeks, Edelman’s role in the offense should grow. Edelman is worth a roster spot and consideration as a WR3 play with your other options. With Rob Gronkowski out for the next six to eight weeks, the thought is one of the other Patriots tight-ends will step up and take Gronkowski’s place not only physically, but statistically. In the first instance, Aaron Hernandez (ankle) should see some increased work, and that is assuming he is active this week. Among the remaining tight-ends, The Fantasy Greek thinks Visanthe Shiancoe would be the logical replacement for Gronkowski. The reasons are simple. Shiancoe is a veteran. And, among the remaining tight-ends (Michael Hoomanawanui and Daniel Fells), Shiancoe spent five seasons as a starter. Will Shiancoe replace Hernandez? Likely, no. In terms of the remaining Patriots players, as expected, Tom Brady and Wes Welker were top plays, and both running backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen helped their cause with a touchdown rush a piece. The Patriots DST was outstanding likely helped by newcomer Aqib Talib. The Patriots DST could also make some noise in the home stretch of the fantasy football season.
NEXT UP: at Jets (Thursday, 8:20 pm EST)
SAINTS 38 (5-5) v. RAIDERS 17 (3-7)
By Giorgos Kassakos
Saints
| Player | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | INTs | F |
| QB Drew Brees | 219 | 3 | ||||||
| RB Mark Ingram | 67 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| RB Pierre Thomas | 30 | 28 | ||||||
| RB Chris Ivory | 37 | |||||||
| FB Jed Collins | 0 | 21 | ||||||
| WR Marques Colston | 69 | |||||||
| WR Lance Moore | 53 | 2 | ||||||
| WR Devery Henderson | 3 | |||||||
| TE Jimmy Graham | 29 | 1 |
| Sacks | INTs | DFR | DTD | KRTD | SFY | Yds Allwd | |
| Saints DST | 3 | 2 | 1 | 404 |
The Saints are pushing hard to get back in the playoff hunt. They are 4 games behind the Falcons, but they have legitimate hopes for a wildcard spot. Drew Brees was spectacular, throwing three touchdowns and 219 yards. Mark Ingram led the team’s running backs with 68 yards and a touchdown, with Pierre Thomas (58 yards) and Chris Ivory (37 yards) following. Marques Colston didn’t score in this game, which hurt his fantasy value with just 69 yards receiving. On the other hand, Lance Moore (53 yards) got in the end-zone twice, and made for a great fantasy play this week. Tight-end Jimmy Graham’s 29 yards receiving was helped by a touchdown. As for the Saints DST, they have been productive the last few weeks, and this game was no exception. Three sacks and two interceptions (one of them returned for a touchdown), made the unit a top play this week. Next, the Saints will play the 49ers. It will be a tough game against that 49ers defense.
NEXT UP: Forty-Niners
Raiders
| Player | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | INTs | F |
| QB Carson Palmer | 312 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||
| FB Marcel Reese | 103 | 90 | ||||||
| RB Taiwan Jones | 13 | 0 | ||||||
| RB Jeremy Stewart | 7 | 23 | ||||||
| WR D. Moore | -5 | 9 | ||||||
| WR D. Heyward-Bey | 69 | |||||||
| WR Rod Streator | 26 | |||||||
| WR Juron Criner | 23 | 1 | ||||||
| WR Derek Hagan | 17 | |||||||
| TE Brandon Myers | 55 | 1 |
| Sacks | INTs | DFR | DTD | KRTD | SFY | Yds Allwd | |
| Raiders DST | 382 |
This was the third straight loss for the Raiders. Carson Palmer completed just slightly better than half his passes for 312 yards and 2 touchdowns, on two interceptions. Marcel Reece had a career game with 193 total yards. Denarius Moore, unfortunately, had 9 receiving yards, and due to 5 yards lost on a running play, finished with just 4 yards. Likewise, Darius Heyward-Bey amassed just 69 yards, and Rod Streator 26 yards, in a favorable match-up. Juron Criner (23 yards) was the only wide receiver that scored for the Raiders, but this likely helped no one in fantasy football. Tight-end Brandon Myers was a popular target this week for Palmer, and caught 55 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders DST didn’t play well, failing to record any sacks or takeaways. Next week, the Raiders travel to play the Bengals, where they will face a pretty strong Bengals team. Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson may return to action, but Reece should continue to be a solid option, as he has proved to be valuable for the Raiders offense. Myers is also hot right now and worth a start.
NEXT UP: at Bengals
4:25 p.m. EST
CHARGERS 23 (4-6) v. BRONCOS 30 (7-3)
By The Fantasy Greek
Chargers
| Player | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | INTs | F |
| QB Phillip Rivers | 258 | 2 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| RB Ryan Mathews | 47 | 36 | ||||||
| RB Ronnie Brown | 9 | 6 | ||||||
| RB Jackie Battle | -3 | 1 | ||||||
| WR Malcolm Floyd | 67 | |||||||
| WR Danario Alexander | 96 | 2 | ||||||
| WR Robert Meachem | 10 | |||||||
| WR Eddie Royal | 0 | |||||||
| TE Antonio Gates | 17 | |||||||
| TE Ladarius Green | 25 |
| Sacks | INTs | DFR | DTD | KRTD | SFY | Yds Allwd | |
| Chargers DST | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 386 |
The Chargers continue to struggle in ball protection and in protecting their quarterback. Until the Chargers find a way to improve on these aspects of their offensive play, the Chargers are likely to continue losing games. Phillip Rivers was solid but for his three turnovers. Since joining the team about a month ago, Danario Alexander has quickly become one of the top targets in the Chargers passing offense, at Robert Meachem’s and Edie Royal’s expense. While both Malcolm Floyd and Antonio Gates are still solid plays, especially in the right match-up, their performances have become inconsistent because of the coverages and pressure placed on their quarterback. It’s a shame too, because the Chargers defense and special teams has been playing particularly well in the past month or so. Danario Alexander should be added from waivers if still available because he should continue to produce given his effectiveness in the offense so far. Ryan Mathews had a decent game against a tough defense. However, most fantasy players expect more.
NEXT UP: Ravens
Broncos
| Player | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | INTs | F |
| QB Peyton Manning | 270 | 3 | 1 | |||||
| RB Willis McGahee | 55 | 18 | ||||||
| RB Ronnie Hillman | 43 | 16 | ||||||
| RB Lance Ball | 35 | 21 | ||||||
| WR Demaryius Thomas | 42 | 1 | ||||||
| WR Eric Decker | 23 | 1 | ||||||
| WR Brandon Stokley | 55 | 1 | ||||||
| TE Jacob Tamme | 53 | |||||||
| TE Joel Dreesen | 28 |
| Sacks | INTs | DFR | DTD | KRTD | SFY | Yds Allwd | |
| Broncos DST | 4 | 2 | 1 | 277 |
This was not an easy win for the Broncos as the Chargers fought them till the bitter end. Peyton Manning continued his offensive onslaught in the passing game even though the Chargers defense didn’t make it easy. What helped Manning this week, as well as wide-receivers Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Brandon Stokley, was the fact that each receiver caught a touchdown pass from Manning. Otherwise, the wide-receivers would have disappointed from a fantasy perspective. For Stokley, he now has back-to-back TD catches for Weeks 10 and 11. While Stokley is not a must add from waivers, he is an option for fantasy players looking to build roster depth or for a match-up based play. However, keep in mind, that for Stokley to have fantasy value, he will likely have to score and those scores may not come on a week-to-week basis. As many of you know, Broncos starting running back Willis McGahee is out for the next six to eight weeks with an MCL tear/leg fracture. In his stead, several Broncos are going to have to step up including rookie Ronnie Hillman, Lance Ball, and possibly even the forgotten Knowshon Moreno. For now, The Fantasy Greek expects a time share between Ronnie Hillman and Lance Ball, favoring Ronnie Hillman. Moreno should be activated and be a change of pace back between the twenties. Hillman is the running back to target from waivers as a low-end RB2 or flex-play, with Ball being the consolation between the two. The Broncos DST continues to play at a high-level and is a weekly must-start.
NEXT UP: at Chiefs
8:20 p.m. EST
RAVENS 13 (8-2) v. STEELERS 10 (6-4)
By The Fantasy Greek
Ravens
| Player | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | INTs | F |
| QB Joe Flacco | 164 | 0 | -1 | |||||
| RB Ray Rice | 40 | 53 | ||||||
| RB Bernard Pierce | 8 | 11 | ||||||
| WR Anquan Boldin | 79 | |||||||
| WR Torrey Smith | 7 | |||||||
| WR Jacoby Jones | 2 | |||||||
| TE Ed Dickson | 8 | |||||||
| TE Dennis Pitta | 5 |
| Sacks | INTs | DFR | DTD | KRTD | SFY | Yds Allwd | |
| Ravens DST | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 311 |
Ravens QB Joe Flacco’s raod woes continue. It didn’t help that the Steelers allow the third least number of fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks but Flacco is now averaging under 180 yards passing per game and under 1 touchdown per game away from home. This wasn’t Ray Rice’s greatest game either. Anquan Boldin would have barely made for a decent WR3 play and Torrey Smith would have outright disappointed fantasy players that played him. The Ravens DST was solid, and its final statistical performance was buoyed by a kick return for a TD. That TD won the game for the Ravens. The Ravens offensive players will look to get back on track against a decent Chargers team. Unfortunately, it’s another road game.
NEXT UP: at Chargers
Steelers
| Player | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | INTs | F |
| QB Byron Leftwich | 201 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 1 | |||
| RB Isaac Redman | 5 | |||||||
| RB Jonathan Dwyer | 55 | 26 | ||||||
| RB R. Mendenhall | 33 | 17 | ||||||
| WR Mike Wallace | 26 | |||||||
| WR Emmanuel Sanders | 82 | |||||||
| WR Jerricho Cotchery | 22 | |||||||
| TE Heath Miller | 22 | |||||||
| TE David Paulsen | 6 |
| Sacks | INTs | DFR | DTD | KRTD | SFY | Yds Allwd | |
| Steelers DST | 2 | 200 |
Initially, the Steelers looked like they would win the game even with Ben Roethlisberger out. But then, almost like a broken record, the injury bug hit yet again, and again, and again. Back-up Byron Leftwich (who looked good and even ran for a score) injured his ribs/shoulder and will miss Week 12. Charlie Batch will get the start. With Rashard Mendenhall back, it was expected that Mendehall would dominate the carries and touches for the Steelers. That wasn’t the case though. Helped by the early exit of Isaac Redman (concussion), Jonathan Dwyer (81 APY) remained a material, and productive part of the offense. The fact is the Steelers could limit Mendenhall’s work in order to preserve him for the remainder of the season, and hopefully, the post-season. For fantasy football purposes, Dwyer should maintain low RB2 or flex-play value, at least until Redman returns. Fantasy players should hang on to Mike Wallace. Things can only get better. While the Steelers DST didn’t make any great, fantastic plays, the Steelers limited the Ravens offense and kept the score low.
NEXT UP: at Browns
Monday, November 19, 2012
BEARS 7 (7-3) v. FORTY-NINERS 32 (7-2-1)
By The Fantasy Greek
Bears
| Player | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | INTs | F |
| QB Jason Campbell | 107 | 1 | 13 | 2 | ||||
| RB Matt Forte | 63 | 4 | ||||||
| RB Michael Bush | 9 | 18 | ||||||
| WR Brandon Marshall | 21 | 1 | ||||||
| WR Earl Bennett | 6 | |||||||
| WR Devin Hester | 23 | |||||||
| WR Alshon Jeffrey | 15 | |||||||
| TE Kellen Davis | 20 | |||||||
| TE Matt Spaeth | 0 | |||||||
| TE Kyle Adams | 0 |
| Sacks | INTs | DFR | DTD | KRTD | SFY | Yds Allwd | |
| Bears DST | 2 | 355 |
This was an awful game for all of the Bears fantasy options this week. Even the one touchdown scored by Brandon Marshall did little to salvage his value this week given the regular WR1 fantasy points he typically scores. Besides two hard to come by sacks, the Bears defense couldn’t keep the score down. Most of the Bears offensive problems can be traced, yet again, to the Bears woeful offensive line. Its play was so bad, veteran quarterback Jason Campbell was a sitting duck. Campbell is not a fantasy football option at this time. Also, the Bears running game was shut down, with Matt Forte and Michael Bush combining for 94 all-purpose yards. In Week 12, the Bears play the division rival Vikings. The hope is the Bears can pull it together for this all important game. The hope is the Bears fantasy players can too.
NEXT UP: Vikings
Forty-Niners
| Player | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | INTs | F |
| QB Colin Kapernick | 243 | 2 | 12 | |||||
| RB Frank Gore | 78 | |||||||
| RB Kendall Hunter | 27 | 1 | 3 | |||||
| WR Michael Crabtree | 31 | 1 | ||||||
| WR Randy Moss | 12 | |||||||
| WR Mario Manningham | 45 | |||||||
| WR Kyle Williams | 60 | |||||||
| TE Vernon Davis | 83 | 1 | ||||||
| TE Delanie Welker | 9 |
| Sacks | INTs | DFR | DTD | KRTD | SFY | Yds Allwd | |
| 49ers DST | 5 | 1 | 151 |
The 49ers Colin Kepernick showed exactly why he was such a highly touted draft pick in this game against the Bears. There is a good chance that Alex Smith makes it back to the gridiron this week, however. Whoever is the 49ers Week 12 starter, he will have a very favorable match-up against a Saints defense that was the worst entering Week 11 against the quarterback position, where 300 yards passing and 2 TDs is a realistic expectation. Frank Gore was solid and Kendall Hunter contributed with the team’s sole rushing touchdown. Including Week 12, in the last three games, the 49ers Michael Crabtree has put together three very good outings, combining for roughly one hundred and seventy-five yards receiving and 4 touchdowns. Crabtree should keep it going against the Saints, who still have the worst fantasy defense in the league. Tight-end Vernon Davis had a bounce back game this week. He should play well again next week. On the other hand, the 49ers DST while its usual stingy self this week, could find the fantasy points difficult to come by in Week 12. Things should only get better for the Forty-Niners.
NEXT UP: at Saints