Well Josh McCown, you've finally worn me down.
After three weeks of waiting for you to crash back to earth, as Chicago fans have seen multiple backup quarterbacks do in the past, I have to admit that you’ve exceeded all expectations and have actually looked good in leading the Bears to a 2-0 record in games you started. So, congratulations, you’ve earned a spot in Who’s Up, Who’s Down. You can pick up your complimentary club t-shirt any time.
McCown and the Bears beat the Ravens in a wild, rain-delayed game that headlined an even wilder weekend in the NFL as storms and strong winds wreaked havoc across the league and especially on Nick Folk.
The week in fantasy was similarly outrageous, as a number of relative unknowns (looking at you Bobby Rainey and, of course, Mr. McCown) had big weeks. The playoffs are quickly approaching and some will start as early as next week, so this week’s trends take on an added importance. I’ll try not to mess up too badly. We’re upsetting Goliath in this week’s trends.
Photo Credit: Getty
Week 12 Who's Up-Down
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Case Keenum QB – Houston
Keenum was benched on Sunday in favor of embattled former starter Matt Schaub, but his performance wasn’t terrible (13-24, 170 yards, one TD, one pick) and the Texans have already announced the former Houston Cougar will start in Week 12 against Jacksonville. With Schaub as Keenum’s only competition under center, it’s a pretty safe bet that the 25-year old will start for the duration of the season, giving him solid fantasy value.
The second-year quarterback has played very well in his first NFL action, tossing eight touchdowns and just a single interception in four games. He’s thrown for just under 1000 yards in those games and has been efficient, averaging 7.87 yards per attempt, a figure that would rank seventh in the league if Keenum had played enough to qualify.
The Texans are mired in an embarrassing eight-game losing streak, but Keenum has proven himself to be an above-average signal-caller and there aren’t many of those on the waiver wire at this time of year. Keenum is only owned in 17.8 percent of ESPN leagues, so he’s probably available if you need a more permanent solution at quarterback than Josh McCown can provide. He’s an especially good start this week against the 1-9 Jaguars.
Arrow Pointing: UP
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Donald Brown RB – Indianapolis
Brown has averaged a robust 5.9 yards per carry this season and his 14-carry, 80-yard showcase against Tennessee on Thursday demonstrated that he can be effective even with a heavier workload (his previous season high in carries had been 11). When you add in the former UCONN star’s two touchdowns against the Titans, it’s possible that he might finally be receive the lion’s share of the touches going forward after splitting carries with the continually ineffective Trent Richardson in recent weeks.
Richardson has averaged barely over two yards per carry in the Colts last four games and hasn’t found the end zone since September. He’s still the nominal starter in Indianapolis and the team would love to see more out of the player they traded a first-round pick to get. However, the Colts are in a playoff chase, so carries will likely begin to go to the more effective runner and that has clearly been Brown in recent weeks. The 26-year old is owned in just 7.8 percent of ESPN leagues but could be a great pickup if he continues to see his carries increase.
Arrow Pointing: UP
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Josh McCown QB – Chicago
As promised, here’s McCown’s entry:
The Chicago quarterback has been more than passable filling in for Cutler, putting together a series of Alex Smith-like performances (that’s a compliment) and making himself a viable short-term fantasy option in the process. The 34-year old has tossed five touchdowns without an interception and has completed over 60 percent of his passes in just under three games. Those numbers have led to an MVP-level 81.3 Total QBR and 100.0 passer rating.
Bears coach Marc Trestman has already announced McCown as the starter this week, so he could be a solid option as a QB2, or even a deep-league QB1 against the up-and-down Rams pass defense. McCown isn’t the next Peyton Manning, and he’ll be back on the bench in a few weeks, but he’s only owned in 2.3 percent of ESPN leagues and if you’re having difficulty at quarterback he could be a one or two week solution.
Arrow Pointing: UP
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Martellus Bennett TE – Chicago
Bennett seemed poised to be a top fantasy tight end this season after seeing nine or more targets in two of his first four games, but he hasn’t reached that level of involvement in the Bears’ offense since. The former Texas A&M standout also has just one touchdown catch in the last eight weeks, after hauling three in his first two contests.
After being targeted just twice on Sunday against Baltimore (albeit in conditions that weren’t exactly conducive to throwing), it’s becoming increasingly clear that he isn’t a favorite target of Josh McCown’s and his fantasy value has been put on hold at least until Jay Cutler returns in Week 13. I would try to trade Bennett before dropping him, but there likely won’t be much interest anywhere but very deep leagues, so it’s probably time to put him on the waiver wire. He just hasn’t received the attention in the passing game that gives tight ends high fantasy value.
Arrow Pointing: DOWN
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Mike Glennon QB – Tampa Bay
I just got done explaining that solid quarterbacks on the waiver wire are a rarity this time of year, but Glennon is the second exception to that rule in this week’s trends. Bobby Rainey will get all of the attention this week after his huge game against Atlanta, but that could well be a fluky outburst against a porous defense. Glennon has been serviceable in all of his games since taking over for Josh Freeman in Week 5.
The rookie’s stats won’t blow anybody away, but he’s tossed 11 touchdowns and only four interceptions and completed 62 percent of his passes. I have Keenum rated slightly higher right now, because Glennon faces the tough pass defenses of the Lions and the Panthers in the coming weeks, but the former NC State quarterback could be the solution to some quarterback struggles (especially if you’re like me and are losing because Matt Ryan has turned into Brandon Weeden 2.0). Glennon’s only owned in 1.8 percent of leagues, but he’s improving weekly and should be on your radar as the season continues.
Arrow Pointing: UP
