EA Fantasy Football

Hot Pickups: Week 12

By Dr. Pesti, EA Expert

The run for the playoffs has begun, and the trade deadline is fast approaching. Fantasy owners in search of new blood will have to look to the Waiver Wire for options. In the topsy-turvy world of the NFL players continue to emerge each week and making the right move can make all the difference for fantasy owners who cannot afford to make any mistakes. Want to know who you should add this week? Hot Pickups has all the answers…

Quarterback

Shaun Hill, 49ers: Hill is still widely available in fantasy as owners wait to see what kind of potential he brings to the table. Last week's game against the hapless Rams defense shows what he's capable of…two touchdown passes and another on the ground, all in two quarters of football. He has one the best all-around running backs in the league lining up behind him and Mike Martz calling the plays, so there's plenty to like here - especially as you are considering him as a backup option for your playoff run. The upcoming schedule looks favorable, especially if you're looking ahead to weeks 15 & 16. Add him for the upside potential that he brings to the table.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks: Hasselbeck didn't look especially good in his return to action against Arizona, but he did show some signs of returning to the quarterback who was once a staple in fantasy circles. He forced several passes and made some questionable decisions that led to three interceptions on the day, but many of the errant throws can be attributed to rust and inactivity. Seattle now has all of their offensive weapons healthy and back in the lineup and they should start to find some chemistry soon. Hasselbeck should obviously be the one who benefits the most from all of this…that is of course, if he can stay healthy and on the field. There is some speculation that he might have suffered a concussion, leading to some questions about his availability for the Washington game.

Joe Flacco, Ravens: Surprising as it might seem "Super" Joe is still available in more than half of all fantasy leagues. His effort against the Giants wasn't his best, but he still did an adequate job against one of the most brutal defenses in the NFL as he threw for a touchdown while also leading the Ravens in rushing. His interceptions against the Giants were his first in five games and he has a 7-2 touchdown ratio over that same period of time. Keep in mind that his athleticism and rushing yardage he can provide is the great equalizer in fantasy-land. In a year where Matt Ryan has stolen all the rookie quarterback headlines, Flacco has emerged as a solid option who is more than capable of putting up a surprisingly solid stat line each week.

Brady Quinn, Browns: Quinn is still available in nearly half of fantasy leagues and is well worth a pickup as a depth add and might even be a viable starter over the next couple weeks as he faces Houston and Indianapolis. His second start against Buffalo wasn't nearly as impressive as his first against Denver, but that was to be expected, especially considering the rough weather conditions. The low 38.9 completion percentage is worrisome, but the fact that he was willing to take advantage of Braylon Edwards downfield was a positive sign. Quinn also does a good job protecting the ball, so it would appear that his downside is limited. I don't think you can trust him as a starter until you see a lot more, but he could surprise over his next few games.

Kerry Collins, Titans: It's now two weeks in a row where Collins has put the Titans offense on his shoulders and contributed excellent numbers through the air. It's clear that the Tennessee gameplan focuses on running early and often, especially as the weather begins to get colder, but Collins has proven that he can get it done when the team needs him too. Over the past two weeks he has passed for 519 yards with five touchdowns while only turning the ball over. Looking ahead, games against the Lions, Browns and Texans look like easy matchups leading me to believe that Collins can be trusted to some degree once again.

RUNNING BACKS >>

Author's Bio - Jason Ostresh

Jason Ostresh has been with EA Tiburon since 1999 and is currently a Designer on EA Fantasy Football. Also known as "Dr. Pesti," Jason has been a fantasy football owner since 1992.

Comments or Questions? Email us at fantasy@ea.com

Important Dates

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11/27 - Trade Deadline

12/06 - Waiver Deadline