Orton has had an up and down season this year. He got off to a decent start, and was a solid fantasy option every week early in the season. Then he got a concussion, and things haven’t gone as well since.
In Orton’s first eight games he had 10 touchdowns to four interceptions and a passer rating over 90. Since then he’s got six touchdowns to eight interceptions, his completion percentage is over eight percent lower, and he’s barely sniffed 200 yards, crossing the mark only once in six games since his concussion.
The Bears have their backs up against the wall this week, If they win they may make the playoffs, but if they lose they definitely won’t.
The Texans, the Bears’ Week 17 opponent, are wildly inconsistent. The Texans have beaten the Titans and Dolphins, but have lost to the Jaguars and Raiders. The only thing consistent about the Texans team, is that they give up a lot of points.
Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City
Owned: 27%
Benson’s struggles havebeen well documented throughout his tumultuous, albeit brief career. He never seemed to really put it together on the field in Chicago, and had several problems off the field.
Benson, however, may have found a home in Cincinnati. He could represent a younger, less expensive version of Rudi Johnson.
Benson ran for 171 yards on 38 carries last week. Though he didn’t get into the endzone, much of that can be attributed to the weather which caused Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Bengals quarterback to throw the ball only nine times.
The Bengals take on the Chiefs this week. While the Chiefs have improved from their early season struggles, they certainly have not done so on defense, for the most part. Benson should get a lot of carries this week also.
Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia
Owned: 29%
Tashard Choice covered for Felix Jones and Marion Barber very well. If the numbers choice has put up in the last three games were translated over an entire season, We’d be talking about a Marshall Faulk type of season.
Choice has averaged about 140 yards from scrimmage in the past three games, and has scored in each of the last two games.
With Barber in questionable health, Choice may be the team’s best option even if Barber plays.
A matchup with Philadelphia in Week 17 certainly seems imposing for a rookie back, but he’s played his last three games, three very productive games, against the Steelers, Ravens and Giants. Those teams rank 2nd, 3rd, and 9th respectively in run defense.
Devery Henderson, WR, New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina
Owned: 49%
The early season absences of Marques Colston and Reggie Bush contributed greatly to a few things. The Saints struggled out of the gates and will miss the playoffs, but also probably made Lance Moore and Devery Henderson a lot of money.
Moore has 837 yards and 8 scores, andhas become a staple on fantasy rosters. However Henderson, who has 764 yards, has done so in only 30 receptions, 41 less receptions than Moore’s 71, and only 73 less yards.
Henderson and Moore are both free agents this offseason, Moore of the restricted variety, and both figure to have significant increases in pay.
As Drew Brees goes for the passing record look for Henderson to make some big plays, and possible get in the endzone against the Panthers.
Dennis Northcutt, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore
Owned: 4%
In Dennis Northcutt’s last two games he has 13 receptions for 228 yards and two scores. Yet, he’s only owned 4 percent of fantasy owners.
Much of this has to do with fantasy owners tightening up their rosters, taking less risks as the postseason progresses. However, it has been oft-ignored that Dennis Northcutt has been perhaps the Jags best receiver when given the opportunity the past two years.
Northcutt, similar to players like Kevin Faulk, Jeff Garcia, Ike Hilliard, and several others, has seemingly spent his entire career doing what he can to hold off his own heir apparent. In Northcutt’s time with Cleveland the team drafted Quincy Morgan, Braylon Edwards, Andre Davis, and Kellen Winslow, all with the intention of ousting Northcutt.
Now, Northcutt is on a roster with four players drafted in the first round at either the receiver or tight end positions in since 2004, and Jerry Porter, who the Jags over-spent for in the offseason, takes on the Ravens as perhaps the team’s top target for the game.
Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants
Owned: 46%
Shiancoe makes another appearance on the Waiver Wire list, but this time, the story is a little different. For weeks, I’ve criticized Shiancoe for not having a “signature game,” but that came last week when Shiancoe caught seven balls for 136 yards and two scores.
Shiancoe is now ranked 5th among tight ends in terms of fantasy points behind only Tony Gonzales, Antonio Gates, Jason Witten and Dallas Clark.
Shiancoe and the Vikings have the NFC North at stake potentially this week, and the Giants have very little to play for. Though the Giants will probably play their starters for at least three quarters, Shiancoe could be the beneficiary of some soft coverage and mismatches.
Garrett Hartley, K, New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina
Owned: 25%
Hartley will be kicking indoors, and Sean Payton’s word be damned, they’ll be focused on moving the ball through the air, which should bode well for Hartley owners.
