Upgrades

*** Waiver wire - QB Shaun King (Ari) - Sure, most of the yards came after the game was blown wide open and it took 52 pass attempts, but we don't think Josh McCown could throw for 343 yards with two footballs. The bottom line is that HC Denny Green made the move, and it would be surprising to see him float back to McCown.

QB Michael Vick (Atl) - Vick only totaled 115 passing yards, but he threw for a pair of TDs and ran for 104 yards on the ground. He now has 640 rushing yards on the season. At QB, that's huge.

QB Kyle Boller (Bal) - What is this? Boller now has back-to-back two-TD games. I'm almost too amazed to continue writing. However, looking at Baltimore's week 12 opponent (New England), leads me to believe the streak will not reach three games. Still, Boller is certainly rounding into form. The most impressive aspect of his performance in week 11 is that it came with Jamal Lewis on the sidelines for almost the entire game.

QB Jake Delhomme (Car) - The Panthers are using fullbacks to plug in as running backs as injuries have depleted their roster. Although Carolina ran the ball well yesterday, they are leaning on the passing game a lot these days. Despite a broken bone in his thumb, Delhomme has been very sharp lately. He is finding Muhsin Muhammad often and is piling on the fantasy stats each week. Additionally, Delhomme has an easy schedule over the remainder of the season.

*** Waiver wire - QB Drew Henson (Dal) - Vinny Testaverde has led the team to a 3-7 record and was forced from the week 11 contest with a shoulder injury. Henson fumbled on his first play but then went 6 for 6 for 47 yards and a score. It is just a matter of time before Henson is the starter in this lost season.

QB Jake Plummer (Den) - Plummer keeps producing nice stats and is likely to continue to do so as the Broncos offense is clicking nicely.

QB Peyton Manning (Ind) - The Bears have been very good against the pass this season, but Manning torched them for four TDs. His 35 scores this season is already a career high and leaves him 13 behind Dan Marino's season record of 48.

QB Byron Leftwich (Jac) - Leftwich is expected to return to action in week 12.

QB Eli Manning (NYG) - The ball has been given to the rookie, and the rookie looks to be full of promise. Manning had a shaky first half, but he settled down and (according to Manning) "played better in the second half." Of course the rookie mistakes were there, but the bottom line is that Manning is the starting QB in New York. He should be able to stretch the field better once he settles in.

QB Kerry Collins (Oak) - Collins finally looked fairly comfortable for the Raiders and finished the day without a turnover. That alone gives him the slight uptick.

QB Donovan McNabb (Phi) - Throwing for 4 TDs against a very good Redskins defense is extremely impressive.

QB Marc Bulger (StL) - Bulger struggled with three INTs against the very good Bills defense, but he was still able to score twice and accumulate 287 passing yards. The opposing pass defense (Packers and 49ers) will get easier the next couple of weeks so Bulger should continue to post quality fantasy stats.

QB Steve McNair (Ten) - McNair looked very rusty against the Jaguars, but his body held up. His timing should be much improved in the coming weeks.

QB Patrick Ramsey (Was) - The Redskins offense is far from spectacular, but Ramsey is the starter now.

*** Waiver wire - RB Nick Goings (Car) - Someone has to carry the ball in Carolina with injuries to Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster and a nicked up Brad Hoover. Fullback Nick Goings isn't likely to repeat his 3 TD performance again this season, but is likely to remain as the short yardage back even when Brad Hoover is healthier.

RB Thomas Jones (Chi). He did not have a great game, but got 18 carries while Anthony Thomas received no carries. So much for any controversy. Jones is the full-time starter again now that he is healthy.

*** Waiver wire - RB Julius Jones (Dal) - Julius quietly started working more and more and more in practice and then was cleared to play late last week. He was not expected to get but a few carries, but the team gave him 30 of the 33 carries. He should be the full-time RB the rest of the way in our opinion as Dallas evaluates what kind of players they have going forward.

RB Reuben Droughns (Den) - Droughns took every hand-off for Denver and amassed 166 rushing yards and a TD. Denver has been able to secure big leads in many games this year leading to a lot of carries for the running back. With a soft schedule the rest of the way, look for this trend to continue.

RB Kevin Jones (Det) - He managed 100 yards on 19 carries. The rookie is improving with each week.

RB Domanick Davis (Hou) - Over the last three weeks, no one has been hotter than Davis at running back. Involved in both the rushing and passing game, Domanick is racking up great fantasy stats each week. He had 106 combined yards and a score this week.

RB Edgerrin James (Ind) - James rushed for 204 yards and a TD against a good Bears defense (albeit looking soft without Urlacher to clog the middle). What is amazing is James sat out the 4th quarter in order to save himself for a Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions. Now that is impressive. With peyton shredding defenses, teams are forced to play more DBs creating easy running lanes for Edgerrin James.

RB Fred Taylor (Jac) - Against the Titans, Taylor posted his 2nd consecutive 100-yard day and his third in the last four games. He is in good form and will likely get a boost when Byron Leftwich returns from injury this week.

*** Waiver wire - RB Moe Williams (Min) - With Michael Bennett and Onterrio Smith making each other horrible fantasy backs, Williams at least has a role. He is the short-yardage guy. On an offense this good (especially when Randy Moss returns), the short-yardage guy could easily score every week.

*** Waiver wire - RB Lamont Jordan (NYJ) - Jordan filled in well for Curtis Martin after the starter suffered a knee bruise. Obviously, a healthy Martin will be the primary ball-carrier for the Jets, but if Martin misses any time, Jordan could be an excellent fantasy option.

RB Brian Westbrook (Phi) - Levens is eating into his rushing attempts, but Westbrook is very involved in the passing game. In leagues that reward a point per reception, he could be huge down the stretch. He scored twice on receptions Sunday.

RB Jerome Bettis (Pit) - Another day, another 100+ yard outing from the Bus. Bettis simply continues to punish opposing defenses.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) - It looks like the bye week agreed with Tomlinson as he rumbled 37 times for 164 yards and a TD against the Raiders. He should be huge week 12 against the Chiefs.

*** Waiver wire - RB Maurice Hicks (SF) - Hicks is a very long shot, but Barlow has been horrible. It would not be surprising to see Hicks get more touches (especially if the 49ers keep getting blown out).

RB Michael Pittman (TB) - Pittman continues to be given a heavy workload (21 carries in week 11), and he is producing quality numbers (106 yards and a pair of TDs). This marks Pittman's third 100-yard game in his last four games. Tampa Bay's easy rushing schedule makes Pittman even more attractive down the stretch.

*** Waiver wire - RB Antowain Smith (Ten) - Smith turned in a respectable effort (95 yards and a score) in relief of the injured Chris Brown. If Brown continues to sit, Smith would be a viable fantasy option.

*** Waiver wire - WR Kelley Washington (Cin) - He has the size and talent to be a bigtime player in the NFL. To date though he has struggled running correct routes. Scoring a TD against a tough Pittsburgh defense could get him going.

WR Anquan Boldin (Ari) - He only had 75 yards receiving but was targeted a whopping 16 times. His production will come.

WR Larry Fitzgerald (Ari) - He had 92 yards and a score on 14 targets. He has had two great weeks in a row.

*** Waiver wire - WR Travis Taylor (Bal) - He had a quiet 68 yards on 11 targets. He is the #1 receiver on the Ravens now.

WR Muhsin Muhammad (Car) - He has 335 yards and 5 TDs in the last 3 games. No one is hotter. He is a must play every week.

WR Chad Johnson (Cin) - He said he would score against the Steelers and did. He has 243 yards and a TD over the last 3 weeks. He was targeted 10 times on Sunday.

*** Waiver wire - WR Quincy Morgan (Dal) - He managed only 42 yards, but had 10 targets. He could see a lot more action later this year as the team evaluates personnel.

WR Ashley Lelie (Den) - Another week and another TD. He is the Broncos deep threat. He has 160 yards and 2 TDs in the last 2 weeks.

WR Donald Driver (GB) - He caught 10 for 148 and a score (on just 12 targets). He has become very consistent lately as the #2 WR for the Packers.

WR Javon Walker (GB) - He had a quiet 88 yards, but saw an impressive 15 targets. He remains a clear starter every week.

WR Reggie Wayne (Ind) - He has 4 TDs in the last three games. He is consistently shredding single coverage.

WR Chris Chambers (Mia) - AJ Feeley is able to get the ball deeper and Chambers is the beneficiary. He caught 9 passes for 103 yards and a score (on 14 targets).

WR Nate Burleson (Min) - Randy Moss may return this week, but could be limited. In his absence, Nate Burleson has elevated his game considerably. He has 3 TDs in his last three weeks. He had just 5 targets this week, but caught every pass finishing with 52 yards and a TD.

WR Hines Ward (Pit) - Plaxico Burress injury will force the ball Ward's direction. Plaxico is expected to miss the next two weeks.

WR Keenan McCardell (SD) - As teams look to contain Gates and Tomlinson, McCardell is quietly exploding each week. He caught 7 passes for 91 yards on Sunday. He was targeted an impressive 15 times.

WR Darrell Jackson (Sea) - Koren Robinson is now suspended for the next 4 games. Darrell should get plenty of targets during his absence.

*** Waiver wire - WR Jerry Rice (Sea) - With Koren Robinson on the bench, Jerry had a huge day. We still think he is a couple of steps slow, but he did catch 3 balls for 86 yards and a TD.

WR Drew Bennett (Ten) - He only had 64 yards receiving, but was targeted 11 times. As he showed in week 10, he is capable of big games.

TE Alge Crumpler (Atl) - When Vick needs a first down or TD, he looks to get the ball into Crumpler's hands. Alge responded this week with 4 catches for 47 yards and 2 TDs.

*** Waiver wire - TE Mark Campbell (Buf) - It's not often a tight end gets 3 TDs. He is clearly part of the redzone offense.

TE Jermaine Wiggins (Min) - He had 8 catches for 51 yards and a score. He is a big part of the Viking's offense (especially with Moss out). He had 12 targets. Burleson + Robinson had just 7 targets.

TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) - He scored again this week while adding 45 yards. He had 11 targets (more than any of the receivers) on Sunday.

TE Antonio Gates (SD) - If you haven't noticed that he is the best tight end in football, you aren't paying attention. Despite constant double coverage, he managed 8 catches for 101 yards and a score.

PK Mike Vanderjagt (Ind) - He had some opportunities this week, making them all. It is doubtful that Peyton can score 4-5 TDs every week so Vanderjagt should get more opportunities down the stretch.

Def Buffalo - They allowed just 35 rushing yards while amassing 3 interceptions, 6 sacks and a fumble recovery.

Def Cincinnati - They were the first team to really affect Ben Roethlisberger's game. They had 7 sacks and 1 fumble recovery while allowing just 84 passing yards.

Def Indianapolis - They had a good game and are playing much better lately. They are likely going to yield a lot of yards (especially with the rate the offense puts up points), but showed they can stop people when they need to.

Def Pittsburgh - They might be the league's best unit. They continue to run back interceptions for TDs.

Def TB - They held the 49ers to just 197 total yards and 3 points while recording 5 sacks, 1 interception and a fumble recovery.

Downgrades

QB Josh McCown (Ari) - It is never good to get benched on game day.

QB Jeff Garcia (Cle) - Garcia suffered a slightly separated shoulder and will undergo an MRI on Monday. He was unable to play after halftime against the Jets and said he "couldn't squeeze the football."

QB Vinny Testaverde (Dal) - Testaverde struggled mightily before a shoulder injury forced him from the game. HC Bill Parcells says he will wait until assessing the severity of the injury before deciding on a starter for Thanksgiving Day. We're expecting a youth movement.

QB Joey Harrington (Det) - Harrington is simply stinking up the joint. Only throwing for 91 passing yards against the bad Vikings defense is amazingly terrible. Unfortunately, with the rash of injuries at WR, not much more can be expected of Harrington.

QB David Garrard (Jac) - Garrard will likely return to the bench as Byron Leftwich is expected to return from injury this week.

QB Aaron Brooks (NO) - Despite great fantasy stats this week, Brooks was horrible as a real NFL QB making many bone-headed mistakes. This team is self-destructing on a weekly basis. It would not shock us if Brooks gets benched with another bad week.

QB Kurt Warner (NYG) - He has been benched in favor of Eli Manning.

QB Ben Roethlisberger (Pit) - This is really more of a cautionary downgrade. The Bengals blitz-happy defense reminded everyone that Roethlisberger is in fact a rookie QB as he was sacked 7 times for a loss of 54 yards and a fumble while holding him to one score and 138 passing yards. Sure, Pittsburgh won and he young gunner should rebound statistically from this outing. But there is the worry that other teams will follow this blueprint of defending Roethlisberger.

QB Tim Rattay (SF) - He has become too inconsistent to start each week. The team is bad which would imply they would have to throw. But over the last 3 weeks, he has ranked as only the 21st best option.

QB Mark Brunell (Was) - He has been benched in favor of Patrick Ramsey.

RB Musa Smith (Bal) - Smith broke his leg in the first quarter against Dallas.

RB Jamal Lewis (Bal) - He left the game with an ankle injury. Although he is expected to start in week 12, the team is having some success passing the ball.

RB Anthony Thomas (Chi) - Thomas Jones is back, and Thomas was given zero touches. He's still a decent handcuffing option, but he won't see the ball with Jones on the field.

RB Eddie George (Dal) - Thanks for playing, but Julius Jones is healthy. We'll lean on his young shoulders now. He had a stellar 3 carries while Julius Jones had 30.

RBs Travis Minor and Sammy Morris (Mia) - This is officially a RBBC situation with no upside for either player.

RBs Michael Bennett & Onterrio Smith (Min) - Each of these guys makes the other a marginal fantasy start.

RB Kevan Barlow (SF) - Barlow continues to make his push for Fantasy Bust of the Year. In week 11, Maurice Hicks lead the 49ers in rushing despite having only 7 carries to Barlow's 14. Even worse for Barlow is San Francisco's extremely tough rushing schedule to close the season.

WR Roy Williams (Det) - Joey Harrington is struggling and Williams is clearly not 100%. It showed up on the field this week with Williams catching just 2 passes for 19 yards.

WR Robert Ferguson (GB) - He injured his shoulder. Even when healthy he has become an afterthought in the passing game.

WR Marcus Robinson (Min) - Despite no Randy Moss, he caught just 1 pass for 7 yards.

WR Plaxico Burress (Pit) - He is expected to miss two weeks with his hamstring problems.

WR Koren Robinson (Sea) - He will sit out the next 4 games due to a drug suspension.

WR Brandon Llyod (SF) - espite playing from behind the whole game, the 49ers #1 WR managed just 1 catch for 7 yards.

WR Tyrone Calico (Ten) - He has been placed on IR and is lost for the season.

TE Kris Mangum (Car) - He had 1 catch for 3 yards on Sunday.

TE Jerramy Stevens (Sea) - When the team needed him for a big game, he responds with 1 catch for 5 yards.

TE Eric Johnson (SF) - The offensive line play is so bad that Eric has to stay back and block on too many plays to have huge weeks. He caught just 1 pass for 9 yards on Sunday.

PK Phil Dawson (Cle) - He missed both of his FGs yesterday.

PK David Akers (Phi) - He is simply not getting the chances. He has attempted just 1 FG (he made it) in his last 3 games as the offense scores TDs in the redzone.

PK Martin Gramatica (TB) - He has attempted just 1 FG in his last 3 games (he missed it). HC Gruden also has lost confidence in him in long attempts.

Def Arizona - 0 sacks, 0 fumble recoveries and 1 interception while allowing 35 points to a suspect Carolina team. Ouch.

Def Chicago - The Colts exposed the Bears as being very soft up the middle without Brian Urlacher on the field. Look for every team to now try and pound the ball between the tackles.

Def New Orleans - This unit is awful. They allowed 27 points while getting no sacks, no fumbles and no interceptions. For the year they have allowed 4,205 total yards and 30 TDs. Both are worst in the NFL.