Studs & Duds: Matt Forte, Matt Ryan will gobble up stats

 

Studs
•Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons: He thrives with home cooking and will be feasting on the Minnesota Vikings' No. 28 pass defense that has allowed at least 288 yards with 10 touchdowns during three of the past four contests.
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•Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears: He'll assume even more responsibility in Jay Cutler's absence. The Oakland Raiders 25th-ranked run defense offers Forte a chance for his eighth game of at least 100 total yards this season.
•Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams: The Arizona Cardinals will be crushed by this imposing Ram again. Jackson ran for 130 yards on 29 carries in a Week 9 visit to Arizona. He'll likely receive another heavy workload against the Cards' No. 24 run defense.
•Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers: With Greg Jennings battling a knee injury, Nelson could be targeted more. He's collected five scores and has two 100-yard games during the past three games.
•Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings: He's Minnesota's most dynamic player after Adrian Peterson. Atlanta has allowed the opponent's top wideout to total 17 receptions for 228 yards and two scores during the past its two games.
Duds
•Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Buffalo Bills: Wave big bills in front of this quarterback, and he's left stunned and helpless in the pocket. The sixth-ranked New York Jets pass defense held Fitzpatrick to 191 yards and one score with two picks in Week 9's meeting in Toronto.
•Roy Helu, RB, Washington Redskins: Will any running back step up to the podium and end the debate? Helu has averaged only 39 rushing yards without a score during the past three contests, and his prospects look bleak against the Seattle Seahawks' No. 8 run defense.
•Jackie Battle, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Like the declining number of healthy Chiefs' stars, his number of carries is dwindling fast. Kansas City has scored only one touchdown in November.
•Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers: He'll be cranky after being roughed by the Baltimore Ravens' No. 7 pass defense that has yielded only two 100-yard games during its past eight contests. Crabtree has reached 100 yards just once and has found the end zone only once this season.
•Lance Moore, WR, New Orleans Saints: Moore has been less. He's reached 75 receiving yards just once, is averaging only 43 yards and has scored only three times.
Sleepers
•Josh Freeman, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: If Freeman can snap the Bucs' four-game losing streak, he'll likely produce strong stats. During its four losses, the Tennessee Titans have yielded 273 passing yards per game and total 11 touchdown passes.
•Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions: Smith could be the Lions' Best running back. Opponents' top running backs have excelled against the Packers, scoring during five of past six games and collecting at least 100 total yards during six of the last seven contests.
•DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers: The Panthers' No. 31 scoring defense wins a reprieve against the winless Indianapolis Colts' No. 31 scoring offense. The Panthers will be able to utilize the run more if they can jump to an early lead against the winless Colts.
•Denarius Moore, WR, Raiders: Chicago's No. 30 pass defense bends to big-play receivers. Vincent Jackson had 165 yards and one score, helped by four receptions of least 20 yards. Moore is another big-play receiver who can achieve his second 100-yard game in three contests.
•Jerome Simpson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: If A.J. Green misses his another game, Simpson could be targeted in the double digits again. The Cleveland Browns' top-ranking pass defense has been earned facing a schedule that includes six opponents ranked 24th or worse in passing and none in the top 13. Simpson burned the Ravens for eight catches for 152 yards.

 

 

 

 

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