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Week 13 was a very tense week for fantasy teams.   We hope that things worked out for you and that you are still in the hunt.   As always, we take a look back at our bench / start predictions for the week.   We were able to provide some great defenses for teams to rely on week 13.   While we had some nice calls on several running backs (Nick Goings and Shaun Alexander), we did get burned by some unexpected wide receiver performances (Darrell Jackson and T. J. Houshmandzadeh).   Join us for the weekly fantasy bench/start wrap up as we take credit for our good predictions and own up to our blunders of the week.

Nostradamus (a.k.a. psychic)
Start:
Buffalo Bills Defense – If you started the Bills, you are feeling very good about the fantasy performance you received from them.   The Bills basically went nuts!   5 interceptions, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, and interception returned for a TD, and a kick return for a TD.

Tory Holt – Chandler took over and Holt exploded for one of his best games of the season with 159 yards receiving and a TD.   After a so-so showing week 12, Holt rebounded nicely.

Nate Kaeding – 2 field goals and 2 PATs is a solid performance from a kicker.   Sure you would like 16 point fantasy games, but Kaeding's game was very nice compared to the 0 and 5 point games many kickers will give you.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Some owners were frightened by the threat of Vick’s hot offense, but we told you that the Bucs were his kryptonite.   3 interceptions, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and the shutout is a monster fantasy game.

Nick Goings – Goings racked up 122 yards rushing, 46 yards receiving, and a TD.   Goings’ owners were very pleased with the results.   Goings has been one of the better waiver wire acquisitions of the season.

Shaun Alexander – Alexander only had 39 yards week 12, but we told you that he would rebound.   He did just that with 83 yards rushing, 21 yards receiving, and 2 TDs.   This was a great fantasy game from Alexander, but the Hawks wish he wouldn’t have fumbled.   The turnovers on Monday Night helped the Cowboys pull off the upset.

Minnesota Vikings D – The Vikings didn’t do as well as we had hoped, but they were still worthy of starting.   5 sacks and 1 fumble recovery is a solid fantasy day in most scoring formats.

Bench:
Duce Staley – Only 52 yards from Staley.   We are pretty sure that most fantasy owners are pleased that they didn’t start him.   Staley’s role could increase next week as he continues to get healthy.   This could come at the worst possible time for Bettis owners trying to keep fantasy championship dreams alive.

Tyrone Wheatley – We will only take half of the credit for this call.   Wheatley ended up not playing this past weekend.   If you own Wheatley, it is probably time to let him go.

Michael Bennett – Onterrio Smith got injured and Bennett still got you nothing.   Stay far away from Bennett.   This is something to keep in mind for next year’s draft when evaluating talent that can’t stay healthy.

Moe Williams – Onterrio Smith got injured and Williams only got you 47 total yards.   The whole Minnesota team needs to get its act together.


Farmer's Almanac (a.k.a. not so bad/not so good)
Start:
Onterrio Smith – This was the one Minnesota RB that we were slightly wrong on.   Since Smith got injured, he didn’t get his ~20 carries.   As a result, Smith only had 87 total yards.   This is almost enough to be considered a good call.   However, Smith is here in the so-so calls of the week.

Bench:
None this week.


Weather Forecast (a.k.a. oops better luck next time)
Start:
Deuce McAllister – McAllister was THE most disappointing player of the week.   We aren’t making any excuses for this former stud.   He stunk it up.

Donald Driver – Driver hit one of those lulls that a WR will have.   Only 33 yards is terrible.   Let’s hope the Pack figures out how to play football by week 14.

Jerome Bettis – The Jags proved to be more than even the bus could overcome.   If you watched this game, you saw some smash mouth football.

Bench:
T. J. Houshmandzadeh and Carson Palmer – These two hooked up for fantastic fantasy games.   They fooled us and one of the better defenses in the NFL at the same time.

Joe Horn – Hollywood was our worst bench call of the week.   He exploded.  

Darrell Jackson – Jackson had only his third 100+ yard game of the season.   Jackson owners hope he continues this trend.