Kevan Barlow fan club

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Frank Gore has plenty of company when it comes to longtime San Francisco 49ers players who have been deprived of tasting the postseason. Quarterback Alex Smith, tight end Vernon Davis, linebacker Patrick Willis—and on it goes.

But it’s Gore who became the face of the team’s quest this season—first to reach the playoffs and now to win a ring. Perhaps it’s because he’s the 49ers’ all-time leading rusher, or perhaps it’s because he has been a relentless source of good for a franchise that has been bad.

Frank Gore’s toughness cannot be questioned. He came back from a season-ending hip injury sustained in 2010, and he’s played through an ankle injury the second half of this season. (AP Photo)

One thing is certain: He’s taken a lot of hits over a long time for a franchise that didn’t seem like a realistic playoff team as recently as six months ago.

“I waited a long time,” Gore said. “And the goal of everybody who plays this game is you want to go to the postseason. I always wanted that, to be able to show everybody in the world what I’m made of as a player.”

Gore rushed for a game-high 89 yards against the New Orleans Saints in the 49ers’ 36-32 divisional playoff victory last Saturday. That marked the first playoff game for the 49ers since 2002, and the first in Gore’s seven-year NFL career. Now, he’s one victory from the Super Bowl, as the 49ers prepare to take on the New York Giants in the NFC championship game Sunday at Candlestick Park.

Football fans in the Bay Area and those who play fantasy football learned about Gore years ago, when he toiled for one of the league’s worst teams and his work yielded gaudy stats but precious few victories.

Gore posted four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons from 2006-09, and he was well on his way to a fifth before he suffered a season-ending hip injury last season.

Some questioned whether Gore would be able to resume his NFL career after such a serious injury. None of those came from within the 49ers’ locker room.

Gore speaks softly and only on occasion. It’s his actions that reveal far more about the power-packed back who stands 5-9 and weighs 217 pounds.

— MORE: Troy Aikman’s championship game breakdowns: AFC | NFC

“We weren’t worried about Frank making it back,” veteran safety Dashon Goldson said. “We know how hard he works, how much this game means to him and the things he wants to accomplish.”

First and foremost, Gore yearned to experience postseason football. That proved every bit as elusive as he is in the open field.

Until this season, when everything clicked for the 49ers under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh.

Gore kick-started the 49ers’ improbable run with five straight 100-yard rushing games during an eight-game winning steak. He finished with 1,211 yards, his most since amassing 1,695 in 2006.

Along the way, he surpassed Joe “The Jet” Perry for the most rushing yards in franchise history, a milestone he acknowledged without much fuss. That wasn’t the goal he set when he entered the NFL out of the University of Miami.

It’s reaching the playoffs that has made this a special year for Gore.

“I take this year over any year, especially fighting back from an injury a lot of people thought I wouldn’t come back from,” Gore said. “To come back and have a pretty good year, not just individually but as a team, I’ll take this year over any year in my career so far.”

Gore’s season hasn’t been all roses, though. He suffered an ankle injury in the eighth game and hasn’t been anywhere close to 100 percent since then. Trying to play hurt in the following game—against the Giants—Gore rushed six times for no yards.

He ended up with only 429 yards in the final half of the season, at an average of 3.5 yards a carry. Also, he caught only 17 passes this season, his fewest since catching 15 as a rookie.

Yet, Gore carries on, determined to make the most of this season, despite the lingering effects from ankle, arm and knee injuries. The taste is even sweeter, having been rewarded with a long-term contract extension before the season started.

Niners running backs coach Tom Rathman feels as if Gore’s best years are ahead of him, even though Gore is 28 and with 1,666 carries on his resume.

“Frank’s a really good player, really great player,” Rathman said. “He can get better. That’s the way we approach it in our room. You just can’t stay status quo; he wants to get better as a football player. There’s certain areas that he needs to get to the level back where he was last year.”

Given time, it’s a safe bet Gore will find a way to reach his goals. The biggest is within reach now—a Super Bowl ring—and the face of the 49ers’ quest will have a big say Sunday in whether the team takes the next step.

“He’s one of the catalysts for our offense and our whole team,” left tackle Joe Staley said. “He’s a great player and played at a high level for a long time. So, he’s someone that definitely leads this locker room and definitely leads this team.”

And after all these years, he’s getting a chance to show the world what he’s made of.

— MORE: Troy Aikman’s championship game breakdowns: AFC | NFC

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A look at some fantasy football sleeper options for Week 17:

Quarterback

Vincent Brown could get the start and put up numbers if the Chargers choose to rest Vincent Jackson against the Raiders. (AP Photo)

Kyle Orton, Chiefs, at Broncos: This weekend Orton gets the chance to ruin his former team’s playoff plans. How’s that for motivation? Orton, who has thrown for 599 yards in the past two weeks, is a long shot, but at least he has the talent, weapons and matchup — Denver allows the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks — you want in a sleeper.

Running Back

Christopher Ivory, Saints, vs. Panthers: Once the Saints have this weekend’s game in hand, they’ll likely turn to Ivory to grind out the clock. That means plenty of touches against a Carolina run defense that is allowing the second-most fantasy points to running backs.

Wide Receiver

Vincent Brown, Chargers, at Raiders: If the Chargers choose to rest Vincent Jackson (groin) in this weekend’s meaningless game against Oakland, Brown would get the start. With Malcom Floyd out earlier this season, Brown totaled 13 receptions for 234 yards in four starts, including five receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown in Week 10 against the Raiders.

Tight End

Kyle Rudolph, Vikings, vs. Bears: Rudolph has been getting more playing time over Visanthe Shiancoe lately and has scored three TDs in the last five games. A matchup against a Bears D that allows the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends is a great opportunity for Minnesota to really turn the rookie loose.

Kicker

Ryan Succop, Chiefs, at Broncos: A suddenly mobile Chiefs offense has quietly given Succop four field-goal attempts in each of the last two games (6-for-8). He should see multiple attempts again this weekend against a Denver defense that has allowed the third-most field goals and the second-most fantasy points to kickers.

Defense

Seattle Seahawks at Cardinals: Despite scoring the fifth-most fantasy points in standard leagues so far this season, owners are still sleeping on the Seahawks. Don’t make that mistake this weekend as Seattle takes on the Cardinals. Thanks in part to John Skelton’s 13 interceptions in his last six games, Arizona is allowing the second-most fantasy points to defenses.

For weekly rankings, stat projections, tools to help you make lineup decisions, and more, go to Fantasy Source.

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Welcome to Week 16, fantasy owners — Championship weekend is finally here.

Of course, nothing is ever easy in the fantasy world, and this year, fantasy owners will have to adjust to watching the majority of the games on Saturday while they’re wrapping presents and making last-minute egg-nog runs. After at least five months of preseason planning, drafting, number crunching, waiver claims, roster changes and proposed trades, this is what it comes down to. Oh, the humanity!

Roy Helu’s late season emergence has been a boost to fantasy owners, but the rookie running back has been limited in practice this week. (AP Photo)

But that’s what makes winning all the sweeter. Aside from the joyful sound of children’s laughter on Christmas morning, is there a better holiday gift than winning your fantasy football league? I think we all know the answer to that.

And that’s why the Fantasy Source staff will be on hand to deliver Christmas (and fantasy) cheer all day on Saturday. Sure, you can try sending your fantasy wish list to some overweight bearded guy up in the North Pole, but why bother with that when you can simply log on and join expert Sean Merriman from 10 a.m. ET until kickoff for our weekly Start/Sit Chat? This chat is for Fantasy Source subscribers only, so sign up today!

Fantasy Source members should also be sure to check out our new Game-Time Decisions page for the latest injury news and replacement options. We’ll also be Tweeting out injury updates, so follow us for the most up-to-date information (@FantasyBlitz). There’s no excuse for leaving Ben Roethlisberger or Felix Jones in your lineups if they’re ruled out.

Once your lineups are set, stick around for Matt Lutovsky’s In-Game Live Chat for instant fantasy updates and analysis. It’s a great way to find out the latest on injuries, playing time and potential breakout players. Last week, readers of the chat were the first to hear about Willis McGahee’s injury and Kahlil Bell’s breakout performance. The in-game chat is also a great place to just hang out and talk football all afternoon.

Following the games, we’ll have a free roundup of all of Sunday’s action and a premium column for our subscribers about what we learned over the weekend.

If your squad didn’t make the playoff cut, you can keep the fantasy fun going by entering a team in a FanDuel fantasy football tournament. Head to our fantasy page to check out the more than 10 fantasy football tournaments they have going this week!

If that’s still not enough, you can also play the Aikman Fantasy QB game on Facebook against Troy Aikman. Not only is Aikman a Hall-of-Fame quarterback, but he’s also part-owner of a NASCAR Sprint Cup racing team and the San Diego Padres. He can definitely handle managing a fantasy football team in his spare time.

Fantasy Source is ready for Week 16. Are you?

Stock Watch: Kahlil Bell, RB, Bears. It seems like very year some “no-name” back emerges late in the season and leads teams to fantasy titles. Bell might be that guy this year. He racked up 20 touches, 108 total yards and a TD last week, and he could be in line for a bigger workload this week with Marion Barber expected to miss Sunday night’s game because of a calf injury. Even more noteworthy: Green Bay has given up a TD to a running back in each of its past eight games.

Week 16 Sleeper: Jabar Gaffney, WR, Redskins. Gaffney has been a steady producer all season, averaging 60.1 yards per game and scoring four TDs. He’s been even better the past two weeks, catching 12 passes for 177 yards and a score. This week, he takes on a Vikings’ defense allowing 26.4 fantasy points per game to WRs (third most). The frequently targeted Gaffney should be in line for a good day, making him a very safe WR3 option.

Rookie Report: Roy Helu, RB, Redskins. Helu has been limited in practice all week because of a sore toe and ankle. He’s still expected to play on Sunday, though fellow rookie Evan Royster might steal some touches. Still, Helu is tough to bench in any fantasy format, especially PPR. Helu leads the NFL in carries (96) over the past four games, and he’s tied for eighth among all RBs with 16 receptions in that span. His 505 yards from scrimmage since Week 12 rank sixth. Helu should still see at least 15 touches against Minnesota (likely more), and given his ability, he’s a must-start RB2.

For more great fantasy advice, log in to Fantasy Source!

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Before you dive into the NFL Week 16 schedule with your reality and fantasy football picks, get everything you need to know from Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer and Bill Bender in this week’s Huddle Up! podcast:

http://www.radioexiles.com/songs/HUDDLE122211FINAL.mp3

Also this week, with help from SN Falcons correspondent D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Vinnie and Bill get the scoop on the team going into its huge NFC South showdown with the Saints on Monday night:

Ledbetter on how good the Falcons-Saints rivalry has become: “The Bears and Packers are still pretty hot, but I would say it is either No. 1 or 2 in the NFC. The Falcons and Saints came into the league together, and were bitter rivals as losing teams. Now that they’re both winning, it’s a brought a different edge.”

On how the Falcons can slow down Saints quarterback Drew Brees: “They’ve tried everything, from blitzing him relentlessly to dropping back in coverage. They’ve won one game doing it both ways. … You need some sacks, you need some hits, you’ve got to move him off the spot and you can’t let his receivers stream downfield wide open.”

On the status of Falcons Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes for Week 16: “Grimes returned to practice Tuesday. Coach Mike Smith said he hasn’t been cleared and isn’t sure if he’ll be in the game, but Grimes announced he’s ready to go. Barring any major setback or swelling in the knee, it looks like he’s going to be on the field on Monday night.”

Drew Brees is the prey with the Saints face the Falcons. (AP Photo)

On the impact of Falcons rookie wide receiver Julio Jones: “He’s starting to fit in and they’re starting to figure out how to use him and how to get big plays out of him. They have got things designed where defenses need to make their elections, and if they elect to leave Julio in one-on-one coverage, they’ve found how to get him the ball. He’s missed most of five games, so it’s taken a while to get him incorporated to the attack, whether it’s throwing him the ball underneath and let him make some yards after the catch, or do what they did against Carolina, get the ball to him downfield for more explosive plays.”

On the Falcons wanting one more shot at Green Bay: “They beat them last year during the regular season, but fell apart in the playoffs — they got into a shootout and just couldn’t keep up. That’s what dictated all those changes in the offseason, to get some defensive backs, get another defensive end to rush and to pick up Julio Jones. … The game his year was telling in the fact the Falcons jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but did give up 25 unanswered points. Now the offense is a little better, and they should be able to match, if in a rematch, they hold the Packers to under 30.

“This is a big test Monday night to see if the Falcons’ new makeup matches the high-level teams in the NFC like the Saints and Packers.”

“Huddle Up!” on RadioExiles.com can be downloaded to your computer or smart phone. Click here: http://www.radioexiles.com/songs/HUDDLE12211FINAL.mp3

On Twitter: D. Orlando Ledbetter @AJCFalcons, Vinnie Iyer @vinnieiyer, Bill Bender and Sporting News’ Fantasy Source @FantasyBlitz, Sporting News on NFL @sn_nfl.

RadioExiles.com is a website that features highly-produced podcasts from professional radio personalities. Dozens of new shows every week. Find something just for you at www.radioexiles.com

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Welcome to Week 15, fantasy owners. Hopefully you’re still in the running for your fantasy championship.

If you are still competing for your fantasy title, today will be filled with plenty of stress and nervous energy. Unfortunately, the players on your team don’t know (and don’t care) that you’ve spent countless hours this week (and this season) thinking over every roster move. Sure, they’re out on the field, risking their bodies for our entertainment and the glory of their real-life teams, but wouldn’t it be nice if they knew just how much you were depending on them today? Knowing that you could win a whopping $50 if they just gutted out an extra 10 yards might be the extra motivation they need to put your team over the top!

Last week, Doug Baldwin caught seven passes for 93 yards and a score, which seems to indicate that he’s going to be a big part of the Seahawks’ offense while Sidney Rice is out. (AP Photo)

Well, those players might not empathize with your predicaments, but the Fantasy Source staff certainly does. That’s why we’ll be here all day to help you out and keep you updated. Join expert Bill Bender on Sunday morning from 10 a.m. ET until kickoff for our weekly Start/Sit Chat. This chat is for Fantasy Source subscribers only, so sign up today!

Fantasy Source members should also be sure to check out our new Game-Time Decisions page for the latest injury news and replacement options. We’ll also be Tweeting out injury updates, so follow us for the most up-to-date information (@FantasyBlitz). There’s no excuse for leaving Nate Washington or Kevin Smith in your lineups if they’re ruled out.

Once your lineups are set, stick around for Matt Lutovsky’s In-Game Live Chat for instant fantasy updates and analysis. It’s a great way to find out the latest on injuries, playing time and potential breakout players. Last week, readers of the chat were the first to hear about Matt Hasselbeck’s injury and Ryan Grant’s breakout performance. The in-game chat is also a great place to just hang out and talk football all afternoon.

Following the games, we’ll have a free roundup of all of Sunday’s action and a premium column for our subscribers about what we learned over the weekend.

If your squad didn’t make the playoff cut, you can keep the fantasy fun going by entering a team in a FanDuel fantasy football tournament. Head to our fantasy page to check out the more than 10 fantasy football tournaments they have going this week!

If that’s still not enough, you can also play the Aikman Fantasy QB game on Facebook against Troy Aikman. Aikman knows all about fierce competition. After all, he had to compete for air time with such stars as Tony Danza, Arsenio Hall and Dolly Parton during the 1993 TV Special, “Kathie Lee Gifford’s Celebration of Motherhood.” Now that’s pressure.

Fantasy Source is ready for Week 15. Are you?

Stock Watch: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers. Roethlisberger only practiced in a limited fashion this week because of a high ankle sprain, and we likely won’t know his availability for this week’s game against San Francisco until Monday night. Roethlisberger owners can’t risk taking a zero in their QB spot, so unless they have Alex Smith or Charlie Batch (and feel comfortable using those players in the fantasy playoffs), Roethlisberger should not be in starting lineups this weekend. Pittsburgh’s receivers — namely Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown — can still be started, but lower your expectations for their performances.

Week 15 Sleeper: Jake Ballard, TE, Giants. Ballard has been a fairly steady yardage producer since Week 4, and he’s also scored four times in that span. This week, he faces a Redskins’ defense allowing the second most fantasy points per game to TEs (9.5). It’s worth noting that that number was inflated a bit by Rob Gronkowski’s big game against Washington last week, but Ballard is also a big-play receiver who can put up points with only a handful of catches. He’s a solid starting TE option this week.

Rookie Report: Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks. Baldwin has had an up-and-down season, but he’s been a little more steady over the past month, going for at least 50 yards in four of five games. Last week, he caught seven passes for 93 yards and a score, which seems to indicate that he’s going to be a big part of the Seahawks’ offense while Sidney Rice (concussion) is out. Baldwin’s matchup this week against Chicago doesn’t look like a favorable one, but keep in mind that the Bears are giving up the fifth most passing yards per game (256.5). Baldwin will be able to get loose for a couple big plays, making him a high-reward WR3 option.

For more great fantasy advice, log in to Fantasy Source!

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A look at some fantasy football sleeper options for Week 15:

Quarterback

It’s OK to fall all over yourself to get Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas in your lineup against the Patriots. (AP Photo)

Rex Grossman, Redskins, at Giants: It’s borderline crazy to rely on a quarterback as unstable as Grossman in the fantasy playoffs, but he could be a sneaky option if you’ve made it this far without a true No. 1. The Giants are allowing the second-most fantasy points to QBs, and Grossman lit them up for 305 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1.

Running Back

Felix Jones, Cowboys, at Buccaneers: With DeMarco Murray suffering a season-ending ankle injury last week, Jones inherited the feature role in the Cowboys’ backfield. With no competition for carries, Jones should see a heavy workload this weekend against the Buccaneers, who are allowing the most fantasy points to RBs. Give him an extra bump in point-per-reception leagues.

Wide Receiver

Demaryius Thomas/Eric Decker, Broncos, vs. Patriots: New England allows the most fantasy points to WRs, which is why both Broncos wideouts deserve your attention this weekend. Despite having the erratic Tim Tebow at quarterback, Thomas has racked up 11 receptions, 222 yards and three TDs in the past two games. Decker has been quiet lately, but don’t overlook his four TDs in Tebow’s eight starts.

Tight End

Anthony Fasano, Dolphins, at Bills: Fasano has quietly totaled seven receptions for 122 yards in the past two weeks. While the yardage is nice, it’s his scoring potential we like this weekend against Buffalo. No team has allowed more touchdowns to tight ends than the Bills, making Fasano a sleeper if you’re scrambling for a replacement.

Kicker

Mike Nugent, Bengals, at Rams: Nugent is coming off a four-field goal day in Week 14, which included two from 40-plus yards. He could be busy again this weekend, as the Rams are one of only two teams to have allowed 30-plus field-goal tries and 30-plus extra-point attempts this season.

Defense

Cincinnati Bengals at Rams: Fantasy owners should continue to pick on the bumbling Rams after last week’s D/ST sleeper, the Seahawks, notched three sacks, picked off a pass and returned a blocked kick for a touchdown against St. Louis. It shouldn’t be surprising that no team allows more fantasy points to D/STs than the Rams.

For weekly rankings, stat projections, tools to help you make lineup decisions, and more, go to Fantasy Source.

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Welcome to Week 14, fantasy owners—the first round of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues.

Every decision is crucial at this point in the season, which is why we’ll be here all day to help you out and keep you updated. Join expert Sean Merriman on Sunday morning from 10 a.m. ET until kickoff for our weekly Start/Sit Chat. This chat is for Fantasy Source subscribers only, so sign up today!

Fantasy Source members should also be sure to check out our new Game-Time Decisions page for the latest injury news and replacement options. We’ll also be Tweeting out injury updates, so follow us for the most up-to-date information (@FantasyBlitz). There’s no excuse for leaving Jeremy Maclin or Willis McGahee in your lineups if they’re ruled out.

Once your lineups are set, stick around for Matt Lutovsky’s In-Game Live Chat for instant fantasy updates and analysis. It’s a great way to find out the latest on injuries, playing time and potential breakout players. Last week, readers of the chat were the first to hear about Matt Forte’s injury and Demaryius Thomas’s breakout performance. The in-game chat is also a great place to just hang out and talk football all afternoon.

Following the games, we’ll have a free roundup of all of Sunday’s action and a premium column for our subscribers about what we learned over the weekend.

If your squad didn’t make the playoff cut, you can keep the fantasy fun going by entering a team in a FanDuel fantasy football tournament. Head to our fantasy page to check out the more than 10 fantasy football tournaments they have going this week!

If that’s still not enough, you can also play the Aikman Fantasy QB game on Facebook against Troy Aikman. And lest you think Aikman is a one-trick pony, keep in mind that he rushed for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns in his career.

Fantasy Source is ready for Week 14. Are you?

Stock Watch: Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals. Wells has been one of the biggest fantasy surprises this season, and aside from a three-week slump in Weeks 9-11 that coincided with a knee injury, he’s been remarkably consistent. Still, fantasy owners are worried about him this week against San Francisco’s top-ranked run defense. Not only are the 49ers allowing just 71.8 rushing yards per game, but they also haven’t given up a rushing TD all season. This is obviously a daunting matchup for Wells, but keep in mind that he’s had at least 20 touches in three of his past four games and that the 49ers will likely be without All-World LB Patrick Willis. Wells is still worth a start for most of his owners.

Week 13 Sleeper: Damian Williams, WR, Titans. Williams has had at least 6.0 fantasy points in five of his past six games, and he’s scored in three of those contests. His matchup this week against a Saints’ defense allowing 24.6 fantasy points per game to WRs (seventh most) is a favorable one, and the fact that Nate Washington is questionable with an ankle injury should mean even more targets for Williams. He’s a solid WR3 option in all formats.

Rookie Report: Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens. Smith is a tempting start this week thanks to a favorable matchup against the Colts (25.1 fantasy points per game allowed to WRs, fifth most), but he’s basically been a boom-or-bust player all season. Smith has only scored in three games, and he’s topped 70 yards just four times. He’s an awfully risky player to trust in the first round of your fantasy playoffs.

For more great fantasy advice, log in to Fantasy Source!

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Before you dive into the Week 13 weekend schedule with your reality and fantasy football picks, get everything you need to know from Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer and Bill Bender in this week’s Huddle Up! podcast.

Also this week, SN Lions correspondent Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press provides the scoop on the 7-4 NFC playoff contenders’ mindset after Ndamukong Suh’s suspension and before their first-ever NBC Sunday Night Football appearance, against the Saints at New Orleans.

The Lions could look at using Calvin Johnson in the slot against the Saints. (AP Photo)

Birkett on Suh’s suspension: “I think it was fair. You can’t stomp somebody on the field, and he clearly did that, no matter what he said in the hours after the game. … Suh’s personal discipline history played a part in that—he has had nine personal fouls in a season in a half in the NFL. Everyone in the organization was shocked and disappointed by it.”

Birkett on the Lions’ first SNF appearance: “Taking the pulse of the locker room, they think they played pretty well in that first half against Green Bay. They had a game plan to beat Aaron Rodgers or at least keep them in the game. They can put up some points if need be, but they know they don’t want to get into a shootout with the Saints in the Superdome.

“They know they’re in the mix for in a playoff spot, and December football is something that hasn’t been meaningful around here in a long time. Despite the public perception that things are kind of crashing down around them with Suh and some of the injury woes they have, they’re looking at this game as a statement that they still get out and show the nation what they’re made of.”

Birkett on quarterback Matthew Stafford’s recent struggles with his hand injury: “The finger is part of the problem, but the Lions really miss Jahvid Best. He was a safety blanket for Stafford, an outlet in the passing game. Without him, teams are able to clamp down on Stafford and his other security blankets a little bit more.”

Birkett on how the Lions can get Calvin Johnson going again: “Teams have really planted a second defender over Calvin Johnson a lot. By moving Johnson to the slot—something they’ve done in the past—he can stretch the field against the middle of the Saints’ defense.”

Birkett on the Lions’ playoff chances: “They need 10 wins for sure to get in, and they might be able to get there with a tiebreaker over Chicago. I don’t think they win this game at New Orleans, but after that they should be able to beat Minnesota and San Diego. That Week 17 game at Green Bay, you don’t know if that team will be resting its starters. The key is the Oakland game in Week 15—can they stop Darren McFadden and Carson Palmer? If they don’t get that game, they’re probably 9-7 and missing the playoffs.”

“Huddle Up!” on RadioExiles.com can be downloaded to your computer or smart phone.

On Twitter: Dave Birkett @davebirkett, Vinnie Iyer @vinnieiyer, Bill Bender and Sporting News’ Fantasy Source @FantasyBlitz, Sporting News on NFL @sn_nfl.

RadioExiles.com is a website that features highly-produced podcasts from professional radio personalities. Dozens of new shows every week. Find something just for you at www.radioexiles.com.

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A look at some fantasy football sleeper options for Week 13:

Quarterback

Laurent Robinson has caught at least one touchdown pass in each of his past five games, including two last week against Miami. (AP Photo)

Tim Tebow, Broncos, at Vikings: It’s tough to refer to the most talked about player in the NFL as a “sleeper,” but he is just that from a fantasy standpoint. Tebow has posted solid, consistent fantasy numbers since taking over the starting quarterback gig in Denver and he faces a Vikings defense that’s allowing the most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Start him with confidence this week.

Running Back

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots, vs. Indianapolis: Green-Ellis has remained quiet for the most part this season, but he should get back on track this week against a Colts defense that is allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. With New England expected to run away with this one, look for plenty of carries for the Law Firm.

Wide Receiver

Laurent Robinson, Cowboys, at Cardinals: Robinson has been spectacular since taking over for the injured Miles Austin. He has caught at least one touchdown pass in each of his past five games, including two last week against Miami. Arizona has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, which means Robinson should be in for another big day. With just three starts under his belt, Robinson is already the 17th-ranked wide receiver in standard scoring leagues.

Tight End

Brent Celek, Eagles, at Seahawks: Celek has been more involved in the Eagles’ passing attack lately, hauling in four or more receptions in six straight games. Expect that trend to continue against the Seahawks, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Kicker

Matt Prater, Broncos, at Vikings: If you’re not happy with your current kicker, give Prater a look this week. He’s coming off his best game of the season, going a perfect 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts against San Diego. Plus, no team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing kickers than the Vikings.

Defense

Denver Broncos: Denver’s D/ST has played great over the past three weeks, allowing a combined 36 points to the Chiefs, Jets and Chargers. The Broncos face the Vikings, who could be without Adrian Peterson. That means a big day is in store for this unit.

For weekly rankings, stat projections, tools to help you make lineup decisions, and more, go to Fantasy Source.

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Welcome to Week 12, fantasy owners — no more bye weeks to worry about and plenty of star wide receivers who are ready to return just in time for the stretch run.

The biggest name in the group belongs to Houston’s Andre Johnson, who is set to come back from a hamstring injury after missing the past six games. Unfortunately, he’ll return to Matt Leinart playing quarterback instead of Matt Schaub. Still, that shouldn’t stop you from starting Johnson against the Jaguars. The guy is an athletic freak.

A.J. Green is returning after missing last week’s game due to injury. (AP Photo)

The list of other returning wide receivers includes DeSean Jackson, A.J. Green, Santana Moss and Julio Jones. What should you do with them?

We’re glad you asked, because you can join expert Bill Bender on Sunday morning from 10 a.m. ET until kickoff for our weekly Start/Sit Chat. This chat is for Fantasy Source subscribers only, so sign up today!

Fantasy Source members should also be sure to check out our new Game-Time Decisions page for the latest injury news and replacement options. We’ll also be Tweeting out injury updates, so follow us for the most up-to-date information (@FantasyBlitz). There’s no excuse for leaving Jeremy Maclin or Deion Branch in your lineups if they’re ruled out.

Once your lineups are set, stick around for Matt Lutovsky’s In-Game Live Chat for instant fantasy updates and analysis. It’s a great way to find out the latest on injuries, playing time and potential breakout players. Last week, readers of the chat were the first to hear about Adrian Peterson’s injury and Kevin Smith’s increased role in the Lions’ offense. The in-game chat is also a great place to just hang out and talk football all afternoon.

Following the games, we’ll have a free roundup of all of Sunday’s action and a premium column for our subscribers about what we learned over the weekend.

If your current fantasy team is unlikely to make the playoffs, then try Fanduel’s weekly fantasy football game, where every week you can select a new team. There’s only one spot left in FanDuel’s $200,000 Fantasy Football Championship. That’s right, just one spot left for the Dec. 11 final in Las Vegas. And the FFFC is only $10 to enter. If you win that last seat you’re headed to Las Vegas where the champion will walk away with $75,000. So enter your team now to grab that last seat!

If that’s still not enough, you can also play the Aikman Fantasy QB game on Facebook against Troy Aikman. Aikman once had a 140.7 QB Rating in a Super Bowl. Trust us, that’s really good. Are you scared?

Fantasy Source is ready for Week 12. Are you?

Stock Watch: Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals. Fantasy owners are down on Wells after his eight-carry performance against the 49ers, but that was a tough matchup where the Cardinals fell behind early. Look for Wells to bounce back this week against the Rams, who are giving up the most rushing yards per game. Wells should be in your lineup as a RB2 this week.

Week 12 Sleeper: Donald Brown, RB, Colts. The Colts have a great matchup against the Panthers, who are allowing the most fantasy points per game to running backs. However, the Colts also have a muddled backfield that could be made even more confusing by Joseph Addai’s expected return. Still, if we had to gamble, Brown would get our choice as the go-to guy for desperate fantasy owners.

Rookie Report: Julio Jones, WR, Falcons. Jones missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, but he practiced this week and is expected to play against the Vikings. Jones is just three weeks removed from his 131-yard, two-TD performance against the Colts. With a favorable matchup on tap against Minnesota, it’s worth the re-injury risk to have Jones in your lineup as a WR3.

For more great fantasy advice, log in to Fantasy Source!

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