Smile, your schedule looks like fun (USP)

We're going to merge two features in the Shuffle Up today; first I'll run through how I rank the quarterbacks for the next four games (Weeks 13-16), and then we'll run through the Strength of Schedule for quarterbacks over that same period.

See the SOS Table for what it is - something to consider. Some will take it seriously, some will ignore it completely. I firmly believe in the importance of analyzing matchups, but it's a fluid thing, a constantly-changing landscape. And obviously the worth of a quarterback in a vacuum matters more than the matchup he faces. We're not looking for reasons to bench Aaron Rodgers, or hunting down reasons to trust Brady Quinn.

But first, the shuffle. Here's how I'd attack the QB position if I were drafting a four-week team right now. I've left Brees and Ryan were I initially had them slotted; I know the Thursday game was a fantasy killjoy, but we have to live with the outliers, too.

Quarterback comments and wide receiver and tight end shuffling will follow shortly.

Two corners and a safety walk into a bar . . . (USP)

For the last decade or so, Michael Salfino and Scott Pianowski have been putting together an email exchange centered around (but not limited to) the NFL. You might enjoy listening to them haggle. You might prefer a swift kick into the stomach. The Table isn't for everyone; we hope some of you enjoy it.

From: Michael Salfino
Date: Wed, Nov 28, 2012 at 1:13 PM
Subject: Week 13 Breakfast
To: scott pianowski

The fantasy football seasons are mostly coming to an end. But the NFL season is really just beginning.

It's very odd to have a conference favorite like San Francisco being so unsettled at quarterback. How do you think Jim Harbaugh has handled this? Maybe you can't screw up two guys with a 100-plus rating but he sure seems to be trying. You get straighter answers from Senators in the halls of Congress.

We had a couple more refereeing fiascos. But the Lions challenge flag is just a stupid rule. I'd like someone to explain to me how munchkin Ray Rice could have his ball in his chest and his knees down at the 35 but have the ball spotted at the 33.5 yard line. There seems to be some physics defying spotting going on there. How are the Ravens 9-2 even with that break though? Do you take them seriously at all? Them ending up as the No. 2 seed over the Broncos and Patriots seems unjust to me. At least Denver gets a crack at Baltimore next week. But then they need New England to lose one more time, too.

Who is the fun team you're rooting for to make the playoffs? Mine is Washington, over Seattle and Tampa Bay for sure (I can't even mention Minnesota as a playoff team, it seems so absurd). Will the schedules cooperate? I think the Redskins-Giants game on Monday night is going to be very Pistol heavy and quite epic. What will you be watching this week? Week 13 Breakfast is served.

Durham, Spain, and finally, Detroit (USP)You need to know all the markets in any fantasy league, even the non-contending clubs. With that in mind, let's stop off in Detroit. Rookie swingman Kyle Singler is trying to get our attention.

A few pundits wrote the Pistons off after their 0-8 start, a mess that was fueled by a six-game road trip in early November. Detroit's played better basketball over its last seven games (four wins), with Singler a key part of that surge.

Singler took over a starting job in the middle of November and he's been productive in five of those seven games. His best effort of the year came in Monday's win over Portland: 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals. He's shown an outstanding stroke from behind the arc (16-of-34, 47.1 percent) and he's not forcing bad shots (he's at 52.9 percent from the field). And the five dimes from Monday show an increasing comfort when it comes to handling the ball and setting up a play.

There's no guarantee Singler will keep his starting gig, of course; eventually Rodney Stuckey might find his shot and force his way back onto the floor. But after seeing Singler log almost 36 minutes on Monday, and better than 28 minutes in each of his last four games, there's no reason to leave him sitting on waiver wires. Let's kick some tires and see where the story takes us.

Big names, not many stops (USP)

Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away, the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles were a team on the cusp of playoff contention. They headed into their bye week with a 3-3 mark; three dramatic and close wins offset by a couple of heartbreaking losses. The Week 6 defeat to Detroit was particularly painful; Philly blew a late 10-point lead in that game, ultimately losing in overtime.

The bye week came in Week 7, and with that, a tipping point. Embattled and controversial defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was fired. Todd Bowles took over the defense on an interim basis.

I'm not sure the Eagles have stopped anyone or anything since. Coincidentally or not, the Philadelphia secondary has turned into the biggest sieve in the league under Bowles's direction.

Cam Newton became the latest quarterback to punish the Eagles, posting four touchdowns in Monday's 30-22 victory. Newton threw for two scores, ran for two more, and finished with a week-high 37.44 fantasy points in standard Yahoo! leagues. It reminded you of the superstar Newton we saw regularly in 2011 (especially in the beginning of his rookie year).

Happy Jags? Happy Jags (USP)

It's too late for Chad Henne to save Jacksonville's season, but it's not too late for him to save yours — at least in a neighborhood play sort of way.

Many observers promptly tossed Henne's Week 11 breakout at Houston into the fluke file, and you can't blame them. That crazy 43-37 game might go down as the strangest result of the entire season, and Henne has earned his journeyman tag for a reason. But Henne's strong play against Tennessee on Sunday (17-for-26, 261 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) is something to build on, something to be optimistic about.

And optimism is the key word if you have a piece of the Jacksonville passing game. Cecil Shorts, come on down. Justin Blackmon, all is forgiven. Heck, Marcedes Lewis is looking viable of late, too. You're no longer stuck in the clutches of Blaine Gabbert.

Let's hear it for New York (USP)

We've got Packers and Giants to watch, and we've got a day's worth of events to discuss. Come watch the second half with the Arcadians and let's try to figure it out.

That's all the sell job you're getting here. That should be enough. I know you're in. Make the jump for the chat applet.

Where does Baltimore go from here? (USP)

What does a handicapper do when the going gets ugly?

You go even uglier.

If you've followed any of the Throwing Darts series at Yahoo! since it began in 2010, you know there's an underdog lean to the column. Many of the picks will be contrarian plays, and many of the picks will be "hold your nose" selections on teams only a mother could love. We live in a world of favorite chasers and bandwagon riders, and more often than not you're going to get a better value if you take the points.

At least, that's the general theory here. You're most welcome to disagree.

Starvin for Harvin (USP)Injuries are a fact of life in this tackle football game. Grab your clipboard and your copay and let's sort through the Week 12 story.

• The Vikings are going to face an angry bunch of Bears this weekend, and they'll probably be doing it without their best downfield weapon. Percy Harvin (ankle) didn't practice Friday and he's considered doubtful for Week 12. Barring some sort of holiday miracle, he won't be on the field Sunday. The absence of Harvin might push some targets to tight end Kyle Rudolph, and keep your eyes on Jarius Wright, who collected 65 yards and a touchdown in the Week 10 win over Detroit.

• Danny Amendola (foot) missed the full practice week and the Rams consider him doubtful for Week 12. If you're desperate for a St. Louis wideout, your primary options are Brandon Gibson and Chris Givens.

• Although the 49ers have yet to make an official announcement, a handful of published reports are declaring Colin Kaepernick the Week 12 starter at New Orleans. You get the idea Jim Harbaugh is trying to stay coy and vague simply as a smokescreen, but at this point it would be a shock if Alex Smith (post concussion) picked up the assignment. Kaepernick is still largely an unknown commodity, but off a sterling Week 11 effort and up against a horrendous defense, it's easy to be bullish on his potential here.

[Also: Robert Griffin III has Thanksgiving debut to remember]

• Julio Jones (ankle) had limited workouts Thursday and Friday and he's carrying the questionable tag for Week 12. Even if Jones is able to start this game, how confident can we be in him finishing it? The matchup at least is tasty: Tampa Bay's secondary is a mess, and the Bucs play on a natural surface (easier on the ankle, even if some speed is sacrificed).

• Greg Jennings (groin) is listed as questionable, and with the Packers looking at a Sunday night game, I'd look for different options.

• Although context clues point to Jay Cutler (post concussion) starting against Minnesota, the Bears probably won't make an official announcement until Saturday. He still needs to be cleared from an independent neurologist.