TOYOTA TUNDRA – PICKUPS OF THE WEEK

Matthew Stafford(notes) (QB) Detroit Lions
Opponents haven't exactly extended a warm handshake to the No. 1 overall pick in his inaugural season. Stafford, a victim of constant harassment, has been rattled often in the pocket, forced into poor decisions. His five-pick disaster in Seattle two weeks ago is a prime example. But despite his occasional ghastly play, the rookie is an excellent stream option for deep-thinking owners in Week 11. Outside of facing his own defense, Cleveland is the next best matchup. The Browns have yielded 263.8 yards and 1.3 touchdowns per game to passers since Week 5, equal to the ninth-most fantasy points allowed. With Calvin Johnson(notes) healthy, Brandon Pettigrew(notes) emerging and Kevin Smith(notes) a viable backfield target, Stafford has enough weapons around him to post top-15 numbers. An effort within range of 250-280 yards and 1-2 touchdowns is achievable.
FAAB Bid ($100 budget): $5-10

• ATT/CMP 144/265
• CMP% 54.3
• YPG 212.7
• TD 6
• INT 12
• Y% 15

Jason Snelling(notes) (RB) Atlanta Falcons
Michael Turner's(notes) rest-of-season prognosis is rather ominous. As reported Monday, the popular first round pick suffered a potentially damning high ankle sprain. Due to the plaguing nature of the injury, in most cases it's a multi-week setback. Filling in for the fallen star, Snelling performed admirably, totaling 93 yards and a touchdown on 21 touches in Carolina. The former seventh-round pick is a plodder in comparison to his predecessor, but his plus versatility and power between the tackles labels are similar to Baltimore's Le'Ron McClain(notes). In other words, with a full complement of touches he should yield borderline RB2 numbers in deeper formats. Not much will change in the gameplan with Snelling taking reps. Despite the sizable workload, the third-year back's matchup this week against the Giants isn't favorable, especially with N.Y. fully rested off the bye and desperate for a win. Still, based on his expected 20-plus touch workload, he is still a very employable flex option in 12-team leagues.
FAAB Bid ($100 budget): $24-29

• RUSH/G 5.3
• YDS 26.1
• YPC 4.9
• REC/YDS 14/132
• TD 2
• Y% 25

Justin Forsett(notes) (RB) Seattle Seahawks
The former Cal standout proved once again fantasy value can come in small packages. With Julius Jones(notes) sidelined by a broken rib, the 5-foot-8, 194-pound dynamo totaled a career-best 149 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals, averaging a ridiculous 7.2 yards per carry. Prior to his explosion, the Seattle coaching staff stated repeatedly their desire to include Forsett more into the offensive structure. His versatility and fleet feet provide the Hawks with instant offense, different from Jones. With the incumbent likely out for the next week or two, Forsett should be useful in deep, PPR-heavy leagues. However, the same recommendation can't be issued for owners in shallow leagues, particularly this week. Seattle travels to Minnesota to face the vaunted Williams Wall. On the season, the Vikes have surrendered just two touchdowns and 3.9 yards per carry to rushers, equal to the second-fewest fantasy points allowed. But with St. Louis on the docket Week 12, the diminutive rusher is definitely worth acquiring.
FAAB Bid ($100 budget): $19-24

• RUSH/G 4.1
• YDS/G 27.3
• YPC 6.6
• REC/YDS21/166
• TD 1
• Y% 35

Bernard Scott(notes) (RB) Cincinnati Bengals
It's surprising Cedric Benson's(notes) body has held up this long. The bruising Bengal, averaging a throwback 24.8 carries per game entering Week 10, succumbed to the injury imp in Pittsburgh, exiting stage left in the first half with a strained hip flexor. In his stead, the rookie from tiny Abilene Christian inflicted more damage on special teams than burrowing between the tackles against the league's stingiest run defense. Gripping the pigskin 14 times, he totaled 54 yards. Benson and Bengals officials declared the Clydesdale would play this week in Oakland, but he's officially a game-time decision. Because Benson will likely be limited in practice for much of the week, Scott could net an appreciable workload. With 10-12 touches he could produce generous numbers. The Raiders have allowed the most fantasy points to rushers since Week 6. However, keep in mind his possible expanded role will likely be short-lived due to Larry Johnson's(notes) arrival.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $8-$13

• RUSH/G 3.2
• YDS 10.6
• YPC 3.3
• REC/YDS2/35
• TD 0
• Y% 16

Chris Jennings(notes) (RB) Cleveland Browns
Jamal Lewis(notes), who's been rather opinionated about Eric Mangini on his bumpy road to retirement, might be starting to fall out of favor in Cleveland. When combined with his constant nicks and scrapes – this past week an ankle injury – and the Browns' general futility it's possible the outspoken veteran's role will dramatically diminish over the second half of the season. Enter the rookie. Jennings appears to have surpassed Jerome Harrison(notes) on the depth chart after registering nine touches for 27 yards against Baltimore. If this trend continues, he could earn additional touches down the stretch with the Browns perpetually rebuilding. For owners in extremely deep leagues, he's a true super sleeper. The Browns tango with user-friendly KC and Oakland in Weeks 15 and 16.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $1-$4

• RUSH 8
• YDS 26
• YPC 3.3
• REC/YDS2/12
• TD 0
• Y% 1

Donnie Avery(notes) (WR) St. Louis Rams
Avery was one of many bright spots in the Rams' surprisingly competitive clash with juggernaut New Orleans. The second-year standout, undoubtedly Steve Spagnuolo's most talented asset outside, snagged four passes for 67 yards and two scores. The former Houston Cougar is clearly Marc Bulger's(notes) most reliable vertical weapon. His electric speed and athleticism are plus assets. Due to St. Louis' deficiencies on defense and its improved offensive line play, Avery will attract sizable targets moving forward, particularly this week against 'Zona. No. 1 receivers have averaged 83.6 yards against the Cards since Week 6.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $10-15

• TGT/G 4.4
• REC/G 2.9
• YDS/G 39.2
• TD 4
• YPC 13.6
• Y% 43

James Jones(notes) (WR) Green Bay Packers
Jones, seemingly veiled by the Velveeta haze that hangs over Green Bay, has accumulated terrific numbers over the past several weeks. Since Week 6 he's bested teammate Greg Jennings(notes) in fantasy points per game netting 2.2 receptions and 44.4 yards per game with three touchdowns. Obviously, with Jennings and Donald Driver(notes) firmly entrenched as Aaron Rodgers'(notes) primary weapons, No. 89 entices few looks. But his big play ability combined with the Packers' pass-heavy offense has and will continue to produce solid numbers. This week, Green Bay hosts a San Francisco secondary that has conceded the 10th-most yards to wideouts this year.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $5-10

• TGT/G 2.4
• REC/G 1.6
• YDS/G 31.8
• TD 3
• YPC 20.0
• Y% 14

Kevin Boss(notes) (TE) New York Giants
Possibly taller than the Empire State Building, the 6-foot-6 Boss is a giraffe in the red zone forest. In nine games this season, the oversized target has totaled the same number of looks inside the 20 as Antonio Gates(notes) (5). Prior the Giants' bye, the second-year weapon scored in back-to-back games, his only end-zone receptions of the season. This week he could add to that total. New York's Week 11 opponent, Atlanta, has surrendered four scores, 5.4 receptions and 71.8 yards per game to tight ends, equal to the fourth-most fantasy points allowed. Based on the matchup and his increased red zone role, Boss is capable of 40-plus yards and a score this week.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $3-7

• TGT/G 5.0
• REC/G 2.4
• YDS 35.4
• TD 2
• YPC 14.9
• Y% 35

Josh Freeman(notes) (QB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cucumber cool in his first two NFL starts, the rookie has performed impressively. Though his completion percentage may indicate otherwise, he has played with marked poise, delivering sharp passes during critical moments. Since Week 10 he's averaged a respectable 200.5 passing yards per game with four touchdowns. He's also chipped in 28 rushing yards per game. This week could be his finest performance yet. Down starting cornerback Tracy Porter(notes), who suffered a catastrophic knee injury last week in St. Louis, the Saints secondary is a vulnerable bunch. Even with Porter healthy, they've surrendered 249.8 yards per game and five scores to passers since Week 6. With the "catch-up" factor also in play, the minimally owned Freeman has favorable odds of posting a Shocker Special caliber effort.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $7-12

• ATT/CMP32/64
• CMP% 50.8
• YPG 139.0
• TD 4
• INT 2
• Y% 10

Detroit Lions Defense/Special Teams
It may seem like complete lunacy to recommend the Hello Kitties in this space, but Cleveland's putridity is, well, that strong. Believe it or not, the Lions are the seventh-best defense in fantasy over the past five weeks, averaging a robust 7.0 points per game in standard leagues. Jim Schwartz' schemes have greatly improved a unit ranked dead last in total defense a season ago. The offensively incompetent Browns have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to the opposition this year. Only Carolina, specifically Jake Delhomme(notes), has given up more turnovers. No team has scored fewer points. Based on the matchup and Detroit's respectable defensive play, the Lions could be a borderline top-10 unit Week 11. Seriously, we're not joking.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $2-5

• PA 29.3
• YDSA 386.3
• SCKS/G 1.9
• TOs/G 1.4
• TDs 2
• Y% 4