TOYOTA TUNDRA – PICKUPS OF THE WEEK

Matt Moore(notes) (QB) Carolina Panthers
Based on Moore's stunning play Sunday night, the Panthers should seriously consider freezing Jake Delhomme(notes) in carbonite. To say pocket competency has been elusive for the Panthers is a gross understatement. But Moore exhibited ample poise against an attacking defense, distributing the ball accurately, especially to premier playmaker Steve Smith. His 299 passing yards and three touchdowns represented the sixth-best fantasy performance at his position for the week. More astonishing, he's committed just one turnover in three starts. This week, Moore should maintain a high performance level in New York. The Giants' secondary, ravaged by injuries, has allowed 292.2 yards and 1.8 touchdowns per game to passers since Week 11, equal to the third most fantasy points. If the Panthers' patchwork offensive line limits penetration, Moore could easily notch 230-250 yards with 1-2 scores.
FAAB Bid ($100 budget): $3-6

• ATT/CMP 56/95
• CMP% 58.9
• YPG 144.0
• TD 4
• INT 2
• Y% 2

Jerome Harrison(notes) (RB) Cleveland Browns
Well, that was totally unforeseen. After Chris Jennings(notes) rushed for an admirable 73 yards and a score against Pittsburgh, Harrison, not the rookie, stole the spotlight in Kansas City. The versatile veteran, achieving the greatest fantasy line no one benefited from, piled up an otherworldly 298 yards and three touchdowns. His 286 rushing yards total was the third-highest in NFL history. The Browns have pounded opponents with surprising success in recent weeks. However, because of Eric Mangini's dedication to thwarting the fantasy community, pinpointing just who the lead dog will be has been a fruitless exercise. But after Harrison's record-obliterating Week 15, Augustus Gloop likely won't hand the gumball off to someone else. Assuming the headline-grabbing rusher nets the start, he should be inserted into championship lineups. This week, Cleveland hosts a very giving Oakland defense. Since Week 10, the Raiders have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to rushers. Have faith.
FAAB Bid ($100 budget): $30-35

• RUSH/G 10.2
• YDS/G 48.9
• YPC 4.8
• REC/YDS 32/200
• TD 3
• Y% 51

Michael Bush(notes) (RB) Oakland Raiders
Arguably the most complete back in the Oakland backfield, Bush has posted superb numbers when provided opportunities. Last week against archrival Denver was Exhibit A. The former Louisville standout compiled an outstanding 144 yards and a touchdown on just 19 touches. He now sports a 5.0 yards per carry mark on the season. Though Darren McFadden(notes) and to a lesser extent Justin Fargas(notes) will compete for touches, Bush should be the primary ball carrier this week in Cleveland. Considering the flimsy state of the Chihuahuas' defensive line and Oakland's above average interior play, he should post viable RB2 numbers. Since Week 11, the barkless pups have given up 176.8 total yards per game and six scores to rushers, equal to the third-most fantasy points. Similar to situations in Houston and Cleveland, placing championship hopes on a committee commodity is like spinning the roulette wheel, but Bush is solid bet.
FAAB Bid ($100 budget): $25-30

• RUSH/G 7.4
• YDS/G 37.1
• YPC 5.0
• REC/YDS 15/94
• TD 3
• Y% 24

Maurice Morris(notes) (RB) Detroit Lions
Mo Mo is a finisher. Every playoff season it seems an opportunity is presented to him and he rises up to the challenge. Last week against a reeling Arizona defense, the well-rounded runner racked an attention-grabbing 161 total yards and a touchdown. He also averaged a ridiculous 7.4 yards per carry. Success this week likely won't come as easily. The Lions travel west to clash with a stingy San Francisco defense which has devoured meek competition. On the year, Mike Singletary's bunch has strangled opposing rushers, holding them to just 3.8 yards per carry. With Matthew Stafford's(notes) availability uncertain, Morris is nothing more than a deep-league flex option for those chasing virtual trophies.
FAAB Bid ($100 budget): $10-15

• RUSH/G 4.9
• YDS/G 23.5
• YPC 4.8
• REC/YDS17/140
• TD 2
• Y% 24

Larry Johnson(notes) (RB) Cincinnati Bengals
When Johnson signed with Cincinnati in November, he immediately gold-stared the Bengals' Week 16 clash with Kansas City on his calendar. After a messy divorce, the former Chief will surely be motivated to pile up mammoth yards. Based on KC's humiliating effort against the Browns, it could be a simple exercise. Over the past five weeks, no defense, not even the repulsive Rams, has surrendered more fantasy points to rushers than the Chiefs. Over that stretch, they've yielded 201 total yards per game and 10 scores to backs. Cedric Benson(notes) is still Cincy's Clydesdale, but you know they'll give the hungry Johnson plenty of chances. The coaching staff has recently expressed its desire to decrease Benson's touches down the stretch. Look for LJ to accumulate roughly 60-80 yards and a score on 10-15 touches.
FAAB Bid ($100 budget): $8-13

• RUSH/G 13.8
• YDS/G 44.3
• YPC 3.2
• REC/YDS15/80
• TD 0
• Y% 60

Louis Murphy(notes) (WR) Oakland Raiders
Murphy is one of the primary reasons why the not-so-rancid Raiders have suddenly become competitive. The explosive and athletic rookie is Oakland's premier downfield playmaker. Several times against exploitable secondaries, he's notched sizable numbers. Unfortunately, inconsistencies at quarterback have stymied his upside. Charlie Frye(notes), who exited stage left with a head injury last week, will start if he practices this week. But Bruce Gradkowski(notes), who is quickly recovering from two knee setbacks, could reclaim center snaps if healthy. If the latter comes true, Murphy's Week 16 scoring potential increases significantly. The Browns, though showing improvement recently, have struggled mightily in downfield coverage for most of the season. On the year, they've conceded the second-most 20-yard pass plays and the third-most fantasy points to wideouts.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $8-13

• TGT/G 3.2
• REC/G 1.9
• YDS/G 31.4
• TDs 4
• YPC 16.9
• Y% 8

Josh Morgan(notes) (WR) San Francisco 49ers
Morgan, blessed with terrific natural talents, has routinely teased owners throughout his three-year career. But Jimmy Raye's offensive reconfiguration has boosted the youngster's value, albeit slightly. Over his past three games, he's crossed the chalk twice and averaged 46.7 yards per game. He's also been targeted 7.3 times per game in his past four. Those aren't extraordinary numbers, but his returns have been serviceable for deep-thinking owners. This week against the loathsome Lions, he could again reap useful totals. Detroit, often pounded vertically by opponents, has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to wideouts since Week 11. Due to Raye's increasing confidence in the passing game, Morgan has strong odds of netting 50-70 yards with a score. Dig for riches.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $6-11

• TGT/G 5.1
• REC/G 3.3
• YDS/G 34.2
• TD 3
• YPC 10.4
• Y% 9

Tony Scheffler(notes) (TE) Denver Broncos
As discussed endlessly in this space, the Eagles are very accommodating to tight ends. On the year, only the New York Giants have allowed more fantasy points to monolithic targets than Andy Reid's squad. Scheffler is a terrific downfield weapon, but his unsteady yields have labeled him undependable even in the deepest of leagues. He hasn't splashed the invisible pool since Week 6 and has eclipsed the 60-yard mark just once this season. Despite his inefficiencies, the matchup is too enticing to ignore. Because of his skyscraper frame and plus athleticism he will likely be targeted often by Kyle Orton(notes), especially if he draws single coverage. The Scheff could yield a statistical feast.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $12-17

• TGT/G 4.0
• REC/G 2.1
• YDS/G 27.9
• TD 2
• YPC 13.0
• Y% 29

Alex Smith (QB) San Francisco 49ers
Despite a transition to a more pass-happy approach, Smith hasn't been able to shake discordance. After tallying an impeccable 7:0 TD:INT split while averaging 256.3 yards per game from Weeks 11-13, he's taken a significant step back. Over the past two weeks, the former No. 1 pick has failed to reach 200 yards and has thrown five picks to just three touchdowns. Clearly, he's still a work in progress. However this week against a despondent Detroit secondary he should rack sensational numbers. The Lions have yielded 269 passing yards and 2.2 touchdowns per game to passers since Week 11, equal to the fourth-most fantasy points. Expect the fickle Smith to rediscover his midseason form.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $4-8

• ATT/CMP188/313
• CMP% 60.1
• YPG 210.9
• TD 16
• INT 12
• Y% 65

San Francisco 49ers Defense/Special Teams
Shallow thinkers mining for defensive gold in Week 16 should look no further than the Yukon Corneliuses. Likely again without Stafford, the Lions, who could look to Drew Stanton(notes), will be turned into fashionable man-satchels by Patrick Willis(notes) and his cohorts. Detroit quarterbacks have been sacked 2.8 times per game this season and picked off a league high-28 times. The Hello Kitties' rickety offensive line doesn't stand a chance. Minus the thumping they received at the hands of Atlanta, the Niners have dominated at home this season, limiting opponents to just 10.3 points per game. After grounding the Cardinals in their last home clash, the Gold Panners should yield plenty of riches in your championship game.
FAAB Bid ($100 Budget): $5-10

• PA 19.2
• YDSA 344.6
• SCKS/G 2.4
• TOs/G 1.9
• TDs 3
• Y% 60