by Mike Harmon

Comment

It started last Thursday when the Jets and Patriots played an overtime thriller. Sunday's game featured a number of wild plays and fantastic finishes. The week ended with Brady Quinn earning the first win of his NFL career in a last-minute comeback against the Bills. Quinn effectively operated the offense, putting Phil Dawson in position for what became the 56-yard game-winning field goal. Trent Edwards moved the Bills back into field goal range, but those all too familiar words echoed through the cold Buffalo night. "Wide right!" Rian Lindell missed a 47-yard field goal to allow the Browns to escape with a win, and we watched the Bills take a huge hit to their playoff hopes.

What happens next? We watch breathlessly each week as these games go down to the wire and marvel at the emergence of new heroes. Let's review some of the players primed to make a fantasy impact in these final weeks in this week's Fantasy Six-Packs .

Quarterbacks

Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans

For the second straight week, Collins put the Titans on his back and out-gunned the defense. He completed 13-of-23 attempts for 230 yards with three touchdowns following an early interception. Collins has thrown five touchdowns in the past two weeks while averaging 259.5 passing yards. The most interesting portion of his stat line was that he completed several deep passes. He threw passes of 47, 38 and 56 yards against the Jaguars.

The next four games on the Tennessee schedule bring advantageous matchups for Collins and the passing game (NYJ, DET, CLE and HOU). Jeff Fisher won't abandon the running game, but we're now seeing a willingness to take shots downfield with a healthy Justin Gage working on the edges. Collins is available in 78.3 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Tyler Thigpen, Kansas City Chiefs

Although he hasn't been able to lead the Chiefs into the win column, Thigpen has performed quite nicely in the past several weeks. He completed 19-of-38 attempts for 235 yards with two touchdowns and one interception this week against New Orleans. He also added three carries for 45 yards. Thigpen has averaged 236 passing yards in his past four starts, with eight passing touchdowns (one receiving) while committing just a single turnover. He's also eclipsed 20 rushing yards in each of these past four starts. Despite his recent brilliance, Thigpen remains available in 69.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers

Hill posted his second straight strong game, completing 15-of-20 attempts for 213 yards with two touchdowns. Hill also rushed for a touchdown. He's averaged 215 passing yards with four touchdowns against three turnovers in these two starts. Hill's effectively worked more of his receivers into the mix these past two weeks, including tight end Vernon Davis.

The 49ers have several solid matchups coming on the schedule for Hill and the passing game. I'm somewhat concerned, as four of the next five games are on the road. However, Hill should be able to make some plays downfield against the Bills, Jets, Dolphins and Rams down the line. Hill is available for a solid stretch run in 87.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Matt Cassel, New England Patriots

I'm reticent to put Cassel on the list, as his appearance will likely elicit an outcry of "one-hit wonder" comments. As we know, Cassel passed for 400 yards with three touchdowns against the Jets, making several precision throws that would have made Tom Brady proud. It was the sixth time in his past seven starts that Cassel eclipsed 200 passing yards and his second three-touchdown performance of the year. With the exception of Week 13 against Pittsburgh, Cassel's schedule is fairly strong down the stretch. The Patriots take on the Dolphins this weekend, then the Steelers and roll into the fantasy playoffs against the Seahawks, Raiders and Cardinals. Cassel is available in 47.5 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Although he was shut out of the end zone for the second time in his past three games, there were some positives to take from Garcia's comeback win over the Vikings. Garcia passed for 255 yards, the fourth straight game that he's passed for at least 227 yards. Next up on the menu is a highly advantageous spot against the winless Lions. Detroit allows 230.2 passing yards and 1.6 passing touchdowns per game. Matchups against the Saints, Falcons and Chargers are also on the slate for the playoff run. The loss of Earnest Graham for the season portends to a larger reliance on the passing game, including the quick dump-off to Warrick Dunn. Garcia is available in 49.9 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns

Quinn wasn't able to follow his strong debut against Denver with much production for fantasy owners on Monday against Buffalo. However, Quinn demonstrated great resolve and the arm strength to make throws to all parts of the field. With that said, Quinn made a few questionable throws that he got away with, and we saw his receivers drop several catchable balls. He's got a solid matchup in Week 12 against the Texans, a defense that allows 210.8 passing yards and 1.7 passing touchdowns per game. Quinn is available in 63.8 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Running backs

Warrick Dunn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dunn was effective against the Vikings after the Buccaneers lost Graham to an ankle injury. With Graham now seemingly sidelined for the season because of this injury, Dunn assumes a huge role.

He carried the ball 20 times for 53 yards, adding four receptions for 65 yards in Week 11. Dunn has been effective in his return to Tampa, averaging 75.9 total yards per game in the nine games in which he's appeared. This is a rock-solid opportunity for Dunn against the bottom-ranked Detroit run defense in Week 12 (171.5 yards and 1.7 touchdowns per game). Dunn is available in 47.2 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Derrick Ward, New York Giants

Brandon Jacobs' MRI results allowed the Giants and their fans, not to mention fantasy owners, to breathe a collective sigh of relief. However, there's still a possibility that Jacobs is held out of this week's game against Arizona as a precaution. That would thrust the capable Ward into the starting role. He has averaged 12.7 touches and 79.7 total yards per game as the complement to Jacobs in the backfield. He also averages a robust 5.3 yards per carry. Although Ahmad Bradshaw would eat into his workload, Ward will be the lead back if Jacobs is held out. Ward is currently available in 37.8 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Antonio Pittman, St. Louis Rams

The Rams have already ruled Steven Jackson out for Week 12, thereby keeping Pittman in the lead role in the St. Louis backfield. Pittman rebounded nicely from two sub-par efforts with a 95-yard performance against the 49ers in Week 11. This week's matchup with Chicago is intriguing. On one hand, we watched the Bears blow up the Tennessee running attack in Week 9. We then watched Ryan Grant run all over the Bears in Week 10. Either way, he's a starter who should at least generate a sizable workload. Pittman is available in 95.5 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Peyton Hillis, Denver Broncos

Hillis popped onto the radar in Week 9 with seven receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. Given another large workload in Week 11, Hillis found paydirt twice, finishing the dramatic win over Atlanta with 44 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. An MRI on Hillis' shoulder following Sunday's win was negative and he expects to be ready for Week 12 against Oakland (30th against the run). He's available to be picked up in 90.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues. Even if Tatum Bell (available in 81.7 percent of leagues) assumes a larger role, and I believe he will, Hillis likely siphons the goal-line carries.

Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Deuce McAllister earned an early goal-line carry from Sean Payton and cashed in for a touchdown against the Chiefs. Thomas then took the bulk of the workload, amassing 88 rushing yards on 16 attempts with a touchdown of his own. He also demonstrated great versatility with four receptions for 56 yards. We're well aware of Thomas' exploits toward the end of the 2007 season, so there's no need recount them here. However, I'm intrigued by the fact that Thomas has caught nine passes for 90 yards in the past two weeks. Sean Payton told the media that it was too early to assess Reggie Bush's availability for Sunday against the Packers. Thomas would make for a nice RB2 or Flex play if Bush is declared inactive once again. The Packers rank among the worst run defense in the game. Thomas is available in 86.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys

As I expected early last week, the Cowboys held Jones out of the Week 11 matchup against the Redskins because of a hamstring injury which has kept him sidelined since Week 6. There's optimism in Dallas that Jason Garrett will have his speedy rookie available for Week 12 against San Francisco. Jones would be a solid Flex play if cleared to go, even if he only touches the ball 8-10 times. He's available in 35.5 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Wide receivers

Justin Gage, Tennessee Titans

The Titans have opened up the passing game in the past two weeks, and Gage has established himself as Kerry Collins' top option. He caught three deep balls from Collins in the comeback win over Jacksonville in Week 11 (47, 38 and 56 yards) and finished the day with 147 receiving yards on four catches with two touchdowns. He's also scored in back-to-back weeks. The schedule (as referenced in the Collins review above) is quiet enticing during the stretch run. Gage remains available in 93.2 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints

Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey returned to the lineup for the Saints, and it stood to reason that Moore's role would be somewhat diminished in Week 11. Instead, Moore scored for the third straight game on Sunday, amassing eight catches for 102 yards. He has averaged 7.3 receptions and 89.3 receiving yards during this three-game period and has caught three or more passes in eight straight games (73.1 receiving yards per game). He's still available in 51.6 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs

Bradley posted a relatively quiet game against the Saints, but he still recorded three receptions for 53 yards. He's caught three or more passes in four straight games working opposite Dwayne Bowe. Bowe owners should send Bradley some type of gift for becoming a second option that opposing defenses need to check. Bradley is averaging 5.25 receptions and 60.5 receiving yards during this four-game period. Fantasy owners have been reticent to jump aboard the Kansas City offense bandwagon (we're not predicting wins here, folks), as Bradley remains available in 86.9 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Kevin Walter, Houston Texans

Walter has been producing solid numbers on a weekly basis despite the insertion of Sage Rosenfels at quarterback for the ailing Matt Schaub. Walter has caught three or more passes in six straight games (nine of 10). He's averaged 3.8 receptions and 67.7 receiving yards per game during this period. Walter remains available as a solid third receiver in 34.6 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Ted Ginn, Jr., Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are working to get the ball into the hands of the playmaker Ginn in any way possible. Ginn offered fantasy owners a big return early in Sunday's hard-fought win over the Raiders with a 40-yard rushing touchdown. He finished the game with 42 rushing yards and led the Dolphins with four catches for 51 yards despite the attention of Nnamdi Asomugha. Ginn has caught three or more passes in five straight games, averaging 4.4 receptions and 75.8 receiving yards per game during this period. He remains available in 73.2 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Michael Jenkins, Atlanta Falcons

Jenkins didn't post a huge game in Week 11 against the Broncos as we'd hoped, but he still accrued 55 receiving yards on five receptions. He's caught multiple passes in eight straight games, averaging 3.5 receptions and 48.5 receiving yards per game. Jenkins is worthy of a roster slot and possible WR4 in deeper leagues. He's available in 77.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Tight ends

Dustin Keller, New York Jets

It took longer than expected, but the first-round pick from Purdue is starting to make some noise in New York. Remember, Keller caught Brett Favre's first touchdown with the Jets during the preseason, and scribes and fantasy owners salivated over the possibility of a big rookie year for the 6-foot-2 tight end. He's come alive in the past two weeks, catching 14 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown. The superior play on the wings by the Tennessee defense could force Favre to work underneath at the seams. Keller is available in 81.3 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Kevin Boss, New York Giants

Boss' three-game touchdown streak ended with a thud against the Ravens, a team known for forcing tight ends to assume a full-time blocking role. He finished the game without a catch. However, I expect Boss to get back on track this weekend against the Cardinals. Boss had caught 13 passes for 133 yards in the three games prior to last week's shutout. He's available in 56.9 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans

Scaife was quiet in Sunday's comeback win against the Jaguars, but he still recorded his ninth multi-reception game of the year (two catches for 28 yards). I'm expecting Scaife to play a huge role this weekend against the Jets. Tight ends have produced big games against the New York defense in recent weeks. Robert Royal caught five passes for 70 yards in Week 9. Ben Watson caught eight passes for 88 yards and a touchdown in Week 11. Scaife is available in 26.9 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings

Shiancoe caught two passes for 41 yards (23 and 18-yard catches) in Sunday's loss to Minnesota. He's caught multiple passes in seven of 10 games this season with four touchdowns. Shiancoe remains a strong red zone option for Gus Frerotte and will be a factor this weekend against the Jaguars. He's available in 48.4 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.

Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers

Mike Singletary and Davis reached the fork in the proverbial road during Singletary's coaching debut. It wouldn't have surprised anyone to see Davis cut following the sideline theatrics. Instead, Davis has regained his focus to become a sizable red zone target for Shaun Hill. Davis has caught two passes in the past two games, both touchdowns. He's worth a look-see for this week's game against the Cowboys. Davis is available in 64.8 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues. Given the weekly ups and downs of the tight end position, a player heavily targeted in the red zone is not a bad way to go.

Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos

We'll need to play a wait-and-see approach to Scheffler this week. He was available for Week 11 against Atlanta, but played a limited number of snaps and did not record a catch. Obviously, a healthy Scheffler remains a strong play against the Raiders. Watch the injury and practice notes as the week progresses. Scheffler is available in 27.3 percent of FOXSports.com fantasy leagues.