Week 15: Player Upgrades
WR Brandon Lloyd, ---
Nearly as quickly as we all forgot about him, Brandon Lloyd surged to a huge game in Week 14, re-establishing himself as a viable fantasy threat here in the homestretch of the 2012 season. Lloyd caught seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown last week against a formidable Houston Texans defense. Although San Francisco is on tap in Week 15, the 49ers' heavy reliance on man coverage should create a lot of opportunities for Lloyd as one of many effective weapons the Patriots have at their disposal. For those looking for a big potential flex play in PPR leagues, Lloyd should be near the top of the list. The Patriots have a legit shot to break the scoring record this season, so putting points on the board should not be a problem.
TE Vernon Davis, SF
Vernon Davis has essentially been shut out in his last three games with a total of three receptions for 19 yards, but something interesting happens every time a team goes up against the Patriots. Tight ends seem to have their best weeks. Maybe it is knowing how good New England's own TEs are (or a faulty defense), but if guys like Dustin Keller and Scott Chandler can overachieve, Davis can too. Davis' fantasy ranking has slid into the TE2 range because of his recent skid. Rather than assume he will continue to falter, look for Davis to rebound against one of the league's worst fantasy defenses against TEs. Davis seems to play his best in big games, most recently catching six balls for 83 yards and a score against the Chicago Bears back in Week 11. If you don't like your TE1 matchup, re-insert Davis as a starter.
Remember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings
