Greetings from my parents' house in Staten Island, N.Y.  Mom and Dad are actually pretty advanced older folks in that they have a wireless network. It's just too bad that their response was "Um ... what?" when I asked what the password is. Now I'm sitting at the corner of their cramped computer desk. Oh, well.

On to the news:

• Alex Smith, fantasy starter? Bet you didn't think you'd hear that anytime this season. More important than Smith's 232 yards and two scores was the style of offense the Niners employed. There were some rumblings out of San Francisco last week about more use of "spread" offense, and beat writer Matt Maiocco notes that in the first three quarters - they were in clock-killing mode in the fourth - the Niners ran 31 of their 47 plays from the shotgun. I didn't see the game, but I have seen the 49ers' schedule, which is highlighted by a home game against the Lions in Week 16, a.k.a. fantasy championship week. Smith is still widely available in fantasy leagues, and is absolutely worth a pickup right now.
• Please note that the information above is probably good for everyone except Frank Gore owners. Only nine of his 16 carries were in those first three quarters. Gore did catch seven passes for 14 yards and a TD, and five receivers had at least four receptions.
• The Falcons don't yet know the status of RB Matt Ryan (toe) and RB Michael Turner (ankle), both of whom left Sunday's game early. As solid as Jason Snelling has been, you might want to grab Jerious Norwood (50 yards rushing/receiving, TD) if Turner can't play this week. It's a good thing the Falcons didn't rush Turner back or anything.
• Tough day for the Eagles' receiving corps, with WR DeSean Jackson suffering a concussion, and TE Brent Celek spraining his thumb. We'll know more about both in a couple of days, but all the concussions lately, I'd be surprised if Jackson plays in Week 13.
• First, Cedric Benson was supposed to play, and then he was listed as inactive. Bernard Scott started, played well before hurting his toe a bit, and then mostly gave way to Larry Johnson, who ran for 107 yards on 22 carries. Johnson did most of his damage in the second half, with 16 carries for 58 yards. The Bengals host the Lions this week, and while they might run all day again, if Benson plays it'll be too risky for you to start either Scott or LJ.
• After yesterday's 130-yard, two-touchdown performance, if the Seahawks don't keep Justin Forsett as their lead running back no matter how healthy Julius Jones is, they're crazy.
• Panthers WR Steve Smith was the latest victim of lockdown Jets CB Darrelle Revis, catching just one pass for five yards. The resurgent Terrell Owens gets the pleasure of having Revis draped all over him this Thursday night. Keep that in mind if you're a T.O. owner who thinks he's finally turned things around.
• Eli Manning's foot injury is apparently in danger of ending his season. If you own Manning, start looking at other options - like Alex Smith, for instance.
• Cardinals QB Kurt Warner didn't start yesterday because he's still suffering the after effects of his Week 11 concussion. You're going to have to keep an eye on him all week again, because you never know how long it will take for that stuff to go away.
• Lions rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew is done for the season with a knee injury. Too bad - he was starting to play well. Keep him in mind as a late-round fantasy pick in 2010.
• Though just about every team will maintain some sort of backfield timeshare, it sounds like Fred Jackson has taken the lead role from Marshawn Lynch in Buffalo. According to this story, Jackson now seems to have the new head coach in his corner.
• Jake Delhomme ... ugh.
• RB Jamaal Charles is putting up some nice numbers for the Chiefs, isn't he?
• You know how I've been beating the drum for the Raiders to use Darren McFadden more? Here's an article suggesting that the Raiders really aren't sure what to do with McFadden. That's not good.

Enjoy the Patriots-Saints shootout tonight, and please don't spend all your Cyber Monday money on gifts for me. See you back here tomorrow.

That was a fine way to end Thanksgiving, Giants. Really, you were great. Thanks for the effort.

If you need Sunday morning advice for the remaining Week 12 games, here's your roadmap:

• Listen to FOX Fantasy Freaks Mike Harmon, Nate Lundy and Peter Burns on XM 142 or foxsportsradio.com from 10 a.m. until noon ET. You can also follow the Freaks on Twitter (@FantasyFreaks).
• Chat with Roger Rotter from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. You can send your questions now if you like.
• Send me an e-mail at jhalpin37@gmail.com or tweet me (@jhalpin37). There's a chance I'll be in transit Sunday morning, so responses might all come at noon or so.

On to the news:

• Falcons RB Michael Turner was limited in Thursday's practice, and expects his status to be a gametime decision on Sunday. I don't know if Turner will go, but don't start him unless you're 100 percent sure he's active. If you can't sit by a computer Sunday morning to wait for the official word, then bench him to be safe.
• Bengals RB Cedric Benson sounds like he'll be in the same boat as Turner - he was on the practice field yesterday, but didn't do much. I still think the fact that the Bengals host the Browns might play into this.
• Rams RB Steven Jackson missed another practice yesterday with a sore back. He says he expects to play, but are you getting a little worried yet?
• Broncos WR Eddie Royal left last night's game with a thigh injury, but he's got 10 days to rest.
• Signs still point toward QB Kurt Warner playing this week for the Cardinals.
• Reggie Bush was limited again in practice for the Saints. He's got a Monday night game, and you're probably not going to know much before then. I'd bench him unless I read something like this over the weekend: "Bush practiced without any noticeable issues on Friday, and leg-pressed 3,000 pounds after practice to prove his knee is fine."
• Remember how I mentioned Giants RB DJ Ware (who was called Danny Ware until yesterday) as a potential deep sleeper in yesterday's entry? He gained 27 yards on four carries, fumbled and got a concussion. Maybe if he hadn't changed his name in midweek, he'd have played better.
• If you still care, WR Justin Gage will probably miss another game for the Titans.
• Lions TE Brandon Pettigrew injured his knee yesterday, and based on this article alone, I don't think we'll be seeing him for awhile.
• We should have a better idea today if RB Julius Jones will return to action for the Seahawks. If you own Justin Forsett, keep a close eye on this one.
• It sounds like RB Sammy Morris will return for the Patriots, but since they play Monday, you're going to have to wait at least another week for him to return to your fantasy lineup. Yes, I think he has a chance to contribute when he comes back.
• I'm only linking to this story because the headline says, "Manning Has a Sore Backside." There's nothing to worry about if you own Peyton.
• Finally, I really think you should check out Chad Ochocinco's tweets today. He went out early on Black Friday, and since about 4:30 this morning, he's posted photos from Best Buy, Target (wearing a Snuggie) and Value City. I don't think the guy sleeps.

See you back here on Monday.

Happy Turkey Day, folks. We're going to structure the blog a little differently this morning, with quick looks at any fantasy-related items on today's trio of games, followed by the rest of the news.

Packers-Lions (12:30 p.m. ET): Lions QB Matthew Stafford (shoulder) is doubtful, meaning that we're likely to see Daunte Culpepper under center. If you have the Packers' defense, start them, even though they recently lost a couple of key players due to injuries ... WR Calvin Johnson (hand, knee) is questionable. If you own Johnson, bench him now unless you can wait for the inactive lists to be released ... If you're looking for a receiver that might benefit from Johnson's absence, I'd go with rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew, who has 15 receptions for 165 yards and two TDs in his last three games. He's becoming a solid option ... If you own RB Ahman Green - and unless you think it's still 2003, you probably don't - he probably won't play. Otherwise, the Packers' offense will be at full strength.

Raiders-Cowboys (4:15 p.m. ET): The Raiders are offering no clues about how they'll deploy their running back trio. I'd really like to see Darren McFadden get some meaningful work ... Note that in QB Bruce Gradkowski's first start last week, TE Zach Miller caught five passes for 65 yards and a score ... Cowboys TE Jason Witten will be a gametime decision. Though his sprained foot is apparently improving, he's too risky to start unless you can wait for official word on his status.

Giants-Broncos (8:20 p.m. ET): Ahmad Bradshaw won't play for the Giants. If you're looking for a deep - really deep - sleeper at RB, Danny Ware could get 10-12 touches in Bradshaw's place ... One Broncos' beat writer thinks we might see QB Kyle Orton in more shotgun formations than usual because his injured ankle is hampering his mobility. Not that he really has any mobility.

On to the rest of the news:

• Bengals RB Cedric Benson didn't practice Wednesday, but the team says he might be able to play Sunday. I'll believe that when I see it. If there's any question at all about Benson's health, wouldn't a home game against the Browns be the perfect time to rest him? Be ready to start backup Bernard Scott again if you have him. 
• Falcons RB Michael Turner returned to practice on Wednesday, but I'm not buying the idea that the Falcons really hope he'll play Sunday. When Turner got hurt, people in the know said the outlook for a high ankle sprain was 3-6 weeks, and Turner has missed one game. Unless he's the quickest healer on earth, odds are that he's not ready.
• Kurt Warner was back at practice Wednesday for the Cardinals, and it sounds like he'll play this week despite suffering a concussion a few days ago.
• Rams RB Steven Jackson missed Wednesday's practice due to a sore back, and while it's too early to say if it will affect his chances to play Sunday, there doesn't seem to be a high level of concern in the St. Louis media. Can you imagine if the Rams have to play without Jackson AND with Kyle Boller at quarterback? They might score negative-20 points.
• RB Marshawn Lynch practiced yesterday, so I guess his shoulder is OK. If you want to be frustrated by yet another 39-yard rushing effort, by all means, start him.
• Saints WR Lance Moore hopes to return Monday night after missing three games with an ankle injury, but I wouldn't count on it. There's no new news on RB Reggie Bush and his balky knee.
• Texans RB Steve Slaton reportedly missed Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury. It doesn't sound serious, but stay tuned.
• Vikings RB Adrian Peterson was limited in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, but it doesn't sound like anything to worry about. Since it's Peterson, I had to at least mention it, right?
• Chargers WR Vincent Jackson missed Wednesday's practice and is waiting on X-ray results for his injured ribs, but he expects to play this week.
• Here's an update on Seahawks RB Julius Jones, who missed Wednesday's practice but is expected to play Sunday. How many times can I type "missed Wednesday's practice" in one blog entry?
• Here's my latest column and video blog on FOXNews.com. I think you and your family should watch the video just before you carve the turkey, and then spend dinner discussing my recommendations. That's what we'll be doing at our dinner table ...

See you back here Friday morning. Best wishes to you and your family for a happy, safe and food-filled Thanksgiving.

After the Titans beat the Texans last night, I wondered how much it was possible to like a quarterback that finished a game 12-for-22 with 116 yards passing and a touchdown? The answer is "a lot," but seeing Vince Young add 73 yards rushing and run the option a few times with Chris Johnson didn't hurt. Maybe he's not great for fantasy purposes, but I guess I can live with that.

On to the news:

• Cardinals QB Kurt Warner was scheduled to undergo tests to determine the severity of the head injury he suffered on Sunday. The Cardinals say they're optimistic about Warner's chances to play, but since he might have gotten a concussion, we'll have to wait and see. If Matt Leinart has to play instead, I might pick up the Titans' defense to play against him.
• Speaking of the Cardinals, beat writer Kent Somers notes that they've been using more two-receiver sets lately. If I owned Steve Breaston - who got shut out on Sunday - that wouldn't make me happy.
• Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, who suffered "concussion-like symptoms" of his own against the Chiefs, appears on track to play Sunday.
• After reading this article, I'd say that Falcons RB Michael Turner will be sitting out again this week with his sprained ankle. Jason Snelling gets another start, this week against the coach-firing Bucs, who just reassigned their defensive coordinator less than three months after doing the same thing to their offensive coordinator. Starting your fantasy players against teams in turmoil always seems like a good idea.
• Lions QB Matthew Stafford probably won't play on Thursday due to a left shoulder injury, so Daunte Culpepper is in line for the start. Culpepper has a storied Thanksgiving history with the Lions, as he went 13-for-26 with 134 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception in last year's 47-10 loss to the Titans. He can't be that bad again this year, right?
• The same Detroit Free Press story linked to above notes that WR Calvin Johnson is on the injury report with hand and knee injuries. I'll have an update on Johnson in my Thursday blog entry. If that one gets posted by 9 a.m. ET instead of 8 a.m., try not to be mad, OK?
• Cedric Benson's status for Week 12 is currently up in the air. We probably won't know anything more until after Wednesday's practice.
• The Saints aren't giving any hints on whether RB Reggie Bush (knee) will return this week. I'm already excited for Monday's Patriots-Saints game. You think the Superdome will be a little loud?
• The Seahawks expect to get RB Julius Jones back this week, and if he plays, he'll start. My advice to Justin Forsett owners is to hang on a little longer if you can. Jones isn't exactly Emmitt Smith, you know.
• The Bills say that RB Marshawn Lynch's shoulder is "feeling better," but that's about all we've got right now for one of the season's most frustrating fantasy players. If you drafted Lynch - like I did - didn't you think your backfield would be in great shape if you could just hang on until his season-opening, three-game suspension ended?
• Rams QB Marc Bulger might be done for the season with a fractured shin bone, so Kyle Boller steps in this week against the Seahawks. Just because the Rams are starting Boller doesn't mean you have to.
• The Bucs sound like they want RB Earnest Graham to get the ball a little more. I don't think it'll be enough to warrant starting him or even picking him up just yet, but keep him on your radar if you're in a deep league.
• Cowboys TE Jason Witten didn't participate in Monday's walkthrough due to a foot injury. Nothing to worry about yet, other than Witten's obvious decline since last year. What happened to him?
• "This could be the start of something big." So writes New York Daily News Giants' beat writer Ralph Vacchiano about TE Kevin Boss' big game against the Falcons on Sunday. As free-agent pickups go, Boss wouldn't be a bad idea right now.
• Need some lineup questions answered? John Juhasz hosts a live chat today at 3 p.m. ET. Send your questions now!
• Remember that we've got three games Thursday - Packers-Lions, Raiders-Cowboys and Giants-Broncos. Set your lineups accordingly.

See you back here Thursday morning.

Hey, how about those Giants? As my dad said, they can't stop anybody, and Steve Politi of the Newark Star-Ledger writes that Eli Manning is "the one thing separating the Giants from oblivion." I guess that means he's going to keep throwing a lot, huh?

On to the news:

• Rookie WR Brandon Gibson caught five passes for 61 yards for the Rams yesterday, and that's good. Even better is that he got targeted 18 times (if you count the two targets on plays nullified by penalties, anyway). That accounts for almost half the team's pass plays, for crying out loud. Gibson apparently ran some bad routes, but it's not like QB Marc Bulger has a ton of alternatives. Gibson got some looks on the free-agent wire last week, but you need to check his availability in your league. Get him if you can.
• Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger left Sunday's game after getting a blow to the head in overtime, and it's not clear if he suffered a concussion. We'll watch this situation as the week progresses.
• Ditto for Cardinals QB Kurt Warner, who left his game in the second quarter. Stay tuned.
• Giants RB Brandon Jacobs left yesterday's game with a knee injury. Jacobs says he could have returned, but he didn't, and the Giants have a short week ahead. Hopefully we'll know more tomorrow.
• I just got a popup on my computer that said my battery has suffered a "permanent error." That's bad, right? The rest of this entry might be a little light on the usual smart-a** commentary.
• With Ladell Betts suffering what appeared to be a season-ending knee injury, Rock Cartwright will probably start at running back this week for the Redskins (Clinton Portis is expected to miss at least another game).
• Who had the over on 725 yards and 8.5 touchdowns for Matthew Stafford and Brady Quinn? In other news from that crazy game, on behalf of all Calvin Johnson's owners, I'd like to welcome him to the 2009 fantasy season. Seven receptions for 161 yards and a TD - that's nice.
• Bills RB Marshawn Lynch left Sunday's game early with a shoulder injury. We should know more about his status tomorrow. At least now he has a reason to be unproductive.
• Colleague Mike Harmon suggested last week that new Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski would look for TE Zach Miller, and he was on target yesterday, as Miller caught five passes for 65 yards and a TD. If you had those wide receivers, you'd throw to your tight end, too.
• Nice game for Eagles rookie RB LeSean McCoy, but I read a few tweets last night from writers that noted his blocking troubles. I wonder if that will limit his opportunities just a bit on passing downs. He's still a must-start, so I'm probably worrying you unnecessarily.
• Be patient with Seahawks RB Justin Forsett, folks. He got you 80 yards receiving and a TD to offset his nine-carry, nine-yard effort, and visits the Rams this week. If Julius Jones is out again, I'd start Forsett.
• Just an FYI that I'll be posting here Thursday and Friday mornings this week, as always. 8 a.m. deadlines don't interfere with my turkey-eating schedule, and we've got three Thursday games to worry about.

Enjoy tonight's Titans-Texans game, in which Steve Slaton looks to get back on track, and Andre Johnson will need a monster game to save one of my fantasy seasons. See you tomorrow.