Raise your hand if you had Marshawn Lynch on your fantasy bench last night, only to watch him gain 60 yards on six carries, including a 15-yard touchdown run, in the Bills' 19-13 loss. Only in fantasy football can a player piss off his owners even more than usual by breaking out of a scoring slump in a backup role. Damn you, Marshawn Lynch. Damn you to hell.

As always, if you're looking for lineup help as kickoff approaches on Sunday:

• 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 tweet them your questions anytime at @FantasyFreaks.
• Chat with Roger Rotter from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Send your questions now!
• Send an e-mail to me at jhalpin37@gmail.com, or tweet me at @jhalpin37.

On to the news:

• Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams missed another practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury, and there's a little bit of concern about his status in my fair city. The Charlotte Observer seems to think Williams is truly questionable, while the Rock Hill Herald's tone isn't quite as uncertain, and head coach John Fox seems to think Williams will play. I do, too, but check his status Sunday morning before starting him just to be safe 
• This isn't really a surprise, but Falcons RB Michael Turner missed practice again on Thursday. After Turner's rapid return last week I'd assume anything is possible, but you should prepare to be without him this week.
• The Cardinals are hopeful that QB Kurt Warner will play, but he split snaps with Matt Leinart again on Thursday, and beat writer Kent Somers reports that the team "might not know until Sunday morning" if Warner will play. After last week's late scratch, and with the Cardinals not playing until the Sunday night game, don't put Warner in your starting lineup unless you know he's going to play. You might kick yourself later, but it's better than risking a goose egg.
• Eagles WR DeSean Jackson still hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's game, but he's not practicing, he has a high-profile teammate that recently suffered a second concussion when making a comeback of his own ... not gonna happen.
• Jets QB Mark Sanchez injured his knee in last night's win and will have an MRI today. After the Jets brought in Yankees manager Joe Girardi to teach Sanchez how to slide, Sanchez ignored his new knowledge and dove headfirst for a first down in the third quarter. After the game, head coach Rex Ryan called Sanchez a "knucklehead," and I have a feeling he used harsher language in private.
• In Cleveland, the Mangenius still isn't giving any hints as to which of his running backs will get the bigger workload. Harmon has Chris Jennings tabbed as a sleeper. I agree. To paraphrase the great Bill Raftery, who's got the onions to start him?
• Bengals RB Bernard Scott isn't on crutches anymore, but he's wearing a walking boot, and the team has Cedric Benson and Larry Johnson ready to go. Like a two-week old gallon of milk, I think Scott's expiration date may have passed.
• This article reminded me that we shouldn't overlook WR Josh Morgan in the 49ers' higher-octane offense. Everyone is fired up about Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis, but Alex Smith targeted Morgan eight times last week. Depending on who's available in your league, he can be a decent free-agent pickup.
• RB Reggie Bush was limited in Thursday's practice for the Saints, and we probably won't know his status until Sunday. So was Pierre Thomas (wrist), but he's expected to play.
• Wouldn't it be more surprising if Adrian Peterson didn't drive over 100 mph? The guy would outrun his car if he didn't.
• Colts RB Donald Brown has missed two practices this week due to a chest injury, and might not play Sunday. This would have been bigger news early in the season, when he used to contribute.
• RB Ahmad Bradshaw didn't practice again Thursday for the Giants. Stay tuned on this one.
• Wade Phillips called Eli Manning a liar yesterday. Not in exactly those words, but the meaning was the same. Shut Phillips' pie hole this Sunday, OK, Eli?

Good luck this week. See you back here Monday morning.

Since it's December, I was just about to check the weather report for tonight's Jets-Bills game - you know how bad it can get in Buffalo. Do I get any credit for realizing the game is in Toronto's domed Rogers Centre before I got to AccuWeather.com?

On to the news:

• The Philadelphia Inquirer says that Eagles WR DeSean Jackson is unlikely to play this week due to a concussion, so you need to make some backup plans. As I wrote in my Pulitzer Prize-winning "Wide Write" column on FOXNews.com this week, Jackson's absence would make Jeremy Maclin is a really nice start/pickup. Maclin has been targeted 24 times in the last three games, and could be Donovan McNabb's top option.
• Browns RB Jamal Lewis has been placed in injured reserve with a concussion - what's with all the concussions lately? - so his season is over. Jerome Harrison and Chris Jennings are the remaining candidates for carries in Cleveland, but don't forget that head coach Eric Mangini has buried Harrison for the last month or so, deactivating him twice and generally ignoring him otherwise. Jennings is worth a pickup if you're looking for an RB, but he is still a Brown.
• The Bengals backfield is expected to welcome back Cedric Benson this week, but reserve Bernard Scott is on crutches with turf toe, so you shouldn't count on him. Larry Johnson appears to be Benson's primary backup, and with the Bengals likely to blow the Lions out, I could see LJ getting 8-10 carries. I don't think I'd start him, but I guess it depends on what the rest of your fantasy backfield looks like.
• Here's an article about how Frank Gore might be a casualty of the 49ers' new spread offense. I agree 100 percent - you can't be a workhorse back if two-thirds of your team's snaps are from the shotgun.
• Falcons RB Michael Turner is "day-to-day" with his re-sprained ankle. I hope the decision on whether he plays isn't impacted by the millions of fantasy owners depending on him for playoff berths. On second thought, I hope Turner gives it a go and explicitly credits fantasy owners for his decision. Maurice Jones-Drew would.
• Giants RB DJ Ware has been ruled out with a concussion, ruining his wiseguy fantasy sleeper status for now. Ahmad Bradshaw might be back after missing Week 12 with a sprained ankle, but it might be Sunday before we confirm that.
• Brian Westbrook is officially out again this week for the Eagles. The LeSean McCoy fantasy express rolls on.
• Panthers QB Jake Delhomme is day-to-day with his broken finger, and Matt Moore would get the start in his place. Make sure you set your TiVo to record that Bucs-Panthers barnburner.
• WR Justin Gage returned to practice yesterday for the Titans after missing a few weeks with a back injury, but it's too early to tell if he'll play this week.
• Rams RB Steven Jackson skipped another practice with a sore back, but he's still expected to play Sunday.
• Julius Jones practiced yesterday, but even if he plays, it sounds like he'll share the load with Justin Forsett. Read Jim Mora's comments and tell me if you agree.
• It sounds like QB Kurt Warner will return this week for the Cardinals. He's practicing, and showing no ill effects from his Week 11 concussion.
• Here's my latest video segment on FOXNews.com. Watch it, will ya?
• Stop by for a chat with Mike Harmon today at 3 p.m. ET. You can send your questions early if you want to impress him.

See you back here tomorrow.

Holy cow, was that a butt-whipping last night. I really, really, really, really, REALLY want to see a Saints-Colts Super Bowl. Great QB matchup, no annoying Brett Favre stories ... perfect.

On to the news:

• The Bengals expect RB Cedric Benson to return this week against the Lions. You certainly should get confirmation before kickoff, but plan to have Benson in your lineup. Since the Bengals are playing the Lions, Larry Johnson and Bernard Scott (if his toe gets better) could also get some work during a blowout, or to give Benson an easy day, but until we know how these backs will be used with Benson healthy you can't start either of them. Too risky.
• It might be a tough week ahead for the Falcons, as QB Matt Ryan won't play with a toe injury, and RB Michael Turner's status is again uncertain due to his reinjured ankle. The Falcons host the Eagles, and you should probably look for RBs Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood to get plenty of work. My early-week bet is that Turner won't play, but I thought that last week.
• Fortunately for the Falcons, their Week 13 opponent has a bunch of injuries as well. According to Philly.com, DeSean Jackson's status is still uncertain due to a concussion, Brian Westbrook will visit concussion specialists again this week, and TE Brent Celek is expected to play despite spraining his thumb on Sunday. If we combine these two teams, we might have one full set of viable fantasy starters.
• Once again, the Seahawks are saying that they think RB Julius Jones has a good chance to return this week, and that if he does, he'll be the starter. But this time, they're also saying they're going to "make sure" Justin Forsett gets his touches. I think I'd start Forsett if I could only start two fantasy backs, and I know I would if I could start three. He's too good to bury behind a guy like Jones.
• Cardinals QB Kurt Warner expects to play Sunday, but this article also says that he's still "experiencing sensitivity to light and is seeing shadows in his field of vision." Stay tuned, folks.
• Panthers QB Jake Delhomme has a broken finger on his throwing hand - so that's what's wrong! Seriously, Delhomme was in danger of getting benched anyway, and now it looks even more likely that Matt Moore will start Sunday against the Bucs. I bet you can't wait to find that matchup on NFL Sunday Ticket, huh? The Panthers might run the ball 50 times.
• Don't forget that we've got a Thursday game this week - it's Jets-Bills.
• If you own Eli Manning, you really need to have a backup plan in case his foot gets worse. If the Giants lose another couple of games, I wonder if they'll yank him as a precaution.
• If you're still waiting for Lions RB Kevin Smith to bust out, I don't even think head coach Jim Schwartz has hope any more.
• Anyone with Redskins TE Chris Cooley still stashed on the bench can cut him now - he's officially done for the season.
• The Bucs are just about at an even split of carries between Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward. If only one of them could gain some yards.
• Tuesday is chat day around here, and John Juhasz will host today at 3 p.m. ET. Send your questions now - John will take them on Ben Roethlisberger, blackjack, his hometown Browns, roulette, etc.

See you back here on Thursday.

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.