The winner of this week's free fantasy challenge will receive an Anthony Weaver autographed mini-helmet.
Following Thanksgiving, the NFL will now play Thursday night games each week until the conclusion of the season. Accordingly, the lineup deadline for the free **HoustonTexans.com Home Team Challenge** will be early for the rest of the year, so make sure to set your lineup by Thursday's 7:15 p.m. deadline to avoid being locked out of fielding a team this week with a Texans mini-helmet autographed by Anthony Weaver on the line.
Here are a few recommendations:
SIGN ME UP WR Larry Fitzgerald, ARI, 41 (vs. CLE):Fitzgerald has been on a roll all season long. He hauled in 438 receiving yards and five touchdowns in the month of November, capped off by a 156-yard, two-TD highlight show last week against the 49ers. The Cardinals play the 30th-rated Browns pass defense in the comforts of University of Phoenix Stadium, where Fitzgerald had two receiving TDs the last two times he played.
RB Justin Fargas, OAK, 24 (vs. DEN):Since becoming the full-time starter late into the season, all Fargas has done is average a little more than 22 carries and 95 yards in his past four games. He exploded for 139 yards and a TD last week at Kansas City, and could be in for a field day against the Broncos. Denver's 29th-rated run defense (146.7 yards/game) has improved its numbers recently, but three of its last four games were against teams whose starting running backs were watching from the sidelines with injury. Fargas could push them back down the rankings this week.
NO THANKS RB Joseph Addai, IND, 55 (vs. JAC):The Jags' run defense is relatively formidable, ranking 12th in the NFL with 99.7 yards allowed per game. As far as Addai is concerned, it may as well be the best rushing defense in the league. The young back has struggled against Jacksonville in the three times he has faced them, failing to notch 100 yards rushing or find the end zone each time. Addai also left the Colts' Week 12 game with a sprained neck, and though he returned for parts of that contest, he remains at risk of losing carries to stellar backup RB Kenton Keith.
Alternatives: Clinton Portis, WAS, 41 (vs. BUF) Frank Gore, SF, 39 (@ CAR)
RB Adrian Peterson, MIN, 51 (@ DET):He may still lead the NFL in rushing yards (1,083) despite missing the last two weeks with a torn lateral collateral ligament, but Peterson is a risky play this week. The rookie sensation is slated to split carries with productive veteran RB Chester Taylor, and the Vikings have a tough test in the Lions, whose ninth-ranked run defense allows only 95.8 yards per game. It would be wise to hold off on Peterson until after he shows how well he has recovered this Sunday.
Alternatives: Portis, WAS, 41 (vs. BUF) Gore, SF, 39 (@ CAR)Haven't signed up yet? It's still not too late to ****register*** for the Home Team Challenge. Make sure to set your lineup by Thurs., Nov. 29 at 5:00 p.m.*
