Packers’ Starks, Cowboys’ Choice can provide late-season lift

Many fantasy owners are using their final week of the regular season to position themselves for a playoff run, while others merely are trying to win their final week, keeping head-to-head wager balances to a minimum.

A few players have emerged in these final weeks who could be beneficial to any team, in any situation, beginning with Packers running back James Starks. Ever since Ryan Grant was lost for the season to an injury in Week 1, Green Bay has been searching for someone to take over its running game. Brandon Jackson filled in and had a few decent games, but he is best suited for third downs.

Looking at the Packers' rushing touchdowns, you get a sense of how futile Green Bay's 23rd-ranked rushing offense has been this season with Jackson. The Packers have only nine rushing touchdowns, with four coming from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Jackson has accumulated 527 yards rushing through 12 games, but his 3.9 yards per attempt is deceptive because he had one 71-yard run.

Despite their running game having no major impact, the Packers still have to show the run to keep their passing game effective. It seems as if more than half their passing plays are designed off play action to keep the linebackers drawn in for a split second. Now, the Packers might have found a player to replace Grant in Starks, who is built like Grant, which will allow them to make what once were throwaway running plays an effective part of their offense.

In Week 13, Starks saw his first action of the season and had 18 carries for 73 yards against the 49ers. On Sunday, the Packers face the No. 25-ranked Lions defense in a game that has the potential for Starks to put up big numbers.

The Packers are likely to have a big halftime lead and will look to chew time off the clock in the second half, with the running game giving Starks the opportunity to put up more than 100 yards. Because of his strong efforts, his number will be called at the goal line as well. Overall, Starks is a great play for Week 14 and should be in starting lineups.

Remember Roy Williams, the wide receiver from the Cowboys who scored all five of his touchdowns this season during a three-game stretch? Well, he's available in most leagues and can be expected to post similar numbers again now that he's back in Dallas' offensive mix after a season-ending injury to teammate Dez Bryant.

Another Williams teammate, running back Tashard Choice, had quite a game in Week 13 at Indianapolis with 100 yards on 19 carries and is still widely available for picking up this week. Felix Jones carried the ball more than Choice against the Colts, but Choice was more effective between the tackles, which means he should get the goal-line carries.

Mike Shanahan always was a tough coach to gauge in fantasy football with his corps of running backs in Denver, and it hasn't been much easier for owners to figure him out in his first year at Washington. Shanahan has had a carousel of backs contributing, but because of injuries -- and Shanahan being Shanahan -- James Davis looks to be the flavor of the week, making him a good pickup.

Kenny Britt played his first game back from injury Thursday and should be considered a good pickup for Week 15. Remember him? A Titans wide receiver, he scored in five straight games, which made him one of the best early-season pickups of the year before getting hurt in Week 8. A lot has happened since then with Tennessee, and most of it isn't good, but perhaps Britt can help change the atmosphere with his ability to get open and his quarterback's confidence in him.

Micah Roberts is a former Las Vegas sports book director who covers all sports for multiple publications. He can be reached at MM.Roberts7@gmail.com.