THREE UP, THREE DOWN

UP DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina:
Williams has emerged as the Panthers' top back after spending the early part of the season splitting carries with Jonathan Stewart. Williams averaged 18 carries and 105 rushing yards in his last three games and broke free for a 69-yard score against Oakland. Even better for Williams' owners is that Carolina is facing the Lions this weekend; Detroit's run defense is the NFL's second-worst.

UP Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit:
The Lions may be terrible, but Smith is now a decent fantasy option. He has four touchdown runs in his last six games and is also a receiving threat (25 catches). The rookie from Central Florida is likely going to be the starter over Rudi Johnson and may come cheaply in a trade if you need to shore up your thin backfield.

UP Mark Bradley, WR, Kansas City:
The Chiefs have not quit and are starting to throw the ball more effectively with Tyler Thigpen (another player to consider if he's available in your league) at quarterback. Thigpen already has two skilled pass-catchers in Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez, and Bradley -- who has 18 catches, 187 yards, and two touchdowns in the last three weeks -- makes three.

DOWN Jeremy Shockey, TE, New Orleans:
Shockey finished with only two catches for 16 yards last weekend against Atlanta; his backup, Billy Miller, has been much more productive. Drew Brees has been piling up passing yards for the Saints, but Shockey -- already being viewed as a malcontent in New Orleans -- has not contributed a touchdown in six games played. Shockey aggravated an ankle injury against the Falcons, so watch his status before putting him in your lineup.

DOWN Earnest Graham, RB, Tampa Bay:
Graham is coming off a bye week, and he needed it. In Tampa Bay's previous game, against the Chiefs, he banged up his knee. But even if he's healthy enough to get onto the field this weekend, leave Graham on your bench. The Buccaneers are facing Minnesota, and the Vikings have the NFL's third-best run defense (just 70.1 yards per game allowed).

DOWN Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore:
From a pure football standpoint, Flacco is coming into his own for the 6-3 Ravens. But from a fantasy standpoint, don't turn to Flacco this weekend if you need a QB. Baltimore is visiting the Giants, and New York has the league's third-ranked defense. Opponents are averaging only 177 yards through the air against the G-Men, and Flacco hasn't thrown for 250 yards in any game this season.