Week 17 — Late-week fantasy tips

Philadelphia Eagles — The Eagles will try to get the ball to WR Irving Fryar as much as possible this week, when Fryar, who’s retiring, will play his last game. He needs five receptions for his ninth 50-catch season. If not in Fryar’s hands, the ball will be carried by RB Duce Staley, who needs 32 rushing yards for 1,000 on the season.

Dallas Cowboys — The entire offense has been in the doldrums lately, though RB Emmitt Smith showed signs of life last week vs. the Eagles. He should enjoy similar success this week vs. the Redskins. … Look for the Cowboys to try to get WR Michael Irvin more involved as a means of reinvigorating their punchless passing attack.

Denver Broncos — QB John Elway is questionable with hip and groin injuries. … Even though the game is essentially meaningless, it’s important to the Broncos, who have been struggling lately, and to RB Terrell Davis, who needs 170 rushing yards for 2,000 on the season. He rushed for more than 200 yards last time vs. the Seahawks.

St. Louis Rams — The Rams may take a look at backup QB Kurt Warner this week. Warner could play anywhere from a series to a half.

San Francisco 49ers — Steve Young’s knee is only slightly sprained. He should start — assuming the 49ers have something to play for. They won’t if the Bears upset the Packers in one of the early games on Sunday.

Carolina Panthers — TE Wesley Walls (foot) is doubtful, and WR Muhsin Muhammad (hamstring) is questionable, so look for the Panthers to emphasize the running game vs. the Colts. RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka will be the focal point of the offense.

Atlanta Falcons — Even though their game vs. the Dolphins basically means nothing, the Falcons have been saying all week how important it is to win and maintain their momentum. As a result, they may be less inclined to empty the bench than teams that are used to making the playoffs.

New Orleans Saints — RB Lamar Smith seems to be getting another chance to be the main back, but the Saints will continue to audition several runners in hopes of finding one for next year.

Baltimore Ravens — The offensive line is still banged up, but Pro Bowl OT Jonathan Ogden (ankle) may return this week. That’s good news for RB Priest Holmes, who should be especially fired up this week in what is expected to be head coach Ted Marchibroda’s final game. Marchibroda gave Holmes, an undrafted free agent, a chance to be the Ravens’ main back ahead of more heralded runners such as Errict Rhett and Jay Graham.

Cincinnati Bengals — RB Corey Dillon is expected to return from his back injury. He’ll be joined in the backfield by Paul Justin, who will start at quarterback in place of the injured Jeff Blake (wrist).

Oakland Raiders — RB Napoleon Kaufman (groin) is not expected to play. He can run straight ahead but can’t cut laterally. … CB Charles Woodson will not play on offense after all. He popped off after head coach Jon Gruden initially said Woodson would play on offense, prompting Gruden to change his mind.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — The Bucs’ WR corps is banged up, with Bert Emanuel (kidney) out and Reidel Anthony (shoulder) less than 100 percent. Because of those injuries, and the fact that the weather is expected to be cold and nasty in Cincinnati, the Buccaneers may emphasize their running game even more than usual.

Chicago Bears — WR Curtis Conway has started to come around, thanks in part to a tip from teammate Bobby Engram, who told Conway to use his great speed to run under the ball instead of diving for it. … RB James Allen, coming off a huge game, will start again and get the majority of the carries. Edgar Bennett (knee) is doubtful.

Green Bay Packers — QB Brett Favre will start, but how long he plays remains to be seen. His main target will be WR Antonio Freeman, whom the Packers are moving all over the place in an effort to free him up. Green Bay likely will be without WR Robert Brooks (hamstring) and TE’s Mark Chmura (calf) and Tyrone Davis (hamstring).

Detroit Lions — Frank Reich will start at quarterback in place of the injured Charlie Batch (back) and, barring injury, is expected to play the whole way.

Minnesota Vikings — All of the regulars will start, but head coach Dennis Green will remove them as the game goes along. One starter who could put up big numbers in a short period of time is WR Randy Moss, who faces a team that passed him up in the draft for the 13^th time this season. In the previous 12 games vs. teams that snubbed him, Moss has 53 catches for 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Tennesee Oilers — Even though WR Yancey Thigpen is finally back in the flow, the Oilers still aren’t throwing the deep ball. Their two longest completions this season were thrown by Dave Krieg. Starting QB Steve McNair was encouraged to play it safe during his first couple of seasons and is thus hesitant to take shots down the field.

Kansas City Chiefs — Elvis Grbac will start at quarterback in place of the injured Rich Gannon (foot/knee).

Buffalo Bills — Even though they could improve their playoff position, the Bills are not expected to play their regulars the whole way vs. the Saints. QB Doug Flutie, who has a minor knee injury, definitely won’t play the whole game, so expect to see Rob Johnson play as much as a half, maybe more.

Indianapolis Colts — RB Marshall Faulk has a lot of incentive to do well this week. He’s coming off his worst game of the season, he’s facing a weak Panther defense, he still has a shot to finish in the top five in rushing (which reportedly would enable him to become a free agent) and he needs 122 receiving yards to become just the second running back in history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.

Miami Dolphins — RB Karim Abdul-Jabbar (concussion) has been medically cleared to play this week, but he is expected to have a reduced role. Rookie John Avery should start and get the majority of the carries. … With ex-Arena Leaguer Oronde Gadsden wearing down and nursing two sore toes, WR’s Lamar Thomas (three TD’s last week) and Nate Jacquet will continue to see increased playing time.

San Diego Chargers — Both Craig Whelihan and Ryan Leaf will play at quarterback for the Chargers this week. … Interim head coach June Jones is high on rookie WR Ryan Thelwell, who has emerged as San Diego’s No. 3 receiver. … RB Natrone Means (foot) will not play, leaving the RB duties to Terrell Fletcher and Tremayne Stephens.

New England Patriots — QB Drew Bledsoe (finger) will not play. Scott Zolak will make his second start.

Click here to return to our main site ProFootballWeekly.com

© 1998-2001 by Pro Football Weekly, a Primedia publication. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.