This week’s bye team: BaltimoreAFC East
Buffalo — The Bills are going up against one of the strongest defenses in the
league in the Dolphins, so you might shy away from starting Bills players this week,
especially the running backs. … On the other side of the ball, the Bills’
defense is so unbelievably banged up that you’d be taking a risk starting its
defense, especially if both Lamar Smith and Jay Fiedler start for Miami.
Indianapolis — This game will go a long way toward determining the fate of the
Colts’ season, so expect the "triplets" to step up. The Jets’ defense
is slightly overrated because it creates lots of turnovers. But Edgerrin James and Peyton
Manning had their way against the Jets in Week 11, a game that the Colts won.
Miami — It is still uncertain whether Jay Fiedler or Lamar Smith
will return this week against the Bills. Fiedler has looked more positive in practice than
Smith has, but the Dolphins haven’t yet determined whether either will play. … O.J.
McDuffie’s toe continues to bother him, but the Dolphins expect him to play in
multi-receiver sets this week.
New England — If the Chargers and Ryan Leaf can outdo the Chiefs,
can’t the 3-9 Patriots do the same? Drew Bledsoe is a better quarterback than
Leaf, and J.R. Redmond is a bit more reliable a back than anyone in the
Chargers’ backfield. The problem is that Terry Glenn is Bledsoe’s only
good option to throw to. Glenn and Bledsoe could have huge games here.
N.Y. Jets — Vinny Testaverde and the rest of the Jets’ offense could
have a huge day if they avoid making mistakes against the Colts’ defense. The
Colts’ defense hasn’t been consistent in stopping the big play and hasn’t
created many turnovers. Of course, if Testaverde is off his game, he could personally turn
the Colts’ turnover woes around with multiple interceptions.
AFC Central
Baltimore — Bye week.
Cincinnati — Scott Mitchell will get the call at quarterback after missing
last week with a sprained knee. In Mitchell’s lone start this year (Week 12), WR Peter
Warrick had a career-high seven catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. It’s no
secret Mitchell has more patience to look downfield than Akili Smith does, so
Warrick may be a good choice this week vs. a poor Cardinals defense. … RB Corey
Dillon has rushed for at least 79 yards in four of his last five games.
Cleveland — The starting QB job is up in the air this week. Don’t be
surprised, though, to see rookie Spergon Wynn under center, as Doug Pederson
is banged up. Also, head coach Chris Palmer has dedicated the final three games of the
season to evaluating talent, which means there will be even more youth than usual on the
field. As a result, you may want to avoid playing Browns skill-position players.
Pittsburgh — The Raiders have had a bit of trouble on and off this year against
the run, so Jerome Bettis would be a good pick to start. … A typical shoo-in
would be the Pittsburgh defense, except that it is facing a well-rounded offense led by
possible MVP candidate QB Rich Gannon. … Kordell Stewart could be the
sleeper starter of the week. He’s looked better as the season has progressed and has
had four rushing touchdowns in the last three weeks to go along with seven TD passes. But
no one seems to be talking about him.
Tennessee — Here’s a bit of information to ease the concerns of fantasy
owners with PK Al Del Greco: On Wednesday, Del Greco had a solid day of kicking
despite a steady, stiff wind. Said head coach Jeff Fisher: "The ball was coming off
his foot like it hasn’t come off in weeks. He was kicking it right down the middle
from both hashes, and he knew all eyes were on him. He knew my eyes were on him." Del
Greco remains confident, and frankly, the placekickers who are available if the Titans
wanted to make a move all had problems before becoming unemployed. Furthermore, Del Greco
and special-teams coach Alan Lowry have not found any mechanical problems in reviewing the
kicker’s recent misses.
AFC West
Denver — Scratch RB Terrell Davis from your fantasy lineup for the next
three weeks. Davis will be wearing a boot cast to help his stress fracture heal, which
means a lot will be placed on the shoulders of rookie Mike Anderson. … If
you’re looking for the scoop on the Broncos’ three-headed monster at tight end,
there isn’t one. All three are receiving equal playing time and producing similar
numbers.
Kansas City — While FB Donnell Bennett has been the subject of criticism
lately for not making the most of his goal-line opportunities, he will continue to handle
most of the team’s short-yardage duties. … QB Elvis Grbac returns this
week despite still being bothered some by an injured finger. The Chiefs’ receivers
figure to benefit greatly from his return, as Kansas City’s passing offense seemed
severely limited under the direction of QB Warren Moon last week.
Oakland — Despite the return of RB Tyrone Wheatley from ankle problems, the
Raiders will likely keep Zack Crockett involved in the offense and utilize his
short-yardage skills in order to keep Wheatley or Napoleon Kaufman fresh.
San Diego — Terrell Fletcher assumed the starting spot over Jermaine
Fazande last week and provides the Chargers with a quicker burst and better hands out
of the backfield. However, the Chargers plan on continuing to use both, and playing time
will be strictly a situational thing from here on out.
Seattle — Don’t get gun-shy with RB Ricky Watters as the season moves
along. Watters has carried at least 20 times in each of the last three weeks, and it
doesn’t sound as if head coach Mike Holmgren is ready to start playing youngsters
— such as rookie Shaun Alexander — for experience just yet.
NFC East
Arizona — Jake Plummer is going to get the start this week despite still
having some pain from his bruised ribs. You may want to steer clear of playing Plummer,
even though he is facing the hapless Bengals, because one big-time hit to the chest could
send Plummer back to the bench. … Plummer said he told offensive coordinator Marc
Trestman the Cardinals need to get the ball into the hands of RB Michael Pittman 30
times a game.
Dallas — Despite suffering a concussion last week, RB Emmitt Smith will
play this week. However, he may not be a great choice to start for you fantasy team,
considering he is facing a very tough Buccaneers defense.
New York Giants – Avoid starting WR Ike Hilliard this week, as he is still
out with bruised lungs. In fact, it may be wise to ditch Hilliard, because he may not be
ready to go in Week 15 either. We hear the Giants are going to be extremely cautious with
Hilliard’s injury.
Philadelphia — Forget about playing any Eagles wide receivers. They just
aren’t involved in the offense. Rather than connecting with his wideouts, QB Donovan
McNabb is throwing to the tight ends and backs. In the past two games, wide receivers
have accounted for just eight of 44 receptions. That means, dump Torrance Small, Charles
Johnson and Todd Pinkston.
Washington — While Stephen Davis is normally considered a must-play guy,
you will want to consider resting him this week if you have alternative running backs.
Davis is very banged up, with a fractured forearm and sore shoulder and wrist. He will be
wearing protective padding on his arm, but the injury might still affect him. Furthermore,
he is running against the Giants, a team that has been outstanding in stopping the run. In
Washington’s first meeting with the Giants, Davis was held under 100 yards rushing,
and he did not get into the endzone.
NFC Central
Chicago — Bears WR Marcus Robinson strained his back Wednesday in practice
and might miss Sunday night’s game vs. Green Bay. Wednesday night, Robinson’s
back stiffened up on him and he had spasms, sending him to the hospital for the night.
Robinson did not practice Thursday and was tabbed by head coach Dick Jauron as
questionable. If he can’t go, Robinson will be replaced by a combination of Dez
White and Marty Booker. … QB Shane Matthews will make this third
start of the season Sunday vs. Green Bay. Cade McNown, who has been out with a
shoulder injury, will be listed as the No. 3 quarterback. Though McNown has made progress
in his rehab, the Bears aren’t sure if he can return to action in the next couple of
weeks. McNown is throwing harder, but his accuracy is off from a lack of activity.
Detroit — Played Thursday night at Minnesota.
Green Bay — Packers WR Bill Schroeder has caught three TD passes in his
last two games against Chicago, so you might want to consider starting him this week.
Minnesota — Played Thursday night vs. Detroit.
Tampa Bay — Is there a chance the Buccaneers are a better one-back team than a
two-back team, which they’ve been for the last few years? If RB Warrick Dunn
continues to carry the ball the way he did last Sunday vs. Buffalo, he may become Tampa
Bay’s featured back of the future. The jury is still out, though, and Dunn did face a
Bills defense that was without key defenders Sam Cowart and Sam Rogers. Also, this
week’s opponent, the Cowboys, have the worst run defense in the league. But
Dunn’s performance down the stretch should be watched closely by keeper-leaguers, who
could come away with a starting running back on the cheap.
NFC West
Atlanta — With everybody on the team wishing their terrible season would end
tomorrow, the Falcons turn to rookie QB Doug Johnson this Sunday at home vs.
Seattle over Chris Chandler, who has been demoted to third string for the rest of
the season. The one thing Johnson might benefit from is the fact Seattle’s defense
has allowed a league-worst 403.1 yards per game. … WR Shawn Jefferson has been
the team’s most productive receiver as of late (seven catches for 109 yards vs.
Oakland last Sunday), but keep an eye on fellow WR Terance Mathis, who needs two
more TD catches to move to the top of the Falcons’ career list.
Carolina— RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka will likely miss his third game in a row
because of a turf-toe injury that isn’t getting any better. Brad Hoover, who
had a breakout game on a national stage last Monday night in the win over the Packers,
starts in Biakabutuka’s place. Also remaining in the lineup is FB Chris
Hetherington, who has two TDs the last two weeks. He starts over William Floyd,
who remains out with a rib injury. … WR Donald Hayes (groin) is listed as
probable. WR Muhsin Muhammad, who had a huge game vs. Green Bay last Monday night,
will be looking to keep it up this Sunday vs. a St. Louis defense that has really
regressed, especially its secondary.
New Orleans — QB Aaron Brooks’ ability to throw accurately underneath
and make something out of nothing with his escapability and rushing ability (two TD runs
last week vs. the Rams) could cause problems for a Denver defense that has been pelted in
the intermediate range all season. RB Jerald Moore (neck stinger) has been upgraded
from questionable to probable. After being inactive the last two games, there is a good
chance veteran RB Terry Allen will see action vs. the Broncos.
St. Louis — A Rams offense coming off its least productive effort of the season
hopes it can regain its usual explosiveness with the return of QB Kurt Warner, who
starts after missing five games with a broken finger. In addition, PK Jeff Wilkins is
ready to go again this Sunday vs. Carolina. He’s been out of the lineup since Nov. 12
with a quadriceps problem in his kicking leg. Warner must be wary of a Panthers pass rush
that really manhandled the St. Louis front wall in Carolina’s victory over St. Louis
earlier this season. … RB Marshall Faulk, coming off his weakest effort in
some time but still leading the league with 15 TDs (nine rushing, six receiving),
didn’t play in the first Carolina game.
San Francisco — 49ers go-to WR Terrell Owens, who did not play at all in
the Niners’ last game and sparingly the game before that because of a turf-toe
injury, said the toe was feeling better. Owens said he expected to play and to be at 85
percent effectiveness for the game vs. lowly San Diego, but he is still listed as
questionable, so check his status carefully. The Niners have failed to score a TD in their
last six quarters without Owens in the lineup. … QB Jeff Garcia, who has
thrown for 3,060 yards and has an excellent 24-7 TD-interception ratio, should be looking
forward to going against one of the league’s most porous pass defenses. |
