This week’s bye team: PhiladelphiaAFC East
Indianapolis — WR-RS Terrence Wilkins may be worth a look if your WR corps
is hurting at playoff time. After slipping into the shadows for much of the year, Wilkins
appeared to break out vs. the Bills on Monday night with several big plays both receiving
and returning. Versatile TE Marcus Pollard, however, has been somewhat of a
disappointment in terms of numbers this season and hasn’t caught more than three
passes in any game this season.
New England — The offensive line is playing so poorly right now it’s probably
not even worth it to play RBs J.R. Redmond or Kevin Faulk unless you have
absolutely no other choice. Both have been hampered by injuries (and Faulk by fumbles),
and there simply haven’t been any holes to run through in recent weeks.
N.Y. Jets — Even though he’s still experiencing some soreness from the groin
injury suffered in the first half of last Sunday night’s loss to Oakland, QB Vinny
Testaverde is ready and raring to go vs. Detroit at home. Same goes for RB Curtis
Martin, who will be looking to bounce back from the worst rushing performance of his
career (17 carries for 11 yards) vs. Detroit’s 24th-ranked run defense.
… WR Laveranues Coles (knee) is listed as probable, and he could be a factor
vs. a Lions secondary missing CB Bryant Westbrook
AFC Central
Baltimore — Once again, the Ravens’ defense looks like the best fantasy
"D" on the board. It would love to tie the Steelers’ league record of five
shutouts in a season vs. an Arizona club that could be easy pickings. And it has also been
one of the best defenses in terms of takeaways. … RB Jamal Lewis could have a
good day vs. a weak Arizona defense ranked 30th.
Cleveland — Avoid playing all Browns players this week vs. the Titans. Despite
getting the ball off of seven turnovers in the first meeting vs. the Titans, the
Browns’ offense was totally inept against Tennessee. The Browns managed just five
first downs in the whole game and racked up only 125 total yards on offense.
Jacksonville — Even though RB Fred Taylor missed practice time this week
with a deep bruise on his left leg, you can count on him playing this week. Not only will
Taylor be looking to get his ninth 100-yard rushing game in a row, but he wants to prove
to the organization that he is not injury-prone. He is seeking to renegotiate his contract
in the offseason and doesn’t want his past injury problems to be a major stumbling
block. However, the Jaguars are traveling to Cincinnati, which features the worst turf in
the NFL. Big clumps of turf come up when a player plants, so this field may not be suited
for Taylor’s cutback running style.
Pittsburgh — If you have the Steelers’ defense on your roster, you are
probably aware that the unit has really fallen off in recent weeks. They had two shutouts
earlier in the year and looked like a must play every week. However, that is no longer the
case. In fact, you probably should be going with an alternate defense down the stretch.
The Steelers have allowed at least 20 points in each of their last six games and have
given up 30 twice in that span. The Steelers are facing an angry Redskins offense this
week.
Tennessee — Derrick Mason and Chris Sanders likely will be affected
by the returns of Yancey Thigpen and Carl Pickens. The latter two receivers
are coming off impressive showings last week vs. Cincinnati, with Thigpen hauling in a
56-yard TD pass. If they continue to improve, Sanders’ playing time will dramatically
decrease, and Mason will see more action in the slot. However, not all is lost for Mason.
If Thigpen and Sanders draw attention on the outside, the middle could open up for Mason,
who’s had a knack for making things happen this season. … RB Eddie George,
who reinjured his toe in the Bengals game, should be ready to go Sunday vs. Cleveland,
against whom he’s scored seven touchdowns in three games. However, like last week,
the Titans probably will pull some starters if they have a big lead late in the game.
AFC West
Denver — It wouldn’t be a bad idea to go ahead and start QB Gus Frerotte
this week vs. a Chiefs defense that has been taken advantage of at times since midseason.
However, if your fantasy league extends into Week 17, Brian Griese should be back
at the helm. He’s been throwing with more velocity at practices and impressed the
team with his sharpness.
Kansas City — RB Tony Richardson will be the primary back again this week,
with Kimble Anders making the move to fullback to replace Donnell Bennett,
who is out for the rest of the year with injury. The Chiefs would like to see if
Richardson could be the team’s featured back and handle the majority of the carries
next year.
Oakland — RB Napoleon Kaufman has been bothered all week by an injured shin
and probably won’t play on Sunday. RB Zack Crockett will fill in for FB Jon
Ritchie, who also is expected to miss Sunday. Starting RB Tyrone Wheatley
rushed for 156 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries in the Raiders’ first meeting
with the Seahawks this year.
Seattle — Those of you who are waiting for rookie RB Shaun Alexander to
emerge and get some more playing time may have to wait a bit longer. It seems there is
speculation every week that head coach Mike Holmgren will find ways to get Alexander more
playing time with the Seahawks out of the playoff race, but each week, injured toe and
all, Ricky Watters successfully carries the brunt of the load for the offense.
NFC East
Arizona — Avoid going with either of the Cardinals’ top two quarterbacks
this week. Jake Plummer (ribs) and Dave Brown (finger) both missed plenty of
practice time during the week due to injuries. In fact, the team has considered starting
No. 3 QB Chris Greisen, who has attempted all of 10 passes in his NFL
career. That may not bode well for WR David Boston, who is enjoying a breakout
season. However, Plummer reportedly had a strong practice on Thursday and could be in the
mix to start. Still, the Cardinals are playing a strong Ravens defense that could shut out
a weak Arizona offense.
Dallas — With QB Troy Aikman on the bench this week, and possibly the rest
of the season, young Anthony Wright will get to start. While Wright may not be a
strong fantasy player, RB Emmitt Smith is definitely a good guy to have in your
lineup. With Wright under center, the Cowboys will rely on Smith more than usual
— as they did last week, when the runner racked up 150 rushing yards.
New York Giants — While Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard are the top
two WR threats on the Giants, you may want to take a flier on rookie Ron Dixon if
you are in dire need of an extra receiver on your roster. Dixon will be the Giants’
No. 3 receiver because Joe Jurevicius is out 3-4 weeks with a knee injury.
Dixon, who is inexperienced but speedy and shifty, has added incentive to do well while
Jurevicius is out. Dixon was suspended for last week’s game because he missed a team
meeting, and he desperately wants out of head coach Jim Fassel’s doghouse.
Philadelphia — The Eagles are on bye this week.
Washington — Think twice about starting WR Albert Connell this week. He may
not see as much action as usual, as interim head coach Terry Robiskie has benched the
receiver. Connell was held catchless vs. the Cowboys last week.
NFC Central
Chicago — RB James Allen isn’t a bad play in emergency situations
given the Bears’ newfound commitment to the running game. With pass-happy coordinator
Gary Crowton now at Brigham Young, QB coach John Shoop has taken over the coordinator
duties and made some significant changes. First, he set out to give the offense more
balance, as evidenced by Allen’s 37 carries last week vs. New England. Then, Shoop
removed the read-and-react routes from the game plan and had the receivers simply run the
routes that were called. It worked well for Eddie Kennison, who had eight catches
for 100 yards and a touchdown. Kennison may not be a bad play either, especially
considering he’s the No. 1 receiver with Bobby Engram and Marcus Robinson
injured.
Green Bay — Is RB Ahman Green worthy of keeping for next season?
That’s a question some keeper-leaguers may have to contend with. Consider: Green has
been very productive since taking over for an injured Dorsey Levens in Week 10.
Since then, Green has rushed 122 times for 534 yards (4.4-yard average) and five
touchdowns. He’s also caught 32 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. In fact,
Green could become the first Packers running back to lead the team in receptions since
1977. What does it all mean for next season? Well, the Packers may opt to split carries
between Green and Levens next season, much as they did with Edgar Bennett and Levens
several years ago. There is little chance the Packers will emphasize the injury-prone
Levens the way they have the in the past, so don’t be surprised if they divvy up the
carries next season.
Minnesota — TE Johnny McWilliams has come on of late, and he may be worthy
of an emergency starting spot. Last week vs. St. Louis, McWilliams caught five passes for
53 yards and one touchdown, on which he flat-out beat the middle linebacker down the
middle of the field. McWilliams is a pass-catching tight end, and he did haul in four TD
passes with the Cardinals in 1998. Furthermore, the Vikings’ Nos. 3 and 4 wideouts, Matthew
Hatchette and Chris Walsh, are both nursing injuries. That could force the
Vikings to use more two-TE sets, thus increasing McWilliams’ playing time.
Tampa Bay — The Buccaneers believe injured FB Mike Alstott might be able to
play Monday night vs. the Rams. Head coach Tony Dungy said Alstott is doing well, and
Alstott said on his weekly radio show, "I’m back. I had a bad injury, but it
could have been worse. I healed awfully quick, and I’m excited. It’s been
tearing me up." Alstott credited his strong leg muscles and offseason workout for his
speedy recovery. But this question remains: What will his role be with Warrick Dunn
emerging as the featured back? If Alstott does play, he probably won’t see much
playing time because he’s been out so long. But that doesn’t mean his workload
won’t increase in Week 17. We have to believe Dunn will continue to carry the load,
but a healthy Alstott will take some carries away.
NFC West
Atlanta — The only possible favorable fantasy thing to say on behalf of the
Falcons is that they are well-rested coming off a bye. But their weak offense, thrust in
the hands of rookie Doug Johnson, is up against one of the league’s stingiest
defenses in New Orleans’. RB Jamal Anderson might get an assist if Saints DT
Norman Hand is still at less-than-full strength. Really, though, you’re better off
avoiding Atlanta for fantasy purposes.
Carolina— After missing four games with a big-toe injury, RB Tshimanga
Biakabutuka has put two full days of practice in and looks as though he will be able
to play this Sunday vs. San Diego. He’s expected to split time, however, with Brad
Hoover, who is coming off a weak outing. FB William Floyd (ribs) remains out
and will probably stay out the rest of the season.
New Orleans — After getting off to a slow start, RB Terry Allen got his act
together nicely in the second half of the Saints’ big win on the road over San
Francisco last Sunday. He starts again this week against the woeful Falcons. Both he and
RB Chad Morton, who has shown some explosiveness out of the backfield as both a
rusher and receiver, could be in store for some decent fantasy production. The same
definitely goes for QB Aaron Brooks, who didn’t throw real well last week but
rushed for over 100 yards and has emerged as a solid fantasy force.
St. Louis — RB Marshall Faulk, whose knee injury forced him to miss two
games this season, was held out of practice yesterday as a precautionary measure. But he
is expected to be ready to go full tilt in the huge Monday-night game vs. Tampa Bay.
Taking into account the Rams’ weak offensive effort the last time they faced the Bucs
(in last year’s NFC championship), you might want to think twice about Rams fantasy
players this week.
San Francisco — Look for WR Jerry Rice to rise to the occasion vs. the
Bears this Sunday in a game that is now officially being played in his honor. QB Jeff
Garcia, who has been the biggest fantasy surprise this season, also would love to
continue excelling and finish off a great season on a bright note. |
