Teams on bye: Denver BroncosAFC East
Buffalo — This would be a good week to start QB Alex Van Pelt and WRs Eric
Moulds and Peerless Price. Buffalo is squaring off against Atlanta, whose pass
defense has been atrocious. But keep in mind that Price is listed as questionable for the
game and may not play. If you don’t start him, make it because of the injury, not
because of the matchup. … If you were starting RB Travis Henry regularly prior
to his injury, backup RB Shawn Bryson might not be a bad option for you. Bryson has
run fairly well when given the chance over the past two seasons and is champing at the bit
to show that he is worthy of an NFL starting job.
Indianapolis — If you haven’t been starting RB Dominic Rhodes, you
might want to consider it this week. Rhodes will face a Jets defense that has been suspect
against the run lately. In Week One, Edgerrin James torched the Jets for 135 yards and two
touchdowns. … The Colts’ passing game had been struggling prior to last
week’s game and could fall back into that pattern against a Jets pass defense that
has been quite opportunistic most of the year. In the Week One meeting, QB Peyton
Manning didn’t have a great game, and the top wide receiver was Jerome Pathon,
who is out for the season now.
Miami — It might be wise to avoid starting any Dolphins this week. The Patriots
are hosting them on Saturday in what figures to be more of a defensive battle than the
last meeting, which the Dolphins won 30-10. It’s a tough call on RB Lamar Smith,
who has had a very down year this season, with his best game coming against the Patriots.
Smith ran over them to the tune of 144 yards and one touchdown. But the Dolphins’
offense has been very inconsistent lately and the running game has gotten worse since that
game. Against a defensive strategist such as Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, it may
not be worth wasting starting spots on Dolphins.
New England — While RB Antowain Smith was held to only 47 yards in the
first meeting with the Dolphins this year, he’s been on fire lately and is certainly
worth starting. The Patriots want to rely more on him in the cold New England weather, and
they will give him plenty of opportunities to establish himself this Saturday.
N.Y. Jets — RB Curtis Martin seems to be in a bit of a slump, having no
100-yard games and scoring no touchdowns in four straight games. But this could be the
week Martin breaks back into the swing of things. The Colts’ defense has been a sieve
against the run all season long.
AFC Central
Baltimore — After three different backs (Moe Williams, Obafemi
Ayanbadejo and Terry Allen) combined for only 40 yards on 10 carries in the
loss to Pittsburgh last Sunday night, the Ravens are thinking about going with primarily
one back vs. the Bengals, the leading candidate being Allen, who had missed the previous
three games before the Steelers game with a hand injury. Allen saw very limited action vs.
the Steelers. … TE Shannon Sharpe (probable — leg) has 20 catches and
three TDs in his last three games vs. Cincinnati … Keep an eye on WRs Travis
Taylor and or Brandon Stokley, as the Ravens try to add a badly needed third
receiving option down the stretch to go with Sharpe and Qadry Ismail (TD catch in
last two games). Taylor has just two catches over the past two games and has not reached
the endzone since the Oct. 14 loss at Green Bay, but the Ravens are expected to throw more
to him this Sunday. With Bengals starting CB Mark Roman out for this Sunday’s game
with a broken finger and Robert Bean moving into the starting lineup, Stokley, who
performed extremely well late last season, could have a very favorable matchup situation
on a third cornerback.
Cincinnati — Despite a sprained finger on his throwing hand, Jon Kitna
is expected to start Sunday's game against Baltimore. A rib injury suffered in practice
will keep Scott Mitchell from making the trip, leaving the backup QB spot
to newly signed Scott Covington.
Cleveland — With RB James Jackson out for the year with an ankle injury, it
looks like the Browns will start Jamel White, but you will also see plenty of Ben
Gay. However, if you are starting any Browns running back, you are in serious trouble.
This team just can’t run the ball no matter how hard it tries.
Jacksonville — You might want to consider an alternative to QB Mark Brunell
if you have that luxury. While Brunell has been playing very well, he’s also taking a
major beating. Because he has lost a lot of his mobility and his offensive line is awful,
he has been sacked 16 times in the last two weeks. He could be just a hit away from being
sidelined again.
Pittsburgh — If you don’t start QB Kordell Stewart this week against
the Lions after last week’s performance in Baltimore, then you need to get out of
fantasy football. Stewart exploded last week to take the reins of the team while RB Jerome
Bettis sits on the bench with an injury. This week, expect much of the same, though
don’t expect Stewart to become a weekly 300-yard passer.
Tennessee — QB Steve McNair could make no guarantees that his injured back
would allow him to play Saturday night at Oakland. Said McNair: "I can’t say
that because of the way it feels right now. If it’s like it is right now,
there’s no way I can [play]." McNair has been held out of practice this week
because of spasms, with Neil O’Donnell taking all the snaps with the first-team
offense. … Though the Titans will do all they can to get RB Eddie George over
the 1,000-yard mark, Skip Hicks will get his share of the carries. Last week Hicks
rushed for 142 yards on 17 carries.
AFC West
Denver — The Broncos are on bye.
Kansas City — RB Priest Holmes took 75 percent of the practice reps
Thursday and should start Sunday despite an injured groin. In the Chiefs’ Week Eight
meeting with the Chargers, Holmes rushed 30 times for 181 yards and one touchdown. …
WR Derrick Alexander is coming on. He has two touchdowns in the last three games,
benefiting from his newfound health. Alexander has been able to practice more of late, and
it’s helped become more productive in games.
Oakland — PK Sebastian Janikowski is recovering from a groin
injury suffered last weekend, but he is expected to kick against the Titans on Saturday.
… WRs Tim Brown and Jerry Rice might be good plays
this week against the Titans' 30th-ranked pass defense, although Tennessee did manage to
limit Brett Favre to only 201 passing yards last weekend. For that matter, QB Rich
Gannon wouldn't be a bad play either; of course, Gannon is never a bad play.
San Diego — The Chargers didn’t do anything special fantasy-wise in their
last game against the Chiefs. Worth noting is that Drew Brees saw his only action
of the season in that game and played efficiently. … Don’t expect RB LaDainian
Tomlinson to break out of his slump, regardless of who is at quarterback, as the
Chiefs have been pretty staunch run stoppers.
Seattle — You obviously know to put RB Ricky Watters on the
shelf, now that he is out for the year with an ankle injury. That opens things up for RB Shaun
Alexander, who faces a tough Giants run defense this week. … While Alexander
still might be a good play, QB Matt Hasselbeck might not be. Alexaner is
not as good a receiver or blocker as Watters. That means Hasselbeck won’t have a
great dump-off receiver and could be more susceptible to hits on blitzes.
NFC East
Arizona — WR David Boston had one of his eight 100-yard receiving games
this year in the first meeting with the Cowboys. However, he didn’t score a
touchdown. The Cowboys have done a fairly good job vs. the pass this year, but Boston is a
must play every week. Boston is second in the NFC with 86 catches and first in the NFL
with 1,387 yards. … Arizona’s new kicker is Cedric Oglesby. He replaces
the injured Bill Gramatica.
Dallas — RB Emmitt Smith wants the ball more, and I would look for him to
get it this week vs. the Cardinals, who have not done a very good job of stopping the run.
Traditionally, Smith has feasted on the Cardinals, racking up 2,076 rushing yards and 25
TDs in 23 games vs. Arizona.
New York Giants — Unless you are in a keeper league, dump Ron Dayne. The
guy hasn’t done a thing in recent weeks, and doesn’t figure to in the final
three games of the year. In the last four games, Dayne has a total of 18 carries for 42
yards. Tiki Barber continues to be the man for the Giants.
Philadelphia — Despite his three interceptions last week, QB Donovan
McNabb can still be a viable fantasy weapon. He’s not only dangerous through the
air, but he is capable of tucking and running at any point. While he hasn’t run as
much this year, he will do so when he has to. However, this week against the 49ers, he
faces a young but much improved defense that has pitched back-to-back shutouts in its last
two home games.
Washington — If you have an alternative to RB Stephen Davis, you might want
to consider it this week. Davis and the Redskins face the ultra-stingy Bears’
defense, which is particularly strong against the run. The Bears are especially strong up
the middle, which is wear the Davis likes to run the ball. Don’t be surprised if the
Redskins use Ki-Jana Carter more than usual vs. Chicago.
NFC Central
Chicago — As evidenced by his 31-carry, 173-yard effort last week vs. Tampa Bay,
RB Anthony Thomas is back. His hamstring injury behind him, the rookie looked
outstanding in carrying the Bears’ offense in the second half. And looking at
Chicago’s final three matchups of the regular season, Thomas owners should continue
to start him. Both the Redskins, this week’s opponent, and the Lions, next
week’s opponent, rank in the lower third of the league in run defense. The Jaguars,
Chicago’s Week 17 foe, rank 12th against the run, but they’ll have to
perform in what should be a frigid Solider Field. … Crazy stat of the year: All eight
of WR Marty Booker’s touchdowns have come in even-numbered weeks. The only
even-numbered week he didn’t score, Booker caught nine passes for 74 yards.
Detroit — WR Bert Emanuel practiced this week and could return for
Sunday’s game vs. Pittsburgh. It all depends on how his injured knee, which has kept
him out for the past month, responds to the activity. Since arriving in Detroit, Emanuel
has felt as though the Lions were a good fit for him. … Despite a hip injury, RB James
Stewart practiced this week and should play Sunday. But WR Larry Foster likely
will miss the game with a thigh injury.
Green Bay — Don’t fret over Ahman Green’s 10 carries for 11 yards
last week (it was changed from nine carries for nine yards after film study revealed that
a reception was actually a run). Green has two very favorable matchups in the coming
weeks, at home vs. the Browns and Vikings. Cleveland ranks 21st in the league
in run defense, and Minnesota places 30th. When the Packers fall behind, the
coaches tend to bail on the running game early, but with the struggling Browns and Vikings
coming to Lambeau Field, Green should be in good position to put good yardage.
Minnesota — QB Todd Bouman did not practice Wednesday and could not throw
because of a sprained ligament in his right thumb. His reps were limited on Thursday, the
same day Daunte Culpepper underwent surgery on his left knee. Bouman’s status
for Sunday’s game vs. Jacksonville remains uncertain. Spergon Wynn, whom the
Vikings acquired on the final cut-down day from Cleveland, took most of the snaps in
Wednesday’s practice. Behind him is Romaro Miller, who was with the team in
training camp. As for Culpepper, his recovery time is about 10-14 days, and he hasn’t
ruled out playing the season finale at Baltimore.
Tampa Bay — Though RB Warrick Dunn likely will start Sunday vs. New
Orleans, FB Mike Alstott probably will see the bulk of the carries. Dunn would then
be relegated to mostly third-down duty and serve as a receiver out of the backfield.
Alstott continues to be the more productive runner between the two. On the season, Alstott
has averaged 3.9 yards per carry, while Dunn has averaged only 2.7. Alstott also has
outscored Dunn 9-5. … With Frank Murphy expected to miss Sunday’s game
with an ankle injury, Aaron Stecker likely would return kickoffs.
NFC West
Atlanta — The Falcons’ backfield might not be in the best of shape this
Sunday vs. Buffalo. FB Bob Christian, who has emerged in recent weeks as the
offense’s most consistent weapon both rushing and receiving out of the backfield, did
not practice Thursday because of tightness in his right calf, a problem that began
Wednesday. Christian’s backup, George Layne, has played in one game. RB Maurice
Smith, who continues to be bothered by knee and ankle injuries and has struggled
mightily as of late, is listed as probable for the Bills game. The same goes for WRs Brian
Finneran (shoulder) and Terance Mathis (back).
Carolina — TE Wesley Walls (questionable — ankle) practiced Thursday
and might be able to play Sunday vs. the Rams. But the Panthers were much less optimistic
about WR Muhsin Muhammad (questionable — turf toe), who didn’t practice.
If Muhammad is out, WRs Donald Hayes and Isaac Byrd could become bigger
factors. … With one more rushing TD, QB Chris Weinke could tie Fred
Lane’s team record for rushing TDs in a season with seven. Weinke also needs six
completions and 50 more attempts for the third most in NFL history by a rookie.
New Orleans — RB Ricky Williams is listed as questionable on the injury
report with a rib injury, but there has been no indication that he won’t be able to
play in the crucial game this Sunday vs. the Bucs, especially taking into account the fact
Tampa Bay’s defense allowed the Bears to rush for 207 yards in the Bucs’ loss in
Chicago last Sunday. Williams’ tender ribs could be partly responsible for his rather
ordinary numbers the last two games (29 carries for 98 yards and one TD), but he still has
rushed for 1,112 yards and six TDs. … WRs Joe Horn and Willie Jackson
remain red-hot. Horn has 41 receptions and five TDs in New Orleans’ last six games.
Jackson, who caught eight passes for 156 yards and a TD in the Monday-night loss to the
Rams, needs just 124 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark this season, which would make
Jackson and Horn, who has already reached that plateau this year, the first receiving
tandem in Saints history to achieve that distinction in the same season.
San Francisco — QB Jeff Garcia, who tore rib cartilage late in the first
half of the Niners’ win over Miami last Sunday practiced Thursday, although backups Tim
Rattay and Rick Mirer took most of the repetitions, including all of them in
the full team practice. The key to Garcia’s availability for the Eagles game Saturday
was how his injury felt Friday (he remains listed as questionable). If Garcia does play,
look for the Niners to use the same run-heavy, smashmouth style they used with such
effectiveness over the Dolphins against an Eagles defense that is ranked second vs. the
pass but just 20th against the run. That would make both RBs Garrison Hearst
(26-103 vs. Miami) and rookie Kevan Barlow (two short TD runs) solid fantasy
options. … WR Terrell Owens, who has just seven catches in his last two games,
also practiced Thursday after sitting out Wednesday’s session with a hip pointer.
Owens, who is listed as questionable for the Eagles, said he felt pretty good on Thursday
and would probably play despite his many ailments.
St. Louis — RB Marshall Faulk, who ran for 183 yards and two TDs in the
first half of the Rams’ rout over Carolina earlier this year, and WR Az-Zahir
Hakim were added to the Rams’ injury report Thursday. Faulk, who has 659 yards
from scrimmage in his last four games vs. the Panthers, has a minor bursa sac problem in
his knee. Hakim has a sore back. Both are listed as probable and are expected to play
against a Carolina team that gave up 493 total yards to the Rams in Week Nine, including
337 yards on the ground. … QB Kurt Warner, coming off a near-flawless, four-TD
masterpiece vs. the Saints last Monday night, leads the NFL with 3,974 yards passing and
28 TDs. … WR Torry Holt needs 23 yards receiving for his second 1,000-yard
season. … WR Isaac Bruce, who scored three TDs vs. the Saints, needs three
more to break Eric Dickerson’s team record of 58. |
