Teams on bye: New England PatriotsAFC East
Buffalo — RB Travis Henry will miss the Jets game this Sunday with a
sprained knee, which means RB Shawn Bryson will get another start. Bryson ran very
well against the Falcons’ weak defense last week and faces a not-so-great Jets run
defense. He would be a solid starter for your fantasy team this week.
Indianapolis — While losing Edgerrin James significantly hurt the
Colts’ offensive attack, rookie RB Dominic Rhodes has done an admirable job in
place of James. Rhodes has had some problems with fumbling, but he’s overcome those
turnovers to post two straight 100-yard days and has scored three touchdowns in two games.
… TE Marcus Pollard continues to fill a heavy scoring role with the Colts. He
is a must-start each week and may have vaulted himself quite high on next year’s
value charts with his stellar performance this season.
Miami — RB Travis Minor reportedly will get more carries this week
than the normal, third-down role he typically plays, but likely it won’t be enough of
an amount to start him over Lamar Smith. Smith could have a huge day against the
Falcons, who gave up a boatload of yards and two touchdowns to Bills RB Shawn Bryson
last week. … WR Chris Chambers and QB Jay Fiedler are must-starts this
week against Atlanta, who has struggled mightily against the pass.
N.Y. Jets — RB Curtis Martin broke out of his 100-yard drought last
week against the Colts and faces an equally shoddy Bills run defense this Sunday. …
The Jets will face a staunch challenge against the Bills’ secondary — a young,
solid corps of defensive backs who have been the backbone of the Bills’ defense.
AFC Central
Baltimore — Coming off a strong 91-yard rushing performance in
his first start after a prolonged layoff due to a broken hand, RB Terry Allen will
once again start and carry the load vs. Tampa Bay, with Moe Williams and Obafemi
Ayanbadejo added to the mix mostly on passing downs. RB Jason Brookins, who has
been out with a broken foot, is listed as questionable but is not expected to see a lot of
action vs. the Bucs, if any. … Look for WR Qadry Ismail, who had a subpar
outing vs. Cincinnati, in which he dropped three passes, including a sure TD catch, to
bounce back with a solid outing. He’s been extremely consistent all season. …
The Ravens also hope to continue getting more out of WR Travis Taylor, who had four
catches for 66 yards vs. Cincy — his most productive outing in weeks.
Cincinnati — With last week’s impressive 127-yard day, RB Corey
Dillon became the first back to rush for 100 yards against the Ravens in the last 50
games. It doesn’t get any easier for him this week, however, as he must gear up to
face the Steelers’ league-leading run defense. … Head coach Dick LeBeau said he
plans to have WR-RS Peter Warrick back in the starting lineup after a surprise
benching a week ago, but the Bengals’ passing game is in such disarray right now,
Dillon should probably be your only sure starter.
Cleveland Browns — RB Jamel White burst onto the scene
last week by picking up 216 combined rushing-receiving yards and a touchdown in a game vs.
the Packers. The weather conditions were very sloppy for the game, something that Browns
head coach Butch Davis suggests helped White. The coach said defenders were slipping all
over the place, which made pursuit of the shifty, elusive White difficult.
Jacksonville Jaguars — Stacey Mack has been playing very
well of late, topping 100 yards rushing in the past two games. He also had two rushing TDs
last week. This week, Mack could be in store for another big game, as he has goes against
the Chiefs, who are ranked 26th vs. the run.
Pittsburgh — Even if RB Jerome Bettis plays on Sunday, he’ll be
severely limited. Also, we hear that it would be unlikely that he’d play in the red
zone. With that in mind, Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala is the way to go if
you’re going to start a Steelers running back. … With Kordell Stewart as
hot as he is, it would be a mistake to not start him or WRs Hines Ward and Plaxico
Burress, especially against a Bengals defense that is without three of its top
cornerbacks.
Tennessee — It’s back to RB Eddie George, after word that Skip
Hicks likely will miss the Titans’ final two games with a hamstring injury.
George has shown signs of breaking out all season, but still hasn’t been himself and
never has actually emerged from his season-long slump. … QB Steve McNair will
be tested again by a Browns defense that was unable to stop him in Week 12, when he threw
three TD passes and no interceptions. The WR duo of Kevin Dyson and Derrick
Mason combined for 232 yards in that game.
AFC West
Denver — The post-concussion fog has lifted for QB Brian
Griese, clearing him to play this week against the Raiders. … WR Rod Smith
really benefited from the bye week, as his ankle injuries gave him significantly less pain
this week in practice. … Despite some periodic swelling, RB Terrell Davis
figures to get the majority of the carries against Oakland’s porous run defense. Head
coach Mike Shanahan said he doesn’t plan to play backups in order to make
evaluations. He wants to play out the regular season as if the Broncos had a chance at the
playoffs.
Kansas City — QB Trent Green is slowly starting to come
around and show some better decision-making skills of late. … Rookie WR Marvin
Minnis also has picked it up a notch and is making better adjustments, which has
pleased the coaching staff and Green. … Expect the Chiefs to make even more of a
concerted effort to get the ball to TE Tony Gonzalez after he complained a bit
about wanting to be more involved.
Oakland — After 423 yards receiving and eight touchdowns over a
four-game span, WR Tim Brown’s production has dropped off considerably the
past three weeks. Brown has only 111 yards during that time and has not reached the
endzone since Week 12. … RB Tyrone Wheatley’s role on the team since
returning from a knee sprain is in question, leaving him out of the fantasy mix for the
remainder of the year.
San Diego — Head coach Mike Riley hinted at the idea of allowing Drew
Brees to step under center for some much-needed playing time this week, but Doug
Flutie is still the starter for the Chargers’ season finale.
Seattle — QB Matt Hasselbeck appears to be out for the
remainder of the season with the shoulder injury he suffered last week. With Trent
Dilfer stepping in, the Seahawks’ WR corps could see more passes downfield this
week than it saw with the more conservative Hasselbeck.
NFC East
Arizona Cardinals — This could be a good week to start either Michael
Pittman or Thomas Jones. While this duo hasn’t exactly set the world on
fire, it will be running against a Panthers defense that is ranked 31st against
the rush. The Panthers have allowed 12 rushing touchdowns this year.
Dallas Cowboys — RB Emmitt Smith has asked for the ball
more, and he got it last week vs. the Cardinals. Smith has plenty of incentive to continue
his insistence for the rock, as he needs 182 yards in the last two games to reach 1,000
for the year. If the reaches that milestone, it would be the 11th-consecutive
season in which he has done so — a new NFL record. However, Smith still faces a
49ers defense that all of a sudden has been playing outstanding football.
New York Giants — If you have alternatives at running back, it
might be a good week to rest Tiki Barber or Ron Dayne. Neither back had much
success in the first meeting of the season against the Eagles. Barber rushed for 55 yards
on 13 carries. Dayne rushed for 32 yards on 16 carries. If you had to choose one or the
other, Barber would be the easy pick. He has shown much more explosiveness and is much
more involved in the passing game. That said, he could have a hard time getting anything
going against an outstanding Eagles defense.
Philadelphia Eagles — Don’t expect much out of RB Duce
Staley on the ground. Once again, head coach Andy Reid seems to have abandoned the
running game. That doesn’t mean that Staley isn’t productive, though. He’s
been very involved in the passing game, topping 100 yards receiving in the game against
the 49ers last week. There is a line of thinking, though, that Staley could re-emerge as a
productive runner. Reid took a ton of heat for his play-calling last week, as well as for
not using Staley more on the ground. That could lead the coach to give Staley more rushing
opportunities this week vs. the Giants.
Washington Redskins — RB Stephen Davis (knee) is listed as
probable this week vs. the Saints. You might want to think hard about starting him,
though, as New Orleans is going to be hopping mad after getting blown out by the Bucs last
week. The Saints allowed 48 points in Week 15, the most they had given up since 1977.
… TE Stephen Alexander has been shutdown for the year after being placed on
injured reserve.
NFC Central
Chicago — RB Leon Johnson has come up with two huge
touchdowns for the Bears in recent weeks. While rookie Anthony Thomas is likely to
crack the 1,000-yard rushing mark this week and gain most of the Bears’ yardage,
Johnson has become a legitimate scoring threat for the Bears. … The Bears’
defense could have a huge day if Lions QB Ty Detmer gets the start in place of the
injured Mike McMahon. Detmer threw seven interceptions against the Browns earlier this
season before getting yanked out of the lineup. The Bears defense should shut down the
Lions’ stagnant offense, regardless of who is at the helm. … WR Marty Booker
has played exceptionally well this season and will face a Lions defense that lost CBs
Terry Fair and Robert Bailey and safeties Ron Rice and Kywin Supernaw for the season to
injuries. Booker will benefit from an offensive line that has given up the fewest sacks in
the league and gives QB Jim Miller time to find him downfield.
Detroit — Chicago ranks second in the league behind the defending
Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens at stopping the run. Detroit ranks 28th in
the league in rushing yards per game. With RB James Stewart listed as questionable
with an ankle injury, don’t expect much production from any Lions RB. Stewart did
rush for a touchdown against the Bears in their first matchup and caught five passes for
97 yards. … Only two teams have allowed more sacks than the Lions. Rookie QB Mike
McMahon is questionable with a foot injury, and Ty Detmer may get his third
start of the season in his place. Facing a tough Bears defense will be a challenge for the
Lions, especially coming off a 47-14 romp at the hands of the Steelers. … WRs Germane
Crowell and Herman Moore are out for the season, which has left Johnnie
Morton and FB Cory Schlesinger as the Lions’ top receivers. They are the
Lions’ two most likely threats to score.
Green Bay — RB Ahman Green looks like a great play this
week against a terrible Vikings rush defense (30th in the NFL). The weather will be cold,
so it should be perfect running weather for Green and the Packers. … Although QB Brett
Favre has a cut on the ring finger of his throwing hand, it won't stop him from
playing and playing effectively. Start Favre if you've got him.
Minnesota — RB Michael Bennett should have a tough time
running the ball against a Packers defense that is one of the best in the league. …
Minnesota QB Daunte Culpepper (knee) is out, while backup QB Todd Bouman
(thumb) is probable. The Vikings may have to start third-string QB Spergon Wynn,
who managed to gain 214 total yards last week against a battered Jaguars defense. Starting
any Vikings QB would be a big risk against the Packers strong pass defense. … Randy
Moss ranks fifth in the league in receiving yards and has more TD catches than any
wide receiver other than Terrell Owens and Marvin Harrison. Moss was coming off three
straight 100-yard games before the Jaguars rolled coverage his way and shut him down. He
has benefited from the strong arm of Bouman, who liked to look for Moss’ huge target,
but if Wynn is in the lineup, Moss will have a difficult time putting up any numbers.
… The Vikings are 0-6 on the road this season against a Packers unit that is 21-1 in
Lambeau Field in games played in December or January since 1992, when Brett Favre took
over as quarterback. Favre is 29-0 at home when the game-time temperature is 34 degrees or
below. Temperatures are expected to be in the 20s before the wind chill Sunday.
Tampa Bay — RB Warrick Dunn is suffering the effects of
turf toe. Add in the fact that he's going up against the rugged Ravens rush defense, and
it looks like Dunn should ride your bench this week. Don't look for RB Mike Alstott
to get many yards, but he may find the endzone, so he's playable if you need a running
back. … PK Martin Gramatica is questionable for the game with a hamstring
injury. If he doesn't play in Saturday night's game, free agent Doug Brien will do
the kicking for the Bucs. You'll have to monitor this situation up until game time. …
QB Brad Johnson and WR Keyshawn Johnson will have to have excellent games
for Tampa to win. The way to attack the Ravens is through the air. It may be a risk worth
taking to start either player this week.
NFC West
Atlanta —The good news is that QB Chris Chandler is
red-hot after throwing for a franchise-record 431 yards while completing passes to nine
different receivers in the win over Buffalo. Chandler, who had a season-high nine
completions of 20 or more yards, needs 204 yards for his second career 3,000-yard season.
The bad news is that the Falcons will be facing Miami’s top-ranked passing defense,
allowing 170.1 yards per game, or 47 percent of Chandler’s average the past two
games. The Falcons would perhaps be better off trying to run on a Miami defense that has
allowed an average of 165 yards rushing the past three games. One problem: They’ve
averaged just 61 rushing yards per game in the same span. … Despite his struggles the
past six games while battling right ankle and knee injuries, RB Maurice Smith is
expected to continue starting, with backup Rodney Thomas expected to see his
touches increase the rest of the season. … FB Bob Christian continues to deal
with a strained right calf but expects to play … WR Brian Finneran (90 yards
receiving in two of the last three games) shouldn’t be overlooked.
Carolina —WR Muhsin Muhammad is expected to miss his
second straight game with a turf toe injury that could keep him out the rest of the
season. With Muhammad out, look for more opportunities for WR Patrick Jeffers, who
had his most productive outing of the season in the loss to the Rams last Sunday
(team-high seven passes for 70 yards. … TE Wesley Walls did not practice
Thursday and was scheduled to have additional tests on his sprained knee. … QB Chris
Weinke, coming off a career-high, 312-yard passing performance, faces a weak Cardinals
pass defense ranked 27th in the league. Weinke leads NFL QBs with six TDs
rushing and needs 33 completions and 46 attempts to pass Rick Mirer for the second most in
NFL history by a rookie.
New Orleans — With Cam Cleeland out the rest of the year
with his third Achilles injury in two seasons, look for Boo Williams, who caught
his third TD pass of the season in the loss to Tampa Bay last Sunday, to be the
Saints’ primary TE target with increased opportunities. … QB Aaron Brooks,
coming off a rough four-interception outing vs. the Bucs, needs 72 yards rushing to become
the fifth QB to pass for 3,500 yards and rush for 400 in the same season. … WR Willie
Jackson needs 38 yards receiving for his first career 1,000-yard season. Jackson and Joe
Horn, who remains hotter than a firecracker (five TDs in the last four games,
including two more last week), can become the first tandem in Saints history to pass the
1,000-yard mark in the same season.
St. Louis — All signs point toward another big fantasy outing for
the Rams this Sunday, as their top-ranked offense goes up against a Colts defense that has
yielded 434 points, by far the most in the league. … Look for another big day from RB
Marshall Faulk, who will facing his former team for the first time. Faulk, coming
off a huge 202-yard rushing performance vs. the Panthers, has 314 yards on 77 carries and
16 catches for 120 yards in the last three games, scoring five TDs in that span. Despite
missing two games with a knee injury, Faulkl leads the NFL with 16 TDs and is third in the
NFC in total yards from scrimmage with 1,756. … QB Kurt Warner leads the NFL
with 4,191 yards passing and 30 TD passes. Don’t expect the Rams to ease up in using
their big weapons, since the homefield edge throughout the NFC playoffs still very much
hangs in the balance.
San Francisco — All eyes will be on WR Terrell Owens, who
returns to the scene of his audacious celebrations on the midfield logo of Texas Stadium
last year after scoring a pair of TDs in a 41-24 romp over the Cowboys. Owens, who leads
the NFL with 14 TDs receiving (including one in the win over Philadelphia last week),
needs 12 catches to set his career high, but he’s facing a stingy Dallas pass defense
ranked third in the league. … QB Jeff Garcia has shown few ill effects in
practice this week from the rib injury he suffered a few weeks ago vs. Miami. … RB Garrison
Hearst has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in four of the past seven games. …
FB Fred Beasley practiced with a cast on his right hand, which he fractured last
Saturday vs. the Eagles. |
