Untitled Document
| |
| Thanks to the NFL Network, most of us can enjoy another day of football (Thursday Nights) for the rest of the regular season...and what a matchup of two 10-1 teams they bring to us this week! Brett Favre and the Green Bay offense has played well all season and will again put up a few scores on the road at Dallas (but likely not enough to win the game in a potential huge shootout). Play Favre with WR Greg Jennings and TE Donald Lee. WR Donald Driver is also a decent play, but to a lesser extent than Jennings. RB Ryan Grant has been one of the league's best rushers over the past few weeks and will do very well this week provided Dallas doesn't get a big lead early. Although the Pack has been surprisingly stellar on defense this season, they haven't faced anything like this Cowboy offense and could be in for a rude awakening. I like QB Tony Romo and WR Terrell Owens to both have HUGE games as the Cowboys come in with something to prove tonight. TE Jason Witten may do okay, but expect the Dallas passing offense to prove its point primarily with strikes to Owens as he burns DB Al Harris repeatedly. On the ground, Marion Barber has been the better producer...but Julius Jones could see significant work in this game as the Cowboys utilize Jones elusiveness and versatiltiy a little more against the Green Bay D. If you're betting on this one, definitely put your money on the "over". |
|
|
The Lions have a better team than their 6-5 record indicates and the Vikings may be lucky to be at 5-6 (without a passing offense and little in their defensive secondary). For Detroit, it will be all pass on Sunday. Play QB Jon Kitna with superstar talented WRs Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson (maybe even Shaun McDonald to a lesser degree). RB Kevin Jones will have a tough time against a tenacious Vikes D-line, but will get some work as a receiver out of the backfield. For Minnesota, their passing game has been pretty much non-existent and void of anything fantasy related. But the Vikings do know how to block for the run...and rookie Adrian Peterson is a stud. Peterson is practicing, but will likely play against Detroit (check closer to gametime to be certain). If he has a setback and can't go, then Chester Taylor will get another start. Either Peterson or Taylor will be huge fantasy plays this week as they shred this D for big yardage and a score or two.
|
| |
| Seattle eeked out a win over the Rams last week and the Eagles nearly pulled out the victory on Sunday Night against the undefeated Patriots in potentially their best performance of the season. QB Matt Hasselbeck has played well of late for the Seahawks, but will get a test this week if Philly plays up to last week's demonstrated ability. WR Deion Branch will be H-beck's top target when Seattle goes to the air. On the ground, Maurice Morris is a bit banged up - and Shaun Alexander is starting to practice. Check reports closer to gametime prior to starting either in a touch matchup. Bring on the QB controversary for the Eagles! A.J. Feeley filled in for an injured Donovan McNabb against the Patriots and looked like a seasoned veteran...and much better than Mabb in most of the games this season. Regardless, McNabb will still play in week 13 if healthy...but he is yet to practice this week and signs point to Feeley this week (look out if Feeley plays well again). As always, play RB Brian Westbrook with confidence. The Eagles receivers should collectively do well against Seattle, but the change at QB and assortment of average Philly WRs makes selecting a fantasy starter among the lot a bit of a risk and a guess. |
| |
| San Diego should win this game going away. Play QB Philip Rivers, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, TE Antonio Gates, and even WR Chris Chambers with confidence. On defense, the Chargers have been a bit up and down...but have the talent to be a premier team each and every week. I like them in week 13 to hold KC to less than average numbers. Brodie Croyle is still learning and the Chief have been riddled with injuries at RB (Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes). Kolby Smith will start at running back (nice performance last week), but expect San Diego to key on Smith each play and force KC to beat them through the air. Dwayne Bowe is one of the best young WRs in the league and TE Tony Gonzalez is one of the NFL's top veterans...each will have to perform at a high level to give KC a chance in this game. |
| |
| These two teams have a collective record of 2-20, but one thing is for sure...both units match-up well against the 8-3 Pittsburgh Steelers. Fantasywise, the Dolphins run D is poor...which should allow Jets RB Thomas Jones to bust through like a bullet through cheesecloth (could he possibly score his first TD this week to go with his 852 yards?!). I'm picking the Dolphins to get their first win, but this game is pretty much a fantasy yawner and won't be heavily attended in Miami. |
|
|
| Jacksonville always play the Colts tough...and often is able to hold Indy to below average point totals. With the Jags in the Colts heads, start David Garrard if in need of a quarterback. Although Fred Taylor will steal some carries from Maurice Jones-Drew, MJD is still a nice play this week in the RCA Dome (check what he was able to do last season in Indy!). For the Colts, I believe you still start Peyton Manning with WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark (Marvin Harrison is doubtful again). The Colts may actually look more the direction of rookie Anthony Gonzalez, but starting him this week is a reach. On the ground for the Colts, go with Joseph Addai - as always in this huge divisional game for each team. |
| |
| Both the Niners and Panthers have played pathetically far below expectations. Yet last week, San Fran busted out with Trent Dilfer at the helm.....so go figure. Frisco RB Frank Gore had his best game of the season in week 12 and I like him here (a bunch). TE Vernon Davis should also be able to lay it on the miserable Panther defense this week in an undesirable game for fans. Carolina has basically one fantasy option - Steve Smith. Play him if you have him, but try to block those visions of 180 yard / 3 TD performances from past seasons when the Panthers had a quarterback. |
| |
| This is a fairly balance divisional matchup between two completely different offenses. I like both Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson for the Texans against the Tennessee secondary. TE Owen Daniels will also do okay for those owners requiring a tight end. For the Titans, Vince Young hasn't been worth owning except in deep keeper leagues (and definitely not worth starting)...this week is no different. Tennessee's best fantasy play is RB LenDale White with rookie Chris Henry still suspended. Chris Brown may take a few carries from White, but not enough to keep him from your lineup. |
| |
| Wow...another matchup that allows one to count the number of total wins on one hand. For the Falcons, there isn't much worth mentioning on the fantasy front. Even with the Rams porous defense, Joey Harrington is owned in very few leagues and not worthy of any fantasy starting lineup. But......the Rams are much, much better than their 2-9 season indicates. After surviving with severe injuries, the team has regained the services of Marc Bulger and stud RB Steven Jackson...and both are playing well. Put these two together with Torry Holt and an improved offensive line (that had to learn all over after injuries robbed them of talent), and the Rams will become an NFL spoiler down the stretch. St. Louis may not produce the volumes of fantasy numbers from the "Fastest Show on Turf" days, but they still have the potential to run up some nice stats on any given week. |
| |
| The J.P. Losman experiment is over...who has potentially permanently yielded to Trent Edwards (definitely not worth owning in the fantasy world). With Marshawn Lynch still hurt, the only fantasy play for the Bills is WR Lee Evans (and he hasn't exactly been tearing it up this season). For the Skins, Jason Campbell can't decide if he's good or not and is sporatic at best from week to week. Santana Moss has been hurt most of the season and hasn't totally recoverd imo. TE Chris Cooley has played very well of late and may have evolved recently as the top receiving target for the Skins. On the ground, Clinton Portis is getting it done and will again this week. |
| |
| Derek Anderson and the Cleveland Browns take their offensive firepower on the road to Arizona (who somehow couldn't stop the 49ers last week). Play Anderson, RB Jamal Lewis, WR Braylon Edwards, and TE Kellen Winslow for the Brownies...all could have a huge week against this D in Arizona. For the Cards, they too are capable of some big points...and the Browns aren't stopping anybody either. Play Kurt Warner with WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald (who is finally coming on of late). RB Edgerrin James leads the league in carries (222) and could up some nice totals against this defense. |
| |
| The Broncos were almost declared the winner last week until deciding to wrestle defeat from the hands of victory. Up until five minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Broncos didn't look half bad. QB Jay Cutler should do about the same this week against Oakland and is not a bad play for those with few options at the position. Expect WR Javon Walker to play closer to a full workload this week as he continues to adjust to life back in the lineup. Travis Henry and Selvin Young are both healthy enough to play this week and have a great matchup against Oakland's porous run D...which may mean that head coach Mike Shanahan will play the back with the best early stats (meaning a potential feast/famine risky fantasy play for either). For the Raiders on offense, there is no player I'd consider on my fantasy team at this point in the season. |
| |
| Eli Manning is playing so badly that his coach is considering benching him. How sad was it to watch Peyton at the game while his brother laid an egg? At least NYG somehow still has a 7-4 record and WR Plaxico Burress is producing on a fairly consistent manner given a severly sprained ankle. In the running game, Brandon Jacobs has been limited in practice this week...but probably won't play on Sunday. Derrick Ward is slated to split carries with Reuben Droughns this week...meaning you should probably stay away from the Giant runners this week. TE Jeremy Shockey is worth a start this week (esp. given the situation in the Giant backfield). For Chicago, Bernard Berrian is a decent play against NYG with Rex Grossman (don't be tempted with Rex) at QB. The Cedric Benson season ending injury has changed the chemistry in the Bears backfield and I like Adrian Peterson's chances much better for getting the Chicago running game going. If AP hasn't been picked up off your wire already, go get him. |
| |
| This game is one of the tougher ones to call this week. Tampa's D has been playing well and the Saints can't decide whether to play solid on offense or not. For the Bucs on offense, start WR Joey Galloway and RB Earnest Graham against a fairly week New Orleans D. The Saints will try to throw the ball...meaning that QB Drew Brees could have another nice game. I also like RB Reggie Bush (mostly as a receiver) and WR Marques Colston. Brees will spread the ball around, but there are too many options in the Saints offense to pick a favorite beyond Bush and Colston. |
| |
| So which Steeler team shows up this week?...the one that lost to the Jets and won by only 3-0 over the winless Dolphins -or- the one the scores repeatedly while holding their opponents to a TD or less? If the Bengals score to their capability and Pittsburgh plays like they have recently, Cincy will win going away. I think you have to play Carson Palmer with all three WRs (Chad Johnson, Chris Henry, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh) this week. The Cincinnati running game has been suspect, however, and has a tough matchup. The Bengal defense can't stop anyone...making QB Ben Roethlisberger a safe bet to throw a few passing TDs. TE Heath Miller and WRs Nate Washington / Hines Ward should all have big days in this likely shootout. Fast Willie Parker is among the league leaders in yardage, but his mere 2 TDs is bumming out his fantasy owners in scoring leagues - Parker has as good of a chance as any to score on SNF this week. |
| |
| Do the Patriots have a national game every week? We'll all get to watch as they go 12-0 and humiliate the Ravens. Baltimore has a solid run defense...but they won't need it since New England rarely runs the football (even if they're up by 40). Play Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, Benjamin Watson, Laurence Maroney, Stephen Gostkowski, and the Bus Driver for the Patriots. For Baltimore, you have to play Willis McGahee if he's on your roster...but I'm not sure he's much of a threat against this team. |
BYE WEEKS - None
____________________________________________
send your fantasy questions to: scoutfantasyfreak@yahoo.com
|
