Fantasy Football News 2010/2011

omalley21 · Dec 16, 2010

btw thank you for posting all this hache man. your the man.

HacheMan · Dec 19, 2010

In Like Flynn?
If Green Bay loses this week and Chicago wins, the Bears will lock up the NFC North. The playoff odds are stacking up against the Packers as they prepare to take on the hottest team in football. A seemingly infallible Tom Brady has won an NFL record 26 consecutive home games, and the Patriots have come out on top in 21 of their last 22 regular-season games against NFC teams. Bill Belichick has directed his team to a 39-9 (.813) record in December / January games since taking over in New England 11 years ago.

The Packers may have a puncher's chance at Foxboro if Aaron Rodgers defies the odds and rallies for the start this weekend. As of Wednesday, though, the outlook on Rodgers returning from his second concussion of the season was grim. There's a "slim to none" chance that he'll practice this week, and he's not even allowed to attend meetings or participate in film study until he gains medical clearance. Coach Mike McCarthy doesn't anticipate making a final decision on Rodgers' status until Saturday.

The Boston Globe's Greg Bedard, a Packers beat writer until last month, predicts that Matt Flynn will end up starting in Week 15. Bedard is joined by the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, and ESPNWisconsin.com's Jason Wilde in considering Rodgers' chances "remote." The team is going forward with preparations to start their backup quarterback for the first time since Brett Favre "Wally Pipped" Don Majkowski almost two full decades ago.

Flynn doesn't have Rodgers' arm strength or experience against NFL defenses, but his coaches and teammates are supremely confident in his ability. "Matt is totally capable of getting it done," said Greg Jennings. "Trust me. He's totally capable." Added Pro-Bowl caliber RG Josh Sitton: "I think I can speak for everyone when I say we have full confidence in him. Hell, yeah. There's no doubt that we think we can win with him."

Flynn ended up making several key errors in last week's loss at Detroit, but he had little problem moving the chains. He was anything but overwhelmed in his first extensive NFL regular-season action, and our game charter note that the box score didn't do justice to his level of play. While it's going to take an incredible leap of faith to start Flynn in the fantasy playoffs, there's reason to believe that he's competent enough to allow Greg Jennings solid WR2 value this week.

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49ers @ Chargers Thursday Night

Don't expect Antonio Gates (feet) to suit up this week. He's officially listed as doubtful, and beat writer Kevin Acee confirms, "Might as well be out." Randy McMichael made waves with two touchdowns as a replacement in Week 9, but he's done nothing since. McMichael has yet to top 30 yards in a game this season. You can find a better TE1 option, such as Owen Daniels, Zach Miller, Rob Gronkowski, or Kevin Boss.

Acee believes Malcom Floyd (hamstring) will "probably" play, though the receiver is officially questionable after missing Wednesday's practice. An extremely high-risk WR3 after multiple setbacks, Floyd takes a backseat to Vincent Jackson in fantasy viability this week. A healthy V-Jax should see a considerable bump in targets with Floyd banged up and Gates out. It's not unreasonable to suggest that the long-awaited breakout game is finally within reach for Jackson.

The 49ers have no noteworthy injuries on offense, though inside linebackers Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes are both expected to play with casts on their hands.

For an indepth analysis of Thursday's game, check out Evan Silva's Matchups blog post from Wednesday. The information-packed breakdown explains why Brian Westbrook and Vernon Davis will lead the 49ers in targets -- and more!

Giants Receiver Corps

Wednesday morning brought news that Giants WR Steve Smith suffered a left knee injury in addition to the hamstring pull that knocked out of Monday night's game. Hours later, it was discovered that Smith would need season-ending surgery to repair cartilage damage in his knee. Smith is scheduled to hit free agency in 2011, pending the new CBA of course. His future with the Giants is murky after a season plagued by multiple injuries.

Mario Manningham, dealing with a hip flexor strain, vowed to play against the Eagles after Wednesday's practice. I'd tap the breaks on waiver claims for Derek Hagan or Devin Thomas in deeper leagues. With Brandon Jacobs averaging 8.8 yards per carry the past three weeks and Ahmad Bradshaw in the midst of a breakout season, the Giants will continue to ground and pound with passes to Hakeem Nicks mixed in.

Webb Gem?

With Tarvaris Jackson (turf toe) and Brett Favre (shoulder, hand) in doubt for Week 15, the Vikings signed journeyman Patrick Ramsey Wednesday. According to Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, it "sounds like" rookie Joe Webb will start Monday Night Football against the Bears. As Rotoworld's Evan Silva points out, Webb could make for an interesting flex play in Yahoo leagues where he maintains wide receiver eligibility. I'd suggest ensuring that Yahoo doesn't correct that in the next few days before finalizing lineups this weekend. Webb may well be the most dynamic athlete at the position save Michael Vick, but he's nowhere close to NFL-ready as a passer. I'm taking Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin out of my starting lineups for now.



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Around the League: Eagles LCB Asante Samuel is on track to return this week against the Giants. … Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski reports that Shaun Hill (broken finger) may have a realistic chance to start against the Bucs in Week 15. … Broncos interim coach Eric Studesville was noncommittal when asked if Tim Tebow would see increased playing time in the final two games. … Bills coach Chan Gailey has expressed disappointment in the slow development of rookie C.J. Spiller. … Chris Cooley met with Redskins OC Kyle Shanahan this week for a "persuasive nudge" to make sure he gets the ball more going forward. … With Courtney Roby (neck) out, Pierre Thomas and Robert Meachem are expected to share kick return duties in Sunday's game at Baltimore. … Impending free agent QB Matt Moore (shoulder surgery, I.R.) is targeting "sometime in March" to resume throwing passes. … Texans placed pass rusher Mario Williams on injured reserve with an aggravated sports hernia. … Titans placed (knees) DT Tony Brown on injured reserve, as did the Lions with RT Gosder Cherilus (knee). … Former Rams DE Leonard Little has officially announced his retirement. … Jets suspended strength coach Sal Alosi indefinitely after discovering that he instructed players to form a wall along the sideline for special teams punt and kickoff coverage.

Quarterback Injury Report: Matt Cassel told reporters he had "no idea" whether he'd play at St. Louis after returning to a limited practice Wednesday. … Kyle Orton (sore arm) didn't do any throwing in Wednesday's limited practice, but he's still expected to start at Oakland. … Donovan McNabb (hamstrings) expects to start Sunday despite speculation to the contrary. … Colt McCoy (ankle) returned to practice fully on Wednesday. … Derek Anderson still hasn't been medically cleared from his Week 13 concussion.

Running Back Injury Report: Colts RB Mike Hart (ankle) is still not practicing. … Chris Ivory attributed his Week 14 hamstring injury to dehydration, which led to cramping. He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. … Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) was held out of Jaguars practice Wednesday as a precaution. … Lions RBs Javhid Best (toe) and Maurice Morris (toe) were both limited Wednesday. … Beanie Wells (flu) was limited as well. … Marion Barber (calf) returned to a limited practice, but coach Jason Garrett didn't sound optimistic about a return to game action this week. … Falcons RB Jason Snelling (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis. … Joseph Addai (neck) was limited, but there's still no timetable for his return. … Ahmad Bradshaw confirmed Wednesday that the wrist "injury" that sidelined him late in Monday's win is of no concern.

Wide Receiver Injury Report: Austin Collie (concussion) looks like a go for Week 15 after putting in a full practice Wednesday. … DeSean Jackson described his sprained foot as "so-so" after missing Wednesday's practice. He's considered "day to day." … Seahawks WRs Mike Williams (ankle) and Ben Obomanu (hand) both returned to full practice Wednesday. Obomanu was sporting a cast on his lacerated hand.… Brandon Lloyd sat out Broncos practice Wednesday with a calf injury. … Deion Branch was limited with a knee injury. … Andre Johnson (ankle) was limited, as usual. … Terrell Owens (knee) missed practice and Chad Ochocinco (ankle) was limited. … Donald Driver (quad, hand) was "very limited" in Wednesday's practice. … Roy Williams was listed as limited after injuring his groin in Wednesday's practice. … Giants WR Victor Cruz (injured reserve) confirmed that he is "almost at 100 percent" after suffering a slight tear of his hamstring in mid-October.

Tight End Injury Report: Jacob Tamme (illness) returned to a full practice on Wednesday. … Raiders TE Zach Miller (foot) is also practicing fully this week. … Todd

HacheMan · Dec 19, 2010

Week 15 Rankings
The Jets won't have the only slumping offense in Pittsburgh on Sunday. While Mark Sanchez hasn't led a touchdown drive in nine quarters, the Steelers have only two touchdown drives in their last 30 possessions.

Rashard Mendenhall's 75 yards from scrimmage last week was his second best game in his last five. The book is out on Pittsburgh. Both their offensive line and Ben Roethlisberger struggle to recognize where blitzes are coming from. Rex Ryan should have a lot fun dialing up pressure, and it wouldn't shock me if the only touchdowns scored in Pittsburgh for both teams came from the defense.

That makes for some very tough decisions in fantasy leagues. Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace are shaky plays, both out of our top-20. I wanted to push them down even further, but Chris Wesseling may have gone crazy. There's not a big difference between Holmes/Wallace and the guys ranked 30-36 – low level WR3s.

Going with the guys that got you this far is usually a good idea. But it's not a rule.

(For one more WR1 I want to avoid, head to the wideout rankings.)

[SIZE=+1]Week 15 Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Peyton Manning</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Michael Vick</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Tom Brady</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Philip Rivers</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Drew Brees</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Aaron Rodgers</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Matt Schaub</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Matt Ryan</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Joe Flacco</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>David Garrard</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Ben Roethlisberger</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>12</TD><TD>Jon Kitna</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>13</TD><TD>Eli Manning</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Josh Freeman</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Matt Cassel</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Jay Cutler</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Jason Campbell</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Carson Palmer</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>19</TD><TD>Shaun Hill</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>20</TD><TD>Kyle Orton</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>Probable(arm)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>21</TD><TD>Donovan McNabb</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>22</TD><TD>Sam Bradford</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>23</TD><TD>Ryan Fitzpatrick</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>24</TD><TD>Kerry Collins</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Chad Henne</TD><TD>vs. BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Alex Smith</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Colt McCoy</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Matt Hasselbeck</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Drew Stanton</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Matt Flynn</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Mark Sanchez</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Joe Webb</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Jimmy Clausen</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>John Skelton</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>www.therx.ws

QB Notes: I'm a huge Big Ben fan, but expected to rank him low this week after watching Pittsburgh's last three games. Then I started the rankings and realized there weren't many QBs worth putting ahead of him. Eli Manning is also slumping and plays in a run-first offense without his most trusted third down threat. Matt Cassel is a consideration, but will he be the same so soon after his appendectomy? Jon Kitna got a high rank, but he's still Jon Kitna. Josh Freeman has the right matchup, but his offensive line is playing poorly and he's in a slump of his own. Jay Cutler could move up if he wind up playing indoors.

In the end, David Garrard, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco were the only atypical guys that moved ahead of Roethlisberger. I like the Colts-Jaguars game to be a high scoring one. Garrard will need to throw at times to keep up and the Colts defense just isn't the same this year. … Aaron Rodgers is ranked as if he's starting. It sounds like he's very unlikely to play, but I put him there just in case. … No team gives up more big plays through the air than the Seahawks. It's definitely a week to use Ryan. … Tennessee's defensive line is thinner and smaller than it was early in the year. That should give Matt Schaub plenty of time to throw.

For owners in desperation or 2 QB leagues, some backup-types I like this week include Jason Campbell and Shaun Hill – if he plays. Tampa's defense is barely hanging on. Campbell has started to run in recent weeks and has quietly played quite well. His matchup against the Broncos is tempting. … Kyle Orton is hands off after that disaster in the desert. It looks like something is physically wrong with him. … I respect the Dolphins defense and pass rush enough to stay far away from Ryan Fitzpatrick this week. … I'm not convinced the Ravens are that tough a matchup for opposing quarterbacks. Play Drew Brees as usual.


[SIZE=+1]Week 15 Running Backs[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Arian Foster</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Maurice Jones-Drew</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Darren McFadden</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Michael Turner</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Peyton Hillis</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Knowshon Moreno</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Adrian Peterson</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Jamaal Charles</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>LeSean McCoy</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Steven Jackson</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Ray Rice</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Ahmad Bradshaw</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>LeGarrette Blount</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Matt Forte</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Felix Jones</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Fred Jackson</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Rashard Mendenhall</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Mike Tolbert</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Brandon Jacobs</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Ryan Torain</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>BenJarvus Green-Ellis</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Ronnie Brown</TD><TD>vs. BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Mike Goodson</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Cedric Benson</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Brian Westbrook</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>Probable(-)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Tashard Choice</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Tim Hightower</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Ricky Williams</TD><TD>vs. BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Ryan Mathews</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Pierre Thomas</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Danny Woodhead</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Michael Bush</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Thomas Jones</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Javarris James</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Marshawn Lynch</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Chris Ivory</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>Probable(hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Jahvid Best</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>Probable(toe)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Maurice Morris</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>Probable(toe)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>James Starks</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Donald Brown</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Reggie Bush</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>LaDainian Tomlinson</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Shonn Greene</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Beanie Wells</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Anthony Dixon</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Mike Hart</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Darren Sproles</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Brandon Jackson</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Rashad Jennings</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Marion Barber</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>Questionable(calf)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Willis McGahee</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Justin Forsett</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Keiland Williams</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Toby Gerhart</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Cadillac Williams</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Chester Taylor</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>C.J. Spiller</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>60</TD><TD>Bernard Scott</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>61</TD><TD>Jerome Harrison</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>62</TD><TD>Derrick Ward</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

RB Notes: With Darren McFadden back to must-start status, the top-seven backs stand apart from the pack. I don't include Adrian Peterson in that group because of his quarterback situation, but it's still not worth benching All Day in almost any situation. … Look for Jamaal Charles to have a bounceback game on turf against the Rams against a slightly overrated defense. … LeSean McCoy has proven matchup proof, so he remains a RB1 against the Giants.

Cedric Benson is tough to play right now despite the touches. The Browns defense is better against the run than through the air. … Mendenhall gets his lowest ranking of the season because of the reasons listed above and because of the depth of quality options this week. Felix Jones has a nice matchup at home, LeGarrette Blout should find running room against Detroit, and Jonathan Stewart is playing too well to bench against the Cardinals.

The Lions are racking up some rushing yards the last three weeks and the matchup is very right against the Bucs. In deep leagues, you could do worse with a flex spot than Jahvid Best. Really. Last week was nice, but don't trust Brian Westbrook for more than 60 total yards in San Diego. ... Beanie Wells should be back in the mix this week, hurting Tim Hightower. You only get a chance for garbage time against the Broncos once a year.

Mike Shanahan will probably ride Ryan Torain until the wheels come off. Based on track record, that could happen any play. Torain is a decent RB2, but last week's production was more about Tampa's defense than Torain's play. The holes were bigger than a Darnell Dockett tweet subject.

When push comes to shove, the Chargers trust Mike Tolbert. But thursday's game could include 15-20 rushes for Ryan Mathews too, so you could do worse at a flex spot. ... Michael Bush is another deep option I like because of the matchup. ... Buffalo's rush defense isn't the disaster it was earlier in the season. Ronnie Brown is an option this week, but an in inspiring one. I'd definitely take Fred Jackson in that game over him.

It looks like Chris Ivory will play, so none of the Saints backs are particularly appealing. They cancel each other out in a tough matchup. ... Don't expect the Packers to run much Sunday night, even if Aaron Rodgers starts.

[SIZE=+1]Week 15 Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Roddy White</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Reggie Wayne</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>DeSean Jackson</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>Probable(foot)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Hakeem Nicks</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Calvin Johnson</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Marques Colston</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Dwayne Bowe</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Jeremy Maclin</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Sidney Rice</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Wes Welker</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Miles Austin</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Anquan Boldin</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Malcom Floyd</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>Questionable(hamstring)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Brandon Marshall</TD><TD>vs. BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Pierre Garcon</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Greg Jennings</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Kenny Britt</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Vincent Jackson</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Santonio Holmes</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Mike Wallace</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Brandon Lloyd</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>Questionable(calf)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Steve Johnson</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Terrell Owens</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Santana Moss</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Deion Branch</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Austin Collie</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>Probable(concussion)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Percy Harvin</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>Probable(head)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>Questionable(ankle)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Michael Crabtree</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Johnny Knox</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Hines Ward</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Derrick Mason</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Robert Meachem</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Ben Obomanu</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>Questionable(hand)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Davone Bess</TD><TD>vs. BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Louis Murphy</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>James Jones</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Earl Bennett</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Donald Driver</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Steve Breaston</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Mario Manningham</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>Questionable(hip)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Mike Thomas</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Lance Moore</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Braylon Edwards</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Blair White</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Jacoby Ford</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Randy Moss</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Brandon Gibson</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Nate Burleson</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Roy Williams</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>Questionable(groin)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Danario Alexander</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>Laurent Robinson</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>60</TD><TD>Eddie Royal</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>61</TD><TD>Danny Amendola</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>62</TD><TD>Jabar Gaffney</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>63</TD><TD>Anthony Armstrong</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>64</TD><TD>Jerricho Cotchery</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>65</TD><TD>Jacoby Jones</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>66</TD><TD>Jason Avant</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>67</TD><TD>Mohamed Massaquoi</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>68</TD><TD>Arrelious Benn</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>69</TD><TD>Derek Hagan</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>70</TD><TD>Dexter McCluster</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>71</TD><TD>Devery Henderson</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
</TBODY></TABLE>

WR Notes: The receiver I'm most worried about Sunday is Brandon Lloyd. The Raiders held Lloyd to one catch last time, and Kyle Orton simply isn't right. Orton missed practice Wednesday with a rib injury. He's turned from a Pro Bowl caliber player to a mix of Jimmy Clausen and Craig Krenzel the last two weeks. Like Mike Wallace and Santonio Holmes, Lloyd has lost his must-start status.

If Joe Webb has eligibility, I'd rank him in the top-15 wideouts in non-ppr leagues and closer to 20 in PPR affairs. You just don't get guaranteed points at the position in any other way. He only needs to throw for 150 yards and run a little to make it worth it. Remember that Webb is not a total lock to start yet as I write this. … Sidney Rice will move down if its Webb starting at University of Minnesota Stadium. Same goes for Percy Harvin.

Forget the guys in the huddle. Jimmy Clausen should aplogize to Steve Smith's fantasy owners. ... I trust Kenny Britt. Health was the only thing that stopped him from a top-20 season. ... You could do worse than msw. Michael Crabtree is not hands off just because of last week. The 49ers will be throwing a lot Thursday night. ... Johnny Knox's value partially depends on if the Bears play outdoors. The temperature could be below 0 with the wind chill.

Stevie Johnson's low ranking is just as much about Miami's defense (and Vontae Davis) as it is about Johnson's slump. Lee Evans' absence won't help either. ... The squeeky wheel approach hasn't work for T.O. of late. Like I said last week, Chad Ochocinco is playing his best football now. ... It sounds like Big Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu will return this week. Obomanu reportedly looked good at practice. We'd be hesitant to use either player, especially Williams. He hasn't finished a game in a long time.

Anquan Boldin, like Brandon Marshall, is a player I'm going to trust if at all possible despite recent results. Marshall looked healthy last week and has the right matchup. Boldin is just too good to bench. ... Calvin Johnson's rank will take a hit if Drew Stanton starts, but not that far. ... After a slow start, Wes Welker is the guy from 2007-2009 again.


[SIZE=+1]Week 15 Tight Ends[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Jason Witten</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Vernon Davis</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Jacob Tamme</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Zach Miller</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Owen Daniels</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Chris Cooley</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Marcedes Lewis</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Kellen Winslow</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Dustin Keller</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Brent Celek</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Kevin Boss</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Ben Watson</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Brandon Pettigrew</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Rob Gronkowski</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Todd Heap</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>Questionable (hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Bo Scaife</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>Questionable (head)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Tony Moeaki</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Jeremy Shockey</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Heath Miller</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Jermaine Gresham</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Jimmy Graham</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Randy McMichael</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Aaron Hernandez</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Anthony Fasano</TD><TD>vs. BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Visanthe Shiancoe</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Andrew Quarless</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Ed Dickson</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Greg Olsen</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SIZE=+1]Week 15 Team Defense[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Steelers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Bears Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Chargers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Jets Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Patriots Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Dolphins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Giants Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Falcons Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Vikings Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Cowboys Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Cardinals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Panthers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Browns Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Eagles Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Buccaneers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Ravens Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Raiders Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Packers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Rams Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Saints Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Colts Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Lions Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Chiefs Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Fortyniners Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Bengals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Texans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Titans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Bills Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Jaguars Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Redskins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Seahawks Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Broncos Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SIZE=+1]Week 15 Kickers[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Neil Rackers</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Nate Kaeding</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Adam Vinatieri</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Josh Scobee</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>David Akers</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Sebastian Janikowski</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Dan Carpenter</TD><TD>vs. BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Robbie Gould</TD><TD>at MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Shayne Graham</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Ryan Succop</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Josh Brown</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Jay Feely</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Garrett Hartley</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Lawrence Tynes</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Matt Bryant</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Rob Bironas</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Mason Crosby</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Billy Cundiff</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Shaun Suisham</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>David Buehler</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Ryan Longwell</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Olindo Mare</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Rian Lindell</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Jeff Reed</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Connor Barth</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>John Kasay</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Phil Dawson</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Matt Prater</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>Questionable (groin)</TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Graham Gano</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
<TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Nick Folk</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Dave Rayner</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Clint S tits

er</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR>
</TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 19, 2010

Lightning Strikes Thrice

Hopefully you had the foresight – or perhaps more accurately, the gambling instinct – to start Vincent Jackson in Week 15. Appearing in just his third game of the season, and coming into Thursday night with a mere two catches for 29 yards, the holdout wideout unleashed five catches for 112 yards and a career-best three TDs, nearly securing a fourth if his foot hadn't landed out of bounds in the end zone.

If you started him this week, you are likely staring at your team's box score with a deservedly obnoxious grin. And if you went against Jackson, well – let's change topics.

NINERS-CHARGERS QUICK HITS: Philip Rivers (19-for-25, 273 yards, three TDs) did what Philip Rivers does… Alex Smith (19-for-29, 165 yards, INT) gave Mike Singletary ample reason to consider going back to Troy Smith for Week 16… Brian Westbrook had just eight carries two catches for 30 total yards, but made up for it with a garbage-time TD… Mike Tolbert (17 carries, 46 yards) and Ryan Mathews (17 carries, 56 yards) ended up with an even carry split, with Tolbert salvaging productivity due to a goal-line TD… Josh Morgan had a season-high seven catches and a career-high 106 yards, but also lost a fumble… Vernon Davis was held to one catch for four yards.
www.therx.ws
NINERS-CHARGERS INJURY NOTES: Anthony Dixon (six carries, 33 yards) left in the third quarter with an ankle injury, but later returned… Michael Crabtree (three catches, 17 yards) dislocated his finger, but played through it… Antonio Gates (foot) and Malcom Floyd (hamstring) were both inactive.

In other news:

The Packers are expected to make a final decision on Aaron Rodgers (concussion) no later than Saturday, but indications from the key Packers beat writers thus far have been that Rodgers is a long shot to play.

Per beat writer Jonathan Tamari, DeSean Jackson (foot) took part in individual drills on Thursday but technically was a non-participant in practice. Either way, Jackson is expected to return to practice on Friday in preparation to play in Week 15.

According to beat writer Bob Gretz, Matt Cassel (appendectomy) was attempting to pass "without involving his lower torso" in Thursday's practice. It looks like Cassel is planning to play this week, but he's a risky consideration in fantasy leagues while still recovering from the appendectomy.

Speaking of injured/risky QB options, Kyle Orton (ribs) didn't throw again in Thursday's practice, and though the Broncos are still hoping to have him available, he'll be a dicey consideration if he does go. Tim Tebow, who has thrown exactly one pass all season (for three yards) would get the start if Orton is unavailable.

Adrian Peterson (ankle, knee) missed practice, but his leg trouble doesn't sound like a big concern. Either way, fantasy owners should be sure to double-check that he returns to practice on Friday.

Percy Harvin (migraines) returned to practice on Thursday and is expected to play on Monday night, but will be a risky option with Brett Favre unlikely, Tarvaris Jackson placed on injured reserve and rookie Joe Webb slated to start at QB.

Roy Williams (groin) missed Thursday's practice, which doesn't look good for his chances of playing this week. Unless there's a positive update on Friday, it looks like Sam Hurd may get a chance to start.

QB NOTES: David Garrard was limited on Thursday due to a hamstring injury, but is reportedly expected to play… Shaun Hill (finger) took part in a limited practice, but it remains to be seen whether or not he'll be ready to start over Drew Stanton this week… Donovan McNabb is on course to start, but appears to be at risk of potentially being pulled early for Rex Grossman if he struggles… Eric Mangini named Colt McCoy his starter for the rest of the season.

RB NOTES: Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) is expected to play on Sunday, according to the Florida Times-Union… With Mike Hart (ankle) and Joseph Addai (neck) not expected to play this week, we're set for another week of Javarris James and Donald Brown in the Colts' backfield… Marion Barber (calf) is due back this week, which could cut into Tashard Choice's value… Chris Ivory is iffy for this week after reportedly taking an injection in his hamstring on Wednesday… Arian Foster was added to the injury report as limited with a hip injury, but fantasy owners shouldn't be concerned… Jahvid Best (toe) and Maurice Morris (toe) were both limited… Beanie Wells (flu) was "much better" on Thursday, according to the Cardinals' website, but isn't to be trusted after last reaching 50 rushing yards in Week 8.

WR NOTES: Austin Collie (concussion) practiced fully again and should be ready to go this week… Seattle Mike Williams (ankle) was downgraded to limited, but could still suit up and owners should check back on Friday… Brandon Lloyd (calf) returned to a full practice… Randy Moss (five catches in five games for the Titans) told the AP that he has no issue with "moving out of the way" for Kenny Britt… In other Titans WR news, offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger reportedly plans to give more reps to rookie Damian Williams, which is bad news for Nate Washington's already marginal value… Deion Branch (knee) was limited, but should be fine for Sunday… Devin Thomas (hamstring) missed Thurday's practice.

WR NOTES, PART 2: Chad Ochocinco (foot) missed practice, but appears to still be on course to play… Terrell Owens (knee) returned to a limited practice and is expected to play, but is averaging just 48 receiving yards the past four weeks… Mario Manningham (hip) returned to a limited practice… Tampa Bay Mike Williams (knee) is practicing fully… According to multiple reports, Giants Steve Smith – placed on injured reserve Thursday – may not be back from microfracture surgery in time for the start of next season.

Editor's note: You can get our Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and playoff rankings, and Chris Wesseling's Dynasty league coverage – all for just $4.99.

TE NOTES: Todd Heap (hamstring) missed practice again, pointing toward what will likely be another start for Ed Dickson… Heath Miller (concussion) missed Thursday's practice and reportedly had a setback, leaving him unlikely to play in Week 15… Jeremy Shockey (groin) is expected to play, but hasn't had more than 30 yards in a game since Week 4.

HacheMan · Dec 19, 2010

Matchups: A WR3 Jolt From Joe

6-foot-3 and 223 pounds with 4.44-4.45 wheels and crazy hops, Joe Webb departed the University of Alabama-Birmingham as the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year. Webb led the nation in quarterback rushing with 1,427 yards as a senior. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry, and 53 of his rushing attempts went for 10-plus yards. Webb also scrambled for 11 touchdowns.

As a passer, Webb completed 59.8 percent for 2,298 yards, 21 scores, and eight interceptions.

Because of his athleticism, size, and monstrous hands (10 3/4 inches), Webb was projected as a receiver by most NFL teams. He practiced at wideout during January's Senior Bowl and dominated some of the most highly-touted defensive backs in the country.

Drafted in the sixth round by the Vikings, Webb spun the ball impressively in rookie camp and was back at his old position by summer ball. He played in four exhibition games, completing 17-of-30 passes (56.7 percent) for 191 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Even more impressively, Webb rushed 11 times for 126 yards (11.5 YPC) and another score.

Fast forward to Week 13. Enamored with Webb's physical ability, the Vikings put him on kickoff returns against the Bills. Webb caught just one kick, but brought it back 30 yards.

Now, with Tarvaris Jackson (toe) on injured reserve and Brett Favre (shoulder, hand) not expected to play Monday night, Joe Webb is slated to be the Vikings' starting quarterback against the Bears.

And Webb has wide receiver eligibility in Yahoo fantasy leagues.

Plenty of factors are working against Webb, of course. He's a rookie making his starting debut against Chicago's top-eight defense, a unit that has surrendered the second fewest passing touchdowns in the league. The expected venue is TCF Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Gophers. Early forecasts have temperatures in the single-digits with sub-zero wind chills.

Working in Webb's favor: His dual-threat skills, a defense that will give him every opportunity to beat them, and next to no film on the first-year passer/runner. Most intriguing from a fantasy perspective is Webb's WR3/flex eligibility. He has more ways to score points than your run-of-the-mill third receiver gamble like Johnny Knox, Robert Meachem, or Ben Obomanu.

For perspective, 23 of the 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL scored 12 or more standard league fantasy points in Week 14. Just 16 of 64 starting wide receivers around the league hit that mark.

Whereas someone like Meachem or Mike Sims-Walker may not even catch a pass this week, Webb is guaranteed touches, some passing yardage, and almost certainly some rushing points. While you're not going to play Webb over Wes Welker or even Brandon Marshall, he's worth a long look in place of less-trustworthy candidates like Derrick Mason and Hines Ward.

Hey, even Jay Feely scored a rushing touchdown last week.

[SIZE=+1]1:00PM ET Games[/SIZE]

Buffalo @ Miami

Brandon Marshall returned from his two-week hamstring injury in last Sunday's win over the Jets. The bad news is that Marshall played horribly, dropping two passes and committing a holding penalty. The good news is that Marshall played 93.2 percent of the offensive snaps and caught the game-winning touchdown. In a favorable weather game (70 degrees, 10 percent chance of rain), Marshall is flirting with WR2 status again. ... The Bills rank in the bottom eight in passing scores allowed and sacks, but don't be fooled into thinking Chad Henne is more than a bottom-barrel QB2. Henne has a 2:5 touchdown-to-turnover ratio in his last two games and is averaging 4.58 yards per attempt. The third-year passer's development hasn't just stalled. It's taken a lemming-style leap.

Davone Bess hasn't scored since Week 7. Like Henne (5-for-18), Bess can't help but do better than last week's 1/6 line, but he's only a WR3 option in PPR leagues. Bess is definitely someone I'd play Webb over. ... Though Ricky Williams (4.38 YPC) is outplaying Ronnie Brown (3.74 YPC), Brown continues to get the football more. Ronnie has 64 touches in the last month compared to Ricky's 47. The Bills rank dead last in run defense, but neither Dolphins rusher is more than a relatively low-upside flex play. Miami's run blocking hasn't been the same since LT Jake Long tore his shoulder labrum, and RT Vernon Carey's year-ending knee injury is another sizable blow.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has one multi-touchdown game in the last seven weeks, and now faces off with Miami's top-six pass defense. Fins OLB Cameron Wake will pummel Bills OTs Demetrius Bell and Mansfield Wrotto, and only two AFC teams have allowed fewer passing touchdowns than the Dolphins. Fitz is a low-end QB2. ... Lee Evans' placement on I.R. ensures that Steve Johnson will dominate Fitzpatrick's targets. Shake off his scoreless 49-yard average since Week 11 and use Johnson as a WR3. He's still a top-12 fantasy wideout on the season, and there aren't many receivers around the league playing in such favorable weather whose only competition for the ball comes from a trio of undrafted rookies (David Nelson, Donald Jones, and Naaman Roosevelt).

In a chain-moving effort, Fred Jackson touched up Cleveland's 23rd-ranked run defense for 112 yards on a season-high 29 carries last week. Jackson's passing-game involvement has taken a hit since C.J. Spiller's return from a hamstring injury, as F-Jax has just two catches in his last two games. Still the heavy favorite for carries and goal-line work, Jackson is worth low-end RB2 consideration even in tough matchups such as this. The Fins' No. 7 run defense allows the third smallest YPC in the league (3.62) and has only given up six rushing touchdowns in 13 games.

Detroit @ Tampa Bay

Sunday's forecast for Raymond James Stadium calls for 60-plus degree temperatures and a 10 percent chance of rain, so passing-game members are safe to use in this one. The evolution of Tampa's has been among the most intriguing in football. Since a slow start, Arrelious Benn has found his groove by making intermittent big plays on limited opportunities since midseason, and then topping out with 122 yards in last week's win over Washington. Defenses have realized that Mike Williams is worthy of double coverage. While it's good news for Josh Freeman that he now has two viable, playmaking wideouts, this particular matchup favors a big game from Williams. The rookie from Syracuse will face off with burnable RCB Nathan Vasher for the majority of Tampa's offensive snaps. Benn will have to deal with Lions top CB Chris Houston on the opposite side.

Benn's emergence is bad news for Kellen Winslow, as both are possession-threat types. Winslow caught the game-winning TD last week, but ultimately saw two targets and wasn't thrown to until the third quarter. ... A conservative offense is Freeman's biggest obstacle, but Detroit gives up the fourth most yards per throw in the NFL. You can't beat the quarterback-friendly environment, so Freeman is worth a look as a desperate QB1. ... Running backs are difficult to bench against the Lions' No. 22 run defense, a unit that has surrendered the fourth most rushing touchdowns in the league. LeGarrette Blount is only a low-end RB2 with one score in his last four games, but he has more upside than options like Ronnie Brown, Fred Jackson, and Cedric Benson. Amid concern that Blount might lose goal-line work to Earnest Graham last week, the rookie received two of the Bucs' three red-zone carries. Graham touched the ball twice all game, and never in the red zone.

Incredibly, Calvin Johnson was targeted 13 times last week and caught just one. Thankfully, he's not facing Green Bay's top-three pass defense anymore. Tampa Bay's crumbling unit has lost FS Cody Grimm, shutdown CB Aqib Talib, and top interior pass rusher Gerald McCoy all to injured reserve in the last month. Megatron may also get back Shaun Hill, who the Lions appear to be pushing to play through a fractured finger. Even if Drew Stanton makes a third straight start, Megatron can be started with confidence. Stanton will have a cleaner pocket against the Buccaneers (30th in sacks), and you couldn't name a more talented receiver in a good-weather game. ... Johnson is about where it ends for Lions pass catchers, though. Nate Burleson hasn't topped 27 yards in Stanton's two starts. With lines of 5/36/0 and 2/14/0, even Brandon Pettigrew is untrustworthy against a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed the fifth fewest yards in the league to tight ends.

Maurice Morris has predictably cooled off since his two-touchdown Thanksgiving game, failing to find the end zone or top 57 total yards in either week since. He's still a drain on Jahvid Best's start-ability, though. Morris has 23 touches to Best's 24 in the last two games, with the Lions' backfield clearly evolving into an even timeshare. Both backs are on the injury report with toe injuries this week, so look for more of the same at Tampa. Even against a Bucs defense that lost McCoy and ranks 27th against the run, neither Morris nor Best is getting the ball or playing well enough to be more than a low-end flex. Best's yards-per-carry average since Week 8 is 3.24.

Arizona @ Carolina

Despite fair weather in the forecast for Bank of America Stadium, Vegas projects Cards-Panthers as the second lowest scoring game of Week 15. It's a factor that can be used for tiebreakers on borderline starts like Steve Smith, Steve Breaston, and perhaps Tim Hightower. ... The premier play in this one is Jonathan Stewart. "The Daily Show" is on pace for his second monster stretch run in as many seasons, averaging a whopping 6.33 YPC in his last three games. Kick returner Mike Goodson having clearly ceded the backfield to Stewart with just 13 touches to J-Stew's 40 since Week 12, Stewart is approaching elite RB1 status against a Cardinals defense that ranks 30th against the run and has allowed the third most rushing touchdowns in the NFL. Start 'em.

Jimmy Clausen has struggled so badly that a matchup with Arizona's No. 25 pass defense will go to waste in the fantasy playoffs. Smitty hasn't scored since Week 2. ... David Gettis has been such a non-factor that he hasn't even merited a post-game Rotoworld blurb since Week 12 (when he went catch-less). ... Brandon LaFell had six catches last week, but hasn't topped 40 receiving yards since Week 7. He's playing under 50 percent of the snaps over Carolina's last four games.

Manning the position held by Jacoby Ford in Week 12, Brian Westbrook in Week 13, and James Starks in Week 14 is Tim Hightower as this Sunday's Flavor of the Week. Hightower piled up a bunch of second-half, essentially garbage-time points in the Cardinals' Week 14 rout of Denver with Beanie Wells (stomach virus) sidelined for the final two quarters. Hightower broke off 148 yards on 18 carries, scoring twice in the fourth quarter. This week's matchup is certainly right -- the Panthers rank 27th against the run and have allowed the second most rushing touchdowns in the NFL -- but Wells is back this week and throughout his career Hightower has been more likely to flop than excel in crucial situations (both in real life and fantasy). He's a risky, low-end RB2.

Larry Fitzgerald was shadowed by Champ Bailey all over the field in Week 14, but still managed to bring down six grabs for 72 yards with a rookie quarterback. John Skelton avoided turnovers and Fitz remained the Cards' offensive centerpiece (until Hightower in garbage time), notching double-digit targets for an otherworldly eighth straight week. Carolina plays the pass well, but so does Champ Bailey. Fitzgerald is a rock-solid play. ... Though Skelton did deliver the ball effectively to his top receiver, the rest of Arizona's wideout corps was left hanging as the rookie from Fordham completed just 40.5 percent of his attempts. Safely leave Breaston on the bench this weekend.



New Orleans @ Baltimore

The Saints have 30-plus points in five straight games, a streak that won't necessarily end against a Ravens defense that served up 28 to Houston last week. The M & T Bank Stadium forecast calls for no rain, as well as relatively favorable temps (37-40 degrees) and light wind (11MPH). This should not be a weather-affected game. ... Drew Brees has 10 touchdowns in his last four games, just once dropping below 313 passing yards during that span. The Ravens only rank 14th against the pass and have given up a ton of big plays -- Brees' specialty. ... Avoid Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson in the fantasy playoffs. Meachem had 106 yards and a score in chilly Cincinnati two weeks ago. He proceeded to go catch-less against the Rams in the Edward Jones Dome last Sunday. It's the untrustworthy nature of Saints wideouts not named Colston.

Marques Colston continued his torrid pace with two more touchdowns in Week 14. With Dwayne Bowe and Roddy White cooling off and Greg Jennings apparently now playing with Matt Flynn, Colston is arguably the hottest receiver in the NFL. ... Lance Moore has two TDs in his last three games, but has only topped 43 yards once in the last month. He's a low-end WR3 with little upside, and a serious risk for a clunker if he doesn't find pay dirt. ... The Saints' backfield should be easy to avoid this week in a matchup with Baltimore's top-eight run defense, a unit that has surrendered just five rushing touchdowns all year. Chris Ivory has a bum hamstring, Pierre Thomas' offensive role is completely up in the air as he now takes on kick returns, and Reggie Bush hasn't put a dent in the box score since returning from a fractured fibula three weeks ago.

Joe Flacco ranks eighth in fantasy quarterback scoring with two or more touchdown passes in six of his last eight games, but he'll be hard pressed to improve on the latter statistic against a stout New Orleans pass defense. The unit has allowed an NFL-low eight passing touchdowns through 13 games and ranks fifth overall in the league. If the Ravens are going to find the end zone offensively, it's most likely to happen on the ground. ... Owners should avoid chasing Derrick Mason's Week 14 production into Week 15, because the Ravens aren't playing the Texans anymore. He's merely a low-end WR3. ... With Mason doing the bulk of the damage at Houston, Anquan Boldin took a three-catch, 41-yard backseat. The stats say Boldin is barely a matchup play at this point, and this isn't a good one. Boldin has one game over 50 yards in his last six.

Ray Rice has struggled for much of the season, as his fantasy owners know. It's mostly due to play in the front five, and the Ravens conceded as much by reshuffling the right side of their offensive line prior to last week's overtime victory. The game was not won on the ground, though, as Rice and Willis McGahee plodded their way to a combined 2.65 YPC average on 23 totes. With just one touchdown since Week 5, it's probably time to admit the obvious: Ray Rice is only a middle-of-the-road RB2. You're not going to bench him for flier-type fantasy plays, however, and at least he's got a fairly favorable matchup with New Orleans' No. 16 run defense. The Saints allow 4.26 yards per carry with 12 rushing scores against -- tied for the tenth most in football.

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis

As poorly as Peyton Manning played in Weeks 9-13, he got himself together with 319 yards, a 2:0 TD-to-INT ratio, 71.4 completion rate, and 9.1 YPA average (his second best all year) last week at Tennessee. And Manning couldn't ask for a better Week 16 matchup than the Jaguars indoors at home. He fried Jacksonville for 352 yards and two scores at their place in Week 4, and Jack Del Rio's team has played musical chairs in the secondary ever since. The Jags rank 28th against the pass, give up the most yards per throw in the NFL, and don't rush the passer well. Manning is the best quarterback play in fantasy this week. ... Reggie Wayne worked over Jags RCB Derek Cox for a 15/196 line in the aforementioned Week 4 meeting. Del Rio refuses to move Rashean Mathis away from left cornerback, so Wayne can expect to see plenty of Cox again this Sunday.

Pierre Garcon was hurt in Week 4, but has at least five catches in five straight games and three scores in his last two. He's earned a WR3 start, and the matchup indoors locks him in. ... Jacob Tamme's snaps dropped in Week 14 due to nagging injuries and ball-control second-half offense. He's had a long week to recover, however, and should be played with confidence against a Jags team with the worst safeties in football. Only three defenses have allowed more yards to tight ends. ... Austin Collie (concussions) is due back, immediately recouping WR3 value. Error-prone rookie Blair White will become bench fodder, in both real life and fantasy. It's great news for the Colts' offense. ... The Colts' running game is best left avoided. It's a decidedly pass-first team, and Donald Brown just isn't an effective rusher. Javarris James needs goal-line scores to matter.

With six straight 100-plus rushing yard games, Maurice Jones-Drew is the hottest running back in the NFL. He also historically owns the Colts. MJD has 12 all-purpose touchdowns in nine career meetings with Indianapolis, with averages of 128.2 total yards a game and 5.35 yards per carry. The Colts are defending the run as poorly as they ever have in Jones-Drew's career. ... MoJo's success has adversely affected David Garrard, however, as Jacksonville's offense has become extremely run heavy. Garrard hasn't topped 162 passing yards since Week 11, and now squares off with Indianapolis' top-eight pass defense. Fantasy playoff owners should look for more upside.

Mike Sims-Walker has cleared 50 yards once since Week 2, and went catch-less in the Jaguars' early-season meeting with Indianapolis despite being 100 percent. He's a poor WR3. ... With MSW in the lineup and the Jags' offensive philosophy steered away from passing, Mike Thomas is averaging 25.7 yards in his last three games. He didn't have a catch in Week 14. ... The Colts have defended tight ends well, but Marcedes Lewis has earned a weekly start by ranking third in fantasy points at his position. Only Antonio Gates has more receiving touchdowns. Lewis also found the end zone against Indianapolis in Week 4. ... Don't overhype Rashad Jennings' three-game scoring streak. Jennings hasn't topped 10 carries during it, and only had five last week.

Philadelphia @ NY Giants

38-40 degree temps and 9-10 MPH winds shouldn't affect passing for either club, but injuries in New York's receiver corps certainly will. Flanker/slot man Steve Smith is done for the season, and Mario Manningham is pushing to play through a nagging hip flexor strain. Therefore, two of the Giants' top three wideouts are either out for the game or less than 100 percent. Look for a run-first offense that sets up deep shots to Hakeem Nicks in a strategy similar to the Kansas City Chiefs'. Manningham is likely to act as a decoy, while Eli Manning's pass attempts ideally stay in the sub-30 range. This could change if the Eagles rack up a ton of points and Manning is forced to keep up, but defensive coordinator Perry Fewell did a respectable job of keeping Michael Vick in check four weeks ago, and that game was in Philadelphia. Particularly with Eagles shutdown CB Asante Samuel (knee) expected back, Manning is a low-end QB1 play with limited upside.

Nicks typically avoids Samuel's coverage when the Giants play the Eagles because Nicks is a left-side receiver and Samuel is a defensive left-side cornerback. In other words, Manningham will likely see the majority of Samuel. Nicks is a must-start after hauling in seven balls for 96 yards in last week's win over Minnesota. ... They're both possession pass catchers, so Kevin Boss gets the biggest bump from Smith's injury. Boss tied for the team lead with nine targets in Week 14, and no team in the league gives up more fantasy points to tight ends. ... Forget about the Giants ever having a lead back. It's an even two-man committee, and Brandon Jacobs isn't going anywhere with an 8.50 yards-per-carry average in his last three games, as well as a 6.08 average on the season. Jacobs is the superior play in non-PPR leagues. Ahmad Bradshaw gets the nod in PPR.

I mentioned that Fewell contained Vick in Week 11 Giants-Eagles. DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant each had end-zone drops in that game, turning a could-be monster effort into a modest one. Well, at least by Vick's standards. Throwing for 258 yards and running for another 34 with a rushing score, Vick still registered 19.72 standard league points (depending how you're penalized for one lost fumble). Vick is the second best fantasy QB play in Week 15, behind only Peyton Manning. ... LeSean McCoy has at least 100 total yards and/or a touchdown in every single game since Week 6, and he touched up the Giants for 140 all-purpose yards, a TD, and a 7.9 yards-per-carry average in Week 11. The No. 4 player in all of fantasy, McCoy is an obvious must-start.

Jackson's foot is not a concern, and there are only one or two other receivers in the NFL capable of four-catch, 210-yard games in their entire careers. Jackson had one just last week. Start 'em. ... Jeremy Maclin dropped 120 yards and nine receptions on the G-Men in Week 11 and is the No. 13 overall receiver in fantasy football. Start 'em. ... Avant has one touchdown all year and 22 yards combined in his last two games. Sit 'em. ... Brent Celek's role appeared to be growing with two consecutive games of 50-plus yards in Weeks 12-13, only to bottom out with no catches on two targets in Week 14. You should be able to do better in the fantasy playoffs, particularly against a Giants defense that allows the third fewest fantasy points to tight ends.

Cleveland @ Cincinnati

It's not a huge concern because he's second in the league in running back scoring, but Peyton Hillis has shown a tendency to fade in second halves of games, ostensibly due to monster workloads (27.3 touches per game since Week 7). In the last five weeks, Hillis is averaging 4.96 yards a carry in the first two quarters, but just 3.06 after intermission. It's probably something the Browns should look into this offseason. Regardless, Hillis is a top-five play against a Bengals run defense that ranks 24th in the NFL, and serves up 4.59 YPC to go with a rushing score per game. Worth noting: Hillis averages 126.4 total yards per game with five touchdowns in Colt McCoy's five 2010 starts. He's at 110.5 total yards per game in Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace's starts.

In Week 14, Ben Watson let down owners with a third straight miserable follow-up game on the heels of a big one. Watson has been consistent this year, except when he tops 62 yards the week prior. He looks safer against a Bengals defense reeling in the deep middle. They've lost their top two free safeties to I.R. since Week 11, and may now be forced to turn to coverage nightmare Reggie Nelson. ... McCoy's anticipated return hurts deep threat Mohamed Massaquoi. McCoy can move the ball more efficiently than Delhomme by avoiding turnovers and picking up first downs, but the weak-armed rookie won't threaten defenses deep. Especially not in the chilly 'Nati.

Chad Ochocinco is dealing with bone spurs in his ankle, an injury that will likely require offseason cleanup surgery. Though he's seemingly passed Terrell Owens as the Bengals' top receiver over the last two weeks, Ocho has a history of ankle problems and had just three grabs for a scoreless 59 yards in the Bengals' Week 4 meeting with Cleveland. He's a dicey WR3. ... The same goes for Owens, whose head seems to be out of it coming off a two-drop, 22-yard game. T.O. is a better fantasy bet than Ocho and has been all year, but he's not the lock-it-up fantasy play he was in Weeks 1-11. ... Missing all of last week's practices had plenty to do with it, but Jermaine Gresham only played four snaps in Week 14 against Pittsburgh. Hopefully, you can do better.

I could give you some stats to make Carson Palmer's matchup look good, but he has 10 interceptions in his last five games and just three passing touchdowns in his last three. Palmer is only an option in two-quarterback leagues. ... The underrated Cleveland run defense held Cedric Benson to 60 scoreless yards on 15 carries in the teams' early-season meeting, and CedBen is averaging 2.39 YPC on his last 46 rushing attempts. Though he's never a terrible bet for a goal-line score, here's hoping you have running backs playing better for your fantasy playoff lineup.



Houston @ Tennessee

Vegas projects Texans-Titans as Week 15's second highest scoring game, so you're likely in good shape if you own studs in this one. It all begins with No. 1 fantasy player Arian Foster, of course. Again proving his matchup-proof mettle, Foster posted 125 total yards and averaged 5.0 YPC against Baltimore's top-eight run defense in Week 14. Though Tennessee is better than its No. 21 ranking indicates, the Titans lost two of their top defensive tackles this week (Tony Brown -- injured reserve; Jovan Haye -- concussion). In Week 12, Foster blew through Chuck Cecil's defense for 218 total yards. ... Despite the Texans' pre-game intentions of using Owen Daniels in a rotation with Joel Dreessen in his Week 14 return from a hamstring injury, Daniels wound up with 73 percent of the snaps while setting season highs in targets (11) and yards (91). Tennessee has allowed the second most yardage to tight ends this year. Daniels is an elite TE1 again.

Despite a season-long high ankle sprain, the beast that is Andre Johnson ranks sixth among receivers in fantasy points. He has at least 140 yards in three of his last five games. Johnson has owned Cortland Finnegan throughout their careers, and not just in the boxing ring. ... Jacoby Jones has scored in two straight contests, but is still playing behind Kevin Walter and needed 62 Matt Schaub throws to manage 52 yards in Week 14. Jones' big-play ability is always enticing, but so is Robert Meachem's. And Danario Alexander's. And Jacoby Ford's. ... Walter has one touchdown since Week 3. At least Jones has upside. ... Schaub should be good for a pair of TDs and 250-plus yards in this favorable-weather game against Tennessee's No. 26 pass defense.

Houston lost its best defender this week when Mario Williams was placed on I.R. with a sports hernia. Though Mario is best known for his pass rush, the 6'6/295-pound end's loss is likely to be felt just as much in run defense, as the downgrade to 255-pound speed rusher Mark Anderson is considerable. It's all good news for Chris Johnson, who got his season back on track by lighting up the Colts for 179 total yards and a score. Coming off a long week after a Thursday game, Johnson should dominate this depleted front seven. ... Bo Scaife hasn't topped 53 yards all year, and his two TDs in Week 14 were undoubtedly fluky considering they were his only catches of the game and second and third scores of the season. Still, you can't beat the matchup against a Texans defense that serves up the most fantasy points in the AFC. He's a fine desperation play.

Behind only Andre Johnson, Kenny Britt is the second best fantasy receiver in a warm-weather game that projects as the second highest scoring of the week. Add in a matchup with Houston's No. 32 pass defense, and he's a top-15 wideout play for Week 15. ... You already know it, but Randy Moss is totally off the fantasy radar. He played 16 snaps last week. ... Nate Washington hasn't scored in over a month and is averaging 32.6 yards a game in his last three. With Damian Williams' role set to increase at Washington's expense, he isn't even an option in this matchup.

Washington @ Dallas

Indoors against the LaRon Landry-less Redskins' No. 29 pass defense, Jon Kitna is going to be awfully hard to sit unless you have one of this week's top 7-8 QBs. Refer to Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling's rankings for those. (Note: I'd certainly play Kitna over David Garrard or Joe Flacco.) Kitna has ten all-purpose touchdowns in his last five games, and is quietly racking up valuable rushing yards on a weekly basis. ... Owners need to look past Miles Austin's slow 4-5 weeks and play him with confidence against the Redskins indoors. A lot has changed since, but Austin worked Washington for a 10/146/1 line earlier this season, and Kitna is running out of receiving options with Roy Williams' (groin) availability in doubt. Austin is still an elite play.

Jason Witten has the second most tight end points in fantasy football, and like Austin is a big beneficiary from Williams, Kevin Ogletree, and Dez Bryant's recent injuries. Witten is averaging eight catches for 70 yards with three touchdowns in his last three games. ... Marion Barber (calf) is tentatively expected to play, taking the life out of Tashard Choice's spot start-ability. Coach Jason Garrett indicated this week that he fully expects Barber to have an offensive role, and none would suit him better than goal-line specialist. MB3 is obviously hands-off in fantasy leagues, and his return pushes Choice into the same category. ... Felix Jones will still be the clear lead runner, and last week's three-yard touchdown suggests that he's not entirely out of the mix for red-zone carries. Dating back to Week 9, Jones is averaging 19 touches per game. He's a high-end RB2 against an Albert Haynesworth-less Skins defense permitting a league-most 4.88 yards per carry.

Coming off last week's 172-yard destruction of the Bucs in his return from a five-week hamstring injury, Ryan Torain is back on the radar as an RB2. He's averaging 110.6 total yards per game in the five weeks he's gotten at least 16 touches, to go with four touchdowns and a season average of 4.90 yards per carry. There have been "reports" that he lost goal-line work to Keiland Williams last week, but Torain actually got five of the Skins' eight red-zone carries in the game, including one at the Bucs' two-yard line on the second-to-last play from scrimmage. Don't expect numbers quite like last week's (Dallas' run defense is better than Tampa's), but Torain is a better RB2 than someone like Marshawn Lynch, Ronnie Brown, LaDainian Tomlinson, or even Tim Hightower.

UPDATE: Comcast SportsNet Washington reported Friday morning that Rex Grossman will start at quarterback for the Redskins. Upgrade the Cowboys' fantasy defense, which was already looking like a good play with Donovan McNabb under center. Grossman will hurt the causes of Torain, Santana Moss, and Chris Cooley.
Dallas usually presents a friendly matchup for quarterbacks, but the Skins have made it clear that Donovan McNabb will be on a short leash due both to balky hamstrings and performance. Ranked 20th among fantasy quarterbacks, he's barely a QB2. ... Santana Moss got himself back in order with seven catches for 82 yards and a touchdown last week. Despite the potential quarterback change, Moss has upside as a WR3. Quietly, he's eighth in the NFL in receptions. ... Chris Cooley met with the coaching staff this week to beg for more catches, a tactic that often works in the player's favor. He's never a good bet for a touchdown, but Cooley should deliver 5-6 grabs for 55-70 solid yards. ... Anthony Armstrong has found pay dirt just twice all season and would suffer the most if McNabb was pulled in-game for Rex Grossman. Armstrong is a WR4/5 this weekend.

Kansas City @ St. Louis

Matt Cassel is expected to start Sunday, just 10 days removed from an appendectomy. While it's good news for K.C. in that Cassel gives Steve Spagnuolo's defense something other than the run game to account for, the still-recovering quarterback won't be a top-15 fantasy option. Thursday practice watchers noticed Cassel struggling to contort his body, and the Chiefs won't put him in situations where Cassel is at risk of big hits. Sit Cassel, and perhaps consider him in Week 16 against the Titans if you're still scuffling for options. ... The Rams are getting killed by opposing No. 1 receivers recently, so with Cassel back Dwayne Bowe should be in lineups in the passing-friendly confines of the Edward Jones Dome. Opposing No. 1s have four TDs against St. Louis in the last three weeks, and no enemy No. 1 has under 61 yards in the Rams' last seven games.

A Week 14 shutout loss with Brodie Croyle under center shouldn't dissuade Jamaal Charles from starting their top-ten fantasy back. Highly susceptible to long runs -- Charles' bread and butter -- St. Louis' run defense is serving up 4.49 yards per carry and the eighth most 20-plus yard rushing attempts in the league. For Charles, there were also positive signs to glean from last week's clunker. Thomas Jones continued to be phased out of the offense with just three carries (for one yard), and Charles led the backfield in touches for a fifth straight week. Jones is averaging a miserable 3.17 yards per carry dating back to Week 8, so he's certainly not making a case for an increased workload. It's scary to think how fast Charles will look indoors on turf. He's confidently our No. 9 running back this week. ... An extremely run-heavy game plan is likely from the Chiefs, so avoid pass catchers behind Bowe. Tony Moeaki and Dexter McCluster should be benched.

Sam Bradford has scuffled in back-to-back games, compiling a 0:3 TD pass-to-interception ratio in two domed matchups with Arizona and New Orleans. The Chiefs are better in pass defense than their 22nd ranking indicates, but there's little sense in starting a struggling rookie quarterback in fantasy football. ... Perhaps because he's wearing down late in the year, generously-listed (5'11/186) slot man Danny Amendola has 32 scoreless yards combined in his last two games. Only playing 54.6 percent of St. Louis' offensive snaps, Amendola is no longer a WR3 option in any format. Look for more upside. ... Brandon Gibson also lacks a high ceiling, but he's at least been consistently mediocre with 54-plus receiving yards or a touchdown in five of his last six. He's a low-end WR3.

Danario Alexander has yet to top 23 offensive snaps in any game this season. For comparison's sake, Laurent Robinson hasn't played fewer than 50 since Week 6. Alexander can't be trusted in the fantasy playoffs. ... Whereas Bradford has come back to earth in the last two games, Steven Jackson has strung together perhaps his best two performances all season. Benefiting from the absence of Kenneth Darby (cracked ribs) in passing situations, Jackson tacked four catches for 38 yards onto a 6.0 yards-per-carry average against the Saints last week. The Chiefs only have a slightly above-average run defense, ranking 15th overall and serving up 4.28 yards a carry.

[SIZE=+1]4:05PM ET Game[/SIZE]

Atlanta @ Seattle

Coming soon.



[SIZE=+1]4:15PM ET Games[/SIZE]

NY Jets @ Pittsburgh

Many Jets and Steelers fantasy owners have expressed concern about participants in this game, and for good reason. Vegas projects it as the lowest scoring of Week 15, with each side sporting a top-four defense. Both also rank in the bottom six in points allowed. The Jets' passing game behind Santonio Holmes should be avoided, in particular. The Heinz Field high is 22 degrees with scattered snow showers, and an already struggling Mark Sanchez's weak arm makes for a poor fit in non-ideal conditions. ... The Jets keyed on increasing a struggling Dustin Keller's involvement in last week's loss to Miami, but it didn't pay off. Despite a season-high 12 targets, Keller managed 34 yards on three catches with two drops. He still hasn't scored since Week 4. Pittsburgh isn't generous to tight ends, so it's safe to sit Keller if you have someone like Owen Daniels in relief.

Braylon Edwards hasn't scored since Week 11, and is averaging 25.3 yards per game since. He's a WR4 in the final two fantasy weeks. ... Santonio Holmes has cooled off in his last three games, but I don't agree with Rosenthal and Wesseling that he should be out of the top-20 receivers this week. Steelers RCB Ike Taylor will be on Holmes for most of this one, and Holmes knows Taylor well from their days on the Pittsburgh practice field. With a massive edge in athleticism, Holmes should run circles around Taylor. ... We've seen time and time again this season that running backs should be avoided like the plague when they face Pittsburgh. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene are no exception, particularly without top run-blocker RT Damien Woody (knee).

Benefiting from another favorable matchup, Hines Ward turned in his second 100-plus yard game in three weeks against Bengals fill-in LCB Jonathan Wade's soft coverage last Sunday. The sledding gets more difficult this week against the Jets' top-nine pass defense, a unit surrendering the fourth fewest yards per pass attempt in the league. Darrelle Revis is more physical than Antonio Cromartie, and would therefore probably be the favorite to shadow Ward while Cromartie stays on deep threat Mike Wallace. Wallace remains the better fantasy option, averaging 91.5 yards compared to Ward's 45.5 in the last six games. ... Heath Miller is not expected to play after suffering a setback in his recovery from a concussion. It's not a big loss for the fantasy world.

Darrelle Revis tweaked his hamstring Thursday, which is plenty of reason to start Ben Roethlisberger over bottom-barrel backups like David Garrard and Kerry Collins. Though Revis is expected to play, it's worth recalling that he was a shell of himself while trying to play through a bum hammy earlier this season, getting burned all over the place. ... Rashard Mendenhall is a dicier play considering recent performance, matchup, and this game's low-scoring likelihood. His offensive line crumbling, Mendenhall is averaging 3.34 YPC in the last month with no scores in his last two games. The Jets have the third best run defense in the NFL, allowing the second fewest yards per carry in football. A misnomer in the fantasy playoffs: "Play the guys who got you here." No. Play the guys who give you the best chance to win. I'd play Jonathan Stewart over him.

Denver @ Oakland

With the firing of throw-happy coach Josh McDaniels and collapsing play of Kyle Orton, Denver's passing game has become a fantasy situation to avoid at the worst possible time. Orton has been the NFL's worst quarterback over the last two weeks (even Mark Sanchez and Jimmy Clausen have given their teams better chances to win), and was unable to uncork passes further than five yards downfield due to a "sore arm" and "sore ribs" in Wednesday and Thursday's practices. The Broncos may not make anything official until just before game time, but it appears Tim Tebow could make his first NFL start. ... Brandon Lloyd's production has unsurprisingly dipped along with Orton's, and Lloyd plays on the same side that typically squares off with Raiders RCB Nnamdi Asomugha. Such was the case in Raiders-Broncos Week 7, as Lloyd was held to one reception. The completion didn't take place until there were under seven minutes left in a 59-14 blowout.

More bad news for passing: The Oakland Tribune earlier this week predicted a "major weather event" at the Oakland Coliseum Sunday, and the forecast as of Thursday called for a 70 percent chance of showers. Rain doesn't always suffocate quarterbacks, but it's another reason to stay away. Eddie Royal and Jabar Gaffney definitely aren't on the radar. ... Knowshon Moreno should still be the centerpiece of Broncos interim coach Eric Studesville's Week 15 game plan. Set to take on Oakland's No. 26 run defense, Moreno is averaging 136.4 total yards with four scores in his last five games. He should safely be able to expect 25-plus touches on Sunday.

The Raiders have about as untrustworthy an offense as you can think of, so don't think that two straight games of 28-plus points is indicative of fantasy reliability. (And that Jason Campbell, Louis Murphy, etc. are solid plays.) The premier start on Oakland's side, of course, is Darren McFadden. DMC has received 18 or more touches nine times this season, and in those games has 10 touchdowns with an otherworldly average of 148.3 total yards. In a matchup with a Denver run defense that ranks 31st overall and has surrendered a league-high 19 rushing scores in 13 games, you couldn't name a better running back start in Week 15. ... The Raiders do not want to use a two-back committee, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise that Michael Bush received just five touches last week to McFadden's 19. Bush isn't worthy of flex consideration this week.

More Raiders coming soon.

[SIZE=+1]Sunday Night Football[/SIZE]

Green Bay @ New England

Perhaps because he's playing hurt, Charles Woodson has been a shell of himself this year, and it's not just because he isn't making big plays. According to Pro Football Focus, Woodson has allowed a 67 completion rate into his coverage over the last three games, despite matchups with the mostly meek passing attacks of Detroit, San Francisco, and Atlanta. He was cooked for a 44-yard bomb in Week 14. Woodson covers the slot against three-receiver sets, boding well for Wes Welker. A red-hot Welker is averaging eight grabs for 87 yards with four touchdowns in his last five games. ... Similarly on fire, Deion Branch's average line since Week 9 is 6/94/1. I'd never recommend sitting a wideout playing so well, but the only reason he's a poorer bet than Welker is because Branch is likely to see Packers shutdown RCB Tramon Williams for most of this one.

It's going to be chilly in Foxboro, but Tom Brady is unaffected. Credit Gregg Rosenthal for calling Brady this year's No. 1 fantasy QB in his preseason Bold Predictions. Through 13 games, he's exactly that. ... Only five teams have let up more yards to tight ends than Green Bay. Rob Gronkowski has traded good games with clunkers since midseason, but the matchup is right. ... Aaron Hernandez fell off the map in Week 10 at Pittsburgh, playing 28 percent of the snaps since. Gronk is at 87 percent. ... The Packers rank 19th in run defense and surrender 4.51 yards a carry. Averaging 90 yards in his last five games with five TDs in his last four, BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a rock-solid RB2. ... Throw out two plays against the Jets in Week 13, and Danny Woodhead is averaging 44 total yards in his last five games. Hopefully, you can do better in the fantasy playoffs.

The Gillette Stadium forecast calls for a 50-percent chance of snow and 11-14 MPH winds. While these are elements in which Tom Brady dominates, the same cannot be said for Packers likely starter Matt Flynn. Like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Mark Sanchez, Flynn's shortage of arm strength makes for a bad fit in anything less than ideal conditions. I'd expect the Pats to dial up heavy pressure, blitzing both the run and pass relentlessy in a home game against a first-time NFL starter. Playing the pass extremely well in their last two games, Bill Belichick's defense is going to make it awfully tough on the Green Bay offense. ... Consider Greg Jennings more of a low-end WR2 than the high-end WR1 he played like in Weeks 6-13. I can promise you this: Jennings will be open. He runs the majority of his routes down the left sideline, an area at which New England is vulnerable. Patriots RCB Kyle Arrington is no match for Jennings, even with safety help.

Andrew Quarless was the only pass catcher Flynn seemed to demonstrate a legitimate rapport with last week, with the two hooking up five times for 62 yards on six targets. Quarless is a desperation play, but there are plenty of tight end-desperate owners out there. ... Donald Driver won't be an option the rest of the way. ... James Jones and Jordy Nelson need Aaron Rodgers to succeed. ... Brandon Jackson started over James Starks last week, and also saw one more carry. The Packers probably left Jackson in for the majority of the game because he's a better pass protector for the inexperienced QB. Regardless, avoid Green Bay's backfield. Lesson learned.

[SIZE=+1]Monday Night Football[/SIZE]

Chicago @ Minnesota

I went on and on about Joe Webb in this column's intro, but it's worth mentioning that he gets a fairly significant downgrade in PPR leagues in a receiver slot. Webb has virtually no chance to catch passes. ... Say you are in a non-PPR league (where Webb has the most value), and you're deciding between Webb and Sidney Rice. Factor in all the ways for a running quarterback to rack up fantasy points, and also the fact that Rice is dependent on Webb. Sure, quarterbacks are more susceptible to turnovers than wideouts, but realistically, who do you think will score more? ... I absolutely love Percy Harvin and have recommended him all year, but he's not worth waiting for in the fantasy semi-finals with 44 receiving yards and two migraines since Week 10, plus a rookie at quarterback. Rice is the only Vikings pass catcher worth a Week 15 look.

Adrian Peterson's Week 14 game left much to be desired on the stat sheet. He had little room to run with LG Steve Hutchinson (hand) inactive, and an inept Tarvaris Jackson generating no ball movement. The fantasy playoffs are no time to bench the best runner in football, however, and certainly not against a Chicago team he routinely dominates. In seven career meetings with the Bears, A.P. has 11 touchdowns with an average of 129 total yards per game and 5.03 yards per carry. Certain to be the focal point of Minnesota's game plan with the passing attack scuffling, owners shouldn't think twice about using Peterson on Monday night. ... Visanthe Shiancoe, on the other hand, is a poor bet with tight ends around the league like Owen Daniels and Zach Miller getting healthier. Averaging 25.6 yards per game dating back to Week 2, Shiancoe needs touchdowns to matter in fantasy. The Bears have allowed two tight ends to find pay dirt all year.

HacheMan · Dec 19, 2010

Weeks 15's Injury Questions The Redskins are in worse shape than the Clippers. Yes, one of the NFL's most legendary franchises is lower on the totem pole than an NBA team whose owner heckles his own players during games. At least the Clippers have some good young talent on the rise. The Redskins have overpaid old talent on the decline.

Exhibit A is Albert Haynesworth, of course. But Exhibit A1 is Donovan McNabb. Did it ever occur to the Redskins the Eagles might know what they are doing? When they are willing to trade McNabb in the division, that would be a red flag to most logical people, no? Perhaps McNabb can't play anymore?

Coach Mike Shanahan found out firsthand. Yes, his ego is probably getting the better of him here. By benching McNabb and starting Rex Grossman, he is essentially blaming McNabb for this season's laughable results. But the fact remains that McNabb is a liability. I would not downgrade Ryan Torain, Chris Cooley or even Santana Moss too much with Grossman under center.

Be smart with your squad in Week 15. Check out the Rotoworld News Page all morning for the latest information on all the game-time decisions. Also, be sure to use the rankings from Gregg Rosenthal/Chris Wesseling in combination with Evan Silva's matchup column and you'll be good to go.

If you're looking to start over, you can get a new team via SnapDraft right now.

I've got you covered with the latest injury news right here.

<BIG>1 P.M. GAMES</BIG>
CHIEFS at RAMS
* Matt Cassel (appendectomy) is tentatively expected to start. Look for a run heavy attack, with play-action passes to Dwayne Bowe.

BILLS at DOLPHINS
* Lee Evans (ankle) is done for the year. Look for Stevie Johnson to get the vast majority of receiver targets.
www.therx.ws
BROWNS at BENGALS
* Chad Ochocinco (ankle) is going to play as a low-upside WR3 despite a midweek scare.
* Terrell Owens (knee) is also ready to go.
* Colt McCoy (ankle) is ready to return. Downgrade Mohammed Massaquoi.
* Evan Moore (hip) is out. Ben Watson is a decent desperation tight end.

JAGUARS at COLTS
* David Garrard (hamstring) is expected to play, but there appears to be real concern here.
* Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) is listed as questionable, but does not appear in real danger of being limited in the game.
* Austin Collie (concussion) is back. Blair White is not an option.
* Jacob Tamme (knee) is fine despite a questionable tag. Start him as an elite tight end.
* Joseph Addai (neck) is still not expected back. Donald Brown and Javarris James are low-end options once again with Mike Hart (ankle) still sidelined.

TEXANS at TITANS
* Neil Rackers (hamstring) is a full go despite some missed practice time.

REDSKINS at COWBOYS
* Ryan Torain (hamstring) practiced in full all week. His questionable tag is a joke.
* Rex Grossman is starting in place of a healthy Donovan McNabb. See above.
* Roy Williams (groin) is a true game-time decision that should be avoided in fantasy.
* Marion Barber (calf) is tentatively expected to play and could steal some carries back from Tashard Choice.

EAGLES at GIANTS
* DeSean Jackson (foot) is fine despite some missed practice time.
* Steve Smith (knee) is out for the season. Mario Manningham (hip) is ready to fill his role.
* Hakeem Nicks (leg) is not even on the injury report.

CARDINALS at PANTHERS
* John Skelton will start once again.
* Beanie Wells (flu) is back to full strength and ready to steal some carries from Tim Hightower.

LIONS at BUCS
* Jahvid Best (toe) is back on the injury report as probable, expected to split carries evenly again with Maurice Morris.
* Shaun Hill (finger) is not ready yet. Drew Stanton gets another start.

SAINTS at RAVENS
* Chris Ivory (hamstring) is a game-time decision, but it is not looking good. Pierre Thomas gets a boost.
* Todd Heap (thigh) is out again. Last week proved that backup Ed Dickson is not an option.
* Willis McGhee is sick, leaving him off the fantasy radar.

<BIG>4 P.M. GAMES</BIG>
FALCONS at SEAHAWKS
* Jason Snelling (hamstring) is expected to return to his backup role.
* Ben Obomanu (hand) and Mike Williams (ankle) are both expected back, but this is a desperation zone only for fantasy owners.

JETS at STEELERS
* Heath Miller (concussion) will likely be held out one more week.

BRONCOS at RAIDERS
* Kyle Orton (arm, ribs) is a true game-time decision. There is a good chance Tim Tebow will make his first NFL start, making Brandon Lloyd a very risky proposition. Lloyd is expected to see plenty of Nnamdi Asomugha regardless.
* Zach Miller (ankle) is finally practicing fully again and looking healthy. He is back to TE1 consideration.

<BIG>SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL</BIG>
PACKERS at PATRIOTS
* Aaron Rodgers (concussion) is out, meaning Matt Flynn will start. He prepared all week as the starter and despite the tough spot, he should be improved.
* Donald Driver (quad, hand) is not even on the injury report. Bad news for James Jones.
* Aaron Hernandez (flu) is questionable. He is playing limited snaps lately anyway, leaving him off the fantasy radar.

<BIG>MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL</BIG>
BEARS at VIKINGS
* This game will be played outside at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The forecast is calling for 20 degree temperatures and a chance of snow showers.
* Chester Taylor (knee) is ready to go as the goal-line back.
* Brett Favre (shoulder) is out. Joe Webb, who has WR eligibility in Yahoo leagues, will get the nod.
* Adrian Peterson (ankle, knee) is a full go.
* Percy Harvin (migraines) is ready to go as a low upside play.

SURVIVOR PICK OF THE WEEK
There are people out there that are somehow still in Survivor. Pretty incredible. From what I can gather, some teams people have left include Dallas, Atlanta and Oakland.

I would use the Raiders this week even if Kyle Orton starts. The Raiders are 4-2 at home while the Broncos are 1-6 on the road. This is also the Broncos' third straight road game, which really wears on a team.

The Falcons look like a trap spot to me. They are a notoriously uneven road team going all the way across the country while riding a seven-game winning streak. It's also their third straight road game and they may be looking ahead to a showdown with the Saints in Week 16. Although the Seahawks are awful, they have one of the biggest home field advantages in the league. Seattle is 4-2 this year at Qwest Field.

MY TOUGHEST DECISION OF THE WEEK
A bunch of my toughest decisions came down to Joe Webb. In almost all cases, I went with Webb as a WR in my lineup, as explained over on Pancake Blocks.

Outside of the Webb conundrum, my toughest lineup call was in the Buffalo Wild Wings 12-team "expert" league. I am in the semifinals and have a healthy 36 point lead after the first leg of my semifinal matchup. However, my WR3 spot is in shambles. I had Dez Bryant in there most of the year, James Jones at times and Blair White last week. But with Dez hurt, Austin Collie back and Matt Flynn/Donald Driver starting, it's a major trouble spot.

My choices came down to James Jones, Braylon Edwards, Jabar Gaffney and Jacoby Jones. Yikes. When faced with a desperation play like this, I usually simply go with the guy that has the best chance for a touchdown. In this case, the Texans/Titans games figures to be the highest scoring, so I went with Jacoby. He is still playing behind Kevin Walter still, has a touchdown in two straight games and a two-point conversion last week.

HacheMan · Dec 20, 2010

Foster's Hangover
Arian Foster, ankle

Early Outlook: Foster (11 carries for 15 yards, six catches for 46 yards) left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter and did not return.

Fantasy Impact: Gary Kubiak was noncommittal about Foster's status after Sunday's game, telling the Texans' website, "I'll have to see." Foster and the Texans have a tremendous matchup against the Broncos in Week 16, but fantasy's No. 1 RB is, at least for the moment, a question mark for that game. Pending further updates, Derrick Ward has the potential to become a must-add off the waiver wire this week.

Terrell Owens, knee/drama

Early Outlook: Owens is done for the year due to a torn left meniscus. He's also, after agitating Bengals management, likely done in Cincinnati.

Fantasy Impact: With T.O. out of consideration, Andre Caldwell (four catches, 89 yards) suddenly becomes relevant, though he has a tough matchup with the Chargers secondary in Week 16.

Austin Collie, concussion

Early Outlook: Collie (eight catches, 87 yards, two TDs) left in the second quarter on Sunday after sustaining yet another concussion, with early indications being that this could end his season.

Fantasy Impact: Collie looked tremendous in his first action since Week 11, and was en route to an enormous day before the injury. Blair White (one catch, 16 yards) takes over Collie's spot, but can't come close to replicating his productivity.

Knowshon Moreno, side

Early Outlook: Moreno (four carries, five yards) left Sunday's game with a side injury in the first quarter and didn't return.

Fantasy Impact: Brutal break for fantasy owners, and no word yet on Moreno's availability for Week 16. Lance Ball (15 carries, 20 yards) and Correll Buckhalter (six carries, three yards) did nothing to inspire confidence in Knowshon's absence.

Maurice Jones-Drew, knee?

Early Outlook: Jones- Drew (15 carries, 46 yards; two catches, 22 yards) had his streak of five straight 100-yard games broken and was on the sideline watching for the Jaguars' final two drives.

Fantasy Impact: MJD claimed after the game that his absence wasn't related to the knee injury that limited him during the week, but it's possible he wasn't being entirely truthful. Though it would be a surprise if he doesn't play next Sunday, his situation warrants monitoring during the week.

Mike Sims-Walker, ankle

Early Outlook: MSW (four catches, 42 yards, two TDs) left in the first quarter with an ankle injury, but later returned.

Fantasy Impact: This was the same leg that previously sustained a high ankle sprain, but the Jags WR appears to have avoided serious injury. Though the ankle could swell up and limit him this week, for now fantasy owners should be optimistic that Sims-Walker will be available for Week 16.

Jamaal Charles, leg cramps

Early Outlook: Charles left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be leg cramps at the end of a game-sealing 80-yard run.

Fantasy Impact: Charles had dealt with cramps earlier in the game, and it appears that this was simply a recurrence of the same issue. This doesn't look like any cause for concern.

David Garrard, fingers

Early Outlook: Per beat writer Tania Ganguli, Garrard had X-rays on the fingers on his right (throwing) hand after Week 15.

Fantasy Impact: Garrard reportedly said that his fingers are "OK," so fantasy owners should expect him to be available for Week 16.

Drew Stanton, hand

Early Outlook: Stanton went to the locker room with an apparent hand injury near the end of the first half, but didn't miss a snap.

Fantasy Impact: Not a significant issue, but with Shaun Hill (finger) potentially returning in Week 15, Stanton's run of limited relevance is likely over.

Editor's note: You can get our Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and playoff rankings, and Chris Wesseling's Dynasty league coverage – all for just $4.99.

Early Doucet, hip

Early Outlook: Doucet (one catch, eight yards) was carted off due to a left hip injury on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: Andre Roberts took over but didn't record a catch, and the Cardinals' offense clearly isn't proficient enough to support a third receiver, regardless of who's healthy.

HacheMan · Dec 20, 2010

Sweet Smell of Vick-tory
According to ColdHardFootballFacts.com, the Eagles entered Week 15 with an NFL-best 58 big plays in 13 games, an average of 4.5 game-changing explosions per week. After the Giants smothered Michael Vick & Co. for 52 and a half minutes, Philly's offense erupted for four plays of 30+ yards in the fourth quarter alone. In the final eight minutes, Vick was 6-of-11 for 121 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding 94 yards and another score on four scrambles.

Vick was at his unparalleled best, demoralizing his opponent. On six first-half plays where the Giants brought seven or more pass-rushers, Vick managed just a five-yard completion to Jeremy Maclin. When the Giants sent the house in the fourth quarter, Vick scrambled away for huge gains of 22, 33, and 35 yards. "That's as frustrating as it gets to ... a defensive team, to be in position and to be doing what your responsibilities are, and the quarterback just slithers his way out of there or he ducks down, or however he did it," a dejected coach Tom Coughlin said after the game.

Vick's unstoppable performance left teammate Asante Samuel exclaiming, "You can't even write a movie like that." It was just the ninth time in NFL history that a team has come back from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to win. The 28 fourth-quarter points also set a franchise record.
www.therx.ws
The 130 yards rushing were more than all but four running backs Sunday -- and a reminder that no franchise does running quarterbacks like the Philadelphia Eagles. Randall Cunningham (1988, 1990) and Donovan McNabb (2000) are the only two quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for 3,000 yards and 20 TDs while also scrambling for 600 yards and five rushing TDs in a single season. With 245 more passing yards, Vick will join that dynamic duo.

The Eagles are now 8-1 in games Vick has started and finished, averaging 30.0 points per outing. His lowest passer rating in a game this season is 83.0, which is higher than any seasonal rating he posted in six seasons with the Falcons. In 71 starts in Atlanta, Vick threw three touchdown passes of 45+ yards. In 10 starts in Philadelphia, Vick has already tossed eight touchdowns of 45+ yards. It's a testament to the Eagles' explosive weaponry and Vick's vast improvement as a pocket passer.

Sunday's game was the perfect example of why Vick can never be sat in fantasy leagues regardless of matchup. You simply cannot let the potential of one player carrying your team to victory go unused on a weekly basis. Despite missing three starts and going half-way in two other games, Vick is in a virtual three-way tie with Drew Brees and Philip Rivers for first place in quarterback fantasy points. His 29.7 points per week are nearly six points more than second-place Aaron Rodgers' second-place mark of 24 per game. I'm taking Vick into the fantasy finals in three of my four redraft leagues, and I bet that's the case with the majority of Vick owners. The playing field won't be level in championship week.

Editor's Note: You can get our Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and playoff rankings, and Chris Wesseling's Dynasty league coverage -- all for just $4.99.

[SIZE=+1]Game Balls[/SIZE]

Ray Rice - Future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis challenged his offense Saturday night in a team meeting to set a physical tone. "Ray said if we're going to run the ball, then run it – and let's not stop running it until they stop us," Rice said. "I got his message." After some veterans privately questioned Cam Cameron's play-calling, the offensive coordinator finally got the ball in his best player's hands for a career-high 36 touches.

Held under 100 rushing yards in all but one game this season, Rice broke out for 153 rushing yards and a touchdown on 31 carries while adding five receptions for 80 yards and another score. Without a run longer than 30 yards on the season, Rice finally broke free for a 50-yarder while adding a 32-yard screen pass that featured seven broken tackles. As ESPN's John Clayton points out, the key to Rice's big day was running up the middle. He had averaged just 3.9 yards per carry up the gut coming into the game. That number jumped to 6.9 when the Saints had seven or fewer defenders in the box Sunday. "We had probably broken more tackles than we've ever had," coach John Harbaugh said. "I thought that Rice and Willis McGahee ran really hard and I thought our offensive line finished blocks. We moved people and finished blocks." Expect Rice to remain the offensive focal point at Cleveland in Week 16.

Jamaal Charles - Tied for 15th in the NFL in rushing attempts (203), Charles has vaulted to third in rushing yards -- only 40 behind leader Arian Foster. Buoyed by a career-long 80-yard run in the fourth quarter, Charles averaged 10.9 yards per on 14 touches at St. Louis. In his last 17 games, JC Superstar has 1,961 rushing yards for an preposterous average of 6.6 per carry. He's up to eighth among running backs in fantasy points.

Larry Fitzgerald - Cardinals quarterbacks have combined for a 50.5 completion rate, 5.9 yards per attempt, an 8:17 TD-to-INT ratio, and a passer rating below 60. The putrid passing hasn't stopped Fitz from catching fire, however, with double-digit targets in an incredible nine straight games. Here's a stat you won't believe: Despite the knee sprain to open the sesson, Fitzgerald is averaging more yards per game (70.4) this year than he did last year with Kurt Warner (68.3). Barring the unexpected, he's going to hit 90 receptions and 1,100 yards for the fourth straight season and fifth in the past six. Fitzgerald (27 years, 110 days old) is the youngest player in NFL history to reach 600 receptions and the second-youngest (8,053) to record 8,000 receiving yards behind Randy Moss (26 years, 297 days).

Calvin Johnson - Nine of Megatron's 10 catches went for first downs, and he was clutch on the Lions' critical final two possessions. "They have a ridiculously tough dude to deal with and we didn't deal with him very well,'' admitted cornerback Ronde Barber. With a 73/1,068/12 line, Calvin is second only to Brandon Lloyd in wide receiver fantasy points.

Mike Wallace - Wallace was expected to spend the afternoon stranded on Revis Island, but the shutdown corner shadowed Hines Ward instead. Wallace has proven to be matchup proof, regardless, beating all corners this year. Fantasy's No. 10 receiver is enjoying a true breakout season with 1,048 yards and eight scores. He (91) and DeSean Jackson (84) are the only fantasy receivers in the top-20 with fewer than 100 targets.

Brandon Marshall - If checkdown artist Chad Henne had found an open Marshall on fly routes down the field, this could have been a 200-yard performance. Instead, Henne dumped off to Marshall, who bodied up CB Drayton Florence on a string of horizontal receptions. The majority of Marshall owners are sitting at home for the fantasy playoffs. Those still in contention have the luxury of a tasty matchup against the Lions in Week 16.

Jonathan Stewart - After averaging 118 yards in five games to close out last season, Stewart has averaged 115 over the past month since returning from a concussion. With a per carry average of 5.48 yards over that same span, Stewart is running as well as any back in the NFL. The irresistible force meets an immovable object Thursday night when Stewart travels to Pittsburgh to take on a defense surrendering just 3.0 yards per carry and 24 yards fewer per game than any other team.

The Babineaux Family - Safety Jordan of the Seahawks picked off Matt Ryan only to be upstaged by his brother the next quarter. Jonathan recovered a Matt Hasselbeck fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, the pivotal play in a game that had been tight to that point.



[SIZE=+1]Committee Time[/SIZE]

1. Chiefs - There's no reliable usage pattern here. Jamaal Charles (11-126, 3-27, 1 TD) had been dominating the workload of late, only to see half the carries of Thomas Jones (22-62, 1-16, 1 TD) in Week 15. To nobody's surprise, Charles still doubled Jones' production. With no established goal-line horse, both backs scored 2-yard touchdowns. Charles is up to eighth in running back fantasy points on the season.

2. Colts - Where did this come from? The Jags defense left plenty of holes for Donald Brown (14-129, 1-4, TD), and he even managed to break a few tackles in the best performance of career. Javarris James (1-0), who had outplayed Brown of late, had just one failed short-yardage conversion. Two weeks after signing, Dominic Rhodes (9-26, 1-4) leapfrogged him for the second spot on the depth chart with Mike Hart and Joseph Addai sidelined.

3. Cowboys - Tashard Choice (15-53, 4-31, TD) had three more carries than Felix Jones (12-70, 2-47) and saw the majority of the red zone work as well. Jones continues to mix big plays with minor nicks and pains, missing a few plays with a lower leg injury. Marion Barber's status is up in the air for Week 16, though I suspect Choice's role will be unaffected. He's playing too well to bench.

4. Giants - Brandon Jacobs (12-34) started and took the first two carries, but Ahmad Bradshaw (19-66, 2-14) remains the clear lead back. The Giants' play-calling turned predictable with an early lead, allowing the Eagles to stack the box against both backs. Bradshaw is just a low-end RB2 option next week against a Packers defense that allows the 29th-most fantasy points to opposing backs.

5. Chargers - Pay no attention to the numbers. Ryan Mathews (17-56) started, but Mike Tolbert (17-46, TD) saw the next eight carries, acting as the clear feature back until the game was in the bag. Tolbert can be played as a RB2 option against the Bengals. Mathews should be left on fantasy benches.

6. Saints - With Chris Ivory out, there was no clear-cut No. 1 back. The Saints were quick to abandon the rushing attack after Pierre Thomas (7-20) received four of the team's first seven carries. Reggie Bush (11-32) appears to be running in quicksand, and Julius Jones (4-11) played only as a change of pace back. Ivory's status will be in question again this week, though Thomas remains untrustworthy regardless.

7. Jets - LaDainian Tomlinson (11-49, 1-6) and Shonn Greene (12-40, 1-5) both ran well against the Steelers' vaunted front seven. They continue to split touches right down the middle, though, killing any semblance of fantasy value.

8. Cardinals - We warned last week not to overreact to Tim Hightower's garbage-time stats inflated against a Broncos defense that hard already rolled over for the game. Hightower (6-16, 3-12) was not only held under 3.0 YPC, he also had fewer carries than an even more ineffective Beanie Wells (8-11). This backfield is fantasy kryptonite.

9. Dolphins - Ronnie Brown (10-39, 1-3, 1 TD) at least managed the one score, but far more was expected against the league's worst run defense. The Dolphins' offensive line is simply not creating running lanes. Though Ricky Williams (7-19, 5-34) was a non-factor on the ground, he capitalized on Chad Henne's checkdown tendencies. Even in another plus matchup against the Lions next week, it's going to be hard to trust either back.

10. Lions - Maurice Morris (15-109, 3-10, 1 TD) took advantage of an injury-depleted Bucs defense that put on a poor tackling display. Between the lingering turf toe and Tampa Bay's grass surface, Jahvid Best (6-12) was thoroughly outplayed by Morris. Both backs should be benched next week against a Miami defense crippling opposing ground games over the past month.

Falling Out: Packers (Brandon Jackson), 49ers (Thursday game)

Already Graduated: Bears (Matt Forte), Eagles (LeSean McCoy), Browns (Peyton Hillis), Bills (Fred Jackson), Buccaneers (LeGarrette Blount), Seahawks (Marshawn Lynch), Panthers (Jonathan Stewart), Raiders (Darren McFadden), Redskins (Ryan Torain)

Editor's Note: Pick a new fantasy team just for today and win real cash with Snapdraft!

[SIZE=+1]Injury Ward[/SIZE]

Check out Matt Stroup's "Foster's Hangover" for in-depth analysis of Sunday's M*A*S*H unit fallout.

Arian Foster, Texans - Ankle
Austin Collie, Colts - Concussion
Knowshon Moreno, Broncos - Ribs
David Garrard, Jaguars - Fingers
Terrell Owens, Bengals - Knee
Early Doucet, Cardinals - Hip
LaRod Stephens-Howling - Hamstring
Nate Allen, Eagles - Knee
Brian Orakpo, Redskins - Groin, Hamstring
Jabari Greer, Saints - Knee
Gerald Sensabaugh, Cowboys - Concussion
Sean Lee, Cowboys - Concussion



[SIZE=+1]Awards Section[/SIZE]

Stat of the Week: DeSean Jackson became the first player in NFL history with a game-winning punt-return touchdown as time expired. He also became just the second player ever (Redskins' Dick Todd 1939-41) with a touchdown receiving, rushing, and on punt returns in each of his first three seasons.

Runner-Up: In his first NFL start Tim Tebow became just the third player in NFL history (Michael Vick, Kordell Stewart) to record a TD pass of at least 30 yards and a TD run of at least 40 yards in the same game. Tebow's 78 rushing yards are the second-most by a Broncos QB behind Norris Weese's 120 against the Bears in 1976.

Second Runner-Up: Steve Breaston's fumble recovery in the end zone was the Cardinals' lone touchdown in a 19-12 loss. Far more interesting, it was Arizona's seventh touchdown off a fumble recovery this season. No other team in the league has more than one.

Second Runner-Up:

Quote of the Week: Panthers CB R.J. Sanford, after being promoted from the practice squad Thursday: "Don't tell my mom. She's going to want more Christmas presents."

Runner-Up: Terrell Owens on the state of the Bengals: "I think there's underachieving from the top down. You start with the owner, you start with the coaches. And obviously we as players, we are a product of what the coaches are coaching us throughout the course of the week. Of course, we have to go out there and play the game. But in order for us to do what we're allowed to do at the best of our abilities, the coaches have to put the players in the best position."

Tweet of the Week: From Eagles fan @jasonbostick on the Redskins' quarterback change: "Poor Don (McNabb). It's like watching an ex turn into an alcoholic right after you break up with her or something. Sad."

Runner-Up: From Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson: "Danny Woodhead, John Kuhn, Peyton Hillis. … this season has been like watching the NFL in the 1950s."

Second Runner-Up:

Fantasy MVP of Week 15: Michael Vick, Eagles
Fantasy Breakout Player of Week 15: Vincent Jackson, Chargers
Fantasy Rookie of Week 15: LeGarrette Blount / Mike Williams, Buccaneers
Fantasy Disappointment of Week 15: Arian Foster, Texans / Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
Fantasy Fraud of Week 15: Tim Hightower, Cardinals
Fantasy Fluke of Week 15: Maurice Morris, Lions

[SIZE=+1]Fine Fifteen Fantasy Offenses[/SIZE]

1. Eagles - Eagles 8-1 in games Vick has started and finished, averaging exactly 30 PPG.
2. Colts - Blair White lacks Collie's big-play potential in the slot.
3. Patriots - Brady now has NFL record 292 passes without an INT.
4. Chargers - Bolts hope long layoff helps Floyd get over hamstring injury.
5. Giants - Eli already has a career-high in TD passes.
6. Texans - Arian Foster's comments suggest he'll be fine for Week 16.
7. Saints - Brees joins Manning as only 2 QBs with 5 straight 4,000-yard seasons.
8. Falcons - Gonzalez is first player in NFL history to collect 60-plus catches in 12 consecutive seasons
9. Cowboys - Jason Witten became the fastest tight end in history to reach 600 receptions.
10. Packers - Rodgers no guarantee to return vs. Giants this week.
11. Ravens - Finally putting the ball in their best player's hands.
12. Steelers - Emmanuel Sanders emerging as another weapon for Big Ben.
13. Chiefs - Thomas Jones is the first player in history to rush for 10,000 yards playing for at least five different teams.
14. Jaguars - Garrard has broken Mark Brunell's franchise record with 22 passing TDs.
15. Redskins - We all owe Kyle Shanahan an apology. Grossman posted his 2nd career 300-yard game and four-TD game.

Falling Out: Broncos

[SIZE=+1]Fantasy Boosts Reality[/SIZE]

An estimated 29 million Americans now play in fantasy football leagues, boosting the NFL's television ratings in the league's most watched season of all-time. As this article explains, the rooting interest in players scattered around the league means that fans no longer tune in just to see their hometown team. As this article points out, 18 of the 20 highest-rated telecasts this television season have been NFL games on network TV. The number of women playing fantasy football and tuning in every Sunday is skyrocketing.

[SIZE=+1]Theismann Watch[/SIZE]

An angry Steelers team is going to take apart the 2-12 Panthers at Heinz Field. Lucky us, more of Joe Theismann and Matt Millen filibustering through three quarters of garbage time.

[SIZE=+1]Week 16 Clash of the Titans[/SIZE]

Giants @ Packers Elimination Bowl? The winner is in the driver's seat for the final NFC wild card berth. The loser is in big trouble.

Jets @ Bears: Neither team is as good as its record, but this should be a fun, hard-hitting game to watch at Soldier Field.

Saints @ Falcons: Saints looking for revenge, but the Falcons will still wrap up the NFC South against Carolina in Week 17.

49ers @ Rams: All four teams in the NFC West lost Sunday to ensure that the division winner will not have a winning record. If the Seahawks lose at Tampa next week, the 5-9 49ers amazingly control their own destiny.

[SIZE=+1]Early Waiver Look[/SIZE]

QB: Shaun Hill, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Rex Grossman, Matt Flynn, Charlie Whitehurst
RB: Derrick Ward, Lance Ball, Donald Brown, Rashad Jennings, Dimitri Nance
WR: Anthony Armstrong, Blair White, Josh Morgan, Andre Caldwell, Kevin Walter, David Nelson, Emmanuel Sanders
TE: Ben Watson, Jimmy Graham, Jared Cook, Randy McMichael

For an in-depth look at this week's top waiver options, my Waiver Wired column will run on Tuesday afternoons throughout the season.

HacheMan · Dec 21, 2010

Final Answer?
Most logical people around the globe thought that Bills linebacker Arthur Moats would be the answer to the "Who ended Brett Favre's career?" trivia question. But in the end, the answer, Alex, will be Bears defensive end Corey Wootten.

In the second quarter of Monday Night's loss to the Bears, Wootten slammed Favre to the rock-hard artificial turf at the University of Minnesota. Favre's head slammed against the ground, knocking him out for the game. Most likely, that will mark the end of Favre's remarkable career.

I only say "most likely" because of what happened earlier Monday. Favre, who was listed as "out" by the Vikings on the official injury report, suddenly upgraded him to "questionable" about seven hours before kickoff. It was an unprecedented move that came straight out of left field. It fit Favre's drama king reputation perfectly.

All this leads us back to Joe Webb, whose wide receiver eligibility led to so much controversy in Yahoo leagues this week. Webb looked completely unprepared in his 2 1/2 quarters of action, showing an inability to read defenses, look off safeties or complete throws with touch. But he still scored 10.9 fantasy points. It shows how valuable Webb is at the WR spot, assuming he gets another start in Week 16. That's a big assumption, however, because Webb was so bad that the Vikings may want to get Patrick Ramsey ready to take on the Eagles' aggressive defense.

Bears vs. Vikings quick slants
The other major story of the day was the stunning deactivation of Adrian Peterson (ankle). It's a reminder that we are late in the season and teams not in the playoff hunt will hold dinged players out. Handcuffing your stars is a necessity of the final two weeks. ... Congratulations to Devin Hester for setting the NFL record with his 14th career return touchdown. He also had a receiving touchdown for good measure. ... Percy Harvin (migraines) was back and looked healthy. But he can't be trusted if Joe Webb starts next week. Same can be said for Sidney Rice. ... Chester Taylor was called upon for goal-line chances, but could not convert as usual. ... The Bears clinched the NFC North with the win.

<BIG>HEADLINERS</BIG>
NEWS OF THE DAY #1
Many owners' title dreams died with Arian Foster's dud on Sunday. But if you made it through despite the 61-yard, no touchdown performance from the breakout star, we have some good news.

First of all, the Texans play the Broncos and their No. 31 rush defense Sunday. And more importantly, Foster appears to be healthy despite sitting out the final 10 minutes of Sunday's loss to the Titans.

The league's leading rusher is dealing with both ankle and glute issues. But the Houston Chronicle reports that Foster is expected to play even though the Texans gave no definitive word. Add Derrick Ward while you can, but Foster's arrow is pointing back up.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
It was a scary scene on Sunday as Austin Collie suffered another concussion. It was the third time this season he has left a game either due to a concussion or concussion-like symptoms. The situation clearly wasn't all the way healed heading into Sunday as Collie wore a dark visor due to light sensitivity.

Before the latest blow against the Jaguars, Collie was on fire. He piled up eight catches and two touchdowns on 10 targets while dominating the game. Blair White came in and played the exact same position, but Peyton Manning barely glance his way. It's clear that Collie is the far superior talent in all facets and Manning trusts him like no other.

Although the Colts are ruling Collie out for the season, beat writers are speculating that he's done. It would appear to be medically irresponsible to put Collie back out there. Look for Jacob Tamme and Pierre Garcon to get a boost in targets over the final two weeks.

<BIG>MONDAY QUICK SLANTS</BIG>
DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Matt Hasselbeck will remain the Seahawks starter in Week 16. ... Tim Tebow is fully expected to start the final two weeks. ... Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Tim Hightower would not be punished for his latest fumble. The Cardinals backfield remains one to avoid. ... Randy Moss played just a handful of snaps Sunday.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
Andre Caldwell is expected to start at flanker the rest of the way. ... Chad Ochocinco played limited snaps last week as the Bengals get a look at Jerome Simpson. ... John Skelton remains the Cardinals starter. ... Aaron Hernandez's usage went up to 36 percent of snaps Sunday night. It is impossible to predict his big games. ... Garrett Hartley has made 13 of his last 14 field goals. ... Fred Jackson is being asked to chip on almost all passing downs, limited his pass-catching upside.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Knowshon Moreno (ribs) is listed as questionable. Lance Ball would be the add for desperate owners. ... Malcom Floyd (hamstring) is tentatively expected back this week. It would be a glancing blow to Vincent Jackson. ... Antonio Gates (foot) is not realistically expected back until the playoffs. ... Terrell Owens (knee) is done for the season. ... Heath Miller (concussion) should be ready for Thursday. ... The Packers will not provide an update on Aaron Rodgers (concussion) until Wednesday.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
Tony Romo (collarbone) is behind in his recovery. He is an extreme longshot to play again this season. ... Drew Stanton (shoulder) is in doubt while Shaun Hill (finger) appears ready. ... Todd Heap (hamstring) is expected to play again this season. ... Jamaal Charles was just cramping late Sunday. He should be fine. ... Maurice Jones-Drew said his knee was not the reason he sat out the final couple drives Sunday. We'll see.

<BIG>WAIVERS</BIG>
DEFENSIVE SPOT STARTS
Adding a different defense each week based on matchups is a fine strategy. Each week in this space, I'll give out defensive units that are likely available in your league to consider for streaming purposes.

1. CHARGERS at Bengals: San Diego's backs remain against the wall in the playoff hunt and they have had a long week to prepare for this one. The Bengals will have a hobbled Chad Ochocinco, no Terrell Owens and a weekly pick-six candidate in Carson Palmer.

2. BUCS vs. Seahawks: Tampa can't stop the run, but that's okay because Seattle can't run the ball. With Tampa coming off an ugly home loss and Seattle traveling across the country, this is a good spot for Tampa's defense to rise up.

3. COWBOYS at Cardinals: Even though the Cowboys' pass defense is in absolute shambles as Rex Grossman proved last week, they still make plays. The unit recovered a fumble, picked off two passes and racked up five sacks in Week 15. John Skelton is much worse than Rex Grossman.

HacheMan · Dec 21, 2010

The Peterson Principle
It's safe to say we can add the Leslie Frazier Vikings to the list of teams that can't be trusted on the injury report. Brett Favre is the first player Rotoworld can remember being upgraded from "out" to "questionable," much less on game day itself. While that turn of events manufactured the obligatory game-time drama accompanying Favre, it was Adrian Peterson bowing out with a thigh/knee injury that turned out to be the true shocker.

The last-minute change of plans caught many owners astonished and unprepared for a follow-up move. That's perfectly understandable considering the optimism coming from Frazier and the dismissive manner in which the Vikes beat writers treated Peterson's nagging injuries. On the other hand, there's really no excuse other than shallow rosters not to have Toby Gerhart on hand to plug in at the last minute.

The Peterson predicament, then, is another useful reminder that handcuffs are all-important at this time of the year. If you've yet to do so, it's time to drop your low-upside timeshare backs, second quarterback, or fifth receiver to insure Peterson, Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew, Knowshon Moreno, LeSean McCoy, Chris Johnson, Darren McFadden, Michael Turner, and Ray Rice.

On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players available at each position as we head into Week 16. Full writeups of each player are below.

***

www.therx.ws
Quarterbacks
1. Rex Grossman
2. Tim Tebow
3. Jason Campbell
4. Kerry Collins
5. Shaun Hill
6. Chad Henne
7. Alex Smith
8. Colt McCoy

Running Backs
1. Derrick Ward
2. Toby Gerhart
3. Rashad Jennings
4. Tashard Choice
5. Donald Brown
6. Lance Ball
7. Maurice Morris
8. John Kuhn

Wide Receivers
1. Anthony Armstrong
2. Jacoby Ford
3. Blair White
4. Sam Hurd
5. Josh Morgan
6. Kevin Walter
7. Andre Caldwell
8. Emmanuel Sanders
9. David Nelson

Tight Ends
1. Kevin Boss
2. Randy McMichael
3. Jimmy Graham
4. Jared Cook

Defense/Special Teams
1. Chargers
2. Cowboys
3. Dolphins

[SIZE=+1]Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

Rex Grossman, Redskins - It can be argued that we all owe Mike Shanahan and offensive coordinator Kyle an apology after lampooning the move to pull Donovan McNabb for Grossman last week. But Shanahan & Son are already receiving too much credit for Grossman's uneven play against a Cowboys secondary that has been shredded by every quarterback they've faced for over two months now. So why does Grossman top this list? Matchup and coaching priorities. The Jaguars allow the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Grossman is going to keep chucking the ball so the Shanahans can see if he's a viable option in the Jake Plummer role as the bridge to their next franchise quarterback.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

Tim Tebow, Broncos - As you may have read by now, Tebow is just third quarterback in history to record a TD pass of at least 30 yards and a TD run of at least 40 yards in the same game. He didn't look over his head nor did he embarrass himself in a rivalry game against the Raiders while making his first start. If the Denver coaches take the training wheels off against a Texans defense still allowing the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, Tebow will be a QB2 with upside this week. If Knowshon Moreno (ribs) ends up sitting out, Tebow has a great chance to lead the team in rushing.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

Jason Campbell, Raiders - With 19.6, 24.2, and 20.0 fantasy points over the past three weeks, Campbell has been QB1 caliber. The biggest problem with trusting him in Week 16 is that the Raiders can go run-heavy in any given week. With a home game against the Colts and Peyton Manning, offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is almost guaranteed to at least try to take the air out of the ball.

Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues

Kerry Collins, Titans - How good is Kenny Britt? The Titans have averaged roughly 29 points per game in his nine starts and less than half of that games he's missed. With Britt back in the lineup the past two weeks, Collins has averaged 22.0 fantasy points per game. He takes on a Chiefs defense this week allowing the 16th-most fantasy points per contest.

Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues

Shaun Hill, Lions - Indications out of Detroit suggest the Lions' quarterback question won't be answered until late this week. Hill (broken finger) progressed to the backup role in Week 15 while Drew Stanton suffered a Grade 3 separation of his left shoulder. I expect Hill to get the call against a Dolphins defense ranked sixth against the pass. It's a poor matchup, and Hill's fantasy day can only be saved by throwing 45-50 times.

Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues

Chad Henne, Dolphins - Henne is playing as poorly as he ever has in his young career, but he did manage to complete 73 percent of his passes against the Bills for 276 yards. With upcoming plus matchups against the Lions (10th-most points to opposing QBs) and Patriots (fifth-most), he's worth a look in two-quarterback leagues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues

Alex Smith, 49ers - As expected, Smith struggled mightily against the Chargers after posting his best game of the season the week before. He's expected to draw the start over Troy Smith in a "big" NFC West tilt at St. Louis, but all bets are off if he plays like he did at San Diego. With a risk of being pulled for Troy, he's a dicey QB2 option.

Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues

Colt McCoy, Browns - The rookie continues to defy low expectations, playing virtually error-free football while remaining efficient. The upcoming matchups are forbidding, though, with games against AFC North rivals Cleveland and Pittsburgh to close out the season.

Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues

Long-Term Fliers: Brett Favre, Joe Webb, Patrick Ramsey, Matt Flynn, Charlie Whitehurst



[SIZE=+1]Running Backs[/SIZE]

Derrick Ward, Texans - Arian Foster (ankle, hip) said he would have tried to return to last Sunday's game in the fourth quarter if it was necessary. Coach Gary Kubiak said the ankle was bothering Foster too much http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/7348365.html to risk putting him back in for garbage time. Foster is fully expected to play against the Broncos, who allow the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing backs. If Foster suffers a setback during the week, however, Ward would step in as the feature back. Considering the matchup, Ward would have high-end RB2 value.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Toby Gerhart, Vikings - Kudos if you happened to be near a computer and found time for the last-minute switcheroo in the Minnesota backfield Monday night. For many Adrian Peterson owners, though, the bow-out was costly. If you managed to make it to the finals despite the gut punch from Peterson, you owe it to yourself to add Gerhart as insurance in the event of another setback late this week. Gerhatt is still unowned in half of all CBSSports.com leagues.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Rashad Jennings, Jaguars - Maurice Jones-Drew's backup went over 50 yards for the fourth staright game last week, and he's now 18th among running backs in fantasy points over the past three weeks. Jones-Drew insists his knee was the reason he sat out the final two drives against the Colts, but it's still a concern after he missed two practices last week. If you own MJD, you have to protect yourself this week with Jennings.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Tashard Choice, Cowboys - Like Gerhart, Choice is still unowned in half of all CBSSports.com leagues. He saw 19 touches last week against the Redskins compared to 14 for Felix Jones. I'd expect a similar backfield breakdown in Week 16 against a Cardinals defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Of the two Dallas backs, Choice is the far better bet for a touchdown.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Donald Brown, Colts - Chalk this one up to the Jaguars defense. Brown finally broke a few tackles, but the majority of his 133-yard breakout game came courtesy of the Jaguars' swiss-cheese defense. Pick him up only if you're desperate for a plug 'n' play this week. Those owners with Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Knowshon Moreno should grab handcuffs instead.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Lance Ball, Broncos - Ball took over as the Broncos' feature back after Knowshon Moreno departed with a rib injury. Unfortunately, he averaged just 1.3 yards on 15 carries against the Raiders. Moreno owners have to be crossing their fingers this week that he'll be ready to play against the Texans. If not, Ball could end up being the only viable option.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Maurice Morris, Lions - Morris' 109-yard performance against a depleted Bucs defense was his first good game since he scored a pair of touchdowns versus the Pats on Thanskgiving. I'll say the same thing now as I said then: the matchup isn't right for a repeat in Week 16. Morris, still splitting time with Jahvid Best, travels to Miami to take on a defense that is second only to the Steelers in stopping the run over the past five weeks. Pick him up if you're desperate, but you're in trouble if you start him.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

John Kuhn, Packers - It certainly appeared that the Packers had decided to go back to Kuhn as the goal-line horse at New England. Five of his nine touches came on plays inside the 10-yard line, and he was active as a receiver as well as a runner. Kuhn is only worth a look in deeper TD-heavy leagues this week.

Recommendation: Worth a look in touchdown-heavy leagues

Long-Term Fliers: Jerome Harrison, Jason Snelling, Javon Ringer, Isaac Redman

Editor's Note: On the outside looking in for the fantasy playoffs? You can get a new team via SnapDraft right now.



[SIZE=+1]Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

Anthony Armstrong, Redskins - Now an every-down player, Armstrong is 14th in wide receiver fantasy points over the past three weeks and 27th over the past five weeks. Rex Grossman's first start produced Armstrong's first 100-yard performance of the season, and the matchup is right for repeat in Week 16 against a Jacksonville defense that allows the fourth-most points to opposing receivers. On a side note, Armstrong is surprisingly up to 772 yards on the season. Had the Shanahans not wasted time on Joey Galloway for the first month of the season, we could be talking about Armstrong as a 1,000-yard receiver.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Jacoby Ford, Raiders - If only the Raiders passing game could be trusted on a weekly basis. Ford's talent is legit as evidenced by his third 100-yard performance in the past six weeks, but he's averaging just four targets per in the past three games. For owners in deeper leagues will got gamble on a boom-or-bust talent, Ford is your man.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deepers leagues

Blair White, Colts - White merits a pickup with poor Austin Collie likely out for the season after a third concussion. Keep expectations in check, however, as White is a dramatic downgrade in talent from Collie. Perhaps it was the mistake-filled game two weeks ago, but Peyton Manning didn't show the same trust after White replaced Collie in the second half against the Jags.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Sam Hurd, Cowboys - Entering the starting lineup opposite Miles Austin last week, Hurd's pedestrian 4-35 statline would have looked a lot more impressive had he reeled in two difficult passes that went off his hands in the end zone. Hurd is worth a look in deeper leagues if only because he's now starting on an offense averaging 32.2 points per game since Jason Garrett took over as the head coach.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Josh Morgan, 49ers - While Michael Crabtree's absence from the passing attack has reached milk-carton status, Morgan has been the 23rd-ranked fantasy receiver over the past three weeks. He's coming off a career-high 107 yards, and he seems to have found a rapport with Alex Smith while defenses devote extra attention to Crabtree and Vernon Davis. For all of Morgan's recent success, he remains a dicey WR3 play at St. Louis in Week 16.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Kevin Walter, Texans - Walter looks like an obvious pickup as a top-30 fantasy receiver over the past three weeks. Digging a lit deeper, though, the sudden rise in production between him and Jacoby Jones has been the product of Matt Schaub passing over 50 times a game in come-back attempts. The Texans aren't going to be in the same predicament at Denver this week, so Walter is only an option in deeper leagues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Andre Caldwell, Bengals - Caldwell took over as the Bengals' starting flanker in Week 15, leading the team in targets (6), receptions (4), and yards (84) against the Browns. He'll start again this week, but it's a red-light matchup against a Chargers defense that allows the least fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers - With Darrelle Revis tying up Hines Ward, Sanders was the recipient of a team-high 13 targets in Week 15. Although his role is steadily increasing, the Steelers figure to go ground 'n' pound against the Panthers Thursday night. Pick up Sanders only if you're in a Dynasty or deep keeper league. Hines Ward has lost several steps in his age-34 season, so Sanders figures to have a much more significant role in 2011.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

David Nelson, Bills - Ryan Fitzpatrick's new favorite red-zone weapon has scored in three straight games. With slot receiver Donald Jones banged up, Nelson should be a lock for more than three targets against the Patriots in Week 16. He's only a last-ditch option for desperate owners in deeper leagues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Hold Off: Brian Robiskie - I wouldn't touch Robiskie with a 39-and-a-half foot pole.



[SIZE=+1]Tight Ends[/SIZE]

Kevin Boss, Giants - With the Giants receivers banged up of late, Boss' offensive role has increased to the point where only Jason Witten has more fantasy points over the past five weeks. The matchup is right again this week against a Packers defense that allows the fourth-most points to opposing tight ends.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

Randy McMichael, Chargers - There's once again talk that Antonio Gates is shutting his foot down until the end of the regular season, which would give McMichael another start at Cincinnati this week. Though his five catches and 55 yards were season highs and unlikely to be repeated, McMichael will be a primary red-zone target for Philip Rivers.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

Jimmy Graham, Saints - Drew Brees' new favorite red zone weapon is fifth among tight ends the past three weeks and eighth among tight ends the past five weeks. Like fellow rookies Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, his snap count is inconsistent from week to week, so he's a better play in TD-heavy leagues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Jared Cook, Titans - Bo Scaife was a healthy scratch in Week 15, an indication that the freakishly athletic Cook has finally passed him on the depth chart. Cook won't make for a good spot start against the Chiefs this week, but he's on this list as a reminder that he needs to be rostered in all Dynasty and deep keeper leagues. The talent is there, Scaife is unlikely to return in 2011, and the Titans could have a quarterback upgrade.

Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper leagues

[SIZE=+1]Defense/Special Teams[/SIZE]

Chargers - Brian Westbrook's garbage-time touchdown ended a streak of seven consecutive shutout quarters for the Bolts defense. Playing as well as they have all season, the Chargers head to Cincinnati to face pick-six master Carson Palmer without Terrell Owens and possibly without Chad Ochocinco.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

Cowboys - No fantasy D/ST has more points over the past five weeks than Dallas' 43.0. The Cowboys travel to Arizona this week to take on John Skelton and the Cardinals' 31st ranked offense.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

Dolphins - Miami is absolutely destroying opposing running games over the past five weeks, second only to the Steelers with 72.2 yards allowed per game on the ground. They're going to turn the Lions into a one-dimensional offense, waiting to tee off on Shaun Hill or Drew Stanton.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

HacheMan · Dec 22, 2010

Waterboy
We have covered just about every injury this season, from concussions to shoulder dislocations to rib fractures to torn plantar fascia. So as we pull into the home stretch, it's fitting that we end with the most minor "injury" of all -- cramping.

Jamaal Charles gave everyone a scare when he twice needed to be helped off the field in St. Louis Sunday. To get an idea of what the highlight reel back might be dealing with, we chatted with Dr. Brian Eckenrode, a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and the sports team leader for GSPP Penn Therapy and Fitness at the Penn Sports Medicine Center in Philadelphia. For more on Dr. Eckenrode, head to phillyrehab.com.

<BIG>JAMAAL CHARLES</BIG>
Injury: Leg cramps
Timetable: Fully expected to play in Week 16

What exactly is cramping? The thing with athletes and cramps is it's about electrolytes being off. They're dehydrated. All kinds of things can cause it. As your sweating, you're losing fluid, and just not able to sort of maintain things at their natural level. And that's why you see a lot of guys cramping, especially during the summer time.

It wasn't hot in St. Louis' dome last week when Charles cramped up, though. So maybe he wasn't taking enough fluids in. Or maybe he was just drinking water and wasn't complimenting it with a Gatorade or Powerade or something with salt content in it like a pickle juice. It sounds like he was just overexerting himself and not taking in enough fluids.

Pickle juice? I know the Eagles use pickle juice on their sidelines because it has salt. The salt helps keep the water content in so players don't cramp. It's a preventive thing. It's just a matter of keeping their sodium up their levels on par, potassium levels on par.

ROTOWORLD OPINION: As long as those reports of mere cramping prove accurate, Charles will be fine. He doesn't have a history of cramping and the Chiefs trainers will surely be monitoring his hydration levels this week.

The Upenn rehab specialists interviewed in this story have not examined the athletes discussed. Their statements are general guidelines regarding their experience with injured athletes, and should not be taken as medical opinions.

For more information on Brian Eckenrode, PT, DPT, OCS and GSPP Penn Therapy and Fitness, visit phillyrehab.com.

Editor's Note: We want to give a huge thank you to Brian Eckenrode for taking time out of his schedule every week for the last four months to help us understand what is happening to the players we own. We gained knowledge, and all he gained was another item on his to-do list. It's much appreciated.

<BIG>TUESDAY HEADLINES</BIG>
NEWS OF THE DAY #1
The Vikings confirmed that Brett Favre suffered a concussion in Monday night's loss to the Bears. They are not officially ruling him out, but it would be almost laughable at this point if Favre played in Philadelphia Sunday night.

I thought that the Vikings might not throw Joe Webb back out to the wolves after his dreadful Week 15 showing, but they are going to give the kid another chance. He will speak with the media Wednesday as the starter and coach Leslie Frazier said Tuesday that Webb -- not Patrick Ramsey -- will start assuming Favre can't.

So that brings us back to Webb as a WR3 candidate in Yahoo leagues. Despite his dreadful play Monday, he recorded a respectable 10.9 fantasy points. The Eagles defense gives up many more big plays than the Bears and the weather will be much more reasonable. Webb still belongs among the top 25 wide receivers in fantasy.

Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin, however, take major hits. Webb was slow to read defenses, consistently missed open receivers, looked skittish in the pocket and was inaccurate at times. Rice and Harvin should be more desperation plays than anything this week.

Editor's Note: Pick a new fantasy team just for today and win real cash with Snapdraft!

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
Aaron Rodgers was cleared Tuesday to play against the Giants in Week 16. He will have to avoid setbacks in practice, but the explosive quarterback will almost certainly be under center Sunday.

Rodgers is safe to use as an elite QB1, Greg Jennings gets a major boost and James Jones does as well. Rodgers' big arm and vertical attitude fit their skills perfectly.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS
Arian Foster (ankle, hip) said he could have tried to play through his injury Sunday if necessary. Signs are pointing toward him being okay for Week 16. ... Heath Miller (concussion) is practicing in full. ... Felix Jones (shin) should be fine. ... The Vikings say Adrian Peterson (ankle, thigh) will not be held out for future considerations but they will be cautious. Consider Peterson very questionable. ... Roy Williams (groin) has a shot to get back this week. ... Marion Barber (calf) remains a question mark.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS
Chad Ochocinco admitted that he may not be back with the Bengals next season. ... Terrell Owens, who is on injured reserve, almost certainly will not be back. ... Alex Smith is tentatively expected to start again Sunday. ... Rex Grossman will start the Redskins' final two games barring unforeseen events. ... Cowboys placed Tony Romo (collarbone) on injured reserve. ... The Lions may not decide between Shaun Hill or Drew Stanton until Sunday.

HacheMan · Dec 22, 2010

For fantasy purposes only
The NFL schedule is littered with "meaningless" games this time of year: two bad teams playing out the string in a half-empty stadium, coaches cleaning out desk drawers, fans dreaming of draft day.

But thanks to fantasy football, there is no such thing as a meaningless game, especially in Week 16. If you are in your Fantasy Super Bowl, and Matt Schaub is your quarterback, you will spend Sunday huddled in a dank corner of the local sports bar, cheering for the Texans while everyone else watches Packers-Giants.

Here are three "meaningless" games that will have minimal impact on the NFL standings but may change the fortunes of fantasy owners all over the world. Let the traditional writers worry about the Ravens and Bears this week: you need to know what's going on with the Titans offense, and you need to know by Sunday!

[SIZE=+1]Cowboys at Cardinals [/SIZE]
Meaningless because: Hey, it made sense when the schedules were announced: the Cowboys on Christmas night! Against Larry Fitzgerald and the high-powered Cardinals offense! Now, the game is a gift to those of us who cover football for a living: a game we can safely ignore while spending time with our families.
www.therx.ws
Meaningful because: The Cowboys have scored 27 points or more in every game since Jason Garrett became interim head coach. (Though, to be accurate, a lot of those points came on defense and special teams).

What you need to know: Tashard Choice gets most of the goal-line touches for the Cowboys now: he had five carries and was targeted once inside the 20 against the Redskins. Felix Jones had just two red-zone carries on Sunday, one from the 15-yard line. When Choice isn't getting the ball, the Cowboys have a bad habit of lining up in shotgun and asking Jon Kitna to be creative. They actually ran a quarterback draw near the goalline last week (it looked as bad as it sounds), and Sam Hurd has become a fantasy leech for Miles Austin: Kitna targeted Hurd six times on Sunday, including twice in the red zone. My theory is that Jason Garrett secretly wants to get fired so he can coach at a college somewhere.

The Cardinals only had the ball for 23 minutes on Sunday, and you cannot generate a lot of fantasy points if you never have the ball. Fitzgerald somehow remains a viable receiver in yardage and PPR leagues (John Skelton throws him a lot of three-yard passes), and Tim Hightower could still help you at running back: he had two touchdowns two weeks ago, and the Cardinals look to him as a receiver near the goal line on the rare occasions that they get there. The Cowboys defense has been very opportunistic in the second half of the season and could feast on the inexperienced Skelton.

[SIZE=+1]Titans at Chiefs[/SIZE]
Meaningless because: This game has a lot of meaning for the Chiefs, who are trying to win the AFC West. Fans of the Ravens, Steelers, Jaguars, Jets and other contenders will also have an eye on this game: no one wants to see the dangerous-but-self-destructive Chargers sneak into the postseason. But the Chiefs could lose this game and still win the division, and while the Titans are somehow mathematically alive (the scenario involves mega-earthquakes), this is hardly a critical matchup.

Meaningful because: Some of the most important running backs in the fantasy realm will be on the field.

What you need to know: Chris Johnson is back after his midseason slump. Kerry Collins' return worked wonders for Johnson, who had nowhere to run when defenses stacked the box and dared Rusty Smith to beat them. Kenny Britt is also back, with 17 targets in two weeks, so get him off your injured reserve and into your lineup. Randy Moss is in a teepee somewhere contemplating his nipples. Justin Gage caught a leecheriffic one-yard touchdown on Sunday, but he has caught one pass per week for the last three weeks and is mostly harmless.

If you have lived with Jamal Charles or Thomas Jones all season, by now you have accepted that Charles is going to run 80 yards, get injured at the two-yard line, and watch from the sideline as Jones scores the two-yard touchdown. Charles is the better back in yardage and PPR leagues (he has 39 catches to Jones' 13), but Jones gets more carries and Todd Haley remains unpredictable in the red zone. Dwayne Bowe has three catches in 16 targets in the last three games, and you should bench him this week if you have alternatives. Titans cornerback Courtland Finnegan is both a good defender and a world champion agitator who can get under the skin of the somewhat flaky Bowe.

[SIZE=+1]Texans at Broncos[/SIZE]
Meaningless because: Neither team has any defense whatsoever, which knocked them out of the playoff picture.

Meaningful because: Neither team has any defense whatsoever, making this a fantasy goldmine.

What you need to know: The Texans are reliable on offense. Schaub will give you over 300 yards and a touchdown or two. Andre Johnson will be productive. Arian Foster had an off week on Sunday, but he still found a way to contribute, catching six passes for 46 yards when he was shut down on the ground. Owen Daniels has nine catches since his return, but you probably found another option at tight end when he was gone, and there's no reason to change back now.

As for the Broncos ... sigh ... Tim Tebow's arrival resulted in some amazingly nutty statistics on Sunday. The Broncos only reached the red zone once against the Raiders, scratching their way to the 17-yard line on one drive. Non-Tebows averaged 1.12 yards per rush. Brandon Lloyd was the only receiver to catch more than one pass. Assuming Tebow stays in the saddle, the fun days of Kyle Orton throwing a million little screens to eight different receivers are gone.
If you stashed Tebow on the back of your bench all year, he may be worth a start: his rushing touchdown potential is high, and the Texans' pass defense is so bad that he should be able to complete a few deep passes. Lloyd is also worth a start, for the same reason. Matt Prater may get a bunch of 45-yard field goal attempts, so check the Denver forecast. Run screaming from any other Broncos player.

HacheMan · Dec 23, 2010

Best Laid Plans
I wasn't the only one who took a look at the playoff landscape and planned ahead by targeting Maurice Jones-Drew and Knowshon Moreno two months ago. Any forward-thinking fantasy owner with access to an NFL schedule and a basic knowledge of matchups could tell their was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for both players in Week 16.

As Robert Burns and John Steinbeck taught us, though, the best laid plans often result in gut-punching disappointment. Your reward for surviving the Week 15 washouts by Jones-Drew, Moreno, and Adrian Peterson? The gnawing anxiety that comes with all three backs sitting out Wednesday's practice, leaving their status in question for Championship Sunday.

Jones-Drew seemed upbeat in Wednesday's conference call with the Washington media before missing practice with the knee injury that flared up against the Raiders two weeks ago. He wasn't quite so carefree later in the day when asked about his treatment. "It didn't look too good last week," said Jones-Drew, "so hopefully we can get going here in the next couple days so we can get out there and run around, see how it feels." Don't be surprised to see MJD on the sidelines again Thursday.

Coach Jack Del Rio "hopes" that his star back will play this week while remaining "optimistic." The guess here is that Jones-Drew will gut it out, with his effectiveness in question after last week's 46-yard dud at Indy. If Rashad Jennings remains available, he's a must add waiver pickup this week.

Knowshon Moreno (ribs) was held out of Broncos practice Wednesday after watching last week's game from the first quarter on. While rib injuries can vary greatly, it's hard to be anything but pessimistic about Moreno's chances to play this week. This has the look of a Lance Ball production in Week 16. The former undrafted free agent out of Maryland owns a 4.2 YPC average without a score on 43 rushing attempts with the Broncos and Colts the past three seasons. While Moreno owners should add Ball to protect against a worst-case scenario, there are better RB2 options this week.

Adrian Peterson wrote on Twitter late Tuesday night that he "fully expects" to play Sunday at Philly, but this may be shaping up as the dreaded game-time decision. After Peterson missed Wednesday's practice, interim coach Leslie Frazier described his bell cow as "very, very sore, lots of pain and makes it difficult to turn, twist and do the things Adrian Peterson does." This just a week after Frazier downplayed the same injury as a minor bruise. Peterson is headed for another "questionable" tag on Friday. Be sure to have Toby Gerhart ready to go in case of another last-minute emergency.

Editor's Note: Pick a new fantasy team just for today and win real cash with Snapdraft!

Texans Injury Ward

All of the early week hand-wringing over Arian Foster's ankle and glute injuries was in vain. Foster participated in a full practice Wednesday, putting to rest any questions about his Week 16 status. "He's fine," coach Gary Kubiak confirmed. "He practiced good today. No problems, no issues with him today." The No. 1 overall fantasy player is perfectly fine for this week's dream matchup against the Broncos' 31st-ranked run defense.

Of slight concern for the Texans is Andre Johnson, characterized by Kubiak as a "game time decision" after missing Wednesday's practice. Johnson always sits out Wednesday's, however, and Kubiak assured, "we'll do our usual deal and see where he is at." Johnson may end up taking a pain-killing shot before game time, but the beat writers have expressed no concern with his status for Week 16. Don't get too worked up about Kubiak's phrasing. It would be a major shock if Johnson doesn't play.

Colts Backfield

On the heels of Donald Brown's career game in Week 15, Joseph Addai (neck, shoulder) practiced in full Wednesday for the first time since October 15. He was joined by Mike Hart (ankle), who returned to a limited practice after being sidelined essentially since Week 8. It's hard to imagine either back playing a significant role Sunday at Oakland after missing so much time. The possibility of both backs, especially Addai, suiting up is a shot to Brown's fantasy outlook for Week 16. We'll have a better read on this backfield by Friday afternoon. For now, though, consider Brown a mere flex option.



Panthers @ Steelers Thursday Night

Both teams are relatively healthy on offense for a game so late in the season. Mike Goodson (illness, probable) returned to a full practice Wednesday, though he's been relegated to a passing-down role behind streaking starter Jonathan Stewart. Panthers LCB Chris Gamble (ankle) is considered doubtful for Week 16. Ben Roethlisberger should have no trouble moving the Steelers offense Thursday night, though the coaching staff might prefer to do the heavy lifting on the ground. Troy Polamalu (ankle) remains out for the Pittsburgh defense, softening Stewart's matchup just enough.

For an in-depth analysis of Thursday's game, check out Evan Silva's Matchups blog post from Wednesday. The information-packed breakdown includes nuggets such as: The Panthers have allowed the most rushing touchdowns in the NFC and the third-most tight end yards in the NFL. Steelers No. 1 receiver Mike Wallace is on pace for 1,250 yards and 10 TDs. Pittsburgh's defense has surrendered just one touchdown to an opposing tailback since Week 4.

Editor's Note: You can get our Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and playoff rankings, and Chris Wesseling's Dynasty league coverage -- all for just $4.99.

Around the League: The Colts ended Austin Collie's (concussions) season, placing him on injured reserve. Colts owner Jim Irsay terms Collie's outlook "excellent for 2011." … The 49ers have reportedly settled on Troy Smith as the Week 16 starter at St. Louis, sending Alex Smith back to the bench once and for all. … Shaun Hill (finger) appears to be in line for the start this week after handling the first-team reps in Lions practice Wednesday. Coach Jim Schwartz confirmed that Drew Stanton is dealing with a Grade 3 separation of his non-throwing shoulder. … Coach Rex Ryan promised Wednesday that the Jets will not kick to Devin Hester in Week 16. … Impending free agent Ronnie Brown expressed a desire to return to the Dolphins next season. … Ravens OLB Sergio Kindle (fractured skull) has been told he won't necessarily be cleared to play in 2011. … A Georgia TV station is reporting that Bulldogs star receiver and likely top-five pick A.J. Green will enter the 2011 NFL draft.

Quarterback Injury Report: Coach Mike McCarthy insists he has "zero concerns" about Aaron Rodgers following his return to a full practice Wednesday. … Mark Sanchez, limited Wednesday, is reportedly dealing with a "slight cartilage tear" in his right shoulder. It seems likely to hamper his performance, though there's been no suggestion that he'll miss time with the injury. … Kerry Collins was held out of Wednesday's practice with sore fingers. … Tom Brady and Colt McCoy both missed practice due to illness. … Brett Favre (concussion) was held out of Vikings practice, as expected. … Matt Cassel (appendectomy) is not listed on the Chiefs' injury report this week. … Cardinals QB Derek Anderson (concussion) has been medically cleared and resumed practicing Wednesday. He'll back up John Skelton this week.

Running Back Injury Report: Jamaal Charles (cramps) is not on the Chiefs' Week 16 injury report. … Peyton Hillis was seen limping around Browns headquarters after missing practice Wednesday. Coach Eric Mangini confirmed that he's still expected to play, but it certainly seems like his body is wearing down due to a heavy workload. … Felix Jones (shin) was held out of Cowboys practice again on Wednesday while Marion Barber (calf) resumed practicing fully. Look for Tashard Choice to lead this backfield in touches at Arizona. … Ryan Mathews missed Chargers practice with an illness. … Jahvid Best (toe) was limited Wednesday while Maurice Morris sat out with a chest injury. … 49ers RB (ankle) Anthony Dixon, still walking with a limp, missed practice again. … Bengals RB Bernard Scott missed Wednesday's practice with a toe injury.

Wide Receiver Injury Report: Chad Ochocinco predicts he will play only half of the Bengals' offensive snaps due to painful bone spurs in his ankle. … Coach Rex Ryan revealed that Santonio Holmes is dealing with a turf toe injury, but the receiver is still expected to play at Chicago. Holmes was held out Wednesday. … Malcom Floyd (hamstring) is still not practicing. … Deion Branch was held out with a knee injury while Calvin Johnson sat out to rest his ankle. … Mike Sims-Walker is not practicing after aggravating his ankle injury last week. … Sporting a slight limp, Mario Manningham (hip, heel) was able to finish a limited practice. … Earl Bennett (ankle) was listed on the injury report as a would-be non-participant had the Bears held a practice Wednesday. … Derrick Mason (ankle) and Roy Williams (groin) practiced on a limited basis. … Coach Andy Reid confirmed that Jason Avant has passed his concussion tests and is ready to go for Week 16. … Patrick Crayton (wrist) returned to practice Wednesday, though he's still a considered a longshot for this week's game. … Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas (ankle) has resumed practicing on a limited basis. … Cardinals placed WR Early Doucet (hip) on injured reserve.

Tight End Injury Report: Antonio Gates (foot) is not practicing, as expected. … Todd Heap (hamstring, back) returned to a limited practice Wednesday. … Aaron Hernandez was held out of Patriots practice with a hip injury.

HacheMan · Dec 23, 2010

Championship Week Rankings

The Vincent Jackson owners that stuck with him deserve the three touchdowns he scored last week.

Fantasy football is so often a week-to-week proposition, but thinking long-term is one of the few edges you can truly get other than doing your homework. I've seen owners drop Jackson, Sidney Rice, Michael Vick, Peyton Hillis, Hines Ward, Knowshon Moreno, Kenny Britt, Ryan Torain, and others this season because they just couldn't wait. They had to pick up the flavor of the week.

Patience was rewarded in lineup decisions in Week 15 as well. After a season of waiting, Brandon Marshall is playing like Brandon Marshall. Brandon Lloyd scored for you despite Tim Tebow starting at quarterback. Larry Fitzgerald thrived despite playing with John Skelton. Britt went from an afterthought in fantasy leagues to a star to a long layoff for injury, and back to a top-15 option again.

If you trusted your evaluation of Britt (and ours) to begin with, hopefully you were rewarded last week. A little patience can go a long way.

Let's win some titles this week, shall we?

[SIZE=+1]Week 16 Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Michael Vick</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Drew Brees</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Tom Brady</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Peyton Manning</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Philip Rivers</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Matt Schaub</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Aaron Rodgers</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>Probable(concussion)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Ben Roethlisberger</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Eli Manning</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Jon Kitna</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Matt Ryan</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Joe Flacco</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>David Garrard</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Ryan Fitzpatrick</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Jay Cutler</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Matt Cassel</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Rex Grossman</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Tim Tebow</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Josh Freeman</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Carson Palmer</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Shaun Hill</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Jason Campbell</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Troy Smith</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Chad Henne</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Joe Webb</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Kerry Collins</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>Probable(finger)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Sam Bradford</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Mark Sanchez</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>Probable(arm)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Colt McCoy</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>Probable(illness)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Matt Hasselbeck</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>John Skelton</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Jimmy Clausen</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
www.therx.ws
QB Notes: Tom Brady is coming off a "down" week, but has at least two touchdowns in 7 sraight games. The Bills offense will score more than you think, so expect a lot of pass attempts. … Ryan Fitzpatrick is a sneaky play because he will be throwing a ton. Losing Lee Evans wasn't that big a factor last week. … Don't get carried away with Jay Cutler's big Monday Night game. The Vikings secondary has given up, and the Jets will know how to create more pressure on him. He's a good cold weather quarterback.

You could do worse than using Tim Tebow out of desperation. The Broncos should open up the playbook after being insanely conservative last week. They called only runs near their own end zone, and Tebow threw only 16 passes. His ability to stretch the field is questionable, but he made good decisions and you can't beat facing the Texans. Not many quarterbacks can score a 40 yard touchdown on a broken play. … Matt Shaub finally gets to face a defense as bad as the Texans. Don't be surprised if Schaub puts up a 40 burger… Matt Cassell looked perfectly healthy last week. The Chiefs are struggling to create big plays. They can afford to play conservative against the Titans, making Cassell someone to avoid.

Joe Webb did not look ready for Prime Time. His rushing touch down shows his fantasy potential. I worry most of his yards came against the soft zone in garbage time. The Eagles are 23rd in points allowed and just lost safety Nate Allen, yet it's hard to see the Vikings scoring much with Webb at the helm. I would rank him around 25 at wide receiver. … Don't take the bait with Kerry Collins. He got lucky, and the Chief's defense shut him down… Eli Manning is a shaky play this week. The underrated Packers defense doesn't give up a lot of points, and can force Eli into mistakes. This is a week where he will really miss Steve Smith… As borderline QB1s go, John Kitna and David Garrard are safe options this week. The Cardinals generate no pass rush. The Redskins defense wants the season to be over.

Before you crown King Rex, remember he had 3 turnovers against the Cowboys. Dallas has an immature defense, and Grossman did not do anything until he was down 27-7. The match up is his favor this week, as is offensive coordinator Kyle Shannahan's desperate desire to make Rexy look sexy. In the end, Grossman is what he is: just good enough to get you beat.


[SIZE=+1]Week 16 Running Backs[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Arian Foster</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Darren McFadden</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Maurice Jones-Drew</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Adrian Peterson</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Jamaal Charles</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Ray Rice</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Rashard Mendenhall</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Michael Turner</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>LeSean McCoy</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Peyton Hillis</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Steven Jackson</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Felix Jones</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Knowshon Moreno</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>Questionable(ribs)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>LeGarrette Blount</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Fred Jackson</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Ahmad Bradshaw</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>BenJarvus Green-Ellis</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Ryan Torain</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Tashard Choice</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Matt Forte</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Cedric Benson</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Mike Tolbert</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Brandon Jacobs</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Ronnie Brown</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Brian Westbrook</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Donald Brown</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Marshawn Lynch</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Pierre Thomas</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Ryan Mathews</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>Probable(illness)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Michael Bush</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>LaDainian Tomlinson</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Tim Hightower</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Danny Woodhead</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Thomas Jones</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Shonn Greene</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Mike Goodson</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>Probable(flu)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Chris Ivory</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Ricky Williams</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Maurice Morris</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>Probable(toe)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Brandon Jackson</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Reggie Bush</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Jahvid Best</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>Probable(toe)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Beanie Wells</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Rashad Jennings</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Anthony Dixon</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Darren Sproles</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Derrick Ward</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Willis McGahee</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Toby Gerhart</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Javarris James</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Cadillac Williams</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Chester Taylor</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>C.J. Spiller</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Jerome Harrison</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Bernard Scott</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Dimitri Nance</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>Sidelined(concussion)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>Keiland Williams</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>60</TD><TD>Justin Forsett</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

RB Notes: Very tough call for Jonathan Stewart owners like Emika Rosenthal this week. He is playing too well to sit but faces the league's top rush defense on a short week. Optimists may note the Steelers gave up more yards on the ground to the Jets than they have all year. We have Stewart ranked as a decent RB2. When push comes to shove, we'll bet on talent. Teammate Mike Goodson is a lower tier flex option. …Knowshan Moreno struggles to play through injury are a major concern this championship week. With that said, he should be in all line-ups if he starts. The risk is worth it, against Houston. Arian Foster should be ready to roll for the Texans. Maurice Jones-Drew didn't look right in last week's game. He wasn't breaking tackles like we're used to seeing. His workload may be catching up to him. Still have to play him and hope for the best.

Consider the Jaguars a neutral match-up for Ryan Torain. They were gashed against the Colts mostly because they had six to seven guys in the box. … Mike Tolbert remains a solid RB2. There should be plenty of scoring opportunities in Cincinnati… I don't have the guts to use Ryan Matthew in any league… Both Raiders running backs are worth using this week. Darren McFadden is a must-start, of course, and Michael Bush is a good bet to vulture a score. The Raiders will try to run it 50 times against Indianapolis… John Skelton scares me too much to use Tim Hightower. My lack of faith is one reason why I love Tashard Choice as a sneaky flex option on Christmas.

Felix Jones has quietly developed into an every-week starter… Can you bench Peyton Hillis after all the good times you've had together? His lack of production against the Bengals was an eye-opener. It's hard to say whether it was blocking wear and tear, or Hillis worrying about his fumbling problems. He is no longer a must-start, but you would need two top 15 options to bench him.

[SIZE=+1]Week 16 Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>Questionable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Roddy White</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Calvin Johnson</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Reggie Wayne</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Hakeem Nicks</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>DeSean Jackson</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Vincent Jackson</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Greg Jennings</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Marques Colston</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Jeremy Maclin</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Brandon Marshall</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Kenny Britt</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Brandon Lloyd</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Wes Welker</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Dwayne Bowe</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Miles Austin</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Mike Wallace</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Steve Johnson</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Santonio Holmes</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Santana Moss</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Pierre Garcon</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Malcom Floyd</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Mario Manningham</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>Probable(heel)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Anquan Boldin</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Deion Branch</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Sidney Rice</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Johnny Knox</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Hines Ward</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Davone Bess</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Michael Crabtree</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Percy Harvin</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Blair White</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>James Jones</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Derrick Mason</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Robert Meachem</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Donald Driver</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Braylon Edwards</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Jacoby Ford</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Anthony Armstrong</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Mike Thomas</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Louis Murphy</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Earl Bennett</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Lance Moore</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Steve Breaston</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Brandon Gibson</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Ben Obomanu</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Nate Burleson</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Danny Amendola</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Roy Williams</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>Questionable(groin)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Arrelious Benn</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Jacoby Jones</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>Jerricho Cotchery</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>60</TD><TD>Jason Avant</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>61</TD><TD>Eddie Royal</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>62</TD><TD>Devery Henderson</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>63</TD><TD>Jabar Gaffney</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>64</TD><TD>Dexter McCluster</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>65</TD><TD>Laurent Robinson</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>66</TD><TD>Mohamed Massaquoi</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>67</TD><TD>Danario Alexander</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>68</TD><TD>Derek Hagan</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

WR Notes:WR Notes: Chad Ochocinco will be moved down in the rankings unless we hear something more positive about his ankle injury. He may be exaggerating about his snap count if he plays, but it sounds like he's close to shutting himself down mentally. The matchup is tough as it is. … I don't trust Joe Webb at all when it comes to Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice. The only hope here is that garbage time starts early and the Eagles are happy to give up underneath routes late in the game. Webb did not look remotely ready and was more tentative throwing the ball than you'd even expect.

Tim Tebow and the Texans cancel each other out for Brandon Lloyd owners. … Mike Wallace's ranking is partly low because of the weather. We also could see the Steelers being very conservative with an early lead against the Panthers. Carolina just doesn't present any threat to that defense. … Malcom Floyd's hamstring is a question mark, but he's very hard to sit as a WR3 in this matchup. … Kenny Britt versus Brandon Flowers is a matchup I'd pay to see. Britt is such a target-hog that you have to play him. … Miles Austin's recent slump just isn't worth getting worked up against when he's facing the Cardinals. … Santonio Holmes returned to practice Thursday. Going from Mark Sanchez to Mark Brunell doesn't really affect his value much, but it's a tough matchup. I'd totally understand benching him in most formats.

Anquan Boldin had a huge game against the Browns the first time around and yet we only have him as a top-level WR3. It's just too hard to ignore his lack of production. … Santana Moss is streaking at the right time. The schedule stays favorable. Keep him in. … Mike Sims-Walker and Mike Thomas are both sneaky plays against the Redskins. …

My wife needed 16 PPR points from Johnny Knox last Monday night to win her semifinal matchup in her all-women's fantasy league. He got 16 points. For that reason, I will have a soft spot for Knox forever. You do not want to see or speak with my wife after a loss. She has said she's quitting fantasy football forever at least 15 times. 
[SIZE=+1]Week 16 Tight Ends[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Jason Witten</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Vernon Davis</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Jacob Tamme</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Chris Cooley</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Owen Daniels</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Zach Miller</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Marcedes Lewis</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Brandon Pettigrew</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Kellen Winslow</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Kevin Boss</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Brent Celek</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Jimmy Graham</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Dustin Keller</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Heath Miller</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Ben Watson</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Rob Gronkowski</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Aaron Hernandez</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Randy McMichael</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Tony Moeaki</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Jermaine Gresham</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Visanthe Shiancoe</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Anthony Fasano</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Jared Cook</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Jeremy Shockey</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Greg Olsen</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Andrew Quarless</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Ed Dickson</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

TE Notes: Rex Grossman clearly does not hurt Chris Cooley's value. The Redskins made a point to get him the ball last week, and the Jaguars safeties present a tasty match-up. … At this point, it's safe to assume Antonio Gates is out. Keep an eye on Rotoworld Sunday morning, just in case. You can do better than Gates' back-up, Randy McMichael. . … You know it's not your year when Jimmy Graham drops two touchdowns on you in the fantasy play-offs. I suspect a lot of owners will be chasing Graham's points this week. He's hit or miss, but everyone is after the top 7 tight ends. … Hopefully you are past trying to figure out the RobGronkowski/Aaron Hernandez conundrum. There is nothing to figure out. Life is random; it may rain today, it may not. … Heath Miller is back. You could do worse. … Zach Miller looks close to 100 percent again. He should be a nice zone-buster against the Colts' small safeties.

[SIZE=+1]Week 16 Team Defense[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Steelers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Eagles Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Chargers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Cowboys Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Bears Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Jets Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Patriots Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Dolphins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Ravens Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Packers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Giants Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Colts Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Buccaneers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Fortyniners Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Chiefs Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Rams Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Titans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Saints Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Falcons Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Raiders Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Browns Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Lions Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Vikings Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Texans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Seahawks Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Jaguars Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Cardinals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Bills Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Panthers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Redskins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Bengals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Broncos Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SIZE=+1]Week 16 Kickers[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Garrett Hartley</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Matt Bryant</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Neil Rackers</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Nate Kaeding</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Josh Scobee</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>David Akers</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Sebastian Janikowski</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Shayne Graham</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Adam Vinatieri</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Ryan Succop</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Shaun Suisham</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Rob Bironas</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Dan Carpenter</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>David Buehler</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Josh Brown</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Jay Feely</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Mason Crosby</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Robbie Gould</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Olindo Mare</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Lawrence Tynes</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Jeff Reed</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Billy Cundiff</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Ryan Longwell</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Matt Prater</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>Sidelined(groin)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Rian Lindell</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Connor Barth</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Phil Dawson</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Graham Gano</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Dave Rayner</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Nick Folk</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Clint S tits

er</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>John Kasay</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 26, 2010

Matchups: Angry Birds' Revenge
This is the final Matchups column of the 2010 season, which leaves me with something of an empty feeling and at the same time a sense of relief. I'm excited to move on to different things like the NFL playoffs, draft season, and free agency.

Owners eliminated from the fantasy postseason probably aren't reading this, but the best advice I can give them is to spend next spring and summer cultivating football knowledge. As is the case in any undertaking, the more you know, the better off you'll be. In fantasy football, it's all about drafting the best possible team and knowing who to start when.

Every last bit of expertise you hold over your opponent can be difference making in such a luck-based game. Just ask owners who entered the season already knowing about Arian Foster, Mike Wallace, and Mike Williams South, benched Calvin and Andre Johnson against Darrelle Revis, played Seyi Ajirotutu against the Texans, and bought the Jamaal Charles hype.

The Rotoworld staff is here to help, and we can be found on Twitter. Myself (@evansilva), Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal), Chris Wesseling (@chriswesseling), Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan), and L.J. Rader (@LJ_Rader) will be around all offseason.

Best of luck in Week 16. We all need it, and if you don't take the trophy, there's always next year. And the next. And the next after that. Fantasy football and Rotoworld are here to stay.

[SIZE=+1]7:30PM ET Saturday Night[/SIZE]

Dallas @ Arizona

The Cowboys and Cardinals are long since eliminated from playoff contention. This game is a real-life yawner, but has the potential to be a scoring bonanza indoors at Arizona. Though Larry Fitzgerald's season has been billed as a disappointment, he's on pace for a fourth straight 90-catch, 1,000-yard campaign. His touchdowns are down, but this matchup is right to remedy that problem. No team in the NFL has permitted more passing scores than the Cowboys, who also allow the highest quarterback completion rate in football. With double-digit targets in a whopping nine straight games, Fitzgerald is a WR1 in championship week. ... Fitzgerald has remained the Cards' clear offensive focal point with John Skelton under center, leaving scraps for the rest of the wide receivers. Slumping Steve Breaston is a low-end WR3 despite this game's favorable setup.

Last week's clunker (6-16, 3-12) in a matchup with Carolina's No. 23 run defense reconfirmed Tim Hightower as Fool's Gold in fantasy leagues. Hightower fumbled again, and finished with fewer carries than a healthy Beanie Wells. With neither of Arizona's backs a sure bet to top 10 touches in any given game, it's a fantasy situation to avoid. ... Wells is averaging 3.34 yards per carry on the season and 2.91 in the last month. He has two touchdowns in 2010. Clearly, Wells has taken several steps back following an incredibly promising rookie year (4.51 YPC, seven touchdowns).

It gets good on Dallas' side, starting with Jon Kitna. Holding a 12-to-4 touchdown-to-turnover ratio in his last six games, Kitna faces off with a Cards defense that ranks 23rd against the pass, 23rd in sacks, and will be without sack leader Joey Porter (triceps). Kitna will have a clean pocket, and couldn't ask for a friendlier passing environment. ... Though Miles Austin's yardage totals have fallen off, a favorable matchup indoors will be hard for his owners to pass up. Always a good bet to find pay dirt, Austin is still a top-15 fantasy receiver. ... Roy Williams' (groin) likely return is bad news more for Sam Hurd than Austin or Jason Witten. Williams and Hurd cancel each other out in fantasy. ... Over the last month, Witten is averaging a ridiculous eight catches for 88 yards and a touchdown per game. He'll give coverage-challenged safety Adrian Wilson fits down the seam.

Dallas is averaging 32.2 points per game since Week 9. It's going to be safe to expect consistent ball movement against Arizona's 27th-ranked defense, a factor boding well for Cowboys rushers. And quietly, Tashard Choice has emerged as the backfield's best fantasy bet for Week 16. Even if his bruised shin is slight, usual lead back Felix Jones has a history of poor performance at less than 100 percent. Jones is averaging just 3.0 yards per carry without a touchdown in weeks when he's missed at least one practice this season, and playing on the short week won't help his slow-recovering tendencies. Already the heavy favorite for goal-line work in Dallas, Choice also saw more open-field carries than Jones in Week 15. Both are viable RB2s considering a matchup with the Cardinals' No. 30 run defense. Marion Barber (calf) is highly unlikely to be a factor.

[SIZE=+1]1:00PM ET Games[/SIZE]

Detroit @ Miami

"Matchup-proof" is a common term in fantasy circles. Calvin Johnson has taken it to the next level as a quarterback-proof starter. Megatron has gone through three QBs, averaging a 6/81 line with eight touchdowns in Shaun Hill's eight starts, 5/53 with three TDs in Matthew Stafford's three starts, and 5/88 with one score in Drew Stanton's three. Destroying the Bucs' double teams last week, Johnson vaulted to No. 2 in receiver fantasy scoring. Hill's anticipated return is more good news, as Johnson has put up his best numbers with him under center. The Lions also have shown willing to go pass-crazy with Hill at quarterback. ... Hill will help the offense, but Nate Burleson is still hard to trust with a high of 35 yards in the last month. Though pass attempts may rise, Detroit is hardly guaranteed to have success throwing it against Miami's No. 6 pass defense.

Only two teams have given up fewer fantasy points to tight ends than the Fins, so it's not worth the trouble when Brandon Pettigrew hasn't scored since Week 9 and is averaging 25 yards in his last three games. ... Another bad idea: Chasing Maurice Morris' 119-total yard effort from Week 15. The Dolphins are absolutely slamming the run, allowing a miniscule 2.23 yards per carry to running backs in their last four games, with zero rushing touchdowns. This is in matchups with Peyton Hillis (No. 2 fantasy back), Darren McFadden (No. 4), Fred Jackson (21), and LaDainian Tomlinson/Shonn Greene (20/38). Morris should be avoided like the plague. ... Even easier to avoid: Jahvid Best, with zero touchdowns since Week 2 and a 3.17 YPC average since Week 9.

The Dolphins are eliminated from playoff contention, but Brandon Marshall sure didn't play last week's game like a receiver who's given up. Turning in his best fantasy performance since Week 3, Marshall ran circles around Bills RCB Drayton Florence for 106 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions. Marshall's outlook gets even better this week against a Lions defense set to trot out Nathan Vasher at right corner. Bucs rookie Mike Williams whipped Vasher for a 24-yard score on a double move last week. ... The Lions have been gutted by slot receivers in recent games (e.g. Earl Bennett -- 7/104; Wes Welker -- 8/90/2), so Davone Bess is safely back to every-week WR3 status in PPR leagues. Bess had nine receptions for 78 yards against Buffalo last Sunday.

Marshall could've put a bigger dent in the Week 15 box score had Chad Henne been willing to throw downfield. Marshall was open on a number of fly routes down the left sideline, but Check-Down Chad couldn't muster up the guts to connect. All 11 of his hookups with Marshall were of horizontal variety. Though the Lions' pass defense is plenty vulnerable, Henne continues to be a low-end QB2. ... Much like Henne, favorable matchups just haven't been enough to make Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams overly desirable fantasy starts. Ronnie is at 3.09 yards per carry in his last six games, while Ricky's average stands at a better, if still pedestrian, 4.16 in his last seven. With both backs in contract years, expect an overhaul of the Dolphins' rushing offense this spring.

Baltimore @ Cleveland

Ray Rice showed in Week 15 exactly what he's capable of as a game plan's centerpiece. Seeing a season-high 36 touches, Rice totaled 233 yards, scored twice, and averaged 4.94 yards a carry -- his most since Week 3. With Baltimore finally finding the right mix in its front five, Rice should stay hot against a Cleveland run defense falling apart at the seams. So gashed were the Browns by struggling Cedric Benson in Week 15 that coach Eric Mangini seized defensive play-calling duties from coordinator Rob Ryan mid-game. It didn't work, of course, as Benson rolled out 75 second-half yards. Rice also saw eight of the Ravens' 10 red-zone touches in last week's win over the Saints, while Willis McGahee failed to exceed eight carries for a seventh straight game.

Though Joe Flacco threw multiple TD passes for the seventh time in his last nine games in Week 15, his 172 yards were a low since Week 2 as part of a run-heavy attack. With 16-18 MPH winds, sub-25 degree temps, and a 40 percent chance of snow in the Cleveland forecast, another run-first approach is likely. Flacco just doesn't offer as much upside as someone like Matt Schaub, Jon Kitna, or even Ben Roethlisberger. He's a low-end QB1. ... Anquan Boldin lit up CB Eric Wright for an 8/142/3 line in the Ravens' early-season meeting with Cleveland, but Wright (injured reserve, knee) is no longer around to torment. Having topped 50 yards once in his last seven tries, Boldin is a risky WR3. ... Derrick Mason had one catch last week and ranks 28th among fantasy receivers. He's certainly not an exciting option. ... Ed Dickson simply hasn't done enough to warrant a championship week start, especially with Todd Heap (hamstring) possibly returning.

Last week, we discussed Peyton Hillis' tendency to fade late in games. His per-play production has also dropped late in the year. Whereas Hillis averaged 4.84 YPC with eight TDs in the first eight games, he's down to a 4.03 in his last five while going scoreless in three straight. Owners lacking great alternatives can look to Hillis' 180-yard Week 3 effort at Baltimore for confidence, but keep in mind that was his coming-out party. The Ravens have stiffened against the run since, ranking fifth in the league in rush defense and permitting just five touchdowns on the ground in 14 games. After he was seen limping at Browns headquarters Wednesday, it's not a crazy idea to sit Hillis for someone like BenJarvus Green-Ellis or LeGarrette Blount in a non-PPR league. In PPR, Hillis is still a shoo-in top-ten running back. Only three backs in the league have more catches.

Colt McCoy has six starts, and three of them have coincided with strong games for Ben Watson (6/88/1, 5/74, 7/92). Watson is far from a sure thing, but he's also the best bet for catches and receiving yards on the Browns whenever McCoy is under center. Baltimore is tough on tight ends, but did allow a 5/47/1 line to Watson in Week 3. ... Brian Robiskie's 46-yard touchdown last week was fluky considering it came in recently signed street free agent CB Keiwan Ratliff's coverage on a pass that should've been picked off. Robiskie isn't an option this week. ... Neither is Mohamed Massaquoi, who has one touchdown since Week 1 and is an afterthought when McCoy starts.



San Francisco @ St. Louis

Have defenses figured out Sam Bradford? The No. 1 overall pick has a 0:5 TD-to-INT ratio in his last three games, and bottomed out last week with a season-low 4.21 yards-per-attempt average against a Chiefs defense daring him to beat them. Kansas City consistently used a single-high safety, meaning St. Louis' receivers had one-on-ones on the outside. Instead of picking apart the generous coverage, Bradford's completion rate dropped below 50.0 for the first time in his career, and he also posted a season-worst 40.9 passer rating. It's very bad news for a Rams team that needs to win out, and even worse news for Bradford's receiver corps. ... Danny Amendola did get back on track against the Chiefs, catching a game-high seven balls for 60 yards. Still scoreless in his last five games, Amendola remains a weak fantasy play outside of deep PPR leagues.

Danario Alexander played a season-high 28 snaps in last week's loss to K.C., but didn't catch a pass for a second straight game. He's a fourth receiver in a struggling passing attack. ... Brandon Gibson is a No. 2, but he's averaging just 44.2 yards per game with one score since Week 10. ... Steven Jackson gutted San Francisco for 148 total yards and a touchdown in the teams' midseason meeting, and has 114 or more yards in three straight games. The 49ers have a top-seven run defense and allow the fewest yards per carry in the NFC, but were gutted for 110 yards and a touchdown on the ground by Chargers running backs last week. It can't hurt Jackson's cause that Niners ILBs Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes are both playing with broken hands.

Like St. Louis, the 49ers are in must-win mode. Yes, 5-9 San Francisco still has a chance to win the NFC West, so they've handed the QB job back to their most talented passer. Troy Smith threw for a 49ers season-high 356 yards and avoided turnovers in a Week 10 win over the Rams, and has taken the last two weeks "off" to more fully comprehend OC Mike Johnson's scheme. Smith obviously isn't a fantasy starter, but certainly gives the offense its best chance for big plays. ... Vernon Davis' weekly averages with Troy aren't spectacular, but it's worth remembering that Davis had 79 yards in the aforementioned game, with Smith all in all completing eight passes for 159 yards to tight ends. Davis is the No. 4 overall fantasy tight end. Now is no time to bench him.

Double teaming and quarterback musical chairs haven't helped, but Michael Crabtree has been out-produced by Josh Morgan in two straight games and three of the last five. Smith isn't likely to save Crabtree, so it's another situation to avoid in champions week. ... Anthony Dixon (ankle) is hobbled this week, but Brian Westbrook is averaging just 2.92 yards per carry since his fluky 136-yard game in Week 12, which came against an Arizona defense that had already given up. Though this is a favorable matchup -- St. Louis allows 4.55 YPC -- Westbrook isn't effective between the tackles at this stage of his career. The 31-year-old is a low-end flex option in PPR leagues.

New England @ Buffalo

The Ralph Wilson Stadium forecast includes sub-20 degree temps, a 40 percent chance of sleet, and 13-15 MPH winds. They're elements in which Tom Brady dominates, but the same can't be said for weak-armed Ryan Fitzpatrick, regardless of the Pats' pass defense ranking. The Bills seem to realize it, and have dramatically scaled back pass attempts in the season's second half. Whereas Fitzpatrick threw 38 times a game in his first six starts, he's at 29.5 in his last six, and hasn't topped 26 in the last three weeks. In his past two cold weather games (vs. CLE, vs. PIT), Fitz averages just 203.5 yards with a combined 2:2 touchdown-to-turnover ratio. It's bad news for his Week 16 fantasy outlook, as well as Steve Johnson's. Johnson is only a low-upside WR2/3.

Bills rookie slot man David Nelson isn't a fantasy option, but is an intriguing prospect. At 6'5/217, Nelson ran a 4.45 forty at Florida's Pro Day after playing behind Riley Cooper in the Gators' run-heavy offense. Nelson never topped 25 receptions in a college season, but already has 31 as a first-year pro. He played 58 percent of the snaps in Week 15, and scored an 18-yard touchdown. ... New England is only above average in run defense, but Fred Jackson's production has dropped off sharply since C.J. Spiller returned from a hamstring three weeks ago. Whereas Jackson averaged 5.31 yards per carry with five touchdowns in Weeks 10-12, he's scoreless in Weeks 13-15 with a 3.45 YPC average. Jackson has also been phased out of the Bills' passing game.

Wes Welker's three-catch, 42-yard game in Week 15 wasn't as much due to Charles Woodson's coverage as were two drops and New England severely losing time of possession (41:19). Tom Brady completed a season-low 15 passes. Welker is still averaging nearly seven catches for 80 yards per game since Week 9, and the Bills surrendered nine receptions to Fins slot man Davone Bess last week. ... Brady will be just fine, of course. He has multiple TDs in seven straight games and 326 or more yards in four of his last six. ... The Bills allow the third most fantasy points in the league to tight ends. Things I do know: 1) Aaron Hernandez scored two touchdowns in Week 15. 2) Rob Gronkowski plays far more snaps than Hernandez. 3) One of them is likely to have a big game Sunday. Things I don't know: 1) Which one of them it will be. 2) That I'm not helping much.

Like Welker, Deion Branch had his first slow game in over a month last week against the Pack, seeing just two targets. In potentially snowy Buffalo, the Pats could easily go with a run-heavy offense and short passing attack. Branch is their deep threat. It's not a bad idea to sit him for higher-upside WR3s. ... Buffalo ranks 32nd against the run, setting up BenJarvus Green-Ellis nicely. "Law Firm" has six rushing TDs in his last five games and a 4.57 yards-per-carry average in his last six. He touched up the Bills for 104 total yards, a score, and 6.1 YPC in the Pats' Week 3 meeting with them, and is a rock-solid RB2 with an especially high ceiling this week. ... Danny Woodhead hasn't seen more than 11 touches since Week 5. He needs touchdowns to matter.

Washington @ Jacksonville

Both coach Jack Del Rio and Maurice Jones-Drew expressed concern this week about the star back's knee injury, which cost him the final two possessions of last Sunday's loss. Jones-Drew wound up with a season-low 29 snaps against the Colts. (His previous low was 40.) MJD is listed as questionable, so owners should be sure to handcuff him with Rashad Jennings, as either rusher has the potential to dominate the Skins' No. 27 run defense. Washington is allowing 4.84 yards per carry -- most in the NFC. ... The Redskins are reeling at strong safety, the position often assigned with tight end coverage. LaRon Landry (Achilles) is out for the season, and fill-in Reed Doughty suffered a concussion last week. It shouldn't be surprising, then, that they've given up touchdowns to tight ends in back-to-back games and were gashed by Jason Witten for a 10/140/1 line last week. Play No. 3 overall fantasy tight end Marcedes Lewis with the utmost confidence.

The EverBank Field forecast calls for 22 MPH winds, although they're expected to die down as the day progresses. Outside of domed games this week, you won't find more favorable temperatures (49-50 degrees) with a zero percent chance of rain. It's good news for red-hot David Garrard in a matchup with the league's No. 31 pass defense. We've discussed previously how Garrard can be essentially an every-week fantasy starter when he's playing well, and he certainly is in his last three games with a 6:2 touchdown-to-turnover ratio. The Jags let Garrard air it out with Jones-Drew hobbled last Sunday, and he finished with a season-high 38 pass attempts. He's a rock-solid QB1 against Washington, which may be without top pass rusher Brian Orakpo (groin, hamstring). ... Mike Sims-Walker appeared to aggravate his high ankle sprain in Week 15 and has been downright awful in home games this season. You should be able to do better. ... Mike Thomas is averaging 35.2 receiving yards in his last five games and isn't a fantasy option.

The Skins are eliminated from the playoffs, but that didn't stop them last week from mounting an aggressive comeback after falling behind Dallas 27-7. The final score was 33-30 Cowboys. Rex Grossman threw for 322 yards and four TDs, although a grand majority of it came after the game had seemingly fallen out of reach. While this matchup is right -- the Jags rank 27th against the pass and allow the most yards per throw in football -- we've seen way too much of Grossman to be confident that he'll continue to have success. Don't get caught thinking he's suddenly a QB1. ... The good news is that Grossman showed the ability to deliver the football to his playmakers. Even better, Santana Moss confirmed that he is healthy. Tying for the NFL lead in targets last week, Moss caught eight balls for 72 yards and two touchdowns. He's a WR2 against the Jags.

Chris Cooley ranks second in the NFL in receptions by tight ends and is on pace for a career high in yardage, so I've been surprised to hear owners consider sitting him. Cooley was Grossman's second most frequently targeted pass catcher last week, and the Jags have allowed the fifth most yards in the league to tight ends. ... Anthony Armstrong only has one touchdown in his last nine games, but is averaging a respectable 71 yards since Week 8. Considering the matchup, you could do much worse in a WR3 position. ... Averaging an incredibly impressive 4.89 yards per carry on the year, Ryan Torain squares off with an 18th-ranked Jags run defense that surrenders 4.57 YPC and over a rushing score per game. On a personal note, I'm strongly considering playing Torain over Peyton Hillis in my touchdown-heavy college league this weekend.

NY Jets @ Chicago

Vegas projects Jets-Bears as Week 16's lowest scoring game, as both teams rank in the bottom five in points allowed. In a game also likely to be played in cold, potentially windy conditions, there just aren't many high-upside fantasy starts. ... Perhaps the safest bet for a solid day is Matt Forte, who is averaging 19 touches in his last six games and will square off with a Jets team showing late-season signs of decline in run defense. Steelers, Dolphins, and Patriots backs have combined for three rushing touchdowns and a 4.32 YPC average against the Jets in their last three games. Though his ceiling is capped by the continued loss of goal-line carries to Chester Taylor, Forte is your man if you're looking for a safe 70-90 total yards as a low-end RB2.

The Jets used Darrelle Revis all over the formation in Week 15, although he primarily matched up with Hines Ward. Ward caught two balls -- neither with Revis on him. The Bears' No. 1 receiver is Johnny Knox, but Devin Hester can also expect plenty of Revis' coverage in Hester's limited offensive playing time. Chicago's wideout corps should be avoided in this one. ... Though Jay Cutler ate up Minnesota's submissive secondary for three TD passes last Monday, he's facing a different animal this week. Cutler is averaging just 201 yards since Week 7, and entering Week 15 had a 1:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his previous two games. He's a QB2 against the Jets. ... Greg Olsen is averaging 9.5 yards per game in this last month. He's well off the radar.

A controlled passing attack allowed for one of Mark Sanchez's better games of the season in last week's upset of Pittsburgh. Sanchez's improved play bodes well for the Jets, but isn't enough to make him a fantasy option against a Bears team that has permitted the second fewest touchdown passes in the league. Sanchez has torn cartilage in his throwing shoulder, and one TD in the last month. ... Perhaps we should've seen Braylon Edwards' fluky 100-yard game in Week 15 coming, because he now has 100 yards in three straight Week 15s. More relevant for Sunday, Edwards averages 30 yards in three career Week 16s. ... If you're going to play a Jets receiver, it should be Santonio Holmes, despite a minor case of turf toe. Holmes' target count hasn't dipped under nine in the last month, and he easily leads the team with 42 over that span. Edwards is next with 26.

UPDATE: Coach Rex Ryan announced Thursday afternoon that Sanchez will be a game-time decision against the Bears. If you thought Sanchez had a weak arm, you're clearly not using backup Mark Brunell as a measuring stick. Avoid the Jets' passing game in Week 16.

Chicago ranks third in run defense and permits just 3.77 yards per carry, so you should be able to do better than LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene in championship week. Neither has found the end zone since Week 6, and Greene's brief midseason surge has come to a crashing halt down the stretch with a 3.53 yards-per-carry average in his last five games. LT's average over that span isn't much better at 3.54, so there's little separation between the two. Tomlinson hasn't exceeded 57 rushing yards since Week 5. ... The Bears are stingy against tight ends and Dustin Keller is averaging 26.8 yards in his last six games. He still hasn't scored since Week 4.



Tennessee @ Kansas City

Kenny Britt has emerged as one of the NFL's most dynamic wideouts, and his impact has been felt by others. Chris Johnson is the primary beneficiary, with a 116 total-yard average and nine TDs in Britt's nine appearances. Johnson is at 83.4 yards with two scores in Britt's five missed games. The Chiefs are only above average against the run, ranking 13th in rush defense and permitting 4.22 yards per carry. Johnson is the No. 6 fantasy back and a must-start this week. ... Avoid Titans tight ends. The Chiefs have allowed the fewest fantasy points to TEs in the AFC. ... Only four defenses are stingier than Kansas City in terms of yards per pass attempt. Unless you're in a two-QB league, don't chase a banged-up Kerry Collins' five touchdowns in the last two weeks.

Britt's snaps have risen steadily since returning from a torn hamstring, and he overtook Randy Moss as the Titans' full-time split end in Week 15. He also has another favorable matchup this week. Tennessee's LWR, Britt will square off with Chiefs RCB Brandon Carr for the majority of Sunday's game. Carr is susceptible to long bombs, which is one of Britt's specialties. ... Nate Washington gets the tough matchup with Chiefs LCB Brandon Flowers. Washington ranks 35th among receivers in fantasy scoring and is averaging a lousy 29.5 yards in his last four games. ... Avoid Titans tight ends. The Chiefs have allowed the fewest fantasy points to TEs in the AFC.

Jamaal Charles let down fantasy owners in Week 14, but rediscovered dominant form with 153 total yards and a touchdown in last Sunday's defeat of St. Louis. Charles is up to 1,961 rushing yards in his last 17 games, averaging 6.60 yards per carry. The Titans rank 17th in run defense. ... Thomas Jones needs goal-line touchdowns to make a real dent in the week-to-week box score, because he's only averaging 3.08 yards per carry since the halfway point. Late-season fades are nothing new for Jones, who had similar issues last season in New York. He's a poor flex option.

Matt Cassel is off the injury report, but the Chiefs will stay run-heavy with their quarterback under three weeks removed from an appendectomy. It took Ben Roethlisberger five weeks to clear 200 passing yards after a similar procedure in 2008. This is also bad news for Dwayne Bowe. ... Bowe will see Cortland Finnegan in coverage for the majority of Week 16, and the Titans' feisty RCB will do his best to get under Bowe's skin. As noted in Mike Tanier's Going Deep column this week, Bowe is a "somewhat flaky" sort, and may be especially susceptible to Finnegan's tactics. With three catches in his last three games, Bowe is a risky WR2. ... The Titans don't defend tight ends well, but Tony Moeaki hasn't scored since Week 3 and ranks 21st in fantasy points at his position.

[SIZE=+1]4:05PM ET Games[/SIZE]

Indianapolis @ Oakland

The Jags' game plan in last week's loss to Indianapolis was crystal clear: Double Reggie Wayne, blitz Peyton Manning, and make the rest of the Colts beat them. This resulted in monster games for Austin Collie (8/87/2) and Donald Brown (14/129/1). Brown's day was fluky considering how often he ran into the second level untouched -- it wasn't a turning point in the disappointing former first-round pick's career. He didn't bust tackles or make defenders miss. Though the Raiders are vulnerable to the run, they also don't typically gear their defense to stop a particular player. With Joseph Addai (neck) and Mike Hart (ankle) potentially both back, Brown should be easy to sit in champions week. ... Returning to full health in Week 15, Jacob Tamme played 90.9 percent of Indianapolis' offensive snaps, after seeing just 46.6 percent the game before. Tamme caught seven balls and will benefit from Collie's absence over the middle and in the red zone this week.

The Raiders' No. 5 pass defense ranking looks swell on paper, but they've been torched by good passers. Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, and Matt Schaub have combined to average 295 yards with an 8:1 TD-to-INT ratio against Oakland this year. On fire again, Manning has multiple touchdowns in four straight games and at least 285 yards in four of his last five. Start 'em. ... Despite playing with Tim Tebow (eight completions) last week, Broncos split end Brandon Lloyd caught four balls for 79 yards and a TD against the Raiders. Lloyd's cause was helped greatly by a hobbled Nnamdi Asomugha (ankle), who played a season-low 21 snaps. Reggie Wayne is the Colts' split end, and owners shouldn't be scared to use him. Weather will certainly work in Wayne's favor. 54-degree temps and 10 MPH winds are in The Coliseum forecast. ... Blair White and Pierre Garcon have good matchups, but have proven to be risky plays. They're WR3 options.

Though Michael Bush vultured a pair of goal-line touchdowns last week (one in the first quarter and another in garbage time), Darren McFadden should be locked and loaded as an RB1 against the Colts' No. 28 run defense. Indy is especially vulnerable to big runs, allowing the fourth most 20-plus yard rushing attempts in the league and a whopping 4.74 yards per carry. McFadden just so happens to lead the NFL in 20-yard explosions despite two missed games. On top of his rushing numbers, McFadden is averaging 54.5 receiving yards per game over the last month. ... Bush does appear to have taken over as the Raiders' short-yardage specialist, but it's not enough to make him more than a desperation flex play. He'll have a real clunker if he doesn't find pay dirt.

The Colts have a top-11 pass defense, and it's not hard to imagine Dwight Freeney dominating Raiders rookie LT Jared Veldheer when Jason Campbell drops back. If Oakland is going to stay competitive, it'll be because of their rushing attack. Campbell posted a 1:2 TD-to-INT ratio and just 238 passing yards against a far worse Broncos pass defense last week. He's a QB2. ... Louis Murphy has one touchdown since Week 2 and had 14 yards on two targets in Week 15. He's a WR4 in fantasy leagues. ... Jacoby Ford continues to be an elite return-yardage league option, but shouldn't be trusted in standard settings with a two-catch, 31.3-yard average in his last three games. Owners can't rely on 71-yard reverses for touchdowns. ... If the Colts are tough on tight ends, it hasn't shown up recently. They've allowed four TDs to tight ends in their last three games. Zach Miller is the best bet for receptions, yards, and scores in Oakland this week.

San Diego @ Cincinnati

The Sunday forecast for Paul Brown Stadium calls for 28-30 degree temps, but just a 30 percent chance of rain and 10 MPH winds. Passing shouldn't be hindered. ... Philip Rivers' pass attempts are down, which has taken him way off the single-season passing record he appeared a good bet to bust at midseason. You can't bench him, of course, and certainly not against a Cincy defense that ranks second to last in sacks. The Bengals allowed two TDs, 9.7 yards per attempt, and a 76.0 completion rate to rookie Colt McCoy last week. ... Bengals CBs Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph form an elite duo, but history favors Vincent Jackson. V-Jax whipped them for 108 yards and two touchdowns in Week 15 of last season, beating Joseph on a double move for his first score and Hall's jam at the line for the second. Jackson is our No. 7 overall receiver this week.

Malcom Floyd will be a game-time decision, and isn't worth the wait in a late game with two bum hamstrings. Floyd's presence also wouldn't hurt Jackson's outlook. V-Jax is the heavy favorite for targets. ... Antonio Gates (foot, toe) is out until the playoffs, assuming the Bolts qualify. Fill-in Randy McMichael is a low-upside option, and has a poor matchup against a Bengals defense that's surrendered just three touchdowns to tight ends in 14 games. ... Cincinnati did stifle a scuffling Peyton Hillis last week, but still ranks 22nd against the run and allows 4.58 yards per carry. In a game the Chargers should have no trouble controlling and moving the football, Mike Tolbert is a strong bet for a touchdown. An even timeshare with Ryan Mathews, however, makes Tolbert a poor bet top 70 rushing yards. Each player has 34 touches over the last two weeks.

San Diego ranks No. 1 in defense, No. 1 against the pass, and No. 2 against the run. While those figures should finally land DC Ron Rivera a head-coaching gig this offseason, they make it awfully difficult to get excited about any Bengal in fantasy championships. Cedric Benson would appear the premier play on Cincinnati's side after last week's 31/150/1 line, but it's not hard to imagine the Bolts pulling out in front early and forcing the Bengals into constant passing situations. Benson doesn't play in pass sets. He's a low-end RB2 with lots of downside. ... Also avoid Jermaine Gresham, who has one touchdown since Week 5 and six yards in the last two games combined.

With Terrell Owens (knee surgery) out for the season, Andre Caldwell takes over as the Bengals' full-time flanker. Caldwell will have his hands full with Chargers LCB Quentin Jammer, who according to Pro Football Focus is allowing just a 52.2 completion rate into his coverage. ... The Bengals are playing young players late in the year, so Chad Ochocinco saw a season-low 38 snaps last week. Assuming he's able to play through the painful bone spurs in his ankle this week, Ocho will continue to rotate evenly with Jerome Simpson in an obvious fantasy situation to avoid. ... Carson Palmer has three passing touchdowns in his last four games. He'll be of more assistance to owners of the Chargers' fantasy defense than two-quarterback leaguers this week.

Houston @ Denver

Vegas projects Texans-Broncos as the highest scoring on Sunday's slate, making Andre Johnson that much more difficult to worry about in a tough matchup with Champ Bailey. It's worth noting that Bailey has not "shadowed" No. 1 receivers quite as often since Broncos interim coach Eric Studesville took over prior to Week 14. Larry Fitzgerald had 72 yards on six catches against Denver two Sundays ago, and according to Pro Football Focus 53 of the yards and three of the catches were made versus defensive backs other than Bailey. Johnson and Bailey usually line up on opposite ends of the formation, so if the Broncos keep Bailey at left corner and A.J. runs his usual routes down the other sideline, Bailey won't be covering Johnson. He'll be on Kevin Walter.

Despite an elite corner in Bailey, Denver's pass defense has struggled this season. The league's 22nd-ranked unit permits the fourth most yards per attempt in the NFL, the second most 20-plus yard completions, and the seventh most passing TDs. Matt Schaub should be locked into lineups. He may be leaned on more heavily with Arian Foster (glute/ankle) potentially not 100 percent. ... Jacoby Jones' increased snaps and targets have resulted from comeback mode over the last two weeks, with Houston falling behind 21-0 in back-to-back games. He's a shaky WR3. ... Owen Daniels is still rotating with Joel Dreessen, and isn't quite the elite TE1 we envisioned. He's still worth a start for tight end-strapped owners against a Broncos defense giving up the fifth most fantasy points to TEs. ... Foster is the No. 1 player in fantasy, is fully expected to start, and faces off with Denver's No. 31 run defense. He only needs to make it through two quarters to go off.

Owners might see Houston's No. 32 rank against the pass and envision Tim Tebow as a quality play. Not smart. Entrusted to throw only 16 times last week (completing eight), Tebow's lone TD pass should've been picked off by Raiders CB Stanford Routt, and his fluky 40-yard touchdown run came on a busted play. The draw was designed for Correll Buckhalter, but Tebow blew the call and was given a missed assignment by Broncos coaches after film review. Tebow "led" Denver into the red zone once all game. Please, look elsewhere. ... The Broncos' run-first approach with Tebow under center does bode poorly for Brandon Lloyd, but the good news is that Lloyd led the team in targets in Tebow's first start and also gets favorable weather. The Invesco Field forecast includes next to no wind, zero chance of rain, and temps in the mid-50s. Lloyd isn't the WR1 he's been all season, but you can't sit him if you start three receivers. He'll be open.

Other Broncos receiver stats in Tebow's starting debut: Jabar Gaffney -- 1/32/0 on two targets; Eddie Royal (who oddly started at split end) -- 0/0/0 on three targets. ... Knowshon Moreno (ribs) is very questionable for Week 16. While his return to limited practice seems positive, the rule we often use when assessing banged-up players' chances of playing is that they're unlikely to do so when they don't finish the game before. Moreno, of course, didn't. Unless you're loaded with late-game options (Lance Ball doesn't count), Moreno is going to be difficult to wait for. The Texans rank ninth in the league in run defense and allow just 3.91 yards per carry. Houston could also very conceivably grab an early lead, forcing the Broncos to rely on the scattershot arm of Tebow and reducing rushing attempts. They're not stopping Arian Foster or Matt Schaub on Sunday.



[SIZE=+1]4:15PM ET Games[/SIZE]

NY Giants @ Green Bay

One thing that surprised me in Week 15 was the pass everyone gave Matt Flynn for running the crunch-time offense at molasses pace, costing Green Bay an opportunity to win the game. The awful clock management was attributed to Flynn's "inexperience," yet he's been in the offense three years and the No. 2 quarterback the entire time. I guess that's the break Flynn gets for playing adequately at New England against what's been one of the worst pass defenses in football all season. It's good news for the Packers (and my preseason Super Bowl pick) that Aaron Rodgers is back this week. ... Rodgers is No. 2 among quarterbacks in fantasy points-per-game, so he's a must-start despite a fairly difficult matchup with a Giants defense that ranks second in the league against the pass. The Lambeau Field forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of snow and 25-degree temperatures, but only 10-13 MPH winds. Passing should not be affected.

Greg Jennings has dabbled in the slot this season, but with Donald Driver healthy is now back at split end. Ranked fifth among fantasy wideouts, Jennings will face off with burnable RCB Terrell Thomas in a favorable matchup. According to Pro Football Focus, Thomas has given up more touchdowns this season than any Giants defensive back. ... James Jones had his biggest game in six weeks with Flynn under center, but New York doesn't often give up enough yards and TDs to support multiple big games for opposing pass catchers. Averaging 33.25 yards in Rodgers' last four starts, Jones is an extremely high-risk WR3. ... Having topped 31 yards once since Week 5, Driver is obviously hands-off in champions week. ... The Packers' run game should also be easy to avoid. There seem to be no set roles at this point, and the Giants have a top-ten run defense.

Though the Eagles are virtually certain to win the NFC East, the Giants can secure a Wild Card berth with a win at Lambeau. It's going to be a difficult day on offense, though. The Packers rank third against the pass and have permitted one of the best defensive TD-to-INT ratios in football (14:18), which doesn't bode well for NFL interception leader Eli Manning. Having topped 226 yards just once since Week 10, Manning is a low-end QB1. ... Hakeem Nicks should still have plenty of success, mostly because he's a dominant player. He's averaging seven catches for 87 yards with 10 touchdowns in the 11 full games he's played this season. ... Mario Manningham is coming off his best fantasy performance of the year, but also picked up a heel injury on top of his hip flexor strain. Manningham is shaping up as a boom-or-bost play, which is usually the case with him.

Behind Nicks, Kevin Boss looks like the safest bet for pass-catching stats on the Giants. Seeing an increased role due to possession WR Steve Smith's absences and later placement on injured reserve, Boss ranks second in the NFL in tight end fantasy points over the last five weeks. (Jason Witten is first.) With Packers OLB Clay Mathews' play also tailing off, Boss shouldn't be charged with as much blocking duty. Green Bay has allowed the fourth most fantasy points in the league to tight ends. ... Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are both coming off scoreless games, but Bradshaw saw 21 touches to Jacobs' 12. Just based on that, Bradshaw is the slightly better play. Jacobs is a low-end RB2, but has plenty of upside for a flex position. The Packers surrender 4.63 yards a carry and rank 19th against the run. They also won't have stud DE Cullen Jenkins (calf).

Seattle @ Tampa Bay

We've discussed in this space how much better a quarterback Josh Freeman is and how much more successful the Bucs are when Freeman's pass attempts are down. This has remained evident in recent losses to Baltimore (37 attempts), Atlanta (38), and Detroit (32). Though Freeman is a heck of a young player and this matchup is right, the Bucs are more likely to execute a balanced game plan that limits Freeman's upside. Averaging under 200 yards a game since Week 10 with just four TDs in the last month, Freeman is a low-end QB1. ... Averaging 5.62 yards per carry with a pair of scores in his last three games, LeGarrette Blount should stay hot against Seattle's No. 21 run defense. Blount has at least 15 carries in five of his last six games. Just keep in mind that, with two catches all season, he's a far better bet in non-PPR than PPR.

While Freeman probably won't top 250 yards Sunday, he is likely to have success when he does drop back. The Seahawks rank 29th against the pass and have surrendered the most 20-plus yard completions in the league. Top CB Marcus Trufant is falling apart late in the year, with his history of back problems cropping up again. Trufant was unable to finish last week's game due to spasms. It adds up to a nice matchup for Mike Williams, whom the Bucs are making a concerted effort to get open with pre-snap motion and receiver screens. On pace for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns, Williams is a quality WR2. ... Arrelious Benn took a backseat in the passing offense last week, catching three balls for 34 yards on four targets. Benn is a nice complement to Williams, but isn't a fantasy option. ... The Seahawks have allowed the 24th most fantasy points in the league to tight ends. Bench Kellen Winslow if you have good alternatives.

Marshawn Lynch has shown improvement with a respectable (for him) 4.0 YPC average in his last three games. The uptick has coincided with a reduced role for Justin Forsett, who hasn't touched the football more than six times in a game since Week 11. While you're not going to find a more favorable matchup (Tampa allows a league-most 4.85 yards per carry), it would still be tough to rely on a back who's struggled so much all season in championship week. Lynch is a shaky flex play. ... Matt Hasselbeck continues to pile up turnovers, giving the ball to the other team a whopping 13 times compared to just four touchdowns in the last month. Clearly on a short leash, Hasselbeck was yanked for Charlie Whitehurst last week and isn't a good option regardless of the Bucs' struggles against the pass since losing top CB Aqib Talib to season-ending injured reserve.

On the bright side for Seattle's passing attack, Big Mike Williams is healthy. A target monster whenever he's been on the field this season, Williams tied for the league lead in the statistic last week and caught eight passes. He's a strong WR3 in PPR leagues. ... Ben Obomanu also has returned to the starting lineup, but caught just one pass for seven yards last week. Two of the passes thrown his way were intercepted, and his lone reception was caught behind the line of scrimmage. Definitely look elsewhere.

[SIZE=+1]Sunday Night Football[/SIZE]

Minnesota @ Philadelphia

Michael Vick is the best quarterback play in the league this week. As Chris Wesseling noted in last Monday's Morning After column, Vick is averaging an NFL-high 29.7 standard league fantasy points per game. Aaron Rodgers is second with a 24-point average. Banged up throughout the secondary, Minnesota served up three touchdowns to Jay Cutler in Week 15. Entering the game, Cutler had multiple TD passes in just 4-of-12 weeks. ... Ranked tenth in fantasy receiver points, DeSean Jackson projects to see lots of Frank Walker in this one. Walker plays left corner when opponents use three receivers (which the Eagles do as often as any team), and D-Jax runs most of his routes against LCBs. One of the worst corners in football, Walker was easily burned by Devin Hester on a simple post route for a 15-yard score last week. ... Avoid Jason Avant, who will see plenty of Vikings shutdown CB Antoine Winfield in the slot. Avant has one TD all season.

Brent Celek has been maddeningly inconsistent and isn't worth the trouble against a Vikings defense permitting the fewest yards in the league to tight ends. ... Jeremy Maclin is the No. 12 receiver in fantasy, and like Jackson has a favorable matchup. Maclin will see RCB Asher Allen for most of the game. ... Minnesota ranks eighth in run defense, but LeSean McCoy is the No. 5 fantasy back and an every-week starter. He's also ripped up run defenses ranked higher than the Vikings this season. McCoy had 138 total yards and a touchdown against the 49ers (No. 7 against the run) in Week 5, and 120 total yards against the Bears (No. 3) in Week 12, combining for 5.18 yards per carry in those games. The Eagles are a safe bet to win the time of possession battle against the Joe Webb-led Vikings, so McCoy should not struggle for 20-25 touches.

Skittish in the pocket and as green as quarterbacks get, Joe Webb's playmaking ability still shined through from a fantasy perspective in last Monday's blowout loss. Webb racked up 11 standard league points in 2 1/2 quarters. The issue is not if Webb is a good passer. It's whether he can score points as a WR3/flex in Yahoo leagues, and he delivered despite not even starting the game. Though the Birds' pass rush is more fearsome than Chicago's and will give the rookie fits, Webb clearly has the green light to run when he gets through a read or two. Make no mistake: Webb is a high-risk play at Philly. But his ceiling is also sky high with another full week of first-team practice reps under his belt. Brett Favre (concussion) is not expected to play. ... Webb's poor passing skills are still enough to severely hinder Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin's fantasy outlooks. While both are worth WR3 consideration simply because of their talent, they're also threats for 23-yard games as Rice showed last Monday night. Harvin had 72 yards and a score, although just two of his seven targets came from Webb, who played over half the game.

Visanthe Shiancoe was the one Vikings pass catcher to benefit from Webb, matching a season-high with six catches. Five of the completions came from the rookie. Shiancoe is a low-upside play just by virtue of the fact that Minnesota is unlikely to have passing success Sunday night, but desperate owners could do worse. ... Adrian Peterson's (thigh, knee) status is perhaps the hottest topic of championship week, and at this point there's just no way to tell if he's going to play. As of Thursday, A.D. was still experiencing pain and couldn't run at full speed. Owners can't count on him unless they have Toby Gerhart or another viable late-game option in reserve. Peterson will be a full-blown game-time decision against an Eagles defense that ranks 11th overall in the NFL and just barely surrenders 4.0 yards per carry. Peterson remains an RB1 if he starts the game.

[SIZE=+1]Monday Night Football[/SIZE]

New Orleans @ Atlanta

Vegas projects Saints-Falcons as Week 16's highest scoring game. We know by now who to sit and start on both sides, but the wait to Monday should be well worth it for an indoor matchup that will decide a large chunk of fantasy champions. ... Atlanta defends the run (No. 12) better than the pass (No. 20), so Drew Brees is an easy call. He lit up the Falcons for 365 yards and three TDs in their early-season meeting. ... In six domed games since Week 4, Marques Colston is averaging seven catches for 92 yards with six touchdowns. Trot him out. ... Lance Moore has scored in three of his last four, but is playing just 48.2 percent of the offensive snaps, and 45.2 percent in the last month. Not being a full-time player makes Moore subject to clunkers. He's a risky play.

Robert Meachem (48th in receiver scoring) and Devery Henderson (80th) are too inconsistent for reliability, though it's worth noting that Meachem's played more snaps than Henderson in four of the last five weeks. ... Chris Ivory is undergoing platelet-rich plasma therapy in an effort to fix his hamstring. This treatment is often reserved for tears and severe strains. Listed as questionable, Ivory isn't worth the wait against a tough run defense. ... With Ivory out in Week 15, the Saints were comfortable enough with Pierre Thomas to give him just six carries at Baltimore. Focusing on kickoff returns, he won't be an option in Week 16. ... Reggie Bush is averaging nine touches for 33 scoreless yards per game since returning from a fractured fibula. He, too, would be a poor fantasy bet. ... A potential shootout makes Jimmy Graham somewhat attractive, but he only plays in passing sets on a Danario Alexander-like 24.6 snaps per game. Graham is an awfully big risk.

Winners of eight straight, the Falcons enter Monday with plenty to play for because they've not even formally clinched the NFC South, let alone a No. 1 or 2 seed. I was asked this week if the Falcons would rest Michael Turner. Not happening. ... Falcons statistics from their Week 3 game at New Orleans: Turner -- 30/114/1; Matt Ryan -- 228 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs; Roddy White -- 5/69/1; Tony Gonzalez -- 8/110/1. ... White is the No. 4 receiver in fantasy, so he's more than earned a start in championship week. It certainly doesn't hurt that Saints LCB Jabari Greer is iffy with a knee sprain. ... New Orleans showed willing to let Gonzo beat them in the aforementioned game, at the expense of double teaming White. Gonzalez capitalized for his best fantasy effort of the season. The Saints have also given up the third most receptions in the league to tight ends.

Michael Jenkins' Week 15 touchdown was fluky considering it's just his second since Week 14 of the 2009 season, and third since Week 9 of 2008. Leave him on waivers. ... The one usual must-start I could see sitting for someone like Jon Kitna is Matt Ryan. Though the game does project as high scoring, New Orleans has surrendered the fewest passing scores in the league. Scratch this if Saints top cover corner Greer doesn't play. Ryan is the No. 7 fantasy quarterback, after all. ... As Ray Rice showed in Week 15, New Orleans' defense is most vulnerable against the run (4.37 YPC, 13 rushing TDs allowed). Turner ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing, and third in rushing scores. He's an elite play.

HacheMan · Dec 26, 2010

Weeks 16's Injury Questions
You prepared for this week all season and expected to have studs like Maurice Jones-Drew, Knowshon Moreno, Adrian Peterson, Andre Johnson and Terrell Owens clicking on all cylinders. Well, hopefully this isn't your first rodeo because the final two weeks of the NFL season are predictably unpredictable.

So, a player like Rashad Jennings could very well decide your league's championship. With Jones-Drew almost certainly out, the 2009 seventh-round steal is set for 15-20 touches against a porous Redskins' defense. Showing excellent hands out of the backfield and flashing starting-caliber talent during spot duty over the last couple seasons, Jennings is a strong RB2 play.

Be prepared with your squad in Week 16. Check out the Rotoworld News Page all morning for the latest information on all the game-time decisions. Also, be sure to use the rankings from Gregg Rosenthal/Chris Wesseling in combination with Evan Silva's matchup column and you'll be good to go.

If you're looking to start over, you can get a new team via SnapDraft right now.

I've got you covered with the latest injury news here.

<BIG>SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL</BIG>
COWBOYS at CARDINALS
* Roy Williams (groin) is a game-time decision and should not be near fantasy lineups regardless.
* Marion Barber (calf) is healthy, but his role is uncertain with Felix Jones (shin) and Tashard Choice playing well. He could end up as a healthy scratch.
* Derek Anderson (concussion) is fine to serve as a back up behind John Skelton.

<BIG>1 P.M. GAMES</BIG>
JETS at BEARS
* Santonio Holmes (turf toe) will play as a risky option thanks to Mark Sanchez (shoulder) at just 80 percent.

PATRIOTS at BILLS
* Aaron Hernandez (hip) will likely play, but it is impossible to predict which Pats' tight end will produce on a week-to-week basis.

RAVENS at BROWNS
* Todd Heap (hamstring) is a game-time decision that we are tentatively expecting to sit as a precaution.
* Derrick Mason (ankle) is ready to go as a low-end fantasy option.
* Peyton Hillis (knee) rested some during practice this week but is good to go in this tough matchup.

TITANS at CHIEFS
* Jamaal Charles was merely cramping last week. He's a full go.

49ERS at RAMS
* Anthony Dixon (ankle) is hobbled, meaning Brian Westbrook is in for all the reps he can handle.

LIONS at DOLPHINS
* Shaun Hill (finger) is expected to start, with Drew Stanton (shoulder) is doubt.
* Jahvid Best (toe) will play through injury again but can't be trusted.

REDSKINS at JAGUARS
* Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) is doubtful, meaning Rashad Jennings is headed for a huge role. See above for more.
* Mike Sims-Walker (ankle) will not start and will see limited snaps if he is active. It is really hard to trust him in fantasy with Jason Hill starting.

<BIG>4 P.M. GAMES</BIG>
TEXANS at BRONCOS
* Andre Johnson (ankle) is going to go through warm-ups before deciding if he will play. It's a true game-time decision, putting owners in a brutal spot because of the 4 p.m. start time. Jacoby Jones will start if Johnson sits.
* Neil Rackers (hamstring) is good to go.
* Arian Foster (hip) is a full go despite an early-week scare.
* Knowshon Moreno (ribs) was limited in practice all week and is headed for a game-time decision. Signs point to him playing, but we can't be certain. Lance Ball will start if Moreno sits.
* Tim Tebow is starting again after looking serviceable a week ago.

COLTS at RAIDERS
* Joseph Addai (neck) appears set to finally return, but will likely be eased back in. This backfield is a messy one to avoid.
* Zach Miller (foot) appears as healthy has he has been in weeks.

GIANTS at PACKERS
* Aaron Rodgers (concussion) is ready to return after sitting last week.
* Mario Manningham (heel) will start as a high risk, high reward fantasy option.

SEAHAWKS at BUCS
* Sammie Stroughter (hamstring) is headed for a game-time decision.

CHARGERS at BENGALS
* Antonio Gates (foot) is out.
* Malcom Floyd (hamstring) will also sit, meaning Vincent Jackson is going to see a ton of targets.
* Ryan Mathews dealt with an illness this week but is fine as a weak fantasy option.
* Terrell Owens (knee) is on injured reserve.
* Chad Ochocinco (ankle) is expected to play a minor role, if he is even active. Get him out of your lineups.

<BIG>SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL</BIG>
VIKINGS at EAGLES
* Brett Favre (concussion) is listed as doubtful. We fully expect Joe Webb to start, as concussions are not as easy to play through as sprains and fractures.
* Adrian Peterson (ankle) is tentatively expected to play, but owners need to have Toby Gerhart ready just in case.
* DeSean Jackson (foot) is fine.

<BIG>MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL</BIG>
SAINTS at FALCONS
* Chris Ivory (hamstring) admitted that he is still not 100 percent. Even if active, he's a weak fantasy bet.
* Robert Meacham (toe) practiced fully Friday and is on track to get his usual handful of deep targets.
* Roddy White (knee) is fine.

SURVIVOR PICK OF THE WEEK
The choices are certainly limited if you're still in Survivor. And there is certainly a lot of money on the line. Consider the Bucs at home against the Seahawks a strong play. Tampa is embarrassed after that home loss to the Lions last week and the Seahawks are notoriously poor when coming east. The Eagles, of course, are the premier play of the week.

I'd stay away from the Patriots, who are due for a letdown on the road in Buffalo. The same can be said for the Ravens.

MY TOUGHEST DECISION OF THE WEEK
In the ESPN/Buffalo Wild Wings Super Bowl, my WR3 remains messy. I can't use Jacoby Jones in that spot this week because I need him as insurance for my WR1, Andre Johnson. So my choice came down to James Jones or Braylon Edwards. Ugh.
I chose to go with Jones because Mark Sanchez's regression and shoulder injury combined with the Bears' stifling defense is a recipe for disaster. With Aaron Rodgers back, Jones is a better bet for a touchdown bomb.

HacheMan · Dec 27, 2010

Knowshon, No-Show

Knowshon Moreno, ribs

Early Outlook: Moreno took a significant hit to the midsection early in Sunday's game and missed the entire second half, finishing Week 16 with a disappointing eight touches for 41 yards.

Fantasy Impact: With Moreno out, Correll Buckhalter (11-42-1, 3-50-1) and Lance Ball (5-38, 1-13) took over the backfield. No word yet on Knowshon's availability for a matchup with the Chargers in Week 17.

Calvin Johnson, ankle

Early Outlook: Johnson (four catches, 52 yards) was in and out of the game during the third quarter with an ankle injury.

Fantasy Impact: Johnson was the most notable name to hit the injury report on Sunday, but his injury doesn't sound particularly serious given that he played through it. The potential concern is that it could swell up, so fantasy owners who actually use Week 17 should be sure to watch practice reports for updates.

Mike Tolbert, head/neck

Early Outlook: Tolbert was carted off after appearing to take a helmet-to-helmet hit from Bengals FS Reggie Nelson.

Fantasy Impact: The good news is that Tolbert was able to move his extremities, but beyond that his status is uncertain. Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles were left sharing the backfield in his absence. Speaking of Mathews, he limped off near the end of the third quarter (possibly to get his ankle re-taped), but later returned.

Arrelious Benn, knee

Early Outlook: The rookie WR took a knee to the helmet in the second quarter and was carted off to the locker room.

Fantasy Impact: Sideline reporter Chris Myers suggested that the injury could be serious, but as of Sunday night Benn's status going forward was unclear.

Matt Hasselbeck, hip

Early Outlook: Hasselbeck went down shortly after crossing the goal line on a one-yard TD run in the first quarter and didn't return.

Fantasy Impact: Charlie Whitehurst took over and was, in a not remotely shocking development, terribly unproductive (11-for-18, 66 yards). Nevertheless, early indications are that Whitehurst may very well be in line for a start in Week 17.

David Nelson, ribs

Early Outlook: Nelson left in the third quarter after taking a big hit over the middle, finishing with no catches in Week 16.

Fantasy Impact: His status for Week 17 is unclear, but the fact that he was unable to finish Sunday's game obviously isn't a good sign.

Ben Watson, leg

Early Outlook: Watson (three catches, 22 yards) left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter with a leg injury.

Fantasy Impact: No word yet on his availability for Week 17.

Earl Bennett, ankle

Early Outlook: Bennett (one catch, 14 yards) limped to the locker room late in the second quarter, but returned after the half.

Fantasy Impact: It's a good sign that he was able to return, but Bennett shouldn't be a lineup consideration if your league happens to count points scored in Week 17.

Brandon Stokley, head

Early Outlook: Stokley left in the third quarter on Sunday after his head hit the turf.

Fantasy Impact: No official word yet, but this very well may have been a concussion, which would obviously leave Stokley's status for Week 17 in doubt.

Earnest Graham, neck

Early Outlook: Graham left in the second quarter on Sunday with an apparent neck injury.

Fantasy Impact: Graham has just 36 touches all season, so there's no measurable impact here.

Anthony Fasano, knee

Early Outlook: Fasano (two catches, 31 yards) left Sunday's game in the third quarter with a knee injury.

Fantasy Impact: Fasano has topped 50 receiving yards just twice all season, so he shouldn't have been in many lineups for Week 16.

QUICK HITS ON DEFENSE/O-LINE INJURIES

Redskins CBs DeAngelo Hall (hamstring) and Carlos Rogers (calf) both sustained injuries on Sunday. Hall later returned, but Rogers' day ended after his calf injury.

Jets S James Ihedigbo (knee) left in the third quarter, leaving the Jets even more depleted than before at the position.

Broncos CB Champ Bailey left in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

Seahawks LT Russell Okung left in the third quarter on Sunday after appearing to aggravate his troublesome left ankle, but was later able to return.

HacheMan · Dec 27, 2010

Hero Makers

Earlier in the season, we praised the Texans' secondary as a fantasy rock. Excluding the inimitable Rusty Smith's lone career start, the Texans have surrendered 24 or more points in every game this season. The Houston Chronicle's John McClain, the foremost media authority on the franchise, declared the 2010 pass defense the worst "in the history of football at any level since the beginning of time."

Into that dream matchup stepped rookie Tim Tebow as a fantasy wild card during championship week. As former NFL player turned writer/analyst Ross Tucker suggested, "if Tebow can't have a good day against THIS Texans pass defense, he may not be able to hack it in the NFL. Pretty sure that is a rule." www.therx.ws

Tebow hacked the worst pass defense in NFL history to the tune of 308 passing yards, 27 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns -- including the game winner on a drive that had every fan in the stadium believing the Broncos would pull through. It was the eighth time this season that Houston allowed over 400 offensive yards and the first time a Broncos rookie has cleared 300 yards in his home starting debut.

It's tricky to gauge his progress against a lousy defense, but Tebow made clear improvement over his first start. While his mechanics remain a work in progress, Tebow displayed surprising arm strength and accuracy on intermediate-to-deep throws. After easing his quarterback in early with screen passes and checkdowns, play-caller Mike McCoy unleashed an aggressive Tebow down 17 points to start the second half. He was rewarded with a chain-moving performance highlighted by Tebow's "competitive leadership" in crunch time.

Tebow isn't out of the woods just yet, but his performance in his first two starts will leave the next Broncos regime with a Kyle Orton dilemma. If Tebow can build on the best moment of the season with another impressive game next week, the Denver faithtful will have a reason to get excited heading into the 2011 offseason.

When filling out Week 17 fantasy lineups, just remember the Texans' pass defense makes heroes out of every quarterback they see. Get your "Jag-er Bombs" ready for the season finale.

Editor's Note: You can get our Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and playoff rankings, and Chris Wesseling's Dynasty league coverage -- all for just $4.99.

[SIZE=+1]Fantasy Triplets[/SIZE]

Matt Cassel / Jamaal Charles / Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs - Kansas City's 34-14 blowout victory over the Titans was a testament to offensive coordinator Charlie Weis' play-calling. Cassel's Pro Bowl-caliber performance throughout the season is a testament to Weis' tutoring (and an unbelievably weak pass defense schedule). Missing one game due to appendectomy surgery, Cassel's 27 touchdowns are already 11 more than last season's total while cutting his interceptions from 16 to five. The Chiefs are 10-4 with Cassel in the lineup, and they've yet to lose at Arrowhead. So which quarterback does he beat out for a Pro Bowl spot: Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, or Peyton Manning?

For all of the early-season hand wringing over Charles' role, he carried a lot of fantasy owners to the championship on Sunday. Only Arian Foster, Peyton Hillis, and Darren McFadden boast more than Charles' 225.5 fantasy points. Only Foster has more rushing yards (1,434 to 1,380) and yards from scrimmage (2,028 to 1,835). No back has outproduced Charles at crunch time in the past five weeks. Should we be thanking Todd Haley for keeping him fresh for the fantasy playoffs?

After racking up 13 touchdowns in a seven-game stretch from Weeks 6-12, Bowe had been held to three catches and zero scores in the last three games. That slump was busted on an in route that Bowe took for 75 yards against an unmotivated Titans defense Sunday. Bowe's 153 yards led the league in Week 16, and he's up to a league-best 199.4 fantasy points powered by 15 touchdowns.

Josh Freeman / Kellen Winslow / Mike Williams, Buccaneers - It's a shame Tampa Bay isn't in the NFC West. They would have made an ideal champion. Freeman won't garner serious MVP consideration, but how many players have been more instrumental to their team's success in 2010? Freeman tied a Buccaneers franchise record with five touchdowns in a 38-15 rout of Seattle, guaranteeing a winning record for a team that started 10 rookies this season. One of the league's most improved players, Freeman has just one interception in his last seven games. Only Tom Brady, Michael Vick, Matt Cassel, and Ben Roethlisberger have fewer picks than Freeman's six. The second-year signal caller is up to 11th in QB fantasy points this season.

Kellen Winslow entered championship week as one of fantasy's biggest every-week disappointments at tight end. After burning the Seahawks for seven receptions, 98 yards, and two touchdowns, Winslow skyrocketed to fifth in an underwhelming field this year. With a week to go, Winslow's 63/702/5 line isn't far off last year's 77/884/5 performance.

Mike Williams posted the first two-score game of his impressive rookie season, vaulting to 12th at wide receiver with a 60/915/10 line. With 151.5 fantasy points, Williams has a good shot to pass both Marques Colston (151.8) and Michael Clayton (161.3) for the second-best rookie receiver season of the past decade. Anquan Boldin is locked in at No. 1 with 181.7 points in 2003.

Special mention goes out to LeGarrette Blount, who blasted Seattle's defense for 164 yards on 18 carries. With three 100-yard performances in the past four weeks, Blount is just 59 yards away from 1,000 while averaging 5.2 yards per tote.

Jay Cutler / Matt Forte / Johnny Knox, Bears - Though Cutler uncorked his requisite pick-six against the Jets, his offense appears to be peaking at the right time. The Bears scored 38+ points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1989. With Mike Martz incorporating more moving pockets and deep drops, Cutler has survived a porous offensive line to throw at least three touchdowns in three of the past five games. He's up to 13th in QB fantasy points after sitting closer to 20 a few weeks back.

With the offense struggling around him for much of the season, Forte has been the epitome of a "will he or won't he" fantasy play each week. He rewarded faithful owners Sunday, snapping the Jets' streak of 21 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher. On the strength of 169 yards in Week 16, Forte became the running back in franchise history with at least 1,400 yards from scrimmage in each of his first three NFL seasons. Forte is now 10th in running back fantasy points this year.

Johnny Knox was a major Rotoworld tout back in August as the receiver most likely to break out under Mike Martz. While it's been a rocky road thanks in large part to early-season quarterback woes, Knox is just 40 yards away from the franchise's first 1,000-yard receiving season since 2002. With a 51/960/5 line, Knox is up to 21st in wide receiver fantasy points.

Aaron Rodgers / Greg Jennings / Jordy Nelson, Packers - One week after missing his first start in three seasons, Rodgers shredded the Giants defense for a career-high 404 yards and four touchdowns in a must-win game to put Green Bay in the driver's seat for the NFC's No. 6 seed. The virtuoso performance called to mind Rodgers' epic playoff performance in last year's playoff shootout victory at Arizona. Since 2008, Rodgers has passed for 12,165 yards to join Kurt Warner (12,612) and Peyton Manning (12,287) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to clear 12,000 yards in their first three seasons as a starter.

Rodgers got the scoring started by finding Nelson streaking across the middle. Nelson did the rest, outrunning Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant for an 80-yard score, the longest of his career. While the Packers' fourth receiver won't be a fantasy factor in Week 17, Jennings roared back to elite WR1 status in Rodgers' return. Excelling, as usual, at the point of the catch, Jennings' 142 yards were second only to Bowe's 153 in Week 16. He trails only Bowe and Brandon Lloyd in wideout antasy points this season.



[SIZE=+1]Committee Time[/SIZE]

1. Chiefs - Jamaal Charles (13-77, 4-40, 2 TD) was the early star before giving way to Thomas Jones (23-51) in garbage time. Charles was on a lot of Week 16 championship rosters, and he should remain a RB1 option in Week 17 as the Chiefs are still playing for the No. 3 seed.

2. Colts - Donald Brown (6-28) started but quickly became an afterthought. Joseph Addai (12-45, 1-6, TD) entered late in the fourth quarter and quickly got on board with a touchdown. Dominic Rhodes (17-98) took over as the feature back once the Colts got out to a lead and was surprisingly the most effective of the three backs. This is a hot-hand, three-headed monster situation with Rhodes as the clock-killer, Addai as the goal-line horse, and Brown likely headed for a chance-of-pace role.

3. Cowboys - Felix Jones (16-77, 1-11) started with Tashard Choice (4-16, 3-16) in the change-of-pace role. Choice likely would have stayed in that role throughout the game had Marion Barber (8-58, TD) not ripped off twin 24-yard runs to keep Choice on the pine in the second half. Jones is the only back worth using in Week 17 at Philly.

4. Giants/b> - Brandon Jacobs (8-47) was more effective than Ahmad Bradshaw (12-31, 5-41) on the ground. Bradshaw lost his sixth fumble of the season, but he didn't lose any ground with Jacobs losing a key fumble minutes later. Expect the backfield roles to stay the same in Week 17 against the Redskins.

5. Jets - Shonn Greene (12-70, 2-14, TD) and LaDainian Tomlinson (13-28, 2-14, TD) each played 34 of 68 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Bears. The two Jets running backs went 224 carries without a touchdown until Greene went in from three yards out in the first quarter. Greene has outplayed a sluggish Tomlinson over the past month, and the Jets are expected to rest LT next week. With nothing to play for, rookie Joe McKnight could be in line for 15+ touches as the feature back.

6. Chargers - Mike Tolbert (4 for -2) started the game but left with a scary neck/shoulder injury in the first quarter. Ryan Mathews (12-55, 3-28, TD) took over as the feature back the rest of the way, giving way to Darren Sproles (3-8, 8-55) in obvious passing situations. Mathews is going to merit RB1 consideration in Week 17 against the Broncos with Tolbert sitting out.

7. 49ers - Troy Smith is a play-action quarterback, so he was being set up for failure with bruising back Anthony Dixon (6-17) hobbled by an ankle injury. Brian Westbrook (10-40, 2-3) isn't a between-the-tackles threat as much as Mike Singletary might want him to be. Westbrook would benefit in Week 17 if checkdown artist Alex Smith returns as the starter under interim coach Jim Tomsula.

8. Cardinals - Looking healthy and finally showing at least a modicum of explosion, Beanie Wells (11-47) seemed to earn coach Ken Whisenhunt's trust with an effective fourth-quarter performance. Tim Hightower (6-23, 1-6) took a backseat for a second straight game. Neither back can be trusted at San Francisco in the finale.

9. Dolphins - The O-Line continued to struggle to open running lanes. The only explosive play was a 28-yard gain out of the Wildcat from Ricky Williams (14-71, 2-21). Ronnie Brown (12-37, 6-34, 1 TD) scored from one yard out but had another potential touchdown vultured by FB Lousaka Polite.

10. Lions - The Dolphins came into the came stifling opposing rushing attacks, and they continued to do so outside of one 11-yard run by Jahvid Best (6-24, 1-53, TD). Maurice Morris (12-22, 2-13, TD) managed to punch one in from five yards out while Best's 53-yard reception was good for his first touchdown since Week 2. This will remain a committee attack against Minnesota in Week 17.

Falling Out: Saints (MNF)

Already Graduated: Bears (Matt Forte), Eagles (LeSean McCoy), Browns (Peyton Hillis), Bills (Fred Jackson), Buccaneers (LeGarrette Blount), Seahawks (Marshawn Lynch), Panthers (Jonathan Stewart), Raiders (Darren McFadden), Redskins (Ryan Torain), Patriots (BenJarvus Green-Ellis), Packers (Brandon Jackson)

Editor's Note: Pick a new fantasy team just for today and win real cash with Snapdraft!

[SIZE=+1]Injury Ward[/SIZE]

Check out Matt Stroup's "Knowshon No-Show" for in-depth analysis of Sunday's M*A*S*H unit fallout.

Calvin Johnson, Lions - Ankle
Darren McFadden, Raiders - Foot
Knowshon Moreno, Broncos - Ribs
Mike Tolbert, Chargers - Head / Neck
Arrelious Benn, Buccaneers - Knee
Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks - Hip
David Nelson, Bills - Ribs
Ben Watson, Browns - Leg
Anthony Fasano, Dolphins - Knee
Brandon Stokley, Seahawks - Head
Champ Bailey, Broncos - Ankle



[SIZE=+1]Awards Section[/SIZE]

Stat of the Week: Tom Brady's 319 consecutive pass without an interception set a new NFL record, passing Bernie Kosar's 308 in 1990-91. Brady has 24 TDs and 0 interceptions his last 10 games while extending his current NFL-record streak to eight consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Runner-Up: Sam Bradford's 335 completions in 15 games broke Peyton Manning's NFL rookie record of 326 in 1998. With Sunday's win over the 49ers, Bradford is now 7-8 as starter, the most wins by any rookie QB drafted No. 1 overall since 1970.

Second Runner-Up: NFL rushing leader Arian Foster has 2,028 yards from scrimmage this season, joining Priest Holmes (2001-03) as the only undrafted players in NFL history to record at least 2,000 yards from scrimmage yards in a season.

Quote of the Week: Giants DE Dave Tollefson, describing his mother's response in the locker room after he sustained a sprained MCL against the Eagles: "Tape it up! I didn't fly here from California to watch you ride the pines!"

"She was like 'What are you doing?' " Tollefson said. "I said, 'Mom, I'm hurt.' She said, 'I don't give an F. Get it taped up and get the hell in there! I don't want to hear this.'

"I love mom. She's crazy."

Runner-Up: Terrell Suggs got his feelings hurt earlier in the year when he talked trash all game only to lose face when Tom Brady pointed out that the Ravens run their mouths a lot for "only beating us once in nine years." The best response Suggs come summon? Voting for Ryan Fitzpatrick on his Pro Bowl ballot instead of Brady, the best player in the NFL this season. Brady's sarcastic repsonse when asked about Suggs: "I think he is a great player, he really is. … I would've voted for Terrell. He gets my vote, such a nice guy."

Tweet of the Week: From @MarkStAmant, author of the largest-selling fantasy football book of all-time: "Dear Commish Goodell, I'm onto your transparently lame conspiracy to have Favre play, Vick win MVP & Brady get shafted, all with one Tuesday game."

Runner-Up: From @ProFootballTalk on the Thursday night NFL Network booth: "Theismann and Millen, wrong again when it comes to interpreting the replay … And they will forever by known as 'Theismillen.' Until one or both of them is fired."

Second Runner-Up: From beat writer @LesBowen of the Philadelphia Daily News on CB/KR Jorrick Calvin going down with a season-ending injury: "First Hobbs goes on IR, then Calvin. Dilbert should be very careful."

Third Runner-Up: From @greggrosenthal of Rotoworld and PFT: "In my mind, I'm six feet tall. RT @evansilva: Kirk Herbstreit on Terrelle Pryor: 'In his mind, he's a first-round pick.'"

Fantasy MVP of Week 16: Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Fantasy Breakout Player of Week 16: Owen Daniels, Texans / Jared Cook, Titans
Fantasy Rookie of Week 16: LeGarrette Blount / Mike Williams, Buccaneers
Fantasy Disappointment of Week 16: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
Fantasy Fraud of Week 16: Rashad Jennings, Jaguars / Tashard Choice, Cowboys
Fantasy Fluke of Week 16: Jordy Nelson, Packers

[SIZE=+1]Fine Fifteen Fantasy Offenses[/SIZE]

1. Eagles - Vick needs 245 yards for his first 3,000-yard season.
2. Colts - What's so great about sliding down instead of taking the TD? Seriously. The team isn't going to lose with a 12-point lead and a minute remaining.
3. Patriots - Gronk's 9 TDs are the second-most all time for a rookie, behind Mike Ditka's 12 in 1961.
4. Texans - Daniels leads all tight ends with 32 targets the past 3 weeks.
5. Giants - NFC's version of the Chargers: Lions on paper, lambs when it matters.
6. Saints - Brees needs 3 TDs to tie Tom Brady's 34 for the NFL lead.
7. Falcons - Roddy needs 91 yards to pass Brandon Lloyd's 1,375 for the NFL lead.
8. Packers - Rodgers delivers the best game of his career after second concussion.
9. Chiefs - Cassel beginning to pick up MVP whispers with a 27:5 TD-to-INT ratio.
10. Buccaneers - Freeman, Blount, M.Williams, Winslow all producing as fantasy starters of late.
11. Chargers - Philip Rivers: "Lord of big, empty numbers"?
12. Steelers - Emmanuel Sanders emerging as much-needed second playmaker.
13. Ravens - Flacco is 6th QB in NFL history to reach 10,000 yards in first 3 seasons.
14. Cowboys - The Stephen McGee Show in Week 17?
15. Jaguars - Start Mike Thomas, Jason Hill, and Marcedes Lewis against the Texans in Week 17.

[SIZE=+1]Title Belt Tuesday[/SIZE]

The Vikings-Eagles postponement means we will see Tuesday football in the NFL for the fist time since the New York Giants at the Boston Yanks in 1946. I can't remember the possibility of snow stopping an NFL game (ESPN's John Anderson on the Sportscenter lead-in: "Green Bay Girl Scouts would have been selling cookies in Philly Sunday."), but I'm not complaining as a Michael Vick and Adrian Peterson owner in several leagues. The snow would have mitigated the Eagles' decisive edge in team speed, and the delay gives Peterson's thigh two more days of rest. Like many fantasy owners, I won't have a good idea of my title chances until late Tuesday night.

[SIZE=+1]NFL Draft Order?[/SIZE]

A nod to Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 in Amherst, NY for doing the leg work on this one. If the NFL Draft happened today, the order of the first four picks would be:

1. Panthers
2. Broncos
3t. Bengals
3t. Bills

The Bengals and Bills aren't even close to the Broncos in strength of schedule, so Denver is locked into the No. 2 pick unless they knock off the Chargers in Week 17. If the Bills and Bengals both lose next week, the Bengals would slot in third unless all of the following happens: the Broncos beat the Chargers, the Colts beat the Titans, the Raiders beat the Chiefs, and the Texans beat the Jaguars.

If the Bills beat a Jets team with nothing on the line, their best-case scenario would be to pick eighth next April. They would enter the mix of five-win teams including the Cardinals, 49ers, Cowboys, Texans, Vikings, Lions, and Browns.

[SIZE=+1]The Hot Seat[/SIZE]

The coaches on the shakiest ground lost the biggest games Sunday. Mike Singletary is already out in San Francisco. The Houston Chronicle's John McClain sounds awfully sure that Gary Kubiak's entire staff will be canned. ESPN's Chris Mortensen predicts Jeff Fisher will be a "very hot coaching candidate," which suggests his 17-year run in Nashville will end after Week 17. Eric Mangini, loser of three straight, and Tony Sparano, with a 1-7 home record, are both on thin ice as well.

[SIZE=+1]Week 17 Clash of the Titans[/SIZE]

Bears @ Packers: A Packers win would almost certainly set up a rematch at Soldier Field the following week.

Rams @ Seahawks: The only team that has allowed Seattle within 15 points the past six weeks has been Carolina. The Seahawks have lost seven of their past nine games by an average of 22.2 points per game. Here's hoping the Rams win to prevent the first losing team from making the playoffs.

Bucs @ Saints: This could end up being a must-win game for New Orleans. The Bucs will enter Week 17 with the tie-breaker edge here if the Saints lose to the Falcons Monday night.

[SIZE=+1]Early Waiver Look[/SIZE]

QB: Tim Tebow, Shaun Hill, Stephen McGee, Alex Smith, Charlie Whitehurst
RB: Correll Buckhalter, Lance Ball, Mike Bell, Dominic Rhodes, John Kuhn, Isaac Redman
WR: Jacoby Jones, Danario Alexander, Jason Hill, Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell, Emmanuel Sanders, Andre Roberts, Naaman Roosevelt, Kelley Washington
TE: Jared Cook, Heath Miller

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

New Toy
Tight ends with a hoops history have a long and illustrious history in the recent NFL. Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Jermaine Gresham and Shannon Sharpe all played college basketball at a high level. Jermichael Finley and Martellus Bennett were prep stars. It's time to add Jimmy Graham to that list.

Graham was a rugged power forward at the University of Miami for four full seasons, known as more of a defensive stopper and rebounder than scorer. With a career in the NBA out of the question, Graham turned to football for one season on a whim. He caught just 17 passes for 213 yards with five touchdowns in that season, but it was more than enough. The Saints took Graham in the third round of April's draft on upside alone.

Graham was one of the standout stars of the Saints' offseason, but was predictably raw with such little football experience. Fast forward to Monday Night's playoff-clinching win over the Falcons and Graham was playing ahead of Jeremy Shockey. He scored the game-winning touchdown on a six-yard pass with just over three minutes left. The Saints targeted him on a crucial pass that would help ice the game. Graham's learning curve has been accelerated faster than anyone could have predicted.

At 6'6/260 with excellent hands, 4.5 speed and agility, Graham's arrow is pointing way up. Shockey is falling off a cliff and David Thomas is an impending free agent. In this offense, Graham's upside is limitless. There's just so much room to grow.

Saints vs. Falcons quick slants
Chris Ivory (hamstring) and David Thomas (knee) were inactive. ... Drew Brees badly under threw a wide open Lance Moore behind the defense in the second quarter, resulting in an incompletion. ... Reggie Bush goes down too easily on first contact. ... Julius Jones did not sniff the field until Pierre Thomas needed a blow late in the fourth quarter. ... Atlanta's loss means they must win against the Panthers next week to get a bye. No one will rest. ... Pierre Thomas finally looks really healthy. Huge in pass blocking and the screen game. Served as goal-line back in this one.

Editor's Note: League ends in Week 16? No problem. Pick a new fantasy team just for Week 17 and win real cash with Snapdraft!

<BIG>HEADLINERS</BIG>
NEWS OF THE DAY #1
As the season winds down, we are getting a long look at some talented yet inexperienced receivers. Many of these guys will end up on 2011 flier lists, just like Jacoby Jones, James Jones and Mike Williams did before this season.

Two names generating buzz right now are Danario Alexander and Jerome Simpson. The Rams are expanding the use of their spread offense, giving the talented yet oft-injured Alexander the most snaps he has played all season. His difference-making skills are apparent to the naked eye and the Missouri product will be a hot name come 2011.

With both Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens a good bet to move on from Cincinnati this offseason, Simpson has a big opening. The 2008 second-round pick was slow to learn the offense initially in Cincinnati and was buried on the depth chart by a lack of consistency. But after busting out in Week 16, Simpson is finally drawing rave reviews from Bengals brass. He's certainly a name to watch as well.

TUESDAY NIGHT PREVIEW
As a Philadelphia resident, I am pretty humiliated that Sunday night's game was postponed due to the weather. The conditions were certainly horrid and included crazy wind that would have really troubled any passing game. That said, often conditions like that often create the most epic and memorable games.

But from a business perspective, I understand. Virtually all public transportation was shut down Sunday night, making it impossible for most fans to get to the game. That's a lot of beer, Michael Vick jerseys and popcorn going unsold.

As for the game, it is not going to change Brett Favre's status. He still hasn't passed his initial concussion test and it does not look like he is going to try. Joe Webb will start in a brutal spot, but he remains a decent WR3 in Yahoo leagues. Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice get a downgrade.

Meanwhile, Adrian Peterson (ankle) appears good to go. The extra two days really helped him get closer to 100 percent and he confirmed Monday that he will play. Look for an extremely run-heavy attack out of the Vikings.

Editor's Note: Pick a new fantasy team just for today and win real cash with Snapdraft!



<BIG>MONDAY QUICK SLANTS</BIG>
DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Tom Brady is expected to play at least two quarters before resting. ... Wes Welker is a strong candidate to rest, along with Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes. ... The Colts are expected to ride the hot hand at running back. ... The Bears say they will not rest starters next week even if they have nothing to play for.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
Jerome Simpson is looking good as Chad Ochocinco's 2011 replacement. ... James Starks has been a healthy scratch for two straight weeks, falling behind Dmitri Nance. ... Stephen McGee is expected to start in place of Jon Kitna (oblique) in the finale. ... Mark Brunell will start if Mark Sanchez rests.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Mike Tolbert (neck/shoulder) is out for the finale. Ryan Mathews will be the feature back. ... Matt Hasselbeck (hip) is expected to sit. Charlie Whitehurst would start. ... Peyton Hillis (back) is extremely sore but expects to play in the finale. ... Calvin Johnson (ankle) is considered day-to-day. ... Arrelious Benn tore a ligament in his knee Sunday. ... Darren McFadden picked up an ankle/toe injury Sunday that limited him late.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
Andre Johnson (ankle) is headed for another game-time decision. ... Malcom Floyd (hamstring) and Antonio Gates (foot) are both almost certainly out. ... Knowshon Moreno (ribs) could have gone back in the game last Sunday if necessary. It bodes well for his Week 17 status. ... No update on Maurice Jones-Drew, who is dealing with severe knee swelling. ... Derrick Mason slightly aggravated his ankle sprain Sunday.

<BIG>WAIVERS</BIG>
DEFENSIVE SPOT STARTS
Adding a different defense each week based on matchups is a fine strategy. Each week in this space, I'll gave out defensive units that are likely available in your league to consider for streaming purposes. Here are the final recommendations for owners going through Week 17:

1. FALCONS vs. Panthers: Carolina has packed it in. They have a lame duck coach and an inept quarterback. Even if the Falcons rest starters, the Panthers are not capable of sustaining offense.

2. RAMS at Seahawks: In this "win and you're in" showdown, the Rams have a clear edge despite being on the road. Likely starter Charlie Whitehurst has proven to be a check-down captain that has tossed three interceptions against one touchdown on the season.

3. COLTS vs. Titans: Indy has finally found an ability to stop the running, shutting down Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden in consecutive weeks. With a playoff spot on the line, they'll have no problem harassing Kerry Collins into turnovers.

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

2010 Waiver Awards
Now a hallowed tradition in Rotoworld's Waiver Wired series, Week 17 brings us the fourth annual waiver awards (for the past three years, click on "Archives" above). To better prepare for the 2011 season, it's fitting that we take a step back and examine the highlights of 2010. It's with that spirit that we bring you this year's award winners.

Readers seeking actual Waiver adds for this week should scroll to the last page of the article for an abbreviated list.

Editor's Note: Did your fantasy season end in Week 16? Check out Rotoworld's weekly fantasy football game, with cash prizes: at http://snapdraft.rotoworld.com/ Snapdraft. Draft your team during the week, even Sunday morning, and win cash by Tuesday. It's a great complement to your yearly leagues and rewards the most skilled fantasy players who know matchups and value.

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[SIZE=+1]Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

The "Waiver Wired MVP" Award, the "Successful Hype Train" Award, and the "Outhouse to the Penthouse" Award

All go to … Michael Vick, Eagles - Way back in Week 1, before the season started, Vick was recommended as the ideal roster stash because he was the player most likely to become a "weekly asset" if given the opportunity. By Week 2, it was clear that Vick had regained the electric playmaking ability so evident early in his career. I urged all quarterback-needy owners to eschew Brandon Jackson and "pounce on" a difference-making Vick instead.
www.therx.ws
How valuable has Vick been? Non-scientific evidence suggests the majority of his owners are in the Week 16 finals, perhaps still hanging on for Tuesday night's results. The numbers back it up, too. Vick's 29.7 fantasy points per week are 4.7 more than second-place Aaron Rodgers' 25.0. Even better, Vick has averaged an NFL-best 33.8 points over the past four weeks and 36.1 in the playoff Weeks of 14 and 15. The "experts" won't deviate from a running back at No. 1 overall next season, but it's going to be hard to pass on Vick. In 14 games to everyone else's 15, Vick and Kevin Kolb have combined for 408.5 fantasy points. The next closest is Rodgers is at 350.2. No fantasy position has been more valuable this season than Philly's quarterback.

The "Still Better Than Alex Smith" Award

Goes to … Shaun Hill, Lions - Something to keep in mind for your 2011 draft: Lions QBs have totaled 322.8 fantasy points this season, good for seventh in the league and ahead of Eli Manning, Matt Schaub, and Joe Flacco. The majority of those points come from Hill, who has topped 20 fantasy points in seven of the eight games he has started and finished. A mainstay on Waiver Wired this year, Hill made the list nine times -- including this week.

The "Hoisted with His Own Petard" Award

Goes to … Kyle Orton, Broncos - This award was originally named for Kurt Warner, who was widely available in Week 1 of a 2008 season in which he finished fourth in fantasy points. Warner carried fantasy owners all year only to stumble in the snow at Foxboro during the fantasy playoffs. Orton faced a similar fate in 2010, carrying fantasy teams as a QB1 after going undrafted in half of all CBSSports.com leagues. Once Orton's dream playoff scheduled rolled around, though, he faceplanted with his two worst games of the season in Weeks 13 and 14.

The "Chan Gailey Miracle Worker" Award

Goes to … Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills - Chan Gailey, the patron saint of mediocre mobile quarterbacks, once breathed fantasy life into the careers of Kordell Stewart, Jay Fiedler, and Tyler Thigpen. After Trent Edwards predictably struggled the first two weeks of the season, Gailey began tinkering with new toy Fitzpatrick in a spread offense. The results? Fitzpatrick finished as a top-12 quarterback the rest of the way while notching 23 touchdowns in what had been a defunct offense.

The "Billy Volek" Award

Goes to … Tim Tebow, Broncos - For lack of a better option. It's hallowed Rotoworld tradition that there must be a "Billy Volek" award winner even if this year's hot late-season waiver pickups have fallen flat during the fantasy playoffs. Owners with the foresight -- and onions -- to gamble on Tebow, meanwhile, have been rewarded with impressive performances in his first two starts. Tebow's 24.7 points in Week 15 were seventh in the league, as were his 28.1 points in Week 16.

[SIZE=+1]Running Backs[/SIZE]

The "Where Was His Hype Train?" Award

Goes to … Peyton Hillis, Browns - The Albino Rhino was a recommended pickup in Weeks 1 and 2, but who saw his second-place fantasy finish coming? Though he failed to score in the fantasy playoffs, Hillis piled up 13 touchdowns in the first 12 games of the season while finishing fourth among running backs with 60 receptions.

The "What Took So Long, Raheem" Award

Goes to … LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers - After seeing the Cadillac running on fumes early in the season, Blount made the waiver list four times from Weeks 4-8. Citing pass protection issues, the Bucs coaching staff held off on making the switch until mid-season. The rookie averaged 93.2 yards per game the rest of the way, leaving fantasy owners and Bucs fans wondering what could have been?

The "Saboteur Has Struck" Award

Goes to … Brandon Jackson, Packers - How many fantasy owners blew their waiver budget on Jackson when Ryan Grant went down for the season? Better yet, how many owners went for Jackson over Michael Vick and Peyton Hillis back in Week 2? While B-Jax managed to remain a flex option for much of the season, he ended up sabotaging the seasons of many a wide-eyed believer.

The "Voodoo Doll" Award

Goes to … Tashard Choice, Cowboys - I didn't even own Choice until the fantasy playoffs started, but it feels like I spent the entire season sticking pins into a Marion Barber voodoo doll. Arguably the best all-around back in Dallas the past three seasons, Choice made the waiver list seven times only to be foiled by Barber at every turn.

The "Biggest Tease" Award

Goes to … James Starks, Packers - The sixth-round rookie ended up all hype and no substance. Starks made the waiver list as a flier from Weeks 5-7 in anticipation of his activation from the PUP list. Finally returning late in the season, Starks re-emerged as a hot waiver pickup after an 18-carry performance in Week 13. After a disappointing follow-up performance, Starks spent the past two weeks as a healthy scratch.

The "Woodhead & Bernstein" Award - How about a hand for the Patriots backfield? BenJarvus Green-Ellis a/k/a "Lawfirm" or "Boston Legal" was freely available early in the season, as was Danny Woodhead after Kevin Faulk went down. The two undrafted backs have combined for 304 carries, 1,456 yards (4.8 YPC), 58 receptions, 458 receiving yards, 18 total TDs, and zero fumbles.



[SIZE=+1]Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

The "Missed the Boat" Award

Goes to ... Brandon Lloyd, Broncos - It's not that I ignored Lloyd early in the season. He made the waiver list, but I couldn't have whiffed harder in pointing out that he had always been an immature, unreliable, injury-prone tease. Lloyd responded by leading the NFL in receiving yards while placing second in receiver fantasy points.

The "I Put Moss on the Pine" Award

Goes to … Kenny Britt, Titans - Thanks in large part to Jeff Fisher's head-scratching decision to stick with Justin Gage as the starter, Britt was recommended as a waiver pickup four weeks in a row before breaking out for 225 yards and three TDs in Week 7. After a six-week hamstring injury, Britt re-emerged as a solid WR2 option in the fantasy playoffs.

The "Got Myself Paid" Award

Goes to ... Steve Johnson, Bills - After scoring four touchdowns in three straight games with low yardage totals early in the season, Johnson broke out for eight catches and 158 yards in Week 7. Bypassing Lee Evans as the team's No. 1 receiver, Johnson went on to finish ninth in fantasy points with a 77/1,001/10 line.

The "Better Late Than Never" Award

Goes to ... Mike Williams, Seahawks - The 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft finally made an impact at the NFL level after eating his way out of the league in 2008 and 2009. Though injuries and a lack of touchdowns kept Williams out of the Top-50 wide receivers, he did post three double-digit reception games to go with three 100-yard performances.

The "Could Have Been a Contender" Award

Goes to … Mark Clayton, Rams - Emerging as Sam Bradford's go-to receiver in September, Clayton averaged 10.5 fantasy points per week before going down with a season-ending knee injury. For perspective, that weekly average would have placed Clayton in the Top-15 at wide receiver.

The "PPR Goldmine" Award

Goes to … Davone Bess, Dolphins - Bess' 178.5 PPR-format points narrowly edged Mike Thomas' 169.8 and Danny Amendola's 169.0 among waiver pickups. Bess made the waiver list six times, Thomas eight times, and Amendola five times.

The "Plug 'n' Play" Award

Goes to … Seyi Ajirotutu, Chargers - In the information age, it's not often that a legitimately under-the-radar player emerges as a no-brainer matchup play. Tutu was recommended as a fill-in starter in Week 9 at Houston, and he responded by blowing up for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

The "Ain't a Patch on Collie's Arse" Award

Goes to … Blair White, Colts - With Austin Collie suffering through a string of concussions, White ended up making the waiver list five times as the Colts' slot receiver. Though White did manage a handful of touchdowns, he managed to top 50 yards just once all season.

The "Biggest Waste of a Column Lede" Award

Goes to … Demayrius Thomas, Broncos and Danario Alexander, Rams - Two talented rookies produced two of my favorite column titles with "Age of Demaryius" and "The Danario Scenario." Unfortunately, ill-timed injuries and unfamiliarity with the offense kept both players from making a significant impact on the fantasy scene. The 2011 season is a different story.

[SIZE=+1]Tight Ends[/SIZE]

The "No Dallas, No Problem" Award

Goes to … Jacob Tamme, Colts - While Jermichael Finley owners had to grin and bear his season-ending injury, Clark owners had the good fortune to plug in Tamme for the rest of the season. Clark and Tamme have combined for 97 receptions, 911 yards, and seven touchdowns. Their 133.2 fantasy points are third only to Jason Witten and Antonio Gates.

The "All He Does Is Catch Touchdowns" Award

Goes to … Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars - Consider Patriots rookie Rob Gronkowski (Week 13, 15) a very close second. After making this list three times in the first six weeks of the season, Lewis finished behind only Jason Witten and Antonio Gates in tight end fantasy points -- thanks in large part to his nine touchdowns. One of the best all-around talents at the position, Lewis should gain respect as a TE1 option in 2011 drafts.

The "Roster Yo-Yo" Award

Goes to … Ben Watson, Browns - Watson's career highs of 61 receptions and 696 yards are nothing to sneeze at, but it would be hard to find a less reliable waiver pickup. After breaking out with big games in Week 6, 10, and 13, Watson responded with a dud the following week.

The "It's About Friggin' Time" Award

Goes to ... Owen Daniels, Texans - Fully expected to start the season slowly after a third ACL surgery, Owens appeared to be turning the corner in Week 5 -- only to come down with a hamstring injury that took two months to shed. Owens was recommended as a waiver pickup five times, finally coming through with big games in Weeks 14 and 16.

I have admittedly suffered more than a few misses along the way as well, but hopefully we served you well with Waiver Wired this season -- if not with one of the award winners above, then with the honorably mentioned Josh Freeman, Ryan Torain, Mike Tolbert, Chris Ivory, Brian Westbrook, or Deion Branch. Seasons greetings, and we'll see you here at Waiver Wired next September. For a Cliff's Notes version of waiver options for this week, keep reading.



On to the waiver lists. Here is how I rank the top players available at each position as we head into Week 17.

QUARTERBACKS

Tim Tebow, Broncos - As mentioned above, Tebow has averaged 26.4 fantasy points in his first two starts. Sure it's a small sample size, but Michael Vick is the only QB in the league with a higher average on the season. While the Chargers have been stout all year, they have little to play for after surrendering Carson Palmer's best game of the season in Week 16.

Shaun Hill, Lions - Weather won't be a factor at Ford Field as the Lions take aim at their fourth straight victory to close out the season. A win over the Vikings pulls them out of the NFC North basement. Hill has been a lock for 20 fantasy points each start this year. Play him with confidence as a high-end QB2.

Stephen McGee, Cowboys - If Charlie Whitehurst can bring a third-rounder, can the Cowboys get the same for McGee? That will depend on McGee's performance against an Eagles defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing QBs. The Cowboys "hope" Jon Kitna (oblique) starts, but that seems unlikely at this point.

RUNNING BACKS

Dominic Rhodes, Colts - After leading the UFL in rushing with the Florida Tuskers, Rhodes led the Colts with 98 yards on 17 carries in Week 16. Yahoo's Mike Silver, who spent the weekend covering the Colts, believes Rhodes has "positioned himself as the team's go-to ball carrier from here on out." I suspect we'll see a "hot hand," three-headed monster approach in the season finale before Rhodes and Joseph Addai reprise their 2006 roles in the NFL playoffs. Rhodes isn't more than a flex option for Week 17.

Correll Buckhalter, Broncos - Buckhalter came off the bench for 42 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and caught another three passes for 50 yards when Knowshon Moreno went down in Week 16. Interim coach Eric Studesville said Monday that Moreno could have re-entered, but Buckhalter was "rolling." Buckhalter appears to have re-taken the backup reins from Lance Ball and could end up starting in the season finale.

John Kuhn, Packers - Kuhn has taken hold of the goal-line job with authority in back-to-back career games the past two weeks. After scoring two touchdowns each on the ground and through the air, he's a must-add in TD-heavy leagues.

Joe McKnight, Jets - Locked into the No. 6 seed in the AFC, the Jets have nothing on the line in Week 17. There's already talk of benching Mark Sanchez, and LaDainian Tomlinson should be rested as well. I can't guarantee that McKnight will see double-digit touches, but he's worth picking up in deeper leagues in case the situation gains clarity later in the week.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Jason Hill, Jaguars - The former 49er started over Mike Sims-Walker, played nearly every snap, tied for the team lead with nine targets, and totaled 77 yards on four catches against the Redskins. Impending free agent Sims-Walker remains banged up, and the Jags want to see what they have in Hill. Expect him to draw a second straight start in a dream matchup against the Texans' burnable secondary in the season finale. If so, Hill is a legit WR3 option.

Danario Alexander, Rams - DX has burned fantasy owners before, and back on the scene as a boom-or-bust option in Week 17. Alexander was finally a big part of the game plan with the Rams going to three-wide and four-wide sets to counteract defensive coaches having "figured out" Sam Bradford. A difference-making talent, DX led the team with six catches and 99 yards against San Fran.

Jacoby Jones, Texans - With Andre Johnson out of the lineup, Jones finally made good on his wasted potential. With Champ Bailey tying up Kevin Walter, Jones led the Texans with five receptions and 115 yards on seven targets. He's only an option against the Jags if Johnson ends up sitting again.

Jerome Simpson / Andre Caldwell, Bengals - With Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco sidelined, the Bengals' passing game came to life against a Chargers defense going through the motions. Simpson, a mammoth draft bust to date, finally broke out with a 6/124/2 line while Caldwell posted a second-straight game between 85-90 yards. Simpson has the higher upside against the Ravens, with Caldwell as the more conservative play.

Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers - Gaining Ben Roethlisberger's trust as a second playmaker in the passing game, Sanders has averaged 5.5 catches and 66 yards the past two weeks. He just missed a pair of scores against the Panthers in Week 16, too. As the Steelers' third receiver, he's only a fantasy option in deeper leagues.

TIGHT ENDS

Jared Cook, Titans - Due to coach Jeff Fisher's fetish with veteran mediocrity (see also: Collins, Kerry and Gage, Justin), Cook spent the season wasting away behind Bo Scaife. Finally given starter's snaps, he broke out with a string of impressive catches against the Chiefs on his way to 96 yards and a touchdown in Week 16. Play him with confidence as a low-end TE1 option at Indy in the finale.

Heath Miller, Steelers - Miller bounced back from a concussion with a season-high 73 yards on five catches against the Panthers. This week he faces the Browns, a defense allowing the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

Lions - Detroit's defense plays much better at home, and they host Joe Webb and the turnover prone Vikings in Week 17.

Falcons - After Monday night's loss, the Falcons are still playing for the NFC South title. A motivated Atlanta defense will host Jimmy Clausen in the finale.

Bills - This one hinges on the Jets' QB decision. If a washed-up Mark Brunell ends up starting, the Bills defense is a sneaky fantasy play.