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FANTASY PLAYOFFS
Now’s the time to get your playoff fantasy league organized. Many of you are already doing so, yet some people are still unfamiliar with the concept – so here it goes.
Since twelve teams make the NFL playoffs, it’s ideal to get twelve owners in your league. Then draft just a starting lineup, no reserves, and incorporate the same scoring system you use during the regular season. But instead of a head to head format, use a running point total through the completion of the Super Bowl. The owner with the most points wins.
So not only had you better know your fantasy talent, you better be able to identify which teams will play the most games, i.e. make the Super Bowl. I will be posting a scoring sheet on the homepage (PlayoffScoringSheet) – located under the Article Archive heading by Friday morning. It has two different variations, along with an example on the last page for those of you who might be confused. Simply print what you need and use it on draft night.
Also, the regular season ends on Monday, December 29th and the playoffs begin on Saturday January 3rd, so you have a short window to hold your draft. Friday is ideal since the Fiesta Bowl will be on. Good luck!
WEEK 15 PRE-GAME NOTES
The Weather appears to be a factor in many games – scoring will be at a premium. Teams with the better running backs usually fair best in weeks such as this.
The Dolphins stout interior defense and aggressive nature likely means Brian Westbrook will play a larger role than Correll Buckhalter, with Duce Staley getting his typical number of touches (10).
Thirty-eight year old cornerback Otis Smith will be covering receiver Eddie Kennison, which is a decisive advantage for Kennison. Detroit also lost starting safety Corey Harris for the season, putting even more pressure on their struggling secondary.
Six equals the number of passes thrown to Cowboy receivers versus Philadelphia. Zero equals the number of receptions by Joey Galloway, Terry Glenn, and Antonio Bryant.
Just how long is the Giants casualty list? They may activate practice squad player Ataveous Cash, a former QB from Howard, to fill in at receiver. Last week brought about another assortment of injuries to key players, including Kerry Collins (ankle – doubtful), Ike Hilliard (knee – doubtful), and Tim Carter (concussion – doubtful). That makes nine “projected” starters that will miss this week’s game thanks to injuries, twelve if you include replacements who’ve gotten hurt. Despite losing so many key performers, Fassel’s days appear to be numbered. One has to believe he won’t be out of a job for long.
The Giants are just one of many teams bitten by the injury bug. Detroit has placed fifteen players on IR, three more than last season.
Although Kerry Collins may not play, you should stick with receiver Amani Toomer. New York will put a quality game together before the year ends, this one’s a primetime game (Sunday night), and the Saints defense isn’t exactly a shut down unit. In addition, inexperienced quarterbacks like Jesse Palmer will usually lean on their top receivers (Toomer).
Receiver Freddie Mitchell leads the Eagles with seven receptions of 20 yards or more. Isn’t that an indictment of the Eagles receivers more than a compliment to Mitchell?
Check the status of Ladell Betts (doubtful) and Trung Candidate (questionable).
Last week’s loss to the Packers not only knocked the Bears out of the playoff race, it also catapulted rookie QB Rex Grossman into the starting lineup. Desmond Clark owners should consider an alternative tight end since young quarterbacks usually lock on their primary receivers, meaning tight ends and third receivers don’t see many passes. Plus, Minnesota has only given up one passing touchdown to opponents tight ends this season.
Cleveland lost more than just another game against the Rams, they lost RB James Jackson, DE Courtney Brown, DT Chad Beasley, and Kicker Phil Dawson for the season. Brett Conway has been signed to replace Dawson while Jamel White will start in place of Jackson.
Expect a couple of rookie running backs to make contributions down the stretch, not that their production will account for much in the fantasy department. Artose Pinner (Detroit) and Lee Suggs (Cleveland) have battled through injuries and will see time since neither of their employers are playoff bound. At the very least, we’ll get a look at a couple of potential fantasy backs for next season.
You never have to look hard to find fantasy busts, but is there a bigger one than Packer’s receiver Donald Driver? He’s started all but one game this season and plays on a Packers team that’s tossed 23 touchdown passes – tied for third most. Driver’s accounted for 411 receiving yards and one TD, and was probably drafted as a number one receiver in most leagues. It’s one thing to fight through injuries or get lost on a losing team, but he really hasn’t faced either of those hurdles, unless his neck injury is much worse than let on. Then the question becomes, why’s he still playing?
Speaking of the Packers passing game, Javon Walker has caught a TD in three straight games and has caught a total of five in his last six outings.
Arizona named Josh McCown it’s starting QB for this week’s game against the Panthers. And you thought it was every kids dream to be an NFL QB.
Garrison Hearst will miss his second consecutive game, allowing Kevan Barlow to gain a bigger foothold on the starting job. Hasn’t it been obvious that Barlow should be a twenty-carry guy, leaving Hearst with a “Duce Staley–like” role in passing situations? All you need to know is the Denver Broncos considered Barlow the best back in the 2001 draft.
Do you know who the Broncos planned on drafting in the third round of the 2003 draft? RB Domanick Davis, according to several NFL sources.
Chris Chambers has caught four touchdown passes in two primetime games this season. And although the Eagles defense has performed well in the red zone (7th best, 5th fewest points allowed), they’ve been average or worse in most other statistical categories, including passing/rushing yards allowed.
Marc Bulger’s tossed more interceptions than touchdowns on the season (19-17), but he’s facing a Seahawks team that’s allowed 27 points or more in five straight road games.
Despite having one of the leagues better cornerbacks, Samari Rolle (questionable), Tennessee has allowed more passing yards than any other team. Similar to previous seasons, they lack quality depth, which may entice the Bills to use three receivers. That’d enable Bobby Shaw to work against safety Lance Shulters, an advantage the Bills are expected to exploit – given Bledsoe has the time.
San Francisco is 0-6 on the road, partially because of their inconsistent offense. They’ve scored 13 points or less in four of their last five road games. Expect that trend to change, Cincinnati’s defense is ripe for the taking. That also means Kitna and the passing game will have to be up to par, making this one of the day’s higher scoring games. For that reason, give most players the benefit of doubt in this one, including Tai Streets and Peter Warrick.
The once automatic Adam Vinatieri has missed eight field goals on the season, including four from 30-39 yards. He also missed an extra point during last week’s win.
This looks like a tough week for Jacksonville’s quarterback and receiving corps. The Patriots opponents quarterback rating is a league low 59.4%, and they’ve allowed a league low 10 passing touchdowns. Weather is always a concern in New England this time of year, especially for a warm-weather team like Jacksonville, who’s 0-6 on the road anyway.
Minnesota has 30 takeaways on the season, tied for third most. With Bears rookie QB Rex Grossman making his first career start, you can expect Minnesota to turn up the heat, much like they did against the Seahawks last week. This also means the Bears will lean on Anthony Thomas early and often. Barring a large deficit, you can expect Thomas to get more carries than any other back.
The Texans 31st ranked defense took another blow when cornerback Aaron Glenn was lost for the season (groin). Keenan McCardell, Thomas Jones (29 carries last week), and Brad Johnson are likeable fantasy starters against a Texans team that’s surrendered 27 points or more in five of their last six road games.
Reggie Wayne’s caught six touchdown passes on the season, two less than Marvin Harrison, but he’s only got one score in the last six games. If there’s a week he pulls out of his funk, it will be this one. Atlanta’s given up 40 touchdowns on the season, and their pass defense is struggling once again. The Falcons will essentially double cover Marvin Harrison, leaving Wayne single covered by Todd McBride.
With Atlanta in mind, one has to wonder how Dan Reeves firing will affect the team, if at all. He’s never been considered a “player’s coach”, so it’s unlikely there’s a tremendous amount of re*****. The more important question is; what effect will Wade Phillips have on the offense.
If you’re in a desperate pickle at running back, consider the Ravens Chester Taylor. Oakland’s 31st ranked run defense gave up 133 rushing yards to Pittsburgh’s 30th ranked ground attack last week. One has to assume Jamal Lewis will have another solid day, but Chester will play an expanded role since the Ravens could exceed 50 rushing attempts if this one unfolds as expected. Also, Oakland’s run-stopping DT John Parella is done for the season.
Denver’s secondary has performed quite well most the season, especially considering they have three first-year starters. But they have been exposed at times, such as last week, and will face a passing-oriented Cleveland team that’s missing its top two running backs. Dennis Northcutt could be especially dangerous against the Broncos limited depth.
Antowain Smith made an appearance last week, but that won’t become the norm. New England, like too many other teams, alters their running backs based on the opposition, and since the Jaguars have a big physical defense, Smith’s ability is neutralized. Expect Kevin Faulk to play the bigger role, especially in the passing game.
Mikhael Ricks didn’t score against the Chargers anemic defense last week, but fellow tight end Casey Fitzsimmons did. Tight ends have now caught eleven touchdowns against the Chargers on the season, and you can bet the Packers will exploit this obvious weakness just like everyone else. Although Wesley Walls has failed to catch a TD all season, odds say he’ll find the end zone at least once, and there won’t be a better opportunity than this week’s. Obviously, Bubba Franks should be in your lineups.
Travis “broken leg” Henry has gained 100+ yards in five of his last seven games, but he’s facing the Titans tough run defense on the road. However, that doesn’t mean you should pull him out of your lineup. Now’s the time to ride your horses, and as Edgerrin James proved last week, opportunity often presents itself when you least expect it – meaning you never know if Henry will end up with several goal line opportunities.
Join my “we’re not going to take it” campaign by letting ESPN know just how bad the Sunday night broadcast crew is. Joe “the king of arrogance” Theisman is absolutely wretched, while his partner, Paul “watch this” Maguire, is the most unprepared broadcaster in the business today. Voice your opinion by visiting ESPN.com, click on the “contact us” button at the bottom of the page, then click on “ESPN TV” – and let em have it. These guys have made a mockery of their profession long enough.
KEY INJURIES
QB Steve McNair is questionable (leg)
QB David Carr is questionable (shoulder)
QB Jay Fiedler is questionable (knee), but is expected to start.
RB Domanick Davis is probable (knee).
RB Garrison Hearst is doubtful (knee).
RB Ladell Betts is doubtful (forearm)
RB Trung Canidate is questionable (ankle
WR Troy Brown is questionable (leg).
WR David Boston is questionable (neck), but he is expected to start.
WR Brian Finneran is questionable (knee).
WR Az Hakim is probable (hand/back).
WR Dante Stallworth is questionable (ankle).
