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Hi Folks, First off, congratulations on a great season.I assume if you=01,re still = in=20 the hunt this late in the year, you have to call 2000 a successful =20 campaign.? Enjoy it.? It=01,s an intense time and you can=01,t slack off n= ow but=20 it=01,s also important to enjoy the moment regardless of what happens in t= he=20 next few weeks.? It=01,s tough enough just to get to this point.? Great w= ork! From my perspective it=01,s interesting in that the actual number of folks= who=20 read the material drops way off this time of year.? But the other side of= =20 the coin is that the interest level of the ones still reading shoots throu= gh=20 the roof.? There may not be as many folks reading as there were in=20 September, but the ones that are here are into in a big way!??? I=01,ll do my dead level best to keep up my end of the bargain and provide= the=20 best info I can all the way to the week 17 games.? Lets get at it.? Joe ?? Matchups to Avoid and Exploit.? =20 Passing Game Matchups.?? Here's how I see the matchups this week.? Please= =20 note, see the cheatsheet online (will be available?late Wednesday evening= =20 at?http://www.cheatsheets.net/week14sheet.htm? ) ?for exactly where I rank= =20 players and to determine who to start.? Just because one matchup may be mor= e =20 favorable than another, that doesn't necessarily mean I'd start the player= =20 with the best matchup.? The matchup info is meant to be just one more too= l=20 in your box when it comes to deciding between players.??=20 Note:? I=01,ve used the player stats sorted by performance over the last f= our=20 weeks extensively in developing these write-ups. Stats are provided by Mik= e=20 Hall=01,s excellent FLM League Management Software.? http://www.fflm.com/ f= or=20 more info.? The Fantasy Points Allowed by Position numbers are from=20 ESPN.com.? =20 ? Here we go: Locks:? These games heavily favor the Offense =20 New Orleans Passing Game vs Bronco Defense???? I stuck my neck out a bit= =20 last week with QB Aaron Brooks but he came though for me.? This week, he=20 draws a great matchup with a Denver defense that=01,s not been able to sto= p=20 anyone through the air.? Over the last four weeks, they rank # 31 in passi= ng=20 yards allowed per game.? Denver has averaged giving up 308 yards passing p= er=20 game over that span.? With CB Ray Crockett out with a torn hamstring, Jim= my=20 Spencer will fill in for him again this week.? He and Terrell Buckley can= =20 definitely be beaten. Brooks will focus on WR Joe Horn, his primary weapon= =20 but Willie Jackson refuses to fade away and is a solid option.? RB Chad=20 Morton catches the ball pretty well out of the backfield.? TE Aaron Glove= r=20 still is total non factor for Fantasy purposes.? I'm doing my best to not= =20 get carried away with Brooks.? Keep telling yourself the young man has=20 exactly 2 games of NFL experience.? On the other hand, there comes a time= =20 when you take a leap and go with what you see with your own eyes.? This gu= y=20 isn't playing like a 2 game rookie and the Denver defense is awful.? =20 St. Louis Passing Game vs Carolina Defense?? I want to believe.? I believe= =20 in Kurt Warner and I believe he=01,ll get his Rams back on track.? As much= as=20 anything, I believe you=01,ll see Marshall Faulk at least see more action = than=20 he saw last week.? Warner=01,s an MVP but I think it=01,s Faulk that make= s this=20 team go.? He creates so much havoc with the defense that must either commi= t =20 safeties to support the run which then opens the passing game.? If the=20 defense plays the pass, then Faulk can kill them with the run or short=20 passes.? After last week, I=01,d be shocked if coach Mike Martz doesn=01,t= get=20 back to utilizing?his?star RB?more.? Kurt Warner makes his return and I=01,= m =20 guessing he picks up where he left off.? That=01,s not what you=01,d expec= t to=20 happen but Warner=01,s made a career of exceeding expectations.? If he=01,= s on =20 your roster, I think you have to go with him.? Especially against this=20 defense.? Carolina ranks # 30 in passing yards allowed per game over the= =20 last four weeks.? For WRs, it=01,s always tough to pick.? Isaac Bruce and= =20 Torry Holt are the sure guys but honestly, Ricky Proehl=01,s been on fire= =20 lately.? Az-Zahir Hakim is always worth a shot too.? Any one of these guy= s=20 can go off.? TE Roland Williams suffers with so many good receivers but he= =01,s=20 a decent producer too. Atlanta Passing Game vs Seattle Defense?? This one is a pure matchup play= =20 as Dan Reeves makes the move for starting?QB Doug Johnson over the fading= =20 Chris Chandler.? I=01,m not a big fan of either but if you find yourself f= aced=20 with the prospect of starting a Falcon QB, this is the week to do it if yo= u=01, re ever going to.? The Seahawks defense is less like a hawk and more like = an=20 albatross around Mike Holmgren=01,s neck.? They=01,re awful.? Over the last= four=20 weeks, they rank # 29 in passing yards allowed per game.? Good luck picki= ng=20 the WR as Terrance Mathis has been invisible lately while Shawn Jefferson = is=20 making a resurgence.? A few weeks ago, it was Mathis who was hot while=20 Jefferson faded.? If you made me pick one, I=01,d reluctantly go with=20 Jefferson.? TE Reggie Kelly did catch 3 passes Sunday but I=01,m not count= ing=20 on him for too much. Pittsburgh Passing Game vs Raider Defense?? Kor-DELL=01(Kor-DELL=01(Kor-DE= LL???=20 What brought this guy back to life?? I dunno but you can bet coach Bill= =20 Cowher is going to do everything he can to keep it rolling.? Kordell Stewar= t=20 looks to be playing with renewed confidence and we all know that so much o= f=20 the game at this level is mental.? No one ever doubted his physical=20 skills.? The obvious spark seems to have been the benching of WR Plaxico = =20 Burress and the inspired play of Hines Ward.? I think it=01,s ironic that W= ard=20 was very much a Kordell-like =01&Slash=018 player in college at Georgia.? = Bobby=20 Shaw is getting into the act and producing from the WR slot and wonders of= =20 wonders, TE Mark Bruener caught a TD Sunday.? You know things are changin= g=20 when Bruener gets in the endzone.? The Raiders are an extremely good =20 football team but stopping teams through the air is their Achilles heel. Cincinnati Passing Game vs Cardinal Defense?? Another interesting aspect o= f =20 writing this column late in the season is that you can almost guess which = =20 players to talk about as most Fantasy Teams still interested in December ar= e =20 stocked with the obvious stars.? QB Scott Mitchell likely doesn=01,t fall = into=20 that =01&star=018 category and I doubt many folks are faced with the decis= ion to=20 start him this week but if he=01,s your best QB, this might be your lucky= =20 week.? First of all, let=01,s assume he gets the knee ready to go.? This e= arly=20 in the week, that=01,s honestly a shaky assumption.? We=01,ll know more l= ater.?=20 But if he can go, he could do some damage against an awful Cardinal=20 defense.? WR Peter Warrick could be a decent play too although Aeneas=20 Williams is a solid cover guy.? He=01,s hard to count out though just beca= use=20 of his home run ability.? Funny how I don=01,t see many people complaining= =20 about his 40 times now=01(? RB Corey Dillon is the only other starter on = this=20 team but we=01,ll catch up with him in the rushing Matchups. ? Prime Matchups:? These games favor the Offense? Arizona Passing Game vs Bengal Defense?? Let=01,s be clear, I=01,m no Jake= =20 Plummer fan but the truth of the matter is he=01,s got a pretty decent matc= hup =20 this week.? He=01,s reportedly making good progress and should start Sunda= y.? =20 Partly because, he=01,s better, partly because Dave Brown was just awful.?= =20 =01&Worse than Plummer=018 has a nasty ring to it=01(? But this Bengal pa= ss defense=20 is pretty bad.? Over the past four weeks, they rank # 26 in passing yards= =20 allowed per game.? WRs David Boston has the physical tools to do some=20 damage and Frank Sanders has the experience to make an impact.? Remember,= =20 this is the unit that made Pittsburgh look like the 1999 Rams last week.??= ? New York Jets Passing Game vs Colts Defense?? The Jets have been up and do= wn=20 a bit but this week they could make some noise against a struggling=20 Indianapolis defense.? The pathetic Colt pass rush only has 4 sacks in th= e=20 last 4 games.? QB Vinny Testeverde had a decent day in their last matchup= =20 with 271 yards and 1 TD.? WR Wayne Chrebet=01,s been in a funk lately but= in=20 their week he went off catching 8 passes for 140.? Sure some of it was =20 late, but garbage stats count too.? Dedric Ward caught just 54 yards worth= =20 of passes but he scored in that game.? He=01,s come on lately after fadin= g=20 early. Rookie WR Laveranues Coles will miss another game it appears. RB=20 Curtis Martin still is struggling to get 100% healthy and that will hurt a= =20 little.? TE Anthony Becht is a bright spot as he=01,s beginning to contrib= ute.?=20 December in New York will make a difference to this soft Colt team which= =20 doesn=01,t play as well in the cold.? Detroit Passing Game vs Viking Defense?? Charlie Batch continued to look= =20 good and went a good ways toward erasing some of his (well deserved) =20 candybone label with a gutsy performance on Thanksgiving.? His ribs are=20 reportedly better and he had a nice practice Tuesday throwing the ball.??= =20 The Viking secondary could have matchup troubles with WRs Johnnie Morton a= nd=20 Herman Moore.? Over the last four weeks, Minnesota ranks # 24 in passing= =20 yards allowed per game.? For the year, they rank # 22 in Fantasy Points= =20 allowed to opposing QBs.? The Vikings are tough on TEs ranking # 7 in=20 Fantasy Points allowed to TEs for the year but TE David Sloan has played= =20 very well of late.? He ranks # 6 in Fantasy Points among TEs over the last= 3=20 games and is well worth a start here. Denver Passing Game vs Saints Defense?? For all the hype generated by New= =20 Orleans=01, defense, they give up tons of yards passing.? Over the last fo= ur =20 weeks, they rank # 23 in passing yards allowed per game.? They do sack the= =20 QB a ton (19 over the last four weeks) but they still give up the yards. I= t=01, s kind of unusual to see that. They=01,ll be facing Gus Frerotte and a Den= ver=20 team that=01,s trying to find their way.? Frerotte=01,s been up and down = after=20 his monster week 12 game.? The Saints continue to drop like flies and the= =20 loss of CB Fred Weary will definitely hurt.? Both WRs Rod Smith and Ed=20 McCaffrey are solid plays as always.? And as crazy as it sounds, either one= =20 of the 2 headed TE monster in Dwayne Carswell and Desmond? Clark are decen= t=20 options too.? Byron Chamberlain normally makes it a 3 headed TE monster bu= t=20 he=01,s nursing a bad Achilles tendon and didn=01,t play last week.? As no= ted =20 above, Denver gives up lots of yards through the air so this could be a hig= h =20 scoring affair.? I doubt you could have predicted a shootout between Aaron= =20 Brooks and Gus Frerotte 4 months ago but that=01,s why they play the games= =01( ? ? Even Matchups:? These games feature no real advantage either way? Chicago Passing Game vs Packer Defense?? I=01,m torn here.? You probably= saw=20 how weak the Packer defense looked Monday night.? They couldn=01,t do muc= h of=20 anything.? But on the other hand, the Bears will likely go with Shane=20 Matthews and he=01,s been just awful lately.? Like worse than Dave Brown = kind=20 of bad.? One would think he=01,d improve against this defense but he=01,ll= have to=20 make great strides just to get reach =01&average=018. ?Owners of WR Marcus= =20 Robinson feel it too as the big guy has pretty much disappeared lately wit= h=20 Matthews at the helm.? Still though, there=01,s some hope.? On a brighter= =20 spot, Matthews does seem comfortable throwing to Eddie Kennison who had 6= =20 passes thrown to him Sunday compared to Robinson=01,s 4.? I=01,ve hear rum= ors that=20 Chicago may start a TE but that news is unconfirmed at this time=01(? In t= he=20 "for real" rumor department, QB Cade McNown is making noise about wanting= =20 to start this week but I think it's still a week early. New England Passing Game vs Chief Defense?? Kansas City and New England ar= e =20 two once proud teams that are struggling.? This week a banged up Drew =20 Bledsoefaces a pass defense that=01,s been vulnerable.? Over the last fou= r=20 weeks, Kansas City ranks # 20 in passing yards allowed per game.? For the= =20 year,? KC ranks # 24 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs. Bledsoe=20 bruised a knee in Thursday=01,s game but played through it and should be o= k.?=20 Keep an eye on him though as he was added to the injury report this week a= s=20 Questionable. As long as Bledsoe plays, WR Terry Glennshould be a good = =20 option as he=01,s clearly the #1 guy in that offense over Troy Brown.? TE= Rod=20 Rutledge caught 4 passes last week so he may start to make some noise.?= =20 With all those productive years throwing to Ben Coates, you know Bledsoe= =20 would love to have a solid TE. Carolina Passing Game vs Rams Defense?? Even if you want to pin Carolina= =01,s =20 Monday Night performance on a weak Green Bay defense, credit still must be= =20 given to Steve Beuerleinand the Panthers.? The immobile Beuerlein hung = in=20 there and delivered.? He=01,s facing a Rams defense that even with Bud Car= son=01,s=20 help, still ranks # 19 in passing yards allowed per game.? (Granted, that= =01,s=20 a big improvement)? Beuerlein=01,s numbers may be helped by the return of = Ram=20 QB Kurt Warner as there=01,s nothing like the other team rolling up points= to=20 get your QB=01,s arm loose.? WR Muhsin Muhammad had the dominating game = we=20 all know he can and looked overpowering.? The hamstring injury was supposed= =20 to be with him all year but he looks good to me.? Another boost for=20 Beuerlein will be if WR Donald Hayescan get back on the field as early=20 reports are hoping for.? Even TE Kris Mangum(be the one guy in your leag= ue=20 that doesn=01,t say =01&mag-num=018 like the gun) has been looking good.? = For the=20 year, St. Louis ranks # 28 in Fantasy Points allowed to the TE so he could= =20 be worth a shot.??? Jacksonville Passing Game vs Browns Defense?? This one really is a case of= =20 misdirection as QB Mark Brunellisn=01,t as good as many people think and = the=20 Browns pass defense isn=01,t as bad as most people assume.? Cleveland rank= s #=20 18 in passing yards allowed per game.? And for the year, they rank # 6 in= =20 Fantasy Points allowed to opposing QBs which really surprises people.? The= =20 reason is that their rush defense is awful and teams choose to run instead= .?=20 But all you really care about are the stats.? Brunell should be ok but not= =20 great here as the Jaguars look to take out a season=01,s worth of frustrat= ions=20 on the Browns.? Jimmy Smithand Keenan McCardellare solid choices as= =20 usual.? Even the much maligned (by me, anyway) rookie R. Jay Sowardproduc= ed=20 last week.? Soward could actually be bad news for McCardell and Smith as= =20 there were times when Brunell really seemed to force the ball his way.? T= E =20 Kyle Bradyis solid.? But honestly, I think this will be the Fred Taylor on= =20 the ground show against a weak rush unit.? Washington Passing Game vs Giant Defense?? Brad Johnsonmakes his return = =20 this week taking over for Jeff George.? It=01,s interesting to watch how t= he=20 Redskins spin this transition.? According to Washington, Johnson starting= =20 has nothing to do with Jeff George=01,s less than spectacular play or reco= rd.?=20 =01&Johnson was the starter all along regardless of how George played yada= =20 yada=01(=018? This type of talk makes it easier to sell the fans Jeff Geor= ge as=20 the starting QB next year.? We=01,ll see.? (for the record, I=01,m a George= fan=20 and have been for a while.? Myself and 8 other guys are pretty much it=01= ()?? =20 Like most players in this =01&could go either way=018 category, Johnson has= good=20 and bad points this week.? On the upside, the Giants defense has shown=20 itself to be vulnerable to the pass.? The Redskins also hope to have RB = =20 Stephen Davisthis week.? His presence does a great deal for the passing=20 game.? On the downside, Johnson will likely be rusty.? He may still be=20 feeling some lingering effects of the injury.? Secondly, his best WR, =20 Albert Connellmay play but he=01,s nowhere near full speed.? James =20 Thrashfilled in admirably for Connell and looks to be a good play this wee= k=20 as well.? It looks like Irving Fryarwill get the start opposite Thrash.?= =20 The ageless wonder might do something if Jason Sehorn stays with Thrash as= =20 Dave Thomas is by far the weaker CB.? TE Stephen Alexanderis a steady = =20 performer although FB Larry Centerssteals too many of the short passes th= at=20 could go to Alexander.? New York Giant Passing Game vs Redskin Defense? A good defense takes on a= =20 good passing offense.? I guess that=01,s why this matchup is in this colu= mn.?=20 Over the last four weeks Washington ranks # 15 in passing yards allowed p= er=20 game.? For the year, they rank # 8 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing Q= Bs=20 so they=01,re pretty tough.? QB Kerry Collinshas quietly played extremely= well=20 over the last month.? He=01,s thrown for 822 yards and 6 TDs over the last= 3=20 games.? That puts him at # 6 in Fantasy Points among QBs over that time=20 span.? WR Amani Toomercontinues to play great football and is definitely= =20 worth a shot.? Joe Jureviciusfills in for the injured Ike Hilliard again= =20 and he=01,s a solid choice as Collins didn=01,t hesitate to throw him the = ball=20 often.? TE? Pete Mitchell is tough to depend on as he gets more catches= =20 but Dan Campbellgrabs the TDs it seems.? I=01,m not too excited about ei= ther=20 guy.? San Diego Passing Game vs 49er Defense?? My Charger buddies have cautioned= =20 me about jumping on the Ryan LeafBandwagon.? That was right after I=01,d se= nt a=20 group email at halftime of the SD / KC game to some friends boasting about= =20 =01&my=018 QB Leaf.? Of course, we know the nd half didn=01,t go =01&quit= e=018 as well as=20 the first and I came back to reality.? But there=01,s some truth to the i= dea=20 Leaf is becoming an NFL QB.? I personally had doubts if we=01,d ever see i= t but=20 I think it=01,s starting to happen.? And this week against a San Francisc= o=20 defense, he could make some more strides.? It should be noted, the 49ers ar= e=20 much better on pass defense than they had been.? Over the last four weeks= ,=20 they rank # 14 in passing yards allowed per game which is a huge upgrade= =20 from where they had been.? For the year though, they still rank # 30 in=20 Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.? Leaf has some extremely solid= =20 receivers. TE Freddie Jonesis his best target but veteran WRs Jeff Graha= m=20 and Curtis Conwayare more than capable.? You=01,d think that San Francis= co=20 will score some points so there could be some fireworks.? I=01,d shy away f= rom=20 Leaf but Jones in particular could be a very nice play.??? San Francisco Passing Game vs Charger Defense? The Charger defense held=20 Kansas City down last week but I think that had more to do with Warren Moo= n=01, s senior citizen status than it did the Charger D.? Granted they=01,re=20 improving, but I think San Francisco should be able to move the ball.? Ove= r=20 the last four weeks, San Diego ranks # 13 in passing yards allowed per=20 game.? QB Jeff Garciais coming off a bye week and should be rested and=20 prepared.? His biggest problem will be the toe injury to WR Terrell Owens.= ?=20 Owens was unable to complete practice Monday and it=01,s now looking like = it=20 could be later this week before he sees the practice field.? Coach Steve = =20 Mariucci didn=01,t sound too optimistic.? Although I can imagine worse=20 scenarios for a WR than having Jerry Riceas your best WR.? Owens will=20 definitely be missed but J.J. Stokesand Tai Streetswill fill in just=20 fine.? There had been some talk from Mariucci about resting Garcia to see= =20 how the rookie QBs Gio Carmazzi and Tim Rattay would fare in game=20 situations.? I think this is just talk at this point.? I don=01,t really = see=20 the Chargers blowing out San Francisco to the point Garcia could be pulled= .?=20 If Garcia gets San Francisco such a lead that he could be pulled, he would= =20 have probably earned a great day of stats by then anyway.? At least for= =20 this week, I=01,m thinking he=01,ll be fine in the playing time department= .? Minnesota Passing Game vs Lion Defense? Ok, this is tough matchup for the = =20 Vikings.? Detroit ranks # 6 in passing yards allowed per gameover the last= =20 four games.? But the Lions are dealing with several injuries in their=20 secondary including Safety Ron Rice (leg =01) probable) Kurt Schulz=20 (ankle-doubtful) and nickel back Marquis Walker (wrist-out)? Still though,= =20 you=01,re crazy if you don=01,t start QB Daunte Culpepperand WRs Randy M= ossand =20 Cris Carter.? They=01,re just too good.? Kansas City Passing Game vs Patriot Defense?? It=01,s early to make a call= but=20 it=01,s looking like QB Elvis Grbacwill be back this week.? That=01,s gr= eat news=20 for Chief fans and Fantasy Owners.? The Patriots rank # 10 in passing yar= ds=20 allowed per game over the last four weeks but those numbers are a little= =20 skewed as Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Buffalo were the opponents.?= =20 It=01,s not like they shut down the Rams or 49ers.? Grbac will look to ge= t his=20 # 1 target TE Tony Gonzalezback on track after he was shut out by the=20 Chargers.? I don=01,t think you=01,ll see that again with Grbac under cent= er.? WR=20 Derrick Alexanderis an excellent target too.? Rookie Sylvester =20 Morrisseems to be fading instead of getting better.? He may be hitting th= e=20 infamous =01&rookie wall=018.?=20 ? Downside Matchups:? These games favor the Defense? Dallas Passing Game vs Buccaneer Defense?? Emmitt Smith seems recovered=20 from his =01&knockout slap=018 Thursday and says he=01,ll start.? That=01,= s good news=20 for all aspects of the Dallas offense.? QB Troy Aikmansquares off again= st=20 a Tampa defense that's bark is worse than its bite.? Over the last four=20 weeks, they rank # 21 in passing yards allowed per game.? Although they= =20 have registered 12 sacks over that span which is towards the top of the=20 league.? They=01,re solid though.? WRs Wayne McGarityand James McKnighta= re=20 showing they=01,re not anything exceptional.? TE Jackie Harriswas injure= d=20 last week and David LaFluerwoke up with a great game.??? Cleveland Passing Game vs Jaguar Defense?? One has to ask if anyone really= =20 cares whether QBsDoug Pedersonor Spergon Wynngets the majority of the= =20 snaps.? I think I can say fairly confidently that neither of these guys ha= ve=20 been figuring heavily into your plans.? The Jaguar defense has improved= =20 significantly of late. ?They rank # 17 in passing yards allowed per=20 gameover the last four weeks and they should be plenty good enough to=20 contain the Browns.? This team never really had a chance once Tim Couch an= d=20 Errict Rhett went down.? Kevin Johnsonand David Patten handle the WR = =20 duties but I can=01,t advocate either with a clear conscience. TE AaronSh= ea will start for the Browns but probably not for your FF Team.? Green Bay Passing Game vs Bear Defense?? It=01,s hard to know what to thin= k =20 about Green Bay. One game they look like the Packers of old with Favre=20 working his magic and the next, they look like a shell of their former=20 selves as they did on Monday Night against a Carolina team that had no=20 business handling them as they did.? Brett Favreis still a decent bet t= o=20 sling a few TDs on any Sunday but he=01,s sadly become just an average Fan= tasy=20 QB.? Lately, the Bears have been tough against the pass ranking # 12 in=20 passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? Although for th= e=20 year, they rank # 29 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.? Favre= =20 will have the very disappointing Antonio Freemanto throw to although Bil= l =20 Schroederis putting up better numbers the last few weeks.? He has another= =20 advantage in that while Freeman will likely draw CB Thomas Smith, Schroede= r=20 likely goes against Jerry Azumah.? Remember Schroeder came up huge in the = =20 week 5 matchup with 2 TDs in the 4th quarter.? For a TE, I=01,d go with Bu= bba =20 Franksalthough whenever I say that it seems Tyrone Daviscatches a TD=01(= ? Seattle Passing Game vs Falcon Defense?? This is an interesting game as tw= o =20 proud coaches in Dan Reeves and Mike Holmgren lead teams that are =20 floundering.? The one bright spot for the Falcons is that they=01,ve yield= ed=20 few yards passing although the =01&glass is half empty=018 crowd will poin= t out=20 that the reason for that is the weak rush defense.? Why throw the ball whe= n =20 you can run on Atlanta?? Regardless of the reason, teams don=01,t throw mu= ch=20 against the Falcons and I don=01,t look for QB Jon Kitnato completely bre= ak=20 that trend.? He=01,ll be looking to quiet producers Sean Dawkinsand Derric= k=20 Mayes.? Dawkins in particular has been exceptional over the last few weeks= =20 and is probably worth a start.???? Indianapolis Passing Game vs Jets Defense?? I love Peyton Manningbut he= =01,s=20 a guy that doesn=01,t always post the Fantasy Football numbers to match hi= s=20 hype.? He=01,s a solid producer who=01,ll very rarely burn you but he=01,s= also not=20 too subject to the 400 yard / 4 TD day.? With that said, I think you=01,ll = see =20 another good, solid day from him against a Jet defense that=01,s tough.? Ov= er=20 the last four weeks, New York ranks # 11 in passing yards allowed per game= .?=20 For the year, they rank # 7 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.= ?=20 Manning will try to jump start his team that=01,s floundering a bit.? The= y=20 know they need a win and a team like this can be tough when =01&cornered= =018.? I=01,m=20 not heeding the grumblings about WR Marvin Harrison. He=01,s fine.? He ca= ught=20 2 TDs last week and has stated he needs to =01&get on a mission=018 althou= gh he=20 needs some help.? Jerome Pathonhad some horrendous drops.? E.G. Greenhopes = to=20 be back this week from a knee injury and that will be good news.? Terrenc= e=20 Wilkins and Pathon just aren=01,t getting it done.? TEs Marcus Pollardand = Ken =20 Dilgerboth catch just enough to make neither guy very valuable. Oakland Passing Game vs Steeler Defense?? QB Rich Gannonis garnering lots = of=20 talk about the league MVP.? Could be.? But he=01,s got a tough matchup th= is=20 week against a Steeler team playing with confidence.? Pittsburgh ranks # 8= =20 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? For the seaso= n,=20 they rank # 2 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB so that=01,s=20 strong.? WRTim Brownis the clear cut target of choice and that makes thing= s=20 great for Brown owners.? You know he=01,ll get his touches.? Andre Risonand= =20 James Jettwill get the scraps left over.? TE Ricky Dudleyis a guy who you= =20 play totally at your own risk.? He=01,s just as liable to go catchless as= he=20 is score 2 TDs.??? ? Defensive Slam Dunks:? These games heavily favor the Defense Miami Passing Game vs Bills Defense? Let=01,s see=01(Jay Fiedlercoming = back=20 from a shoulder injury, in what will likely be horrible weather conditions= ,=20 against the # 2 ranked defense in passing yards allowed per game over the= =20 last four weeks.? That=01,s what you=01,ve got in this game and it=01,s e= nough to=20 have me looking elsewhere if I=01,ve got Dolphin passing game players.? I= =01,d=20 start who ever you did last week if Fiedler is your QB.? If you have to=20 start a Miami WR, I=01,d roll the dice on the unheralded Leslie Shepherdw= ho=01,s=20 catching more than anyone thought he would.? Slim pickings with this=20 matchup after that.? Buffalo Passing Game vs Dolphin Defense?? Let=01,s see=01(Rob Johnsoncom= ing back=20 from his latest injury, in what will likely be horrible weather conditions= ,=20 against the # 3 ranked defense in passing yards allowed per game over the= =20 last four weeks.? This sounds familiar=01(? Seriously, this game ought to = be a =20 defensive struggle as two dominant defenses square off in the snow against = =20 mediocre offenses.? Rob Johnson will get the start but as usual, won=01,t= =20 finish the game.? Eric Mouldswill gather the majority of catches and is= =20 probably too good not to start just because he=01,s so talented and he doe= s=20 grab the lions share of passes thrown.? TE Jay Reimersmais fast regaining = =20 his place as one of the best TEs in the game and depending on the weather= =20 here, he could be the best receiving choice.??? Philadelphia Passing Game vs Titan Defense?? Understand that this is a bad= =20 matchup for Donovan McNabband the Eagles but so was last week against =20 Washington.? And all McNabb did was win Offensive Player of the Week=20 honors.? Outside of McNabb and TE Chad Lewis, I can=01,t recommend any oth= er=20 players as starters.? Neither WRsCharles Johnsonor Torrance Smallscare= =20 anyone.? The Titans are an athletic and physical unit that you=01,d think = would=20 give McNabb trouble. And truthfully, the Washington game would have likely= =20 been different if "spy" LaVarr Arrington hadn't been hurt early.? The lack= =20 of a passing game threat really hurts as Tennessee will likely be able to= =20 handle the WRs with man coverage and commit more personnel to the run and= =20 McNabb.? Still, if he=01,s by far your best QB, I=01,d roll the dice with = him as=20 he=01,s made a season out of proving people wrong. Tennessee Passing Game vs Eagle Defense?? Steve McNairranks # 23 among QB= s =20 over the last 3 games in Fantasy Points per game.? That=01,s not real solid= .? I=20 don=01,t see him suddenly improving his play against an Eagle defense that= =20 ranks # 5 in passing yards allowed per game.? And for the year, they rank = # =20 3 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.?? The Eagles have 15 sacks= =20 over the last 4 games and while McNair is tough guy to sack, it=01,s obvio= us=20 the Eagles will pressure him.? His WR corps in Derrick Masonand Chris=20 Sandersaren=01,t the greatest.? As usual, his best option will be TE Fran= k=20 Wycheck.? Wycheck struggled last week with some uncharacteristic drops, bu= t=20 this week he could be an asset as McNair likely won=01,t have a lot of tim= e to =20 throw.? =20 Tampa Bay Passing Game vs Cowboy Defense?? Who knows where the Shaun =20 KingRoller Coaster Ride will take us this week?? He=01,s nursing a back s= train=20 but practiced Wednesday and looks good to go.? The Cowboys surprisingly hav= e=20 played decent pass defense ranking # 9 in passing yards allowed per game.?= =20 Of course, that=01,s largely because no team feels the need to throw the b= all=20 when they can run at will.? King will spread the ball between WRs Keyshaw= n=20 Johnsonand Jacquez Green.? I=01,m not especially excited about either bu= t it=01, s very hard to turn your back on Keyshawn.? TE Dave Mooreis a fine produc= er=20 and I=01,d feel comfortable starting him.?=20 ? ? To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: cheatsheets-unsubscribe@egroups.com
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