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Hi Folks, ? 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?http://www.cheatsheets.net/week15sheet.htm= ? =20 for exactly where I rank playersand to determine who to start.? Just becau= se=20 one matchup may be more favorable than another, that doesn't necessarily= =20 mean I'd start the player with the best matchup.? The matchup info is mea= nt=20 to be just one more tool in your box when it comes to deciding between =20 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/fo= r=20 more info.? =20 Here we go: Locks:? These games heavily favor the Offense =20 Seattle Passing Game vs Bronco Defense?? If we=01,ve seen one trend rece= ntly=20 in defenses it=01,s to start your QB / WR / TEs against the Broncos and wo= rry=20 about your RBs.? They=01,re tough on the running game but easy against the= =20 pass.? I won=01,t get into whether that=01,s a =01&chicken or the egg=018 = situation but=20 the bottom line is go with your passing guys against Denver.? They rank # = 31=20 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? QB Jon Kitna = =20 gets another start and while I have a hard time putting too much faith in= =20 him, he=01,s been ok.? Derrick Mayesand Sean Dawkinsshould see lots of= =20 action and rookie Darrell Jacksonis working his way back into the mix.? I= f=20 you=01,ve been sitting on RB Shaun Alexander, coach Mike Holmgren did sa= y he=20 wanted to see more of Alexander in passing downs but I=01,m still not too= =20 excited about him yet. Tennessee Passing Game vs Bengal Defense?? Once again, keep an eye on QB= =20 Steve McNair=01,shealth this week.? It=01,s early, but he=01,s already b= eing called=20 a game time decision as he tries to recover from knee and ankle injuries.?= =20 Keep your fingers crossed as it=01,s a tasty matchup vs the weak Bengal pa= ss=20 defense.? They rank # 30 in passing yards allowed per game over the last= =20 month and are just playing out the season.? Cornerback Rodney Heath is lost= =20 for the year with a bad shoulder and that should make things even easier.?= =20 Derrick Masonis the clear cut # 1 WR with Chris Sanders# 2.? The best=20 receiver on the team (or at least most utilized) is TE Frank Wycheckwho= =01,s=20 starting to get back to his normal high level of production. Denver Passing Game vs Seahawk Defense??? By now you know the drill:? Sta= rt=20 any player vs Seattle.? Just do it.? The Seahawks are anemic.? QB Brian=20 Griese did start to throw some but he=01,s still at least a couple weeks a= way,=20 maybe more.? Gus Frerottegets another start and if you=01,re looking for = him=20 to regain that 400+ yard form he showed early on, this is his best chance = to=20 do it.? Rod Smithand Ed McCaffreyare the usual must starts at WR.? Dway= ne=20 Carswelland Desmond Clarkare excellent plays at TE.? I=01,d start eithe= r=20 one and feel pretty good about it, especially Carswell. Baltimore Passing Game vs Charger Defense?? San Diego made a run back at = =20 respectability on defense but I=01,m thinking they=01,ve fallen back down t= o well =20 below average.? Over the last four weeks, they rank # 27 in passing yards= =20 allowed per game.? For the year, they rank # 28 in Fantasy Points allowed = to=20 the opposing QB.? The Ravens come back after a bye week off and should be= =20 ready to roll.? QB Trent Dilferis playing exceptionally well and WRs=20 Qadry Ismailand Patrick Johnsoncould do well.? The most enticing matchu= p=20 may be Shannon Sharpeas San Diego ranks just 24th in Fantasy Points=20 allowed to the opposing TE for the year. St. Louis Passing Game vs Viking Defense?? I don=01,t think you keep QB K= urt =20 Warnerdown for long.? Sure, he had an awful game last week but some of th= at=20 can be blamed on the WRs who I bet you don=01,t see drop half of what Warn= er=20 throws this time.? The Vikings still give up lots of passing yards ranking= #=20 26 in passing yards allowed per game over the last month.? For the year,= =20 they rank # 24 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.? Isaac Bruce= =20 is the best WR while Torry Holthas been surprisingly disappointing lately= .?=20 He=01,s still worth a start though.? Az-Zahir Hakimalways has a chance = too.?=20 The Vikings just don=01,t have the secondary to keep up with these guys. ? Prime Matchups:? These games favor the Offense? Buffalo Passing Game vs Colt Defense?? I probably get more mail from my = =20 ripping Rob Johnson than I do for any other player.? I make no apologies as= I=20 really just don=01,t like the guy.? He simply has major troubles finishin= g a=20 game.? Although he draws a great matchup this week against Indy, one of th= e =20 weaker defenses in the league.? Safety Chad Cota has a concussion and is= =20 questionable so they might be even less effective.? On the other hand, th= e=20 Colts definitely seem to up the intensity at home.? As you can see from my= =20 rankings, I=01,m not thinking too much of Johnson again this week, but he = does=20 have a good matchup.? Eric Moulds is the primary WR as always with Peerle= ss=20 Price and Jeremy McDonald picking up the scraps.? TE Jay Reimersma is a= =20 favorite target and gets plenty of looks.? Pittsburgh Passing Game vs Giants Defense?? The Kordell Stewart Bandwagon= =20 is getting awfully crowded lately, but for good reason.? He=01,s playing ve= ry=20 solid football.? More importantly, he cleared a huge hurdle Sunday showing= =20 some leadership and toughness coming back in the game after injuring his= =20 leg.? The Giants defense is very beatable but do understand coach Jim=20 Fassell=01,s media games where he says =01&ok=018 more than Joe Pesci in L= ethal=20 Weapon are apparently working as his playoff guarantee seems to have=20 inspired the team.?? The pass defense still ranks # 25 in passing yards=20 allowed per game over the last month though.? For the year, they rank # 23= =20 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.? Hines Ward is the WR of=20 choice on this team and I=01,d feel fine starting him. He=01,s not even th= e true #=20 2 guy, but you could do worse then taking a reach on Bobby Shaw.? For some= =20 reason, I like him over starter Courtney Hawkins. Even TE Mark Bruener is = a=20 solid choice as he=01,s done more in the last two weeks than he=01,s done = in two=20 years.??? Kansas City Passing Game vs Panthers Defense? I=01,m dreading the Gunther= =20 Cunningham firing as he may make Dick Vermiel look like Iron Mike.? A soli= d=20 game here could help him keep his job (which may have Chief fans pulling f= or=20 Carolina=01()? From a FF perspective, I like Elvis Grbac here.? He showed= =20 Monday night he was clearly back from the finger troubles.? As usual, the= =20 running game is a mess but that=01,s good news for Elvis owners as he=01,s= forced=20 to go with what=01,s been working for them =01) throwing the ball.? TE To= ny=20 Gonzalez is having the incredible season we all predicted for him and he= =01,s=20 certainly the best receiver on the team.? Derrick Alexander is a sure =20 starter too.? Sylvester Morris continues to regress which is troubling.?= =20 Carolina ranks just # 24 in passing yards allowed per game over the last= =20 four games although for the year, they=01,ve fared better ranking # 9 in= =20 Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.? Part of that is they seem to= =20 give up a lot of yards without yielding the TD so be leery in TD only=20 leagues.? Carolina Passing Game vs Chief Defense?? If you=01,ve been fence sitting w= ith =20 Steve Beuerlein, this may be a week to take a close look at him.? The Chief= s=20 rank # 21 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks and= =20 they may be missing CB James Hasty who=01,s questionable with a knee.? WR= =20 Muhsin Muhammad is playing like a man possessed lately and he=01,s a sure= =20 starter.? Donald Hayes got through last week=01,s game without reinjuring = his=20 groin and he=01,s a solid option as well.? TE Kris Mangum is no Wesley Wa= lls=20 but he=01,s a pretty good player.? The Chiefs do get back home where they= =01,re=20 tougher but I like this matchup.? San Francisco Passing Game vs Saints Defense?? The 49er pass defense is= =20 better than people think and the Saints defense is worse than many assume.= ?=20 Over the last four games New Orleans ranks # 20 in passing yards allowed= =20 per game.? (the 49ers rank # 16)? In reality, both defenses are pretty= =20 suspect.? And both teams feature QBs who will be winging the ball.? Jeff= =20 Garcia picked up right where he left off last week against a tough San Die= go=20 defense.? It was great news for Terrell Owens fans as he looks on his way= =20 back.? In the meantime, Jerry Rice showed he still has a few tricks in the= =20 bag.? I wouldn=01,t be surprised to see Tai Streets and J.J. Stokes see=20 increased time at Rice=01,s expense though as many feel the Hall of Famer = isn=01,t=20 in the 49er=01,s plans for 2001.? RB Charlie Garner is always a threat cat= ching=20 the ball.? TE Greg Clark is suddenly a producer so he=01,s worth a shot to= o.=20 This could be a shootout.? Jacksonville Passing Game vs Cardinal Defense?? Two teams heading for the= =20 couch in the post season but that=01,s about all they have in common.?=20 Jacksonville just ran out of time as they=01,re playing well now.? Arizona= is=20 heading downhill from an already low position.? Arizona ranks # 19 over t= he=20 last four weeks in passing yards allowed per game.? QB Mark Brunell had a= n=20 injury to his non throwing shoulder but appears to be fine.? He could be a= =20 decent play along with WRs Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell.? Arizona CB= =20 Aneaes Williams is a player but he can=01,t do it all.? The biggest probl= em=20 for the Jaguar passing game is talking coach Tom Coughlin into calling =20 something besides a Fred Taylor run which will likely result in a 7 yard=20 gain each time=01(? Minnesota Passing Game vs Ram Defense?? You don=01,t need any analysis fro= m me=20 to know you=01,d better start Daunte Culpepper, Cris Carter and Randy Moss= .?=20 The Rams are much improved on pass defense where over the last four weeks,= =20 they rank # 17 in passing yards allowed per game.? Still though, the=20 Minnesota =01&Big 3=018 (=01&Big 4=018 counting RB Robert Smith) are no br= ainers.?? =20 New Orleans Passing Game vs 49er Defense?? QB Aaron Brooks continues to b= e=20 one of the better stories of this season.? He=01,s facing a 49er time that= =01,ll be=20 chock full of youngsters although they=01,re playing better of late rankin= g #=20 16 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? But that= =20 was before losing Safety Lance Shulters to a torn ACL last week.? Brooks= =20 will have Joe Horn catching the ball and Horn should continue to shine.?= =20 Willie Jackson is a solid # 2 WR and TE Andrew Glover has come alive =20 lately.? =20 ?? Even Matchups:? These games feature no real advantage either way? Detroit Passing Game vs Packer Defense?? Of course, all this hinges on the= =20 ribs of one Charlie Batch.? If he can=01,t go, all bets are off.? In fact= ,=20 even if he can go, you should hedge your bets a bit as we=01,ve already se= en=20 one good shot to the chest can mean taking a seat for Batch.? It=01,s not a= bad=20 matchup though against a Green Bay defense that=01,s ranked # 22 in passin= g=20 yards allowed per game.? Johnnie Morton is likely the top choice at WR wi= th=20 Herman Moore in the mix too.? Germane Crowell may be able to make his=20 return this week as he=01,s been practicing this week.? I wouldn=01,t start= him yet=20 but keep an eye out as might pay dividends for astute owners who scoop him= =20 up.? I can see plenty of James Stewart in this one though as the weather= =20 could be really nasty for this one.? Chicago Passing Game vs Patriot Defense?? This one=01,s full of story line= s as =20 a healthy Cade McNown remains on the bench this week in favor of Shane =20 Matthews.? The juicy rumor here is that according to a story in the Sun=20 Times, McNown would receive a $8.25 million escalator clause if he plays i= n=20 55% of the offensive snaps this year and next.? He=01,s currently at 54%= =01(?=20 Conspiracies aside, Matthews will be without WR Marcus Robinson who=01,s o= ut=20 for the year with a bulging disk in his back.? New England ranks # 23 ove= r=20 the last four weeks in passing yards allowed per game but the turmoil coul= d=20 take it=01,s toll on the Bears.? The Bears will also be without Offensive = =20 Coordinator Gary Crowton who took the BYU job.? Some think that will be a= =20 positive.?? I honestly have a hard time getting too excited about Eddie=20 Kennison and Marty Booker.? Dallas Passing Game vs Redskin Defense? I=01,m really interested to see ho= w=20 the team responds to new coach Terry Robiskie.? I=01,ll be surprised if t= hey=20 don=01,t kick things up several notches.? Although I do find it odd that th= e=20 guy in charge of the worst performing part of the team (passing game) is t= he=20 guy they decided to elevate to head coach.? Who knows?? QB Troy Aikman= =20 will try to get through another game without being maimed.? He=01,ll have J= ames=20 McKnight and Wayne McGarity to throw to but neither guy looks too promisin= g=20 against a pretty tough defense.? Dallas showed last week the complete lac= k=20 of faith they have in Aikman when they kept feeding Emmitt Smith the ball = as=20 they trailed Tampa by a mile.? David LaFluer and Jackie Harris both are=20 dropping along with Aikman.? Philadelphia Passing Game vs Brown Defense?? Two teams used to bringing up= =20 the rear lately meet with one soaring and the other limping.? QB Donovan= =20 McNabb finds himself in a strange spot here.? The Browns are so pitiful= =20 against the rush that most teams choose to rush the ball on them at the=20 expense of throwing it.? But with McNabb the team=01,s best rusher, he=01,= ll have=20 to decide which way he=01,s going to beat the Browns.? Charles Johnson an= d=20 Torrance Small aren=01,t much.? TE Chad Lewis is the best receiver and he = could=20 make some noise.? I'm interested to see how quickly they work in newly=20 signed RB Chris Warren. Miami Passing Game vs Buccaneer Defense?? Another good case of=20 misconceptions.? Miami is better throwing the ball than people give them= =20 credit for and the Bucs aren=01,t as dominant stopping the pass like many= =20 think.? Over the last four weeks, Tampa ranks # 14 in passing yards allowe= d=20 per game.? Very solid for sure, but not dominating.? Jay Fiedler continu= es=20 to astound his critics as he threw for 3 TDs Sunday.? I don=01,t think you= =01,ll=20 see the same production here but he=01,s still a decent play.? Leslie Shep= herd=20 had been my favorite WR here but with his surgery, it looks like Tony Mart= in=20 will finally get a start.? Oronde Gadsden continues to make sick catches.= ? ? Downside Matchups:? These games favor the Defense Cleveland Passing Game vs Eagle Defense ??This is where Doug Pederson=01,s= at:?=20 He gets the start this week because rookie Spergon Wynn can=01,t go due to= =20 injury=01(?? WR Kevin Johnson is running the scout team in practice.? Agai= nst=20 the tough Eagles secondary, he likely will have trouble no matter where he= =20 lines up.? I don=01,t look for much here from any of these guys. Cincinnati Passing Game vs Titan Defense?? The Bengals just won=01,t die = =20 quietly.? Corey Dillon keeps running the ball like a mad bull and QB Scott= =20 Mitchellseems intent on proving to folks he really can play at this level.= ?=20 He may be able to but he draws a tough matchup Sunday in a Titan team that= =01,s=20 solid.? They rank # 11 over the last four week in passing yards allowed pe= r=20 game.? Although they may catch break as CB Samari Rolle is nursing a bad= =20 wrist and will likely have to play with a brace.? WR Peter Warrickwill= =20 reportedly have his contact lenses Thursday and that could make a=20 difference.? He=01,s often worth a roll of the dice for the start as he ha= s the=20 big play potential. New York Giant Passing Game vs Steeler Defense?? The Steelers seemed to=20 enjoy the spoiler role last week against Oakland and they get another shot= =20 this week against the Giants.? Pittsburgh=01,s playing tough pass defense= now=20 as they rank # 10 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four=20 games.? Kerry Collinsis steady but not exciting.? He=01,ll be throwing t= o =20 WRs Amani Toomerand Joe Jureviciusas it looks like Ike Hilliard may not= =20 be fully ready yet this week.? Keep an eye on that one though.? TE Pete =20 Mitchellhasn=01,t been nearly the factor we=01,d thought he=01,d be. Oakland Passing Game vs Jets Defense?? The Raiders look to bounce back th= is=20 week and you can bet they do a better job keeping up with the down and =20 distance.? The Jets are playing tough defense of late ranking # 9 in passi= ng=20 yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? Still though, QB Rich = =20 Gannonis a pretty much sure starter unless you=01,re loaded at QB.? Same = thing=20 with WR Tim Brown.? You might roll the dice on Andre Risonor James =20 Jettbut Brown is the man.? TE Ricky Dudley is likely worth a start just = on=20 potential but he=01,s incredibly frustrating. (like I needed to tell the D= udley=20 owners THAT=01()? =20 Green Bay Passing Game vs Lion Defense?? Not only must the Lions defense = =20 hit the field without star CB Bryant Westbrook, they also have to face Bre= tt=20 Favrein the cold weather where he=01,s invincible.? Check the weather=20 conditions for this one as it could be more than just cold.? He=01,s good = when=20 it=01,s freezing outside but trying to throw the ball in a driving snowsto= rm is=20 an entirely different matter.? Favre will be throwing to WR Bill Schroede= r =20 who I think is the better WR choice over mega bucks Antonio Freeman.? TE= =20 Bubba Franksis always worth a look.? RB Ahman Greenis a nice surprise a= nd=20 he=01,s catching the ball well. New York Jets Passing Game vs Raider Defense?? Two teams that=01,ll see = what=20 they=01,re made of square off in a Sunday Night matchup.? The Raiders are t= ough=20 against the pass ranking # 7 in passing yards allowed per game over the la= st=20 four weeks.? QB Vinny Testeverdeseems to have finally gotten himself=20 untracked.? WR Wayne Chrebetmay be handled by Charles Woodson but that=20 leaves Dedric Wardand Windrell Hayesfor WRs.? They=01,ll be fine.? FB Ri= chie=20 Andersonquietly racks up receiving totals and he could have a good day aga= in=20 this week.? TE Anthony Becht continues to play well and is really coming = =20 along. New England Passing Game vs Chicago Defense?? Star QBs on the bench=01(=20 Coaches leaving=01( What=01,s a player to think?? If you=01,re a defensiv= e player=20 for the Bears, you=01,re thinking you=01,d better go out and prove some pe= ople=20 wrong that think you=01,re finished.? Chicago plays tough pass defense rank= ing =20 # 6 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four week.? QB Drew=20 Bledsoe will look for WR Terry Glennand the suddenly red hot Troy Brown= .?=20 TEs Rod Rutledgeand Jermaine Wigginshold down the TE spot.? I hope=20 Shockmain Davis gets a TD as I love to write his name=01(? =20 Indianapolis Passing Game vs Bills Defense?? QB Peyton Manningis still a = =20 starter in most leagues but you should know he=01,s facing a tough matchup = this =20 week. He struggled a bit last time these teams met with a season low 187=20 yards passing (although he did have 2 TDs)? Marvin Harrisonis of course= =20 the clear cut # 1 Guy.? It looks like Terrence Wilkinsis finally breaki= ng=20 out of his slump and could be a contributor again.? Both TEs Ken Dilgerand = =20 Marcus Pollardhaven=01,t played up to their potential of late.? Even wit= h the=20 bad game last week against Miami, the Bills still rank # 5 over the last= =20 four week in passing yards allowed per game.?=20 ?? Defensive Slam Dunks:? These games heavily favor the Defense Tampa Bay Passing Game vs Miami Defense?? Don=01,t start your passing ga= me=20 guys against the Dolphins.? CBs Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain just shut= =20 people down.? Especially a QB like Shaun King who=01,s not 100% healthy in= =20 addition to being just an adequate QB.? Keyshawn Johnson is almost always= =20 worth a start just for the showmanship but I=01,m not excited about Tampa= =20 throwing the ball here. Washington Passing Game vs Cowboy Defense?? Brad Johnson=01,sprobably tak= en =20 his last snap as a Redskin, especially after he suggested he=01,d done so.?= That=20 means big armed Jeff Georgetakes the helm.?? He=01,ll likely face a Cow= boy=20 defense that=01,s tough against the pass for one simple reason:? they=01,re= awful=20 defending the run and teams just choose to run all over them.? Look for= =20 Stephen Davis to wear it out.? When George does throw, I think James =20 Thrashis the best option.? Albert Connellwill likely start but Thrash= =20 makes plenty of plays.? TE Stephen Alexanderis probably worth a shot as = is=20 pass catching FB Larry Centers. San Diego Passing Game vs Raven Defense?? Ryan Leafand company get the=20 =01&honor=018 of facing the # 3 ranked defense over the past 4 weeks in pas= sing =20 yards allowed per game.? It should be interesting.? Leaf will be throwing= =20 to TE Freddie Jonesand WR Curtis Conway.? Jeff Graham suffered a mouth = =20 injury last week and may need dental surgery.? It=01,s probably just as wel= l as=20 this matchup is looking very sketchy for Leaf. Arizona Passing Game vs Jaguar Defense??? This could get ugly all around.= ?=20 Jacksonville ranks # 4 over the last four weeks in passing yards allowed p= er=20 game.? And Arizona=01,s Jake Plummeris nursing bad ribs.? We saw with Cha= rlie=20 Batch last week that it=01,s hard for a team to keep a QB in the game if h= e=01,s=20 got injured ribs.? David Bostonis playing well lately and Frank Sanders h= as=20 been awful.? I=01,m not excited about any of them for this week. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: cheatsheets-unsubscribe@egroups.com
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