Hi everyone,
With the fantasy football league playoffs now in full swing you’re either in the mix and looking for every advantage possible, or you’re on the outside looking in (I trust if you’re a regular reader of this blog, then it’s the former). It seems that this week’s games fall into one of two categories: (1) games between two lousy teams, or (2) games with playoff implications. Here are my recommendations for Week 15 - all games are Sunday during the day unless otherwise noted:
San Francisco at San Diego (Thursday night) - Both teams need a win to stay in the playoff chase, but San Diego’s the more talented of the two teams, especially on defense. San Diego 31 San Francisco 17.
- San Francisco
- Yes (Should definitely be in your starting lineup): TE Vernon Davis
- No (Should definitely NOT be in your starting lineup): QB Alex Smith, RBs Anthony Dixon & Brian Westbrook, WR Josh Morgan, K Jeff Reed
- Maybe So (Okay to start if you don’t have a better option): WR Michael Crabtree
- San Diego
- Yes: QB Philip Rivers, RB Mike Tolbert, WRs Vincent Jackson & Legedu Naane (Probable-hamstring), DEF
- No: RB Ryan Mathews, WRs Patrick Crayton (Out-wrist) & Malcom Floyd (Questionable-hamstring), TE Antonio Gates (Out-foot), K Nate Kaeding
- Maybe So: RB Darren Sproles, WR Seyi Ajirotutu
Buffalo at Miami (Sunday early) - Neither team will score much, and Miami quarterback Chad Henne is doing everything he can to convince head coach Tony Sparano that he’s not the Dolphins’ quarterback of the future. When all is said and done, Miami will still find a way to win this game. Miami 20 Buffalo 14.
- Buffalo
- Yes: WR Steve Johnson, DEF
- No: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB C.J. Spiller, WR Lee Evans (IR-ankle), K Rian Lindell
- Maybe So: RB Fred Jackson, WR David Nelson
- Miami
- Yes: RB Ronnie Brown, WR Brandon Marshall, TE Anthony Fasano, DEF, K Dan Carpenter
- No: QB Chad Henne, WR Brian Hartline (IR-finger)
- Maybe So: RB Ricky Williams, WR Davone Bess
Detroit at Tampa Bay - Is it wrong to say that the Lions are playing for pride? Tampa showed signs of life at the end of the 2009 season after a rough start, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who picked them as a playoff contender in 2010. The Bucs will keep hope alive with yet another come-from-behind victory Tampa Bay 21 Detroit 17.
- Detroit
- Yes: WR Calvin Johnson, TE Brandon Pettigrew, DEF
- No: QBs Matthew Stafford (Questionable-shoulder) & Shaun Hill (Questionable-finger), TE Tony Scheffler, K Dave Rayner
- Maybe So: QB Drew Stanton, RBs Maurice Morris (Questionable-chest) & Jahvid Best (Questionable-toe), WR Nate Burleson
- Tampa Bay
- Yes: RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Mike Williams, TE Kellen Winslow (Probable-knee)
- No: K Connor Barth
- Maybe So: QB Josh Freeman, WR Arrelious Benn
Arizona at Carolina - This game features the two worst passing attacks in football. Jimmy Clausen has shown little in his rookie season, while fellow first-year quarterback John Skelton played decently in his debut as a starter in last week’s romp over Denver. Clausen will pull things together (relatively speaking) and lead the Panthers to their second win. Carolina 24 Arizona 21.
- Arizona
- Yes: RB Tim Hightower, WR Larry Fitzgerald, DEF
- No: K Jay Feely (Questionable-groin)
- Maybe: QB John Skelton, RB Beanie Wells, WR Steve Breaston (Questionable-knee)
- Carolina
- Yes: RB Jonathan Stewart, WR Steve Smith, TE Dante Rosario, DEF
- No: RB Mike Goodson, K John Kasay
- Maybe So: QB Jimmy Clausen, WRs David Gettis & Brandon LaFell
New Orleans at Baltimore - This clash features two likely Super Bowl contenders. The Saints will eke out the victory on the basis of their stronger passing game. New Orleans 24 Baltimore 17.
- New Orleans
- Yes: QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, TE Jeremy Shockey (Probable-groin) & Jimmy Graham, DEF
- No: RBs Chris Ivory (Questionable-hamstring), Reggie Bush, & Pierre Thomas; K Garrett Hartley
- Maybe: WRs Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, & Robert Meachem
- Baltimore
- Yes: DEF
- No: QB Joe Flacco, RBs Willis McGahee & Le’Ron McClain, WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, TE Todd Heap (Questionable-thigh), K Billy Cundiff
- Maybe So: RB Ray Rice, WRs Anquan Boldin & Derrick Mason (Questionable-ankle), TE Ed Dickson
Jacksonville at Indianapolis - It’s hard to believe that Jacksonville would clinch the AFC South title with a victory over the Colts. That won’t happen, as Peyton Manning will continue his “rebound”. Indianapolis 31 Jacksonville 24.
- Jacksonville
- Yes: RB Maurice Jones-Drew, TE Marcedes Lewis
- No: QB David Garrard (Questionable-hamstring), WR Mike Thomas, DEF, K Josh Scobee
- Maybe: RB Rashad Jennings, WR Mike Sims-Walker
- Indianapolis
- Yes: QB Peyton Manning; WRs Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, & Austin Collie (Probable-concussion); TE Jacob Tamme (Probable-knee)
- No: RBs Joseph Addai (Questionable-neck), Donald Brown, Javarris James, Mike Hart (Questionable-ankle), Dominic Rhodes, K Adam Vinatieri
- Maybe So: None
Philadelphia at New York Giants - This battle could well decide the NFC East title. Philadelphia has been the better team lately, but the Giants’ resurgent defense matches up well with the Eagles and will lead New York to victory. New York 24 Philadelphia 21.
- Philadelphia
- Yes: RB LeSean McCoy, WR DeSean Jackson (Questionable-foot), TE Brent Celek, DEF
- No: WR Jason Avant, K David Akers
- Maybe: QB Michael Vick, Jeremy Maclin
- New York
- Yes: RBs Brandon Jacobs & Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Hakeem Nicks, TE Kevin Boss, DEF
- No: WRs Mario Manningham (Questionable-hip) & Steve Smith (IR-knee), K Lawrence Tynes
- Maybe So: QB Eli Manning, WR Derek Hagan
Cleveland at Cincinnati - The outcome of this interstate rivalry game will depend on the quarterback play of Carson Palmer and (probably) Colt McCoy. Palmer will be more useful than McCoy fantasy-wise, but McCoy will be the one receiving the congratulatory handshake at midfield when the game is over. Cleveland 21 Cincinnati 17.
- Cleveland
- Yes: RB Peyton Hillis, TE Ben Watson, DEF
- No: QB Colt McCoy (Probable-ankle)/Jake Delhomme (whoever starts); WRs Josh Cribbs (Probable-foot), Mohamed Massaquoi, & Brian Robiskie; K Phil Dawson
- Maybe: None
- Cincinnati
- Yes: TE Jermaine Gresham, DEF
- No: RB Cedric Benson, K Clint Stitser
- Maybe So: QB Carson Palmer; WRs Jordan Shipley, Terrell Owens (Questionable-knee), & Chad Ochocinco (Questionable-ankle)
Houston @ Tennessee - Before the season started both teams were considered strong contenders for a playoff spot, but both will be sitting at home in mid-January. Houston will rebound from its devastating loss to Baltimore Monday. Houston 27 Tennessee 24.
- Houston
- Yes: QB Matt Schaub (Probable-arm), RB Arian Foster (Questionable-hip), WR Andre Johnson, TE Owen Daniels (Probable-hamstring), DEF
- No: TE Joel Dreessen (Probable-hand)
- Maybe: WRs Kevin Walter (Probable-knee) & Jacoby Jones
- Tennessee
- Yes: RB Chris Johnson, WRs Kenny Britt & Nate Washington, TE Jared Cook
- No: DEF, K Rob Bironas
- Maybe So: QB Kerry Collins, WRs Randy Moss & Justin Gage
Washington @ Dallas - This game lacks the significance of many historical ‘Skins-’Boys matchups, but it should still be an entertaining game. Dallas will win the shootout on the strength of their passing attack. Dallas 34 Washington 27.
- Washington
- Yes: QB Donovan McNabb (Probable-hamstring), WRs Santana Moss & Anthony Armstrong, TE Chris Cooley, K Graham Gano (Probable-ribs)
- No: RB Keiland Williams, DEF
- Maybe: RB Ryan Torain (Probable-hamstring)
- Dallas
- Yes: QB Jon Kitna, RB Felix Jones, WR Miles Austin, TE Jason Witten, K David Buehler
- No: RB Marion Barber (Questionable-calf)
- Maybe So: RB Tashard Choice, WR Roy Williams (Questionable-groin)
Kansas City at St. Louis - The battle for supremacy in the Show Me state won’t be high-scoring, but St. Louis will triumph in this battle of two teams with strong running games. St. Louis 24 Kansas City 21.
- Kansas City
- Yes: RBs Jamaal Charles & Thomas Jones, TE Tony Moeaki, DEF
- No: QB Brodie Croyle/Matt Cassel (Questionable-appendix) (whoever starts), WR Chris Chambers, K Ryan Succop
- Maybe: WR Dwayne Bowe
- St. Louis
- Yes: RB Steven Jackson, DEF
- No: K Josh Brown
- Maybe So: QB Sam Bradford; WRs Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson, Laurent Robinson, & Danario Alexander
Atlanta at Seattle (Sunday late) - If Atlanta is truly a Super Bowl contender, then this is the kind of game they should win easily. They are, and they will. Atlanta 30 Seattle 21.
- Atlanta
- Yes: QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White (Probable-knee), TE Tony Gonzalez, DEF, K Matt Bryant
- No: None
- Maybe: WR Michael Jenkins
- Seattle
- Yes: QB Matt Hasselbeck (Probable-wrist), WRs Ben Obomanu (Probable-hand) & Golden Tate, TE John Carlson
- No: RBs Marshawn Lynch & Justin Forsett; WRs Brandon Stokley (Questionable-hamstring), Mike Williams (Questionable-ankle), & Deon Butler (IR-leg)
- Maybe So: None
New York Jets at Pittsburgh - The Jets are reeling, and the Steelers are rolling. Both trends will continue, although this won’t be the one-sided affair some are expecting. Pittsburgh 17 New York Jets 14.
- New York Jets
- Yes: WR Santonio Holmes, TE Dustin Keller, DEF
- No: QB Mark Sanchez, RBs Shonn Greene & LaDainian Tomlinson, WR Jerricho Cotchery, K Nick Folk
- Maybe: WR Braylon Edwards
- Pittsburgh
- Yes: WRs Hines Ward & Mike Wallace, TE Heath Miller, DEF
- No: QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Emmanuel Sanders, K Shaun Suisham
- Maybe So: RB Rashard Mendenhall
Denver at Oakland - Oakland kissed their playoff hopes goodbye when they lost a 38-31 shootout to Jacksonville last weekend. Denver kissed their playoff hopes goodbye when they wasted spent a first-round draft pick on Tim Tebow last April. Tebow may actually start this weekend, but even if he turns out to be the second coming of John Elway, it will be too little, too late to help save the Broncos’ season. Oakland 27 Denver 17.
- Denver
- Yes: RB Knowshon Moreno, WR Brandon Lloyd (Probable-calf)
- No: QBs Kyle Orton (Questionable-ribs)/Tim Tebow (whoever starts), WR Demaryius Thomas (Questionable-ankle), K Matt Prater (Questionable-groin)
- Maybe: WRs Jabar Gaffney & Eddie Royal
- Oakland
- Yes: RBs Darren McFadden & Michael Bush, TE Zach Miller (Probable-foot), DEF, K Sebastian Janikowski
- No: None
- Maybe So: QB Jason Campbell, WRs Jacoby Ford & Louis Murphy
Green Bay at New England (Sunday night) - Green Bay will have a hard time compensating for the loss of Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady is at the top of his game in spite of his “foot injury”. It all adds up to another loss for the Pack. New England 24 Green Bay 21.
- Green Bay
- Yes: TE Anthony Quarless, DEF
- No: RBs Brandon Jackson & James Starks, K Mason Crosby
- Maybe: QB Aaron Rodgers (Questionable-concussion)/Matt Flynn (whoever starts), WRs Greg Jennings & Donald Driver
- New England
- Yes: QB Tom Brady (Questionable-foot), WRs Wes Welker & Deion Branch (Questionable-knee), DEF
- No: K Shayne Graham
- Maybe So: RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, TE Aaron Hernandez & Rob Gronkowski
Chicago at Minnesota (Monday night) - Having already been with the Saints, Jaguars, and Dolphins this season, new Vikings’ quarterback Patrick Ramsey is now with his fourth team this season alone. His first two teams are likely bound for the playoffs; his last two are not. Minnesota will play its second consecutive home game away from the Metrodome and its collapsed roof. Fittingly, the Vikings will celebrate their 50th season by playing outdoors - those fans who brave the elements and get seats will be glad they did. Minnesota 20 Chicago 17.
- Chicago
- Yes: TE Greg Olsen, DEF
- No: QB Jay Cutler, RB Matt Forte, WRs Earl Bennett & Devin Hester, K Robbie Gould
- Maybe: WR Johnny Knox
- Minnesota
- Yes: WR Sidney Rice & Greg Camarillo, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, DEF, K Ryan Longwell
- No: QBs Joe Webb (Probable-hamstring), Brett Favre (Questionable-shoulder), Patrick Ramsey, & Tarvaris Jackson (IR-toe); RB Toby Gerhart; WR Percy Harvin
- Maybe So: RB Adrian Peterson (Questionable-ankle)
Good luck in your playoff matchups, and have a great weekend!
The Sherpa
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