Once again Thanksgiving is upon us. Two things come to mind when I think of this special holiday: football and John Madden talking about turducken. There used to be just two turkey day games to keep track of - one in Detroit, and one in Dallas. However, believing that you can never have too much of a good thing, the NFL added a third game in 2006. Many households aren’t able to watch the NFL Network, where the third game is telecast, but given the quality of the announcers in the past, that may actually be a good thing. Here are my recommendations for Week 12:
Green Bay at Detroit - The Packers and the Lions have participated in many memorable Thanksgiving Day games, but with the current disparity in talent levels between the two teams, this game doesn’t figure to join that list. Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford (Doubtful-shoulder, knee) won’t win many games this season, but he won the admiration of his teammates and many people who aren’t Lions fans with his gutsy performance at the end of last week’s victory over the Browns. Unfortunately, the left shoulder injury he suffered on the next-to-last play of the game will probably keep him on the sidelines for this game. Packers to start include QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Ryan Grant (Probable-neck), TE Jermichael Finley, WRs Donald Driver & Greg Jennings, K Mason Crosby, and the Defense. The only Lions worth starting are TE Brandon Pettigrew and (if he’s able to play) WR Calvin Johnson (Questionable-hand, knee). RB Kevin Smith (Probable-hip) can be started in deeper leagues, but don’t start the Lions’ quarterback, regardless of whether it’s stafford or Daunte Culpepper.
Oakland at Dallas - Oakland’s internal squabbles this season have been well-documented, but not to be outdone, the Cowboys also head into this Thanksgiving showdown with a sideshow of their own. You can rest assured that CBS will have a “Campo Cam” set up this week just in case there’s a rematch. TE Zach Miller is the only Raider worth starting this week, although RBs Michael Bush & Justin Fargas can be started if you’re in a deep league. QB Bruce Gradkowski and the Raiders’ wide receivers shouldn’t be anywhere near your lineup. Cowboys to start, in what figures to be a cakewalk for the home team, include QB Tony Romo (Probable-back), RB Marion Barber (Probable-thumb), TE Jason Witten (Questionable-foot), WRs Miles Austin & Roy Williams, K Nick Folk, and the Defense. Add RBs Tashard Choice & Felix Jones and WR Patrick Crayton to the list if you’re in a deep league. If Witten is unable to play, add TE Martellus Bennett to the list. Basically, anyone in a Cowboys uniform who plays a skill position should be in your lineup this week to take advantage of this favorable matchup.
New York Giants at Denver - Will the real Brandon Marshall please stand up? During training camp he was suspended for insubordination. Now he’s being hailed as a fiery team leader for getting in teammate Knowshon Moreno’s face last week during a blowout loss to the Chargers after the rookie fumbled a ball on the Chargers’ one-yard-line. Hopefully, Broncos’ Head Coach Josh McDaniels has learned to keep his pregame thoughts about his opponents to himself. Both teams have been in a tailspin lately, but the Giants were able to pull out of theirs, however briefly, last week. Giants worth starting this week are TE Kevin Boss, WR Steve Smith, and the Defense. QB Eli Manning (Probable-foot), RB Brandon Jacobs (Probable-knee), and WRs Hakeem Nicks & Mario Manningham can be started in deep leagues. RB Ahmad Bradshaw (Out-ankle, foot), who’s been hurt all season, will finally miss a game. RB Knowshon Moreno is the only Bronco who should definitely be started this week. If you’re in a deep league, WRs Brandon Marshall & Eddie Royal and the Broncos’ Defense can also be started. The Broncos’ quarterback, whether it’s Kyle Orton (Probable-ankle) or Chris Simms, and RB Correll Buckhalter should not be in your lineup.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore - Fortunately for the Steelers, it looks like they won’t have to rely on third-string QB Dennis Dixon for this week’s game with their division rivals. If you haven’t heard Dixon’s name in awhile, here’s a quick refresher course. Backup QB Charlie Batch broke his wrist and is unavailable, but starting QB Ben Roethlisberger (Probable-concussion) is apparently going to play and should be in fantasy lineups if he does. Other Steelers to start are TE Heath Miller and WRs Hines Ward & Santonio Holmes. Add WR Mike Wallace to the list if you’re in a deep league. Do not start Dixon on the off chance he starts. Ditto for RBs Rashard Mendenhall & Willie Parker, who will find it tough going against the Ravens’ run defense. The only Ravens I’d start are TE Todd Heap (Questionable-Chest) and WR Derrick Mason. If you’re in a deep league, add QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, and WR Mark Clayton to the list. If RB Willis McGahee is on your bench, keep him there.
Jacksonville at San Francisco - It’s hard to believe it’s already been a decade since WRs Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce teamed up with QB Kurt Warner as part of The Greatest Show on Turf. Remarkably, all three are still in the league, and although the two pass-catchers are now in supporting roles, they’ll be reunited when their teams face off this weekend. Jaguars to start include QB David Garrard, RB Maurice Jones-Drew (Questionable-knee), TE Marcedes Lewis, and WR Mike Sims-Walker. WRs Holt & Mike Thomas can also be started in deep leagues. 49ers to start include QB Alex Smith, RB Frank Gore, TE Vernon Davis, WR Michael Crabtree, & K Joe Nedney. Keep WRs Bruce (Questionable-ankle) & Josh Morgan out of your lineup.
Kansas City at San Diego - Newly-signed Chargers’ OT Jon Runyan is a man who apparently believes strongly in advance planning. He’s already announced plans to retire at the end of this season so that he can run for Congress next year in New Jersey. There’s been a lot of talk lately about the long-term impact of concussions on football players, particularly linemen. Runyan suffered a concussion himself in 2007; hopefully the aftereffects of that injury won’t interfere in any way with his campaign for his next job. The only Chief worth starting this week is RB Jamaal Charles, although QB Matt Cassel and WRs Chris Chambers & Mark Bradley can be started in deeper leagues. Chargers to start include QB Philip Rivers, RBs LaDainian Tomlinson (back out of the Sherpa doghouse) & Darren Sproles, TE Antonio Gates, WR Vincent Jackson, K Nate Kaeding, and the Defense. Add WR Malcom Floyd to the list if you’re in a deep league.
Indianapolis at Houston - If you think that NFL kickers have an easy job, consider the plight of Texans’ K Kris Brown. Three weeks ago Kris missed a potential game-tying field goal at the end of the Texans’ loss to the Colts, and last week he missed another potential game-tying field goal at the end of the Texans’ loss to the Titans. In a scheduling quirk the Texans play the Colts again for the second time in three games - can “Kris Miss” pull off the hat trick? For his sake let’s hope not. Colts to start include QB Peyton Manning, RB Joseph Addai (Probable-knee), TE Dallas Clark, WR Reggie Wayne, and K Matt Stover. Add RB Donald Brown and WRs Pierre Garcon & Austin Collie to the list if you play in a deep league. The only must-start Texans are QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson, but RB Steve Slaton (Questionable-neck) and WR Kevin Walter can also be started in deeper leagues. Leave WR Jacoby Jones (Probable-calf) on the bench.
Washington at Philadelphia - It’s obvious that not every NFL player can start every game, but Redskins’ RB Rock Cartwright may be on the verge of setting a record this weekend when he starts against the Eagles - it will be his first start in six seasons. Coincidentally, his last start was also against the Eagles (Andy Reid/Donovan McNabb), so the Birds may need to blow the dust off some old game films (or videos). How did Cartwright do in that game? Glad you asked. Just remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future success (or lack thereof). The only Redskin worth starting this week is TE Fred Davis, although QB Jason Campbell, WR Santana Moss, and the Defense can be started in deep leagues. The part of you that roots for the underdog wants to see Cartwright succeed, but don’t bet your fantasy team’s fortunes on it - leave him out of your lineup. RB Ladell Betts (knee) is out for the season after his injury last week. TE Chris Cooley (ankle) and RB Clinton Portis (concussion) will also miss this contest. The Eagles to start are RB LeSean McCoy, TE Brent Celek, and the Defense, but feel free to start QB Donovan McNabb and WRs DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, & Jason Avant in deeper leagues. RB Brian Westbrook (Out-concussion) will miss at least another week.
Carolina at New York Jets - Jets’ Head Coach Rex Ryan, who earlier this season was badmouthing everyone from the Patriots to Channing Crowder, seemed a little hypocritical this week when he accused the Patriots of “disrespect” because they threw a deep pass late in their blowout victory over the Jets last week. That shouldn’t be a problem this week: since the Panthers have no passing attack to speak of, in the unlikely event they’re blowing out the Jets late in the game, they’ll continue to do what they do best - run. Panthers to start include RBs DeAngelo Williams & Jonathan Stewart (Probable-Achilles’) and WR Steve Smith. Those in deep leagues can also start the Panthers’ Defense. Do not start QB Jake Delhomme (note to self: copy previous sentence and paste in next week’s recommendations). Jets to start include RB Thomas Jones, TE Dustin Keller, and the Defense. RB Shonn Greene can be started in deep leagues, but stay away from QB Mark Sanchez and WRs Braylon Edwards & Jerricho Cotchery.
Chicago at Minnesota - Here in Sherpaville we like to look for dissension among the football fan masses and use it as a leading indicator of developing stories. Our crack research team has discovered that there’s no JakeCutlerSucks.com website yet, but there is a “Jake Cutler Sucks” discussion forum (where, ironically, no inappropriate comments are tolerated). Bears’ QB Jake Cutler will definitely need to avoid his trademark red-zone interceptions this week if his team is to have a chance of beating the Minnesota FavresVikings. The only Bears to start this week are Cutler (surprised?) and TE Garrett Olsen. RB Matt Forte and WR Devin Hester can also be started in deep leagues, but leave WRs Earl Bennett & Johnny Knox on your bench. Vikings to start include QB Brett Favre, RB Adrian Peterson (Probable-ankle), TE Visanthe Shiancoe, WRs Bernard Berrian (Probable-hamstring), Sidney Rice, & Percy Harvin (Probable-hip), K Ryan Longwell, and the Defense. RB Chester Taylor can be started in deep leagues.
Seattle at St. Louis - From our Useless Statistics department comes this numerical nugget: last week marked the first time all season that the 3-7 Seahawks didn’t win when QB Matt Hasselbeck threw for more yards (231) than the opposing quarterback (213). Of course, the opposing quarterback last week was Brett Favre, he was out of the game before the third quarter ended, and the Vikings won 35-9. So much for statistics. Seahawks to start in this clash of NFC West bottom-dwellers include Hasselbeck, RB Justin Forsett, TE John Carlson, WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh & Nate Burleson, K Olindo Mare, and the Defense. Add WR Deion Branch to the list if you’re in a deep league and desperate for a Flex starter. Avoid RB Julius Jones (Questionable-chest) even if he plays. As is the case many weeks the only Ram who should be started is RB Stephen Jackson (Probable-back). Add TE Randy McMichael to the list in deeper leagues. Avoid fill-in QB Kyle Boller and WRs Donnie Avery & Brandon Gibson. QB Marc Bulger (Out-groin/head/knee) will miss the first of what will most likely be several games. Bulger and Boller may differ by two letters, but the Rams’ results are likely to be the same with either of them at the helm.
Arizona at Tennessee - Titans’ owner Bud Adams keeps apologizing for flipping Bills’ fans the bird, and his team keeps winning (although they had a little help last Monday night from Texans’ kicker Kris Brown). It’s not obvious which streak will end first, but my bet would be on the latter. Cardinals to start in this contest are QB Kurt Warner (Probable-concussion), RBs Tim Hightower & Chris Wells, WRs Larry Fitzgerald & Anquan Bolden, K Neil Rackers, and the Defense. Add WR Steve Breaston (Probable-knee) to the list in deeper leagues, and add QB Matt Leinart to the list if Warner’s concussion prevents him from playing. The only Titan I’d start is RB Chris Johnson, but RB LenDale White can also be started in deep leagues. Leave QB Vince Young and all Titan receivers out of your lineup.
Cleveland at Cincinnati - It’s been almost 20 years since former Bengals’ Head Coach Sam Wyche took this intense rivalry and kicked it up a notch. This week it was Browns’ Head Coach Eric Mangini’s turn to get himself in trouble, although his wrath was aimed at the Detroit Lions rather than the Bengals. In spite of last week’s offensive explosion against the Lions, there are no Browns worth starting this week. That includes QB Brady Quinn, RB Jamal Lewis, and WRs Josh Cribbs, Mohamed Massaquoi, & Chansi Stuckey (Probable-calf). Bengals to start include QB Carson Palmer, RB Bernard Scott, WR Chad Ochocinco, K Shayne Graham, and the Defense. Add WRs Laveranues Coles (Questionable-chest) & Andre Caldwell to the list in deep leagues. Leave RBs Cedric Benson (Questionable-hip) & Larry Johnson (Questionable-judgment) out of your lineup.
Miami at Buffalo - For all the haters out there, admit it - Bills’ WR Terrell Owens still has something left in the tank. Discussion involving Buffalo football have recently focused on who will be the next head coach to get the pleasure of coaching T.O. Bruce Cowher has publicly taken himself out of the running, but Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan, and Eric ManginiMarty Schottenheimer are all names that have been bandied about. In the meantime the Bills will focus on containing the Dolphins’ explosive running game. RB Ricky Williams (Probable-chest) is Miami’s only must-start this week, but add unproven backup RB Lex Hilliard to the list in deep leagues. Don’t bother this week with QB Chad Henne or any of his receivers. Owens and fellow WR Lee Evans are the only Bills who should be started this week, but add RBs Marshawn Lynch (Probable-shoulder) and Fred Jackson to the list in deep leagues. It’s fun to root for QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, but you still shouldn’t have him in your lineup.
Tampa Bay at Atlanta - I’m not suggesting that Buccaneers’ rookie Head Coach Raheem Morris is a control freak, but already this season he’s fired his Offensive Coordinator, changed starting quarterbacks twice, and now taken over as Defensive Coordinator. If I were Bucs’ owner Malcolm Glazer, I’d be locking my office door when I left for the night. The Buccaneers to start this week are RB Cadillac Williams and TE Kellen Winslow. Add QB Josh Freeman and WRs Maurice Stovall & Sammie Stroughter to the list in deeper leagues. I’d advise against starting WR Antonio Bryant. Falcons to start include QB Matt Ryan, RB Jason Snelling, TE Tony Gonzalez, WR Roddy White (Probable-knee), and K Jason Elam. Add WR Michael Jenkins and the Defense to the list in deeper leagues. Leave RBs Michael Turner (Questionable-ankle) & Jerious Norwood (Questionable-hip) on your bench.
New England at New Orleans - Fantasy owners who spent an early draft pick this year on Saints’ RB Pierre Thomas are hoping that going forward PT will get more PT, and Mike Bell will get less. Of course, as fantasy “experts” are so fond of saying, Saints’ Head Coach Sean Payton doesn’t give a —- about your fantasy team. Neither does Patriots’ Head Coach Bill Belichick, who may activate RB Sammy Morris (Questionable-knee) this week just to make his backfield more aggravatinginteresting for those who have RB Laurence Maroney on their fantasy squads. Patriots to start in this Monday night showdown include QB Tom Brady, WRs Wes Welker & Randy Moss, & K Stephen Gostkowski. Add TE Ben Watson to the list in a deep league. If Morris is able to play, add him to the list. If not, add Maroney to the list. Saints to start include QB Drew Brees, RBs Pierre Thomas & Mike Bell, TE Jeremy Shockey, WR Marques Colston, and K John Carney. Add WRs Robert Meachem & Devery Henderson to the list in deep leagues, and add RB Reggie Bush (Questionable-knee) to the list if he plays. Leave WR Lance Moore (ankle) out of your lineup even if he returns this week.
Good luck to your teams this weekend, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Until next time,
The Sherpa
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