The Fantasy Football Sherpa

San Francisco at St. Louis (Sunday early) – San Francisco can lock up the second seed in the NFC playoffs (and the first-round bye that comes with it) with a victory, so expect their starters to play most of the game.  St. Louis also has something to play for - a loss in this game will keep them in the running in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, depending on the outcome of the Indianapolis-Jacksonville game.  Very rarely do the interests of both teams line up so well.  San Francisco 24, St. Louis 13.

• San Francisco
  • Start: RB Frank Gore, TE Vernon Davis, DEF
  • Neutral: RB Kendall Hunter, WR Michael Crabtree, K David Akers
  • Sit: QB Alex Smith, WRs Ted Ginn Jr (Questionable-ankle) & Kyle Williams (Questionable-concussion)
• St. Louis
  • Start: N/A
  • Neutral: RB Steven Jackson, WR Brandon Lloyd, DEF
  • Sit: QBs Sam Bradford (Doubtful-ankle), A.J. Feeley (Doubtful-thumb), & Kellen Clemens; RB Cadillac Williams, WR Brandon Gibson, TE Lance Kendricks, K Josh Brown

 

Washington at Philadelphia – The Eagles’ season has been an unmitigated disaster relative to the expectations many had for the self-annointed “Dream Team”, but a win in this game will allow the Eagles to finish with a .500 record.  The Redskins’ Rex Grossman and Evan Royster have been pleasant surprises, but don’t look for Ryan Torain to get any carries Sunday - he was released earlier this week by the mercurial Mike Shanahan.  Philadelphia 28, Washington 17.

• Washington
  • Start: RB Evan Royster, WRs Jabar Gaffney & Santana Moss
  • Neutral: QB Rex Grossman, DEF
  • Sit: RB Roy Helu (Questionable-toe), WRs Terrence Austin, Anthony Armstrong, & Donte’ Stallworth (Probable-ankle), TE Logan Paulsen, K Graham Gano
• Philadelphia
  • Start: QB Michael Vick, WR DeSean Jackson, TE Brent Celek, DEF
  • Neutral: RB LeSean McCoy (Questionable-ankle), WRs Jason Avant & Jeremy Maclin, K Alex Henery
  • Sit:  RB Ronnie Brown, WR Riley Cooper

 

Detroit at Green Bay – Green Bay is unlikely to play its key starters more than a half, so it’s probably wise to bench Aaron Rodgers, Jermichael Finley, and Jordy Nelson.  Detroit will play for momentum going into the playoffs, so their starters should play most of the game.  Detroit 27, Green Bay 21.

• Detroit
  • Start: QB Matt Stafford, WR Calvin Johnson (Probable-achilles), TE Brandon Pettigrew, DEF
  • Neutral: RB Kevin Smith (Probable-ankle), WRs Titus Young & Nate Burleson, K Jason Hanson
  • Sit: RB Maurice Morris
• Green Bay
  • Start: N/A
  • Neutral: QB Matt Flynn, RBs John Kuhn & Brandon Saine, WRs James Jones & Donald Driver, TE Jermichael Finley, DEF
  • Sit: QB Aaron Rodgers, RBs James Starks (Out-knee) & Ryan Grant, WRs Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings (Out-knee), & Randall Cobb (Out-groin), K Mason Crosby

 

Tennessee at Houston – Tennessee still has playoff hopes, but the Texans want to regain momentum heading into the playoffs.  Don’t start Chris Johnson, but Jared Cook is finally displaying the top-tier talent many have talked about since he came into the league.  For Houston expect to see much more of Ben Tate than Arian Foster.  Houston 20, Tennessee 17.

• Tennessee
  • Start: WR Nate Washington, TE Jared Cook, DEF
  • Neutral: QB Matt Hasselbeck, WR Damian Williams
  • Sit: RB Chris Johnson (Questionable-ankle), WR Lavelle Hawkins (Questionable-ankle), K Rob Bironas
• Houston
  • Start: RB Ben Tate, DEF
  • Neutral: WRs Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones, & Bryant Johnson (Probable-thigh), TEs Owen Daniels (Probable-knee) & Joel Dreessen (Probable-knee)
  • Sit: QB T.J. Yates (Probable-shoulder), RB Arian Foster (Probable-knee), WR Andre Johnson (Probable-hamstring), K Neil Rackers

 

Indianapolis at Jacksonville – Indianapolis “controls its own destiny” in the Andrew Luck derby - a loss in this game will clinch that dubious distinction for them.  However, don’t expect the Colts’ players to roll over - many of them are playing for their jobs.  Jacksonville has only four wins of its own, but as long as Maurice Jones-Drew is still in one piece, he’s worth starting in any fantasy league.  Jacksonville 20, Indianapolis 17.

• Indianapolis
  • Start: RB Donald Brown, WR Reggie Wayne, DEF
  • Neutral: QB Dan Orlovsky, WRs Pierre Garcon & Austin Collie, TE Jacob Tamme
  • Sit: RBs Joseph Addai & Delone Cater, TE Dallas Clark (Questionable-neck), K Adam Vinatieri
• Jacksonville
  • Start: RB Maurice Jones-Drew (Probable-ankle), DEF
  • Neutral: WRs Mike Thomas, Chastin West, & Jarett Dillard; TE Marcedes Lewis (Probable-hamstring)
  • Sit: QB Blaine Gabbert, K Josh Scobee

 

New York Jets at Miami - The Jets need to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, then hope for a series of unlikely events in other games.  Miami’s playing out the string; Reggie Bush has been a pleasant surprise for them this season after a slow start, but he won’t be playing, leaving the bulk of the rushing chores to the disappointing rookie Daniel Thomas.  New York Jets 21, Miami 20.

• New York
  • Start: WR Santonio Holmes, TE Dustin Keller, DEF
  • Neutral: QB Mark Sanchez, RB Shonne Greene (Probable-ribs), WR Plaxico Burress
  • Sit:  RBs LaDainian Tomlinson (Probable-quad) & Joe McKnight (Probable-shoulder), WR Jeremy Kerley, K Nick Folk
• Miami
  • Start: RB Daniel Thomas (Probable-knee), DEF
  • Neutral: QB Matt Moore, WRs Brandon Marshall (Probable-knee) & Davone Bess, TE Anthony Fasano (Probable-concussion)
  • Sit: RB Reggie Bush (Out-knee), WR Brian Hartline, K Dan Carpenter

 

Chicago at Minnesota – After they were eliminated from the playoff race last weekend the Bears placed quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte on IR.  Kahlil Bell seems intent on showing the Bears that Forte, a free agent-t0-be, is expendable.  Bears’ quarterback Josh McCown has a great match-up this week, which could be good news for Dane Sanzenbacher as well.  Minnesota will be without Adrian Peterson, and most likely Christian Ponder, so it’s likely time for the Toby & Joe Show.  The Vikings can’t win for losing - their third victory last weekend took them out of the running for the top pick in the 2012 draft.  Chicago 24, Minnesota 17.

• Chicago
  • Start: QB Josh McCown, RB Kahlil Bell, DEF
  • Neutral: WRs Devin Hester (Probable-ankle), Roy Williams, Earl Bennett, & Dane Sanzenbacher, K Robbie Gould
  • Sit: RB Armando Allen, TE Kellen Davis, RB Marion Barber (Doubtful-calf)
• Minnesota
  • Start: RB Toby Gerhart, WR Percy Harvin, TE Visanthe Shiancoe
  • Neutral: QB Joe Webb, WR Devin Aromashodu, DEF
  • Sit: QB Christian Ponder (Probable-concussion), WR Rich Camarillo, TE Kyle Rudolph, K Ryan Longwell

 

Buffalo at New England – New England has something to play for, but don’t be surprised if their starters don’t play the full game, especially with several of their key offensive players already hurt.  Ryan Fitzpatrick should have a field day against the Patriots’ pass defense.  New England 28, Buffalo 27.

• Buffalo
  • Start: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB C.J. Spiller, WR Steve Johnson
  • Neutral: WR David Nelson, DEF, K Brandon Coutu
  • Sit: RBs Tashard Choice & Johnny White (Probable-concussion), WRs Naaman Roosevelt & Brad Smith (Out-hamstring), TE Scott Chandler, K David Rayner (Out-groin)
• New England
  • Start: N/A
  • Neutral: QB Tom Brady (Probable-shoulder), RBs BenJarvus Green-Ellis & Shane Ridley, WR Chad Ochocinco, TEs Rob Gronkowski & Aaron Hernandez, DEF, K Stephen Gostkowski
  • Sit: RB Shane Vereen (Questionable-hamstring), WRs Wes Welker (Questionable-knee), Deion Branch (Questionable-groin), & Julian Edelman (Questionable-back)

 

Carolina at New Orleans – New Orleans will be the NFC’s third seed if San Francisco wins (likely), but since both the Saints and 49ers play early games, expect Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints’ stars to play until the outcome of the San Francisco game is no longer in doubt.  Cam Newton will put an exclamation point on a very impressive rookie season.  New Orleans 31, Carolina 24.

• Carolina
  • Start: QB Cam Newton, WRs Steve Smith & Brandon LaFell
  • Neutral: RBs DeAngelo Williams & Jonathan Stewart, TEs Jeremy Shockey & Greg Olsen, K Olindo Mare
  • Sit: DEF, WR Legedu Naanee (Out-foot)
• New Orleans
  • Start: QB Drew Brees, RB Darren Sproles, WR Marques Colston, TE Jimmy Graham, K John Kasay
  • Neutral: RBs Pierre Thomas & Chris Ivory, WRs Robert Meachem & Devery Henderson, DEF
  • Sit: Mark Ingram (Out-toe), WR Lance Moore (Out-hamstring)

 

Tampa Bay at Atlanta (Sunday late) – Tampa Bay will try to conclude what’s been a disappointing season on a high note.  Atlanta has stumbled late in the season in spite of Matt Ryan’s improvement.  There’s some fantasy value on both teams, but the outcome of the game won’t be in doubt.  Atlanta 27, Tampa Bay 21.

• Tampa Bay
  • Start: WR Mike Williams, TE Kellen Winslow
  • Neutral: QB Josh Freeman, RB LeGarrette Blount, DEF
  • Sit: RB Kregg Lumpkin, WRs Dez Briscoe, Sammie Stroughter (Probable-knee), Preston Parker (Probable-concussion), & Arrelious Benn (Questionable-neck), K Connor Barth
• Atlanta
  • Start: QB Matt ryan, RB Michael Turner, WRs Roddy White & Julio Jones (Probable-ankle), TE Tony Gonzalez, DEF
  • Neutral: RBs Jacquizz Rodgers & Jason Snelling, K Matt Bryant
  • Sit: WR Harry Douglas (Probable-groin)

Baltimore at Cincinnati – Both teams have something to play for, so this should be one of the day’s top games. With a win Baltimore would clinch the AFC North and a first-round bye; the combination of a Ravens’ victory and a Patriots’ loss (unlikely) would give the Ravens homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.  Cincinnati can clinch a wild card berth with a victory; even if they don’t, their future looks a lot brighter than it did a year ago.  Baltimore 21, Cincinnati 17.

• Baltimore
  • Start: RB Ray Rice, WR Torrey Smith, DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Joe Flacco, TEs Ed Dickson & Dennis Pitta
    
  • Sit: RB Ricky Williams, WR Anquan Boldin (Doubtful-knee) & Lee Evans, K Shayne Graham or K Billy Cundiff (Questionable-calf) (whoever starts)
• Cincinnati
  • Start: DEF
  • Neutral: WRs A.J. Green (Probable-shoulder) & Jerome Simpson, TE Jermaine Gresham
  • Sit: QB Andy Dalton, RBs Cedric Benson & Bernard Scott, K Mike Nugent

 

Pittsburgh at Cleveland – The Steelers’ quarterback situation is a mess, but they’re still a much better team and should win this game easily.  The Browns’ quarterback situation is only slightly less unsettled, although it’s pretty clear Seneca Wallace will play this weekend, and Colt McCoy won’t.  Peyton Hillis is probably playing his last game for the Browns.  Pittsburgh 27, Cleveland 14.

• Pittsburgh
  • Start: RB Rashard Mendenhall, TE Heath Miller, DEF
  • Neutral: Isaac Redman, WRs Mike Wallace (Probable-ankle) & Antonio Brown, K Shaun Suisham
  • Sit: QBs Ben Roethlisberger (Probable-ankle) & QB Charlie Batch (whoever starts), WRs Hines Ward, Emmanuel Sanders (Probable-foot), & Jerricho Cotchery
• Cleveland
  • Start: N/A
  • Neutral: RB Peyton Hillis (Probable-elbow), WR Greg Little, TE Evan Moore, DEF
  • Sit: QBs Seneca Wallace & Colt McCoy (Out-concussion), RBs Montario Hardesty & Chris Ogbannaya, WRs Josh Cribbs (Probable-groin) & Mohamed Massaquoi (Probable-foot), K Phil Dawson

 

Seattle at Arizona – This is one of the least interesting games in terms of playoff implications (none) but could still be an entertaining game - the winner will finish with a .500 record.  Marshawn Lynch has proved this season that last year’s playoff explosion wasn’t a fluke, while John Skelton has played passably (pun intended) after Kevin Kolb’s season was derailed by injuries.  Arizona 24, Seattle 21.

• Seattle
  • Start: QB Tarvaris Jackson, RB Marshawn Lynch, WRs Doug Baldwin & Golden Tate, TE Zach Miller (Probable-pectoral)
  • Neutral: DEF
  • Sit: WR Ben Obomanu (Probable-knee), K Steve Hauschka
• Arizona
  • Start: QB John Skelton, WR Larry Fitzgerald, DEF
  • Neutral: RB Beanie Wells (Questionable-knee), WRs Early Doucet & Andre Roberts, TE Todd Heap, K Jay Feely
  • Sit: QB Kevin Kolb (Questionable-concussion), RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (Questionable-hamstring), TEs Jeff King & Rob Housler

 

Kansas City at Denver – Is it Tebow Time after two straight losses?  Usually, in late-season games like this, where one of the two teams has something to play for, and the other team is playing the role of spoiler, the team with something on the line wins.  Floyd Mayweather supposedly made $1 Mil betting against Tebow and the Broncos in the Patriots’ game.  Kyle Orton’s return to face the team that cut him earlier this season and potentially keep them out of the playoffs is a nice storyline, but that’s not how this one’s likely to end.  Denver 24, Kansas City 20.

• Kansas City
  • Start: QB Kyle Orton, RB Dexter McCluster, WR Dwayne Bowe
  • Neutral: RB Thomas Jones, WR Steve Breaston, DEF
  • Sit: RB Jackie Battle (Out-foot), WR Jonathan Baldwin, TE Leonard Pope, K Ryan Succop
• Denver
  • Start: QB Tim Tebow, RB Willis McGahee, WR Demaryius Thomas, DEF
  • Neutral: WR Eric Decker, K Matt Prater
  • Sit: RB Lance Ball, WR Eddie Royal, TE Daniel Fells

 

San Diego at Oakland – Forget what I said in the previous blurb; the Chargers will win this game because they’re the better team.  Even so, this is probably Norv Turner’s last game as head coach in San Diego, where his teams have perennially have gotten off to slow starts and underachieved in spite of a late-season push).  Carson Palmer has helped the Raiders a lot, but there are just too many injuries to too many key players, especially running back Darren McFadden.  San Diego 28, Oakland 24.

• San Diego
  • Start: QB Philip Rivers, RB Mike Tolbert (Probable-hamstring), WRs Vincent Jackson (Probable-groin) & Malcom Floyd, TE Antonio Gates
  • Neutral: RB Ryan Mathews (Questionable-calf), DEF, K Nick Novak
  • Sit: WRs Patrick Crayton & Vincent Brown
• Oakland
  • Start: QB Carson Palmer, RB Michael Bush, WRs Darrius Heyward-Bey & Denarius Moore
  • Neutral: WRs Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy (Probable-groin), & T.J. Houshmandzadeh; TE Kevin Boss, DEF, K Sebastian Janikowski
  • Sit: RBs Darren McFadden (Out-foot) & Taiwan Jones (Questionable-hamstring), WR Jacoby Ford (Questionable-foot)

Dallas at New York Giants (Sunday night) – The playoffs begin a week early for these two teams - the winner will capture the NFC East title, and the loser will be done for the season.  Eli “Lil Brother” Manning and Tony “Big Hand” Romo can both cement their reputations as big-game quarterbacks - or chokers (depending on whom you listen to).  The key to the game will be the Giants’ pass rush’s ability to disrupt the Cowboys’ passing attack.  New York 27, Dallas 21.

• Dallas
  • Start: QB Tony Romo (Probable-hand), WRs Miles Austin & Dez Bryant, TE Jason Witten
  • Neutral: RB Felix Jones (Questionable-hamstring), WR Laurent Robinson (Probable-shoulder), DEF
  • Sit: RB Sammy Morris, K Dan Bailey
• New York
  • Start: QB Eli Manning, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WRs Victor Cruz & Hakeem Nicks (Probable-hamstring), DEF
  • Neutral: RB Brandon Jacobs, K Lawrence Tynes
  • Sit: RB D.J. Ware, WR Mario Manningham (Probable-knee), TEs Jake Ballard (Out-knee), Bear Pascoe, & Travis Beckham

Good luck this weekend!

The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

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@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

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“4th & Inches with Jana and The Sherpa“, Wed. nights 9:30-10:30pm Eastern on Blog Talk Radio

Quarterbacks

1.      Drew Brees            vs Car

2.      Michael Vick          vs Was

3.      Philip Rivers           @ Oak

4.      Matthew Stafford   @ GB

5.      Eli Manning            vs Dal

6.      Matt Ryan              vs TB

7.      Ryan Fitzpatrick     @ NE

8.      Cam Newton          @ NO

9.      Carson Palmer        vs SD

10.  Tony Romo            @ NYG

11.  Tim Tebow              vs KC

12.  John Skelton           vs Sea

13.  Kyle Orton               @ Den

14.  Tarvaris Jackson     @ Ari

15.  Josh McCown           @ Min

16.  Tom Brady               vs Buf

17.  Rex Grossman        @Phi

18.  Josh Freeman         @ Atl

19.  Mark Sanchez        @ Mia

20.  Matt Hasselbeck    @ Hou

21.  Joe Webb                 vs Chi

22.  Joe Flacco               @ Cin

23.  Dan Orlovsky         @ Jac

24.  Matt Moore           vs NYJ

25.  Matt Flynn              vs Det

26.  Charlie Batch          @ Cle

27.  Ben Roethlisberger @ Cle

28.  Alex Smith               @ StL

29.  Aaron Rodgers        vs Det

30.  Blaine Gabbert       vs Ind

31.  T.J. Yates               vs Ten

32.  Andy Dalton           vs Bal

33.  Christian Ponder     vs Chi

34.  Seneca Wallace      vs Pit

35.  Kellen Clemens      vs SF

36.  Kevin Kolb              vs Sea

37.  Sam Bradford         vs SF

38.  A.J. Feeley              vs SF

 

Running Backs

1.      Rashard Mendenhall @ Cle

2.      Michael Turner       vs TB

3.      Ahmad Bradshaw   vs Dal

4.      Mike Tolbert          @ Oak

5.      C.J. Spiller             @ NE

6.      Darren Sproles       vs Car

7.      Frank Gore            @ StL

8.      Ray Rice                @ Cin

9.      Marshawn Lynch    @ Ari

10.  Maurice Jones-Drew vs Ind

11.  Kahlil Bell               @ Min

12.  Willis McGahee      vs KC

13.  Ben Tate                vs Ten

14.  Michael Bush          vs SD

15.  Daniel Thomas        vs NYJ

16.  Dexter McCluster   @ Den

17.  Evan Royster          @ Phi

18.  Donald Brown        @ Jac

19.  Toby Gerhart          vs Chi

20.  Pierre Thomas        vs Car

21.  Brandon Jacobs      vs Dal

22.  Kevin Smith            @ GB

23.  BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs Buf

24.  Isaac Redman         @ Cle

25.  Stevan Ridley         vs Buf

26.  Chris Ivory             vs Car

27.  Jacquizz Rodgers    vs TB

28.  Jason Snelling         vs TB

29.  Kendall Hunter       @ StL

30.  DeAngelo Williams @ NO

31.  Jonathan Stewart    @ NO

32.  John Kuhn              vs Det

33.  Brandon Saine        vs Det

34.  LeGarrette Blount   @ Atl

35.  Kregg Lumpkin      @ Atl

36.  Shonn Greene         @ Mia

37.  Thomas Jones         @ Den

38.  Steven Jackson       vs SF

39.  Peyton Hillis           vs Pit

40.  LeSean McCoy      vs Was

41.  Ryan Mathews       @ Oak

42.  Beanie Wells          vs Sea

43.  Felix Jones            @ NYG

44.  Ronnie Brown        vs Was

45.  Maurice Morris      @ GB

46.  Tashard Choice      @ NE

47.  D.J. Ware              vs Dal

48.  Armando Allen       @ Min

49.  Lance Ball              vs KC

50.  Ryan Grant           vs Det

51.  Ricky Williams        @ Cin

52.  Sammy Morris        @ NYG

53.  Joseph Addai         @ Jac

54.  Delone Carter         @ Jac

55.  Cedric Benson        vs Bal

56.  Bernard Scott         vs Bal

57.  Montario Hardesty vs Pit

58.  Chris Ogbannaya    vs Pit

59.  Johnny White          @ NE

60.  LaDainian Tomlinson @ Mia

61.  Joe McKnight         @ Mia

62.  Arian Foster           vs Ten

63.  Shane Vereen         vs Buf

64.  LaRod Stephens-Howling vs Sea

65.  Taiwan Jones          vs SD

66.  Roy Helu                @ Phi

67.  Chris Johnson         @ Hou

68.  Marion Barber         @ Min

Wide receivers

1.      Marques Colston    vs Car

2.      DeSean Jackson     vs Was

3.      Malcom Floyd        @ Oak

4.      Vincent Jackson     @ Oak

5.      Steve Johnson        @ NE

6.      Roddy White          vs TB

7.      Victor Cruz            vs Dal

8.      Calvin Johnson       @ GB

9.      Julio Jones              vs TB

10.  Hakeem Nicks       vs Dal

11.  Michael Crabtree    @ StL

12.  Steve Smith            @ NO

13.  Brandon LaFell       @ NO

14.  Larry Fitzgerald      vs Sea

15.  Demaryius Thomas vs KC

16.  Darrius Heyward-Bey vs SD

17.  Denarius Moore     vs SD

18.  Santonio Holmes    @ Mia

19.  Mike Williams        @ Atl

20.  Torrey Smith          @ Cin

21.  Doug Baldwin         @ Ari

22.  Golden Tate           @ Ari

23.  Miles Austin           @ NYG

24.  Dez Bryant @ NYG

25.  Dwayne Bowe        @ Den

26.  Jabar Gaffney         @ Phi

27.  Santana Moss         @ Phi

28.  Nate Washington    @ Hou

29.  Reggie Wayne        @ Jac

30.  Percy Harvin          vs Chi

31.  Robert Meachem    vs Car

32.  Devery Henderson vs Car

33.  Jason Avant            vs Was

34.  Jeremy Maclin        vs Was

35.  Chad Ochocinco    vs Buf

36.  David Nelson         @ NE

37.  Antonio Brown       @ Cle

38.  Titus Young            @ GB

39.  Nate Burleson        @ GB

40.  Mike Wallace         @ Cle

41.  Roy Williams          @ Min

42.  Earl Bennett            @ Min

43.  Dane Sanzenbacher @ Min

44.  Early Doucet          vs Sea

45.  Andre Roberts        vs Sea

46.  Eric Decker            vs KC

47.  Chaz Schilens         vs SD

48.  T.J. Houshmandzadeh vs SD

49.  Devin Hester          @ Min

50.  Louis Murphy         vs SD

51.  James Jones           vs Det

52.  Donald Driver         vs Det

53.  Plaxico Burress       @ Mia

54.  Laurent Robinson   @ NYG

55.  Kevin Walter          vs Ten

56.  Jacoby Jones          vs Ten

57.  Mike Thomas         vs Ind

58.  Chastin West          vs Ind

59.  Jarett Dillard           vs Ind

60.  Davone Bess          vs NYJ

61.  Steve Breaston       @ Den

62.  Bryant Johnson       vs Ten

63.  Brandon Marshall   vs NYJ

64.  Damiam Williams    @ Hou

65.  Pierre Garcon         @ Jac

66.  Austin Collie           @ Jac

67.  Devin Aromashodu vs Chi

68.  Jerome Simpson     vs Bal

69.  A.J. Green              vs Bal

70.  Greg Little              vs Pit

71.  Brandon Lloyd       vs SF

72.  Riley Cooper          vs Was

73.  Patrick Crayton      @ Oak

74.  Vincent Brown       @ Oak

75.  Naaman Roosevelt @ NE

76.  Hines Ward            @ Cle

77.  Jerricho Cotchery   @ Cle

78.  Harry Douglas        vs TB

79.  Emmanuel Sanders @ Cle

80.  Mario Manningham vs Dal

81.  Eddie Royal            vs KC

82.  Jordy Nelson          vs Det

83.  Jeremy Kerley        @ Mia

84.  Dez Briscoe            @ Atl

85.  Lee Evans              @ Cin

86.  Sammie Stroughter @ Atl

87.  Preston Parker       @ Atl

88.  Ben Obomanu        @ Ari

89.  Brian Hartline         vs NYJ

90.  Jonathan Baldwin    @ Den

91.  Andre Johnson       vs Ten

92.  Terrence Austin      @ Phi

93.  Anthony Armstrong @ Phi

94.  Rich Camarillo        vs Chi

95.  Donte’ Stallworth    @ Phi

96.  Josh Cribbs            vs Pit

97.  Mohamed Massaquoi vs Pit

98.  Brandon Gibson     vs SF

99.  Wes Welker           vs Buf

100.          Deion Branch   vs Buf

101.          Julian Edelman vs Buf

102.          Ted Ginn          @ StL

103.          Kyle Williams   @ StL

104.          Jacoby Ford     vs SD

105.          Arrelious Benn @ Atl

106.          Lavelle Hawkins @ Hou

107.          Anquan Boldin @ Cin

 

Tight Ends

1.      Jimmy Graham        vs Car

2.      Brent Celek            vs Was

3.      Antonio Gates        @ Oak

4.      Brandon Pettigrew @ GB

5.      Tony Gonzalez        vs TB

6.      Heath Miller           @ Cle

7.      Vernon Davis         @ StL

8.      Dustin Keller          @ Mia

9.      Kellen Winslow      @ Atl

10.  Zach Miller          @ Ari

11.  Jason Witten           @ NYG

12.  Jared Cook            @ Hou

13.  Visanthe Shiancoe vs Chi

14.  Rob Gronkowski    vs Buf

15.  Aaron Hernandez   vs Buf

16.  Jeremy Shockey     @ NO

17.  Greg Olsen            @ NO

18.  Todd Heap             vs Sea

19.  Kevin Boss             vs SD

20.  Jermichael Finley    vs Det

21.  Ed Dickson            @ Cin

22.  Dennis Pitta            @ Cin

23.  Owen Daniels         vs Ten

24.  Joel Dreessen         vs Ten

25.  Marcedes Lewis     vs Ind

26.  Anthony Fasano     vs NYJ

27.  Jacob Tamme         @ Jac

28.  Jermaine Gresham  vs Bal

29.  Evan Moore           vs Pit

30.  Scott Chandler       @ NE

31.  Bear Pascoe           vs Dal

32.  Travis Beckham      vs Dal

33.  Kellen Davis           @ Min

34.  Jeff King                 vs Sea

35.  Rob Housler           vs Sea

36.  Daniel Fells            vs KC

37.  Leonard Pope        @ Den

38.  Logan Paulsen        @ Phi

39.  Kyle Rudolph         vs Chi

40.  Lance Kendricks    vs SF

41.  Dallas Clark           @ Jac

 

Defenses

1.      San Francisco 49ers @ StL

2.      Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cle

3.      Philadelphia Eagles vs Phi

4.      Houston Texanas    vs Ten

5.      Jacksonville Jaguars vs Ind

6.      Chicago Bears        @ Min

7.      Baltimore Ravens    @ Cin

8.      Tennessee Titans    @ Hou

9.      Indianapolis Colts   @ Jac

10.  New York Jets       @ Mia

11.  Denver Broncos     vs KC

12.  Detroit Lions          @ GB

13.  Miami Dolphins      vs NYJ

14.  Atlanta Falcons       vs TB

15.  Cincinnati Bengals vs Bal

16.  Arizona Cardinals   vs Sea

17.  New York Giants   vs Dal

18.  St. Louis Rams       vs SF

19.  Minnesota Vikings vs Chi

20.  New Orleans Saints vs Car

21.  Seattle Seahawks   @ Ari

22.  Kansas City Chiefs  @ Den

23.  San Diego Chargers @ Oak

24.  Green Bay Packers vs Det

25.  New England Patriots vs Buf

26.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atl

27.  Cleveland Browns  vs Pit

28.  Dallas Cowboys     @ NYG

29.  Washington Redskins @ Phi

30.  Buffalo Bills            @ NE

31.  Oakland Raiders     vs SD

32. Carolina Panters     @ NO

 

Kickers

1.      John Kasay            vs Car

2.      Alex Henery           vs Was

3.      Stephen Gostkowski vs Buf

4.      Nick Novak           @ Oak

5.      Jason Hanson         @ GB

6.      Brandon Coutu       @ NE

7.      Matt Bryant            vs TB

8.      Shaun Suisham       @ Cle

9.      Lawrence Tynes     vs Dal

10.  David Akers           @ StL

11.  Robbie Gould         @ Min

12.  Olindo Mare           @ NO

13.  Jay Feely                vs Sea

14.  Matt Prater           vs KC

15.  Sebastian Janikowski vs SD

16.  Mason Crosby       vs Det

17.  Nick Folk               @ Mia

18.  Connor Barth         @ Atl

19.  Shayne Graham      @ Cin

20.  Mike Nugent          @ Cin

21.  Steve Hauschka      vs Bal

22.  Dan Bailey             @ Ari

23.  Neil Rackers          @ NYG

24.  Josh Scobee           vs Ten

25.  Dan Carpenter        vs Ind

26.  Ryan Succop          vs NYJ

27.  Graham Gano         @ Den

28.  Rob Bironas           @ Phi

29.  Adam Vinatieri       @ Hou

30.  Ryan Longwell        @ Jac

31.  Phil Dawson           vs Chi

32.  Josh Brown            vs Pit

33.  Billy Cundiff            vs SF

 

 

 

Good luck this weekend, and more importantly, best wishes for a happy, healthy, and safe 2012!The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

The Sherpa’s Fantasy Football Blog

@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

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“4th & Inches with Jana and The Sherpa“, Wed. nights 9:30-10:30pm Eastern on Blog Talk Radio

Which players’ status changed this past week due to injury, benching, etc., and who may be on your league’s waiver wire with the potential to make a difference for your fantasy team?

Note:  all of this week’s games will be played on Sunday (what a novel idea!).  Be sure to consider the playoff implications (if any) for your players before deciding to start them in your championship game!

Quarterback

• Injuries/benchings
  • Tony Romo (hand)
  • Christian Ponder (concussion)
• Waiver wire targets (rankings based on projected playing time and Week 17 opponent)
  • John Skelton (vs Sea)
  • Rex Grossman (@ Phi)
  • Tarvaris Jackson (@ Ari)
  • Josh McCown (@ Min)
  • Dan Orlovsky (@ Jac)
  • Joe Webb (vs Chi)
  • Charlie Batch (@ Cle)
  • Seneca Wallace (@ Pit)

Running Back

• Injuries/benchings
  • Adrian Peterson (knee)
  • Reggie Bush (leg)
  • Roy Helu (toe)
  • Marian Barber (calf)
  • James Starks (ankle)
  • Daniel Thomas (knee)
  • Ryan Torain (cut)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Toby Gerhart (vs Chi)
  • Kahlil Bell (@ Min)
  • Evan Royster (@ Phi)
  • Stevan Ridley (vs Buf)
  • Kendall Hunter (@ StL)
  • Thomas Jones (@ Den)
  • Dexter McCluster (@ Den)
  • Isaac Redman (@ Cle)
  • Ronnie Brown (vs Was)
  • Ricky Williams (@ Cin)
  • Armando Allen (@ Min)

Wide Receiver

• Injuries/benchings
  • Anquan Boldin (knee)
  • Lance Moore (hamstring)
  • Legedu Naanee (foot)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Jerome Simpson (vs Bal)
  • Golden Tate (@ Ari)
  • Dane Sanzenbacher (@ Min)
  • Greg Little (vs Pit)
  • Titus Young (@ GB)
  • Doug Baldwin (@ Ari)
  • Jeremy Kerley (@ Mia)
  • Davone Bess (vs NYJ)
  • Brian Hartline (vs NYJ)
  • Andre Roberts (vs SF)
  • Brandon LaFell (@ NO)
  • Jarett Dillard (vs Ind)
  • Donte’ Stallworth (@ Phi)
  • Sammie Stroughter (@ Atl)

Tight Ends

• Injuries/benchings
  • N/A
• Waiver wire targets
  • Jared Cook (@ Hou)
  • Evan Moore (vs Pit)

Kickers

• Injuries/benchings
  • N/A
• Waiver wire targets
  • Lawrence Tynes (vs Dal)
  • Dave Rayner (@ NE)
  • Shayne Graham (@ Cin)

Defenses

• Waiver wire targets
  • Tennessee (@ Hou)
  • Detroit (@ GB)
  • Indianapolis (@ Jac)
  • Miami (vs NYJ)
  • Jacksonville (vs Ind)

Good luck with your claims!

The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

The Sherpa’s Fantasy Football Blog

@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

Fantasy Football Sherpa’s fan page on Facebook

“4th & Inches with Jana and The Sherpa“, Wed. nights 9:30-10:30pm Eastern on Blog Talk Radio

Quarterbacks    

1.      Drew Brees            @ Min

2.      Tom Brady            @ Den

3.      Tony Romo            @ TB

4.      Aaron Rodgers       @ KC

5.      Matthew Stafford   @ Oak

6.      Eli Manning            vs Was

7.      Rex Grossman        @ NYG

8.      Michael Vick          vs NYJ

9.      Jake Locker           @ Ind

10.  Philip Rivers           vs Bal

11.  Tim Tebow              vs NE

12.  Ryan Fitzpatrick     vs Mia

13.  Christian Ponder     vs NO

14.  Dan Orlovsky         vs Ten

15.  Josh Freeman         vs Dal

16.  Seneca Wallace      @ Ari

17.  Matt Hasselbeck    @ Ind

18.  Matt Ryan              vs Jac

19.  Andy Dalton           @ StL

20.  Carson Palmer        vs Det

21.  Mark Sanchez        @ Phi

22.  Tarvaris Jackson     @ Chi

23.  Kyle Orton               vs GB

24.  J.P. Losman           @ Buf

25.  Charlie Batch          @ SF

26.  Tyler Palko           vs GB

27.  Caleb Hanie           vs Sea

28.  Kellen Clemens      vs Cin

29.  Ben Roethlisberger @ SF

30.  Matt Moore           @ Buf

31.  John Skelton           vs Cle

32.  Joe Flacco              @ SD

33.  T.J. Yates               vs Car

34.  Cam Newton          @ Hou

35.  Blaine Gabbert       @ Atl

36.  Alex Smith              vs Pit

37.  Joe Webb              vs NO

38.  Kevin Kolb            vs Cle

39. Sam Bradford       vs Cin

 

Running Backs

1.      Chris Johnson         @ Ind

2.      Cedric Benson        @ StL

3.      Felix Jones            @ TB

4.      LeSean McCoy      vs NYJ

5.      Roy Helu                @ NYG

6.      Darren Sproles       @ Min

7.      Arian Foster           vs Car

8.      Ray Rice                @ SD

9.      Marshawn Lynch    @ Chi

10.  Reggie Bush           @ Buf

11.  Michael Bush          vs Det

12.  Marion Barber        vs Sea

13.  Michael Turner       vs Jac

14.  Beanie Wells          vs Cle

15.  Shonn Greene         @ Phi

16.  Willis McGahee      vs NE

17.  Adrian Peterson      vs NO

18.  Maurice Jones-Drew @ Atl

19.  Pierre Thomas        @ Min

20.  Brandon Jacobs      vs Was

21.  Ryan Grant            @ KC

22.  BenJarvus Green-Ellis @ Den

23.  Maurice Morris      @ Oak

24.  Ahmad Bradshaw   vs Was

25.  Keiland Williams     @ Oak

26.  Ben Tate                vs Car

27.  Dexter McCluster   vs GB

28.  DeAngelo Williams @ Hou

29.  Peyton Hillis           @ Ari

30.  Donald Brown        vs Ten

31.  Joseph Addai         vs Ten

32.  Jonathan Stewart    @ Hou

33.  Delone Carter         vs Ten

34.  James Starks          @ KC

35.  Chris Ivory             @ Min

36.  Stevan Ridley         @ Den

37.  Sammy Morris        @ TB

38.  Bernard Scott         @ StL

39.  D.J. Ware              vs Was

40.  Da’Rel Scott           vs Was

41.  Ronnie Brown        vs NYJ

42.  Jason Snelling         vs Jac

43.  Jacquizz Rodgers    vs Jac

44.  Daniel Thomas        @ Buf

45.  LaRod Stephens-Howling   vs Cle

46.  Lance Ball              vs NE

47.  LaDainian Tomlinson @ Phi

48.  Joe McKnight         @ Phi

49.  Ricky Williams        @ SD

50.  Rashard Mendenhall @ SF

51.  Isaac Redman         @ SF

52.  Jackie Battle           vs GB

53.  Thomas Jones         vs GB

54.  Khalil Bell               vs Sea

55.  C.J. Spiller             vs Mia

56.  Tashard Choice      vs Mia

57.  Johnny White          vs Mia

58.  Toby Gerhart          vs NO

59.  Ryan Mathews       vs Bal

60.  Mike Tolbert          vs Bal

61.  LeGarrette Blount   vs Dal

62.  Chris Ogbonnaya    @ Ari

63.  Frank Gore            vs Pit

64.  Kendall Hunter       vs Pit

65.  Steven Jackson       vs Cin

66.  Danny Woodhead  @ Den

67.  Brandon Saine        @ KC

68.  Kevin Smith            @ Oak

69.  Taiwan Jones          vs Det

70.  Montario Hardesty @ Ari

 

Wide Receivers

 1.      Marques Colston    @ Min

2.      Hakeem Nicks       vs Was

3.      Miles Austin           @ TB

4.      Calvin Johnson       @ Oak

5.      Santana Moss         @ NYG

6.      Dez Bryant             @ TB

7.      Jordy Nelson          @ KC

8.      Victor Cruz            vs Was

9.      A.J. Green              @ StL

10.  Jabar Gaffney         @ NYG

11.  Damian Williams     @ Ind

12.  Nate Burleson        @ Oak

13.  Roddy White          vs Jac

14.  Larry Fitzgerald      vs Cle

15.  Brandon Marshall   @ Buf

16.  Percy Harvin          vs NO

17.  Demaryius Thomas vs NE

18.  Anquan Boldin        @ SD

19.  Santonio Holmes    @ Phi

20.  Darrius Heyward-Bey vs Det

21.  Mike Wallace         @ SF

22.  Doug Baldwin         @ Chi

23.  Reggie Wayne        vs Ten

24.  Steve Johnson        vs Mia

25.  Dwayne Bowe        vs GB

26.  Chaz Schilens         vs Det

27.  Vincent Jackson     vs Bal

28.  Steve Smith            @ Hou

29.  Mike Williams        vs Dal

30.  Greg Little              @ Ari

31.  Brandon Lloyd       vs Cin

32.  Nate Washington    @ Ind

33.  Titus Young            @ Oak

34.  Jerome Simpson     @ StL

35.  Lance Moore         @ Min

36.  Donald Driver         @ KC

37.  Jason Avant            vs NYJ

38.  Lavelle Hawkins     @ Ind

39.  Riley Cooper          vs NYJ

40.  James Jones           @ KC

41.  Davone Bess          @ Buf

42.  Antonio Brown       @ SF

43.  Eric Decker            vs NE

44.  Julio Jones              vs Jac

45.  Torrey Smith          @ SD

46.  Jacoby Jones          vs Car

47.  Plaxico Burress       @ Phi

48.  Louis Murphy         vs Det

49.  Pierre Garcon         vs Ten

50.  Steve Breaston       vs GB

51.  Austin Collie           vs Ten

52.  David Nelson         vs Mia

53.  Early Doucet          vs Cle

54.  Johnny Knox          vs Sea

55.  Malcom Floyd        vs Bal

56.  Golden Tate           @ Chi

57.  Andre Roberts        vs Cle

58.  Devin Aromashodu vs NO

59.  Jeremy Kerley        @ Phi

60.  Earl Bennett            vs Sea

61.  Kevin Walter          vs Car

62.  Harry Douglas        vs Jac

63.  Naaman Roosevelt vs Mia

64.  Roy Williams          vs Sea

65.  Greg Camarillo       vs NO

66.  Michael Crabtree    vs Pit

67.  Jason Hill                @ Atl

68.  Dez Briscoe            vs Dal

69.  Mohamed Massaquoi @ Ari

70.  Wes Welker           @ Den

71.  Laurent Robinson   @ TB

72.  Jeremy Maclin        vs NYJ

73.  Devin Hester          vs Sea

74.  Josh Cribbs            @ Ari

75.  Robert Meachem    @ Min

76.  Devery Henderson @ Min

77.  Chad Ochocinco    @ Den

78.  Randall Cobb         @ KC

79.  Anthony Armstrong @ NYG

80.  Terrence Austin      @ NYG

81.  Donte’ Stallworth    @ NYG

82.  Andre Caldwell      @ StL

83.  Mario Manningham vs Was

84.  DeSean Jackson     vs NYJ

85.  Mike Williams        @ Chi

86.  Ben Obomanu        @ Chi

87.  Brian Hartline         @ Buf

88.  T.J. Houshmandzadeh vs Det

89.  Patrick Turner        @ Phi

90.  Lee Evans              @ SD

91.  Hines Ward            @ SF

92.  Jerricho Cotchery   @ SF

93.  Eddie Royal            vs NE

94.  Jonathan Baldwin    vs GB

95.  Legedu Naanee      @ Hou

96.  Brandon LaFell       @ Hou

97.  Chastin West          @ Atl

98.  Jarett Dillard           @ Atl

99.  Kassim Osgood      @ Atl

100.  Brandon Gibson   vs Cin

101.   Austin Pettis     vs Cin

102.  Julian Edelman  @ Den

103.  Denarius Moore           vs Det

104.  Braylon Edwards          vs Pit

 

Tight Ends

1.      Rob Gronkowski    @ Den

2.      Jimmy Graham        @ Min

3.      Jermichael Finley    @ KC

4.      Jason Witten           @ TB

5.      Jake Ballard           vs Was

6.      Brandon Pettigrew @ Oak

7.      Jermaine Gresham  @ StL

8.      Jared Cook            @ Ind

9.      Tony Gonzalez        vs Jac

10.  Owen Daniels         vs Car

11.  Dustin Keller          @ Phi

12.  Antonio Gates        vs Bal

13.  Visanthe Shiancoe  vs NO

14.  Kellen Winslow      vs Dal

15.  Vernon Davis         vs Pit

16.  Jacob Tamme         vs Ten

17.  Heath Miller           @ SF

18.  Zach Miller              @ Chi

19.  Aaron Hernandez   @ Den

20.  Brent Celek            vs NYJ

21.  Greg Olsen             @ Hou

22.  Lance Kendricks    vs Cin

23.  Ed Dickson            @ SD

24.  Logan Paulsen        @ NYG

25.  Marcedes Lewis     @ Atl

26.  Kevin Boss              vs Det

27.  Evan Moore           @ Ari

28.  Dennis Pitta            @ SD

29.  Anthony Fasano     @ Buf

30.  Joel Dreessen         vs Car

31.  Jeff King                 vs Cle

32.  Todd Heap             vs Cle

33.  Daniel Fells           vs NE

34.  Rob Housler           vs Cle

35.  Leonard Pope        vs GB

36.  Kellen Davis           vs Sea

37.  Kyle Rudolph         vs NO

38.  Jeremy Shockey     @ Hou

39.  Dallas Clark           vs Ten

 

Defenses

1.      Cincinnati Bengals @ StL

2.      Atlanta Falcons       vs Jac

3.      Dallas Cowboys     @ TB

4.      Arizona Cardinals   vs Cle

5.      Pittsburgh Steelers @ SF

6.      Houston Texans      vs Car

7.      Tennessee Titans    @ Ind

8.      Green Bay Packers @ KC

9.      Seattle Seahawks   @ Chi

10.  Miami Dolphins      @ Buf

11.  New Orleans Saints @ Min

12.  Baltimore Ravens    @ SD

13.  Jacksonville Jaguars @ Atl

14.  New England Patriots @ Den

15.  Carolina Panthers   @ Hou

16.  Chicago Bears        vs Sea

17.  Buffalo Bills            vs Mia

18.  Detroit Lions          @ Oak

19.  Cleveland Browns  @ Ari

20.  San Diego Chargers vs Bal

21.  San Francisco 49ers vs Pit

22.  Indianapolis Colts   vs Ten

23.  St. Louis Rams       vs Cin

24.  Washington Redskins @ NYG

25.  Philadelphia Eagles vs NYJ

26.  New York Jets       @ Phi

27.  New York Giants   vs Was

28.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dal

29.  Oakland Raiders     vs Det

30.  Kansas City Chiefs vs GB

31.  Denver Broncos     vs NE

32.  Minnesota Vikings vs NO

 

Kickers

1.      John Kasay            @ Min

2.      Stephen Gostkowski @ Den

3.      Dan Bailey            @ TB

4.      Mason Crosby       @ KC

5.      Jason Hanson         @ Oak

6.      Graham Gano         @ NYG

7.      Rob Bironas           @ Ind

8.      Mike Nugent          @ StL

9.      Lawrence Tynes     vs Was

10.  Alex Henery           vs NYJ

11.  Matt Bryant            vs Jac

12.  Neil Rackers          vs Car

13.  Steve Hauschka      @ Chi

14.  Dan Carpenter        @ Buf

15.  Sebastian Janikowski vs Det

16.  Jay Feely                vs Cle

17.  Nick Folk               @ Phi

18.  Shaun Suisham       @ SF

19.  Ryan Longwell        vs NO

20.  Billy Cundiff            @ SD

21.  Matt Prater            vs NE

22.  Adam Vinatieri       vs Ten

23.  Ryan Succop          vs GB

24.  Robbie Gould         vs Sea

25.  Nick Novak           vs Bal

26.  David Rayner         vs Mia

27.  Adi Kunalic            @ Hou

28.  Connor Barth         vs Dal

29.  Phil Dawson           @ Ari

30.  David Akers           vs Pit

31.  Josh Brown            vs Cin

32.  Josh Scobee           @ Atl

33.  Olindo Mare           @ Hou

 

Good luck this weekend!

The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

The Sherpa’s Fantasy Football Blog

@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

Fantasy Football Sherpa’s fan page on Facebook

“4th & Inches with Jana and The Sherpa“, Wed. nights 9:30-10:30pm Eastern on Blog Talk Radio

Jacksonville at Atlanta (Thursday night) – MJD will find it tough to run against the Falcon defense, but Blaine Gabbert should have plenty of opportunities to complete passes to wide-open receivers, if any of them are healthy enough to actually make it out on the field.  Atlanta is dealing with a number of injuries of its own to key players, but they’ll still have enough firepower to stay in the playoff hunt.  Atlanta 24, Jacksonville 17.

• Jacksonville
  • Start:  N/A
  • Neutral:  RB Maurice Jones-Drew, WR Jason Hill, TE Marcedes Lewis, DEF
  • Sit:  QB Blaine Gabbert, WRs Mike Thomas (Out-concussion), Chastin West, Jarett Dillard, & Kassim Osgood, K Josh Scobee (Questionable-groin)
• Atlanta
  • Start:  RB Michael Turner (Probable-groin), WR Roddy White, TE Tony Gonzalez, DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Matt Ryan, WRs Julio Jones (Probable-back) & Harry Douglas (Probable-groin), K Matt Bryant
  • Sit:  RBs Jason Snelling & Jacquizz Rodgers

 

Dallas at Tampa Bay (Saturday night) – No DeMarco Murray?  No problem, Dallas will still win easily.  Against most teams fill-in running back Felix Jones would be a risky start this week, but against Tampa Bay he could well be a top-5 running back.  Even if the Cowboys get out to a big lead early, don’t expect much fantasy production from the recently-signed Sammy Morris.  Be wary of starting LeGarrette Blount this week - he doesn’t play much in passing situations, which should describe the Bucs’ predicament early and often.  Dallas 30, Tampa Bay 17.

• Dallas
  • Start:  QB Tony Romo, RB Felix Jones, WRs Miles Austin & Dez Bryant, TE Jason Witten, DEF, K Dan Bailey
  • Neutral:  WR Laurent Robinson (Questionable-shoulder)
  • Sit:  RB Sammy Morris
• Tampa Bay
  • Start:  QB Josh Freeman (Probable-shoulder), WR Mike Williams, TE Kellen Winslow
  • Neutral:  WR Dez Briscoe
  • Sit:  RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Arrelious Benn (Out-concussion), DEF, K Connor Barth

 

Carolina at Houston (Sunday early) – It’s an odd coincidence that in a season where their team slogan could easily be “Next man up” the Texans have qualified for the playoffs for the first time.  Don’t count on T.J. Yates throwing for 300 yards again this week; expect Houston to rely heavily on Arian Foster with Andre Johnson out once again.  Cam Newton should be a shoo-in for Rookie of the Year, but you still shouldn’t start him this week against Houston’s #1-ranked defense.  Houston 24, Carolina 20.

• Carolina
  • Start:  WR Steve Smith
  • Neutral:  RBs DeAngelo Williams & Jonathan Stewart, TE Greg Olsen (Probable-back), DEF
  • Sit:  QB Cam Newton, WRs Legedu Naanee & Brandon LaFell, TE Jeremy Shockey, K Olindo Mare or K Adi Kunalic (whoever starts)
• Houston
  • Start:  RB Arian Foster, TE Owen Daniels, DEF
  • Neutral:  RB Ben Tate, WRs Jacoby Jones & Kevin Walter (Probable-knee), TE Joel Dreessen (Questionable-knee), K Neil Rackers
  • Sit:  QB T.J. Yates (Probable-elbow), WR Andre Johnson (Out-hamstring)

 

Tennessee at Indianapolis – No matter whether it’s Matt Hasselbeck or Jake Locker starting at quarterback for Tennessee, they should be able to post huge offensive totals against the Colts’ defense.  However, the Colts’ offense under Dan Orlovsky has improved just enough to make this an interesting game for the curious.  Chris Johnson has looked like a new man the last few weeks; expect that to continue for at least another week.  Tennessee 27, Indianapolis 21.

• Tennessee
  • Start:  QB Matt Hasselbeck (Questionable-calf) or QB Jake Locker (Probable-chest) (whoever starts), RB Chris Johnson, WR Damian Williams, TE Jared Cook, DEF
  • Neutral:  WRs Nate Washington & Lavelle Hawkins, K Rob Bironas
  • Sit:  RB Javon Ringer (Out-hand)
• Indianapolis
  • Start:  QB Dan Orlovsky, WR Reggie Wayne, TE Jacob Tamme
  • Neutral:  RBs Joseph Addai, Donald Brown & Delone Carter; WRs Pierre Garcon & Austin Collie, DEF
  • Sit:  TE Dallas Clark (Questionable-neck), K Adam Vinatieri

 

Green Bay at Kansas City – The Chiefs will be the latest team to attempt to knock the Packers from their unbeaten perch, but even if Kyle Orton is able to make his debut as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback, that’s unlikely to happen.  Jonathan Baldwin has been a disappointment for the Chiefs - he’s not even the best rookie wide receiver named Baldwin.  The Green Bay offensive machine will continue to merrily roll along, but they still need to improve their defense if they’re going to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders.  Green Bay 30, Kansas City 21.

• Green Bay
  • Start:  QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Jordy Nelson, TE Jermichael Finley, DEF, K Mason Crosby
  • Neutral:  RBs James Starks (Questionable-knee) & Ryan Grant, WRs Donald Driver & James Jones
  • Sit:  RB Brandon Saine (Questionable-concussion), WRs Greg Jennings (Out-knee) & Randall Cobb
• Kansas City
  • Start:  WR Dwayne Bowe
  • Neutral:  QB Tyler Palko or QB Kyle Orton (Probable-finger) (whoever starts), RB Dexter McCluster, WR Steve Breaston
  • Sit:  RBs Jackie Battle & Thomas Jones, WR Jonathan Baldwin, TE Leonard Pope, DEF, K Ryan Succop

 

Seattle at Chicago - Chicago had a game to forget last week in Denver, although Brian Urlacher’s post-game line about Tim Tebow (”He’s a good running back”) was one of the best lines of the year.  Marshawn Lynch has been the top running back in football the last half dozen games, and he’ll continue operating in Beast Mode this weekend.  Caleb Hanie is showing that he’s not the long-term answer for the Bears as a back-up, much less as a starter.  Matt Forte and Jay Cutler will both watch the game from the sidelines.  Seattle 24, Chicago 21.

• Seattle
  • Start:  RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Doug Baldwin (Probable-ankle), TE Zach Miller, DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Tarvaris Jackson (Probable-pectoral), WR Golden Tate, K Steve Hauschka
  • Sit:  WRs Mike Williams & Ben Obomanu
• Chicago
  • Start:  RB Marion Barber
  • Neutral:  QB Caleb Hanie, WRs Devin Hester (Questionable-ankle), Johnny Knox, Roy Williams, & Earl Bennett; DEF
  • Sit:  QB Jay Cutler (Out-thumb), RBs Matt Forte (Out-knee) & Khalil Bell, TE Kellen Davis, K Robbie Gould

 

Miami at Buffalo – Miami fired its head coach this week; Buffalo didn’t.  Still, the two teams have one important trait in common - they’re both heading in the wrong direction.  Unfortunately, neither will get a shot at Andrew Luck next Spring, but both are likely to have one of the top ten picks in the draft.  Reggie Bush has been one of the few bright spots for the Dolphins this season, and this week should be no exception.  Ryan Fitzpatrick will give the Bills’ faithful even more reason to question why the team decided to sign him to a long-term contract during the middle of this season.  Miami 24, Buffalo 21.

• Miami
  • Start:  RB Reggie Bush, WR Brandon Marshall, DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Matt Moore (Questionable-concussion) or QB J.P. Losman (whoever starts), WR Davone Bess, TE Anthony Fasano (Questionable-ribs), K Dan Carpenter
  • Sit:  RB Daniel Thomas, WR Brian Hartline
• Buffalo
  • Start:  QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Steve Johnson
  • Neutral:  WRs David Nelson & Naaman Roosevelt, DEF
  • Sit:  RBs C.J. Spiller, Tashard Choice, & Johnny White; TE Scott Chandler (Out-ankle), K David Rayner (Probable-groin)

 

New Orleans at Minnesota – If any team in the NFC looks capable of beating Green Bay at its own game, it’s the Saints.  Mark Ingram will miss another game, but New Orleans has more than enough depth to cover for him.  Adrian Peterson is likely to play, but if the Saints get out to a big, early lead, as expected, then Christain Ponder will spend a lot of time throwing the football, in all likelihood to someone other than Peterson.  New Orleans 41, Minnesota 21.

• New Orleans
  • Start:  QB Drew Brees, RB Darren Sproles, WR Marques Colston, TE Jimmy Graham (Probable-back), DEF, K John Kasay
  • Neutral:  RB Pierre Thomas, WR Lance Moore
  • Sit:  RBs Mark Ingram (Out-toe) & Chris Ivory, WRs Robert Meachem & Devery Henderson
• Minnesota
  • Start:  QB Christian Ponder (Probable-hip), RB Adrian Peterson (Probable-ankle), WR Percy Harvin, TE Visanthe Shiancoe
  • Neutral:  WR Greg Camarillo (Probable-concussion) & Devin Aromashodu, K Ryan Longwell
  • Sit:  QB Joe Webb, RB Toby Gerhart, TE Kyle Rudolph, DEF

 

Cincinnati at St. Louis – The fact that Kellen Clemens (yes, him) will likely start this game for St. Louis tells you everything you need to know about what kind of season 2011 has been for them.  On the other side of the field rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and rookie wide receiver A.J. Green are showing signs of becoming a very good tandem.  Cincinnati 27, St. Louis 14.

• Cincinnati
  • Start:  RB Cedric Benson (Probable-back), WR A.J. Green, TE Jermaine Gresham, DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Andy Dalton, WR Jerome Simpson, K Mike Nugent
  • Sit:  RB Bernard Scott, WR Andre Caldwell
• St. Louis
  • Start:  WR Brandon Lloyd
  • Neutral:  QB Kellen Clemens, TE Lance Kendricks, DEF
  • Sit:  QBs A.J. Feeley (Out-thumb) & Sam Bradford (Doubtful-ankle), RB Steven Jackson, WRs Brandon Gibson & Austin Pettis, K Josh Brown

 

Washington at New York Giants – Both teams are relatively healthy, but even so, stay away from Giants’ running back Ahmad Bradshaw this weekend.  Eli Manning and Rex Grossman should both have a field day against the opposing secondary; the one big difference between the two is that Grossman may still be available on your league’s waiver wire. Washington 28, New York 27.

• Washington
  • Start:  QB Rex Grossman, RB Roy Helu, WRs Santana Moss & Jabar Gaffney
  • Neutral:  TE Logan Paulsen, DEF, K Graham Gano
  • Sit:  WRs Donte’ Stallworth (Probable-ankle), Anthony Armstrong, & Terrence Austin
• New York
  • Start:  QB Eli Manning, WRs Hakeem Nicks & Victor Cruz, TE Jake Ballard
  • Neutral:  RBs Ahmad Bradshaw (Probable-foot) & Brandon Jacobs, DEF, K Lawrence Tynes
  • Sit:  RBs D.J. Ware & Da’Rel Scott, WR Mario Manningham

Detroit at Oakland (Sunday late) – Both these teams can be high-scoring and fun to watch, but Detroit is a lot healthier right now than Oakland, and the game’s final score will probably reflect that.  Matthew Stafford has remained healthy, so Detroit hasn’t missed injured running back Kevin Smith too much.  Meanwhile, Oakland has been without Darren McFadden most of the season and has had a quarterback change and a rotating cast of characters at wide receiver.  Somehow, they’re still 7-6, just one game behind the Denver Tebows Broncos.  Detroit 30, Oakland 24.

• Detroit
  • Start:  QB Matthew Stafford, WRs Calvin Johnson & Nate Burleson, TE Brandon Pettigrew, K Jason Hanson
  • Neutral:  RBs Maurice Morris & Keiland Williams, WR Titus Young, DEF
    
  • Sit:  RB Kevin Smith (Questionable-ankle)
• Oakland
  • Start:  RB Michael Bush, WRs Darrius Heyward-Bey (Probable-heel) & Chaz Schilens (Probable-foot)
  • Neutral:  QB Carson Palmer, WR Louis Murphy (Probable-hip), TE Kevin Boss, K Sebastian Janikowski
  • Sit:  RBs Darren McFadden (Out-foot) & Taiwan Jones (Questionable-hamstring), WR Denarius Moore (Questionable-foot), Jacoby Ford (Out-foot) & T.J. Houshmandzadeh

 

Cleveland at Arizona – Unless you’re a fan of either team (not likely) or have players from either team on your fantasy roster (only slightly more likely), you probably won’t watch this game.  You won’t miss much:  fill-in quarterback John Skelton will do just enough to beat fill-in quarterback Seneca Wallace.  Arizona 24, Cleveland 17.

• Cleveland
  • Start:  QB Seneca Wallace, WR Greg Little
  • Neutral:  RB Peyton Hillis, WRs Josh Cribbs (Questionable-groin) & Mohamed Massaquoi, TE Evan Moore, DEF
  • Sit:  QB Colt McCoy (Out-concussion), RBs Montario Hardesty (Questionable-calf) & Chris Ogbannaya, TE Ben Watson (Out-on IR with concussion), K Phil Dawson
• Arizona
  • Start:  RB Beanie Wells (Probable-knee), WR Larry Fitzgerald, DEF
  • Neutral:  WRs Early Doucet & Andre Roberts, K Jay Feely
  • Sit:  QB John Skelton or QB Kevin Kolb (Questionable-concussion) (whoever starts), RB LaRod Stephens-Howling, TEs Jeff King, Todd Heap, & Rob Housler (Probable-shoulder)

 

New England at Denver – Much has been made of the contrasting quarterbacking styles in the Tom Brady vs. Tim Tebow match-up, but the match-up that will actually determine the game is Brady vs. the Bronco defense.  If the Broncos hold Brady and his injured receiver corps in check, they’ll have a shot to win this game.  If not (and I don’t think they will), then I believe that Tim Tebow’s fourth-quarter “luck”  finally runs out.  New England 31, Denver 24.

• New England
  • Start:  QB Tom Brady, TE Rob Gronkowski, K Stephen Gostkowski
  • Neutral:  RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, WR Wes Welker (Questionable-knee), TE Aaron Hernandez, DEF
  • Sit:  RBs Danny Woodhead (Questionable-abdomen), Shane Vereen (Out-hamstring) & Stevan Ridley; WRs Deion Branch (Out-groin), Julian Edelman (Questionable-back) & Chad Ochocinco
• Denver
  • Start:  QB Tim Tebow, RB Willis McGahee, WRs Demaryius Thomas & Eric Decker
  • Neutral:  K Matt Prater
  • Sit:  RB Lance Ball, WR Eddie Royal (Probable-concussion), TE Daniel Fells, DEF

 

New York Jets at Philadelphia – Both teams wear green.  Both were once coached by Rich Kotite.  Both have head coaches who will never be accused of having moves like Jagger.  And both were heavily hyped as Super Bowl contenders coming into the season but may not even make the playoffs.  At least the Jets still have a fairly good shot to do so.  Don’t buy Mark Sanchez’ 4-touchdown performance last week (2 rushing, 2 passing) as a sign of things to come - he’s one of the most maddeningly inconsistent fantasy quarterbacks around.  The Eagles should continue their good game-bad game pattern with a winning effort here.  Philadelphia 27, New York 24.

• New York
  • Start:  RB Shonn Greene (Probable-rib), WR Santonio Holmes, TE Dustin Keller
  • Neutral:  QB Mark Sanchez, WRs Plaxico Burress & Jeremy Kerley, DEF, K Nick Folk
  • Sit:  RBs LaDainian Tomlinson & Joe McKnight (Probable-elbow), WR Patrick Turner
• Philadelphia
  • Start:  QB Michael Vick (Probable-ribs), RB LeSean McCoy
  • Neutral:  WRs Jeremy Maclin (Questionable-hamstring), Jason Avant, & Riley Cooper (Probable-groin), TE Brent Celek, DEF, K Alex Henery
  • Sit:  RB Ronnie Brown (Probable-hamstring), WR DeSean Jackson

 

Baltimore at San Diego (Sunday night) – With two consecutive wins the 6-7 Chargers are staging their annual late-season run at the playoffs.  Keep in mind, however, that the two teams they beat (Jacksonville and Buffalo) have a combined total of nine victories on the season.  Also keep in mind that they’re playing a Ravens’ defense that may be getting their emotional leader, Ray Lewis, back this week.  Philip Rivers and company could be in for a long afternoon, but the Chargers’ defense will keep the game close.  Baltimore 24, San Diego 21.

• Baltimore
  • Start:  RB Ray Rice, WR Anquan Boldin, DEF
  • Neutral:  WR Torrey Smith, TEs Ed Dickson & Dennis Pitta, K Billy Cundiff (Questionable-calf)
  • Sit:  QB Joe Flacco, RB Ricky Williams, WR Lee Evans
• San Diego
  • Start:  QB Philip Rivers, WR Vincent Jackson, TE Antonio Gates
  • Neutral:  WR Malcom Floyd, DEF
  • Sit:  RBs Ryan Mathews & Mike Tolbert, K Nick Novak

Pittsburgh at San Francisco (Monday night) – Both of these teams are playoff-bound, but both still have something to play for.  San Francisco can still grab the second-seed in the NFC (and the first-round playoff bye that comes with it), while the Steelers are still in a four-way fight with Baltimore, New England, and Houston for homefield advantage in the AFC playoffs.  With his team essentially down a game to the Ravens in the AFC North standings, you can almost guarantee that Ben Roethlisberger will at least try to play.  Pittsburgh 24, San Francisco 17.

• Pittsburgh
  • Start:  WR Mike Wallace, TE Heath Miller, DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Ben Roethlisberger (Questionable-ankle) or QB Charlie Batch (whoever starts), WR Antonio Brown, K Shaun Suisham
  • Sit:  RBs Rashard Mendenhall & Ike Redman, WRs Hines Ward, Emmanuel Sanders (Out-foot), & Jerricho Cotchery
• San Francisco
  • Start:  TE Vernon Davis
  • Neutral:  WR Michael Crabtree, DEF
  • Sit:  QB Alex Smith, RBs Frank Gore & Kendall Hunter, WR Braylon Edwards (Questionable-knee), K David Akers

Good luck this weekend!

The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

The Sherpa’s Fantasy Football Blog

@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

Fantasy Football Sherpa’s fan page on Facebook

“4th & Inches with Jana and The Sherpa“, Wed. nights 9:30-10:30pm Eastern on Blog Talk Radio

Which players’ status changed this past week due to injury, benching, etc., and who may be on your league’s waiver wire with the potential to make a difference for your fantasy team?

Note:  this week’s Thursday night game features Jacksonville at Atlanta, and there’s also a Saturday night game with Dallas at Tampa Bay.

Quarterback

• Injuries/benchings
  • Ben Roethlisberger (ankle)
  • Matt Hasselbeck (calf)
  • Matt Moore (concussion)
  • Kevin Kolb (concussion)
  • Colt McCoy (concussion)
• Waiver wire targets (rankings based on projected playing time and Week 15 opponents)
  • Rex Grossman (@ NYG)
  • T.J. Yates (vs Car)
  • Dan Orlovsky (vs Ten)
  • Blaine Gabbert (@ Atl)
  • Lake Locker (@ Ind)
  • J.P. Losman (@ Buf)
  • Tarvaris Jackson (@ Chi)
  • Caleb Hanie (vs Sea)
  • Seneca Wallace (@ Ari)
  • John Skelton (vs Cle)
  • Kyle Orton (vs GB)
  • Charlie Batch (@ SF)
  • Joe Webb (vs NO)

Running Back

• Injuries/benchings
  • DeMarco Murray (IR-ankle)
  • Maurice Morris (chest)
  • Javon Ringer (hand)
  • Ronnie Brown (hamstring)
  • Brandon Saine (concussion)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Felix Jones (@ TB)
  • Chris Ivory (@ Min)
  • Keiland Williams (@ Oak)
  • Khalil Bell (vs Sea)
  • John Kuhn (@ KC)
  • Cadillac Williams (vs Cin)
  • Kendall Hunter (vs Pit)

Wide Receiver

• Injuries/benchings
  • Greg Jennings (knee)
  • Steve Johnson (hand)
  • Deion Branch (groin)
  • Jeremy Maclin (hamstring)
  • Mike Thomas (concussion)
  • Nate Washington (ankle)
  • Josh Cribbs (groin)
  • Arrelious Benn (concussion)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Damian Williams (@ Ind)
  • Demaryius Thomas (vs NE)
  • Louis Murphy (vs Det)
  • Donald Driver (@ KC)
  • Golden Tate (@ Chi)
  • Kevin Walter (vs Car)
  • Devin Aromashodu (vs NO)
  • Titus Young (@ Oak)
  • Dez Briscoe (vs Dal)
  • Matt Willis (vs NE)
  • Lavelle Hawkins (@ Ind)
  • Jacoby Jones (vs Car)
  • Greg Camarillo (vs NO)
  • Greg Little (@ Ari)
  • Jonathan Baldwin (vs GB)
  • Legedu Naanee (@ Hou)
  • Brandon LaFell (@ Hou)
  • Ted Ginn Jr (vs Pit)
  • Mohamed Massaquoi (@ Ari)
  • Donte’ Stallworth (@ NYG)
  • Chastin West (@ Atl)
  • Kyle Williams (vs Pit)
  • Jarett Dillard (@ Atl)
  • Kassim Osgood (@ Atl)

Tight Ends

• Injuries/benchings
  • Jake Ballard (wrist)
  • Ben Watson (concussion)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Anthony Fasano (@ Buf)
  • Marcedes Lewis (@ Atl)
  • Kevin Boss (vs Det)
  • Greg Olsen (@ Hou)
  • Evan Moore (@ Ari)
  • Dennis Pitta (@ SD)

Kickers

• Injuries/benchings
  • Josh Scobee (knee)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Mike Nugent (@ StL)
  • Dan Bailey (@ TB)
  • Graham Gano (@ NYJ)

Defenses

• Waiver wire targets
  • Carolina (vs Hou)
  • Arizona (vs Cle)
  • Cleveland (@ Ari)

Good luck with your claims!

The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

The Sherpa’s Fantasy Football Blog

@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

Fantasy Football Sherpa’s fan page on Facebook

“4th & Inches with Jana and The Sherpa“, Wed. nights 9:30-10:30pm Eastern on Blog Talk Radio

Quarterbacks    

1.      Aaron Rodgers       vs Oak

2.      Drew Brees            @ Ten

3.      Tony Romo            vs NYG

4.      Matthew Stafford   vs Min

5.      Philip Rivers           vs Buf

6.      Joe Flacco  vs Ind

7.      Tom Brady @ Was

8.      Matt Ryan  @ Car

9.      Cam Newton          vs Atl

10.  Tim Tebow vs Chi

11.  Carson Palmer        @ GB

12.  Eli Manning            @ Dal

13.  Rex Grossman        vs NE

14.  Michael Vick          @ Mia

15.  Matt Hasselbeck    vs NO

16.  Kevin Kolb            vs SF

17.  Mark Sanchez        vs KC

18.  Blaine Gabbert       vs TB

19.  Alex Smith  @ Ari

20.  Matt Moore           vs Phi

21.  Caleb Hanie           @ Den

22.  Andy Dalton           vs Hou

23.  Ben Roethlisberger vs Cle

24.  Tarvaris Jackson     vs StL

25.  Christian Ponder     @ Det

26.  Sam Bradford         @ Sea

27.  Vince Young          @ Mia

28.  T.J. Yates   @ Cin

29.  Ryan Fitzpatrick     @ SD

30.  Tyler Palko @ NYJ

31.  Josh Johnson          @ Jac

32.  Dan Orlovsky         @ Bal

33.  Colt McCoy           @ Pit

34.  Josh Freeman         @ Jac

 

Running Backs

1.      DeMarco Murray   vs NYG

2.      Ray Rice    vs Ind

3.      Rashard Mendenhall           vs Cle

4.      Michael Turner       @ Car

5.      Roy Helu    vs NE

6.      LeSean McCoy      @ Mia

7.      Maurice Jones-Drew          vs TB

8.      Frank Gore            @ Ari

9.      Michael Bush          @ GB

10.  Shonn Greene         vs KC

11.  Chris Johnson         vs NO

12.  Reggie Bush           vs Phi

13.  Arian Foster           @ Cin

14.  Toby Gerhart          @ Det

15.  C.J. Spiller @ SD

16.  Dexter McCluster   @ NYJ

17.  Marion Barber        @ Den

18.  Marshawn Lynch    vs StL

19.  LeGarrette Blount   @ Jac

20.  Pierre Thomas        @ Ten

21.  Darren Sproles       @ Ten

22.  Maurice Morris      vs Min

23.  Ryan Mathews       vs Buf

24.  Mike Tolbert          vs Buf

25.  Ricky Williams        vs Ind

26.  BenJarvus Green-Ellis         @ Was

27.  Isaac Redman         vs Cle

28.  Ahmad Bradshaw   @ Dal

29.  Brandon Jacobs      @ Dal

30.  Thomas Jones         @ NYJ

31.  Cedric Benson        vs Hou

32.  Donald Brown        @ Bal

33.  Willis McGahee      vs Chi

34.  Ryan Grant vs Oak

35.  Brandon Saine        vs Oak

36.  Felix Jones vs NYG

37.  Keiland Williams     vs Min

38.  Stevan Ridley         @ Was

39.  Jason Snelling         @ Car

40.  Jacquizz Rodgers    @ Car

41.  Ronnie Brown        @ Mia

42.  DeAngelo Williams vs Atl

43.  Jonathan Stewart    vs Atl

44.  Lance Ball  vs Chi

45.  Kendall Hunter       @ Ari

46.  Marcel Reece         @ GB

47.  D.J. Ware  @ Dal

48.  Da’Rel Scott           @ Dal

49.  LaDainian Tomlinson          vs KC

50.  Javon Ringer           vs NO

51.  Daniel Thomas        vs Phi

52.  Ben Tate    @ Cin

53.  LaRod Stephens-Howling   vs SF

54.  Tashard Choice      @ SD

55.  Johnny White          @ SD

56.  Beanie Wells          vs SF

57.  Jackie Battle           @ NYJ

58.  Bernard Scott         vs Hou

59.  Steven Jackson       @ Sea

60.  Delone Carter         @ Bal

61.  Joseph Addai         @ Bal

62.  Chris Ogbonnaya    @ Pit

63.  Montario Hardesty @ Pit

64.  Danny Woodhead  @ Was

65.  Peyton Hillis           @ Pit

 

Wide Receivers

1.      Greg Jennings         vs Oak

2.      Jordy Nelson          vs Oak

3.      Marques Colston    @ Ten

4.      Dez Bryant vs NYG

5.      Calvin Johnson       vs Min

6.      Nate Burleson        vs Min

7.      Vincent Jackson     vs Buf

8.      Malcom Floyd        vs Buf

9.      Anquan Boldin        vs Ind

10.  Mike Wallace         vs Cle

11.  Deion Branch         @ Was

12.  Wes Welker           @ Was

13.  Roddy White          @ Car

14.  Santana Moss         vs NE

15.  Jabar Gaffney         vs NE

16.  Santonio Holmes    vs KC

17.  DeSean Jackson     @ Mia

18.  Riley Cooper          @ Mia

19.  Mike Thomas         vs TB

20.  Jason Hill    vs TB

21.  Steve Smith            vs Atl

22.  Eric Decker            vs Chi

23.  Demaryius Thomas vs Chi

24.  Michael Crabtree    @ Ari

25.  Darrius Heyward-Bey         @ GB

26.  Hakeem Nicks       @ Dal

27.  Victor Cruz            @ Dal

28.  Chaz Schilens         @ GB

29.  Damian Williams     vs NO

30.  Brandon Marshall   vs Phi

31.  Larry Fitzgerald      vs SF

32.  Steve Johnson        @ SD

33.  Percy Harvin          @ Det

34.  Doug Baldwin         vs StL

35.  Mike Williams        @ Jac

36.  A.J. Green  vs Hou

37.  Brandon Lloyd       @ Sea

38.  Lance Moore         @ Ten

39.  Titus Young            vs Min

40.  Torrey Smith          vs Ind

41.  Antonio Brown       vs Cle

42.  Julio Jones  @ Car

43.  Harry Douglas        @ Car

44.  Anthony Armstrong            vs NE

45.  Plaxico Burress       vs KC

46.  Jason Avant            @ Mia

47.  Legedu Naanee      vs Atl

48.  Brandon LaFell       vs Atl

49.  Jerome Kerley        vs KC

50.  Jeremy Maclin        @ Mia

51.  Mario Manningham @ Dal

52.  Lavelle Hawkins     vs NO

53.  Davone Bess          vs Phi

54.  Jacoby Ford           @ Cin

55.  Devin Aromashodu @ Det

56.  Early Doucet          vs SF

57.  Andre Roberts        vs SF

58.  David Nelson         @ SD

59.  Brad Smith @ SD

60.  Dwayne Bowe        @ NYJ

61.  Steve Breaston       @ NYJ

62.  Johnny Knox          @ Den

63.  Devin Hester          @ Den

64.  Roy Williams          @ Den

65.  Earl Bennett            @ Den

66.  Ben Obomanu        vs StL

67.  Golden Tate           vs StL

68.  Jerome Simpson     vs Hou

69.  Brandon Gibson     @ Sea

70.  Austin Pettis           @ Sea

71.  Reggie Wayne        @ Bal

72.  Greg Little  @ Pit

73.  Josh Cribbs            @ Pit

74.  Miles Austin           vs NYG

75.  Laurent Robinson   vs NYG

76.  Kevin Walter          @ Cin

77.  Donald Driver         vs Oak

78.  James Jones           vs Oak

79.  Devery Henderson  @ Ten

80.  Robert Meachem    @ Ten

81.  Vincent Brown       vs Buf

82.  Lee Evans  vs Ind

83.  Hines Ward            vs Cle

84.  Jerricho Cotchery   vs Cle

85.  Patrick Turner        vs KC

86.  Louis Murphy         @ GB

87.  T.J. Houshmandzadeh         @ GB

88.  Ramses Barden      @ Dal

89.  Terrence Austin      vs NE

90.  Brian Hartline         vs Phi

91.  Greg Camarillo       @ Det

92.  Naaman Roosevelt @ SD

93.  Jonathan Baldwin    @ NYJ

94.  Mike Williams        vs StL

95.  Arrelious Benn        @ Jac

96.  Preston Parker       @ Jac

97.  Dez Briscoe            @ Jac

98.  Andre Caldwell      vs Hou

99.  Andrew Hawkins    vs Hou

100.          Pierre Garcon   @ Bal

101.          Austin Collie     @ Bal

102.          Mohamed Massaquoi   @ Pit

103.          Eddie Royal      vs Chi

104.          Braylon Edwards          @ Ari

105.          Nate Washington          vs NO

 

Tight Ends

1.      Jermichael Finley    vs Oak

2.      Jimmy Graham        @ Ten

3.      Jason Witten           vs NYG

4.      Brandon Pettigrew  vs Min

5.      Antonio Gates        vs Buf

6.      Rob Gronkowski    @ Was

7.      Aaron Hernandez   @ Was

8.      Tony Gonzalez        @ Car

9.      Heath Miller           vs Cle

10.  Dustin Keller          vs KC

11.  Brent Celek            @ Mia

12.  Vernon Davis         @ Ari

13.  Marcedes Lewis     vs TB

14.  Jared Cook            vs NO

15.  Anthony Fasano     vs Phi

16.  Owen Daniels         @ Cin

17.  Visanthe Shiancoe  @ Det

18.  Zach Miller vs StL

19.  Kellen Winslow      @ Jac

20.  Jermaine Gresham  vs Hou

21.  Ben Watson           @ Pit

22.  Ed Dickson            vs Ind

23.  Dennis Pitta            vs Ind

24.  Greg Olsen vs Atl

25.  Brandon Myers      @ GB

26.  Kevin Boss @ GB

27.  Joel Dreessen         @ Cin

28.  Lance Kendricks    @ Sea

29.  Jacob Tamme         @ Bal

30.  John Phillips            vs NYG

31.  Logan Paulsen        vs NE

32.  Jeremy Shockey     vs Atl

33.  Daniel Fells vs Chi

34.  Kyle Rudolph         @ Det

35.  Jeff King     vs SF

36.  Rob Housler           vs SF

37.  Leonard Pope        @ NYJ

38.  Kellen Davis           @ Den

39.  Evan Moore           @ Pit

40.  Todd Heap vs SF

41.  Dallas Clark           @ Bal

 

Defenses

1.      Baltimore Ravens    vs Ind

2.      Jacksonville Jaguars            vs TB

3.      Houston Texans      @ Cin

4.      Seattle Seahawks   vs StL

5.      New York Jets       vs KC

6.      Denver Broncos     vs Chi

7.      St. Louis Rams       @ Sea

8.      New Orleans Saints            @ Ten

9.      Philadelphia Eagles @ Mia

10.  Cincinnati Bengals   vs Hou

11.  Detroit Lions          vs Min

12.  San Francisco 49ers           @ Ari

13.  San Diego Chargers            vs Buf

14.  Pittsburgh Steelers  vs Cle

15.  New England Patriots         @ Was

16.  Kansas City Chiefs @ NYJ

17.  Miami Dolphins      vs Phi

18.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers      @ Jac

19.  Atlanta Falcons       @ Car

20.  Chicago Bears        @ Den

21.  Arizona Cardinals   vs SF

22.  Green Bay Packers vs Oak

23.  Dallas Cowboys     vs NYG

24.  Cleveland Browns  @ Pit

25.  Washington Redskins          vs NE

26.  Carolina Panthers   vs Atl

27.  Indianapolis Colts   @ Bal

28.  Minnesota Vikings  @ Det

29.  Buffalo Bills            @ SD

30.  Tennessee Titans    vs NO

31.  New York Giants   @ Dal

32.  Oakland Raiders     @ GB

 

 Kickers

1.      Mason Crosby       vs Oak

2.      John Kasay            @ Ten

3.      Dan Bailey  vs NYG

4.      Jason Hanson         vs Min

5.      Nick Novak           vs Buf

6.      Shaun Suisham       vs Cle

7.      Stephen Gostkowski           @ Was

8.      Matt Bryant            @ Car

9.      Graham Gano         vs NE

10.  Nick Folk   vs KC

11.  Alex Henery           @ Mia

12.  Josh Scobee           vs TB

13.  Olindo Mare           vs Atl

14.  Matt Prater vs Chi

15.  David Akers           @ Ari

16.  Sebastian Janikowski          @ GB

17.  Lawrence Tynes     @ Dal

18.  Billy Cundiff            vs Ind

19.  Rob Bironas           vs NO

20.  Daniel Carpenter    vs Phi

21.  Neil Rackers          @ Cin

22.  Ryan Longwell        @ Det

23.  Jay Feely    vs SF

24.  Dave Rayner          @ SD

25.  Ryan Succop          @ NYJ

26.  Robbie Gould         @ Den

27.  Steve Hauschka      vs StL

28.  Connor Barth         @ Jac

29.  Mike Nugent          vs Hou

30.  Josh Brown            @ Sea

31.  Adam Vinatieri       @ Bal

32.  Phil Dawson           @ Pit

 

 

Good luck this weekend!The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

The Sherpa’s Fantasy Football Blog

@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

Fantasy Football Sherpa’s fan page on Facebook

“4th & Inches with Jana and The Sherpa“, Wed. nights 9:30-10:30pm Eastern on Blog Talk Radio

Cleveland at Pittsburgh (Thursday night) – One of these teams is headed to the playoffs; the other isn’t.  If you need me to tell you which is which,  chances are you’re not involved in your fantasy league’s playoffs, in which case you probably wouldn’t be reading this.  Fair enough?  Pittsburgh 27, Cleveland 10.

• Cleveland
  • Start:  TE Ben Watson
  • Neutral:  WRs Greg Little & Joshua Cribbs, DEF
  • Sit:  QB Colt McCoy (Probable-knee), RBs Peyton Hillis (Questionable-hip), Montario Hardesty (Probable-calf), & Chris Ogbannaya; WR Mohamed Massaquoi, TE Evan Moore, K Phil Dawson
• Pittsburgh
  • Start:  RB Rashard Mendenhall (Probable-back), WR Mike Wallace, TE Heath Miller (Probable-ankle), DEF
  • Neutral:  Ben Roethlisberger (Probable-thumb), RB Isaac Redman (Probable-ankle), WR Antonio Brown, K Shaun Suisham
  • Sit:  WRs Hines Ward, Emmanuel Sanders (Out-foot), & Jerricho Cotchery (Probable-knee)

 

Indianapolis at Baltimore (Sunday early) – Lost in the attention this week being paid to Indy quarterbacks of the past (Peyton Manning) and future (Andrew Luck) is the fact that the Colts’ quarterback of the present (aka Dan Orlovsky) played a respectable game (at least fantasy-wise) in the team’s closer-than-expected loss to New England last weekend.  However, you must remember this:  a loss is still a loss, a bye is still a bye; and the fundamental things apply as time goes by.  Baltimore 28, Indianapolis 13.

• Indianapolis
  • Start:  N/A
  • Neutral:  RB Donald Brown, WR Reggie Wayne, TE Jacob Tamme, DEF
  • Sit:  Dan Orlovsky, RBs Delone Carter & Joseph Addai, WRs Pierre Garcon & Austin Collie, TE Dallas Clark (Questionable-fibula), K Adam Vinatieri
• Baltimore
  • Start:  QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, WR Anquan Boldin, DEF
  • Neutral:  RB Ricky Williams, WR Torrey Smith, TE Ed Dickson & Dennis Pitta, K Billy Cundiff (Questionable-calf)
  • Sit:  WR Lee Evans

 

New England at Washington – Anybody expecting this game to be a cakewalk for the Patriots will be pleasantly surprised (unless you’re a Patriots’ fan, of course).  Tom Brady’s season may not be receiving quite the attention that Drew Brees’ and Aaron Rodgers’ are, but if he’s been anchoring your fantasy team, you undoubtedly know how good he’s been.  The Redskins will miss the suspended Fred Davis, but Santana Moss looked good in his return last week and should be in for a huge game against New England’s woeful secondary.  New England 27, Washington 24.

• New England
  • Start:  QB Tom Brady, WRs Wes Welker (Probable-knee) & Deion Branch, TEs Rob Gronkowski & Aaron Hernandez
  • Neutral:  RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, DEF, K Stephen Gostkowski
  • Sit:  RBs Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen (Questionable-hamstring) & Danny Woodhead (Questionable-abdomen)
• Washington
  • Start:  QB Rex Grossman (Probable-shoulder), RB Roy Helu, WRs Santana Moss & Jabar Gaffney
  • Neutral:  WR Anthony Armstrong, DEF, K Graham Gano
  • Sit:  WR Terrence Armstrong (Probable-hamstring), TE Logan Paulsen

 

New Orleans at Tennessee – Green Bay may be undefeated, but with the Packers’ pass defense being so lousy, the Saints should be considered the favorites to represent the NFC in Indianapolis in February.  Don’t pin your playoff hopes on any of the Saints’ wide receivers other than Marques Colston - the others are too hit-or-miss.  Chris Johnson’s resurgence will continue this week, but it won’t be enough to prevent the inevitable.  New Orleans 34, Tennessee 21.

• New Orleans
  • Start:  QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, TE Jimmy Graham, DEF, K John Kasasy
  • Neutral:  RB Pierre Thomas, & Darren Sproles; WR Lance Moore
  • Sit:  RB Mark Ingram (Out-toe), WRs Devery Henderson & Robert Meachem
• Tennessee
  • Start:  QB Matt Hasselbeck, RB Chris Johnson, WR Damian Williams, TE Jared Cook
  • Neutral:  WR Lavelle Hawkins
  • Sit:  RB Javon Ringer, WR Nate Washington (Questionable-ankle), DEF, K Rob Bironas

 

Kansas City at New York Jets – The Chiefs, my preseason pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, showed some signs of life in last weekend’s upset in Chicago, but it will take more than a deflected Hail Mary pass caught by Dexter McCluster to beat the Jets.  Jackie Battle has returned to fantasy irrelevance, but Dexter McCluster has shown signs the last few games of becoming fantasy-relevant (or at least Darren Sproles-lite, if that’s possible).  Don’t expect much from Shonn Greene, Mark Sanchez, et. al. - as usual, the Jets will do just enough to eke out the victory.  New York 24, Kansas City 20.

• Kansas City
  • Start:  RB Dexter McCluster
  • Neutral:  RB Thomas Jones, WRs Dwayne Bowe & Steve Breaston, DEF
  • Sit:  QB Tyler Palko & QB Kyle Orton (Doutbful-finger) (whoever starts), RB Jackie Battle, WR Jonathan Baldwin, TE Leonard Pope, K Ryan Succop
• New York
  • Start:  RB Shonn Greene (Probable-rib), WR Santonio Holmes, TE Dustin Keller, DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Mark Sanchez, WRs POlaxico Burress & Jeremy Kerley (Probable-knee), K Nick Folk
  • Sit:  RBs Joe McKnight (Questionable-elbow) & LaDainian Tomlinson (Probable-knee), WR Patrick Turner

 

Philadelphia at Miami - Yes, Philadelphia’s season has been a yo-yo, and Miami has played a lot better its last five games.  Still, the Eagles have the superior talent, and with Michael Vick returning, there’s a greater chance that will be evident on the field too this week, not just on paper.  Matt Moore and Reggie Bush have been quietly effective for the Dolphins lately, but don’t bet on the latter to have a big game against Philadelphia’s secondary.  Philadelphia 24, Miami 21.

• Philadelphia
  • Start:  QB Michael Vick (Probable-ribs), RB LeSean McCoy, WRs DeSean Jackson & Riley Cooper, TE Brent Celek, DEF
  • Neutral:  WRs Jason Avant & Jeremy Maclin (Probable-hamstring), K Alex Henery
  • Sit:  QB Vince Young, RB Ronnie Brown
• Miami
  • Start:  RB Reggie Bush, WR Brandon Marshall, TE Anthony Fasano
  • Neutral:  QB Matt Moore, WR Davone Bess, DEF
  • Sit:  RB Daniel Thomas, WR Brian Hartline, K Dan Carpenter

 

Tampa Bay at Jacksonville – The battle of the misfit Florida teams will feature two running backs who can both carry a team.  Unfortunately, LeGarrette Blount tends to disappear for long stretches when his team gets behind and is forced to rely heavily on the passing game, but that shouldn’t be the case this weekend.  Still, Jacksonville’s defense is much stronger than Tampa’s, and that should be reflected in the final score.  Jacksonville 24, Tampa Bay 17.

• Tampa Bay
  • Start:  RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Mike Williams, TE Kellen Winslow
  • Neutral:  DEF
  • Sit:  QB Josh Freeman (Questionable-shoulder) or QB Josh Johnson (whoever starts), WRs Arrelious Benn, Preston Parker, & Dez Briscoe; K Connor Barth
• Jacksonville
  • Start:  RB Maurice Jones-Drew, WRs Mike Thomas & Jason Hill, TE Marcedes Lewis (Probable-ankle), DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Blaine Gabbert, K Josh Scobee
  • Sit:  RB Deji Karim

 

Atlanta at Carolina – At first glance you’d think Atlanta would be a prohibitive favorite in this game, but with so many Falcon offensive players hurt, Carolina will keep this game close.    Stay away from both of the Carolina running backs if you can help it - they’re too unpredictable, and they’re going against a very good run defense.  Atlanta 27, Carolina 24.

• Atlanta
  • Start:  QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner (Probable-groin), WR Roddy White (Probable-shoulder), TE Tony Gonzalez
  • Neutral:  WRs Julio Jones (Probable-hamstring), & Harry Douglas (Probable-groin), DEF, K Matt Bryant
  • Sit:  RBs Jason Snelling & Jacquizz Rodgers
• Carolina
  • Start:  QB Cam Newton, WR Steve Smith
  • Neutral:  WRs Legedu Naanee & Brandon LaFell, TE Greg Olsen (Probable-knee), DEF, K Olindo Mare
  • Sit:  RBs DeAngelo Williams & Jonathan Stewart, TE Jeremy Shockey

 

Houston at Cincinnati – Even down to their third-string quarterback it will be almost impossible for the Texans to blow the chance to make the playoffs for the first time in their existence.  They may not last long once they get there, but that’s another story for another day.  The Andy Dalton-A.J. Green show should supply its requisite amount of excitement, but the Texans’ defense will be slightly too much for the Bengals to overcome.  Houston 21, Cincinnati 17.

• Houston
  • Start:  RB Arian Foster, TE Owen Daniels, DEF
  • Neutral:  WRs Jacoby Ford & Kevin Walter (Questionable-illness), TE Joel Dreessen (Probable-groin)
  • Sit:  QB T.J. Yates, RB Ben Tate, WR Andre Johnson (Out-hamstring), K Neil Rackers
• Cincinnati
  • Start:  WR A.J. Green, TE Jermaine Gresham, DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Andy Dalton, RB Cedric Benson (Probable-foot), WR Jerome Simpson
  • Sit:  RB Bernard Scott, WRs Andre Caldwell & Andrew Hawkins, K Mike Nugent

 

Minnesota at Detroit – Minnesota is too banged up to have much of a chance to win.  Matthew Stafford (knock on turf) and the Lions are relatively healthy, and they should be able to run or pass to their hearts content against what will be a tired Viking defense.  Detroit 31, Minnesota 21.

• Minnesota
  • Start:  RB Toby Gerhart, WR Percy Harvin (Probable-finger), TE Visanthe Shiancoe (Probable-hand)
  • Neutral: QB Christian Ponder (Questionable-hip), WR Devin Aromashodu
  • Sit:  RB Adrian Peterson (Questionable-ankle), WR Greg Camarillo, TE Kyle Rudolph, DEF, K Ryan Longwell
• Detroit
  • Start:  QB Matthew Stafford, WRs Calvin Johnson & Nate Burleson, TE Brandon Pettigrew, DEF, K Jason Hanson
  • Neutral:  RBs Kevin Smith (Questionable-ankle) & Maurice Morris, WR Titus Young
  • Sit:  RB Keiland Williams

Chicago at Denver (Sunday late) – Chicago’s offense has been decimated by the loss of Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, but Marion Barber has taken advantage of his opportunity to shine.  Tim Tebow’s run of good fortune will continue, regardless of whether injured backfield mate Willis McGahee plays or not.  Denver 24, Chicago 20.

• Chicago
  • Start: RB Marion Barber
    
  • Neutral:  QB Caleb Hanie, WRs Johnny Knox, Devin Hester, Roy Williams, & Earl Bennett; DEF
    
  • Sit:  RB Matt Forte (Out-knee), TE Kellen Davis, K Robbie Gould
• Denver
  • Start:  QB Tim Tebow, WRs Eric Decker & Demaryius Thomas, DEF
  • Neutral:  RB Willis McGahee (Questionable-knee), K Matt Prater
  • Sit:  RB Lance Ball, WR Eddie Royal (Questionable-concussion), TE Daniel Fells

 

San Francisco at Arizona – Don’t worry about the 49ers resting their starters just because they’ve clinched the NFC West; as long as there’s still a chance for them to win homefield advantage (no matter how remote), they’ll continue to play their starters until a game is out of hand.  Aside from the Kevin Kolb-Larry Fitzgerald combo Cardinal fans won’t have much to cheer for this weekend.  San Francisco 24, Arizona 21.

• San Francisco
  • Start:  RB Frank Gore, WR Michael Crabtree, TE Vernon Davis, DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Alex Smith, K David Akers
  • Sit:  RB Kendall Hunter, WR Braylon Edwards (Questionable-knee)
• Arizona
  • Start:  QB Kevin Kolb, WR Larry Fitzgerald
  • Neutral:  WRs Early Doucet & Andre Roberts, DEF
  • Sit:  RBs Beanie Wells (Probable-knee) & LaRod Stephens-Howling, TEs Todd Heap (Questionable-hamstring), Jeff King, & Rob Housler; K Jay Feely

 

Oakland at Green Bay – The Packers’ backfield and secondary are both a mess, but as long as Aaron Rodgers shows up to throw the ball, and Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and Jermichael Finley are there to catch the ball, Green Bay will remain undefeated.  Carson Palmer has done well for the Raiders, but the team needs to hire some additional security to stop people from stepping on their backs’ and receivers’ feet.  Green Bay 37, Oakland 24.

• Oakland
  • Start:  QB Carson Palmer, RB Michael Bush, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey & Chaz Schilens (Probable-foot)
  • Neutral:  TEs Kevin Boss (Probable-hip) & Brandon Myers; K Sebastian Janikowski
  • Sit:  RBs Darren McFadden (Out-foot), Taiwan Jones (Out-hamstring) & Marcel Reece; WRs Louis Murphy, Denarius Moore (Out-foot), Jacoby Ford (Out-foot), & T.J. Houshmandzadeh; DEF
• Green Bay
  • Start: QB Aaron Rodgers, WRs Greg Jennings & Jordy Nelson, TE Jermichael Finley, K Mason Crosby
    
  • Neutral:  DEF
  • Sit:  RBs James Starks (Questionable-knee), Ryan Grant, & Brandon Saine; WRs Donald Driver & James Jones

 

Buffalo at San Diego – San Diego teased its fans by starting off 4-1, but the ensuing swoon has made its customary late-season mad dash to the playoffs necessary.  Fortunately, the other teams in the division have all stumbled too, so the division title is still within reach.  Buffalo’s free-fall continues, and the injuries continue to mount.  San Diego 31, Buffalo 21.

• Buffalo
  • Start:  RB C.J. Spiller, WR Steve Johnson
  • Neutral:  WRs David Nelson & Brad Smith
  • Sit:  QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RBs Tashard Choice & Johnny White, WR Naaman Roosevelt, TE Scott Chandler (Out-ankle), DEF, K David Rayner or K Rian Lindell (whoever starts)
• San Diego
  • Start:  QB Philip Rivers, WRs Vincent Jackson & Malcom Floyd, TE Antonio Gates, DEF, K Nick Novak
  • Neutral:  RBs Ryan Mathews & Mike Tolbert
  • Sit:  WR Vincent Brown

 

New York Giants at Dallas (Sunday night) – Both teams have been maddeningly inconsistent this season, but with the other teams in the division stumbling or worse, this game could well decide who wins the NFC East.  Still, it’s a bizarre schedule that doesn’t have two division rivals play each other until Week 14 of the season.  Expect Dallas to exploit the Giants’ secondary early and often on their way to a convincing win.  Dallas 34, New York 24.

• New York
  • Start:  QB Eli Manning, WRs Hakeem Nicks & Victor Cruz
  • Neutral:  RBs Ahmad Bradshaw (Probable-foot) & Brandon Jacobs (Probable-hamstring), WR Mario Manningham (Probable-knee), K Lawrence Tynes
  • Sit:  RBs Ahmad Bradshaw, D.J. Ware, & Da’Rel Scott; WR Ramses Barden, DEF
• Dallas
  • Start:  QB Tony Romo, RB DeMarco Murray, WR Dez Bryant, TE Jason Witten, K Dan Bailey
  • Neutral:  WRs Laurent Robinson (Questionable-shoulder) & Miles Austin (Questionable-hamstring), DEF
  • Sit:  RB Felix Jones, TE John Phillips

St. Louis at Seattle (Monday night) – Does anybody really care about this game?  Unless, of course, you live in Seattle, live in St. Louis, or have players from either team on your fantasy squad . . .  Seattle 20, St. Louis 17.

• St. Louis
  • Start:  WR Brandon Lloyd, DEF
  • Neutral:  QB Sam Bradford (Questionable-ankle), WRs Austin Pettis & Brandon Gibson, TE Lance Kendricks
  • Sit:  QB A.J. Feeley (Out-thumb), RB Steven Jackson, K Josh Brown
• Seattle
  • Start:  RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Doug Baldwin, TE Zach Miller, DEF
  • Neutral: QB Tarvaris Jackson (Probable-pectoral), WRs Ben Obomanu & Golden Tate
  • Sit:  WR Mike Williams, K Steven Hauschka

Good luck this weekend!

The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

The Sherpa’s Fantasy Football Blog

@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

Fantasy Football Sherpa’s fan page on Facebook

“4th & Inches with Jana and The Sherpa“, Wed. nights 9:30-10:30pm Eastern on Blog Talk Radio

Which players’ status changed this past week due to injury, benching, etc., and who may be on your league’s waiver wire with the potential to make a difference for your fantasy team?

Note:  this week’s Thursday night game features Cleveland at Pittsburgh.

Quarterback

• Injuries/benchings
  • Josh Freeman (shoulder)
  • Kyle Orton (finger)
• Waiver wire targets (rankings based on projected playing time and Week 14 opponents)
  • Matt Moore (vs Phi)
  • Christian Ponder (@ Det)
  • Josh Johnson (@ Jac)
  • Tyler Yates (@ Cin)
  • Colt McCoy (@ Pit)
  • Dan Orlovsky (@ Bal)

Running Back

• Injuries/benchings
  • Matt Forte (knee)
  • Kevin Smith (ankle)
  • Peyton Hillis (hamstring)
  • James Starks (knee)
  • Joe McKnight (elbow)
  • Shane Vereen (hamstring)
  • LaDainian Tomlinson (knee)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Ricky Williams (vs Ind)
  • Dexter McCluster (@ NYJ)
  • Isaac Redman (vs Cle)
  • Mossis Madu (@ Jac)
  • Brandon Saine (vs Oak)

Wide Receiver

• Injuries/benchings
  • Andre Johnson (hamstring)
  • Nate Washington (ankle)
  • Braylon Edwards (knee)
  • Eddie Royal (toe)
  • Terrence Austin (hamstring)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Chaz Schilens (@ GB)
  • Damian Williams (vs NO)
  • Riley Cooper (@ Mia)
  • Titus Young (vs Min)
  • Harry Douglas (@ Car)
  • Davone Bess (vs Phi)
  • Demaryius Thomas (vs Chi)
  • Brad Smith (@ SD)
  • Andre Roberts (vs SF)
  • Robert Meachem (@ Ten)
  • Austin Pettis (@ Sea)
  • Brandon LaFell (vs Atl)
  • Legedu Naanee (vs Atl)
  • Kevin Walter (@ Cin)
  • Greg Little (@Pit)
  • Devin Aromashodu (@ Det)
  • Golden Tate (vs Sea)

Tight Ends

• Injuries/benchings
  • Fred Davis (season-ending suspension)
  • Scott Chandler (ankle)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Anthony Fasano (vs Phi)
  • Zach Miller (vs StL)
  • Brandon Myers (@ GB)
  • Ben Watson (@ Pit)
  • Jacob Tamme (@ Bal)
  • John Phillips (vs NYG)

Kickers

• Injuries/benchings
  • N/A
• Waiver wire targets
  • Josh Scobee (vs TB)
  • Steve Hauschka (vs StL)
  • Jay Feely (vs SF)

Defenses

• Waiver wire targets
  • Jacksonville (vs TB)
  • Seattle (vs StL)
  • Arizona (vs SF)

Good luck with your claims!

The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

The Sherpa’s Fantasy Football Blog

@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

Fantasy Football Sherpa’s fan page on Facebook

“4th & Inches with Jana and The Sherpa“, Wed. nights 9:30-10:30pm Eastern on Blog Talk Radio

Quarterbacks    

1.      Tom Brady            vs Ind

2.      Aaron Rodgers       @ NYG

3.      Drew Brees            vs Det

4.      Eli Manning            vs GB

5.      Tony Romo            @ Ari

6.      Matthew Stafford   @ NO

7.      Cam Newton          @ TB

8.      Vince Young          @ Sea

9.      Carson Palmer        @ Mia

10.  Ben Roethlisberger vs Cin

11.  Matt Hasselbeck    @ Buf

12.  Tim Tebow             @ Min

13.  Philip Rivers           @ Jac

14.  Kyle Orton              @ Chi

15.  Ryan Fitzpatrick     vs Ten

16.  Mark Sanchez        @ Wash

17.  Andy Dalton           @ Pit

18.  Matt Moore           vs Oak

19.  Dan Orlovsky         @ NE

20.  Christian Ponder     vs Den

21.  Rex Grossman        vs NYJ

22.  John Skelton           vs Dal

23.  Kevin Kolb            vs Dal

24.  Josh Johnson          vs Car

25.  Alex Smith             vs StL

26.  Caleb Hanie           vs KC

27.  Tyler Palko          @ Chi

28.  Joe Flacco              @ Cle

29.  Tarvaris Jackson     vs Phi

30.  Matt Ryan              @ Hou

31.  T.J. Yates               vs Atl

32.  Blaine Gabbert       vs SD

33.  Colt McCoy           vs Bal

34.  Sam Bradford        @ SF

 

Running Backs    

1.      DeMarco Murray   @ Ari

2.      Frank Gore            vs StL

3.      BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs Ind

4.      Matt Forte              vs KC

5.      DeAngelo Williams @ TB

6.      Mark Ingram          vs Det

7.      Darren Sproles       vs Det

8.      Chris Johnson         @ Buf

9.      Ray Rice                @ Cle

10.  Michael Bush          @ Mia

11.  Willis McGahee      @ Min

12.  LeGarrette Blount   vs Car

13.  Donald Brown        @ NE

14.  Reggie Bush           vs Oak

15.  Maurice Jones-Drew vs SD

16.  Roy Helu                vs NYJ

17.  Maurice Morris      @ NO

18.  James Starks          @ NYG

19.  Pierre Thomas        vs Det

20.  Marion Barber        vs KC

21.  Jonathan Stewart    @ TB

22.  Kendall Hunter       vs StL

23.  Ryan Grant @ NYG

24.  Marshawn Lynch    vs Phi

25.  Beanie Wells          vs Dal

26.  Rashard Mendenhall vs Cin

27.  Mike Tolbert          @ Jac

28.  C.J. Spiller             vs Ten

29.  Shonn Greene         @ Wash

30.  Ryan Mathews       @ Jac

31.  Toby Gerhart          vs Den

32.  Dexter McCluster   @ Chi

33.  Javon Ringer           @ Buf

34.  Daniel Thomas        vs Oak

35.  Deji Karim vs SD

36.  LeSean McCoy      @ Sea

37.  Stevan Ridley         vs Ind

38.  Chris Ivory vs Det

39.  Felix Jones @ Ari

40.  Ronnie Brown        @ Sea

41.  Keiland Williams     @ NO

42.  Brandon Jacobs      vs GB

43.  D.J. Ware              vs GB

44.  Da’Rel Scott           vs GB

45.  Isaac Redman         vs Cin

46.  Jackie Battle           @ Chi

47.  Thomas Jones         @ Chi

48.  Marcel Reece         @ Mia

49.  Lance Ball              @ Min

50.  Ricky Williams        @ Cle

51.  Tashard Choice      vs Ten

52.  Johnny White          vs Ten

53.  Joe McKnight         @ Wash

54.  LaDainian Tomlinson @ Wash

55.  LaRod Stephens-Howling vs Dal

56.  Delone Carter         @ NE

57.  Bernard Scott         @ Pit

58.  Jason Snelling         @ Hou

59.  Jacquizz Rodgers    @ Hou

60.  Lex Hilliard vs Oak

61.  Cedric Benson        @ Pit

62.  Ryan Torain            vs NYJ

63.  Evan Royster          vs NYJ

64.  Arian Foster           vs Atl

65.  Ben Tate                vs Atl

66.  Steven Jackson       @ SF

67.  Cadillac Williams    @ SF

68.  Chris Ogbonnaya    vs Bal

69.  Peyton Hillis           vs Bal

70.  Danny Woodhead  vs Ind

71.  Shane Vereen         vs Ind

72.  Kevin Smith            @ NO

73.  Ahmad Bradshaw   vs GB

74.  Joseph Addai         @ NE

75.  Michael Turner       @ Hou

76.  Montario Hardesty vs Bal

Wide Receivers

1.      Wes Welker           vs Ind

2.      Jordy Nelson          @ NYG

3.      Marques Colston    vs Det

4.      Steve Smith            @ TB

5.      Dez Bryant @ Ari

6.      Calvin Johnson       @ NO

7.      Deion Branch         vs Ind

8.      Greg Jennings         @ NYG

9.      Laurent Robinson   @ Ari

10.  DeSean Jackson     @ Sea

11.  Victor Cruz            vs GB

12.  Riley Cooper          @ Sea

13.  Hakeem Nicks       vs GB

14.  Johnny Knox          vs KC

15.  Nate Burleson        @ NO

16.  Jason Avant            @ Sea

17.  Mike Wallace         vs Cin

18.  Vincent Jackson     @ Jac

19.  Steve Johnson        vs Ten

20.  Larry Fitzgerald      vs Dal

21.  Roddy White          @ Hou

22.  Brandon Marshall   vs Oak

23.  Damian Williams     @ Buf

24.  Santonio Holmes    @ Wash

25.  Eric Decker            @ Min

26.  A.J. Green  @ Pit

27.  Dwayne Bowe        @ Chi

28.  Reggie Wayne        @ NE

29.  Doug Baldwin         vs Phi

30.  Nate Washington    @ Buf

31.  Mike Williams        vs Car

32.  Darrius Heyward-Bey         @ Mia

33.  Brandon Lloyd       @ SF

34.  Mike Thomas         vs SD

35.  Michael Crabtree    vs StL

36.  Lance Moore         vs Det

37.  Ramses Barden      vs GB

38.  Legedu Naanee      @ TB

39.  Roy Williams          vs KC

40.  Brandon LaFell       @ TB

41.  Earl Bennett            vs KC

42.  Titus Young            @ NO

43.  Harry Douglas        @ Hou

44.  Pierre Garcon         @ NE

45.  Louis Murphy         @ Mia

46.  Antonio Brown       vs Cin

47.  Greg Camarillo       vs Den

48.  Austin Collie           @ NE

49.  Early Doucet          vs Dal

50.  Plaxico Burress       @ Wash

51.  Malcom Floyd        @ Jac

52.  David Nelson         vs Ten

53.  Steve Breaston       @ Chi

54.  Chaz Schilens         @ Mia

55.  Vincent Brown       @ Jac

56.  Andre Roberts        vs Dal

57.  Preston Parker       vs Car

58.  Davone Bess          vs Oak

59.  Arrelious Benn        vs Car

60.  Ben Obomanu        vs Phi

61.  Lavelle Hawkins     @ Buf

62.  Jabar Gaffney         vs NYJ

63.  Austin Pettis           @ SF

64.  Santana Moss         vs NYJ

65.  Jason Hill    vs SD

66.  Greg Little  vs Bal

67.  Josh Cribbs            vs Bal

68.  Percy Harvin          vs Den

69.  Braylon Edwards    vs StL

70.  Chad Ochocinco    vs Ind

71.  James Jones           @ NYG

72.  Donald Driver         @ NYG

73.  Devery Henderson  vs Det

74.  Robert Meachem    vs Det

75.  Devin Hester          vs KC

76.  Jerricho Cotchery   vs Cin

77.  Hines Ward            vs Cin

78.  Jonathan Baldwin    @ Chi

79.  T.J. Houshmandzadeh         @ Mia

80.  Demaryius Thomas @ Min

81.  Anquan Boldin        @ Cle

82.  Torrey Smith          @ Cle

83.  Lee Evans  @ Cle

84.  Emmanuel Sanders vs Cin

85.  Mike Williams        vs Phi

86.  Brad Smith vs Ten

87.  Patrick Turner        @ Wash

88.  Devin Aromashodu vs Den

89.  Naaman Roosevelt vs Ten

90.  Jeremy Kerley        @ Wash

91.  Dez Briscoe            vs Car

92.  Andre Caldwell      @ Pit

93.  Andrew Hawkins    @ Pit

94.  Brian Hartline         vs Oak

95.  Jerome Simpson     @ Pit

96.  Anthony Armstrong            vs NYJ

97.  Kevin Walter          vs Atl

98.  Jacoby Jones          vs Atl

99.  Jarett Dillard           vs SD

100. Brian Robiskie  vs SD

101.   Terrence Austin            vs NYJ

102.  Donte` Stallworth         vs NYJ

103.  Andre Johnson vs Atl

104.  Mohamed Massaquoi   vs Bal

105.   Julian Edelman  vs Ind

106.  Julio Jones        @ Hou

107.  Eddie Royal      @ Min

108. Mario Manningham       vs GB

 

 Tight Ends

1.      Rob Gronkowski    vs Ind

2.      Jimmy Graham        vs Det

3.      Jermichael Finley    @ NYG

4.      Brandon Pettigrew  @ NO

5.      Aaron Hernandez   vs Ind

6.      Jason Witten           @ Ari

7.      Vernon Davis         vs StL

8.      Greg Olsen @ TB

9.      Jake Ballard           vs GB

10.  Brent Celek            @ Sea

11.  Antonio Gates        @ Jac

12.  Scott Chandler       vs Ten

13.  Dustin Keller          @ Wash

14.  Jermaine Gresham  @ Pit

15.  Tony Gonzalez        @ Hou

16.  Heath Miller           vs Cin

17.  Kellen Winslow      vs Car

18.  Zach Miller vs Phi

19.  Anthony Fasano     vs Oak

20.  Fred Davis vs NYJ

21.  Owen Daniels         vs Atl

22.  Ben Watson           vs Bal

23.  Marcedes Lewis     vs SD

24.  Jacob Tamme         @ NE

25.  Visanthe Shiancoe  vs Den

26.  Kevin Boss @ Mia

27.  Eric Dickson           @ Cle

28.  Jared Cook            @ Buf

29.  Dennis Pitta            @ Cle

30.  Lance Kendricks    @ SF

31.  Joel Dreessen         vs Atl

32.  Jeremy Shockey     @ TB

33.  Delanie Walker       vs StL

34.  Kellen Davis           vs KC

35.  Leonard Pope        @ Chi

36.  Daniel Fells @ Min

37.  Jeff King     vs Dal

38.  Rob Housler           vs Dal

39.  Evan Moore           vs Bal

40.  Kyle Rudolph         vs Den

41.  Todd Heap vs Dal

Defenses

1.      Baltimore Ravens    @ Cle

2.      San Francisco 49ers           vs StL

3.      New York Jets       @ Wash

4.      San Diego Chargers            @ Jac

5.      Atlanta Falcons       @ Hou

6.      New England Patriots         vs Ind

7.      Carolina Panthers   @ TB

8.      Pittsburgh Steelers  vs Cin

9.      Houston Texans      vs Atl

10.  Oakland Raiders     @ Mia

11.  Philadelphia Eagles @ Sea

12.  Tennessee Titans    @ Buf

13.  Washington Redskins          vs NYJ

14.  Denver Broncos     @ Min

15.  Dallas Cowboys     @ Ari

16.  Buffalo Bills            vs Ten

17.  Seattle Seahawks   vs Phi

18.  Cincinnati Bengals   @ Pit

19.  Chicago Bears        vs KC

20.  Miami Dolphins      vs Oak

21.  Minnesota Vikings  vs Den

22.  Cleveland Browns  vs Bal

23.  Jacksonville Jaguars            vs SD

24.  Kansas City Chiefs @ Chi

25.  Green Bay Packers @ NYG

26.  St. Louis Rams       @ SF

27.  New Orleans Saints            vs Det

28.  Detroit Lions          @ NO

29.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers      vs Car

30.  Arizona Cardinals   vs Dal

31.  New York Giants   vs GB

32.  Indianapolis Colts   @ NE

 

Kickers

1.      Stephen Gostkowski           vs Ind

2.      Mason Crosby       @ NYG

3.      John Kasay            vs Det

4.      Olindo Mare           @ TB

5.      Dan Bailey  @ Ari

6.      Alex Henery           @ Sea

7.      David Akers           vs StL

8.      Jason Hanson         @ NO

9.      Robbie Gould         vs KC

10.  Lawrence Tynes     vs GB

11.  Rob Bironas           @ Buf

12.  Shaun Suisham       vs Cin

13.  Ryan Succop          @ Chi

14.  Matt Prater @ Min

15.  Billy Cundiff            @ Cle

16.  Nick Novak           @ Jac

17.  Sebastian Janikowski          @ Mia

18.  Steve Hauschka      vs Phi

19.  Dave Rayner          vs Ten

20.  Nick Folk   @ Wash

21.  Ryan Longwell        vs Den

22.  Jay Feely    vs Dal

23.  Adam Vinatieri       @ NE

24.  Connor Barth         vs Car

25.  Mike Nugent          @ Pit

26.  Matt Bryant            @ Hou

27.  Dan Carpenter        vs Oak

28.  Neil Rackers          vs Atl

29.  Rob Bironas           vs SD

30.  Josh Brown            @ SF

31.  Phil Dawson           vs Bal

32. Graham Gano        vs. NYJ

 

Good luck this weekend!

The Sherpa

Fantasy Football Sherpa

The Sherpa’s Fantasy Football Blog

@fantasy_sherpa on Twitter

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