The Fantasy Football Sherpa

Hi everyone,

This is the last week of the fantasy regular season for many of you - every lineup decision is critical if you’re on the playoff bubble.  Which big names are in for a bad week, and which unheralded players can put you over the top this week?  Here are my recommendations for Week 13 - all games are Sunday during the day unless otherwise noted:

Houston at Philadelphia (Thursday night) - Cynics claim Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson wasn’t suspended for his fight last weekend with Tennessee’s Cortland Finnegan because the Texans are featured on this week’s Thursday game.  Regardless, Johnson will play, but Michael Vick will bounce back from a subpar performance against the Bears and lead the Eagles to victory in a high-scoring game.  Philadelphia 34 Houston 24.

• Houston 
  • Yes (Should definitely be in your starting lineup):  QB Matt Schaub (Probable-knee), RB Arian Foster, WR Andre Johnson, TE Joel Dreessen (Probable-knee)
  • No (Should definitely NOT be in your starting lineup):  TE Owen Daniels (Out-hamstring), DEF, K Neil Rackers
  • Maybe So (Okay to start if you don’t have a better option):  WRs Jacoby Jones & Kevin Walter (Questionable-calf)
• Philadelphia 
  • Yes:  QB Michael Vick, RB LeSean McCoy, WRs DeSean Jackson & Jeremy Maclin, TE Brent Celek, DEF, K David Akers
  • No:  None
  • Maybe So:  WR Jason Avant

Jacksonville at Tennessee (Sunday early) - Jacksonville would already be out of the playoff picture if not for a 59-yard field goal and a Hail Mary deflection.  Tennessee’s season is doomed due to Vince Young’s injury.  Still, this will be an interesting game to watch, and the home team will prevail.  Tennessee 27 Jacksonville 24.

• Jacksonville 
  • Yes:  QB David Garrard (Questionable-wrist), RB Maurice Jones-Drew, WRs Mike Sims-Walker & Mike Thomas, TE Marcedes Lewis
  • No:  DEF, K Josh Scobee
  • Maybe So:  None
• Tennessee 
  • Yes:  RB Chris Johnson, DEF, K Rob Bironas
  • No:  None
  • Maybe So:  QB Kerry Collins/Rusty Smith (whoever starts); WRs Randy Moss, Justin Gage, & Nate Washington; TEs Bo Scaife (Questionable-neck) & Jared Cook

Chicago at Detroit - For all the talk about how awful Jay Cutler and the offensive line have looked, the Bears are 8-3 with a chance to snag home field advantage in the NFC playoffs.  For all the talk about Ndamukong Suh and how much offensive firepower they now possess, the Lions will miss the playoffs for the 97th year in a row (or so it seems).  Detroit will continue a season-long pattern of hanging close but falling short in the end.  Chicago 28 Detroit 21.

• Chicago 
  • Yes:  RB Matt Forte, WR Johnny Knox, TE Greg Olsen, DEF
  • No: K Robbie Gould
  • Maybe So:  QB Jay Cutler, WRs Devin Hester & Earl Bennett
• Detroit 
  • Yes:  QB Drew Stanton, WRs Calvin Johnson & Nate Burleson (Questionable-hamstring), TE Brandon Pettigrew, DEF
  • No:  RBs Jahvid Best & Aaron Brown, TE Tony Scheffler (Questionable-ribs), K Dave Rayner/Jason Hanson (Questionable-knee) (whoever starts)
  • Maybe So:  RB Maurice Morris, WR Bryant Johnson

Cleveland at Miami - Peyton Hillis has been among the biggest surprises in fantasy football this season, but he’s about the only thing the Browns’ offense has going for it.  Chad Henne is finally healthy again, and Miami will pull out the victory.  Miami 27 Cleveland 21.

• Cleveland 
  • Yes:  RB Peyton Hillis, TE Ben Watson
  • Maybe So:  QB Jake Delhomme/Colt McCoy (Questionable-ankle) (whoever starts); WRs Josh Cribbs (Questionable-toe), Mohamed Massaquoi, & Brian Robiskie; DEF; K Phil Dawson
  • No:  None
• Miami 
  • Yes:  QB Chad Henne, RB Ronnie Brown, WRs Davone Bess & Brian Hartline, DEF, K Dan Carpenter
  • No:  WR Brandon Marshall (Questionable-hamstring)
  • Maybe So:  RB Ricky Williams, TE Anthony Fasano

Washington at New York Giants - Rarely do I predict a game to be this lopsided.  Then again, rearely does a team match up so poorly as the Redskins do with the Giants.  This could get ugly quickly.  New York 45 Washington 10.

• Washington 
  • Yes:  TE Chris Cooley
  • No:  QB Donovan McNabb, RBs Keiland Williams & Ryan Torain (Questionable-hamstring), WRs Anthony Armstrong & Santana Moss, DEF, K Graham Gano
  • Maybe So:  None
• New York 
  • Yes: QB Eli Manning, RBs Ahmad Bradshaw & Brandon Jacobs, WR Mario Manningham, TE Kevin Boss, DEF, K Lawrence Tynes
  • No:  WRs Hakeem Nicks (Doubtful-leg), Steve Smith (Questionable-arm)
  • Maybe So:  WR Derek Hagan

Denver at Kansas City - Denver has one of the best passing attacks and one of the worst defenses in football.  Kansas City has football’s best rushing game, and a passing game and defense that are just good enough to get the job done.  Kansas City will win this shootout on a late Ryan Succop field goal.  Kansas City 30 Denver 27.

• Denver 
  • Yes:  QB Kyle Orton; WRs Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, & Eddie Royal, K Matt Prater
  • No:  RB Knowshon Moreno, DEF, WR Demaryius Thomas (Out-ankle)
  • Maybe:  None
• Kansas City 
  • Yes:  RBs Jamaal Charles & Thomas Jones, WR Dwayne Bowe, TE Tony Moeaki, K Ryan Succup
  • No:  DEF
  • Maybe So:  QB Matt Cassel, WR Chris Chambers

San Francisco at Green Bay  - Back in the mid-1990s 49ers-Packers was one of the league’s marquee matchups.  Sadly, that’s no longer the case.  San Francisco and Brian Westbrook may have given their fans a sense of false hope by demolishing Arizona on Monday night, but Green Bay will take advantage of a jet-lagged team with a short week to prepare.  Green Bay 30 San Francisco 21.

• San Francisco 
  • Yes: WR Michael Crabtree, TE Vernon Davis,
  • No:  RBs Frank Gore (IR-hip), Brian Westbrook, & Anthony Dixon; WR Josh Morgan (Questionable-shoulder), DEF, K Joe Nedney 
  • Maybe So:  QB Troy Smith
• Green Bay 
  • Yes:  QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Greg Jennings (Questionable-foot), TE Anthony Quarless, DEF, K Mason Crosby
  • No:  None
  • Maybe So:  RB Brandon Jackson; WRs Donald Driver, James Jones, & Jordy Nelson

Buffalo at Minnesota  - Adrian Peterson has had a week to let his sprained ankle heal.  Steve Johnson has had a week to let his bruised ego heal.  Unfortunately for Buffalo their ground game won’t generate enough yardage to keep Minnesota’s defense honest, so the Favres will triumph over the Bills and make it two consecutive wins for new Vikes’ coach Leslie Frazier.  Minnesota 24 Buffalo 20.

• Buffalo 
  • Yes: WR Steve Johnson, DEF, K Rian Lindell
  • No: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RBs Fred Jackson & C.J. Spiller (Questionable-hamstring), WR Lee Evans
  • Maybe So:  No
• Minnesota 
  • Yes:  RB Adrian Peterson (Questionable-ankle)/Toby Gerhart (whoever starts), WRs Sidney Rice & Percy Harvin, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, DEF, K Ryan Longwell
  • No:  None
  • Maybe So:  QB Brett Favre (Questionable-foot), WR Greg Camarillo

New Orleans at Cincinnati - The fact that rookie Jordan Shipley is now a more reliable fantasy option than former All-Pros Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco tells you all you need to know about how the Bengals’ season has gone.  Newly-crowned Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Drew Brees will continue Cincinnati’s long journey into darkness.  New Orleans 28 Cincinnati 17.

• New Orleans 
  • Yes:  QB Drew Brees, RB Chris Ivory, WR Marques Colston, TE Jimmy Graham, DEF
  • No: RBs Pierre Thomas (Questionable-ankle) & Reggie Bush, TEs Jeremy Shockey & David Thomas, K Garrett Hartley
  • Maybe So:  WRs Lance Moore, Robert Meachem, & Devery Henderson
• Cincinnati 
  • Yes:  WR Jordan Shipley, TE Jermaine Gresham
  • No:  QB Carson Palmer, DEF, K Clint Stitser
  • Maybe So:  RB Cedric Benson, WRs Terrell Owens & Chad Ochocinco

Oakland at San Diego (Sunday late) - Sure, the Chargers are only 6-5 and still trail the Chiefs by a game in the AFC West.  However, you could make a pretty convincing argument that San Diego is playing as well as anyone in their conference right now.  Unfortunately, that won’t mean anything in January when Norv Turner’s team will inevitably get knocked out of the playoffs two rounds sooner than they should, but for now that doesn’t matter.  San Diego 27 Oakland 14.

• Oakland 
  • Yes:  TE Zach Miller (Questionable-leg)
  • No: QBs Jason Campbell & Bruce Gradkowski (Out-shoulder), RB Michael Bush, DEF, K Sebastien Janikowski
  • Maybe So:  RB Darren McFadden, WRs Louis Murphy & Jacoby Ford
• San Diego 
  • Yes:  QB Philip Rivers, RB Mike Tolbert, WRs Malcom Floyd & Legedu Naanee, TE Antonio Gates, DEF, K Nate Kaeding
  • No:  RB Ryan Mathews (Questionable-ankle), WRs Vincent Jackson (Doubtful-calf) & Patrick Crayton (Doubtful-wrist)
  • Maybe So:  RB Darren Sproles

Carolina at Seattle I feel for you if you have to watch this game, especially if you live in neither Washington state nor North Carolina.  The less said, the better.  Seattle 21 Carolina 17.

• Carolina 
  • Yes: RB Mike Goodson, TE Dante Rosario, DEF
  • No:  K John Kasay
  • Maybe So: QB Jimmy Clausen; WRs Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, & David Gettis
• Seattle 
  • Yes:  RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Mike Williams (Questionable-foot), TE John Carlson, DEF
  • No:  QB Matt Hasselbeck, K Olindo Mare
  • Maybe So:  RB Justin Forsett, WRs Deon Butler & Ben Obomanu

St. Louis at Arizona - When a team with three wins and a six-game losing streak is just two games out of first place this late in the season, that gives you a pretty good idea of just how awful the division is.  There’s a very good chance the team that wins this division will finish with a sub-.500 record, and there’s also a very good chance that team will be St. Louis.  St. Louis 34 Arizona 14.

• St. Louis 
  • Yes:  QB Sam Bradford, RB Steven Jackson, WR Danny Amendola, DEF, K Josh Brown
  • No: None
  • Maybe So:  WRs Danario Alexander & Laurent Robinson
• Arizona 
  • Yes:  WR Larry Fitzgerald
  • No:  QB Derek Anderson, RBs Beanie Wells & Tim Hightower, WR Early Doucet, DEF, K Jay Feely
  • Maybe So:  WR Steve Breaston

Atlanta at Tampa Bay - The Falcons’ bandwagon is getting crowded again - better hop on if you can still find room.  Tampa is involved in the scrum for the second NFC wild card spot, but a tough loss to Atlanta will make it hard to keep their playoff dreams alive.  Atlanta 24 Tampa Bay 21.

• Atlanta 
  • Yes: RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White (Questionable-knee), TE Tony Gonzalez, DEF
  • No: K Matt Bryant
  • Maybe So: QB Matt Ryan, WR Michael Jenkins
• Tampa Bay 
  • Yes:  QB Josh Freeman, WR Mike Williams, TE Kellen Winslow, DEF
  • No:  RBs LeGarrette Blount & Cadillac Williams, WR Arrelious Benn, K Connor Barth
  • Maybe So:  None

Dallas at Indianapolis - Both teams come off disappointing efforts in Week 12.  Dallas was a Roy Williams’ fumble away from defeating the defending Super Bowl champions.  Indianapolis gave no indication they were a Super Bowl team last year in the drubbing they suffered at the hands of the Chargers at home.  Indianapolis will not be embarrassed two weeks in a row at home.  Indianapolis 34 Dallas 21.

• Dallas 
  • Yes: TE Jason Witten
  • No: QB Jon Kitna, RBs Felix Jones & Marion Barber (Questionable-calf), WR Roy Williams, DEF, K David Buehler
  • Maybe So: WRs Miles Austin & Dez Bryant
• Indianapolis 
  • Yes:  QB Peyton Manning, WRs Reggie Wayne & Pierre Garcon, TE Jacob Tamme, DEF, K Adam Vinatieri
  • No:  RB Joseph Addai (Questionable-neck), WR Austin Collie (Questionable-concussion)
  • Maybe So:  RB Donald Brown

Pittsburgh at Baltimore (Sunday night) - You can almost count on a close, hard-fought game when these two teams play each other.  Offense will be at a premium for both sides, but the Ravens will get just a bit more than the Steelers to grab the victory.  Baltimore 20 Pittsburgh 17.

• Pittsburgh 
  • Yes: RB Rashard Mendenhall, WRs Hines Ward & Mike Wallace, TE Heath Miller, DEF
  • No:  QB Ben Roethlisberger (Questionable-foot); WR Emmanuel Sanders, K Shaun Suisham 
  • Maybe So: None
• Baltimore 
  • Yes:  WRs Anquan Boldin & Derrick Mason, TE Todd Heap, DEF, K Billy Cundiff
  • No:  RBs Ray Rice & Willis McGahee, WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
  • Maybe So:  QB Joe Flacco 

New York Jets at New England (Monday night) - Rex Ryan says he came to New York to “kick Bill Belichick’s ass”.  Bill Belichick says nothing in response.  Bill Belichick does nothing in response now that his team has been busted for taping opponents’ practices.  He arrives.  He watches.  He conquers.  He disdains the traditional post-game handshake after yet another home victory.  New England 30 New York 27.

• New York 
  • Yes: QB Mark Sanchez, RBs Shonn Greene & LaDainian Tomlinson, WRs Santonio Holmes & Braylon Edwards, TE Dustin Keller
  • No: WR Jerricho Cotchery (Questionable-groin), DEF, K Nick Folk
  • Maybe So: None
• New England 
  • Yes:  QB Tom Brady (Probable-foot), WRs Wes Welker & Deion Branch, K Shayne Graham
  • No:  RBs BenJarvus Green-Ellis & Danny Woodhead, DEF
  • Maybe So:  TEs Rob Gronkowski & Aaron Hernandez

Good luck to your teams this week, and have a great 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

Hi everyone,

Week 12 was a relatively light one from an injury perspective (unless you were a Frank Gore owner).  However, chances are there are still players on your league’s waiver wire who will make a difference during your league’s playoff weeks.  Somewhere Ron Dayne is shedding a tear . . .

Who are the players who are injured, and who may be on your league’s waiver wire with the potential to make a difference for your fantasy team?

Quarterback

• Injuries/benchings - (those that weren’t on this list last week)
  • Ben Roethlisberger (foot)
  • Shaun Hill (finger - probably out for the season)
  • David Garrard (wrist)
  • Colt McCoy (ankle)
  • Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder)
• Waiver wire targets (rankings based on projected playing time and Week 13 matchups)
  • Chad Henne (vs Cle)
  • Kerry Collins (vs Jac)
  • Jon Kitna (@ Ind)
  • Drew Stanton (vs Chi)
  • Jason Campbell (@ SD)
  • Matt Hasselbeck (vs Car)
  • Jimmy Clausen (@ Sea)
  • Jake Delhomme (@ Mia)

Running Back

• Injuries/benchings
  • Frank Gore (hip - out for the season) 
  • Adrian Peterson (ankle)
  • Marion Barber (calf)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Brian Westbrook (@ GB)
  • Anthony Dixon (@ GB)
  • Toby Gerhart (vs Buf)
  • Maurice Morris (vs Chi)
  • Aaron Brown (vs Chi)

Wide Receivers

• Injuries/benchings  
  • Vincent Jackson (calf)
  • Greg Jennings (foot)
  • Josh Cribbs (toes)
  • Josh Morgan (shoulder)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Anthony Armstrong (@ NYG)
  • Jordan Shipley (vs NO) 
  • Ben Obomanu (vs Car) 
  • James Jones (vs SF)
  • Jason Avant (vs Hou)
  • Devin Hester (@ Det)
  • Earl Bennett (@ Det)
  • Danny Amendola (vs Ari)
  • Michael Jenkins (@ TB)
  • Emmanuel Sanders (@ Bal)
  • Mohamed Massaquoi (@ Mia)
  • Brian Hartline (vs Cle)
  • Justin Gage (vs Jac)
  • Brian Robiskie (@ Mia)
  • Devery Henderson (@ Cin)
  • Robert Meachem (@ Cin)
  • Louis Murphy (@ SD)
  • Jordy Nelson (vs SF)
  • Brandon LaFell (@ Sea)
  • Brandon Stokley (vs Car)
  • Golden Tate (vs Car)
  • Laurent Robinson (@ Ari)
  • Derek Hagan (vs Was)
  • Danario Alexander (@ Ari)
  • Jacoby Ford (@ SD)
  • David Nelson (@ Min)
  • Donald Jones (@ Min)

Tight Ends

• Injuries/benchings
  • Jeremy Shockey (ribs)
  • Zach Miller [Oak] (leg)
  • Bo Scaife (neck)
• Waiver Wire Targets
  • Ben Watson (@ Mia)
  • Kevin Boss (vs Was)
  • Jimmy Graham (@ Cin)
  • Jermaine Gresham (vs NO)
  • Jared Cook (vs Jac)
  • Rob Gronkowski (vs NYJ)
  • Joel Dreessen (@ Phi)

Kicker

• Injuries/benchings - None
• Waiver wire targets
  • Nate Kaeding (vs Oak)
  • Ryan Succop (vs Den)
  • Josh Brown (@ Ari)
  • Robbie Gould (@ Det)

Defense

• Injuries/benchings - N/A (at least I hope so)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Seattle (vs Car)
  • San Diego (vs Oak)
  • Miami (vs Cle)
  • Atlanta (@ TB)

Final Thoughts

• Don’t get Derek Anderson mad.
• The NFC West winner may have a sub-.500 record. 
• Steve Johnson has much more of a reason to be upset than Derek Anderson does.

Have a great week!

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

Hi everyone,

What are Rex Ryan and the New Orleans Saints thankful for?  Find out in my latest football blog entry on The Huffington Post!  Here’s the link:  http://huff.to/fF6T19

Enjoy!

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

Hi everyone,

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving’s already here, but that’s what both the calendar and the NFL schedule say.  There’s always at least one clunker among the traditional Thanksgiving Day football games, but at least now we have a game that features neither the Lions nor the Cowboys (and that’s an especially good thing this year, unless you’re a sadist).  Here are my recommendations for Week 12 - all games are Sunday during the day unless otherwise noted:

New England at Detroit (Thursday early) - This has the potential to be an entertaining, high-scoring game, but there’s a 99.9% chance that Team Tom will triumph in the end.  Let’s hope the Lions haven’t read the script.  New England 31 Detroit 27.

• New England 
  • Yes (Should definitely be in your starting lineup):  QB Tom Brady (Questionable-foot), RBs BenJarvus Green-Ellis & Danny Woodhead, WRs Wes Welker & Deion Branch, TE Aaron Hernandez
  • No (Should definitely NOT be in your starting lineup):  TE Rob Gronkowski, DEF, K Shayne Graham
  • Maybe So (Okay to start if you don’t have a better option):  None
• Detroit 
  • Yes:  QB Shaun Hill (Probable-quad), WRs Calvin Johnson & Nate Burleson, TE Brandon Pettigrew, K David Rayner
  • No:  RB Jahvid Best (Questionable-toe), TE Tony Scheffler (Questionable-ribs), DEF
  • Maybe So:  RB Maurice Morris, WR Bryant Johnson

New Orleans at Dallas (Thursday late) - Something’s gotta give:  New Orleans’ post-Super Bowl hangover has worn off, and Dallas post-”we made the playoffs!” hangover has worn off.  Expect the Saints to keep on marching and the Cowboys to get thrown off their horses.  New Orleans 34 Dallas 17.

• New Orleans 
  • Yes:  QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, TE David Thomas, DEF, K Garrett Harley
  • No:  TE Jeremy Shockey (Questionable-ribs)
  • Maybe So:  RBs Chris Ivory (Probable-shoulder) & Reggie Bush (Questionable-leg); WRs Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, & Robert Meachem; TE Jimmy Graham
• Dallas 
  • Yes:  TE Jason Witten
  • No:  QB Jon Kitna; RBs Felix Jones (Questionable-hip), Marion Barber, & Tashard Choice; WR Roy Williams, DEF, K David Buehler
  • Maybe So:  WRs Miles Austin & Dez Bryant

Cincinnati at New York Jets ( Thursday night) - If you’ve recently jumped on the Mark Sanchez bandwagon, consider this:  his completion percentage (55.1%) is comparable to those of Jake Delhomme (55.0%) and Jason Campbell (54.7%), and compares unfavorable to those of Vince Young (59.6%), and Brett Favre (60.2%).  There’s no doubting Sanchez’ ability to maintain his composure and lead his team when the chips are down, but the hype is still outpacing the performance.  In spite of that, the Jets will pull yet another rabbit out of the hat on turkey day.  New York 27 Cincinnati 24.

• Cincinnati 
  • Yes:  QB Carson Palmer (Probable-foot); WRs Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, & Jordan Shipley; TE Jermaine Gresham
  • No: DEF, K Aaron Pettrey
  • Maybe So:  RB Cedric Benson
• New York 
  • Yes:  RBs LaDainian Tomlinson & Shonn Greene, WR Santonio Holmes, TE Dustin Keller, DEF, K Nick Folk
  • No:  WR Jerricho Cotchery (Questionable-groin)
  • Maybe So:  QB Mark Sanchez (Probable-calf), WR Braylon Edwards

Jacksonville at New York Giants (Sunday early) - This game will be a clear indicator of which direction the Giants’ season is headed.  If they can bounce back from two consecutive defeats to division rivals, they’ll be in good shape in the playoff hunt.  If not, they may well wind up on the outside looking in.  Here’s betting that the Giants get their season turned around against the (cough, cough) first-place Jaguars.  New York 34 Jacksonville 17.

• Jacksonville 
  • Yes:  TE Marcedes Lewis
  • Maybe So:  QB David Garrard, DEF, K Josh Scobee
  • No:  RB Maurice Jones-Drew, WRs Mike Sims-Walker (Questionable-ankle), Mike Thomas
• New York 
  • Yes:  QB Eli Manning, WR Mario Manningham, TE Kevin Boss, DEF, K Lawrence Tynes
  • No:  WR Hakeem Nicks (Out-knee)
  • Maybe So:  RBs Brandon Jacobs & Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Derek Hagan

Carolina at Cleveland - You may have a better chance of winning the lottery than you do of predicting the two quarterbacks that will start this game.  Cleveland has the sore-ankled Colt McCoy and the sore-hamstringed Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace to choose from.  Carolina has the concussed Jimmy Clausen and Brian “Mr. Mom” St. Pierre to choose from.  One thing’s for sure no matter which quarterbacks start - this game will be hard to watch.  Cleveland 20 Carolina 14.

• Carolina 
  • Yes:  RB Mike Goodson, TE Dante Rosario, DEF
  • No:  QB Jimmy Clausen (Probable-concussion)/Brian St. Pierre (whichever starts), WR Brandon LaFell (Questionable-concussion), K John Kasay
  • Maybe So:  WRs Steve Smith & David Gettis
• Cleveland 
  • Yes: RB Peyton Hillis, TE Ben Watson, DEF, K Phil Dawson
  • No:  QB Colt McCoy (Doubtful-ankle)/Seneca Wallace/Jake Delhomme (whichever starts, WRs Josh Cribbs (Questionable-foot) & Brian Robiskie
  • Maybe So:  WR Mohamed Massaquoi

Green Bay at Atlanta - This battle between two NFC Super Bowl contenders is one of the few games that will live up to the hype this weekend.  Both defenses are solid, but the Packers’ offense will be just a little too much for the Falcons to handle.  Green Bay 27 Atlanta 24.

• Green Bay 
  • Yes:  QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Greg Jennings, TE Anthony quarless, DEF, K Mason Crosby
  • No:  WR Jordy Nelson
  • Maybe:  RB Fred Jackson, WRs Donal Driver & James Jones
• Atlanta 
  • Yes:  RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White, TE Tony Gonzalez
  • No:  WR Michael Jenkins, DEF, K Matt Bryant
  • Maybe So:  QB Matt Ryan

Pittsburgh at Buffalo  - Having won its last two games, Buffalo is on a roll.  However, Pittsburgh is a far better team than both Detroit and Cincinnati, and the Bills will find that out early and often.  Pittsburgh 30 Buffalo 21.

• Pittsburgh 
  • Yes: QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Rashard Mendenhall, WRs Hines Ward & Mike Wallace, TE Heath Miller, DEF, K Shaun Suisham
  • No:  None
  • Maybe So:  WR Emmanuel Sanders
• Buffalo 
  • Yes:  QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Steve Johnson
  • No:  RBs Fred Jackson & C.J. Spiller (Questionable-hamstring), DEF, K Rian Lindell
  • Maybe So:  WR Lee Evans

Tennessee at Houston  - The Vince Young soap opera has obscured the fact that the Titans trail the Jaguars and the Colts by just one game in the AFC South.  Still, a team that’s starting Rusty Smith at quarterback at this point in the season has a bleak outlook at best.  Expect the Texans to finally get back in the win column.  Houston 34 Tennessee 21.

• Tennessee 
  • Yes: RB Chris Johnson, TE Bo Scaife
  • No: WRs Randy Moss, Nate Washington, & Justin Gage; DEF, K Rob Bironas
  • Maybe So:  QB Rusty Smith
• Houston 
  • Yes:  QB Matt Schaub, RB Arian Foster, WRs Andre Johnson & Kevin Walter, TE Joel Dreessen, DEF, K Neil Rackers
  • No:  TE Owen Daniels (Questionable-hamstring)
  • Maybe So:  None

Minnesota at Washington - Brett Favre wanted the Vikings’ offensive playbook dumbed down simplified, and he’s finally gotten his wish (along with a new head coach).  Brad Childress will probably throw a brick threw his television when he sees how much better the “new and improved” offense works, but such is the life of an ex-coach.  Minnesota 27  Washington 21.

• Minnesota 
  • Yes:  QB Brett Favre, RB Adrian Peterson, WRs Percy Harvin & Sidney Rice, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, DEF, K Ryan Longwell
  • No: None
  • Maybe So:  RB Toby Gerhardt
• Washington 
  • Yes:  WRs Santana Moss & Anthony Armstrong, TE Chris Cooley
  • No:  RBs Clinton Portis (Out for the season - groin) & Ryan Torain (Doubtful-hamstring), TE Fred Davis, DEF, K Graham Gano
  • Maybe So:  QB Donovan McNabb, RB Keiland Williams

Kansas City at Seattle (Sunday late) - Will the real Seahawks team please stand up?  Is it the team that’s gone 3-1 at home and leads its division, or is it the team that’s gone 2-4 on the road and looked awful doing so?  A “healthy” Matt Hasselbeck gives Seattle a chance in this game, but if Mike Williams is limited or unable to play, then Kansas City will win this game decisively.  Kansas City 28 Seattle 24

• Kansas City 
  • Yes:  QB Matt Cassel, RBs Jamaal Charles & Thomas Jones, WR Dwayne Bowe, DEF
  • No: WR Dexter McCluster (Questionable-ankle), TE Tony Moeaki (Questionable-concussion), K Ryan Succop
  • Maybe So:  WR Chris Chambers
• Seattle 
  • Yes:  QB Matt Hasselbeck, WRs Mike Williams (Questionable-foot) & Deon Butler, TE John Carlson
  • No:  RB Marshawn Lynch, DEF, K Olindo Mare
  • Maybe So:  WR Ben Obomanu

Miami at Oakland Both teams would rather forget Week 11:  Miami was embarrassed at home by the Bears, while Oakland came crashing back to earth on the road against Pittsburgh.  The (potential) absence of Brandon Marshall and the presence of Tyler Thigpen will both hurt the Dolphins’ cause, but Ronnie Brown and the running game will save the day for Miami.  Miami 21 Oakland 17.

• Miami 
  • Yes: RB Ronnie Brown, WRs Brandon Marshall (Questionable-hamstring) & Davone Bess, TE Anthony Fasano, DEF
  • No:  QB Tyler Thigpen, K Dan Carpenter
  • Maybe So: RB Ricky Williams (Questionable-knees)
• Oakland 
  • Yes:  RBs Darren McFadden & Michael Bush, TE Zach Miller, DEF
  • No:  QB Jason Campbell; WRs Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jacoby Ford, Louis Murphy, & Darrius Heyward-Bey; K Sebastian Janikowski
  • Maybe So:  None

Philadelphia at Chicago - Philadelphia may not be the best team in the league right now, but their explosive offense can compete with anyone.  The underrated Bears’ defense will put up a good fight, but the Bears’ offense won’t be able to get much going on offense.  Philadelphia 24 Chicago 14.

• Philadelphia 
  • Yes:  RB LeSean McCoy, WRs DeSean Jackson & Jeremy Maclin, DEF
  • No: K David Akers
  • Maybe So:  QB Michael Vick, TE Brent Celek
• Chicago 
  • Yes:  TE Greg Olsen, DEF
  • No:  QB Jay Cutler, WRs Devin Hester & Earl Bennett, K Robbie Gould
  • Maybe So:  RB Matt Forte, WR Johnny Knox

St. Louis at Denver - Though neither of these teams is likely to make the playoffs, both have enough weapons on offense to make this an entertaining game.  Count on Kyle Orton and Brandon Lloyd to outshine Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson.  Denver 27 St. Louis 21.

• St. Louis 
  • Yes: RB Steven Jackson, WR Danny Amendola
  • No: DEF, K Josh Brown
  • Maybe So: QB Sam Bradford, WRs Laurent Robinson & Brandon Gibson
• Denver 
  • Yes:  QB Kyle Orton, WRs Brandon Lloyd & Jabar Gaffney, DEF, K Matt Prater
  • No:  WR Demaryius Thomas (Out-ankle)
  • Maybe So:  RB Knowshon Moreno, WR Eddie Royal

Tampa Bay at Baltimore - In spite of the teams’ identical 7-3 records this game figures to be a mismatch in favor of the home team.  Look for the Ravens’ defense to contain LeGarrette Blount; meanwhile, look for Ray Rice to have his biggest day of the season against the Bucs’ defense.  Baltimore 27 Tampa Bay 17.

• Tampa Bay 
  • Yes: WR Mike Williams, TE Kellen Winslow
  • No: QB Josh Freeman, RBs LeGarrette Blount & Cadillac Williams, DEF, K Connor Barth
  • Maybe So: None
• Baltimore 
  • Yes:  RB Ray Rice, WR Anquan Boldin, TE Todd Heap, DEF, K Billy Cundiff
  • No:  None
  • Maybe So:  QB Joe Flacco, RB Willis McGahee, WRs Derrick Mason & T.J. Houshmandzadeh

San Diego at Indianapolis (Sunday night) - It’s rare when Peyton Manning’s the secod-best quarterback in a football game, but that may indeed be the case this weekend.  While Philip Rivers hasn’t gotten as much publicity as his play warrants due to the Chargers’ slow start, he is quietly putting together a season for the record books.  This in spite of the fact that he has no idea from one week to the next who he’s going to be throwing the ball to.  This week he’ll be without Patrick Crayton (and possibly Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd), but he regains Vincent Jackson.  Such is life when you lead a charmed existenece.  San Diego 31 Indianapolis 27.

• San Diego 
  • Yes: QB Philip Rivers, RB Mike Tolbert, WR Vincent Jackson, TE Antonio Gates (Questionable-foot), DEF
  • No:  RB Ryan Mathews (Questionable-ankle); WRs Patrick Crayton (Out-wrist), Malcom Floyd (Questionable-hamstring), & Legedu Naanee (Questionable-foot). 
  • Maybe So: RB Darren Sproles
• Indianapolis 
  • Yes:  QB Peyton Manning, WR Reggie Wayne & Pierre Garcon, TE Jacob Tamme, K Adam Vinatieri
  • No:  RBs Joseph Addai (Questionable-neck) & Mike Hart (Questionable-ankle), WR Austin Collie (Out-Concussion), DEF
  • Maybe So:  RB Donald Brown 

San Francisco at Arizona (Monday night) - No need to watch this Monday night contest unless you absolutely, positively have nothing better to do (or are still to stuffed from Thursday’s dinner to move).  San Francisco 28 Arizona 17.

• San Francisco 
  • Yes: QB Alex Smith/Troy Smith (whichever starts), RB Frank Gore, WRs Michael Crabtree & Josh Morgan, DEF
  • No: TE Vernon Davis (Questionable-ankle), K Shane Andrus
  • Maybe So: None
• Arizona 
  • Yes:  WR Larry Fitzgerald
  • No:  QB Derek Anderson, WR Anthony Roberts, DEF, K Jay Feely
  • Maybe So:  RBs Bonzie Wells & Tim Hightower, WR Steve Breason

Good luck to your teams this week, and best wishes for a healthy Thanksgivig holiday to your friends and family!

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

Hi everyone,

Only a couple of weeks remain in most fantasy football leagues’ regular season.  Thankfully, Week 11 was relatively light on significant injuries, although a number of wide receivers were hurt to varying degrees.

Who are the players who are injured, and who may be on your league’s waiver wire with the potential to make a difference for your fantasy team?

Quarterback

• Injuries/benchings - (those that weren’t on this list last week)
  • Vince Young (hand - out for the season)
• Waiver wire targets (rankings based on projected playing time and Week 12 matchups)
  • Colt McCoy (vs Car)
  • Shaun Hill (vs NE)
  • Jon Kitna (vs NO)
  • Matt Hasselbeck (vs KC)
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs Pit)

Running Back

• Injuries/benchings
  • Felix Jones (hip) 
  • Jahvid Best (toes)
  • Clinton Portis (groin)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Mike Goodson (@ Cle)
  • Darren Sproles (@ Ind)
  • Chris Ivory (@ Dal)
  • Keiland Williams (vs Min)
  • Maurice Morris (vs NE)

Wide Receivers

• Injuries/benchings  
  • Hakeem Nicks (knee)
  • Brandon Marshall (hamstring)
  • Austin Collie (concussion)
  • Mike Williams [Sea] (foot)
  • Malcom Floyd (hamstring) 
  • Patrick Crayton (wrist)
  • Demaryius Thomas (ankle)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Danny Amendola (@ Den)
  • Deion Branch (@ Det) 
  • Nate Burleson (vs NE) 
  • Anthony Armstrong (vs Min)
  • Brian Hartline (@ Oak)
  • Mohamed Massaquoi (vs Car)
  • Mike Thomas (@ NYG)
  • Devin Hester (vs Phi)
  • James Jones (@ Atl)
  • Michael Jenkins (vs GB)
  • David Gettis (@ Cle)
  • Jacoby Ford (vs Mia)
  • Derek Hagan (vs Jac)
  • Laurent Robinson (@ Den)
  • Brandon Gibson (@ Den)
  • Andre Roberts (vs SF)
  • Johnnie Lee Higgins (vs Mia)

Tight Ends

• Injuries/benchings
  • Vernon Davis (ankle)
  • Tony Scheffler (ribs)
• Waiver Wire Targets
  • Greg Olsen (vs Phi)
  • Kevin Boss (vs Jac)
  • Bo Scaife (@ Hou)
  • Joel Dreessen (vs Ten)
  • Jimmy Graham (@ Dal)

Kicker

• Injuries/benchings - None
• Waiver wire targets
  • Shayne Graham (@ Det)
  • Ryan Succop (@ Sea)
  • Josh Brown (@ Den)

Defense

• Injuries/benchings - N/A (at least I hope so)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Washington (vs Min)
  • Cleveland (vs Car)
  • Oakland (vs Mia)

Final Thoughts

• Hopefully, Vince Young’s injured thumb won’t prevent him from mending fences.
• For once it looks like all three of the Thanksgiving Day games could be competitive. 
• Brad Childress should start an airport limo service with all the time he now has on his hands.

Have a great week, and Happy Thanksgiving!

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

Hi everyone,

Why did Richard Seymour punch Ben Roethlisberger?  What award should Brian St. Pierre win?  Find out by reading our latest football blog entry on The Huffington Post!  Here’s the link:  http://huff.to/eMKDLi 

Enjoy!

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

Hi everyone,

How do the Giants plan to stop Michael Vick? Who is the Washington Redskins’ emotional leader?  Find out in my latest football blog entry on The Huffington Post!  Here’s the link:  http://huff.to/bwpxju

Enjoy!

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

Hi everyone,

Down the stretch they come!  Whether you’re managing an undefeated first-place team, or you find your roster loaded with turkeys, your time grows short to qualify for your league’s playoffs  Here are my recommendations for Week 11 - all games are Sunday during the day unless otherwise noted:

Chicago at Miami (Thursday night) - Last Sunday was a bad day to be a Miami Dolphins’ quarterback named Chad.  Tonight third-string quarterback Tyler Thigpen takes center stage for the Cutler vs Tyler show.  Cutler throws yet another key interception, ala Brett Favre blinks first, and Miami gets its second straight home victory.   Miami 21  Chicago 17.

• Chicago
  • Yes (Should definitely be in your starting lineup):  WR Johnny Knox (Probable-ankle), TE Greg Olsen, DEF
  • No (Should definitely NOT be in your starting lineup):  QB Jay Cutler, RB Chester Taylor, K Robbie Gould
  • Maybe So (Okay to start if you don’t have a better option):  RB Matt Forte; WRs Devin Aromashodu, Earl Bennett, & Devin Hester (Probable-shoulder)
• Miami
  • Yes:  WR Brandon Marshall (Probable-hamstring), TE Anthony Fassano, DEF
  • No:  QBs Chad Pennington (IR-shoulder) & Chad Henne (Doubtful-knee), RB Ricky Williams, WR Brian Hartline, K Dan Carpenter
  • Maybe So:  QB Tyler Thigpen, RB Ronnie Brown, WR Davone Bess

Buffalo at Cincinnati (Sunday early) - Buffalo’s season has gone pretty much as expected.  Cincinnati’s has gone much worse than expected.  Buffalo got to celebrate a victory last weekend against Detroit, but the Bengals will win this Game of the Weak.  Cincinnati 27 Buffalo 21.

• Buffalo
  • Yes:  RB Fred Jackson
  • No:  QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB C.J. Spiller (Out-hamstring), DEF, K Rian Lindell
  • Maybe So:  WRs Steve Johnson & Lee Evans
• Cincinnati
  • Yes:  RB Cedric Benson (Questionable/foot)/Bernard Scott (if he starts), WR Terrell Owens, TE Jermaine Grisham, DEF, K Aaron Pettrey
  • No:  WR Jordan Shipley
  • Maybe So:  QB Carson Palmer (Probable-shoulder), WR Chad Ochocinco (Probable-shoulder)

Arizona at Kansas City - You almost have to root for Arizona to win this game just to see whether Todd Haley will shake hands with Ken Whisenhunt.  Kansas City 31 Arizona 20.

• Arizona
  • Yes:  WR Larry Fitzgerald, K Jay Feely
  • No: RB Beanie Wells (Questionable-knee), DEF
  • Maybe So:  QB Derek Anderson, RB Tim Hightower, WR Steve Breaston
• Kansas City
  • Yes:  QB Matt Cassel, RBs Jamaal Charles & Thomas Jones, WR Dwayne Bowe, DEF
  • No:  WRs Chris Chambers & Dexter McCluster (Questionable-ankle), TE Tony Moeaki (Out-concussion), K Ryan Succop
  • Maybe So:  None

Green Bay at Minnesota - In all likelihood this will be the last time that Brett Favre faces his former team.  It will be a sad occasion for those who worship at the altar of drama queens, and a joyous day for the rest of us.  Minnesota 27 Green Bay 24.

• Green Bay
  • Yes:  QB Aaron Rodgers, WRs Greg Jennings & Donald Driver (Questionable-quad)
  • No:  RB John Kuhn, WR Jordy Nelson, TEs Anthony Quarless (Probable-shoulder) & Donald Lee, DEF, K Mason Crosby
  • Maybe So:  RB Bernard Jackson, WR James Jones
• Minnesota
  • Yes:  RB Adrian Peterson, WR Percy Harvin (Probable-ankle), TE Visanthe Shiancoe, DEF, K Ryan Longwell
  • No:  WRs Sidney Rice & Bernard Berrian (Questionable-groin)
  • Maybe So:  QB Brett Favre (Probable-ankle), WR Greg Camarillo

Washington at Tennessee - The Redskins celebrated Donovan McNabb’s new contract by getting blown out by McNabb’s old team on Monday Night Football.  The Redskins will bounce back and beat the Titans, who have quarterback troubles of their own.  Washington 31 Tennessee 24.

• Washington
  • Yes:  QB Donovan McNabb, RB Keiland Williams, WRs Santana Moss & Anthony Armstrong, TE Chris Cooley, DEF
  • No:  RBs Ryan Torain (Out-hamstring) & Clinton Portis (Questionable-groin)
  • Maybe So:  None
• Tennessee
  • Yes: RB Chris Johnson, WRs Randy Moss & Nate Washington, TE Bo Scaife
  • No:  QB Kerry Collins (Doubtful-calf), WRs Kenny Britt (Out-hamstring) & Justin Gage, DEF, K Rob Bironas
  • Maybe So:  QB Vince Young

Cleveland at Jacksonville - While both of these teams have slightly better-than-expected records, Cleveland’s future is brighter than Jacksonville’s.  That won’t matter this week as Jacksonville wins (without the aid of a Hail Mary pass).  Jacksonville 27 Cleveland 24

• Cleveland
  • Yes:  QB Colt McCoy, RB Peyton Hillis, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, TE Ben Watson
  • No:  WR Josh Cribbs (Out-foot), DEF, K Phil Dawson
  • Maybe:  WR Brian Robiskie
• Jacksonville
  • Yes:  QB David Garrard, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, WRs Mike Sims-Walker (Questionable-ankle) & Mike Thomas, TE Marcedes Lewis, DEF, K Josh Scobee
  • No:  None
  • Maybe So:  None

Houston at New York Jets  - Houston loses games it should win; the Jets win games they should lose.  Matt Schaub is running out of healthy bodies to throw to, and the Jets will keep Arian Foster in check on their way to another victory.  NY Jets 34 Houston 24

• Houston
  • Yes: QB Matt Schaub (Questionable-knee), WR Andre Johnson (Probable-ankle), TE Joel Dreessen
  • No:  TE Owen Daniels (Out-hamstring), DEF, K Neil Rackers
  • Maybe So:  RB Arian Foster, WRs Kevin Walter (Probable-knee) & Jacoby Jones
• NY Jets
  • Yes:  QB Mark Sanchez (Probable-calf), WR Santonio Holmes & Brayon Edwards
  • No:  WR Jerricho Cotchery (Out-groin)
  • Maybe So:  RBs LeShaun McCoy & Sean Greene

Baltimore at Carolina  - So it’s come to this for Carolina:  Tony Pike, the presumed replacement for Jimmy Clausen, who replaced Matt Moore, has been passed over for the Panthers’ starting quarterback job in favor of Brian St. Pierre.  Lots of luck with that.  Baltimore 24 Carolina 7.

• Baltimore
  • Yes: RB Ray Rice, WR Anquan Boldin, TE Todd Heap (Probable-chest), DEF
  • No: K Billy Cundiff
  • Maybe So:  QB Joe Flacco, RB Willis McGahee, WRs Derrick Mason & T.J. Houshmandzadeh
• New Orleans
  • Yes:  TE Dante Rosario, DEF
  • No:  QBs Brian St. Pierre, Tony Pike, & Jimmy Clausen (Out-concussion); RBs Mike Goodson, Tyrell Sutton (Out-ankle), Jonathan Stewart (Out-concussion), & DeAngelo Williams (IR-foot), WRs Steve Smith, David Gettis, & Brandon LaFell (Out-concussion); K John Kasay
  • Maybe So:  None

Detroit at Dallas - Two weeks ago this matchup between the two traditional Thanksgiving game host teams looked to be a dreadful game, but then the Cowboys went out and destroyed the Giants last weekend for interim head coach Jason Garrett.  Go figure.  Dallas 24  Detroit 17

• Detroit
  • Yes:  WRs Calvin Johnson (Probable-knee) & Nate Burleson (Probable-thigh), TEs Brandon Pettigrew & Tony Scheffler (Questionable-shoulder), DEF
  • No: RB Kevin Smith (IR-thumb), WR Bryant Johnson, Ks David Rayner & Jason Hanson (Out-knee)
  • Maybe So:  QB Shaun Hill, RB Jahvid Best (Probable-toe)/Maurice Morris (if he starts)
• Dallas
  • Yes:  QB Jon Kitna, WRs Miles Austin & Dez Bryant, TE Jason Witten, DEF
  • No:  RBs Marion Barber & Tashard Choice, K David Buehler
  • Maybe So:  RB Felix Jones, WR Roy Williams

Oakland at Pittsburgh - Oakland’s success this season has been surprising; Pittsburgh’s only mildly so.  This will be one of the weekend’s more interesting games - Oakland will pull off yet another upset.  Oakland 21 Pittsburgh 21

• Oakland
  • Yes:  QB Jason Campbell, WR Louis Murphy, TE Zach Miller (Questionable-foot), DEF
  • No: RB Michael Bush, K Sebastien Janikowski
  • Maybe So:  RB Darren McFadden, WRs Jacoby Ford & Darrius Heyward-Bey (Questionable-hamstring)
• Pittsburgh
  • Yes:  TE Heath Miller, DEF
  • No:  QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Rashard Mendenhall, WRs Hines Ward (Probable-concussion) & Mike Wallace, K Shaun Suisham
  • Maybe So:  None

Atlanta at St. Louis (Sunday late) Matt Ryan showed last week that he can bring his team back from a deficit late in the game.  He may have to use that skill again this week, but the outcome will be the same as it was against the Ravens.  Atlanta 24 St. Louis 21

• Atlanta
  • Yes: QB Matt Ryan, WR Roddy White, TE Tony Gonzalez, DEF
  • No:  K Matt Bryant
  • Maybe So: WR Michael Jenkins
• St. Louis
  • Yes:  RB Steven Jackson, WR Danny Amendola, DEF
  • No:  WR Mardy Gilyard, K Josh Brown
  • Maybe So:  QB Sam Bradford, WRs Brandon Gibson & Laurent Robinson, TE Daniel Fells

Tampa Bay at San Francisco - San Francisco was expected to contend for a division title this season; Tampa Bay wasn’t.  Even though the Buccaneers are technically still in contention, both teams will be watching the playoffs on television this season.  At least Tampa Bay has the excuse of a strong division.  Tampa Bay 20 San Francisco 13

• Tampa Bay
  • Yes:  TE Kellen Winslow (Probable-knee), DEF, K Connor Barth
  • No: QB Josh Freeman, RBs Cadillac Williams & Earnest Graham (Probable-hamstring), WRs Arrelious Benn & Sammie Stroughter (Questionable-foot)
  • Maybe So:  RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Michael Williams
• San Francisco
  • Yes:  QB Troy Smith, RB Frank Gore (Probable-foot), WR Michael Crabtree, TE Vernon Davis, DEF
  • No:  QB Alex Smith, K Shane Andrus
  • Maybe So:  WR Josh Morgan

Seattle at New Orleans - To anybody who watches this game - please turn out the lights on the way home.  New Orleans 28 Seattle 10

• Seattle
  • Yes: TE John Carlson
  • No: QBs Matt Hasselbeck (Probable-wrist) & Charlie Whitehurst, RB Justin Forsett, WR Golden Tate (Doubtful-ankle), DEF, K Olindo Mare
  • Maybe So: RB Marshawn Lynch, WRs Michael Williams & Deon Butler
• New Orleans
  • Yes:  QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, TE David Thomas, DEF
  • No:  RBs Reggie Bush (Questionable-leg) & Chris Ivory (Probable-shoulder), TE Jeremy Shockey (Out-ribs), K Garrett Hartley
  • Maybe So:  WRs Lance Moore, Robert Meachem, & Devery Henderson

Indianapolis at New England - It’s the seemingly annual battle between Peyton Perfect and Tom Terrific.  While neither may win the league’s MVP award this season, the game will be as entertaining as always.  Indianapolis 34 New England 24

• Indianapolis
  • Yes: QB Peyton Manning, WRs Reggie Wayne (Questionable-knee) & Pierre Garcon, TE Jacob Tamme, DEF, K Adam Vinatieri
  • No: RBs Joseph Addai (Out-neck) & Mike Hart (Out-ankle), WR Austin Collie (Questionable-concussion)
  • Maybe So: RB Donald Brown
• New England
  • Yes:  QB Tom Brady (Questionable-foot), WR Wes Welker, TE Aaron Hernandez
  • No:  DEF, K Shayne Graham
  • Maybe So:  RBs BenJarvus Green-Ellis & Danny Woodhead, TE Rob Gronkowski

New York Giants at Philadelphia (Sunday night) - If the previous week’s NFL games had much predictive value, the Giants would be in a heap of trouble.  Sadly for the Eagles, they don’t.  New York 24 Philadelphia 21

• New York
  • Yes: QB Eli Manning, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WRs Hakeem Nicks & Mario Manningham, TE Kevin Boss (Probable-back), DEF
  • No:  K Lawrence Tynes, WR Steve Smith (Out-arm)
  • Maybe So: RB Brandon Jacobs
• Philadelphia
  • Yes:  RB LeSean McCoy (Probable-shoulder), WR DeSean Jackson &  Jeremy Maclin, TE Brent Celek, DEF
  • No:  K Davd Akers
  • Maybe So:  QB Michael Vick, WR Jason Avant 
    

Denver at San Diego (Monday night) - San Diego’s season is playing out according to its usual script:  slow start, fast finish.  Denver will provide only token resistance.  San Diego 41 Denver 24

• Denver
  • Yes: QB Kyle Orton; WRs Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal (Questionable-hamstring) & Jabar Gaffney
  • No: RB Knowshon Moreno, DEF, K Matt Prater
  • Maybe So: None
• San Diego
  • Yes:  QB Philip Rivers, WR Malcom Floyd (Probable-hamstring), TE Antonio Gates (Questionable-foot), DEF, K Kris Brown
  • No:  RB Ryan Mathews (Doubtful-ankle), WR Legedu Naanee (Doubtful-hamstring)
  • Maybe So:  RBs Mike Tolbert & Darren Sproles, WRs Seyi Ajirotutu & Patrick Crayton

Good luck to your teams 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

Hi everyone,

The good news is that we’re finally through the seven bye weeks.  The bad news is that a number of quarterbacks and (yes) kickers were injured during last week’s game and need to be replaced by what remains on the waiver wire.

Who are the players who are injured, and who may be on your league’s waiver wire with the potential to make a difference for your fantasy team?

Quarterback

• Injuries/benchings - (those that weren’t on this list last week)
  • Tom Brady (foot)
  • Matt Schaub (knee)
  • Chad Henne (knee)
  • Jimmy Clausen (concussion)
  • Kerry Collins (calf)
  • Chad Pennington (shoulder-out for season)
• Waiver wire targets (rankings based on projected playing time and Week 11 matchups)
  • Sam Bradford (vs Atl)
  • Jon Kitna (vs Det)
  • Colt McCoy (@ Jac)
  • Troy Smith (vs TB)
  • Vince Young (vs Was) 
  • Jason Campbell (@ Pit)
  • Tyler Thigpen (vs Chi)
  • Brian St. Pierre (vs Bal)

Running Back

• Injuries/benchings
  • DeAngelo Williams (IR-foot) 
  • Ryan Torain (Hamstring)
  • C.J. Spiller (hamstring)
  • Chris Ivory (shoulder)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Keiland Williams (@ Ten)
  • Bernard Scott (vs Buf)
  • Donald Brown (@ NE)
  • Mike Goodson (vs Bal)
  • Darren Sproles (vs Den)

Wide Receivers

• Injuries/benchings  
  • Reggie Wayne (knee)
  • Mike Sims-Walker (ankle)
  • Hines Ward (quad)
  • Jeremy Cotchery (hamstring)
  • Josh Cribbs (foot) 
  • Bernard Berrian (groin)
  • Brandon LaFell (concussion)
  • Dexter McCluster (ankle)hter (foot)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Mike Williams (Sea) (@ NO)
  • Deion Branch (vs Ind) 
  • Mike Thomas (vs Cle) 
  • Danny Amendola (vs Atl)
  • Kevin Walter (@ NYJ)
  • Patrick Crayton (vs Den)
  • Nate Burleson (@ Dal)
  • Mohamed Massaquoi (@ Jac)

Tight Ends

• Injuries/benchings
  • Tony Moeaki (concussion)
• Waiver Wire Targets
  • Ben Watson (@ Jac)
  • Anthony Fasano (vs Chi)
  • Jermaine Gresham (vs Buf)
  • Kevin Boss (@ Phi)
  • Tony Scheffler (@ Dal)

Kicker

• Injuries/benchings
  • Jason Hanson (knee)
  • Joe Nedney (knee)
  • Mike Nugent (IR - season-ending injury)
  • Jeff Reed (cut)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Ryan Succop (vs Ari)
  • Billy Cundiff (@ Car)
  • Shayne Graham (vs Ind)
  • Shaun Suisham (@ Oak)
  • Aaron Pettrey (vs Buf)
  • David Raynor (@ Dal)

Defense

• Injuries/benchings - N/A (at least I hope so)
• Waiver wire targets
  • Atlanta (vs StL)
  • Kansas City (vs Ari)
  • San Diego (vs Den)
  • Dallas (vs Det)
  • Cincinnati (vs Buf)

Final Thoughts

• Let’s see if Tom Brady leads his team to victory again this week by screaming at his teammates.
• Will someone pleases wake up the Giants before their Sunday night game in Philadelphia? 
• If you know of any quarterbacks please contact Miami head coach Tony Sparano immeidately.

Have a great week!

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

Hi everyone,

What is Jay Cutler getting his offensive line for the holidays? Why was Atlanta glad their game with the Ravens was on Thursday night?  Find out in my latest football blog entry on The Huffington Post!  Here’s the link:  http://huff.to/ad9ODb  Enjoy!

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