Week 14 Thoughts

It's playoff time, fellas.  I'm going to really focus on what's important here...no fringe analysis.  We know what we have, for the most part.


Arizona Cardinals - This was simply an off-game for the Cardinals.  Warner, Fitzgerald, and Boldin will bounce back, and with a matchup against Detroit in week 15, odds are it will be in a big way.

Atlanta Falcons - The offense continued to be a mess with Ryan and Turner out hurt, and with Atlanta probably out of the playoff picture (2 games back with 2 to go), odds are they won't rush them back.  If Redman starts again, it's going to be a rough game against the Jets.  Speaking of which, White will get shutdown corner Revis in coverage.  It'd take some balls to sit a stud like White, but this might be the toughest matchup you could ask for.

Baltimore Ravens - The only two valid playoff fantasy options on this team are Ray Rice, who just shredded the Detroit defense, and Derrick Mason, who continues to defy his age.  Rice remains a RB1 and Mason is a solid WR3.

Buffalo Bills - Fred Jackson remains a solid RB2, but that's now two games in a row where Lynch has outproduced him on his limited touches.  It shouldn't be a concern.  If you're starting anyone else on this team, you've got a weakness.

Carolina Panthers - DeAngelo Williams is now down his 2 best OTs in Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah, with Otah especially being a key component to the rushing attack.  With Minnesota up next, I'm very down on Williams this week, but you'd need a really good 3rd RB to risk sitting him.  Still, like Roddy White above, his matchup is very bad.  Steve Smith remains a solid WR3, but nothing more.

Cincinnati Bengals - Cedric Benson, despite some off-base rumor last week that he'd be splitting carries with Larry Johnson, remains the workhorse of this team.  He's a RB1.  Ochocinco is still a WR1/2 tweener, but with Carson Palmer's continued struggles, he's not as explosive as he previously was.

Chicago Bears - You're probably not relying on anyone here, but Forte remains a decent RB2.  His matchup against Baltimore is not decent, however.  I would consider other options if you have them, but Forte will get his touches.  Given Chicago probably won't run successfully on Baltimore, they should pass plenty, and Baltimore's secondary is not great.  Cutler is a low level QB1 this week.  If you're scraping the barrel for a WR3, Devin Aromashodu qualifies with a great matchup, and the Bears figure to go pass happy.

Cleveland Browns - If you're still starting someone on this team, you're probably either 4-10 or you have a ridiculous supporting cast.  And you're dumb.

Dallas Cowboys - Romo continues to look good, and with just a good enough rushing attack, it's enough to keep defenses off balance.  Miles Austin is a borderline WR1 as he's been quite consistent since his mid-season drought, and Roy Williams is a solid WR3 as he's playing well alongside Austin.  Jason Witten has resumed his elite TE status with a strong finish so far.  Felix Jones looks explosive again and provides a great complement to the passing attack, but he's not a fantasy option with the lack of touches.  Marion Barber has fallen out of grace, and he failed with numerous goal line options last week.  He's a very risky RB2, but despite the drought, he's always a threat to score.  They get the Saints next, so they'll have to score plenty.

Denver Broncos - Holy Brandon Marshall.  He's obviously a great WR1 heading into the playoffs, and Moreno will completely dominate the backfield work should Correll Buckhalter miss week 15.  He'd be a borderline RB1 in that scenario with Oakland next on the schedule.

Detroit Lions - With Kevin Smith done for the year, only Calvin Johnson is worth mentioning, and Stafford projects to return this week.  Johnson must be started if Stafford plays, but you could consider other options if Culpepper starts again.

Green Bay Packers - Much like the Cardinals, the Packers simply had an off-game.  Rodgers, Driver, and Jennings have a great matchup against a reeling Pittsburgh secondary.  The Steelers can still stop the run, but Grant figures to get plenty of touches and is a threat to score.  He's a RB2.

Houston Texans - The offense was scorching last week, and with St. Louis up next, good times should be had by all.  Schaub and AJ project to have huge games, and if you're really hard up for a RB2 this week, Arian Foster is worth a look.  He's a big RB with solid pass catching ability, and he's got a great matchup as the Texans should be nursing a lead down the stretch of the game.  He figures to be on the field plenty and is a RB2 this week.

Indianapolis Colts - If you believe Jim Caldwell, and sometimes it's hard to, then all Colts players are safe to use this week.  Their passing attack has a wonderful matchup against the Jaguars, so get Manning, Wayne, Garcon, Collie, and Clark all active for this one.  Addai is a must-start as well with Donald Brown likely to sit again.  If there's a game for Wayne to re-emerge, it's this one.  We've suffered with crappy production for long enough!

Jacksonville Jaguars - MJD is the only guy worth using here, and he's an obvious must-start, although the Colts figure to score a ton and put the Jags down early.  Sims-Walker's injuries are mounting up again and he remains a high risk start if he plays in week 15.

Kansas City Chiefs - Jamaal Charles continues to amaze, and he's a solid RB2 as the lone RB in the Chiefs backfield.  He has a great matchup this week against the Browns, too.  Dwayne Bowe returns, and if you've stashed him, he should be safe to use as a WR3 this week in an ideal matchup.

Miami Dolphins - Ricky Williams continues to shoulder a big workload, but he's doing great so far.  The Titans defense has improved greatly as the season has gone along, but they're still only middle of the pack against the run.  He's a borderline RB1.

Minnesota Vikings - Peterson has been as consistent as any RB in fantasy this year, and he gets a juicy matchup against a ravaged Carolina run defense this week.  He could be huge.  Favre is also a must-start, although Carolina's secondary has played at a high level this year.  Just ask Tom Brady.

New England Patriots - Brady had a rough one, mostly thanks to Randy Moss seemingly shutting in down in a big game for the team.  There's been a lot of press covering his actions last week, but Brady, Moss, and Welker remain must-starts every week.  Maroney continues to get a lot of carries, and with a great matchup against Buffalo this week, he can be used as a RB2.

New Orleans Saints - Brees, Colston, and Meachem must be started this week as Meachem has clearly emerged as the secondary target for Brees in the passing game, and he's a big play waiting to happen.  Starting Henderson is always like playing the lottery, and Shockey hasn't been useful for weeks.  Pierre Thomas, especially with Mike Bell out, is a solid RB2.

New York Giants - Eli rebounded in a monster way, and he has a solid matchup with the Redskins up next.  He can be used as a QB1, and hopefully he's over the foot issues that have caused issues for him this season.  Hakeem Nicks finally leapfrogged Mario Manningham, and while he had a couple bad drops, he also made a huge play and posted a great fantasy day.  Get him active as a WR3 this week.  Jacobs scored, but with his lack of efficient on his carries and the renewed Ahmad Bradshaw, he's a risky option.  He can still be used as a RB2, but he's not a great bet for yardage.

New York Jets - Sanchez should return this week, but if Ryan and Turner miss the game for the Falcons, odds are that he won't be asked to throw much, meaning this whole passing attack should be avoided.  Thomas Jones is a must-start RB1.

Oakland Raiders - Garbage.

Philadelphia Eagles - McNabb had another solid game and remains a QB1.  DeSean Jackson posted yet another long TD, and Brent Celek posted a great game as well.  All 3 of them are must-starts, but determining who might do something between Jason Avant and Reggie Brown isn't worth chasing.  I'd take Avant if I had to choose.  The rushing attack is to be avoided as it's a clear split between McCoy and Weaver, but if your RB2 is a ghost town, you could try chasing a TD from Weaver.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Big Ben looked poor versus a horrible secondary.  It was just a bad game in every possible way as his protection failed him big time, and with the swirling winds, it negated the downfield ability of Holmes and Wallace.  Ward was set up for a big day if he wasn't so hobbled.  The tough GB secondary is up next, but the Steelers will probably pass plenty, so Big Ben, Holmes, and Ward should be started.  With Woodson looming, however, it might be a rough day for Holmes.

San Diego Chargers - Welcome back, VJax.  Rivers, Jackson, and Gates are must-starts, and Tomlinson is a solid RB2 thanks to his high workload and TD total.  Odds are he'll disappoint with his yardage but score again.

San Francisco 49ers - There's Gore.  It was probably too late for his owners, but SF returned to a run-heavy attack, and Gore came through in a big way.  The Eagles are middle of the pack against RBs, so he's a must-start RB1.  Vernon Davis also has a fantastic matchup as the Eagles are among the worst in the NFL at defending the TE.  Crabtree is a decent WR3.

Seattle Seahawks - This whole team should be avoided.

St. Louis Rams - Steven Jackson is obviously the only player worth talking about here, but he had a very bad game, and it appears as though his back is really starting to give him trouble.  Given the nature of the injury and his heavy workload so far, it's not surprising.  Houston is up next, and they've been great against the run over the past 2 months.  It's insanely hard to sit your top pick in the playoffs, especially how well he's played despite everything going on around him, but with the back injury combined with a team that figures to go up big in a hurry, it's not a terrible idea.  This obviously depends on your options, however.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Freeman continued to struggle against the vaunted Jets secondary.  Raheem Morris will scale the rookie back a bit, much like the Jets did with Sanchez earlier in the year, so while Kellen Winslow has to be started, Antonio Bryant will be very risky.

Tennessee Titans - Holy Chris Johnson.  You might want to start him in the playoffs.  Young left with a pulled hammy, but luckily it doesn't appear to be a serious injury.  Keep a close eye on him as the Dolphins present a favorable matchup.  I'm going to be starting him over Palmer if he plays.

Washington Redskins - You won't need the Skins passing attack if you're in the playoffs, but Quinton Ganther presents an interesting RB2 option for anyone really struggling at the position.  He's hardly some good talent, but he runs hard, and the Giants aren't nearly as stout against the run as they once were.