Vikings @ Lions - (Autry)

Passing Game Thoughts: There’s no chance of Brett Favre playing this week, is there? Please say it ain’t so. As of now (Thursday evening), Favre has yet to pass his concussion tests, which pretty much keeps him on the sidelines for what (mercifully) is his last NFL game. Head coach Leslie Frazier did indicate, though, that Favre will have another exam on Friday to determine his availability. For his sake, I hope he stays on the sideline. Meanwhile, Joe Webb’s play last week against Philadelphia made viewers forget about #4—if only for a few moments. Webb outplayed Michael Vick and perhaps made the decision easier for Frazier to keep Webb in the lineup despite what many may clamor for heading into week 17—a farewell game by Favre.

Minnesota had a balanced attack in the first game this season against Detroit—185 passing yards, 183 rushing yards. Whether it’s Webb or Favre under center, expect the same kind of approach. Neither QB at this point is capable of singlehandedly taking over this game, so a productive running attack will no doubt be job #1 for Minnesota offensively. Sidney Rice was rendered useless last week, but Percy Harvin came through in a big way in most leagues’ Super Bowl. The passing scheme in Minnesota has too many issues at this point to rely heavily on any component. Look elsewhere for your passing game options.

Running Game Thoughts: Adrian Peterson has been steady this season but not the explosive version we’ve come to expect in the fantasy world. The opponent this week, however, has given up five total TDs in its last three games against Peterson. Defensive tackle Ndamakong Suh has wrecked havoc all season long, so the Lions’ 24th-ranked run defense is a bit of a head-scratcher. Peterson should get more than the 22 carries he got last week. He will be the centerpiece of a conservative Minnesota offense that will look to establish physicality early and often.

Projections:
Joe Webb – 180 yards / 1 TD / 2 INTs
Adrian Peterson – 115 yards / 1 TD
Percy Harvin – 60 yards
Sidney Rice – 45 yards / 1 TD
Visanthe Shiancoe – 55 yards

Passing Game Thoughts: Shaun Hill has quietly been one of the best free agent signings Detroit has had in many years. With the yearly question marks surrounding the health of Matthew Stafford’s, it’s imperative that Detroit has a back-up capable of picking up the slack. Hill has not only done that, but he has maintained Calvin Johnson’s relevance in the process while actually increasing the relevance of TE Brandon Pettigrew. Pettigrew remains one of the most-targeted TEs in the league, and has the third-most receptions in the league behind Jason Witten and Chris Cooley.

Hill had his struggles against the Vikings earlier this season in a 24-10 loss. If the Vikings team that showed up last week against Philly decides to show up in Detroit, similar struggles will follow. And with a hobbled Calvin Johnson attempting to play this week, that could be an absolute certainty. Hill will be solid but far from spectacular. Plan accordingly.

Running Game Thoughts: The Lions have limited the practice reps and game reps of Jahvid Best due to an injured toe. This injury has plagued him most of the season and really derailed a promising rookie campaign that had many owners drooling after the first two weeks. But who knew that Maurice Morris would give the Lions productivity at RB when it looked like Morris was a shell of his former average self? While not a fantasy stud by any means, Morris at least allows Detroit to maintain some form of a suitable threat in the backfield. Keep Morris benched, but do watch with interest his role in the offense. Could it be a sign of things to come in 2011? Probably not, but stranger things have happened.

Projections:
Shaun Hill – 215 yards / 2 TDs / 1 INT
Maurice Morris – 45 yards
Jahvid Best – 25 yards
Calvin Johnson – 85 yards / 1 TD
Nate Burleson – 60 yards
Brandon Pettigrew – 55 yards / 1 TD

Prediction: Detroit 20, Minnesota 17 ^ Top

Bills @ Jets - (Marcoccio)

Passing Game Thoughts: The biggest question for the Bills and their fans this offseason will be whether Ryan Fitzpatrick has done enough to have secured his place as the Bills quarterback of the future. The fact that he has protected himself by pulling off a few wins down the stretch, which has killed the Bills chance to win the “Andrew Luck lottery”, has likely helped the argument in Fitzpatrick’s favor. Fitzpatrick has been a real surprise in the FF community as well. He finishes the fantasy season (for those of you that do play in Week 17) with a semi-tough match up as the Jets cover outside receivers well., but struggle defending TEs and slot WRs – something the Bills really don’t have.

Running Game Thoughts: The Bills have found some success on the ground riding veteran Fred Jackson in recent weeks after struggling earlier in the season. Jackson doesn’t receive the national respect that he deserves, but has built up supporters in the fantasy football community that have watched the undrafted veteran out produce early first round draft pick backs Marshawn Lynch and CJ Spiller the last two seasons. It will be interesting to see if the latter first rounder Spiller gets an audition to close out 2010 or if Chan Gailey looking to build a winner in Buffalo goes with the veteran to close out the year.

Projections:
Ryan Fitzpatrick: 225 yds passing, 2 TDs, 1 Int. / 20 yards rushing
David Nelson: 60 yds receiving
Steve Johnson: 40 yds receiving, 1 TD
Jonathan Stupar: 55 yds receiving, 1 TD
C.J. Spiller: 35 yds rushing / 30 yds receiving
Fred Jackson: 85 yds rushing / 15 yds receiving

Passing Game Thoughts: It seems Roger Goodell’s plan to schedule inter-division match ups for the final week in order to decrease the odds of playing games with little meaning didn’t quite work out. The Jets are locked into the No. 6 playoff seed and thus may rest a majority of their starters as well, including QB Mark Sanchez who played last week with a tear in his shoulder. We may just see 40-year-old QB Mark Brunell under center for Gang Green in New Jersey this Sunday. Don’t expect much passing either way as the Jets will hope to get this one done quickly and quietly before heading out to Kansas City to face the Chiefs.

Running Game Thoughts: Shonn Greene is starting to come on strong, just in time for the playoffs – where he made name for himself last season. The Jets will likely limit LaDainian Tomlinson’s reps this week in order to keep the old man fresh for the playoffs. Little used rookie Joe McKnight could see extensive action for the first time all season. The team is a little banged up along the o-line but can still ground and pound when they want to.

Projections:
Mark Sanchez: 150 yds passing, 1 TD / 5 yards rushing
Braylon Edwards: 40 yds receiving, 1 TD
Santonio Holmes: 30 yds receiving
Dustin Keller: 65 yds receiving
Shonn Greene: 105 yds rushing, 2 TDs / 5 yds receiving
LaDainian Tomlinson: 15 yds rushing / 10 yds receiving

Prediction: Jets 24, Bills 17 ^ Top

Panthers @ Falcons - (Caron)

Passing Game Thoughts: The Jimmy Clausen experiment may be coming to an end as the Carolina Panthers head into the final week of a 2010 season they hope to forget. Clausen’s rookie season has been a monumental disaster the likes of which few could have imagined, and the Panthers have locked up the top overall pick in the 2011 draft, which many experts assume they will use to select quarterback Andrew Luck if he declares eligible.

Clausen could go a long way in giving himself a fighting chance next season if he has a nice game this week against the likely NFC South champion Atlanta Falcons. He faced this defense back in Week 14 when he threw for just 107 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in a blowout loss at home. Though the Panthers have nothing to play for, Clausen does, and he should be well aware that his team may be looking for a new option at quarterback next season—even if he does finish this season on a high note. That said, don’t expect too much from Clausen, who has been held to just two touchdown passes in 11 games this season.

Running Game Thoughts: The only fantasy-relevant player on the Carolina Panthers in recent weeks has been running back Jonathan Stewart. Though he did have his toughest matchup in recent memory, rushing for just 71 yards against the Steelers’ top-ranked fantasy defense last week, he has been better lately than he was in the first half of the year. He still has only two touchdowns on the year but, hey, at least he’s getting enough carries to be fantasy-relevant now. Mike Goodson, on the other hand, has fallen off the fantasy radar, having rushed for just 24 yards in the past two weeks combined.

Just three weeks ago Stewart was able to run for 133 yards on 18 carries against the Falcons defense—and that was in a blowout loss. The Falcons’ 6th-ranked fantasy run defense has been stifling this season but has stumbled in recent weeks, allowing a rushing touchdown in four straight games after having allowed just two in their first 11 games.

Projections:
Jimmy Clausen – 140 yards passing / 1 touchdowns / 2 INT
Jonathan Stewart – 85 yards rushing / 1 TD / 10 yards receiving / 0 TD
Mike Goodson – 20 yards rushing / 0 TD / 10 yards receiving / 0 TD
Steve Smith – 35 yards rushing / 0 TD
Brandon LaFell – 30 yards receiving / 0 TD
David Gettis – 25 yards receiving / 0 TD

Passing Game Thoughts: It was a tough game last week for recent Pro Bowl selection Matt Ryan, as he threw for just 148 yards and only one touchdown in a loss to the New Orleans Saints. Ryan has failed to top 230 yards passing in five straight games now, after having done so in his five games prior. Wide receiver Roddy White has scored in back-to-back weeks now after a four week drought, but the former top-scoring wide receiver has had a rough stretch recently, when fantasy owners have needed him most.

White continues to be a PPR stud and caught eight passes for 79 yards against the Panthers just three weeks back. He remains the only fantasy-relevant wide receiver on the Atlanta roster. At tight end, Tony Gonzalez has been very hit-and-miss as of late—but mostly “miss,” aside from his one touchdown against the Panthers in their last meeting. He has only topped 50 yards receiving three times this season, as Matt Ryan seems focused on getting the ball to White as often as possible. While this seems like a cakewalk on paper, do keep in mind that the Panthers rank 3rd in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and they did hold Ryan to just one touchdown pass in the previous meeting.

Running Game Thoughts: A disastrous Week 16 from Michael Turner had a lot of fantasy owners cursing his name as they lost their fantasy championship games. After putting up 114 yards and a touchdown in the Week 3 matchup versus the Saints, he proceeded to rush for just 48 yards and no touchdowns in their second meeting, while fumbling the ball at the goal line.

For those playing in Week 17, though, Turner should turn that frown upside down, as he may have the best fantasy matchup of any player this week in facing the Panthers’ 29th-ranked fantasy defense. Turner’s fantasy season has had quite a few peaks and valleys, but no peak was greater than in Week 14 when he destroyed the Panthers for 112 yards and a season-best three touchdowns. The Panthers have been absolutely manhandled on the ground this season, and it’s hard to expect anything different this week as the Falcons look to lock up an NFC South division championship and a first round bye with a win.

Projections:
Matt Ryan – 190 yards passing / 2 TD / 1 INT / 5 yards rushing
Michael Turner – 120 yards rushing / 2 TD
Jason Snelling – 30 yards rushing / 0 TD / 15 yards receiving
Roddy White – 70 yards receiving / 1 TD
Michael Jenkins – 25 yards receiving / 0 TD
Tony Gonzalez – 40 yards receiving / 1 TD

Prediction: Panthers 14, Falcons 34 ^ Top

Buccaneers @ Saints - (Caron)

Passing Game Thoughts: Wow! Just when it looked like Josh Freeman would finish the season with yet another solid-but-not-great fantasy week, he comes completely out of nowhere with a ridiculous five-touchdown performance last week against the Seahawks. Freeman hadn’t thrown for more than one touchdown since Week 11 and hadn’t thrown for more than two in any single game this season, but his amazing performance in the clutch is something that his fantasy owners will not soon forget.

While Freeman burst into the fantasy spotlight last week and remains one of the most consistent fantasy quarterbacks in the league, this week’s tough matchup in New Orleans, against a Saints team that still has a chance to win the NFC South, could be one of the more difficult games he plays this season. Freeman was held to just 219 yards passing with one touchdown against the Saints earlier this year, and New Orleans ranks 2nd in the league in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Plus, they have allowed more than one passing touchdown only twice this season.

Running Game Thoughts: It’s hard to complain about a 164-yard performance, but fantasy owners had to be grinding their teeth at the play-calling last week when the Buccaneers threw five touchdowns while not rushing for any. Even so, LeGarrette Blount has rushed for 100-plus yards in three of his past four games and has taken 15 or more carries in six of his past seven games, making him a solid weekly option almost regardless of the matchup. Cadillac Williams remains a low-level option for deep leagues as he continues to add between 3-5 fantasy points per week, most of which come on passing downs as a receiver.

If there has been a weak point in the Saints defense this season, it has been their rush defense, which currently ranks 17th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. They have recently allowed three big fantasy days to the Cowboys, Bengals, and Ravens running backs. While Blount may not have the talent that some of those backs have, his bruising style makes him a good bet to get into the end zone against the Saints, who have allowed five rushing touchdowns in their last five games. They did hold the Tampa Bay backs to just 25 yards rushing in their previous matchup, but it’s worth noting that was before Blount started getting the majority of the carries.

Projections:
Josh Freeman – 185 yards passing / 1 TD / 0 INT
LeGarrette Blount – 80 yards rushing / 1 TD
Cadillac Williams – 20 yards rushing / 0 TD / 25 yards receiving
Mike Williams – 80 yards receiving / 1 TD
Kellen Winslow – 55 yards receiving / 0 TD

Passing Game Thoughts: The interception streak for quarterback Drew Brees has now reached 11 straight games. It’s hard to determine exactly what the issue is, but Brees has now thrown 21 interceptions on the year—a number that nearly doubles the 11 he threw in 2009 as the Saints rode the top seed in the NFC Playoffs to the Super Bowl. While Brees continues to put up above-average fantasy numbers, he would become an elite fantasy quarterback once again if he could just limit those mistakes. Marques Colston had a tough game last week while Robert Meachem, who caught 10 passes for 101 yards, stood out. Don’t expect Meachem to get that much work again this week, as he hadn’t caught more than 3 passes in a game since Week 8.

Even with running back Pierre Thomas coming back from injury, the Saints remain an overwhelmingly pass-first offense with their Pro Bowl quarterback on the field. The Buccaneers do rank 7th in the league in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, but Brees exploited them for three touchdowns back in Week 6. New Orleans will continue to air the ball out as long as Brees is behind center, so feel free to start your usual Saints this week, even against a pretty good Tampa Bay defense that recently placed their top cornerback, Aqib Talib, on injured reserve.

Running Game Thoughts: Pierre Thomas finally appears healthy enough to start taking the majority of carries for the Saints, who have missed his services during their 2010 run to the playoffs. Thomas ran for 63 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries last week during an important win over the Falcons that locked up a playoff appearance for the defending Super Bowl champions. He also caught 7 passes for 39 yards while fellow running back Reggie Bush caught just four passes.

The Buccaneers currently rank 25th in the league in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, which bodes well for Thomas’ chances to make it two nice fantasy weeks in a row when it matters the most. If Thomas gets around 20 touches again this week, it should be get him to around 100 total yards and hopefully give him a chance to sneak into the end zone again. Unfortunately the Saints seem to enjoy giving fantasy owners agony when it comes to touchdowns, so their offensive unpredictability makes Thomas somewhat of a risky play, even against this porous defense.

Projections:
Drew Brees – 290 yards passing / 2 TD / 1 INT
Pierre Thomas – 75 yards rushing / 1 TD / 25 yards receiving
Reggie Bush – 10 yards rushing / 0 TD / 40 yards receiving
Marques Colston – 60 yards receiving / 1 TD
Robert Meachem – 50 yards receiving / 0 TD
Lance Moore – 45 yards receiving / 1 TD
Jimmy Graham – 40 yards receiving / 0 TD
Jeremy Shockey – 20 yards receiving / 0 TD

Prediction: Buccaneers 20, Saints 27 ^ Top

Bengals @ Ravens - (Autry)

Passing Game Thoughts: It’s simple and obvious in hindsight, right? Take out Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco from the line-up and watch Carson Palmer have one of the best games of his career, right? We all should have seen this coming (sarcasm duly noted). In an offense devoid of any known receiving threat, there emerged Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell to help the Bengals upset a playoff-minded San Diego squad last week.

Palmer will need all hands on deck again this week against Baltimore—a team he usually struggles against. He has only two TD passes against the Ravens in his last five games against the divisional foe. And with a depleted receiving corps, coupled with a hungry Baltimore team, the chances are good that Palmer once again has his difficulties.

Running Game Thoughts: Cincinnati can be stubborn at times. Regardless of how successful their running game has been at any given point of a football game, they continue to stick to the game plan of utilizing the ground attack. Last week’s 24 carries for 52 yards is evidence of that philosophy. Benson hasn’t carried the ball fewer than 23 times in any of the last three games against Baltimore, meaning the Bengals make a concerted effort to use Benson as the physical component of their offense. These games are usually close too, so the running game remains in play. The Jekyll and Hyde nature of the Bengals makes it difficult to forecast what their chances are. But considering they are the Bengals, and the Ravens are fighting for a playoff positioning, I’d put my money on Baltimore being able to contain Benson and the entire Cincy offense.

Projections:
Carson Palmer – 180 yards / 1 TD / 2 INTs
Cedric Benson – 45 yards
Andre Caldwell – 55 yards
Jerome Simpson – 40 yards
Jermaine Gresham – 70 yards / 1 TD

Passing Game Thoughts: This is a fascinating dilemma. While Joe Flacco continues to develop as a QB at a steady rate, it’s mind-boggling how that hasn’t translated into more production from Anquan Boldin. Boldin’s productivity, quite frankly, makes it a crap shoot each week to start him. Take away Boldin’s week 12 game against Pittsburgh and you have a player who over a five game stretch averaged 23 yards and 2 catches per contest. Need I say more? Get that guy out of your line-up, and while you’re at it, drop him a couple notches on your cheat-sheet for 2011.

Joe Flacco stunk up the joint last time these two teams met. He had a career-worst four interceptions in the 15-10 loss in week two, so you can rest assured Flacco will look to redeem himself. With Boldin being worthless from a fantasy perspective, look for Derrick Mason and even TJ Houshmandzadeh to pick up the slack.

Running Game Thoughts: Ray Rice is the man, plain and simple. A week after carving New Orleans’ defense for a bushel of yards and scores, he followed it up with a solid, if not superhuman, effort against Cleveland. He’s a poor man’s Marshall Faulk—a dual threat runner with fantasy super star potential. Once he starts getting the bulk of the TD opportunities, he’s going to be lights out. Case in point: he has only one TD in five career games against Cincy. Whether he will get the scoring chances this week is anyone’s guess. TDs aside, his role in the Ravens’ offense is too vital to do anything but treat him like the RB1 that he is.

Projections:
Joe Flacco – 220 yards / 2 TDs
Ray Rice – 65 yards rushing / 45 yards rec / 1 rec TD
Derrick Mason – 70 yards
T.J. Houshmandzadeh – 55 yards / 1 TD
Anquan Boldin – 30 yards
Todd Heap – 20 yards

Prediction: Baltimore 17, Cincinnati 10 ^ Top

Steelers @ Browns - (Autry)

Passing Game Thoughts: Ben Roethlisberger is one of those fantasy QBs that you can win with. He’s not a guy who will go out and light up the scoreboard every week, but his ability to protect the football and not turn it over has a strange way of keeping fantasy teams in games each week. Ben hasn’t thrown multiple INTs since week 10 of last season. As long as Ben can steer clear of college co-eds, that’s the epitome of reliability.

And don’t look now, but Mike Wallace is turning himself into a top fantasy WR for 2011. Together, he and Roethlisberger will look to do damage to a Cleveland defense that’s ranked 13th against the pass. This year’s week five contest was Ben’s first game back from suspension, and he had one of the best games of the year. AFC North games are typically close, and this should be no exception. This game will be won or lost on the shoulders of Roethlisberger. He’s a must start along with Wallace.

Running Game Thoughts: Rashard Mendenhall is another reliable fantasy commodity. He’s had a few duds this year (50 yards, no TDs against New England; 45 yards, no TDs against Baltimore), but for the most part he’s put up good games when needed. Mendenhall’s the one-man show when it comes to the running game in Pittsburgh, but he’s yet to crack 100 yards on the ground against Cleveland in his career. The Browns give up a ton of yards on the ground but give up the fewest rushing TDs in the league, so be mindful of that if you’re starting Mendenhall this week. Other than that, he’s a no-brainer and should be a weekly starter regardless of the opponent.

Projections:
Ben Roethlisberger – 220 yards / 1 TD
Rashard Mendenhall – 80 yards / 1 TD
Mike Wallace – 95 yards
Hines Ward – 50 yards / 1 TD
Heath Miller – 45 yards

Passing Game Thoughts: It was said back in week six when Colt McCoy made his first NFL start in Pittsburgh that the Browns couldn’t have picked a worse place. Yet, the youngster went out and actually threw for more yards than he had the entire year. He did throw only one TD with two INTs, but he kept the offense together and didn’t completely ruin the flow. Now more than two months since and McCoy is improving steadily. He remains a work in progress from a fantasy perspective, but his play this season places him on the deep sleeper list for 2011.

Pittsburgh’s defense has been on a role lately, having surrendered 170 yards or fewer through the air in each of the last three games. Safety Troy Polamalu will sit this one out, no doubt weakening the pass defense. But that shouldn’t affect the Steelers, as they go up against the league’s 30th-ranked pass offense.

Running Game Thoughts: Peyton Hillis is battling through a leg injury. His production, though, has tailed off lately from the peak many fantasy owners enjoyed mid-season. He remains a beast, leading the team in rushing with 1,164 yards and 11 TDs. Also, his 60 receptions is one fewer than Ben Watson for the team lead. Those kinds of numbers make it almost impossible to bench a player like that, regardless of the opponent. And Pittsburgh is not just an opponent this week. Not only do they field the league’s toughest run defense, but they’re in a battle for playoff positioning, so Cleveland is likely to see Pittsburgh’s best. All that being said, Hillis will get his opportunities, although his leg injury could limit his effectiveness. If that’s the case, expect to see more of Mike Bell.

Projections:
Colt McCoy – 180 yards / 1 TD / 2 INTs
Peyton Hillis – 55 yards rushing / 25 yards rec
Chansi Stuckey – 50 yards
Mohamed Massaquoi – 30 yards / 1 TD
Brian Robiskie – 25 yards
Ben Watson – 45 yards

Prediction: Pittsburgh 20, Cleveland 7 ^ Top

Dolphins @ Patriots - (Marcoccio)

Passing Game Thoughts: The Chad Henne - Brandon Marshall connection has finally started to click, but unfortunately for Miami and for fantasy owners its likely a classic case of “too little, too late” with and emphasis on “too late”. Marshall had a tough time dealing with the double teams he has faced much of the season and Henne struggled with turnovers. It may be too late for Henne to save his job for next season, but a victory over hated division rivals the Jets a few weeks back and one against the Pats to close out the season may help some. The Patriots have struggled in defending the pass all season and will need to get that aspect straightened out should they face teams like Indianapolis or Pittsburgh in the playoffs, so don’t expect New England to lie down this weekend despite having nothing to play for.

Running Game Thoughts: All season in this piece I have pointed out that Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have looked very pedestrian in 2010. Expect the Dolphins to let Ronnie Brown leave in free agency and perhaps keep Williams to backup whatever fresh legs they bring in through the draft or free agency. The Pats play the run tough, so starting either Dolphin back is not advisable especially if the team decides to give some younger backs like Lex Hilliard a few extra carries this week.

Projections:
Chad Henne: 275 yds passing, 2 TDs, 1 Int.
Brandon Marshall: 105 yds receiving, 1 TD
Brian Hartline: 40 yds receiving
Davone Bess: 85 yds receiving, 1 TD
Anthony Fasano: 20 yds receiving
Ronnie Brown: 45 yds rushing / 10 yds rec.
Ricky Williams: 30 yds rushing

Passing Game Thoughts: While the Patriots under Bill Belichick are known for never taking their foot off the pedal, don’t be surprised to see Tom Brady standing on the sidelines with some of the other starters for at least part of this contest. The Patriots have the top seed in the AFC secured and Billy Boy will surely remember Wes Welker tearing up his knee in a meaningless Week 17 game last season. Tom Brady may only play a half in order to keep him healthy and give youngster Brian Hoyer some real game time experience. Of course it wouldn’t be shocking to see all the Patriot skill players on the field in the fourth quarter either, but do those in Week 17 championship games really want to take that chance?

Running Game Thoughts BenJarvis Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead have done a good job running the ball for the Patriots this season. Both should get enough carries this week and produce as the Patriots try and keep the game under control.

Projections:
Tom Brady: 195 yds passing 2 TDs
Deion Branch: 55 yds receiving, 1 TD
Wes Welker: 10 yds receiving
Rob Gronkowski: 45 yds receiving, 1 TD
Aaron Hernandez: 35 yds receiving
Danny Woodhead: 45 yds rushing / 35 yds receiving
BenJarvis Green-Ellis: 105 yds rushing, 1 TD

Prediction: Patriots 24, Dolphins 20 ^ Top

Raiders @ Chiefs - (Eakin)

Passing Game Thoughts: It'll be interesting to see how the Raiders play this weekend in Kansas City after having been eliminated by the Colts last Sunday. The Raiders passing game was never able to get on track because of the heavy pass rush by the Colts. Without time to throw the ball the Raiders vaunted vertical passing game was rendered ineffective. They should have more success this Sunday in Kansas City as the Chiefs pass rush is not as strong. Jason Campbell has actually had a decent year as far as passer rating goes; his 83.9 rating is the best since Rich Gannon. The Chiefs have strong cornerback play so it's likely that Zach Miller, who had nine catches last week, will have another big day. The Raiders could again struggle to get their outside receivers involved on a consistent basis. This means that running back Darren McFadden or Michael Bush could play a big part in the passing game of the backfield.

Running Game Thoughts: The Raiders rushing game has been a strength for them all year. Darren McFadden's 1100+ yards ranks seventh in franchise history. The Chiefs have struggled in the second half of the season to stop the run, so it's clear that's where the Raiders will attack first. The Oakland offense of line is ranks second in the league and should be able to out-muscle the Chiefs front seven. Keep an eye on McFadden's status as he may sit this one with turf toe.

Projections:
Jason Campbell: 220 yards/1 TD/1 INT
Louis Murphy: 60 yards
Jacoby Ford: 70 yards/1 TD
Zach Miller: 85 yards/1 TD
Darren McFadden: 90 yards/35 rec/1 TD

Passing Game Thoughts: Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel hasn't lit the fantasy world on fire this year, but he has done a good job managing the games. There's a lot of praise heaped his way but, the fact remains the Chiefs are 27th in the league in passing. For a stretch, he and Dwayne Bowe are one of the best hookups in the league but that well has run dry late in the season. With cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha in coverage it could be another tough day for Bowe. Since Bowe has cooled off, the Chiefs have learned to spread the ball around in more creative ways. Tight end Tony Moeaki has been a valuable rookie contributor and could be effective working over the middle against the soft middle zone of the Oakland passing defense. The Chiefs will also look to get running backs Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster matched up against the slower Oakland linebackers, where they can inflict damage.

Running Game Thoughts: Jamaal Charles leads the Chiefs running attack averaging 98 yards per game, and has gone over 100 yards in three of his last five. This doesn't bode well for the Raiders defense that just last week gave up the second most Indianapolis rushing yards since 1997 and now face a Chiefs team who thrives on running the ball. Look for Charles to continue his big rushing numbers with a mixture of Thomas Jones to keep him rested. If you're in a fantasy championship game and you have Charles, plant a smile on your face and let him do what he's done all year.

Projections:
Matt Cassel: 235 yards/2 TDs/1 INT
Dwayne Bowe: 55 yards/1 TD
Chris Chambers: 40 yards
Tony Moeaki: 50 yards/1 TD
Jamaal Charles: hundred and 20 yards/40 receiving/1 TD

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Raiders 17 ^ Top

Chargers @ Broncos - (Eakin)

Passing Game Thoughts: San Diego's famous slow starts finally came back to haunt them this year. Their loss to Cincinnati last week sealed their fate and they will not be in the playoffs for the first time in five years. Quarterback Philip Rivers once promising season was derailed by a long laundry list of injuries to his receiving corps. The return of wide receiver Vincent Jackson has produced mediocre results. Clearly this is not the same offense without tight end Antonio Gates at full strength. Opposite Vincent Jackson will be Legedu Naanee, but he is a limited possession receiver. Rivers is expected to play even though it's a meaningless game for the Chargers but once again expectations should be tempered with the shallow receiving corps and Vincent Jackson drawing coverage from Champ Bailey.

Running Game Thoughts: As a drafter of rookie Ryan Mathews, I can't tell you how ironic it is that now that the fantasy season is over, his vulture Mike Tolbert, is going to miss this week with the neck injury. Yes, now in the last week of the season, with most of his owners probably watching from the sideline, Ryan Mathews will finally get the bulk of the carries for the Chargers and probably have a terrific day. The Denver Broncos certainly represent a dream matchup for him boasting one of the league's worst rushing defenses. You have to think the Chargers will want to see their prized rookie draft pick end the season on a positive note. This game and the off-season personnel moves concerning Tolbert will go a long way in determining Ryan Mathew’s value in next year’s draft.

Projections:
Philip Rivers: 235 yards/2 TDs
Vincent Jackson: 70 yards/1 TD
Legedu Naanee: 55 yards
Randy McMichael: 40 yards/1 TD
Ryan Mathews: 115 yards/25 receiving/2 TDs

Passing Game Thoughts: Quarterback Tim Tebow has been a strong fantasy numbers producer in the two games he's started. Granted he played against Houston's poor pass defense last week but he did look good passing the ball, or at least adequate, and he has the added dimension of being of touchdown hawk near the goal line. However, this will be the toughest pass defense he's seen. Most of his production will likely come on the ground and if he can get the Broncos into the red zone, he has a chance to score a couple touchdowns. Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd continued his strong play last week with 111 yards receiving. He has been the leader of their passing game all year and was rewarded with a selection to the Pro bowl earlier this week. Lloyd is capable of posting a decent game but due to Tebow’s inexperience, and the charger strong pass defense, even he makes for a risky play.

Running Game Thoughts: With RB Knowshon Moreno hampered by bruised ribs the rushing duties have been handled by quarterback Tim Tebow and backup running back Correll Buckhalter. With Knowshon Moreno still not practicing, and unlikely to play, expect the distribution of carries to remain the same. Despite Buckhalter having a solid performance last week, the fact that he shares carries with Lance ball and Tebow, none of the Denver running backs appear to be reliable for fantasy purposes.

Projections:
Tim Tebow: 200 yards/2 TDs
Brandon Lloyd: 75 yards/1 TD
Jabar Gaffney: 55 yards
Correll Buckhalter: 50 yards/25 receiving

Prediction: Chargers 31, Broncos 20 ^ Top

Giants @ Redskins - (Marcoccio)

Passing Game Thoughts: The Giants need a win and a Green Bay loss to make the playoffs, but will need to win with a banged up WR corp. Steve Smith is already lost for the season and Hakeem Nicks will likely be on the sidelines this week after breaking his toe last week. Eli will heavily target Mario Manningham and Kevin Boss his two most familiar targets. The Giants are hopeful that retreads like Derek Hagan and Michael Clayton can get the job done as well, but you shouldn’t be. Luckily for Eli the dearth of weapons comes at a good time, as he’ll be facing an incredibly soft pass defense in Washington.

Running Game Thoughts: If Ahmad Bradsahw is unable to go this week we may see a huge game from Brandon Jacobs who may be auditioning to stay with the team. While the big back has run well since being renamed “starter” he is clearly coming to the end of the road and with Bradshaw excelling most of he season and with the promising Danny Ware also rostered the team could let Jacobs go.

Projections:
Eli Manning: 280 yds passing, 3 TDs, 1 Int. / 5 yds rushing
Derek Hagan: 50 yds receiving
Mario Manningham: 90 yds receiving, 1 TD
Kevin Boss: 75 yds receiving, 1 TD
Brandon Jacobs: 110 yds rushing, 1 TD / 5 yds receiving
Danny Ware: 65 yds rushing / 20 yds receiving, 1 TD

Passing Game Thoughts: Rex Grossman hasn’t tremendously improved the Washington passing game, but he hasn’t helped it all that much either. He had one huge game (albeit with three interceptions and a fumble) and one pedestrian start. With another solid outing he could position himself to be at least the bridge to the future franchise QB for Mike Shanahan should the Skins use their first rounder on a QB.

Running Game Thoughts: About the only thing that hasn’t imploded on Mike Shanahan this season, his first in Washington, was his decision to sign former Bronco undrafted running back Ryan Torain. Torain is a solid downhill runner who has done real well with his opportunities this season. Expect Torain to finish the year of with another solid effort.

Projections:
Rex Grossman: 245 yds passing, 2 TDs, 2 Ints. / 15 yards rushing
Santana Moss: 75 yds receiving, 1 TD
Anthony Armstrong: 60 yds receiving
Chris Cooley: 55 yds receiving, 1 TD
Keiland Williams: 15 yds rushing / 35 yds receiving
Ryan Torain: 150 yds rushing, 1 TD

Prediction: Giants 28, Redskins 27 ^ Top

Cardinals @ 49ers - (Eakin)

Passing Game Thoughts: The Arizona Cardinals will start quarterback John Skelton for the fourth consecutive week even though quarterback Derek Anderson is healthy and for the second consecutive week practicing with the team. Skelton is to and one as a starter and has yet to throw an interception. That's the good news. The bad news is that lead receiver Larry Fitzgerald had just one target and catch last week. The Cardinals have enough problems on offense that they can't afford not to get Fitzgerald involved heavily. The 49er pass defenses and terrific, which bodes well for Fitzgerald, but he will be facing ex-Pittsburgh college teammate Sean Tae Spencer. The two know each other well from their college days and Spencer did a pretty good job of keeping him contained in their first matchup. Opposite Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston saw his playing time limited in favor of rookie Andre Roberts. Reston is a free agent after this year and has battled knee problems for two consecutive years leaving the door open for Roberts to take control of the second wide receiver spot moving into the future.

Running Game Thoughts: The Cardinals are still splitting their running back carries between Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower. While Hightower is still starting, Wells is the more talented back and receives the majority of carries. As has been the case the whole season, the Cardinals backfield is not be trusted as far as fantasy play goes. The 49er defense is good against the run, should be held to contain the Cardinals, neither of the backs is trustworthy. The one advantage the Cardinals will have in this game is that star linebacker Patrick Willis is expected to miss his first NFL game due to a dislocated wrist bone that didn't heal properly from a break two weeks the earlier.

Projections:
John Skelton: 220 yards/1 TD/1 INT
Larry Fitzgerald: 70 yards/1 TD
Andre Roberts: 40 yards
Steve Breaston: 40 yards
Chris Wells: 60 yards/1 TD

Passing Game Thoughts: This could be the last start as a 49er for quarterback Alex Smith, a number one draft choice that hasn't work out. The franchise will have to start over again this coming draft, and looked for new quarterback of the future. The 49er offense will be fashioned to the strength of Smith, which is the spread offense from the shotgun formation. It's been a hit or misses season four wide receiver Michael Crabtree, but is coming off a good week last week and could have some success against a poor Cardinal passing defense. I also like tight end Vernon Davis to have a good game exploiting the middle of the Cardinals defense. Running back Brian Westbrook could play a critical role as a receiver for Smith to check down to when and if the Arizona Cardinals get pressure with their pass rush. The new 49er pass first offense plays to the strength of Westbrook is much as it does to Smith's.

Running Game Thoughts: Brian Westbrook is expected to start again and receive most of the carries, though backup Anthony Dixon is set to return from injury. Westbrook is on a one-year deal with the 49ers so there may be some incentive for Dixon to get more carries in hopes that he is the heir apparent as Frank Gore’s backup. With the division of carries up for grabs it's risky to rely on either one to have a strong fantasy day despite playing against a week Cardinal defense.

Projections:
Alex Smith: 235 yards/2 TDs/1 INT
Michael Crabtree: 80 yards/1 TD
Josh Morgan: 55 yards
Vernon Davis: 70 yards/1 TD
Brian Westbrook: 45 yards/35 rec/1 TD

Prediction: San Francisco 24, Arizona 20 ^ Top

Jaguars @ Texans - (Caron)

Passing Game Thoughts: In a must-win game if they hope to make the playoffs, Jacksonville will be without starting quarterback, David Garrard, who will miss this game and potentially the playoffs with a broken finger. The team will put its hopes on the shoulders of the routinely disappointing Trent Edwards, who threw for 140 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in his only work for the Jaguars earlier this season. Edwards’ abilities do not bode well for the fantasy prospects of receivers Mike Thomas, Mike Sims-Walker, or tight end Marcedes Lewis, all of whom have been inconsistent, at best, even with Garrard.

Edwards does have as good a matchup as fantasy owners could hope for, though, as he faces a Texans defense that ranks dead last in points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. They have allowed at least one passing touchdown in every game but one and have routinely been torched for big yardage on a weekly basis. While Edwards doesn’t have the talent or knowledge of the offense that Garrard does, there is still hope for his receivers. Mike Thomas caught 8 passes for 149 yards, including the game-winning Hail Mary, when the Jaguars faced Houston last.

Running Game Thoughts: With the season on the line, expect the Jaguars to employ a more balanced—if not run-heavy—offensive scheme that will attempt to minimize potential mistakes by Edwards. Unfortunately they will very likely be without star running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who missed last week’s game with a knee injury that will likely require offseason surgery. Backup running back Rashad Jennings was a big disappointment for fantasy owners who banked on him last week, as he rushed for just 32 yards as the Jaguars lost an important game at home to the Redskins.

Jennings does have another chance this week to turn things around against the Texans and their 23rd-ranked fantasy run defense. They have been beaten up for eight total touchdowns by opposing running backs in the past four games alone, and while Jennings does not have the talent of guys like Chris Johnson or Ray Rice, he should get enough touches to remain fantasy relevant this week nonetheless.

Projections:
Trent Edwards – 240 yards passing / 1 TD / 1 INT
Rashad Jennings – 80 yards rushing / 1 TD / 20 yards receiving
Mike Thomas – 65 yards rushing / 0 TD
Mike Sims-Walker – 45 yards receiving / 0 TD
Marcedes Lewis – 60 yards receiving / 1 TD

Passing Game Thoughts: Even without his star wide receiver Andre Johnson, Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub turned in a decent performance last week as he threw for 310 yards and a touchdown in his fourth straight 300-plus yard passing game. Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones and tight end Owen Daniels stepped up in place of Johnson, combining for 13 receptions for 188 yards. Kevin Walter, on the other hand, disappointed fantasy owners by catching just one pass.

The Texans are expected to be without Johnson again this week, which of course limits Schaub’s potential; although he does face a Jacksonville defense that he torched for 314 yards and two touchdowns earlier this year. And that was no anomaly. The Jaguars’ 27th-ranked fantasy pass defense has allowed a dozen or more great fantasy days to opposing quarterbacks in 2010.

Running Game Thoughts: Arian Foster got back on the right track last week when he ran for 91 yards and a touchdown and added four receptions for 44 yards. This came just one week after an incredibly disappointing day against the Titans when he ran for just 15 yards. But that minor blip on the radar doesn’t change the fact that Foster has been arguably the brightest fantasy star of the 2010 season, and he is certainly a must-start again this week against the Jaguars.

Jacksonville’s 24th-ranked fantasy run defense has shamefully been one of the brighter spots on their horrendous defense this season, but they have still been lit up almost every week. Though Arian Foster ran for only 67 yards in the last game these two teams played, he did score a touchdown. With Andre Johnson likely to be out again this week—or at least slowed by injury—the Texans will probably give Foster even more carries than usual.

Projections:
Matt Schaub – 270 yards passing / 2 TD / 1 INT
Arian Foster – 105 yards rushing / 1 TD / 25 yards receiving
Jacoby Jones – 70 yards receiving / 1 TD
Kevin Walter – 55 yards receiving / 0 TD
Owen Daniels – 80 yards / 1 TD

Prediction: Jaguars 17, Texans 24 ^ Top

Cowboys @ Eagles - (Marcoccio)

Passing Game Thoughts: Jon Kitna left last week’s game and will likely miss the season’s conclusion, leaving youngster Stephen McGee under center. TE Jason Witten should benefit from McGee’s inexperience, but the passing game as a whole should suffer. The raw McGee is athletic but is not an established passer at this point in his young career.

Running Game Thoughts: Marion Barber returned to action after a few weeks absence and scored a TD last week. The presence of Barber hurts Tashard Choice more than Felix Jones, but both are still not as attractive as they were the last few weeks with Barber back in the mix. The younger backs were a formidable one-two punch, all but assuring that the highly paid Barber will be let go this offseason.

Projections:
Stephen McGee: 175 yds passing 1 TD, 2 Ints. / 40 yds rushing
Roy Williams: 35 yds receiving
Miles Austin: 60 yds receiving
Jason Witten: 65 yds receiving, 1 TD
Marion Barber: 40 yds rushing, 1 TD
Felix Jones: 60 yds rushing / 20 yds receiving
Tashard Choice: 35 yds rushing

Passing Game Thoughts: Michael Vick has one more game to try and establish himself as he NFL MVP over New England’s Tom Brady. Vick has been a fantasy MVP for sure when you consider that he’s a QB1 and RB2 all in one package. With the Eagles now unable to earn one of the top two seeds in the NFC with last week’s loss, media speculation is that Kevin Kolb may get the start as the team chooses to start resting players to get ready for next week, so proceed with caution.

Running Game Thoughts: LeSean McCoy has slowed down a little after starting the season as one of fantasy football’s best RBs, but is still an efficient option. He is a dynamic runner with adequate speed and good hands in the passing game. You may see a lot of Jerome Harrison in this game.

Projections:
Michael Vick / Kevin Kolb: 225 yds passing 1 TD, 1 Int. / 40 yds rushing
Jeremy Maclin: 65 yds receiving, 1 TD
DeSean Jackson: 35 yds receiving
Brent Celek: 40 yds receiving
LeSean McCoy: 70 yds rushing / 50 yds receiving

Prediction: Cowboys 20, Eagles 17 ^ Top

Bears @ Packers - (Autry)

Passing Game Thoughts: Looking at the passing stats of Jay Cutler over the last six games, you’d never think that Mike Martz is his offensive coordinator. A play-caller with a reputation of throwing the ball all over the field, Martz has orchestrated an offensive scheme that calls for more balance. Imagine that. Cutler does not have more than 26 pass attempts in the last six games. And the Bears’ record in that stretch? Five wins and one loss, meaning you can rest assured things are going to remain the same. And included in that stretch is his last two games, in which he’s tossed six total TDs against two of the supposed toughest defenses in the league: the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings.

Generally speaking, teams don’t fare very well against Green Bay’s fifth-ranked pass defense. The Giants, however, had a good amount of success last week, finishing the game with 296 yards passing—the most surrendered by Green Bay since a week five contest against Washington. Johnny Knox isn’t going to knock your socks off from a pure receiver perspective, but he appears to be Cutler’s #1 option. Regardless of a team’s offensive philosophy, that’s always a good thing. I wouldn’t s expect huge things from Chicago’s passing game this week; anticipating the average numbers reminiscent of the teams’ week three battle should suffice.

Running Game Thoughts: Matt Forte had one of his best overall games of the season last week, running for well over 100 yards with 56 yards supplemented through the passing game. Forte is not utilized heavily in the running game, as he hasn’t had more than 20 rushing attempts since week 10. But his production remains good enough to make him a suitable RB2 week in and week out. Stats reveal Chicago’s run defense is middle-of-the-pack, but only three teams have given up more rushing TDs than the Bears. Plus, Forte was held to only 29 yards on 11 carries when these two teams met in week three. While I don’t anticipate such pedestrian numbers this week, I equally don’t expect Forte to blow the doors off Green Bay’s rush defense. It looks to me like Forte is in line for only a slightly above-average outing this week.

Projections:
Jay Cutler – 210 yards / 2 TDs / 2 INTs
Matt Forte – 50 yards rushing / 30 yards rec
Johnny Knox – 65 yards
Devin Hester – 45 yards / 1 TD
Earl Bennett – 30 yards
Greg Olsen – 25 yards / 1 TD

Passing Game Thoughts: The fact that Aaron Rodgers wasn’t voted to the Pro Bowl is a travesty. Rodgers has led one of the league’s most explosive passing offenses, and has done so without the hint of a solid running game. Last week’s game was perhaps the finest of his career. It was his first career 400 yard game and the second time this season that he’s tossed four TD passes. But what’s most often lost in the discussion about Rodgers is his threat as a runner. Throw in his four rushing TDs this season and he has 31 total this year.

Chicago’s pass defense has given up yards in chunks at times this season, but they’ve been more than stingy when it comes to giving up TDs. Only one team has surrendered fewer TD passes than Chicago’s 13. Rodgers’ play against the Bears is usually not as productive as against other teams. He hasn’t thrown for multiple TDs in either of the last three games against Chicago, including a 180 yard, 0 TD, 0 INT game late last season. At this point, though, if your league’s Super Bowl is this week (and for the life of me, I can see why), benching Rodgers is out of the question. This is essentially a must-win for the Packers, and a good game from Rodgers is necessary if Green Bay is to play into the post season.

Running Game Thoughts: That Green Bay has the league’s 22nd ranked run defense is a minor miracle. The stat that puts this team’s offensive limitations in proper perspective, though, is the one that shows the Pack have well over 100 more pass plays this season than run plays. Brandon Jackson has looked serviceable at times, but he’s nowhere near a viable fantasy option. And John Kuhn is nothing but the owner of a cool name that the Lambeau faithful can scream in fanatical unison. Stay away from this group from a fantasy perspective.

Projections:
Aaron Rodgers – 280 yards / 3 TDs
Brandon Jackson – 60 yards
Greg Jennings – 110 yards / 1 TD
Donald Driver – 65 yards / 1 TD
James Jones – 45 yards
Andrew Quarless – 60 yards / 1 TD

Prediction: Green Bay 24, Chicago 14 ^ Top

Titans @ Colts - (Caron)

Passing Game Thoughts: The Titans seem to finally be getting some stability in their passing game, as quarterback Kerry Collins has now thrown for 235 or more yards and multiple touchdowns in three straight games. The return of wide receiver Kenny Britt has been a huge sparkplug, and he has taken back the role that many experts thought would go to Randy Moss. Britt has caught 10 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown over the past two weeks and remains the only real fantasy option among the Titans receivers.

Kerry Collins lit up the Indianapolis secondary just three weeks ago when he put up 244 yards passing with three touchdowns. Surprisingly, this was the first and only time this season that Indianapolis had been struck for more than two passing touchdowns in a game. While the Colts are vulnerable defensively, most teams are content to try to run the ball at their undersized defensive line instead of risking turnovers by throwing it. If Tennessee hopes to win this game, they will likely need to get the ball to Chris Johnson and keep it out of Collins’ hands, even though he looked good in the previous matchup. The reality is that Collins isn’t a great quarterback, and he can’t really be trusted as a fantasy option in single-quarterback leagues.

Running Game Thoughts: It has been a disappointing yet still productive season for the NFL’s leading rusher from a season ago. Chris Johnson’s 1,325 yards rushing have him ranked pretty high, but after his preseason proclamation that he would reach 2,500 yards on the ground, it certainly has been a disappointing year. Still, Johnson remains a must-start for fantasy owners, even with his up-and-down production throughout the season and especially in recent weeks.

Johnson had his biggest fantasy game of the second half of the season the last time he faced the Colts, rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown while adding 68 yards on eight receptions. His role in the passing game has not been anywhere near that in any other game this year, but he remains a very likely candidate to reach 100 yards against the Colts’ weak run defense. The biggest question is whether the Titans will be able to move the ball enough as a team to give Johnson the opportunity to get into the end zone.

Projections:
Kerry Collins – 205 yards passing / 1 TD / 1 INT
Chris Johnson – 115 yards rushing / 1 TD / 10 yards receiving
Kenny Britt – 70 yards receiving / 1 TD

Passing Game Thoughts: It seems like forever since Week 17 has actually meant something to the Colts and Peyton Manning. But this week’s game may be the most important of the Colts’ season, as they could still be knocked out of the division lead—and the playoffs entirely—with a loss to Tennessee and a Jacksonville win. With that in mind, expect to see a lot of Manning this week as the 2009 league MVP attempts to put the team on his back once again. He has thrown for multiple touchdown passes in an impressive six games in a row, and while he threw two interceptions last week, he was still a valuable fantasy asset.

Manning will face a Titans defense that he threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions against just three weeks ago. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne went over 100 yards in that game, but it was Pierre Garcon who lit up the fantasy scoreboards by catching six passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns in the win. The Titans have since allowed a combined five touchdowns against the Texans and the Chiefs, neither of whom have a quarterback of Manning’s skill level.

Running Game Thoughts: Running back Joseph Addai made his return to the lineup last week, rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown. But it was the revival of Dominic Rhodes—who rushed for 98 yards himself—that surprised everyone. Both Rhodes and Addai are expected to get carries this week, perhaps even conceding some touches to Donald Brown or even Mike Hart, who is also expected back from injury.

None of these players is a particularly great option against a Titans defense that has only conceded six rushing touchdowns on the year. While they have given up over 1,500 yards rushing, the Titans should not be too focused on stopping the run against the Colts, who have showed on many occasions that they use their running game only to keep the defense honest. Addai is likely the best fantasy option, as he has been the most productive in the past, but don’t be surprised if he only gets around 10-12 carries to lead the team in that area.

Projections:
Peyton Manning – 315 yards passing / 3 TD / 0 INT
Joseph Addai – 55 yards rushing / 0 TD / 15 yards receiving
Dominic Rhodes – 30 yards rushing / 0 TD
Reggie Wayne – 120 yards receiving / 1 TD
Pierre Garcon – 90 yards receiving / 1 TD
Blair White – 40 yards receiving / 1 TD
Jacob Tamme – 50 yards / 0 TD

Prediction: Titans 20, Colts 30 ^ Top

Rams @ Seahawks - (Eakin)

Passing Game Thoughts: This week's game features two mediocre teams battling for the chance to plan the playoffs. Rams victory, they finish 8-8 and win the division. If the Seahawks win they make the playoffs despite a losing 7-9 record. I said last week that in order for the Rams to win they would have to throw the ball downfield more, well they did just that en route to a 2517 victory over the 49ers. The passing game carried the team, with Sam Bradford throwing for 292 yards. The difference maker for the Rams was ride receiver Danario Alexander. Alexander is easily the team's best downfield deep threat, which adds an entire new dimension to the otherwise conservative ram offense. The downfield presence of Alexander will opens up the field for underneath route runners like Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson. It will be a big challenge for them to rise to the occasion, and Seattle, facing a fired up Seattle team that has the opportunity for the playoffs.

Running Game Thoughts: While the passing game thrived last week the running game sputtered. Despite getting 24 carries, running back Steven Jackson managed just 48 yards. Even though Jackson has struggled some this year, the Seahawks are sure to focus their attention on keeping him in check. Jackson is still the centerpiece of the offense and it’s the attention he gets that opens the door for the Rams to throw downfield. The Seahawks ranked 21st in stopping the run this year, so Jackson has every opportunity to finally carry his team to the playoffs. It's tough not to root for a guy with so much so much talent, but has played on such a poor team for so long.

Projections:
Sam Bradford: 265 yards/2 TDs/1 INT
Danario Alexander: 75 yards/1 TD
Danny Amendola: 60 yards
Daniel Fells: 40 yards
Steven Jackson: 70 yards/25 rec/1 TD

Passing Game Thoughts: If the Seahawks are going to make the playoffs they may have to do so without the services of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Charlie Whitehurst is expected to start in his absence. This will be Whitehurst chance to show he's the future of Seattle, and can come through with a playoff berth on the line. He will look to wide receiver Mike Williams early and often. Williams will be looking to his breakout year after having been left for dead in the football world. The Seahawks passing offense matches up well against the aggressive blitzing style of the Rams. The Seahawks like to throw short timing routes which is how you combat and aggressive team. Tight end John Carlson and wide receiver Ben Obomanu will both start and play supporting roles to Williams.

Running Game Thoughts: The running game has really been an Achilles heel for the Seahawks. The move to acquire running back Marshawn Lynch has produced disappointing results. Lynch is plotting running style isn't a great fit for a Seattle offensive line that struggles to open up holes. The Rams are decent against the run and that might be a stretch for Lynch to have a big day. Justin for set has been getting a decent amount of touches as well, but he's no longer averaging 5 yards per carry like he was last year and early this season. Both running backs will have to bring their am games in support of an inexperienced quarterback it's the Seahawks are going to come through with the victory they need to reach the playoffs.

Projections:
Charlie Whitehurst: 250 yards/1 TD/1 INT
Mike Williams: 75 yards/1 TD
Ben Obomanu: 45 yards
John Carlson: 40 yards
Marshawn Lynch: 65 yards/25 rec/1 TD

Prediction: Rams 24, Seahawks 20 ^ Top