Week 15
12/15/06
Steppin' Up
Steve McNair, BAL: McNair may
not be the quarterback you envisioned relying on in the second
round of the playoffs, but he has been a productive fantasy QB
during the last seven games. During that span, the two-time Pro
Bowler has completed 68.1% of his attempts, thrown 8 touchdown
passes, and averaged 238 passing yards per game. With a game at
home this weekend against the 4-9 Cleveland Browns, McNair should
be due for another solid outing. Expect him to have his fourth
consecutive game with a touchdown pass, while throwing for over
200 yards. He faces a more difficult opponent in a Week 16 match-up
against the Steelers however, so hopefully you have a more reliable
option on your bench if you advance.
Steppin' Down
Tony Romo, DAL: Romo became
a fantasy favorite when he averaged 272 passing yards a game and
threw 7 touchdowns during his first four starts of the season.
Recent weeks haven't been so kind to the undrafted vet out of
Eastern Illinois however. In three of his last four games--Thanksgiving
Day's 5 touchdown performance aside--Romo has thrown 5 interceptions
and just 1 touchdown pass. While he has averaged a favorable 244
yards an outing during those games, the number of turnovers and
lack of scoring from the 4th-year QB have been disappointing efforts
for his owners. This Saturday night he faces an Atlanta secondary
that has surrendered an average of 235 passing yards per game
this season, so expect Romo to continue racking up yards through
the air, but don't be surprised if fails to throw more than 1
touchdown pass and turns the ball over a couple of times.
Steppin' Up
Sammy Morris, MIA: With the
Miami Dolphins franchise running back, Ronnie Brown, sidelined
due a broken hand over the past few weeks, back up Sammy Morris
has filled in admirably for his injured teammate. During the last
three weeks, Morris has carried the ball 49 times for 261 yards
(5.3 YPC) and 1 touchdown. Following last weeks impressive outing
against a stout Patriots run defense, expect the 7th-year vet
to have another productive afternoon this Sunday against a banged
up Buffalo Bills defensive unit. Making his third consecutive
start for the injured Brown, Morris has a good chance of going
over 100 yards rushing and scoring another touchdown this week.
Steppin' Down
Joseph Addai, IND: While Addai
has been a reliable #2 RB at times throughout the season, he hasn't
been producing as well as expected in that role over the past
few weeks. Following the best outing of his young career on a
Sunday night against the Eagles a few weeks ago, in which he rushed
for 171 yards and 4 touchdowns, the first round pick in this years
draft has been a recent disappointment. In the Colts two games
since then, Addai has carried 27 times for 78 yards (2.8 YPC)
with no scores and few receptions. While this Monday night's game
against the Cincinnati Bengals may look inviting to Addai owners,
remember he may not be playing at 100% after being listed as QUESTIONABLE
on the injury report earlier in the week with a sprained ankle.
The Bengals defensive unit has also been playing well against
the run in recent weeks--another reason to consider benching the
first year pro if you have other options.
Steppin' Up
Chris Henry, CIN: While Henry
has been hampered by his off the field issues this season, he
remains a talented player when he's actually on it. In his 10
games played this year, Henry has scored 7 touchdowns on 29 receptions
for 451 yards (15.5 YPC). His lack of receptions on a regular
basis keeps him from being a recommended weekly starter, but as
a frequent visitor of the end zone, he deserves consideration
as a #3 WR if you lack reliable options at the position. While
the Colts defensive unit ranks second in the league in passing
yards allowed per game this year, it's likely Peyton Manning will
have a big game this Monday, forcing the Benglas to pass more
often as the game progresses. The higher scoring this game gets,
the more likely it is of Henry scoring another touchdown.
Steppin' Down
Antonio Bryant, SF: Bryant had
been a productive receiver earlier in the year, when he caught
26 of his 41 receptions this season, and 473 of his 747 receiving
yards during the 49ers first 7 games. In his 7 outings since then
however (taking Thursday night's game into account), the 5th-year
vet has totaled just 15 receptions for 274 yards. While a Week
16 game against the Arizona Cardinals could prove productive for
him, Bryant can't be considered a recommended starter for the
contest. Use other options if you have them.
Steppin' Up
Randal Williams, OAK: Williams
is coming off a poor performance against the Bengals in Week 14
(1 catch, 5 yards), but in his 4 previous outings he had made
18 receptions for 177 yards. While those totals aren't overwhelming,
it's been enough production from Williams to make him worthy of
consideration in fantasy leagues. If you are desperate for help
at the position, consider picking him up.
Steppin' Down
Desmond Clark, CHI: Early in
the season, Clark emerged as a worthy starting option in fantasy
leagues as he recorded 30 receptions for 429 yards and 4 touchdowns.
In his last four games however, he's had just 5 receptions for
34 yards with no scores. While the Bears face some weak secondaries
in coming weeks, don't be surprised if Clark fails to perform
as hoped based on his recent outings.
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