Week Thirteen Match-ups
December 02, 2005
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Kurt Warner, ARI – This week’s Jackpot Winner is ….. Kurt Warner! He and his Cardinals have the luxury this week to face the 32nd-ranked Niners pass defense (281 ypg)! The Niners have allowed the second-most TD passes to date (21). Warner is playing so well of late that he passed for 315 yards, two TDs and one INT against the top-ranked pass defense of the Jaguars last week. A no-brainer this week.
Mark Brunell, WAS – Brunell has slowed from his frantic mid-season pace, but has provided a workmanlike 575 yards, three TDs and two INTs over the last three weeks. It’s a good time for the Redskins to face the Rams’ pass defense – one which made David Carr look like a Pro-Bowl QB last week (60%, 293 yards, three TDs, one INT). The Rams are ranked 30th in the league against the pass (249 ypg), and have allowed 270 ypg and 11 total TDs the last three weeks. They have given up the most passing TDs in the league (23).
Jake Plummer, DEN – Mr. Efficiency this season, Plummer won’t put up great stats, but you can count on 200+ yards, a TD or two and low INT numbers. This week, he goes against the 29th-ranked Chiefs pass defense (241 ypg) that has surrendered 19 TDs thus far.
Negative Play:
Tom Brady, NE -- Brady performed poorly against a weak Chiefs pass defense last week (55%, 248 yards, one TD and four INTs). Without a complimentary running game, Brady has had a tough go of late – plus his receivers are having a tough time staying healthy. This week, he goes up against the fourth-ranked Jets pass defense (174 ypg), which has allowed just 10 TDs this season.
Aaron Brooks, NO – Brooks exploded for 181 yards on 17-of-23 passing for three TDs and no INT last week against the tough Jets pass defense. It’s hard to see him have that strong of a game again against another tough pass defense, Tampa Bay’s third-ranked squad (173 ypg), which has allowed just eight TDs through the air this season.
Brett Favre, GB – Favre’s struggles continued last week (45%, 171 yards, one TD, two INTs), and it will only get worse as he faces the top-ranked Bears pass defense. Chicago has allowed 162 ypg this season, and have been red hot of late – over the last three weeks, they have allowed just 125 ypg and have made a league-leading 12 sacks during that span.
1 Peyton Manning, IND
2 Kurt Warner, ARI
3 Carson Palmer, CIN
4 Drew Brees, SD
5 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
6 Michael Vick, ATL
7 Tom Brady, NE
8 Eli Manning, NYG
9 Mark Brunell, WAS
10 Kerry Collins, OAK
11 Jake Plummer, DEN
12 Trent Green, KC
13 Steve McNair, TEN
14 Drew Bledsoe, DAL
15 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
16 Jake Delhomme, CAR
17 Brad Johnson, MIN
18 Aaron Brooks, NO
19 Ryan Firzpatrick, STL
20 Chris Simms, TB
21 David Garrard, JAX
22 Kyle Boller, BAL
23 Mike McMahon, PHI
24 Brett Favre, GB
25 David Carr, HOU
26 Jeff Garcia, DET
27 Brooks Bollinger, NYJ
28 Gus Frerotte, MIA
29 J.P. Losman, BUF
30 Alex Smith, SF
31 Charlie Frye, CLE
32 Kyle Orton, CHI
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Thomas Jones, CHI – Jones worked the tough Tampa Bay defense for 122 total yards last week – his best showing since returning from an injury. This week, he faces the 23rd-ranked Packers run defense (121 ypg), which has allowed six TDs to this point. Moreover, the Pack has given up an average of 158 yards rushing over the last three weeks.
Clinton Portis, WAS – The underutilized Portis was kept out of the end zone for the eighth time in 11 games this season. He’ll get a shot at the end zone this week as the Redskins face the Rams, who are ranked 27th against the run (128 ypg), having given up 13 TDs on the ground. They are bad against the run and pass.
Jamal Lewis, BAL – Lewis finally earned his keep last week (149 total yards, one TD), even if the bulk of it was against the Bengals’ reserves. Luckily for him (again), the Ravens face the 32nd-ranked run defense of Houston (159 ypg), which has surrendered the most TDs this season (16). As bad as the Rams’ defense is, the Texans’ is worse.
Negative Play:
Rudi Johnson, CIN -- Mr. Consistent has really performed well of late (72 carries, 287 yards and five TDs the last three games). But Johnson hasn’t gone up against a great run defense like Pittsburgh’s during that span. The Steelers are the fourth-ranked run defense (88 ypg) and have given up seven TDs to date. The Bengals’ run game will be overmatched.
Warrick Dunn, ATL – Dunn has been solid the last three weeks (346 total yards, but just one TD). The Falcons are up against the third-ranked run defense of Carolina (82 ypg), which has surrendered just five TDs thus far. The squad has only allowed one TD (on the ground or air) over the last three weeks.
Chris Brown, TEN – Brown only managed 31 yards rushing against Indy in Week Four. Plus, there has been a Travis Henry sighting (100 total yards last week). This week, the Colts enter the game as the 10th ranked run defense (103 ypg), having allowed just five TDs thus far.
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Edgerrin James, IND
3 Shaun Alexander, SEA
4 Larry Johnson, KC
5 Tiki Barber, NYG
6 Thomas Jones, CHI
7 Lamont Jordan, OAK
8 Steven Jackson, STL
9 Clinton Portis, WAS
10 Brian Westbrook, PHI
11 Domanick Davis, HOU
12 Reuben Droughns, CLE
13 Rudi Johnson, CIN
14 Cadillac Williams, TB
15 Willis McGahee, BUF
16 Mike Anderson, DEN
17 Warrick Dunn, ATL
18 Jamal Lewis, BAL
19 Mewelde Moore, MIN
20 Chris Brown, TEN
21 Ronnie Brown, MIA
22 Curtis Martin, NYJ
23 Kevan Barlow, SF
24 Willie Parker, PIT
25 DeShaun Foster, CAR
26 Julius Jones, DAL
27 Corey Dillon, NE
28 Kevin Jones, DET
29 Ricky Williams, MIA
30 Samkon Gado, GB
31 Greg Jones, JAX
32 Stephen Davis, CAR
33 Fred Taylor, JAX
34 J.J. Arrington, ARI
35 Marion Barber, DAL
36 Antowain Smith, NO
37 T.J. Duckett, ATL
38 Aaron Stecker, NO
39 Tatum Bell, DEN
40 Chris Perry, CIN
41 Mike Alstott, TB
42 Jerome Bettis, PIT
43 Adrian Peterson, CHI
44 Heath Evans, NE
45 Shawn Bryson, DET
46 Maurice Hicks, SF
47 Tony Fisher, GB
48 Dominic Rhodes, IND
49 Travis Henry, TEN
50 Michael Pittman, TB
51 Obafemi Ayanbadejo, ARI
52 Ciatrick Fason, MIN
53 Kevin Faulk, NE
54 Marshall Faulk, STL
55 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
56 Jonathan Wells, HOU
57 Lamar Gordon, PHI
58 Duce Staley, PIT
59 Michael Bennett, MIN
60 Ron Dayne, DEN
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Santana Moss, WAS – Moss finally got on the scoreboard last week against San Diego (six receptions, 65 yards, one TD), so maybe he and Brunell are about to take off on another run. At least it looks good against the Ram defense that has allowed the most TDs in the league.
Rod Smith, DEN – Smith has been strong and consistent the last three weeks (23 targets, 15 receptions, 164 yards and two TDs). A consistent Smith, plus an efficient Plummer, going against the 29th-ranked Chiefs passing defense should add up to a good day for him.
Joe Jurevicius, SEA – Jurevicius had a huge game last week (eight receptions, 137 yards, two TD), and has been targeted 27 times for 15 receptions, 204 yards and two TDs the last three weeks. The only caveat here is that Darrell Jackson is due back any game now. The Seahawks will go up against the 22nd-ranked pass defense of Philly (217 ypg), which has allowed 18 TDs to date.
Negative Play:
Deion Branch, NE -- Branch has been fairly consistent of late, despite Brady’s struggles (28 targets, 15 receptions, 169 yards and a TD). Going up against the Jets’ fourth-ranked pass defense will prove to be very tough for him.
Donald Driver, GB – As Favre has struggled, Driver’s performance has suffered. His targets have dropped from 14 to 9 to 8 the last three weeks, and his receptions and yards have dropped as well (10/114, 5/84, 3/50). Going against the Bears, Driver’s numbers will continue to suffer.
Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, NO –Stallworth has emerged as the Saints’ go-to receiver, having been targeted 21 times for 15 receptions, 161 yards and four TDs the last three weeks. Horn has wasted a lot of opportunities (27 targets, just 12 receptions, 154 yards, no TDs). It’s hard to imagine another great passing game from the Saints, as they go up against the third-ranked Bucs pass defense.
1 Marvin Harrison, IND
2 Steve Smith, CAR
3 Chad Johnson, CIN
4 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
5 Santana Moss, WAS
6 Anquan Boldin, ARI
7 Torry Holt, STL
8 Reggie Wayne, IND
9 Joey Galloway, TB
10 Plaxico Burress, NYG
11 Hines Ward, PIT
12 Rod Smith, DEN
13 Randy Moss, OAK
14 Deion Branch, NE
15 Roy Williams, DET
16 Donald Driver, GB
17 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
18 Eddie Kennison, KC
19 Joe Jurevicius, SEA
20 Andre Johnson, HOU
21 Chris Chambers, MIA
22 Derrick Mason, BAL
23 Keyshawn Johnson, DAL
24 Jerry Porter, OAK
25 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
26 Keenan McCardell, SD
27 Donte Stallworth, NO
28 Joe Horn, NO
29 Terry Glenn, DAL
30 Isaac Bruce, STL
31 Drew Bennett, TEN
32 Jimmy Smith, JAX
33 Bobby Engram, SEA
34 Brandon Lloyd, SF
35 Eric Moulds, BUF
36 Amani Toomer, NYG
37 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
38 Kevin Curtis, STL
39 Justin McCareins, NYJ
40 Ashley Lelie, DEN
41 Antonio Bryant, CLE
42 Lee Evans, BUF
43 Eric Parker, SD
44 Braylon Edwards, CLE
45 Travis Taylor, MIN
46 Marcus Robinson, MIN
47 Ernest Wilford, JAX
48 Jabar Gaffney, HOU
49 Reggie Brown, PHI
50 Antwaan Randle El, PIT
51 Brandon Stokley, IND
52 Roddy White, ATL
53 Chris Henry, CIN
54 Michael Jenkins, ATL
55 David Givens, NE
56 Arnaz Battle, SF
57 Samie Parker, KC
58 Greg Lewis, PHI
59 Taylor Jacobs, WAS
60 Matt Jones, JAX
Tight Ends
1 Antonio Gates, SD
2 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
3 Alge Crumpler, ATL
4 Tony Gonzalez, KC
5 Todd Heap, BAL
6 Chris Cooley, WAS
7 Jason Witten, DAL
8 L.J. Smith, PHI
9 Heath Miller, PIT
10 Randy McMichael, MIA
11 Erron Kinney, TEN
12 Dallas Clark, IND
13 Ben Watson, NE
14 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
15 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
16 Marcus Pollard, DET
17 Jeb Putzier, DEN
18 Ben Troupe, TEN
19 Alex Smith, TB
20 Desmond Clark, CHI
21 Steve Heiden, CLE
22 Zach Hilton, NO
23 Donald Lee, GB
24 Doug Jolley, NYJ
25 David Martin, GB
26 Courtney Anderson, OAK
27 Michael Gaines, CAR
28 Adam Bergen, ARI
29 Kris Mangum, CAR
30 Anthony Becht, TB
31 Billy Bajema, SF
32 Kyle Brady, JAX
33 Aaron Shea, CLE
34 Stephen Alexander, DEN
35 Tim Euhus, BUF
36 Daniel Graham, NE
37 Jim Kleinsasser, MIN
38 Brandon Manumaleuna, STL
39 George Wrighster, JAX
40 Bo Scaife, TEN
Kickers
1 Mike Vanderjagt, IND
2 Nate Kaeding, SD
3 Jeff Wilkins, STL
4 Jason Elam, DEN
5 John Kasay, CAR
6 Shayne Graham, CIN
7 Adam Vinatieri, NE
8 Jeff Reed, PIT
9 Matt Stover, BAL
10 Jay Feely, NYG
11 David Akers, PHI
12 Josh Brown, SEA
13 John Hall, WAS
14 Lawrence Tynes, KC
15 Josh Scobee, JAX
16 Nick Novak, ARI
17 Jose Cortez, SF
18 Todd Peterson, ATL
19 Paul Edinger, MIN
20 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
21 Rob Bironas, TEN
22 Jason Hanson, DET
23 Billy Cundiff, DAL
24 Olindo Mare, MIA
25 John Carney, NO
26 Kris Brown, HOU
27 Rian Lindell, BUF
28 Mike Nugent, NYJ
29 Robbie Gould, CHI
30 Matt Bryant, TB
31 Ryan Longwell, GB
32 Phil Dawson, CLE
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Jacksonville Jaguars
3 Indianapolis Colts
4 Minnesota Vikings
5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6 Carolina Panthers
7 Baltimore Ravens
8 New York Giants
9 San Diego Chargers
10 Miami Dolphins
11 New England Patriots
12 Cincinnati Bengals
13 Seattle Seahawks
14 Atlanta Falcons
15 Denver Broncos
16 Dallas Cowboys
17 Detroit Lions
18 Green Bay Packers
19 Pittsburgh Steelers
20 Buffalo Bills
21 Arizona Cardinals
22 New Orleans Saints
23 Cleveland Browns
24 Kansas City Chiefs
25 Philadelphia Eagles
26 Washington Redskins
27 St. Louis Rams
28 San Francisco 49ers
29 Houston Texans
30 New York Jets
31 Tennessee Titans
32 Oakland Raiders
Defensive Backs
1 Gibril Wilson, NYG
2 Greg Wesley, KC
3 Adrian Wilson, ARI
4 Roy Williams, DAL
5 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ
6 Michael Lewis, PHI
7 Bob Sanders, IND
8 Marcus Coleman, HOU
9 Michael Boulware, SEA
10 Kevin Kaesviharn, CIN
11 Daylon McCutcheon, CLE
12 Mike Adams, SF
13 Jason Webster, ATL
14 Mike Brown, CHI
15 Lance Schulters, MIA
16 Dunta Robinson, HOU
17 Darren Sharper, MIN
18 Ronde Barber, TB
19 Lamont Thompson, TEN
20 Terence Newman, DAL
21 Ed Reed, BAL
22 Nick Collins, GB
23 Nick Ferguson, DEN
24 Darrent Williams, DEN
25 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
26 Bryan Scott, ATL
27 Sheldon Brown, PHI
28 Ken Lucas, CAR
29 Champ Bailey, DEN
30 Dre Bly, DET
31 Rashean Mathis, JAX
32 Glenn Earl, HOU
33 Corey Chavous, MIN
34 Brian Kelly, TB
35 Adam Archuleta, STL
36 Eugene Wilson, NE
37 Sean Taylor, WAS
38 Will Allen, NYG
39 Chris Crocker, CLE
40 Nate Clements, BUF
41 Charles Tillman, CHI
42 Samari Rolle, BAL
43 Shawntae Spencer, SF
44 Marlin Jackson, IND
45 Ike Taylor, PIT
46 Jerome Carter, STL
47 Dwight Smith, NO
48 Tank Williams, TEN
49 Eric Warfield, KC
50 Walt Harris, WAS
51 Kenoy Kennedy, DET
52 Troy Polamalu, PIT
53 Terrance Kiel, SD
54 Sammy Knight, KC
55 Lawyer Milloy, BUF
56 Erik Coleman, NYJ
57 Jermaine Phillips, TB
58 Chris Gamble, CAR
59 Mark Roman, GB
60 John Lynch, DEN
61 PacMan Jones, TEN
62 Mike Furrey, STL
63 Shawn Springs, WAS
64 Antoine Winfield, MIN
65 Brent Alexander, NYG
66 Jarrod Cooper, OAK
67 Deltha O'Neal, CIN
68 Mike Minter, CAR
69 Chris Hope, PIT
70 Deon Grant, JAX
Linebackers
1 Donnie Edwards, SD
2 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
3 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
4 Mike Peterson, JAX
5 Keith Bulluck, TEN
6 London Fletcher, BUF
7 Cato June, IND
8 Kawika Mitchell, KC
9 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
10 Brian Urlacher, CHI
11 Will Witherspoon, CAR
12 Nick Barnett, GB
13 Channing Crowder, MIA
14 Adalius Thomas, BAL
15 Angelo Crowell, BUF
16 Antonio Pierce, NYG
17 Tedy Bruschi, NE
18 Julian Peterson, SF
19 Kirk Morrison, OAK
20 Karlos Dansby, ARI
21 Andra Davis, CLE
22 Marcus Washington, WAS
23 DaShon Polk, HOU
24 Derrick Brooks, TB
25 Tommy Polley, BAL
26 Demorrio Williams, ATL
27 Keith Brooking, ATL
28 Danny Clark, OAK
29 Odell Thurman, CIN
30 Ian Gold, DEN
31 Leroy Hill, SEA
32 Pisa Tinoisamoa, STL
33 James Farrior, PIT
34 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
35 Derrick Johnson, KC
36 Bradie James, DAL
37 Scott Fujita, DAL
38 Brian Simmons, CIN
39 Daryl Smith, JAX
40 Lemar Marshall, WAS
41 Al Wilson, DEN
42 David Pollack, CIN
43 Lavar Arrington, WAS
44 Clark Haggans, PIT
45 Mike Vrabel, NE
46 Derek Smith, SF
47 Sam Cowart, MIN
48 Ronald McKinnon, ARI
49 Antwan Peek, HOU
50 Boss Bailey, DET
51 Gary Brackett, IND
52 Lance Briggs, CHI
53 Shelton Quarles, TB
54 James Darling, ARI
55 Keith Adams, PHI
56 Demarcus Ware, DAL
57 E.J. Henderson, MIN
58 Steve Foley, SD
59 Mark Brown, NYJ
60 Nail Diggs, GB
61 Rosevelt Colvin, NE
62 Ben Taylor, CLE
63 Joey Porter, PIT
64 Chaun Thompson, CLE
65 David Thornton, IND
66 Peter Sirmon, TEN
67 Dexter Coakley, STL
68 Akinola Ayodele, JAX
69 Randall Godfrey, SD
70 Brad Kassell, TEN
Defensive Linemen
1 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
2 Simeon Rice, TB
3 Will Smith, NO
4 Michael Strahan, NYG
5 Patrick Kerney, ATL
6 Aaron Schobel, BUF
7 Charles Grant, NO
8 Jason Taylor, MIA
9 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
10 Terrell Suggs, BAL
11 Shawne Merriman, SD
12 John Henderson, JAX
13 Jared Allen, KC
14 Justin Smith, CIN
15 Grant Wistrom, SEA
16 Julius Peppers, CAR
17 Mike Rucker, CAR
18 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
19 Alex Brown, CHI
20 Robert Mathis, IND
21 Aaron Kampman, GB
22 Rod Coleman, ATL
23 Jevon Kearse, PHI
24 Derrick Burgess, OAK
25 John Abraham, NYJ
26 Richard Seymour, NE
27 Anthony Weaver, BAL
28 Cornelius Griffin, WAS
29 Pat Williams, MIN
30 Robert Bernard, SEA
31 Philip Daniels, WAS
32 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
33 John Browning, KC
34 Greg Ellis, DAL
35 Chike Okeafor, ARI
36 Shaun Rogers, DET
37 James Hall, DET
38 Dwight Freeney, IND
39 Anthony Hargrove, STL
40 Kalimba Edwards, DET
41 Erasmus James, MIN
42 Orpheus Roye, CLE
43 Courtney Brown, DEN
44 Brandon Green, STL
45 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
46 Aaron Smith, PIT
47 Raheem Brock, IND
48 Leonard Little, STL
49 Chris Kelsay, BUF
50 Kevin Carter, MIA
51 Kelly Gregg, BAL
52 Darnell Dockett, ARI
53 Reggie Hayward, JAX
54 Eric Hicks, KC
55 Greg Spires, TB
56 Lance Johnstone, MIN
57 Dewayne White, TB
58 Darren Howard, NO
59 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
60 Matt Roth, MIA
61 Ted Washington, OAK
62 Marcus Stroud, JAX
63 Corey Simon, IND
64 Antwan Odom, TEN
65 Marcus Spears, DAL
66 Darwin Walker, PHI
67 Paul Spicer, JAX
68 Travis Laboy, TEN
69 Bryce Fisher, SEA
70 Mike Patterson, PHI
Fantasy Football 
In one league, I have Favre and Leftwich, and as much I hate him, I wish I could choose Brooks over Favre this week.
So enjoy Brooks this week.