Week Sixteen Match-ups
December 23, 2005
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Matt Hasselbeck, SEA– Hasselbeck is on a roll with three great performances over his last four games (71%, 760 yards, nine TDs, one INT). QBs have been completing passes at an extraordinary rate of late against the Colts (87/125, 70%), although the unit has been stingy in the end zone (215 ypg, three TDs, four INTs). The Colts have dropped to 13th in the league against the pass (194 ypg). With the Colts’ playoffs in order, the tough week the organization has had and the Seahawks playing for home-field advantage, Hasselbeck will continue to be at the top of his game.
Jake Plummer, DEN – The last time the Broncos faced the Raiders, Plummer was his usual efficient self (73%, 205 yards, one TD, no INTs), and he is coming off a solid game last week (54%, 259 yards, two TDs, no INTs). The Raiders are 16th in the league against the pass (199 ypg) and have only made one INT in the last three weeks. The Raiders aren’t playing for anything, while the Broncos are working on finalizing their playoff position.
Gus Frerotte, MIA – Frerotte is expected to start this week, despite having aggravated his index finger injury. He has played well over the last four games – two full games and two partial ones (54%, 681 yards, five TDs, two INTs). Tennessee has given up the league’s most TD passes (29), and has allowed 205 ypg (18th in the league).
Negative Play:
Eli Manning, NYG – Manning has played poorly over the last three weeks (53%, 650 yards, two TDs, seven INTs), and did the same against the Redskins in Week Eight (33%, 141 yards, one TD, one INT). The Redskins are ranked ninth against the pass (186 ypg), and has averaged 163 ypg over the last three weeks. In addition, the ‘Skins have amassed 12 sacks during that span.
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT – Big Ben has been held under 200 yards passing each of the last three weeks, and was held without a TD pass for only the second time this year last week. Cleveland boasts the fourth-ranked pass defense (177 ypg), buoyed by holding its last three opponents to less than 103 ypg, so this unit is on a roll.
Drew Bledsoe, DAL – Bledsoe has been erratic the last three weeks (52%, 631 yards, five TDs, five INTs), and the Cowboys’ offensive line allowed seven sacks last week against the Redskins. Carolina is 11th in the league against the pass (192 ypg), but they are ninth in sacks (35), fifth in TDs allowed (13) and third in INTs (21).
1 Carson Palmer, CIN
2 Drew Brees, SD
3 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
4 Trent Green, KC
5 Tom Brady, NE
6 Steve McNair, TEN
7 David Garrard, JAX
8 Jake Plummer, DEN
9 Josh McCown, ARI
10 Jake Delhomme, CAR
11 Michael Vick, ATL
12 Eli Manning, NYG
13 Gus Frerotte, MIA
14 Kerry Collins, OAK
15 Mark Brunell, WAS
16 Jamie Martin, STL
17 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
18 Drew Bledsoe, DAL
19 Kyle Boller, BAL
20 Kelly Holcomb, BUF
21 Peyton Manning, IND
22 Todd Bouman, NO
23 Joey Harrington, DET
24 Brad Johnson, MIN
25 Chris Simms, TB
26 Charlie Frye, CLE
27 Mike McMahon, PHI
28 Brett Favre, GB
29 Brooks Bollinger, NYJ
30 David Carr, HOU
31 Rex Grossman, CHI
32 Alex Smith, SF
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Thomas Jones, CHI – Jones did well against the Packers in Week Thirteen (19 carries, 93 yards) and has done well over the last three weeks (256 yards, two TDs). Plus, there may be a slight up-tick in the Bears’ passing game, opening things up a tad for Jones. The Packers are the 25th-ranked run defense (127 ypg) and has allowed 150 ypg over the last three weeks. This will be easy money for Jones.
DeShaun Foster, CAR – Foster finally will have a chance to shine with Stephen Davis on the shelf – over the last four weeks, Foster has gained 329 yards (4.0 ypc) and scored once. Dallas’ rush defense has been in a free-fall, having dropped to 15th in the league (111 ypg), having given up an average of 153 ypg over the last three weeks.
Ricky Williams, MIA – There has been a Ricky Williams sighting! With Ronnie Brown hurting his knee last week, Williams gained 70 yards on 14 carries and scored a TD. He has been showing some signs of life of late – 80+ yards in Weeks Twelve and Thirteen and TDs in three of the last four weeks. The Titans have been mediocre this year against the run (113 ypg, 17th), but have allowed 147 ypg over the last three weeks.
Negative Play:
Reuben Droughns, CLE – Droughns had a great game in Week Ten against the Steelers (113 totals yards, one TD). However, his numbers have slid over the last three weeks (215 yards rushing, 3.1 ypc, no TDs). The Steelers, on the other hand, have improved their rushing defense, which is ranked third in the league (86 ypg), by holding teams to less than 80 ypg over the last three games.
Willis McGahee, BUF McGahee has continued to slide, having totaled 157 combined yards (2.7 ypc) and one TD over the last three weeks. The Bengals’ run defense is average (113 ypg, 17th), but has done well against poor running teams over the last three weeks (79 ypg).
Edgerrin James, IND The Colts have been vague about James’ workload this week, but don’t expect 20 carries from him. Even on a good week, the Colts would have their work cut out for them – the Seahawks are ranked seventh against the run (99.9 ypg) and leads the league in fewest TDs on the ground (four), so even Dominic Rhodes will have a hard time.
1 Larry Johnson, KC
2 Rudi Johnson, CIN
3 Shaun Alexander, SEA
4 Tiki Barber, NYG
5 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
6 Clinton Portis, WAS
7 Thomas Jones, CHI
8 Steven Jackson, STL
9 Corey Dillon, NE
10 Cadillac Williams, TB
11 Mike Anderson, DEN
12 DeShaun Foster, CAR
13 Ryan Moats, PHI
14 Warrick Dunn, ATL
15 Ricky Williams, MIA
16 Reuben Droughns, CLE
17 Chris Brown, TEN
18 Willie Parker, PIT
19 Fred Taylor, JAX
20 Frank Gore, SF
21 Tatum Bell, DEN
22 Willis McGahee, BUF
23 Jamal Lewis, BAL
24 Julius Jones, DAL
25 Edgerrin James, IND
26 Cedric Houston, NYJ
27 Jonathan Wells, HOU
28 Antowain Smith, NO
29 Michael Bennett, MIN
30 Ronnie Brown, MIA
31 Artose Pinner, DET
32 Marion Barber, DAL
33 Dominic Rhodes, IND
34 Aaron Stecker, NO
35 Jerome Bettis, PIT
36 Zack Crockett, OAK
37 Tony Fisher, GB
38 Kevin Faulk, NE
39 J.J. Arrington, ARI
40 Chester Taylor, BAL
41 Nick Goings, CAR
42 Greg Jones, JAX
43 Marshall Faulk, STL
44 Shawn Bryson, DET
45 T.J. Duckett, ATL
46 Michael Pittman, TB
47 Justin Fargas, OAK
48 Marcel Shipp, ARI
49 Noah Herron, GB
50 Adrian Peterson, CHI
51 Maurice Hicks, SF
52 Jeremi Johnson, CIN
53 Lamar Gordon, PHI
54 Mewelde Moore, MIN
55 Ladell Betts, WAS
56 William Henderson, GB
57 Vernand Morency, HOU
58 Maurice Morris, SEA
59 Mike Alstott, TB
60 Michael Turner, SD
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Chad Johnson, CIN – I’m listing him just in anticipation of seeing the reindeer!!!
Chris Chambers, MIA – Chambers has been stunning over the last three weeks (27 receptions, 393 yards, four TD) and should feast on the pitiful Titans secondary.
Rod Smith, DEN – Smith cracked the 1,000-yard barrier last week for the eighth time in his career, and has been quite successful of late (43 targets, 27 receptions, 337 yards and two TDs the last four weeks), including an 11-reception, 137-yard, one-TD performance against Buffalo last week. He should do well against the middling Raiders’ defense.
Keenan McCardell, SD – McCardell has done very well of late (25 targets, 19 receptions, 251 yards, two TDs the last four weeks). The Chiefs are ranked 31st against the pass (243 ypg) and have given up 252 ypg over the last three weeks. The unit has allowed 24 TDs through the air (29th in the league).
Negative Play:
Plaxico Burress, NYG – Burress has been shut out of the end zone the last four weeks, and has been held to 17 targets, 10 receptions and 118 yards over the last three weeks. He and Eli will struggle against a tough Redskin defense.
Andre Johnson, HOU – Johnson’s 12-reception, 159-yard, one-TD performance against St Louis was an aberration, as that remains his only TD this season, and he has managed only 14 receptions (off 32 targets) for 148 yards over the last three weeks. The Jaguars sacked David Carr six times in Week Nine, and hold the sixth-best pass defense (179 ypg).
Deion Branch, NE – Tom Brady was held out of the end zone the last time the Patriots met the Jets. Troy Brown was Brady’s top target that day (five receptions, 64 yards), and David Givens has led the way over the last three weeks (14 receptions, 222 yards and a TD). Where does that leave Branch, who has made just 17 receptions, 203 yards and no TDs over the last four weeks? Nowhere, against the third-ranked Jets pass defense (172 ypg), which is the fifth-best in TDs allowed (13).
1 Chad Johnson, CIN
2 Steve Smith, CAR
3 Chris Chambers, MIA
4 Anquan Boldin, ARI
5 Torry Holt, STL
6 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
7 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
8 Rod Smith, DEN
9 Joey Galloway, TB
10 Hines Ward, PIT
11 Jimmy Smith, JAX
12 Keenan McCardell, SD
13 Santana Moss, WAS
14 Randy Moss, OAK
15 Roy Williams, DET
16 Reggie Wayne, IND
17 Plaxico Burress, NYG
18 Drew Bennett, TEN
19 Darrell Jackson, SEA
20 Jerry Porter, OAK
21 Terry Glenn, DAL
22 Bobby Engram, SEA
23 Donte Stallworth, NO
24 Andre Johnson, HOU
25 Deion Branch, NE
26 Eric Moulds, BUF
27 Eddie Kennison, KC
28 Samie Parker, KC
29 Isaac Bruce, STL
30 Lee Evans, BUF
31 David Givens, NE
32 Derrick Mason, BAL
33 Joe Jurevicius, SEA
34 Antonio Bryant, CLE
35 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
36 Donald Driver, GB
37 Keyshawn Johnson, DAL
38 Amani Toomer, NYG
39 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
40 Koren Robinson, MIN
41 Ashley Lelie, DEN
42 Brandon Stokley, IND
43 Brandon Lloyd, SF
44 Joe Horn, NO
45 Marty Booker, MIA
46 Ernest Wilford, JAX
47 Mark Clayton, BAL
48 Reggie Brown, PHI
49 Justin McCareins, NYJ
50 Eric Parker, SD
51 Marcus Robinson, MIN
52 Antwaan Randle El, PIT
53 Greg Lewis, PHI
54 Scott Vines, DET
55 Kevin Curtis, STL
56 Brian Finneran, ATL
57 Jabar Gaffney, HOU
58 Dennis Northcutt, CLE
59 Roddy White, ATL
60 Courtney Roby, TEN
Tight Ends
1 Antonio Gates, SD
2 Tony Gonzalez, KC
3 Todd Heap, BAL
4 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
5 Alge Crumpler, ATL
6 Chris Cooley, WAS
7 Jason Witten, DAL
8 Ben Troupe, TEN
9 Randy McMichael, MIA
10 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
11 Heath Miller, PIT
12 Dallas Clark, IND
13 L.J. Smith, PHI
14 Jeb Putzier, DEN
15 Marcus Pollard, DET
16 Desmond Clark, CHI
17 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
18 Doug Jolley, NYJ
19 Erron Kinney, TEN
20 Steve Heiden, CLE
21 Bryan Fletcher, IND
22 Zach Hilton, NO
23 David Martin, GB
24 Alex Smith, TB
25 Donald Lee, GB
26 Ben Watson, NE
27 Kris Mangum, CAR
28 Bo Scaife, TEN
29 Mark Campbell, BUF
30 Robert Royal, WAS
31 Daniel Graham, NE
32 Aaron Shea, CLE
33 Kyle Brady, JAX
34 Mike Sellers, WAS
35 Adam Bergen, ARI
Kickers
1 Shayne Graham, CIN
2 Neil Rackers, ARI
3 Jason Elam, DEN
4 Nate Kaeding, SD
5 Josh Brown, SEA
6 Jeff Wilkins, STL
7 Lawrence Tynes, KC
8 Jay Feely, NYG
9 Mike Vanderjagt, IND
10 Robbie Gould, CHI
11 John Kasay, CAR
12 Adam Vinatieri, NE
13 David Akers, PHI
14 Josh Scobee, JAX
15 Jeff Reed, PIT
16 Olindo Mare, MIA
17 Todd Peterson, ATL
18 Rob Bironas, TEN
19 Matt Stover, BAL
20 Joe Nedney, SF
21 Jason Hanson, DET
22 Paul Edinger, MIN
23 John Hall, WAS
24 Kris Brown, HOU
25 Mike Nugent, NYJ
26 Matt Bryant, TB
27 John Carney, NO
28 Rian Lindell, BUF
29 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
30 Phil Dawson, CLE
31 Ryan Longwell, GB
32 Billy Cundiff, DAL
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Jacksonville Jaguars
3 Carolina Panthers
4 New England Patriots
5 Cincinnati Bengals
6 Pittsburgh Steelers
7 Baltimore Ravens
8 Denver Broncos
9 Minnesota Vikings
10 Seattle Seahawks
11 St. Louis Rams
12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13 Miami Dolphins
14 New York Giants
15 Atlanta Falcons
16 Washington Redskins
17 Arizona Cardinals
18 Green Bay Packers
19 Philadelphia Eagles
20 Detroit Lions
21 New Orleans Saints
22 Dallas Cowboys
23 Cleveland Browns
24 Houston Texans
25 San Diego Chargers
26 Indianapolis Colts
27 Kansas City Chiefs
28 San Francisco 49ers
29 New York Jets
30 Tennessee Titans
31 Oakland Raiders
32 Buffalo Bills
Defensive Backs
1 Gibril Wilson, NYG
2 Michael Lewis, PHI
3 Adrian Wilson, ARI
4 Roy Williams, DAL
5 Sammy Knight, KC
6 Kenoy Kennedy, DET
7 Ike Taylor, PIT
8 Brian Dawkins, PHI
9 Ken Lucas, CAR
10 Terrance Kiel, SD
11 Darren Sharper, MIN
12 Sean Taylor, WAS
13 Charles Tillman, CHI
14 DeAngelo Hall, ATL
15 Antoine Winfield, MIN
16 Troy Polamalu, PIT
17 Deltha O'Neal, CIN
18 Lawyer Milloy, BUF
19 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ
20 Kevin Kaesvham, CIN
21 Dre' Bly, DET
22 Chris Hope, PIT
23 Champ Bailey, DEN
24 Nate Clements, BUF
25 Daylon McCutcheon, CLE
26 Nick Collins, GB
27 Ronde Barber, TB
28 Rashean Mathis, JAX
29 Shawn Springs, WAS
30 Erik Coleman, NYJ
31 Michael Boulware, SEA
32 Lance Schulters, MIA
33 Adam Archuleta, STL
34 Patrick Surtain, KC
35 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
36 Tank Williams, TEN
37 Brent Alexander, NYG
38 Greg Wesley, KC
39 Glenn Earl, HOU
40 Shawntae Spencer, SF
41 Edward Reed, BAL
42 Eugene Wilson, NE
43 David Barrett, NYJ
44 Lamont Thompson, TEN
45 Ricky Manning, CAR
46 Bob Sanders, IND
47 Chris Crocker, CLE
48 Eric Warfield, KC
49 Mark Roman, GB
50 Terrence McGee, BUF
51 Dunta Robinson, HOU
52 John Lynch, DEN
53 David Macklin, ARI
54 Chris Gamble, CAR
55 Michael Doss, IND
56 Jason Webster, ATL
57 Nick Ferguson, DEN
58 Samari Rolle, BAL
59 Ahmad Carroll, GB
60 Marlon McCree, CAR
61 Corey Chavous, MIN
62 Brian Russell, CLE
63 Terence Newman, DAL
64 Chris McAlister, BAL
65 Pacman Jones, TEN
66 Anthony Henry, DAL
67 Marcus Trufant, SEA
68 Sheldon Brown, PHI
69 R.W. McQuarters, DET
70 Marlin Jackson, IND
Linebackers
1 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
2 London Fletcher, BUF
3 Brian Urlacher, CHI
4 Andra Davis, CLE
5 Zach Thomas, MIA
6 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
7 Donnie Edwards, SD
8 Keith Bulluck, TEN
9 Kawika Mitchell, KC
10 Mike Peterson, JAX
11 Kirk Morrison, OAK
12 Nick Barnett, GB
13 Demorrio Williams, ATL
14 Gary Brackett, IND
15 Angelo Crowell, BUF
16 Lance Briggs, CHI
17 Shelton Quarles, TB
18 Bart Scott, BAL
19 Nick Greisen, NYG
20 Brian Simmons, CIN
21 Danny Clark, OAK
22 James Farrior, PIT
23 Derrick Brooks, TB
24 Rosevelt Colvin, NE
25 Shawne Merriman, SD
26 James Darling, ARI
27 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
28 Marcus Washington, WAS
29 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
30 Ben Taylor, CLE
31 Adalius Thomas, BAL
32 Leroy Hill, SEA
33 Derek Smith, SF
34 Tedy Bruschi, NE
35 Joey Porter, PIT
36 Tommy Polley, BAL
37 Ian Gold, DEN
38 Sam Cowart, MIN
39 Karlos Dansby, ARI
40 DaShon Polk, HOU
41 Julian Peterson, SF
42 Demarcus Ware, DAL
43 Bradie James, DAL
44 Dan Morgan, CAR
45 Mike Vrabel, NE
46 Pisa Tinoisamoa, STL
47 Scott Fujita, KC
48 Lemar Marshall, WAS
49 Channing Crowder, MIA
50 Keith Brooking, ATL
51 Will Witherspoon, CAR
52 Al Wilson, DEN
53 Steve Foley, SD
54 David Thornton, IND
55 David Pollack, CIN
56 Clark Haggans, PIT
57 Lavar Arrington, WAS
58 Derrick Johnson, KC
59 Randall Godfrey, SD
60 E.J. Henderson, MIN
61 Odell Thurman, CIN
62 Larry Foote, PIT
63 Daryl Smith, JAX
64 Nail Diggs, GB
65 Victor Hobson, NYJ
66 Colby Bockwoldt, NO
67 Akinola Ayodele, JAX
68 Peter Sirmon, TEN
69 Dhani Jones, PHI
70 Brad Kassell, TEN
Defensive Linemen
1 Jason Taylor, MIA
2 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
3 Julius Peppers, CAR
4 Michael Strahan, NYG
5 Derrick Burgess, OAK
6 Will Smith, NO
7 Terrell Suggs, BAL
8 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
9 John Henderson, JAX
10 Jevon Kearse, PHI
11 Simeon Rice, TB
12 Jared Allen, KC
13 John Abraham, NYJ
14 Reggie Hayward, JAX
15 Aaron Kampman, GB
16 James Hall, DET
17 Richard Seymour, NE
18 Leonard Little, STL
19 Mike Rucker, CAR
20 Justin Smith, CIN
21 Charles Grant, NO
22 Patrick Kerney, ATL
23 Rod Coleman, ATL
24 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
25 Kalimba Edwards, DET
26 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
27 Aaron Schobel, BUF
28 Kevin Williams, MIN
29 Chike Okeafor, ARI
30 Cornelius Griffin, WAS
31 Raheem Brock, IND
32 Mike Patterson, PHI
33 Alex Brown, CHI
34 Shaun Rogers, DET
35 Anthony Hargrove, STL
36 Erasmus James, MIN
37 Orpheus Roye, CLE
38 Bryant Young, SF
39 Robert Bernard, SEA
40 Dwight Freeney, IND
41 Trevor Pryce, DEN
42 Lance Johnstone, MIN
43 Andre Carter, SF
44 Kevin Carter, MIA
45 Phillip Daniels, WAS
46 John Thornton, CIN
47 John Browning, KC
48 Pat Williams, MIN
49 Albert Haynesworth, TEN
50 Darnell Dockett, ARI
51 Aaron Smith, PIT
52 Anthony Weaver, BAL
53 Grant Wistrom, SEA
54 Marques Douglas, SF
55 Bryce Fisher, SEA
56 Greg Ellis, DAL
57 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
58 Marcus Stroud, JAX
59 Gerard Warren, DEN
60 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
61 Travis LaBoy, TEN
62 Paul Spicer, JAX
63 Kelly Gregg, BAL
64 Marcus Spears, DAL
65 Alvin McKinley, CLE
66 Greg Spires, TB
67 Chris Kelsay, BUF
68 Larry Tripplett, IND
69 Vince Wilfork, NE
70 Courtney Brown, DEN
Fantasy Football 
Thats homerism. I dont know if you were asleep at the wheel again or not. Remember last week when the Pats shut out the Bucs? I would say Jeff's rankings are very consistent again.
Nice job Jeff.
The game was in N.E. and TB is a bad coldweather team.
The game was in N.E. and TB is a bad coldweather team.
Well if Boeller=Simms and Simms got shut down, why would you like to bump his ranking up?