Week Thirteen Match-ups (UPDATED)
December 01, 2006
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Marc Bulger, STL – Bulger is a banged-up QB of late (bruised ribs), having followed up three straight 300-yard games with an average of less than 200 ypg and a total of one TD over the next three games. This is a plus play mainly due to the match-up – the Rams face the 26th-ranked Cardinals pass defense (230 ypg) that made Brad Johnson look like Joe Montana (66%, 271 yards, 3 TDs, no INTs). Arizona has also given up at least 27 points in three of its last four games. If you have a better option than Bulger, go ahead, but expect a solid performance from this warrior this week.
Matt Leinart, ARI – There are signs that the Cardinals are beginning to abandon the running game and let their rookie QB have his shots. Last week, Leinart threw for 61%, 405 yards, one TD and two INTs against the Vikings. Both Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are healthy at the same time and are playing well. Don’t think that Arizona is going to totally avoid Edgerrin James against poor run defenses (like the Rams), but there will be a good balance this week and that will help Leinart.
Jason Campbell, WAS – Campbell hasn’t done half bad in his two starts (53%, 314 yards, four TDs and one INT). This week, he should finally break the 200-yard barrier and extend his TD-scoring streak against the crashing Falcons defense (30th, 241 ypg). He would make a good injury fill-in or a good bench option if your starter doesn’t have a good match-up this week.
Negative Play:
Jake Delhomme, CAR – Delhomme has been rather average of late (60%, 599 yards, four TDs and four INTs the last three weeks). This week, the Panthers face a Philly defense that is having trouble stopping the run – which should be the Panthers’ focus this week. The Eagles do have a solid pass defense (fourth, 181 ypg), so they will continue to provide trouble for the struggling Delhomme.
Jon Kitna, DET – Kitna’s solid performance during the first half of the season carried the Lions to some level of respectability. But, in recent weeks, all the warts on the Lions are showing and Kitna can’t be a very strong play the rest of the way. Detroit has only scored 33 points over the last three weeks. This week, the Lions face the Patriots pass defense that has allowed the fewest passing TDs (seven), haven’t allowed a passing TD the last two weeks and forced Rex Grossman into three INTs last week. This is despite being mediocre against the pass, yardage-wise (15th, 204 ypg).
David Garrard, JAX – Miami has provided one of the surprise defenses this season, as they are ranked seventh against the pass (186 ypg) in addition to having made 34 sacks (fourth in the league). The Dolphins have kept six out of their last seven opponents to under 200 ypg. Garrard has done okay of late (57%, 595 yards, two TDs and four INTs), but it will be a very tough game for him this week.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
QBs that are Byron Leftwich, JAX; Daunte Culpepper, MIA
1 Drew Brees, NO
2 Peyton Manning, IND
3 Tony Romo, DAL
4 Carson Palmer, CIN
5 Marc Bulger, STL P
6 Tom Brady, NE P
7 Rex Grossman, CHI
8 Michael Vick, ATL
9 Steve McNair, BAL
10 Matt Leinart, ARI
11 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA P
12 Philip Rivers, SD
13 Vince Young, TEN
14 Brett Favre, GB P
15 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT P
16 Chad Pennington, NYJ P
17 Jason Campbell, WAS
18 Jay Cutler, DEN
19 Aaron Brooks, OAK
20 Joey Harrington, MIA
21 David Carr, HOU
22 Jeff Garcia, PHI P
23 Jake Delhomme, CAR
24 Charlie Frye, CLE
25 Jon Kitna, DET
26 David Garrard, JAX
27 Alex Smith, SF
28 Eli Manning, NYG
29 J.P. Losman, BUF
30 Trent Green, KC
31 Bruce Gradkowski, TB
32 Brad Johnson, MIN
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Travis Henry, TEN – Henry has become a solid fantasy starter this season (61 touches, 309 total yards, two TDs the last three weeks). This week, he should continue to roll as he faces the 31st ranked Colts run defense (155 ypg) that has allowed the most rushing TDs in the league (13). Henry gained 123 yards against this squad in Week Five.
Ahman Green, GB – Green hasn’t been very strong of late (56 touches, 173 total yards, one TD the last three weeks), but he showed some life last week when he had 90 total yards and a TD against Seattle. This week, the Packers face the 26th-ranked run defense of the Jets (135 ypg) that are tied for giving the most rushing TDs in the league (13). Despite only allowing Houston 25 yards rushing last week, the Jets allowed 173, 145 and 147 yards the previous three weeks.
Edgerrin James, ARI – The Cardinals’ running game has been fairly non-existent this season – definitely so last week, as James had 15 yards on four carries. Before hitting the dump button, though, he has a great match-up this week. The Rams are pathetic against the run (32nd, 155 ypg), and even more so the last three weeks, having allowed 191 ypg. The Cardinals are starting to favor the pass and they should continue to do so, but when the match-up is right, like this week, expect James to have better than average production. He had one of his best games of the season in Week Three against the Rams (99 total yards, one TD).
Negative Play:
Shaun Alexander, SEA – Thanks to inclement weather and the weak Packers defense, Alexander got back into the swing last week with a 200-yard game. However, he was kept out of the end zone. It will be a much tougher game this week against the Broncos (11th, 102 ypg) that has allowed just six rushing TDs this season.
Kevin Jones, DET – Jones is coming off an injury this week, and it doesn’t get much tougher than facing the third-ranked Patriots run defense (83 ypg). They have allowed just six rushing TDs this season and are primed to make up for their performance last week against Chicago (153 yards, one TD).
Thomas Jones, CHI – Jones is playing very well of late (82 touches, 342 total yards, one TD the last three weeks), but he is going up against a run defense that is playing out of its mind of late. The Vikings are the top-ranked team against the run (57 ypg), and solidified that by allowing an average of just 20 ypg rushing the last three weeks. They also have only given up four TDs on the ground this year. Jones had 54 yards rushing in Week Three against Minnesota, and that was without much contribution from Cedric Benson, who had had about 10 touches a game the last two weeks.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
RBs that are OUT: LaMont Jordan, OAK; Ronnie Brown, MIA
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Larry Johnson, KC
3 Steven Jackson, STL
4 Frank Gore, SF P
5 Brian Westbrook, PHI P
6 Willie Parker, PIT
7 Joseph Addai, IND
8 Travis Henry, TEN
9 Tiki Barber, NYG
10 Chester Taylor, MIN P
11 Ahman Green, GB P
12 Deuce McAllister, NO
13 Rudi Johnson, CIN
14 Shaun Alexander, SEA
15 Jamal Lewis, BAL
16 Ladell Betts, WAS
17 Willis McGahee, BUF P
18 Edgerrin James, ARI
19 Kevin Jones, DET
20 Laurence Maroney, NE
21 Marion Barber III, DAL
22 Fred Taylor, JAX
23 Warrick Dunn, ATL
24 Tatum Bell, DEN P
25 Thomas Jones, CHI
26 Corey Dillon, NE
27 Cadillac Williams, TB
28 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
29 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX P
30 Julius Jones, DAL
31 Reggie Bush, NO
32 Sammy Morris, MIA
33 Wali Lundy, HOU
34 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
35 Justin Fargas, OAK
36 DeShaun Foster, CAR Q
37 Leon Washington, NYJ
38 Dominic Rhodes, IND
39 Cedric Houston, NYJ Q
40 Mike Bell, DEN
41 Kevan Barlow, NYJ P
42 Jason Wright, CLE
43 Jerious Norwood, ATL
44 T.J. Duckett,WAS
45 Cedric Benson, CHI
46 Zack Crockett, OAK
47 Samkon Gado, HOU
48 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
49 Mike Alstott, TB
50 LenDale White, TEN Q
51 Reuben Droughns, CLE P
52 Jerome Harrison, CLE
53 Maurice Hicks, SF
54 Kevin Faulk, NE
55 Michael Bennett, KC
56 Vernand Morency, GB
57 Arlen Harris, Det
58 Stephen Davis, STL
59 Najeh Davenport, PIT
60 Musa Smith, BAL
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Donald Driver, GB – Brett Favre hasn’t been very sharp lately (55%, 686 yards, three TDs and three INTs the last three weeks), but when he connects with Driver, it is with very good results. Last week, Driver only had two receptions, but it was for 82 yards and a TD. This week, the Pack is facing a very mediocre Jacksonville pass defense (20th, 216 ypg), so Driver should find success once again.
Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ – Coles and Cotchery have been big targets in the Jets’ offense of late (Coles, 37 targers, 22 receptions, 220 yards, one TD; Cotchery, 25 targets, 16 receptions, 205 yards, one TD the last three weeks). This week, the Jets face the weak Packers’ pass defense (29th, 233 ypg) that has allowed 86 points over the last three weeks. The Packers are also tied for allowing the most passing TDs in the league (21). Expect a big game from both WRs.
Terry Glenn, DAL – There are few QBs hotter than Tony Romo right now. Glenn was one of the recipients of his heat (six targets, four receptions, 89 yards, two TDs last week). He has responded from his knee injury that hampered him Weeks 9-11 in a big way. This week, the Cowboys face the struggling Giants pass defense. While they are ranked 18th against the pass (215 ypg), the Giants have given up 239 ypg and 88 points over the last three weeks.
Negative Play:
Darrell Jackson and Deion Branch, SEA – Matt Hasselback showed a lot of rust in the first half against Green Bay, limiting Jackson to just two receptions for 20 yards and a TD. And Branch just hasn't caught on fully in Seattle (shouldn't be much of a surprise). This week, the Seahawks face a Broncos squad that has allowed a second-fewest eight passing TDs this season. This is despite ranking only 23rd against the pass (219 ypg). This is a difficult squad to score on, which the Seahawks will find out this week.
Braylon Edwards, CLE – Edwards had to be restrained from Charlie Frye last week – doesn’t sound like things are going very smoothly in Cleveland. That’s too bad, because Edwards was beginning to look like the quality WR we have been expecting (26 targets, 16 receptions, 229 yards, two TDs in Weeks 9-11). After just four looks and two receptions for 29, Edwards looks to be in Frye’s doghouse. It doesn’t help that the Browns will face a decent pass defense this week in that of Kansas City (12th, 200 ypg).
Marcus Robinson, MIN – Robinson has stepped up to be Brad Johnson’s go-to guy in the Vikings’ poor passing offense (22 targets, 12 receptions, 176 yards, two TDs in his last three games). This week, that doesn’t matter, though, as the Vikings face the second-ranked Bears pass defense (163 ypg) that has allowed a second-fewest eight passing TDs.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
WRs that are DOUBTFUL: Jerry Porter, OAK
WRs that are OUT: Hines Ward, PIT
1 Terrell Owens, DAL
2 Steve Smith, CAR
3 Reggie Wayne, IND
4 Marvin Harrison, IND
5 Donald Driver, GB
6 Chad Johnson, CIN
7 Anquan Boldin, ARI
8 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
9 Roy Williams, DET
10 Javon Walker, DEN P
11 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
12 Andre Johnson, HOU
13 Joe Horn, NO Q
14 Lee Evans, BUF
15 Torry Holt, STL
16 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
17 Devery Henderson, NO
18 Joey Galloway, TB
19 Terry Glenn, DAL
20 Plaxico Burress, NYG
21 Bernard Berrian, CHI
22 Darrell Jackson, SEA P
23 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
24 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ P
25 Greg Jennings, GB
26 Mark Clayton, BAL
27 Deion Branch, SEA
28 Santana Moss, WAS
29 Derrick Mason, BAL
30 Chris Chambers, MIA
31 Randy Moss, OAK
32 Antonio Bryant, SF
33 Reggie Brown, PHI
34 Reche Caldwell, NE
35 Isaac Bruce, STL
36 Braylon Edwards, CLE
37 Marty Booker, MIA
38 Santonio Holmes, PIT
39 Mike Furrey, DET
40 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
41 Nate Washington, PIT
42 Drew Bennett, TEN
43 Cedrick Wilson, PIT
44 Marcus Robinson, MIN P
45 Arnaz Battle, SF
46 Donte Stallworth, PHI P
47 Matt Jones, JAX
48 Michael Jenkins, ATL
49 Rod Smith, DEN
50 Eddie Kennison, KC
51 Ernest Wilford, JAX
52 Kevin Curtis, STL
53 Eric Moulds, HOU
54 Eric Parker, SD
55 Peerless Price, BUF
56 Chris Henry, CIN
57 Brandon Jones, TEN
58 Terrance Copper, NO
59 Samie Parker, KC
60 Travis Taylor, MIN
Tight Ends
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
TEs that are OUT: Dallas Clark, IND; Eric Johnson, SF
1 Todd Heap, BAL
2 Antonio Gates, SD
3 Ben Watson, NE
4 Chris Cooley, WAS
5 Alge Crumpler, ATL
6 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE P
7 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
8 Tony Gonzalez, KC P
9 L.J. Smith, PHI
10 Heath Miller, PIT
11 Desmond Clark, CHI
12 Jason Witten, DAL
13 Randy McMichael, MIA
14 Bo Scaife, TEN Q
15 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
16 Owen Daniels, HOU
17 Ben Utecht, IND P
18 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
19 George Wrighster, JAX P
20 Randal Williams, OAK
21 Chris Baker, NYJ
22 Courtney Anderson, OAK
23 Vernon Davis, SF
24 Anthony Becht, TB
25 Reggie Kelly, CIN
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Adam Vinatieri, IND
2 Jeff Wilkins, STL
3 Robbie Gould, CHI
4 Matt Stover, BAL
5 Lawrence Tynes, KC
6 Shayne Graham, CIN
7 Josh Brown, SEA
8 John Kasay, CAR
9 Nate Kaeding, SD
10 John Carney, NO
11 Neil Rackers, ARI
12 Jason Elam, DEN
13 Martin Gramatica, DAL
14 Joe Nedney, SF
15 David Akers, PHI
16 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
17 Josh Scobee, JAX
18 Jeff Reed, PIT
19 Ryan Longwell, MIN
20 Rian Lindell, BUF
21 Dave Rayner, GB
22 Mike Nugent, NYJ
23 Jay Feely, NYG
24 Olindo Mare, MIA
25 Morten Anderson, ATL
26 Nick Novak, WAS
27 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK Q
28 Rob Bironas, TEN
29 Kris Brown, HOU
30 Phil Dawson, CLE
31 Matt Bryant, TB
32 Jason Hanson, DET
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 New England Patriots
3 Miami Dolphins
4 Dallas Cowboys
5 San Diego Chargers
6 Pittsburgh Steelers
7 Carolina Panthers
8 Denver Broncos
9 Jacksonville Jaguars
10 Baltimore Ravens
11 Kansas City Chiefs
12 Oakland Raiders
13 Minnesota Vikings
14 Seattle Seahawks
15 St. Louis Rams
16 Indianapolis Colts
17 Philadelphia Eagles
18 New York Jets
19 New Orleans Saints
20 Cincinnati Bengals
21 Atlanta Falcons
22 Green Bay Packers
23 Cleveland Browns
24 Washington Redskins
25 Houston Texans
26 Buffalo Bills
27 New York Giants
28 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
29 San Francisco 49ers
30 Arizona Cardinals
31 Tennessee Titans
32 Detroit Lions
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DBs that are OUT: Rodney Harrison, NE; Troy Polamalu, PIT
1 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ
2 Adrian Wilson, ARI
3 Sean Jones, CLE
4 Antoine Winfield, MIN
5 Ronde Barber, TB
6 Madieu Williams, CIN
7 Chris Hope, TEN
8 Ken Hamlin, SEA
9 Charles Tillman, CHI
10 Gibril Wilson, NYG Q
11 Darrent Williams, DEN P
12 Roy Williams, DAL
13 Sean Taylor, WAS
14 Antoine Bethea, IND Q
15 Brian Dawkins, PHI
16 Lawyer Milloy, ATL
17 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
18 Jermaine Phillips, TB
19 Josh Bullocks, NO
20 Erik Coleman, NYJ
21 Ed Reed, BAL
22 Walt Harris, SF
23 Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL
24 Chris Harris, CHI
25 Anthony Henry, DAL
26 Asante Samuel, NE
27 Chris Gamble, CAR
28 Greg Wesley, KC
29 Rashean Mathis, JAX
30 Yeremiah Bell, MIA
31 Champ Bailey, DEN
32 Michael Huff, OAK
33 Antrel Rolle, ARI
34 Dwight Smith, NO
35 Ryan Clark, PIT
36 Terence Newman, DAL
37 Ellis Hobbs, NE Q
38 Marquand Manuel, GB
39 Will Demps, NYG
40 Shaun Williams, CAR
41 Corey Chavous, STL
42 Danieal Manning, CHI
43 Nate Clements, BUF
44 Deshea Townsend, PIT
45 Terrence Holt, DET
46 Carlos Rogers, WAS
47 Nick Harper, IND
48 Donte Whitner, BUF
49 Kevin Kaesviharn, CIN
50 Richard Marshall, CAR
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 London Fletcher, BUF
2 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
3 A.J. Hawk, GB
4 Antonio Pierce, NYG P
5 Will Witherspoon, STL
6 Brian Urlacher, CHI
7 Zach Thomas, MIA
8 Keith Brooking, ATL
9 Keith Bulluck, TEN
10 Gerald Hayes, ARI
11 Karlos Dansby, ARI
12 Ray Lewis, BAL
13 Andra Davis, CLE
14 Shawne Merriman, SD
15 Donnie Edwards, SD
16 Lance Briggs, CHI
17 Monty Beisel, NE
18 Ernie Sims, DET
19 Kirk Morrison, OAK
20 Shaun Phillips, SD Q
21 Thomas Davis, CAR
22 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
23 Gary Brackett, IND
24 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
25 Cato June, IND
26 Derrick Brooks, TB
27 Brandon Moore, SF
28 Ian Gold, DEN
29 Kawika Mitchell, KC
30 Adalius Thomas, BAL Q
31 Leroy Hill, SEA
32 Chris Draft, CAR
33 Daryl Smith, JAX P
34 Demarcus Ware, DAL
35 Angelo Crowell, BUF
36 Landon Johnson, CIN
37 Rosevelt Colvin, NE
38 Julian Peterson, SEA
39 James Farrior, PIT
40 Al Wilson, DEN P
41 Barrett Ruud, TB
42 Bart Scott, BAL
43 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
44 Tedy Bruschi, NE
45 Mike Vrabel, NE
46 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
47 Caleb Miller, CIN
48 DQwell Jackson, CLE
49 Clint Ingram, JAX P
50 Scott Fujita, NO
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DLs that are DOUBTFUL: Michael Strahan, NYG
DLs that are OUT: Victor Adeyanju, STL; Antwan Odom, TEN; Orpheus Roye, CLE
1 Jared Allen, KC
2 Julius Peppers, CAR
3 Will Smith, NO Q
4 Terrell Suggs, BAL
5 Charles Grant, NO
6 Tamba Hali, KC
7 Aaron Schobel, BUF
8 Jason Taylor, MIA
9 Aaron Kampman, GB
10 Leonard Little, STL
11 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
12 Trent Cole, PHI
13 Derrick Burgess, OAK
14 Justin Smith, CIN
15 Kevin Williams, MIN
16 Dewayne White, TB
17 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
18 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
19 Trevor Pryce, BAL
20 Robert Mathis, IND
21 Richard Seymour, NE P
22 Cornelius Griffin, WAS
23 Mathias Kiwanuka, NYG
24 Tommy Kelly, OAK
25 Mike Rucker, CAR
26 John Henderson, JAX
27 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
28 Greg Spires, TB
29 Bryant Young, SF
30 Chris Hovan, TB
31 Aaron Smith, PIT
32 Warren Sapp, OAK
33 Philip Daniels, WAS
34 Mario Williams, HOU P
35 Bryan Thomas, NYJ Q
36 Darren Howard, PHI
37 Robert Geathers, CIN
38 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
39 Alex Brown, CHI
40 Kris Jenkins, CAR
41 Mark Anderson, CHI
42 Chike Okeafor, ARI
43 Andre Carter, WAS
44 Anthony Weaver, HOU
45 Anthony Hargrove, STL
46 Ty Warren, NE
47 Anthony McFarland, IND
48 Darryl Tapp, SEA
49 Vince Wilford, NE
50 Damione Lewis, CAR
Fantasy Football 
I agree. I'm surprised that QBs such as McNair, Grossman, Rivers is lower than Vick. Heck, Vick needs to probably be around the vicinity of Eli Manning on that list.
I'm surprised too that you don't have Chad Johnson in the top 3. IMO, it should be something like 1. Chad Johnson, 2. Steve Smith, 3. Reggie Wayne.
I like your TE rankings.
I'm also surprised on ranking Miami 3rd...
I agree that he's not getting the job done on the field, but did manage over 250 total yards last week, which I had figured -- just didn't expect most of it to come on the ground.
I'm not a fan of his and I go out of my way not to own him. But the difference between him being junk and a servicable starting fantasy QB (8-12 average weekly rank) is minute right now. I just doesn't sound like it listening too the media and when you focus strongly on his faults.
It's just a guess, but since he plays TB next week, he will have a favorable placement then, too. But in Weeks 15 and 16 (Dallas and Carolina), I think he will be rated a lot lower.
Bottom line -- it's mainly the opponent.
Deshaun Foster vs Philly
Sammy Morris vs Jax