Week Fifteen Match-ups (UPDATED)
December 15, 2006
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Brett Favre, GB – Favre has been solid this season, and this week, he faces a team that he has owned in his career. He is 14-0 at home in his career against the Lions and has passed for 3,409 yards, 24 TDs and eight INTs against them. In Week Three, Favre tore up the Lions for 69%, 340 yards and 3 TDs. Detroit’s pass defense is extremely average this season (21st, 216 ypg) as they have allowed 19 passing TDs.
Steve McNair, BAL – McNair had a solid game against the Browns in Week Three, with 56%, 264 yards, one TD, no INTs. And that was before Brian Billick took over the play calling. Over the last six weeks, McNair has averaged over 250 ypg. He has averaged only about a TD a game, but he’s been very consistent. The Browns rank in the middle of the pack against the pass (21st, 210 ypg). However, despite the fact that their run defense is getting manhandled of late, they have given up 269 ypg passing over the last three weeks.
Philip Rivers, SD – In Week Seven, Rivers totaled 58%, 266 yards, two TDs and one INT against the Chiefs. Since then, it’s become the LT2 show in San Diego. Nevertheless, this looks like a good match-up for Rivers. The Chiefs are ranked 20th against the pass on the year (213 ypg), but they have allowed 259 ypg the last three weeks, including 288 and 283 yards to two squads that aren’t big on the pass (Cleveland and Baltimore).
Negative Play:
Eli Manning, NYG – If you recall, in Week Two, Manning struggled mightily against the Eagles before rallying in the fourth quarter to finish with great stats. That propelled him to a short string of solid starts. However, he has been struggling in recent weeks. His three-TD performance last week was against a heavily injured secondary. This week, he faces an increasing average Eagles pass defense (7th, 189 ypg) that has allowed an average of 219 ypg over the last three weeks. The game is there for the taking for Eli – which QB will show up, though?
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT – Considering how beleaguered his WR corps has been, Roethlisberger has done amazingly well of late (51%, 637 yards, three TDs, three INTs), but those numbers won’t win your playoffs. This week, he faces the solid pass defense of Carolina (10th, 194 ypg) that thrives on the big play (30 sacks and 11 INTs this season). But, like Pittsburgh’s WRs, the Panthers’ secondary is banged up. If they can step up, Ben will struggle to surpass average numbers.
Vince Young, TEN – You haven’t been able to turn around lately without seeing VY pulling off some sort of late-game heroics. Despite that, his fantasy numbers have been nice for a rookie, but nothing spectacular – nothing that makes him an automatic start as of yet. In Week Nine against the Jaguars, Young was just 42%, 163 yards, one TD and three INTs. He has improved over the last three weeks (65%, 210 ypg, four TDs and three INTs), but he faces the 11th-ranked Jacksonville pass defense (197 ypg) that has allowed only 10 passing TDs thus far. Plus, they are solid against the run as well.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Drew Brees, NO
2 Peyton Manning, IND
3 Carson Palmer, CIN
4 Tony Romo, DAL
5 Jeff Garcia, PHI
6 Tom Brady, NE P
7 Jon Kitna, DET
8 Brett Favre, GB
9 Steve McNair, BAL
10 Michael Vick, ATL
11 Marc Bulger, STL
12 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
13 Philip Rivers, SD
14 Eli Manning, NYG
15 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
16 Matt Leinart, ARI
17 Rex Grossman, CHI
18 Vince Young, TEN P
19 Joey Harrington, MIA P
20 Chad Pennington, NYJ P
21 Jay Cutler, DEN
22 Chris Weinke, CAR
23 Trent Green, KC
24 J.P. Losman, BUF
25 Jason Campbell, WAS
26 David Garrard, JAX
27 Brad Johnson, MIN
28 Alex Smith, SF
29 Aaron Brooks, OAK
30 David Carr, HOU
31 Derek Anderson, CLE
32 Bruce Gradkowski, TB
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Sammy Morris, MIA – Morris has done very well since replacing Ronnie Brown (54 touches, 320 total yards, one TD the last three weeks). This week, he faces the 27th-ranked Bills run defense (140 ypg) that has allowed 179 ypg and more than a TD a game over the last three weeks.
Corey Dillon, NE – With Laurence Maroney struggling with an injury, Dillon has a chance to have a very good game against Houston this week. He has three TDs the last three weeks, and has scored six of his 10 rushing TDs at home this season. The Texans are 20th against the run (124 ypg) and just gave up 218 yards and three TDs last week to Tennessee.
Edgerrin James, ARI – Since James has decided not to give away his TD chances to his teammates anymore (grrr), he gets another shot on this list. He has gained 230 yards rushing over the last two weeks, scored a TD last week and Marcel Shipp is banged up. The Broncos’ run defense is struggling of late. They are 12th against the run (106 ypg), but have allowed 159 ypg on the ground the last three weeks.
Negative Play:
Joseph Addai, IND – The Colts had trouble with their running game last week, and will go up against the surging Bengals run defense. They are 13th against the run (109 ypg), but over the last three weeks, they have allowed an average of 62 ypg rushing and have limited offenses to 17 points in that span.
Cedric Houston, NYJ – Houston has stepped to the front of the confused Jets RBBC situation, but it won’t matter this week as they face the top-ranked run defense of Minnesota. They have allowed 54 ypg rushing this season and just four TDs, and they have averaged 32 ypg allowed the last three weeks.
Warrick Dunn, ATL – Between Dunn and Jerious Norwood, Dunn is the more likely to play this week, but don’t expect much out of him. The Cowboys are ranked sixth against the run (96 ypg), and Dunn, even when healthy, hasn’t approached that average since Week Six.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
RBs that will be OUT: Ronnie Brown, MIA; LaMont Jordan, OAK
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Steven Jackson, STL
3 Larry Johnson, KC
4 Shaun Alexander, SEA
5 Frank Gore, SF
6 Rudi Johnson, CIN
7 Brian Westbrook, PHI
8 Tiki Barber, NYG
9 Willie Parker, PIT
10 Ahman Green, GB P
11 Tatum Bell, DEN
12 Ladell Betts, WAS
13 Jamal Lewis, BAL P
14 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX P
15 Deuce McAllister, NO
16 Reggie Bush, NO
17 Sammy Morris, MIA
18 Corey Dillon, NE
19 Chester Taylor, MIN P
20 Marion Barber III, DAL
21 Joseph Addai, IND Q
22 Edgerrin James, ARI
23 Willis McGahee, BUF
24 Fred Taylor, JAX P
25 Thomas Jones, CHI Q
26 Julius Jones, DAL
27 Ron Dayne, HOU
28 Justin Fargas, OAK
29 Chris Brown, TEN
30 Cadillac Williams, TB
31 Cedric Benson, CHI
32 Brandon Jacobs, NYG
33 DeShaun Foster, CAR
34 Dominic Rhodes, IND Q
35 Warrick Dunn, ATL Q
36 Cedric Houston, NYJ
37 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
38 Arlen Harris, Det
39 Reuben Droughns, CLE
40 Aveion Cason, DET
41 Artose Pinner, MIN
42 Leon Washington, NYJ
43 Laurence Maroney, NE Q
44 Vernand Morency, GB
45 Mike Bell, DEN
46 LenDale White, TEN Q
47 Jerious Norwood, ATL Q
48 Kevin Faulk, NE
49 ReShard Lee, OAK
50 Mewelde Moore, MIN
51 Michael Pittman, TB
52 Kenny Watson, CIN
53 Wali Lundy, HOU
54 Jason Wright, CLE
55 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
56 Mike Alstott, TB
57 Stephen Davis, STL
58 Noah Herron, GB
59 Zack Crockett, OAK Q
60 Mike Anderson, BAL
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Roy Williams, DET – Williams had a monster game against the Packers in Week Three (seven receptions, 138 yards, one TD), and given that the Lions will be without their top three RBs following the recent loss of Kevin Jones, the offense is all on the outspoken shoulders of Williams. The Lions will be facing the 28th-ranked Green Bay pass defense (232 ypg) that has allowed the second-most passing TDs this season (24).
Marques Colston, NO – Colston should be nearly back to form this week, and with Joe Horn out, there is room for him to have a big game. The Saints face the 22nd-ranked Redskins pass defense (217 ypg) that has allowed the most TD passes to date (25).
Javon Walker, DEN – There isn’t much about Walker and Jay Cutler to get excited about – this is all about the match-up. The Broncos are facing the 30th-ranked Arizona pass defense (234 ypg) that has allowed WRs to score at least two TDs in each of their last three games.
Negative Play:
Steve Smith, CAR – Smith is still a must-start, but he will face stiff competition from the Steelers (13th, 207 ypg). The Steelers have gotten a bit stingier in the passing game, so taper down Smith’s numbers a bit this week.
Andre Johnson, HOU – Johnson hasn’t gained 100 yards receiving in his last three games, and he hasn't scored in his last six games. This week, he faces the 15th-ranked Patriots defense (208 ypg) that has seven sacks and six INTs the last three weeks and has allowed just nine passing TDs all season.
Joey Galloway, CHI – Galloway hasn’t gained 100 yards receiving or hasn’t caught more than five passes since Week Six, and he hasn’t scored in the last three weeks. Plus, Brad Gradkowski hasn’t done the job this season. This week, the Bucs face the third-ranked Bears pass defense (175 ypg) that has allowed just 11 passing TDs this season.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
WRs that are DOUBTFUL: Joe Horn, NO
WRs that are OUT: Darrell Jackson, SEA
1 Chad Johnson, CIN
2 Roy Williams, DET
3 Reggie Wayne, IND
4 Torry Holt, STL P
5 Terrell Owens, DAL
6 Marvin Harrison, IND
7 Donald Driver, GB Q
8 Steve Smith, CAR
9 Marques Colston, NO
10 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
11 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN P
12 Laveranues Coles, NYJ
13 Andre Johnson, HOU
14 Plaxico Burress, NYG
15 Hines Ward, PIT P
16 Anquan Boldin, ARI
17 Terry Glenn, DAL
18 Javon Walker, DEN
19 Marty Booker, MIA
20 Lee Evans, BUF
21 Donte Stallworth, PHI
22 Deion Branch, SEA
23 Santana Moss, WAS
24 Mike Furrey, DET
25 Reggie Brown, PHI
26 Reche Caldwell, NE
27 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
28 Bernard Berrian, CHI
29 Devery Henderson, NO
30 Joey Galloway, TB
31 Braylon Edwards, CLE
32 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI Q
33 Mark Clayton, BAL
34 Derrick Mason, BAL P
35 Eddie Kennison, KC
36 Chris Chambers, MIA P
37 Marcus Robinson, MIN P
38 Ronald Curry, OAK
39 Drew Bennett, TEN Q
40 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
41 Matt Jones, JAX
42 Greg Jennings, GB
43 Antonio Bryant, SF
44 Santonio Holmes, PIT
45 Chris Henry, CIN
46 D.J. Hackett, SEA
47 Isaac Bruce, STL
48 Rod Smith, DEN P
49 Samie Parker, KC
50 Michael Jenkins, ATL
51 Eric Parker, SD
52 Nate Washington, PIT
53 Bryant Johnson, ARI
54 Travis Taylor, MIN
55 Troy Brown, NE
56 Joe Jurevicius, CLE
57 Ernest Wilford, JAX
58 Brandon Jones, TEN
59 Kevin Curtis, STL P
60 Josh Reed, BUF
Tight Ends
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
TEs that are OUT: Eric Johnson, SF; Dallas Clark, IND
1 Antonio Gates, SD
2 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
3 Tony Gonzalez, KC
4 Todd Heap, BAL
5 Alge Crumpler, ATL
6 Chris Cooley, WAS
7 L.J. Smith, PHI
8 Jason Witten, DAL
9 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE Q
10 Daniel Graham, NE Q
11 Heath Miller, PIT
12 Vernon Davis, SF
13 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
14 Tony Scheffler, DEN
15 Randy McMichael, MIA
16 Desmond Clark, CHI
17 Ben Utecht, IND
18 George Wrighster, JAX P
19 Owen Daniels, HOU
20 Chris Baker, NYJ
21 Courtney Anderson, OAK
22 Randal Williams, OAK
23 Bryan Fletcher, IND
24 Alex Smith, TB
25 Bubba Franks, GB
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Robbie Gould, CHI
2 Shayne Graham, CIN
3 Adam Vinatieri, IND
4 Josh Scobee, JAX
5 John Carney, NO
6 Jeff Wilkins, STL
7 Nate Kaeding, SD
8 Neil Rackers, ARI
9 Jason Hanson, DET
10 Matt Stover, BAL
11 Josh Brown, SEA
12 David Akers, PHI
13 Ryan Longwell, MIN
14 Jason Elam, DEN P
15 Dave Rayner, GB
16 Martin Gramatica, DAL
17 John Kasay, CAR
18 Lawrence Tynes, KC
19 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
20 Jay Feely, NYG
21 Rob Bironas, TEN
22 Jeff Reed, PIT
23 Joe Nedney, SF
24 Morten Anderson, ATL
25 Olindo Mare, MIA
26 Rian Lindell, BUF
27 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
28 Shaun Suisham, WAS
29 Mike Nugent, NYJ
30 Kris Brown, HOU
31 Phil Dawson, CLE
32 Matt Bryant, TB
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Baltimore Ravens
3 New England Patriots
4 Miami Dolphins
5 Seattle Seahawks
6 Minnesota Vikings
7 San Diego Chargers
8 Jacksonville Jaguars
9 Carolina Panthers
10 Pittsburgh Steelers
11 Buffalo Bills
12 Oakland Raiders
13 St. Louis Rams
14 New Orleans Saints
15 Green Bay Packers
16 New York Jets
17 Denver Broncos
18 Dallas Cowboys
19 Arizona Cardinals
20 New York Giants
21 Tennessee Titans
22 Atlanta Falcons
23 Cincinnati Bengals
24 Indianapolis Colts
25 Philadelphia Eagles
26 Cleveland Browns
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
28 Kansas City Chiefs
29 Houston Texans
30 San Francisco 49ers
31 Detroit Lions
32 Washington Redskins
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DBs that will be DOUBTFUL: C.C. Brown, HOU; Rodney Harrison, NE
DBs that will be OUT: Troy Polamalu, PIT
1 Adrian Wilson, ARI
2 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ
3 Chris Hope, TEN
4 Ronde Barber, TB
5 Lawyer Milloy, ATL
6 Ken Hamlin, SEA
7 Roy Williams, DAL
8 Nick Collins, GB
9 Keith Lewis, SF
10 Charles Tillman, CHI
11 Ed Reed, BAL
12 Gibril Wilson, NYG
13 Shaun Williams, CAR
14 Kenoy Kennedy, DET
15 Darrent Williams, DEN Q
16 Nate Clements, BUF
17 Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL
18 Sean Taylor, WAS
19 Sammy Knight, KC
20 Richard Marshall, CAR
21 Yeremiah Bell, MIA
22 Michael Huff, OAK
23 Marquand Manuel, GB
24 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
25 Madieu Williams, CIN
26 Chris Harris, CHI
27 Danieal Manning, CHI
28 Antoine Winfield, MIN
29 Will Demps, NYG
30 Dwight Smith, NO
31 Erik Coleman, NYJ
32 Champ Bailey, DEN
33 Charles Woodson, GB P
34 John Lynch, DEN
35 Josh Bullocks, NO
36 Jermaine Phillips, TB
37 Corey Chavous, STL
38 Sean Jones, CLE
39 Mark Roman, SF
40 Renaldo Hill, MIA
41 Artrell Hawkins, NE
42 Marlon McCree, SD P
43 Brian Dawkins, PHI
44 Domonique Foxworth, DEN
45 Terrence Holt, DET
46 Nick Harper, IND
47 Glenn Earl, HOU
48 Greg Wesley, KC
49 Ryan Clark, PIT P
50 Antrel Rolle, ARI
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
LBs that are DOUBTFUL: Teddy Lehman, DET
LBs that are OUT: Derek Smith, SF; D'Qwell Jackson, CLE
1 London Fletcher, BUF
2 Donnie Edwards, SD
3 Zach Thomas, MIA
4 Keith Bulluck, TEN
5 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
6 Kirk Morrison, OAK
7 Brian Urlacher, CHI P
8 Keith Brooking, ATL
9 Andra Davis, CLE
10 Antonio Pierce, NYG
11 Ray Lewis, BAL
12 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
13 James Farrior, PIT
14 Shawne Merriman, SD P
15 A.J. Hawk, GB
16 Daryl Smith, JAX P
17 Ernie Sims, DET
18 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
19 Karlos Dansby, ARI
20 Gary Brackett, IND
21 Cato June, IND
22 Bart Scott, BAL
23 David Thornton, TEN
24 Thomas Davis, CAR
25 Brandon Moore, SF
26 Derrick Johnson, KC
27 Will Witherspoon, STL
28 Gerald Hayes, ARI
29 Demarcus Ware, DAL
30 E.J. Henderson, MIN
31 Derrick Brooks, TB
32 Tedy Bruschi, NE
33 Adalius Thomas, BAL
34 Lance Briggs, CHI
35 Leroy Hill, SEA
36 Marcus Washington, WAS
37 Landon Johnson, CIN
38 Scott Shanle, NO
39 Shelton Quarles, TB Q
40 Rosevelt Colvin, NE
41 Larry Foote, PIT
42 Akinola Ayodele, DAL
43 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
44 Nick Barnett, GB
45 Scott Fujita, NO
46 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
47 Kawika Mitchell, KC
48 Ian Gold, DEN
49 Shaun Phillips, SD P
50 Al Wilson, DEN P
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DLs that are DOUBTFUL: Michael Strahan, NYG
DLs that are OUT: Tommie Harris, CHI
1 Jason Taylor, MIA
2 Aaron Schobel, BUF
3 Jared Allen, KC
4 Terrell Suggs, BAL
5 Will Smith, NO
6 John Abraham, ATL
7 Derrick Burgess, OAK
8 Charles Grant, NO
9 Trevor Pryce, BAL
10 Julius Peppers, CAR
11 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
12 Aaron Kampman, GB
13 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
14 Trent Cole, PHI
15 Leonard Little, STL P
16 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
17 Mathias Kiwanuka, NYG
18 Aaron Smith, PIT
19 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
20 Mike Rucker, CAR
21 Tommy Kelly, OAK P
22 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
23 Ty Warren, NE
24 Robert Mathis, IND
25 Richard Seymour, NE P
26 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
27 Justin Smith, CIN
28 Kevin Williams, MIN
29 Tamba Hali, KC
30 Travis Laboy, TEN
31 Darryl Tapp, SEA
32 Robert Geathers, CIN
33 Alex Brown, CHI
34 Cornelius Griffin, WAS
35 Darrion Scott, MIN
36 Luis Castillo, SD
37 Dewayne White, TB
38 Brian Young, NO
39 Dewayne Robertson, NYJ P
40 Chike Okeafor, ARI P
41 Marques Douglas, SF
42 Albert Haynesworth, TEN Q
43 John Henderson, JAX
44 Andre Carter, WAS
45 LaRoi Glover, STL
46 Raheem Brock, IND
47 Mark Anderson, CHI
48 Bryan Thomas, NYJ Q
49 Bryant Young, SF
50 Vince Wilford, NE
Fantasy Football 
I would go with henderson, he was huge last week and the wash defense will give up a lot of points, we just hope that a td will go to henderson
good luck...........
garcia's been slick since hes taken over but henderson has drew brees and is going up against a below average skins secondary. id go with devery