Week Sixteen Match-ups (UPDATED)
December 22, 2006
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
Jeff Garcia, PHI – On his own, Garcia is a must start this week. Since taking over for Donovan McNabb, Garcia has posted 62%, 1,042 yards, nine TDs and one INT, and over the last three weeks, he’s 61%, 713 yards, six TDs and one INT. What makes this a great start is the collapse of the Dallas passing defense. The defense has taken a free-fall down to the 21st spot (215 ypg), thanks to having allowed 896 yards passing the last three weeks, and nine TDs to Drew Brees and Michael Vick the last two weeks. This is a defense that’s ready to be abused again.
Jay Cutler, DEN – Cutler is starting to find a rhythm with the Broncos’ offense. While throwing for two TDs in each of his three starts, he’s maintained a respectable 2-to-1 TD/INT ratio (6:3). He has also steadily improved his yardage output during that span. He should continue to show improvement as he faces the 32nd-ranked Bengals defense that has allowed 242 ypg this season and is also ranked 25th in TD passes allowed (21).
Chad Pennington, NYJ – If you need to reach a little for a starter this week, Pennington might be a guy worthy of taking a chance on. He’s coming off a solid game last week against Minnesota (74%, 339 yards, one TD, one INT) and he’s in a groove with Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. The Miami defense (third, 178 ypg) isn’t allowing big yardage, but J.P. Losman went 68%, 200 yards, three TDs last week against them. If you’re hurting, Pennington should be able to approach that yardage and find the end zone at least once as well. The Dolphins are in the middle of the pack on passing TDs allowed (19 TDs). It won’t be easy, though.
Negative Play:
Tom Brady, NE – It’s hard to say this, but you must consider your options this week if you normally start Brady. He has only passed for 187 yards total the last two weeks, and he has only thrown for three TDs over the last four weeks. What makes this week a tough play is that the Patriots face the seventh-ranked Jacksonville pass defense (187 ypg) that has allowed the second-fewest passing TDs in the league this season (10).
Jon Kitna, DET – Kitna got his yardage in Week Two against the Bears (230) and avoided an interception, but was kept out of the end zone. Over the last three weeks, however, Kitna has thrown eight INTs, to only two TDs during that span. The Bears continue to be a solid unit (fourth, 184 ypg).
Joey Harrington, MIA – ZERO. That was what Harrington’s passer rating last week before being benched in the fourth quarter. There’s a good chance that Nick Saban wants to see some more of Harrington’s back-up, Cleo Lemon, so I would hate to have my starting QB benched late in the fantasy play-offs (if you made it that far with Harrington as your QB, that is). The Jets are just average against the pass (18th, 212 ypg), but that could be enough.
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
QBs that are DOUBTFUL: Jake Delhomme, CAR
1 Peyton Manning, IND
2 Drew Brees, NO
3 Tony Romo, DAL
4 Jeff Garcia, PHI
5 Marc Bulger, STL
6 Michael Vick, ATL P
7 Carson Palmer, CIN P
8 Brett Favre, GB
9 Matt Leinart, ARI
10 Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
11 Eli Manning, NYG
12 Jay Cutler, DEN
13 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
14 Chad Pennington, NYJ P
15 Vince Young, TEN
16 Tom Brady, NE P
17 Rex Grossman, CHI
18 Philip Rivers, SD
19 Tavaris Jackson, MIN P
20 J.P. Losman, BUF
21 Jason Campbell, WAS
22 Alex Smith, SF
23 Derek Anderson, CLE
24 Jon Kitna, DET
25 Joey Harrington, MIA P
26 Steve McNair, BAL
27 David Carr, HOU
28 David Garrard, JAX
29 Chris Weinke, CAR P
30 Tim Rattay, TB
31 Trent Green, KC
32 Aaron Brooks, OAK P
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Ladell Betts, WAS – Clinton who? Betts has been on fire of late, with four straight 100-yard games – two of which were in excess of 150 yards. This week, he faces the 31st-ranked Rams run defense (148 ypg) that has allowed at least 160 yards on the ground in six of the past eight games. The Rams also have allowed the third-most rushing TDs this season (16).
Willis McGahee, BUF – McGahee has averaged more than 100 total yards over the last two games, and has four TDs in the past four games. This week, he faces the 30th-ranked run defense of Tennessee (145 ypg) that also has allowed 16 rushing TDs to date.
Ron Dayne, HOU – Dayne has done surprisingly well of late, averaging 100 total yards and one touchdown over the last three games. Expect him to surpass that against the worst run defense in the league – that of the 32nd-ranked Colts (173 ypg), which has allowed the most rushing TDs in the league (18).
Negative Play:
Tatum Bell, DEN – Thanks to fumblitis, Tatum Bell is back in the doghouse in Denver. Expect Mike Bell to eat into Tatum’s totals once again as they face an average, but improving, Bengals run defense (13th, 109 ypg). Cincy has held opponents to 82 ypg rushing the last three weeks.
Joseph Addai, IND – Addai’s ankle injury isn’t as severe as it appeared, but expect Dominic Rhodes to get the bulk of the work this week against the below-average Houston run defense (20th, 123 ypg).
DeShaun Foster, CAR – Foster is still struggling following his elbow injury, with just 73 total yards and no TDs the last two weeks. The Panthers’ OL remains battered as well. This week, he faces the 10th-ranked Falcons run defense (102 ypg) that has shown some wear in recent weeks (117 ypg the last three weeks).
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
RBs that are DOUBTFUL: Carnell Williams, TB
RBs that are OUT: Michael Bennett, KC; LaMont Jordan, OAK; Fred Taylor, JAX
1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Frank Gore, SF
3 Larry Johnson, KC
4 Steven Jackson, STL
5 Brian Westbrook, PHI
6 Ladell Betts, WAS
7 Tiki Barber, NYG
8 Rudi Johnson, CIN
9 Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX P
10 Shaun Alexander, SEA
11 Willis McGahee, BUF
12 Marion Barber III, DAL
13 Ron Dayne, HOU
14 Willie Parker, PIT
15 Travis Henry, TEN Q
16 Edgerrin James, ARI
17 Chester Taylor, MIN
18 Corey Dillon, NE
19 Cedric Benson, CHI
20 Dominic Rhodes, IND
21 Deuce McAllister, NO
22 Ronnie Brown, MIA Q
23 Jamal Lewis, BAL
24 Reggie Bush, NO
25 Tatum Bell, DEN
26 Ahman Green, GB
27 Warrick Dunn, ATL
28 Julius Jones, DAL
29 Joseph Addai, IND Q
30 DeShaun Foster, CAR
31 Justin Fargas, OAK
32 Mike Bell, DEN
33 Michael Pittman, TB
34 Arlen Harris, Det
35 Reuben Droughns, CLE
36 Brandon Jacobs, NYG Q
37 DeAngelo Williams, CAR
38 Thomas Jones, CHI Q
39 Wali Lundy, HOU
40 Kevan Barlow, NYJ P
41 Sammy Morris, MIA
42 Leon Washington, NYJ
43 Mike Alstott, TB
44 Jerious Norwood, ATL P
45 Correll Buckhalter, PHI
46 Vernand Morency, GB
47 Jerome Harrison, CLE
48 ReShard Lee, OAK
49 Mewelde Moore, MIN
50 Anthony Thomas, BUF
51 Michael Turner, SD
52 Kevin Faulk, NE Q
53 Alvin Pearman, JAX
54 LenDale White, TEN
55 Artose Pinner, MIN
56 Laurence Maroney, NE Q
57 Najeh Davenport, PIT
58 Aveion Cason, DET
59 Justin Griffith, ATL
60 T.J. Duckett,WAS
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Javon Walker, DEN – As Cutler has improved, so has Walker’s numbers (21 targets, 11 receptions, 153 yards, one TD the last three weeks).
Reggie Brown, PHI – While Brian Westbrook has been getting the most targets and receptions from Garcia, it has been Brown that has been getting yards and TDs for the Eagles. Over the last three weeks, Brown has been targeted 21 times for 12 receptions, 229 yards and two TDs). He should continue to roll against the Cowboys.
Bernard Berrian, CHI – Back earlier this season when Rex Grossman was a fantasy football QB god (seems so long ago), he threw for 289 yards and four TDs against these Lions. Berrian was the recipient of one of those TDs and should be in line for another this week. The Lions continue to be very average against the pass (19th, 213 ypg).
Negative Play:
Chad Johnson, CIN – The Bengals have a tough match-up this week against Denver – they are your typical bend-but-don’t-break passing defense. They are ranked 22nd against the pass (218 ypg), but they are tied for allowing the second-fewest passing TDs in the league (10). Carson Palmer has struggled (for him) of late (63%, 707 yards, three TDs, three INTs over the last three weeks). Johnson is still a must-start, but his numbers have a good chance to be lower than expected.
Roy Williams, DET – You have to start Williams unless you somehow have 2-3 top-15 WRs on your roster. Kitna will have a poor game and Williams hasn’t scored since Week Nine.
Andre Johnson, HOU – Johnson is another fantasy stud that you have to consider whether to play if you have options. Johnson has just 105 yards receiving over his last three weeks and has scored just once in his last seven games. David Carr has thrown one TD and seven INTs since Week Eight. The Colts have been decent against the pass this season (second, 156 ypg).
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
WRs that are DOUBTFUL: Drew Carter, CAR; Joe Horn, NO; Darrell Jackson, SEA; Marty Booker, MIA
WRs that are OUT: Antonio Bryant, SF
1 Marvin Harrison, IND
2 Reggie Wayne, IND
3 Terrell Owens, DAL
4 Donald Driver, GB
5 Steve Smith, CAR
6 Torry Holt, STL P
7 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
8 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
9 Plaxico Burress, NYG
10 Marques Colston, NO
11 Anquan Boldin, ARI
12 Chad Johnson, CIN P
13 Laveranues Coles, NYJ Q
14 Lee Evans, BUF
15 Terry Glenn, DAL
16 Santana Moss, WAS
17 Hines Ward, PIT
18 Andre Johnson, HOU
19 Joey Galloway, TB
20 Roy Williams, DET
21 Braylon Edwards, CLE
22 Javon Walker, DEN P
23 Reggie Brown, PHI
24 Deion Branch, SEA
25 Donte Stallworth, PHI
26 Bernard Berrian, CHI
27 Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
28 Chris Chambers, MIA
29 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
30 Reche Caldwell, NE
31 Mark Clayton, BAL
32 D.J. Hackett, SEA
33 Isaac Bruce, STL
34 Derrick Mason, BAL P
35 Mike Furrey, DET
36 Ronald Curry, OAK
37 Matt Jones, JAX
38 Eddie Kennison, KC
39 Keyshawn Johnson, CAR
40 Devery Henderson, NO
41 Arnaz Battle, SF
42 Greg Jennings, GB
43 Drew Bennett, TEN Q
44 Travis Taylor, MIN
45 Michael Jenkins, ATL
46 Chris Henry, CIN
47 Rod Smith, DEN
48 Santonio Holmes, PIT
49 Wes Welker, MIA
50 Reggie Williams, JAX
51 Joe Jurevicius, CLE Q
52 Vincent Jackson, SD
53 Troy Williamson, MIN
54 Eric Parker, SD Q
55 Kevin Curtis, STL
56 Terrance Copper, NO
57 Josh Reed, BUF
58 Ernest Wilford, JAX
59 Nate Washington, PIT
60 Samie Parker, KC
Tight Ends
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
TEs that are OUT: Dallas Clark, IND
1 Antonio Gates, SD
2 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
3 Tony Gonzalez, KC
4 Alge Crumpler, ATL
5 Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE Q
6 Chris Cooley, WAS
7 Todd Heap, BAL
8 Desmond Clark, CHI
9 L.J. Smith, PHI
10 Jason Witten, DAL
11 Vernon Davis, SF
12 Jerramy Stevens, SEA
13 Randy McMichael, MIA
14 Heath Miller, PIT
15 Tony Scheffler, DEN
16 Robert Royal, BUF
17 Ben Utecht, IND
18 Daniel Graham, NE
19 George Wrighster, JAX
20 Alex Smith, TB
21 Owen Daniels, HOU Q
22 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
23 Chris Baker, NYJ
24 Bo Scaife, TEN Q
25 Ben Watson, NE Q
Kickers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Robbie Gould, CHI
2 Adam Vinatieri, IND
3 Shayne Graham, CIN
4 Nate Kaeding, SD
5 Jeff Wilkins, STL
6 Neil Rackers, ARI
7 Jason Elam, DEN P
8 Josh Brown, SEA
9 Martin Gramatica, DAL
10 Lawrence Tynes, KC
11 John Carney, NO
12 Josh Scobee, JAX
13 Ryan Longwell, MIN
14 Matt Stover, BAL
15 John Kasay, CAR
16 Jason Hanson, DET
17 Joe Nedney, SF
18 David Akers, PHI
19 Morten Anderson, ATL
20 Jeff Reed, PIT
21 Mike Nugent, NYJ
22 Shaun Suisham, WAS
23 Jay Feely, NYG
24 Dave Rayner, GB
25 Rob Bironas, TEN
26 Rian Lindell, BUF
27 Olindo Mare, MIA
28 Stephen Gostkowski, NE
29 Kris Brown, HOU
30 Phil Dawson, CLE
31 Matt Bryant, TB
32 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
Team Defenses
1 Chicago Bears
2 Kansas City Chiefs
3 Baltimore Ravens
4 San Diego Chargers
5 Minnesota Vikings
6 Buffalo Bills
7 Miami Dolphins
8 Indianapolis Colts
9 New England Patriots
10 Pittsburgh Steelers
11 Green Bay Packers
12 Jacksonville Jaguars
13 New York Jets
14 Cleveland Browns
15 Tennessee Titans
16 Dallas Cowboys
17 Cincinnati Bengals
18 St. Louis Rams
19 Atlanta Falcons
20 Oakland Raiders
21 Denver Broncos
22 Carolina Panthers
23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
24 San Francisco 49ers
25 Arizona Cardinals
26 New Orleans Saints
27 Seattle Seahawks
28 Washington Redskins
29 Philadelphia Eagles
30 Detroit Lions
31 New York Giants
32 Houston Texans
Defensive Backs
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
DBs that are OUT: Ryan Clark, PIT
1 Adrian Wilson, ARI
2 Chris Hope, TEN
3 Kerry Rhodes, NYJ
4 Ken Hamlin, SEA
5 Gibril Wilson, NYG
6 Sean Jones, CLE
7 Brian Dawkins, PHI P
8 Ronde Barber, TB
9 Will Demps, NYG
10 Keith Lewis, SF
11 Roy Williams, DAL
12 Antoine Winfield, MIN
13 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
14 Kenoy Kennedy, DET
15 Michael Huff, OAK
16 Chris Harris, CHI
17 Antoine Bethea, IND Q
18 Nick Collins, GB
19 Glenn Earl, HOU
20 DeAngelo Hall, ATL P
21 Yeremiah Bell, MIA
22 Oshiomogho Atogwe, STL
23 Chris McAlister, BAL
24 Ed Reed, BAL
25 Josh Bullocks, NO
26 Rashean Mathis, JAX
27 Marlon McCree, SD
28 Greg Wesley, KC
29 Madieu Williams, CIN
30 Corey Chavous, STL
31 Richard Marshall, CAR
32 Troy Polamalu, PIT P
33 Sean Taylor, WAS
34 Jermaine Phillips, TB
35 Ty Law, KC
36 Walt Harris, SF
37 Charles Woodson, GB P
38 John Lynch, DEN
39 Nick Harper, IND
40 Lawyer Milloy, ATL
41 Shaun Williams, CAR
42 Shawntae Spencer, SF
43 Champ Bailey, DEN
44 Sammy Knight, KC
45 Brodney Pool, CLE
46 Darren Sharper, MIN
47 Erik Coleman, NYJ
48 Antrel Rolle, ARI
49 Marquand Manuel, GB
50 Dawan Landry, BAL
Linebackers
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
LBs that are DOUBTFUL: Andra Davis, CLE
1 DeMeco Ryans, HOU
2 Zach Thomas, MIA
3 London Fletcher, BUF
4 Keith Bulluck, TEN
5 Keith Brooking, ATL
6 Donnie Edwards, SD
7 Brian Urlacher, CHI
8 Kawika Mitchell, KC
9 Karlos Dansby, ARI
10 E.J. Henderson, MIN
11 Lofa Tatupu, SEA
12 Kirk Morrison, OAK
13 Antonio Pierce, NYG
14 Ray Lewis, BAL
15 A.J. Hawk, GB
16 Demarcus Ware, DAL
17 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI P
18 Shawne Merriman, SD P
19 David Thornton, TEN
20 Lance Briggs, CHI
21 Derrick Johnson, KC
22 Cato June, IND Q
23 Daryl Smith, JAX
24 Will Witherspoon, STL P
25 Gary Brackett, IND
26 Julian Peterson, SEA
27 James Farrior, PIT
28 Brandon Moore, SF
29 Tedy Bruschi, NE
30 Adalius Thomas, BAL
31 Leroy Hill, SEA
32 Shelton Quarles, TB
33 Bart Scott, BAL
34 Ernie Sims, DET
35 Scott Fujita, NO
36 Shaun Phillips, SD
37 Rosevelt Colvin, NE
38 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
39 Scott Shanle, NO
40 Victor Hobson, NYJ
41 Nick Barnett, GB
42 Derrick Brooks, TB
43 Chaun Thompson, CLE
44 Landon Johnson, CIN
45 Ian Gold, DEN
46 Mike Vrabel, NE
47 Chris Draft, CAR
48 Joey Porter, PIT
49 Derek Smith, SF Q
50 Al Wilson, DEN P
Defensive Linemen
Injury Status per Friday's Injury Report
P = Probable
Q = Questionable
1 Jared Allen, KC
2 Terrell Suggs, BAL
3 Jason Taylor, MIA
4 Leonard Little, STL
5 Trevor Pryce, BAL
6 Aaron Schobel, BUF
7 Aaron Kampman, GB P
8 Will Smith, NO
9 Charles Grant, NO
10 Robert Mathis, IND
11 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
12 Derrick Burgess, OAK
13 Chike Okeafor, ARI
14 Julius Peppers, CAR
15 Justin Smith, CIN
16 Trent Cole, PHI
17 Mark Anderson, CHI
18 Robert Geathers, CIN
19 Ty Warren, NE
20 Luis Castillo, SD Q
21 Tamba Hali, KC
22 Mathias Kiwanuka, NYG
23 Tommy Kelly, OAK
24 Cory Redding, DET
25 Raheem Brock, IND
26 Ebenezer Ekuban, DEN
27 Vonnie Holliday, MIA
28 Kalimba Edwards, DET
29 Bryan Thomas, NYJ P
30 Travis Laboy, TEN Q
31 Richard Seymour, NE P
32 Warren Sapp, OAK
33 John Abraham, ATL P
34 Rod Coleman, ATL P
35 Dwight Freeney, IND Q
36 Andre Carter, WAS
37 Darnell Dockett, ARI
38 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
39 Dewayne White, TB
40 Alex Brown, CHI
41 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
42 Darryl Tapp, SEA
43 John Henderson, JAX
44 Cornelius Griffin, WAS
45 Darrion Scott, MIN
46 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
47 John Thornton, CIN
48 Brian Young, NO
49 Bryant Young, SF
50 Aaron Smith, PIT
Fantasy Football 
but, it seems like whatever player you put in the picture your weekly rankings (favre was there earlier) seems to get the madden jinx
the jeff jinx perhaps???????????
as long as garcia throws at least 1td to reggie brown this week I could care less how he does overall
just messing with you, and thanks again for the weekly rankings
Vick
C Johnson
T Glenn
R Brown
S Jackson
R Dayne
A Gates
S Morris (MIA - im assuming ronnie brown is still out)
J Wilkins
Miami Defense
bench: Rivers, Losman/ D Henderson, C Henry, P Crayton/ Fargas, Foster
Happy holidays. Merry Christmas.