NFL Week 16 Preview: Five Things to Watch for

Last week we saw the New Orleans Saints finally fall, while the Indianapolis Colts extended their record to 14-0 and now stand as the only undefeated team in the league.

We’re also getting closer to the possibility of Chris Johnson reaching the 2,000-yard plateau, which only adds to the AFC playoff race, as Johnson’s team, the Tennessee Titans, is still vying for a wild card spot.

Add the Brett Favre vs. Brad Childress saga, and an already highly entertaining NFL season just got more interesting.

Read on for the Five Things to Watch For in Week 16.

 

5. Can the Colts Get to 15-0?

Regardless of what many people think, the New York Jets do have a decent chance at upsetting the Indianapolis Colts this week, especially if the Colts start resting their starters.

However, the Jets will need stellar play from Mark Sanchez, and they’ll have to find early success in the ground game against an average Colts run defense.

The Jets have a good enough defense to keep it close, but in the end, it will likely hang on Sanchez’s ability to make the right reads and limit the mistakes.

In the end, the Jets won’t be able to keep pace with Peyton Manning and co., even if they only see them for just one half.

Colts 27, Jets 17

4. Can Chris Johnson Keep Pace to Reach 2,000?

The stage has been set. Chris Johnson has helped the Tennessee Titans win seven of their last eight games, with their only loss coming at the hands of the undefeated Indianapolis Colts, and throughout this run he has topped at least 100 yards rushing each time.

The question is, can the Titans keep it up, and on a whole different level, from an individual standpoint, can Johnson?

With nine consecutive 100-yard games, Johnson has put himself within reach of a 2,000-yard season, as he needs (just) 135 rushing yards per game over the next two weeks to reach the milestone.

Much more unlikely, but more importantly, Johnson needs to average 188 yards on the ground per game to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards.

With a decent matchup against a vulnerable San Diego Chargers run defense and a supposedly cakewalk matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17, Johnson still can’t be written off for either milestone. Look for him to at least crack 100 rushing yards for the 10th straight game and keep the 2,000-yard talk going into next week.

3. Are the Broncos Falling Out of the Playoff Picture?

After starting the season with an unlikely 6-0 run, the Broncos now sit at 8-6. They followed their impressive start to the season with an unsettling 0-4 run and have since gone 2-2 in their last four games, falling to the still undefeated Indianapolis Colts and losing a heartbreaker to the Oakland Raiders last week, 20-19.

While the Broncos definitely have the makings of a playoff team when they’re winning, it’s the way they lose their games this season that exposes their youth and inexperience overall.

That, or simply nothing has changed. The Broncos have been a mediocre team for the past three years, so to see them end the season at 9-7 or even drop their final two, well, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

Regardless of your opinion of their effort and talent on either side of the ball, there is no ignoring their shaky ground in the playoff race, as well as their tough matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles this week.

The Eagles are fighting for their division and a potential first round bye, and even though Denver is sketchy in some respects, it’s important to note that Philly dropped two of its other three games against AFC West opponents.

Broncos 20, Eagles 16

2. Who Wins Between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens?

It’s a battle of the ages, with the 8-6 Ravens heading to Heinz Field to take on their bitter division rivals, the 7-7 Steelers.

Pittsburgh got off the schneid last week thanks to heroic efforts from Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Wallace, as the Steelers topped the Green Bay Packers on the final play of the game, escaping with a 37-36 win in a thriller.

The last time these two teams met, the Ravens stole a victory against a Steelers team that was without their star, Roethlisberger, so the playing field appears to once again be leveled.

Both teams have strong run defenses and horrific pass defense, making this an unlikely shootout between Big Ben and Joe Flacco. Considering Roethlisberger’s tendency for late-game heroics and the ability to carry his team, we’re going with the Steelers prevailing in a barn burner.

Steelers 34, Ravens 31

1. Will Brett Favre and the Vikings Snap out of Their Funk?

If you look a little closer, this “funk” that Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, and the rest of these Vikings are in is fairly easy to explain.

The truth is, they’ve become a little enamored with the passing game, after having so much success with it throughout the season, and are now envisioned as a fairly one-dimensional team.

In order to turn things around, Brad Childress and Favre were forced to sit down, accept blame for errors on each side, and come to the conclusion that the type of football they’ve been playing the past three weeks as a whole is not Minnesota Viking football.

If the Vikings can get back to pounding the ball with their workhorse, they can once again establish clock control, aid their defense, and also open up the play-action option for the passing game.

While the team was clearly stuck in some mud in two embarrassing losses in the past three games, it looks like they should be able to get it together and get past a weak Bears defense.

Vikings 34, Bears 17

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NFL Week 16 Preview: Five Things to Watch for

Last week we saw the New Orleans Saints finally fall, while the Indianapolis Colts extended their record to 14-0 and now stand as the only undefeated team in the league.

We’re also getting closer to the possibility of Chris Johnson reaching the 2,000-yard plateau, which only adds to the AFC playoff race, as Johnson’s team, the Tennessee Titans, is still vying for a wild card spot.

Add the Brett Favre vs. Brad Childress saga, and an already highly entertaining NFL season just got more interesting.

Read on for the Five Things to Watch For in Week 16.

 

5. Can the Colts Get to 15-0?

Regardless of what many people think, the New York Jets do have a decent chance at upsetting the Indianapolis Colts this week, especially if the Colts start resting their starters.

However, the Jets will need stellar play from Mark Sanchez, and they’ll have to find early success in the ground game against an average Colts run defense.

The Jets have a good enough defense to keep it close, but in the end, it will likely hang on Sanchez’s ability to make the right reads and limit the mistakes.

In the end, the Jets won’t be able to keep pace with Peyton Manning and co., even if they only see them for just one half.

Colts 27, Jets 17

4. Can Chris Johnson Keep Pace to Reach 2,000?

The stage has been set. Chris Johnson has helped the Tennessee Titans win seven of their last eight games, with their only loss coming at the hands of the undefeated Indianapolis Colts, and throughout this run he has topped at least 100 yards rushing each time.

The question is, can the Titans keep it up, and on a whole different level, from an individual standpoint, can Johnson?

With nine consecutive 100-yard games, Johnson has put himself within reach of a 2,000-yard season, as he needs (just) 135 rushing yards per game over the next two weeks to reach the milestone.

Much more unlikely, but more importantly, Johnson needs to average 188 yards on the ground per game to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards.

With a decent matchup against a vulnerable San Diego Chargers run defense and a supposedly cakewalk matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17, Johnson still can’t be written off for either milestone. Look for him to at least crack 100 rushing yards for the 10th straight game and keep the 2,000-yard talk going into next week.

3. Are the Broncos Falling Out of the Playoff Picture?

After starting the season with an unlikely 6-0 run, the Broncos now sit at 8-6. They followed their impressive start to the season with an unsettling 0-4 run and have since gone 2-2 in their last four games, falling to the still undefeated Indianapolis Colts and losing a heartbreaker to the Oakland Raiders last week, 20-19.

While the Broncos definitely have the makings of a playoff team when they’re winning, it’s the way they lose their games this season that exposes their youth and inexperience overall.

That, or simply nothing has changed. The Broncos have been a mediocre team for the past three years, so to see them end the season at 9-7 or even drop their final two, well, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

Regardless of your opinion of their effort and talent on either side of the ball, there is no ignoring their shaky ground in the playoff race, as well as their tough matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles this week.

The Eagles are fighting for their division and a potential first round bye, and even though Denver is sketchy in some respects, it’s important to note that Philly dropped two of its other three games against AFC West opponents.

Broncos 20, Eagles 16

2. Who Wins Between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens?

It’s a battle of the ages, with the 8-6 Ravens heading to Heinz Field to take on their bitter division rivals, the 7-7 Steelers.

Pittsburgh got off the schneid last week thanks to heroic efforts from Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Wallace, as the Steelers topped the Green Bay Packers on the final play of the game, escaping with a 37-36 win in a thriller.

The last time these two teams met, the Ravens stole a victory against a Steelers team that was without their star, Roethlisberger, so the playing field appears to once again be leveled.

Both teams have strong run defenses and horrific pass defense, making this an unlikely shootout between Big Ben and Joe Flacco. Considering Roethlisberger’s tendency for late-game heroics and the ability to carry his team, we’re going with the Steelers prevailing in a barn burner.

Steelers 34, Ravens 31

1. Will Brett Favre and the Vikings Snap out of Their Funk?

If you look a little closer, this “funk” that Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, and the rest of these Vikings are in is fairly easy to explain.

The truth is, they’ve become a little enamored with the passing game, after having so much success with it throughout the season, and are now envisioned as a fairly one-dimensional team.

In order to turn things around, Brad Childress and Favre were forced to sit down, accept blame for errors on each side, and come to the conclusion that the type of football they’ve been playing the past three weeks as a whole is not Minnesota Viking football.

If the Vikings can get back to pounding the ball with their workhorse, they can once again establish clock control, aid their defense, and also open up the play-action option for the passing game.

While the team was clearly stuck in some mud in two embarrassing losses in the past three games, it looks like they should be able to get it together and get past a weak Bears defense.

Vikings 34, Bears 17

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NFL Quick Hits (Dec. 24th): Big Name Players Going on Injured Reserve

Matthew Stafford Done For Year

Stafford has officially been ruled out for the rest of the season with shoulder and knee injuries. The Lions liked what they saw from their rookie franchise passer, and don’t feel rushing him back for two meaningless games would benefit their future.

Drew Stanton is expected to make the start over the recently ineffective Daunte Culpepper. Lions fans shouldn’t overly enthused.

Anthony Gonzalez Won’t Play This Season

Gonzalez will finally be placed on injured reserve after attempting to get back after injuring his knee in Week One. Gonzalez never really had a chance after suffering two setbacks and going under the knife two times since the initial injury.

The emergence of Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie also didn’t help Gonzalez’s cause to return. He is expected to be fully ready for off-season training camp.

Jake Delhomme Placed on IR

Delhomme had been dealing with an injured finger, and with the solid play of Matt Moore, there was no reason to keep Delhomme on the active roster.

Delhomme was flat-out horrible for much of the season anyways, and is a strong candidate to be cut in the off-season.

DeAngelo Williams Misses Wednesday’s Practice

Williams is dealing with an ankle injury that knocked him out of last week’s win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Jonathan Stewart missed Wednesday’s practice with a toe injury, as well, but Williams’ injury is the more serious one. If you’re still fighting for your championship in your league, Williams would still be a heck of a start against a weak New York Giants run defense. Monitor his status leading up until game-time on Sunday.

Jeremy Maclin Practicing in Full Again

Maclin is dealing with a serious foot injury, but is already way ahead of schedule for a return to game action.

It’s still possible that the Eagles hold him out this week as a precautionary measure, but it’s clear he’ll be ready for the playoffs. Monitor his status all week if you’re planning on using him as a WR3.

Percy Harvin Completely Healthy

Head coach Brad Childress took a step away from the “Childress vs. Favre” saga to address Percy Harvin’s status, and gave him full clearance.

Harvin was dealing with extreme migraines for the past week and a half, but did manage to play some of Sunday night’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. He should be ready to go and makes for a solid WR3 this week against a horrible Chicago Bears pass defense.

 

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Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: San Diego Chargers Pass Minnesota Vikings

Irony, it appears, is not lost in the NFL.

The team that was openly vocal about aiming for a 16-0 season, the New Orleans Saints, was handed its first loss in Week 15, while the team that was quiet and disciplined, the Indianapolis Colts, continued its march for perfection.

While the top two spots remain the same, the rest of the rankings were shaken up a bit.

Read on to see where your team ranks in Week 16’s NFL Power Rankings.

1. Indianapolis Colts (14-0)

They have the division and home-field advantage, so when do they stop caring about 16-0 and just rest their starters?

2. New Orleans Saints (13-1)

One loss doesn’t define this team. But to say it doesn’t expose some of their flaws would be a huge mistake.

3. San Diego Chargers (11-3)

Nine straight wins and counting, and several of them have come against strong competition. Should the Colts be scared?

4. Minnesota Vikings (11-3)

Trouble in paradise? Things aren’t going as planned on the road for Minnesota, but perhaps a nice matchup with the Chicago Bears can rectify that.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4)

The Eagles are suddenly one game out of a first round bye. While that’s great, they still don’t have the division locked up and have a reasonably tough test against the Denver Broncos this week.

6. Dallas Cowboys (9-5)

Tony Romo continues to play smart, elite football, and his Cowboys now own a very impressive win over the previously undefeated Saints. Goodbye December curse?

7. Green Bay Packers (9-5)

There’s no doubt that they have the weapons to run with anybody on offense. But when your defense allows 37 points and 500 passing yards, how good can you really feel about the playoffs?

8. New England Patriots (9-5)

They’ve won their past two games, but it hasn’t been impressive. Tom Brady and co. need to locate their mojo in order to make a serious run in the playoffs.

9. Arizona Cardinals (9-5)

They beat the Lions by one touchdown just one week after getting manhandled by the 49ers. Sure, they won their division, but this team is playing lackluster football overall.

10. Baltimore Ravens (8-6)

They’ve put together back-to-back impressive victories for the first time since the first three weeks in the season. Next up, the Pittsburgh Steelers, with both teams’ playoff hopes on the line.

11. New York Giants (8-6)

That was a dominant and convincing performance by a Giants team that looks better and more balanced each week. I’m still not convinced their defense is playoff-caliber, but it looks like they have the rest of the pieces together.

12. Cincinnati Bengals (9-5)

In their past four games, the Bengals have defeated two non-playoff contenders and have fallen to two elite teams. They may not have what it takes to match up with the top teams, but at least they’ll be in the playoffs, right?

13. Tennessee Titans (7-7)

Their seven wins in the last eight games mean nothing if they can’t get past the Chargers this week.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)

When your quarterback throws for 500-plus yards and a game-winning touchdown with no time left, it’s clear luck is finally bouncing your way. Now the Ravens and a real shot at the playoffs hang in the balance.

15. Denver Broncos (8-6)

Just as this writer predicted, Denver has six losses and will be extremely lucky to get to 10-6. They’re very close to missing out on the playoffs, as they don’t hold the tiebreaker with the Ravens and Steelers.

16. Houston Texans (7-7)

They barely beat a horrible Rams team. While that may not provide a ton of optimism going forward, they still do have a decent shot at the playoffs, and it could get even better with a win over the Dolphins this week.

 

17. Miami Dolphins (7-7)

They lost a heartbreaker in OT against the Titans, but it’s not over yet. Winning out, especially over the Steelers in Week 17, could still get them in.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-7)

They’re not out of the running yet, but losing a heartbreaker to the undefeated Colts takes the control out of their hands. If they win out, they still have a chance, but it’s looking bleak.

19. Atlanta Falcons (7-7)

How a team with a weak defense and a banged-up quarterback, without their star running back, beat the Jets is beyond me. The Falcons are out of the playoffs, but boy, do they still fight.

20. New York Jets (7-7)

That loss to the Falcons was inexcusable. Mark Sanchez returned to throw three picks and only put one touchdown on the board. They still are in the thick of the playoff race, but things just got a lot tougher.

21. Carolina Panthers (6-8)

There’s still speculation that John Fox’s days are numbered, but does a 26-7 smashing of the 11-3 Vikings save him? If they get to 8-8, the answer is still likely just “maybe.”

22. San Francisco 49ers (6-8)

They blew their playoffs chances against the Eagles. Hopefully they can get to 8-8 and make this season a mild success.

 

23. Oakland Raiders (5-9)

That was a nice win over the Broncos, but I’m not sure who this game tells us about more. JaMarcus Russell finally makes a play on that game-winning touchdown toss, and he goes back to the bench next week? Talk about a franchise being completely done with somebody.

24. Buffalo Bills (5-9)

They fought hard with the Patriots but ultimately just didn’t have anything to fight for. It’ll be interesting to see if the Bills keep Perry Fewell and if they extend the Terrell Owens experiment.

25. Chicago Bears (5-9)

Jay Cutler threw three picks to bring his season total to 25. What’s the over/under on him hitting 30 next week against the Vikings?

26. Seattle Seahawks (5-9)

This loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was just another sad reminder of how inept this Seattle offense is. Is there any question they’ll be drafting a new franchise quarterback in 2010?

27. Washington Redskins (4-10)

After several weeks of improving, inspiring play, the Redskins laid an egg and got trounced by a supposedly average Giants team. In other words, the Redskins were the Redskins again.

28. Cleveland Browns (3-11)

Hey, Jerome Harrison, what the hell was that?

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-12)

It’s nice to see, more than anything, Josh Freeman progress and have a solid outing. Progress is the name of the game for this team in the final two weeks.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (3-11)

It’s hard to grade this team’s offensive success since they were facing a horrible Browns defense. One thing is for certain: This team has found its permanent replacement at running back in Jamaal Charles.

 

31. Detroit Lions (2-12)

They weren’t given a chance against the Arizona Cardinals, especially without Matthew Stafford and Kevin Smith, yet they only lost by a touchdown. As long as they keep playing hard, this team can realistically expect one more win. Hey, that’s 18 percent more wins than last year!

 

32. St. Louis Rams (1-13)

Keith Null did a much better job in his second start, and his Rams actually played the Texans fairly close. The final two weeks will still prove to us that the Rams need a new franchise quarterback.

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Week 15 Fantasy Football: Start/Sit Review

After two questionable weeks in our Fantasy Football Start/Sit Column , we finally turned it around (just as we promised) and delivered a solid record in our player picks for Week 15 .

And we weren’t just a “little” right this week, folks: we hit it big with Tony Romo and Joe Flacco as starts, as well as Brett Favre as a great sit call. Read on for our overall record, as well as some quick analysis on each player from last week’s column:

Start: 4-1

Sit: 4-1

Sleeper: 1-4

 

Winners

 

Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys (Start)

Romo didn’t throw for 398 yards like he did against the Chargers two weeks ago but he still had a great day. He threw for nearly 300 yards and a score and didn’t have an interception for the fourth straight game. He probably didn’t win you a playoff game all by himself, but he was still a quality start in Week 15.

 

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens (Start)

Flacco lived and actually exceeded our ungodly expectations with over 200 yards passing and four scores. We knew Flacco could (and should) tear up the Chicago Bears pathetic pass defense, but we were still pleasantly surprised with a dominant performance. Needless to say, he was a fantastic call for Sunday.

 

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (Start)

Charles was just one of the many Browns/Chiefs players to go off on Sunday, and with a fantastic matchup against the Browns, we clearly saw it coming. Mark it down: another 150+ rushing day makes Charles officially a RB2 for the rest of the season.

 

Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts (Start)

Collie didn’t blow us away this week, but for what we were hoping for (WR3 numbers), he produced at about the clip we thought he would. Three catches for 27 yards and a score was just enough to make him a solid start as your third option, or even as a Flex.

 

Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings (Sit)

We knew the Carolina Panthers pass defense would give Favre some fits, but we didn’t expect the pass rush to be as effective as it was. Nor did we think the Panthers would bottle up Adrian Peterson like they did. Favre only managed a little over 220 yards and threw zero touchdowns to one pick, making him a poor play this week.

 

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks (Sit)

We’re not about to say we knew for certain that the Buccaneers would destroy the Seahawks, but we did have a feeling that Hasselbeck would continue his average to pathetic ways. If this game didn’t show you his true colors, we’re not sure anything will.

 

Laveranues Coles, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (Sit)

Coles wasn’t as atrocious as we expected, but he still didn’t produce as a No. 2 receiver should, and ultimately his four catches and 46 yards weren’t enough for a supposed WR3.

 

Brian Hartline, WR, Miami Dolphins (Sleeper)

Hartline only caught two balls this week, but considering they went for 90+ yards, he gets the nod as a success this week. If you felt the need to give him a try as a WR3 or Flex, he did a fine job and made you a happy camper.

 

Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers (Sit)

If we give Moreno the “dud” call, then Grant has to be a win. Sure, he scored a touchdown, but his meager 37 yards and just eight total touches has to leave a bitter taste in your mouth, especially after seeing everything else the Packers offense did. He was a weak start this week.

 

Duds

 

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos (Start)

We almost want to count him as a “win”, as he did total over 80 yards, which isn’t a bad day. But we vouched for him as an elite option, and Moreno failed in that respect.

 

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers (Sit)

Stewart took over for the injured DeAngelo Williams and stepped up big-time, totaling 114 yards (109 rushing) and a score. He became the first back in over 35 games to rush for 100 yards against the Minnesota Vikings, and likely took everyone by surprise with his elite performance.

 

Jason Campbell, QB, Washington Redskins (Sleeper)

Campbell threw for under 200 yards and two picks while throwing just one touchdown in a horrible 45-12 loss to the Giants on Monday night. Needless to say, he was not a good sleeper pick for Week 15.

 

Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans (Sleeper)

What happened to this guy being “featured” in the offense? Two rushing attempts and a lost fumble made Foster a terrible play this week.

 

Danny Woodhead, RB, New York Jets (Sleeper)

Woodhead continues to be somewhat involved in the Jets offense, but was low on the totem pole in an offense that never found its groove against the Atlanta Falcons. Woodhead touched the ball just three times and didn’t even manage 30 yards, making him a very weak sleeper call for Week 15.

 

Evan Moore, TE, Cleveland Browns (Sleeper)

No receiver in Cleveland amounted to any kind of fantasy value this week, as Brady Quinn didn’t throw a touchdown and only managed 66 yards through the air. The story for Cleveland was Jerome Harrison’s 286 yards rushing and not Moore making things happen in the passing game.

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State of the Vikings: All is Well in Minnesota

The title (as most are) can be deceiving .

“All” may not be well in Minnesota. After all, the Vikings are coming off of two ugly road losses in their past three games, in both of which their offense has failed to top 17 points, and has executed extremely poorly on third downs.

But aside from that, yes, everything is perfectly fine .

That “heated” conversation between quarterback Brett Favre and head coach Brad Childress? Simply a visual aid for what is happening to the Vikings as a whole right now.

They’ve gotten shutdown twice in the past two weeks against teams that have wanted it more than them, and their offensive line hasn’t been able to handle aggressive pass rushes, nor have then been able to effectively run the ball.

But this has to be on Favre, right? Who or what else could it possibly be?

This guy fades at the end of every season since 2005, and since Week 11, the Vikes’ are 1-2, with the future Hall of Famer having thrown just three touchdowns but four interceptions.

After throwing 24 touchdowns to just three interceptions in his first 11 games, it’s quite clear that Favre has once again hit his slide (and not stride), as he’s regressed in his past three games, only to inevitably lead his third team in three years down the slippery slope that is, and forever will be whatever remains of his career.

Or…

We could look at this logically, remove all biases, forget about the ESPN-induced Favre vs. Childress crap, and get to the bottom of what’s happening to these Minnesota Vikings.

Yes, Favre isn’t playing at an elite level right now. He’s taking sacks, getting hit left and right, and while he hasn’t been horribly inaccurate (actually quite the opposite), he has been missing throws he had been previously making all season.

Those things are on Favre.

But the lack of a consistent, reliable running game, a porous pass and suddenly pathetic run defense; those are out of Favre’s control. And so too, as it appears, are they out of Childress’s control.

But wait, Favre-haters, there’s more. Not so fast, Minnesota doubters, the list goes on.

The pass protection has been beyond pathetic in the past three weeks. Favre has been hit on more than Megan Fox at a gas station. He’s been sacked nine times in the past three games, and considering that he’s been sacked just 31 times on the season, that’s kind of a big deal.

Favre’s best friend in the offense, Adrian Peterson, the supposed MVP of this offense, has been less than spectacular in two of the last three games, as well. While he had an impressive run with great effort to get into the end-zone this past Sunday, he was otherwise a non-factor, and did little to keep Carolina’s 26th ranked rush defense away from focusing on Favre and the passing game.

Wait, we haven’t checked the whole list. We haven’t tagged all the bases. We can’t circle back to Favre until we have come full circle. No short-cuts, Favre-bashers. Keep your cheese heads on, Packers fans. Worry about that pathetic loss to the Steelers and the 500+ yards your defense allowed. Then, and only then, should you revert to your weekly Favre drubbing.

The receivers, the same ones who have been so good to Favre and the rest of the Minnesota offense, are abandoning him and the team at the worst possible moments. Percy Harvin, even after returning from injury, was non-existent on Sunday.

The tight end, Visanthe Shiancoe, upon getting open and getting a perfectly placed pass from Favre on 3rd-and-15, proceeded to drop the pass, killing a drive.

The same gut-blow happened when Sidney Rice took another big pass down the middle of the field, only to fumble it away, costing the Vikings another huge drive and taking away any momentum they were building.

And we could go on and on about the Minnesota defense.  About, you know, how they couldn’t get any pressure on Matt Moore in the second half. Or how their great run defense gave up 109 yards rushing to Jonathan Stewart (and not DeAngelo Williams), surrendering a streak of holding opponents under 100 yards that dated back to 2007.

Streak gone. Defense mush. Coach mutinied. Rush attack stifled. Receivers extinct.

And Brett Favre to blame.

But aren’t we jumping to conclusions here?

Isn’t this the same thing we did to Eli Manning and the New York Giants in 2007? As we prematurely crowned the 16-0 New England Patriots (even before the playoffs), hadn’t we basically written off Manning (who would eventually beat Favre and his Packers), simply because he looked a little shaky near the end of the season?

And wasn’t it the same for the Arizona Cardinals, who looked horrible against the New England Patriots near the end of the season last year, but eventually got past these very Vikings, en route to an unlikely Super Bowl appearance?

Every team has it’s faults, flaws, mistakes, and holes.

And now, for better or worse, this Minnesota team has been exposed. While we have been made well aware of their ability to stop the run, rush the passer, and run and throw the ball with the best of them, the last three weeks have shown us very clearly that, as much as we may hate to admit it, all the good in these Vikings can quickly change.

But it’s not all on Favre. It’s not all on Childress. And it’s not even all on a suddenly inconsistent defense.

Perhaps we need to give some credit to very hungry Arizona and Carolina teams, and give the Vikings credit for at least showing up at home and dismantling the Cincinnati Bengals.

Perhaps we admit what we’ve seen is for real, and that Minnesota still has two games to correct it.

After all we’ve seen in this season, maybe the title of this article doesn’t tell us the truth for right now. Maybe all is not well in Minnesota, after all. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be.

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Monday Night Fantasy Football Preview: Giants Vs. Redskins

Every fantasy league across the globe is undoubtedly winding down, but as long as there are NFL games to be played, somewhere out there, there are still fantasy leagues still being operated.

That means there are still owners panicking over their starting lineups and decisions that are weeks in the making. That means that somewhere out there, someone needs our help.

Even though your starting lineup should be completely set by now, there is always a procrastinator or forgetful fantasy owner that needs an extra dose of information, an extra sway toward a player or players, or a boost of confidence in their pre-selected lineup.

Before we get to some of the lesser-knowns, here’s a quick look at the guys who should be in your lineup, and should not be worried about:

Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Steve Smith

That doesn’t necessarily mean that those three potential studs can’t or won’t lay an egg, and it also doesn’t mean that the other players in this column can’t have huge games. However, they’re the three guys in Monday night’s game that you can truly depend on right now, and the only players that we give a 100 percent vote of confidence this week.

For analysis on the other possible options for tonight’s game, read on:

 

New York Giants

 

RB Ahmad Bradshaw

Bradshaw isn’t a guaranteed solid play like Brandon Jacobs, but with a good role and a solid matchup this week, he might as well be. Bradshaw’s early season role is back, and his foot injury, while not completely behind him, seems to be less of a concern than it has been in recent weeks.

Bradshaw received just two less carries than Jacobs last week, and put up decent production against a solid Philadelphia Eagles defense, as he totaled 110-plus yards and a score in Week 15.

The nice thing about Bradshaw is that (when healthy) he’s a lock for 10-plus carries, and also has the potential to be involved in the passing game. He’s a safe bet to be an elite flex play this week, and should not be an injury concern, despite missing Friday’s practice.

Prediction: 13 att, 59 yds, 1 TD, 4 rec, 39 yds, 0 TD

 

WR Hakeem Nicks

Nicks saw his first starting action of his career last Sunday night against Philadelphia, and exploded for 110 yards and a touchdown on just four catches.

Nicks is no lock to rack up the catches, but his explosiveness and ability to make the big play make him a potential stud, and his new starting role makes him a solid WR3. He’ll get more looks and playing time than former starter Mario Manningham, making him a quality start going forward.

A nice matchup with a weakening Redskins pass defense only makes him a better play tonight.

Prediction: 6 rec, 88 yds, 1 TD

 

WR Mario Manningham

Manningham’s stock is quickly falling, as he’s been dealing with nagging injuries and inconsistent play, and finally lost his starting job to Hakeem Nicks last week.

To make matters worse, Manningham saw a dip in targets, and was even out-performed by fourth receiver, Domenik Hixon. He’s still the Giants third receiver and has some value, but he’s not a recommended play for anything other than a WR4 position in fantasy leagues.

Prediction: 3 rec, 34 yds, 0 TD

 

TE Kevin Boss

Boss returned to his inconsistent role of being a decent TE1, as he topped 70 yards receiving for the third time this season, and also hauled in his fifth touchdown catch last week against the Eagles.

We can never be sure when his production is here to stay, but with a good matchup against the Redskins this week, as well as a red-hot Eli Manning, it’s a fairly safe bet Boss stays involved.

Prediction: 5 rec, 75 yds, 1 TD

 

Washington Redskins

 

QB Jason Campbell

We’re not about to give Campbell the nod over Eli Manning (who is absolutely on fire), but we’re closer than you’d think.

Campbell has been directing a rising (and impressive) Washington Redskins attack, as he’s helped Washington put up 30 or more points in back-to-back weeks, and has thrown seven touchdowns in his past three games.

With at least 220-plus yards passing in four straight games as well, Campbell should make a fine play against a banged up and ineffective Giants pass defense.

Prediction: 22-34, 314 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT

 

RB Quinton Ganther

Ganther has given the Redskins something they hadn’t had in the two to three weeks prior to him earning the starting job: a force at the running back position.

He won’t make highlight reels, but Ganther simply moves the ball forward effectively, and is a beast near the goal line.

In his only start this season, Ganther piled up over 90 total yards and two rushing touchdowns, showing he has the ability to carry the load, both in the NFL and on a fantasy level.

Don’t expect his production to cease against a weak Giants defense.

Prediction: 18 att, 78 yds, 0 TD, 4 rec, 33 yds, 0 TD

 

WR Santana Moss

Moss has suffered from inconsistency, poor supporting play, and tough matchups for much of the season, but has finally been given a break.

His starting quarterback is playing at a very high level, the receiver opposite of him is drawing some attention, and more balls are coming his way.

Moss has recorded at least four catches in four straight games for the first time all season, and has a very beatable matchup this week. This could be the breakout game he (and we) have been waiting on.

Prediction: 4 rec, 109 yds, 1 TD

 

WR Devin Thomas

Thomas fell back to a more reasonable role after going off in Week 14, but could once again find himself in the spotlight, as the Giants secondary is dealing with injuries, and really hasn’t performed well, regardless.

Thomas is still a far cry away from being anything close to respectable or reliable, but tonight could be a good night to run with him over the likes of Mario Manningham. He has the better role, and arguably has the better matchup.

Prediction: 4 rec, 55 yds, 0 TD

 

TE Fred Davis

Davis isn’t Chris Cooley. We get that. But when Jason Campbell confides in him as much as he has been, and the results are positive, he doesn’t necessarily have to be.

All you need to know is that Davis gets enough targets to be on your fantasy radar, and he does enough with them to earn a spot on your roster. Add the lovely matchup with the weak Giants defense, and you’ve got yourself a potentially elite TE1 on Monday night.

Prediction: 6 rec, 69 yds, 1 TD

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Quick Hits (Dec. 21): Brett Favre and Brad Childress on Bad Terms?

Vikings’ Childress Wanted to Pull Favre Against Panthers

Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress reportedly attempted to pull Brett Favre in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, and the star quarterback refused to exit the game.

Reports suggest that Childress wanted to take Favre out due to the Vikings having the lead, while the quarterback was taking several hits.

While this story is being blown up all over the place, it seems to be a case of the Vikings’ coach being careful with his prized quarterback, and the future Hall of Famer simply being stubborn because he felt he could help the Vikings win the game.

Neither the coach or the player got their wish on Sunday, and now Minnesota sits at 11-3, and is only one game ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles for a first round bye.

We don’t envision this having a fantasy impact, as Favre faces two awful pass defense in the final two weeks against the Chicago Bears and New York Giants.

 

Little Known About DeAngelo Williams’ Injury

The Panthers star running back appeared to tweak an ankle injury that had been bothering him for weeks and kept him from starting in Week 14 , but not concrete information was made available on his status.

Williams was held in check for the most part against Minnesota, and gave way to a very effective and explosive Jonathan Stewart after his injury took him out of the game.

Monitor his status closely the rest of the week, and the injury did appear to be serious enough that he should be in questions for Week 16 .

 

Brian Westbrook Full Back This Week?

Head coach Andy Reid still hasn’t given the word, but all signs point to Brian Westbrook finally participating in practices on a full-time basis, and could likely lead to some game action in Week 16 .

Westbrook would be a valuable asset to the Eagles offense for the playoffs, and the best way to ensure his impact will be positive would be to test him out over the final two weeks.

Don’t expect Westbrook’s workload to be enough to make him worthy of a fantasy starter, however.

 

Colts’ Caldwell Non-Committal on Use of Starters

Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell continues to keep the media and fantasy owners guessing, as he refuses to name names or offer any information on which players he may start resting, and when he may decide to do so.

The Colts have never been public about their desire to chase a perfect season, but at 14-0, they could still very easily achieve the milestone.

This bodes well for fantasy owners who are deploying Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and other Colts weapons, although those owners would be well-advised to listen close for any updates on the subject.

 

Reggie Bush Pulls Hamstring

Head coach Sean Payton confirmed the injury Reggie Bush sustained in Saturday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys was a minor hamstring pull, and the running back will likely be limited in practice this week.

Bush won’t necessarily miss Week 16’s action, but if you’re depending on him in your league’s playoff, pay close attention to his status this week. If he does play, Bush would make for a solid Flex option, as he’s had an increased role of late, despite his injury.

 

Sammie Stroughter Out For Season

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Sammie Stroughter will miss the rest of the season with a broken foot.

Stroughter played solid throughout the season, especially for a rookie, and caught four pass for 46 yards against Seattle on Sunday giving him a respectable 31 catches and 334 yards in his first season.

Stroughter wasn’t an overly reliable or explosive fantasy weapon, but he played well in spurts for Tampa Bay, and could be someone to keep an eye on for 2010, depending on what the team does with it’s other receivers.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

New Orleans Saints: Does Their Loss Kill Their Mystique?

Uh, yeah.

If you’re a Saints fan, stop reading. I mean, you can keep reading, but you’re not going to like what you hear.

The truth is, Mardi Gras is not on it’s way. Not for the Saints.

Plain and simple: They just aren’t what they’re cracked up to be.

Yes, their 13-0 run was impressive.

Hell, there were certain points in this season that they were downright magical.

They could not be beaten.

The Miami Dolphins had them around the throat. The game was over before it started.

But Drew Brees led a fiery comeback, and this team was officially a very scary team.

The the same thing happened against the Carolina Panthers.

And then the Washington Redskins.

And then the Saints held off the injury-depleted Atlanta Falcons.

Until, of course, their high hopes of shutting up the 1972 Miami Dolphins was ruined by a weak performance on Saturday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

You know, the same Dallas Cowboys who have lost two straight and appeared well on their way to yet another December collapse.

Let’s take a real, hard, unbiased look at this.

If these Saints are truly “the team to beat,” would they have lost this game?

Hell, would they have almost lost to the Rams, Falcons, Redskins, and Dolphins?

If we’re being honest and if we’re considering ourselves students of the game, and even more importantly, students of this 2009 NFL season, the answer is an emphatic, “no.”

If you really think about it, the only thing this team has going for them is a passionate and crafty leader (Drew Brees) and a “never say die” mantra.

Outside of that, they really do appear to be no better than any other playoff team.

Granted, no lead can kill this team.

No amount of points is insurmountable.

There is no such thing as a lead when facing these New Orleans Saints.

We get it. They have an insane offense. Their quarterback doesn’t quit. Their coach is a genius. They are one of the most resilient teams in the league, if not the most resilient team.

But it’s time to draw the line. It’s time to realize the difference between being “resilient” and being “average.”

Sure, they do a great job of getting themselves out of holes.

And that defense that everyone loved to talk up in the beginning of the year, they sure do play at an elite level in spurts.

The truth is, we’ve been crediting them for their comebacks and game-saving plays too much.

We’re ignoring how much luck had to do with their incredible 13-0 run.

We’re looking past how much they still resemble last year’s team that missed the playoffs.

We’re ignoring their awful run defense, their early season pass defense that was stingy and made plays, but now is just sort of there.

Their rush offense isn’t what it was, either.

And now, even though it’s only led to one loss, we’re not even so sure we can count on the heroics of Drew Brees, the man who, to this point, hadn’t failed us.

He’s committed turnovers before.

Oh, yes.

And really, they should have led to losses earlier in the season.

But just because they didn’t, doesn’t mean we can continue to look through the many mistakes this team continues to make, as well as the countless holes they’ve dug themselves.

Because if you don’t think these “mighty” Saints have truly been exposed by the Dallas Cowboys, you’re in for a rude awakening come playoff time.

 

For Fantasy Football help, go here.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

The Top Five 2009 NFL Super Bowl Contenders

(Rodgers and the Packers just miss the cut)

Why just five? Because if we’re being realistic, there aren’t six teams in this league that are built to make the long, hard run to the Super Bowl, let alone finish it all with a victory in the biggest game of the season.

Sure, you can keep hyping up your Bengals, Packers, and under-performing Patriots, but it just isn’t going to happen.

The winner of this year’s Super Bowl will be one of the team’s on the list. I’m the Men’s Warehouse: I guarantee it.

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