NFL Week 15: Five Things To Watch For

It’s getting harder and harder to predict the future of the NFL, and it certainly doesn’t stop at the playoff picture, or the fantasy realm.

For inquiries for your fantasy roster for Week 15, head over to our weekly Start/Sit column.

And, for the top five things to watch for in the NFL this week, look no further than this article.

The New Orleans Saints have vowed to chase perfection, while the Indianapolis Colts are reportedly prepared to rest their starters for the playoffs.

Regardless, is there a chance that one of these 13-0 teams finally finds a blemish on their 2009 record?

5. Can a Mark Sanchez Return Spark Playoff Talk in New York?

Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets

Atlanta came close to sending the New Orleans Saints to their first defeat last week, while getting absolutely dismantled by the Philadelphia Eagles the week prior.

It’s clear they just aren’t an elite team without Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, both of which have a better chance of suiting up this week.

Regardless, the Jets are a game out of the division lead and boasting a strong and versatile running corps that should have a field day against a weak Falcons run defense.

If Mark Sanchez and Matt Ryan both play, this could be a passing of the rookie torch.

Jets 27, Falcons 24

4. Can the Titans Continue Their Unlikely Run?

Miami Dolphins @ Tennessee Titans

Essentially a playoff game, the winner of this battle will likely be a strong candidate for one of the two AFC Wild Card spots, while a win for Miami puts them one Patriots’ loss away from possibly stealing the AFC East division title.

Ricky Williams appears to be wearing down, and, even though he’s playing at a high level, he should have some issues against the Titans’ strong front line.

If the game has to be put on Chad Henne’s shoulders, as good as he’s been, the Dolphins probably don’t stand a chance.

Titans 30, Dolphins 20

3. Are the Packers For Real, and Are the Steelers Really This Bad?

Green Bay Packers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

This is the game that solidifies the Packers as a real threat to the Lombardi Trophy, or shows us that the Pittsburgh Steelers still have some pride.

Aaron Rodgers had been playing at a high level all season and is now basking in the glory of the up-rise of his new 3-4 defense.

The Steelers, the original 3-4 kings, are going in the complete opposite direction, as they have lost five straight, compared to Green Bay’s five-straight wins.

Pittsburgh is at home, still has a gritty defense, and still has a shot at the playoffs.

With all of those things coming into play, it’s hard to bet against a Mike Tomlin squad, regardless of their awful performance against the Browns last week.

Steelers 17, Packers 13

2. Can the Colts Fend Off a Division Rival and Remain Perfect?

Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Colts were reportedly ready to start resting their high-profile players, until recent reports suggested that head coach Jim Caldwell isn’t yet committed to that philosophy.

He’d be best advised to stick to his own guns.

In past years, the Colts have gotten off to hot starts or finished with a hot streak entering into the playoffs, only to sit their starters and watch them under perform in the first round.

The 2006 Colts were 13-0, just like this season, only to finish 14-2 and fail to reach the Super Bowl.

Last year’s Colts won their final 11 regular-season games, only to lose their first playoff game to an 8-8 San Diego Chargers team.

While this is definitely something to think about, the Colts’ perfect record still figures to remain intact for at least one more week, as the Jacksonville Jaguars don’t figure to offer much of a fight.

Colts 31, Jaguars 17

1. Is the December Curse Really Happening Again?

Dallas Cowboys @ New Orleans Saints

As stated above, Sean Payton and co. have declared war on the remaining three teams on their schedule and are fighting for a perfect 16-0 regular season record, with a 19-0 finish in their sights.

However, with just a three-point victory over an Atlanta Falcons team that was without Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, we have seen once again that teams can keep pace with these Saints.

The Cowboys are knee-deep in another December meltdown, but with Tony Romo’s stellar play the past three weeks, there is still light at the end of the tunnel.

If the Rams, Redskins, and Falcons can all push New Orleans to the limit, who is to say the Cowboys can’t?

Cowboys 36, Saints 30

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Week 15 NFL Picks: Down with the New Orleans Saints?

It’s about time one of these perfect teams gets off its high horse and feels the wrath of an extremely competitive 2009 field.

Both the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts have done a fantastic job in staving off potential defeats, both experiencing several miracle endings that aided in their run for perfection.

But for one of those teams, the run is finally going to end.

To see which team falters in Week 15, as well as the rest of the NFL picks, read on.

 

Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Colts were reportedly ready to start resting their high-profile players until recent reports suggested that head coach Jim Caldwell isn’t yet committed to that philosophy. He’d be best advised to stick to his own guns.

In past years, the Colts have gotten off to hot starts or finished with a hot streak entering the playoffs, only to sit their starters and watch them underperform in the first round.

The 2006 Colts were 13-0, just like this season, only to finish 14-2 and fail to reach the Super Bowl. Last year’s Colts won their final 11 regular season games, only to lose their first playoff game to an 8-8 San Diego Chargers team.

While this is definitely something to think about, the Colts’ perfect record still figures to remain intact for at least one more week, as the Jacksonville Jaguars don’t figure to offer much of a fight.

Colts 31, Jaguars 17

Dallas Cowboys @ New Orleans Saints

As stated above, Sean Payton and co. have declared war on the remaining three teams on their schedule and are fighting for a perfect 16-0 regular season record, with a 19-0 finish in their sights.

However, with just a three-point victory over an Atlanta Falcons team that was without Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, we have seen once again that teams can keep pace with these Saints.

The Cowboys are knee-deep in another December meltdown, but with Tony Romo’s stellar play the past three weeks, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. If the Rams, Redskins, and Falcons can all push New Orleans to the limit, who is to say the Cowboys can’t?

Cowboys 36, Saints 30

Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Browns are turning the corner, and while that may not mean Eric Mangini keeps his job, it at least means they might start getting more competitive. Brady Quinn wasn’t on top of his game last week, but he’s been better than Matt Cassel, which gives the Browns a very slight leg up in this contest.

Browns 20, Chiefs 17

Chicago Bears @ Baltimore Ravens

The Bears fought hard last week but may have given their final gasp toward a playoff push. The Ravens, on the other hand, still have a shot at the playoffs, and a win would put them in a nice position for a wild card spot. Baltimore has struggled with inconsistency and finishing games all season, but they’re still too good to let their season be ended at the hands of Jay Cutler.

Ravens 24, Bears 17

Arizona Cardinals @ Detroit Lions

Arizona continued its mistaken identity crisis, as they have shown two different sides to their team in the past two weeks. Regardless of any shortcomings they may have, there is no reason to expect this game to be even remotely close.

Cardinals 41, Lions 10

Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets

Atlanta came close to sending the New Orleans Saints to their first defeat last week, while getting absolutely dismantled by the Philadelphia Eagles the week prior. It’s clear they just aren’t an elite team without Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, both of which have a better chance of suiting up this week.

Regardless, the Jets are a game out of the division lead and boast a strong and versatile running corps that should have a field day against a weak Falcons run defense.

If Mark Sanchez and Ryan both play, this could be a passing of the rookie torch.

Jets 27, Falcons 24

Miami Dolphins @ Tennessee Titans

Essentially a playoff game, the winner of this battle will likely be a strong candidate for one of the two AFC wild card spots, while a win for Miami puts them one Patriots loss away from possibly stealing the AFC East division title.

Ricky Williams appears to be wearing down, and even though he’s playing at a high level, he should have some issues against the Titans’ strong front line. If the game has to be put on Chad Henne’s shoulders, as good as he’s been, the Dolphins probably don’t stand a chance.

Titans 30, Dolphins 20

San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles

The 49ers laid down the law against the Arizona Cardinals in front of the nation this past Monday night, exposing the Cardinals as an inconsistent and very beatable team. They also kept their playoff and division title hopes alive, pulling to 6-7.

If the 49ers win out and the Cardinals win just one more game, the NFC West could be theirs. However, getting past a feisty Eagles team that has looked impressive on both sides of the ball will be no easy task.

49ers 20, Eagles 16

 

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills

The Patriots struggled against Carolina’s elite pass defense last week, which makes this week’s contest against a very solid Bills pass defense that much more interesting. The Bills should be able to hold Tom Brady in check, but after seeing what Jamaal Charles did to them, it’s clear they’ll likely have no answer for Laurence Maroney.

Patriots 24, Bills 20

Houston Texans @ St. Louis Rams

The Texans have played the hot-and-cold game all season, validating the assumption that they are a good “but never great” team. Still, there’s little the Rams can do to stop the Texans from getting to 7-7 and teasing its fanbase with another late-season wild card run.

Texans 34, Rams 14

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos

The Raiders are back to JaMarcus Russell ball, which can only mean bad things. Their stingy pass defense should keep Brandon Marshall from getting anywhere close to 20 catches this week, but that doesn’t equate to a win. Knowshon Moreno should be leaned on heavily as Denver tries to get back to its bread and butter: the running game.

Broncos 27, Raiders 9

Cincinnati Bengals @ San Diego Chargers

This could be the game of the week, as the lethargic Bengals are pitted against a hot Chargers squad that hasn’t lost in eight games. Norv Turner has this team believing it can accomplish “super” things and even has his management talking contract extension.

Unless the Bengals can muster up some respectability in their paltry pass offense, this game may not be as close as many are predicting.

Chargers 37, Bengals 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Seattle Seahawks

The Buccaneers have been severely plagued by rookie mistakes from Josh Freeman and simply don’t have the talent to overcome turnovers right now.

Seattle, on the other hand, struggled mightily to put just one touchdown on the board last week and is surely out of the NFC playoff race. If there was any doubt that the Seahawks were one of the worst teams in the league, Tampa Bay will put it to rest.

Buccaneers 30, Seahawks 27

Green Bay Packers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

This is the game that solidifies the Packers as a real threat for the Lombardi Trophy or shows us that the Pittsburgh Steelers still have some pride.

Aaron Rodgers had been playing at a high level all season and is now basking in the glory of the rise of his new 3-4 defense. The Steelers, the original 3-4 kings, are going in the complete opposite direction, as they have lost five straight, compared to Green Bay’s five straight wins.

Pittsburgh is at home, still has a gritty defense, and still has a shot at the playoffs. With all of those things coming into play, it’s hard to bet against a Mike Tomlin squad, regardless of their awful performance against the Browns last week.

Steelers 17, Packers 13

Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers

Brett Favre brings three interceptions in his last two games (after throwing three all season) into a tough matchup with a very good Carolina pass defense. After seeing what this Panthers defense did against Tom Brady and the Patriots, Minnesota fans have to be at least a little worried.

I guess it’s a good thing they still have Adrian Peterson and Matt Moore is throwing passes for the Panthers.

Vikings 31, Panthers 17

New York Giants @ Washington Redskins

It’s make or break time for the Giants, who pushed the Cowboys down in the division two weeks ago and then lost a marathon game against the Eagles last week. They clearly still have the talent and know-how to win games and give a real run at the playoffs, but they are up against a Redskins team that has made vast improvements in recent weeks.

Washington owns a win over the Denver Broncos and forced the Saints into overtime, so they are no longer a team to be taken lightly, despite being 4-9.

Still, the Giants know the Redskins well, and a loss would likely end their playoff push.

Giants 27, Redskins 17

 

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Minnesota Vikings Vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 10 Things We Learned

Going into this contest between a 10-2 Minnesota Vikings team and the 9-3 Cincinnati Bengals, many felt that we’d finally get to see the true identity of both teams. And regardless of what side you were cheering for, it’s hard to argue that we didn’t see exactly that.

Besides Minnesota proving they were easily the better team in a 30-10 win, here are 10 points (five for each team) that show things that were revealed to us in Sunday’s game:

 

Cincinnati Bengals

 

1. Carson Palmer Isn’t an Elite Quarterback

It’s not because he threw for a measly 94 yards and couldn’t move the ball effectively this Sunday, but more a combination of all of his unspectacular performances, all rolled into one. Sunday was just the culmination of him being revealed for what he is.

Take away Palmer’s five-touchdown destruction of an inept Chicago Bears defense, over a month ago, and the guy has just 12 throwing scores on the season.

Any way you look at it, for whatever reason, he simply isn’t playing elite football.

2. Cedric Benson Is Top Notch

The Williams Wall wasn’t willing to admit it coming into this game, but it has to be a fact now; Benson is the real deal.

No nagging injuries, inept passing offense, or tough defensive match-ups can truly stop him. If he gets the carries, he will eventually produce.

It’s just now coming to light that this Bengals offense can and will be successful only if  he has the ball in his hands.

3. Cincinnati’s Defense Is OK

They’re a solid unit that has easily benefited, much like other “elite” defenses, from facing weak competition for most of the season. Don’t get me wrong, they had excellent performances against the Broncos, Ravens, and Steelers earlier this season, but it’s clear they can only do so much.

What we learned on Sunday is that they cannot effectively stop a team that can both run and pass the ball on an elite level. And the saddest part was the Vikings still weren’t at the top of their game.

4. Jonathan Joseph Is Damn Good

Give the guy some respect, because like it or not, he’s the only true dynamite performer on this over-rated defense.

He prevented an easy leaping touchdown grab by knocking the ball out of Sidney Rice’s hands, and then made a nice interception after the pass rush forced Brett Favre out of the pocket.

But give the guy a break, too. He can’t do it all on his own.

5. Outside of Chad Ochocinco, the Receiving Corps Stinks

We’ve probably already guessed that, but it was even more visible on Sunday. Antoine Winfield’s return probably didn’t make it any easier on Laveranues Coles and co. to take the pressure off of Chad Ochocinco, but let’s face it; they weren’t doing that great of a job before, either.

Even before Chris Henry went down a few weeks back, this receiving corps left a lot to be desired. This clearly plays into Carson Palmer’s under-whelming play, as well, and directly effects the success of the ground game against elite defenses.

 

Minnesota Vikings

 

1. Brett Favre Isn’t Fading

You can look at it in two ways. Either the Bengals pass defense isn’t very good, and Favre’s late-season slide is beginning right on time, or he just played decently against a very good pass defense…

For the other points on the Minnesota Vikings , go here .

 

 

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Monday Night Football: Fantasy Football Preview

By this time in the week (and season), you know who the studs are, and you have a pretty good grasp on players’ roles. However, with one or two slots open for bidding tonight, sometimes owners can struggle with which player to use.

First, let’s get the “must-starts ” out of the way:

Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Frank Gore, and Vernon Davis

We know that these guys should have been set in stone in our line-up dating back to last Monday, so nothing should change there.

And quite obviously, if you have Warner and Alex Smith, that means Smith is on your bench. And in turn, no Cardinals running backs should be played over Gore, simply because of his potential and talent level.

However, here’s a quick glance at the “less than elite” options heading into tonight’s game, and what you may expect to see:

 

Arizona Cardinals

WR Steve Breaston

Breaston offers some versatility in leagues that gives points for return yards, and in the Cardinals high-powered offense, still packs a punch as a reliable WR3.

However, his role has regressed of late, as he’s been primarily impacting games as a returner. Breaston hasn’t caught more than four passes in four games, and only recorded one catch for eight yards last week.

We like Michael Crabtree over Breaston on Monday night .

Prediction: 4 rec, 49 yds, 0 TD

WR Early Doucet

Doucet has caught at least one pass in five straight contests, and has officially moved past Jerheme Urban as the team’s fourth receiving option, but his value is still extremely limited.

However, two things to note: He’s a safer option than Urban going forward, and his value would take an immediate boost with an injury to any of the receivers ahead of him. He isn’t a good play this week, but he could be someone to keep an eye on.

RB Tim Hightower

Due to their re-commitment to the ground game, Hightower is back as a respectable Flex play as the Cardinals starting running back. He still shared the load with Chris Wells, which can hurt his value, but he’s also the back they turn to when they set up screen passes.

Hightower can serve as a capable RB2 in the right setting, and while he won’t post dynamo stats this week against a 49ers defense that can at times lock explosive offense down, he will still provide better numbers than his teammates, Wells.

Prediction: 16 att, 66 yd, 1 TD, 4 rec, 33 yds, 0 TD

RB Chris Wells

Wells continues to keep a solid role in the Cardinals ground game, but still takes a slight backseat to Hightower, and isn’t as big a factor in the passing game.

His value is decent, but he is currently a low-end Flex play until we see more consistency.

Prediction: 10 att, 45 yds, 0 TD, 1 rec, 6 yds, 0 TD

 

San Francisco 49ers

QB Alex Smith

If you’re running with Smith this week, you can find solace in the fact that he’s athletic and has the ability to evade Arizona’s improving pass rush, and can throw well when rolling out of the pocket.

Despite the Cardinals aggressive play from their secondary last week against the Minnesota Vikings, Smith still has a chance at nice fantasy numbers, due to Arizona’s vulnerability to the pass if they are unable to rattle the quarterback.

Working out of the spread has done wonders for this passing attack, and while Arizona has the players to make things happen on defense, we still like Smith’s chances at finishing with quality numbers.

Prediction: 20-33, 267 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT

WR Michael Crabtree

Crabtree will be lining up against a Cardinals defense that is very aggressive, but one that plays a type of defense that could be a good match-up for his skills.

Smith’s top target is obviously tight end Vernon Davis, but Crabtree is still a better play than Josh Morgan, and should also be a better play than Steve Breaston this week.

Prediction: 6 rec, 74 yds, 1 TD

WR Josh Morgan

Morgan is the starter opposite of Crabtree on the line, and has recently found himself being a big part of the passing attack.

With six grabs in each of his last two games, as well as a combined 109 yards and a touchdown, Morgan is slowly progressing into a worthy WR3.

He definitely deserves a roster spot in deep leagues, and could help you next week if you are hurt by Jeremy Maclin’s injury.

However, tonight he only projects to have better numbers than the Cardinals third and fourth receiving options.

Prediction: 5 rec, 61 yds, 0 TD

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NFL Quick Hits Dec. 14: Injury and Fantasy Updates

Kevin Smith Likely Out For Season With Torn ACL

Early reports suggest Smith tore his ACL in Detroit’s loss against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, and that the second-year back is almost certainly done for the season.

This could mean a change through free agency or the draft at the position, as Smith has been less than spectacular throughout 2009 .

Maurice Morris should benefit from increased carries if Smith is indeed done for the season.

 

Jeremy Maclin Out With Torn Plantar Fascia

Maclin was carted off the field after a serious injury to his foot and will be out for 1-2 weeks, at the very least. These types of foot injuries often linger and can be very difficult to come back from, so he might be hard-pressed to simply return sometime in the playoffs.

DeSean Jackson figures to get more looks while Maclin is out, while Jason Avant and possibly Reggie Brown should see increased roles.

Kevin Curtis, who hasn’t played since very early in the season, could be returning soon and could also figure into the offense.

 

Bruce Gradskowski Possibly Done For 2009

Despite saying he may “try to make it back”, it’s likely that Gradkowski’s partially torn MCL keeps him off the field for the remainder of this season.

He can probably say goodbye to his chances at starting next year, too.

JaMarcus Russell will step back in and try to prove he developed a work ethic and the ability to produce after sitting on the bench of the past three and a half games.

Russell was just so-so after entering the game on Sunday, and will have to impress the Raiders brass with a win or two as well as solid play down the stretch to get a shot at starting against in 2010.

We wouldn’t bet on it working out for the failed former number one pick .

 

Brandon Marshall Breaks Single-Game Reception Record

Marshall caught an NFL record 21 passes against the Colts on Sunday, breaking Terrell Owens’ record of 20 in a game. Owens publicly congratulated “Baby T.O.” and wished him well.

If there was any doubt that the passing game completely revolves around Marshall, let it now be known that it does.

Marshall should remain a top fantasy option as Denver chases down the slim chance of still claiming their division.

 

Colts Might Begin Resting Starters This Week

Unlike the New Orleans Saints, the Indianapolis Colts have not been vocal about chasing down a 16-0 regular season and a 19-0 overall record. Report are surfacing that it will be business as usual for the Colts, and they are expected to rest their top players over the course of their final three games.

It’d be nice to get to 16-0, but the Colts have their division locked up and have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

For the rest of this article and more NFL /Fantasy news, go here .

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2009 NFL: Five Teams That Aren’t as Good as You Think

(Sorry, Favre-haters, but the Vikings don’t make the list.)

Four games remain in this 2009 NFL season, which means we’re less than a month away from figuring out who belongs in the chase for the Lombardi Trophy, and who never really stood a chance.

Writers and fans alike rack their brains in the pre-seasn, assessing their team’s draft picks and off-season moves, wondering if certain issues or situations will cripple their team or put them over the top.

The truth is, regardless of how much planning or thought goes into guessing the top teams, we’re almost always wrong. That’s why the sports gods invented late-season write-ups, so we can dissect teams and re-think their value or potential.

Without stating the absolute obvious teams like the fallen Pittsburgh Steelers or the no-longer Wild Card threatening Houston Texans, here’s a look at the five teams still in the playoff chase that simply aren’t as good as we think they are.

Begin Slideshow

Week 14 Fantasy Football Player Breakdowns

Be sure to check out our Start/Sit column for some solid calls this week and if you’re searching for a gem to help you out with line-up issues, take a second to look over this week’s Waiver Wire Pick-ups.

Read on for player match-ups and some quick notes:

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

QB Drew Brees: Falcons defense isn’t very good, so no worries here. *****
RB Pierre Thomas: Should carve Atlanta’s weak run defense all day. *****
RB Mike Bell: Still has a nice role, but yards per carry stinks. ***
RB Reggie Bush: Small role, so barely a flex play. **
WR Marques Colston: Always a good start and nice match-up helps. ****
WR Devery Henderson: Very inconsistent, but loads of potential. ***
WR Robert Meachem: Is red-hot right now, so quality WR3. ****
TE Jeremy Shockey: Has been weak, but Atlanta can’t cover tight ends. ****

QB Matt Ryan: Looks like he has a chance to play, but check status. ***
QB Chris Redman: Solid one week, awful the next. Not a lock to play this week. **
RB Michael Turner: Is trying to get back and New Orleans run defense is awful. ****
RB Jerious Norwood: Hasn’t done much and is playing hurt. **
RB Jason Snelling: Role could increase if Turner doesn’t return. **
WR Roddy White: Has been very active and Ryan return could boost value. *****
WR Michael Jenkins: Inconsistent, so not a great play. **
TE Tony Gonzalez: Saints aren’t amazing against tight end, so he has a shot . ****

Detroit Lions @ Baltimore Ravens

QB Matthew Stafford: Not playing this week.
QB Daunte Culpepper: Ravens pass defense stinks, but he’s still Culpepper. **
RB Kevin Smith: Tough run defense, but he’ll get touches. ***
WR Calvin Johnson: Can still work the deep ball and that’s all Culpepper is good at. ****
WR Bryant Johnson: Wildly inconsistent, but they should have to pass. **

QB Joe Flacco: Ravens will run all day, but Lions are woeful against pass. ****
RB Ray Rice: Could have career day and should get a ton of touches. *****
RB Willis McGahee: Role is decent again, so could be a quality flex this week. ***
WR Derrick Mason: Shouldn’t have any issues getting open this week. ****
WR Mark Clayton: Hit-or-miss, but match-up leaning toward a “hit”. ***
TE Todd Heap: Has been beyond mediocre all season, so don’t bite. **

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

QB Aaron Rodgers: Bears pass defense is horrible and Rodgers can’t be stopped. *****
RB Ryan Grant: Will have difficulty, but should get solid touches. ***
WR Greg Jennings: Ended the game on a high note last time around, expect the same. ****
WR Donald Driver: Always active and usually plays well against Chicago. ****
WR James Jones: Has been fairly active, so worth using in deeper leagues. **
TE Jermichael Finley: Extremely active last week and that shouldn’t change. ****

QB Jay Cutler: Has been sluggish and Packers defense won’t make it easy. **
RB Matt Forte: Not much room to run in this match-up, so stay away. **
WR Devin Hester: Doesn’t look like he’ll play this week and has been cold. *
WR Earl Bennett: Could stand to see extra targets, but mostly in garbage time. ***
WR Johnny Knox: Always a threat for the deep ball, but match-up is tough. ***
TE Greg Olsen: Packers stop the tight end well, so not a safe play. **

Seattle Seahawks @ Houston Texans

QB Matt Hasselbeck: Pass protection is inconsistent and so is he. **
RB Julius Jones: Should keep getting most of the carries, but not a terrific match-up. **
RB Justin Forsett: Role not what it was, but still offers flex value. ***
WR Nate Burleson: Is still getting it done, but not at the level he should be. ***
WR TJ Housh: Not a bad match-up, but he hasn’t shown us a lot. ***
TE John Carlson: The connection with Hasselbeck just isn’t there. **

QB Matt Schaub: Seattle can’t stop the pass, and he’s due. *****
RB Steve Slaton: He’s on IR, so drop him.
RB Ryan Moats: Is the starter, so should have RB2 value. ****
RB Chris Brown: Still getting goal-line carries, so could be a Flex. ***
WR Andre Johnson: Had 17 targets last week, so do the math. *****
WR Kevin Walter: Targets are solid WR3 projections, but nothing compared to AJ. ***
TE James Casey: Didn’t catch a ball last week and should be off your radar. *

Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts

QB Kyle Orton: Colts not unbeatable through the air, but not an easy match-up. **
RB Knowshon Moreno: Colts can be run on, and he’s looked good. ***
RB Correll Buckhalter: Sharing the load big time, and has been impressive. ***
WR Brandon Marshall: Still their top guy, but that’s not saying much. ***
WR Eddie Royal: More involved recently, but not very reliable. **

QB Peyton Manning: Tough match-up, but he’s risen over all obstacles so far. ****
RB Joseph Addai: It won’t be easy for him this week, but you can’t bet against him. ***
RB Donald Brown: Small role, so not worth a starting spot. *
WR Reggie Wayne: Should bounce back after being contained last week. ****
WR Pierre Garcon: Huge game last week, but faces a tough match-up. ***
WR Austin Collie: Role has been OK, but yardage nothing special. **
TE Dallas Clark: A must-start every week and he can beat these linebackers. *****

Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars

QB Chad Henne: Jas can definitely be passed on and he’s getting better. ***
RB Ricky Williams: Is feeling the weight of the extra carries, but looks great. *****
RB Lex Hilliard: Should get a few more carries, but barely a Flex play. **
WR Davone Bess: Stepped up last week, so potential is sky high. ****
WR Brian Hartline: Has made plays and knows how to get open. **
WR Ted Ginn: A complete afterthought, so drop him. *

QB David Garrard: If MSW is out, his value drops way down. ***
RB Maurice Jones-Drew: Should have a huge day against weak run defense. *****
WR Mike Sims-Walker: Is questionable, but match-up bodes well. ****
WR Torry Holt: Hasn’t scored all season and yardage is dipping. **
TE Marcedes Lewis: Barely a TE2. *

For the rest of Week 14 ‘s Fantasy Player Breakdowns, go here .

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Fantasy NFL News and Notes

Matt Ryan Still Questionable for Sunday

Despite reports that Ryan would only start if his top linemen were healthy, head coach Mike Smith has said that Ryan is progressing, and his status will have nothing to do with any players around him.

Ryan does appear to be moving around better, and the Falcons sound optimistic, so don’t write him off just yet for this week. The Falcons are facing a must-win game against a New Orleans team that is undefeated, but got destroyed by Jason Campbell last week.

Potentially getting Michael Turner back this week would boost Ryan’s value if he indeed returns.

 

Vince Young Hurts Knee in Practice

Young reportedly aggravated a minor knee injury, and the Titans coaches pulled him out of practice, likely “shutting him down” for the week.

Kerry Collins took over with the first team, but all signs point to Young making his seventh straight start, while aiming for his sixth win on the season. Check his status, but if you’re using him this week, he should be good to go .

 

Percy Harvin Dealing with Migraines

He has missed two-straight practices because of migraines. He has had  migraine issues since high school. It could end up being a problem, but Harvin does have a history of effectively dealing with them, which is encouraging for his status on Sunday.

Expect Harvin to make the Minnesota Vikings contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s a big game, and Harvin still has today and tomorrow to rest.

 

Mike Sims-Walker Dealing With Calf Injury

Sims-Walker had been dealing with a minor knee injury, and is now also hampered by an injured calf.

This could mean bad news for MSW, although his matchup against the Miami Dolphins this week figures to bode well if he can suit up. He still has a solid chance to play, but be sure to check his status all the way up to game-time.

 

Matt Moore Starting For Carolina Again This Week

Jake Delhomme can get comfortable on the bench. By no means is Matt Moore the long-term solution, but he did do a solid job in Carolina’s 16-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Granted, it was the Buccaneers, but he still showed better decision-making and a livelier arm that Delhomme.

The New England Patriots—Moore’s matchup this week—haven’t been great against the pass lately, but we aren’t willing to vouch for him without a strong showing against a weak Tampa Bay defense. You can’t help but downgrade Steve Smith this week.

 

Devin Hester Doubtful to Play Against Packers

Hester is still ailing from a calf injury that knocked him out of Week 13 ‘s action, allowing him to register just one catch for the second consecutive game.

The injury hasn’t gotten much better and Hester hasn’t practiced yet this week, so he’s not a safe bet to deploy against a tough Green Bay secondary. Top it off with the fact that Jay Cutler hasn’t played at a high level in over three weeks, and we’d stay clear of Hester, regardless.

With Hester’s absence, Johnny Knox should see his targets rise, but he, nor Earl Bennett, figure to garner anything more than low-end WR3 value.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Jamarcus Russell Justifies His Benching By Opening His Mouth

It’s been three weeks since the Oakland Raiders benched franchise quarterback Jamarcus Russell in favor of the relatively unknown Bruce Gradkowski.

Since then, the Raiders have pulled off impressive upsets over the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, as Gradkowsi has displayed solid control and the ability to make plays with receivers that Russell could hardly move the chains with.

Coincidence? This writer says no, and believes that very few competent people with any knowledge of the NFL would disagree. Except, of course, the Raiders very own Jamarcus Russell.

In a recent interview , his first since the benching, Russell exhibited his strong disdain for any potential contract negotiations, saying, “That’s over and done with. I don’t even consider that as a part of it.”

A part of what? And by “that’s over and done with”, is the former LSU star talking about his career, or is he talking about his selfishness?

Not in essence, but in pure, blunt language, the lazy, self-absorbed former No. 1 overall pick has freely admitted that he wouldn’t even consider taking a pay-cut. He’s been signed and paid for, and he is getting what’s coming to him.

That’s Russell’s way of calling Al Davis and all of Oakland “suckers”, and telling them that it was their choice to bench him, so they’ll have to pay him as a bench-warmer. It’s their bed, so they can sleep in it, right?

Ditto, Jamarcus. Ditto.

Russell didn’t stop there, though. No, he went much, much further.

When asked what he thought about the team’s recent 2-1 record without him, the way the offense has actually moved the ball, and the way Bruce Gradkowski has stepped up and played excellent football, he simply shrugged it off as lucky, but without actually saying those words.

He made a point of saying that the Raiders’ recent offensive success had much more to do with the receivers catching the ball and making plays, rather than Gradkowski doing anything different or special than Russell had done in the first nine weeks.

Oh, now we get it , Russell. You took all those sacks, lost five fumbles, completed just 46.8 percent of your passes, and threw just two touchdowns to nine interceptions, all because your weapons weren’t helping you enough. Got it.

As Russell continues to make excuses for his horrid play, Gradkowski has already thrown more touchdowns in one game than he has all season. Gradkowski has matched Russell’s 2009 win total in three games. And he’s actually looked good doing it.

Russell is irritated, and for good reason, because a guy that few would ever imagine should even make an NFL roster looks, acts, leads, and plays on such a higher level than Russell, it’s more than just a little puzzling; it’s damn pathetic.

In his refusal to address his own mistakes, flaws, and laziness toward his role and status with the team, Russell has only taken a shovel and buried himself an even deeper hole. And believe this, folks, the hole he is standing in is deep .

Russell is three years into his career, and by all accounts, is a total waste of space. He is a, spell it with me: B-U-S-T.

And he doesn’t even know it yet.

Russell still claims to have the fire and determination to “work his a** off” if he has to compete next year with Gradkowski, or another quarterback.

He can claim anything he wants. This writer isn’t buying it.

This guy has been handed everything since day one, and despite not having the perfect set of weapons or the best offensive line, he has done the least with any amount of talent that we have seen in some time.

The worst part about Russell is that he isn’t taking advantage of his benching like a true professional would. If he were smart, he’d take a note out of Vince Young’s book. He’d watch, work hard, and learn. He’d respect Gradkowski, what he’s done, and how he leads.

He would take a pay-cut, give credit where credit is due, and own up to being an under-performing, selfish prima dona.

But doing any of that would mean that Jamarcus Russell actually cares about football, his teammates, and being a successful human being. But his mere reaction to taking a pay-cut has already told us what we need to know.

We already knew he was light years away from being a good NFL quarterback. Now we know he’s light years away from being a better person, as well.

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Five Teams That Will Court Michael Vick in 2010

Okay, so we finally saw what all the fuss was about. Perhaps we jumped the gun a bit when many of us declared that Vick was a free agent bust. Hell, he still may be, but what he did last week suggested that there is at least a chance that he still has something left.

God knows he has something to prove.

Regardless of what he had done or what he will do, Vick is almost certainly to be playing elsewhere next year. But where? Here’s a quick glance at five teams that could use a veteran quarterback in 2010, regardless of what young passer they draft in April.

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