In fantasy football, there are several great days throughout the course of the season. Of course, there’s draft day and all the planning that goes into that. There’s the magical potential of Week 1 and the following 14 amazing Sundays and Mondays that follow.
Then, there’s championship weekend.
If you find yourself in the unique position to still be alive in your fantasy football league, then congratulations. You defied all odds and find yourself a week away from supremacy. It doesn’t get any better than this.
The Weekly Forecast is here once again to preview the upcoming week of action. We’ll fill you in on the latest with the injury bug, the weather forecast and discuss what players will be in store for a bigger role this weekend.
Quarterbacks
So, I’m sure you have heard by now something in the media about the silliness surrounding Tony Romo, Terrell Owens and Jessica Simpson. The whole thing is ridiculous, but it gives me a chance to link you to this so we all win in the end. Look for Tony Romeo to bounce back strongly in this contest – the Boys should blow away the Panthers Saturday night.
Look for No. 1 selection JaMarcus Russell to play more of a role at quarterback for the Raiders this week. He should even start the finale – why not? He is the franchise’s future … Rosenfels will get another start over Schaub and the Niners are already working on a long-term deal with Shaun Hill – it sounds like he could be the team’s new franchise quarterback.
Injury List
Josh McCown (finger) – probable, will start with JaMarcus Russell coming off bench
Philip Rivers (knee) – probable, likely will play
Tony Romo (thumb) – probable, will start Saturday vs Carolina
Matt Schaub (shoulder) – questionable, Sage Rosenfels will replace
Alex Smith (arm) –out for the year, Shaun Hill is new starter
Vinny Testaverde (team decision) – Matt Moore will start
Running Backs
With Justin Fargas out for the season, Dominic Rhodes is expected to start at running back this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. LaMont Jordan will also get a bunch of carries though, as coach Lane Kiffin said he would ride whichever back had the hot hand. The Jags allow 94.6 rushing yards/game this season, fifth-best, so both backs are somewhat of a risk … the Texans will also roll with a two-headed back, as Darius Walker will get the start in the backfield. Ron Dayne (ankle) is considered a game-time decision, so Adimchinobe Echemandu could be the backup.
Reggie Bush (knee) is also considered a game-time decision after sitting out the past couple contests. Aaron Stecker will get another start in the backfield – he’s rushed for 195 yards the past two games … After a difficult season, the Bengals have ruled out Rudi Johnson (hamstring) for Week 16. He amassed 1,300+ yards rushing and 12 TDs the past three seasons, Rudi has just 497 yards on the ground and three TD. In his absence, the Bengals will use both Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey.
Injury List
Reggie Bush (knee) – questionable, likely will not play
Jesse Chatman (ankle) – questionable, likely will play
Ron Dayne (ankle) – probable, likely will play
Justin Fargas (ribs) – out for the season, LaMont Jordan/Dominic Rhodes will replace
Frank Gore (ankle) – probable, will start
Chris Henry (suspension) – can return in Week 16
Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) – probable, will start
Larry Johnson (foot) – likely out for the season, Kolby Smith will replace
Rudi Johnson (hamstring) – out for Week 16, Kenny Watson will replace
Michael Pittman (ankle) – probable, likely will be limited
Michael Turner (shoulder) – questionable, Darren Sproles would replace as LT’s backup
Brian Westbrook (knee) – questionable, likely will play
LenDale White (knee) – questionable, likely will play
Wide Receivers
It sounds like the Cardinals are going to have both their stud WRs again this week, as Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are recovering well from their injuries. Both should be fine No. 2 receiver options … The Jets will likely be with Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery as well … Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer should see more targets with Shockey done for the year … Darrell Jackson and Arnaz Battle are also decent plays with Shaun Hill looking strong behind center.
Injury List
Arnaz Battle (ankle) – probable, likely will play
Anquan Boldin (toe) – questionable, expected to play
Reggie Brown (knee) – questionable, likely will play
Plaxico Burress (ankle, knee) – questionable, expected to play
Laveranues Coles (ankle) – questionable, expected to play
Marques Colston (back) – probable, will play
Jerricho Cotchery (finger) – questionable, will play with injury
Larry Fitzgerald (groin) – questionable, will play with injury
Terry Glenn (knee surgery) – might return in Week 17
D.J. Hackett (ankle) – likely will miss this week, might play in finale
Marvin Harrison (knee) – out for Week 16, Anthony Gonzalez will play big role
Joe Horn (foot) – doubtful, likely will not play
Brandon Jones (groin) – out for the season
Eddie Kennison (ribs) – out for Week 16
Sinorice Moss (back) – doubtful, likely out, Steve Smith will replace
Roscoe Parrish (shoulder) – game-time decision
Sidney Rice (ankle) – questionable, likely out for the season
Steve Smith, CAR (flu) – probable, will play
Brandon Stokley (knee) – game-time decision, Javon Walker would replace
Roddy White (knee) – questionable,
Roy Williams (knee) – out for the season
Tight Ends
The G-Men were dealt a vicious blow this week when they lost Jeremy Shockey for the final couple weeks of the regular season and the playoffs. New York still needs to win another game to make the second season, so with New England scheduled for Week 17, the Giants will need to bring their A-game against Buffalo this week. With Shockey sidelined, look for Kevin Boss to take his place as the starting tight end … Baltimore will be without Heap this week and Philadelphia will likely be without Smith as well – both players have had very long seasons because of the injury bug.
Injury List
Chris Baker (back) – questionable, likely will play
Bubba Franks (knee) – doubtful, Donald Lee will continue to start
Antonio Gates (back) – questionable, likely will play
Daniel Graham (ankle) – doubtful, Tony Scheffler is expected to start
Todd Heap (hamstring) – out for Week 16
Eric Johnson (groin) – doubtful, likely won’t play
Matt Schobel (concussion) - doubtful
Jeremy Shockey (abdomen) – out for the season
L.J. Smith (knee) – out for Week 16, Brent Celek will replace
Ben Watson (ankle) – game-time decision
Daniel Wilcox (thigh) – doubtful, likely will not play
Matchups for Week 16
Toughest against the pass
1. Indianapolis (162.4 YPG) – Sage Rosenfels, Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter
2. Tampa Bay (174.5 YPG) – Shaun Hill, Darrell Jackson, Arnaz Battle
3. Pittsburgh (174.6 YPG) – Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce
4. Miami (178.5 YPG) – Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker
5. New England (190.8 YPG) – Cleo Lemon, Marty Booker, Ted Ginn Jr.
Easiest against the pass
32. Minnesota (266.4 YPG) – Todd Collins, Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El
31. Detroit (257.9 YPG) – Brodie Croyle, Tony Gonzalez, Derrick Bowe
30. New Orleans (249.6 YPG) – Donovan McNabb, Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown
29. Cleveland (249.5 YPG) – Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh
28. Buffalo (242.7 YPG) – Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer
Toughest against the run
1. Minnesota (67.9 YPG) – Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts
2. Baltimore (77.0 YPG) – Shaun Alexander, Maurice Morris
3. Pittsburgh (83.4 YPG) – Steven Jackson, Antonio Pittman
4. Dallas (93.8 YPG) – DeShaun Foster, DeAngelo Williams
5T. Jacksonville (94.6 YPG) – Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan
5T. Philadelphia (94.6 YPG) – Aaron Stecker, Reggie Bush
Easiest against the run
32. Miami (155.9 YPG) – Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk
31. Oakland (143.8 YPG) – Maurice Jones-Drew, Fred Taylor
30. New York Jets (141.1 YPG) – LenDale White, Chris Brown
29. Denver (140.2 YPG) – LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Turner (questionable)/Darren Sproles
28. Cleveland (128.9 YPG) – Kenny Watson, DeDe Dorsey
Week 16 Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 20 8:00pm ET
Pittsburgh 41 St. Louis 24
Saturday, Dec. 22 8:00pm ET
Dallas @ Carolina 48, overcast, cool
Sunday, Dec. 23 1:00pm ET
Green Bay @ Chicago 26/30, icy mix changing to snow
Cleveland @ Cincinnati 45, rain changing to icy mix
Kansas City @ Detroit (Dome)
Houston @ Indianapolis (Dome)
New York Giants @ Buffalo 40/53, heavy rain, cool
Oakland @ Jacksonville 60/75, scattered clouds
Philadelphia @ New Orleans (Dome)
4:05pm ET and 4:15pm ET
Atlanta @ Arizona 39/61, sunny
Tampa Bay @ San Francisco 43/54, partly cloudy, cool
Miami @ New England 25/48, sprinkles, cool
Baltimore @ Seattle 37/45, light rain
New York Jets @ Tennessee 43/48, cloudy
8:15pm ET
Washington @ Minnesota (Dome)
Monday, Dec. 24 8:00pm ET
Denver @ San Diego 45/63, sunny