Every Saturday morning, Andy Richardson offers brief overviews of the upcoming Sunday games, including significant developments involving injuries. He'll also offer opinions on lineup questions over the course of the day.
It's playoffs time for most, if you're in them, and suddenly every choice seems more difficult. The biggest issues are when you have guys close in the rankings; for me it's Julius Thomas and Coby Fleener. When I watch the two guys play, I think it's clear that Thomas is the better NFL player. Fleener, more often than not, looks ordinary to me, a guy who will probably be overtaken by Dwayne Allen (again) next season.
Thomas is in a better offense working with a better quarterback. Fleener is one of two main targets in the passing game, Thomas is one of four or five. And then you start getting into weather issues, which this week are significant. I haven't fully made up my mind, and I imagine most of you have your own dilemmas as the week approaches. Let's see if we can answer some of them.
Vikings at Ravens: Matt Cassel starts for the Vikings. Odd to me that Josh Freeman isn't getting another look-see. Why bring him in if not to see whether or not he can play? Adrian Peterson is hurting, and he's facing a very good run defense, but I couldn't (and can't) bench him. Minnesota's defense is really bad so I think you can use Rice and Torrey Smith. The negative for the passing game (but positive for everyone watching it) is that it's supposed to snow. That downgrades the passing games for both.
Colts at Bengals: Have pretty much planted Andrew Luck on my bench. Kept thinking he'd bust out but as week after week goes by without it happening, forget it. Bengals D dominated the Chargers' offense last week and I'm not about to chance Indy's. Except maybe Fleener. Weather an issue, but I'd go ahead and use A.J. Green. Bengals ground game has potential.
Falcons at Packers: No Aaron Rodgers, so I would not want to use Green Bay's passing game. Still like Lacy. Weather an issue here, too. Sounds like a great day around the country to stay inside and watch football, so naturally I have tickets to Jets-Raiders. Ugh. But where was I? Lacy, that's right. Maybe SJax, but not too happily. Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White, probably, but let's see what the weather looks like tomorrow morning. Gonzalez seems the safest.
Browns at Patriots: Josh Gordon, talking big about his matchup with Aqib Talib. I guess the confidence is good, but I don't see the value in trash talk. Especially as a wide receiver relying on a marginal quarterback to have a good game getting him the ball. Weather also an issue. Probably LeGarrette Blount and Shane Vereen at tailback. Vereen is the one I'd use. No Aaron Dobson, am not risking Kenbrell Thompkins, either.
Raiders at Jets: On the one hand, I'm with a young child and we'll root for the hometown Jets. On the other hand, I've got the Raiders defense, Rod Streater and Andre Holmes as possible starters in my best-ball dynasty league, so, if things don't go the Jets' way, well, I'll manage. Gonna be cold. Sounds like Rashad Jennings will play, but check those early inactives. Tough matchup, but he'll catch passes, and maybe the Jets D won't be quite as tough with the team's season over and all. Luke warm on anything connected with the Jets.
Lions at Eagles: In a recurring theme, weather might be a factor. Am using major pieces of the offenses anyway, because these teams are better on offense than defense, and maybe they can overcome. It's not likely to be a smashmouth defensive battle, that's not who these teams are. Maybe more Joique Bell than Reggie Bush, with Bush banged up. Would still use him.
Dolphins at Steelers: Not crazy about either offense here. Am debating Romo or Roethlisberger in a playoff matchup -- we've got both ranked really low and I should probably look on the waiver wire. Sometimes you get burned doing that too, though (Case Keenum). Happily using LeVeon Bell and would start Lamar Miller, too.
Bills at Buccaneers: I like the running backs for both sides. Stevie Johnson. Vincent Jackson, though he's not 100 percent. Weather won't be a factor unless the sun gets in somebody's eyes.
Kansas City at Washington: I am wondering if there are big protests planned outside this game, given the nickname controversies. These teams only face each other once every four years so you'd think there'd be something. Personally I'd like to protest Washington criminally underusing Alfred Morris. Sean McGrath your fill-in tight end with Anthony Fasano out. Dwayne Bowe looks good. Jordan Reed should play, but we said that last week and he had a Sunday setback, so check those inactives.
Titans at Broncos: Cold for this game, so indications are that Peyton Manning is going to curl up in a little ball and be useless in fantasy leagues. I wouldn't sit him down, just passing it along. I'm using Demaryius and maybe Julius, and definitely Knowshon. For the Titans, sounds like no Delanie Walker. Kendall Wright should be a PPR monster. Not keen on Chris Johnson, but you don't sit him for just anyone, either.
Rams at Cardinals: Weather won't be a factor. Jared Cook gets a nice matchup, but no other Ram does. Their defense I guess. The Carson Palmer elbow issue is a concern. I'm starting Fitzgerald and would use Michael Floyd, but it's worrying. Andre Ellington should be back, but not in my lineup.
Giants at Chargers: Eli against Philip Rivers. I guess it would be more exciting if the teams weren't both 5-7. Anyway, no weather, and both passing games have potential. Can't risk Eddie Royal, and hesitate to risk Giants receivers beyond Victor Cruz. Great matchup, but they've had those other times this season.
Seahawks at 49ers: Lot of defense should be played in this game. Not a great week to be counting on, well, anyone. Do you bench your studs in the fantasy playoffs? I would use Marshawn Lynch and Vernon Davis, but that's pretty much it. Seems like if anyone can beat the odds it's Russell Wilson this season, but I would be wary. Just seems like it has to be a lower-scoring contest.
Panthers at Saints: Great defense on the road against a generally great and hacked-off offense. I have Brees and Newton on a team. Rankings favor Brees. Scary to start anyone beyond the QBs and the tight ends, I think. Fun game though, and pretty important in the NFC.
Cowboys at Bears: Running games look great. Weather an issue for Romo, McCown, and the receivers. Guys like Marshall, Jeffery and Bryant are too good to sit down, but if you've got comparable options (few do) you can consider it. Personally I hope to have as few players going in this game as I can, although Witten is a definite and Romo a maybe.
Final advice on playoff lineups: try to make the decision you think you'll be able to live with if you're wrong. Last week I benched a banged-up Moreno for a healthy Giovani Bernard, and fortunately won anyway. But while expecting to lose, I was kicking myself for benching my team MVP for a No. 2 running back. Easy to say after the fact, but with the same choice again, I would absolutely dance with Moreno, and I would have felt better about losing that way. Set your lineup, and say, if I'm wrong, how bad will I feel? I don't want to spend the whole offseason kicking myself for that one mistake that I should have known better about.
Enjoy the games.
