Wow, that was some awesome Thursday game, huh? Truth be told, I'm sort of glad for the Chargers, who would be a fun playoff team (moreso than Miami, certainly), but the fact that I was starting Knowshon and both Thomases in a playoff game is a little disappointing. PPR league so at least I got something out of them, but let's be real, it's a downer and I'm going to need a lot of help from guys like LeVeon, Fitzgerald and Antonio Brown. And having two Steelers facing a good Bengals defense is less than ideal.
But oh well, stuff like that happens. NFL wise, I'm not even sure it matters if the AFC Championship Game is in New England or Denver. They're both outdoors, it could snow in either place, and it's clear that Peyton's Broncos are capable of losing just as easily in Denver come postseason as in New England. Maybe they'd do better without everyone expecting them to win. OK, on to the games.
Washington at Atlanta: Everyone's got an opinion on the trainwreck that is Washington; I'll be brief, but here's mine. Basically it's a ridiculous case that Shanahan is making, benching a healthy player to protect him for the offseason program. It's stupid. I would have more respect for him if he just said. "Robert isn't playing well, let's see what Kirk can do these next three games, and then we'll trade him for a good pick if he lights it up." To say they're shutting Griffin down so he won't tear his ACL again and miss the offseason program. Guh. As for the game, I like Alfred Morris, and Atlanta's offense. I don't know what's going on with Jordan Reed, but one report has said he too might be shut down, so don't count on him being active. I suspect Atlanta wins big, I can't see how Washington shows up ready to play for this game.
Chicago at Cleveland: If only Chicago had gone back to Jay Cutler a week or even a half earlier, I wouldn't have been bounced from the playoffs by 5 points by Josh McCown's ridiculous week. Hey Josh, how about giving your running backs some love. Browns will go with Chris Ogbonnaya and Fozzy Whittaker. I don't understand why they wouldn't give the 6 years younger Whittaker more chances than Ogbonnaya, but what do I know. Bears offense should be fine at least until Cutler gets injured again, at which point it will be great. Three great wideouts in this game, gotta start all of them. Weather may be a factor, but still.
Houston at Indianapolis: Opted for Rivers over Luck this week. No regrets, though Luck might end up being better. Houston has a new coach so maybe they'll get some sort of little bump from that. Can't hoit, as they say. Ben Tate should be good. I am starting DaRick Rogers in a league, what the hey. Colts should win this one pretty comfortably.
Buffalo at Jacksonville: We are signing off on Jordan Todman, who should start and fare pretty well. Cecil Shorts iffy. Jacksonville's run defense is greatly improved and Bills are using a committee, making it hard to get excited about the running backs for the Bills, and EJ Manuel is struggling, making receivers even sketchier than normal (although the matchup is great).
New England at Miami: I really don't have anything against Miami, but I don't want to see them in the playoffs, so I hope New England takes care of that here. Both offenses have potential. Can't really trust New England receivers, though I guess Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola should both be big. I have Thompkins and Dobson in a place or two but am not going near either. Not crazy about Miami ground game because of the committee; numbers will be divvied up.
Philadelphia at Minnesota: Minnesota's defense is awful, so everything connected with the Philadelphia offense has potential. Plus, dome, nice this time of year. For the Vikings, I have no idea who the running back will be, but it looks like Peterson is more likely to be out there than Toby Gerhart. I wouldn't start Matt Asiata even if it seems he'll play a lot. I had Peterson in a league but that team is toast, thanks Josh McCown and Adrian's 1 point last week. Matt Cassel at QB, which is good for Greg Jennings and probably Cordarrelle Patterson, if you're in a bind.
Seattle at N.Y. Giants: Uh, Seahawks defense really good and Giants offense has stunk almost all season. I like Marshawn Lynch, don't really want to mess with Seattle's passing offense, but am not afraid to use Wilson. Not keen on Andre Brown. Would use Victor Cruz only because presumably the Giants will attempt to throw the ball and stuff. Maybe the Giants will surprise but I don't see them caring much. It's snowing in New York right now but I think it's supposed to be clear by tomorrow, albeit cold and windy.
San Francisco at Tampa Bay: Can the Bucs actually win this game? You never know. They've been playing well, and San Francisco's offense isn't exactly reliable. I think it will be a little on the lower-scoring side, so I'm not rushing to start anyone here beyond the obvious: Davis, VJax. Gore and Rainey, well, the matchups are tough for both.
N.Y. Jets at Carolina: Shutout? It's possible. I give the Jets defense as much chance of scoring as the Jets moving the ball in this one. Don't use any Jets. For Carolina, Cam Newton Steve Smith and Greg Olsen are the most appealing options.
Kansas City at Oakland: No Dexter McCluster or Anthony Fasano. Denarius Moore should return, hurting the team's other wide receivers. Kansas City's defense looks great and I like Jamaal Charles. Sort of cool on Dwayne Bowe and Kansas City's passing offense, not because of the matchup but because they shouldn't have to do very much. Rashad Jennings should be busy and is fine to use.
Green Bay at Dallas: Is this the place to say I broke my collarbone three times as a kid? The notion that Rodgers might play on Thanksgiving was always daffy. Remember how long Tony Romo was out a few years back. You can't take hits with a healing collarbone if you want it to actually, you know, heal. Dallas offense should be good. Eddie Lacy will play and I'd use him, but there's some small injury risk there with him. Green Bay's passing offense should be OK, or as good as it can be with Matt Flynn.
New Orleans at St. Louis: I kind of like Zac Stacy here. No other Rams. For New Orleans, Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, Pierre Thomas maybe, Marques Colston. It's on the road, but conditions favorable for the Saints offense. I can see the Rams playing keepaway with Stacy, that's the biggest issue for New Orleans.
Arizona at Tennessee: Tennessee's pass defense is pretty good and Carson Palmer is banged up, as is Michael Floyd. Floyd in particular looks a little iffy. I am using Larry Fitzgerald. The ground game should be OK, but again, committee. Arizona really good against the run, so I'm wary of Chris Johnson. Delanie Walker great choice, Kendall Wright should be OK too.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh: So, I've got LeVeon Bell and Giovani Bernard to choose from in a PPR league. I am using Bell, even though he faces the better defense, because I want the guy who will play close to full-time. That has become my rule of thumb after being burned every time I've tried to start Bernard or Andre Ellington. I have enough Steelers going that I'm hoping for a shootout, or at least close to one, but both teams can play at least some defense, and weather might be an issue.
Baltimore at Detroit: You always love to have some players going on Monday night in the playoffs, or not be facing them at least. This game, though, has plenty of fantasy starters. Reggie Bush might be out there, he might not, we'll know more tomorrow. Tough matchup, but I could see this game having more offense than you might expect. Certainly some passing offense from both sides. And a late night for those of us with playoff matchups. Those hoping the Chargers slip into the playoffs might see both the Dolphins and Ravens lose, setting up a crazy last couple of weeks in the AFC.
Feel free to ask questions, I'll offer opinions. Enjoy the games
