Earlier in the year, someone asked me if playing fantasy football could affect my rankings -- cause a bias regarding players I liked or disliked because they were on my team. I don't think it's an issue (I don't favor players on my team if they're not doing as well as players I don't have), but what I can say is that having fantasy teams dramatically affects my emotional investment in the week itself. I don't have any Week 17 fantasy stake, and I'm a lot less fired up to watch games tomorrow.
This does not, however, affect our projections, nor does the Christmas holiday. We did the same process as we do every other week. What's interesting to me, besides all the injured players, is that there will be almost no resting of starters in Week 17 this year. Kansas City; that's it. And Jamaal Charles is the only noteworthy KC player, and since he got you three weeks worth of production in Week 15 anyway, can you really complain?
Panthers at Falcons: No Steve Smith, but otherwise regular starters out there for both teams. I hope Carolina fully realizes how important showing up for this game is; Atlanta can score some and spring the upset if the Panthers aren't careful. If both teams come to play, Carolina's offense should be very good and their defense should control Atlanta, but maybe they'll have a slight letdown after last week's big win.
Ravens at Bengals: Writing about this for the Weekly, I figured both teams would give their all in this one. But the Bengals are aware that they need New England to lose at home against a diminished Buffalo team for this to really mean anything to them, so maybe they won't be quite as invested as the Ravens. Looks like they won't have either of their top 2 tight ends, either. But they're undefeated at home and might get some motivation out of keeping Baltimore out of the playoffs (they might have to face them again next week if they lose). In any case, both defenses are pretty good and I wouldn't want to have title hopes riding on either team. Baltimore's offense, certainly, shouldn't do much here.
Jaguars at Colts: Jaguars will apparently have Maurice Jones-Drew leading the way, and I could see him being pretty good in this season-ender. For the Colts, well, they should be looking to win and maybe get a higher seed, but it's debatable; they need a couple of teams to lose at home to really be any better off. Running back committee, of course. Nice matchup for Andrew Luck, but I kind of think he'll save his best for Week 18.
Jets at Dolphins: If I were the Chargers or Steelers and needed Geno Smith to win this game to get me into the playoffs, I wouldn't feel too good. Especially the Steelers, of course, since they also need Kansas City's backups to win in San Diego. Chris Ivory is the Jet to consider. For Miami, Ryan Tannehill and his receivers should be OK, but maybe New York will be fired up to play spoiler. Rex Ryan's last game as coach of the Jets? We'll see. I think if you fire a coach you need to have a better guy in mind. And Ryan's not the one making these stupid offensive coordinator hirings year after year.
Lions at Vikings: Good matchups for both offenses, but the Lions may not care and the Vikings will be down to Matt Asiata and Joe Banyard at running back. Cordarrelle Patterson looks good, maybe Greg Jennings. The Lions probably won't have Calvin Johnson, though I guess you never know. Not a game I'll be following.
Washington at Giants: Another yawner. Alfred Morris and Andre Brown should get most of the touches in this game, I can't see either team caring about airing it out or anything. Incomplete passes stop the clock, and who wants to do that here? No Victor Cruz. No Robert Griffin III, who will be healthy for the new head coach's offseason program, hurray. Pierre Garcon looks good for Washington's passing game.
Browns at Steelers: Kind of like Edwin Baker and LeVeon Bell here. Both teams should run a lot and the matchup is fine. Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown should also be good, and Josh Gordon is Josh Gordon. He's going to lead the league in receiving, and Brown has an outside shot at leading the league in receptions. Should be some production there. Steelers have to know they don't really have a shot at the playoffs. Stranger things have not happened.
Texans at Titans: A word on Wade Phillips saying the league told him Manning's 50th TD pass wasn't actually a TD. Really, Wade? It's the season of Christmas and you're being an ass for no reason. Whatever. As for this game, I guess it's Jonathan Grimes against Chris Johnson, who has to be lobbying for the ball to get him up over 1,000 rushing yards (since that sounds better than CJ.95K). The Texans closing the year with 14 straight losses, wow, that would be something. Especially since I believe their first two wins were both extremely fortunate. This was a division champ last year. Gametime decision on the QB starter, the suspense just kills.
49ers at Cardinals: Arizona winning this game and sneaking into the playoffs ahead of New Orleans would be interesting. Probably won't happen, but who knows. This should be a tough defensive struggle and I'm expecting the Cardinals to care a little more than San Francisco.
Packers at Bears: Gotta think NBC wishes it had taken this game for the night game rather than Cowboys-Eagles, what with Rodgers back and Romo's back. The Packers have the edge just because a team with a defense as lousy as Chicago's shouldn't really make the playoffs. The big question is Eddie Lacy; sounds like he'll play but isn't 100 percent. If he was I'd expect him to approach 200 yards in this game. Maybe Jay Cutler will play great and the Bears will win; either way, it figures to be entertaining.
Bills at Patriots: Would be pretty cool to see Buffalo sneak away with a ground-based win. Probably won't happen though. New England's offense should be good. Buffalo should have some success running the ball. Sounds like Shane Vereen won't play, hurting the Patriots, and no Stevie Johnson of course. Debating whether to cut Stevie in my dynasty league. Doesn't seem to have much trade value, and his big games probably a thing of the past. (Won that league for the third time in four years, by the way, which is why I can debate cutting Stevie loose. Am thinking I'll break it up and start over with younger players. Well, I'll find room for Josh and Jamaal on the new-fangled roster.)
Bucs at Saints: New Orleans doesn't tend to lose at home, but I am giving the Bucs a puncher's chance here. If they lean on Bobby Rainey and don't make mistakes, maybe. Realistically, though, the Saints offense plays great at home and Tampa Bay probably can't keep up.
Broncos at Raiders: Manning will probably throw 2-3 TDs in three quarters here, putting Wade Phillips' mind at ease about the record books. Terrelle Pryor will probably run a lot and pass some too; I like him at a cheap price in Week 17 leagues. No Wes Welker. I don't expect much of Knowshon Moreno, gotta keep him healthy for the postseason.
Kansas City at Chargers: If you must use a KC player, Knile Davis is the only one. For San Diego, their offense should be very good; my only concern is that they'll run so well that Philip Rivers won't do as much. Hope they get Keenan Allen up over 1,000 yards, anyway. Chargers eliminated if Dolphins or Ravens win, so they might be playing with a little less emotion than otherwise.
Rams at Seahawks: Won't be stunned if the Rams make a game of this one, but Seattle's defense should be enough to shut them down and lock up the No. 1. Zac Stacy is the only Ram I would consider. For Seattle, Marshawn Lynch should be good (better than in St. Louis) and I think Russell Wilson bounces back, too.
Eagles at Cowboys: In the category of who cares is word from Terrell Owens that we've seen the best of Tony Romo, and that Dallas is more likely to win with Kyle Orton at quarterback. First, I'm sure Owens would be just as happy to throw Orton under the bus if given half a chance, that's what he does with quarterbacks, for years and years and years. (When he's not defending them while blubbering, that is.) Second, yes, back surgery could be a bad thing for an older quarterback's career. In any case, the way the Eagles took apart the Bears last Sunday night, it's hard to see them not doing similar things to the Cowboys. Dallas' defense is terrible and their offense isn't quite as good as what Philly sends out right now. I'm expecting a shootout; we'll see if Dallas can keep up. Seems unlikely.
Enjoy the games.
