New Orleans Saints (10-4) @ Carolina Panthers (10-4)
This game not only has huge implications for this Fantasy weekend but it's also for first place in the NFC South. It is my firm belief that whoever wins this game will win this division and clinch the 2nd seed in the NFC. Needless to say, both teams will be playing their A game. The Saints have one of the second fantasy points leader in QB Drew Brees. Brees has put together another MVP
caliber season throwing for 34 TDs and 4500 yards and only 10 interceptions. No matter who his opponent is he puts up big numbers. Don't expect the four TD performance that he had the last time he played the Panthers, but he is still a must start. I know the Panthers will have a good game plan to limit Brees in the passing game. And with the Saints 3-4 road record Brees is likely to struggle a bit. His go to target, Jimmy Graham was contained against the Rams last week and the Panthers did well containing him two weeks ago. They did it by smothering Graham with double coverage for most of the night. That approach left Marques Colston open and he capitalized on it. Colston has been on a tear over the last two games TDs and averaging just over 100 yards The key for the Panthers is to stop both Graham and Colston. It won't be easy. The Panthers will have to change their coverage and pay a little more attention to Colston. So, if I had to pick a receiver to start in my Fantasy league, it would probably be Graham over Coltson. More attention to Colston will mean more targets for Graham.
The Panthers have Fantasy stars of their own. The last time these teams played each other, Cam Newton was shut down, leaving Fantasy owners puzzled about his performance. Newton will bounce back this time around. The key for the Panthers is to get the early lead but this time they need to score TDs not field goals.With an early lead, the Panthers can get a little more creative and draw up some run plays for Newton and not have to rely on his passing game. As long as they do that, Newton will shine. He will need help though. And RB Deangelo Williams will be called upon to run the football much like he did last week against the Jets. Williams should have a nice game if everything goes as planned. The Carolina defense is a must start anytime they are at home. Drew Brees throws most of his interceptions when he's away from the Super Dome so expect the Panthers to come up with a turnover or two. Since this game is in Charlotte I expect it to be low scoring. Those are the types of games that the Panthers win. Carolina is 10-1 when their opponents score 21 or less points. The one loss was against Seattle in week one when the final was 12-7. At home the Panthers hold opponents to an average of just 11.8 points a game. Meanwhile, the Saints average just 18 points a game when on the road. That's 14 points lower than what they average at home. The Saints haven't lost two games in a row all season, but there is a first time for everything. I think the Panthers will prevail with their defense.
My Final: CAR 17 NE 16
New York Giants (5-9) @ Detroit Lions (7-7)
The Giants have been as big disappointment in all aspects of Fantasy Football. Eli Manning has thrown 25 interceptions and only 16 TDs. He is having one of the worst seasons of his career. That leaves Victor Cruz starving for receptions. He's done well, given the circumstances. He has almost 1,000 yards and 4 TDs. If you have Cruz on your team this might be a decent week to start him. The Lions have given up 22 TDs in the air and QBs post an average rating of 88.2 against them. For the Lions, they played one of their worst games all season Monday night. Matt Stafford threw for three interceptions and one TD. He now has 21 turnovers on the year (17 interceptions and 4 fumbles). Stafford has always thrown picks but he's usually made up for it with 5,000 yard seasons. He's got 28
TDs on the year and still has a chance to get to 5,000 this season, but he will need to have back to back great games. More importantly, the Lions are on the verge of not making the playoffs for the second season in a row. After a good start and so much hope, even if they win the rest of their games they still need the Bears and Packers to lose at least once. This is a Lions team with so much talent that it's sad to see them playing so poorly. I don't know why they are, but the blame is going to fall on Head Coach Jim Shwartz. As for Fantasy, Matt Stafford and Reggie Bush are must starts this week along with Calvin Johnson. Megatron is having another great year to add to his Hall of Fame bound career. He is always a must start no matter who is defending him. As for the game, I don't expect Stafford and the Lions to play that badly two games in a row at home. What I do expect is for Eli Manning to continue to throw interceptions, make mistakes and have the worst season of his career. It's the only thing he's done consistently all year. The Lions will win by at least a touchdown.
My Final: DET 31 NYG 23
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8) @ Green Bay Packers (7-6-1)
The Steelers playoff hopes are still alive but they need a lot of help. This is good for Fantasy owners that have Steelers players on their teams because you know that they will be playing with a purpose. QB Ben Rothlisberger has put together a masterful season. When all hope was lost for his team he put the team on his back and is having one of the best seasons of his career. He's thrown 26 TDs and has piled up over 4000 yards. He should have a lot of success throwing against Green Bay's poor pass defense. Rookie RB Leveon Bell is becoming a star in Pittsburgh. He should also be in your line up if you hgave him. The Packers havew allowed 4.4 yards a carry and 12 rushing TDs. While the Steelers have a good rookie back in Bell, the Packers have the most productive rookie in Eddie Lacy. Lacy is on fire lately. He ran for over 100 yards and TD against the Cowboys last week. He has over 1,000 yards and eight TDs on the year. The Steelers are in the bottom of the league in run defense so Lacy is a must start this week. Aaron Rodgers is not likely to play this week so that leaves Matt Flynn to start for the third week in a row. Don't forget about Steelers Antonio Brown. He's been lighting it up all season so if you got 'em start 'em. Especially against the Packers. This game means a lot for the Packers. More than it does for the Steelers because it's such s long shot that Pittsburgh will even make the playoffs. Green Bay is at home and they have a lot of momentum after winning the last two games by one point each. This is a team that may start slow, but with Flynn they are starting to find their rhythm in the offense. Eddie Lacy is a big reason for their success. He will have a big day this Sunday, too. The Packers will edge out the Steelers at Lambeau Field.
My Final: GB 24 PIT 21
Arizona Cardinals (9-5) @ Seattle Seahawks (12-2)
This game is pretty simple and so is my Fantasy advice for it. Do not start anyone from the Arizona Cardinals. Not Larry Fitzgerald, not Carson Palmer, no one! Think the Seahawks don't have anything else to play for? Think that they just might let up a little, be looking towards the playoffs? Thinnk Arizona stands a chance? No. No. and No. The Seahawks play every game like it's the playoffs and still playinhg for home field advantage. Russle Wilson is 14-0 at home in his career. He has a QB rating of 106.5 with 24 TDs and 458 rushing yards on the year. The other half of the Seahawks offense is RB Marshawn Lynch. Lynch has rushed for 1,079 yawrds, has 11 TDs and has caught 33 passes for two more scores and 07 yrds. Bpoth Lynch and Wilsonj should start in your lineup this week. At home, they are a duo that is hard to stop. The Seahawks defense has 22 interceptions and put up monster Fantasy points every week. At home, the Seahawks haven't lost since 2011. They don't have any more road games in the regular season and with a win Sunday, they will clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. This means that the Seahawks won't have to travel until they go to the Super Bowl in New Jersey, February 2nd. The Seahawks won't lose another game this season, playoffs and Super Bowl included.
My Final: SEA 30 ARZ 17
Oakland Raiders (4-10 @ San Diego Chargers (7-7)
The Raiders were blown out on their home field last week by the Chiefs. It's been another disappointing year in Oakland. The Raiders' one Fantasy elite went through another injury riddled season. Yes, I'm talking about RB Darren McFadden. The player formerly known as Run DMC played well when he was healthy. He has four TDs on the season and he could play this week, but I just don't see the point. The Raiders season is almost over and why would McFadden risk more injury or embarrassment. He is in the final year of his contract and I'm interested to see if and who e will sign him. The Raiders receiving corp is led by Rod Streater, who has just over 800 yards and 4 TDs on the season. There isn't any person on this Raiders team that I would start in the championship rounds of Fantasy leagues.
The Chargers have been good the last two games on defense. They held the Broncos to their fewest points of the season last week, and the week before they shut the Giants out in the first half and held them to 14 points total. Phillip Rivers has reestablished himself as one of the leagues elite QBs after having his best season since 2011. He has a QB rating of 106.4 and is on pace to throw 33 TDs and 4500 yards. All while only throwing 9 picks and completing more than 70% of his passes. H is a must start this week at home against the Raiders weak defense. San Diego is still alive in the wild card race and will be playing tough every game. The combination of RBs Ryan Mathews on the ground and Danny Woodhead in the passing game is the main reason that this team is where it is. Mathews has done good at staying healthy. He's over the 1,000 yard mark and has 5 rush RDs along with 20 receptions and another TD in the air. Another surprise this season is the playmaking ability of RB and ex-Patriot Danny Woodhead, who has acted more as a receiver, hauling in more than 5 receptions for more than 550 yards and six receiving TDs along with 2 more rush scores. Rookie WR Keenan Allen has stepped up as Rivers' number one target. He had nearly 1,000 yards and 5 TDs. The Chargers have potential to score 30+ points every game. And this week they face a Raiders team that just gave up 56 points last week. The Chargers will win big and their players will produce in your Fantasy lineups.
My Final: SD 38 OAK 26
This game not only has huge implications for this Fantasy weekend but it's also for first place in the NFC South. It is my firm belief that whoever wins this game will win this division and clinch the 2nd seed in the NFC. Needless to say, both teams will be playing their A game. The Saints have one of the second fantasy points leader in QB Drew Brees. Brees has put together another MVP
caliber season throwing for 34 TDs and 4500 yards and only 10 interceptions. No matter who his opponent is he puts up big numbers. Don't expect the four TD performance that he had the last time he played the Panthers, but he is still a must start. I know the Panthers will have a good game plan to limit Brees in the passing game. And with the Saints 3-4 road record Brees is likely to struggle a bit. His go to target, Jimmy Graham was contained against the Rams last week and the Panthers did well containing him two weeks ago. They did it by smothering Graham with double coverage for most of the night. That approach left Marques Colston open and he capitalized on it. Colston has been on a tear over the last two games TDs and averaging just over 100 yards The key for the Panthers is to stop both Graham and Colston. It won't be easy. The Panthers will have to change their coverage and pay a little more attention to Colston. So, if I had to pick a receiver to start in my Fantasy league, it would probably be Graham over Coltson. More attention to Colston will mean more targets for Graham.
The Panthers have Fantasy stars of their own. The last time these teams played each other, Cam Newton was shut down, leaving Fantasy owners puzzled about his performance. Newton will bounce back this time around. The key for the Panthers is to get the early lead but this time they need to score TDs not field goals.With an early lead, the Panthers can get a little more creative and draw up some run plays for Newton and not have to rely on his passing game. As long as they do that, Newton will shine. He will need help though. And RB Deangelo Williams will be called upon to run the football much like he did last week against the Jets. Williams should have a nice game if everything goes as planned. The Carolina defense is a must start anytime they are at home. Drew Brees throws most of his interceptions when he's away from the Super Dome so expect the Panthers to come up with a turnover or two. Since this game is in Charlotte I expect it to be low scoring. Those are the types of games that the Panthers win. Carolina is 10-1 when their opponents score 21 or less points. The one loss was against Seattle in week one when the final was 12-7. At home the Panthers hold opponents to an average of just 11.8 points a game. Meanwhile, the Saints average just 18 points a game when on the road. That's 14 points lower than what they average at home. The Saints haven't lost two games in a row all season, but there is a first time for everything. I think the Panthers will prevail with their defense.
My Final: CAR 17 NE 16
New York Giants (5-9) @ Detroit Lions (7-7)
The Giants have been as big disappointment in all aspects of Fantasy Football. Eli Manning has thrown 25 interceptions and only 16 TDs. He is having one of the worst seasons of his career. That leaves Victor Cruz starving for receptions. He's done well, given the circumstances. He has almost 1,000 yards and 4 TDs. If you have Cruz on your team this might be a decent week to start him. The Lions have given up 22 TDs in the air and QBs post an average rating of 88.2 against them. For the Lions, they played one of their worst games all season Monday night. Matt Stafford threw for three interceptions and one TD. He now has 21 turnovers on the year (17 interceptions and 4 fumbles). Stafford has always thrown picks but he's usually made up for it with 5,000 yard seasons. He's got 28
TDs on the year and still has a chance to get to 5,000 this season, but he will need to have back to back great games. More importantly, the Lions are on the verge of not making the playoffs for the second season in a row. After a good start and so much hope, even if they win the rest of their games they still need the Bears and Packers to lose at least once. This is a Lions team with so much talent that it's sad to see them playing so poorly. I don't know why they are, but the blame is going to fall on Head Coach Jim Shwartz. As for Fantasy, Matt Stafford and Reggie Bush are must starts this week along with Calvin Johnson. Megatron is having another great year to add to his Hall of Fame bound career. He is always a must start no matter who is defending him. As for the game, I don't expect Stafford and the Lions to play that badly two games in a row at home. What I do expect is for Eli Manning to continue to throw interceptions, make mistakes and have the worst season of his career. It's the only thing he's done consistently all year. The Lions will win by at least a touchdown.
My Final: DET 31 NYG 23
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8) @ Green Bay Packers (7-6-1)
The Steelers playoff hopes are still alive but they need a lot of help. This is good for Fantasy owners that have Steelers players on their teams because you know that they will be playing with a purpose. QB Ben Rothlisberger has put together a masterful season. When all hope was lost for his team he put the team on his back and is having one of the best seasons of his career. He's thrown 26 TDs and has piled up over 4000 yards. He should have a lot of success throwing against Green Bay's poor pass defense. Rookie RB Leveon Bell is becoming a star in Pittsburgh. He should also be in your line up if you hgave him. The Packers havew allowed 4.4 yards a carry and 12 rushing TDs. While the Steelers have a good rookie back in Bell, the Packers have the most productive rookie in Eddie Lacy. Lacy is on fire lately. He ran for over 100 yards and TD against the Cowboys last week. He has over 1,000 yards and eight TDs on the year. The Steelers are in the bottom of the league in run defense so Lacy is a must start this week. Aaron Rodgers is not likely to play this week so that leaves Matt Flynn to start for the third week in a row. Don't forget about Steelers Antonio Brown. He's been lighting it up all season so if you got 'em start 'em. Especially against the Packers. This game means a lot for the Packers. More than it does for the Steelers because it's such s long shot that Pittsburgh will even make the playoffs. Green Bay is at home and they have a lot of momentum after winning the last two games by one point each. This is a team that may start slow, but with Flynn they are starting to find their rhythm in the offense. Eddie Lacy is a big reason for their success. He will have a big day this Sunday, too. The Packers will edge out the Steelers at Lambeau Field.
My Final: GB 24 PIT 21
Arizona Cardinals (9-5) @ Seattle Seahawks (12-2)
This game is pretty simple and so is my Fantasy advice for it. Do not start anyone from the Arizona Cardinals. Not Larry Fitzgerald, not Carson Palmer, no one! Think the Seahawks don't have anything else to play for? Think that they just might let up a little, be looking towards the playoffs? Thinnk Arizona stands a chance? No. No. and No. The Seahawks play every game like it's the playoffs and still playinhg for home field advantage. Russle Wilson is 14-0 at home in his career. He has a QB rating of 106.5 with 24 TDs and 458 rushing yards on the year. The other half of the Seahawks offense is RB Marshawn Lynch. Lynch has rushed for 1,079 yawrds, has 11 TDs and has caught 33 passes for two more scores and 07 yrds. Bpoth Lynch and Wilsonj should start in your lineup this week. At home, they are a duo that is hard to stop. The Seahawks defense has 22 interceptions and put up monster Fantasy points every week. At home, the Seahawks haven't lost since 2011. They don't have any more road games in the regular season and with a win Sunday, they will clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. This means that the Seahawks won't have to travel until they go to the Super Bowl in New Jersey, February 2nd. The Seahawks won't lose another game this season, playoffs and Super Bowl included.
My Final: SEA 30 ARZ 17
Oakland Raiders (4-10 @ San Diego Chargers (7-7)
The Raiders were blown out on their home field last week by the Chiefs. It's been another disappointing year in Oakland. The Raiders' one Fantasy elite went through another injury riddled season. Yes, I'm talking about RB Darren McFadden. The player formerly known as Run DMC played well when he was healthy. He has four TDs on the season and he could play this week, but I just don't see the point. The Raiders season is almost over and why would McFadden risk more injury or embarrassment. He is in the final year of his contract and I'm interested to see if and who e will sign him. The Raiders receiving corp is led by Rod Streater, who has just over 800 yards and 4 TDs on the season. There isn't any person on this Raiders team that I would start in the championship rounds of Fantasy leagues.
The Chargers have been good the last two games on defense. They held the Broncos to their fewest points of the season last week, and the week before they shut the Giants out in the first half and held them to 14 points total. Phillip Rivers has reestablished himself as one of the leagues elite QBs after having his best season since 2011. He has a QB rating of 106.4 and is on pace to throw 33 TDs and 4500 yards. All while only throwing 9 picks and completing more than 70% of his passes. H is a must start this week at home against the Raiders weak defense. San Diego is still alive in the wild card race and will be playing tough every game. The combination of RBs Ryan Mathews on the ground and Danny Woodhead in the passing game is the main reason that this team is where it is. Mathews has done good at staying healthy. He's over the 1,000 yard mark and has 5 rush RDs along with 20 receptions and another TD in the air. Another surprise this season is the playmaking ability of RB and ex-Patriot Danny Woodhead, who has acted more as a receiver, hauling in more than 5 receptions for more than 550 yards and six receiving TDs along with 2 more rush scores. Rookie WR Keenan Allen has stepped up as Rivers' number one target. He had nearly 1,000 yards and 5 TDs. The Chargers have potential to score 30+ points every game. And this week they face a Raiders team that just gave up 56 points last week. The Chargers will win big and their players will produce in your Fantasy lineups.
My Final: SD 38 OAK 26
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