Blitz Packages - Week 11
November 15th, 2002


Cardinals @ Eagles
Cardinals: The Eagles haven't been able to generate much of a running attack, so the potential here for tackles is pretty average. Give Vanden Bosch 3-1-1. The LBs seem to have woken up. But they will be mighty average for the reason stated before. Give McKinnon and Fredrickson about 7 tackles. Adrian Wilson has been steady since his breakout week a few weeks ago. With McNabb making a few more errors than usual, give Wilson 5-3-0 1 INT. Eagles: Hugh Douglas has been slumping, but with his talent you really have no option other than to start him since he could break out any game. After him, DL Walker is the next most consistent at 3-0-1. Corey Simon is still on the team right? Sheesh! The LBs have been scrub-like since Trotter left. Unless you are in a league that forces you to start 4-5 LBs, just pass on them. Brian Dawkins is as dangerous as ever, and he gets the always favorable (for enemy DBs, anyway) QB Plummer. I think that Plummer is good for at least one pick. Give it to Dawkins as well as 4-4-0 1 PD.

Redskins @ Giants
Redskins: You know by now to just pass on the Redskin DL. The LBs are useful, with Arrington and Armstead nearly identical this week. Give them both 8 tackles and Arrington a sack. Mr. buy-a-consonant Ifeanyi Ohalete is red hot, and should be started until he cools. He will get 6 tackles and a pick. Giants: The Redskin OL is very beatable, and Strahan will take advantage of that. Give him 3-2-2. LB Barrow will get 4-4-1, and Short 3-3-0. DB Williams has been the best starter, but that isn't saying much (3-1-0).

Cowboys @ Colts
Cowboys: DL Ellis has been the man here, but the Colt OL is only averaging 2 sacks given up. He's a top talent, but will have his work cut out for him this week. LB Coakley should get 7-2-1, and Hardy 6-4-0. DB Williams will be at 4-3-0 1 PD, and Woodson at 3-3-0. Colts: The Cowboy OL has been vulnerable, so give Bratzke 3-2-1, and Freeney 2-3-1. The LBs have been quiet lately, but this week is favorable to them since Dallas runs so much. Give Peterson 6-4-0, and Morris 3-3-0. The DBs remain unstartable.

Saints @ Falcons
Saints: The Saints DL has been quiet lately, but against a pretty average Falcon OL they could get off the slump. The best plays are Howard (2-0-1), Whitehead (1-2-0) and Grant (2-0-0). LB Clemons gets an upgrade since it looks like RB Duckett will start (6-4-0). LB Smith will get 4-3-0. DB Knight should be able to get a pick and 3-4-0. DB Bellamy will tally 3-3-0 1 PD. Falcons: With the injuries on the Saint OL, give Kerney 2-2-2. LB Brooking should also get a sack as well as 6-5-0. DB Buchanan has been ok, not great, since his return. Give him 4-1-0.

Bills @ Chiefs
Bills: Neither team is stopping people very well lately, so the prospects here are only OK. Give Schobel 2-2-1, and Williams 3-3-0. LB Fletcher will get 6-2-0, and Robinson 3-2-1. DB Wire should get about 7 tackles. Chiefs: The Chief DL has been fantasy sub-par all year. DL hicks will get 2-1-1 and Clemons 1-2-0. LB Ski will have a decent day with 5-5-0. LB Patton will hit 4-2-0. DBs Williams and Bartee should both get 7-8 tackles. DB Harts will score 3-3-0 1 INT.

Packers @ Vikings
Packers: The Packer DL is hurting without Holliday and Hunt. Surprisingly, DL Reynolds played well last week, and if you need a reach give him a shot (1-2-1). Otherwise, Gbaja-Biamila is the best option with 2-1-2. LB Wayne will be ok with 4-6 tackles and possibly a sack. DB Sharper will get 3-3-0 1 PD, and Rookie phenom Anderson will get 4-2-0 1 INT. Vikings: DL Mixon is the safest play at 2-2-1. Hovan is a gamble since he could boom or bust. He boomed last week with 5-1-1, but he should come back to earth with 2-1-0. As usual, none of the LBs are very startable. Give Biekert 4-6 tackles. DB Chavous was moved to SS this week, so give him 4-6 tackles and hope he gets more at his new position.

Jaguars @ Texans
Jaguars: It's a good thing the Texans drafted a young QB. That's about the only way a QB could survive that kind of pounding. Henderson was concussed and that's why he scored a big fat 0, but he will rebound and notch 3-3-2. If you have any JAX DL, start them against the leaky Texan OL. The Jag LBs have been very forgettable, which is usually a sign that the DL in front of them isn't keeping people off the LBs. Give Slaughter 4-2-0, and Clark 2-2-0. DB Darius will hit 3-5-0. Texans: DL Walker continues to score well, so give him 3-1-2. LB Foreman continues to tear it up, and should get at least 10 tackles. Sharper will trail him with 6-2-0. DB Coleman has played consistently near 4-1-0 1 PD.

Browns @ Bengals
Browns: The minute I downgraded Courtney Brown, he showed signs of life. He should come back down some and get 3-0-1. Lang will be a better tackler at 3-2-0. LB Holmes will be a good play facing Dillon, and get 7-9 tackles. The DBs have been pretty forgettable, but Kitna should be pressured into throwing a pick. Give it to Fuller (2-1-0). Bengals: The Brown OL is still barely average, so D Smith make a good spot play (2-1-1), with potential for more. LB Spikes should also get a sack as well as 6-8 tackles. LB Simmons will likely disappoint, since the Brown running game has been flat (3-3-0). DB Hawkins remains a must start, since he should have a big day chasing CLE WRs all over the field (3-4-0 2 PDs).

Steelers @ Titans
Steelers: Aaron Smith has been the only useful PIT DL, and remains so at 2-1-1. LB Porter is always a must start. After him it's a crapshoot. Kendrell Bell has been ice cold. The most consistent guy has been Farrior, so figure him for about 8. DBs Scott (6-8) and Washington (4-6) are the best starts. Titans: Jevon Kearse may come back this week, but don't start him until he actually plays a game. The rust is likely to be thick. The DL has suffered in his absence. Give Carter 3 and Hall 2. Carter has the best shot at a sack. The DBs have been good plays all around. DB Williams gets 4-4-0, Schulters and Rolle 6.

49ers @ Chargers
49ers: Andre Carter is still the only consistent play on the DL (2-3-1). The other DL will get about the same amount of tackles, and Stubblefield could get another sack this week. LB Peterson will get 5-1-0 and Smith 4-2-0. DB Parrish will hit 3-3-0 and a PD. Chargers: Frisco hasn't been yielding many sacks. I think the DL will be hard pressed to get one. Wiley is still rusty (2-2-0), but is the most likely suspect to get one. DL Johnson will get 3 tackles. LB Edwards has been stout, and will stay that way with 7-4-1. Seau is definitely second fiddle now and will get 5-4-0. DB Jammer is proving to be a rarity - a top NFL DB talent that is also a good fantasy producer. Figure him for 7 tackles. Maybe that explains the disappearance of Rodney Harrison. Harrison sightings are as common as Sasquatch sightings.

Panthers @ Bucs
Panthers: Just when things are going good, Peppers tests positive for Ephedra or one of its close cousins. Clue in - you are a freeking MILLIONAIRE, PAY ATTENTION to the labels! He shouldn't start serving the 4 game suspension yet, but it's not good news on the horizon. Give Peppers 1-2-2. Jenkins will get 2-2-1 and Rucker 1-2-1. LB Fields will get 5-4-0. LB Witherspoon is athletic and will hit 3-2-0 2 PDs. DB Howard may still be bothered by his earlier injury, since he has not returned to the form that made him an early season all-star. Give him 3-2-0 1-2 PDs, and Grant 4-2-0. Bucs: Hmm, Rodney Peete vs. Warren Sapp? I'll take Sapp (1-2-1). LB Brooks should pick it up against the unimaginative runner Smith and get 6-5-0. LB Quarles should also make a good spot play for the same reason at 4-4-0. The Buc DBs have been totally off the fantasy radar. Give DB Kelly 1-1-0 and 1 INT.

Ravens @ Dolphins
Ravens: LB Hartwell's days are numbered since Lewis is apparently going to play soon, possibly even this week. He'll get his usual 10, but once Lewis is back should go back to his 5-6 tackle ways. I say should because I think that Lewis is coming back to early and I don't think he'll be 100%, so Hartwell will likely score 6-8 tackles if Lewis plays dinged. LB Harris has filled in well but will ride the pine when Lewis comes back. DB Reed will get 3-4-0. DB Baxter should bounce back to 4-3-0 since DB McAlister is back. Dolphins: The Ravens are averaging nearly four sacks per game. Jason Taylor must view the Raven OL like starving dog in a steak house. Give him 3-1-2. LB Taylor is a great play, and should get 7-5-0 1FF. QB Blake has been doing a good job, but will have a rough go against the good Dolphin secondary. Give Marion 2-1-0 1 PD, Surtain 2-2-0 1PD.

Jets @ Lions
Jets: John Abraham could really be a nice surprise this week. I figure him for at least 3-1-0, and maybe more depending on how well the Lions can run at the previously vulnerable Jets D. Abraham should get a sack, while Ferguson will get 2-2-0. LB Cowart will be a solid play at 4-5-0. LB Jones will get 4-3-0. DB Robinson will get 3-2-0 and a PD. Lions: Porcher has finally come on a bit, so give him 2-0-1. LBs Claiborne and Curry have been nearly identical. Give them both 7-9 tackles. DB Cash will get you 4-3-0 1 PD, since I think he will get picked on a lot. Lyght will hit 3-3-0.

Broncos @ Seahawks
Broncos: DL Pryce is nicked and should be good for only 1-1-0. After him there isn't much on the DL. LB Wilson will have a good game and get 5-4-1. LB Gold will be right behind him with 4-3-0. DB O'Neal should get an interception and 3-1-0. DB Walker will hit 3-2-0 and Kennedy 2-2-0. Seahawks: The DL hasn't generated much of a pass rush, but the tackles have been workman like. Give Eaton 4-1-0. Avoid the rest, as usual. LB Bell remains in the lineup, but Simmons' return is closer daily. Bell will get 6-5-0. LB Terry should again get 6 tackles. DB Tongue will be the best Seabird play at 4-3-0.

Patriots @ Raiders (SNF)
Patriots: McGinest will come down a bit after last weeks' performance and get 3-1-0. None of the other NE DL should get more than 3 tackles. LB Johnson will notch 3-3-0, LB Bruschi 4-1-0 and Phifer 3-2-1. Vrabel will get 2-2-0. DB Law will have 2-1-0 and Milloy 3-1-0. Raiders: The Raider DL has been sluggish, and with Bryant and Wistrom out or unlikely to play, it won't get better here. LB Barton has been solid and should easily get 5-4-1. LB Harris seems to have hit the rookie wall. I will be surprised if he breaks 6 tackles. Rod Woodson remains a must start, especially on Monday nights. Give him 3-1-0 2 PDs as he comes down a bit from a huge MNF outing. Charles Woodson returned, only to hurt his groin. Gibson should have 2-2-0.

Bears @ Rams (MNF)
Bears: With as weird as the season has been, the Bears could come back and beat the Rams. The Raiders looked like they were going to lose last week too, and look what they did. So it's not impossible. The most consistent DL player has been Brown, and should get 4-6 tackles and a sack. All of the other DL have been getting 3-5 tackles. Too bad Faulk isn't likely to play. He's the hammer and Urlacher is the anvil. Give Urlacher 10, and more if Faulk plays. Colvin will get 6-8 tackles, and Caldwell 4-6. DB Brown has been the best guy to start, and that shouldn't change. He should get 4-4-0. R.W. McQuarters returned and notched 5. He will hit 3-2-0 and a PD. Rams: The Bears are averaging almost 4 sacks given up per game. Wistrom is a nice reach at 2-0-1, and Pickett should get 3-1-1. LB Polley will get 4-4-0. Davis won't get much, no more than 3-1-0. DB Archuleta will hammer RB Anthony, and get 8-3-0. DB Bly should get a pick and 2-3 tackles.


Always start your studs!
Tom Nadratowski
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