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2002
Forecaster record to date:� 84 wins
against 59 losses and 1 tie.
This feature is the sole opinion of Chris Smith and it may not
correspond to the rankings / projections of the Footballguys.com website.
Pittsburgh Steelers 5-3-1 at Tennessee Titans 5-4
Game Forecast
The Steelers passing attack is getting stronger every game
and this week goes up against a Titans squad that is prone to giving up a lot
of yardage via the air.� Tommy Maddox
has gone from being a nice story to being a possible MVP candidate with
his outstanding play so far since taking over for an ineffective Kordell
Stewart.� Side note to Stewart:� �You sucked Mr. Stewart!� You have no right to sulk and pout because
Maddox is playing so well.� Take your
benching like a man and help the team win with your spirit�.� Maddox has put up an impressive 1578 yards
passing in only seven games so far.�
Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress have become as prolific as Eric Moulds
and Peerless Price and the Steelers, once written off as dead; now look like
solid AFC contenders.� The Steelers pass
defense has been better over the last month and the run defense is still very
solid.� Amos Zereoue who many wrote off
as not being a full-time 20+ carry per game running back has carried the ball
an average of 26 times per game the last three contests and looked very strong
doing so.� He is quick, powerful and
durable and he is the best option the Steelers have at running back.� Zereoue should be the main man on campus
by the start of 2003 and will likely be so this weekend as well with Bettis
appearing likely to miss another game this week.
The Titans appeared lost, hopeless and doomed to a poor
record a few weeks ago but have reeled off four solid wins in a row and are now
back atop the division along with the Colts.�
The Titans haven�t passed the ball nor rushed the ball with tremendous
results during that stretch but have done just enough to win football
games.� Eddie George is over 4 yards per
carry during that stretch which is a huge improvement but he hasn�t had much
luck finding the end zone.� Steve McNair
has been accurate with his passes and has 6 touchdowns during the last three
football games.� It should be noted
though that the team has only had to beat the likes of the Texans, Bengals,
Jaguars and Colts during that span.�
This will be a big time test for the Titans against former divisional
rivals who are playing near the top of their game.
Must Starts: Tommy Maddox, Plaxico Burress,
Hines Ward, Steve McNair, Derrick Mason
Possible Starts: Eddie George, Amos Zereoue
Only in a Pinch: Kevin Dyson, Mark Bruener,
Erron Kinney, Frank Wycheck
Fantasy related Injuries � Frank Wycheck (concussion) � questionable / Jerome Bettis
(knee) � questionable / Erron Kinney (Shoulder) - questionable
Final Thoughts:� Both
teams have turned their seasons around but the Steelers passing attack led by
Tommy Maddox will be the difference in this game as they torch the Titans
secondary for at least 300 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day.
Predicted
Score: Steelers 27 at Titans 21
Dallas Cowboys 3-6 at Indianapolis Colts 5-4
Game Forecast
The
Colts are on a roller coaster ride that has to be making head coach Tony Dungy
a little sick after the first nine games.�
First the Colts start off strong, only to fall apart and look like
pretenders instead of contenders with three ugly losses in a row.� However when the writing appears to be on
the wall and darkness is descending on the football team, a bright light named Peyton
Manning lifts the team up and leads them to an improbable victory against a
strong Eagles team in Philly.� Manning
has had some problems at times this season but still has put up solid numbers
and now has 2443 passing yards and 17 touchdowns on the year and the Colts are
back in the drivers seat in the weak AFC South division.� Marvin Harrison has regained his place as
the top receiver in the game and is up to 972 yards on the season.� He is one of the best receivers of all time
and could make a dent in the amazing records of Jerry Rice if he can be blessed
with durability over the long haul.� He
and Manning certainly have a wonderful rapport.� James Mungro has made as strong of a contribution for the Colts
rushing attack as Dominic Rhodes did a season ago.� Unheralded and unknown before three weeks ago, Mungro has come in
and given the Colts a dependable ground attack, something that Edgerrin James
was having difficulty achieving.� Mungro
has a solid 174 yards rushing and 53 yards receiving after the first two
football games he played in along with a pair of touchdowns.� He was just what the Colts needed to regain
their football in a slippery playoff race.
Speaking
of slippery, the Cowboys are slipping down an icy slope that has no end in
sight.� They have lost three games in a
row, cannot score more than 13 points per game and are wasting a strong
defensive effort every week.� The
quarterback situation is a nightmare at this time although Chad Hutchinson is
not making any huge mistakes on the football field.� What he needs is playing time and the team will likely give him
as much time as they can.� With the
rushing record broken, it will be interesting to see just what Emmitt Smith has
left to accomplish on the football field.�
Will he still have the motivation to go out every week and get 20+ carries
or is the writing now on the wall for the once great back.� The Cowboys defense has been dominant of
late, allowing only 2 touchdowns the last three football games.
Must Starts: Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison,
Marcus Pollard
Possible Starts: Joey Galloway, Emmitt
Smith, James Mungro, Reggie Wayne
Only in a Pinch: Antonio Bryant, Tony
McGee, Troy Hambrick, Qadry Ismail, Chad Hutchinson
Fantasy related Injuries � Qadry Ismail (knee) - questionable
Final Thoughts:� The
Colts will likely find it tough to move the ball on a Cowboys defense that is
amongst the best in the NFL.� However
being at home and playing against a miserable offensive unit should be enough
for the Colts to move into sole possession of first place after this
weekend.� Look for another strong outing
from Peyton Manning.
Predicted
Score: Cowboys 14 at Colts 20
Buffalo Bills 5-4 at Kansas City Chiefs 4-5
Game Forecast
Welcome
to the 2002 version of �Shoot the Lights Out!� featuring two explosive offenses
that should have little problem moving up and down the field on one
another.� In a tie for first place in
the AFC Eastern division, led by the sizzling gunslinger, Drew Bledsoe, the
graceful duo of Eric Moulds and Peerless Price and the dependable legs of
Travis Henry, are the Buffalo Bills who already have two more wins than they
did a season ago.� The team is in a
dogfight in the too-close-to-call AFC East and every game is huge for the
team.� The Chiefs give up a ton of
passing yardage every week and that could mean great things for the fantastic
passing attack of the Bills.�� In
addition, the Chiefs also have their difficulties in stopping the run.� If they try and stop the run, Bledsoe will torch
them and if they try and slow down the pass, Henry will be golden this
week.� The Chiefs defense has been a
little better over the last few weeks but they still don�t have the talent to
stop the Bills.
Trent
Green is having a solid season, Tony Gonzalez is still the best tight end in
the game and Priest Holmes is simply the best fantasy player in the NFL
today.� 16 touchdowns already after only
nine games is simply incredible.�
Buffalo has been playing better defense as of late but will likely have
some problems trying to slow down the amazing talents of Holmes.� The Bills defense plays with enthusiasm and
desire but it will be hard to go into Kansas City and slow down a powerful
offensive unit.
Must Starts: Trent Green, Priest Holmes, Tony
Gonzalez, Drew Bledsoe, Peerless Price, Eric Moulds, Travis Henry
Possible Starts: Jay Riemersma, Eddie
Kennison,
Only in a Pinch: Marc Boerigter, Josh Reed,
Johnnie Morton
Fantasy related Injuries � Jay Riemersma (back) - questionable
Final Thoughts:� The
Chiefs are a tough team to knock off at home and will be upset following a
hard-fought loss in San Francisco last weekend.� Look for them to come out hard and take it to the Bills.
Predicted
Score: Bills 24 at Chiefs 31
Baltimore Ravens 4-5 at Miami Dolphins 5-4
Game Forecast
The
Dolphins continue to miss Jay Fiedler a great deal who is still out for another
couple of weeks with a broken thumb.�
Ray Lucas has had chances to step up and get the job done but hasn�t
been able to do so.� The Dolphins were robbed
of a touchdown pass last week against the Jets when instant replay didn�t allow
the Chris Chambers touchdown to count but still were in a good position to
march down the field to get at least a game-tying field goal.� However, Lucas was dreadful at the
end of the game and took a foolish sack to seal their fate.� Ricky Williams has been limited the last few
weeks because teams simply are not respecting the passing attack and are
willing to cheat up to stop the run.�
Until Lucas or his replacement can find a way to get the ball downfield
accurately, it will continue to be a tough stretch of games for Mr.
Williams.� Paging Mr. Marino� paging Mr.
Marino� Please call Mr. Wannstadt at your earliest convenience.� Even an out of shape, out of practice
Marino would have to be better than watching Lucas struggle every week.� A once promising season has begun to erode
and the Dolphins defense is getting frustrated with the lack of success at the
offensive end.
The
Ravens are doing better than I anticipated this season and having Jeff Blake
under the helm has helped strengthen the production from the wide receiver
position.� Travis Taylor was missing in
action the first several games of the season but has recovered to catch 18
passes over the last three weeks including 2 for touchdowns.� Jamal Lewis has slowed down a little over
the past few games but still is putting up solid numbers and gives the Ravens a
solid threat in the backfield.� The
Ravens rush defense is giving up a lot of yardage without Ray Lewis manhandling
the opposition and that will need to be addressed because everybody knows the
Dolphins will be attempting to run the ball this Sunday.
Must Starts: Ricky Williams, Jamal Lewis
Possible Starts: Randy McMichael, Chris
Chambers, Travis Taylor, Todd Heap
Only in a Pinch: Jeff Blake, Ray Lucas
(only if truly desperate), James McKnight, Dedrick Ward, Ron Johnson
Fantasy related Injuries � Brandon Stokley (foot) � out / Chris Redman (back) � out /
Todd Heap (knee) � questionable / Cris Carter (kidney) - out
Final Thoughts:� I
have my rose-colored glasses on again.�
The Dolphins are due to break out of this slump and will do so at home
this weekend.� The Ravens are not strong
against the run anymore and Williams is due to break out with some solid
runs.� If Lucas can simply play
mistake-free football, the team will have a chance.
Predicted
Score: Ravens 14 at Dolphins 17
Green Bay Packers 8-1 at Minnesota Vikings 2-7
Game Forecast
The
benching of Daunte Culpepper last week will be short-lived as he is back in the
starting lineup this weekend.� He has
been terrible the past few weeks and looks like a shell of his former
self who has been unstoppable since he became the starting quarterback a few
seasons back.� Todd Bouman came into the
game last week in the fourth quarter and preceded to hit Randy Moss with two
long gains something Culpepper was unable to do all game long and basically all
season long.� Randy Moss owners will
continue to be frustrated unless Culpepper either can get out of his funk or
Bouman gets the chance to showcase his skills.�
On a positive note for the team, Michael Bennett has looked like a legitimate
running back the last few weeks and not a sprinter stuck in a football
uniform.� He is averaging 130 yards
rushing per game over that span and now has giant of a man, Bryant McKinnie
inserted into the starting lineup to help him even more.� Bennett always had the athletic ability and
now looks like he has learned how to use that talent to become a solid runner
in the National Football League.
At this
point in the season, the Packers are the best team in football and not solely
because of their record.� The offense is
clicking, the defense is dominating and the special teams have been
special.� Everything is coming up roses
in Green Bay and Brett Favre is on his way to improving on his one championship
won so far during his illustrious career.�
The Packers are passing the ball, running the ball and scoring
with ease and yes, Bubba Franks is alive and well and finally playing at a
level so many owners thought he could when he went relatively early in fantasy
drafts.� Ahman Green has a slight
concussion but should be able to play this week.� If he cannot go, Najeh Davenport has proven to be an effective
running back when giving the chance.�
The Mad Crapper has become a dependable backup and last week the
ineffectiveness of the Vikings defense made Ron �Fat Man� Dayne look both fast
and talented.
Must Starts: Brett Favre, Ahman Green, Donald
Driver, Bubba Franks, Randy Moss, Michael Bennett
Possible Starts: Daunte Culpepper, Jim
Kleinsasser, Terry Glenn
Only in a Pinch: Chris Walsh, D�Wayne Bates
Fantasy related Injuries � none except for maybe Daunte Culpepper�s ego!
Final Thoughts:� In
this zany world of the NFL, the 8-1 Packers are due to suffer a surprise
defeat.� The Vikings have beaten them in
Minnesota three of the last four meetings including a surprise 35 to 13
drubbing last year.� I just don�t have
the guts to pick the Vikings to knock off the red hot Packers though.
Predicted
Score: Packers 27 at Vikings 21
Washington Redskins 4-5 at New York Giants 5-4
Game Forecast
Herman
Moore is back in the NFL as a member of the New York Giants.� With both Ike Hilliard and Ron Dixon out of
action, the Giants were in desperate need of a receiver and found a golden
oldie in Mr. Moore.� I am not sure if he
has anything left in the gas tank but he was once one of the top receivers in
the game and it will be interesting to see how he does.� From 1994 to 1997, he was one of the top
receivers in the game and he is only 33 years of age. He likely will not play
this weekend but it should be interesting to watch him in week twelve.� Kerry Collins has put up 2344 yards passing
which is an average of 260 yards per contest.�
However he has only 8 touchdowns during that span to go against 9
interceptions.� The Giants are brilliant
in between the twenty-yard lines but have a hard time of it scoring once they
hit the red-zone.� Tiki Barber is having
an outstanding season with over 1100 combines yards and 5 touchdowns.� He is on the way to his best season as a
professional athlete.� The Giants
defense is great against the pass and has perhaps the best cornerback trio in
the entire league.�
The
yo-yo season of the Redskins continues to go up and down with the team looking
great one week and horrible the next.�
The revolving door at quarterback has been stuck the last couple of
weeks but Shane Matthews must be getting a little worried after the teams
drubbing last weekend.� He has thrown 9
touchdowns against only 5 interceptions but has completed barely over 50 % of
his passes.�� Stephen Davis is still questionable
this week and it now sounds like it will be a game-time decision.� Look elsewhere if you have another option
you can plug into your lineup.� Jacquez
Green was released this week, which should make it easier to start a player
like Rod Gardner or even a Derrius Thompson if you are in a pinch.��� Gardner is finally playing great football
again after being benched a few weeks back.�
He has 195 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns during his last three games.
Must Starts: Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey
Possible Starts: Kerry Collins, Amani
Toomer, Rod Gardner
Only in a Pinch: Shane Matthews, Ron Dayne,
Darnerian McCants
Fantasy related Injuries � Stephen Davis (knee) � questionable / Ron Dixon (knee) -
questionable
Final Thoughts:� The
Giants will be right in the thick of a playoff race if they can beat the
Redskins this weekend.� Tiki Barber and
the Giants secondary will lead them to victory.
Predicted Score: Redskins 13 at Giants 17
Arizona Cardinals 4-5 at Philadelphia Eagles 6-3
Game Forecast
The
Eagles were embarrassed at home last weekend.�
That is all you need to know about this football game.� If you have Eagle players, start them and if
you are saddled with Cardinals players bench them if you can.� The Eagles are not going to play two stinkers
in a row on their home field.� Donovan
McNabb, Duce Staley and a couple of the receivers will all have outstanding
games.
Must Starts: Donovan McNabb, Duce Staley
Possible Starts: Antonio Freeman, Todd
Pinkston, James Thrash � one of these three will have huge weeks; Chad Lewis
Only in a Pinch: Jake Plummer, Frank
Sanders, Thomas Jones, Marcel Shipp, Jason McAddley, Dorsey Levens, Brian
Westbrook
Fantasy related Injuries � David Boston (knee) � out
Final Thoughts:� Here
is a funny stat.� The Cardinals have won
in Philadelphia three of the last four seasons.� However the Eagles will be a mad, determined football team this
weekend and I would not be surprised to see them win by 30+ points.� Should be an easy victory for the team.
Predicted Score: Cardinals 7 at Eagles 42
New Orleans Saints 7-2 at Atlanta Falcons 5-3-1
Game Forecast
This has
all the makings of an outstanding football game.� Both teams have played better than anticipated this season and
are right in the midst of the playoff hunt.�
The Falcons flew into New Orleans back on the 27th of October
and handed the Saints a loss in front of the home crowd.� That the Saints haven�t forgot the loss and
they will come out focused to erase that bitter memory.� Aaron Brooks hasn�t been as terrific as he
was to start the season and is completing only 50 % of his passes in the last
two football games.� He will need to be
at the top of his game to help the Saints achieve a road victory against the
Falcons who are undefeated in their last five contests.� Deuce McAllister continues to erase the
memory of Ricky Williams in New Orleans.�
He has put up 907 yards rushing in his nine games and has scored an
impressive 11 touchdowns.� He is
definitely the main man for the Saints offense.� Donte Stallworth is back healthy and gives the offense a huge
boost from his receiver position.�
Stallworth, Joe Horn and Jerome Pathon give the Saints lots of talent
and explosiveness from the receiver position and it is unlikely the Falcons
will be able to slow down all three players for the game.� The Saints biggest problem is on defense
where they are having difficulties stopping both the run and the pass.� They need to slow down Michael Vick if they
want to maintain separation on the fast-charging Falcons.
What can
you say about the Falcons?� They are
fast, talented and becoming a legitimate force in the NFC.� The comeback in Pittsburgh was impressive
although the secondary was exposed in a serious way.� If they can tighten up the pass defense, this team has a shot at
the post-season.� Michael Vick continues
to rack up fantasy points although must of it seems to come via his rushing
skills.� The passing attack in Atlanta
is deliberately conservative to allow Vick to grow on the field without losing
his confidence and it is working very well for the team.� Warrick Dunn has been super with T.J.
Duckett out of action for a few weeks and has given the team a solid running
attack.� The Falcons do not have a star
at receiver but the duo of Brian Finneran and Shawn Jefferson has been getting
the job done.� Alge Crumpler has been
relatively quiet the past few weeks but is a big-time talent at tight end and
can have a big week at any time.
Must Starts: Aaron Brooks, Deuce McAllister, Joe
Horn, Michael Vick, Alge Crumpler
Possible Starts: Donte Stallworth, Brian
Finneran, Shawn Jefferson, Warrick Dunn
Only in a Pinch: Jerome Pathon, Trevor
Gaylor, T.J. Duckett
Fantasy related Injuries � T.J. Duckett (ankle) - questionable
Final Thoughts:� The
Saints will be out for revenge and should even the season series with a huge
game in Atlanta.� Look for a huge game
from Deuce McAllister and a solid start from Aaron Brooks in leading the Saints
to the win.
Predicted Score: Saints 28 at Falcons 20
Cleveland Browns 4-5 at Cincinnati Bengals 1-8
Game Forecast
The
Bengals are well on their way to another high draft pick in the NFL Draft
although they are playing a little better as of late.� Jon Kitna (yes that is right, Jon Kitna) has thrown for 8
touchdowns in his last three games.�
That my friends, is very hard to believe.� Corey Dillon has been averaging over 100 yards per game during
that stretch and continues to put up numbers on a very poor Bengals team, year
after year.� Chad Johnson has become the
go-to receiver the team coveted while Peter Warrick has become dependable as a
solid # 2 option for the offense. Rookie tight end, Matt Schobel has become a
dependable target and has scored a touchdown. Even the Bengals defense has
improved over the last few contests and looks more like the unit many
envisioned it could be coming into this season.
The
Browns on the other hand are a tough team to figure out.� They look solid one week and horrible the
next and this is a must win football game if they truly have playoff
inspirations this season.� Tim Couch has
been solid over his last two starts but has been up and down all season
long.� The Browns will need him to be at
the top of his game if they wish to win this week because Jamel White is out
with injury leaving disappointing rookie back, William Green to carry the load
for the team�s rushing attack.�� It
appears that Quincy Morgan and Dennis Northcutt have become the best receiving
options for the team with Kevin Johnson putting up the third best numbers of
the trio.� It is a solid group of receivers
who are getting better every week.
Must Starts: Tim Couch, Quincy Morgan, Chad
Johnson, Corey Dillon
Possible Starts: Kevin Johnson, Dennis
Northcutt, Jon Kitna, Peter Warrick
Only in a Pinch: Matt Schobel, William
Green, Michael Westbrook
Fantasy related Injuries � Jamel White (shoulder) � out
Final Thoughts:�
Expect a barnburner in this affair.�
Both defenses are having trouble stopping the passing game while both
offenses are having little problem moving the ball in the air.� Expect a lot of points scored and some good
fantasy output.� The Browns will squeak
out a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Predicted Score: Browns 28 at Bengals 27
Carolina Panthers 3-6 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-2
Game Forecast
The
Panthers have come crashing back down to earth in a huge way after a wonderful
start to the season.� They are a better
team with Rodney Peete back in the lineup but do not have enough talent to keep
it close in Tampa Bay.� The Panthers
will have little to no offensive success against the strong Buccaneers defense.
Brad
Johnson had the game of his life two weeks ago against the Vikings but come on�
it was the Vikings.� He will
likely have a lot less success this week against a very strong defensive unit
against the pass.� The Buccaneers can
beat the Panthers with defense alone so expect a very conservative approach by
the team as they pound the ball at the defense and use a short passing attack.
Must Starts: Keyshawn Johnson
Possible Starts: Brad Johnson, Michael
Pittman, Mike Alstott, Keenan McCardell, Lamar Smith
Only in a Pinch: Rodney Peete, Muhsin
Muhammad, Wesley Walls, Steve Smith
Fantasy related Injuries � none
Final Thoughts:� The
Panthers are overmatched in almost every facet of the game.� The Buccaneers will win huge.
Predicted Score: Panthers 10 at Buccaneers 24
San Francisco 49ers 7-2 at San Diego Chargers 6-3
Game Forecast
The
49ers are playing exceptional football this year and are getting stronger as
the year goes on.� Jeff Garcia is
completing almost 69% of his passes over the last three games and has tossed 6
touchdowns against only 1 interception.�
With the Chargers great at stopping the run but below average against
the pass, look for Garcia and company to attempt a lot of throws this
weekend.� I wouldn�t be surprised at all
to see him throw 40+ times.� Both
Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow are good running backs but they will find it
difficult to run the ball against a strong run defense.
The key
to the Chargers success in this game is to establish the run early and
often.� The 49ers are a team that can be
humbled with a power running game and that should play nicely into the Chargers
hands.� If the Chargers can give the
ball to Ladainian Tomlinson 30+ times during the game, they should be able to
knock off the talented Niners.� The key
to the Chargers will be to get the lead on Sunday and then to play keep away
from Garcia and the 49ers offense.
Must Starts: - Jeff Garcia, Terrell Owens,
Ladainian Tomlinson, Curtis Conway
Possible Starts: Garrison Hearst, Kevan
Barlow, Tai Streets, Stephen Alexander, Drew Brees
Only in a Pinch: J.J. Stokes, Tim Dwight
Fantasy related Injuries � Eric Johnson (back) - questionable
Final Thoughts:� This
game could go either way.� Both teams
have talent but the 49ers passing attack should be able to shred the Chargers
secondary who have been exposed as of late. The Chargers will need a heavy dose
of Tomlinson to just keep this one close.�
Flip a coin in this game.� I did
and it came up tails.� 49ers win.
Predicted Score: 49ers 21 at Chargers 17
Denver Broncos 6-3 at Seattle Seahawks 3-6
Game Forecast
The
Broncos were humbled, humiliated and destroyed on Monday Night Football by the
hated Raiders and that will leave a vile taste in their mouths for weeks to
come.� The team is not as bad as they
appeared to be against the Raiders and they will come out hard against
long-time rivals, the Seattle Seahawks and look to bury them early.� Clinton Portis is developing into a solid
running back and has a burst that not many players are blessed with.� He is a tough guy to get down due to his
acceleration and quickness through the hole.�
He has 3 touchdowns in his last two games and is becoming a legitimate
threat for the team.� Brian Griese
hasn�t been on the top of his game lately but has completed a lot of passes and
should rebound nicely this week.
The
Seahawks destroyed the Cardinals last week and will be out to prove that is
wasn�t a fluke this week.� They will
find themselves overmatched on both sides of the ball though against a determined
Broncos team.� Don�t expect much from
either the passing or rushing attacks this week against a defensive unit that
will be focused to erase that stinker they play in front of a national T.V.
audience on Monday Night.
Must Starts: Brian Griese, Clinton Portis, Rod
Smith, Ed McCaffrey
Possible Starts: Shaun Alexander, Koren
Robinson, Dwayne Carswell
Only in a Pinch: Matt Hasselbeck, Mike
Anderson, Ashley Lelie, Bobby Engram
Fantasy related Injuries � Shannon Sharpe (elbow) � questionable / Darrell Jackson
(concussion) - doubtful
Final Thoughts:� The
Hawks will be destroyed this weekend against a hungry Broncos team eager to put
last week behind them.� Look for a
lopsided victory for Denver as they jump up to 7-3 on the season.
Predicted Score: Broncos 31 at Seahawks 13
Jacksonville Jaguars 4-5 at Houston Texans 2-7
Game Forecast
This is
a meaningless game in Houston between two teams that will not see the
post-season.� Look for Fred Taylor to
rack up huge yardage against a game, but overmatched Texans defense.� Jimmy Smith should also have some success
against this team.� On the Houston side
of the ball, the only player I would consider starting is Corey Bradford although
it is possible that Jonathon Wells could surprise with a decent outing.
Must Starts: Fred Taylor, Jimmy Smith, Billy
Miller
Possible Starts: Mark Brunell, Corey
Bradford, Stacey Mack, Bobby Shaw
Only in a Pinch: Kyle Brady, Jonathon
Wells, David Carr, James Allen, Jajuan Dawson, Jabar Gaffney
Fantasy related Injuries � Pat Johnson (abdomen) � out
Final Thoughts:�
Jaguars should have enough in the tank to knock off the Titans.� Winning this game does get them at 5-5 and
keeps their very slim playoff hopes alive.
Predicted Score: Jaguars 20 at Texans 14
New York Jets 4-5 at Detroit Lions 3-6
Game Forecast
The Jets
are surging up the standings in a big way.�
They are now only one game out of first in the competitive AFC
East.� Chad Pennington has been a nice
surprise to the team but it has been the play of the defense that has resulted
in a surprise turnaround.� The defense
was easily one of the worst units in the NFL over the first five weeks of the
season but has turned it around and is playing exceptional
football.� The beleaguered run defense
has become the strength of the unit and is only giving up 71 yards per game
over the last few despite going up against Ricky Williams and Ladainian
Tomlinson.
The
Lions have been better than anticipated but still have a few holes that need to
be filled.� Rookie quarterback Joey
Harrington is not playing as well as he was earlier but he is also not blessed
with great offensive talent around him.�
He is going to be solid one day but will continue to go through these
kinds of growing pains until the team gets a strong receiver to play with
him.� The Lions run defense is playing
pretty good football and that will help them to keep the game close.
Must Starts: Laveranues Coles, Curtis Martin
Possible Starts: Chad Pennington, Anthony Becht, Joey Harrington,
James Stewart, A.Z. Hakim, Mikhael Ricks, Wayne Chrebet
Only in a Pinch: Santana Moss, Bill Schroeder, Germane Crowell
Fantasy related Injuries � none
Final Thoughts:� The Jets are playing solid football right now and will find a way
to squeak out a victory and even their record at .500
Predicted Score: Jets 17 at Lions
13
New England Patriots 5-4 at Oakland Raiders 5-4
Game Forecast
Huge
game with massive playoff implications this week and a rematch of the historic Snow
Bowl of last year�s playoffs.� The
Raiders remember who knocked them out of the playoffs last year and will be out
to avenge that loss.� However it will
not be easy with Tom Brady and the boys back on track after a poor month of
October.� Brady has thrown 8 touchdowns
in the last three contests against only 1 interception and looks ready to lead
the team back to the playoffs.� However
this is a tough game for the Patriots to win.�
The Raiders were outstanding in Denver last week and the passing attack
could do no wrong.� Rich Gannon had one
of the best games I have ever seen a quarterback have and Jerry Rice continues
to drink deeply from the eternal Fountain of Youth.� He is on pace for a staggering 5120 passing
yards.� After a slow start to his career
that took several seasons to get going, Gannon is beginning to receive Hall of
Fame mention and deservedly so.� Both
the Raiders and Patriots pass defenses give up similar numbers over the last
several games and both units should find success against the defenses.� Look for big numbers once again from both
Gannon and Brady.
Must Starts: Rich Gannon, Charlie Garner, Jerry
Rice, Jerry Porter, Tom Brady, Troy Brown, David Patten
Possible Starts: Tim Brown, Christian
Fauria, Antowain Smith, Kevin Faulk
Only in a Pinch: Doug Jolley, Deion Branch
Fantasy related Injuries � Roland Williams (toe) - questionable
Final Thoughts:� This
is really another toss-up game but I will pick the Raiders at home with Gannon
playing so well.� Expect lots of passing
and a good amount of scoring.� Kevin
Faulk has become a great option to use at running back if you are in a
pinch.� He has been putting up nice
numbers and has 190 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns over the last three
contests.
Predicted Score: Patriots 21 at Oakland 24
Monday Night
Football
Chicago Bears 2-7 at St. Louis Rams 4-5
Game Forecast
Four
weeks ago, almost everyone had written off the Rams for the year and the words
�Has-been� and �Their time is past� could be heard all over the
globe.� With Warner down and the team
off to a 0-5 start, it appeared the entire season was over and the Rams could
only look ahead to next year.� Then an
unknown rookie quarterback named Marc Bulger appeared on the scene and the Rams
haven�t looked back.� As good as Bulger
was last week in leading the team back to victory (and he was outstanding), the
main reason the Rams began winning football games was because Marshall Faulk
began touching the football with a lot more regularity.� Marshall Faulk is so talented he can lift
the team up on his shoulders and run them to victory and that is exactly what
he did in a couple of those games.� He
is questionable to play this weekend but he certainly wants to give it a
try.� Isaac Bruce had one of the
strangest games a receiver can have in the NFL.� He had two very costly turnovers that looked like they could cost
the Rams a win but then rebounded with 2 late touchdowns to help the team
win.� He ended up having a monster game
and had one of the nicest receptions you�ll ever see when he flew down the
sideline and tipped the ball to himself over a defender. �It was beautiful.
The
Bears dream season of a year ago is a distant memory.� They had a huge lead against the Patriots only to blow it
and there is nothing left for the team to do but prepare for next season.� The passing game isn�t clicking, the running
game isn�t working and the only offensive player who is consistent every week
is Marty Booker.� Anthony Thomas is
running hard but does not have the blocking he needs to be a strong player.� The entire Bears team is in disarray and
they will have a difficult time on Monday Night Football against a red-hot Rams
team.� The Rams defense is playing
superb football right now and it will be very difficult for the Bears offensive
unit to get another going.
Must Starts: Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, Isaac
Bruce, Marty Booker, Ernie Conwell
Possible Starts: Marshall Faulk (?), Jim
Miller, Anthony Thomas, Ricky Proehl, Marcus Robinson
Only in a Pinch: Dez White, John Davis,
Lamar Gordan
Fantasy related Injuries � Marshall Faulk (foot) - questionable
Final Thoughts:� The
Rams are playing too well for the Bears to have a chance in this game.� Rams win big!
Predicted Score: Bears 20 at Rams 38
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