FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

Prediction: MIA 16, GB 17

Update: Aaron Rodgers returned to practice on Thursday and has suffered no setbacks from his concussion. He looks very likely to play and I will keep his projection as is. Donald Lee has returned to some limited work and has not been ruled out this week but is a blocking tight end anyway.

Update #2: Aaron Rodgers had a full day of practice on Friday and is listed as probable. He is expected to play.

The Dolphins come off their bye after losing their last two games while the Packers have apparently agreed to only win every other game. This will be competitive and more so if Aaron Rodgers is not able to play. This game is bound to have updates before the end of the week.

QUARTERBACK: Chad Henne has stepped up as a fantasy quarterback in the last two weeks with both games topping 300 passing yards and two scores in each. But both were losses and Henne is on a hot seat after throwing three interceptions against the Patriots. There is no expected change to be made but the problems passing are why the team wants to commit back to the run more.

The Packers secondary has been beaten for two weeks now with 300+ yard passers but Henne is not at home against familiar divisional foes either. Expecting more than moderate yardage and a score is hard to justify.

RUNNING BACKS: HC Tony Sparano wants to recommit to the run and that should pay major dividends to Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. In particular, Brown has yet to get more than 13 carries in any game despite having a 4.7 yard per carry average. He has the only rushing score by the Fins and that was back in week one. Williams had a touchdown via a pass reception but has so far lost his fantasy value from a lack of work. This unit can produce very good results when given the chance but the Dolphins wanted to focus more on the pass this year along with using Brandon Marshall.

But the Packers ranked #3 against running backs and no runner has gained more than 64 yards on them though two have scored. Expect decent numbers from Brown and more if Aaron Rodgers doesn't play. The key to this entire game is Rodgers and that will affect the rushing numbers on this side.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Any "recommitment" to rushing is going to come out of these players stats but Brandon Marshall is safe to remain the primary receiver. He has only scored once but remains good for at least 50 yards each week. He has not had the impact yet on the team as he did in Denver but that will evolve. Davone Bess is starting to shine through as a quality slot receiver and gained around 90 yards in each of the last two games. Any shortage of passes will definitely affect him the most. A tough schedule will keep the Fins needing to throw despite what the intentions of the coaches are.

The Packers have been much softer in the secondary in the last couple of weeks and that has to benefit Marshall. Look for a good game here with a score likely. Bess is a good play as well depending on what the game situation is. Again - If Rodgers plays it helps everyone in the passing game for the Fins from a higher game score to chase.

TIGHT ENDS: Anthony Fasano has been little used but came up with 67 yards on five catches versus the Pats last week. His two previous road games were much less productive including being blanked in week two.

Pregame Notes: Is this how it falls apart? Ryan Grant was lost for the year and now Jermichael Finley and Donald Lee are both missing this game and others. Aaron Rodgers had a concussion and is not a lock to play. For a season that started out so promising and high scoring, now the Packers are looking very vulnerable. By the week ten bye, they will have gone through the Dolphins, Vikings, Jets and Cowboys. This is not time to be at half strength.

QUARTERBACK: Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion in overtime of the Packers' Week 5 loss to the Redskins and Matt Flynn would be the starter if needed. Early word is that Rodgers did not have a severe concussion and was completely lucid and clear afterwards so there is some optimism that he will pass the tests and play. I am projecting for Rodgers to play and will adjust that as more information is available. The step down to Matt Flynn is of an unknown depth but it is definitely a step down regardless.

The loss of both Jermichael Finley and Donald Lee will also have a negative effect.

The Fins have been decent against the pass but then on the road were shredded by Mark Sanchez (256 yards, 3 TD) and Tom Brady only had 153 yards and one score but they won 41-14 so there was no pressing need to pass. Look for a lower effort from Rodgers without his tight ends with one score and moderate yardage. I like him to rush in a score as well.

RUNNING BACKS: Brandon Jackson ripped off a long run last week and ended with a very respectable 115 yards on ten carries and he added 25 yards on five receptions. But that one long run is the only thing separating him from total mediocrity for the last month. John Kuhn is nothing more than a short yardage guy with no real fantasy value. One caveat here though - the loss of Lee and Finley should lead to at least some increase in passes to Jackson.

The Dolphins have been weaker against the run but mostly from playing against Adrian Peterson. They have allowed three rushing scores but I am awarding that to Rodgers for now since neither Kuhn or Jackson has scored in the last three weeks and Rodgers is already the leader in rushing touchdowns (2). Jackson may get some marginal increase to his rush yards but his receptions are going to be more key to his value this week.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Greg Jennings has been a minor footnote with less than 40 yards in each of the last four games but he does have three touchdowns on the season and the loss of the tight ends should spark an incremental increase to the wideouts. That's maybe more inclined to play into the workload of Donald Driver as the possession receiver and he has been good for around 60 yards or more each game. Last week finally saw an uptick for both Jordy Nelson (3-42) and James Jones (4-65) which were season high games for each. Rodgers can spread the ball around and losing the tight ends will force him this way.

The Dolphins are very good against wideouts though and allowed just two touchdowns to the position so far. No receiver has topped 100 yards against them though three have hit 80 yards. With a rushing game more suspect and no tight ends, the Packers are going to need to throw to this crew and it could well be Jones and Nelson once again seeing the increase.

TIGHT ENDS: Jermichael Finley may miss three to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. That leaves a big hole in this offense and Donald Lee is out for a few weeks with a chest sprain. He is just a blocking tight end anyway but this all leaves the Packers to suddenly rely on the Penn-State rookie Andre Quarless. He stepped up last week in his first playing time to record four catches for 51 yards so that spawns some optimism. He's a risk to rely on of course but has undeniable upside this week.