FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

Prediction: CLE 20, BUF 17

Update: The weather is not slated to be too cold at 36 degrees and no real wind but it is expected to be raining during the game.

The Browns won 6-3 in Buffalo last year and this game could go the same route with a chance of snow and two teams that often defy description. The Browns boiled down are Peyton Hillis and everyone else trying not to make a mistake. The Bills are about Steve Johnson with a dash of Fred Jackson even though none of those three players were originally supposed to define their teams. They were barely starters if that. The Browns are on a two game winning streak and are 2-4 in road games. The Bills are only 1-5 at home and on a two game losing streak. This is a coin flip game but the Browns have the better defense and rushing game.

QUARTERBACK: Jake Delhomme took the start in Miami and passed for 217 yard and one score with no turnovers. He'll get another shot this week since Colt McCoy is nursing a high ankle sprain. The Bill give up plenty of points in most all games and it depend on how opponents want to pursue them. Chances are Delhomme just throws for a standard game and let's Hillis do his thing.

RUNNING BACKS: Peyton Hillis comes off only his second game this year without a score and still he posted 57 yards on 18 carries and 22 yards on seven receptions in Miami where the Fins were devoted to stopping him first and foremost. Hillis has only topped 100 rushing yards four times so far though both NE and BAL were surprised when he did it to them. Hillis always adds in at least a few yards as a receiver if not up to 95 yards in a game. Facing the #30 defense against running backs means a big game for Hillis.

Expect most of the damage to come via the run and Hillis should score at least once if not more. The Bills have already allowed 13 rushing touchdowns this year.

WIDE RECEIVERS: The wideouts here are ranked dead last in productivity this year but at least with Delhomme under center, Mohamed Massaquoi has turned in two games with four catches and around 50 yards. That's rare consistency for a team with the worst wideouts in the NFL. Josh Cribbs has not played as a wideout lately because of his toe and the other wideouts have been only worth one or two catches. Expect more mediocrity this week.

TIGHT ENDS: The Browns have used their tight ends more than the wideouts this year and Ben Watson comes off a season best 10 catches for 100 yards and a score in Miami. Evan Moore has an injured hip but should still play. But a healthy Watson now faces the #31 defense against tight ends. Expect a score and good yardage. The Bills have already allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends.

Pregame Notes: The Bills wind down this nightmare season with the knowledge that Chan Gailey has established the core of what could be a good team but one that falls just short in most games because of the defense. This week is likely the last chance for that elusive third win since the final three weeks is just running a gauntlet of the AFC East with two road games and home against the Patriots.

QUARTERBACK: After a hot start to the season, Ryan Fitzpatrick has cooled considerable with only one of the last six games producing more than one touchdown. THe pass yardage has typically remained healthy particularly at home but the weather is starting to turn cold and wintry which will have an impact on this surprising passing game.

The Browns on the road had been allowing a couple of scores to each opposing quarterback and good yardage as well because the rushing defense has really improved and forced opponents to pass more. He'll likely have a couple of interceptions, but look for a decent game here from Fitzpatrick unless the weather changes dramatically.

RUNNING BACKS: The Bills were slowly pulling their rushing game up from the bottom when C.J. Spiller was injured and Fred Jackson reeled off back-to-back 100 yard games with four touchdowns scored but the schedule got harder and now Spiller is back to reduce what Jackson could do. Spiller has been a waste of a draft pick so far and a waste of offensive plays since he has never produced more than 35 rushing yards in any game.

The Browns are actually good against the run and only allowed three rushing touchdowns all year. Expect moderate yardage from Jackson at best and sneer at Spiller for stealing Jackson's fantasy value without giving anything in return

WIDE RECEIVERS: Steve Johnson was a scoring machine for five weeks and even after that had two games over 100 yards and three scores against the Bengals. These last two weeks have been tougher with PIT and MIN on the schedule but should clear up with the Browns who have allowed five monster games to wide receivers and 13 scores to the position. Johnson should end up with at least a decent game here if not a big one since the rushing effort will likely fall short. I like both scores to end up with this unit and the second one could go to any of the wideouts including a second one for Johnson.

TIGHT ENDS: No fantasy value.