FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

Prediction: SEA 13, TB 24

The Seahawks are tied for the NFC West lead and are 3-2 in road games this year. The Buccaneers are realistically out of the playoff race but at home where they have only been 3-4 this season. This is the final home game so that is a motivator for the Buccaneers.

QUARTERBACK: HC Pete Carroll confirmed Monday that Matt Hasselbeck would remain the Seahawks' starting quarterback in Week 16 after benching him in the Falcons loss last Sunday. Hasselbeck has been throwing for lots of yardage in the last three road games but rarely ever has more than one passing score. The Buccaneers have been better than most against quarterbacks so the most you should hope for here is that one touchdown and a chance for decent yardage in trash time.

RUNNING BACKS: Justin Forsett has all but disappeared by now and Marshawn Lynch is the primary back such as that means on a team ranked 30th in running back stats. Lynch has only scored six times this year and most of those came in home games against weak opponents. Lynch has not gained more than 89 rushing yards in any game this year and has been hanging out around one catch per game.

The Buccaneers are average at best against the run but the Seahawks are one of the worst. No reason to expect a step up from Lynch after a whole season of mediocre play.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Mike Williams has been the only consistently notable player of the wideouts and he has been a factor in road games where all three of his 100+ yard games have occurred. WIlliams only has one touchdown on the season but has been the primary target for Hasselbeck. Ben Obamanu was back last week after suffering a deep laceration in week 13 to his hand but he only accounted for one catch last week. Up until the Panthers game, Obomanu was on a mini-roll with three scores over a four week period.

I like the chance for a wideout score since the Bucs have allowed nine touchdowns to visiting wide receivers and this is where the Seahawks are going to have to try to keep up. But Williams rarely ever scores and Obomanu still has a injured hand so it could end up anywhere.

TIGHT ENDS: No fantasy value.

Pregame Notes: The Buccaneers are winding down a very successful season that is almost certain to end up missing the playoffs despite a probable 9-7 record. But the team has discovered a new running back this year and the two wideouts drafted last spring have both appeared to be solid choices, especially for Mike Williams. This is the final home game and comes after losing to the visiting Lions. That has to sting since 26 other teams had beaten the road Lions. That loss to the Lions could end up as the difference maker in the playoff hunt.

RUNNING BACKS: This is bound to be a great game for LeGarrette Blount who has topped 100 rushing yards in each of the last three home games and scored once in each. The Seahawks only rank 28th against the position and given up nine touchdowns to running backs in the seven home games. Blount is never used as a receiver but his yardage in home games has always been good.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Arrelious Benn has only scored twice as a rookie and really had only one game of note when he gained 122 yards on the Skins two weeks ago but he is on track to improve and remains the starting flanker. Mike Williams has been the big hit as a rookie wideout with eight touchdowns on the season and typically his best yardage efforts come in home games. Williams should be a near lock to score in this game and the other passing score should end up here as well - either doubling for WIlliams or going to another wideout. I'll credit Benn who they have wanted to get more involved lately.

TIGHT ENDS: Kellen Winslow has only scored three times this year and two were in road games. He's never reliable for more than some moderate yardage at best.