FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

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Prediction: KC 6, NYJ 24

The 5-7 Chiefs come off their upset of the Bears in Chicago and are 3-3 in road games. The Jets are 7-5 and on a two game winning streak with no room for error. The Jets are 5-1 at home and the Chiefs lack of scoring is going to be a big problem again.

QUARTERBACK: Tyler Palko recorded his first win in Chicago and it was even his first touchdown pass after three starts and six interceptions. The Chiefs added Kyle Orton last week and even let him in for one play so he could dislocated his right index finger. So far it is supposed to be Palko's start and Orton will be brought along but there is zero reason to use either against the Jets in New York.

I will project for Palko but Orton may play. Both may play.

RUNNING BACKS: Dexter McCluster had the only touchdown catch for the Chiefs over the last three weeks thanks to ending up with the Hail Mary throw at the end of the first half. Take away the one lucky chunking of the ball and this is still the same lethargic offense. Jackie Battle remains the primary back which means nearly nothing for a team with only two rushing touchdowns on the season. There is no reason to consider any backs from the Chiefs for a fantasy start this week or any week for the remainder of the year.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Dwayne Bowe has maintained at least marginal yardage value during the Palko games but that only attracts Darrell Revis this week and Palko is not the guy to challenge the shut down corner. Expect marginal yardage all around and hope that Orton gets into a quick groove so that next week against the Packers can bear some fruit that the game will not allow.

TIGHT ENDS: No fantasy value

Pregame Notes: These last two weeks have helped to heal the wounds left by losses to New England and then Denver. The remaining schedule is no cakewalk but could end up with a string of wins. This week is the easiest remaining game and should provide the best points. The lone remaining divisional game in Miami no longer seems as easy as it once did but the 7-5 Jets could still end up sneaking into the playoffs this year as a wildcard.

I like a defensive score.

QUARTERBACK: Mark Sanchez has been inconsistent this year though the change from a pass heavy attack to the more run-dominated offense took a toll on his stats. Aside from the Bills game, Sanchez has only passed for three scores over the other four most recent games and his yardage has been moderate or less. The Chiefs defense has been as good as shutting down the Bears completely to allowing six games of multiple passing scores.

Sanchez should be good for a standard one touchdown and decent yardage but anything more is hard to rely on. He may be all over the map, but mostly stays in the lower tiers.

RUNNING BACKS: LaDainian Tomlinson returned last week but only had two touches and is still not 100% healed from his sprained knee. He is expected to play this week. Shonn Greene comes off a three touchdown effort over the Redskins when he ran for 88 yards on 22 carries. Greene has been getting a heavier load and responding well enough to merit more use. He still has only one effort over 100 rush yards but adds in a catch or two and at home has been good for at least 60 or 70 yards in most games.

The Chiefs allow about one rushing touchdown per opponent though they have not allowed a 100 yard rusher since the season opener. Greene should manage a decent showing this week with a good chance for a score but he's apparently never going to be a monster in yardage.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Santonio Holmes scored his sixth touchdown on the season in the Redskins win but he has been staying under 60 yards in almost every game and almost never has more than four catches. Plaxico Burress leads the team with seven touchdowns and the same mediocre yardage as Holmes but Burress scored all but one of his touchdowns in home games. No reason to look for big yardage here but at least Burress is likely to score once.

TIGHT ENDS: Dustin Keller has been only good for a handful of yards in most games and has scored in only one in the last ten games. No reason to expect fantasy sparks this week.

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