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If you're still paying attention and reading this article,
it must mean you've made the playoffs. congrats! For the
next two or three weeks, focus on starting the players
who have helped you make it this far. ALWAYS - whether
it's offense or defense - start your studs, regardless
of the match up, status in the playoff race, boarder-line
health, etc. If the cupboard's full of IDP talent, THEN
analyze your match ups, trends, and weather conditions
to start at team you are comfortable will net you double-digit
points per player. If you can do that, you've got a solid
chance of moving on to the next round, or winning the league
championship. If the cupboard's bare or half-empty, I
have some leads for you below that may help provide some
relief. In any case, congratulations again, and best of
luck in the playoffs!
Linebackers
WHO'S HOT
Only two weeks ago, we saw twelve linebackers hit double-digit
solo tackles. In Week 14, much to the dismay of many IDP
league managers, there was only one, Brent Boyer, Cleveland Browns. Boyer
was a man possessed versus the visiting St. Louis Rams
on Monday Night Football, posting 12 solo and 3 assisted
tackles. On more than one occasion, I've highlighted players
who had breakout games and appeared to have the potential
to be contributors on rosters in need. Boyer is that and
more, having realized 3 strong weeks in a row and averaging
8 solo tackles with an interception. It seems that former-stalwart
Andra Brown, the Brown's MLB, has cooled and Boyer has
picked up where he left off. Amazingly, Boyer's anonymity
might preclude him still on many league's free agency list,
so if you are in the playoffs and want insurance - or would
like to take a defensive posture against your foes - grab
him immediately. It appears that the release of "ME"-shawn
Johnson has sparked someone to greater play, and that would
be Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brooks
has been a borderline bust this year, producing at a far
lesser pace than most owners had hoped when they drafted
him 1st or 2nd LB in their draft. Well,
if the past couple of weeks are any indication, you may
be very glad if you held onto Brooks for the playoffs. Against
the Saints in Week 14, he seemed the Brooks-of-old, grabbing
9 solo and 1 assisted tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. The
Buccaneers are barely clinging to playoff hopes and are
playing for pride. If one were the wagering type, it seems
a safe bet that Brooks will contribute significantly high
fantasy stats for the duration of the season. Last week,
I listed Tim Johnson, Oakland Raiders,
as "Hot", and it appears this was the correct prognosis. Johnson
is seizing the starting opportunity he's been presented
in grand fashion, flying all over the field and projecting
himself into tackling situations. Against the Steelers
in Pittsburgh, Johnson had 9 solo and 5 assisted tackles,
and undoubtedly secured himself a roster spot for 2004. If
you were in need of a LB last week, hopefully you nabbed
Johnson upon suggesting you do so. it's most certainly
too late to do so this week. Other LB's of note in Week
14: Jessie Armstead, WAS Redskins; Jamie Sharper, HOU Texans;
Julian Peterson, SF 49ers; Lance Briggs, CHI Bears; Tedy
Bruschi, NE Patriots; Ray Lewis and Peter Bouleware, BAL
Ravens; Kevin Hardy, CIN Bengals; London Fletcher, BUF
Bills; Keith Bulluck, TEN Titans; David Thornton, IND Colts;
Keith Brooking, ATL Falcons; and Eric Barton, OAK Raiders.
WHO'S NOT
Ouch. I hope you weren't relying on Sam Cowart, New
York Jets, heading into the playoffs this
week, as he's been ruled out with a thigh injury. I
would guess that for many fantasy IDP squads, losing
Cowart could be perceived as a proverbial death-blow
to any thought of progressing deeper into the playoffs. While
he may not have fully lived up to the Jet organization's
expectations, Cowart is undoubtedly one of the league's
best OLB's, and has been a IDP stud this year. So, his
inability to contribute this week - most playoffs begin
in Week 15 - is a tough issue to overcome. Hopefully
you've not waited until now. if so, check to see if Boyer
is available or Cowart's backup, Jason Glenn, who posted
6 solo and 2 assisted tackles spelling Cowart in Week
14. Another dependable linebacker likely lost for the
season is Robert Thomas, St. Louis Rams,
with a torn groin. Thomas had been a pleasant surprise
this year, keeping personal problems off the field and
staying within Lovie Smith's schemes. Backup Jamie Duncan
will fill in and could be a decent pick up in Thomas' absence. Young
and athletic Adalius Thomas', Baltimore Ravens,
regular season was likely shorted by a fractured arm
that will reportedly keep him out up to 4 weeks. Thomas
has shown improvement throughout the year, providing
excellent run support, the ability to fall back in coverage,
and pressure on the quarter back. His replacement, rookie
Terrell Suggs, has been a dynamo in pass rush situations,
but it bears watching to see how he adapts to the full
gamut of responsibilities he'll inherit.
START 'EM IF YOU GOT 'EM
Lance Briggs, CHI Bears, against the MIN Vikings
Julian
Peterson, SF 49ers, against the CIN Bengals
Keith Brooking,
ATL Falcons, against the IND Colts
David Thornton, IND Colts,
against the ATL Falcons
Scott Fujita, KC Chiefs, against the
DET Lions
Tedy Bruschi, NE Patriots, against the JAX Jaguars
Kendrell
Bell, PIT Steelers, against the NY Jets
Derrick Thomas, TB
Bucs, against the HOU Texans
London Fletcher, BUF Bills, against
the TEN Titans
Keith Bulluck, against the BUF Bills
Ray Lewis, BAL Ravens,
against the OAK Raiders
Ronald McKinnon, AZ Cardinals, against
the CAR Panthers
Donnie Edwards, SD Chargers, against the
GB Packers
Jeremiah Trotter, WAS Redskins, against the DAL
Cowboys
Michael Barrow, NY Giants, against the WAS Redskins
Mark Simoneau,
PHI Eagles, against the MIA Dolphins
Zach Thomas, MIA Dolphins,
against the PHI Eagles
Defensive Linemen
WHO'S HOT
One cannot overlook a 3 solo tackle and 3 sack outing - this
is the outstanding production realized by Kimo von Oelhoffen, Pittsburgh Steelers,
against the Raiders in Week 14. While productively sporadic,
von Oelhoffen has shown the potential to have explosive
games and is enjoying his best season in recent years. The
Steelers are playing as well on defense as they have all
year, and this could lead to more sack opportunities for
von Oelhoffen in the coming weeks. Bertrand Berry,
Denver Broncos, had a career day against rival Kansas
City, and the defense looked stifling. Berry has been
too much of a threat in the tackling department - a trait
I prefer in a DL - but there's no arguing his ability to
pressure the quarter back this year. With Trevor Pryce
on the other end, Berry finds himself more often than not
in one-on-one confrontations, and he possesses the high-motor
and speed to exploit that match up. This scenario was
demonstrated, as Berry reeled in 2 solo and 2 assisted
tackle, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Another player
benefiting from his recently thriving team defense is ND
Kalu, Philadelphia Eagles. Like Berry,
Kalu has his occasional splash of multiple sack games,
but also offers a propensity to support against the run. Against
the Cowboys in a heated rivalry and divisional race game,
Kalu contributed 7 solo and 1 assisted tackles, and a sack. As
mentioned before, the team's defense gets better each and
every week, and I would expect Kalu to benefit from this
overall success by posting continually strong stats. Other
DL's of note in Week 14: Simeon Rice, TB Bucs; Michael
Strahan, NY Giants; Tony Brackens, JAX Jags; Adewale Ogunleye,
MIA Dolphins; Sam Adams, NE Patriots; and Orpheus Roye,
CLE Browns.
WHO'S NOT
Courtney Brown, Cleveland Browns, is lost for the
season, having been placed on IR after rupturing his right
bicep tendon during the Monday Night Football game. While
Brown did not quite squash the skepticism this year that
he's not lived up to the hype coming out of college, his
presence has been formidable and consistent. Mark Word
will take over the end spot for the remainder of the season. He
may have scored his second touchdown, but Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
also strained his left foot during Week 14's match up with
the Saints. He'll be listed as questionable, although
I fully expect him to play as long as the Bucs hold a slim
chance of making the playoffs. However, if you are in
the first week of your fantasy playoffs, I wouldn't recommend
banking on Sapp as your DL or for another TD this week. Anthony "Booger" McFarland,
the Bucs other DT, is a more than capable fill-in for Sapp
for the next two weeks, or until you are comfortable that
Sapp will be a solid contributor. Keep an eye on star
DE Mike Rucker, Carolina Panthers,
who is listed as questionable this week with a sprained
knee. Rucker finished the game last week against the Falcons,
but it seems plausible that his production could take a
hit if he is unable to leverage his strength and speed
as a result of this tweaked knee. Still, Rucker at 50%
is better than most defensive linemen and it is likely
that he will play against Cardinals as the Panthers look
to lock up a playoff spot.
START 'EM IF YOU GOT 'EM
Dwight Freeney, IND Colts, against the ATL Falcons
Aaron
Schobel, BUF Bills, against the TEN Titans
Eric Hicks, KC
Chiefs, against the DET Lions
Simeon Rice, TB Bucs, against
the HOU Texans
Kevin Williams, MIN Vikings, against the CHI
Bears
Shaun Ellis, NY Jets, against the PIT Steelers
Leonard Little,
STL Rams, against the SEA Seahawks
Justin Smith, CIN Bengals,
against the SF 49ers
Bertrand Berry, DEN Broncos, against
the CLE Browns
Mike Rucker/Julius Peppers, CAR Panthers, against
the AZ Cardinals
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB Packers, against
the SD Chargers
Michael Strahan, NY Giants, against the NO
Saints
Darren Howard, NO Saints, against the NY Giants
Jason Taylor/Adewale
Ogunleye, MIA Dolphins, against the PHI Eagles
Defensive Backs
WHO'S HOT
It is unfathomable to begin this section of this week's
column without mentioning Aeneas Williams, St.
Louis Rams. Williams almost single-handedly
stuck the dagger into the competitive spirit of the Browns
by accumulating the following incredible stats: 8 solo
and 2 assisted tackles, 1 sack, and 2 interceptions, including
one for a touchdown. Granted, it was against the Browns,
but to me, it is amazing that Williams is in his 13th season,
is playing at such a high-level, and has scored -fantasy-wise - every
way possible this year. Another all-around performance
in Week 14 was turned in by Deon Grant, Carolina Panthers. Against
the Falcons, Grant was in on 8 solo tackles, 1 sack, an
interception, and two pass deflections - not a bad effort! With
upcoming games against first-time starting QB Josh McCown,
Arizona Cardinals, and Joey Harrington, DET Lions, odds
are pretty darn good that Grant will be making some big
plays to help you win your fantasy league championship. Lance
Schulters, Tennessee Titans, is starting to come through
with the type of performance I anticipated before the season
began. While he's without an interception, he is on track
with tackles and sacks, as exemplified by his 6 solo and
4 assisted tackle and 1 sack outing against the Colts in
Week 14. Schulters appears to building up some steam,
and may be a good play the next two weeks, as the Titans
try to keep pace with the Colts.
WHO'S NOT
Aaron Glenn, Houston Texans, is the latest casualty
on a team that has been decimated by injuries this year. He
was put on IR this week with an extremely strained groin. Glenn
has arguably been the Texans most consistent defensive
player this year, and his leadership on the field will
be missed. Kenny Wright will fill Glenn's spot and just
might be of value, as offensive coordinators will likely
target his side of the ball, with a stingy Marcus Coleman
on the other side. Corey Harris, Detroit Lions,
will miss the rest of the season with a torn right hamstring. The
Lions' secondary is already very thin, and it appears that
Terrence Holt (Torry's brother) will see more playing time
in Harris' spot. Harris will be missed, as he was the
team's 3rd best tackler.
START 'EM IF YOU GOT 'EM
Brian Russell, MIN Vikings, against the CHI Bears
Mike
Doss, IND Colts, against the ATL Falcons
Greg Wesley, KC Chiefs,
against the DET Lions
Rodney Harrison, NE Patriots, against
the JAX Jaguars
Adam Archuleta, STL Rams, against the SEA
Seahawks
Ronde Barber, TB Bucs, against the HOU Texans
Lance Shulters,
TEN Titans, against the BUF Bills
Lawyer Milloy, BUF Bills,
against the TEN Titans
Robert Griffith, CLE Browns, against
the DEN Broncos
Ed Reed, BAL Ravens, against the OAK Raiders
Deon Grant/Mike
Minter, against the AZ Cardinals
Darren Sharper, GB Packers,
against the SD Chargers
Roy Williams, DAL Cowboys, against
the WAS Redskins
Ifeanyi Ohalete, WAS Redskins, against the
DAL Cowboys
Omar Stoutmire, NY Giants, against the NO Saints
Jay Bellamy,
NO Saints, against the NY Giants
Sammy Knight, MIA Dolphins,
against the PHI Eagles
Top 12 Team Defenses
- TB Bucs vs. HOU Texans - Bucs getting scrappy. HOU
can barely field a team
- BAL Ravens @ OAK Raiders - Can it get even uglier for
OAK? Yes. it can.
- NE Pats vs. JAX Jags - Pats D, firing on all cylinders,
will be too much for Jags
- CAR Panthers @ AZ Cardinals - Josh McCown. meet Mr.
Rucker. & Mr. Peppers
- KC Chiefs vs. DET Lions - Outdoors and after bad loss
to DEN = ugly for DET
- NO Saints vs. NY Giants - Jessie Palmer to get first
start against good D Line
- DEN Broncos vs. CLE Browns - Broncos D surging, especially
at home
- PHI Eagles @ MIA Dolphins - Fiedler's shaky health
will be tested by PHI pressure
- MIN Vikings @ CHI Bears - Vikings +10 net turnovers;
Bears -7
- MIA Dolphins vs. PHI Eagles - Ogunleye/Taylor duo one
of leagues best
- TEN Titans vs. BUF Bills - Bills improving, but TEN
D will be overwhelming
- STL Rams vs. SEA Seahawks - Rams tough at home under
dome
As always, be sure to check the latest injury reports
before submitting your roster. Good luck and thanks for
supporting The Huddle!
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