Start/Bench
List - Week 16
By Whitney
Walters
December 18, 2003 |
| |
| Player
List by Position |
| Start/Bench
Codes (SBC) |
S1: Must
start, 1st string.
S2: Solid starter,
2nd string. |
X: No start
or bench indications / Could go either way.
B: Bench 'em / Too
much risk. |
| U: Upside
player / Possible sleeper. |
| Early Injury Status (O): Out (D): Doubtful (Q): Questionable (P): Probable |
|
|
| New Orleans (7-7) at Jacksonville
(4-10) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
ALLTEL Stadium |
Back to top |
| New Orleans |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Aaron Brooks |
X |
The Jags' secondary and pass rush
aren't great, but injuries along the Saints’ offensive
line have weakened the pass protection. Before last
week's explosion Brooks hadn't thrown for more that
a single touchdown in a game for five weeks. Don't
expect anything close to last week. |
| RB |
Deuce McAllister |
S2 |
Still looking for that 10th 100 yard
rushing game. Won't likely get it this weekend against
an increasingly stout Jags run defense. But as last
week showed, McAllister can still be a factor in the
short passing game. |
| WR |
Joe Horn |
S2 |
After faltering for four weeks Horn
is back with two great fantasy performances in a row.
The Jags provide a difficult challenge defensively
for the Saints, but Horn will still get his chances
against their average at best secondary. |
| WR |
Donte Stallworth (P) |
B |
Still slowed by injury and should
be avoided. |
| WR |
Jerome Pathon |
B |
Even in the offensive explosion
of last week Pathon only managed three catches for
45 yards. If one hadn't been a TD it would have been
another of his many forgettable performances.
|
| TE |
Boo Williams |
S1 |
Second on the team in catches, yards
and TDs since taking over as the starter four
weeks ago. Williams should have plenty of room to rome
this week as Horn draws safety help deep and Deuce
draws it up to the line in run support. |
| Jacksonville |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Byron Leftwich |
B |
Hasn't been a fantasy option all
season. That isn't going to change now. |
| RB |
Fred Taylor |
S2 |
The Patriots held Taylor in check
last week, but no body is going to confuse the Saints'
run defense with the Pats'. They will have a hard time
stopping one of the league's most underrated rushers. |
| WR |
Jimmy Smith |
S2 |
With Taylor tearing things up
on the ground Smith will likely find himself in some
very favorable single-coverage matchups with the
inferior Saint corners.
|
| WR |
Troy Edwards |
B |
Only six catches since KJ joined
the team four weeks ago. |
| WR |
Kevin Johnson |
U |
Johnson finally got into the act
last week with his best day as a Jag. Should keep it
going this week regardless of which small and aging
Saints corner he draws in coverage. |
| TE |
Kyle Brady |
B |
No longer a fantasy factor. |
|
|
| Tennessee (10-4) at Houston (5-9) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 1:00 PM ET on CBS at
Reliant Stadium |
Back to top |
| Tennessee |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Steve McNair (Q) |
S2 |
First order of business, McNair
will play this week, have no doubt. With Volek gone
he'll
also likely play the entire game unless they blow the
Texans out (which is a possibility). So unless you
have carried a great backup on your roster this season
you should go back to McNair this week. Houston has
a non-existent pass rush and suspect secondary.
|
| RB |
Eddie George |
S2 |
The Houston run defense has shown
some slight improvement of late but they still occupy
a spot at the bottom of the rankings. George has been
running strong in the second half of the season but
still doesn't get many scoring opportunities. |
| WR |
Derrick Mason |
S2 |
The emergence of McCareins and the
tight ends has really helped open things up for Mason
down field. He rarely has to face double coverage now. |
| WR |
Justin McCareins |
S2 |
Has scored a TD in five of the
last six games and has become a consistent, but not
explosive, fantasy factor. Great matchup this week
against the suspect Houston secondary.
|
| TE |
Frank Wycheck
Erron Kinney |
X |
With the lack of depth at WR, the
Titans have increased their usage of the TE. Unfortunately
both Wycheck and Kinney are active each week, hurting
each others fantasy value. |
| Houston |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
David Carr (P)
Dave Ragone |
B |
Carr is again expected to return
to action this week. Either way, whether it's him or
Ragone, neither should find much success against the
Titans' pass rush. |
| RB |
Domanick Davis |
X |
Davis looks healthy now and has
had a remarkable rookie season for the Texans. Don't
expect a remarkable performance this week against
the #1 rush defense in the league.
|
| WR |
Andre Johnson |
B |
The rookie has great talent, but
his play has been very inconsistent of late and he's
dropping way too many passes. |
| WR |
Corey Bradford |
B |
Both Bradford and ... |
| WR |
Jabar Gaffney |
B |
... Gaffney have become kings
of the 0-1 catch game.
|
| TE |
Billy Miller |
B |
Will meet his match this week in
SS Tank Williams who is big, fast, great in coverage
and a solid open-field tackler. |
|
|
| Washington (5-9) at Chicago (6-8) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 1:00 PM ET on FOX at
Soldier Field |
Back to top |
| Washington |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tim Hasselbeck |
B |
There may be some advantages on
the perimeter in this matchup and the Bears offer
little in the way of a pass rush. But after last
week's offensive meltdown it's hard to trust any
piece of the Redskins' passing game.
|
| RB |
Rock Cartwright
|
B |
With Canidate and Betts still ailing
the running game will again fall on the shoulders of
Cartwright and Morton, with Cartwright taking the lead.
In the last six weeks the Bears have allowed only 108
rushing yards a game against some of the best offenses
in the league. They are much improved and Cartwright
will surely struggle. |
| WR |
Laveranues Coles (P) |
X |
It was revealed this week that Coles
has been battling a stress fracture in his foot. Could
explain his mediocre production most of the season.
Or it could just be that the Redskin offense stinks.
Either way Coles isn't likely to light it up in the
final two games. |
| WR |
Rod Gardner (P) |
B |
Has had a few brief moments this
season but his lack of consistency keeps him from being
a viable fantasy option. |
| Chicago |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rex Grossman |
B |
Shaky in his first NFL start, but
hey he got the win. Not a fantasy option. |
| RB |
Anthony Thomas |
S2 |
The Redskins give up almost 140 rushing
yards a game and only two teams have allowed more than
their 18 rushing TDs this season. With the rookie running
the show you can bet Thomas will get a heavy workload. |
| WR |
Marty Booker
Dez White
Justin Gage
David Terrell |
B |
With a rookie under center the
passing game is limited as a result. With that being
the case you should not look to the Chicago passing
attack for much fantasy production. |
| TE |
Desmond Clark (Q) |
B |
Has been a consistent 3 catch for
30 yards performer all season. Now that he's hurt (turf
toe) he's not going to get you even that. |
|
|
| Arizona (3-11) at Seattle (8-6) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Seahawks Stadium |
Back to top |
| Arizona |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Josh McCown |
B |
Held his own last week in his first
NFL start and ran the ball well, but this rookie is
not worth your attention this season. |
| RB |
Marcel Shipp |
X |
The Seattle run defense is about
average, but the Arizona running game is way below
that. And with Smith around to vulture the touchdowns
(he has the Cards' only two by a RB) Shipp falls off
the fantasy radar. |
| WR |
Anquan Boldin |
S2 |
The most interesting matchup for
the Cards this weekend as two of the league's top rookies
battle it out. Both have great talent but size may
ultimately give Boldin the advantage over CB Marcus
Trufant.
|
| WR |
Bryant Johnson |
B |
Johnson moved into the starting lineup
opposite fellow rookie receiver Boldin last week. Made
absolutely no difference. |
| TE |
Freddie Jones |
X |
The second best option in the passing
game behind Boldin, even with the rookie under center.
Don't expect much from Jones this week however as the
Seahawks are one of the better defenses at shutting
down opposing TEs. |
| Seattle |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Matt Hasselbeck |
S2 |
If there's ever a time to get it
going again it's at home against the terrible Cardinal
secondary with your playoff chances hanging in the
balance. |
| RB |
Shaun Alexander |
S2 |
It will be difficult for Arizona
to stack the line to stop the run as it did last week
against Carolina. The Seahawks can use
three-receiver sets to force them into
nickel
packages. Spreading the field will open the running
lanes for Alexander. |
| WR |
Koren Robinson |
S2 |
Can't keep pace with DJax this year
but against the hapless Arizona secondary he makes
a solid start this week. |
| WR |
Darrell Jackson |
S2 |
Continues to lead the way in all
receiving categories this season for the Seahawks.
Excellent matchup this week with the constantly out
manned Cardinal secondary. |
| WR |
Bobby Engram |
B |
Has the ability to surprise, but
has disappeared in two of the last three games.
|
| TE |
Itula Mili |
B |
Had his moment last week against
zone coverage. The focus goes back to the wideouts
this week. |
|
|
| San Diego (3-11) at PIttsburgh
(5-9) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 4:05 PM ET on CBS at
Heinz Field |
Back to top |
| San Diego |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Drew Brees |
X |
What do you do if you have only a
single down field option (Boston), find your big play
RB and TE. That seems to be working for Brees and the
passing game. |
| RB |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
S2 |
The Steelers remain solid against
the run, but they'd better have an answer for LT in
the passing game if they want to slow him down this
week. |
| WR |
David Boston (P) |
S2 |
You'd think with the Chargers
passing game putting up over 600 yards and 4 TDs
in the last
two games that Boston would be in the middle of it
all. Wrong. He hasn't even totaled 100 yards receiving
and his nagging neck injury seems to be limiting
his effectiveness. The Steelers inadequacies at cornerback
provide him a nice change to rebound this week.
|
| WR |
Kassim Osgood
Reche Caldwell |
B |
The Pittsburgh secondary doesn't
provide much of a threat, but the lack of talent shown
by the raw Osgood and ineffective Caldwell provides
no advantage. |
| TE |
Antonio Gates |
U |
Brees always did like going to the
tight end, and he really going to learn to like this
promising rookie. With no depth at WR Gates could again
play a big role in helping the Chargers spread the
field in multi-receiver sets. |
| Pittsburgh |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Tommy Maddox |
S2 |
Flopped in the know at New York last
week. But this week the Chargers on a clear day at
Heinz field will provide a great bounce back matchup.
They've allowed a league leading 33 passing TDs and
don't provide much of a pass rush. Should easily have
his first multi-TD game since Arizona in week 10. |
| RB |
Jerome Bettis (P) |
X |
Despite a solid matchup here Bettis'
opportunities may be limited due to the even better
matchup the Steelers have in the passing game. May
be fortunate to get 20 carries.
|
| WR |
Plaxico Burress |
S2 |
Shut down due to weather last
week. The Chargers offer nothing that can match up
against Burress' combination of size and speed. Solid
start this week.
|
| WR |
Hines Ward (P) |
S2 |
Even put up decent numbers last week
in a snow storm. CB Quentin Jammer may be starting
to play up to his potential, but Ward is too crafty
to allow him to take him out of his game with physical
press coverage. |
|
|
| San Francisco (6-8) at Philadelphia
(11-3) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 4:15 PM ET on FOX at
Lincoln Financial Field |
Back to top |
| San Francisco |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jeff Garcia
|
X |
Has thrown six TDs in the last
two games and has looked sharp. A nice
late season push for the owners that stuck
with
him. This week on the road in Philly may be another
story. The Eagles' secondary continues to improve
and if Garcia can't buy some time via the scramble
his down field options will be limited. Not a strong
play this week.
|
| RB |
Garrison Hearst (Q) |
B |
Expected to sit out one more game
as his scoped knee recovers. |
| RB |
Kevan Barlow |
S2 |
Barlow continues to impress thanks
to his first starting opportunity as a pro. Will be
the key to the Niners moving the ball this week as
the passing game is likely to struggle but the Philly
defense can be run on. They are allowing 135 YPG over
the last six. |
| WR |
Terrell Owens (P) |
S2 |
Really clicking with a healthy Garcia
now and will be challenged this week by corners Taylor
and Vincent. TO never meet a challenge he didn't take
head on. Should be fun to watch. |
| WR |
Tai Streets (P) |
X |
Streets had been fading since mid-season
while struggling with a leg injury. He appeared to
finally get it going last week and will be needed Sunday
against the very tough Philly secondary to help spread
the field. I wouldn't plug him back into your lineup
however. |
| TE |
Jed Weaver |
B |
Stay away from the Niner tight ends. |
| Philadelphia |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Donovan McNabb |
S2 |
Despite the Eagles' success this
season McNabb has put together just an average fantasy
campaign. Barely top 20 in most leagues. The Niners
bring one of the league's better pass rushes to town
so McNabb may have limited time in the pocket. If
he can use his running ability to bye time however,
he should be effective.
|
| RB |
Brian Westbrook |
S2 |
Amazing how he can remain so effective
a fantasy scorer with so few touches (only 11 last
week). You just can't sit a guy this explosive. Ride
him to the end. |
| RB |
Duce Staley |
B |
The occasional TD on anywhere from
three to eight touches a game. While it's great when
it happens, the risk of getting left with very little
if he doesn't score is just too high to make him a
starter. |
| RB |
Correll Buckhalter |
X |
Suffers from too few carries but
has scored a TD in four of the last five games. Has
the added downside of being a non-factor in the passing
game. |
| WR |
James Thrash |
X |
The ball is being spread around too
much in this offense for any one receiver to stand
out. Thrash however remains the most consistent
of
the bunch and the only viable fantasy wide receiver.
As with most weeks it's likely you have a better option
though. |
| WR |
Todd Pinkston
Freddie Mitchell |
B |
The way the Eagles are spreading
the ball in the passing game these two just don't get
numbers even close to warranting fantasy attention.
Both have seen the end-zone only once this year. |
| TE |
L.J. Smith (D)
Chad Lewis |
B |
With Smith likely out Lewis must
step up this week. Niner SS Tony Parrish matches up
well but Lewis should be able to use his size advantage
to gain position over the middle. The TE hasn't been
a big part of the Eagle passing game this year so don't
expect much. |
|
|
| Denver (9-5) at Indianapolis (11-3) |
|
| Sun, Dec 21, 8:30 PM ET on ESPN at
RCA Dome |
Back to top |
| Denver |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Jake Plummer |
X |
The Colts feature one of the top
pass defenses in the league and they have thrown their "soft"
reputation out the window this season. With Portis
slowed at best more of the game plan will fall on Plummer.
He'll have his hands full as the Indy secondary has
the talent and schemes to limit his receiving options
on the perimeter. His success in this matchup will
go a long way to proving his worth to the Broncos'
future. |
| RB |
Clinton Portis (Q) |
S2 |
Man, what timing? All indications
early in the week have Portis ready to go this weekend
despite the ankle and knee sprains. But you just never
know. All I can say is keep an eye on our Priority
News for updates this week. If the signs are
good that he's close to 100% then you might as well
play him unless you have a much better option. The
fact that Indy is playing some great defense right
now, the game is on turf, and it's a night kickoff
(so no pregame warmup news in the morning) all make
this a risk filled decision this week. |
| RB |
Mike Anderson |
X |
On the off chance that Portis doesn't
play at all, Anderson could have some success running
on the Colts as they do not hold up
well against physical, straight-line power backs. |
| WR |
Rod Smith |
S2 |
Vertical plays are tough to come
by against this defense and Smith isn't the deep threat
he used to be. But he excels at finding soft spots
in zone coverages and that will surly come in handy
Sunday night. |
| WR |
Ashley Lelie |
X |
Lelie seemed to get back some
of his early season form last week. If his improvements
can continue it will pay big dividends for the Broncos'
offense as his deep speed will help open things up
underneath.
|
| WR |
Ed McCaffrey |
B |
Had a couple of nice catches last
week but ended the game with a mild concussion. |
| TE |
Shannon Sharpe |
S1 |
Sharpe will be a great weapon against
the aggressive cover-2 zone schemes used by the Colts'
secondary. |
| Indianapolis |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Peyton Manning |
S1 |
The Broncos play some great pass
defense statistically, but they give up way too many
big plays. Manning will make them pay at home in the
dome. |
| RB |
Edgerrin James |
S2 |
Denver still brings one of the toughest
defenses in the league into Indy on Sunday. No matter.
You have to play The Edge. |
| WR |
Marvin Harrison |
S1 |
The Broncos bend but don't break
style of pass defense will give Harrison plenty of
chances this week.
|
| WR |
Reggie Wayne |
S2 |
Has not been too consistent from
week to week but his quickness and sharp route running
make him a potential fantasy factor each week. |
| WR |
Troy Walters (P) |
B |
Walters was a great sleeper pick
for a few weeks, but the broken nose seems to have
slowed him a bit. He's not likely to be a factor in
this one. |
| TE |
Marcus Pollard |
S2 |
Not that you really need a reason
to start Pollard, but SS Kenoy Kennedy is not a good
down field defender, and that's where Pollard is at
his best. |
|
|
| Green Bay (8-6) at Oakland (4-10) |
|
| Mon, Dec 22, 9:00 PM ET on ABC at
Network Associates Coliseum |
Back to top |
| Green Bay |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Brett Favre (P) |
S2 |
Don't get too caught up in Oakland's
effort against the Ravens last week. You just can't
confuse Anthony Wright and the Baltimore passing game
with Favre and Green Bays'. |
| RB |
Ahman Green |
S1 |
Amazingly held to form last week
and got less than 20 carries on the road. Going up
against the worst run defense in the league could
break that season-long trend.
|
| WR |
Donald Driver |
X |
Week, after week, after week of
little to nothing and then... BAM, we get 8-112 and
a TD. It would be hard to stick Driver back into
your starting lineup given his disappointing season,
but at least he showed some life. CB Charles Woodson
will be asked to use his physical tools to
neutralize Driver. Will be an interesting matchup
and may result in more disappointment for Driver
owners.
|
| WR |
Robert Ferguson |
S2 |
Has overtaken Walker in catches
this season and seems to be back in favor in the
passing attack. Will see a lot of single man-coverage
and has the skills to take the upper hand enough
to warrant getting him in your lineup this week.
|
| WR |
Javon Walker (P) |
B |
Leads all receivers in touchdowns
with seven but his catch totals leave a lot to be
desired for fantasy owners. Over the past eight games
he's averaging only two catches per. Too many options
and too few passes to go around.
|
| TE |
Bubba Franks
Wesley Walls |
X |
The TE should get some additional
work Monday night as the Raider safeties continue to
struggle in coverage (see Heap last week). Problem
is that both Franks and Walls are being used about
equally,
with
Franks getting the edge down by the goal-line. |
| Oakland |
| Pos |
Player |
SBC |
Comments |
| QB |
Rick Mirer |
B |
In his seven starts this season he's
thrown only THREE touchdowns. I don't care who the
opponent is, Mirer will never be
a fantasy
starter.
End of story. |
| RB |
Charlie Garner |
B |
Still good for a few catches a game,
but hasn't had 10 or more carries, or seen the end-zone,
in six weeks. |
| RB |
Tyrone Wheatley |
B |
Has performed well since Garner's
injury, but he's only getting about a dozen carries
a game. If
he doesn't score then he ends up being worthless fantasy-wise.
Also, the Packers are very solid against the run. |
| WR |
Jerry Rice |
X |
At least he's snuck in for a couple
of late season touchdowns. Otherwise, what a sad
way for the greatest of all time to go out.
|
| WR |
Tim Brown |
B |
If anyone on this team is due
to score it's Brown, who hasn't sniffed the end-zone
since week four. No way is that enough to warrant
fantasy consideration of any kind this week.
|
| WR |
Jerry Porter |
B |
Since his 7 catch game a month
ago his numbers have decreased each week, ending
in a single catch game last week.
|
| TE |
Whoever |
B |
The two TEs have four
catches in the past four games.
|
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