Quarterback
Michael Vick now has three games under his belt
since returning from a broken leg. The results have been
mostly unspectacular, with the exception of a huge rushing
performance against the Panthers. Even so, if you can afford
to gamble, get Vick in your lineup this week against the
Jaguars. Jacksonville has one of the better run defenses
in the league, but they are vulnerable against the pass.
Look for Vick to post 240 yards passing, two touchdowns
and 50 yards rushing. - Brett Favre is coming off
one of the most impressive performances of his career (or
any career for that matter). Favre threw four touchdown
passes less than 24 hours after learning of his father's
death. The inspiring performance should carry forward to
this week's game against the Broncos, where Green Bay will
fight for their playoff lives. I expect Favre to turn in
another strong performance, two touchdowns and 225 yards
passing. - I wasn't high on Rex Grossman coming
out of college, but the former Florida Gator his been impressive
in his first two starts. He should see more success this
week against the Chiefs, a team that doesn't seem to have
a personality on defense. Start Grossman and look for the
rookie to rack up another two touchdowns and 240 passing
yards.
This Week's Sleepers: Rex Grossman and Jake Delhomme
Running Back
Bengals running back Rudi Johnson is just 95 yards
shy of 1,000 for the season. Start him this week in a must-win
game for the Cincinnati. While head coach Marvin Lewis
continues to say all the right things about Corey Dillon,
Lewis privately has to know that Johnson gives his team
the best chance to win. The rookie running back is averaging
4.5 yards per carry and gets stronger and stronger as games
wear on. This week Johnson should net 130 yards and a touchdown. - After
facing unfair media criticism last year, Anthony Thomas has
quietly had himself a fine 2003 season. Despite being sidelined
with injuries and illnesses for parts of the season, Thomas
has 963 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He should be
in your lineup this week against the Chiefs. Kansas City
is terrible against the run, giving up a league-worst 150
yards per game. I expect Thomas to close out the season
with 120 yards and one score. - Philadelphia's Brian
Westbrook has been one of fantasy football's biggest
surprises in 2003. Despite playing in an offense that features
a running back by committee approach, Westbrook has 924
total yards of offense and 11 touchdowns. Over the last
3-4 weeks, he's faced some of the league's toughest run
defenses. However, he finally catches a break in the regular
season finale against the Redskins. Washington allows 142.3
rushing yards per game. Start Westbrook and bank on him
gaining 115 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. - With Clinton
Portis sidelined, running backs Mike Anderson and Quentin
Griffin split the carries for Denver last week. Griffin
led the way with 28 carries for 136 yards. Despite Griffin's
eye-opening performance, I expect Anderson to be the better
back in Week 16. My feeling is Griffin was given the bulk
of the carries last week because his speed played well
on the RCA Dome's fast surface. This week's game is in
frigid Lambeau Field, which fits Mike Anderson's power
style of rushing better. Anderson should finish the game
with 85 yards and a touchdown.
This Week's Sleepers: Rudi Johnson, Anthony Thomas
and Mike Anderson
Wide Receiver
Here's one final salute to this year's probable rookie
of the year, Anquan Boldin. While fellow rookie
receiver Andre Johnson hit a wall a few weeks ago,
Boldin smashed right through it. On the year Boldin has
an incredible 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns. With Minnesota
coming to town, Boldin is poised to close out the year
with another big game. The Vikings rank 26th in
the league against the pass, and they're particularly weak
on the road. Start Boldin and expect no less than 130 yards
and a touchdown. - For a few weeks, Baltimore's Marcus
Robinson was a touchdown machine. But since scoring
six touchdowns in a three-week span, he's stumbled a bit.
Robinson caught just three passes last week for 27 yards.
Despite this drop in production, I think he'll close out
the year with a strong game. Ironically, the Ravens close
out the season against the same the same team with which
they opened the season: the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers
defense will be intent on preventing Jamal Lewis from breaking
the all-time single season rushing record. That should
open up the passing game and allow Robinson to post 100
yards and a touchdown. - With Terrell Owens out
for the season because of a broken collar bone, a couple
sleeper options are available this week in San Francisco.
Among the best candidates are Tai Streets, Cedrick
Wilson and rookie Brandon Lloyd. As the team's
remaining leading receiver, Streets is definitely starter
material this week. Of the remaining two, I'd go with Lloyd.
The 49ers have been eliminated from the playoffs, so they
will likely want to get a good look at Lloyd can do, especially
since Owens will probably not be with the team next year.
Lloyd is unproven so he's a risky play. Still I predict
he'll catch a long touchdown pass and finish with 85 yards.
This Week's Sleepers: Marcus Robinson, Tai Streets,
Todd Pinkston and Brandon Lloyd.
Tight End
Jed Weaver has been a significant contributor to
the San Francisco offense in recent weeks. Last Sunday
Weaver caught three passes for 61 yards. With Terrell Owens
sidelined for the final game of 2003, expect the tight
end to play an even larger role in the gameplan. Start
Weaver and count on him catching 4-5 passes for 60 yards
and a touchdown. - If your tight end has been struggling
in recent weeks, acquire and start Antonio Gates for
the final week of 2003. Gates has been streaky lately,
but posted a five-catch 64-yard performance Sunday. Drew
Brees seems to favor throwing to the tight end, whereas
Doug Flutie locked in on David Boston. Gates should have
another strong game this week against the Raiders, a team
that surrendered two touchdowns to tight ends Monday night
against Green Bay.
This Week's Sleepers: Jed Weaver and Antonio Gates
Kicker
Look for Jeff Wilkins to close out the season with
another double-digit game. Wilkins and the Rams travel
to Detroit this week to face the Lions. St. Louis always
plays well in domed stadiums and this week should be no
different. Detroit has given up 65 points over the last
two games. - Start Paul Edinger this week against
the Chiefs. Kansas City has given up 20 or more points
in six of their last seven games. Meanwhile, Edinger is
having himself a fine fantasy football season. Despite
playing on an offense that goes through quarterbacks like
Michael Irvin goes through suits, Edinger ranks eighth
in the league in scoring among kickers. He's a lock to
score 7-9 points this week.
This Week's Sleepers: Paul Edinger and Sebastian
Janikowski
Defense
If you own the Carolina Panthers defense, you should
be a happy guy or gal come Sunday afternoon. The Panthers
face the reeling New York Giants this week. The Giants
haven't scored more than seven points in the last four
weeks. The team's quarterbacks have been sacked 14 times
in the last three games. It all adds up to a big week for
the Panthers. I expect Carolina to keep the Giants out
of the endzone and rack up at least four sacks. - If you
need a boost in production from your defense for the championship
game, consider starting the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite being led by a defensive-minded coach, most of
Cincinnati's success is attributed to the team's offense,
not the defense. But I like their chances this week against
the Browns. Cleveland was shut out last week and their
offense is struggling to get in synch. Start the Bengals
and count on three turnovers and three sacks.
This Week's Sleepers: Cincinnati Bengals and Miami
Dolphins
The 6-Pack
Last Week's 6-Pack: Pete's Wicked Ale
Price Paid: $6.49
What the Bottle Tells Us: Very little. Pete's markets
itself as "The Original American Brown Ale."
What I Say: Pete's is bottled in a deep brown container
with a black label. The smell is dominated by sweet and
fruity aromas with hints of malt. The beer pours to a modest
ivory head that maintains its shape for a minute before
disappearing. In the glass, Pete's offers a striking brown
and amber color. It's a beverage worth admiring before
you take your first drink. With good looks and scents,
I was hoping for some impressive flavors. Unfortunately,
Pete's has a bit of an empty taste and is somewhat flat
on the tongue. While the hops make you instantly realize
you're not drinking a Bud, it's not as bold as I had anticipated.
Other recognizable flavors include hints of spice and caramelized
fruit. Its finish is a bit weak and slightly acidic. Pete's
has enough complexity to keep you interested, but isn't
overly impressive. As a brown ale, I'd rate it above Newcastle
and below Samuel Smith's. In this price range, you can
probably find a more enjoyable beer. However, if you're
in the mood for a sweeter beer, give Pete's a shot.
This Week's 6-Pack: None.
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