FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

MIA (2-10) vs DEN (7-5)

Game Prediction: MIA 13, DEN 27

The Broncos come off two close losses that stuck a knife into their divisional hopes this season. They lose here, someone might stick Shanahan. Actually, he might do it himself.

Pre-Game Notes - MIA

The Dolphins lost last week in Buffalo but they looked pretty good doing it. The only important thing is that as long as the 49ers keep losing, the Fins don't have to worry about being the worst team in the league.

Running Backs: Travis Minor comes off the best game by a Miami running back this season. He gained 96 total yards and scored a rushing touchdown. He'll be facing one of the toughest rushing defenses in the league this week - it won't last.

Wide Receivers: The Dolphins may be losing and Feeley may specialize in giving away free touchdowns, but that doesn't mean that Chris Chambers cannot be a fantasy stud lately. He has scored in the last three games and has caught at least five passes in each of the last four games. Marty Booker is improving as well, gaining 96 yards on five catches last week. He's been nursing a sore ankle but is obviously healthier now. Even Bryan Gilmore has been contributing with a score and 49 yards last week.

With any luck, the Miami defense will continue to allow opponents to gain big leads and force Miami into throwing. Even if the defense does well, there's always Feeley helping the defense to score that you can rely on as well.

Tight Ends: Randy McMichael only had 14 yards last week and other than his score in week 12, he's spent the last month mainly blocking.

Match Against the Defense: You have to figure that after the last two weeks, the Broncos are going to be plenty motivated to finally post a win. There's a great chance that Feeley can amass some decent yardage here and a score but more than one touchdown has only been done twice this season against the Denver secondary.

As for Minor, just say no. Just no.

Pre-Game Notes - DEN

Ouch. Losses to both Oakland and San Diego not only throw the Broncos into a likely wild card hunt, those two losses have already made people start thinking how long the Broncos have gone without any significant post season play.

Running Backs: Reuben Droughns only gained 38 yards on 14 carries last week and there's concern that he is wearing down after such a heavy load this season. Now that is the Denver way. This is compounded by Tatum Bell gaining 31 yards on seven carries and scoring on a nice 16 yard run. Now Shanahan says he wants to use Bell "five to ten times a game" which should only decrease what Droughns will do. Finally, a way to worry the waiver wire hounds who hit gold with Droughns earlier this season.

Wide Receivers: In spite of the recent losses, Ashley Lelie and Rod Smith remain very good fantasy starters. Smith has scored in four of the last six games while Lelie has three scores and good yardage every week. Other than one week against the Saints, both receivers have been solid fantasy performers for the last six weeks.

Darius Watts still gets passes every week but has taken some heat for failing to get out of bounds last week. The coaches still believe in him and Shanahan said that Watts had to get the first down anyway.

Tight Ends: Jeb Putzier is consistent, but that only means around 20 yards a week and no score.

Match Against the Defense: The Miami defense has been very inconsistent this season which makes forecasting and matching it up more difficult, but primarily they will be without MLB Zach Thomas this week and that should help the Denver running game. Droughns should have at least a moderate game here and could score once but there's the specter of Bell who may take some carries and do more with them.

The Broncos defense should handle this game and coupled with running of Droughns and Bell, Plummer won't have to win this game. After throwing four interceptions last week, Denver will want to run and win anyway.