FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

PIT (14-1) vs BUF (9-6)

Game Prediction: PIT 13, BUF 25

The Steelers have wrapped up the #1 seed regardless of what happens here while the Bills need a win and a little help to be in and a loss to be out. This is an early game and the results of the Denver game are not until later that afternoon.

Pre-Game Notes - PIT

The Steelers will look at this game as a warm up for the playoffs or more appropriately as, a cool down from the season. This is a chance to get some playing time for Maddox and Staley but not a reason to risk an injury to a starter. Don't be shocked if Burress and Ward do not play a full game - there's no reason for it.

Running Backs: Duce Staley is slated to start this week since his hamstring has improved and now Jerome Bettis has a sprained ankle. Bettis is expected to be held out.

Wide Receivers: With Maddox back as starter, Hines Ward might see some actual passes. Long the only player that Maddox locked on to each game, Ward has only scored twice in the 13 games started by Roethlisberger. Plaxico Burress returned last week from his hamstring injury and scored yet another long touchdown but with Maddox back, he'll more likely resume his old role of blocking for Ward.

Tight Ends: Worthless no matter what quarterback is playing.

Match Against the Defense: Yet another game where the question is how much starters play and how hard? Expect some effort from Staley, Ward and Burress but a full game would be too risky to count on. The Bills need the win and will be playing hard with a good defense.

Pre-Game Notes - BUF

The Bills are one win away from being the first team that started 0-4 on the season and ended up in the playoffs. They are going for their seventh straight win this week.

Running Backs: Willis McGahee was able to play last week and while he only had 15 carries, he gained 102 yards and scored twice against the 49ers. Shaud Williams also scored and had 93 yards and unless McGahee is injured again, you've probably seen the last of Williams.

Wide Receivers: Eric Moulds has become the standard possession receiver during this winning streak and only had one touchdown in the last eight games. He has only one 100+ yard game and that was back in week four. But he is usually good for around five catches a game for maybe 50 or 60 yards. Lee Evans is the star now, he has scored in each of the last five games and has topped 90 yards three times in that time. He usually gets to try one end-around per game as well. Evans is becoming everything that Peerless Price was, even if Moulds has dropped off to being only a marginal fantasy player now.

Tight Ends: Since Mark Campbell left, there is no fantasy value here.

Match Against the Defense: The Steelers bring in one of the top defenses in the NFL but there's that whole motivation question this week. Expect that McGahee easily surpasses the 66 yard average allowed by the Steelers with a chance at a 100 yard game if Pittsburgh folds the tents up early.

Bledsoe won't need to press too much to win this game since a good defense against Maddox will likely yield some nice field position. The scoring won't be too high this week but the Bills have every motivation to win while the Steelers have none. How that plays out will depend on how many Steelers starters play and for how long.