FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

Prediction: SEA 10, MIA 31

The last time the Dolphins were favored by nine points over the Seahawks, it was thanks to Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. Maybe not quite that long ago but this game really signals not only the transition in the NFL but how quickly it can happen. The Seahawks are only 2-6 and in a three way tie for the NFC West cellar while the Dolphins are 4-4 and one game back of the entire AFC East with no room for error. The times they are a'changing...

Quarterback: Matt Hasselbeck's back will likely keep him out at least this week and that means Seneca Wallace will return for his fourth start this year. But his level of play has been one of many problems. He only passed for 73 yards against the Buccaneers and last week managed only 169 yards despite starting the game with a 90 yard completion to Koren Robinson. Wallace has done himself no favors with what could be the only chance he had at being an NFL starting quarterback.

Running Backs: Since week three when Julius Jones stopped facing weak NFC West teams at home, he has not scored a touchdown or had more than 61 yards in a game. He doesn't even regularly catch a pass in a game. His problem is compounded because game situation dictates that the Seahawks pass instead of run (if they even have the ball at all) and Jones has not had more than 12 carries in a game since week five. It is all a bad situation that is getting worse.

Wide Receivers: It has been a long year for this ever changing group and without Hasselbeck around it doesn't really matter. Koren Robinson set the Seattle record with a 90-yard touchdown last week on the first play of the game but it was also the only score in the game and he only added three catches for 15 yards. The one catch went for more yardage than any other wideout here has managed in a full game this year.

Deion Branch will test out his heel again this week but I won't count him in until he is cleared and besides - with Wallace under center it doesn't really matter much anyway. Particularly on the road to the other side of the country.

Tight Ends: John Carlson hasn't lost all fantasy value but he has declined to 30 or so yards per game and has only two scores on the year. Carlson is getting invaluable playing time for the future but in this offense the current fantasy value is mediocre.

Match Against the Defense: Unfortunately, the Dolphins are weaker against the pass where the Seahawks have no current strength and only average against the run which the Seahawks can only dream about being average doing. Look for a mediocre day from Jones with no rushing score and Wallace to post one passing score that will end up with one of the wide receivers.

Pregame Notes: The Dolphins are on a two game winning streak after upsets of the Bills and Broncos and this week comes as a gift. For a team that went 1-15 in 2007, there is a distinct chance that the Fins could end up with a winning record or at least .500 which is jaw-dropping thinking back just 12 months ago. The defense has quietly led the charge here and the next three games will all be at home.

Running Backs: Ricky Williams has become much less of a factor since he somehow has turned in exactly 16 rushing yards in each of the last three games. But even Ronnie Brown has slowed down sharply from his two game explosion over the Patriots and Chargers. He hasn't rushed for more than 59 yards in the last month and rarely has more than one catch per game. He's still the most likely to run in a score but the Dolphins are including Patrick Cobbs still just to further decrease the workload.

Wide Receivers: HC Tony Sparano had no ties to any receivers and the two players who started the year - Derek Hagen and Ernest Wilford - are not even active for games anymore. Greg Camarillo has stepped up as a solid possession receiver who had a career best 111 yards on 11 catches last week. Ted Ginn Jr. has been good for around 40 or 50 yards in most games though he too had a monster effort just two weeks ago. And even Davone Bess has forced his way to being the #3. This unit still doesn't even rank as average since they have only caught two touchdowns all season and rarely have more than 60 yards from any individual player. But they are improving.

Tight Ends: Anthony Fasano holds the team lead for receiving touchdowns with just four but he is sparse in the yardage department with never more than 37 yards for the past month.

Match Against the Defense: The Seattle rushing defense is worse on the road and have allowed four touchdowns this season. Look for a solid game here by Ronnie Brown with at least one score and another could end up with Williams since the Seattle offense won't do too much in this game. There should be plenty of opportunities to run this week.

Pennington goes against a very soft secondary but he won't throw much more than he needs and that may not be much. Look for just moderate passing yardage in this easiest matchup of the season so far and a passing score for a wideout like Ginn since they have struggled against speed receivers. I like the chance for a defensive score in this game.