Championships All Around!
Happy Holidays everyone! First off I’d like to thank all of you for reading and supporting the site and all our hard working writers. Here’s a little holiday card for all of you loyal readers. It’s from the heart!
Those of you in your championship game this weekend might have some injury concerns for your players. I know I do. I have Vincent Jackson and Chris Johnson plaguing my lineup with their ills. I’ll take you through the up to the minute news but it won’t stay up to the minute so make sure you follow myself and others on Twitter so you don’t get screwed.
The best of luck to all your teams!
Vincent Jackson: Jackson has some groin troubles. Those are usually the troubles I tend to dislike and playing football while having them sounds tough. He is a game time decision and unfortunately game time is in the afternoon which makes it really tough to plan this one out. If you have Malcom Floyd I’d feel fine about just having him on your bench and waiting until we know VJax’s status or if you want to play it safe you can just go with Floyd in case VJax is slowed by the injury. If Floyd is gone you can pick up Vincent Brown and do the same but I wouldn’t start him unless Jackson is definitely out.
Felix Jones: Don’t start him. This is your championship game and you don’t want a zero. The Cowboys signed Chauncey Washington and Sammy Morris has shown he can handle himself in this offense. Jones hasn’t practiced and is questionable. Unfortunately this is another afternoon game which screws us fake footballers royally. If Jones doesn’t go I’d feel fine with starting Morris as a flex play but if he does start I’d worry about starting either.
Chris Johnson: This guy has effed us over all season and now he’s giving us one last shot in the junk. His ankle injury most likely won’t keep him out but could limit him and Jamie Harper is set to get more work. Right now I have the choice between him and Sammy Morris. If I knew Jones wasn’t going I’d go with Morris but unless that somehow becomes official I’m going to stick with CJ as long as he starts. I’ve gone back and forth on this one but the possibility of Jones playing is too scary for me. If you have a good matchup for a bench player I could see sitting CJ but don’t play a scrub.
Ben Roethlisberger: Ben will sit this one out. This does hurt Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. Since we haven’t seen Charlie Batch much of late I’m afraid of starting the receivers but it is a good matchup for them. I could easily see Wallace and Brown having some nice gains after the catch because they are both awesome in the open field so don’t sit them just for shizz and giggles. This may limit Rashard Mendenhall’s TD potential but should up his carries a lot.
Marion Barber: The Barbarian is out and Khalil Bell, who I think is Superman’s dad, will get the start and every down work. His ability is sketchy but he should get a ton of work in the short passing game. I worry about him getting a touchdown but should get 5+receptions.
Mario Manningham: He is out. I think this helps Victor Cruz the most with Hakeem Nicks likely covered by Darelle Revis. With Jake Ballard also out this could make Travis Beckum a desperation play if you are desperate.
Anthony Fasano: He is out with a concussion. So you probably shouldn’t start him. I have a sneaky feeling about Charles Clay but I’m too much of a wuss to play him. I like Brent Celek and Dustin Keller’s matchups this week but if you were playing Fasano you probably don’t own them. Just don’t play Heath Miller!
Lance Moore: He was a late addition to the injury report with a hamstring injury. I would find other alternatives.
Kellen Clemens: Clemens will start for the Rams with Feeley and Bradford hurt. Start the Steelers D/ST.
James Starks: He practiced all week and should play. I’m a little worried that if the Seahawks win the Packers may only go with their starters for a half or so but I also think a half at least for Aaron Rodgers is still worth a start. Starks on the other hand, bleh.
Roy Helu: UPDATE: He is OUT. Evan Royster willget the start but Ryan Torain is also active so who knows how that will break down.
Ahmad Bradshaw: He is listed as probable and should play. He’s a flex at best and takes Brandon Jacobs down even further.
A.J. Green: He will play and has a good matchup. Hope that he doesn’t land on his shoulder again!
Hot Links:
Here is my favorite Christmas song from middle school. Can’t say I knew what a touque was but it was funny.
Evan Silva is at it again with his Week 16 Matchups article.
If you really want to know how the Cover 2 works you’ve got to check out Alen Dumonjic’s post.
Bill Walsh and the art of quarterbacking.
Pete Prisco looks at how the Chiefs beat the Packers.
Did you lose in your fantasy playoffs? Renee Miller looks at the different ways of losing.
Carl does his thing:
