Fantasy Football Advice

Today is the day! For most of us still going our championship game is today. We still don’t know what the Colts are going to do with their starters and I have a feeling Caldwell isn’t exactly sure either, which makes them a little risky no matter what your world view is. The Colts did sign Drew Willy Wonka off the practice squad which leads many to think they could rest Peyton at some point so Willy would be the backup to Curtis Painter. I have been on the fence about the whole thing with a slight tilt toward playing it safe, but this news gives me even more reason to play it safe.  I’m sitting Colts unless my second choice is pretty bad, or ugly bad.

DeAngelo Williams: He didn’t practice at all this week and is listed as doubtful, but did make the trip to NY. The Giants rush defense has been decent recently, but an every down Jonathan Stewart has proven he belongs in your lineup, so make sure you check the comments for the most recent actives and inactives today.

Percy Harvin: He has practiced in full this week and seems to be better and should be back into your lineups as a #3 receiver.

Correll Buckhalter: He is listed as probable and should return against Philadelphia. This makes Knowshon Moreno less desirable and with Bucky coming off the injury it also makes him a no go for fantasy rosters.

Hines Ward: He is probable with his hamstring injury, but of course with this kind of injury you have to worry about him reaggravating it during the game, well, you don’t have to worry about it; it’s actually something you shouldn’t get an ulcer over, but if you have someone else of equal startability, go with him.

Zach Miller: He looked good to go earlier in the week, but has been limited in practice the last couple days. Who knows what that means for someone with two concussions this year. Stay away.

Michael Bush: Justin Fargas won’t go which upgrades Michael Bush. You won’t be starting him over Jason Snelling or any starting back for that matter, but if you were gambling on Arian Foster last week and are still playing this week, I’d make the switch.

Pierre Garcon: He’s out for this week.  Austin Collie should see a decent amount of looks with Wayne being covered by Revis.

Ahmad Bradshaw: He didn’t practice all week, but is listed as probable.  He grabbed 2 touchdowns last week, but of course isn’t a safe bet to do the same this week, but who is really? I’d feel good about starting him as a flex against a poor Panthers rush defense.

Derrick Ward: The Buc’s running back carousel keeps on a turnin’. Last week Ward seemed to take over the starting duties, but this week he was a late addition to the injury report. If he doesn’t go Caddy should get all the work and would make an ok play against a weak Saints’ rush defense.

Julius Jones: He is listed as questionable, but practiced fully on Friday. He probably ate a big Christmas breakfast. This takes Justin Forsett pretty far out of the startable category against a good Packers rush defense.  If he doesn’t go, that would push Forsett up into a flex possibility.

Eddie Royal: Not that it matters, but he is out. Royal has been a fantasy pauper this year. His status for next year is not looking good.

Fred Taylor: He had practiced in full early in the week, but then was limited on Thursday and Friday.  I was worried about him taking touches away from Maroney, but it’s looking less likely now.

Ryan Fitzpatrick: He did not practice and it looks like Brian Brohm will get the start.  This should give Fred Jackson a lot of work against a poor Falcons’ rush defense.

Michael Turner: For some reason he is listed as questionable, but they would have to be as batty as Al Davis to play him in a meaningless game. Get Jason Snelling into your lineup.

Brian Westbrook: He practiced all week and will play against the poor Denver run defense, but is on a snap count.  If Dusty Baker was coaching the Eagles I’d say start him, but in reality he needs to be on your bench.

Joe Nedney: He is out, and since he is a kicker this escaped me, so in case it did you as well and you own him there’s that.

Mike Sims-Walker has been downgraded to doubtful.  I don’t doubt that he is real or anything, but I doubt that he’ll play in a nice matchup at home.  You have to downgrade Garrard even though MSW was nearly non-existent last week, in reality he was there, completely tangible.  Just his presence helped Garrard find other receivers. But do upgrade Mike Thomas against a poor Miami secondary.

Mike Bell: He didn’t practice on Friday and it looked like he wasn’t going to play but now some Saints beat writer is saying he’ll go even without practicing.  I’m guessing the beat writer was drunk and bloated on crayfish and alligator meat, but I’ve still got to take away some of my love for Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush if Bell plays.

Tim Hightower: He has had a thumb injury for a couple weeks so he will still play on Monday night, but he only had 6 carries and 1 reception to Beanie Wells’ 13 carries against Minnesota.  The 49ers have a tough run defense so I would be careful about using either, but I do believe Beanie will finish the season very strong while Hightower becomes the third down back.

Donald Brown: He is out again and speculation is he has broken ribs.  If you need to make a move that might help you in the playoffs and you’re not in a keeper league I’d go ahead and drop Brown.  I doubt they’ll risk hurting him anymore when they are already so far ahead.

Vince Young: He didn’t practice on Friday, but says, “Heck yeah, you know me better than that. I’ll be out there.” Um, I’m not so sure we do know you better than that VY, but look for him to go and hand the ball to Chris Johnson a lot.

Michael Turner: He’s listed as questionable which is kind of like calling Al Davis’ draft picks questionable.  Turner will not play.  But who will start and who will get the fantasy points against a poor Saints rush defense? Why are you asking me?! Oh, right, well, Norwood should get the start again, but his hip doesn’t seem 100% and he won’t get goal line carries.  I’m not too keen on either, but I’d go with Snelling if my hand was forced.

Matt Ryan: He’s also listed as questionable when he actually has a hot intern’s chance of not getting hit on by Mike Tirico of playing.  Chris Redman will get the start again and shouldn’t hurt Roddy White which is all we really care about.

Matt Schaub: There’s been no indication that he’ll be limited against Seattle so you have to start him.  Of course he could get slammed on that recently separated shoulder, but thankfully the Seahawks don’t get to the quarterback that often.

Tom Brady: He didn’t practice much this week and is listed as questionable with injuries to his ribs, shoulder and finger.  It’s hard not to believe he’ll go, and it’s hard to sit him unless you have a very good backup and even then it’ll be tough.

Steven Jackson: He practiced a little bit on Friday which is better than the last 2 weeks.  And by “little bit,” I mean he jogged from the hot tub to the burrito cart and back.  Just like always, you have to start him if he does.

Justin Forsett: He isn’t on the injury report so we should get a chance to see how he will be used the rest of the season. I expect a fairly even split between him and Jones and neither is a great start, but Forsett would be the only one I would take a risk on.

DeSean Jackson: He practiced all week and is a good start after taking a week off with a concussion. The Giants’ pass defense has been ugly as of late.

Albert Haynesworth: His off again, on again season is off again and add to that DeAngelo Hall is out and you have a perfect shizz storm for the Redskins to get beat in the black hole and that would have to hurt. Does this mean you go and start Michael Bush and Heyward Bey even though he is out? No, but I do think if you were looking to spot start the Skins defense I would have second thoughts.

Jeremy Maclin: He practiced on Friday and is listed as questionable. He’ll probably play, but he’s in the late game so you may want to be wary.

Carnell Williams: He is listed as questionable and will be a game time decision.  I’d stay away from the situation.

Percy Harvin: He has yet to practice due to migraines.  This has happened before, but never for such a long time and Coach Major Dad said Harvin couldn’t go over the game plan for the week.  There is a chance he won’t go so pay attention to Razzball for the news on Sunday morning.

Devin Hester: He has yet to practice and doesn’t look like he’ll play which will leave Charles Woodson free to cover Greg Olsen.  Don’t start Olsen.  He won’t do well.

Matthew Stafford: He is out and Daunte Culpepper will get the start.  Calvin Johnson isn’t the greatest start, but Culpepper shouldn’t hurt him too much.

Latest News

Visanthe Shiancoe is active

Ahmad Bradshaw is active

Kurt Warner will start according to reliable sources

Roddy White active

Reggie Bush active

Justin Gage inactive

Heyward-Bey is out

Aqib Talib is out (helps Steve Smith)

Steven Jackson will play

Jerious Norwood will start

Haynesworth will play today

DeAngelo Williams is inactive. Get Jonathan Stewart in your lineups!

Michael Jenkins inactive

Turner definitely out for today

Steven Jackson reported to be playing today; stay tuned for final news

Hartley in Carney out

Steve Slaton will not play

Roddy White will play and start today vs. Philadelphia

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Steven Jackson has yet to practice this week.  The same thing happened last week and he went for over a 100 yards and a TD, but the cold weather in Chicago could do something to his back.  I’m a doctor, remember? I believe if he starts he is good for his 100 yards, so pay attention to Razzball for updates Sunday morning.

Desean Jackson: Fraction Jackson is officially out. Upgrade Celek, Maclin and Avant. That is all.

Steve Slaton: He looks like he’ll sit out tomorrow’s game. Chris Brown will get the start with Ryan Moats probably filling the dash side of their retarded version of Smash and Dash.

Deangelo Williams: He didn’t practice this week, but it looks like more of a week long siesta than anything else. He should go against the Bucs who he destroyed the last time out.  But be sure to check Razzball to see if he goes.  If he can’t go I would start Jon Stewart liberally. Get it?

Donald Brown: Brown is down and out for week 13.  I’m going to say he is one of the biggest disappointments of the fantasy season.  His injuries are worrisome for his draft status next year.  But this year Joseph Addai benefited, especially this week.

Justin Forsett: He tweeked his quad in practice and was sent to the trainer to think about what he had done. I mean really, I can’t believe he’d do something like that out in public!  He wants to play and he is only questionable, but I would be one very worried wart about starting him with Julius Jones coming back. 

Kurt Warner: He shared reps with Leinart and has adult-onset game time decisionitis.  I have him and am worried about the lateness of his game.  If you have a good backup it might be worth playing him if we don’t hear anything before said backup plays.

Michael Turner: He won’t play tomorrow and will be replaced by Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood.  They should share time fairly evenly, but Norwood is better than Snelling so I’m giving him the thumbs up, Caesar style.

Cedric Benson: He will start against Detroit and is a good play.  Bernard Scott is out so Larry Johnson will be Benson’s backup.  I could see LJ having a decent game against Detroit if you are hurting at running back or like starting jerk faces.

Jerome Harrison: Jennings will probably get the start, but I think with 10-12 carries Harrison will match Jennings’ output with 15-20.  Neither is a great choice, but I like Harrison more.

Brent Celek: He has practiced all week and should go.  Hopefully he’ll be able to hang onto the ball.

I hope this week’s injury report finds you well and uninjured, unlike these poor saps below.

Anquan Boldin: Questionable — I know when I drag my ham around for long periods of time the string gets all funky. Guessing this is Boldin’s problem. He will be a game time decision, which sucks since he plays late. Check when your teams lock and if you have another option that plays late or Monday night. If not I’d sit him.

Brian Westbrook: Probable — You’ll see Mr. Westbrook on this list early and often this season. He’s a good play against the Panthers. You know what you got into when you picked him, unless it was an autodraft and then you should have preranked your players or got a better internet connection or not had so many jello shots.

Pierre Thomas: Out — It might be time to start doubting Thomas just a bit. I hope his MCL sprain doesn’t linger or reoccur, but if it does you picked up Bell and are ready to go! Right?

Tom Brady: Probable (as usual) — He’s fine. This will be the last time I mention Brady on the injury report unless he actually gets injured.

Matt Cassel: Questionable — This is just to fill up some space for this post. You wouldn’t start a banged up Cassel in Baltimore on a dare.

Matt Schaub: Probable — One of the many QB’s named Matt, this one is fine and you should start him.

Bernard Berrian: Questionable — BB will be a game time decision. He’s probably worth waiting on, but his hammy could act up during the game. If you have a decent backup I’d take a hard look at him.

Kyle Orton: Questionable — The bearded neck will play with a glove over his boo boo. He’ll probably be ok, but there are a lot of questions surrounding the Broncos going into Cincinnati; I’d be cautious.

Knowshon Moreno: Questionable — He’s been practicing, but not even Josh McDaniels’ diary knows how much work, if any, he’ll get. And if you get your hands on that diary I want to see if there are any scribbled out hearts with “JM + BM” inside them.

Carson Palmer: Probable — He says he’s “full go!” He gets the Broncos at home. If you drafted him, here’s the time to get him in your lineup.

Wes Welker: Questionable — He’s been practicing, sorda. I think he’ll play, but with Billy B. we may not know until his 3rd or 4th reception.
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