Fantasy Football Advice

There is no off season here at Razzball (except for that 48 hour bender right after the Super Bowl). We’ve already got ourselves a slow mock draft happening to kick off the beginning of the 2010-2011 season.  Yes, there will be a lot of changes as the so-called off season moves players around and brings in new, younger ones, but doing mocks is a great way to see how others value players and helps solidify where you value players.  Here are my co-conspirator mockaletes.

1. Matt Schauf – RapidDraft.com

2. Melissa Jacobs - TheFootballGirl.com

3. Melissa Greenhawt – GoGameFace.com

4. Chet Gresham – This Guy

5. Jim Day - FFWhiz.com

6. Charlie Tourtillotte — Tourinct

7. Mike Clay – FantasyDC.com

8. Steve Adler - FantasyDaddy.com

9. Paul M. Bourdett – BaseHeads.com

10. Drew Silva – Rotoworld.com

11. Bryan Fontaine – RookieBlitz.com

12. Knox Bardeen – Fanhouse.com

We’re still mocking each other so I’ll keep you updated on our progress.  My picks are in bold.  Here are the first three rounds for your amusement:

Round One

1. Maurice Jones Drew

2. Chris Johnson

3. Adrian Peterson

4. Ray Rice

5. Michael Turner

6. Andre Johnson

7. Frank Gore

8. Steven Jackson

9. Jamaal Charles

10. Matt Forte

11. Aaron Rodgers

12. Ryan Grant

– The first round had most of the usual suspects in it, but MJD at #1 was a little surprising. He’s in my 1st tier and I can see him being a #1 pick, but I’m a little worried about Garrard getting him to the goal line as much as he needs. Matt defends his pick here.

– I felt good about getting Ray Rice 4th.  If I had to choose a draft position it would be one of the top 4 or at the turn at 11/12.  I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the top 4 picks and if you get 4th you don’t have to decide!

– Drew went with Forte at #10 which is within the realm of where his ADP will be, but I will probably pass on him unless it’s a ppr league.  Martz likes to use his running backs in the passing game, a lot.

– Aaron Rodgers will be in the running for the #1 quarterback off the board, but after last year’s ten 4,ooo yard passers, I’ll be waiting on a quarterback.

– Since I’m pro Chris Johnson, getting him at #2 is good value, but no picks really stood out to me as steals.  I have Jamaal Charles ranked higher than he went, but that second tier is pretty fluid with Gore, A.J., SJax and Charles.

Round Two

13. Drew Brees

14. Larry Fitzgerald

15. Peyton Manning

16. Rashard Mendenhall

17. Calvin Johnson

18. Reggie Wayne

19. Pierre Thomas

20. DeAngelo Williams

21. Chris Wells

22. Philip Rivers

23. Tom Brady

24. Miles Austin

– The second round saw a big run on quarterbacks.  Once again I just can’t grab a QB with the first 2 picks.  It’s against my code of fake football ethics.  Running backs or wide receivers for me please.  My options at RB were dwindling fast, but I had a difficult time choosing between Beanie, Moreno and Benson.  But for my money, Beanie has the highest upside of the 3.  Whisenhunt won’t put as much of the game in Leinart’s hands, especially with a back as talented as Wells showing his worth toward the end of last season.

– I am a little worried about DeAngelo Williams after Jon Stewart went crazy after D. Willy went down toward the end of the season.  I could even see Stewart out playing him this year, but any way you look at it he isn’t guaranteed the bulk of the carries.

– The same could be true for Pierre Thomas, but I am a little more concerned about him staying healthy than being the primary back.

– I think one of the best picks of round 2 was by Matt who grabbed Miles Austin with the last pick.  I thought about snagging him, but just liked Wells too much.  Austin could easily be a top 3 wide receiver with a full season as the #1 WR in Dallas. Witten will be his only real rival for looks unless Jones gets an itchy finger and tries for a Boldin/Marshall trade.

Round Three

25. Randy Moss

26. Brandon Marshall

27. Ronnie Brown

28. Vincent Jackson

29. Greg Jennings

30. Roddy White

31. Matt Schaub

32. Tony Romo

33. DeSean Jackson

34. Steve Slaton

35. Knowshon Moreno

36. Marion Barber

– It’s interesting to see how far Randy Moss fell.  Even in a not great season he was a fantasy stud with his ability to get into the endzone, but he is also starting to show his age whileWelker could be gone for a big chunk of time which will get Moss a lot of attention if Edelman doesn’t go nuts.  I like Moss here, but I’m still trying to decide if I like him earlier as well.

– I felt good about Vincent Jackson in the third.  The Chargers will once again have to rely on the passing game and VJax should continue to improve.

– Brandon Marshall’s value is still up in the air since we aren’t sure where he’ll end up, but if he can have a big year with Orton, he has a shot of having a big year anywhere.

– I think both Slaton and Barber went too early as they don’t have the starting job wrapped up for next season.  I won’t own a Texan’s running back this season unless they trade for Purple Jesus or his like.  I also won’t own a Cowboy running back unless Felix Jones really slips.  Jones could get the most touches next season, but his injury history is worrisome.  I’ll pass.

– My favorite pick of round 3 is probably Knowshon Moreno.  The Broncos are a bit of a question mark with Josh McDaniels taking multiple power trips, but Moreno is their back and Buckhalter, though awesome last year, isn’t getting any younger and should continue to pop up on the injury report.  And Moreno will have a full off season and preseason compared to his holdout last year.

Yes, the Super Bowl has yet to be played, but why not start looking forward to next season? I don’t know. Well, because it’s fun, okay! But, it is early. Jesus man, let me be for once! So, yes, it’s early and a lot can change in the five years between today and next season, but it’s a good idea to develop your thoughts on where you see a player’s production now, so when changes occur you have a bit of a baseline to gauge what difference the change makes in their production.  Or something that sounds more profound than that.  I can tell you this top 10 didn’t just come to me in a dream, but if it would have I’m assuming I would be in my sponge-bob underwear and Jamaal Charles would be pointing and laughing.

So onto the show:

1. Chris Johnson: Is CJ a lock? No, no number 1 pick is a lock.  Adrian Peterson was a lock last season and ended up the #2 running back and 64 fantasy points behind CJ.  So who’s the next CJ? Hmm, how about CJ?  You can shuffle on back yonder for my post on Dos Mil and have a look see.  It says I think he’s ok. Projection: 1550/14 — 50/550/3

2. Adrian Peterson: With or without Favre (is that a U2 song?) Peterson will be near the top in fantasy goodness next season.  Favre opened up the receiving game for AP; 43 grabs and 436 yards.  And even if Favre returns to the farm, it hopefully opened some Viking eyes (I just hope they don’t rise from the grave and plunder our women and goods).  Purple Jesus needs to wait on his blockers and not try to be a martyr.  His raw talent is still at its peak and he will continue to rack up elite numbers. Projection: 1400/17 — 40/375/2

3. Maurice Jones-Drew: I was happy to have drafted MJD last season, but he was held back by David Garrard and the rest of his suckfest teammates. His skill set is just too good, but his team sometimes make it difficult for him.  Look at Steven Jackson (but not too intently, he may punch you).  SJax is easily a top tier running back, but his team made him a 2nd or 3rd tier back depending on how many tiers you want to shove in there. But the Jags weren’t as bad as the Rams, and their GM says he will be the focal point of the offense next season, duh.  As an aside, never draft MGD.  It’s gross. Projection: 1250/14 — 55/500/2

4. Ray Rice: His running style has been compared to Emmit Smith, his balance to Barry Sanders, his power to MJD, and his receiving skills to a running back who can catch the ball a lot.  He gets a ton of work in open space by catching a shizz-load of passes, which will keep him from getting squared up on as much as some backs.  Joe Flacco should improve, Derrick Mason should return and the Ravens should go after another receiver, possibly Brandon Marshall or Anquan Boldin.  Rice would benefit health-wise and touchdown-wise with a better passing game. Projection: 1300/10 — 70/675/2

5. Frank Gore: This starts a new tier.  I like to call this tier, “a little upside and please don’t get hurt side.” Or something that makes more sense.  Gore, if he could stay on the field all 16 games, could be a beast.  That’s a large if, but even with 13 games, Gore was still the 6th best fantasy running back last season.  His touchdown numbers are what got him back into the top range and I believe with the 49ers improving as a team those TD numbers should stay in the double digits.  The emergence of Vernon Davis and the soon to emerge Michael Crabtree will help keep Gore from getting gored and also give him some easy touchdowns. Projection: 1275/11 — 55/450/2

6. Michael Turner: With so many backs putting up big numbers through the air and the ground it’s hard to go crazy over Turner who tends to stick to the ground, but he does what he does very well.  He is a touchdown machine. He had 10 games in which he had more than 1 carry and had 10 touch downs.  I can’t say I’m not a little gun shy about injuries (well, I can, but I won’t), but his production last year while healthy didn’t drop and his injury shouldn’t be a long term issue.  I like the Falcons to rebound this season with a healthier crew and put up healthy fantasy awesomeness. Projection: 1350/15 — 8/60/0

7. Andre Johnson: I’m not much of a 1st round wide receiver type (that’s on my match.com profile), but AJ is my exception.  Of course in ppr he is a amazing, but right now you will be hard pressed to find a better receiver in a better position.  Yes, Larry Fitzgerald is right up there with him, but he has Matt Leinart throwing to him now.  Calvin Johnson could easily be there if he was on a team that wasn’t as bad as, well, the Lions.  Randy Moss has lost Wes Welker for a bit and is rapidly aging and is a “slouch” as Darrelle Revis likes to say.  There are other receivers that are in the picture as well, but none with the overall abilities AJ has.  He’s had back to back big years and Matt Schaub put together a healthy season and looks like he’ll keep improving.  Look for more of the same. Projection: 100/1450/10

8. Steven Jackson: At this point there is no reason to think Jackson is going to be in a better situation than he was last season, when he finished as the 10th best fantasy running back, but 2nd only to Chris Johnson in rushing yards.  If Bulger, Boller, or Null are anywhere near the starting quarterback position he will have a hard time getting into the end zone.  Something could happen in the offseason, like Vick or Favre going to St. Louis, but nothing is imminent at this time.  You can’t keep him from getting his yards, but you can keep his team from moving the ball consistently and if you sneak some cheese into their diet you might be able to keep them from moving their bowels consistently; I think that’s where Favre comes in. Projection: 1325/7 — 45/350/1

9. Shonn Greene: With Tom Jones out of the picture there is nothing holding Greene back from becoming a stud fantasy running back.  With the Jets o-line and Ryan’s run first, second and third philosophy, our projections are actually on the low side.  It would be hard to take Greene over SJax or Gore because they have proven they can put the numbers up, but I could be talked into it.  Projection: 1275/12 — 200/0

10. Jamaal Charles: We love ourselves some JC here at Razzball, but Razz-love can only boost a player up for so long.  He does have to do some work on his own.  Charles only had 8 games with double digit carries last season and only 4 of those were 20+, but he still finished as the 12th best fantasy running back.  He had some easy matchups, but also ran well against tougher defenses.  I’ve heard some concern over the Patriots staff pillaging the Chiefs and implementing their, start 6-7 running backs and see what happens approach, but Charlie Weis helped Corey Dillon to 1600 yards rushing in 2004 so he knows how to use a good back.  Charles has shown too much explosiveness to be put into a corner and the Chiefs have nobody to take big chunks of carries away from him. Projection: 1175/7 — 60/475/2

I’m not a big fan of wide receivers.  They are predictably unpredictable and they often sulk and whine more than they’re worth.  Ask Mr. Matt Millen how things go when you try to build a team around wide receivers.  Oh, Oh and sixteen, hmmm, that sounds rather putrid.  But before I bash wide receivers into oblivion there are some monsters out there that I can handle.  Andre Johnson being numero uno.  The man is a beast of beast-like proportions and is my #1 WR pick next season come hell or high water.

1. Andre Johnson: After Owen Daniels went down AJ was the only receiver worth throwing to which made him the most targeted receiver in the league.  There’s a chance Kevin Walter will find his way out of Houston this offseason and Jacoby Jones could be lining up opposite AJ.  If Jones flourishes in that role AJ could lose some of those targets, but be in line for more TD opportunities. Preseason Rank #2, 2009 Projections:  1450/13,  Final Numbers:  1569/9

2. Randy Moss: Moss’ ability to score keeps him in elite status once again this season.  I had him at #1 based on his TD ability and Tom Brady being the comeback player of the year, but they never clicked completely.  If you owned Moss you were happy with his production, but even with him turning out to be the #2 receiver this season you probably cussed him a few times.  This is what receivers do; it’s good to remember that, while you were cussing him, he was putting up #2 stats, no, not poo stats, gross.  Preseason Rank #1, 2009 Projections:  1450/14  Final Numbers:  1264/13

3. Miles Austin: Austin was by far the steal of the draft or waiver wire this season.  In preseason there was a lot of talk about him and Sam Hurd, but they both had Crayton and Williams ahead of them.  And it wasn’t until week 5 that Williams sat out with an injury that Miles Austin tore KC a new one.  Before that game I said, “I’m hoping Williams sits because I see a very big game from Austin against the KC corners if he does.” And that’s me quoting me saying something prophetic for once. That was the start of his amazing run and there is absolutely no reason to believe it won’t continue next season.  Preseason Rank DNR Final Numbers: 1320/11

4. Desean Jackson: DJax was a bit of a wildcard coming into this season.   We knew he had the skills, but in Andy Reid’s offense it is sometimes difficult to put up elite individual receiving numbers, but Fraction Jackson did just that by having huge gain after huge gain. He will have a solid season in 2010, but I doubt I’ll want him where his ADP falls.   Preseason Rank #20, 2009 Projections:  1000/7 Final Numbers: 1167/9 — 137/1

5. Larry Fitzgerald: Fitzy was often the #1 receiver taken last season.  I had him behind Moss and AJ and I’ll probably do the same again for next season.  He’s an amazing talent, but unless he’s the only real playmaker on an offense, it is difficult to rank him at the top. Anquan Boldin could be traded this offseason and that could help Fitz’s numbers, but it’s pure speculation at this point, oh, and if Warner retires, start throwing the babies out with the bath water.  Preseason Rank #3, 2009 Projections: 1350/12  Final Numbers: 1092/13

6. Reggie Wayne: Wayne is as steady as a glacier pre-global warming.  Just like any receiver he will have down games, well any athlete ever in the entire history of athletes has down games.  I was fairly close on his numbers, just 64 yards off.  As long as Wayne has Manning and legs and hands he’ll be fantasy worthy.  I really thought Anthony Gonzalez was going to take away some of Wayne’s numbers, but we never got to see him have a chance at that.   Preseason Rank #7, 2009 Projections: 1200/10 Final Numbers: 1264/10

7. Roddy White: Both White and Matt Ryan were hurt at points this season, plus they had an extremely tough schedule.  It is actually a little surprising that he finished as high as he did.  I can tell you I am looking forward to drafting him next season.  Him and Ryan.  A lot depends on his perceived value, but I think I perceive his value as being higher than the public at large. Preseason Rank #5, 2009 Projections: 1300/10 Final Numbers: 1153/11

8. Sidney Rice: Okay, Rice blindsided me for sure.  He was not on my radar and I have to freely admit that. Watching him play this year has made me and about everyone in existence a believer.  His play is helped in large part by Favre believing in his ability.  Even if Favre doesn’t return, Rice has proven his ability and shouldn’t have to prove himself to any other quarterback. So he won’t be worthless if Favre leaves, but he will lose some value.  Preseason Rank DNR Final Numbers:

9. Vincent Jackson: Jackson lived up to his potential this season.  The lack of a running game helped his numbers a little, but he’s got the talent to put these kind of numbers up consistently.  Next season the Chargers probably won’t have much of a running game (oh Michael Turner where are you?) and VJax should put up similar numbers.   Preseason Rank #13, 2009 Projections: 975/9  Final Numbers: 1167/9

10. Brandon Marshall: He had his problems in preseason, but still put up top 10 numbers. I grabbed him in a few leagues for good value this year with the knowledge that anything could happen.  Who knows where he’ll be or how risky he’ll seem once draft day comes around next season.  Unless he’s in jail, I will feel good about drafting him.  Preseason Rank #15, 2009 Projections:  1050/7 Final Numbers: 1120/10

There are tons of playoff slots still up in the air so we should have a fun week 17 as fans and fake footballers.  Good luck this week!

1 pm Games

San Francisco @ St. Louis

Alex Smith is just too erratic to trust to lead your team to the promised land, even if you were only promised an empty lot under the train.  The matchup is good, but I’d feel better about using Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree.

SF: Smith 0, Crabtree +1, Davis +2

Keith Null should get the start once again and once again throw for under 200 yards and a couple picks. The Rams are best served losing this game to keep their draft status and they probably will.  There is no reason to even think about starting anybody from the passing game.  So play the passing game, and pass.

STL: Null -2, WR’s -2

New England @ Houston

The Pats have a shot at the #3 seed so it seems like they should be motivated at least a little, but Vegas has them underdogs by 8 points and I always lean toward players in must win situations.  Are Brady, Moss and Welker for a half better than a lot of players? Yes, and that’s a decision you’ll have to make.  But remember the Colts (not the Titans).

NE: Brady -1, Moss -1, Welker 0

Matt Schaub and company have a glimmer of hope of making the playoffs so they will be going all out.  Schaub is high on my awesome list this week and of course Andre Johnson is high on my totally awesome list. They are must starts, but you knew that.  I’ll shut up now.

HOU: Schaub +2, Johnson +2

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay

Matt Ryan had a big game against a good Bisons’ pass defense last week and seems to be healthier even though he will be limited in practice. Tampa has a decent pass defense and a bad rush defense, but so did Buffalo and they still threw, so I’m looking for another decent game from Ryan. Gonzo is hurting and may not play so look for Roddy White to get a lot of work.

ATL: Ryan +1, White +2

Josh Freeman is still too inconsistent to use, even against a bad pass defense.  Antonio Bryant and Kellen Winslow are the only possibilities in the Bucs’ passing game and Winslow has been much more consistent. The Falcons are really hurting in the secondary and I think Bryant can have a decent game. He had 5 receptions last week, but just couldn’t get loose.  There’s a good chance he gets more yardage this week.

TB: Freeman -1, Bryant +1, Winslow +2

New Orleans @ Carolina

The Saints have clinched and even thought they are blowing some smoke about playing I doubt they last the whole game. I would worry about starting any of them, Lance Moore and Devery Henderson should see more work, but knowing how much work they’ll get is a crap shoot that I’m not willing to play.

NO: Brees -1, Colston, -1, Meachem -2, Moore 0, Henderson -1

Matt Moore has played very well as of late, and if Steve Smith hadn’t broken his arm I’d probably be ready to start him, but he did, and I’m not.  Muhsin Muhammad will see more work as the #1 receiver and is worth a WR #3.

CAR: Moore 0, Muhammad +1

Pittsburgh @ Miami

Big Ben should have his way with the Miami corners (no, they aren’t Vegas hotel workers, close though). Santonio Holmes is the clear number one and Hines Ward is still having hamstring issues.  I’d stay away if possible.  Mike Wallace is making the most out of limited targets, but with Hines Ward hobbled he could get even more targets and become a safer play.

PIT: Roethlisberger +2, Holmes +2, Wallace +1, Ward 0, Miller 0

Chad Henne has thrown for over 300 yards the last 2 weeks while throwing 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.  Not great, but if you get a bonus for 300 yards it’s probably pretty good.  There is a good chance Henne will have to throw a lot since Pittsburgh’s rush defense is tough and their pass defense isn’t.  With those two 300 yard games you would think a wide receiver would have had a great game, but in both games no Dolphins’ receiver topped 10 fantasy points.  And that was Ginn and Hartline! You can’t tell who it will be and even if you do, the rewards aren’t that great.

MIA: Henne +1, Bess 0, Camarillo 0, Ginn 0, Hartline 0

Jacksonville @ Cleveland

David Garrard has had a bit of a regression this year. His fumblitis has gotten acute and he can’t even keep his best receiver in targets and fantasy points. Cleveland isn’t very good, but you can’t start Garrard.  Mike Sims-Walker became an every week starter for a stretch there, but that stretch is gone. With the amount of receivers with questionable playing time out there MSW is probably startable this week.

JAC: Garrard 0, Sims-Walker +1

Derek Anderson isn’t a NFL quarterback, well, he is, he’s playing in a NFL game on Sunday, but he won’t be for long.  He does get a horrible Jags secondary and I could almost see him having some crazy lights out game, but not enough to recommend starting him to my worst enemy, which I don’t think I’ve had since grade school. The Jags are much better on run defense, but the Browns have gone run heavy in their 3 game winning streak (it’s true), so they might be matching up with the wrong dudes this week.

CLE: Anderson -1, Massaquoi 0, Stuckey , Moore 0

New York Giants @ Minnesota

If they haven’t completely folded, the Giants could do some damage against the Vikings pass defense.  Jay Cutler and company threw all over them and their best cornerback, Antoine Winfield, got burned for the game winning touch down and looked slow in doing so.  I could see gambling on Eli this week if you are down a QB due to them resting on their ass-laurels. And with no Jacobs and the more reception friendly Bradshaw in there, I expect a lot of ball chucking.

NYG: Manning +1, Smith +2, Nicks +1, Manningham +1, Boss +1

The Vikings need this game for a chance at a bye so will be going all out.  Favre plays better in the home dome and showed that he’s not done for the season with a good game in Chicago. The Giants pass defense continues to be horrid so there is no reason to downgrade any receivers.

MIN: Favre +1, Rice +2, Harvin +1, Berrian 0, Shiancoe 0

Indianapolis @ Buffalo

Curtis Painter = start Buffalo’s defense.

IND: -2’s all around!

Ryan Fitzpatrick has been practicing and could get the start which sadly is an upgrade over Brian Brohm. With the Colts scrubs scrubbing away I could see throwing TO in there for one last hurrah.

BUF: Fitzpatrick 0, Owens +1

Chicago @ Detroit

So where has this Jay Cutler been?  Waiting until there was absolutely no pressure left? I don’t know, but if you could count on that Cutler playing he sure has a nice matchup in the dome, but his wide receivers are dropping like a ball in Adrian Peterson’s hands. Devin Hester is still limited and Johnny Knox is done for the season.  This might not set up Cutler for a big game, but it does set up Devin Aromashodu and Greg Olsen for a lot of work.  How productive they will be is another question, but opportunity + matchup = football fantasia.

CHI: Cutler 0, Aromashodu +1, Olsen +1

Detroit continues their horribleness which starts at the quarterback position. Drew Stanton and Daunte Culpepper are dueling toward mediocrity and both are winning.  Calvin Johnson had a decent game last week and seems to be healed enough to be startable even with the horrid QB battle.

DET: Stanpepper -2, Johnson +1

4 pm Games

Washington @ San Diego

The Native Americans will be playing the Chargers’ B team, but sadly the Skins A team plays like a C team.  Has anyone seen B.A. Baracus? While the Patriots and Bengals who might sit starters are extreme underdogs in Vegas the Chargers scrubs are actually favored. That is saying something.  Santana Moss has been getting a lot of targets, but continues to be a dink and dunker, who I would only use in ppr. Fred Davis has a nice matchup here and should get back to his end zone ways.

WAS: Campbell 0, Moss 0, Fred Davis +1

Billy Volek is a possibility if you own Rivers and are hurting at QB.  He is capable and has some decent 2nd string WR’s to use.  I wouldn’t bet the farm or even the farm cat on him though.  Legedu Naanee and Kassim Osgood could see a lot of work.

SD: Volek 0, Naanee +1, Osgood 0

Tennessee @ Seattle

Seattle’s secondary is fantasticly poor.  This is set up to be a good game for Vince Young and it easily could be, but we are going to see a lot of running by the 2,000 yard man (no relation to Mel Brooks).  I think VY will have a good game, but it will be difficult to predict what receivers might benefit.  Kenny Britt has been backsliding as of late and it is hard to play him in your championship game.  I’m staying away from the Titans’ receivers.

TEN: Young +1, Britt 0, Washington 0, Gage 0

So Matt Hasselbeck has turned into a major waste of space on anyone’s fantasy roster. His schedule looked great, but he just couldn’t turn things around this year. The Seahawks are texting it in and I can’t recommend any of them.

SEA: Hasselbeck -2, Housh -1, Carlson -1

Baltimore @ Oakland

Baltimore is in a must win game and they are facing a team whose weakness (rush D) fits perfectly into their strength (rushing).  But we are here to look at Flacco and company. Oakland doesn’t have a great secondary and can be beat so you have to get Mason in there. Flacco might not see a ton of work, but he is a fairly safe bet to not destroy you in a firey blaze of fantasy ineptitude. Todd Heap has turned it on the last couple weeks, but it is hard for me to jump on the bandwagon, but since he is getting those red zone targets I’ll take a short ride.

BAL: Flacco +1, Mason +1, Heap 0ish

Charlie Frye and Zach Miller got all pass happy last week and Miller is the only possible fantasy start in the passing game (as usual). Frye seems to like Miller, probably because he catches the ball, so I see no reason not to start him.

OAK: Frye -2, Miller +1

Philadelphia @ Dallas

The Cowboys pass defense is decent, but the onslaught of passes that McNabb throws at the defense is impossible to withstand. The Eagles have too many weapons in Jackson, Maclin and Celek.  This game should be a shootout and both teams have playoff seeding implications which will make them play all out.

PHI: McNabb +2, Jackson +2, Maclin +1, Celek +2

Tony Romo didn’t have a huge fantasy game last week, but he also didn’t kill your team.  He has turned a corner and will put up good numbers on an Eagles secondary that, in the last 5 weeks, has been giving up an average of 22 fantasy points to QB’s.  Look for Jason Witten and Miles Austin to get most of those yards.  Roy Williams is awful, but he could grab a TD if it gets coated with super glue on the way to him.

DAL: Romo +2, Austin +2, Williams 0, Witten +2

Kansas City @ Denver

The Denver secondary doesn’t allow any single receiver to beat them and the Chiefs don’t have enough weapons to really hurt them through the air.  Dwayne Bowe is getting a ton of short targets, but has yet to get any real yardage.  In ppr leagues Bowe is a good start, but otherwise he’s risky.

KC: Cassel -2, Bowe 0

Brandon Marshall tweaked his hamstring in practice, but reports say he will play.  Keep an eye on this, because he is pretty much the whole passing offense.  The Chiefs pass defense has improved, but they haven’t been playing very good passing offenses.  If Marshall is healthy he is a top 5 start this week and makes Orton a borderline start.

DEN: Orton 0, Marshall +2, Gaffney 0, Sheffler -1

Green Bay @ Arizona

I don’t think Green Bay will play their starters much so I would stay away from the whole mess. I would recommend the Packers back ups, but Arizona could be playing to win this game.

GB: no thanks

Kurt Warner and company could use a rest so if Minnesota beats the Giants in the early game I don’t see them playing more than a quarter. But if the Giants win, the Cardinals would have a shot at the #2 seed and a whole other week off.  And if the Cardinals are playing to win, while the Packers are packing it in, they could move the ball easily.

ARI: (if Giants win) Warner +2, Fitzgerald +2, Boldin +2 (If Minny wins) Leinart 0, Breaston +1, Doucet +1

8 pm Game

Cincinnati @ NY Jets

If the Patriots beat the Texans then Cincinnati will most likely rest their players.  If the Patriots lose to the Texans the Bengals will most likely rest their players. Don’t risk it and thankfully it’s a craptastic matchup anyway.

CIN: No thanks

Mark Sanchez isn’t trusted by the coaches so I don’t really trust the passing game.  They will run the ball a lot.

NYJ: Sanchez -1, Cotchery -1, Edwards -1

It’s a sad time of the year. The fantasy season is winding down, but don’t think Razzball headquarters is winding down with it. We’re just gearing up! You need to get geared up yourself because we’re not going to coast through the offseason.  Look for post season analysis of the 2009 season, playoff contests, NFL draft coverage, keeper rankings and posts, team previews, mock drafts, redraft rankings and cheat sheets, and other awesomeness that gets conjured during some heated conversations around the daiquiri cooler.

Here are a few of my thoughts from Sunday’s games:

Ben Roethlisberger: Looks like he decided that the bell was tolling for the Steelers and that he needed to get going. Over 500 yards passing, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions is, well, unbelievable. He was probably on some benches going against the Packers’ pass defense, but not on as many benches as our next contestant!

Jerome Harrison: Ok, one of Razzball’s favorites all year got Mandingus’d.  We didn’t know who would get the carries against a juicy Chiefs run defense, so of course he goes off record book style.  Mangini should be fired for the way he has handled Harrison. First he sticks with the old and ineffective Jamal Lewis, then in week 4, thankfully Lewis has to sit out a game due to decrepitness and Harrison goes off for 152 total yards.  So finally, Mangini will see the error of his ways!  Wait, no, he’s an idiot.  Jamal Lewis retains his job!  Now our story slows down to a plodding, Jamal Lewis pace, filled with touchdownless games, under 4 yards a carry averages and Harrison being sent to the inactive dog house, but finally Lewis goes on IR and finally, finally, it’s Harrison time! Wait, no, Chris Jennings? Gotta pound that rock down the gut of the opponent, can’t run around them! Ok, I may have purged myself.  Next week, Oakland at home; 30 carries for Lawrence Vickers?

Arian Foster: I was worried that maybe Foster would do something wrong and get Kubiak’d, but the matchup was sooooo good! Well, 2 carries in, Foster fumbles and then doesn’t sniff the ball the rest of the game.  It wasn’t like Foster was running with the ball balanced on his helmet!  Give the guy a chance.  Kubiaks zone blocking 29th ranked rushing offense couldn’t get much worse! It’s actually probably good that Foster doesn’t become a star, some idiot would probably make a big Arian Nation sign.

Steve Smith: He caught 9 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. He’s better with Moore in there and gets the Giants next week. You can now start him with some confidence in week 16! And if you missed his post-game interview with Andrea Kramer you need to click back where the link is all hyper, kind of like him.

Philip Rivers: I haven’t written much about him as he just keeps having good game after good game.  He gets to showcase his skills on Christmas Day against Tennessee.  He should give his fantasy owners a few touchdowns wrapped in the arms of Gates, VJax, etc…

Jay Cutler: I think with his showing against Baltimore we can officially say that Cutler is a loser.

Calvin Johnson: Megatron is now looking more like a Go-bot.  Culpepper has no arm and underthrew him often.  He is an amazing talent and I kept holding out hope that his talent would outgain his quarterback, but it just hasn’t happened.  He will be high on my rankings next year no matter.

Beanie Wells: It took most of the season, but Beanie has finally taken over as the lead back.  he has two amazing TD runs this year, bouncing off opponents Chris Berman style.  For some reason Hightower got a 1 yard touchdown which should have gone to Beanie.  I can’t believe Tim could be so selfish.

Jamaal Charles: He will be on the Monday wrap up rain or shine until the season is over and then I’m sure he’ll win a post season Razzball award or two, be in our keeper posts and slotted high in our rankings.  Charles will continue to be in charge until he does an ill conceived reality show called Jamaal Charles is 46 . . . and pregnant.

Chris Johnson: He’s still on pace to break Marshall Faulk’s yards from scrimmage record, but I always thought scrimmages didn’t count.  Anyway, he had another ho hum game with 159 total yards, but couldn’t find the endzone.  I don’t think he was looking in the right places. I always do that with my keys.

Randy Moss: He was targeted often and had 5 receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown.  Moss had his boxers in a bunch and if you own him and are in your fantasy championship you hope they haven’t been unbunched yet.

Andre Johnson: For some reason Dre, as I like to call him, is still not considered in the top 3 WR debate by some moronic sports writers. He’s making it pretty hard to ignore him right now.

Michael Turner: He started. He ran. He sat. I’m thinking the Falcons’ medical staff need to take some refresher courses in sports medicine.

Steven Jackson: With the flu, a herniated disc, and extra heavy hair, SJax showed how badass he is by going for 123 total yards. The guy has officially ripped “The Beast” title away from Marshawn Lynch’s hands.

Joshua Cribbs: In his two 100 yard kickoff return touchdowns the Chiefs looked like they were running through the Wizard of Oz poppy field. Hopefully if you put him in as your #3 receiver you get credit for his special teams touchdowns, because he didn’t do much on offense.  He’s way too erratic to use in non return yardage leagues, especially if you are in the finals.

If you’ve been eliminated from the playoffs (i.e. robbed by cheaters) then come on over and join the Razzball writers in our Sporting News Playoff league, password Schmohawk.

Check out some of our contest prizes.  You could win one here!

We’ve got a close race in the RCL overall standings. It should go down to the wire!