Archive for December, 2010

Question: Should I start Tom Brady or Joe Flacco?

Before you say “play Tom Brady every week,” let me explain:

The Patriots have already clinched their division and #1 seed and they might end up limiting their starting line-up meaning Tom Brady might not be doing much and he’s projected to get very few points.

On the other hand, I have Joe Flacco on my bench going up against Cincinnati.

David Garrard is also on waivers. I think Gerrard might have a big game as they are going against the terrible Houston Texans defense and the Jaguars have a possible playoff chance to fight for. Garrard has been doing exceptionally well these last few weeks. Should I pick him and start him? The last time Garrard played Houston he put up 28 points.

Answer:

Brady is probably a bad start this week, as the Pats are locked into their playoff spot.Garrard may be the way to go this week as he has something to play for and has a good matchup. Brady play a max of a half or maybe just a few drives.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!…

Question: Who should I play in the flex for week 16?

My team has made it to the Championship! Standard league (No PPR).

Here is my current lineup:

QB — Peyton Manning
WR — DeSean Jackson
WR — Hakeem Nicks
RB — Steven Jackson
RB — LeGarrette Blount
TE — Jason Witten
FLEX — NEED YOUR HELP!
K — David Akers
Def — Eagles D

Help me choose my flex from the following:

Felix Jones @ ARI — This who I’m leaning towards with such a great matchup against a bad Arizon defense. But I’ve read he missed practice Tuesday and Wednesday with a bruised shin. Does anyone know if this injury is srious? How big of a threat are Choice and Barber to his carries this week? Plus Felix is great as receiver out of the backfield–better than those other two.

OR

Anquan Boldin @ CLE — His inconsistency has been killing me lately. I know the guy is an absolute beast of a player, but he’s being out produced by Mason! He tore up the Browns early in the season, ironically his biggest fantasy output of the year believe it or not.

The other “options” I have on my bench include the following:

Brian Westbrook @ STL (Dixon might be out so he may be the lone workhorse RB v. Rams)

Tashard Choice @ ARI (If Felix can’t go he’s my favorite option due to workload/redzone looks)

Mario Manningham @ GB (Coming off a good performance last week–tougher GB matchup)

Donald Brown @ OAK (had a breakout game last week–if only Colts RB he could play good vs a bad Raiders Run D)

Who is my best bet out of this group? Who do you think I should …

Florida International Golden Panthers vs. Toledo Rockets
Both of these teams are very happy to be playing in a bowl game this year. Florida International started playing their best football toward the end of the season. They finished their season with a very impressive 4-1 SU

Page won't be enough for the Rockets tonight.

record. On the other hand, Toledo lost their starting quarterback Austin Dantin during their match-up with Eastern Michigan, a game in which they came out victorious.

Toledo just isn’t that good on defense. They allowed 130 yards per game this year along with 25 touchdowns on the ground. The only thing they have going for them is their pass rush (irony), with 27 sacks on the year. So they do oppose at least a threat on defense. FIU made a very large improvement on its run defense cleaning up about 75 yards from what they allowed in 2009.

These two teams have split their two games from the past two seasons. I see Florida International still coming out on top tonight though. I see a lot of people on Toledo tonight, yes Page is very good and explosive, but just him will not win the game tonight for the Rockets.

Prediction: Golden Panthers 34 – Rockets 24

Pick Against the Spread: Florida International (-1.5)…

Utah Utes vs. Boise State Broncos (-16.5)

Here is some information about tonight’s game. Boise State’s defense is ranked fourth in the nation, that includes both scoring defense and overall defense. Utah will be in trouble if they look to run the ball tonight as Boise

Finishing fourth in the Heisman race, Kellen Moore looks to end the Utes' nine-game bowl win streak.

State is ranked sixth against the run. Kellen Moore finished fourth in the Heisman voting. Although he may not have the strongest arm, he makes great decisions and is very accurate throwing the ball. He finished with 3,506 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and with those 33 touchdowns he only threw five interceptions. Utah was once ranked 6th in the AP Poll after opening up to an 8-0 start, saw their BCS Bowl dreams crushed with back-to-back losses to TCU and The Fighting Irish. They have won nine straight bowl games, with the first two actually being won in Las Vegas, where tonight’s game is being played.

Utah can play some stellar defense. It really just depends what team shows up. They allow under 20.0 points per game. As stated earlier, Boise State has a very good defense as well. The last time these two teams met, Boise won handily 36-3, and I see another similar score, low. Out of Boise’s last five games, four of them have gone under the total. Defenses will step up tonight.

Prediction: Broncos 35 – Utes 17

Pick: Under (58)

…

Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots

New England hasn’t been beaten at home in more than two years. Without Rodgers tonight, Green Bay really has no hope of winning this one outright. Cover the spread? Maybe. The Packers are simply a one-dimensional team and that won’t cut it tonight. The Packers don’t have a running game at all, and with Rodgers out tonight, their passing game seems hopeless also. I feel like this is a gimme game for New England, but they need to take

No Rodgers, No Chance

advantage so they can secure home-field throughout the playoffs. What might keep the Packers in this one is that they are only one game behind the Giants for the final wild card spot. In the Packers’ last two trips to New England they won 28-10 both times, but the last time they visited was 2002.

The Packers better pray that New England keeps turning it over. They’re going to need to be very successful on special teams. Without Rodgers tonight, I don’t see them putting up very many points unless it comes from the defense or special teams.

Prediction: Patriots 34 – Packers 17

Pick Against the Spread: New England (-14)…

I won’t be doing every game, instead just the games that I feel very confident about.

1:00 Games:

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals

There is one thing that stands out to me in this game, and that is that Colt McCoy will be the starter for Cleveland. It just seems like they have so much more success with him back there at QB. Being a Cleveland fan myself, I was always a little nervous when Delhomme was the started simply because it seemed like he threw an interception every other play. The Bengals do have more talent than the Browns, but they have been just terrible this year. Cleveland is also coming off a horrible loss in Buffalo. I see an ugly game here with Cleveland winning by a small margin.

McCoy will be a big reason for the Browns winning today.

Prediction: Browns 23 – Bengals 17

Pick Against the Spread: Cleveland (+1)

Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Can you believe Detroit beat Green Bay last week? I can’t. These two teams used to always play for the worst spot in the old NFL Central. This game means a lot more this year. With a Lions win, they eliminate Tampa Bay from any playoff hopes if they pull off the upset. Detroit has a terrible pass defense and which will allow Freeman to get his looks. I think Tampa’s run defense is worse though, and Detroit should be able to run all over the field. I see it going back and forth, but Detroit covering the spread.

Prediction: Lions 24 – Buccaneers 20

Pick Against the Spread: Detroit (+4.5)

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys

These teams are just playing for pride now. The Cowboys have some players that …

San Francisco 49ers @ San Diego Chargers

Both of these teams are surprisingly one game out of their divisions, but this is why I think San Diego is going to cover this spread.

Chargers win big tonight

The Chargers haven’t been beaten once this year, actually they’ve only beaten themselves. It’s a repeated trend that has hurt them dramatically this season. Special teams mishaps, turnovers, and being one of the most penalized team in the NFL doesn’t help either. When they play while making smart decisions and taking care of the ball, they’re virtually impossible to beat. So as long as they don’t make stupid mistakes, they should roll in this one. The 49ers have only had one big road win this year and that was in Arizona against the Cardinals.

Don’t take the 49ers defense lightly though as they are coming off a game where they had a season-high four interceptions.

Rivers has been playing like he should win the MVP this year, while Smith might be in jeopardy of losing his starting job. I see the Chargers getting up early and cruising rest of the way in this one. San Diego has beaten San Francisco in each of its last two meetings.

The Chargers are 5-1 ATS in their last six games, 4-1 ATS in their last five as a favorite, and 11-4 in their last 15 games in December.

Prediction: Chargers 31 – 49ers 10

Pick Against the Spread: San Diego -9.5…