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Bye Weeks: N/A
Grab a Helmet
Eddie
Lacy or James
Starks @ CHI: Lacy headlines the final production of
“Unstoppable Force Meets Moveable Object” for 2013 when he and
the Pack square off against Chicago’s highly suspect run defenders
in the Second City for the NFC North crown on Sunday. That’s,
of course, provided Lacy can actually go (questionable with a
balky ankle). If he can’t, his understudy Starks gets the nod
and instantly becomes must start material. The Bears are currently
yielding 5.4 yards per carry (nobody else gives up more than 5)
and 161.5 per game (nobody else is north of 136). Put another
way, unless Atlanta gives up 385 yards rushing to the Panthers
and Lacy/Starks are completely shut out, Chicago will close the
year as the worst run-stopping unit in the entire league. I’m
not certain that’s ever happened. It absolutely will, by the way,
because the Falcons aren’t that terrible and Lacy or Starks (or
both) are gonna go nuts.
Forte totalled 179 yards against the Packers
in Week 9.
Matt
Forte v. GB: Apparently, I think the 187th installment of the
oldest rivalry in professional football will be a shootout? Imagine
how busy the scoreboard operator will be now that Aaron Rodgers
has been cleared to play. Forte lit the Pack up for 179 total yards
and a score back in Week 9, and now five other backs have topped
the 100-yard mark against them since. Two others, Toby Gerhart and
Joique Bell, came mighty close (91 and 94 yards, respectively) and
would have given the Vikes and Lions TWO triple-digit performers
on those days. Aye-yay-YAY. Green Bay shouldn’t feel too bad, I
guess, because their division mates aren’t much better. In fact,
the NFC North has collectively given up 1674 points (worst in the
league) and no team has given up fewer than 362. For perspective,
nobody in the NFC West has given up MORE than 337. Start those Bears
and Packers, people.
Knile
Davis @ SD: It’s almost a Week 17 tradition for unfamiliar
or unknown names to become suddenly relevant. 2012 gave us Keith
Toston, Lance Ball, and Anthony Allen, who combined for 42 carries
that final week (and just 33 in Weeks 1 through16). 2011 saw Evan
Royster and LaRod Stephens-Howling get major work (41 totes) to
close out the season. And then there was my all-time favorite
out-of-the-blue performance in 2010, when Joe McKnight carried
the ball 32 times for 158 yards in the Jets’ regular season finale,
his only career start. Rex Ryan, ladies and gentlemen: He’ll be
here all…well, at least one more week. Those 32 carries represent
almost a third of McKnight’s NFL total and he’s now currently
out of the league. Here’s hoping Davis’ day in the spotlight isn’t,
similarly, his ONLY day in the spotlight. If you’re wondering
why most fantasy championships are decided before Week 17, watch
the Chiefs play San Diego on Sunday.
Grab a Gatorade
Lamar
Miller or Daniel
Thomas v. NYJ: Whether it was a motivational ploy or
just the unvarnished truth, Ryan’s decision to talk with his players
about his shaky job status prior to Week 16 did the trick as the
Jets downed the Browns in New York, 23-14. That effort tells me
a couple things. First, Cleveland stinks (duh, right?). Second,
the Jets haven’t quit on Ryan and would probably love to spoil
the Dolphins’ slim playoff chances this Sunday. That would have
seemed like a tall task just a week or so ago, but then the Bills
game happened to Miami and now anything seems possible. The Fish
managed just 103 total yards at Orchard Park (against BUFFALO!)
and now must pick themselves up off the mat to have any chance
at playing more football in early 2014. New York is much better
on defense than the Bills are and will give Miller and Thomas,
who combined for exactly 14 yards on 12 carries last Sunday, fits
in Week 17.
Rashard
Mendenhall v. SF: The job share continues in the desert, where
not even a single fantasy point separates Mendenhall and Andre
Ellington over the past three weeks. That seems to be working
out great for the Cardinals (three straight huge Ws), but I’m
pretty sure fantasy GMs are secretly hoping for one of them to
emerge as the meal ticket. And by “one of them,” I clearly mean
“not Mendenhall.” The former Steeler lacks the explosion he used
to have and is averaging a meager 3.1 yards per carry this year.
That ranks 45th out of 48 qualified players at the RB position.
Ellington, meanwhile, is averaging an NCAA-esque 5.7 yards per
jaunt. That’s good for FIRST out of 48 qualified players. I trust
Bruce Arians knows what he’s doing and he absolutely should be
in the running for Coach of the Year, but…. If you’re gonna start
a Cardinals back against San Fran, go with the other guy.
BenJarvus
Green-Ellis v. BAL: Green-Ellis is almost Mendenhall’s
statistical doppelganger in 2013. He’s carried the ball
precisely one more time for 50 more yards and one fewer touchdown
and has scored about 10 fewer fantasy points through 16 weeks.
Repeat: He’s scored fewer fantasy points than Rashard Mendenhall
this season. If that isn’t enough to warn you off BJGE,
consider how well the Ravens have played the run this year. They’re
yielding just 3.8 yards per carry (tied for third) and have only
surrendered six touchdowns on the ground all year (tied for fourth
with their opponents this Sunday). If the game meant more to Cincy,
you might be able to justify starting the Law Firm. It’s
the other way around, though, and that means the Bengal backs
can expect some tough sledding at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.
I’d think twice about starting Bernard and would definitely
sit Green-Ellis.
Wide Receivers 
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