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Week 16
12/22/05
Atlanta at Tampa Bay (-3)
1:00 p.m
The Bucs felt the wrath of a Patriots team that is priming
itself for the playoffs. They had nothing going on either side of
the ball and got shut out. I think Simms is getting better but understand
that he will never be the QB of the future. The Bucs are wasting
a good defense and need this game to re-establish itself.
I can tell you what I am tired of. Mike Vick apologists. Folks
that say that he has all this talent and just needs that one WR.
B-S. He is a mediocre QB with that arm. A moron can chuck it 70
yards to nobody. It takes talent to throw strikes. Something that
Vick simply can't do. They will do their level best to bring in
Owens next year but even that will not help. You will see in two
years that Vick just will not get better a making the easy throw.
Final Score: Bucs 28, Falcons
20
Buffalo at Cincinnati (-14)
1:00 p.m
Give the Bills some credit they tried to run the ball and
hang in there with a good Broncos defense. Only that did not work
out as planned. They wound up giving up 21 in the second half and
looking like the Bills of the last 14 games. They are a different
team on the road and will get smashed in this one. I would stray
from any of their offensive options if I could.
The Bengals are rolling and looking for a home matchup in the playoffs.
They performed a complete smash job on the Titans last week. You
could hear the boos from down south as Chad Johnson did not do his
normal celebration dance after his TD last week. He promises something
special this week which usually means he will be motivated to get
into the end zone. I thin you have to start the entire offensive
team in this one. Find a place for the right tackle if you have
to.
Final Score: Bengals 34, Bills
17
Dallas at Carolina (-5)
1:00 p.m
Can't really suggest the Pokes this week. They may have been the
worst effort from a Pokes team in 20 years. I don't think I have
ever seen this team just give up like that. They were dominated
on each side of the ball by the Skins and may find themselves
on the outside looking in on the playoffs. They should be motivated
this week but they should have been last week as well. Count them
as done if they lose this one.
Another team that is rolling towards the playoffs is the Panthers.
It seems that their offense is struggling a little while the defense
is picking up. If there is one side of the ball that you would
rather have struggling it is offense. The defense will be able
to hold their own. I think offense will not be in abundance this
week as both team seem to have defenses that should be motivated.
Panthers by a TD.
Final Score: Panthers 24, Pokes
17
Detroit at New Orleans
(-3) 1:00 p.m
I don't know who is worse. This is not a game that you would want
to Tivo. Who knows if Brooks will be playing? But I think the
Lions might be worse with Harrington at QB. I would look for the
Saints defense to announce their presence with authority early.
Take a close look as this may be the end of the Brooks and Haslett
show as both will likely be history next year. Much to the anger
of Joe Horn who has never caught a pass from anyone other than
Brooks on a regular basis.
Pretty much says it all if you look at the box score of last weeks
game. They didn't move the ball and they sure as hell did not
stop the ball. That means the revolving door that is the Lions
QB situation will point toward Garcia this week. Not going to
do much good as this team sucks and is mired in a conspiracy to
get rid of the worst exec in the league right now. Millen is his
name.
Final Score: Saints 24, Lions
10
Jacksonville (-6) at
Houston 1:00 p.m
Is it me or did I get stuck with the crap games this week? The
Jags with the easiest schedule in the business will continue their
march for a wild card spot with the Chargers on their tails. They
will beat the crap out of Houston who must lose to continue to
be in the hunt got the Labron James of football. His name is Reggie
Bush. Look for Gerrard, Smith, and any running back they throw
out there to have a fine game.
The Texans as mentioned above will likely rather lose this game
to keep up with 9ers for the Reggie Bush watch. I don't know what
they will do with Davis but don't trick yourself into believing
the Terry Bradshaw school of thinking that they don't need Bush
and can go with Davis. That is just play stupid. D Davis is very
solid but Bush is a game breaker. He is a difference maker.
Final Score: Jags 30, Texans
14
N.Y. Giants (-3) at Washington
1:00 p.m.
Well at least one game this week will have playoff implications
for both teams (they might even play their starters for each and
every quarter!). The New York Giants have a solid QB in Eli Manning,
but the young signal caller has recently wrestled with inaccuracy
and ball protection. With Washington pounding the Cowboys in what
was my harshest game viewing of the season, I think the Skins
have Manning’s attention. Manning is worth a play here,
but the man to bank on is Tiki Barber. I’d also go with
Burress and Shockey, since the Skins secondary is not as good
as it looked last week.
Mark Brunell will see lots of pressure from Giant DEs Michael
Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, and he’ll be forced into turnovers.
Stay away from Brunell if you have the opportunity. Portis will
probably get at least 80 yards and a score, although he won’t
compete with Barber for game MVP. TE/H-Back Chris Cooley looked
great against Dallas, but the Giants D is bound to shut him down.
Final Score: Giants 23 Redskins
17
Pittsburgh (-7) at Cleveland
1:00 p.m
Okay, so there’s another game that actually matters other
than in the world of fantasy football. Although the Cleveland
Browns can’t make the playoffs, they will be motivated against
their rival Pittsburgh Steelers this week, since they could effectively
put Pittsburgh out of the playoffs.
The Steelers will definitely be looking to their bread and butter
— their running game — with good old Lake Erie in
full effect. No team is better suited to this type of football
than the Steelers, who boast a great option in Willie Parker —
who does the heavy lifting — and a scoring-league only threat
in Bettis — who gets goal-line opportunities. While I don’t
recommend starting Big Ben, I still like Hines Ward as an option
this week. The Browns have a rookie at QB in Charlie Frye, and
you just can’t start him. Keep an eye on the status Reuben
Droughns, who played through injury against Oakland and couldn’t
get it done. I’d be surprised if breaks out versus the Steelers,
and this team just doesn’t have any real fantasy options
this week.
Final Score: Steelers 20, Browns
10
San Diego (+1) at Kansas
City 1:00 p.m.
Make it three big games. This is the AFC game of the week, any
way you slice it. The Chargers are an amusement park team having
a roller-coaster season. Knocking the Colts from their undefeated
perch should be enough momentum to carry through to a victory
in KC. I like the usual suspects, including Brees, LT, Gates and
McCardell. Don’t worry — Tomlinson was able to work
out on Tuesday and expects to be in the starting lineup on Saturday.
The Chiefs have solid options in Trent Green, Larry Johnson, Gonzalez
and Kennison, who according to head coach Dick Vermeil will play
this week. I like their firepower, but the Bolts just seem to
be destined after their victory over Indy.
Final Score: Chargers 31, Chiefs
27
San Francisco (+9) at
St. Louis 1:00 p.m.
The 49ers have probably one option — rookie running back
Frank Gore. I think it is hilarious, however, that the Week 17
matchup with Houston is being dubbed the “Reggie Bush Bowl.”
I think they’ll probably drop this one on purpose.
The Rams have little to play for but still can put up some points
— they’ll just turn the ball over several times while
doing it. Go ahead with Jackson and Holt, but watch the injury
report as nobody’s going to risk injury in a meaningless
game.
Final Score: Rams 24, 49ers
17
Tennessee
(+5.5) at Miami 1:00 p.m.
This should be a shootout, with some of the participants possibly
having their most productive games of the season. It doesn’t
really matter anymore than your wagers, but that’s why you
are reading. The Titans will expose the Dolphins bad secondary,
as should the Dolphins. I like McNair, Troupe/Kinney and Bennett,
but again, watch the injury report because Kinney and McNair are
both questionable.
Miami should take it to the air but give a few more touches on
the ground to Ricky Wiliams than Ronnie Brown, the trend in recent
weeks. WRs Chris Chambers and Marty Booker are both decent options,
although I can’t believe I’m putting Booker in there.
Final Score: Dolphins 27, Titans
24
Philadelphia
(+1) at Arizona 4:05 p.m.
This is the battle of the birds with lame wings. I have received
my share of hate mail from Eagles fans in the past, and I took
some pot shots at the team again this year, which I admit were
a little mean-spirited. But listen up, Philly fans, because I’m
taking the Eagles this week. While I can’t recommend starting
any QBs, I like a couple position players other than the kickers,
and I think the Eagles have a shot. Go with Ryan Moats and Reggie
Brown for the Eagles and Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald for
the Cards.
Final Score: Eagles 24, Cardinals
23
Indianapolis (open line)
at Seattle 4:15 p.m
Again another game with no friggin meaning for one team. I have
no clue what to tell you to do. I hear they will start but not
play the entire game. That is not a good sign buy who knows. It
is hard for me to believe that they will go into the playoffs
after playing their worst game of the year last week. They have
to find their rhythm again. That is why I think they will play
longer than what people think. But if you have other options you
might want to go into that direction.
The Seahawks will go balls to the wall on this one. They are looking
down the barrel of home-field and need this game to stay ahead
of the Bears and clinch. I think you will see big games form the
offense because a good portion of the Colts defense will certainly
be out. Basically I see a pretty good beating coming.
Final Score: Seahawks 33, Colts
20
Oakland
at Denver (-13) 4:15 p.m.
Norv Turner is a good guy who will never be a head coach in this
league again. The Raiders will say so-long to Norv and Collins
after the season and will be looking to lock up the other southern
cal product in Matt L. They will spend money, picks, and will
go after him at all costs. They also like this other rookie they
have as well. Look for some major overhauls in the offseason.
They have no chance to win this one.
The Broncos need to stay afloat for the West Division. They need
this win and it is theirs. As mentioned above they handed the
Bills their asses and won by doing what they do best. That would
be running the ball. They will need that type of ball control
in the playoffs as the AFC will be deep this year with possible
contenders.
Final Score: Broncos 32, Raiders
17
Chicago (-7) at Green
Bay 5:00 p.m
Will this be Brett Favre's last stand? My hope for the franchise
as well as Favre I hope so. This needs to be a turned chapter
for God's sake. Will Green come back next year? Probably not for
the money he wants. He thinks the world owes him something. Sooner
or later he will find out that this is the NFL. They owe no one.
nothing. They will get punished as Gado will be out for the rest
of the year. Giving the Bears a field day on Favre's chest.
The Bears did the smart thing and turned to Grossman. He is the
best chance they have of having an offense. Muhammad was the deciding
factor as he embarrassed Orton on the sideline. Good for him.
Orton sucked and was missing receiver on a down by down basis.
They did the right thing. If Grossman can come in and light that
fire they may have a chance to go to the Big Dance.
Final Score: Bears 24, Pack
13
Minnesota (+3) at Baltimore
8:30 p.m.
The Vikings are still alive, although they should have some trouble
against the Ravens this week. Did Baltimore, at 5-9, really beat
Green Bay 48-3 on Monday night? I guess they did, and after watching
that debacle, it’s hard to justify starting any Vikings
position player this week.
The Ravens, in their stomping of the Packers defense, showcased
Boller, Heap, Jamal Lewis and Mason, who all played very well.
This week, it should be limited to Heap, Lewis and Mason, as I
believe Boller will throw some picks.
Final Score: Ravens 21, Vikings
13
New England (4.5) at
N.Y. Jets 9:00 p.m.
Is this really the final Monday Night Football game to be shown
on ABC? Say it ain’t so, Al and John. Will the Patriots
sit their starters into the second half? Say it ain’t so,
Bill and Tom.
The Patriots are a crap shoot this week as they should probably
beat the Jets — but with whom? I still recommend starting
Brady and Branch, since the Pats need to tune up a bit before
the playoffs. Outside those two, I don’t think they’ll
be too much going on. The Jets had a tough schedule this season
and have only beaten one team since Week 6 — the Raiders.
I can’t recommend starting anybody except Brooks Bollinger,
who still needs to show he belongs in the league and might throw
a couple TD passes. RB Cedric Houston is a possibility, but I
think the Pats can shut him down.
Final Score: Patriots 27, Jets
14
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