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Week 16
12/22/05

Week 16
Saturday - 1:00 PM EST Saturday, 4:00 PM EST
ATL at TB - CB PHI at ARI - AD
BUF at CIN - CB IND at SEA - CB
DAL at CAR - CB OAK at DEN - CB
DET at NO - CB Sunday - 5:00 & 8:30 PM EST
JAX at HOU - CB CHI at GB - CB
NYG at WAS - AD MIN at BAL - AD
PIT at CLE - AD Monday - 9:00 PM EST
SD at KC - AD NE at NYJ - AD
SF at STL - AD  
TEN at MIA - AD  

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