Manning's Matchup: The Eagles have given
up the most TD passes by a team not named New Orleans.
Grab a Helmet Eli
Manning vs PHI: Bad Eli made an appearance last week
in the Giants drubbing against Minnesota. It was a tough spot for
Eli, playing on the road against a feisty Vikings defense without
the services of OBJ. Manning and the Giants get a chance to play
against the tumultuous Eagles this week, who will be playing for
nothing, and going thought the motions after jettisoning their head
coach Chip Kelly. Look for Manning, Beckham and the Giants to come
out fired up, looking to end the season on a high note and help
the cause of their own head coach.
Matt
Ryan vs NO: If the New Orleans defense is playing, I’m
finding a quarterback to start against them! Ryan had one of his
best games of the season last week against a flat Carolina defense.
He protected the ball, completed nearly 80% of his passes and took
a few deep shots to Julio. Earlier this year against New Orleans,
Ryan had nearly 300 yards and 2 touchdowns, and that should be his
floor in this rematch at home. It’s been a down fantasy scoring
year for Ryan, but it should end on a high note for your fantasy
squad if you start him. Ben
Roethlisberger @ CLE: Roethlisberger’s dud in Week 16
likely factored into many championship losses. In what should have
been a dream match-up against a terrible Ravens secondary turned
into a nightmare as Big Ben put up his second worst fantasy game
this season. So how are things different this week? Once again Roethlisberger
is handed a great road match-up against a division opponent, this
time the Browns. Ben rocked Cleveland in Week 10 to the tune of
379 yards and 3 touchdowns. With their playoff lives on the line
the Steelers offense should bounce back, making Roethlisberger a
strong QB1 option.
Grab a Headset
Kirk
Cousins @ DAL: Like our FFToday Staff league, I’m sure
Cousins was the starting quarterback on many a fantasy championship
roster. Unfortunately the time may have come and gone for Cousins
to lead you to a title. With the Redskins locked into the No.4
seed, this game is essentially a pseudo bye for Washington. Look
for Cousins and the starters to play some, but not all of this
contest. Despite being dynamite over the past few weeks, the quick
hook potential makes Cousins, and all the Washington skill players
tough starts in Week 17.
Tyrod
Taylor v. NYJ: Is it just me or has Taylor not gotten
enough credit for his play this season? Making his first career
starts in 2015, Taylor is going to finish the year with 3,000-plus
yards passing, 20-plus total touchdowns, and rush for over 500
yards, and that’s even after missing two games with a knee sprain.
Pretty excellent numbers for a guy who came into the season with
19 total career pass attempts! Taylor isn’t the reason this team
has underachieved, but he does have some room to grow. Unfortunately
the ceiling is really limited this week against a surging Jets
team. Fresh off knocking Tom Brady around, the Jets have playoff
and Rex Ryan motivations this week. Taylor played decently in
his first game against New York, but decent doesn’t get it done
in fantasy.
Aaron
Rodgers vs. MIN: In one short season the Green Bay
offense has gone from historically efficient to comically bad.
Last week against Arizona was a microcosm of the season for Rodgers
and the Packers offense. They’ve been dreadful against any
team sporting some semblance of a defense, and just can’t
move the ball with any consistency. Their offensive line can no
longer open a hole or protect Rodgers. The Packers return home
in a winner-take-the-division game against the upstart Vikings.
When fully healthy this defense has shut down offenses playing
better than this Packer squad.
