Week 17
12/30/06
Steppin' Up
Jay Cutler, DEN: Since taking
over for an ineffective Jake Plummer four weeks ago, Cutler has
done an admirable job under center for the Broncos. He's thrown
two touchdown passes in each of his four starts, while completing
57.1% of his attempts. His average of 193 passing yards per game
has been less than stellar, but his touchdown totals have more
than made up for it. With the Broncos able to secure a playoff
berth with a win at home this Sunday against the San Francisco
49ers, there's a good chance Cutler will have another strong outing.
San Francisco's pass defense ranks 27th in the league, on average
allowing more than 220 yards an outing through the air. They've
also allowed 24 touchdown passes this season, third most in the
NFL. With that in mind, Cutler should be able to reach the 200-225
yard mark through the air this week, while throwing for another
touchdown or two.
Steppin' Down
Brett Favre, GB: Favre's last
impressive outing came three weeks ago against the 49ers, when
he completed 22 of 34 attempts for 293 yards, with 2 touchdowns
and zero interceptions. Since then the future Hall of Famer was
a major disappointment. Against two of the weaker secondaries
in the league, Detroit and Minnesota, Favre completed just 52.8%
of his passes, threw 5 interceptions, and zero touchdowns. He
has now thrown 10 interceptions in his last five games, while
completing only 55.8% of his attempts. With a road game this Sunday
against the Chicago Bears, it's unlikely Favre's fortunes will
take a turn for the better. The Bears have wrapped up homefield
advantage throughout the playoffs. While they may choose to rest
some of their starters, the way Favre has played lately it may
not make much of a difference.
Steppin' Up
Cedric Benson, CHI: Cedric Benson
hasn't carried more than 16 times in a game this season, but over
the last three weeks he has been more active than at any other
point this year. During that span, he has carried 46 times for
166 yards and cored a touchdown. Those totals alone may not make
Benson the most attractive option for fantasy owners this weekend,
but the 3 touchdowns he has scored in three of his last five games
should. Another point to take into consideration is that the Bears
will likely sit their starters during the second half of this
Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. The sooner they pull
their starters, the stronger the possibility of Benson logging
the first 20-carry game of his career. If you need help at the
running back position, now is as good a time as any to plug the
second-year back into your starting lineup.
Steppin' Down
Chester Taylor, MIN: While the
Minnesota Vikings game this Sunday against the St. Louis Rams
is an inviting one for Taylor owners, his performances as of late
are cause for concern. St. Louis ranks 31st in the league in rushing
yards allowed per game--giving up just under 150 yards per outing.
The 19 rushing touchdowns they've allowed is also second most
in the league. They are only ranked behind the Indianapolis Colts
in both categories. Considering just how poorly the Rams have
defended the run this season, it would make sense to expect a
big outing from Taylor. However, taking a look at his last two
outings one may be reluctant to place the 5th-year vet into their
starting lineup, especially when one considers the opposition
wasn't supposed to be stingy against the run.
Two weeks ago against the New York Jets with Vikings rookie quarterback,
Tarvaris Jackson, making his first career start, Taylor carried
the ball 11 times for just 38 yards. The following week with Jackson
remaining under center, Taylor finished with just 49 yards on
15 carries. While the Green Bay Packers defensive unit has performed
fairly well against the run this season, the New York Jets have
not, and it was expected Taylor would perform much better in both
of those games. With that in mind and with Jackson making just
the third start of his young career, don't be surprised if Taylor
has another disappointing outing this Sunday.
Steppin' Up
Isaac Bruce, STL: While Torry
Holt continues to be Marc Bulger's top target in St. Louis, 13th-year
vet Isaac Bruce has quietly put together another 70-catch, 1000-yard
performance for himself following an injury-plagued 2005 campaign.
While Bruce has been fairly productive from a yardage standpoint
throughout much of the season, his last five games in particular
have been rather impressive. During that span, the former Memphis
standout has recorded 27 receptions, 406 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
When the Rams play the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday on New Years
Eve, they'll be facing the lowest ranked secondary in the league.
The Rams meanwhile, rank among the top 5 in passing offense, so
expect Bruce to have another productive afternoon following his
best outing of the season last week.
Steppin' Down
Andre Johnson, HOU: Andre Johnson
has set a career high for himself this season in receptions (101
and counting), but unfortunately for owners that road his high
production to a playoff berth in fantasy leagues, his most recent
outings have been some of his poorest. Going back to Houston's
Week 13 game against the Oakland Raiders, Johnson has now caught
17 passes, for 153 yards, and no touchdowns in his last 4 games.
That production may have made Johnson a serviceable #3 WR in point
per reception (PPR) leagues, but it is well below the level of
production most of us were expecting. Johnson could close out
the season with a big game this week against the Cleveland Browns,
but with the way the Texans passing game has been lately, don't
bank on it.
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