QBs: (1 pt per 25 yds passing; 6 pts for all TDs, -2 pts/INT)
RBs: (1 pt per 10 yards rushing/receiving; 6 pts for all TDs)
WRs/TEs: (1 point per 10 yards rushing/receiving, 6 points per TD)

IND @ BAL | SEA @ CHI | PHI @ NO | NE @ SD

Colts @ Ravens

Peyton Manning/Marvin Harrison/Reggie Wayne/Dallas Clark
Joseph Addai/Dominic Rhodes (vs. BAL)

Similar passing attacks that have faced the Ravens this season: Bengals (2), Saints
Similar RBs that have faced the Ravens this season: N/A
FF Points Allowed vs. similar QBs: 17.1
FF Points Allowed vs. similar WRs: 32.9
FF Points Allowed vs. similar TEs: 1.9
FF Points Allowed vs. similar RBs: N/A
FF Points Allowed vs. QBs/WRs/TEs over the last 3 weeks: 14.3/24.4/5.1
FF Points Allowed vs. RBs over the last 3 weeks: 3.2

Passing Game Facts: Manning’s 3 INTs last week was the first time he threw that many since the 2003 AFC Championship-it was his worst fantasy performance of the year so far. He has, however, thrown for 268+ yards in five of his last six games. Last week ended the 11-game streak in which at least one Colts WR has scored more than 10 fantasy points in every game-Wayne and Harrison had combined for 14 such performances in that time. Harrison has scored six times in Indy’s last four games, but has only scored twice over his entire postseason career. Additionally, he has not topped 52 yards receiving in his last five playoff games. On the other hand, Wayne has eclipsed 97 yards twice in his last four postseason games. Wayne has scored three postseason TDs since Harrison scored his last one. Colts TEs have scored six times this season, but none have come in the last seven games. Clark has piled up 84 or more yards receiving in 3 of his four career postseason games. The Ravens have not allowed an opposing QB to score more than 17 fantasy points in any of their last nine games. The Ravens have allowed at least one WR to score 9 fantasy points in five straight games. Baltimore has allowed only one TE score all season and no opposing TE has scored 10+ fantasy points.

Running Game Facts: Only three times since their bye week have the Colts had one rusher carry the ball at least 20 times-all by Addai. Addai’s TD vs. the Chiefs was his first score since Week 12. Rhodes’ 68 yards rushing last week were his most since Week 12. Baltimore has not allowed an opposing RB to score more than 17 fantasy points (and only 4 double-digit RB performances) all season. Six of the last seven teams to face Baltimore have not had a RB score more than 6.4 fantasy points.

Analysis: If the Ravens are going to be had by the Colts, it will be through the air. I do expect a stat line fairly similar to last week for Manning though. It’s important to not confuse the fact that it is not so much that 3-4 defenses bother Manning as much as it seems to confuse his offensive line. Either way, I look for 275 yards passing and 1 score with 1-2 INTs. As much as it was a pleasant surprise that Addai got his first start last week, he figures to post an equally disturbing line this week. I don’t foresee anything more than 75 total yards from him or 50 total yards from Rhodes. The Colts WR play this week would figure to be Wayne, as there have been several bigger, muscular #2 WRs who have had success vs. the Ravens. Wayne should be good for 85 yards and a score while Harrison will probably top off at around 60 yards. Clark looked healthy for the first time since his return and I would expect that he would continue playing a big role in this game as Manning has been checking down more often this year. I think 60 yards + is a realistic expectation.

Steve McNair/Derrick Mason/Mark Clayton/Todd Heap
Jamal Lewis (vs. IND)

Similar passing attacks that have faced the Colts this season: Redskins, Patriots
Similar RBs that have faced the Colts this season: Travis Henry (2), Corey Dillon, Rudi Johnson
FF Points Allowed vs. similar QBs: 11.1
FF Points Allowed vs. similar WRs: 14.5
FF Points Allowed vs. similar TEs: 7.8
FF Points Allowed vs. similar RBs: 13.6
FF Points Allowed vs. QBs/WRs/TEs over the last 3 weeks: 10.4/6.5/10.2
FF Points Allowed vs. RBs over the last 3 weeks: 19.1

Passing Game Facts: In games he has started AND finished, McNair has completed 60% or more of his passes in nine straight games. McNair has scored 6 rushing TDs in his nine postseason games. Before Week 17, at least one Ravens WR scored 15+ fantasy points in four straight games. In that time, at least one WR had 90 yards receiving in every game as well. Heap has not scored a TD in five straight games. After allowing 247 yards in the season opener, the Colts defense has not allowed more than 226 yards passing in any game since. The Colts have not allowed an opposing WR to top 10 fantasy points since Javon Walker in Week 8. The Colts have allowed an opposing TE to score in consecutive games.

Running Game Facts: Lewis has not scored fewer than 8 fantasy points since HC Brian Billick assumed the play-calling responsibilities. Lewis has averaged 14.8 fantasy points in his three career games vs. IND. The Colts had allowed at least one rusher to score 10 fantasy points in each of the last 10 games until last week. The Colts have allowed 10 individual 100-yard rushers in 2006.

Analysis: The Colts looked fast and furious on their home turf last weekend. The same cannot be said for how they have played on the road this year. No doubt, Bob Sanders’ presence helps this team immensely though. It will be important to watch just how well LT Jonathan Ogden handles DE Dwight Freeney throughout the game. (Freeney has owned Ogden of late.) That matchup could determine just how big of a role McNair may play in the game and in your fantasy lineup. For now, I suspect nearly 30 carries for Lewis, meaning it will be hard for McNair to throw for 200 yards or 1 score. Lewis is a very good bet to top 100 yards and to score at least once. If this season’s trends hold up, Clayton should be Baltimore’s best fantasy WR this week, but he isn’t very likely to go over 65 yards receiving. Mason is probably good for 50 yards tops. Heap makes an interesting play, though; I’d be pretty surprised if he is held under 60 yards and a score.

Seahawks @ Bears

Matt Hasselbeck/Darrell Jackson/Deion Branch/DJ HacketDougerramy Stevens
Shaun Alexander (vs. CHI)

Similar passing attacks that have faced the Bears this season: Seahawks
Similar RBs that have faced the Bears this season: Chester Taylor (2)
FF Points Allowed vs. similar QBs: 5.7
FF Points Allowed vs. similar WRs: 17.1
FF Points Allowed vs. similar TEs: 1.5
FF Points Allowed vs. similar RBs: 9.5
FF Points Allowed vs. QBs/WRs/TEs over the last 3 weeks: 23.4/32/6.7
FF Points Allowed vs. RBs over the last 3 weeks: 13.9

Passing Game Facts: Since his return from a knee injury in Week 12, Hasselbeck has not thrown for more than 243 yards in a game. Hasselbeck’s TD totals since his return: 3, 0, 3, 1, 0, 1, 2. Only one Seahawks WR has scored over the last four games. Stevens has been targeted at least 5 times in each of the past four games. Three of Stevens’ six scores in 2006 have come in the last four games. The Bears have allowed at least 15 fantasy points to opposing QBs in four straight games. Predictably, Chicago has allowed at least one WR to score 11.8 fantasy points in each of the past four games. They have allowed an opposing WR to exceed 100 yards receiving in three straight games. The Bears allowed 3 TE scores this year, two of which have been scored in the last three games.

Running Game Facts: Alexander has touched the ball at least 23 times in each of the last seven games. Since their bye week, the Bears have allowed seven of their ten opponents’ RBs to score 11+ fantasy points after allowing only one double-digit performance to an opposing RB prior to Week 7.

Analysis: Bears CBs Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher return to the Bears’ secondary this week, which would give me some pause playing Hasselbeck this week. He will struggle to throw one scoring pass and top 225 yards passing. Considering the injury status of the Seahawks WRs, the return of the Bears’ CBs, and Hasselbeck’s inconsistency in 2006, Alexander makes a top-notch play this week. I like him to exceed 100 yards rushing and score once. (Since the Bears have allowed only 6 RB rushing scores this season, I don’t like Alexander to score more than that.) At last check, the health of the Seahawks’ WRs once again makes them all risky plays-reports of Friday have Hackett not playing. I personally would not play any of them considering their status and the fact they hare facing Tillman and Vasher. If you don’t mind rolling the dice at the TE position during the playoffs, Stevens is worth a look. The Bears have defended the TE well this season, but Stevens is one of the few healthy targets Hasselbeck has left. I’d pencil him in for 40-50 yards-he has the best chance of all Seattle receivers to score.

Rex Grossman/Bernard Berrian/Muhsin Muhammad/Desmond Clark
Thomas Jones/Cedric Benson (vs. SEA)

Similar passing attacks that have faced the Seahawks this season: Bears
Similar RBs that have faced the Seahawks this season: Jones/Benson
FF Points Allowed vs. similar QBs: 21.5
FF Points Allowed vs. similar WRs: 27.3
FF Points Allowed vs. similar TEs: 5.8
FF Points Allowed vs. similar RBs: 27.7
FF Points Allowed vs. QBs/WRs/TEs over the last 3 weeks: 15.1/19.5/3.8
FF Points Allowed vs. RBs over the last 3 weeks: 13.4

Passing Game Facts: Grossman has actually had as many games without throwing an INT as he has throwing one. On the down side, he’s had five games of 3 or more INTs this season. Either Berrian or Muhammad has been the team’s leading fantasy WR in 14 of the team’s 16 games this season. Since Week 7, at least one Bears WR has scored 8.5 fantasy points in all but one game. After allowing an opposing QB to throw for 2 TDs against them in five straight games, the Seahawks have allowed just one in each of the last two games. Only one opposing QB has thrown for more than 189 yards against Seattle over the last six games. The Seahawks have allowed at least one WR to score 9.7 fantasy points in eight straight games and have struggled against the deep ball for most of the year. The Seahawks allowed 19 WR scores this season. The Seahawks allowed only one TE to score 10+ fantasy points this year (Tony Gonzalez).

Running Game Facts: A different Bears RB has led the team in fantasy points in each of the last three games. Benson has seen 10 or more carries in six of his last seven games. Over the last five games, Jones has touched the ball 69 times while Benson has touched it 71 times. The Seahawks have held only one individual RB under 10 fantasy points since their Week 5 bye. In that time, they have allowed eight 100-yard rushing performances.

Analysis: Seeing that Tony Romo did not have his way with the decimated Seattle secondary, it would be unwise to think that Grossman could. As many fantasy players well know, Grossman has become quite inconsistent over the course of the season and his confidence appears to be rollercoaster-ish in nature. I suspect 30-35 carries from the running game, so I wouldn’t expect much more than 175 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT from Grossman. I expect a near split of the running game workload, so Jones is a fair bet for 75 total yards while Benson should be good for 60 yards and a score. Berrian has received the most targets of the Bears’ two starting wideouts, so he should continue being the best play between the two. I expect roughly 70 yards from Berrian and 60 from Muhammad, with Moose having the best chance of grabbing Grossman’s TD pass. Clark’s use-much like Grossman’s game-has been very unpredictable from game to game. You could do worse than play Clark, but with neither Grossman nor Griese playing all that good of football lately, it’s hard to say Clark will top 40 yards.

Eagles @ Saints

Jeff Garcia/Donte Stallworth/Reggie Brown/LJ Smith
Brian Westbrook (vs. NO)

Similar passing attacks that have faced the Saints this season: Eagles
Similar RBs that have faced the Saints this season: Westbrook
FF Points Allowed vs. similar QBs: 19.9
FF Points Allowed vs. similar WRs: 19.9
FF Points Allowed vs. similar TEs: 15.9
FF Points Allowed vs. similar RBs: 10.3
FF Points Allowed vs. QBs/WRs/TEs over the last 3 weeks: 14.8/16.5/3
FF Points Allowed vs. RBs over the last 3 weeks: 17

Passing Game Facts: Eagles QBs scored at least 10 fantasy points in every game this season. And only once all season did an Eagles QB not throw for at least one score in a game. Lastly, Eagles QB have thrown for multiple scores in 12 of 17 games this season. However, considering the gaudy QB numbers, Philly WRs have only managed to score 10+ fantasy points in five of their last ten games. Eagles TEs have score at least 5 fantasy points in six of the last eight games. New Orleans has allowed at least 11.2 fantasy points to the QB position in all but two games this season. Six of the defense’s 11 INTs have come in the past five games. Every opposing QB except Michael Vick has thrown for at least one score vs. the Saints. The Saints have allowed an opposing WR to score 9.7+ fantasy points in eight of their last nine games. They have allowed at least one WR score in five straight games. New Orleans has not allowed a TE score in 7 straight games.

Running Game Facts: Not including the meaningless Week 17game vs. the Falcons, Westbrook is riding a ten-game streak of scoring at least 10.6 fantasy points-he has scored at least 12.6 points in every game since the Week 9 bye week. His lowest total yardage output in that time was 106 total yards against Jacksonville. Three of the last four teams to face the Saints have featured a RB that scored at least 15 points.

Analysis: I expect this game to be close throughout, meaning Westbrook should once again be the man. Garcia will likely top out at 200 yards passing and 1-2 TDs. Westbrook has become pretty close to a “sure thing” in the second half of this season. There’s no reason he can’t go for at least 125 total yards. I’m not so sure about a score for him this week, but with the roll he is on, he may get two. Brown should once again see the most looks in the passing game. I like Brown to go for 80 yards and a score while Stallworth settles in around 55. Smith may be a good play, but the stats suggest he isn’t that great of a play since Garcia has been under center. Don’t count on much more than 30 yards from him.

Drew Brees/Joe Horn/Marques Colston/Billy Miller
Deuce McAllister/Reggie Bush (vs. PHI)

Similar passing attacks that have faced the Eagles this season: Saints
Similar RBs that have faced the Eagles this season: McAllister/Bush
FF Points Allowed vs. similar QBs: 24.9
FF Points Allowed vs. similar WRs: 33.8
FF Points Allowed vs. similar TEs: 3
FF Points Allowed vs. similar RBs: 18.5
FF Points Allowed vs. QBs/WRs/TEs over the last 3 weeks: 17.6/15.4/8.4
FF Points Allowed vs. RBs over the last 3 weeks: 15.3

Passing Game Facts: Weeks 15-17 represent Brees’ three worst single-game fantasy game performances since Week 3. Brees has thrown only one INT over his last six games. Brees has thrown for fewer than 208 yards in four of his last five games. A Saints WR has not scored 10 fantasy points in four of the last five games. Saints WRs have scored only once over the last three games. Saints WRs have scored 21 TDs this year; however, they have only scored three over the last five weeks. No Saints TE has scored more than 7.4 fantasy points this season. Jake Delhomme and Eli Manning are the only QBs to score more than 15 fantasy points against the Eagles in the last 11 games. The Eagles have allowed only 4 QBs to score multiple TDs in a single game this season. The Eagles have only allowed one 100-yard receiving performance since Week 6.

Running Game Facts: After not putting together two 100-total yard performances in the same game through 11 games, Bush and McAllister have turned the trick in three of the last five games. Thirteen of the Saints RBs 22 scores this season have come in the last five games. Only once since Week 1 (and twice all season) has an opposing RB not scored at least 9 fantasy points vs. the Eagles defense. Since allowing Joseph Addai to score 4 times in Week 12, the Eagles have allowed four RB scores since.

Analysis: The Saints have become much more of a running team since December started. This likely has a lot to do with Horn being injured and keeping Colston healthy. Either way, the Saints RBs have been effective and I don’t look for the Saints to change their attack now. As such, I don’t foresee Brees’ having a repeat of his 25.7 game from the first meeting, but I do see him coming fairly close. Pencil him in for 260 yards and 1-2 scores. McAllister is a very good bet for at least 80 yards and a score while I expect Bush to be used as a decoy initially. Put him down for no more than 75 total yards. Reports surfaced on Friday that Horn will not play-he’s one play away from tearing his groin muscle-thus he doesn’t make a good play. It should mean Colston is a very good play, as I like him for 90 yards and a TD reception, with Devery Henderson also a decent bet for 65 yards. Miller is not worth playing.

Patriots @ Chargers

Tom Brady/Reche Caldwell/Jabar Gaffney/Ben Watson
Corey Dillon/Laurence Maroney (vs. SD)

Similar passing attacks that have faced the Chargers this season: Ravens, Browns
Similar RBs that have faced the Chargers this season: Tatum/Mike Bell/Damien Nash (2)
FF Points Allowed vs. similar QBs: 14.8
FF Points Allowed vs. similar WRs: 14.2
FF Points Allowed vs. similar TEs: 13.5
FF Points Allowed vs. similar RBs: 25
FF Points Allowed vs. QBs/WRs/TEs over the last 3 weeks: 10.2/17/6
FF Points Allowed vs. RBs over the last 3 weeks: 18

Passing Game Facts: Brady has not thrown an INT in five straight games. Five different WRs took turns this season as the Pats’ best fantasy WR-Caldwell has taken the honor in five of the last nine games. The Pats have three 100-yard receiving performance from their WRs this year-including Gaffney’s 104-yard outing last week. The Patriots were one of only four teams to have their TEs surpass 1000 yards receiving during the regular season. Kurt Warner was the first QB since Week 10 to throw for more than 189 yards vs. the Chargers. They have also allowed only one passing score over the last three games. Only one WR (Anquan Boldin) has scored 10+ fantasy points vs. SD since Week 10. Only one WR has as many as 6 receptions in that same time.

Running Game Facts: After getting shut out of the end zone for consecutive weeks for the first time all season in Weeks 14-15, Dillon now has scored in three consecutive games. Dillon’s 59 yards receiving in Week 17 was 40% of his receiving yardage total all season. Dillon has scored at least 8 fantasy points in six straight (and nine of his last 10) games. Maroney has scored at least 11.8 fantasy points in four of his last six games. The Chargers have allowed at least 8.7 fantasy points to an opposing RB in five straight games and allowed 12.6 points in three of the last five games.

Analysis: As most of us know pretty well by now, Brady is a darn good QB in the postseason. I would be mildly surprised if had a stat line of less than 230 yards and 2 scores. Maroney is probably the more logical play (given his explosiveness), but Dillon figures to once again have the best shot to score. Maroney will be lucky to hit 60 yards while Dillon will likely have no more than 50 and a TD. Gaffney had his first big game for the Pats last week and I like him just about as much as I do Caldwell. I think both players are decent, low-budget plays in the 70 yard range. The Chargers have been friendly to opposing TEs lately, so Watson makes a nice play if healthy. He could be in line for a 60 yard game.

Philip Rivers/Vincent Jackson/Keenan McCardell/Antonio Gates
LaDainian Tomlinson (vs. NE)

Similar passing attacks that have faced the Patriots this season: Bears
Similar RBs that have faced the Patriots this season: N/A
FF Points Allowed vs. similar QBs: -0.9
FF Points Allowed vs. similar WRs: 15.9
FF Points Allowed vs. similar TEs: 1.9
FF Points Allowed vs. similar RBs: N/A
FF Points Allowed vs. QBs/WRs/TEs over the last 3 weeks: 13/20.6/4.3
FF Points Allowed vs. RBs over the last 3 weeks: 16.8

Passing Game Facts: Rivers has scored 19+ fantasy points in three of his last four games. Six of Rivers’ 9 INTs this season have come in the past six games. Jackson is responsible for six of the Chargers’ 9 WR scores this season-three of his six have been scored in the past two weeks. Gates has 56 or more yards receiving in five of his last six games. Gates has also scored 5 times in his last six games. Only Peyton Manning has scored more than 14.1 fantasy points vs. the Pats since Week 3. Only three opposing QBs have accounted for multiple scores in the same game against the Patriots this season. The Pats have allowed two WRs to score 10+ fantasy points in the same game only once this season. The Pats have allowed only two TEs to top 50 yards receiving this season and they have not allowed a double-digit performance to the TE position all season-they have not allowed a TE score all season.

Running Game Facts: Tomlinson has been kept out of the end zone in consecutive games four times over the last four years -including one four-game stretch in 2005-he’s on a two-game scoreless streak entering this game. The last time LT totaled less than 70 yards in a game was Week 16 of the 2005 season. Since their Week 6 bye, the Patriots defense has kept only two teams from featuring a 10+ fantasy point producer at RB. They have also allowed an individual rusher to eclipse 90 yards rushing in five of their last seven games.

Analysis: To a large degree, Rivers has become the story of this game even though he is not likely to BE the story of this game. He has not thrown more than 2 INTs in the same game in his career and is not likely to do so here. I’m forecasting a 200 yard, 1 TD/1 INT game for him. On the other hand, I expect roughly 35 touches for LT and Michael Turner, especially given the Pats’ struggles in stopping the run. I expect Tomlinson to surpass 130 total yards with 1-2 scores. Turner will probably be good for 30-40 total yards. Jackson’s rise over the past couple weeks probably means he will draw Asante Samuel, so I don’t look for anything over 45 yards for him. McCardell and Eric Parker are desperation plays only. Assuming the play-calling keeps the Pats somewhat off-balance, Gates should be in line for 70-80 yards with a possible score-he should once again be the top TE play of the week.