December 14th, 2008 9:15am PST
MORE FANTASY
MORE FANTASY
WHO IS THE BETTER PLAY
Week 15
Taking a look at player matchups for Week 15 and studying recent trends, here are my Week 15 preferred fantasy plays by comparison.
Running backs
Tashard Choice over Marion Barber:
Running back MBIII was limited all in week in practice and is expected to be a game time decision. According to ESPN, he could play a limited role if active. The Cowboys do not play until Sunday night, so waiting to see if Barber plays could be a huge risk for owners. Whether Barber plays or not, back up running back Tashard Choice should see a fair amount of work regardless. Last Sunday Choice started in place of Barber and totaled 166-yards against the number one defense in the league. Expect Choice to see the Lion's share of the load, making the rookie the better play for Sunday night.
Week 15
Taking a look at player matchups for Week 15 and studying recent trends, here are my Week 15 preferred fantasy plays by comparison.
Running backs
Tashard Choice over Marion Barber:
Running back MBIII was limited all in week in practice and is expected to be a game time decision. According to ESPN, he could play a limited role if active. The Cowboys do not play until Sunday night, so waiting to see if Barber plays could be a huge risk for owners. Whether Barber plays or not, back up running back Tashard Choice should see a fair amount of work regardless. Last Sunday Choice started in place of Barber and totaled 166-yards against the number one defense in the league. Expect Choice to see the Lion's share of the load, making the rookie the better play for Sunday night.
Tatum Bell over Selvin Young:
The Broncos face the Panthers in a key matchup for Denver. A win on Sunday and they could clinch the AFC West. With Peyton Hillis lost for the season, Tatum Bell has been elevated to the starting slot. Bell has only seen limited action this season (24-carries), but will get plenty of touches on Sunday. Selvin Young is coming back from a groin injury that has had him sidelined fro several weeks and is questionable to play. Even if Young does play, his load could be limited. Neither back is a great play this week against the Panthers, but Bell is the healthier and safer play of the two.
Dominic Rhodes over Joseph Addai:
The word floating around is Addai could suit up Sunday for the Colts, but Rhodes is likely to start. Addai is suffering from a shoulder injury that has him a big question mark for Sunday against the Lions. Running back Dominic Rhodes has played very well this season as Addai' back up with 425-yards and 4 touchdowns. The Colts have not lit up the boards this season on the ground (ranked 31st), but with the Lions (ranked 32nd against the run) up next, they should get the ground game moving and whether he starts or not, Rhodes should be a very strong play on Sunday.
Wide Receivers
Derrick Mason over Mark Clayton:
The Ravens face a very tough matchup this Sunday against the leagues number one defense. Likely to be facing tremendous pressure from the leagues best pass rush, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is going to have to get rid of the ball quickly. Clayton by design is the deep threat with Mason more of a short route ball control receiver. Clayton has had only one game this season with as many as 5 receptions, while Mason has had 6 games with more than 5. Mason has also been more heavily targeted this season. Expect Flacco to look for Mason quite a bit on Sunday.
Vincent Jackson over Chris Chambers:
Over the past several weeks, Chambers has completely vanished in the Chargers passing game with just one catch in the teams last two games. Chambers has also gone his last six games without a touchdown. Wideout Vincent Jackson has quietly become quarterback Phillip Rivers go to receiver. While Jackson has been a bit up and down, he's been the more consistent receiver in the Chargers pass game with 2 touchdowns in his last three starts. Jackson has been targeted at least 8 times in four of his last six games and he is also coming off his best game of the season. Expect Rivers to call his number frequently on Sunday.
The Broncos face the Panthers in a key matchup for Denver. A win on Sunday and they could clinch the AFC West. With Peyton Hillis lost for the season, Tatum Bell has been elevated to the starting slot. Bell has only seen limited action this season (24-carries), but will get plenty of touches on Sunday. Selvin Young is coming back from a groin injury that has had him sidelined fro several weeks and is questionable to play. Even if Young does play, his load could be limited. Neither back is a great play this week against the Panthers, but Bell is the healthier and safer play of the two.
Dominic Rhodes over Joseph Addai:
The word floating around is Addai could suit up Sunday for the Colts, but Rhodes is likely to start. Addai is suffering from a shoulder injury that has him a big question mark for Sunday against the Lions. Running back Dominic Rhodes has played very well this season as Addai' back up with 425-yards and 4 touchdowns. The Colts have not lit up the boards this season on the ground (ranked 31st), but with the Lions (ranked 32nd against the run) up next, they should get the ground game moving and whether he starts or not, Rhodes should be a very strong play on Sunday.
Wide Receivers
Derrick Mason over Mark Clayton:
The Ravens face a very tough matchup this Sunday against the leagues number one defense. Likely to be facing tremendous pressure from the leagues best pass rush, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is going to have to get rid of the ball quickly. Clayton by design is the deep threat with Mason more of a short route ball control receiver. Clayton has had only one game this season with as many as 5 receptions, while Mason has had 6 games with more than 5. Mason has also been more heavily targeted this season. Expect Flacco to look for Mason quite a bit on Sunday.
Vincent Jackson over Chris Chambers:
Over the past several weeks, Chambers has completely vanished in the Chargers passing game with just one catch in the teams last two games. Chambers has also gone his last six games without a touchdown. Wideout Vincent Jackson has quietly become quarterback Phillip Rivers go to receiver. While Jackson has been a bit up and down, he's been the more consistent receiver in the Chargers pass game with 2 touchdowns in his last three starts. Jackson has been targeted at least 8 times in four of his last six games and he is also coming off his best game of the season. Expect Rivers to call his number frequently on Sunday.
Jerricho Cotchery over Laveranues Coles:
Just by statistical comparison, this season wideout Jerricho Cotchery has been the receiver of choice of late. Both wideouts are in the midst of slumps, but in the Jets last two games Coles has only seen three receptions for 7-yards, while Cotchery has caught 5 passes for 50-yards. In the first matchup Cotchery caught 6 passes and was targeted 9 times, while Coles only saw 5 balls in his direction. Cotchery is the favorite here to have similar or better results. On a final note, players are only human and Coles airing of his grievances regarding quarterback Brett Favre surely did not help his cause to see more throws in his direction.
Quarterbacks
Kurt Warner over Jay Cutler:
The Broncos need to play well with few mistakes to pull off a win today against the Panthers. One key for Cutler and company will be a balanced attack to keep the safeties honest and to open the secondary. Cutler is going to have to throw, but his proneness to force the issue could be a problem Denver may have to overcome. The Cards offense faces a tough challenge facing the Vikings and the "Williams Wall." It is highly unlikely that Arizona will be able to run with any kind of effectiveness, so the team will have to rely on Warner's arm. Not a bad dilemma, considering how well Warner is playing and how bad the Vikings (ranked 20th) secondary has played. Warner has had big games this season, and while Cutler figures to put up some numbers on Sunday, the Cardinal's quarterback will have the bigger day.
Just by statistical comparison, this season wideout Jerricho Cotchery has been the receiver of choice of late. Both wideouts are in the midst of slumps, but in the Jets last two games Coles has only seen three receptions for 7-yards, while Cotchery has caught 5 passes for 50-yards. In the first matchup Cotchery caught 6 passes and was targeted 9 times, while Coles only saw 5 balls in his direction. Cotchery is the favorite here to have similar or better results. On a final note, players are only human and Coles airing of his grievances regarding quarterback Brett Favre surely did not help his cause to see more throws in his direction.
Quarterbacks
Kurt Warner over Jay Cutler:
The Broncos need to play well with few mistakes to pull off a win today against the Panthers. One key for Cutler and company will be a balanced attack to keep the safeties honest and to open the secondary. Cutler is going to have to throw, but his proneness to force the issue could be a problem Denver may have to overcome. The Cards offense faces a tough challenge facing the Vikings and the "Williams Wall." It is highly unlikely that Arizona will be able to run with any kind of effectiveness, so the team will have to rely on Warner's arm. Not a bad dilemma, considering how well Warner is playing and how bad the Vikings (ranked 20th) secondary has played. Warner has had big games this season, and while Cutler figures to put up some numbers on Sunday, the Cardinal's quarterback will have the bigger day.
PLAYER NEWS
Johnson limited Friday and listed as questionable...
....Johnson has been limited all week, but there's been no indication he will sit Sunday. Owners should check his status for Sunday before sitting or starting.
Losman expected to Start Sunday...
....the Bills quarterback Trent Edwards is not expected to play Sunday with a groin injury, paving the way for Losman to make his second consecutive start. With Losman starting Evans figures to see plenty of targets.
Bush to undergo MRI on injured knee...
.....the Saints running back suffered a minor sprain of his left knee and will have an MRI scheduled. The images will be sent to noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, the results are expected back early next week.
Frerotte expected to sit against Cards...
.....the Vikings quarterback is listed as doubtful for Sunday according to the Sports Network. Back up Tarvaris Jackson is expected to start in his place. With Jackson starting, fantasy owners should avoid the Vikings passing game for any options.
Warren close to returning for Patriots...
....the Patriots could see defensive lineman return this Sunday from a groin injury that will likely require off-season surgery. His return should be a big boost to the Pats run defense inside.
Jacobs officially ruled out for Sunday...
....the Giants running back has been officially ruled OUT for Sunday. Derrick Ward will get the start and should be decent RB2 play for Week 15.
Brackett to sit out Sunday...
....the Colts are expecting to be without linebacker Gary Brackett. With the likelihood of DB Bob Sanders missing and Brackett out the Lions running game could be in good shape on Sunday.
Check back soon for more "David's Daily Digest" and fantasy news...
By David G. Ortega
No comments:
Post a Comment