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Player News & Notes
Sproles expected to play bigger role...
....with the Charger's starting running back (Tomlinson) being hampered by a groin injury, expect to see Sproles heavily involved in the offense on Saturday. Sproles, at his size is more than a capable replacement, and with eight all-purpose touchdowns this season he's proven he's a playmaker. Fantasy owners should consider him a solid RB2 option this week.
Warner ready for Saturday after tune-up...
....the Cardinal's quarterback needed a strong finish in Week 17 coming off one of his worst performances as a professional. Against the Patriots in Week 16, Warner passed for a mere 30-yards and completed just six passes. Last Sunday the 11th year veteran bounced back strong passing for 263-yards and throwing four touchdowns. This Sunday he hopes to continue the hot play against the league's 25th ranked pass defense.
Rhodes expected to play Saturday...
....the Colt's back up running back was able to practice this week and could play a big role Saturday splitting time with Joseph Addai. The two running backs had very similar rushing numbers this season, but Rhodes was clearly a more viable pass-receiving option for Manning with 45 receptions. Expect to see Rhodes out of the backfield quite a bit against the Chargers.
James likely to be Number One against Falcons...
....the Cardinal's running back became a distant memory for much of the season after starting the first seven games. Leading up to Week 17 James had carried the ball just 11 times in his last eight games. That all changed last Sunday when James was the featured back toting the rock 14 times for 100-yards. It now appears he will likely start against the Falcons on Saturday and could be a safe RB2 option for fantasy owners.
Jackson emerging with the Elite Crowd...
.....the Charger's wide receiver had his best season as a professional setting career highs with 59 receptions and seven touchdowns. Jackson finished with 1,098-yards receiving (ranks 11th in NFL) and undoubtedly will be targeted heavily by his quarterback on Saturday. Jackson caught only two passes in the team's earlier match-up this season, but was still able to find the end-zone.
Mathis could be licking his Chops...
.....while the Charger's offensive line, in particular left tackle Marcus McNeil will have to worry about the Colt's defensive end Dwight Freeney, they should also be concerned with stopping Robert Mathis. Mathis finished the regular season tying his career high in sacks with 11.5 and in the first meeting this season with San Diego he recorded two sacks. Both McNeil and the Charger's other offensive tackle Jeromey Clary will have their hands full all night.
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Quarterbacks
1. Peyton Manning (Ind)...
Is there any surprise here? Manning has just been one of the league's elite quarterbacks since his arrival from the University of Tennessee in 1998. After a slow start this season, Manning has been "En Fuego" completing 64 of 78 passes (82% completion) while passing for 1,054-yards with eight touchdown passes and no interceptions in his last four starts. This Saturday Manning will face the league's 31st ranked pass defense.
2. Kurt Warner (Ariz)
3. Philip Rivers (SD)
4. Donovan McNabb (Phi)
5. Joe Flacco (Bal)
6. Matt Ryan (Atl)
7. Chad Pennington (Mia)
8. Tarvaris Jackson (Min)
Running backs
1. Michael Turner (Atl)...
The league's second leading rusher this season figures to be a big part of the Falcons game plan on Saturday. Turner finished the season with 1,699-yards rushing and 17 rushing touchdowns, so he'll be key in slowing down the Cardinal's offense. He's expected to carry a large load and facing the NFL's 16th ranked run defense, he should find some success and the end zone.
2. Adrian Peterson (Min)
3. LeRon McClain (Bal)
4. Brian Westbrook (Phi)
5. Joseph Addai (Ind)
6. LaDanian Tomlinson (SD)
7. Darren Sproles (SD)
8. Edgerrin James (Ari)
9. Ronnie Brown (Mia)
10. Willis McGahee (Bal)
Wide Receivers
1. Larry Fitzgerald (Ari)...
With the Cardinal's other great receiver a little banged up Fitzgerald has really turned it up the last several weeks. In his last five games Fitz has grabbed 24 balls for 421-yards and has six touchdowns. He's definitely become Kurt Warner's go-to-receiver in the red-zone and will be targeted heavily on Saturday against the Falcon's 25th ranked pass defense.
2. Roddy White (Atl)
3. Reggie Wayne (Ind)
4. Vincent Jackson (SD)
5. Anquan Boldin (Ari)
6. DeSean Jackson (Phi)
8. Mark Clayton (Bal)
9. Michael Jenkins (Atl)
10. Marvin Harrison (Ind)
Tight Ends
1. Dallas Clark (Ind)...
One if the corner-stones in Peyton Manning's arsenal, Clark is one of the league's elite tight ends. He finished the season with 77 receptions and 848-yards receiving. Clark was key in the Colts big turnaround and winning nine straight games. In his last four games Clark caught 30 passes for 335-yards and three touchdowns. He will be a key component attacking the Chargers deep middle on Saturday night.
2. Visanthe Shiancoe (Min)
3. Antonio Gates (SD)
4. Brent Celek (Phi)
5. Anthony Fasano (Mia)
6. Todd Heap (Bal)
7. David Martin (Mia)
8. Brandon Manumaleuna (SD)
9. Daniel Wilcox (Bal)
10. LJ Smith (Phi)
IDP Studs
1. Karlos Dansby, LB (Ari)...
The Cardinal's linebacker has been a main staple this season for the defense. Dansby finished the season with 119-total tackles, including four sacks. He's sure to see a heavy dose of Michael Turner on Saturday to keep busy.
2. Brian Dawkins, SS (Phi)...
The Eagle's safety has always been a playmaker and last week in a do-or-die must-win situation against the Cowboys, Dawkins delivered as he usually does. He finished with five tackles, one sack, and two forced fumbles. IDP owners can expect to find the defensive back around the ball much on Sunday.
3. Ray Lewis, LB (Bal)...
After 13 seasons in the league, there is still no slow down in Raven's linebacker Ray Lewis. This was the third straight season with over 100-total tackles and the first time since the 2003 season, that Lewis did not miss a game. In the team's earlier meeting with Miami this season Lewis finished with 10 tackles and he will be key on Sunday stopping the "Wildcat" offense. IDP owners can expect the Raven to be ready for a big afternoon.
4. Freddie Keiaho, LB (Ind)...
The Colt's 3rd year linebacker has really elevated his play this season. Keiaho played well in the team's first meeting with the Chargers this season recording ten tackles. He'll likely see a fair share of LT and Sproles on Saturday. Either way the Colts linebacker will be busy for IDP owners.
5. Eric Weddle, FS (SD)...
The Charger's 2nd year safety finished the season as the team's leading tackler with 127. In his last two games Weddle totaled 21-tackles. The Colts aren't expected to pound the ball up the middle much on Saturday, but that shouldn't slow Weddle down too much. Against the pass-happy Broncos he collected 11 stuffs and in the first meeting with the Colts he totaled 10-tackles.
Check back soon for more fantasy news & notes...
By David G. Ortega
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