January 1st, 2010 Saturday
The Saturday Fantasy Report
Week 17 Matchups to watch…
Carolina @ Atlanta
….the Falcons will be staking their claim on their first division title since 2004 and there’s no question they will be riding the legs of Michael Turner (1,304 yards, 11 touchdowns). The Panthers rank 23rd against the run and have allowed 19 rushing touchdowns (2nd most in the league) this season. They will have their hands full trying to slow down the Falcons ground game (ranked 11th). In their first meeting this season Turner toted the rock 28 times for 112 yards and crossed the goal line three times.
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland
…..running back Peyton Hillis has been a fantasy sleeper that has been awoken in 2010. He emerged as the Brown’s featured starter in week 3 and has not looked back. Hillis has rushed for over 1,100 yards this season and ranks second on the team with 60 receptions. There’s no doubt he has brought a fantasy championship to many owners with his stellar play this season, but in week 17 he could be running into a brick wall. On Sunday he’ll face the NFL’s number one rush defense (Steelers), the same club that limited him to just 41 yards on 12 carries back in week 6. The Steelers defense has not allowed a single 100-yard rusher all season and tomorrow doesn’t look like they’ll start.
Oakland @ Kansas City
….the Chiefs ranked number one in the league in rushing and on Sunday against Raiders they figure to do more of what they do so well. With the one-two punch of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, the Chiefs will attack the Raiders 29th ranked run defense. Charles has been tremendous this season with nearly 1,400 yards on the ground and over 450 yards receiving. He figures to get a full work load on Sunday against a Raider defense that he victimized for 100 total yards in week 9. The Raiders did a good job of slowing down Charles in their first meeting (53 yards rushing), but the Chiefs explosive back has been running very well recently averaging over 8 yards per carry in his last two games.
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans
…..the Saints are still looking for a division title and it never hurts to send a message. Last Monday they showed the Falcons they are still the defending champions and on Sunday they figure to show the Buccaneers as well. Drew Brees and company will roll their 2nd ranked passing offense into the Superdome on Sunday to face the Bucs 6th ranked pass defense. Brees has been solid once again in 2010 with 32 touchdowns, 7-300 yard games, and over 4,400 yards passing. In his first matchup with the Bucs, Brees torched his advisory for 263 yards and three scores; make no mistake Brees won’t leave Sunday to chance.
Buffalo @ New York Jets
….the Jets figure to rest some players on Sunday, but running back Shonn Greene doesn’t look to be one of them. With the league’s 31st ranked run defense in town, Rex Ryan is expected to rest Tomlinson and give his back-up some tune up work for the playoffs. In their first meeting this season against the Bills, both Jets running backs turned in 100-yard efforts. Greene may not hit the dual century mark, but he figures to rack up a lot on the ground.
While the Jets ground game could get loose against the very questionable Bill’s defense, the Jets defense could also have their hands full with shutdown corner Darelle Revis expected to sit. It not official, but with Revis out the Bills passing game, including wide receiver Stevie Johnson could receive a huge upgrade. Johnson did score in the first matchup, but was relatively quiet for the game with just three catches. Since their first meeting Johnson has emerged as the team’s number one receiver and is enjoying a breakout season (77 receptions, 1,001 yards, 10 touchdowns). He will likely be featured on Sunday.
These are just my takes on how I see it on Sunday…
By David Ortega
….the Falcons will be staking their claim on their first division title since 2004 and there’s no question they will be riding the legs of Michael Turner (1,304 yards, 11 touchdowns). The Panthers rank 23rd against the run and have allowed 19 rushing touchdowns (2nd most in the league) this season. They will have their hands full trying to slow down the Falcons ground game (ranked 11th). In their first meeting this season Turner toted the rock 28 times for 112 yards and crossed the goal line three times.
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland
…..running back Peyton Hillis has been a fantasy sleeper that has been awoken in 2010. He emerged as the Brown’s featured starter in week 3 and has not looked back. Hillis has rushed for over 1,100 yards this season and ranks second on the team with 60 receptions. There’s no doubt he has brought a fantasy championship to many owners with his stellar play this season, but in week 17 he could be running into a brick wall. On Sunday he’ll face the NFL’s number one rush defense (Steelers), the same club that limited him to just 41 yards on 12 carries back in week 6. The Steelers defense has not allowed a single 100-yard rusher all season and tomorrow doesn’t look like they’ll start.
Oakland @ Kansas City
….the Chiefs ranked number one in the league in rushing and on Sunday against Raiders they figure to do more of what they do so well. With the one-two punch of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, the Chiefs will attack the Raiders 29th ranked run defense. Charles has been tremendous this season with nearly 1,400 yards on the ground and over 450 yards receiving. He figures to get a full work load on Sunday against a Raider defense that he victimized for 100 total yards in week 9. The Raiders did a good job of slowing down Charles in their first meeting (53 yards rushing), but the Chiefs explosive back has been running very well recently averaging over 8 yards per carry in his last two games.
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans
…..the Saints are still looking for a division title and it never hurts to send a message. Last Monday they showed the Falcons they are still the defending champions and on Sunday they figure to show the Buccaneers as well. Drew Brees and company will roll their 2nd ranked passing offense into the Superdome on Sunday to face the Bucs 6th ranked pass defense. Brees has been solid once again in 2010 with 32 touchdowns, 7-300 yard games, and over 4,400 yards passing. In his first matchup with the Bucs, Brees torched his advisory for 263 yards and three scores; make no mistake Brees won’t leave Sunday to chance.
Buffalo @ New York Jets
….the Jets figure to rest some players on Sunday, but running back Shonn Greene doesn’t look to be one of them. With the league’s 31st ranked run defense in town, Rex Ryan is expected to rest Tomlinson and give his back-up some tune up work for the playoffs. In their first meeting this season against the Bills, both Jets running backs turned in 100-yard efforts. Greene may not hit the dual century mark, but he figures to rack up a lot on the ground.
While the Jets ground game could get loose against the very questionable Bill’s defense, the Jets defense could also have their hands full with shutdown corner Darelle Revis expected to sit. It not official, but with Revis out the Bills passing game, including wide receiver Stevie Johnson could receive a huge upgrade. Johnson did score in the first matchup, but was relatively quiet for the game with just three catches. Since their first meeting Johnson has emerged as the team’s number one receiver and is enjoying a breakout season (77 receptions, 1,001 yards, 10 touchdowns). He will likely be featured on Sunday.
These are just my takes on how I see it on Sunday…
By David Ortega
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