Gridiron Meanderings

This is it — the last game before most leagues’ fantasy playoffs! If you’re like me, you’re in at least one final show-down for a playoff berth. Hopefully most of you are not like me in that one of those show-downs is against my co-commissioner. No trade approval for you! Muwhahahaha!!!

But back to the business at hand. 

My Matt Cassel pick was a real gem, as he netted 233 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 28 rushing yards. Ronnie Brown produced a solid 85 yards rushing, which is a pretty good day as his owners can attest. Sadly, on a night where the San Diego Chargers defense reigned supreme,Darren Sproles only netted 41 combined yards.

My wide receiver picks were an odd bunch. Anthony Armstrong (2 catches for 53 yards) and Emmanuel Sanders (2 catches for 27 yards) both had mediocre days, but both had numerous targets (seven and five respectively) and they were mostly deep balls. 

Kerry Collins vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Collins is not the safest play, but he’s someone who could come up huge for you if you need a Hail Mary. The Jaguars are atrocious against opposing quarterbacks, allowing the third most points to them in the league. Collins’ style fits Randy Moss much better than Vince Young or that other guy (Rusty Smith). The Titans are still in the hunt in the AFC South, and they could easily be in a shoot-out with their conference opponent this weekend.

Anthony Dixon @ Green Bay Packers — Brian Westbrook has been limited most of this week in practice with an ankle injury, although he is listed as probable and will play. However, given his injury history, he won’t see nearly as many touches as he did last week (23). Expect a more equal share of the load, and I expect Dixon to actually see more carries, especially inside the 20s. The Packers allow the fifth fewest running back points, it’s true, but the 49ers will have to rely heavily on Dixon and Westbrook to keep the Packers offense off the field.

Tashard Choice @ Indianapolis Colts — With Marion Barber officially out for the week, Choice immediately enters as the backup and complimentary running back to Felix Jones. In fact, I would expect Choice to see more carries than Choice given the style of defense the Colts play, who really struggle against power runners like Choice. The Colts, in case you were wondering, allow the 9th most points to opposing running backs. I like this to be a break-out week for Choice.

Blair White vs Dallas Cowboys — I really like the Cowboys-Colts game to produce massive fantasy points this week. Both offenses can score and move the ball, while both defenses have serious weaknesses. With Austin Collie being all but ruled out for the week, White keeps his no. 3 job where he has excelled. Pierre Garçon has lost a great deal of Peyton Manning’s trust, while White has earned a great deal by running solid routes and making workman-like catches. He’s almost a lock to score at least once, as he has done in the past two weeks.

P.S. The Cowboys allow THE MOST wide receiver points, and they’ll have their hands full this week.

Randy Moss vs Jacksonville Jaguars – If there’s ever a time to consider bringing this disappointing prima dona back off the bench, this is it. As I stated with Collins earlier, the piss-poor Jaguars secondary (allow fifth most points to wide receivers) coupled with Collins’ strong deep ball are the perfect set-up for a huge game from Moss. This pick, like Collins, is a gambler’s selection, but I like the potential for a huge boom more than the possible bust.