Week 11 Matchups

Week 11 Fantasy Football Matchups
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
November 19, 2006 - Cleveland Browns Stadium
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Fantasy Spin - Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Fantasy Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Steelers listed as 4-point favorites versus the Browns, while the game's total is sitting at 37½. If the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2006 pattern holds, then they will lose to Cleveland. Pittsburgh has followed every win this season with a three-game losing streak. Will a victory against the Saints precipitate a similar slide? Probably not. Even though Bill Cowher's team is going through a rough campaign, it does possess the personnel to rip off seven straight wins for a chance at the playoffs. The defense has been suspect over the last month, but Porter is starting to play at the high level he was once known for. In addition, Roethlisberger looks as if he is beginning to return to his rookie and second-year form, and coupled with the emergence of running back Willie Parker, should give Cleveland's banged-up defense a hard time in front of its home faithful.

Pittsburgh - Roethlisburger (Z), Parker (S), Ward (S), Washington (B), Miller (Z), Steelers D (S)
Cleveland - Frye (B), Droughns (B), Edwards (Z), Winslow (S), Browns D (B)

Week 11 Fantasy Football Matchups
New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers
November 19, 2006 - Lambeau Field
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Fantasy Spin - New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers Fantasy Preview

The New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Lambeau Field. Oddsmakers currently have the Patriots listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Packers, while the game's total is sitting at 45. Though the Patriots' stumble has been troubling for New England fans, and the Packers' run of success encouraging for the citizens of cheese country, in reality, both are probably aberrations. The Patriots are too well-coached and have too much veteran talent to be held down for any extended stretch, and they figure to wake up from their slumber this week in the interests of keeping the Jets at arm's length in the division. Green Bay, meanwhile, is still too young a team for consistency to be the rule rather than the exception. The offensive line and receiving corps are still inexperienced, and the secondary is still porous, situations of which New England is sure to take advantage on Sunday.

New England - Brady (S), Dillon (S), Maroney (Z), Watson (S), Caldwell (Z), Gabriel (B), Pats D (B)
Green Bay - Favre (S), Green (Z), Driver (S), Jennings (Z), Martin (B), Packers D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs Fantasy Preview

The division rival Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Arrowhead Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Chiefs listed as 9-point favorites versus the Raiders, while the game's total is sitting at 35½. Green's return to the field after a lengthy layoff will turn this into an emotional day for the Chiefs. Add that to the fact that beating the Chiefs at Arrowhead is always one of the toughest tasks in the NFL. Green would like to have the ultra-reliable Gonzalez to throw the ball to in the middle of the field, but his absence shouldn't make a huge difference in the outcome of the game. Also, the Raiders have shown only small signs of improving on offense, and a switch to Brooks isn't likely to change that overnight.

Oakland - Brooks/Walters (B), Jordan (B), Moss (Z), Curry (B), Porter (B), Raiders D (B)
KC - Green (Z), Johnson (S), Kennison (Z), Hall (B), Gonzalez (B), Parker (B), Chiefs D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Minnesota Vikings at Miami Dolphins Fantasy Preview

The fans at Dolphin Stadium will be treated to a game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Dolphins listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Vikings, while the game's total is sitting at 33½. While it is true that the Dolphins have looked like a much better team over their two-game win streak, it would be a stretch to suggest that their weaknesses are gone. The offense still moves in fits and starts, and Harrington is as susceptible now to the untimely turnover as he ever was. It is the defense that has fueled the recent success, and that defense might have to be dominant for Miami to come away with a win on Sunday. Look for the Vikings, who have a four defensive touchdowns this season, to force Harrington into some mistakes and give Brad Johnson a couple of short fields. Also, look for Johnson to re-assume his former efficient ways, and for Minnesota to escape south Florida with a narrow win.

Minni - Johnson (B), Taylor (Z), Williamson (B), T. Taylor (B), Wiggins (B), Minni D (Z)
Miami - Harrington (Z), Mcmicheal (Z), Chambers (S), Brown (S), Dolphins D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Cincinnati Bengals at New Orleans Saints Fantasy Preview

The Cincinnati Bengals and the New Orleans Saints will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Louisiana Superdome. Oddsmakers currently have the Saints listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Bengals, while the game's total is sitting at 51. Ticketholders for Sunday's showdown at the Superdome will get their money's worth watching these two prolific offense battle it out. Both teams are coming off losses in which they posted more than 38 points, and will be hungry to both revive there defenses and get back in the win column. Sunday's game is especially important for the Bengals, who enter the game riding a three-game losing streak. Cincinnati, which is the more desperate team and has more of a veteran group, will win this time in a another shootout. Cincinnati's big-play offense will be too much for the Saints' secondary, which means another 300- yard passing performance for Palmer. On the other side of the ball, the youth of key players like Colston and Bush will finally catch up to New Orleans, which will make some critical mistakes.

Cincinnati - Palmer (S), R. Johnson (S), C. Johnson (S), T.J. Housh (S), Henry (B), Bengals D (B)
New Orleans - Brees (S), R. Bush (S), McCallister (S), J. Horn Inj (B), Colston (S), Saints D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Chicago Bears at New York Jets Fantasy Preview

The fans at Giants Stadium will be treated to a game between the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Bears listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game's total is sitting at 38. True enough, and similar to last week's meeting with New England, this one reeks as another game the Jets seemingly have no real chance of winning. But, unlike the rivalry with the Patriots, this time it's bound to be accurate. Chicago is far from perfect on offense, but it shouldn't need to be against a New York defense that's bent often and broken plenty through nine games. And, on defense, the Bears ought to hound Pennington into at least a mistake or two while he tries to compensate for a punch-free ground game.

Chicago - Grossman (Z), Jones (Z), Muhammed (Z), Clark (S), Berrian (Z), Bears D (S)
New York - Pennington (Z), Washington (B), Barlow (B), Coles (Z), Cotchery (Z), Jets D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Tennessee Titans at Philadelphia Eagles Fantasy Preview

The fans at Lincoln Financial Field will be treated to a game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Eagles listed as 13-point favorites versus the Titans, while the game's total is sitting at 43½. This looks a bit like a trap game for the Eagles, who next face the mighty Colts in primetime and might be feeling a little too good about themselves coming off the decisive win over the Redskins. But luckily for Philly, Tennessee has major weaknesses that can be exploited even if the Birds come out a bit flat. The secondary is still one of the league's weakest, meaning McNabb and his targets should make consistent headway. And while Young is progressing, he figures to have trouble picking up a Philly blitz that comes from all angles, which means a couple of costly turnovers or two. Look for the Eagles to keep the Titans at arm's length throughout, and to head into the Indy game at a solid 6-4.

Tennessee - Young (B), Henry (B), White (B), Bennett (B), Scaife (B), Titans D (B)
Philadelphia - McNabb (S), Westbrook (S), Stallworth (S), Brown (S), LJ Smith (Z), Phili D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fantasy Preview

The Washington Redskins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Raymond James Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Buccaneers listed as 3-point favorites versus the Redskins, while the game's total is sitting at 34. The Buccaneers haven't tasted victory in nearly a month, so they should be champing at the bit this week. The Redskins, who are 1-4 on the road this season, are coming into Raymond James Stadium with a rookie quarterback and without their leading rusher. Campbell is a wild card in this game, but it's never a bad call to pick against a quarterback making his NFL debut.

Washington - Campbell (B), Betts (S), Moss Inj(B), Lloyd (B), El (B), Cooley (S), Washington D (B)
Tampa Bay - Gradowski (B), Cadillac (Z), Galloway (S), Clayton (B), A. Smith (B), Bucs D (S)

Fantasy Spin - St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers Fantasy Preview

The fans at Bank of America Stadium will be treated to a game between the St. Louis Rams and the Carolina Panthers when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Panthers listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Rams, while the game's total is sitting at 44½. Carolina has yet to put forth a performance worthy of all the preseason hype heaped upon the team, and the Panthers will be challenged again this week by a St. Louis club that can be explosive offensively. Unfortunately, the Rams haven't shown they can stop anyone and don't appear to have a player in the secondary capable of slowing down Smith, who should have his customary big game. But a rejuvenated running game will be the real reason Carolina will come through with its most productive offensive outing of the season. The Panthers are 7-0 when Foster rushes for 95 or more yards during his career, a very attainable goal against St. Louis' submissive run defense.

St. Louis - Bulger (S), Jackson (S), S. Davis (B) , Holt (S), Bruce (Z), Curtis (Z), Rams D (B)
Carolina - Delhomme (S), Smith (S), Johnson (S), Foster (S), Williams (B), Panthers D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens Fantasy Preview

The Atlanta Falcons and the Baltimore Ravens will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at M & T Bank Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Ravens listed as 4-point favorites versus the Falcons, while the game's total is sitting at 40½. Just two weeks ago, it wouldn't have been too difficult to imagine this as a potential Super Bowl preview. But now, it might be simply one team's add-on to a division lead and the other's countdown to the end of a disappointing season. The Ravens are hardly awesome on offense, but against a wounded foe they figure to score enough points to provide insurance for a defense that is built to stop precisely what Atlanta does so well - run the ball. Vick may break loose for a play or two, but it's just as likely that the highlights will be offset by a mistake or two that allow McNair and Lewis to control the ball and grind to a smothering-type win.

Atlanta - Vick (S), Dunn (S), J. Norwood (B), M. Jenkins (Z) , A. Crumpler Inj (S), Falcons D (B)
Baltimore - McNair (S), Lewis (S), Mason (Z), Heap (S), Clayton (S), Ravens D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans Fantasy Preview

The Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Reliant Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Texans listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Bills, while the game's total is sitting at 36½. The Texans' monumental win over the Jaguars last week came with a heavy price, as three starters were knocked out for the season in the contest. Those afflictions only made an injury-depleted team more injury-depleted, and in the NFL, opponents tend to exploit their short-handed counterparts. Look for Thomas to continue running strong against a Texans team that is now minus its two opening-day starting defensive tackles, and look for Schobel and the Buffalo pass rush to make some plays against a Houston o-line now down its two opening-day starting offensive tackles. The Bills won't run away with this one because, well, they're the Bills, but they'll do enough to notch victory number four.

Buffalo - Losman (Z), McGahee Inj (B), Thomas (S), Evans (S), Price (Z), Buffalo D (B)
Houston - Carr (B), Lundy (Z), Johnson (S), Moulds (B), Daniels (B), Texans D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals Fantasy Preview

The Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Cardinals Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 2-point favorites versus the Lions, while the game's total is sitting at 45½. If the Cardinals lose this game, and Dennis Green can still call himself head coach on Monday morning, it will be a bigger upset than any that Arizona might hope to claim for the rest of 2006. There is no reason the Cardinal offense can't be efficient against a Lions defense that is minus its best pass-rusher and has allowed opponents to complete almost 70 percent of their passes. There is no reason the Cardinal defense can't make a couple of big plays against a quarterback, Jon Kitna, who has committed 17 turnovers in nine games. On top of that, one has to believe that Arizona will play with some heart, if only in a effort to put to rest an embarrassing losing streak. The door is open for the Cardinals this week, the only question is whether they will walk through it.

Detroit - Kitna (S), Jones (S), Williams (S), Furrey (Z), Pollard (B), Lions D (Z)
Arizona - Leinart (Z), James (Z), Fitzgerald (S), Boldin (S), Pope (B), Cardinals D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers Fantasy Preview

The Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Monster Park. Oddsmakers currently have the Seahawks listed as 3½-point favorites versus the 49ers, while the game's total is sitting at 43½. Though the most recent competition between the Seahawks and 49ers produced a 38-point Seattle thrashing, there is reason to believe that San Francisco can hang around in this installment of the series. The Niners should be brimming with confidence after their performances of the last two weeks, and no one should have to remind them of what is at stake in this game. The San Francisco offense should be able to find some holes in a Seattle defense that has had trouble against both the pass and run at various times this season, but Smith and his blockers will need to handle the Seahawks pass rush consistently. What this game will likely come down to is the play of the 49er defense, however. While that unit has played well in the last two weeks, it is not likely to keep a rejuvenated Seattle offense at bay for 60 minutes. Look for the Seahawks attack to make some big plays when it counts, and for Seattle to shut down the Niners' playoff wishes.

Seattle - Wallace/Hass (S) , Alexander/Morris (S), Jackson (S), Branch (Z), Hawks D (S)
San Fran - Smith (B), Gore (S), Bryant (S), Davis (B), E. Johnson (B), 49ers D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys Fantasy Preview

The Indianapolis Colts and the Dallas Cowboys will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Texas Stadium. Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total. Indianapolis is an amazingly resilient team that has been able to answer every challenge thrown its way so far. There's reason to believe, however, that the Colts' winning run ends here. Dallas has the speed and talent on defense to frustrate Manning and disrupt his timing, a formula which has worked in the past. Pittsburgh used the same approach to upset Indy in last year's playoffs, as did San Diego when the Chargers stopped the Colts' 13-game win streak during the 2005 regular season. Like the Cowboys, those teams had 3-4 defenses with the ability to apply pressure from the edge. Dallas shouldn't have much trouble running the ball either, which will keep Manning and his troops off the field, and Owens could have a big day against the Colts' smaller set of defensive backs. If the Cowboys turn the ball over, Manning will make them pay. But Romo's been very good in limiting his mistakes, which will also aid Dallas in a game it sorely needs.

Indy - P. Manning (S), Addai (Z), Harrison (S), Wayne (S), Clark (B), Colts D (B)
Dallas - Romo (S), Barber (S), J. Jones (S), Glenn (B), Owens (S), Witten (S), Cowboys D (B)

Fantasy Spin - San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos Fantasy Preview

The fans at INVESCO Field at Mile High will be treated to a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Broncos listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Chargers, while the game's total is sitting at 42. Both of these teams are injury-battered beyond recognition, but the Jaguars have the competitive advantage this week of being both beaten up and desperate. Jacksonville can't afford to lose a second straight home game if it wants to realize its hopes of a return playoff trip, and should have enough forces against a Giants squad that is still trying to find its way in the absence of several key players. Look for Garrard and Taylor to make some plays against the depleted New York front seven, and expect Manning and Barber to have trouble keeping pace due to the fractured state of the Giants' offensive line.

San Diego - Rivers (B), L.T. (S), Gates (S), Mccardell (B), Parker (B), Chargers D (B)
Denver - Plummer (Z), M. Bell (Z), T. Bell (Z), Walker (S), R. Smith (B), Broncos D (B)

Fantasy Spin - New York Giants at Jacksonville Jaguars Fantasy Preview

The New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at ALLTEL Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Jaguars listed as 4-point favorites versus the Giants, while the game's total is sitting at 38½. Both of these teams are injury-battered beyond recognition, but the Jaguars have the competitive advantage this week of being both beaten up and desperate. Jacksonville can't afford to lose a second straight home game if it wants to realize its hopes of a return playoff trip, and should have enough forces against a Giants squad that is still trying to find its way in the absence of several key players. Look for Garrard and Taylor to make some plays against the depleted New York front seven, and expect Manning and Barber to have trouble keeping pace due to the fractured state of the Giants' offensive line.

NYG - E. Manning (Z), Barber (S), Burress (Z), Carter (B), Shockey (Z), Giants D (Z)
J-Ville - Gerrard (Z), Taylor (S), D. Jones (Z), Williams (B), Jones (B), Lewis (B), J-Ville D (S)