Week 13 Matchups

Week 13 Fantasy Football Matchups
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
November 30, 2006 - Paul Brown Stadium
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Fantasy Spin - Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Preview

The Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Paul Brown Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Bengals listed as 3-point favorites versus the Ravens, while the game's total is sitting at 44. Houshmandzadeh made a mistake after the Bengals' Week 9 loss to the Ravens, stating publicly that Cincinnati was a better team than Baltimore and ensuring that their AFC North rival would come into this game with sharp focus. With a chance to wrap up the division in their sights, the Ravens were going to be focused anyway, and the receiver's remarks will only exacerbate Cincinnati's problems. The Bengals' patchwork offensive line is going to have trouble protecting Palmer, which means Chad Johnson will struggle to make plays down the field. Cincinnati's offensive inconsistency will play right into the hands of McNair, who will cash in on a couple of short fields, keep his mistakes to a minimum, and punch a ticket to the postseason for the first time since '03.

Baltimore - McNair (Z), Lewis(S), Mason (Z), Heap (S), Clayton (S), Ravens D (S)
Cincinnati - Palmer(S), R. Johnson (Z), C. Johnson (S), T.J. Housh (S), Henry (B), Bengals D (B)

Week 13 Fantasy Football Matchups
San Diego Chargers at Buffalo Bills
December 3, 2006 - Ralph Wilson Stadium
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Fantasy Spin - San Diego Chargers at Buffalo Bills Fantasy Preview

The San Diego Chargers and the Buffalo Bills will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Chargers listed as 6-point favorites versus the Bills, while the game's total is sitting at 42½. It remains to be seen how Merriman will perform in his first game back after a month layoff. Will he be the man who had three sacks against Cleveland in the game before the suspension began, or will he be rusty after the long absence? The fact of the matter is the Chargers don't need Merriman to be 100-percent in order to beat the Bills. Buffalo is always tough at home, especially when the calendar turns to December, but, as usual, Tomlinson will prove to be too much to handle.

San Diego - Rivers (S), L.T. (S), Gates (S), Mccardell (B), Parker (B), Chargers D (S)
Buffalo - Losman (Z), McGahee (S), Evans (S), Price (Z), Buffalo D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears Fantasy Preview

The fans at Soldier Field will be treated to a game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Bears listed as 9-point favorites versus the Vikings, while the game's total is sitting at 34½. In spite of the disparity in records, both teams have something to play for this week. The Vikings are holding on for their playoff lives in the muddled NFC and could actually be in respectable shape with a win against their best remaining foe. Meanwhile, the Bears can clinch another divisional championship, take another step toward home-field playoff advantages and once again shout down the critics who say the quarterback is a weak link destined to the break the championship chain. With motivation equal, look at the matchups. Upon such examination, it seems more likely that Grossman/Berrian/Muhammad/Jones will do something productive against the Vikings' defense than Johnson/Taylor/Wiggins/Taylor is likely to get done against the Bears' biggest strength.

Minni - Johnson (B), Taylor (Z), Williamson (B), T. Taylor (B), Wiggins (B), Minni D (Z)
Chicago - Grossman (Z), Jones (Z), Muhammed (Z), Clark (S), Berrian (Z), Bears D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Fantasy Preview

The fans at Cleveland Browns Stadium will be treated to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Chiefs listed as 5-point favorites versus the Browns, while the game's total is sitting at 35½. If the Browns have a heart beating in their collective chest, and there are differing opinions on that matter, they will be ready to play on Sunday. Following the struggles of the last two weeks, this franchise should be desperate for success. Even amid the injuries, there is enough talent for Cleveland to win this game, provided they slow Larry Johnson down at all and execute with regularity on offense. Unfortunately, the Browns will probably do neither when it counts. Look for Kansas City to hang around and put itself in a position to win with a decisive fourth-quarter drive, and to escape in advance of a critical upcoming stretch with the Ravens and Chargers.

KC - Green (B), Johnson (S), Kennison (Z), Hall (B), Gonzalez (S), Parker (B), Chiefs D (S)
Cleveland - Frye (B), Wright (B), Edwards (S), Winslow (S), Browns D (B)

Fantasy Spin - New York Jets at Green Bay Packers Fantasy Preview

The New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Lambeau Field. Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total. For the most part, the Jets have done exactly what they've been supposed to do week by week in 2006. They've beaten the bad teams and lost to the good ones, with the lone exceptions being a defeat at Cleveland and a subsequent win at New England. If that pattern holds true, a win here should result and make the hyperbolic playoff talk a tad more realistic. Favre and Driver are a prolific combination, and Green is exactly the kind of running back who's gashed holes in the New York defense all season, but a ball-hawking Jets defense will likely get a mistake or two in its direction as well. Call it a big late-season test of Mangini's preparation abilities. It says here he'll pass.

New York - Pennington (S), Washington (Z), Barlow (B), Coles (S), Cotchery (S), Jets D (B)
Green Bay - Favre (S), Green (S), Driver (S), Jennings (Z), Martin (B), Packers D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans Fantasy Preview

The fans at LP Field will be treated to a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Colts listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Titans, while the game's total is sitting at 46½. The Colts know they can punch their ticket to the postseason with a victory over Tennessee on Sunday, and will most likely do so with ease. Not only does a win guarantee Indianapolis a playoff berth, but it also means the Colts are division champions for the fourth consecutive season. Manning, Harrison, and Wayne will have to step up in order to relieve the pressure of this must-win situation. Manning is on fire and will lead the NFL's third-ranked offense against an inferior Titans defense. The entire football world saw what Indianapolis can do when the passing offense is shut down by unleashing rookie running back Joseph Addai last week. It's not likely Addai will have the same numbers on Sunday he registered against Philadelphia, but he should still be effective. Tennessee, meanwhile, is probably still basking in its big come- from-behind victory over the Giants, and will come out a bit flat against Indy.

Indy - P. Manning (S), Addai (S), Harrison (S), Wayne (S), Clark (B), Colts D (S)
Tennessee - Young (S), Henry(S), White (B), Bennett (B), Scaife (B), Titans D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams Fantasy Preview

The Arizona Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams will meet on the gridiron at Edward Jones Dome on Sunday in a battle of division rivals. Oddsmakers currently have the Rams listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game's total is sitting at 46½. Sunday's matchup between Arizona and St. Louis certainly won't overload the Nielsen rating system, but with the Rams still mathematically alive in the playoff hunt there is some meaning to this game. St. Louis finally put to rest its nagging five-game losing streak with Jackson leading the way, and the Rams will likely use both his legs and hands in an effort to score a second straight win. Leinart, though, is catching fire, and has a chance to put up similar numbers to last week to survive the upcoming shootout. But with both teams sporting average defenses, Rams head coach Scott Linehan will be the one smiling after the game. Arizona has its weapons, but not enough to avoid its 10th loss of the season.

Arizona - Leinart (S), James (S), Fitzgerald (S), Boldin (S), Pope (B), Cardinals D (Z)
St. Louis - Bulger (S), Jackson (S), S. Davis (B) , Holt (S), Bruce (Z), Curtis (Z), Rams D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Detroit Lions at New England Patriots Fantasy Preview

The Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Gillette Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Patriots listed as 13½-point favorites versus the Lions, while the game's total is sitting at 41½. Do the Lions have a chance at pulling the NFL's biggest upset of 2006? Not really. There is little chance that a defense allowing opponents to complete 68 percent of their passes will do much to rattle Brady, especially given the fact that Detroit has zero pass rush at this stage. On offense, the Lions are a one-trick-pony, and once the Patriots shut down the Kitna-to-Williams connection (probably some time midway through the first quarter), they'll be off to the races in a game that will never really be in doubt.

Detroit - Kitna (B), Jones (S), Williams (S), Furrey (Z), Pollard (B), Lions D (Z)
New England - Brady (S), Dillon (S), Maroney (S), Watson (S), Caldwell (Z), Gabriel (B), Pats D (S)

Fantasy Spin - San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints Fantasy Preview

The San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Louisiana Superdome. Oddsmakers currently have the Saints listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers, while the game's total is sitting at 45. During their defensive renaissance of the past month, the 49ers have been fortunate to face four teams - the Vikings, Lions, Seahawks, and Rams - whose offenses were in various states of disrepair. Not so this week, as San Francisco faces one of the league's most consistent attacks. There is little reason to believe that the Niners will hold Brees and the New Orleans passing game down to any significant degree, and it is equally unlikely that the 49ers - who have scored more than 20 points in a game just once since September - will be able to answer New Orleans score-for-score. Look for the Saints to keep San Francisco at arm's length throughout.

San Fran - Smith (B), Gore (S), Bryant (S), Battle (S), Davis (B), E. Johnson (B), 49ers D (B)
New Orleans - Brees (S), R. Bush (S), McCallister (S), J. Horn (S), Colston Inj (Z), Saints D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins Fantasy Preview

The fans at FedExField will be treated to a game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Redskins when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Redskins listed as 2-point favorites versus the Falcons, while the game's total is sitting at 38½. It will be interesting to see how Vick responds to all of the recent criticism when he takes the field this week in suburban D.C. He clearly tried to put the team on his shoulders against the Saints last Sunday and this week could use some help from his receivers. Washington has played well at home this year, but its suspect rushing defense will have a hard time trying to stop the Falcons.

Atlanta - Vick (S), Dunn (S), J. Norwood (B), M. Jenkins (Z) , A. Crumpler (S), Falcons D (B)
Washington - Campbell (B), Betts (Z), Moss (S), Lloyd (B), El (B), Cooley (S), Washington D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders Fantasy Preview

The Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at McAfee Coliseum. Oddsmakers currently have the Raiders listed as 3-point favorites versus the Texans, while the game's total is sitting at 35½. Raiders fans will be disappointed to find that Shoop, the new offensive coordinator, won't be able to solve Oakland's offensive problems overnight. There is little chance that the design of the Raiders scheme can change dramatically over a five-day span, though Shoop calling the shots may give the players a bit of a spark. If Oakland is to beat Houston, it will be on the strength of a quality defense that hasn't allowed more than 21 points in a game since Week 5. The Raiders will hold the Texans in check, as Carr continues in his failure to make big plays, while the running game struggles with its consistency as well.

Houston - Carr (S), Lundy (Z), Johnson (S), Moulds (B), Daniels (B), Texans D (B)
Oakland - Brooks (B), Fargas (B), Moss (Z), Curry (B), Porter (B), Raiders D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins Fantasy Preview

The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Dolphin Stadium. Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total. Defense was expected to carry the day for Jacksonville in 2006, but season- ending injuries to the likes of Reggie Hayward, Mike Peterson, and Donovin Darius have put much more pressure on the work-in-progress offense. Still, the Jags are very good on the defensive side of the ball, with Stroud and Henderson making plays in the trenches and Mathis leading a still-capable secondary. It will be defense that ultimately wins this game for Jacksonville, which will stifle Morris and the running game, coax Harrington into a couple of untimely mistakes, and give Garrard and the Jacksonville attack some short fields. Miami's glimmer of playoff hope will fade in the process.

J-Ville - Gerrard (Z), Taylor (S), D. Jones (Z), Williams (B), Jones (B), Lewis (B), J-Ville D (Z)
Miami - Harrington (Z), Morris (Z), Mcmicheal (Z), Chambers (Z), Welker (Z), Dolphins D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants Fantasy Preview

The division rival Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Giants Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Cowboys listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Giants, while the game's total is sitting at 43½. The Cowboys have the Giants at the edge of a cliff, and Sunday will provide an opportunity to push them off. Romo should be able to make serious headway against a Giants defense that though getting healthier, is still in tatters, and there's little reason to expect that the Dallas running game will be held down for long either. On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys need to stop one man - Tiki Barber - to be successful, since Manning and the passing game seem to be well beyond repair. Although the Giants will come out desperate to end their skid, they won't have the healthy horses to stay with the Cowboys. All signs point to a decisive Dallas victory.

Dallas - Romo (S), Barber (S), J. Jones (S), Glenn (B), Owens (S), Witten (S), Cowboys D (Z)
NYG - E. Manning (Z), Barber (S), Burress (Z), Carter (B), Shockey (S), Giants D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Preview

The fans at Heinz Field will be treated to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Steelers when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Steelers listed as 7-point favorites versus the Buccaneers, while the game's total is sitting at 40½. The outcome of this game will likely be determined by which team makes fewer mistakes than the other. In most cases this season, that team hasn't been the Steelers, but Pittsburgh should benefit from facing a Tampa Bay squad which has had trouble forcing turnovers all season. That inability, coupled with the Bucs' glaring deficiencies on offense and 0-5 record on the road this year, doesn't bode well for a happy homecoming for Gradkowski. Although the contributions of Polamalu and Ward will be missed, the Steelers still have a significant talent edge on Tampa and shouldn't have too much trouble provided Roethlisberger takes care of the ball.

Tampa Bay - Gradowski (B), Cadillac (B), Galloway (S), Clayton (B), A. Smith (B), Bucs D (B)
Pittsburgh - Roethlisburger (Z), Parker (S), Ward Inj (B), Holmes (B), Miller (Z), Steelers D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos Fantasy Preview

Seattle - Hasselbeck (S) , Alexander (S), Jackson (S), Branch (Z), Stevens (Z), Hawks D (Z)
Denver - Cutler (Z), M. Bell (Z), T. Bell (S), Walker (S), R. Smith (B), Broncos D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles Fantasy Preview

Carolina - Delhomme (S), Smith (S), Johnson (S), Foster (Z), Williams (Z), Panthers D (S)
Philadelphia - Garcia (Z), Westbrook (S), Stallworth (Z), Brown (B), LJ Smith (Z), Phili D (B)