Week 14 Matchups

Week 14 Fantasy Football Matchups
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
December 7, 2006 - Heinz Field
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Fantasy Spin - Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Preview

The fans at Heinz Field will be treated to a game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers when they take their seats on Thursday. Oddsmakers currently have the Steelers listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Browns, while the game's total is sitting at 35. Heinz Field is an intimidating place to play and Anderson will be tested. Normally, the prospect of facing the Steelers on the road in your first career start would be troubling for a young quarterback, but there is some reason to believe that Anderson can play reasonably well if called upon. The Steelers secondary has been disappointing and is now missing two starters, meaning some big plays down the field to Edwards or Winslow could be in order if the Cleveland line can protect Anderson. Also, Roethlisberger's propensity for making mistakes should set the Browns up with some short fields. Look for this game to be close deep into the fourth quarter, when the Steelers flex their muscles, rattle Anderson into an untimely miscue or two, and walk away with a narrow victory.

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

Week 14 Fantasy Football Matchups
Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals
December 10, 2006 - Paul Brown Stadium
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Fantasy Spin - Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Preview

The fans at Paul Brown Stadium will be treated to a game between the Oakland Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Bengals listed as 11-point favorites versus the Raiders, while the game's total is sitting at 39. On the surface, this one looks pretty easy. And it should be in reality, too. The Bengals are renewed in their playoff verve and have a running back in Johnson - Rudi, that is - who ought to provide all sorts of problems for a gash-able Raiders defense. Throw in a few play-action tosses from Palmer to the other Johnson - Chad, that is - and the Cincinnati offense figures to have a productive day in the southern Ohio chill. Oakland will keep it close as long as Brooks can move the ball, probably no more than a half, if that.

Oakland - Brooks (B), Fargas (B), Moss (Z), Curry (B), Porter (B), Raiders D (Z)
Cincinnati - Palmer (S), R. Johnson (S), C. Johnson (S), T.J. Housh (S), Henry (B), Bengals D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions Fantasy Preview

The Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Ford Field. Oddsmakers currently have the Lions listed as 1-point favorites versus the Vikings, while the game's total is sitting at 40. After their heartbreaking loss in New England last week, the Lions can go in one of two directions. They can pack it up for the year and not show up against Minnesota, an approach which would probably surprise just about no one at this stage. Or they can come out determined, building on what was a strong effort against a perennial playoff team in the interests of finishing the job against a hated division rival. Though it hasn't been the franchise's M.O., look for the latter tactic to take hold. The collapsing Vikings are eminently beatable for just about anyone in the NFL, and will continue to make mistakes on both sides of the football that will be their undoing on Sunday.

Minni - Johnson (B), Taylor (Z), Williamson (B), T. Taylor (B), Wiggins (B), Minni D (Z)
Detroit - Kitna (Z), Jones (S), Williams (S), Furrey (B), Pollard (B), Lions D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs Fantasy Preview

The Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Arrowhead Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Chiefs listed as 3-point favorites versus the Ravens, while the game's total is sitting at 36. All good things must come to an end, and so it will be with the Chiefs' streak of home success in the month of December. Kansas City won't be able to pound the football with Larry Johnson like it has against most opponents, and lacks the receiving threats to exploit Baltimore's main defensive weakness - its shaky corners. On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs have shown some vulnerability against both the run and the pass this year, and the Ravens will come out focused in a quest to find those holes after a poor offensive showing in Cincinnati last week. On 10 days rest, the Ravens will do what it takes to get win number 10.

Baltimore - McNair (Z), Lewis(S), Mason (Z), Heap (S), Clayton (S), Ravens D (S)
KC - Green (B), Johnson (S), Kennison (B), Hall (B), Gonzalez (S), Parker (B), Chiefs D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins Fantasy Preview

The division rival New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Dolphin Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Patriots listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Dolphins, while the game's total is sitting at 37. The Dolphins have come out of nowhere to give the Patriots trouble a few times in recent years, but this is not an occasion in which Miami will be able to sneak up on New England. The Week 5 game was a dogfight until the late stages, and the Patriots will be focused in a quest to get out to a quicker start than they did in both that game and last week's near-miss against the Lions. Last week's loss to Jacksonville had to be deflating for Miami, which doesn't have much left to play for beyond the avoidance of a last-place finish in the AFC East. Look for the Dolphins to come out flat, for the Patriots to jump on top early, and to keep Miami at bay for the rest of the afternoon.

New England - Brady (S), Dillon (S), Maroney (B), Watson (S), Caldwell (S), Gabriel (B), Pats D (S)
Miami - Harrington (Z), Morris (B), Mcmicheal (S), Chambers (S), Welker (B), Dolphins D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fantasy Preview

The Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will meet on the gridiron at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday in a battle of division rivals. Oddsmakers currently have the Falcons listed as 3-point favorites versus the Buccaneers, while the game's total is sitting at 37. Vick used to give Tampa Bay headaches back when the Bucs defense was actually good, and isn't likely to slow up now that the team is struggling. The Falcons aren't likely to set another club mark for rushing the ball against this Tampa Bay defense, but the Bucs aren't equipped with enough talent to stop Atlanta's ground game either. This is a good matchup for the Falcons, and a game the team needs to win if it plans on making the postseason.

Atlanta - Vick (S), Dunn (S), J. Norwood (Z), M. Jenkins (B) , A. Crumpler (S), Falcons D (Z)
Tampa Bay - Gradowski (B), Cadillac (Z), Galloway (S), Hilliard (B), A. Smith (B), Bucs D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins Fantasy Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins meet at FedExField. Oddsmakers currently have the Eagles listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Redskins, while the game's total is sitting at 40½. The matchup to watch will be the Eagles' undersized defensive line against the Redskins' solid offensive line. Philadelphia will be helped by the fact it will be Betts in the backfield and not Portis, but a steady 1-2 punch of Betts and an underused Duckett could be the Eagles' undoing. However, they are coming off a statement game against the Panthers, and confidence should be running high. Ultimately, it will be the Eagles' mistake-free offense that will prevail, as Garcia should methodically pick apart a defense that can't force turnovers. The Eagles will kick off their crucial three-game road tilt on a high note and keep their playoff hopes alive for another week, while the Redskins will be left to tell Campbell to shake it off.

Philadelphia - Garcia (S), Westbrook (S), Stallworth (Z), Brown (B), LJ Smith (Z), Phili D (S)
Washington - Campbell (Z), Betts (Z), Moss (S), Lloyd (B), El (B), Cooley (Z), Washington D (B)

Fantasy Spin - New York Giants at Carolina Panthers Fantasy Preview

The fans at Bank of America Stadium will be treated to a game between the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Panthers listed as 3-point favorites versus the Giants, while the game's total is sitting at 41. The Giants lost to the Cowboys last week, but there should be no question that they looked better with players such as Umenyiora and Madison back in the lineup than they had without them. When healthy, the Giants remain an elite team in the NFC, and their health is undoubtedly improving. The Panthers, meanwhile, look to be beyond repair, especially with Delhomme likely to be down for this game, and clearly lack a killer instinct. Look for Carolina's offensive inconsistency to persist, expect some more ill-timed fourth-quarter miscues, and expect the Giants to fly back to Jersey with a much-needed win.

NYG - E. Manning (Z), Barber (S), Burress (S), Carter (B), Shockey (S), Giants D (B)
Carolina - Weinke (S), Smith (S), Johnson (Z), Foster (Z), Williams (Z), Panthers D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars Fantasy Preview

The Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at ALLTEL Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Colts listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Jaguars, while the game's total is sitting at 44. For a second straight week, the Colts have a chance to lock up a playoff berth and win their fourth consecutive division title. Last week Indianapolis failed to seal the deal against an inferior Tennessee squad, and is hungry for a win after posting just one victory in its last three games. Jacksonville is no pushover, and will have the home crowd as an advantage. The Jaguars need any edge they can get against Manning and two of the best wide receivers in the game. Indy's star trio didn't get the job done last week, but the Colts attack should be able to exploit a Jacksonville defense that is without staples such as end Reggie Hayward, linebacker Mike Peterson, and strong safety Donovin Darius for the year. It will be a close game in the Florida humidity, but the Colts will be able to sleep comfortably on Sunday night knowing the AFC South title is theirs once again.

Indy - P. Manning (S), Addai (Z), Harrison (S), Wayne (S), Clark (B), Colts D (Z)
J-Ville - Gerrard (Z), Taylor (S), D. Jones (Z), Williams (B), Jones (B), J-Ville D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans Fantasy Preview

The division rival Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Reliant Stadium. This game pits a pair of evenly matched teams, and the outcome will likely be decided late in the fourth quarter. Still, it's not likely to garner a great deal of attention because neither the Titans nor Texans are headed for the playoffs. That being said, look for Young to have another big day, as he plays in his hometown for the first time. Carr will also have something to prove after his dreadful outing last week, so this game could turn into a shootout. In the end, the Texans will ride the home crowd to a close win.

Tennessee - Young (S), Henry (S), White (B), Bennett (B), Scaife (B), Titans D (B)
Houston - Carr (Z), Lundy (Z), Johnson (S), Moulds (B), Daniels (B), Texans D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals Fantasy Preview

The division rival Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Seahawks listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game's total is sitting at 45½. Seattle is on the verge of clinching a playoff spot, and is also seeking to defend its NFC title. The Seahawks are on a roll, and Hasselbeck and Alexander are beginning to revert to their Pro Bowl form of 2005. Arizona picked up some much-needed confidence with last week's win, but the Cardinals have not been anything resembling consistent this season, and will likely fall victim to a Seattle team with a great deal more to play for. Look for the Seahawks to keep the Cardinals at arm's length throughout.

Seattle - Hasselbeck (S) , Alexander (S), Jackson (S), Branch (S), Stevens (Z), Hawks D (B)
Arizona - Leinart (Z), James (Z), Fitzgerald (S), Boldin (S), Pope (B), Cardinals D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers Fantasy Preview

The Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Monster Park. Oddsmakers currently have the 49ers listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Packers, while the game's total is sitting at 44½. The 49ers have been much better at home than on the road this season, fashioning a 4-2 record at Monster Park that includes a monumental win over the Seahawks three weeks back. San Francisco also happens to match up well with Green Bay, as Alex Smith and Gore should be able to make plenty of strides against a Packer defense that has struggled in all phases this year, and a blossoming secondary should be able to force Favre into some more key mistakes. The 49ers will win, and will be able to talk about the postseason for at least another week.

Green Bay - Favre (S), Green (S), Driver (S), Jennings (Z), Martin (B), Packers D (B)
San Fran - Smith (Z), Gore (S), Bryant (S), Battle (Z), Davis (B), E. Johnson (B), 49ers D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Buffalo Bills at New York Jets Fantasy Preview

The Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Giants Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Jets listed as 4-point favorites versus the Bills, while the game's total is sitting at 37. In spite of differing records and recent weeks' results, there is very little separating the teams, and a strong case could be made that the Bills are at least equal, if not superior. However, with the Jets at home in front of a sure-to-be revved-up crowd and McGahee surely limited, if able to go at all, the pendulum swings toward the team in green. Houston and Washington should complement each other nicely as part of a run package, and the defense probably forces a Losman mistake at some point over 60 minutes. The last 2006 shot is fired by the J-E-T-S.

Buffalo - Losman (B), McGahee (S), Evans (S), Price (Z), Buffalo D (B)
New York - Pennington (S), Washington (Z), Houston (Z), Coles (S), Cotchery (Z), Jets D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers Fantasy Preview

The Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Qualcomm Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Chargers listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Broncos, while the game's total is sitting at 41. This should be a very difficult test for Cutler, and one that he probably won't be up to at this very early stage of his career. Count on Merriman, Phillips and the rest of the San Diego pass-rushers to give the rookie QB more than he can handle. Add that to the fact that Tomlinson already torched this Denver defense once this season and is seemingly unstoppable this year. The Chargers have displayed swagger for most of this season, and show no signs of slowing down now.

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

Fantasy Spin - New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys Fantasy Preview

New Orleans - Brees (S), R. Bush (S), McCallister (S), J. Horn Inj (Z), Colston Inj (Z), Saints D (B)
Dallas - Romo (S), Barber (S), J. Jones (Z), Glenn (Z), Owens (S), Witten (S), Cowboys D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams Fantasy Preview

The Chicago Bears and the St. Louis Rams will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at Edward Jones Dome. Oddsmakers currently have the Bears listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Rams, while the game's total is sitting at 40½. Just eight days after being embarrassed at home by the Cardinals, look for an inspired effort from a Rams team seeking to impress a national television audience. Players like Bulger, Holt, and Bruce, have typically been terrific in primetime, and Chicago is unlikely to shut down the still-talented St. Louis attack for four quarters. The major question concerns whether the Rams can stop the Bears offense, and though there's not a great deal of reason to believe that they can do so consistently, look for Grossman to make a few more mistakes that help do Chicago in in the fourth quarter.

St. Louis - Bulger (Z), Jackson (S), S. Davis (B) , Holt (S), Bruce (Z), Curtis (B), Rams D (B)
Chicago - Grossman (Z), Jones (S), Muhammed (Z), Clark (B), Berrian (Z), Bears D (S)