Week 15 Matchups

Week 15 Fantasy Football Matchups
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
December 14, 2006 - Qwest Field
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Fantasy Spin - San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks Fantasy Preview

The San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Qwest Field. Oddsmakers currently have the Seahawks listed as 10-point favorites versus the 49ers, while the game's total is sitting at 40½. Both teams prepare for a game that is coming after a short week of preparation and the Seahawks, who tend to play very well at home, will try to avenge a loss they sustained in San Francisco four weeks ago in San Francisco. The Seahawks haven't encountered many opponents that are in worse shape with injuries than they are, but the 49ers' list of the afflicted rivals that of Seattle. The San Francisco linebacking corps and secondary is battered beyond recognition, which doesn't bode well for a team that is last in the league in scoring defense as it is. Look for the Hawks to move the ball consistently throughout the night. On the other side of the ball, Gore should be able to get his 100 yards, but he won't be complemented enough in the passing game to allow the Niners to post a serious upset bid.

San Fran - Smith (B), Gore (S), Bryant (B), Battle (Z), Davis (Z), E. Johnson (B), 49ers D (B)
Seattle - Hasselbeck (S) , Alexander (S), Burleson (Z), Branch (Z), Stevens (Z), Hawks D (Z)

Week 15 Fantasy Football Matchups
Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons
December 16, 2006 - Georgia Dome
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Fantasy Spin - Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Preview

The fans at Georgia Dome will be treated to a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons when they take their seats on Saturday. Oddsmakers currently have the Cowboys listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Falcons, while the game's total is sitting at 44. Atlanta should come out with fire in this primetime matchup on its home turf, but emotion isn't going to be nearly enough to win this game. The Falcons' best offensive asset, their running game, is battered heading into this contest against a flawed but physical defense. The Atlanta passing game is not nearly good enough to exploit Dallas' shaky pass rush and secondary, which means a Drew Brees-like performance is not forthcoming from Vick. On the other side of the ball, the Falcons won't consistently stop Romo and the Dallas passing game, which will come up with a couple of big plays in the fourth quarter to put America's Team over the top.

Dallas - Romo (S), Barber (S), J. Jones (Z), Glenn (Z), Owens (S), Witten (S), Cowboys D (S)
Atlanta - Vick (Z), Dunn (Z), J. Norwood (Z), M. Jenkins (B) , A. Crumpler (S), Falcons D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills Fantasy Preview

The division rival Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Bills listed as 1-point favorites versus the Dolphins, while the game's total is sitting at 34. Games like this one traditionally give Miami a lot of trouble, but it looks like the Dolphins may catch a break in the weather, with the temperature expected to be rather balmy for Buffalo in mid-December. Wind is always a factor in this stadium this time of year, however, so the team that can run the ball the best should have a significant advantage. That team figures to be the Dolphins, even with Brown sidelined another week. Miami was able to move the ball on the ground last week against New England, a defense that presents a far bigger challenge than the Bills' smallish front will likely provide. If Miami can contain McGahee and Evans, Buffalo's only serious threats on offense, Saban could add another victory to his late-season resume'.

Miami - Harrington (S), Morris (S), Mcmicheal (Z), Chambers (Z), Booker (S), Dolphins D (S)
Buffalo - Losman (B), McGahee (S), Evans (S), Price (Z), Buffalo D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears Fantasy Preview

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Soldier Field. Oddsmakers currently have the Bears listed as 13½-point favorites versus the Buccaneers, while the game's total is sitting at 34. Rookie quarterback. Cold weather. Bad matchups. Ongoing slump. It'd be hard to imagine many angles via which even Gruden, among the league's top-shelf motivators, can get his Tampa team fired up to consistently compete with a Bears unit that's home and hoping to clinch a major playoff milestone. Grossman hands the ball to Jones, throws occasionally and revels in the Windy City adulation for at least another seven days.

Tampa Bay - Gradowski (B), Cadillac (B), Galloway (S), Hilliard (B), A. Smith (B), Bucs D (B)
Chicago - Grossman (S), Jones (S), Muhammed (Z), Clark (B), Berrian (S), Bears D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers Fantasy Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Sunday when the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers meet at Lambeau Field. Oddsmakers currently have the Packers listed as 5-point favorites versus the Lions, while the game's total is sitting at 44. The Packers are not a playoff-quality team, though they might look that way against a Lions club that isn't even NFL-quality at the moment. Injuries have reduced the Lions to a team that bears the look of a franchise playing its fourth preseason game, which means a serious bid for the organization's first win in Wisconsin since 1991 is not in the cards. Look for Favre to throw a couple of touchdown passes, for Green to make some big runs, and for the Packers to keep the Lions at arm's length throughout.

Detroit - Kitna (Z), Harris (B), Williams (S), Furrey (S), Pollard (B), Lions D (B)
Green Bay - Favre (S), Green (S), Driver (S), Jennings (Z), Martin (B), Packers D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans Fantasy Preview

The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans will meet on the gridiron at LP Field on Sunday in a battle of division rivals. Oddsmakers currently have the Jaguars listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Titans, while the game's total is sitting at 40½. Even though Tennessee is riding the longer winning streak, Jacksonville looks like the better team, and played an excellent game against one of the best teams in the NFL last week. With three games left on the regular-season schedule, the Jaguars are tied with Cincinnati for the lead in a quest for one of two AFC Wild Card berths, and must play well this week to defend that position. The Jags are playing tough football with the postseason inches away, while the Titans are getting by with some luck and breakdowns by the opposition. The only way Tennessee has a chance this week is if Young has no turnovers and continues to keep defenses honest with his ability to run. But look for it to be a long day for the rookie, who will be suffocated by a blossoming Jacksonville "D".

J-Ville - Gerrard (Z), Taylor (S), D. Jones (S), Williams (B), Jones (B), J-Ville D (S)
Tennessee - Young (S), Henry Inj (Z), White (B), Bennett (B), Scaife (B), Titans D (B)

Fantasy Spin - New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Preview

The fans at The Metrodome will be treated to a game between the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Vikings listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game's total is sitting at 41. Once again, the bloom seems off of the green and white rose. The absence of a consistent run threat has placed the offense in the hands of Pennington, who's been maddeningly inconsistent overall and just plain bad in the losses. Even without Chester Taylor, the Vikings could control the ball and produce just enough to tilt the scoreboard in their favor while smothering the New York offense. Unless Justin Miller or Rhodes can engineer a big play, it looks like one team climbs to .500 while another one sinks to it.

New York - Pennington (S), Washington (B), Houston (B), Coles (S), Cotchery (Z), Jets D (Z)
Minni - Johnson (B), Taylor (S), Williamson (B), T. Taylor (B), Wiggins (B), Minni D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Houston Texans at New England Patriots Fantasy Preview

The Houston Texans 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 11-point favorites versus the Texans, while the game's total is sitting at 37. There are teams that match up well with the Patriots, and teams that don't. The Texans don't. Houston doesn't make enough plays defensively to keep Brady from picking them apart, and probably won't do much to limit the ground game's effectiveness either. On the other side of the ball, Dayne may have produced in recent weeks, but he isn't going to garner much mileage against New England's quality run-stopping front. It all adds up to a sizeable Patriots victory, one that will help the team move on following last week's debacle in Miami.

Houston - Carr (Z), Dayne (B), Lundy (B), Johnson (S), Moulds (B), Daniels (B), Texans D (B)
New England - Brady (S), Dillon (S), Maroney (Z), Watson Inj (B), Caldwell (S), Pats D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints Fantasy Preview

The Washington Redskins 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 9½-point favorites versus the Redskins, while the game's total is sitting at 46½. This could be a difficult matchup for the Saints, considering how well Betts and the Redskins have been running the ball lately. New Orleans struggled stopping the run even with Thomas in the lineup, so that should make this game close for a short while, but eventually Brees and the high-powered Saints offense will pull away. The Saints pass-rushers should also make things difficult for Campbell, who has also still yet to show he deserves to be Washington's QB of the future.

Washington - Campbell (Z), Betts (S), Moss (S), Lloyd (B), El (B), Cooley (Z), Washington D (B)
New Orleans - Brees (S), R. Bush (S), McCallister (S), J. Horn Inj (B), Colston (S), Saints D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers Fantasy Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers are a sinking ship at the moment, while the Steelers have a salvage crew working feverishly to raise them to the surface. As far as both confidence and health go, Pittsburgh has the edge. The return of Ward this week will give the offense a boost, and the defense has already proven that it can make the requisite plays without Polamalu in the lineup. Carolina, meanwhile, hasn't done much well on either side of the ball all season, and there is little reason to expect the Panthers to magically arise from their slumber this week, even in a game that they need desperately.

Pittsburgh - Roethlisburger (S), Parker (S), Ward (S), Holmes (B), Miller (Z), Steelers D (S)
Carolina - Weinke (B), Smith (S), Johnson (S), Foster (B), Williams (B), Panthers D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens Fantasy Preview

The Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at M & T Bank Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Ravens listed as 11-point favorites versus the Browns, while the game's total is sitting at 34. Earning the win which catapults a team into the playoffs can be very difficult to capture. Just ask the Indianapolis Colts, who are still searching for their AFC South title and a playoff berth, and the Seattle Seahawks, who have whiffed on two chances to take the NFC West. The Ravens shouldn't get too cocky against the Browns at home, but do have the defense to back up any sort of trash-talking that's involved. Led by ferocious linebackers Lewis and Suggs, Baltimore will surely put pressure on whoever plays quarterback for the Browns. On the other side of the ball, McNair is reborn this season, and should be able to beat the Browns with his arm and by handing off to Jamal Lewis, who has the numbers to prove he enjoys running against Cleveland. Ravens head coach Brian Billick has his team flying high since taking over play-calling duties, and unless McNair goes down with an injury early in the game, the Browns don't have a snowball's chance in Arizona to come out on top.

Cleveland - Anderson/Frye Inj (B), Droughns (B), Edwards (B), Winslow (B), Browns D (B)
Baltimore - McNair (S), Lewis(S), Mason (S), Heap (S), Clayton (S), Ravens D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals Fantasy Preview

The Denver Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Broncos listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game's total is sitting at 41½. Cutler has an excellent chance of notching his first win as an NFL starter this week, as the Arizona defense has major flaws that can be exposed by both the aerial attack and a still-potent Denver running game. The Broncos are going to need a significant amount of help from the defense, which should be able to hold James in check but will have to avoid the big play from Fitzgerald and/or Boldin. The Cardinals are not the same team they were during their 1-8 start, and the Broncos aren't the unit that began the year 7-2. But things haven't changed quite enough to suggest that Arizona is ready to win a game like this one, which means Denver should head back home having snapped its losing skid.

Denver - Cutler (B), M. Bell (B), T. Bell (S), Walker (S), R. Smith (B), Broncos D (S)
Arizona - Leinart (S), James (Z), Fitzgerald (S), Boldin (S), Pope (B), Cardinals D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - St. Louis Rams at Oakland Raiders Fantasy Preview

The St. Louis Rams and the Oakland Raiders will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at McAfee Coliseum. Oddsmakers currently have the Raiders listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Rams, while the game's total is sitting at 38½. Oakland doesn't have many chances remaining to win another game, so facing the Rams at home could make the Silver & Black a tad bit opportunistic this week. The Raiders defense has its share of playmakers and, at times, has showed it can cause even the best offenses in the league to struggle. Bulger and Jackson will get their share of yards, but as usual, being away from the fast track in St. Louis will cause some problems for the Rams offense. The Raiders offense will cash in on turnovers for once, and that will help them get their third win of the season.

St. Louis - Bulger (S), Jackson (S), S. Davis (B) , Holt (S), Bruce (Z), Curtis (B), Rams D (Z)
Oakland - Brooks (B), Fargas (Z), Moss (B), Curry (B), Porter (B), Raiders D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants Fantasy Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Giants Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Giants listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Eagles, while the game's total is sitting at 43½. Both these teams present enough strengths which make them worthy of postseason contention, and enough flaws that justify why each stands just a single game over .500 at the moment. New York's weaknesses appear to be less serious than Philadelphia's, however. The Eagles need to find a quick answer to their problems defending the run, a challenging task considering Barber's talent and the Giants' usual success in that area. A big day for Barber will also make Manning's job easier, and Philly's best chance at a victory lies in their ability to force mistakes from New York's inconsistent quarterback. The Eagles offense will do enough to make this close, but there aren't too many NFC clubs that can knock off the talented Giants when they're motivated. Considering the magnitude of this game, there's absolutely no reason why they shouldn't be.

Philadelphia - Garcia (S), Westbrook (S), Stallworth (S), Brown (Z), LJ Smith (Z), Phili D (Z)
NYG - E. Manning (Z), Barber (S), Burress (S), Carter (B), Shockey (S), Giants D (Z)

Fantasy Spin - Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers Fantasy Preview

The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Qualcomm Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Chargers listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Chiefs, while the game's total is sitting at 46½. The emotional element of this game should not be fully discounted, though the fact that the Chiefs will be playing for their late owner is not going to be enough, in and of itself, to win Kansas City the football game. San Diego doesn't have as many sentimental reasons to win on Sunday night, but the homestanding Chargers are aware that a victory could be the difference between a No. 1 seed in the AFC and a Wild Card-round playoff game the first weekend in January. What's more, San Diego has more talent than Kansas City, and will be hyped up to beat a Chiefs team that broke its collective hearts in Week 7. The Chiefs will be game, but they won't have the horses to pull out a difficult road win.

KC - Green (Z), Johnson (S), Kennison (B), Hall (B), Gonzalez (S), Parker (B), Chiefs D (B)
San Diego - Rivers (S), L.T. (S), Gates (S), Mccardell (B), Parker (B), Chargers D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts Fantasy Preview

The Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at RCA Dome. Oddsmakers currently have the Colts listed as 3-point favorites versus the Bengals, while the game's total is sitting at 54½. It is difficult to envision either of these teams stopping the other with great regularity, which means a "whoever has the ball last" scenario could be in order. In that regard, Cincinnati, which has a better run-pass balance, is the safer pick here. The Colts are going to have to pay a great deal of attention to the Bengals' litany of wideouts, which could spell big chunks of yardage for Rudi Johnson against an Indy front seven that isn't going to magically find itself.

Cincinnati - Palmer (S), R. Johnson (S), C. Johnson (S), T.J. Housh (S), Henry (B), Bengals D (B)
Indy - P. Manning (S), Addai (Z), Harrison (S), Wayne (S), Utecht (B), Colts D (B)