Week 16 Matchups

Week 16 Fantasy Football Matchups
Minnesota Vikings At Green Bay Packers
December 21st, 2006 - Lambeau Field
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Fantasy Spin - Minnesota Vikings At Green Bay Packers Fantasy Preview

The fans at Lambeau Field will be treated to a game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers when they take their seats on Thursday. Oddsmakers currently have the Packers listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Vikings, while the game's total is sitting at 37. The "these teams are heading in different directions" line of thinking is problematic in the NFL, where clubs seemingly alter or reverse their course on a week-to-week basis. Another theory that would seem to favor Green Bay, in regard to their advantage at storied Lambeau Field, also fails to hold much weight, since the Pack is 2-5 in their home building this year. What does make sense is to put your confidence in Brett Favre when he faces a team that a) doesn't rush the passer well b) has given up huge passing days to more than one quarterback this season and c) lacks the offensive punch to consistently answer any of Green Bay's potential big plays. The Packers aren't going to run away and hide against a Vikings team that has a slight talent advantage to Green Bay, but they'll do enough to give themselves a chance heading into Week 17.

Minni - Jackson (B), Taylor (S), Williamson (B), T. Taylor (Z), Wiggins (B), Minni D (Z)
Green Bay - Favre (S), Green (Z), Driver (S), Jennings (Z), Martin (B), Packers D (Z)

Week 16 Fantasy Football Matchups
Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders
December 23, 2006 - Network Associates Coliseum
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Fantasy Spin - Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders Fantasy Preview

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at McAfee Coliseum. Oddsmakers currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the Raiders, while the game's total is sitting at 36. The Raiders played the Chiefs tough in the teams' last meeting, but that was long ago and far away, when Oakland looked like it still had a pulse. Shell's team has lost four more times since, and last week's performance against the Rams showed a franchise that looks much closer to calling it a season than coming out with pride in an effort to put together a win. Do the Raiders have the talent to beat the Chiefs? Absolutely, but talent has never been the issue on this team, coaching and desire have. Oakland doesn't have enough of either, which means consecutive loss number eight is imminent.

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

Fantasy Spin - Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Preview

The division rival Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Georgia Dome. Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total. Atlanta has plenty of incentive for this game that goes beyond the obvious playoff ramifications. The Panthers humiliated the Falcons at the Georgia Dome in the 2005 regular-season finale, a loss that was a driving force for Atlanta's relatively easy 20-6 triumph at Carolina in Week 1. The Panthers' lack of effectiveness on offense and recent struggles stopping the run should allow the Falcons to control the clock and grind out a methodical win much like the season-opener. Weinke's dubious credentials under center and Carolina's history of not playing well in the Georgia Dome, where the Panthers had lost seven straight prior to last year's breakthrough, don't inspire confidence for the visitors either.

Carolina - Weinke (B), Smith (S), Johnson (B), Foster (B), Williams (B), Panthers D (Z)
Atlanta - Vick (S), Dunn (S)), J. Norwood (B), M. Jenkins (B) , A. Crumpler (S), Falcons D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills Fantasy Preview

The Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Bills listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Titans, while the game's total is sitting at 37. The Titans and Bills are in the same position this week, needing to continue their recent hot streaks in order to maintain their long odds of reaching the postseason. Young has looked like the best player on the field at times during Tennessee's five-game win streak, and there is reason to believe he will give a youthful Buffalo defense some major problems. On the other side of the ball, the Titans have shown a propensity for making big plays, and though he's played well of late, look for Losman to regress on Sunday and give Tennessee some costly early Christmas gifts.

Tennessee - Young (S), Henry (S), White (B), Bennett (B), Scaife (B), Titans D (B)
Buffalo - Losman (B), McGahee (S), Evans (S), Price (B) Buffalo D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cleveland Browns Fantasy Preview

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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 Browns listed as 3-point favorites versus the Buccaneers, while the game's total is sitting at 37. Rattay gave the Buccaneers a shot of life in the second half of last week's game, but he won't have the element of surprise when he gets the start this Sunday. Still, the way Gradkowski had been playing, Rattay has to give Tampa Bay a better chance at winning. It's true that the Bucs are 0-7 on the road this season, but this is their last and possibly best chance to end that skid. Tampa Bay should be able to run the ball against this Browns defense, and that will set the tone for a close victory.

Tampa Bay - Rattay (B), Cadillac (B), Galloway (S), Hilliard (B), A. Smith (B), Bucs D (B)
Cleveland - Anderson (B), Droughns (B), Edwards (S), Winslow (B), Browns D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions Fantasy Preview

The division rival Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Ford Field. Oddsmakers currently have the Bears listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Lions, while the game's total is sitting at 42. It is easy to focus on the fact that the Bears might not be going at full throttle this week, though the notion of the team's perceived weakness without its starters might be a little overblown. Chicago's success has been based in part on the fact that it is one of the deepest teams in the league, and whatever 45 guys Lovie Smith chooses to suit up figure to be better than their Lions counterparts. Even with some backups playing major minutes, the Bears are still good enough to beat Detroit going away.

Chicago - Grossman (S), Jones (S), Muhammed (S), Clark (B), Berrian (S), Bears D (S)
Detroit - Kitna (B), Harris (B), Williams (S), Furrey (B), Pollard (B), Lions D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams Fantasy Preview

The Washington Redskins and the St. Louis Rams will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Edward Jones Dome. Oddsmakers currently have the Rams listed as 2-point favorites versus the Redskins, while the game's total is sitting at 43½. Washington is in spoiler mode, while St. Louis' playoff hopes are hanging by a very thin thread. The Redskins notched an improbable win over the New Orleans Saints at a hostile Superdome last week, and have been enjoying the emergence of Betts. Betts will have another strong performance against a weak Rams' defense, while Campbell should be able to make some plays down the field as well. However, the Rams have the more explosive offense, with Bulger, Jackson and Holt all capable of doing damage on a given play. That trio will ultimately be too much for a Redskins defense still salivating from a huge win in the Big Easy.

Washington - Campbell (B), Betts (S), Moss (S), Lloyd (B), El (B), Cooley (Z), Washington D (B)
St. Louis - Bulger (S), Jackson (S), S. Davis (B) , Holt (S), Bruce (Z), Curtis (B), Rams D (B)

Fantasy Spin - New Orleans Saints at New York Giants Fantasy Preview

The New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Giants Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Giants listed as 3-point favorites versus the Saints, while the game's total is sitting at 47½. The teams were regarded at opposite ends of the spectrum when the season began. New Orleans was seen as a mid-level squad at best, with Brees coming off a shoulder problem that had greased the skids for his departure from San Diego and McAllister recovering from a knee injury that shelved him for the back half of 2005. Meanwhile, the Giants were coming off a playoff berth in 2005 and figured to feast on a weaker East division with the star power of Barber and the emergence of Manning carrying the load. Obviously, the reverse has happened thus far, or at least since the New York free fall began after Week 8. That said, the talent still remains on the Giants' side of the Meadowlands this week and, with Strahan returning, this one has all the making of a circle-the-wagons type effort for a pride-laden team. As much as anything, make it a referendum on Coughlin's future.

New Orleans - Brees (S), R. Bush (S), McCallister (S), J. Horn Inj (B), Colston (S), Saints D (B)
NYG - E. Manning (S), Barber (S), Burress (S), Carter (B), Shockey (S), Giants D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers Saints Fantasy Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet at Heinz Field. Oddsmakers currently have the Steelers listed as 3-point favorites versus the Ravens, while the game's total is sitting at 36. Admittedly, there's not a lot to separate here. Both teams have something left to play for - Pittsburgh for its very 2006 football life and a chance to defend its title, Baltimore for the chance at hosting a series of playoff games alongside the chilly Inner Harbor in January. Both teams are chock full of high-profile players in the midst of successful seasons - Pittsburgh had four players (two offense, two defense) selected to the AFC's Pro Bowl roster, Baltimore had five (one offense, four defense). Both teams are hot - Pittsburgh has won five of six, Baltimore has taken seven of eight. And both teams have the requisite division-rival dislike for one another.So, when all else fails, take the home (and certainly more desperate) team.

Baltimore - McNair (S), Lewis (S), Mason (B), Heap (S), Clayton (S), Ravens D (S)
Pittsburgh - Roethlisburger (Z), Parker (Z), Ward (S), Holmes (B), Miller (B)), Steelers D (S)

Fantasy Spin - New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars Fantasy Preview

The New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at ALLTEL Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Jaguars listed as 3-point favorites versus the Patriots, while the game's total is sitting at 37. There are a couple of certainties going into this game. One is that the Jaguars, apart from a fluky slip-up against the Texans, have been dominant on their home field. The other is that this game is a great deal more important for Jacksonville, which likely needs to win out, than it is for New England, which could claim the AFC East title without winning another game. Talent- wise, these teams match up evenly. But give the edge in the areas of both desire and emotion to the Jaguars, who are the only participant in this contest that are fighting for their playoff lives.

New England - Brady (S), Dillon (S), Maroney (Z), Watson Inj (B), Caldwell (Z), Pats D (S)
J-Ville - Gerrard (B), Taylor (B), D. Jones (S), Williams (B), Jones (B), J-Ville D (S)

Fantasy Spin - Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans Fantasy Preview

The Indianapolis Colts 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 Colts listed as 10-point favorites versus the Texans, while the game's total is sitting at 47. Indianapolis certainly looked impressive on Monday, but it is still a bit premature to believe the Colts have completely fixed the problems that plagued them during their recent spell. Keep in mind that Indianapolis has lost its last three road games, and is still vulnerable to teams that can consistently pound the ball on the ground. If Dayne has another effective day and Carr somehow remembers how to play like he did early in the season, the Texans will put up some points, because Johnson will be a handful for Indy's banged-up secondary. Still, Houston doesn't have the personnel to either keep up with or slow down the Colts' scary offense. Look for Indianapolis to be challenged early, then pull away late.

Indy - P. Manning (S), Addai (Z), Rhodes (Z), Harrison (S), Wayne (S), Utecht (B), Colts D (Z)
Houston - Carr (B), Dayne (S), Lundy (B), Johnson (S), Moulds (B), Daniels (B), Texans D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers Fantasy Preview

The Arizona Cardinals 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 4-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game's total is sitting at 45. The 49ers have yet to show that they can win a game they are widely expected to win, which makes this week's meeting with the Cardinals somewhat worrying. In order for San Francisco to take the next step, flexing its muscles against an inferior opponent on its home field is a must. Look for the 49ers to come out with enough intensity and confidence to overcome any mistakes that a still-young team will undoubtedly make, and look for Nolan's club to head into Week 17 with a shot to play in January.

Arizona - Leinart (S), James (Z), Fitzgerald (S), Boldin (S), Pope (B), Cardinals D (B)
San Fran - Smith (B), Gore (S), Bryant (B), Battle (Z), Davis (Z), E. Johnson (B), 49ers D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos Fantasy Preview

The fans at INVESCO Field at Mile High will be treated to a game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos when they take their seats on Sunday. Oddsmakers currently have the Broncos listed as 3-point favorites versus the Bengals, while the game's total is sitting at 44½. If you limit your memory about the Bengals and Broncos to the most recent week, you will be left with no doubt that Denver should win this game. Blossoming quarterback + superior running game at home, in the cold, against a somewhat battered Cincinnati team that had its lunch handed to it in Indianapolis, etc. But when viewing each team's work over the entirety of the past month, it can be argued that last week was a one-game aberration for both. The Bengals defense should have an easier time controlling Cutler than they did Manning, the Denver "D" won't be able to handle Cincinnati's offense as it did that of Arizona, and the Bengals will leave Mile High with an important win that gets them back to the top of the Wild Card discussion.

Cincinnati - Palmer (S), R. Johnson (S), C. Johnson (S), T.J. Housh (S), Henry (B), Bengals D (B)
Denver - Cutler (B), M. Bell (B), T. Bell (S), Walker (S), R. Smith (B), Broncos D (B)

Fantasy Spin - San Diego Chargers at Seattle Seahawks Fantasy Preview

The San Diego Chargers and the Seattle Seahawks will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Qwest Field. Oddsmakers currently have the Chargers listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Seahawks, while the game's total is sitting at 46½. It's hard to pick against the Chargers at this point of the season, especially when homefield advantage is still up for grabs. Both of San Diego's losses (Baltimore and Kansas City) came on the road this year, so this is a potential upset. However, the noise of the home crowd will only succeed in making this game closer than expected until Tomlinson and the Chargers pull away in the end. Alexander may have something to prove now that L.T. surpassed a few of his touchdown records from last year, but that won't be enough to give Seattle the win.

San Diego - Rivers (Z), L.T. (S), Gates (S), Mccardell (B), Parker (B), Chargers D (Z)
Seattle - Hasselbeck (S) , Alexander (S), Burleson (B), Branch (Z), Stevens (Z), Hawks D (B)

Fantasy Spin - Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys Fantasy Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Texas Stadium. Oddsmakers currently have the Cowboys listed as 7-point favorites versus the Eagles, while the game's total is sitting at 46½. One has to applaud the Eagles' effort of late, particularly its road takedown of the Giants last week, but a third consecutive road win is going to be a tall order indeed for Garcia and company. Unlike the Giants, the Cowboys have a crisp, multi-pronged offensive attack that will keep the still-suspect Eagles "D" guessing for most of the evening. And though Dallas has its defensive flaws, particularly in the secondary, Philadelphia won't threaten the Cowboys downfield enough to make Dallas pay. Look for America's Team to jump out to an early lead, keep the Eagles at arm's length thereafter, and celebrate with an NFC East title on Christmas night.

Philadelphia - Garcia (S), Westbrook (S), Stallworth (S), Brown (Z), LJ Smith (Z), Phili D (Z)
Dallas - Romo (S), Barber (S), J. Jones (Z), Glenn (Z), Owens (S), Witten (S), Cowboys D (S)

Fantasy Spin - New York Jets at Miami Dolphins Fantasy Preview

The New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins will meet on the gridiron at Dolphin Stadium on Monday in a battle of division rivals. Oddsmakers currently have the Dolphins listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game's total is sitting at 36½.

New York - Pennington (S), Washington (B), Houston (B), Coles (S), Cotchery (Z), Jets D (B)
Miami - Harrington (B), Morris (S), Mcmicheal (Z), Chambers (Z), Booker (B), Dolphins D (Z)