No Rest for the Wicked

As the curtain drops on week 12 and after witnessing a dismantling of New England Patriots team that hasn’t been seen before, it’s time to look ahead to, not only week 13, but the fantasy playoffs (for those of you that are fortunate to be in the hunt).  Week 15 is typically the first round and week 16 is the Fantasy Bowl (unless your league has more playoff teams, the playoffs could begin week 14).  Now comes the usual questions; which teams will rest their players in those respective weeks?

-Indianapolis Colts (11-0) are the team with the most documented history of resting their players before the playoffs and have started Jim Sorgi in weeks 16 and 17 in prior seasons.  Coach Jim Caldwell has stated that he plans on using Tony Dungi’s philosophy of resting playoffs like has been done in year’s past.  This has been a double edged sword for the Colts in the past.  In most instances, players like Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai and Reggie Wayne might miss a month of game-action before they actually play their first playoff game (between the last two weeks of the season and their first round bye).  For owners of the Colts starters, you might want to look to the wire for their back-ups.  So, it is conceivable that you could be starting Jim Sorgi, Donald Brown and even Hank Baskett for your fantasy playoffs.  Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, while already having value, should remain in fantasy lineups and rosters for the remainder of the season.  The big question is Anthony Gonzalez.  In my opinion, I do not see him returning at all for the regular season.

-The New Orleans Saints do not have much of a track record in the playoffs, let alone resting players in the weeks before the playoffs begin.  As good as the Saints have been, the Vikings are only 1 game behind them in terms of record and another disadvantage for the Saints (which is an advantage for fantasy owners) is that Vikings could potentially own a tie-breaker (since their lone loss was against an AFC opponent).  The Saints have a rhythm offense that can’t afford to be rested, in my opinion, so I do not see the Saints resting any of their players in the coming weeks.  Drew Brees, Pierre Thomas and Marques Colston owners can breathe a sigh of relief.  If you have Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem or Mike Bell (unless better RB options are on the wire) rostered, keep them for the time being and also, don’t count out Mark Brunell having value should they clinch.  Keep a close eye on the week 13 tilt with the Washington Redskins and their #1 ranked pass defense, however, they haven’t faced an offense as potent as the Saints and, Brees has only been sacked 14 times all season.

-The Minnesota Vikings are enjoying the same type of success that the Saints are enjoying.  The only person I see getting any sort of rest for fear of hitting a rookie wall, is Percy Harvin.  Harvin, through week 11 (not counting week 12) has been involved in 308 plays and is also a kick/punt returner.  Other than that, I see Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian and Visanthe Shiancoe remaining a vital part of the offense and making significant contributions for their owners as the weeks go on.  The Vikings are in a dog-fight with Saints for home-field advantage throughout.  The Vikings will have a tough week, especially if Kurt Warner is active, against the Saints.  It does appear that the Vikes will have the services of top corner, Antoine Winfield for this game.

……Should the Vikings lose this week (or any other week for that matter), they might be the #2 seed and by week 16, may not be playing for much by that time.  ADP owners should already have Chester Taylor at the ready, and Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels could see time, as well…..For the Saints, if they are able to lock things up, Marques Colston and Pierre Thomas may only play a half and then rest…..On today’s Two Feet in Bounds, we did talk about the Colts’ and the resting of Peyton Manning and Joseph Addai….

-The rest of the AFC and NFC is way too much in the air for teams to consider benching their top starters.  Teams like the Bengals and Cowboys are the worst of the 8-3 teams, IMO and with the Cowboys entering December, a melt-down appears imminent.  I look for Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco, Cedric Benson, Philip Rivers, LT, Chris Johnson, Tom Brady, Randy Moss and the rest of the top guys in the AFC to continue playing on.  As far as the NFC goes, after New Orleans and Minnesota, there’s way too much of a muddled swamp ground of teams to even make heads or tails of what can happen.  Which, is good news for Larry Fitzgerald, Kurt Warner, Tony Romo owners.

-But, what about the teams that have nothing to play for?  I’m looking at the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions.  Steven Jackson owners will need to watch the injury reports and status reports to make sure Jackson is active and playing…..

Some other quick hits

…..It definitely appears that concussions are the injury of the year, as DeSean Jackson suffered one in week 12, along with Browns’ safety Brodney Pool (but his appears to be career threatening)….shame on Hines Ward for calling his QB out when he’s earned the credibility and benefit of the doubt for leading you guys to 2 championships within the last 4 seasons…..Cedric Benson appears to be ready for week 13, so it looks like Larry Johnson will, more than likely, be regulated to bench duty (or even back-up duty) as the Bengals are also waiting on the status of Bernard Scott (turf-toe)….Matt Ryan has been ruled out for week 13, so Chris Redman will get the nod…..Jake Delhomme appears to have gone full-circle and will be replaced by Matt Moore as the starting QB.  Even with a good match-up, drop Steve Smith in the rankings and expect more than full-load of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in week 13….The Philadelphia Eagles have locked up tight end Brent Celek for 6 years….Why Julius Jones will still the be the starter will baffle me and remain unanswered….expect Justin Forsett to be the primary back, IMO….IDP owners are going to want to keep an eye on the Jon Beason situation and his arrest to see if there’s any backlash from the league….