Week 16: Championship Week

12/22/2009 7:40 PM -  Mike Woellert

Well, the end is near and now, hopefully, you’ve reached the final curtain.  It seems like only a week ago we had our cheat sheets and were prepping for the draft and now, all the work and prep has paid off to where you’ve reached your league’s final game.  I’m going to condense some things into this article as you head into the final week of the fantasy football season:

-I don’t believe Jerome Harrison is for real.  He’ll probably get the start this week but, Eric Mangini in his infinite wisdom, could decide to play Chris Jennings against the Raiders this week.  Any Cleveland running back is considered a real wild card play this week

-Browns put Brady Quinn on IR and Derek Anderson will get the start.  Downgrade all WRs this week.

-Brian Westbrook will be a risky play in week 16 if he plays as his snaps will be limited.  He’s not a fantasy play but, he could eat into Leonard Weaver and LeSean McCoy’s touches if he’s active

-Brian Brohm will be getting the start for the Bills against the Falcons in week 16.  Keep Lee Evans and Terrell Owens out of your lineups as the Bills will probably lean on Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson a lot more

-Sean Payton has already come out and said that his players will not be resting before the playoffs, even though an undefeated season is no longer attainable.  This is good news for Drew Brees, Pierre Thomas, Marques Colston and Robert Meachem owners

-The Steelers signed free agent Joey Galloway for the remainder of the season to fill-in for Limas Sweed.  He’s not a fantasy option as the Steelers 4th or 5th wide receiver

-Anthony Gonzalez will put in a full practice on Wednesday for the Colts.  He’s going to have a lot of rust after missing the entire season up to this point.  He’s going to be eased back in and isn’t worthy of a start for your title game

-Fred Taylor has a 50/50 chance of playing this week.  Laurence Maroney is coming off back-to-back of 20+ carries, so if Taylor comes back, he has a chance of eating into those carries slightly.  Maroney has been the more productive back of the backs and has 4 home scores on the season and should add a 5th this week

-LaDainian Tomlinson needs to average 165 yards per game in the next 2 weeks to continue his consecutive 1,000 yard season streak.  Considering he hasn’t gone over 96 yards all season, I don’t see him hitting 165 yards against Tennessee  even without Keith Bulluck or David Thornton

-Matt Schaub has back-to-back games of 360+ yards passing and faces the Dolphins this week.  His big yardage games have come on the road this season (357, 371, 392, 311, 367) so do not be afraid to put your faith in his abilities

-I have a feeling that Jamaal Charles is going to be on a lot of fantasy championship teams this season.  He struggled against Denver and Pittsburgh (decent defenses) but has eaten alive the teams that have been weak against the run.  He faces the 3rd ranked run defense (and a defense that hasn’t allowed a 100 yard rusher since week 4), so temper expectations but is still a must start

-The Panthers are being hush-hush on DeAngelo Williams’s injury.  At this point, I would trust Jonathan Stewart more than Williams, as he could be limited and not a trustworthy start.  Stewart broke the Vikings streak of not allowing a 100 yard rusher this past Sunday and could have a solid game in week 16 against the Giants

-Jason Snelling will be the back that gets the touches, IMO, against Buffalo.  Michael Turner was injured after just one play against the Jets and you’ve got to love the match-up; the NFL’s worse rush defense and the team that’s giving up the most points to opposing running backs

-Adrian Peterson is actually getting a boost in PPR leagues.  Over the last weeks, ADP as averaged 4 catches for 53 yards, giving him a nice boost in points (getting over 5 targets in that timeframe, as well)

-I think Rashard Mendenhall’s reception and yardage totals were going to be more the exception rather than the rule.  Roethlisberger was slinging the ball all around and he had some check-down passes his way.  The 6 receptions were a season high and he had not gone over 4 catches or 36 yards in a game.  He has a tough week 16 match-up against the Ravens, who are looking to make the playoffs and put an end to Pittsburgh’s run

-I could not trust Brandon Jacobs in my championship week.  His power running game was stuffed all night against the Reskins and is not getting the job done.  He averaged just 3.2 YPC while Ahmad Bradshaw was able to average over 6 YPC on 9 carries and he adds a bit more to the passing game.  If I was going to depend on a Giants running back this week, it’s Ahmad Bradshaw

Waiver Wire Additions

• Jerome Harrison, RB (CLE): I don’t trust him or the Cleveland backs but if you need a guy, he’s got a great match-up
• Michael Bush, RB (OAK): Here’s another guy, I think, is a must start.  But, start at your own risk as Tom Cable may give him 0 carries this week
• Jason Snelling, RB (ATL): If he got cut, I’d grab him and play him against the 32nd (yes, that’s last) ranked rush defense
• Derek Hagan, WR (NYG): If Hakeem Nicks is limited by his hamstring injury, he could see some extra snaps.  I’d consider, really, only in deeper leagues if you’re desperate for WR help

Injury Quick Hits

-Devin Hester is getting better and could be a game-time decision

-Marc Bulger has been shutdown for the remainder of the season

-Nate Burleson is doubtful for week 16 with a high ankle sprain.  The entire ‘Hawks offense has been wildly inconsistent

-Matthew Stafford looks like he’ll miss another week with his bad shoulder.  At this point, the Lions might turn to Drew Stanton to start.  Daunte Culpepper has done absolutely nothing