Welcome to the Week 14 Beasts and Busts. Our NFL projections for Week 13 was a stellar week for StatsGuru. We missed here and there but our hits far out weighed our misses. Let’s review them before we move on to Week 14.

TITANS 47 @ LIONS 10

Our near flawless Thanksgiving Day forecasts started with the Titans rolling over the Lions. We expected the Titans to get back to pounding the ball on ground and forecasted big numbers out of RB’s LenDale White and Chris Johnson. Both of them had a huge day with 231 rush yards and 4 TD’s between them. We also suggested that you should sit QB Kerry Collins and his receivers and that was stellar advice as the Titans passed for just 181 yards without a TD. TE Bo Scaife didn’t have the day we expected and was a bust. We warned you to sit everyone from the Lions except WR Calvin Johnson. We should have advised you to just sit everyone from the Lions as they managed just 154 total yards of offense. CJ had a mediocre day with five catches for 66 yards.

SEAHAWKS 9 @ COWBOYS 34

We said this would be the second blowout of the day and it was. We advised you to start QB Tony Romo, RB Marion Barber III and WR Terrell and enjoy the bountiful harvest. They all had a big day even though Barber left the game with a dislocated toe. TE Jason Witten played far more than we expected and he was huge as well. We suggested decent WR2 numbers out of WR Roy Williams but his 2 catches for 52 yards were a bit of a disappointment. We suggested that you should bench your Seahawks other than taking a flier on RB Maurice Morris and TE John Carlson. Morris had a very mediocre day while Carlson caught six passes for 105 yards. Stats Sleeper, TE Martellus Bennett, had two catches for 35 yards and 1 TD.

CARDINALS 20 @ EAGLES 48

We suggested a bounce back game from QB Donavan McNabb when most had left him for dead. He responded with 260 pass yards and 4 TD’s. We recommended WR’s Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson as high-end WR2’s this week and while Curtis was relatively quiet, Jackson had a big day six catches for 76 yards and 1 TD. We suggested that you should temper your expectations of TE L.J. Smith and he turned in a very mediocre performance with three catches for 32 yards. RB Brian Westbrook had a monster day playing through injury though at the time of writing we didn’t expect much playing time for him. As always, you need to check the active lists before making your final roster moves. We were emphatic in warning you to keep your expectations in check for the Cardinals and we were spot on except for WR Larry Fitzgerald. QB Kurt Warner had the clunker game we expected with just 235 pass yards. He matched his 3 TD’s with 3 INT’s. WR Anquan Boldin was very quiet with just 63 receiving yards. The Cardinals ground game has disappeared as they had just ten rushing attempts for 25 yards.

SAINTS 20 @ BUCCANEERS 23

We suggested a decent though not spectacular game from QB Drew Brees in this one and he passed for 296 yards but offset his 2 TD’s with 3 INT’s. We thought that WR’s Lance Moore and WR Marques Colston should both be considered as high-end WR2’s in this one with Colston being the better of the two. Colston had six catches for 106 yards while Moore had two catches for 15 yards and 1 TD. We advised that you should temper your expectations of RB Pierre Thomas in this one and he had 54 total yards with 1 TD. RB Reggie Bush came back for this one and posted just 32 total yards but better weeks are ahead for him if he is 100% healthy. The Saints used a TE by committee system again this weekend and posted mediocre numbers as we expected. Bucs QB Jeff Garcia was a decent QB2 here with 119 pass yards and 1 TD while adding 42 rushing yards. As suggested, RB Warrick Dunn came back to earth with just 74 rush yards. We suggested that RB Cadillac Williams would steal some of his touches and he did posting 20 rush yards and 1 TD. As suggested, WR Antonio Bryant led the Bucs mediocre WR group with 63 yards and 1 TD. TE Jerramy Stevens was a bust with just two catches and 21 yards.

GIANTS 23 @ REDSKINS 7

We were flawless in our forecast here as QB Jason Campbell, RB Clinton Portis and WR Santana Moss all had a dismal day against the Giants. TE Chris Cooley was a good low-end TE1 with six catches for 71 yards as we suggested. We expected a modest day from the Giants on offense and suggested they would all post #2 type numbers, which was certainly the case across the board. Stats Sleeper: WR Domenik Hixon was a decent start with 5 catches for 71 yards.

49ERS 10 @ BILLS 3

We said it wouldn’t get much uglier than this, but we didn’t expect it to be this ugly. QB Trent Edwards followed up his best game of the season with one of his worst and left the game with a strained hamstring at the end of the second quarter. As predicted, the Bills featured RB Marshawn Lynch and he posted 134 rushing yards but failed to score. WR Lee Evans had seven catches for 80 yards. The Bills TE position continues to MIA. We suggested mediocre numbers from the 49ers and, for the most part, that’s what we got. RB Frank Gore had 89 total yards in this one. QB Shaun Hill passed for 161 yards and 1 TD. We suggested that you go with WR Isaac Bruce if you started any 49er receiver and he responded with 67 yards and 1 TD.

COLTS 10 @ BROWNS 6

In cold and miserable conditions this game failed to produce an offensive touchdown as the Colts scored with their defense on a fumble return. Suggesting you sit your Browns was very good advice. Suggesting you start your Colts was very bad advice. We did however warn you that weather would play a factor and that you should temper your expectations of everyone in this game. Hopefully you did just that.

RAVENS 34 @ BENGALS 3

We suggested that the Ravens would shutout the Bengals in this one and they almost did as the Bengals managed a lone field goal with time expiring in the first half. We suggested another solid game from QB Joe Flacco and he produced with 295 total yards and 2 TD’s. The Ravens running back situation was impossible to figure out again this week. RB Le’Ron McClain was the main man this weekend with a mediocre 86 yards on 25 carries. We suggested WR Derrick Mason would rebound after two sub par performances and he did with six catches for 91 yards and 1 TD. It was WR Mark Clayton who was the star here though with 164 receiving yards and 1 TD. Clayton is hit and miss on a weekly basis but that’s back-to-back decent games out of him.

PANTHERS 35 @ PACKERS 31

We expected the Packers to bounce back in this one and, for the most part, they did. QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Greg Jennings both had a big game as suggested. RB Ryan Grant injured his hand in the second quarter and was a bust. We expected everyone other than RB DeAngelo Williams to stumble for the Panthers and we were right. Williams had a monster game with 86 total yards and 4 TD’s. We suggested that QB Jake Delhomme and WR Steve Smith were a risky play this weekend and they both posted mediocre numbers as predicted.

DOLPHINS 16 @ RAMS 12

In a weekend of blowouts and ugly games, this one ranks second behind the Bills game on the ugly side. We suggested a big game from RB Ronnie Brown but he was mediocre with 48 total yards and 1 TD. We suggested QB Chad Pennington wouldn’t throw a lot here and he attempted just 23 passes completing 13 for 166 yards. WR Ted Ginn Jr. was a bust with four catches for 55 yards. Suggesting that you stay away from the Rams all together this past weekend was fairly good advice. Apart from RB Steven Jackson totaling 110 yards, the rest of the Rams were a total bust. Stats Sleeper, WR Devon Bess, had a decent game with six catches for 84 yards for the Dolphins.

FALCONS 22 @ CHARGERS 16

This wasn’t the shootout we expected but QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner and WR Roddy White all had a good game for the Falcons as we predicted. RB LT2 didn’t have the big game we expected with just 66 total yards and 1 TD. The rest of the Chargers had a horrible game in what is now a lost season for them. Stats Sleeper, WR Michael Jenkins, was a bust with just one catch for 22 yards.

BRONCOS (6-5) @ JETS (8-3)

Just when you think you have these two teams figured out, you get a game like this. We were wrong on QB Brett Favre and his receiving core here, as they were all a bust. RB Thomas Jones however did post the huge game we predicted with 159 total yards and 2 TD’s. TE Dustin Keller was a good suggested low-end TE1 as well with seven catches for 77 yards. The Broncos rebounded nicely on the road against the Jets. QB Jay Culter produced as expected but WR Brandon Marshal was a bust. We were wrong on RB Peyton Hillis as the rookie had 129 yards and 1 TD. TE Tony Scheffler had a decent game with seven catches for 90 yards.

STEELERS 33 @ PATRIOTS 10

The Steelers used a swarming defense and crushed the Patriots on Sunday. QB Ben Roethisberger was a decent QB2 as expected with 179 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. RB Willie Parker and RB Mewelde Moore split duties and were both mediocre at best. As suggested, no one from the Steelers receiving core stepped up in this one. TE Heath Miller was a decent low-end TE1 with four catches for 60 yards. We suggested that you should give your Patriots the week off and hopefully you did. They were all a bust with RB Sammy Morris being their top producer with 56 yards and 1 TD.

CHIEFS 20 @ RAIDERS 13

Our forecast was perfect here. As predicted, TE Tony Gonzalez and RB Larry Johnson were huge for the Chiefs while RB Justing Fargas was the lone producer for the Raiders. We told you that QB Tyler Thigpen and WR Dwayne would both struggle and they certainly did.

BEARS 14 @ VIKINGS 34

After a tight first quarter this turned into a blow out for the Vikings. RB Adrian Peterson and RB Matt Forte both produced good RB1 numbers as we suggested. QB’s Gus Frerotte and Kyle Orton both had a mediocre game throwing for a combined 3 TD’s and 4 INT’s. Vikings WR Bernard Berrian had the big game we expected with 122 yards and 1 TD. We didn’t expect much out the Bears receiving core and, apart from a 63 TD reception from WR/KR Devin Hester, they were all the busts we suggested.

JAGUARS 17 @ TEXANS 30

We expected a shootout here and, while the numbers didn’t reach the total we thought they would, the teams combined for 714 yards of offense. Both QB’s produced the QB2 numbers we expected. We told you to start RB Steve Slaton and he had a big game with 182 total yards and 1 TD. RB Maurice Jones-Drew was not the good start we recommended with just 71 total yards and a fumble lost. WR’s Matt Jones and Andre Johnson both produced as suggested. TE Owen Daniels did not produce as expected and was a bust.

That’s it for what was a very good Week 13 forecasting. Let’s keep it rolling as we preview Week 14!

RAIDERS (3-9) @ CHARGERS (4-8)

The Raiders continue to struggle on offense and lost to the Chiefs while the Chargers were run over by the Falcons in Week 13.

There isn’t a more disappointing team in the NFL than the Chargers who have gone from a couple of plays to making it to the Super Bowl in ‘07 to total busts in ‘08. Fantasy owners with Charger players have been looking forward to this game and counting on it to help them out in the Fantasy Playoffs. Hold on though as the Raiders defense has kept them in games for four straight weeks and these two teams hate each other. Since Week 6 no QB has passed for more than 220 yards against the Raiders and that was Matt Ryan back in Week 9. The Raiders would love to hammer the final nail in the Chargers playoff coffin. You need to temper your expectations of QB Philip Rivers and the Chargers receiving core in this one and view them as high #2’s at best. It’s time for us to admit that the King has definitely lost control of the Castle but LT2 is a must-start RB1 against a very weak Raiders run defense. If you resisted the urge to trade him away, you will get rewarded in three of the final four weeks. If the Raiders are suspect in any facet of pass defense, it’s against the TE position. Start TE Antonio Gates with confidence as a high-end TE1.

The Raiders continue to struggle on offense and it’s very difficult to recommend any of them at this crucial time of the season. RB Justin Fargas had good game last week but the Chargers have been good against the run and have given up just six rushing TD’s all season. Because of that, we suggest that you should bench any Raider you may have on your roster other than TE Zach Miller who will be a good low-end TE1 in this game as the Chargers have major problems containing anyone at the TE position.

Weather: Always Perfect!

JAGUARS (4-8) @ BEARS (6-6)

The Texans pounded the Jaguars while the Vikings in Week 13 blew out the Bears.

Next to the Chargers, the Jaguars have to be the second most disappointing team in the NFL and they are now playing for nothing more than pride. The Bears meanwhile are still in the hunt to win the NFC North but they are a fraudulent team. Back to back road games and a short week of rest makes us hesitant to recommend anyone from the Jaguars in this game. The Bears still play with some semblance of a run defense so we suggest RB Maurice Jones-Drew is a mid-range RB2 in this one. The Bears are horrible in pass defense but we wonder who QB David Garrard will have available to throw the ball to. WR Matt Jones is expected to have his suspension appeal heard on December 4 but whether he will be suspended for Week 14 is still up in the air. If Jones does play in Week 14 rate him as a high-end WR2 and Garrard as high-end QB2. The rest of the Jags are fringe players at best.

After watching RB Steve Slaton torch the Jaguars on MNF the Bears will look to do the same with RB Matt Forte. As a rookie, Forte is having an All Pro season and is a must start RB1 in Week 14. Chicago will grind it out on the ground and no one, other than Forte, is a recommended starter from the Bears.

Weather: Dry and 33 degrees.

BROWNS (4-8) @ TITANS (11-1)

The Browns hung tough but lost to the Colts while the Titans rebounded and rolled over the Lions in Week 13.

The Titans rebounded in huge way and are now poised to lock up the AFC South and are a two wins away from being the top seed overall in the AFC. The Titans will not let this opportunity slip through their hands and won’t have any problem pounding the banged up Browns. Cleveland ranks 26 against the run and they are demoralized bunch. Much like they did against the Lions, the Titans will pound the ball on the ground with RB’s LenDale White and Chris Johnson. Both of them are in line for a huge game and will produce double-digit Fantasy points. The Titans won’t be passing much in this game so expect a modest day from QB Kerry Colins and his receiving core. By design we rarely discuss Fantasy defense but if you own the Titans unit, get them started as they may post numbers in the 20’s this weekend.

Things have gone from bad to worse for the Browns. Two weeks ago they lost QB Brady Quinn and this past weekend they lost QB Derek Anderson. They now turn to QB Ken Dorsey and that’s not a good thing for anyone. The Browns will also be without TE Kellen Winslow who continues to be a glass slipper. His latest injury is a high ankle sprain and he to could be lost for the season. If you have anyone from the Browns on your roster make sure you don’t have them in your lineup this weekend.

Weather: Scattered clouds and 42 degrees.

EAGLES (6-5-1) @ GIANTS (11-1)

The Eagles crushed the Cardinals while the Giants smothered the Redskins in Week 13.

Despite injuries and off field distractions the Giants continue to roll over everyone in their path. The Eagles are next in line as the Giants look to wrap up the NFC East and the top seed overall in the NFC. It won’t be official for another week or so but it’s basically a done deal. There isn’t a team in the league that can deal with the Giants offensive line and that includes a very aggressive Eagles squad. This game will be a defensive struggle early on but we look for the Giants to wear down the Eagles and win going away. Don’t expect a ton of Fantasy points here but RB Brandon Jacobs is a must start RB1 as he looks for a repeat of his Week 10, 126 yard and 2 TD, performance against these same Eagles. The Eagles have given up 18 passing touchdown passes on the season so you should consider QB Eli Manning as a mid-range QB2 this weekend. We won’t go into the whole Plaxico Burress fiasco as the whole situation is rather disgusting to us and his season and possibly his career is over. We don’t expect the Giants to pass much in this game so you should consider WR’s Amani Toomer and Domenick Hixon as low-end WR2’s in this game. The Eagles attack defense is susceptible to tight end scoring so treat TE Kevin Boss as a low-end TE1 in this one.

The Eagles season is all but over and the final blow will come in this game. QB Donovan McNabb is coming off his best game of the year and had a good game back in Week 10 against the Giants. We don’t expect a repeat performance as McNabb struggles in the Meadowlands. Consider McNabb as a high-end QB2 in this one but keep your expectations in the 15-point range. RB Brian Westbrook proved you should never give up on your studs last week as he had a career game against the Cards. This is the Giants and the #5 ranked run defense however so you need to temper your expectations. Westbrook is also dealing with a toe injury to go along with his knee and ankle problems. Couple that with the fact that he had just 59 total yards in the first meeting against the Giants and you have to rank him as a high-end RB2 at best. Expect mediocre numbers from the Eagles receivers in this game with WR DeSean Jackson leading this average group.

Weather: Chance of snow and 36 degrees. Weather will be a factor in this game.

VIKINGS (7-4) @ LIONS (0-12)

The Vikings torched the Bears while the Titans ran all over the Lions in Week 13.

Adrian Peterson owners who have been waiting for that monster game will finally get rewarded in this one. The Titans torched the Lions for 231 rushing yard and 4 TD’s and Peterson could post the same numbers on his own. AP will be the top scoring Fantasy player in Week 14. With AP running wild the Vikings won’t have to pass much in this game so expect the modest QB2 numbers being put up by QB Gus Frerotte to continue in here. When they do go to the air WR Bernard Berrian is a home run threat each time he catches the ball. Expect decent WR2 numbers out of Berrian this weekend. We don’t trust anyone else from the Vikings receiving core this or any other weekend. It should be noted that, at the time of writing, the NFL has torn down the “Williams Wall” The pair of stud defensive tackles have both been suspended for four games but there’s still some legal wrangling to be sorted out before it’s official.

As for the Lions, it’s more of the same this weekend. Start WR Calvin Johnson and hope for the best against a weak but improving Vikings pass defense. If the suspensions hold against the Vikings DT’s you should consider RB Kevin Smith as sneaky start as a high-end RB2 in this one. Sit anyone else wearing Honolulu blue and silver in this game.

Stats Sleeper: When this game gets out of control, and it will, expect RB Chester Taylor to get in a few licks of his own. Taylor has touchdowns in back to back game and will get the hat trick here. If you are desperate at RB or the flex position, pencil in Taylor and expect low-end, double digit Fantasy points.

Weather: Indoor game.

TEXANS (5-7) @ PACKERS (5-7)

The Packers gave up a late score and lost to the Panthers while the Texans mauled the Jaguars in Week 13.

Two weeks ago the Packers looked like the class of the NFC North but have now dropped two straight games and their season is on the line on a weekly basis from here on out. The Texans have given up 18 touchdowns through the air this season and the Packers are hurting at the running back position. Expect bombs away all day from QB Aaron Rodgers consider him as a low-end QB1 in this one. WR Greg Jennings continues to be one of the top receivers in the NFL and is a must-start WR1 against the Texans. With the Packers throwing it all over the field you can expect decent WR2 numbers from Donald Driver this weekend. RB Ryan Grant is dealing with a hand injury and will be wearing a splint if he plays at all. We would reserve Grant in all formats this weekend. TE Donald Lee has had a TD in two of his last three games and should be considered as high-end TE against the Texans.

The Texans enjoyed their finest moment of the season under the bright lights of MNF in front of their hometown fans in Week 13. Despite how poorly the Packers have played on defense the last couple of weeks, the Texans will come back down to earth when they travel to Green Bay this week. The Texans are 1-5 on the road and the lone win came against the lowly Cleveland Browns in Week 12. The Texans get a bit of a break weather wise as it will be cold but there is no snow in the forecast. Still, this is not a good team on the road, they face a desperate Packers team and they are coming off a short week. We would start RB Steve Slaton against the Packers 27th ranked run defense and hope the Texans don’t have to abandon the run early. QB Sage Rosenfels should not be started in any format. WR Andre Johnson is a must-start WR1 every week but we suggest that you should temper your expectations here. TE Owen Daniels should rebound from a sub par Week 13 effort and is a good high-end TE2 against the Packers.

Stats Sleeper: With Grant dealing with his hand injury RB Brandon Jackson is a sneaky play as a high-end RB2 this weekend.

Weather: Clear and 24 degrees.

FALCONS (8-4) @ SAINTS (6-6)

The Falcons crushed the Chargers playoff hopes while the Saints lost on a late score to the Bucs in Week 13.

This will be the shootout game of the week with scoring coming early and often. The Saints playoffs hopes took a huge hit last weekend and, while they still have a faint hope, they are now playing a spoiler role more than anything else. The Falcons can still win the NFC South and are right in the thick of the wildcard chase. The Falcons rank 23rd against the pass and now face the leagues top rated passing QB in Drew Brees. The Saints receivers didn’t help Brees much in the rainy and windy conditions in Tampa and had at least eight dropped balls. Look for this entire squad to bounce back in Week 14. Brees, WR Lance Moore and WR Marques Colston should all be considered as must-starts in this game. The Saints RB situation is in a bit of a flux as RB Reggie Bush was rusty in his first game back and RB Pierre Thomas had just 12 touches in Week 13. With RB Deuce McAllister suspended, start Thomas as a high-end RB2 and Bush as a high-end #2 flex position player in Week 14. Don’t trust anyone from the TE spot in the Saints TE by committee format.

The Falcons continue to be the surprise team of the 2008 season and have been impressive with a balanced offensive attack on a weekly basis. Their mix of the run and pass keeps teams off balance and translates into good Fantasy points from QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner and WR Roddy White. Start all three of them this weekend and enjoy the results. Don’t let the decent Week 13 game from TE Justin Peelle fool you as he is nothing more than a blocking TE and probably caught his only TD of the season last week.

Stats Sleeper: He didn’t pan out last weekend but we are going back to WR Michael Jenkins this weekend as our sleeper candidate in this game. If you are desperate at the WR receiver position take a flier on Jenkins.

Weather: Indoor game.

BENGALS (1-10) @ COLTS (8-4)

The Colts narrowly escaped Cleveland with a win while the Ravens rolled the Bengals.

The Colts have run off five straight wins while the Bengals have scored just 26 points in their last three games that have all been loses.

No sense spending a lot of time here, as you know what you should do. The Colts will rebound in a huge way at home and any of Colt players listed below should be active here. Our order of preference is QB Peyton Manning, WR Reggie Wayne, RB Joseph Addai and TE Dallas Clark. Get them going and enjoy.

With Fantasy Playoff lives on the line it’s very difficult to recommend anyone from the Bengals. You may be tempted to start RB Cedric Benson here against a rather poor Colts run defense but you may want to consider his dismal 1.9 yards per carry average over his last three games before you do so. The Bengals may not get shutout here but anything more than 10 points would be a surprise. Sit your Bengals!!

Weather: Indoor Game

DOLPHINS (7-5) @ BILLS (6-6) (Rogers Center, Toronto Canada)

The Dolphins squeaked by the Rams while Bills lost to the 49ers in Week 13.

The Bills and Dolphins travel north of the border to Canada for a game that will end the Bills playoffs hopes if they lose and basically end both teams playoff hopes if they win. Given the scenario, this is a much more important game for the Dolphins.

The Bills loss last week was the first by a team that was facing a West coast team that traveled east to play in an early start game. On top of the embarrassing home field loss, the Bills also lost starting QB Trent Edwards with a hamstring injury in the first half. Edwards’s status for this week’s game is in question at the time of writing. The Dolphins rank eighth in QB sacks and an immobile Trent Edwards could be a sitting duck in this one if he plays. We suggest that you look elsewhere for your starting QB this weekend, as neither Edwards nor his backup QB J.P. Losman can be trusted. The Dolphins have been stout against the run this season and rank 11th with just eight touchdowns allowed. Without much of a passing attack the Bills will lean on RB Marshawn Lynch heavily in this one. The Dolphins won’t respect the Bills passing game and will crowd the line and try to bottle up the Bills running game. Rate Lynch as no more than a high-end RB2 in this game. With the Bills QB situation in question, their receiving core should not be trusted in this game. If you have to start a Bills receiver, Lee Evans will have a modest game as a WR2. The Bills TE’s don’t offer anything positive when it comes to Fantasy Football.

The Dolphins are a close second to the Falcons when it comes to surprise teams in 2008. You should however take their success with a grain of salt. Their last three wins have come against teams that have a total of seven wins on the season and none of those wins have been by more than four points. The Bills are a middle of the road team on both run and pass defense and we expect this to be a low scoring game. Take your chances and start RB Ronnie Brown but we suggest that you should reserve the rest of the Dolphins.

Stats Sleeper: WR Ted Ginn Jr. had his most productive game of the year back in Week 8 against the Bills. Consider him as a mid-range WR2 if you are desperate at the WR position.

Weather: Indoor Game.

PATRIOTS (7-4) @ SEAHAWKS (2-10)

The Steelers destroyed the Patriots while the Cowboys in Week 13 dismantled the Seahawks.

The Patriots look to rebound from a humbling Week 13 loss in what is now a must-win situation for them. This is the first of two, back-to-back, West coast games, as they will travel to Oakland in Week 15. The Steelers mauled QB Matt Cassel in Week 13 forcing him to throw 2 INT’s and give up two fumbles on sacks. Cassel didn’t get much support in this game as the Patriots, particularly WR Randy Moss, dropped a lot of passes. A trip to Seattle could be just what the doctor ordered though as the Seahawks are ranked last in pass defense. Look for both Cassel and Moss to rebound in this game and start them as low-end #1’s at their position. Check on the health status of WR Wes Welker who had his bell rung late in the game against the Steelers. If he starts consider him as a high-end WR2 in this game. The Patriots running game continues to be a guessing game. With Sammy Morris back and healthy, their backfield is very crowded. If you are desperate consider Morris and RB Kevin Faulk as high-end #2s at the flex position. RB Benjavus Green-Ellis has slipped back to a #3 role in the Patriots offense and can no longer be trusted in your lineup. As always, don’t trust any TE from New England.

The Patriots will be steaming mad for this one and will take their frustrations out on a struggling Seahawks team. You should not be starting anyone from Seattle at this point in the season.

Weather: Light rain and 47 degrees

CHIEFS (2-10) @ BRONCOS (7-5)

The Chiefs hung on to beat the Raiders while the Broncos crushed the Jets in Week 13.

One week the Broncos get blown out by the Raiders at home and the next week they travel across the country and blow out the Jets…. go figure! They are consistently inconsistent if nothing else. Denver will have revenge on their minds in this one as one of their more embarrassing loses came at the hands of the Chiefs back in Week 4. This is a bitter rivalry game pitting bad defenses against good offenses and should be high scoring as well as very entertaining. The Broncos can lock up the weak AFC East with a win and a Chargers loss and you know they would like to get it done sooner rather than later. The Chiefs rank 25th against the pass and 31st against the run. The Broncos have turned rookie FB Peyton Hillis into a tailback and he was able to gash the stout Jets run defense for 129 and a TD last week. Expect more of the same here and Hillis should be started as a low-end RB1 in this one. QB Jay Culter rebounded from a very poor Week 12 performance but his up and down season continues. This game should be a shootout so consider Culter as a low-end QB1 this weekend. WR Brandon Marshall has been a disappointment for Fantasy owners in most games this season but we expect a huge effort from him against the Chiefs. Start him as low-end WR1 and enjoy the results. WR Eddie Royal is hit or miss weekly and should not be trusted as anything more than a low-end WR2 in this one. TE Tony Scheffler appears to be back to nearly 100% healthy and is a solid low-end TE2 in this match up.
The Chiefs season is all but over but you can be sure they would love nothing more than to pound on the Broncos one more time. RB Larry Johnson has been a model citizen for the Chiefs since returning from his suspensions and loves to run it up on the Broncos. In his last four games against them, LJ has averaged 155.5 rushing yards including 198 yards and 2 TD’s in Week 4. He’s not the Fantasy stud he once was but the Broncos are a lowly 28th against the run and LJ should be started as a low-end RB1 in all formats. With nothing to lose we expect the Chiefs will also air it out in this one. QB Tyler Thigpen will rebound from his sub par Week 13 performance and should be considered as a high-end QB2 against the Broncos improving, but still inept, pass defense. WR Dwayne Bowes had his least productive game of the year last week and should rebound in this high scoring affair. Start Bowe as a low-end WR1. TE Tony Gonzalez continues to play at an All Pro level and is a must-start TE1 on a weekly basis.

Weather: Mostly sunny and 56 degrees.

RAMS (2-10) @ CARDINALS (7-5)

The Rams played tough but lost to the Dolphins while the Eagles in Week 13 embarrassed the Cardinals.

The Cardinals have had ten days to sit and stew over their trashing at the hands of the Eagles last week and can lock up the weak NFC West with a win here and a loss by the 49ers against the Jets. We expect that both of those scenarios will happen this weekend. The Cardinals play at a different level at home and the Rams are a very bad football team. This game will be a blowout so you want to start QB Kurt Warner, and his twin towers, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. We expect that all three players will score a minimum of 20 Fantasy points each.

We don’t expect the Rams to put up much resistance in this game even though it’s a divisional clash. In Week 9 the Cards rolled into St. Louis and ran up the score on their way to a 34-13 win. RB Steven Jackson was not 100% healthy in that game and was held to just 17 yards on seven carries. Jackson looked impressive in his first game back last week and should enjoy success early on against the Cardinals who were gashed by RB Brian Westbrook last week. Consider Jackson as the lone Rams player you can trust and start him as a high-end RB2 in this one. Sit the rest of your Rams!

Stats Sleeper: The Cardinals have not had any semblance of a ground game for weeks now. That being said, once this game gets out of hand, expect the Cardinals to run the ball at the Rams 30th ranked run defense to finish them off. Consider RB Tim Hightower as a high-end RB2 deserving of a start in this one.

Weather: Partly cloudy and 72 degrees.

COWBOYS (8-4) @ STEELERS (9-3)

The Cowboys crushed the Seahawks while the Steelers steamrolled the Patriots in Week 13.

The Steelers have a stud defense while the Cowboys have a stud offense so something has got to give in this game. Both of these teams are riding a three game wining streak and have been playing their best football of the season. They both need a win here as the Steelers look to protect their division lead over the Ravens while the Cowboys try to keep their wildcard hopes alive. It doesn’t get much bigger than this when it comes to a regular season game. The Cowboys limp into this game with two of their top players hobbled by injury. The NFL’s sack leader DeMarcus Ware and RB Marion Barber III are both questionable starters. QB Tony Romo has been lights out in his last two starts with 672 pass yards and six touchdowns. It gets a lot tougher for him this weekend though as he faces the Steelers top ranked pass defense. You can’t sit Romo but you need to temper your expectations of him in this one. The MIR on Barbers dislocated toe showed there is no significant damage but he has not practiced at all this week. Even if he was 100% healthy this is a tough spot for him against the Steelers #1 ranked run defense. If you have other options, we suggest you sit Barber in this one. RB Tashard Choice would start if Barber can’t go and he to is a risky option as a starter. WR Terrell Owens has been on fire since the return of Romo and is a must-start WR1 even in this tough match up. Hopefully TO will put in a little more effort this week than he showed against the Seahawks last week. He usually does in big games and on the big stage. TE Jason Witten had his best game of the year last week and will be the safety valve when Romo feels the heat of the Steelers blitz. Like all the Cowboys, he has a tough match up here but remains a must-start TE1.

The Steelers are way better on defense than they are on offense but do catch a bit of a break with the injury to Ware in this one. QB Ben Roethlisberger has had three decent starts in a row but it’s been reported that he suffered a knee injury in practice on Wednesday. Take a look at this situation and even if it’s nothing serious don’t start Big Ben as anything more than a mid-range QB2 this weekend. The running back by committee situation in Pittsburgh has been very frustrating for Fantasy owners this season. Injuries to RB Willie Parker and the additional playing time of RB Greg Russell have clouded the situation even more. Russell has had goal line TD steals in the last two weeks. Trusting anyone from the Steelers backfield is a risky venture against the Cowboys 10th ranked rushing defense. Expect decent, though not spectacular, WR2 numbers from WR’s Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes in this game. TE Heath Miller has been active in his last two games and should be considered as a high-end TE2 against the Cowboys.

Stats Sleeper: We keep waiting for a bust out game from WR Roy Williams but it hasn’t happened yet. Expect the Steelers to roll most of their coverage to Owens in this game and that could open up some space for Williams. Treat Williams as a mid-range WR2 this weekend.

Weather: Snow and 24 degrees. Weather will be a huge factor in this game.

REDSKINS (7-5) @ RAVENS (8-4)

The Redskins were beat by the Giants while the Ravens destroyed the Bengals in Week 13.

This is a battle of teams headed in opposite directions as the Ravens have won three of their last four while the Redskins have dropped three of their last four. The Redskins didn’t have an answer for the Giants smothering defense last week and they have even less of a chance against the Ravens this weekend. As was the case last week, we suggest that you reserve everyone from the Redskins. With his injuries mounting and facing the Ravens #2 ranked run defense RB Clinton Portis can’t be trusted as your starting running back here. With the Ravens not having to respect the run, they will tee off on QB Jason Campbell and that makes him and his receivers very risky options. If you start any Redskins player, make it TE Chris Cooley but even then you need to temper your expectations.

The Ravens have found a solid offense to go with their punishing defense and it has paid huge dividends for them in recent weeks. The Redskins are still fairly good against the pass though so consider QB Joe Flacco as a high-end QB2 this weekend. The Redskins have the leagues #7 ranked run defense and the Ravens have been consistent in using a RB by committee approach. Those two factors make starting a Ravens RB back very risky in this one. If we were forced to start one of them we would side with RB LeRon McClain but this very cloudy situation should just be avoided altogether. WR’s Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton are both coming off a big Week 13 but face a much tougher match up here. Start Mason as low-end WR2 and consider Clayton as nothing more than a WR3. TE Todd Heap had good Week 13 for the Ravens after disappearing the last two weeks coming off his huge Week 10. Heap can’t be trusted as anything more then a mid-range TE2 on a weekly basis.

Weather: Clear and 41 degrees.

BUCCANEERS (9-3) @ PANTHERS (9-3)

The Bucs scored late to beat the Saints while Panthers did the same in beating the Packers in Week 13.

In a week of big games the MNF clash features the NFC South division leaders battling each other. The winner keeps the inside track to win the NFC South while the losers could find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time. The Bucs dominated the Panthers in their Week 6 game in Tampa winning 27-3. The scene shifts to Carolina for this one and, like the Bucs; the Panthers are a perfect 6-0 at home this season. One of the more bizarre stats this season is the fact that the four NFC South teams are 22-2 at home and just 10-14 on the road. See a trend here? Neither of these two teams sport much in the way of Fantasy appeal. The Bucs win with tough defense and a cast of average players on offense. The Panthers win with…wait…. what DO the Panthers win with? They are impossible to figure out from week to week but if they get to the goal line a one yard plunge from RB DeAngelo Williams is a given. After his 4 TD day (all from one yard out) against the Packers in Week 13, Williams is now in a four-way tie for the NFL lead in touchdowns scored with 13. The Bucs still hold the amazing stat of allowing just one rushing TD all season. Even with that stat and going up against the leagues 9th ranked rushing defense you need to start Williams as a low-end RB1 here. Temper your expectations but 75 yards and 1 TD would not be surprising. The Bucs are ranked 3rd against the pass and Panthers have become a run first team. Look at other options for your starting QB this weekend. The only option that you can trust from the Panthers at WR is Steve Smith but we expect modest WR2 type numbers from him in this one.

As for the Bucs, they are even more anemic on offense than the Panthers. QB Jeff Garcia manages games and puts up decent QB2 numbers weekly. Decent QB2 numbers don’t win Fantasy Championships though. RB Warrick Dunn had a disappointing game against the porous Saints run defense last week but had 115 rush yards in the Week 6 game against the Panthers. He is however losing touched to Cadillac Williams and cant be trusted as anything more than a mid-range RB2 this week. No one from the Bucs receiving core should rank higher than a low-end WR2 in what should be a low scoring, defensive battle on MNF.

That’s it for Week 14. We hope your week is point prosperous and injury free!

Enjoy The Games Everyone!

StatsGuru