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Post-Week 14 rankings

The Jets and Packers tied for this week’s biggest jump — each climbed four spots. The Jaguars took the biggest tumble, down four.

1. Colts (13-0)
2. Saints (13-0)
3. Vikings (11-2)
4. Chargers (9-4)
5. Eagles (9-4)
6. Packers (9-4)
7. Bengals (9-4)
8. Patriots (8-5)
9. Cowboys (8-5)
10. Cardinals (8-5)
11. Dolphins (7-6)
12. Broncos (8-5)
13. Ravens (7-6)
14. Giants (7-6)
15. Jets (7-6)
16. Titans (6-7)
17. Steelers (6-7)
18. Falcons (6-7)
19. 49ers (6-7)
20. Jaguars (7-6)
21. Texans (6-7)
22. Seahawks (5-8)
23. Panthers (5-8)
24. Bills (5-8)
25. Redskins (4-9)
26. Bears (5-8)
27. Raiders (4-9)
28. Chiefs (3-10)
29. Browns (2-11)
30. Lions (2-11)
31. Buccaneers (1-12)
32. Rams (1-12)

Week 14 redux

Just three games left until to 16-0 teams, but neither looked that impressive last Sunday. But the Colts and Saints won, nonetheless, despite Peyton Manning’s four interceptions and the ridiculous fake field goal the Saints tried.

It would be great to see two undefeated teams play in the Super Bowl — and the Colts and Saints clearly are the best two teams in the league (sorry, Vikings, you are a distant third), but I can’t shake the feeling that even if they both go 16-0, one will falter in the playoffs.

Some other quick insights (or lack thereof):

– The 3-D scoreboard experience at the new Cowboys stadium turned out to be a bust … just like the Cowboys in December have been for years now.

– After his record-setting 21-reception game, does anyone even remember what Brandon Marshall was so annoyed with at the beginning of the season? I’m sure we will at the beginning of next season …

– No matter how much Tom Brady and Bill Belichick defend him, I still think Randy Moss has checked out. Frankly, I’m surprised it took as long as it did.

– Finally, I have a hunch the Bengals are going to slide into the abyss. They’ll make the playoffs but won’t get beyond the first round. They looked horrible against the Vikings, and Chris Henry’s accident is just a bad omen that maybe things haven’t turned around in Cincinnati.

Week 14 Fantasy preview

For most leagues, Week 14 is either the first week of the playoffs or the last week before the playoffs. Either way, it’s a big week, so choose your lineups wisely.

SMART STARTS
Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: Despite key injuries on offense, McNabb and the Eagles haven’t missed a beat. They are so deep at WR, and they are motivated after pulling into a tie with the Cowboys in the NFC East. Those same Cowboys, despite losing, passed at will against the Giants last week, and McNabb should as well.

Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: Green Bay’s passing game has ramped up over the past few weeks, somewhat leaving Grant behind. But the Bears won’t stop either Sunday (remember last week, when they gave up a 100-yard game to Steven Jackson, bad back and all). Expect a 100-yard game and a TD from Grant.

Roddy White WR, Falcons: He is a must-start anyway, but don’t be deceived by the fact Matt Ryan is still sidelined — White will still put up decent numbers, particularly against a Saints secondary that let Devin Thomas look like Jerry Rice last week.

THE SLEEPERS
Chris Brown, RB, Texans: With Steve Slaton on the IR, Houston turns to Ryan Moats and Chris Brown to carry the running load. Moats got more carries last week; I see Brown getting more this week, and at least getting the ball again near the end zone.

Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens: Flacco stunk against the Packers last week, but there’s no better cure for stinking than a home game against the Lions. Expect him to rebound.

Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers: Jackson’s production has dropped off the past few weeks, which may tempt fantasy owners to sit him at this crucial time of the season. I think that this will be the week he returns to fantasy form, topping 100 yards and eight receptions against the Cowboys.

HAVE A SEAT
Brett Favre, QB, Vikings: If you have an equal option to Favre on your bench, consider holding off on the future Hall of Famer. Minnesota might run more against Cincinnati (especially after Adrian Peterson’s dreadful game last week), and Favre started throwing familiar interceptions that could turn into a trend.

Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals: I hate to automatically say that a running back against the Vikings is a bad play, but … I think Benson this week is a bad play against the Vikings. He carried the ball 36 times last week after coming off injury — durability might be an issue.

Jay Cutler, QB, Bears: The Packers are second in the league in interceptions snagged. Cutler is leading the league in interceptions thrown. Do the math.

Week 14 picks

Getting these selected just under the wire …

WEEK 14
Pittsburgh over CLEVELAND
New Orleans over ATLANTA
Green Bay over CHICAGO
JACKSONVILLE over Miami
BALTIMORE over Detroit
HOUSTON over Seattle
INDIANAPOLIS over Denver
KANSAS CITY over Buffalo
MINNESOTA over Cincinnati
NEW ENGLAND over Carolina
Washington over OAKLAND
TENNESSEE over St. Louis
DALLAS over San Diego
Philadelphia over N.Y. GIANTS
SAN FRANCISCO over Arizona
Last week: 10-6 Season: 139-53

Week 13 redux

If the Saints go 16-0 this season, they can thank Shaun Suisham.

Suisham, now the former Redskins kicker, missed a 23-yard field goal that would have just about put the Saints away Sunday. Instead, he missed it, the Saints tied the game and won it in overtime.

What must hurt for the Redskins: Before the missed FG, their offense did everything it needed to do to win the game, and their defense did everything it needed to do to win the game. You could argue that the Redskins needed to be more aggressive close to the end zone, but let’s not mince words — Suisham lost that game for Washington.

What must hurt more: The Saints got some lucky breaks in this game. At some point, their luck will run out; it just better not happen during the playoffs.

– The big fantasy controversy was from the Saints-Redskins game: How do you score Robert Meachem stripping an interception return and taking it for a TD. I’ve heard both arguments — that Meachem started the play on offense and should get the points, and that Meacham was effectively defending a return and thus the defense gets the points. And surely, there are fantasy owners out there who were hurt by whatever decision their league (or service — I heard Yahoo! and CBSsports.com were scoring the play differently) made. My opinion: Meachem ceased to be on defense when the Redskins returned the interception 20 yards, thus the defense gets the points. That said, what a play by Meachem — that kept the Saints in the game in the second half.

– If Kurt Warner can stay healthy, the Cardinals may challenge again in the NFC playoffs. And don’t overlook Arizona’s defense, which stopped the Vikings, especially Adrian Peterson.

– Pittsburgh’s Hines Ward has a hamstring injury. I wonder if Ben Roethlisberger is going to say he’s surprised Ward isn’t playing Thursday? Hines, introduce yourself to karma …

– Is Tom Brady’s confidence hurting after two consecutive losses — as well as that loss to the Colts? If it is, nobody is going to stop the Colts in the AFC.

– Finally, I’m revising my playoff predictions. AFC: Colts, Chargers, Bengals, Patriots, Broncos, Dolphins; NFC: Vikings, Cardinals, Cowboys, Saints, Eagles, Packers.

Post-Week 13 rankings

There is plenty of movement in this week’s rankings. The Giants and Dolphins make the biggest jumps, each up three, while the Patriots, Ravens and Steelers each take four-notch falls.

1. Colts (12-0)
2. Saints (12-0)
3. Vikings (10-2)
4. Bengals (9-3)
5. Chargers (9-3)
6. Cowboys (8-4)
7. Cardinals (8-4)
8. Eagles (8-4)
9. Patriots (7-5)
10. Packers (8-4)
11. Broncos (8-4)
12. Giants (7-5)
13. Dolphins (6-6)
14. Ravens (6-6)
15. Steelers (6-6)
16. Jaguars (7-5)
17. Falcons (6-6)
18. Titans (5-7)
19. Jets (6-6)
20. 49ers (5-7)
21. Texans (5-7)
22. Seahawks (5-7)
23. Panthers (5-7)
24. Bears (5-7)
25. Raiders (4-8)
26. Bills (4-8)
27. Redskins (3-9)
28. Chiefs (3-9)
29. Lions (2-10)
30. Buccaneers (1-11)
31. Rams (1-11)
32. Browns (1-11)

Week 13 fantasy preview

The fantasy playoffs are coming soon — these are weeks you need to win. Good luck.

SMART STARTS
Matt Forte, RB, Bears: First off, a salute to all Matt Forte owners for your patience in his trying fantasy season. This week, he draws the Rams and should deliver decent numbers. Looking to next season, it will be interesting if he’s chosen as before the third round in fantasy drafts (after being a top-four pick this season. But for now, he’s a must-start.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers: Pittsburgh is desperate for a victory, and Ben Roethlisberger will be back on the field after missing a week with a concussion. I’m thinking Big Ben won’t pass as much as in past games, opening the door for Mendenhall to top 100 yards on the ground and score at least one touchdown.

Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: The Rams are awful, but Jackson quietly and consistently has put up RB1 numbers all season. He’ll continue to excel against the Bears, topping 100 yards and maybe scoring twice.

NAP TIME
Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals: Palmer has been mostly quiet the last few games, but expect him to break out against the visiting Lions for at least 250 yards and 2-3 touchdowns.

Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots: Maroney has established himself as the Pats’ top running back over the past few games by scoring touchdowns. He’s also fumbling, which is concerning, but expect him to at least reach the end zone again vs. the Dolphins.

Josh Freeman, QB, Buccaneers: If you need a one-week quarterback, consider Freeman, who has shown some poise since taking over as the Bucs’ starter. He plays at Carolina this week, and I doubt Tampa Bay will run much.

NO NEED
Chad Henne, QB, Dolphins: Miami plays the Patriots, who were torched by Drew Brees last week. Henne is no Brees, and the Dolphins won’t pass enough to warrant starting him.

Santana Moss, WR, Redskins: Moss scored his first touchdown of the season last week, but don’t expect another this week against the Saints.

Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals: It’s almost a weekly reminder — don’t start running backs against the Minnesota defense. The Cardinals will pass more against the Vikings, leaving Wells the odd man out in their offense.

Week 13 picks

Cruising along …

WEEK 13
N.Y. Jets over BUFFALO
ATLANTA over Philadelphia
CAROLINA over Tampa Bay
CHICAGO over St. Louis
CINCINNATI over Detroit
INDIANAPOLIS over Tennessee
JACKSONVILLE over Houston
Denver over KANSAS CITY
PITTSBURGH over Oakland
New Orleans over WASHINGTON
SAN DIEGO over Cleveland
Minnesota over ARIZONA
Dallas over N.Y. GIANTS
San Francisco over SEATTLE
New England over MIAMI
GREEN BAY over Baltimore
Last week: 13-3 Season: 129-47

Week 12 redux

After watching Drew Brees dismantle the Patriots on Monday night, are the Saints the best team in the NFL?

Granted, the Colts — Peyton Manning specifically (of course) — have shown poise in rallying the past five games, but at some point, you have to think their luck will run out, and historically, that has happened in the playoffs. The Patriots have shown they couldn’t keep up; I still don’t think the Vikings are quite as good as their 10-1 record, and the jury is still out on the surging Chargers.

Consider this: The Saints beat the Patriots with defense. Yes, Brees and the offense were outstanding, but many expected this game to not be a blowout. I would love to see them play in the Colts in the Super Bowl — that would be a quarterback duel, for sure.

– After more concussions this week, Roger Goodell needs to implement the rumored policy that if you suffer a concussion, you sit the next game. Ben Roethlisberger said he felt fine but was held out, but he’s sending the wrong message on an injury you can’t visibly see. Goodell has a responsibility to the players, and the players’ families, to ensure their well-being — not just now, but in their 40s and 50s when they need to function outside the NFL. If players complain about sitting, Goodell needs to say “too f—ing bad.” At least Kurt Warner had the intelligence to not push it after his concussion.

– Still waiting for Brett Favre to fall apart. Starting to think it might not happen. And if it doesn’t, wow.

– Vince Young and Alex Smith are redeeming themselves as NFL quarterbacks. Young is simply too talented and Smith too smart not to do well. Granted, that’s been said for other QBs who blew their second chances, but Young and Smith’s second chances are occurring in the perfect situation — Young because he felt no pressure after the Titans’ 0-6 start, and Smith because he has a coach who is believing in him, finally.

– With five weeks left, here are my predictions for the 12 playoff teams: Colts, Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Broncos, Steelers, Saints, Vikings, Cowboys, Packers, Cardinals, 49ers

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