White Meat Plays (guys I like)

1. Aaron Rodgers, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Ryan Grant @ Detroit – Hell, I would probably also throw Jermichael Finley into this bunch…I think GB comes out and stomps Detroit.  I know Detroit plays tough on Turkey Day, because it is their birth right to host a game every year, but not this year my friends.  GB wins and wins big!!!
2. Marion Barber vs Oakland – Shocker, I am picking a RB to light up Oakland, but until they can stop anyone on the ground, I will keep picking against them.  The Oakland D is 30th against the run and they have allowed a league high 16 rushing TDs.  Surprisingly, they are not so bad against the pass, so I expect Barber to gain > 100yds on the ground and likely 2 TDs.
3. Brett Favre vs Bears - There is really no explanation needed.  The Beloved are hurting and Favre’s colors have changed, but the song remains the same.  Oh, and he has a pretty good running game to support a lot of play action over the top of our vaunted Tampa Two defense.
4. Whichever Cincy RB starts vs Cleveland - Whether it is Cedric Benson or Bernard Scott starting for Cincy, they should be starting for you.  They will light up Cleveland!!!

Dark Meat Plays (guys I don’t like)  (more…)

Guys I Like this Week

1. Beanie Wells @ St. Louis – I have never been a huge fan of Beanie, dating back to his days at THE Ohio State University, but he is quickly taking over the load in the AZ and when AZ is up 3 TDs at the end of the 1st Q, I expect them to sit on it and run Beanie for what he’s worth to see if they can rely on him in the playoffs.
2. Bernard Scott @ Oakland – Surprisingly, Scott is still available in some leagues.  Maybe people thought Ced Benson would man up and play, but it looks likely that he won’t and if he doesn’t, Scott is the next in line.  This is a juicy match-up and I like Scott to run all day.  Hell, even Jamal Charles put 100 yds on the Raiders and the Cincy O-line is WAAAAYYY better than the Chiefs O-line.
3. LaDanian Tomlinson @ Denver - I think LT is making one last push to show he isn’t washed up just yet.  Perhaps the fact that his significant other recently told him, she is expecting his child has added some extra mojo for him.  Whatever it is, the Denver D has begun to break down and LT is starting to peak.
4. Matt Hasselbeck @ Minnesota - I know this might seem like a reach, but Hasselbeck has thrown for over 300 yds in his last 2 games and Minnesota’s D ranks 23rd against the pass.  I expect the ViQueens to beat the Hawks up pretty soundly, but I would also expect Hasselbeck to chuck it up close to 50 times.

Guys I Don’t Like this Week

1. Jay Cutler vs Philadelphia – Perhaps this will be the kick in the pants JC needs, but he is starting to really make me angry and you won’t like me when I’m angry!!!  Further, 11 of JC’s league leading INTs have come under the lights of prime time and JC is 4-9 in his career under the bright lights.  And here I thought Jim McMahon was the Bears QB who stuck a fork in his eye and couldn’t stand the bright lights???
2. Frank Gore @ GB – Hard to sit Gore and you prbably can’t, but the GB defense has looked decent against the run as of late and they completely dismantled the Cowboys running game (and team in general) last week.  Expect Gore to struggle in Lambeau.
3. Randy Moss vs NY Jets - Another player that is hard to ever bench, but Moss has 72 yds receiving in his last 3 games against the Jets…that is 72 yds in 3 GAMES.  Apparently he doesn’t like facing Darelle Revis and this week might not be any different, so beware an un-Mosslike performance this week.
4. Brandon Marshall vs San Diego - B-Marsh will probably suffer the most if Ole Neckbeard doesn’t play this week and it is looking more and more like he won’t so look another way if you have a viable WR option on your bench.  Could be tough sledding for B-Marsh until Orton returns.

Other Nuggets

With only 3 weeks until most of your fantasy playoffs, this is not the time to make bold moves with your lineups if you are a bubble team.  You have to use your head and maximize your points.  It always pains me to leave points on my bench and I would rather lose knowing I played the best lineup possible as opposed to knowing I sat a stud, because I “had a feeling.”  Use your brains, not your heart or gut as you come down the stretch.  And if you can make a trade for the 2 best guys off of someone’s roster who’s playoff future might not be so bright…well, that never hurts either…

GOOD LUCK THIS WEEK!!!

Can I get an “Amen?”

The DeCon has spoken…so let it be written, so let it be done…

I’ll hear your fantasy football confessions at beargoggles.decon@gmail.com.