Time again to shore up rosters as fantasy football playoffs near
By Jerry Faull
Seattle Times staff
It's December, and that means the fantasy-football playoffs are getting near. Here's a game-by-game forecast to get you ready for Week 13.
Buffalo at Miami: Bills RB Willis McGahee should bust loose against a struggling Dolphins run defense. The Bills aren't too good against the run either, but it's tough to recommend Miami RBs Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown since 15 carries is about the most you can expect each to get.
Minnesota at Detroit: We all know the Lions will struggle against a hot Vikings defense, making WR Roy Williams and TE Marcus Pollard the only start-worthy guys. Minnesota RB Mewelde Moore will continue to be the featured back.
Dallas at N.Y. Giants: Good scoring defenses will keep this game, which will determine the leader of the NFC East, in the high teens to low 20s. I give must-start status to only RB Tiki Barber , WR Plaxico Burress and TE Jeremy Shockey of the Giants and Cowboys TE Jason Witten .
Green Bay at Chicago: Avoid all Packers, even QB Brett Favre , and start Bears RB Thomas Jones , who should get 25-plus touches again.
Houston at Baltimore: Expect 100 yards from Ravens RB Jamal Lewis , who broke the century mark for the first time last week. Texans RB Domanick Davis and WR Andre Johnson should come back to Earth after burning the Rams last week.
Tennessee at Indianapolis: It would be a shock if the Colts don't get into the 40s, so all the regulars are must-starts. Titans RB Chris Brown is unlikely to get a lot of chances while Tennessee tries to erase a big, early deficit.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh: Although a tough matchup, you have to play your Bengals. As for the Steelers, their running-back-by-committee approach is horrible for fantasy, so WR Hines Ward and TE Heath Miller are your only options.
Atlanta at Carolina: Could be a big day for Falcons QB Michael Vick and TE Alge Crumpler as Atlanta takes to the air more than usual against the Panthers' strong run defense. Although the Falcons struggle against the run, I don't recommend Panthers RBs Stephen Davis or DeShaun Foster because of uncertainty about how they'll be used.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans: Buccaneers RB Carnell Williams ran tough against the Bears, and things get a lot easier this week. Saints WR Dontι Stallworth will not extend his TD streak to four games.
advertising
Click to learn more...
Jacksonville at Cleveland: Not much to like here other than Browns RB Reuben Droughns .
Washington at St. Louis: Expect Redskins QB Mark Brunell, WR Santana Moss and RB Clinton Portis to get it rolling.
Arizona at San Francisco: Cardinals QB Kurt Warner should continue his hot streak against the 49ers, who have the worst pass defense in the league.
Denver at Kansas City: The Broncos are No. 1 against the run, but now is no time to abandon Chiefs RB Larry Johnson .
N.Y. Jets at New England: Expect a big day from Patriots QB Tom Brady after his four-interception effort last week.
Oakland at San Diego: A difficult day likely in store for Raiders RB Lamont Jordan , but his pass-catching ability makes him hard to bench. Chargers offense will continue to put up big numbers.
Seattle at Philadelphia: Seahawks trio of RB Shaun Alexander , QB Matt Hasselbeck and WR Joe Jurevicius will take advantage of chance to shine on "Monday Night Football." Don't be surprised if Eagles RB Brian Westbrook has 200 total yards.