Message-ID: <31057084.1075854675011.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2000 21:07:00 -0800 (PST) From: bryant@cheatsheets.net To: cheatsheets@egroups.com Subject: [cheatsheets] #131 Week 12 Passing Game Matchups Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ANSI_X3.4-1968 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-From: "Joe Bryant" X-To: "Cheatsheets Mailing List" X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Eric_Bass_Dec2000\Notes Folders\Notes inbox X-Origin: Bass-E X-FileName: ebass.nsf Hi Folks, Breaking this into 2 parts tonight so it's not such a huge email.? I'll ha= ve=20 the Passing Game Matchups in this one and the Rushing Game Matchups will= =20 follow.? Good luck this week! Joe ? Matchups to Avoid and Exploit.?=20 Passing Game Matchups.?? Here's how I see the matchups this week.? Please= =20 note, see the cheatsheet online http://www.cheatsheets.net/week12sheet.htm= ?=20 for exactly where I rank playersand to determine who to start.? Just=20 because one matchup may be more favorable than another, that doesn't=20 necessarily mean I'd start the player with the best matchup.? The matchup= =20 info is meant to be just one more tool in your box when it comes to decidi= ng=20 between players.??=20 Note:? I=01,ve used the player stats sorted by performance over the last f= our=20 weeks extensively in developing these write-ups. Stats are provided by Mik= e=20 Hall=01,s excellent FLM League Management Software.? http://www.fflm.com/ f= or=20 more info.? The Fantasy Points Allowed by Position numbers are from=20 ESPN.com.?=20 ? Here we go: Locks:? These games heavily favor the Offense =20 New Orleans Passing Game vs Raider Defense?? Gut check time for the Sain= ts=20 as they deal with life after Ricky.? Most folks know I=01,m big on synergy= =20 which is just one of those $10 words for depending on your teammates.?=20 Everyone knows that RBs need a decent passing game to be effective on the= =20 ground.? I=01,m beginning to think however that the effect isn=01,t quite = as=20 pronounced in reverse.? In other words, I don=01,t believe losing Ricky=20 Williams will hurt QBJeff Blakeas much as losing Jeff Blake would have hu= rt=20 Ricky Williams.? With RBs Chad Morton andJerald Moorein the backfield, = I=20 look for Blake to air it out against a suspect Raider pass defense.?=20 Basically like Donovan McNabb is doing in Philadelphia.? Over the last 4 = =20 weeks, Oakland ranks # 30 in passing yards allowed per game.? For the year,= =20 they rank # 23 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.? WR Joe=20 Hornis by far the favored target while Keith Pooleand Willie Jacksonmay= =20 grab a few.? TE Andrew Gloveris worth a shot if you=01,re in a bind but = he=01,s=20 been very inconsistent. Atlanta Passing Game vs 49er Defense?? The 49er defense squashed Elvis =20 Grbac owners last week but I=01,m not quite ready to appoint them QB Killer= s.?=20 They=01,ve been awful for the year up until then.? Over the last four week= s, =20 they rank # 29 in passing yards allowed per game.? And they rank # 31 for t= he=20 year in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.? QB Chris Chandleris= =20 back among us now and the cobwebs seem to be cleared.? WR Terrance=20 Mathisis by far the best receiving choice although it=01,s worth noting th= at =20 Shawn Jeffersonhad a great game against this 49er team back in week 1=20 (doesn=01,t that seem like a long time ago?)? TE Reggie Kellycould be wor= th a =20 long shot as the 49ers rank # 22 in Fantasy Points allowed to opposing TEs = =20 although Kelly has done very little of late. Minnesota Passing Game vs Panther Defense??? I=01,m running out of adject= ives=20 to describe the stellar play of QB Daunte Culpepper.? And I think he=01,ll= keep=20 it rolling this week against a Carolina team that ranks # 26 in passing=20 yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? Culpepper creates some= =20 matchup? problems I don=01,t think the Panthers can solve.? Of course, he= =01,ll=20 be throwing to the best WR tandem in the game and that never hurts.? Both = =20 Randy Moss and Cris Carterare sure starters in any league.? Both have a= =20 great chance every week of exploding.? I=01,d even consider # 3 WR Matthe= w =20 Hatchetteif you=01,re in the gambling mood in a very large league.? The T= Es=20 aren=01,t much of a factor here and when they are, the receptions are spre= ad=20 around. Washington Passing Game vs Ram Defense?? Jeff Georgegets another start i= n=20 place of the injured Brad Johnson after a less than earth shaking =20 performance in week 10 vs Arizona (276 yards, 0 TD, 2 interceptions).?=20 Fortunately, he gets to face a St. Louis pass defense that=01,s still givi= ng up=20 lots of yards even with Bud Carson helping out.? They rank # 23 in passing= =20 yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? And for the year, they ra= nk=20 # 29 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.? As much as the Redski= ns=20 would like to control the game with RBStephen Davis, you just have to =20 think they=01,ll be forced to throw in order to keep pace with the Rams.? A= bye=20 week should help things.? WR Albert Connellhas been the source of great= =20 frustration for many Fantasy GMs but this should be a good week for him.? = =20 James Thrashis covering the # 2 WR job and he might be a good roll of the= =20 dice as well.? TE Stephen Alexanderdoesn=01,t seem to produce the numbers= you=01, d think he would in this offense, partly because FB Larry Centerscatches = so=20 many short passes that might have gone to the TE.?=20 Carolina Passing Game vs Viking Defense?? I=01,m looking for a uptick from= QB =20 Steve Beuerleinin this one.? Call it a hunch as he does have some negative= s=20 going his way with injuries to his supporting cast.? RB? Tshimanga =20 Biakabutukais iffy, FB? William Floydis out and center Frank Garcia=20 (abrasion to his eye) and offensive lineman Matt Campbell (thigh contusion= )=20 also were injured during the New Orleans loss.? Coach George Seifert is=20 hopeful both can go Sunday.? On the plus side, he=01,s got two physical W= Rs in=20 Donald Hayes and Muhsin Muhammad that could give the vulnerable Viking CBs= =20 trouble.? He should have more time to throw this week against a Viking=20 defense that=01,s only recorded 7 sacks in the last 4 games.? For the year= ,=20 Minnesota ranks # 26 in passing yards allowed per game.? The TE situatio= n=20 is still shaking itself out as Kris Mangum looks to be healthy.? Only thin= g=20 for certain is no one has really stepped in to fill the Wesley Walls void= . ? ? Prime Matchups:? These games favor the Offense? Green Bay Passing Game vs Colts Defense?? First off, this assumes Brett = =20 Favrecan get healthy.? If he can, I like the matchup against a Colt team= =20 that seems to play just good enough to win.? For the year, they rank # 28 i= n=20 passing yards allowed per game.? It should be noted, they=01,ve played be= tter=20 lately though ranking # 19 in passing yards allowed per game over the last= =20 four weeks.? Indy seems to jump out early and? force the other team to pl= ay=20 catch-up (which they often come close to doing)? Favre=01,s struggled with= his =20 RBs, his WRs and his own health but this could be a game he surprises.? He= =01,s=20 kind of a =01&storybook=018 guy and this would be a great chapter in the b= ook.? =20 We=01,ll see.? RB Ahman Greengets the start but he must get his fumbling = under=20 control.? WR Antonio Freemanis a likely starter in your league although so= rt=20 of like Favre, he hasn=01,t produced like many thought he would.? Bill = =20 Schroedercovers the #2 WR and he often sees more passes thrown his way than= =20 does Freeman.? Bubba Franksis coming on at TE and could be a nice play. Buffalo Passing Game vs Chief Defense?? Most folks know I=01,m not a big = Rob =20 Johnsonfan but he=01,s got a good matchup this week against a KC defense th= at=01,s=20 been awful defending the pass.? Over the last four weeks, they rank # 29 = in=20 passing yards allowed per game.? For the year, they rank # 21 in Fantasy = =20 Points allowed to the opposing QB although there=01,s a chance DE Eric Hick= s=20 will be back this week after missing time with a bad knee and that will he= lp=20 the pass rush (he didn=01,t practice Wednesday though)?? Johnson will be= =20 throwing to one of the game's best WRs in Eric Moulds.? Not only is Mould= s=20 ultra talented, but he draws by far the most targets on his team.? Sharing= =20 is great for kids but you like for your Fantasy WRs to be ball hogs.? =20 Peerless Priceand Jeremy McDanielpick up the scraps.? RB Sammy Morrisis= =20 hobbled so watch that as he=01,s a solid receiver as well.? TE Jay Reimers= mahas=20 been a real disappointment lately although the Chiefs are awful against TEs= =20 where they rank just # 29 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing TE. =20 Miami Passing Game vs Jets Defense?? I don=01,t know if this will be anot= her=20 shootout like they had in their matchup earlier this season but the =20 potential for the Dolphins to score some points is definitely there.? The= =20 Jets rank # 25 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.= ??=20 QB Jay Fiedlershould have plenty of options available as the Dolphins are= =20 finally getting WRs healthy.? Leslie Shepherdand Oronde Gadsdenhave bee= n=20 playing well but Tony Martinand OJ McDuffieare now in the mix.? He=01,s= =20 probably the least physical of the bunch but I=01,ve got a pretty good fee= ling=20 for Shepherd here even though he may not start with Martin healthy.? The= =20 smashing success of Lamar Smith is carrying this offense so don=01,t look = for=20 too much through the air for Miami.? =20 Tampa Bay Passing Game vs Bear Defense?? QB Shaun Kinglooks to continue t= he=20 roll against a Bear team that doesn=01,t know which way it=01,s headed.? T= he Bears=20 are decent defending the pass ranking # 18 in passing yards allowed per ga= me=20 over the last four weeks but for the year, they rank # 30 in Fantasy Point= s=20 allowed to the opposing QB.? King=01,s playing with confidence and will l= ikely=20 keep focusing on getting the ball to # 19, Keyshawn Johnson.? (something = I=20 learned from Sporting News=01, Dan Pompei this week about Johnson=01,s num= ber:? As=20 you probably know, Receivers have to wear numbers in the 80=01,s.? As a Je= t =20 rookie, all the 80=01,s were taken so they allowed him to have # 19.? It wa= s=20 such a hit with the fans and NFL Properties (cha-ching) that even when a= =20 number in the 80=01,s came available, the league granted Johnson an except= ion=20 to keep # 19. It is a cool number for a WR, I'll admit)? This week, Johnso= n =20 should continue to have success against a suspect Bear Secondary.? Jacquez = =20 Greenhas really dropped off with King=01,s new found attraction for Keyshaw= n=20 (wasn=01,t going near =01&Johnson=018 in that sentence) RB Warrick Dunnis= a nice=20 threat catching the ball and TE Dave Mooreis a steady performer. Philadelphia Passing Game vs Cardinal Defense?? Arizona=01,s offense is in= =20 shambles with injuries all around.? The trouble is these guys weren=01,t = very=20 good to start with, now they=01,re hurt too.? What this means is that the = =20 Eagles could see lots of offensive action this week if the Cardinals can=01= ,t=20 do anything when they have the ball.? Arizona ranks # 17 over the last fo= ur=20 weeks in passing yards allowed per game.? But that number will probably = =20 worsen if QB Donovan McNabbkeeps throwing the ball 55 times a game as he d= id=20 Sunday.? Philadelphia may be struggling to find a running game but they=01= ,re=20 making up for it through the air.? Aeneas Williams is a tough cornerback b= ut=20 he can=01,t cover everyone.? Torrance Smalland Charles Johnsonshould see= =20 plenty of action.? RB Stanley Pritchettcatches the ball very well and I= =20 keep thinking TE Chad Lewiswill break out of his slump.? =20 Indianapolis Passing Game vs Packer Defense?? Green Bay=01,s been pretty t= ough=20 of late ranking # 11 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four= =20 weeks but for the year, they come in at # 25 in Fantasy Points allowed to= =20 the opposing QB.? Peyton Manning=01,snot a guy who=01,ll go wild for you = in the=20 stat column but I like this matchup.? The Packers have a couple of=20 defensive players either hobbled or out and Manning should have time to =20 throw.? That=01,s dangerous.? WRMarvin Harrisondraws the majority of passe= s=20 from Manning and that=01,s just the way we like it.? Jerome Pathonseems t= o=20 have taken the # 2 job away from Terrence Wilkins.? Both Marcus Pollardan= d=20 Ken Dilgerare solid TEs and I=01,d feel ok starting either in leagues that= =20 required one.? Of course, RB Edgerrin Jamesis a huge asset catching the ba= ll=20 out of the backfield. ?? Even Matchups:? These games feature no real advantage either way New England Passing Game vs Bengal Defense?? The Bengals are playing harde= r=20 for new coach Dick LeBeau but their pass defense and secondary is still=20 fairly porous.? Over the last four weeks, they rank # 27 in passing yards= =20 allowed per game.? Although for the year, they rank # 14 in Fantasy Points= =20 allowed to the opposing QB.? This week, the health of Drew Bledsoe=01,s ri= ght=20 thumb is on everyone=01,s mind.? He says he=01,ll play and is calling it = =01¬ an=20 issue=018.? We=01,ll see.? Troy Aikman hobbled onto the field last week a= nd lit=20 this Bengal team up.? If Bledsoe=01,s healthy, he could do even better.? T= erry=20 Glenn and Troy Brown are the prime guys with Glenn still the main target.= ?=20 He showed an upswing last week after a few worrisome games.? He just sign= ed=20 a nice contract so let=01,s see if he can start earning it.? TE Eric Bjor= nson=20 fell quickly.? He was starting a few weeks ago and now he=01,s unemployed.= ? Rod=20 Rutledge is the new TE and would be a great pickup if he=01,s available.? = He=20 caught 3 passes last week including a TD. Pittsburgh Passing Game vs Jaguar Defense?? It=01,s hard to get too excite= d=20 about Kordell Stewartthrowing the ball but this is a decent matchup for= =20 him.? Jacksonville ranks # 21 in passing yards allowed per game over the= =20 last four weeks. They rank # 27 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing= =20 QB.? Last week, they let Seattle roll up the yards and Jon Kitna is hardly= =20 Peyton Manning.? WRs Hines Ward andCourtney Hawkinsare the new starting W= R=20 tandem and it=01,ll be interesting to see if benching st round underachiev= er=20 Plaxico Burressmakes any difference.? Truthfully, you=01,re reaching if y= ou=01,re=20 digging down for these guys though.? RB Jerome Bettisis the only viable=20 starter on this offense unless you=01,re in a really big league. New York Jets Passing Game vs Dolphin Defense?? After the Indy loss last= =20 week, coach Al Groh was giving votes of confidence to Vinny Testeverde.?= =20 That=01,s usually not a good sign.? But remember, the last time these teams= =20 met, Vinny went wild with 378 yards passing and 5 TDs.? Miami recovered=20 nicely from that meltdown and has only allowed 9 TDs in the last 4 games.?= =20 The Dolphins boast two of the best corners in the game in Sam Madison and= =20 Patrick Surtain.? Madison can shut anyone down and Wayne Chrebetwill have= =20 his hands full (although he had a great game in the first matchup)? Dedri= c =20 Wardis the # 2 WR but I like the rookie Laveranues Colesto do some nice=20 things here.? Worth a shot maybe if you=01,re strapped for WRs.? Miami has= =20 enough faith in their?CBs that they often leave them on the island in man= =20 coverage which can lead to a big play.? TE Anthony Bechtis showing some= =20 nice flashes.? Like Green Bay=01,s Bubba Franks, it took a little while to= get=20 these big guys going. Kansas City Passing Game vs Bill Defense?? I=01,m guessing QB Elvis=20 Grbaccomes out of the chute firing.? The Chiefs desperately need this game= =20 and it=01,s clear to see that Grbac winging the football gives this team t= he=20 best chance of winning.? The Bills play a solid pass defense ranking # 13 = in=20 passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks and ranking # 10 i= n=20 Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB for the year.? TE Tony =20 Gonzalezremains the focal point of the offense although the Bills rank # 4 = in=20 the league in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing TE for the year.? WRs= =20 Derrick Alexanderand Sylvester Morrismake a solid tandem and RB Tony=20 Richardsondoes a nice job receiving out of the backfield although you never= =20 know what coach Gunther Cunningham will do with his RBs. San Diego Passing Game vs Bronco Defense?? Remember that the Bengals=20 spanked this Denver team so anything can happen.? This time of year, I ge= t=20 a fair amount of email from owners with great rosters?who have to decide= =20 between 2 QBs like Peyton Manning or Daunte Culpepper.? That=01,s great.? = Think=20 about poor Mike Riley=01*he=01,s got to decide between Jim Harbaughand Ry= an =20 Leaf=01(?? Harbaugh said he=01,s ready to go and is calling his injury a = =01&mild=018=20 hernia.? He was named the starter early in the week. But with Riley=01,s r= ock=20 solid management style, he=01,s now starting Leaf.? I=01,m not sure it re= ally=20 matters.? TE Freddie Jonesis the only viable starter on that team but he= =01,s=20 pretty darn good ranking # 2 in my TD / Performance league over the last= =20 three weeks.? Denver ranks just # 27 in in Fantasy Points allowed to the= =20 opposing TE for the year so he could do some damage here.? Both QBs will= =20 throw to him so it really doesn=01,t matter who gets the nod.? WRs Curti= s=20 Conwayand Jeff Grahamare too inconsistent to get excited about.? =20 Oakland Passing Game vs Saints Defense?? Both these teams took a beating = =20 last week with the Raiders losing a heartbreaker to Denver and the Saints= =20 losing their star RB Ricky Williamsto a broken ankle.? The Saints have = =20 actually been pretty weak on pass defense lately ranking # 24 in passing=20 yards allowed per game.? They are better for the year where they rank # 7= =20 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.? It=01,ll be interesting.? Q= B =20 Rich Gannon will be scrambling and improvising as usual.? WR Tim Brownis= =20 the primary target but James Jettand Andre Risonwill see some action as= =20 well.? He=01,s up and down but TE Ricky Dudleymight have a chance as New= =20 Orleans ranks # 18 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing TE for the=20 year.? RB Tyrone Wheatleyis looking very questionable for this week with= =20 two sprained ankles which will probably force Gannon to throw more. St. Louis Passing Game vs Redskin Defense??? We see it every year it seem= s=20 yet so many teams fail to heed the wisdom of acquiring a solid backup QB.?= =20 Both real NFL teams and Fantasy teams need one to be successful.? Kurt=20 Warner is getting antsy on the sidelines so you know QB Trent Greenwants = to=20 shine for another game or two before turning the keys to the car back over= .?=20 Make no mistake, Green wants to win for the Rams but he knows he=01,s play= ing=20 for a contract.? Green will be a starter somewhere in 2001 and with every= =20 TD, his negotiating power is strengthened.? He should fare well even though= =20 Washington is a tough defense.? Partly due to the loss of RB Marshall=20 Faulkwhere Green will likely be forced to the air often (as if he needs a= =20 reason to pass=01()? Faulk made a bit of noise about returning for this g= ame=20 and he did practice some Thursday.? Even if he does play, it=01,s hard to = =20 envision him as a real factor. The trouble with St. Louis is picking the WR= s =20 that will score each week.? Isaac Bruceand Torry Holtare the two best=20 choices but Az-Zahir Hakimand Ricky Proehlare not bad options either.? An= d =20 just for good measure, TE Roland Williamshas been effective.?? Washington= =01,s=20 secondary featuring Deion Sanders, Champ Bailey and Darrell Green are a=20 superb unit but they=01,ll have their hands full with St. Louis. Baltimore Passing Game vs Cowboy Defense?? Dallas shut down the Bengal =20 passing game last week.? Now that=01,s something to be proud of=01(? This = week,=20 they=01,ll face a rejuvenated Baltimore passing game that=01,s flying high.= ? QB =20 Trent Dilferis doing a great 1999 Tony Banks impression as coach Brian=20 Billick breathes life into another troubled career.? His primary target i= s=20 TE Shannon Sharpeand I don=01,t think that will change for this week.? Dal= las=20 only ranks # 21 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing TE so he could= =20 blow up.? For opposing QBs, Dallas ranks # 13 in Fantasy Points allowed pe= r=20 game for the year.? WRs Qadry Ismailand Patrick Johnsonare decent plays a= s=20 well against a secondary that will be without Cheatsheets.net honorary=20 captain / enforcer George Teague who=01,s gone for the year. That will be = a=20 factor as Teague's a leader on the field.?Still though, as poor as the Cowb= oy=20 run defense has been, you=01,d have to think the Ravens will focus on runn= ing=20 the ball with Jamal Lewis. ? Downside Matchups:? These games favor the Defense Chicago Passing Game vs Buccaneer Defense?? Let=01,s put it this way:? T= ampa=20 Bay held the Packers to 205 yards passing last week.? Shane Matthews wil= l=20 start for the Bears.? I=01,ve seen Shane Matthews play and he=01,s no Bre= tt=20 Favre.? He=01,s not even a Matt Hasselbeck.? The Bears are in shambles lo= sing=20 another game?to Buffalo and losing another starting QB to injury.? Offensi= ve=20 Coordinator Gary Crowton is rumored to be headed to Brigham Young and many= =20 fans aren=01,t sad to see him talk about going.? In fact, some wish he=01= ,d stop=20 talking about and just go already=01(? This could get ugly for Matthews.?= =20 Although, it should be noted, the Bucs have a tougher reputation than thei= r=20 numbers would support.? Over the last four weeks, they rank just # 15 in= =20 passing yards allowed per game.? They rank # 11 in in Fantasy Points allow= ed=20 to the opposing QB for year.? Solid numbers but not quite as dominating a= s=20 Warren Sapp would have you believe.? Still though, I=01,d shy away from mos= t=20 all the Bears this week.? I=01,d maybe roll the dice on Marcus Robinsoni= f you=20 needed a WR but it=01,s sketchy at best.? In fact, Matthews seemed to loc= k in=20 on Eddie Kennisonlast week instead of Robinson when he was thrust into=20 action.? Whether this is a real tendency remains to be seen but I=01,d be= =20 hesitant to bank on any of these guys too heavily this week. Detroit Passing Game vs Giant Defense?? I have never liked Charlie Batch= .?=20 I think it stems from the fact he looks like Otis Sistrunk but bottom line= =20 is I=01,ve never been comfortable with the guy.? I=01,m getting less comfo= rtable =20 with each week it seems.? Sunday, Batch faces a tough Giants defense that= =20 has CB Jason Sehorn back.? They rank # 10 over the past four weeks in=20 passing yards allowed per game.? Sehorn and CB Dave Thomas are both big=20 players who give up very little physically to WRs Johnnie Morton andHerma= n =20 Moore.? Moore seems to be finally waking up.? He=01,ll likely face Thomas = who=01, s not nearly as good as Sehorn.? TE David Sloanhas a shot as the Giants= =20 rank # 26 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing TE for the year but ke= ep=20 an eye on him as he=01,s questionable (hamstring / back). New York Giant Passing Game vs Lion Defense?? Detroit may be struggling to= =20 throw the ball but they=01,re doing a pretty good job defending the pass.?= They=20 rank # 8 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks.? I= =20 like QB Kerry Collinsbut he=01,ll need some healthy receivers to do anyth= ing.?=20 Ike Hilliardis good to go but both Amani Toomerand Joe Jureviciuswere= =20 talking gibberish on the sidelines Sunday after suffering concussions.? Bo= th=20 seem likely to play but you have to wonder how effective they=01,ll be.? = The=20 Lions are much more vulnerable against the run so it=01,s conceivable the= =20 Giants could go with heavy doses of RBs Ron Daynewith some Tiki =20 Barbermixed in for this one.? =20 San Francisco Passing Game vs Falcon Defense?? I=01,m still a huge Jeff G= arcia=20 backer but I=01,m not too high on this matchup vs the Falcons.? Especially = with =20 WR Terrell Owenslooking less likely to play as the week progresses.? The= =20 good news is that Jerry Ricelooks to be ok for Sunday.? Atlanta ranks # 7= =20 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks so they=01,re= =20 solid.? The secondary ranks 2nd in the league with 15 interceptions. They= =01,re=20 not as tough for the year though where they rank #? 20 in Fantasy Points = =20 allowed to the opposing QB.? Atlanta has 10 sacks in the last 4 games so= =20 they=01,re getting decent pressure on the QB.? The key as I see it will be= =20 developing the running game with Charlie Garner.? He=01,s having a great y= ear=20 running and receiving the ball. ? Defensive Slam Dunks:? These games heavily favor the Defense Cleveland Passing Game vs Titan Defense?? The worst thing that could hav= e=20 happened to the Browns was for the Ravens to spoil the Titan=01,s perfect= =20 record at home last week.? I=01,m betting you see a fired up defense this = week=20 that could spell doom for QB Doug Pedersonand the Browns.? Tennessee ran= ks=20 # 9 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB for the year.? Pederson= =01,s=20 been painful to watch and it won=01,t be any prettier this week.? WRs Kev= in =20 Johnsonand Dennis Northcuttwill see most of the work but I=01,d have a t= ough=20 time feeling very good about starting either.? In fact, you can pretty much= =20 just skip the Cleveland team this week. Cincinnati Passing Game vs Patriot Defense??? I doubt you=01,re still =20 interested in Fantasy Football in week 12 if you have many Bengals on your = =20 roster.? Here=01,s all you need to know:? Scott Mitchellvs Bill Belichic= k.?=20 Belichick may have his faults, but he=01,s the master at confusing a QB.? = It=20 could get ugly.? On the flip side, there=01,s always that shred of hope=20 Mitchell returns to his 1995 form and lights it up.? But I kinda doubt it= =01(?=20 Outside of Corey Dillon, WR Peter Warrickis the only other possible FF= =20 starter on offense.? Warrick=01,s always worth a roll of the dice just for= his=20 big play potential.? =20 Arizona Passing Game vs Eagle Defense?? This is almost unfair.? The=20 Cardinals are already one of the worst teams in the league.? Now they hav= e=20 to deal with:? Center Mike Gruttadauria is done for the year.? WRs David= =20 Boston=01,s hamstring is worse than it was last week (when it was bad) and= =20 Frank Sanders has a serious knee bruise.? RB Michael Pittman=01,s ribs ar= e=20 killing him and Thomas Jones has walking pneumonia.? Good grief.? If=20 someone goes to jail and has their wife leave them, it=01,ll be a Country= =20 Western song=01( Unless you=01,re desperate, I=01,d avoid all the Cardinal= s this week=20 against just about any team.? Much less the Eagles who are playing very= =20 good defense right now. Jacksonville Passing Game vs Steeler Defense?? The above three offenses = =20 (Cleveland, Cincinnati and Arizona) make the =01&Slam Dunk=018 list because= the =20 offenses are awful.? The Jags are struggling with injuries still but they= =20 land here because the Steelers are playing excellent defense.? Pittsburgh= =20 ranks # 4 in passing yards allowed per game over the last four weeks and= =20 rank # 3 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB for the year.? =20 Remember, it was against the Steelers when QB Mark Brunell was benched for= =20 Jamie Martin back in week 5.? Brunell will throw to WR Jimmy Smith and=20 Keenan McCardell but I=01,m not looking for a lot from either guy.? The ga= me is=20 in Pittsburgh at night and that=01,s a long ways from Jacksonville both in= =20 miles and more importantly, temperature.? TE Kyle Brady has calmed down= =20 since Jimmy Smith is back healthy although he=01,s a decent play against a= =20 tough defense. Dallas Passing Game vs?Raven Defense?? Troy Aikman will find the going=20 tougher this week against a fired up Raven team than he did against the =20 Bengals last week.?? Baltimore ranks # 2 for the year in Fantasy Points=20 allowed to the opposing QB.? Over the last four games, they rate # 3 in= =20 passing yards allowed per game.? Aikman will look for James McNight and= =20 Jason Tucker (man that sounds weird) but don=01,t expect the same success = you=20 saw last week from these guys.? In case you were wondering, Baltimore is = =20 also ranked # 3 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing TE for the year= =20 so Jackie Harris and David LaFluer don=01,t look good either. Tennessee Passing Game vs?Brown Defense? One of the cornerstone principles= =20 of Fantasy Football is you have to understand that the numbers rule.? It= =01,s=20 easy to look at the Browns and dismiss them as awful but in certain areas,= =20 such as pass defense, they=01,re very good in the numbers department.? For= the=20 year, Cleveland ranks # 5 in Fantasy Points allowed to the opposing QB.?= =20 Over the last four games, they rank # 2 in passing yards allowed per game= .?=20 The reasons for doing so are different but they=01,re putting up pass defe= nse=20 numbers very similar to what the Ravens are posting.? In Cleveland=01,s c= ase,=20 teams are choosing to run the ball against their vulnerable rush defense.?= =20 Why risk a pass when the defense is begging to be run over?? QB Steve McNa= ir=20 will be looking to WRs Derrick Mason and Chris Sanders.? Carl Pickens and= =20 Yancey Thigpen could play but you=01,ve been burned enough by these guys= =20 already.? TE Frank Wycheck is still the primary receiver although McNair i= s=20 spreading the ball around a little more. Denver Passing Game vs Charger Defense?? After a few weeks of flailing =20 about, the Chargers are back at the top of the defensive rankings.? Over th= e=20 last four weeks, they rank # 1 in passing yards allowed per game where th= ey=20 faced Miami, Seattle and Oakland.? Granted, that=01,s not like shutting dow= n =20 St. Louis but holding those teams to an average of 128 yards passing per ga= me=20 is strong.? They=01,ll be facing new QB Gus Frerotte who=01,ll likely tak= e a bit=20 to get settled.? WRs Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith are both solid.? Denver=01= ,s =20 still using the 3 TE set with Desmond Clark, Dwayne Carswell and Byron =20 Chamberlain all producing.? I like all the Broncos and I can see them=20 starting in many leagues, I=01,m just not too happy about the matchup this= week. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: cheatsheets-unsubscribe@egroups.com