Message-ID: <5319441.1075855348696.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2001 11:47:43 -0800 (PST) From: bryant@cheatsheets.net To: cheatsheets@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Footballguys] Update # 193 12-31 Week 17 Rushing Matchups Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: Joe Bryant X-To: Cheatsheets Mailing Yahoo X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Martin_Cuilla_Jan2002_1\Cuilla, Martin\Deleted Items X-Origin: Cuilla-M X-FileName: mcuilla (Non-Privileged).pst /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ Wall of Champs Is Up! If you've made your playoffs or won your league, let the world know about it. We've got our Wall of Champs up and running and waiting for you. Check it out here http://footballguys.com/wall2001.cfm You can add your team here http://footballguys.com/addwall.cfm There's not much better than flaunting your success in front of your league members... Enjoy. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ Hi Folks, Doing our best to get these to you early in the week as you juggle your lineups for this final week 17. Here's how I see the Rushing Game Matchups this week. PLEASE NOTE: See the cheatsheet online www.footballguys.com for exactly where I rank players and to determine who to start. I always receive emails asking me how I can have a guy ranked highly on the cheatsheet but listed under a matchup that favors the Defense. Just because one matchup may be more favorable than another, that doesn't necessarily mean I'd start the player with the best matchup. Ahman Green may have a horrible matchup one week but unless you're sitting on Ricky Williams or Marshall Faulk, Green's your guy no matter who he's lining up against. (Yes, even after last week's performance) The matchup info is meant to be just one more tool in your box when it comes to deciding between players. Stats are provided by Mike Hall's excellent FLM League Management Software. http://www.fflm.com/ for more info. Fantasy Points Allowed by position numbers are from ESPN.com. Target numbers are from our Footballguy Andy Hicks. Let's get to it. Joe /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ Locks: These games feature Defenses that have struggled lately. Baltimore's Terry Allen vs Minnesota Defense Terry Allen ran hard last week where he rushed 20 times for 74 yards (3.3 ypc) against a tough Buc team. It'll be much easier this week against the swiss cheese Vikings ranked # 30 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. Although, these Vikings did shut down Ahman Green last week. For the year, they rank # 31 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Denver's Terrell Davis vs Indianapolis Defense Terrell Davis looked good again rushing for 89 yards on 18 carries (4.9 ypc) It's been a tough year and you can bet he'll want to finish strong. The Colts rank # 23 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 29 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. New England's Antowain Smith vs Carolina Defense A rested Antowain Smith faces the soft Carolina defense that's ranked # 31 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 20 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Great matchup. Pittsburgh's Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala / Jerome Bettis vs Cleveland Defense Fuamatu-Ma'afala was a workhorse on the ground Sunday but didn't have a lot to show for it. He ran 25 times for 55 yards (2.2 ypc) He did score on a receiving TD. He'll face a weak Cleveland defense ranked # 29 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 20 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Washington's Stephen Davis vs Arizona Defense Stephen Davis looked great rushing for 111 yards on 21 carries (5.3 ypc) and the score. He left with a knee tweak but it doesn't look to be serious. Ki-Jana Carter played great after Davis left. The Cardinals rank # 21 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 22 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ Prime Matchups: These games feature Defenses that haven't been strong lately. Buffalo's Shawn Bryson / Travis Henry / Sammy Morris vs Miami Defense Bryson ran wild again rushing 28 times for 107 yards (3.8 ypc). Sammy Morris spelled him for a few carries and looked good too but it seems Bryson is clearly the man here. It's possible Henry could see action so keep an eye on this one through the week. The Dolphins have fallen down to # 28 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 17 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Dallas' Emmitt Smith vs Detroit Defense Emmitt looked very solid again rushing for 126 yards on 26 carries (4.8 ypc) although he failed to score. He needs a little over 60 yards to get 1,000 for the season so you can bet he'll be gunning for that. The Lions rank # 18 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks and # 24 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. New York Giants' Tiki Barber / Ron Dayne vs Green Bay Defense Barber saw more action with 16 carries and 71 yards (4.4 ypc) but it was Dayne who scored with 59 yards on 8 carries (7.4 ypc) Barber was very active again in the passing game. The Packers let Michael Bennett run well Sunday and have slipped to # 27 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 13 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. New York Jet's Curtis Martin vs Oakland Defense Martin put in another Martin Like day with 115 yards on 19 carries (6.1 ypc) The Jets may have problems, but Martin isn't one. He'll face an Oakland defense ranked # 19 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 21 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Oakland's Charlie Garner vs New York Jets Defense The Raiders don't look nearly as strong as they did. Garner only had 9 carries Sunday for 23 yards (2.6 ypc) Tyrone Wheatley only had 5 carries. This week they've got a nice matchup as they'll face the Jets ranked # 26 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 27 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Seattle's Shaun Alexander vs Kansas City Defense Alexander didn't do much Sunday rushing 23 times for 59 yards (2.6 ypc) He 'll be ok though and gets to face a Chief defense ranked # 22 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 23 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. St. Louis' Marshall Faulk vs Atlanta Defense Start Faulk. The question will be of course how much he plays but it was pretty obvious Sunday that Mike Martz lets his guys play. Trung Canidate could have really used the work but he warmed the bench while Faulk went nuts. I'd say you'll get at least a half, maybe much more out of Faulk and half of Faulk is worth more than most backs. The Falcons rank # 24 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks and # 28 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ Even Matchups: These games feature no real advantage either way Arizona's Michael Pittman vs Washington Defense Just when it looked like Michael Pittman was going to take over the clear cut # 1 RB role, Thomas Jones steps in with 16 carries. Pittman rushed 12 times for 89 yards (7.4 ypc) which was bolstered by a 39 yarder. Jones ran for 69 yards on 16 carries (4.3 ypc) This was Carolina, though. This week will feature a tougher test with Washington ranked # 8 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they've been pretty soft though and rank # 25 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Kansas City's Priest Holmes / Tony Richardson vs Seattle Defense Priest Holmes ran 27 times for 91 yards (3.4 ypc) plus the score. Tony Richardson didn't have a carry. This week, he'll face the Seahawks ranked # 12 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 14 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Miami's Lamar Smith / Travis Minor vs Buffalo Defense This is getting embarrassing. Smith rushed 7 times for 4 yards (0.6 ypc) Travis Minor had 33 yards on 9 carries (3.7 ypc) He's becoming less and less of a factor with each game. The Dolphins are in the playoffs but find themselves playing a different style of ball than they have been. Minor's a threat to go long on the screen passes and Smith is a long shot for a cheap TD. They'll face the Bills ranked # 13 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks and # 26 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Minnesota's Michael Bennett vs Baltimore Defense We said Bennett just needed carries and he got them Sunday rushing 25 times for 104 yards (4.2 ypc) He'll face a Baltimore defense that's numbers don' t back up it's reputation this week - they rank # 25 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 2 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. New Orleans' Ricky Williams vs San Francisco Defense Even though he didn't score, it was a better performance by Williams who rushed 17 times for 74 yards (4.4 ypc) The Saints clearly want him to be more involved as he was Sunday. This week, he'll face a 49er defense ranked # 17 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks and # 18 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. San Francisco's Garrison Hearst vs New Orleans Defense Garrison Hearst was a non factor Sunday with just 35 yards on 11 carries (3.2 ypc) Kevan Barlow didn't do much either so it wasn't like he lost time to another player. This week, he gets the Saints who rank # 15 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 19 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Tampa Bay's Warrick Dunn / Mike Alstott vs Philadelphia Defense Tampa's One-Two punch continues to work. Alstott had 80 yards on 14 carries (5.7 ypc) and Dunn carried the ball 13 times for 47 yards (3.6 ypc) Alstott's been more effective on the ground but Dunn seems to be more involved in the passing game. This week, they'll face an Eagle defense ranked # 20 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks and # 9 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ Downside Matchups: These games feature a Defense that's been pretty strong lately. Cincinnati's Corey Dillon vs Tennessee Defense Dillon showed again he can run on any defense. He had 91 yards on 21 carries (4.3 ypc) against the Steelers. He'll face the Titans this week ranked # 6 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks so it won 't get much easier. They rank # 15 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Detroit's Lamont Warren / James Stewart vs Dallas Defense The Detroit RBs were horrible on the ground in this one with Lamont Warren gaining 19 yards on 6 carries (3.2 ypc). Cory Schlesinger did catch 11 passes though so maybe he's worth a longshot pick there. The Cowboys rank # 14 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks and # 12 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Green Bay's Ahman Green vs New York Giants Defense Green was shut down on the ground with just 31 yards on 16 carries (1.9 ypc) although he did score. Go figure. He's still too good to sit in my opinion. This week, he'll face the Giants ranked # 10 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 3 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs so it's a tough matchup, although I think I'd start Green unless you really have a solid alternative. Indianapolis' Dominic Rhodes vs Denver Defense Again, Dominic Rhodes looked excellent rushing for 83 yards on 20 carries (4.2 ypc) with a score. He'll face the Broncos this week ranked # 7 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 4 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. The Broncos are definitely surging after the win in Oakland but I still like Rhodes. Jacksonville's Stacey Mack vs Chicago Defense Mack went off last week with 125 yards on 16 carries (7.8 ypc) and a score. It'll be tougher this week against Chicago that ranks # 9 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 10 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Philadelphia's Duce Staley vs Tampa Bay Defense Staley's receiving numbers had been carrying him lately and this week he paid the price. He only rushed 8 times for 23 yards (2.9 ypc) and was shut down receiving with just 2 receptions for -1 yards. This week, he'll face a surging Buc defense ranked # 16 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks and # 11 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Tennessee's Eddie George vs Cincinnati Defense Eddie George looked the old Eddie Sunday with 130 yards on 26 carries (5.0 ypc) Plus 2 scores. This week he'll face a Bengal defense ranked # 11 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 7 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ Defensive Slam Dunks: These games feature a Defense that's been very strong lately. Atlanta's Maurice Smith vs St. Louis Defense Again, Maurice Smith ran poorly but got a cheap TD. He managed just 38 yards on 15 carries (2.5 ypc). Bob Christian stole 10 carries where he gained 33 yards (3.3 ypc) They're both a gamble against a tough Ram defense ranked # 3 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 5 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Carolina's Richard Huntley vs New England Defense Huntley ran pretty well last week gaining 62 yards on 12 carries (5.2 ypc). He just didn't get enough carries for this awful Carolina team. That won't get any better this week agains the Patriots ranked # 2 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 16 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Chicago's Anthony Thomas vs Jacksonville Defense Thomas ran 25 times for 76 yards (3.0 ypc) Sunday. He'll face a tougher defense in Jacksonville that's been awesome lately ranking # 1 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 8 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. Thomas is still probably a starter in most leagues, but the Jaguars have been extremely stingy of late. Cleveland's Jamel White vs Pittsburgh Defense White only had 42 yards on 21 carries (2.0 ypc) but did score twice. Corey Dillon showed the Steeler defense wasn't perfect last week. They're still tough though ranked # 4 in Rushing Yards Allowed per Game over the last 4 weeks. For the year, they rank # 1 in Fantasy Points Allowed to RBs. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ That'll do it for the Rushing Matchups. Passing Matchups to follow. Joe /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ Bryant Analytics, Inc. All Rights Reserved 1999-2001 To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: cheatsheets-unsubscribe@egroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/