Weekend Watch

It is hard to believe that we only have three weeks left in the fantasy season. Most leagues have already started their playoffs or will be starting them this week. The playoffs can be a tough time for fantasy owners as they struggle with lineup decisions and try to manage rosters that have been decimated by injuries. Some rosters look like Swiss cheese as they have holes at multiple positions. As you contemplate a starting lineup for this week, I have a couple of suggestions for you to think about.

First, always play your studs! They got you this far, and they should be the ones that take you the rest of the way. Also, it can be difficult to make lineup decisions especially if you have an embarrassment of riches at any one position. If that is the case, be sure to check out Charch’s weekly player rankings on our home page. There is an extensive amount of time and effort put into these rankings each week. If you have any questions at all go with the highest ranked player. The rankings take into account a player’s recent performance history, his weekly opponent and any potential injury situation that could affect his play. Finally, trust your instincts in regards to lineup decisions. Usually your first gut feeling is the correct one and a last minute lineup change often comes back to haunt you. Enough talk; let’s take a look at the injuries and sub-plots that will shape week 15.

Injury Notes:
These players are listed as game-time decisions. Check it out and make the appropriate changes to your lineups come Sunday. NFL teams will list their inactive players usually 1.5 hours before kickoff.

Ben Roethlisberger will be a game-time decision on Monday night as the Steelers travel to San Francisco. Charlie Batch would get the start for Big Ben cannot go in this one. At this point it really too much of a risk to play Roethlisberger so make sure you have another option going into this week.

Kevin Kolb (concussion) has been limited all week in practice. John Skelton would get the start if Kolb hits the inactive report on Sunday.

Sam Bradford (ankle) has been limited in practice all week. With A.J. Feely also nursing a thumb injury, expect the Rams to take Bradford’s status all the way down to pre-game warm-ups. If there is any chance that he can go, the Rams will have him in the lineup. Otherwise, Kellen Clemens would get the start.
Kevin Smith (ankle) has been back at practice this week. The Lions have limited his reps all week, so check to see if he is active after pre-game warm-ups. If he can go, he gets a Raiders defense that can be run on. If he is not active, Kieland Williams and Maurice Morris will split touches.

Both James Starks (ankle) and Brandon Saine are very questionable for Green Bay this week. Ryan Grant and John Kuhn would handle the carries should Starks and or Saine be deactivated this week.

Dallas Clark (neck) has been limited all week and will see what he can do during pre-game warm-ups.

Jacob Tamme will get the start if Clark cannot go against the Titans this week.

Arrelious Benn (concussion) has been limited all week. Check his status prior to kick-off on Saturday as Tampa Bay hosts Dallas.

A Few Game Day Thoughts:

Dallas @ Tampa Bay: Picking which Dallas receiver is going to lead the team in receiving is about as easy as it is to pick who is the best looking of the Kardashian sisters. On the surface they are all kind of sexy picks, but as soon as you pick one, you instantly have second thoughts. Fantasy owners will struggle with this decision all week (not the Kardashian decision by the way). Dez Bryant, Laurent Robinson, and Miles Austin could all be in line for a big game against a Tampa defense that on paper is overmatched. Last week Bryant was the odd-man and Laurent Robinson stole the show. Fantasy owners will want to pay attention to this situation on Saturday night as it may give us a hint at who should be in or out of your lineups come week 16.

Seattle @ Chicago: There are a couple of interesting plot lines in this game. Last week Marion Barber did his best to hand the Broncos a win by not running out of bounds, and fumbling the ball away late in the game. It only makes me wonder how short his leash will be and if Kahlil Bell could figure heavily into the Bears game plan.
On the Seattle side we have to look at the passing game and wonder who will be the man this week? Two weeks ago Golden Tate was featured heavily. Last week Tate and Doug Baldwin led the team in targets, but Baldwin ended up leading the team in yards and he also scored. If you are suffering from injuries at the receiver position, and are looking ahead to week 16, one of these two guys may be worth a flyer.

Green Bay @ Kansas City: The loss of Greg Jennings really has fantasy owners buzzing this week. How will his injury affect the pass distribution to the rest of the Packers receivers? Last year JerMichael Finley was heavily featured when Jennings wasn’t the focus of the offense. James