Weekend Watch

This is my favorite time of the year and it is not even close. How can you go wrong with the combination of Christmas season and the possibility of your team or teams getting ready to start the fantasy playoffs? The chill of winter leaves us feeling good about the fact that we have to hunker down and tune into some serious NFL action over the next three to four weeks. Folks, it doesn’t get any better than this. Some of us may have a bye week, others are getting ready to play in round one of their playoffs and a select few might even have this as the last week of their regular season. This is why we started this way back in July and August.
Week 14 brings us a plethora of injuries and issues to pay attention to. Let’s look at what will shape a very exciting weekend of NFL action.

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.

Christian Ponder (hip) has missed practice for most of the week. The Vikings are keeping his status very quiet heading into their road game against the Lions so be sure to check his status prior to kick-off.
Sam Bradford (ankle) needs to test his ankle during pre-game warm-ups before we will know for sure if he can go this week. Look for other options as A.J. Feely’s status is also up in the air this week, and the Rams are now down to their third option in Tom Brandstater.
Josh Freeman (arm/shoulder) looks to be another game-time decision as he has had limited reps at quarterback this week. Josh Johnson will fill in for Freeman again this week should the injury keep Freeman from starting.
Adrian Peterson (high ankle sprain) is doing everything he can to get back on the field this week. He will be a true game-time decision so be ready to insert Toby Gerhart on short notice should A.P. not be able to go this Sunday.
Willis McGahee (knee) has missed most of the week’s practice, but I think he will play this week. Still you cannot be too careful so be sure to check his status. Lance Ball would get the start if he cannot go this week.
Kevin Smith (high ankle sprain) is one tough dude. He gave a gutsy performance against the Saints on Monday night, but he may have come back a week early. His early return now has him really hurting this week and he will definitely be a game-time decision for the Lions. Maurice Morris would get the start if Smith cannot go.
Braylon Edwards (knee) is a game-time decision. I would not expect him to go this week. If he doesn’t, play both Tedd Ginn and Kyle Williams will see an increase in snaps this week. However, both players don’t make for good starts this week.
Mario Manningham (knee) has been back at practice this week and is hoping to return for the Giants tilt against the Cowboys on Sunday night. If he does play, don’t expect him to have his usual amount of reps, as the play of Victor Cruz has been off the charts as of late. Check on Manninghams status prior to the start of Sunday night’s game to be sure he will go in this game.
Nate Washington (ankle) has been unable to practice all week. Still if he can get through pre-game warm-ups the Titans will have him in the lineup. They are desperately trying to secure a playoff spot, and Washington has been their most dependable guy all year. Check the active/inactive report prior to kick-off for his status.
Todd Heap (hamstring) is questionable as usual. Jeff King gets the start if he cannot play. Oh goody!
Dallas Clark (leg) has returned to full-time practice this week. You should still be cautious, but if he is active and you are desperate, then get him in your lineup.
Chaz Schilens (foot) has been limited all week. The Raiders desperately need him to go as they will more than likely be without Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore. Check on Schilens status along with the rest of the Raiders receivers prior to kick-off.

A Few Game Day Thoughts:

Atlanta @ Carolina: I know that the Falcons sport one of the better defenses in the league, but for some reason I have a gut feeling that there could be a lot of points scored in this game. Last week Cam Newton went off for three rushing touchdowns, so the question has to be asked. Who will score more rushing touchdowns in this game, Michael Turner or Cam Newton? Turner was held in check last week against the Texans, but he loves to play the Panthers. In their last meeting, Turner found the end zone twice, while Newton ran in a score from 14 yards out. Carolina may be on a little bit of a roll, so it will be interesting to see which back crosses the goal-line first. I know, I know Newton is a quarterback, but I just couldn’t resist. He is the Panthers goal line back after all!

Philadelphia @ Miami: Michael Vick and Jeremy Maclin are back! Hopefully the rest of the Eagles offense comes along for the ride this week. We haven’t seen either of the Eagles big play threats since week 10, so who knows what