Play Action - Week 14

You're likely in one of two camps heading into Week 14.
You're either gearing up for a big playoff push, or you're cursing the people in your league that are gearing up for a big playoff push.

The week is already off to an ominous start with injuries to Rex Grossman and Jason Campbell on Thursday. Hopefully it's not a sign of things to come.

Rams @ Bengals

START: Steven Jackson, Torry Holt, Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chris Henry
CONSIDER: Rudi Johnson
BENCH: Marc Bulger (out), Brock Berlin, Isaac Bruce, Randy McMichael, Kenny Watson

The schedule makers probably thought this would be a much more exciting game when they were planning things out.
Marc Bulger misses this game, and with Gus Frerotte also on the shelf, we'll get a large dose pf Brock Berlin. Torry Holt owners don't want to hear that heading into this crucial time of year, but you've got to put him out there against the awful Bengal defense. Expect to see a whole lot of Steven Jackson.
Rudi Johnson deserves consideration since he has finally become a goal line option. Getting to the goal line will continue to be the responsibility of the Bengal passing game.

Cowboys @ Lions - Dome

START: Tony Romo, Marion Barber III, Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, Jason Witten, Cowboy Defense
CONSIDER: Jon Kitna, Calvin Johnson
BENCH: Julius Jones, Kevin Jones, Roy Williams (out), Shaun McDonald, Mike Furrey

The Cowboys should be in for a cakewalk against the collapsing Lions. Tony Romo should be all smiles on the sidelines as usual, as he carves up the terrible Lion secondary like a jack-o-lantern. Start all of your Cowboys that usually warrant consideration.
It's been a long, hard fall for the Lions. Now their offense has also stopped producing. "Genius" Mike Martz has no clue how to run the ball, so let Kevin Jones ride the pine for your team. Calvin Johnson has become invisible, but he's the Lions' lone big play threat against a shaky Cowboy pass defense.

Raiders @ Packers

START: Brett Favre (check), Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings
CONSIDER: Justin Fargas, Donald Driver, Donald Lee
BENCH: Whoever QBs for the Raiders, Ronald Curry, Jerry Porter, James Jones

The Raiders will try to play ball control and that will mean a heavy dose of Justin Fargas against the tough Packer D. Don't expect a lot of points, although he'll certainly get ample opportunity.
It's unclear how healthy Brett Favre actually is, but he will play. He is a risky play, and he faces a tough test against the solid Raider pass D, but there's a good chance you won't have a better option. Expect the Pack to unleash Ryan Grant against the poor rush defense of Oakland. He's an absolute must-play.

Dolphins @ Bills

START: Marshawn Lynch (check), Lee Evans
CONSIDER: Bill Defense
BENCH: John Beck, Jesse Chatman, Marty Booker, David Martin, Trent Edwards, Fred Jackson (check Lynch)

Phew, what a stinker.
You don't want to start any Dolphins. Seriously, why do you even own any Dolphins at this point? Come on, Francis, it's no wonder you missed the playoffs.
Lee Evans has once again gone all inconsistent on us. Still, you can't ask for much more than a match up against the Dolphins. Marshawn Lynch carries a lot of risk and will definitely lose touches to Fred Jackson, but if he's active, you have to play him here.

Buccaneers @ Texans

START: Earnest Graham, Joey Galloway, Ron Dayne, Andre Johnson
CONSIDER: Buc Defense, Owen Daniels
BENCH: Jeff Garcia (check), Luke McCown, Alex Smith, Sage Rosenfels, Ahman Green (on IR), Kevin Walter

A battle of the backup QBs...maybe.
Is there a more underappreciated Fantasy player than Joey Galloway? Nope. Also expect another nice day out of Earnest Graham.
The absence of Matt Schaub really drains the value out of the Texans. Andre Johnson is too much of a stud to bench, but start a better TE option than Daniels if you can. Expect lots of slim and trim Dayne.

Chargers @ Titans

START: LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Charger Defense
CONSIDER: Philip Rivers
BENCH: Chris Chambers, Vincent Jackson, Vince Young, LenDale White, Roydell Williams, Titan Defense

Expect the same curious pass-happy Charger attack that we get every week. That workload alone makes Rivers consideration worthy, it's certainly not his talent. The Titans haven't been scoring against decent defenses, so get the Chargers out there if you've held onto them this long.
Albert Haynesworth will finally, allegedly, carry a full load. You still don't want anything to do with any of the Titans on either side of the ball.

Panthers @ Jaguars

START: Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguar Defense
CONSIDER: DeShaun Foster, Steve Smith, David Garrard
BENCH: Vinny Testaverde, Panther Defense, Reggie Williams

The Panthers lit up the 49ers last week...with very little offense. Don't expect the Panthers to suddenly become a juggernaut. You should have better options to start than any of them.
Fred Taylor seems to have found the fountain of youth, and perhaps even more surprisingly, hasn't got hurt yet. MJD has been a major disappointment, but is still a decent option for a score. The Panther offense is pretty weak, so start the Jags D.

Giants @ Eagles

START: Brandon Jacobs (check), Jeremy Shockey, Giant Defense, Brian Westbrook (check)
CONSIDER: Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, Donovan McNabb (check), Correll Buckhalter (check Westbrook), Kevin Curtis
BENCH: Amani Toomer, Reggie Brown, L.J. Smith, Eagle Defense

Eli Manning has been a bust in the second half, just like every other season he's been in the NFL. Brandon Jacobs should be back and should be active for your team. Brian Westbrook is very questionable...if he's active, bump the Giant D down, if he's inactive, then they're a rock solid option.
D-Mac returns. Whether that actually means anything at all remains to be seen. If you have solid alternatives, take a wait-and-see approach. If not, you could certainly do worse. Check on Westbrook on Sunday, if he doesn't go, it's a huge blow to the Eagles. If he does go, which is likely, you've got to have him active for your team. If he doesn't go, then Correll Buckhalter is consideration worthy, but don't expect a lot.

4:00pm EST Games

Cardinals @ Seahawks

START: Matt Hasselbeck, Deion Branch, Bobby Engram
CONSIDER: Kurt Warner, Edgerrin James, Larry Firzgerald (check), Bryant Johnson, Nate Burleson, Shaun Alexander
BENCH: Anquan Boldin (check), D.J. Hackett (out), Maurice Morris


The Cardinal offense will take a huge hit if neither Fitzgerald nor Boldin suit up. Fitz is much more likely to play than Q, but they both need to be checked before kickoff. Make sure you have replacements if you're counting on either of them. They will be limited even if they go. Obviously this also makes a large impact to the values of Warner and Johnson. Johnson gets a big bump if neither is active.
Look for the Seahawks to continue to air it out as much as possible. D.J. Hackett may surprisingly be back next week, but that doesn't help you here. Bobby Engram continues to be among the game's most underappreciated players. Only start Shaun Alexander if you're in a complete fit of desperation.


Vikings @ 49ers

START: Adrian Peterson, Viking Defense
CONSIDER: Frank Gore
BENCH: Tarvaris Jackson, Chester Taylor, Trent Dilfer, Arnaz Battle (check), Vernon Davis

Purple Jesus is an absolute beast. Obviously he's an every week must-start. Tarvaris Jackson has been quietly solid the past few weeks, but he's not someone you should be counting on for fantasy purposes at this critical of a time.
Frank Gore is in for a hell of a test here. The Vikings are rock solid against the run. They will likely try to force Trent Dilfer to beat them, wouldn't you? Arnaz Battle is very questionable to play, he's a decent option if he goes, but that doesn't look likely at this time. If he doesn't go, don't expect much of anything out of any 49ers, as if you ever should.

Steelers @ Patriots

START: Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Tom Brady, Randy Moss
CONSIDER: Willie Parker, Santonio Holmes (check), Heath Miller, Wes Welker
BENCH: Steeler Defense, Laurence Maroney, Donte Stallworth, Ben Watson, Patriot Defense

The game that the world is talking about. The Patriots' last best chance to lose before the playoffs.
Fumbling Willie Parker has been terrible the past 3 weeks or so. Still, Willis McGahee carved up the Patsies last week. Don't expect similar results for Willie. If the Steelers win this game, it will be through the passing game and relentless blitzing. Santonio Holmes should return to action, but check the inactives to be sure.
This is a bigger test than the Eagles and Ravens for the Patriots. Obviously, Brady and Moss are must starts every single week, even when facing the best D in the business. Laurence Maroney has been a huge bust, don't expect that to change here. The heat will be on Brady all day long, just hope that he doesn't get as flustered as he usually does when that happens.

Browns @ Jets

START: Derek Anderson, Jamal Lewis, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, Laveranues Coles
CONSIDER: Kellen Clemens, Thomas Jones
BENCH: Joe Jurevicius, Jerricho Cotchery (check)

The Browns shouldn't have any difficulty moving the ball. Derek Anderson has fallen back to reality a bit the past few weeks, but that's not going to prevent him for airing it out here. Jamal Lewis continues to quietly resurrect his career.
I consider Kellen Clemens to be one of the better "sleeper" options for this week. The Browns still suck against the pass. This means that Coles is a solid play, but it would be a stunner if Cotchery played.

Chiefs @ Broncos

START: Kolby Smith, Tony Gonzalez, Travis Henry, Brandon Marshall
CONSIDER: Dwayne Bowe, Jay Cutler, Bronco Defense
BENCH: Broadie Croyle, Selvin Young, Javon Walker, Tony Scheffler

Another AFC West vintage rivalry that has seen much better days.
Kolby Smith should put together a nice day against the feeble Bronco rush defense. Gonzo is an every week starter. Bowe is worth consideration if you're in a pinch.
There really isn't much of anything that anyone can say about the Broncos. They're an extremely average team. Start Henry, he should have a little extra motivation after beating his suspension. Don't start Walker, he has been worthless since his "return". Maybe he would be better off on IR.

Sunday Night Football

Colts @ Ravens

START: Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Colt Defense, Willis McGahee
CONSIDER: Joseph Addai, Raven Defense
BENCH: Marvin Harrison, Kyle Boller, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap (likely out)

Joseph Addai hasn't been the same player that he was early in the season lately. If you have more reliable options, go with them, since Addai is in for a tough battle here. Start all of your usual Colts. Coach Dungy claims that Harrison is a game time decision, but he isn't worth waiting for. He'll likely be inactive again. Start the Colt Defense, because the Raven offense still stinks.
The Ravens come off an impressive showing against the Patriots and are rewarded with another national TV game against the 2nd best team in the NFL. Will the defense keep it together again this week? Perhaps, but other than McGahee, you don't want any of their offensive players going for you.

Monday Night Football

Saints @ Falcons - Dome

START: Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Roddy White
CONSIDER: Saint Defense
BENCH: Reggie Bush (out), Aaron Stecker, Pierre Thomas, David Patten, Chris Redman, Warrick Dunn, Jerious Norwood, Alge Crumpler

Well, here's a craptacular choice for Monday Night Football.

Reggie Bush has a torn PCL, and he's been playing with it for a while for some reason. Not this week, though. Brees and Colston should be looking for each other for most of the night. The Falcons are terrible, so the Saint Defense makes a risky sleeper play, but they shouldn't give up many points, and they go against Chris Redman.
Nobody gives up fantasy points to WRs quite like the Saints do. Roddy White is a great play here. The rest of the Falcons, well, they suck and should be avoided like The Plague.

Check back on Sunday for Major Game Day Inactives.