Booms
1. QB Matt Cassel vs. Seattle Seahawks.
What happened last week vs. Pittsburgh happens to a lot of good QBs. Don’t think that Cassel is the only good QB that has flopped when facing the Steelers tenacious’ D.
But this week things look great once again as the Patriots head west to Seattle. Romo tossed for 300+ yards and three TDs vs. the Seahawks on Thanksgiving and just about everyone that has played Seattle has gone off, so look for Cassel to once again crack the 300-yard mark and put a few into the end zone.
2. RB Chris Johnson vs. Cleveland Browns.
Johnson had over 100 yards and two TDs in the 1st half alone on Thanksgiving Day. And he has a few things going for him: The Browns are demoralized and playing out the season and with the expected lead that Tennessee should have, Johnson will have ample opportunity to get his carries and yards.
3. WR Anquan Boldin vs. St. Louis Rams.
Boldin is playing for an NFC West Championship and a new contract next year. And the Rams have nothing to play for aside from pride, and often times that doesn’t win out when a guy is trying to protect himself from injury (in a meaningless game).
Look for the Cardinals to clinch the NFC West this Sunday and for Boldin to light up the scoreboard.
Busts
1. QB Phillip Rivers vs. Oakland Raiders.
Rivers will have a less than stellar performance this week ( a few INTs) and you should make sure to keep him out of your fantasy lineup. The Raiders are less than impressive to watch but one area of strength is the team’s seconday. CB Nnamdi Asomugha is the best shut down corner in the league and the rest of the DBs are stellar.
2. RB Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Chicago Bears.
The Jags played the most disinterested game I’ve seen all season in their beating at the hands of the Texans on Monday. In this football game, Chicago should come out and play inspired football and once they get a lead, look for the warm weather team to pack it in as they’ll want nothing to do with the frigid conditions of the Windy City.
3. WR Terrell Owens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers.
If Marion Barber can’t go, or is limited, look for Pittsburgh to pounce all over Tony Romo and give this Cowboys offense fits all day. Regardless, the Steelers are great at locking down the opposing team’s best receiver (T.O.) and their pressure packages make it difficult for the QB and receiver to maintain their timing.
jimmyjames91
December 4th, 2008 at 23:02
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Agreed about Casell. He could definitely have another one of those 400 yard games. In one league, I’m starting him over Big Ben at home vs Dallas.
In my other league, I have Romo and he’s sitting in favor of Warner – because I expect pretty much the same thing that happened to Casell to happen to him, although I think he’ll do a little better.
As for T.O. — I agree that he’s going to be locked down, but man it’s hard to sit the talent when his replacement is going to be DeSean Jackson on the road against the Giants. Sigh.
profootball101
December 4th, 2008 at 23:10
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Do you have another alternative b/c in what’s expected to be rough weather in the Meadowlands, I wouldn’t expect much out of Jackson either. There are still some good options left on the waiver wire.
Plaxico Burress
December 5th, 2008 at 17:39
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You would certainly have to look at an Amani Toomer/Kevin Boss/Steve Smith to pick up my slack. My guess is that Donovan and group will see this as an opportunity to climb back into the race and try to make the game a shootout since they have no running game. If the Eagles can get out to any kind of lead (which I hope they don’t) then they could get the Giants receivers some good numbers. I think this will be a different kind of win for the Giants since the second time around the Eagles will have seen the Jacobs attack before and be keen on stopping it.
My leg hurts.