On the Rise, On the Fall - Playoff Edition Nov 23, 2009 | More

Playoff Edition of On the Rise, On the Fall

As we complete Week 11, there are just two or three weeks left in your regular season before the playoffs begin. This week will be a special edition of the column focusing on the playoff weeks.

The most common playoff weeks of 14, 15 and 16 will be used in the analysis.

Favorable Schedules

Arizona Cardinals - @ SF, @ DET, vs. STL
Houston Texans – vs. SEA, @ STL, @ MIA
Miami Dolphins – @ JAX, @ TEN, vs. HOU
Seattle Seahawks - @ HOU, vs. TB, @ GB
New England Patriots – vs. CAR, @ BUF, vs. JAX

Of course, you’ll still be starting your Colts and Saints, regardless of their match-ups, expecting that they won’t be resting players in any of these games.

Weather Factors

High-powered passing offenses with extremely weather-friendly games:
out of Weeks 14-16, the number of dome games is listed below. The games not played in domes are also very weather friendly stadiums (ex: Miami, Arizona, etc)

Cardinals – 1 dome
Colts – 2 domes
Saints - 3 domes
Texans – 2 domes

Kicking Game

It’s just a kicker, but in the playoffs, it matters. The winds in the Meadowlands are not friendly in the month of December. While Lawrence Tynes may be putting up points for you now, be very leery of him come playoff time. The same goes for the Giants opponents, as well as the Jets’. The windy city comes in mind too, where the Bears will play three games at home in December.

Who do the Lions/Rams/Browns play?

Lions : @ BAL, vs. ARZ, @ SF
Rams: @ TEN, vs. HOU, @ ARZ
Browns: vs. PIT, @ KC, vs. OAK

Check back for players to keep an eye on as we near the playoffs …