Week 17 Dec 28, 2007 | More

Player Notes, Rumors And Quotes:

Despite suffering a high-ankle sprain in week 15, Sidney Rice (MIN) might reportedly return to the field on Sunday and should be ready if Minnesota makes the playoffs. - Greg Jennings (GB) skipped practice on Wednesday and with the #2 seed locked up Green Bay may hold him out of the final game. - Marques Colston (NO) was absent from the injury report earlier this week and he will try to reach the 100 reception plateau this Sunday. - TJ Houshmandzadeh (CIN) was absent from the injury report earlier this week. - Deion Branch (SEA) sat out Thursday's practice and can not be counted on. His absence could allow DJ Hackett (SEA) to see extended time in his return to the field this Sunday. - Eddie Kennison (KC) has been ruled out for this Sunday's game, ending his injury plagued season. - Despite Andre Johnson (HOU) being limited in practice on Thursday, coach Gary Kubiak indicated earlier in the week that Johnson is expected to suit up. - 33 year old Derrick Mason (BAL) said on Thursday that he has no plans on retiring and could do another 3-4 years. He goes into the season finale 3 receptions short of 100. - Patrick Crayton (DAL) signed a 4 year contract extension on Thursday after having a career best season this year with 48 receptions, 689 yards and 7 touchdowns heading into the final game of the season. - Barring a setback Terry Glenn (DAL) will see his first playing time of the season this Sunday. Coach Wade Phillips said it would be Glenn's decision and that he has practiced this week at full speed and worked with the first unit on offense. - Marvin Harrison (IND) surprisingly put in a full practice on Thursday for the first time since week 3. If he were to play he would certainly be on a limited snap count in preparing him to be ready to play in a full capacity for the playoffs.

Injury Watchlist: A list of injuries reported throughout the week, some teams did not report and player status will be reported when the official injury report is released on Friday.

Teams that did not report: NE, WAS, GB, SD, SF, SEA, TEN - ARI: Anquan Boldin (toe), Larry Fitzgerald (groin) - ATL: Joe Horn (foot), Michael Jenkins (quadriceps) - BAL: Mark Clayton (head), Demetrius Williams (ankle) - BUF: Josh Reed (back) - CHI: Bernard Berrian (knee) - CIN: TJ Houshmandzadeh (ankle), Glenn Holt (back) - CLE: Joe Jurevicius (knee) - DAL: Terrell Owens (ankle), Terry Glenn (knee) - DEN: Javon Walker (knee) - HOU: Andre Johnson (knee) - IND: Marvin Harrison (knee), Anthony Gonzalez (foot) - KC: Eddie Kennison (ribs) - MIN: Sidney Rice (ankle) - NYG: Plaxico Burress (ankle), Sinorice Moss (back) - NYJ: Jerricho Cotchery (finger), Justin McCareins (thigh), Brad Smith (back) - OAK: Jerry Porter (team decision), Tim Dwight (hamstring) - TB: Joey Galloway (team decision), Ike Hilliard (knee) ----- Wednesday's Practice ----- LIMITED: Deion Branch (SEA), Koren Robinson (GB), Sidney Rice (MIN), Arnaz Battle (SF), Javon Walker (DEN), Ike Hilliard (TB), Terry Glenn (DAL), Brad Smith (NYJ), Joe Horn (ATL), Larry Fitzgerald (ARI), Anquan Boldin (ARI), Marty Booker (MIA), and Plaxico Burress (NYG) ----- DID NOT PRACTICE: Greg Jennings (GB), Marvin Harrison (IND), Mark Clayton (BAL), Anthony Gonzalez (IND), Brandon Stokley (DEN), Joe Jurevicius (CLE), Terrell Owens (DAL), Bernard Berrian (CHI), Jerry Porter (OAK), Josh Reed (BUF), Andre Johnson (HOU), TJ Houshmandzadeh (CIN) and Sinorice Moss (NYG)

Favorable Matchups:

SEA @ ATL: Over the last 3 weeks, Atlanta ranks as the 4th worst fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They also rank as the 6th worst fantasy group against the quarterback position over the last 3 weeks. During this time they have allowed the 3rd most amount of yards at 595, averaging 198.33 yards per game to the receivers and 5 out of 7 passing touchdowns allowed have gone to the receivers. Atlanta has allowed 1.66 touchdowns on an average of 10% of converted receptions or every 9.80 receptions on average to the receivers during the last 3 weeks.

STL @ ARI: Over the last 3 weeks, Arizona ranks as the 2nd worst fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They also rank as the 3rd worst fantasy group against the quarterback position over the last 3 weeks. During that time they have allowed the most amount of yards at 682, averaging 227.33 yards per game to the receivers and 6 out of 8 passing touchdowns allowed have gone to the receivers. Arizona has allowed 2.00 touchdowns on an average of 12% of converted receptions or every 8.33 receptions on average to the receivers during the last 3 weeks.

CHI vs NO: Over the last 3 weeks, New Orleans ranks as the 3rd worst fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They also rank as the 4th worst group against the quarterback position over the last 3 weeks. During this time they have allowed the 4th most yards at 594, averaging 198.00 yards per game to the receivers and 6 out of 8 passing touchdowns allowed have gone to the receivers. New Orleans has allowed 2.00 touchdowns on an average of 13% of converted receptions or every 8.00 receptions on average to the receivers during the last 3 weeks.

Unfavorable Matchups:

PHI @ BUF: Over the last 3 weeks, Buffalo ranks as the 3rd best fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They also rank as the best fantasy group against the quarterback position over the last 3 weeks. During this time they have allowed the 12th least amount of yards at 363, averaging 121.00 yards per game to the receivers and 0 passing touchdowns.

SF @ CLE: Over the last 3 weeks, Cleveland ranks as the 8th best fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They also rank as the 5th best fantasy group against the quarterback position over the last 3 weeks. During this time they have allowed the 10th least amount of yards at 330, averaging 110.00 yards per game to the receivers and 1 out of 1 passing touchdowns allowed have gone to the receivers. Cleveland has allowed 0.33 touchdowns on an average of 3% of converted receptions or every 30.00 receptions on average to the receivers during the last 3 weeks.

KC @ NYJ: Over the last 3 weeks, New York ranks as the 6th best fantasy group against the receiver position on a per game basis. They also rank as the 2nd best fantasy group against the quarterback position over the last 3 weeks. During this time they have allowed the 7th least amount of yards at 319, averaging 106.33 yards per game to the receivers and 1 out of 2 passing touchdowns allowed have gone to the receivers. New York has allowed 0.33 touchdowns on an average of 4% of converted receptions or every 23.00 receptions on average to the receivers during the last 3 weeks.

Biggest Bust Of The Year:

Injury - Marvin Harrison (IND): 32 targets, 20 receptions, 63% RC, 247 yards, 12.35 ARY, 1 touchdown

Non-injury - Lee Evans (BUF): 111 targets, 54 receptions, 49% RC, 847 yards, 15.68 ARY, 5 touchdowns

Rookie Of The Year:

Dwayne Bowe (KC): 114 targets, 69 receptions, 61% RC, 982 yards, 14.23 ARY, 5 touchdowns

Thanks for reading this year and congratulations to those who had a successful season.