The Prognosticator – Week 15

The Cowboys are going to throw the ball a ton on the Falcons.  Atlanta has been very porous in it’s secondary as of late.  Look for Tony Romo, Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn to all take advantage.

The Falcons will be tricky on Saturday.  The will gain yards on the ground in bunches but both Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood are dreaded game time decisions.  If you keep you ear to the ground though, you should be able to make the right choice on Saturday as the Falcons will trot both backs around the field earlier in the evening to see what they’ve got. If you have both, the one that does start will be worth it and you will know if you watch our forum before game time.

Prediction: Cowboys 27 – Falcons 20

Some solid fantasy stats in this contest as Ladell Betts continues to get it done for the Redskins while everyone else just run blocks for him.

Until someone stops Drew Brees and his current crop of talented receivers, I put them tops on the list for Week 15.  You can also safely play Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister this week.

An interesting fact in this game will be that the Bucs will have more rushing yards than the Bears, which is something the general populous won’t see coming.  Carnell Williams actually makes a solid start here. 

The Bears will struggle on offense but oh man, that defense and special teams unit. 

The Texans will have their hands full.  A Patriots team that gets blanked by the Dolphins had a very hard week of practice and it will show.  Andre Johnson of course belongs in your lineup but I’d be leary of anyone else.

The Patriots could really use Laurence Maroney back and may this week though I think more likely next week.  It won’t matter too much though as this will be the Tom Brady show as he lights up the Texans.

The Broncos will be just fine in this one.  They will be running the ball well and Jay Cutler will be make the clutch throws.  Nothing to worry about here from a fantasy perspective.  I’m willing to wager the Broncos would love to have a legitimate TE in their offense.

The Cardinals will have trouble on the ground running at the Broncos.  The Broncos have a decent run stop D and Edgerrin James will be running uphill most of the day.  Matt Leinart has developed a good chemistry with Larry Fitzgerald and they will foster that relationship here.  The Cardinals offense will be an easy one.  Throw to the receiver that Champ Bailey isn’t covering as that will be the open man.  The Broncos don’t have enough to cover both and that is where the Cardinals will shine and will win the game.

The Eagles passing game vs. the Giants running game is how this will shake out and heads up, I’ll take the Giants running game though this will be a great game to watch.  The Eagles will be throwing almost at will on the Giants, Jeff Garcia, Donte Stallworth and maybe even Reggie Brown make solid starts. 

For the Giants, stay away from Eli Manning and Plaxico Burress as the Giants will run the ball with Tiki Barber first and when he needs a break, the big fella will come in.  Expect to see Brandon Jacobs in the end-zone, for at least 2! 

The passing of Lamar Hunt, a true end of an era, will lift the Chiefs somewhat.  If they were at home, I would really need to sit back and evaluate how much that will mean to their team.  On the road, the emotional loss of Mr. Hunt and how it will effect the outcome of the game will be dampened.  Two of the best runners in football, if not the two best, will be squaring off in this one and do not be surprised when Larry Johnson rushes for more yards than LaDainian Tomlinson as it will happen.  Stay away from the rest of your Chiefs however as they will struggle most of the day.

The Chargers will of course be running but where they make up the difference to the Larry Johnson rushing festival will be in their passing game.  Phil Rivers to Antonio Gates will be alive and well and that is why they will win the football game.

The Bengals will bring balance.  Expect them to try Rudi Johnson, a lot, on the Colts after what everyone else has been doing to them but the Bengals don’t have an effective two headed running attack like the other teams that have dominated the Colts.  Rudi Johnson is a must start but don’t expect 150 yards.  The Bengals won’t forget their bread and butter and will also throw the ball as you will rarely see a team, no matter the match up, abandon their strength and try to play completely to the opponents top weakness.  Yes they’ll throw a little extra at that weakness but don’t worry about your Bengals receivers.  The Jaguars strength is their running game so of course they double whammied the Colts with it.

The Colts will put this one on the shoulders of Peyton Manning.  Expect a big day from Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison as the Bengals corners get schooled.

Never-the-less, a great game to watch and an awesome Monday Night game to watch, with the sound down of course.  When will someone understand that Joe Theismann can kill a broadcast.  I for one miss Michaels and Madden.  For all the Madden haters out there, sometimes you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.  They make a great tandem in this authors not so humble opinion.