Week 12 Preview: Key Matchups and Their Fantasy Relevance

Chargers at Colts

There are very few teams that have had regular success against Peyton Manning and the Colts… Philip Rivers and the Chargers are one of them.  Rivers finally has his full compliment of receivers for the first time all season, as pro-bowl WR Vincent Jackson is finally back in action on Sunday night.  On the other side of the ball, the Colts are still banged up… RBs Mike Hart and Joseph Addai are unlikely to make a reappearance in this game and Donald Brown will likely have to share the load with Javarris James.  It isn’t December just yet, so Rivers doesn’t have any streak to defend… but I still like him to squeak out a win on the road, in by far the most appealing game of the week.  Even though it is his first game back in action, VJax shows up just outside my top 20 at WR this week.  The game should be a high-scoring passing affair and there wont be any time available for him to get acclimated to the speed of the game.  Mike Tolbert is another player who looks poised to have a strong performance as he faces a weak rush defense who has allowed a fair few big-games to guys like Ryan Torain and Arian Foster.  Given how stout the Chargers defense has been this season, I would look to someone other than Donald Brown this week.  He doesn’t seem to have a nose for the end zone and with only mediocre yardage in the other games that he was the lead-back… I see no reason to anticipate a breakout performance.  No need to downgrade anyone in the passing game with Manning at QB however.

Eagles at Bears

Two playoff contenders meet on Sunday in the windy city.  The Bears have been finding a way to win ball games, regardless of questionable QB play and a receiving corp that lacks a big, physical guy that can out jump opponents and come down with the ball in the red zone.  The Eagles on the other hand have had near-perfect QB play when Michael Vick has been healthy.  Vick has yet to throw an INT all season and with his speed and maneuverability he appears to be immune to the standard pass rush that most teams utilize.  One of the biggest reasons for the Bears’ winning record is their ability to generate pressure on the QB while only rushing four people.  That isn’t enough to stop Vick and I like the Eagles to win this game convincingly. I did downgrade McCoy in my rankings as he will have some trouble finding running lanes against this defense.  A lot of analysts are scared about the production of DeSean Jackson but as someone that owned him last season, I can tell you that bad weeks happen with this guy.  Most weeks he is able to get open deep and make a big play (at least once).  With this explosive potential it is just too risky to bench Jackson!  Maclin on the other hand, is the goto receiver for Vick and he is a must-start every week… at least until Vick’s play deteriorates… if it does.  Look for the Eagles to win this game by capitalizing on Cutler’s turnovers and by Vick scrambling to allow the big-play to develop down the field.

Packers at Falcons

These are the two teams that I like to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.  The Packers have faced a ton of injuries and their offense is better and more balanced because of it.  Ok… so they would be more balanced if they never lost Grant.  Either way, the Packers are finally getting healthy again on the defensive side of the ball… and as long as Clay Matthews is leading that defense, the Packers have a chance. Look for the Packers to win this match in the dome, which could be a shootout.  Most players involved in this game are either studs, or not fantasy-relevant… so start Rodgers, Jennings, White and Turner! If they aren’t listed there, then they aren’t worth a start in a standard league. Sorry to cut this one short, but it is time for me to get to my family and enjoy the holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, enjoy the family, turkey and as always… FOOTBALL!!