Well. Week 14 is underway, and I think that what you saw was a sign of thing to come.\u00a0 Unlike some previous weeks, there are only a few huge games this week.\u00a0 The rest of the matchups are kind of ho hum.\u00a0 I will try to break down some of the few interesting stories lines going into the rest of Week 14.<\/p>\n
Here, then, is Dave B\u2019s Watchlist Q & A for Week 14!<\/p>\n
1. Will the \u201cgood teams playing poorly\u201d\u00a0 rebound in Week 14?<\/strong><\/h3>\nPittsburgh Steelers<\/strong> – Inexplicable, the Steelers have lost 4 straight games, and their Defense seems to be in decline.\u00a0 It\u2019s really hard to figure why the early season Super Bowl favorites have stumbled so badly against some poor teams.\u00a0 Cleveland is up next, so I wouldn\u2019t worry about the losing ways continuing. <\/strong>The weather is supposed to be nasty, bumping the Steelers passing game down a notch, but the running game should do more than enough to end the losing streak.<\/p>\nNew England Patriots<\/strong> – Let the bickering commence.\u00a0 Tom Brady has called out his team and why not?\u00a0 They have lost 2 straight games in demoralizing fashion.\u00a0 You can bet that Bill Belched and gang will stop the bleeding this week and beyond.\u00a0 I feel sorry for Carolina, Buffalo, and Jacksonville – the next opponents for the grumpy, hungry Patriots.<\/p>\nNew York Giants<\/strong> – Sure the Giants won a huge game last week against the hated Cowboys, but before that game, they had lost 5 of their past 6 games.\u00a0 A true test awaits them this week – they play a Philadelphia team that is on quite a roll right now.\u00a0 Mark my words folks, the Eagles will not give up 420 yards to the Giants like the Cowboys did last week.\u00a0\u00a0 The passing game won\u2019t get much done and either will the sputtering running game.\u00a0 It\u2019s likely to be another tough week for all you Giants fans.<\/p>\n2. How will the \u201cbad teams playing well\u201d\u00a0 fare this weekend?<\/strong><\/h3>\nOakland Raiders<\/strong> – Make no mistake about it folks, this is a BAD team.\u00a0 However, in their last 3 games, they have victories over Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.\u00a0 Bruce Gradkowski has injected a new found confidence in the Raiders and appear to have a good chance to continue their winning ways against the Redskins at home.<\/p>\nJacksonville Jaguars<\/strong> – Somehow, the Jaguars have been winning without the standout performances from Maurice Jones-Drew. <\/strong>They have won 5 of their last 6 games and are firmly in the AFC Wildcard chase.\u00a0 Miami seems ripe for the picking right now, and I wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see the Jags improve to 8-5 this weekend.<\/p>\nTennessee Titans<\/strong> – Bad team might be a bit harsh, but their 0-6 start was well earned.\u00a0 Lately, they have been playing good football.\u00a0 Winners of 5 of their last 6 games, the Titans should climb to the 500 level with games against St. Louis and Miami coming up. An 8-8 season is very probable – shocking because of the awful start they had.<\/p>\n3. Will \u201cthe unheralded\u201d\u00a0continue to shine in Week 14?<\/strong><\/h3>\nAlex Smith – San Francisco<\/strong> – Tough test for Smith and his 49ers this week against a Red Hot Arizona team that simply looks unstoppable right now.\u00a0 Smith should have another quality outing as far as Fantasy stats go – the Niners are going to have to throw the ball a lot to keep this game close.\u00a0 Smith\u2019s audition for next year\u2019s starting job in San Francisco continues in positive fashion this Monday as he and the other Offensive stars should all have good games.<\/p>\nVince Young – Tennessee<\/strong> – Young is another player that is cementing his starting status for next year.\u00a0 He has guided his team back to respectability and although he should have an OK game this week, it\u2019s more likely that the Titans running game will dominate\u00a0 against the Rams.\u00a0 Young will improve upon his impressive winning percentage, but his overall numbers might not be all that great.<\/p>\nChad Henne – Miami<\/strong> – Another young gun that is making a name for himself in the later part of this season, Henne comes off his best career effort into a showdown with a beatable Jacksonville secondary.\u00a0 The running games seems to have peaked and unless Ricky Williams can dominate, the Fins might be in a bit of trouble.<\/p>\nJosh Freeman – Tampa Bay<\/strong> -Tough test for Freeman and the Bucs this week against a stout NY Jets Defense.\u00a0 Freeman has a few games under his belt and also has a prime weapon, Antonio Bryant back from injury.\u00a0 Add in the talented, yet underachieving running game and Kellen Winslow, and Freeman could make a bit of noise this weekend.\u00a0 Will they win the game – highly unlikely, but the Buccaneers should at least be competitive.<\/p>\nJamaal Charles – Kansas City<\/strong> – Charles appears to have won himself the starting Running Back job for Kansas City next year.\u00a0 He has scored in 4 straight games against some pretty tough Defenses.\u00a0 Now he gets the honor of facing the league\u2019s worst run Defense – the Buffalo Bills.\u00a0 It should be another great week for Charles owners – he\u2019s going to be huge.<\/p>\n
New England Patriots<\/strong> – Let the bickering commence.\u00a0 Tom Brady has called out his team and why not?\u00a0 They have lost 2 straight games in demoralizing fashion.\u00a0 You can bet that Bill Belched and gang will stop the bleeding this week and beyond.\u00a0 I feel sorry for Carolina, Buffalo, and Jacksonville – the next opponents for the grumpy, hungry Patriots.<\/p>\n New York Giants<\/strong> – Sure the Giants won a huge game last week against the hated Cowboys, but before that game, they had lost 5 of their past 6 games.\u00a0 A true test awaits them this week – they play a Philadelphia team that is on quite a roll right now.\u00a0 Mark my words folks, the Eagles will not give up 420 yards to the Giants like the Cowboys did last week.\u00a0\u00a0 The passing game won\u2019t get much done and either will the sputtering running game.\u00a0 It\u2019s likely to be another tough week for all you Giants fans.<\/p>\n Oakland Raiders<\/strong> – Make no mistake about it folks, this is a BAD team.\u00a0 However, in their last 3 games, they have victories over Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.\u00a0 Bruce Gradkowski has injected a new found confidence in the Raiders and appear to have a good chance to continue their winning ways against the Redskins at home.<\/p>\n Jacksonville Jaguars<\/strong> – Somehow, the Jaguars have been winning without the standout performances from Maurice Jones-Drew. <\/strong>They have won 5 of their last 6 games and are firmly in the AFC Wildcard chase.\u00a0 Miami seems ripe for the picking right now, and I wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see the Jags improve to 8-5 this weekend.<\/p>\n Tennessee Titans<\/strong> – Bad team might be a bit harsh, but their 0-6 start was well earned.\u00a0 Lately, they have been playing good football.\u00a0 Winners of 5 of their last 6 games, the Titans should climb to the 500 level with games against St. Louis and Miami coming up. An 8-8 season is very probable – shocking because of the awful start they had.<\/p>\n Alex Smith – San Francisco<\/strong> – Tough test for Smith and his 49ers this week against a Red Hot Arizona team that simply looks unstoppable right now.\u00a0 Smith should have another quality outing as far as Fantasy stats go – the Niners are going to have to throw the ball a lot to keep this game close.\u00a0 Smith\u2019s audition for next year\u2019s starting job in San Francisco continues in positive fashion this Monday as he and the other Offensive stars should all have good games.<\/p>\n Vince Young – Tennessee<\/strong> – Young is another player that is cementing his starting status for next year.\u00a0 He has guided his team back to respectability and although he should have an OK game this week, it\u2019s more likely that the Titans running game will dominate\u00a0 against the Rams.\u00a0 Young will improve upon his impressive winning percentage, but his overall numbers might not be all that great.<\/p>\n Chad Henne – Miami<\/strong> – Another young gun that is making a name for himself in the later part of this season, Henne comes off his best career effort into a showdown with a beatable Jacksonville secondary.\u00a0 The running games seems to have peaked and unless Ricky Williams can dominate, the Fins might be in a bit of trouble.<\/p>\n Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay<\/strong> -Tough test for Freeman and the Bucs this week against a stout NY Jets Defense.\u00a0 Freeman has a few games under his belt and also has a prime weapon, Antonio Bryant back from injury.\u00a0 Add in the talented, yet underachieving running game and Kellen Winslow, and Freeman could make a bit of noise this weekend.\u00a0 Will they win the game – highly unlikely, but the Buccaneers should at least be competitive.<\/p>\n Jamaal Charles – Kansas City<\/strong> – Charles appears to have won himself the starting Running Back job for Kansas City next year.\u00a0 He has scored in 4 straight games against some pretty tough Defenses.\u00a0 Now he gets the honor of facing the league\u2019s worst run Defense – the Buffalo Bills.\u00a0 It should be another great week for Charles owners – he\u2019s going to be huge.<\/p>\n2. How will the \u201cbad teams playing well\u201d\u00a0 fare this weekend?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Will \u201cthe unheralded\u201d\u00a0continue to shine in Week 14?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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