By Brian McGee

Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears:
The Earth shaking Seahawks are trying to prove the World wrong again.  They will be on the road in this game in a very cold environment.  The forecast — to be in the mid to high 20′s, with a chance of snow shower — should prove an advantage for the Chicago Bears.  Matt Hasselback decided to play like a Hall of Fame QB and beat the defending champs last week in their wild card match-up.  During the season he threw 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, but against the Saints last week he threw 4 touchdowns to only 1 interception.  He had a passer rating of 113, a touch better than his average rating for the season of 73.  After the phenomenal run of Marshawn Lynch that almost brought the town of Seattle to rubble, the Seahawks must be taken more seriously.  If the Bears think they will be able to control them with their defense and have Cutler get the ball in the end zone, they could be in for a shock.  With that being said, this is the best match-up that Bears could have asked for.  They have earned their home field advantage, although it was through a lesser schedule than most teams.  They will need the accuracy of Cutler to return and to use the versatility of Matt Forte early and often to move the chains.  The Bears “D” will not allow 41 points to be posted up on them; they are rested and ready to get their run into the playoffs.  Look for a controlled run/pass attack and a fierce defense from the Bears to end the Seahawks hopes for another shocking win.
Bears win 24-17

Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan does not lose at the Georgia Dome.  Aaron Rodgers loves to win in hostile settings.  It’s a battle of phenomenal young QB’s, one a little more seasoned than the other.  The Falcons and Ryan have been proving people wrong every week of the season; they have proven how dominant their defense can be and how poised their young quarterback is.  This is the game that I would watch if their was only one game that I could.  I want to see how Rodgers finds throwing room against the Falcons and how well Jennings can respond with a mediocre performance last week.  The Packers dropped a couple crucial balls last week, especially at the end of the half when James Jones used his frying pan hands and missed a scoring opportunity.  With a lot of offensive possibilities in this game, the key to whomever wins will once again be a defensive stop in the final 2 minutes.  Whatever team will come through and muster up that little extra on defense will win the game. I am very excited for this game, and I hope it lives up to the hype I am giving it.  Two great duos with Rodgers and Jennings and Ryan and White.  Fantastic defenses playing at the highest level, not many things can top playoff football.
Packers win 27-24

By Brian McGee

The Wild Card weekend is done, and, to no surprise, the Ravens made it through.  The Jets found a way to get past Peyton Manning and the Colts, and thus, I was 1 for 2 last week with my AFC predictions.  Let’s see if I can improve on that this week.

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
When worlds collide, this is what it must feel like.  These two powerhouse defenses are known for wanting to mame and decapitate each other, and have had some success in doing both.  They split their regular season meetings, with both games decided by a field goal, even with Pittsburgh starting 13-year pro and perennial back-up Charlie Batch in the Week 4 meeting (won by the Ravens).  When Ben Roethlisberger was behind center, the Steelers won, but Big Ben suffered a broken nose in the process; a little reminder from the Ravens that they don’t like to lose.  This game will be just like the previous matches.  The defenses will keep the score low because neither give up a lot of touchdowns, and the game should be decided by which QB can take their respective team down the field in the 4th quarter.  The Steelers defense has been able to keep them in games and give Big Ben a chance to make a game-winning drive.  Joe Flacco looked precise and under control for the Ravens in last week’s route of the Kansas City Chiefs.  You can’t take much away from that game offensively because of the turnovers, but Flacco looked more poised than last year, and that is a big thing.  Going into Heinz field and trying to win in the playoffs is a very difficult task, but I think the Ravens are up to it.  Ray Rice is now more involved in the gameplan, and the Ravens have many receiving targets for Flacco.  Troy Polamalu can’t cover them all.  Of course, this will be a grind out kind of game, but at the end, the drive that will matter will be in the hands of the Ravens offense, and they will get it done.
Ravens win 20-17

New York Jets @ New England Patriots
Apparently Rex Ryan is confused.  He believes this game is only about him against Bill Belichick.  He has forgotten the beat-down his team received the last time these two met.  His focus should be on getting his team past this round of the playoffs and into the AFC Championship game.  Making it personal may take some of the pressure off of his team, but it shouldn’t be needed at this juncture of the season.  Your team is either mentally and physically prepared by now or they aren’t.  If the Jets are not ready, then that blame is rested squarely on Ryan’s shoulders.  After last week’s last second field goal by Nick Folk, the Jets made it past the Indianapolis Colts, but if they expect to contend with the Patriots, they will need a much better game out of their QB.  Mark Sanchez was 18 for 31 against the Colts for 189 yards and 1 interception.  That won’t cut it against Brady and Company.  The Jets needed poor coaching from the Indianapolis sideline to narrowly escape Wild-Card Weekend.  Belichick won’t give the Jets as many opportunities.  He will have a phenomenal game plan, as usual, and Brady will execute it with precision.  With BenJarvus Green-Ellis becoming a consistent running back and the dual threat of Danny Woodhead, the Patriots are a more balanced and higher caliber team.
Patriots win 27-17

By Brian McGee

And now for the AFC match-ups.

New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts:
This isn’t a game between Mark Sanchez and Peyton Manning because if it were, it wouldn’t be a game at all; Manning is the far superior quarterback.  This will be a game of defenses.  The Colts D needs to harness its playoff nastiness once again to give their team a chance to advance into the next round.  Manning may own Rex Ryan and any team he coaches for — like Rex Ryan’s wife needs to own some shoes — but the game will still be decided on how the defenses contain the offenses.  The Jets can live with a 10 point game because they expect their defense to carry them when Sanchez and company have a hard time moving the ball.  This is the first year in a while that the Colts have looked vulnerable.  They did, however, end the regular season on a 4 game winning streak to get into the playoffs, and I can’t see that momentum slowing down.  The Jets are a better team than they were last year, but on the road, and with the Colts rolling, I don’t see them coming away with a victory.  Even with his subs in, Manning can make anybody better and will find a way to win.
Final Score: Colts win 17-13

Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs:
The league’s best rushing attack against one of the league’s best run stopping defenses.  Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones have run for over 2,300 yards this season, with a combined average of 4.9 yards per carry.  Charles fell less than 150 yards short of the rushing title, and he did it as a “back-up” for the first part of the year.  The Ravens have found their old ways, giving Ray Rice as many touches as he can handle.  He is as versatile as Charles with a lower center of gravity, so instead of going around people, he can go through them, if necessary.  The Chiefs were very good in the regular season at home, with a record of 7-1, their only loss to an Oakland Raiders team that finished the season 6-0 in the AFC West.  Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe have been off lately, and will be hard pressed to find their groove against the Ravens’ experienced defensive attack led by grandfather linebacker Ray Lewis.  This will be a very good, very close game, but the Ravens will shut down the Chiefs’ ground attack and win it on a field goal in the final minutes.
Final Score: Ravens win 13-10

By Brian McGee

The season is over and the post-season is upon us.  I hope your Fantasy leagues went as well as you hoped they would.  I, unfortunately, had a rough year with some injuries (Antonio Gates=upsetting), but I will not dwell on it.  I will only make up for it with a post-season victory.  My F.P.I.C. (Fantasy Partner In Crime), Josh, had a very nice year with, I believe, two league championships out of three, so kudos to you, Joshua.

Now to the playoffs.

NFC Division

New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks:
The Seahawks are the first team with a losing record to get into the playoffs.  Go Charlie Whitehurst.  The Seahawks should reward Whitehurst with a playoff start and leave Matt Hasselback on the bench.  What do they have to lose?  Not only are they in the playoffs, but they are hosting the game.  Seattle has always been a very tough place for opposing teams to come in and win big games, but, that said, the Seahawks don’t stand a chance with the defending champions coming to town.  The last line in Vegas has the Saints as a 10 point favorite.  That means the odds makers are giving Seattle little to no chance.  The Saints are the 3rd best passing team in the league, led by Sportsman of the Year, Drew Brees.  Both teams are bottom dwellers in the run game, the Saints more than ever with the injury to rookie Chris ivory.  I am happy for Seattle and I don’t believe the playoff rules should be changed; this has been the only time a team with a losing record has ever gotten in.  The people who should be mad are the other NFC west teams, St. Louis especially.  Drew Brees will guide his team to a wild card victory.
Final Score: Saints win 27-10 (that even rhymes)

Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles:
Aaron Rodgers vs. Michael Vick; everything else is irrelevant.  Which 2010 outstanding QB will shine in the biggest spotlight of the New Year?  Will Rodgers show the NFL that he does indeed deserve to be in the Pro Bowl?  Or will Michael Vick confirm his status as an elite QB?  The Eagles hold two distinct advantages in this game: home field and LeSean McCoy.  The Packers have no running game, and thus their offense rests on the chiseled shoulders of their young and talented quarterback, Rodgers.  The Eagles ground attack features the skilled McCoy, Vick and even DeSean Jackson, if the Eagles can use him at the right moments on some end-a-rounds.  If Vick can scramble as well as he has all year, A.J. Hawk, Clay Matthews and the rest of the Packer defense will have a very long day.  The Packers’ defense ranks 18th against the run and 5th against the pass.  For the Eagles to be successful they will need to lean on the running game and pass the ball efficiently.  These two teams met in the first week of the season with the Packers prevailing 27-20, but Vick was only in for half the game.  I expect this to be another close battle, the winner to be determined because of a big defensive play.  Aaron Rodgers has carried this team offensively all year, so expect nothing less from him in this game.  He will have more to prove because of the Pro Bowl snub.  Rodgers should take it personally and use that on the field.
Final Score: Packers win 24-20

By Brian McGee

Here are some Wide Receivers who will help your team this week:

WR: Danny Amendola (StL) – Amendola is Sam Bradford’s most trusted receiver, and though Danny is not a deep threat, by any means, he receives enough targets to be a good week-to-week fill-in for your wide receiving core.  In his 2nd year in the NFL, his numbers are solid: 45 receptions, 379 yards, 2 touchdowns and an average of 8.4 yards per catch.  With 5.5 receptions per game, he can be counted on to produce for you when needed.
Week 10 Projection: 55 yards, 1TD

WR: Michael Jenkins (ATL) – Jenkins has only played in 3 games this year, and though he has yet to find the end zone, he is averaging a respectable 60 yards per game and 17.9 yards per catch.  Roddy White is listed as questionable, but is expected to play Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens.  In turn, White will command a lot of attention from the Ravens’ secondary, leaving Jenkins to find the openings as the WR2.  The Falcons might turn to the passing game if Michael Turner can’t get it done against the Ravens run defense.
Week 10 Projection: 65 yards, 1TD

Leave me a comment and let me know if this is helpful.  I like the feedback.  Thank you.

By Brian McGee

Everyone has bye week players or players who are nursing an injury.  It is those who make the correct fill-ins that stay in the championship race.  If you don’t already have Josh Freeman or Ryan Fitzpatrick, look to these QB’s:

QB: David Garrard (Jax) – Garrard is coming off of his best game of the year: 17-21, 260 yards and 4 td’s.  He also ran the ball for an additional score.  He will be going up against the 32nd ranked passing defense in the NFL, as the Houston Texans give up an average of 298 passing yards per game.  Tony Romo, posted 284 yards, Bruce Gradkowski put up 278 yards and Eli Manning reached 297 yards, all in consecutive games against the Texans’ porous secondary.  Garrard is a solid fill in for your line up.
Week 10 Projection: 260 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 int

QB: Matt Cassel (KC) – Cassel will playing a decent pass defense in the Denver Broncos, but the Broncos are the 31st ranked run defense.  This will allow the Kansas City running backs to do all the work for Cassel.  His yards won’t be high, by any means, but he will get scoring chances deep inside the red zone.  It will be similar to what happened in Oakland last week.  Expect a solid day for Cassel, as he will rely on his backfield to open up opportunities for him.
Week 10 Projection: 210 yards, 2 touchdowns, 20 rushing yards

By Brian McGee

It has been many years since the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders have been in contention for the AFC West championship.  Yes, the season is only half way done, and San Diego is known for their aggressive second half performances, but if you are a West Coast guy, like myself, this game is a must see.  Word on the street is that the game in Oakland will finally sell out, putting an end to local TV blackouts for Raiders’ home games.  This marks the 103rd game between the two teams, dating back to the AFL days.  The Chiefs hold a slight edge in regular season match-ups (54-46-2), and have beaten the Raiders 2-1 in the post season.

The latest installment in this storied rivalry will feature one thing: running.  Sunday’s match-up presents two of the premiere rushing tandems in the NFL today: Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones for the Chiefs, and Darren McFadden and Michael Bush for the Raiders.  These two groups of runners represent the growing trend in the NFL: Why have one great back when you can have two?  The Chiefs’ duo has rushed for 1,204 yards this season, with a combined average of 5.4 yards per carry.  Jamaal Charles leads all NFL backs (with a minimum of 100 carries) at a 6.5 yards per carry average.  The Raiders’ pack have rushed for 975 yards, for an average of 4.8 yards per carry, Darren McFadden leading the way with a solid 5.5 yards per attempt.

With a forecast of breezy, low-60′s and a 40-percent chance of rain at McAfee Coliseum, you can expect a heavy dose of these two-man assault groups.  Even though Jason Campbell received the Fed-Ex player of the week award for his 310 yard, 2 touchdown performance last week in the victory over Seattle, it doesn’t mean the Raiders will abandon their most valuable offensive trait.  Because of the impact it will have in the AFC West (and with me), I, personally, along with my Fantasy Sports Shack colleague, Josh, will be attending this game, rain or shine, to watch as two rejuvenated teams show the whole football world they are not be mocked anymore.  Ye who enters the Black Hole will be forever a changed man.

Game Predictions:

Raiders 27, Chiefs 24

McFadden – 110 yards, 1 td           Bush – 55 yards, 1 td
Jones – 80 yards, 1 td                      Charles – 90 yards, 1 td

By Brian McGee

Just because it’s on Monday night does not mean it’s a good match up, but tonight’s contest between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts should be a good one.  In a Week 1 battle between these two teams, the Texans surprised a lot of people by pulling out a huge victory, and it wasn’t with the arm of Matt Schaub (who completed only 9 of 17 passes for 107 yards, 1 td and 1 int).  What the Texans did have were the feet of Arian Foster (33 rushes, 231 yards, 3 td).  Peyton Manning did all he could to win that game, completing 40 of 57 pass attempts for 433 yards and 3 scores (with zero picks).  Austin Collie and Dallas Clark, both of whom are now injured, combined for 22 catches, 243 yards and 2 td.  For the Colts to win the rematch, the replacements need to step up.  Blair White needs to do what Austin Collie did.

Coming off the Texans’ bye week, Schaub, who had 29+ fantasy points in Week 6, will indeed have a solid outing, and Arian Foster will continue his running assault on the league with another 100+ yard game.  Considering their depleted backfield, a lot will rest on the arm of the Colts’ QB, and I don’t believe Schaub and Foster will be able to outduel Manning for a second time.  This won’t be as high scoring, but still a good one.  24-21 Colts.

Bye weeks can be hell on a fantasy football roster.  Here are your top Week 8 replacement options:

WR-Mike Williams (Sea): Anybody who gets 15 and 16 passes thrown their way in 2 games, consecutively, resulting in 10 and 11 catches, respectively, deserves a start in many leagues, if not all.  Not only that, but in Week 7, Williams found his way past the pylons into that sacred area where you can only celebrate by yourself, with no props, and god help you if you think about high fiving anyone.  Expect a solid 80 yards and another solo celebratory dance for Mr. Williams.

WR-Blair White (Ind): A hot pick up from the waiver wire this week, White will see a huge increase in value with Mr. Consistent looking his way.  (If you really don’t know who Mr. Consistent is, click here.)  With Dallas Clark out, Austin Collie hurt and Anthony G. not quite football ready, White will see a great deal of looks out of the slot position in short yardage and red zone situations.  With Peyton Manning controlling the game against a Houston pass defense that plays as if the other guys are wearing flags, expect White to take advantage of it.  60 yards and 1 TD.

RB-Darren Sproles (SD): That’s right, Darren Sproles.  He has caught 14 passes in the last two weeks, totaling 118 yards. Considering Tennessee’s stout run defense, Sproles should get a few more looks this week, as well.  With the injuries to Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates, Philip Rivers will continue to trust his speedy option out of the backfield.  Whether or not Sproles breaks one and takes it to the house remains to be seen, but yards alone, he should contribute for your team.  30 yards rushing, 50 yards receiving and 150 return yards.

RB-LeGarrette Blount (TB): You better put him in your line-up or he will punch you in your face.  No, he probably won’t, but he will give you a hard-nosed runner that is starting to show his superb upside.  Blount averaged 6.5 yards per carry last week, for a total of 72 yards.  Cadillac Williams is still part of the running game, but Blount is quickly making a case for himself to be the primary ball carrier.  Playing Arizona and their 29th ranked rushing defense — their opponents run for an average of 143 yards per game — is a case in itself to let Blount go to work for you.  Break out week for the rookie.  80 yards and a TD.

By Brian McGee

With Tony Romo’s fractured left clavicle, the Dallas Cowboys’ season went from dreadful to abysmal.  But there is a fantasy football silver lining, for those of you who own some of the Cowboys’ weapons, and that is Jon Kitna.  Yes, Jon Kitna.  He threw for over 4,000 yards in both 2006 and 2007 with the Detroit Lions.  His completion percentage has never been the best, but he knows how to get the job done.  His numbers this past Monday night were good, especially for a backup who has not played since the ’08-’09 season.

Felix Jones and Dez Bryant will benefit from Kitna being at the helm more than any other two offensive players.  Jones, who has been very underwhelming so far this season (only one 100+ yard game), has yet to score a touchdown.  He should see an increased workload from a more balanced attack, especially inside the red zone.  The Cowboys organization is going to see what Dez Bryant is all about.  They will make a point to get him the ball as many times as they can.  They want to make sure their investment was worth it.  And remember, he already has two punt returns for touchdowns, a la Devin Hester, but possesses a much better skill set for the wide receiver position.