Game Day Wonders Week 15

Injuries are starting to pile up and heavyweight fantasy performers are dinged up this week. Darrell Jackson, Keenan McCardell, Chester Taylor, Jake Delhomme, Marques Colston, and Joe Horn could all miss action this week, as they try to rebound from health issues. Just call me the "Clean up Man," as I will resolve your fantasy playoff nightmares. Every player mentioned above has played an important role to some fantasy owner out there. Therefore, it is important that you play and sit the right fantasy performer's this week.

The Hot List

• Last week, I mentioned D.J. Hackett in the Flog as a sleeper to watch. Well, what do you know, the kid delivered. His numbers on the season surpassed those he had as a rookie (2005) as he snatched 4 receptions for 104 yards and 1 touchdown. With Darrell Jackson ailing and expected to miss Thursday night's game, Hackett is an intriguing play. Also, Bobby Engram will finally be back and implemented into the game plan. The 49ers are allowing nearly 2 passing touchdowns per game. If you are looking for that insidious play at the flex position or even at your #3 wide receiver slot, don't look past week D.J. Hackett. He will not be starting, as Nate Burleson will start along side Deion Branch, but we will see plenty of 4-receiver sets. Hackett has scored at least once in two of the previous three games. Hackett is the Devery Henderson of the Seattle Seahawks, show this kid some love! I am projecting Hackett to haul in 5 receptions for 78 yards and 1 touchdown.
• Somehow, some way, Michael Vick will put up big fantasy points this week. There is speculation that he will play at running back. I can't see head coach Jim Mora doing so, no matter what the circumstances are even if he has completely low-balled Matt Schaub. Dallas' run defense is one of the best in the league and they will completely shut down any running back not named Warrick Dunn that Atlanta throws at them. As for Michael Vick, I could see him running on the Cowboys, and even making some big passing plays too. Dallas is tied at 28^th in total sacks on opposing quarterbacks. In a game where I expect to see a lot of points scored from Romo's side and Vick's side, Michael Vick is a dependable fantasy asset this week if you own Jake Delhomme, Matt Leinart, or Steve McNair. I am expecting Vick to see 195 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 89 rushing yards, and 1 rushing touchdown this week against Dallas. Vick hasn't had a rushing score since week 6, he is well overdue.
• Remember in the off-season where everyone that the running back situation in Green Bay would get messy and be anti-fantasy in football terms? Well, Ahman Green has balled that theory up! Any hopes of a pre-season Najeh Davenport or Samkon Gado takeover simply evaporated. Green currently has 867 rushing yards, 270 receiving yards, and 6 total touchdowns. He will be running against a profoundly regressing run defense in the Lions. Running backs are pretty much guaranteed a score against Detroit as they have allowed 14 in 13 games. They are also giving up 130 rushing yards per game. Earlier this year, when the Lions' run defense looked semi-impressive, Green totaled 131 yards and 1 touchdown against Detroit, a statistical standpoint that is consistent with what Detroit is allowing. I think Green will go off this Sunday. Expect 104 rushing yards, 76 receiving yards and 1 touchdown from Green.

The Cold List

• Things are starting to snowball in St. Louis and I expect Marc Bulger to have another lackluster performance in fantasy terms. Everybody is running on the Raiders and therefore Oakland still has the league's top ranked pass defense. They are only 1 of six defenses to have more interceptions than touchdowns allowed though. Bulger's numbers have significantly taken a hit since since week 9 until last week. I think we will see his late mid-season numbers once again, whether it is his fault or his line's fault. Either way, I hope you have a better option this week. I am expecting Bulger to pass for 166 yards and 0 touchdowns as Steven Jackson runs all over the Raiders.
• From a statistical viewpoint, Laveraneus Coles is a great play this week, as he goes up against one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Although, I expect Chad Pennington to struggle in spreading the ball around as the offensive line's demise continues. Rookies D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold were major letdowns last week and it resulted in a poor offensive output from the Jets. I expect the same again this week, even if Coles will be matched up against a horrendous secondary. The Jets average talent has been getting by with great coaching from Eric Mangini. With that said, NFL coaching does not win fantasy championships. Expect Coles to grab 4 receptions for 31 yards and 0 touchdowns.
• If you have to start Tony Gonzalez, then you must, but I recommend looking for other options if you play with a flex position. Gonzalez will be needed to block this week as Kansas City tries to fend off the Chargers' awesome defensive rush. Sure, he had 6 catches for 138 yards earlier this season against San Diego, but this offensive is starting to look more like a Herm Edwards offense. Also, Gonzalez hasn't scored a touchdown on a top 16 pass defense since week 13 of 2005. Like I said, you might have to start him, but if you have other options, go with them. Tony Gonzalez should haul in 3 receptions for 27 yards and zero scores.

Silent but Deadly

• Since I am expecting a poor performance from Tony Gonzalez, you may ask yourself, who is a viable option over him. We seen a good performance from Tony Scheffler last week as he appeared to be a dependable target for fellow rookie Jay Cutler. I think we will see this relationship grow even more this week as Cutler faces a vulnerable secondary and linebacker corps in Arizona. I do expect Scheffler to prosper for a second consecutive week. I would be surprised if he doesn't bring in 5 receptions for 49 yards and 1 touchdown.

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