| Player: |
Michael Bennett RB, San Diego Chargers 01/08/09, Time: 2:08 pm |
| News: |
Bennett has to be considered a real fantasy option at this point. Assuming L.T. is not able to play; Bennett becomes a very real part of the San Diego offense, and could be an X factor. |
| Analysis: |
Bennett has been very solid in his limited time in San Diego. He is a decent play at No. 2 RB. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Chris Johnson RB, Tennessee Titans 01/08/09, Time: 2:06 pm |
| News: |
Johnson was inactive in Week 17 and is well rested going into the game this weekend. Johnson has been deemed healthy and is a solid pick at No. 1 RB. |
| Analysis: |
Johnson has been a beast all season and should have a decent game even though he is facing a very tough Baltimore defense. (SportsBuff.com) |
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John Carney K, N.Y. Giants Giants 01/08/09, Time: 2:04 pm |
| News: |
Carney has been lights-out after filling in for Lawrence Tynes and has had a Pro-Bowl type year. He is a solid choice at No. 1 K for as long as his team remains in the playoffs. |
| Analysis: |
Carney is a great play this weekend. The weather in New York should not be much of a factor this weekend. (SportsBuff.com) |
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| Player: |
Derrick Ward RB, N.Y. Giants Giants 01/08/09, Time: 2:03 pm |
| News: |
Ward has held to 39 yards the last time Philadelphia came calling but Ward has been dynamite the last few weeks of the season and has to be seen as a No. 1 option at RB. |
| Analysis: |
Ward is a No. 1 option at RB yet is the No. 2 option on his team. He is as good as any RB in the league this season. (SportsBuff.com) |
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DeSean Jackson WR, Philadelphia Eagles 01/08/09, Time: 2:01 pm |
| News: |
Jackson has had moments of greatness this season, but has had two catches or fewer on four of his last five games. He is the type of guy that likes the spotlight, so this could be his week to shine. |
| Analysis: |
Jackson is in an offense that when operating efficiently, spreads the ball around a lot. Jackson is a match-up problem for some teams but was shut out last time he played against the Giants. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Neil Rackers K, Arizona Cardinals 01/07/09, Time: 4:03 pm |
| News: |
Rackers missed his one and only field goal attempt last weekend but did convert all of his extra point tries. His team lives in the red zone so he is always a solid play. |
| Analysis: |
Rackers is a decent play this week but his team will most likely lose if you are considering him for the long haul. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Vincent Jackson WR, San Diego Chargers 01/07/09, Time: 4:01 pm |
| News: |
Jackson was arrested early Tuesday morning on suspicion of drunken driving. He was taken to the San Diego County jail and released. He is expected to play this weekend. |
| Analysis: |
Jackson had zero catches and zero targets last weekend and will now have a bad game and a pending DUI to keep his mind occupied. Consider him a very risky play. (SportsBuff.com) |
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L.J. Smith TE, Philadelphia Eagles 01/07/09, Time: 3:59 pm |
| News: |
Smith was inactive last week in Minnesota so make sure you check on his availability before inserting him in your line-up this weekend. |
| Analysis: |
Smith has been bitten by the injury bug for most of the 2008 regular season. Philadelphia is a better team with him healthy so monitor his progress. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Willie Parker RB, Pittsburgh Steelers 01/07/09, Time: 3:58 pm |
| News: |
Parker has seemingly put all of his 2008 injury woes behind him and looks to be healthy for conference semi-finals this weekend. Consider him a low-end No. 1 choice at RB. |
| Analysis: |
Parker faces a tough Baltimore defense but looks to be healthy and Pittsburgh will definitely need to establish the run. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Brandon Jacobs RB, N.Y. Giants Giants 01/07/09, Time: 3:57 pm |
| News: |
After sitting out Week 17 as an inactive, Brandon Jacobs is expected to participate fully this weekend. New York coach Tom Coughlin has stated that Jacobs will resume his regular role. |
| Analysis: |
Jacobs is a great first down/ goal line back for a team that loves to run the football. Look for Jacobs to have a nice day against Philadelphia. (SportsBuff.com) |
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LaDainian Tomlinson RB, San Diego Chargers 01/07/09, Time: 3:55 pm |
| News: |
No new news on the L.T. watch. San Diego coach Norv Turner said he thought that the injury was no better or worse now that it was last week. Tomlinson is a very risky play this week. |
| Analysis: |
With the emergence of Darren Sproles, L.T. is probably better served sitting on your bench. (SportsBuff.com) |
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| Player: |
Carson Palmer QB, Cincinnati Bengals 01/06/09, Time: 1:07 am |
| News: |
ESPN reports that Palmer will not need to undergo surgery on his right elbow. |
| Analysis: |
Palmer only played in only four games this year in what was a very disappointing season. Look for him to bounce back strong in 2009 once he is back to 100%. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Anquan Boldin WR, Arizona Cardinals 01/06/09, Time: 1:03 am |
| Status: |
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Questionable |
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| News: |
Boldin did not practice on Tuesday as he continues to rest his strained hamstring. |
| Analysis: |
Boldin rode the exercise bike and is unlikely to see any practice time making his status still up in the air for Saturday against Carolina. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Ben Roethlisberger QB, Pittsburgh Steelers 01/06/09, Time: 1:00 am |
| Status: |
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Probable |
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| News: |
Roethlisberger, who is still suffering from a concussion, is expected to start against the Chargers on Sunday. |
| Analysis: |
Big Ben was 31-for-41 for 308 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions against the Chargers in Week 11. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Visanthe Shiancoe TE, Minnesota Vikings 01/05/09, Time: 9:18 pm |
| News: |
Shiancoe had only one catch for seven yards in the playoff loss to the Eagles. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Trent Cole DE, Philadelphia Eagles 01/05/09, Time: 9:17 pm |
| News: |
Cole had 14 total tackles, eight solo, against the Vikings on Sunday. |
| Analysis: |
Cole has been an IDP stud all-season long. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Bernard Berrian RB, Minnesota Vikings 01/05/09, Time: 9:15 pm |
| News: |
Berrian had only two receptions for 36 yards in the Vikings' 26-14 playoff loss to Philadelphia. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Chester Taylor RB, Minnesota Vikings 01/05/09, Time: 9:14 pm |
| News: |
Taylor had 12 carries for 48 yards against the Eagles on Sunday. He also caught five passes for 36 yards. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Adrian Peterson RB, Minnesota Vikings 01/05/09, Time: 9:13 pm |
| News: |
Peterson had 20 carries for 83 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' playoff loss to Philadelphia. |
| Analysis: |
Peterson is the best running back in the NFL and continues to make his mark. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Tarvaris Jackson QB, Minnesota Vikings 01/05/09, Time: 9:12 pm |
| News: |
Jackson completed 15-of-35 passes for 164 yards and an interception in the Vikings' 26-14 playoff loss to the Eagles. He also rushed twice for 17 yards. |
| Analysis: |
Jackson did not play well at all and will make fans in Minnesota question even more if he really is a candidate to be their starting quarterback next season. (SportsBuff.com) |
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DeSean Jackson WR, Philadelphia Eagles 01/05/09, Time: 9:10 pm |
| News: |
Jackson had only one catch for 34 yards in the Eagles' playoff victory over Minnesota. He also rushed one time for two yards. |
| Analysis: |
Jackson was able to burn a Minnesota corner for the 34-yard gain but was held in check after that. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Kevin Curtis WR, Philadelphia Eagles 01/05/09, Time: 9:08 pm |
| News: |
Curtis had four catches for 49 yards in the Eagles' 26-14 playoff win over the Vikings. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Jason Avant WR, Philadelphia Eagles 01/05/09, Time: 9:07 pm |
| News: |
Avant caught five passes for 47 yards against the Vikings on Sunday. |
| Analysis: |
Avant had not done much at the end of the season for the Eagles but was able to be a consistent threat in the passing game. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Brent Celek TE, Philadelphia Eagles 01/05/09, Time: 9:05 pm |
| News: |
Celek had a team-high six catches for 56 yards during the Eagles' playoff victory over the Vikings. |
| Analysis: |
Celek started in place of L.J. Smith who has been battling a shoulder injury. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Brian Westbrook RB, Philadelphia Eagles 01/05/09, Time: 9:03 pm |
| News: |
Westbrook carried the ball 20 times for only 38 yards against the Vikings on Sunday. He also caught three passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.
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| Analysis: |
The Vikings held Westbrook in check for most of the game but were burned on a 71-yard screen pass that put the Eagles up for good. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Donovan McNabb QB, Philadelphia Eagles 01/05/09, Time: 9:01 pm |
| News: |
McNabb completed 23-of-34 passes for 300 yards and one touchdown during the Eagles' 26-14 win over the Vikings on Sunday. |
| Analysis: |
McNabb was intercepted once but put together a solid performance for the Eagles. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Ted Ginn WR, Miami Dolphins 01/05/09, Time: 8:58 pm |
| News: |
Ginn had five receptions for 38 yards in the Dolphins' 27-9 loss to the Ravens on Sunday. |
| Analysis: |
Ginn found several seams in the Ravens' pass defense but was unable to get open deep. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Davone Bess WR, Miami Dolphins 01/05/09, Time: 8:57 pm |
| News: |
Bess had two catches for 54 yards against the Ravens on Sunday. |
| Analysis: |
Bess had a long 45 yard reception in the loss. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Patrick Cobbs RB, Miami Dolphins 01/05/09, Time: 8:55 pm |
| News: |
Cobbs rushed for only one yard on one carry but made his mark in the receiving game.
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| Analysis: |
Cobbs had four catches for 55 yards. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Ricky Williams RB, Miami Dolphins 01/05/09, Time: 8:53 pm |
| News: |
Williams carried the ball four times for only 17 yards against the Ravens on Sunday. He also caught one pass for eight yards.
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| Analysis: |
Williams was a non-factor against Baltimore. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Ronnie Brown RB, Miami Dolphins 01/05/09, Time: 8:50 pm |
| News: |
Brown carried the ball 12 times for only 19 yards in the Dolphins' playoff loss to Baltimore. He also caught six passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.
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| Analysis: |
Brown had no room to run against the Ravens but was able to capitalize on a touchdown pass from Pennington. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Chad Pennington QB, Miami Dolphins 01/05/09, Time: 8:48 pm |
| News: |
Pennington completed 25-of-38 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins' 27-9 loss to the Ravens. |
| Analysis: |
Pennington racked up another solid amount of yards but was picked off four times in the loss. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Ed Reed DB, Baltimore Ravens 01/05/09, Time: 8:46 pm |
| Status: |
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Hot |
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| News: |
Reed had two interceptions against Miami, including he ran back 64 yards for a touchdown. |
| Analysis: |
Reed continued to display why he is arguably the best corner in the NFL. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Todd Heap TE, Baltimore Ravens 01/05/09, Time: 8:44 pm |
| News: |
Head had only one catch for 31 yards in the Ravens' playoff victory over the Dolphins. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Derrick Mason WR, Baltimore Ravens 01/05/09, Time: 8:42 pm |
| News: |
Mason had four catches for 71 yards against the Dolphins on Sunday. |
| Analysis: |
Mason continues to tough it out and produce on basically one arm. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Willis McGahee RB, Baltimore Ravens 01/05/09, Time: 8:41 pm |
| News: |
McGahee had seven carries for 62 yards against the Dolphins on Sunday. He also had one catch for nine yards. |
| Analysis: |
McGahee did see more carries than usual but he continues to take a backseat to Le'Ron McClain. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Le'Ron McClain RB, Baltimore Ravens 01/05/09, Time: 8:40 pm |
| News: |
McClain carried the ball 19 times for 75 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' 27-9 playoff win over the Dolphins. |
| Analysis: |
McClain has seen his touches increase more and more over the last few weeks and he continued to produce against Miami as the primary running back. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Joe Flacco QB, Baltimore Ravens 01/05/09, Time: 8:37 pm |
| News: |
Flacco completed only 9-of-23 passes for 135 yards in the Ravens' 27-9 win over the Dolphins. He also rushed five times for eight yards and a touchdown. |
| Analysis: |
The Ravens primarily ran the ball against Miami and Flacco was smart with the ball, not turning it over at all. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie DB, Arizona Cardinals 01/05/09, Time: 8:35 pm |
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Hot |
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| News: |
Rodgers-Cromartie had ten total tackles, nine solo, and an interception against the Falcons on Saturday. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Michael Jenkins WR, Atlanta Falcons 01/05/09, Time: 8:33 pm |
| News: |
Jenkins had five catches for 51 yards in the Falcons' playoff loss to Arizona. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Roddy White WR, Atlanta Falcons 01/05/09, Time: 8:32 pm |
| News: |
White had a season-high 11 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 30-24 loss to the Cardinals. |
| Analysis: |
White established himself as an elite number one receiver in the league and should have another big year next season as Matt Ryan continues to develop. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Michael Turner RB, Atlanta Falcons 01/05/09, Time: 8:31 pm |
| News: |
Turner rushed 18 times for 42 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals on Saturday. |
| Analysis: |
The running game could never get going for Atlanta as the Cardinals' did a very good job limiting Turner. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Matt Ryan QB, Atlanta Falcons 01/05/09, Time: 8:28 pm |
| News: |
Ryan completed 26-of-40 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons' 30-24 playoff loss to Arizona. |
| Analysis: |
For a rookie in his first playoff game, Ryan did not play bad but he had two costly interceptions that were the difference in the game. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Steve Breaston WR, Arizona Cardinals 01/05/09, Time: 8:25 pm |
| News: |
Breaston had only two catches for 39 yards against the Falcons on Saturday. |
| Analysis: |
Breaston could find himself in a larger role on Saturday if Boldin is unable to play against the Panthers. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Anquan Boldin WR, Arizona Cardinals 01/05/09, Time: 8:24 pm |
| Status: |
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Questionable |
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| News: |
Boldin had two catches for 72 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons before leaving the game with a hamstring injury. |
| Analysis: |
An MRI revealed a strained hamstring for Boldin and he is considered questionable to play this weekend against Carolina. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Larry Fitzgerald WR, Arizona Cardinals 01/05/09, Time: 8:20 pm |
| Status: |
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Hot |
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| News: |
Fitzgerald had six receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown in Arizona's 30-24 playoff win over the Falcons. |
| Analysis: |
With Boldin questionable to play this weekend against Carolina, Fitzgerald will be the main target for Kurt Warner. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Tim Hightower RB, Arizona Cardinals 01/05/09, Time: 8:15 pm |
| News: |
Hightower had six carries for 23 yards and a touchdown in the Cardinals' playoff victory over the Falcons. |
| Analysis: |
Hightower was the short-yardage running back for the Cardinals' and was able to punch a short run into the end zone. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Edgerrin James RB, Arizona Cardinals 01/05/09, Time: 8:13 pm |
| News: |
James rushed 16 times for 73 yards in the Cardinals' victory over the Falcons. |
| Analysis: |
Despite being on the bench for most of the season, James finds himself back as the starting running back and a key part of the Cardinals' playoff run. (SportsBuff.com) |
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Kurt Warner QB, Arizona Cardinals 01/05/09, Time: 8:11 pm |
| News: |
Warner completed 19-of-32 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns in Arizona's 30-24 win over the Falcons. |
| Analysis: |
With the running game working against the Falcons, the Cardinals were able mix their play calling and helped Warner find his rhythm. (SportsBuff.com) |
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| Player: |
Bob Sanders DB, Indianapolis Colts 01/05/09, Time: 8:08 pm |
| News: |
Sanders had ten total tackles, seven solo, against the Chargers on Saturday. |
| Analysis: |
Sanders continues to be a dominating defense presence on the field and is a solid IDP option when healthy. (SportsBuff.com) |
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