Week 14 Preview

Game of the Year

Sex Panther vs. The Octagon (+27)

I don't think it's worth me writing about all the history involved here, so just go here if you are interested...Eli leads JR all-time, 2-1

News and Notes, SP

The QB position a big time question mark: as well as Kurt Warner has played, David Carr is probably a better option vs. the Titans...That's a decision that The Gun will agonize over for a while this week...The RBs are still probably the most talented in the league, but the recent disappointing play of Willis McGahee and the inconsistency of Steven Jackson is horrifying for SP...Karma will surely factor in this match, as Drew Bennett sides with SP this year...Key Injuries: None

News and Notes, OCT

If QB is the big question for SP, the RB has to keep OCT up at night...Stares across the virtual field and sees former boy-toy Tiki Barber producing at a high level, while has concerns about Cadillac Williams in the back of his head...That trade, however, is not the reason for concern; as new #1 back Brian Westbrook is out for the year...Made up for the loss by dealing for Fred Taylor and Greg Jones, whose individual numbers aren't wowing, but together as one Jacksonville running back, they would rank 13th in the league amongst RBs...Also acquired Terry Glenn this week to man the flex spot...Key Injuries: Antonio Pierce, Questionable

Playoff Impact: As big as any game can impact the race. The winner is guaranteed a spot in. The loser has to sweat out the results of the BB-BFG contest. If SP wins, then OCT will get in only if BB loses. If OCT wins, then SP will need to maintain a three point tiebreaker edge if BB loses.

The 2 Spot

Big Fat Guys vs. Blaine Browns (-29)

The Browns fight for a guarantee of a playoff spot, while BFG is in it for a spot in the phantom consolation bracket...Drew is 1-0 lifetime against Brendel

News and Notes, BFG

With this year wrapping up, BFG has made a move to solidify next season; moving a 2006 first rounder for the recently injured Brian Westbrook...Move potentially gives BFG 4 keeper running backs, two of which are going to be top10 heading into next season...A 1st rounder is a steep price, but it assured BFG of a stud back who they probably would have used that first rounder on anyways, and kept him out of the hands of any one else...The trade also made it official that everyone who criticized the Westbrook-Palmer deal (me, mostly) is an idiot- as Palmer is the better option, and Westbrook is back on BFG's team...Key Injuries: Julius Peppers, Questionable

News and Notes, BB

Speaking of overreacting to trades; where is the Randy Moss that BB was promised?...After all the talk, just one offensive player (Moss) is in the starting lineup for BB heading into their most important game of the year...Made enough right calls last week to eek out a win, and hopes to have the same success in starting TJ HoushmanihateJR, Alge Crumpler and Ruben Droughns...Drew has put out his best starting lineup, and there's not much else to add; all they need to do is win...Key Injuries: Ruben Droughns, Questionable; Chris Brown, Questionable

Playoff Impact: Big. BB win= playoff berth. Loss= who the hell knows.

Game #3

Madd Skillz vs. ChamPeons (+50)

The next three games will not have interesting things in the italics sections...Schillinger is 2-1 vs. Champ the last two seasons

News and Notes, SKL

Playing for the #1 seed and a share of the Regular Season title, and if Leslie Crane were coaching this team, that would be enough to consider it a success...Sacraficed the luxury of having a starting runner available on the bench for the playoffs for a draft pick next year, moving Fred Taylor and Greg Jones to OCT, and turning Brian Westbrook into a top3 draft pick...The health of LaDanian Tomlinson is terrifying this late in the season...Key Injuries: LDT, Questionable

News and Notes, CHM

I detailed in the Power Rankings that I think Champ's team is all set for next year with one of the best returning cores in the league...However, every single one of those solid players is a gamble...Its' a gamble that Daunte Culpepper returns to form next season, after Minnesota played far better without him...It's a gamble that Terrell Owens finds a situation as ideal as Philadelphia and can get his touches...It's a gamble that Andre Johnson isn't a bust...It's a gamble that Julius Jones can earn the trust of the coaching staff and stay healthy next season...And it's a gamble that Cedric Benson will rise up and claim the Bears' starting RB job next summer...All said, Champ's done a nice job of acquiring peices for a contender next season...Key Injuries: Steve McNair, Questionable

Playoff Impact: SKL is the #1 seed with a win or a CD loss. #2 seed with a loss and a CD win.

Batting Cleanup

Father Abraham vs. Cellar Dwellars (-21)

Stem owns a 2-1 edge over Lincoln in their three battles, as Stem won the week 5 matchup that saw the two teams come in with a combined one loss

News and Notes, FA

When Deshaun Foster was shredding the Falcon defense last week, it may have signified the end of the Stephen Davis era, which leaves FA just Anquan Boldin performing at a high level...It's depressing to see such high hopes get dashed, but it's worse to look at the keeper prospects here...Donovan McNabb and Boldin are sure things for next year, but after that it gets thin...Close attention will be paid to Priest Holmes' status for next season, as a spinal cord injury is not something guys just shake off...And it also appears that bruising backs Jamal Lewis and Stephen Davis are towards the downside of their careers...Former big-time wideouts Joe Horn and Muhsin Muhammed have underacheived tremendously, which makes us wonder if FA has anything up their sleeve to build for next year...Key Injuries: None oustide the big ones

News and Notes, CD

A win gives this franchise an 8 win increase from last year...Kevin Jones is apparently over his minor injury, but Artrose Pinner is on CD's bench should it come back (edit: not anymore)...With just three days left to deal, will CD do anything to add depth to the club, or add a flex running back? Sure, there's not a lot out there, but going into the dance with the roster as is is dangerous...Looking ahead, briefly, the matchups for CD's first round game favor them big time...Key Injuries: Byron Leftwich, Out; Neil Rackers, Doubtful

Playoff Impact: CD is the #1 seed with a win and and SKL loss. #2 seed with a loss or SKL win.

The 5 Hole, soon to be named "Game of the Weak"

Fred Lane's Wife vs. Who is Ron Mexico? (+26)

This is the only game that has absolutely no bearing on the playoffs...These two teams made the same deal twice this week...Viano has won the only meeting of these two franchises

News and Notes, FLW

Viano will look to put a very frustrating year behind him, trying to pick up win #7, which would be a three win dropoff from last year...Outside of the major, major injuries- a lot of things went well for FLW; acquired Hines Ward for Antowain Smith and Jimmy Smith; Picked up Willie Parker, arguably the best waiver pickup of the season; Tatum Bell came up big in certain spots; Joey Galloway was freaking awesome; and the demise of Peyton Manning turned out to be nothing at all...Key Injuries: As always, Corey Dillon- Questionable

News and Notes, WIRM

WIRM will remember their first season in the VUFSA for beating SP in week 2, and beating Baron in week 13...Their first season will be remembered by everyone as the most blistering wheeling and dealing we've ever seen; 76 waiver moves, and 11 trades...Michael Vick plays this week, and the lack of a defined #1 QB leads us to wonder whether or not WIRM will keep two QBs...A lot of people may rail against it, but why would you release one of your top two players?...DeShaun Foster is the only player on this roster that was in the starting lineup week1- but even he had to be reacquired on the 17th of November...Speaking of, that Gore for Foster trade is looking awfully good for WIRM right now, as DeShaun starts his campaign to be an RB1...Key Injuries: Braylon Edwards- IR