Hits & Misses – Week 16: CHAMPIONSHIP TIME!

Here are our “Hits” and “Misses” for this week. It’s championship week for most league’s out there, so hopefully these tips can help you bring home the bacon! As usual, please feel free to leave a comment on any of our posts with additional hit/miss questions and we’ll try our hardest to get back to you in a timely fashion. Good luck!

Quarterback
Hits
Misses
Tom Brady, Patriots vs JAX – Although the Patriots quarterback has been playing very un-Brady-like these past few games, he should bounce back at home against a Jaguars team that is coming off 308 yard, four touchdown thrashing by Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning, Colts vs Jets – The Jets hadn’t allowed a passing score in three weeks leading up to last Sunday’s game, where they finally gave one up (although they still held the Falcons to just 152 passing yards.) There’s an added risk that Peyton Manning may not even play the entire game.
Matt Schaub, Texans @ MIA – Schaub seems to be showing no ill effects from his dislocated shoulder and should continue his solid play against the Dolphins, who were recently pounded by multiple Titans quarterbacks in last week’s loss. Matt Ryan, Falcons vs BUF – For a team that struggles so much with the run, the Bills defense seems to have no problem with opposing quarterbacks. Last week they held Tom Brady to just 115 yards and should have little trouble with what Atlanta has to offer.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers vs SEA – The Seahawks have given up multiple touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks in three straight weeks and 21 in the last nine games. For some strange reason I have a feeling that one of the top signal callers in the NFC can add to those totals. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs BAL – The Ravens have been dominant against the pass the past two weeks, limiting Jay Cutler and Daunte Culpepper (I know, I know…he sucks, but still) to a combined 237 yards and six interceptions!
Running Back
Hits
Misses
Cedric Benson, Bengals vs KC – The Chiefs allowed Jerrome freakin’ Harrison to put up the third most rushing yards in a single game in NFL history! The only risk is that Cincinnati lets Larry Johnson get in on the action against his old team. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs @ CIN – Charles may be a big part of the reason that your team is in the championship game, but he might also be a part of the reason why you lose. The Bengals did get run over by Adrian Peterson two weeks ago, but besides that they’ve only allowed one other running back all year break the century mark.
Frank Gore, 49ers vs DET – The Lions have given up six touchdowns and a boatload of yardage to opposing running backs the past two games. Julius Jones, Seahawks @ GB – Not that you were going to start him anyways if you made it to your league’s championship game, but keep him benched as this game is in Green Bay and the Packers haven’t allowed a 100+ yard rusher in seven weeks.
Steven Jackson, Rams @ ARZ – I know, it seems like a risky play given his health issues and the fact that he plays for the RAMS…but he’s been putting up numbers in that offense all year long and the Cardinals run defense hasn’t been that great as of late. Matt Forte, Bears vs MIN – He’s been worthless all year long and should remain on your bench against the top run defense in the league.
Wide Receiver
Hits
Misses
Andre Johnson, Texans @ MIA – Does everyone realize that Johnson had 20 catches for 389 yards and two touchdowns over the past two games? He did. Another quick fact…the Dolphins pass defense isn’t that good. Reggie Wayne, Colts vs NYJ – Wayne could end up sitting a portion of this game, although only after his ego is bruised for a bit by Darrelle Revis.
Derrick Mason, Ravens @ PIT – Without Troy Polamalu, this defense just can’t get it done on a consistent basis against the pass. Last week they were blown up by Green Bay and with Joe Flacco coming off a solid game, the momentum should be on Baltimore’s side. Steve Smith, NYG vs CAR – The Panthers haven’t given up a touchdown to an opposing wide receiver in six weeks and will hope to extend that streak to seven against the G-Men.
Randy Moss, Patriots vs JAX – I think the Patriots will continue to force Moss the ball in hopes of making the whole unhappy-gate thing go away as quickly as possible. Note, there may be a little home team favoritism in play here…Go Patriots! Roddy White, Falcons vs BUF – Two tough match-ups in a row for White, who has been stymied by the AFC East this year. The Bills feature the third best defense in the league against opposing wide receivers.
Tight End
Hits
Misses
Vernon Davis, 49ers vs DET – When the Lions have faced a decent tight end, they generally gave up a touchdown (or two!) Heath Miller, Steelers vs BAL – In the past two weeks the Ravens have limited opposing tight ends to four catches for 28 yards and no touchdowns.