Playoffs are near, things will soon be clear, Thanksgiving is already here, so sit back and crack open a beer! Again we have another great week of matchups for us football lovers. And it is more imperative for us fantasy owners to win at all costs in this final week (depending on how your league is set up). Other than the stressful time of fantasy play, make sure to enjoy your time with your friends and family this extended holiday weekend. But most importantly, enjoy football!
5. Carson Palmer vs. Nick Foles
The reincarnation of Carson Palmer seems to have taken place. The Cardinals are riding a four game winning streak mainly because Palmer’s outstanding play. The first seven games he threw 15 interceptions and in his last two games he hasn’t thrown any and has a combined 733 yards. On the win streak, Palmer has two touchdown passes in each of them. It is true that he has been up against weak defenses but that is how he should be performing against them. This week he travels to Philadelphia where the Eagles defense has given up tons of yardage and touchdowns all year. Palmer may very well continue his hot streak and toss a couple in the end zone.
Foles has also been hot since he took over for the Eagles and has not thrown an interception yet. Before the bye week, Foles failed to throw any touchdowns but managed to run one in for himself against the Redskins. Before that game he had thrown 10 touchdowns and over 600 yards in just two games. The Cardinals defense has been surprisingly well this season against quarterbacks and has only surrendered over 300 yards passing three times this year. Coming off of the bye there is a good chance that Foles will play well. This is a quarterback matchup that will not want to be missed.
Projections:
Carson Palmer – 300 pass yards, two touchdowns, one interception
Nick Foles – 250 pass yards, 38 rush yards, two touchdowns, one interception
4. Calvin Johnson vs. Jordy Nelson
What is there not to like about Johnson. He quite literally does it all. Even when he couldn’t find the end zone last week against the Buccaneers, he still racked up over 100 yards receiving. In a five game span, Johnson has set the record for most receiving yards from Week 7 to Week 12. The Packers have allowed six touchdowns and over 500 yards by wide receivers in the past four games. It is likely that Johnson will be able to get back on track with his touchdowns numbers this Thanksgiving.
The Packers are still having quarterback problems and have yet to name a starter. Nelson hasn’t received a touchdown pass since Aaron Rodgers was under center back in Week 8. As of late, the Lions defense has gone missing and given up 10 touchdowns over the last four games to opposing receivers. There is a good chance that Nelson can find the end zone but without Rodgers at the helm, his chances slightly diminish. I know we will all be thankful if these two receivers have big statistical days on our Thanksgiving.
Projections:
Calvin Johnson – Six receptions, 100 yards, one touchdown
Jordy Nelson – Five receptions, 70 yards, one touchdown
3. Matt Forte vs. Adrian Peterson
The main thing fantasy owners are relieved about is that Forte’s knee is not that serious and he is cleared to play for Sunday’s game. He is in a bit of a dry spell for touchdowns as he hasn’t scored one in three weeks now. In PPR leagues that isn’t much of a problem due to Forte averaging about five receptions per game. The Vikings defense (pass and rush) has been awful this year. The past two games the Vikings have given up over 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns to opposing running backs. If there is a day for Forte to get back in the end zone, it will be against the Vikings.
Peterson seems to have gotten back into his groove. Over the past five games he has a total of five rushing touchdowns and averages about 97.2 yards per game in that span. The Bears rushing defense is as bad as the Vikings and have surrendered over 100 yards rushing in eight of their 11 games this season. Peterson should be able to have a field day against this defense as should Forte against the Vikings defense. This should be fun to watch.
Projections:
Matt Forte – 80 rush yards, five receptions, 40 receiving yards, one touchdown
Adrian Peterson – 100 rush yards, two touchdowns
2. Knowshon Moreno vs. Jamaal Charles
Moreno had a monstrous game against the Patriots defense last week. It was his first time reaching over 100 yards rushing and he happened to have a total of 224 with a touchdown. He did happen to suffer a bruised ankle and is considered day-to-day. Being that Moreno is on such a hot streak, there is no reason to sit him if he is active, even though his carries will most likely be cut due to his injury. The Chiefs defense has been suffering as of late due to big injuries on their defensive line and linebacker core. The past three weeks the Chiefs have given up over 400 rushing yards and four touchdowns to opposing running backs. Moreno can have a big day even with his number of carries are cut down.
There isn’t much left to say about Charles. He obviously is a must start every week and has been the leading scorer all year for the Chiefs. He has been held to single digit fantasy points just once this season and that was to the Broncos just two weeks ago. The Broncos did an excellent job of keeping Charles in check which had a lot to do with the outcome of the game. Their run defense is not very good so Charles has a great chance to produce. Just keep in mind what the Broncos defense did to Charles but it shouldn’t be enough to scare you into sitting him.
Projections:
Knowshon Moreno – 70 rush yards, three receptions, 20 receiving yards, one touchdown
Jamaal Charles – 80 rush yards, four receptions, 25 receiving yards, one touchdown
1. Drew Brees vs. Russell Wilson
It may not come to a surprise of what the number one matchup this week. Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints travel to Seattle to take on Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks. It will be quite a showdown on Monday night that everyone should tune into to watch.
Brees has thrown for over 300 yards in eight of his eleven games this season and has also thrown 14 touchdowns in the past five games. On the opposite side, the Seahawks defense has only allowed that to happen just once this season. The past three games, the Seahawks defense has given up five passing touchdowns but not a lot of yardage. This will be a major test for the Seahawks as they have yet to see a true elite quarterback on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Brees will also be greatly tested against that defense and against that Seattle crowd who we all know will be loud and rowdy.
Wilson has also been on a tear the past few weeks. In his past five games he has thrown for 11 touchdowns and rushed for one of his own. The Saints defense has been exceptionally well this season against opposing quarterbacks and has only yielded three touchdown passes in the past four weeks. One thing the Saints need to be aware of is Wilson’s ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his legs. Although he has only one rushing touchdown this season, you cannot forget his ability to scramble. Wilson and the Seahawks have had an extra week to prepare for the Saints so this ought to be one heck of a matchup.
Projections:
Drew Brees – 260 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception
Russell Wilson – 225 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception