New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
The NFL is entering the home stretch of the season. Football fans will find out which teams are true playoff contenders. Sunday’s matchup is an example of this. The New England Patriots travel to south Florida to face the Miami Dolphins. No one will argue the Patriots are a playoff team. The question is whether Miami is a playoff team. The Dolphins have a true test this Sunday as they go to battle with a red hot Patriots team. If Miami wants to be considered a playoff contender they must prove it with a victory over a very good football team.
New England has one of the best offenses in the league. Over their last four games the Patriots have scored 49,59,37 and 45 points. The Dolphins defense must have a stellar performance if they plan on keeping the game close. With a victory on Sunday the Patriots can clinch an AFC East division title and a playoff birth. Patriot’s head coach Bill Belichick will have his team ready to play. Dolphin’s head coach Joe Philbin must do the same. Miami was successful running the football last week against the Seahawks. The Dolphins will attempt to control the clock and keep the New England offense off the field as much as possible. Limiting New England’s offensive possessions will keep the game close, which is what Miami will attempt to accomplish.
Fantasy Outlook
Tom Brady is a must start in all formats against a susceptible Miami secondary. Wes Welker typically shines in games vs. Miami and should continue this trend. Reggie Bush will see plenty of carries and is a good start as a flex or RB2 option.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills
Sunday the Buffalo Bills will try and rebound from a tough loss to the surprising Indianapolis Colts. They will face a suddenly resurgent Jacksonville Jaguars team. Lead by quarterback Chad Henne. Since Henne took over the starting spot the Jaguars have been playing on a higher level. With nothing much to play for the Jaguars can be a dangerous team. Even though they have won just two games, Henne has his squad dialed in.
On the other side, the Bills have resurrected the stingy defense they have been missing all season. The once futile defense is playing like Bills fans expected them to play at the start of the season. Both teams are playing better than earlier in the year.
The Jaguars playoff hopes died early on in the season and the Bills chances at the post season are on life support. Both teams will be playing for pride and bragging rights in this AFC matchup.
Fantasy Outlook
Wide receivers Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon have emerged as solid starts with Chad Henne at quarterback. Both are good starts as WR2 or Flex options. RB C.J. Spiller is a safe start as he is expected to get the lion share of the carries. He is going up against a Jacksonville defense that ranks close to last in every category.
Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets
The New York Jets will try to rebound from an embarrassing loss to the New England Patriots. They will face the visiting Arizona Cardinals team also coming off a tough loss. The Jets season has been filled with turmoil and they have not been able to turn things around. Winning fixes everything and that’s something the Jets have struggled with all season. The chances at the playoffs of slim to none for New York and many players and even coaches are simply playing for their jobs.
The Cardinals have not faired much better than New York, in fact they come into Sunday’s game with the same record. Like the Jets the Cardinals have had to suffer through injuries at key positions this season. With instability at quarterback it’s tough for any team to have success. Look for Arizona to attack New York on the ground as the Jets are allowing over 142 rush yards per game. Jet’s quarterback Mark Sanchez must avoid turnovers, something that has plagued the Jets all season.
Fantasy Outlook
Most leagues start playoffs this week or next. It is even more important than usual to start the right players. The stakes are higher and I don’t trust any player in this game. Proceed with caution if you start any player in this contest.