 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NFC South-Insights Intelligence |
|
NFC West - Insights Intelligence |
|
AFC Intelligence Reports |
NFC Intelligence Reports |
|
AFC East - BUF, MIA, NEP, NYJ
AFC South - HOU, IND, JAX, TEN
AFC North - BAL, CIN, CLE, PIT
AFC West - DEN, KAN, OAK, SD |
NFC East - DAL, NYG, PHI, WAS
NFC South - ATL, CAR, NO, TB
NFC North - CHI, DET, GB, MIN
NFC West - ARZ, STL, SF, SEA |
|
Insights Intelligence is a free product of Fantasy Insights. Our writers submit their reports on a voluntary basis each week and, although we strive to post updated reports for every team each week, reports may not always get updated before the Friday deadline.
|
| Arizona Cardinals |
By: Paul Story
Updated: 12/27/2007
Please access our Premium Products for the Arizona Cardinals Team Capsule, Player Rankings/Statistics, Crystal Ball Projections, Fantasy Recommendations and much more.
Last Week:
---------------------------
The hands of Anquan Boldin and the leg of Neil Rackers save the Arizona Cardinals from an embarassing home loss to the lowly Atlanta Falcons. Boldin caught 13 passes for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rackers kicked 3 field goals, including one to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, and one to win it 30-27 in overtime. Kurt Warner threw for 362 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Larry Fitzgerald caught six balls for 72 yards. Edgerrin James rushed for 76 yards and caught 5 passes for another 21 yards, but failed to score. All you need to know about the banged up Cardinals defense is it allowed someone named Chris Redman to look like Tom Brady.
This Week:
---------------------------
The Cardinals close out the season with the Saint Louis Rams. The Cardinals are playing for pride, playing for a .500 record, and trying to set the tone for next year. This could be a high scoring affair as neither defense is very strong.
Rumors:
---------------------------
Injuries:
---------------------------
Boldin's injured toe certainly did not slow him down last week. Fitzgerald is still slowed by a sore groin. Both should play, and be effective.
Position Analysis:
---------------------------
QUARTERBACKS: Expect Kurt Warner to have another big game. He's playing his former team and playing for the right to compete for the starting job next year when Matt Leinart will return from injury. Look for 300 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
RUNNING BACKS:
Edgerrin James will look to find the end zone for the first time in several weeks. I think he gets a touchdown and 75 yards.
WIDE RECEIVERS: The Rams secondary will be looking to slow down Boldin. I expect him to have another good game. 95 yards and a touchdown. Fitzgerald also gets a touchdown and 50 yards.
TIGHT ENDS: No help here.
PLACE KICKER: Neil Rackers is probably good for a couple field goals.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
The banged up defense was no match for Chris Redman last week. Look for more of the same this week from Marc Bulger, Tori Holt & Stephen Jackson.
|
|
 |
| St. Louis Rams |
By: Paul Johnson
Updated: 12/28/2007
Please access our Premium Products for the St. Louis Rams Team Capsule, Player Rankings/Statistics, Crystal Ball Projections, Fantasy Recommendations and much more.
Last Week:
---------------------------
Steelers 41, Rams 24: It would be stupid to say that this game was actually closer than the score indicated, but the Rams were only down 7 with 5 minutes left to play. Then the roof caved in! For the Rams, Bulger only threw for 208 yards, but he did toss three touchdowns too. Steven Jackson combined for 108 yards and caught one touchdown. Finally, Isaac Bruce got 87 yards receiving and a touchdown and moved into third place all-time in receiving yards, behind only Jerry Rice and Tim Brown.
This Week:
---------------------------
The Rams escape the snow and cold of St. Louis and travel to sunny Arizona to take on the Cardinals in a Sunday afternoon game. The Rams have zero to play for, obviously, but the Cards have a chance to finish 8-8 in Ken Whisenhunt's first season as coach, so they should be a little motivated ... well, you'd hope they would be!
Rumors:
---------------------------
It looks like Linehan will be back for at least one more season as head coach. Rams Prez, John Shaw, didn't exactly give him a vote of confidence, but he did say that critical injuries at important positions made any evaluation for 2007 unfair. With only 3 wins, the Rams are in a position to snag a very high draft choice. This draft is deeeeep in O-linemen, so does Linehan take a franchise QB with the pick, like Brohm, or do they go another way? It'll be an interesting off-season in St. Louis to say the least.
Injuries:
---------------------------
Nothing that will affect your fantasy squad at this point.
Position Analysis:
---------------------------
QUARTERBACKS:
If the Rams can give him at least a few seconds, Bulger can complete some passes against this pass defense. But that's been the problem all year, hasn't it? Anyway, I'd probably start Bulger this week, as I think he'll throw for more yards than last week, just maybe not enough touchdowns. Projection: 240 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 INT.
RUNNING BACKS:
Steven Jackson will have another 100+ yard game and should find the end zone. Projection: 120 total yards, 2 touchdowns.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Holt's been a disappointment all year and Bruce has been on a roller coaster ride, where he has a good game followed by a disappearance. Still, I think the Rams will be able to move the ball. Start both Holt and Bruce and cross your fingers. Projection: Holt - 7 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD; Bruce - 8 catches, 75 yards.
TIGHT ENDS:
Just like the Rams do, you should ignore this position on your team.
PLACE KICKER:
There should be some points scored in this game, so Wilkins is a decent starter. He's probably feeling pretty good after booting that 50-yarder last week.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
What, are you nuts? If the Rams defense is even on your roster, you're probably not playing for anything meaningful this weekend anyway.
|
|
|
| San Francisco 49ers |
By: Paul Gassee
Updated: 12/29/2007
Please access our Premium Products for the San Francisco 49ers Team Capsule, Player Rankings/Statistics, Crystal Ball Projections, Fantasy Recommendations and much more.
Last Week:
---------------------------
This past week, a toe of out bounds by Michael Clayton of the Buccaneers on a two-point conversion attempt, got the 49ers a two-point victory at Monster Park (21-19), and enabled them to win one for long-time teammate, true gentleman, and perennial Len Eshmont Award-winner Bryant Young. Young, who has said that he would most likely retire after this season, was carried off the field—at his last home game—by his teammates; the proper send-off for a man who has demonstrated tried-and-true loyalty to the Garnet-and-Gold, when most athletes changed jerseys as frequently as most Americans change their socks. Let’s not forget that Young had won a Super Bowl title in his rookie year, and then saw a once-proud franchise decline gradually to the depths it is in today…
This Week:
---------------------------
San Francisco travels out to the Dog Pound (no no, not Michael Vick’s recent Newport News Estate, but Cleveland) for a battle between teams with mismatched incentives. Last week, the Browns have lost in a win-and-in scenario to hand VY and Company their own destiny when it comes to their playoff lives. The Titans are playing the Indianapolis Colts in a late afternoon game, in their own win-and-in the playoffs game. On its end, Cleveland needs its own win, and some help from Peyton’s Squad in taking down the Titans. The question on everyone’s minds now is: how long will the Colts keep their starters in for, particularly that star-studded offensive lineup, considering they are not playing for anything except late season momentum entering the playoffs. Some (including Steve “Mooch” Mariucci, of the NFL Network) have advanced the argument that Indianapolis will want to do away with Tennessee, because they might well face them later on, in the playoffs. I don’t quite know if I buy this argument, as a full roster of healthy and rested stars seems more important to me, than whether or not you encounter VY or another team later on in an elimination round. But I digress… Back to our game: because Cleveland is pitted against San Francisco in an earlier game while the Titans play later, and Cleveland needs to win, in order to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, you can expect Derek Anderson and Company to be firing on all cylinders. For that reason, watch for a pretty good kick in the derriere from the Browns, when it comes to the Niners…
In a game that means different things to these two teams: Browns 31, 49ers 10
Rumors:
---------------------------
Injuries:
---------------------------
1) Shaun Hill: listed as “Out”
Hill has officially been ruled out from any chance of playing in Sunday’s game. Originally thought to be just severe back spasms, his back injury happens to be fractured vertebrae.
2) Frank Gore: listed as “Probable”
Gore’s lingering ankle injury will most likely not keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Browns. He is listed as probable.
3) Arnaz Battle: listed as “Probable”
At last report (from the 49ers’ official site), Battle was limited at practice on Wednesday, due to his ankle injury. He is now listed as probable for Sunday’s game in Cleveland.
4) Marcus Hudson: listed as “Questionable”
The Week 17 injury report lists Hudson as questionable, because of a knee injury.
5) Derek Smith: listed as “Questionable”
Smith was apparently limited in practice on Friday. That puts him atquestionable, for Sunday’s contest against the Browns.
6) Trent Dilfer: listed as “Out”
To those that still had doubts, Dilfer has been ruled out for this last game of the season, due to a concussion suffered a couple of weeks ago, tells us the Oakland Tribune.
Position Analysis:
---------------------------
QUARTERBACKS:
Chris Weinke: No, no, this isn’t a misprint or my having gone completely nuts: Weinke is making a start in the NFL. The 49ers are so deplete that QB that they’ve also activated UCLA standout Drew Olson from their starting squad, as their backup, in case Weinke follows in Dilfer or Smith’s footsteps and exits the game early. You’re in a desperate state at QB, if you make this, a late playoff pick-up, as he’s as unknown a quantity right now, as anybody. Here’s my prediction, nonetheless…
Week 17 Prediction: 190 yards passing, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RUNNING BACKS:
Frank Gore: 89 rushing yards on 21 carries last week, with another 43 receiving with 1 touchdown the pigskin made it a good day for Gore. Expect him to continue this trend against a porous run defense—ranking 28th in the NFL—and an inexperienced QB under center.
Week 17 Prediction: 20 carries for 95 yards, 45 yards receiving
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Darrell Jackson: 2 receptions, for 27 yards and 1 TD for the disappointing WR. Please don’t expect this fantasy production from him, this coming game.
Week 17 Prediction: 3 receptions, 30 yards
Arnaz Battle: A blank slate for this overachiever, this year, earning him #1 wide receiver status in the 49er locker room. Expect a hike in production, as his injury doesn’t seem to be severe enough to keep him out of Sunday’s game.
Week 17 Prediction: 4 receptions, 50 yards
Bryan Gilmore: Zeroes keep on showing up…as Gilmore didn’t even play last week or the week before…
Week 17 Prediction: 0 receptions, 0 yards
Ashley Lelie: Zeroes for Lelie last week. I fully expect this type of output to continue against the Browns.
Week 17 Prediction: 0 receptions, 0 yards
TIGHT ENDS:
Vernon Davis: 3 touches for 30 yards and 1 TD from Davis last week. Continue to expect plays to be diagrammed just for him, when approaching the end zone.
Week 17 Prediction: 4 reception, 45 yards, 1 TD
PLACE KICKER:
Joe Nedney: No FGs with 3 extra points made this past week, against the Bucs. Expect a similar game from Nedney as most opportunities gotten in the red zone, will be converted, against a week Brown defense.
Week 17 Prediction: Only 1 FG, from 30-40 yards.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
49ers Defense: It’s no secret that the Browns have done incredibly well offensively under Anderson leadership this season. Combine this factor, with the fact that the Browns will be coming in with a totally different time of motivation than the 49ers, and you’re going to get a blowout early on. While many Niner players may be thinking about their next tee time in Mauna Laua or Pebble Beach, Romeo Crennel’s squad will come in hungry and ready to play… This should wreak havoc with the Niners defense as a whole. For your sake, try your hand at another unit!
We'll see you next week, as we continue to pan for gold within the 49ers roster...
|
|
|
| Seattle Seahawks |
By: Derrik Koyano
Updated: 12/28/2007
Please access our Premium Products for the Seattle Seahawks Team Capsule, Player Rankings/Statistics, Crystal Ball Projections, Fantasy Recommendations and much more.
Last Week:
---------------------------
Last week the Seahawks blew out a Ravens team that was starting a rookie QB and who were missing several key defensive players. Offensively the Seahawks were able to get the running game going with Shaun Alexander having one of his best games of the year breaking a couple long runs with one going for 19 yards.
This Week:
---------------------------
The Seahawks have locked up the 3rd seed in the playoffs and will play at home in the first round. Seattle coach Mike Holmgren has indicated that he still regrets resting his players at the end of the 2005 season. This week he will most likely rest the starters in the 2nd half. By now, most people know that if you have any fantasy players on a team that has nothing to gain in the final game of the season they shouldn't expect big numbers from those players.
Rumors:
---------------------------
• With five receptions last week, receiver Bobby Engram set the Seahawks' franchise single-season receptions record (90).
• Seattle's first playoff game will be at Qwest field with their opponent being determined with one of the following scenarios. Washington comes to Seattle if it beats Dallas on Sunday. The Vikings are here if they beat Denver and Washington loses or ties. The Saints have to win at Chicago and hope the Vikings and Redskins lose. Washington holds the tiebreaker if it finishes with the same record as Minnesota and New Orleans loses.
Injuries:
---------------------------
Matt Hasselbeck QB Prob Sun - Foot
Ray Willis T Doubtful Sun - Knee
Deion Branch WR Questionable Sun - Calf
D.J. Hackett WR Doubtful Sun - Ankle
Josh Wilson CB Late Dec - Quadricep
C.J. Wallace DB I-R - Undisclosed
Chartric Darby DT I-R - Knee
Alvin Pearman RB I-R - Knee
Marcus Tubbs DT I-R - Knee
Position Analysis:
---------------------------
QUARTERBACKS:
Last week despite throwing for 2 TDs, Hasselbeck was held to 199 yards and also threw 2 INTs. He has been throwing more INTs than normal. With the 3rd seed locked up, don't expect him to play more than a half. Seattle has relied primarily on its passing game and Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who had two touchdown passes against the Ravens to give him a career-high 27 this season. Hasselbeck, who also threw two interceptions, is just 22 passing yards shy of the Seattle record of 3,841 he set in 2003. Atlanta has the 21st ranked passing defense giving up 221.4 yards per game. Hasselbeck should have decent first half numbers. Probably closer to 100-150 yards and 1-2 TDs. Seneca Wallace will most likely play in the 2nd half but is not worth the gamble if you are in the championships of your fantasy football playoffs.
RUNNING BACKS:
Shaun Alexander has been injured all season and last week he looked the best he has all season. He has a couple of long runs including a 19 yard scamper. He was unable to find the end zone, but his long runs were encouraging. He also caught a pass out of the backfield for 14 yards. Maurice Morris has had little value since Alexander's return. Last week he carried 15 times, 2 more than Alexander but that was because the Seahawks had the game in hand early and Alexander was resting. The Seahawks will face a Falcon's team ranked 25th in the league giving up 124.4 yards per game on the ground. Look for the Seahawks to run the ball and attempt to get their running game in top form for the playoffs. Alexander might get rested early and should only be good for one half (less if the game is out of hand early). Probably 50-75 yards and maybe a score.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Bobby Engram has the most upside again. He has been the most consistent receiver on the team and should have been a pro bowl selection. His numbers are some of the best in his career and has established himself as Hasselbeck's favorite receiver because of his sure hands and his ability to get open. Nate Burleson is also establishing himself as a reliable receiver and has displayed some big play ability both as a receiver and a kick returner. These receivers are all good for a half of play and will put up moderate numbers. Engram is perfect for a #2 option or flex and should be able to get 50-75 yards and a TD.
TIGHT ENDS:
The Seahawks tight ends do not offer any upside value especially Marcus Pollard who generally does not get many balls thrown his way. The shortened playing time will further hurt those stats.
PLACE KICKER:
Josh Brown will be kicking in a dome on turf so his value remains high. He is one of the most reliable kickers in the game and should be started every week.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
The Seahawk defense has emerged as one of the most consistent squads in the NFL. With the Atlanta Falcons a turnover prone team, this unit should be started. The only danger is some garbage time points at the end of the game as the starters get some rest. However, all NFL teams that have nothing to gain in week 17 will face this problem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
