Pretzel’s Picks Week 15

Indianapolis Colts by 4.5 over the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Colts are favored in this one but the Jags have been very good lately.  The home team should win but only by a field goal. Colts get the win by 3 and don’t cover.

St. Louis Rams by 3 over the Kansas City Chiefs

The Rams are not scaring anyone this season but they have been competitive and have proven they can move the ball.  With Cassel questionable this week again, the Chiefs should be about as good as they were last week.  The Rams defense should hold giving them the win and the cover.  Rams by 5

 Baltimore Ravens by 1.5 at home over the New Orleans Saints

Both of these teams are playing really well and both are in a battle for first place in their divisions so this should be a great game. Baltimore is favored because they are at home but this game is really a pick em.   New Orleans started off slowly but has been as good as anyone in December.  Saints by 4 

Cincinnati Bengals by 1 over the Cleveland Browns

The Bengals has shown me nothing all year that screams “I’m a winner!”  Cleveland has been  in a lot of close games and might be better than their record shows.  Browns by 3

Eliminator

For the eliminator I will take the the apparently unstoppable Patriots at home against the banged up Packers.

Top Targets for 2010 Week 15 (free agents dummy!)

This week we are going to offer a little different angle on Top Targets.  Since many of the these players will no longer be available in your league, we thought it would be a good idea to go over some good starts over the next 2 weeks.  The best part is, some of these might even be available in your league.  

Strong Starts

Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders – McFadden started the season strong but dipped slightly. He had a huge week last week and looks to be poised to get the bulk of the workload in the next couple of weeks.  McFadden faces suspect defenses in the Broncos and Colts, look for him to produce.

Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys – We have been talking about Choice for a couple weeks now.  He did not look that good this week, but he should step up in the division game this week against the awful Redskins and next week against the awful Cardinals.  Back to back awful opponents equals back to back strong plays.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, New England Patriots – Green-Ellis is the winner of the Patriots running back carousel by attrition and is making the most of his chance.  The Patriots are playing lights out right now and should continue their winning ways against the banged up Packers and Bills who can’t stop the run.  The Pats should be leading both of these games meaning they should be running the ball and killing the clock.

Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts – Peyton Manning shook off his couple of bad weeks and snapped everyone back into reality this week.  Garcon in turn came out of his slumber.  The Colts face the Jags next week who have been winning but still give up points and yards and the Raiders in week 16.  The Raiders started off as one of the best pass defenses in the league but that was when they had Asomugha at full strength, since he has been banged up and teams have been able to throw to the whole field, the story has changed. Chad Henne of the 55 total yards against the Jets Hennes put up 307 against the Raiders, Phillip Rivers put up 280 and David Garrard threw 3 TDs against them last week.  Garcon is a good start from here out.

Jacoby Jones, WR, Houston Texans – The Texans have had a tough run this year but even so, they have put up some numbers in garbage time over the last 4 weeks.  Houston has averaged more than 25 points per game and Jones has become a consistent part of the offense.  They face the Titans and the Broncos in the next 2 campaigns and should have not trouble moving the ball against either of them (just ask the terrible Cardinals).  With Johnson taking all the double and triple teams, Jones is always open.

Pretzel’s Picks Week 14

New England Patriots by 3 at the Chicago Bears

The Bears defense might be able to slow down the Patriots a little bit but not enough. Bears don’t have the fire power to keep up.  Patriots by a touchdown.

Buffalo Bills by 1 at home over the Cleveland Browns

The Bills have been playing pretty well of late, just not well enough.  Peyton Hillis and company will control the clock on the ground and take this one from the Bills.  Browns by 10

New Orleans Saints by 9 at home over the St. Louis Rams

Both of these teams are playing really well and both are in a battle for first place in their divisions so this should be a great game. New Orleans is going to take this one but will not cover the spread.  Saints by 6.

Philadelphia Eagles by 4 at the Dallas Cowboys

Dallas is doing everything they can to be the spoilers down the stretch but their big playmaker is gone for the year.  The Eagles are going to run it up on their division rivals.  Philly by 14.

Eliminator

For the eliminator I will take the Steelers over the Bungals.

Top Targets for 2010 Week 14 (free agents dummy!)

It is crunch time people! For many people, us included, the playoffs start this week so this is do or die time.  Here are some options that are either available in more than 85% of leagues according to NFL.com or have great match ups.

Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys - We talked about Tashard last week in this column and he did not disappoint and Garrett is not saying he will have an expanded role.  This coupled with the fact that Choice has probably the best match ups over the next 3 weeks of any running back and is available in more than 90% of leagues and probably your league makes him this week’s top target.

Anthony Dixon, RB, San Francisco 49ers – Like everyone else we were enamoured with Westbrook’s performance in week 12 but it looks like Dixon is going to get equal work and the goal line carries.  He will be just as valuable as Westbrook and he is available.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks – Lynch does not have a great match up this week, but he is on a team that is fighting for a division title and he is gaining the confidence of his coach and teammates. Look for Marshawn to get a big workload in weeks 14,15 and 16.

James Starks, RB, Green Bay – Starks missed the first half of the season but made the most of his opportunity last weekend.  Starks will not be the featured back in Green Bay (they will probably not have one), but his coaches are saying Starks is an “every down back” which implies that he will continue to have a big role in a potent offence.  If you are in a keeper league that allows a lot of keeps, Starks might be worth a stash for next season.

Christopher Ivory,RB, New Orleans Saints – Pierre Thomas was a healthy scratch last week and Reggie Bush is not an every down back this leads me to believe that Chris Ivory will be the guy down the stretch.  He has a very tough schedule coming up but he should still be owned in all leagues. 

Earl Bennett, WR, Chicago Bears - Remember when Earl Bennett was relevant?  He might be again.  He has a great match up this week again the suspect Patriots defense and the Bears should be losing and throwing.  Bennett is a great spot start this week.

 Ben Obomanu, WR, Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks, as I stated earlier, are in a dog fight for a playoff spot and Ben has looked good as of late.  Most importantly, he has very favorable match ups in the next 2 weeks.  If you need help at WR he is not a bad option and he is available.