First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone reading this column and their families. This is my favorite holiday. What could be bad with food, family and football? There are now three games on Thursday with the NFL Network bringing a limited number of households the matchup between Indianapolis and Atlanta. As we begin the home stretch of the NFL season, keep a lookout for key injuries that affect entire teams like Albert Haynesworth’s injury that has hurt the Titans’ defense. Here is a look at this week’s matchups which will help you win your fantasy league.
Thursday 12:30 PM ET - Green Bay at Detroit
The most traditional Turkey Day rivalry features these two NFC North teams. Detroit-Green Bay brings back memories of Starr, Hornung, Karris and Night Train Lane in the 60s. Oh how Vince Lombardi hated the short week that preceded a road game in Detroit. This year, the game has playoff implications with the Pack 9-1 and the Lions 6-4. Detroit is facing a must-win here as Green Bay would take a four-game lead in the division with five games to play if it wins here. The Lions have lost two straight. Both teams are eager to show their stuff on a national stage. If you want to see a great game within the game matchup, watch Packers CB Al Harris battle Lions WR Roy Williams. It promises to be a great, physical confrontation.
Stud: Brett Favre, QB Green Bay. The Lions to force a lot of turnovers, but they also give up a lot of yards. Their secondary is ranked 30th in the league. Most importantly, the Lions third and fourth CBs can’t stay with the Packers’ depth at WR. Look for Favre to have a big day on Sunday, even if he throws a pick or two.
Dud: Kevin Jones, RB Detroit. Jones has been hampered by a foot injury that cost him limited him to 21 yards on 15 carries total in the last two games. The Packers have a good run defense and the Lions shy away from the run too quickly.
Sleeper: Jon Kitna, QB Detroit. Kitna will be under pressure throughout the game but he figures to throw 40-45 passes and will put up good fantasy numbers before the game is over.
Thursday 4:15 PM ET - N.Y. Jets at Dallas
The Jets surprised everybody by shocking the Steelers a week ago at Giants Stadium. Dallas is coming off three straight division games with next week’s game against Green Bay looming on the horizon. Is this a let down game for the Cowboys? I doubt it, but the Jets certainly are not going to roll over and die. The Jets found both a pass rush and a running game last week against Pittsburgh, but can they find a way to contain Terrell Owens and Tony Romo?
Stud: Terrell Owens, WR Dallas. The Jets don’t have a CB who can match up with Owens who should have a big day on national television. Owens has a four inch and 20 pound advantage over rookie CB Darrelle Revis who will face his toughest test yet in the mercurial T.O. If the Jets leave the rookie one-on-one with Owens, expect a big day for the the Cowboys WR.
Dud: Thomas Jones, RB N.Y. Jets. Jones had a big game a week ago against Pittsburgh but hasn’t been able to put together anything consistent. He has still yet to score a TD this season in 10 games. The Cowboys run defense ranks 4th in the league and they just added Tank Johnson to the mix to make it even tougher to run up the middle. If the Jets fall behind early, Jones will be even less of a factor.
Sleeper: Marion Barber, RB Dallas. It would be easy to go with Tony Romo here and it wouldn’t be wrong either, but Barber will be up against the 29th ranked run defense in the league on Thursday. Although he’s struggled in the past three games, look for Barber to get back on track in time for Thanksgiving dinner.
Thursday 8:15 PM ET - Indianapolis at Atlanta
The Colts have limped through their last few games after injuries to both of their offensive tackles, WR Marvin Harrison and TE Dallas Clark and many other players on offense have felled them. They eked out a win against Kansas City last week but their offense was nowhere near what it usually is. The Falcons were thrashed by the Bucs last week, ending their two game winning streak. Byron Leftwich was benched in favor of Joey Harrington who played fairly well in relief. Odds are that Harrington starts Thursday night. The Falcons hope the Colts malaise lasts at least one more week.
Stud: Joseph Addai, RB Indianapolis. Addai is the one thing the Colts can rely on when all else fails this season. Even playing behind a patchwork offensive line, Addai went over 100 total yards last week and added a TD. The Falcons run defense is ranked 25th in the league and they are not as strong up the middle since cutting Grady Jackson loose. In addition, both starting DTs, Trey Lewis and Rod Coleman, are nursing injuries and may not play.
Dud: Joey Harrington, QB Atlanta. Harrington played well in relief last week but the Colts have a strong pass defense, presently ranked 2nd in the league. Even without Dwight Freeney, Indy should be able to put some pressure on Joey Harrington. Harrington also lacks consistency and to expect him to play well two weeks in a row may be asking a lot.
Sleeper: Peyton Manning, QB Indianapolis. Manning has been off the past two games but gradually, he is getting his weapons back and should return to form. Atlanta is 29th in the league with just 14 sacks in 10 games. If they can’t pressure Manning, he will pick them apart.
By Brad Kurtzberg
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