*Home team in CAPS
1. Texans over JAGUARS- Matt Leinart gets the start in place of the injured Matt Schaub but given that it’s his first game since January 3rd of last year he naturally will be a bit rusty. The former 1st round pick of the Cardinals in the 2006 draft, Leinart never developed into a top tier QB. We don’t believe he’ll be asked to do too much this week except hand off to Arian Foster and Ben Tate and throw some shorter more efficient passes to TE Owen Daniels. The Texans D has only allowed an average of just over 10 points a game over their last four which will keep the Jags, & in particular MJD in check.
Texans RB Arian Foster will be reaching for the endzone several times in Sunday's game vs the Jaguars. Photo: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
2. JETS over Bills- As we mentioned in our piece about the Jets yesterday, this is a ‘statement’ game for them. They had no problem in their first meeting vs the Bills at Orchard Park beating them by 16 and now they face a team who will be without their outstanding RB Fred Jackson, out indefinitely on IR. Jets RB Shonn Greene returns this week after resting his sore ribs last week. The Bills surrender the seventh most fantasy points to opposing backs so Green is a must play this week. The Bills are averaging just over 8 points a game over their last three and are 1-4 on the road. Jets all the way!
WR #10 Santonio Holmes spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown vs the Bills at Orchard Park on Nov. 6th. Photo: Rick Stewart/Getty Images
3. SEAHAWKS over Redskins- The ‘Skins losers of six in a row and seven out of their last eight, travel cross country to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seahawks who have won two in a row; one vs the Ravens. The Redskins without a legitimate running game will need to air it out more often and having WR Santana Moss return from a hand injury which kept him out for the last month will help, along with the ever dependable TE Fred Davis. For the ‘Hawks all they’ll need is their stingy D along with RB Marshawn Lynch – six straight games with a touchdown. Seattle should come away from this game with their third win in a row.
Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch eludes being tackled in last week's game. Photo: Whitney Curtis/Getty Images
4. Panthers over COLTS- Two bad teams with a combined record of 2-20. It figures to be a ‘running back delight’ as the Panthers give up the most fantasy points to opposing backs and the Colts are not too far behind in third place. The Colts also give up an average of 30 points a game so it will be an opportunity for QB Cam Newton to showcase his talents. As the Colts do not have any sort of passing game since Painter and Garcon hooked up earlier in the season, the Panthers should roll in this one.
Panthers QB Cam Newton celebrates after scoring on a 11 yard rushing touchdown vs the Lions last week. Photo: Rick Osentoaski/AP
5. Broncos over CHARGERS- It was all the way back in week 5 when QB Tim Tebow took over for the inept Kyle Orton and almost rallied the Broncos in the second half from a 16 point deficit. Final score was 29-24 S.D., but since that game, QB Philip Rivers and the Bolts have lost five games in a row, while the Broncos have been on a 4-1 tear. Tebow continues to find ways to win games and his team needs the win in order to keep from falling too far behind the AFC West leading Oakland Raiders. RB Willis McGahee ran for 125 yards in that game so look for him and Tebow to keep moving the chains in a game that we like Denver to make Tebow record as a starter this year 5-1.
#15 QB Tim Tebow delivers a pass in week five's game vs the Chargers. Photo: Doug Pernsinger/Getty Images
* Last week 4-1
** Season 30-20
FANTASY FURNACE 