Week 15: Automatic/Don’t Do It
By Vidur Malik
Quarterbacks
Matt Schaub – After almost leading Houston a comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, Schaub should respond with another great game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Schaub had 393 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions against the Ravens, and the Titans are 26th in passing defense. Though the interceptions might be an issue, Schaub should more than make up for any turnovers he might commit on Sunday.
Jon Kitna – Kitna has been solid after Tony Romo went down, and though he’s thrown 10 interceptions in eight games, he should play well against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. The Redskins are 29th in pass defense and give up almost 261 passing yards per game. He threw two interceptions in a 30-27 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, but the Eagles’ defense ranks first in interceptions with 22, and the Redskins’ defense only has 11.
Don’t Do It: Kyle Orton – The last time Orton and the Denver Broncos played the Oakland Raiders, he threw two touchdown passes, but only had passing 198 yards, and also had an interception and lost a fumble. The Raiders rank seventh in pass defense, so don’t count on Orton to have a good game on Sunday.
Runningbacks
Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw and the New York Giants should get some big play opportunities against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. In their 30-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys last weekend, the Eagles gave up only 41 rushing yards to Cowboys’ running back Felix Jones last week, but Jones also caught four passes for 42 yards. Bradshaw can be the same dual threat on Sunday.
Steven Jackson –Jackson only had 16 carries in the Rams’ 31-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints last week, and though he only averages 3.9 yards per carry on the season, he had 6.0 yards per carry against the Saints. He ran for 102 yards and a touchdown the week before in a 19-6 win against Arizona, so he’s got momentum going into Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Don’t Do It: Chris Johnson – Johnson hasn’t been very consistent the past few weeks, and the Texans rank sixth in rushing defense. Johnson can make a game-changing play at any moment, but it’s probably smart to sit him this weekend.
Receivers
Sidney Rice – Rice leads the Minnesota Vikings with 17.2 yards per catch, so he doesn’t need many receptions to make an impact. He caught five passes in his last two games, so look for him to again be a big part of the Vikings’ offense on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Jacoby Ford – Ford is averaging 19.3 yards per catch this year, so if the Oakland Raiders look to make a big play through the air against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, chances are he’ll be involved. The Broncos’ defense is 28th in total yards, so Ford should have some opportunities.
Don’t Do It: Greg Jennings – According to reports, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is questionable with a concussion, so even though Jennings has been great lately, his numbers may drop because of the problems at quarterback. The Green Bay Packers play the New England Patriots on Sunday, who rank 31st in pass defense, but haven’t given up a passing touchdown in two weeks.
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