In this holiday season, it's not uncommon to see news clips about strangers handing out unexpected gifts from the kindness of their heart. In case you haven't seen the clip yet, NFL referee Garth DeFelice is a perfect example of the generous souls living among us. On Sunday, without warning, he hand-delivered a nicely wrapped forearm shiver to St. Louis Rams RB Kenneth Darby...basically the Rams season in a nutshell. In these days of the new NFL, expect DeFelice to be heavily fined for leaving his feet to make the tackle. Actually, maybe it would be best if Wade Phillips brought in DeFelice to help Ken Hamlin and friends learn to bring down a running back in the open field. Let's head in between the tackles and check out some of the other big stories in the NFL as we approach the 17th and final week of the regular season...
Week 17
Week 17 is notorious for frustrating fantasy owners as coaches juggle lineups without much warning. Teams that have locked up a playoff spot would like to rest their starters, but don't want to risk losing momentum. Teams out of the playoffs are basically holding informal tryouts at this point to see who they still want around for next season. It's a mess, but here's the most up-to-date information I could find for you as of press time:
~ Steelers coach Mike Tomlin continues to indicate to the media he plans to play his starters, but the odds of that actually happening might be slim. Pittsburgh had an early bye week and had endured the toughest schedule in the NFL and the players need a rest. Expect most starters to last only a few drives or a half at most against the Browns. The Steelers were beat soundly on Sunday, but the situation looked very similar to a few seasons ago. The Steelers executed a very vanilla game plan in the regular season against the Colts and were stomped, only to upset Indy on the road in the playoffs a few weeks later on the way to the Super Bowl...something to think about heading into January.
~ Expect Tennessee to approach this week in a similar fashion. If for some reason Kerry Collins is your fantasy QB, don't be shocked if Vince Young starts in his place. The Titans need to decide where and if Young fits into the puzzle for next year and this is a perfect opportunity to give the elderly Collins a rest. By the way, what was Lendale White thinking stomping on the Terrible Towel?? C'mon man.
~ Tom Coughlin seems likely to play most of his starters in Week 17 in an attempt to build momentum heading into the playoffs after sputtering along the last few weeks. Look for banged up players like Justin Tuck and Brandon Jacobs to find their way to the bench early, but this might open the door for another big week from Derrick Ward, who is still playing for that big contract this summer.
~ One would think Arizona would have no reason to push the aerial dynamo of Warner, Fitzgerald, and Boldin onto the field in a meaningless game against Seattle, but the Cardinals have been struggling and for a team with very little playoff experience, confidence is extremely important. Unfortunately, this team is built for the domes and sunny afternoons of October, not the January snow and cold like we saw last week against the Patriots. The Cardinals will likely be one and done.
~ Another team that relies heavily upon the passing game is Peyton Manning and the Colts. Week 17 is historically the Jim Sorgi week for Indy, and expect this week to be much of the same. Dungy claims he won't pull his star players, but I won't go against history. Expect a series or two out of Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Marvin Harrison before they hit the showers. While this team seems to be similar to the Cardinals on paper, I have a weird feeling if they can get Joseph Addai healthy they could make a serious run. The Colts have quietly won eight games in a row and are flying under the radar in an up-for-grabs AFC.
Side Notes
~ The Atlanta Falcons are getting all the press for such an amazing one-year turnaround, but what about the Miami Dolphins? Nothing against the Falcons, but the Dolphins were in the same situation the Lions are this year. They were lucky to squeak out a 1-15 season last year and now with a win on Sunday can find themselves in the playoffs. They marched into Kansas City last week where the conditions were less than ideal for a team from South Florida (well below 0 wind chill and big winds) and left with a much needed win. Plus, how did Brett Favre make the Pro Bowl over Chad Pennington (or Philip Rivers for that matter)?
~ Drew Brees needs just over 400 yards against Carolina on Sunday to break Dan Marino's all-time single season passing record. The Saints claim they won't alter their gameplan, but why would they? For most of the season, their "running" game has involved Brees throwing short passes to players who then proceed to run with the ball. I think Brees has a chance to get it done this week. It's just a shame that the Saints are so bad on the other side of the ball or he would be a lock for MVP.
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