Sunday morning updates - Week 16

Happy Championship Sunday, Fools! And Merry Christmas to all... I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday and you're relaxed and ready for a great day of title matchups. Congrats to all who are still playing, and to those who started Miles Austin last night (I didn't).

My lineup for the championship in one of my leagues: Vick, Foster, CJ, V-Jax, Nicks, Mike Williams (TB), Zach Miller (OAK), Chargers D/ST and Matt Bryant. Haven't started Miles in weeks, and I'm rolling with Williams over Ahmad Bradshaw in the flex spot. First time I can remember doing that. In any event, that's a pretty formidable crew if they show up, but my opponent is well-stocked as well. Should be an epic battle.

OK, let's get to the morning's news so we can make the pivotal calls for our most important starting lineups of the season...

Mark Sanchez (shoulder) and Santonio Holmes (turf toe) will start today for the Jets, but I'm worried about both of them in Soldier Field against the Bears. Snow is already coming down, but it's not expected to be a huge factor in the game.


Maurice Jones-Drew is officially OUT of today's game, according to reports. Rashad Jennings will be your lead RB today vs. the Redskins; and I expect good things from him. He could very easily be the latest in a long line of late-season fantasy heroes. If I wasn't rocking Foster and CJ today, I'd be picking up Jennings (who should already be on the bench of MJD's owners in all leagues; but isn't).

All signs point to a return to action for Joseph Addai (neck) today. Addai is my "Flier of the Week," which means he could come out of nowhere to have a big day. Then again, he might not. (That's quite a bold statement, huh?) Actually, assuming he plays, I like his chances better than most of the other gurus I've seen. The Colts have been waiting on his return for a long time, and they need him to perform well if they're going to close out the season on a high. Keep in mind, he's coming off a neck injury; not a leg/knee injury. Oakland has a terrible run defense, and Donald Brown just isn't cutting it (despite last week's fluke performance.) Mike Hart, by the way, did not travel to Oakland with the team.

Knowshon Moreno will likely give his sore ribs a go today vs. the Texans. Just don't expect a lot out of him if you start him. Hopefully a short TD run or reception to go with 50-60 yards. Just a hunch...but I betcha Tebow will be the team's leading rusher again.

Chris Ivory is 50/50 for Monday night. I think Pierre Thomas will get the bulk of the carries either way; but I wouldn't want to rely on him. He hasn't shown much since he returned from injury.

Roddy White has been doing some trash-talking about the Saints over the past week, but he's listed as questionable for the game. Don't worry about it. He'll have a chance to put his money where his Tweets are.

Andre Johnson could very well miss today's game against the Broncos. That will not only have a negative impact on Schaub, but it won't help Arian Foster either. Denver will be able to stack the line against the Texans with AJ out. That said, Denver's run defense is downright hopeless; so don't even think about benching Foster.

Rookie TE Aaron Hernandez will not play for the Pats today.

Winter weather advisory for Philly: They're expecting blizzard conditions for tonight's Eagles-Vikings matchup. So much so that the NFL is considering the possibility of postponing the game. Really? Whatever...I would never consider sitting AP, LeSean McCoy or The Most Interesting Man in Fantasyland. But I wouldn't complain if they decided to wait until the weather cleared up...especially if I was a DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin or Sidney Rice owner.

OK, that's it for now. Follow my Tweets for the late-breaking news and inactive reports. Good luck, Fools. Claim that title!

Sunday morning updates - Week 15

Good morning, Fools. Here we go again, and this time it's for keeps -- either Week 1 or Week 2 of the postseason for virtually every fantasy league. We've gotta get it right today, folks. Let's see wassup around the league...

First off, I hope you started V-Jax and/or the Chargers defense Thursday night, as I did. I'm up 47-1 already in one of my leagues, thanks to those decisions, and the play of Vernon Davis by my opponent. I'm not counting my winnings yet, but I feel a lot better in my shoes than his going into today's matchups...

You know Aaron Rodgers has been ruled out. Fortunately they didn't leave us hanging all day. Now you know you need to start someone else this afternoon. You sure don't want to rely on Matt Flynn outdoors at night against the hot Patriots defense.

And I wouldn't touch Jay Cutler on Monday night outdoors on the U of Minnesota's rock-hard turf. That's just asking for a concussion against the Vikings' pass rush. Temperature at game-time is expected to be in the mid-teens.

Rookie Joe Webb will start at QB for the injured Favre, who is already officially listed as out. Webb is listed as a WR in some leagues (including Yahoo's), so while I would never consider starting him as a QB, he's an intriguing option if you can list him as a third WR (or flex play). He could toss or run for a TD or two, which would make him one of the stronger WR plays of the weekend. Just saying...

The Chiefs are apparently planning to roll with Matt Cassel today. While I wouldn't want him in my lineup (no telling how long he lasts less than 2 weeks removed from an appendectomy), I'd feel a lot better about starting Bowe if Brodie Croyle isn't the QB.

The Tim Tebow Era will begin for the Broncos today. Kyle Orton (ribs) may be active, but Tebow is expected to get his first career start. No telling how he'll fare in the Black Hole, but I suspect he'll have more rushing TDs than passing scores over the next couple of weeks. Again, with a new QB at the controls, all bets are off for the Broncos' slumping receivers, including Brandon Lloyd. Frankly, I wouldn't have them much higher on my pecking order even if Orton was playing. Remember that Oakland shellacked Denver 59-14 in Week 7.

The Rex Grossman Era will begin today for the Redskins, with McNabb now relegated to 3rd string. (John Beck is No. 2.) Don't be surprised if the Beck Era begins next week in Washington.

It's John Skelton vs. Jimmy Clausen in Carolina today. Zzzzzzzz....

Signs are pointing to Chris Ivory sitting out the Ravens game with a bad hammy. That would leave Pierre Thomas as the primary rusher, with Reggie Bush presumably getting more touches as well. If it wasn't for the tough matchup on the road, I'd be intrigued by Pierre. But as it is, I think it's awfully risky.

Marion Barber will probably not play today, which helps uncomplicate the Dallas RB rotation. Felix Jones is a decent play, with Tashard Choice a bit of a wild card. We just don't know how many touches he will receive.

DeSean Jackson (foot) will play today as usual.

Dallas' Roy Williams (hamstring) is not expected to be active. But no official word yet.

Recently acquired WR Kevin Curtis is expected to be active for the Dolphins today. No, you shouldn't pick him up. Just thought I should let you know.

Heath Miller is out again due to his concussion.

Joe Nedney was just placed on IR. Jeff Reed will kick for the 49ers for the remainder of the season.

It's going to be wet in Oakland, and freezing in Cinci, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New York, Minneapolis and New England. But it doesn't look like the weather will play as big a role in the outcomes of this weekend's games as it did last week.

Okay, that's it for today's blog updates. Be sure you're following my tweets for the game-day inactives and other breaking news, which will begin shortly. Good luck to all Fools!

Sunday morning updates - Week 9

Good morning, Fools! It's another beautiful day in Fantasyland. I hope you're ready to dominate your competition today. I know I am.

Did you remember to "fall back?"

First things first...Six teams are on bye this week: Broncos, Jaguars, 49ers, Rams, Titans and Redskins.

Here are a few updates from around the league before we get to the game-day inactives (starting at noon ET).

Both Joseph Addai and Mike Hart stayed home yesterday and will not play vs. Philly. Donald Brown has a chance to redeem himself for those (like me) who were counting on him last week.

DeAngelo Williams is out again; Jonathan Stewart will try to rebound from an awful start last week.

Beanie Wells is active and will start. He has a tough matchup with the Vikes, but their rush defense hasn't been as tough as advertised lately.

Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush are both inactive (again). Look for more sharing in the Saints backfield between Chris Ivory, Julius Jones and Ladell Betts.

No surprise here: The Colts put oft-injured Anthony Gonazalez on IR, ending his season prematurely yet again.

DeSean Jackson (concussion) is fully expected to return to the field today, and will be catching passes from Michael Vick against the Colts. Get him back in your lineup.

Donald Driver is out today.

Colt McCoy will start again for the Browns, while Delhomme and Wallace continue to sit.

Percy Harvin will play today, as will Favre (duh). That said, Harvin has looked "tentative" in pre-game warmups, according to reports.

Donte Stallworth will suit up for the Ravens for the first time today. He will take some snaps away from Houshmandzadeh, but not likely from Boldin or Mason.

Antonio Gates will NOT play today (already ruled inactive). Randy McMichael, whom you'll remember from St. Louis and Miami, will start in his absence. Given the fact that the Bolts won't have Floyd, Naanee or Vincent Jackson either, you could do worse than take a flier on McMichael if you're a Gates owner.

Texans TE Owen Daniels is also inactive.

Oakland TE Zach Miller is very doubtful for the later games.

Nate Kaeding is sidelined for the third straight game; Kris Brown will kick for the Chargers.

OK, it's time to shift to Twitter for the inactive reports (follow me @ladd_biro). Good luck to all Fools!

Sunday morning updates - Week 7

Good morning, Fools. Ready to seize the day?

First things first: Get all Colts, Lions, Texans and Jets out of your starting lineup. And while you're at it, better make plans now for next week if you have Addai, Collie or Dallas Clark, because none of them will be available in Week 8 (and Clark, as you know, is out for the duration).

Here's what we know so far this morning. Late-breaking news and inactives will follow via Twitter (@ladd_biro) roughly an hour before the early kickoffs.

In Cleveland, Colt McCoy gets another start, with Delhomme and Wallace (out) unavailable. Massaquoi is also out, meaning Brian Robiskie will start in his place. While I wouldn't be surprised if Colt puts up decent stats, the only Browns I would start are Hillis and, in a pinch, TE Ben Watson.

Mike Vick is expected to suit up today, but Kolb will be the starter. If Kolb has trouble, though, Vick could be pressed into action. If Kolb excels again, it could set up a delicious QB controversy in Philly, which has a Week 8 bye.

Todd Bouman is set to start at QB for the Jags, since Garrard (concussion) and Edwards (finger) are unlikely to play. Sorry, Mike Sims-Walker owners.

Looks like Jason Campbell will get the call in Oakland, so no Kyle Boller. I still don't like anyone associated with the Raiders' passing game.

Also in Raider Nation, look for Darren McFadden to return to action today, but he'll likely be eased back in slowly.

Thanks to another boneheaded move by Kenny Britt (early morning bar fight), he won't start today's game. No telling how soon he gets in.

You know DeSean Jackson is out with his concussion. Look for Jason Avant to fill in capably in his absence, which could last even longer than next week's bye.

Hakeem Nicks' status for Monday night's game has been the subject of recent speculation, due to a hamstring issue. But don't hesitate to keep one of Fantasyland's most productive WRs in your starting lineup against the Cowboys. Nicks says there's "no question" he will play, giving new meaning to his "questionable" status.

Chris Cooley (concussion) looks like a go for today's game.