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 14

Good morning, Fools, and welcome to the first week of the fantasy postseason. I hope all of you are still in contention. I'm moving forward in 3 of 4 leagues (just missed out in the other thanks to trouble at the RB position that I couldn't fix over the past 4-5 weeks; kept getting out-prioritied on the guys I wanted off the waiver wire). It happens.

Let's get into it.

We figured the weather would come into play in a big way today, but I didn't imagine that it would effect a dome game. Alas, the Metrodome roof has collapsed (take a look at the pics on NFL.com...wow), so the Giants and Vikings' game has been postponed till Monday night at Ford Field in Detroit. That will give Favre, Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks an additional day to heal up, but it also makes them all riskier fantasy starts since you won't know until tomorrow whether or not they'll play. Frankly, I'm not high on any of them -- forget about Favre, but also the WRs, who'll be coming back for their first action after an extended absence. Nicks, in particular, is the less likely of the two to play. I just don't see either of them getting a lot of snaps and both are at risk of leaving the game early. Anyway...it certainly makes things even more interesting.

Elsewhere...

Frigid conditions (temps in teens), gusty winds (30-50 mph) and snow (70% chance) will be a factor in Chicago, where the Bears host the Pats. Tom Brady obviously knows how to handle it, but I'm not as confident in Cutler. Matt Forte will probably be given an extra workload, but I wouldn't want to bank on any Bear receiver, or either kicker (Gould, Graham).

It's raining and windy in New York, which could put a damper on the passing and kicking games of the Jets and Dolphins. I'm still starting Santonio, but I don't like any other WR in this game, especially due to the weather.

It's much colder, but less windy, in Buffalo. Peyton Hillis should be the man in that game. I'm worried about Fitzpatrick and Stevie Johnson, and am benching Johnson in the league where I have safer options (Boldin, Santonio, Jennings).

It's going to be sloppy in Pittsburgh, too. Look for a big game from Mendenhall, but I still don't like Benson's chances against the Steelers' D. Big Ben and Palmer are used to these conditions, so I wouldn't downgrade their receivers too much.

The Chiefs finally ended their charade and ruled out Matt Cassel (appendectomy). Brodie Croyle will get the start against the Chargers' defense, which could mean trouble for Dwayne Bowe. Truthfully, I'd probably still start Bowe (unless I had some slam-dunk alternatives); but I'd be extremely nervous about it.

Brandon Marshall is expected to suit up today and take his chances on Revis Island, but Brian Hartline won't be around to pick up the slack. He's been placed on IR by the Dolphins due to a hand injury.

Ravens TE Todd Heap has been ruled out, as expected, for Monday night. Rookie Ed Dickson will start in his place, and I like his chances against the Texans' pathetic secondary.

Latest upheaval from the world of kicking: Denver's Matt Prater is out with a groin injury. Steven Haushcka was signed to replace him this week, and possibly longer. Prater is widely owned across Fantasyland, and the matchup with Arizona is one of the best. If you're hurting at the position (possibly due to the weather issues discussed above), Hauschka is a sneaky good option.

OK, that's it for this morning. I'll be tweeting the inactives in a sec. Good luck to all Fools!

Moon over Minnesota

While today's news isn't entirely surprising, it is nonetheless shocking.

The Pats have dealt Randy Moss back to his original club for a 3rd round draft pick. The Vikings are negotiating a contract extension for their once and future star, and they obviously intend to get him in the starting lineup by this weekend.

Wow.

As great a move as this is for Minnesota and Brett Favre, in particular, it seems like a huge loss for the Patriots and Tom Brady. I don't care how reliable Julian Edelman is, or how much promise they see in Brandon Tate, neither comes close to Randy Moss' explosiveness.

This is bad news for Brady's owners, and possibly even worrisome news for Wes Welker's owners, who will likely see their star receiver blanketed by opposing defenses who no longer have to double-up on Moss.

Tate may be the biggest beneficiary, since he's likely to step into Moss' deep-threat role. And I wouldn't think he'd draw two defenders on most plays. Edelman should likewise be worked into the offense more. Aaron Hernandez's rise up the TE rankings should also get a boost.

Obviously, Favre is the big winner in this blockbuster trade. Moss gives him the play-making target that was lost when Sidney Rice went down. And just imagine what Minnesota's offense will look like down the stretch when Rice returns. Moss, Rice, AP, Harvin, Shiancoe. Wow...

While I'd rather have Brady throwing to Moss than the ancient Favre, even Moss gets a slight uptick in that he won't have a bye week this season. Though I suppose you could count his Week 4 goose egg as worse than a bye...

Anyone still holding onto Bernard Berrian should dump him immediately.

Meanwhile, those wondering if Dwayne Jarrett would be a good pickup while Carolina's Steve Smith misses time with an ankle injury should look elsewhere. Jarrett was arrested for DUI (again), and summarily dismissed by the Panthers. Bonehead.