VS.
Passing - The top two fantasy QBs face off in a what should be a the title card of this event. Drew Brees torched the Giants last week for 36 points. When Aaron Rodgers gets the same Giants in the Medowlands in Week 13, will they have something to prove? If they did would it even matter? Rodgers could quit the season now and still be voted MVP. Brees has a chance to break Marino's single season passing record in the Saints' air first offense. This week Breesus draws the 7-4 Lions into the Superdome. Playing for their playoff lives, the Lions are sure to be lively, especially sporting a top five pass defense. But Suh, the Arm-Stomper's, absence puts a dent in their pass rush. Still it's a significantly tougher match-up for the Tigers' field general. If fans of the Mountain are looking for some solace, there's a chance Detroit might stay in the game and force Brees to pass till the end - but that's reaching a bit.
Advantage - Pelicans
Receiving - Wes Welker is the 2nd half of the Pelicans superior air attack. Facing hapless Indianapolis, he's all but assured of double digits, and smart money would have him pushing 20. He's been held under 10 just 3 times this year. Beneath that is a big question mark for the Pelicans. While Welker is a clear WR1, their second slot could be filled by a rotating cast of WR3 (Bennet, Moore, Cooper). All of whom are more a roll of the dice than an obvious start. The Tigers feature two lighting-in-a-bottle receivers. Stevie and VJax clearly both have WR1 talent. And after week 3 the rest of the league was in awe of the Tigers aerial draft picks. However, Rivers' wholesale collapse in San Diego and Stevie's mercurial personality have made the two hit-or-miss. Both draw tough opponents in Jacksonville and Tennessee. Although either one should keep pace with Welker on a good day, WW in Indy is the closest to a fantasy sure thing there is.
Advantage - Pelicans
Rushing - The Pelicans feature back Michael Turner draws a tough match-up with Houston and faced declining returns this time last year. Their second slot will be filled by either Jonathan Stewart (split time) or James Stark (dinged up). The Tigers feature no less than 5 RB2s any one of which might see a slot. Michael Bush will likely see another start against a brutal Miami front. Steven Jackson appears to be slowing and faces the toughest line in San Francisco. Tim Tebow's sidekick One Hand Willis faces a porous Vikings D and sports a run first philosophy. Resurgent Beanie put 200+ on the hapless Rams but faces a much tougher squad in Dallas. And the Amazing Helu is now Shanahan's "Starter" - that's the joke.
Advantage - Tigers
Tight End - Between them, these two squads have three of the top 6 at this position. The Tigers feature Jimmy Graham, the versatile sophomore and former basketball player who's been busy redefining the position by catching passes in space. He's also the other half of the Saints titration which has driven TTM to the playoffs this year. Jimmer is just south of 1000 yards receiving on the season and if he adds to his 8 TDs this year, the Mountain will be at the summit of their expectations. The Pelicans feature Antonio Gates, who may have lost a step to merely "good", but may also benefit from Rivers' downgrade and a Jacksonville squad that surrenders points to TEs. Their second and potential flex option is Cowboys veteran Jason Witten. Though with Austin back, the Cowboys won't lack for alternate options.
Advantage - PUSH
Kicking - The Tigers' kicker Rackers saw a bump in production last week as the Texans, a functional offense, lost their QB and backup for the season. More stalled drives could allow Rackers to show off his distance prowess, a hallmark of his career five years ago. The Texans will face a bend-but-don't-break Falcons squad that could show him multiple 40+ chances. The Pelicans foot Akers has already knocked down 6 50+ this year and 7 in the 40s. He's got the skill to compare with the best in the league, and a good situation with a great defense and a mediocre offense. However, facing St. Louis at home, he could easily see only PATs.
Advantage - PUSH
Defense/Special Teams -These two squads feature entirely different philosophies on the arcade position of fantasy football. The Pelicans will play mix-match with a medium-bad Patriots defense against the laughable Colts. We've seen teams get burned by this titration multiple times this year, but it's hard to see it happening this week. The Tigers will bring the Ravens shroud down over sputtering Cleveland. On points allowed and turnovers we'll put this about even, but if it comes down to sacks.
Advantage - Tigers
IDP - The Pelicans feature a brace of big stars including Woodson, Allen and Urlacher. Their jersey sales alone should float them to their projections. The Tigers play double titration with Suggs and Ngata. Last week showed us just how deadly that can be when the Ravens pass rush is effective.
Advantage - Pelicans
Miscellaneous - The Tigers' off the field distractions have been well-documented. As have their very public disputations with the league's gadfly, Grisham. Returning to the playoffs after a painful absence last year, they've never won this many games. In short they're not used to this kind of pressure, and who's to say if they've been titrating properly for late-season? Or if they even know how to do that kind of thing? The first match-up came during bye-weeks and dealt the Tigers their second loss. The Pelicans are celebrating their third straight trip to the playoffs, but the pressure is on to bring home a championship this year. With the playoff field deeper than ever, a first round game could easily mean a one way ticket to the golf course with best wishes for next year. Luck has been on the Tigers' side this year and if it comes down to chance then we like the Mountain.
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