Depending on the format and playoff bracket in your league, This may be the week that you are wondering if you have the formula for success. I call it gut-check week because this is the week that you read more advice than any other. It's like all of a sudden you can't decide who has the best matchup. I know it all too well. Veteran owners ride their horses to glory and newcomers read every piece of analysis to determine what they should do.
Relax and take a deep breath. There is nothing magical that you are going to read that is going to take you over the top unless you happen to be reading my weekly column. All kidding aside, I have a five point plan this week that doesn't involve schools in my home state.
1. Pick a kicker on a team that has a chance to be successful. Don't worry so much about misses. You simply need an offense that moves the ball and isn't ultra red zone efficient or has a matchup against a defense that limits scores. Now I am no swami, but I am scared of Matt Prater this week. Peyton Manning has carved up some pretty good defenses and while Prater had some success last week, Baltimore hasn't put up much resistance lately. I'd skip this play all together.
I really like Jason Hanson of Detroit this week in Arizona. Arizona was absolutely embarrassed last week and they will rebound at home. I suspect that the Lions will move the ball, but not at will. This game will not get out of hand early. I expect this to be a real grind it out game. Arizona will run the ball a ton limiting the clock and the defense will force Detroit to kick early. I'm calling this one Detroit 30 Arizona 20. That translates into three field goals and 3 xpa ( 12 points).
Check the status of "Cat Scratch Fever" Mike Nugent who missed last week's game with a calf injury. Josh Brown filled in last week and connected on four field goals. Nugent has averaged seven points a week without any real dips in production. While that stat won't make you run to the wire, Philadelphia ranks in the bottom third in points given up to kickers. Thursday night games this year have been field goal heavy. That is they have not lived up to any of the shootout hype. This week's game in Philadelphia will not be a shootout by any means. If Nugent can't go then Brown makes a pretty solid play as well. Check the injury status before the game.
2. If you are playing musical tight end this year, Look at Clay Harbor because Brent Celek is out. Cincinnati will grab the lead early and Nick Foles...