5 Months Arizona Cardinals Comment

Ryan Lindley was benched early in the third quarter of Week 16 in favor of Brian Hoyer.

Hoyer was claimed off waivers from the Steelers on December 10. Lindley struggled as usual against the Bears, completing just 17-of-30 passes for 141 yards and an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Peanut Tillman. Look for Hoyer to close out a disappointing Cardinals season as the Week 17 starter, as well.

5 Months Arizona Cardinals Comment

Ryan Lindley currently holds the NFL record for most passes in a season (141) without a touchdown pass.

Lindley has yet to throw a touchdown and has an appalling bad 45.0 QB rating and 51.1 completion percentage in his first four appearances. If he manages to hold on to the starting job beyond Week 16, it's possible he'll remain scoreless for the entire season. The Cardinals face two top-six pass defenses in the Bears and 49ers the final two weeks.

IDP Sleepers - Week 16 (fantasysharks.com)

This is it!! Fantasy football championship weekend is upon us and if you are reading this then chances are that your team is in the running for all the marbles. Congrats!

If you are reading this and your team has been knocked out of the playoffs then...wow...I am honored and thank you.

This is the final '53 Deep' of the 2012 season and it has been my pleasure to try and bring to light some names each week for IDP owners in deeper formats who may need players ranked outside the top 30 or so at each position (actually top 50 at the linebacker position) to stay competitive in their leagues.

If you've made it this far chances are that your IDP team is pretty well set at the starters position and unless you have suffered some late season injuries as always it is advisable to roll with your studs.

If by chance you do find yourself in need of some help due to injury, suspension or benching then let's take one last stroll deep down some rosters for championship weekend help. Without further ado...

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Chandler Jones, DE, NEW ENGLAND, at JACKSONVILLE: Jones has really struggled since returning from his ankle injury and hasn't recorded a sack since week eight. He's averaged 37 snaps per game since returning two weeks ago and has put up four total tackles and one batted down pass. He has been credited with a pair of QB hurries and has an attractive matchup this week to end his sack drought. Jacksonville quarterback Chad Henne has been sacked 15 times in the last four games and that bodes very well for Jones this week, he will get healthy in a hurry against the struggling Jaguars.

Corey Wootton, DE, CHICAGO, at ARIZONA: Wootton had a nice week against the Packers with 1.5 sacks and five total stops last week and has really played well since seeing his playing time increase. The Cardinals have been better at protecting the quarterback lately, only allowing six sacks in their last three games (trust me, that's an improvement) but still lead the NFL with 52 sacks allowed on the season. Wootton benefits from the attention that Julius Peppers draws from the offensive line and will continue his hot streak by getting to rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley at least once this week.

Gerald McCoy, DT, TAMPA BAY, vs. ST LOUIS: McCoy is enjoying a career best season and looks to be on his way to playing his first complete NFL season as well. He's put up two sacks in the last two weeks and now has five sacks and 30 total tackles through 14 weeks. The Rams are...

Against the Odds - Week 16 (fantasysharks.com)

This week's lines are from USAToday.com (as of Thursday night).

ATS - Against the Spread; SU - Straight Up; O/U - Over/Under

Locks

Atlanta at Detroit (+3.5)

The Falcons are the top team in the NFC with a record of 12-2 and are looking to clinch the top seed in the conference with a win this week. They are coming off a 34-0 blowout of the N.Y. Giants and face the Detroit Lions who have lost six straight and are 1-5 ATS in that span. Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson only needs 182 more yards to break Jerry Rice's record. Quarterback Matthew Stafford targeted Johnson 17 times in last week's loss and will feed him the ball in the next two games to ensure he gets the record.

Gimme the Falcons minus the points.

Tennessee at Green Bay (-12.5)

The Packers are on a roll, winning eight of their last nine, including the division clincher in Chicago last week. During that time, the Packers are 7-2 ATS.

The Titans have been struggling but managed to defeat the N.Y. Jets last week 14-10. The Titans are 2-5 ATS away this season and quarterback Jake Locker has only three touchdowns and seven interceptions in his last four games.

Gimme the Packers minus the points.

Games

Chicago at Arizona (+5.5)

The Bears need a win badly and facing the league's worst offense should do the trick. Look for the Bears to force Ryan Lindley into a few turnovers and cruise to a much needed win to stay in the playoff hunt.

Gimme the Bears minus the points.

Oakland at Carolina (-9.5)

Quarterback Cam Newton stayed hot last week, throwing for two touchdowns. He has nine touchdowns and zero interceptions and 253 rushing yards with three rushing touchdowns in his last four games. The Raiders are last in points allowed and their biggest offensive threat nowadays is their kicker, Sebastian Janikowski, who hit five field goals in their 15-0 win over Kansas City last week.

Gimme the Panthers minus the points.

Indianapolis at Kansas City (+7)

With a win this week, the Colts will clinch a spot in the playoffs. Head Coach Chuck Pagano has been cleared to resume coaching after being diagnosed with leukemia back in September. The Chiefs are 2-12 ATS and are last in the NFL in offense, scoring under 14 points per game.

Gimme the Colts minus the points.

San Diego at N.Y. Jets (-2.5)

Jets quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow are on their way out after this season so the team will give Greg McElroy an extended look in their final two games of the season. The Chargers defense should have a decent...

5 Months Arizona Cardinals Comment

Ryan Lindley will remain the Cardinals' starting quarterback in Week 16.

Coming off his best game of the season - 58.4 QB rating, 104 yards, zero touchdowns and only one turnover - Lindley will attempt to tally his first score against the Bears. If things go as poorly as they should on paper, John Skelton, or perhaps even Brian Hoyer, will get a look under center.

Cincinnati 34, Philadelphia 13

Bengals

In spite of the score, Andy Dalton has regressed over the past three weeks, thus hindering fantasy owners who thought they had unearthed a solid fantasy sleeper. In this game the second year signal caller struggled to accumulate a meager 127 yards and one touchdown pass. Up next for Dalton is stiff Pittsburgh pass defense. Hopefully you have better options.

Eagles

Nick Foles is yet another rookie quarterback developing before our very eyes. However the production of the Philly passing game was severely hindered by seven Eagles turnovers. By game's end Jeremy Maclin had emerged as the team's leading wide receiver with 74 yards. Hard to rely on these paltry numbers with a fantasy championship in the balance.

So much for plug and play status of rookie Bryce Brown. In this game Brown contributed to the turnover woes of the Eagles with a fumble of his own that resulted in Bengals TD. With LeSean McCoy likely returning for the next two games, Brown will be relegated to a secondary role.

New York 0, Atlanta 34

Giants

Taking his first start at running back, David Wilson looked awesome early in this game picking up 44 yards on his first five carries. For some reason the Giants didn't trust the rookie in a full-time role as newly signed Kregg Lumpkin nearly matched Wilson's rushing attempts. Further inhibiting Wilson's outing was the Giants falling behind 24-0 in the early third quarter. Wilson's week 16 status is contingent on Ahmad Bradshaw's return.

Falcons

Michael Turner is a risky start every week due to his high dependency on touchdowns. However, we can't argue with production as he just keeps doing it. Turner is a plug-and-pray in fantasy lineups next week against Detroit.

Green Bay 21, Chicago 13

Packers

With Greg Jennings locked down by Charles Tillman, it was James Jones prospering with three touchdowns along with Randell Cobb's 115 yards. Jones has been a conundrum all season with very sporadic production. Do not feel bad if you sat him this week, and I wouldn't blame you for sitting him next week.

Alex Green is the lead ball carrier in the Green Bay backfield with 13 rushing attempts. However, the RBBC is alive and well as Ryan Grant, DuJuan Harris and John Kuhn all took carries. No Packers runner is recommended.

Bears

Matt Forte proves he is a solid RB1 value when the Bears are absent Michael Bush. With a plus matchup forthcoming with the Arizona Cardinals, Forte is a solid RB1 so long as...

5 Months Arizona Cardinals Comment

Ryan Lindley completed just 14-of-21 passes for 104 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception in Sunday's Week 15 win over the Lions.

Lindley tossed just the one pick, so that has to be considered improvement for the rookie. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt didn't ask his quarterback to take any shots downfield, so he was set up to not turn the ball over. His quarterback rating of 58.4 is laughably a season-best. The win will likely get Lindley another start next week against the Bears. Arizona will probably have to peel him off the turf a number of times in Week 16.

  Next »