Packers and 49ers Clash on the Frozen Tundra

This frigid matchup gives the edge to no one

With the Packers claiming the NFC North title last week in thrilling fashion, the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field will be hosting yet another bitterly cold January playoff game. In what will be a rematch of a thrilling Week 1 matchup, the Green Bay Packers will be taking on a red-hot San Francisco 49ers squad.

While the Packers are glad to have their MVP quarterback back in action, the 49ers are just as confident with Colin Kaepernick at the helm. Getting into a groove during the 49ers 6 game winning streak (10 TDs to 1 INT over last 6 games), the 49ers signal caller has been a nightmare for the Packers defense in recent matchups. In two career starts against the Packers, Kaepernick has accounted for 895 total yards and 7 touchdowns.

In the most recent game between these two NFC teams back in Week 1, the 49ers pulled out a thrilling 34-28 victory. In that game, Kaepernick threw for a career high 412 yards and connected with wide receiver, Anquan Boldin, 13 times for 208 yards.  The game was also the beginning of a disappointing season for a once dominant Green Bay Packers defense. The unit has struggled all season long and finished 25^th in total defense.

However, Sunday’s weather will be a lot different than the teams’ Week 1 matchup in sunny San Francisco. With forecasts calling for negative temperatures all day long, this game could go down into the record books for the weather alone. Hard footballs and numb hands could limit both passing attacks so starting running backs Eddie Lacy and Frank Gore may become huge factors in this game.

Health has also been a factor for the Packers for much of the last two months as Randall Cobb joined Aaron Rodgers in returning from injury last week. Lining up alongside Jordy Nelson, Cobb should provide a boost to the passing game as the two receivers lit up the 49ers secondary in Week 1 (238 yards and 2 TDs). Fully healthy, the Packers are a lot more dangerous than their record may indicate.

With both offenses at full strength, this wild card game will come down to which team can make the big plays on offense and limit the big plays with their defense. While the Packers do have Aaron Rodgers back, a San Francisco defense which ranked 5^th in total defense may be able to slow the quarterback down. Meanwhile, the 49ers offense is fueled by the dual threat ability of Colin Kaepernick, but can rely on an effective power running game as well. Getting hot at the right time, the 49ers look poised for a win at Lambeau on Sunday.

Game Prediction: 49ers win, 27-17

Bonus Wide Receiver Sleeper Report

Look for Crabtree to score against the Cardinals

The final week of the 2013 NFL season is upon us and so is the final week of fantasy football. While many fantasy championships were won or lost last week, there are still some leagues playing for fantasy glory this week. If you happen to play in one of these leagues, make sure to check out the season’s final sleeper report for the wide receiver position.

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

Still available in almost half of NFL.com leagues, Michael Crabtree is a solid sleeper candidate for Week 17. Catching fire since returning from injury, Crabtree posted his first 100 yard receiving game of the season last week against the Atlanta Falcons and has now scored double digit fantasy points in two straight weeks. It looks like his chemistry with quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, is as good as ever and his recent success should continue this week against the Arizona Cardinals.

 Cordarralle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings

Patterson has been doing it all lately for the Minnesota Vikings as the rookie wideout has now scored a touchdown in four straight games. Not only dominating through the air, two of his last four touchdowns have come on the ground as the Vikings are finding more and more ways to get the ball to one of their most explosive players. This week, the Vikings take on the Detroit Lions who give up the 3^rd most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season at 26.7 PPG. If the Vikings can find ways to get Patterson the ball on Sunday, the wide receiver could be a sneaky play to secure a championship for his owners.

Andre Holmes, Oakland Raiders

Holmes did not register a single catch for the Raiders until Week 11, but has become one of the team’s top receiving options. Developing a solid connection with quarterback, Matt McGloin, Holmes has averaged 82 yards a game over the last four weeks and has one touchdown in that span. He saw eight targets last week and led the Raiders with five catches for 71 yards. This week, Holmes and the Raiders take on the Denver Broncos in what may be a high scoring affair. If the Raiders do get into a shootout with Peyton Manning and the Broncos, Andre Holmes may produce a solid game in the season’s final week.

Bench These Week 6 Wide Receivers

It’s been a long time since Boldin’s Week 1 romp over the Packers

As the bye weeks are in full swing, fantasy owners will be looking for fill-ins at all positions, including wide receiver.

However, fantasy owners may also want to look for replacements for the following players. All three wideouts are in less than ideal situations to produce this week.

Here’s your bench list for Week 6:

Benching of the Week – Tavon Austin, St. Louis

Without a touchdown reception since Week 2, Tavon Austin’s drought is likely to continue this week against the Houston Texans. The Texans have played opposing wide receivers extremely well this year and have not surrendered a touchdown to a wideout in 3 weeks.

Austin is also not being given a chance to run the ball anymore, limiting the potential of the speedy receiver. Unable to produce last week against the lowly Jaguars, Austin belongs on your bench this week against the league’s top defense.

Anquan Boldin, San Francisco

Since his Week 1 explosion against the Green Bay Packers, Boldin has only had one game of 90 or more yards. With teams realizing Colin Kaepernick’s limitations as a passer and the fact that the 49ers only have one other viable receiving option in Vernon Davis, Boldin has seen double-coverage all season long.

With a matchup against Patrick Peterson, one of the best young corners in the league, Boldin will be in for a long and unproductive day. Leave Boldin on your bench as the 49ers look to pound the rock this week against the Cardinals.

DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia

DeSean Jackson owners may not have the resources in order to do so, but a trip to Revis Island in Week 6 may warrant a benching of the Philly wideout. In their only matchup two years ago, Jackson was a non-factor, posting 2 receptions for 28 yards.

While Revis has been playing less man-to-man in Tampa Bay this year, an improved Bucs’ secondary may still end up giving Jackson fits this week. If you have the depth to do it, move Jackson to your bench, but temper expectations this week if he has to play.

Bench These Week 6 Wide Receivers

It’s been a long time since Boldin’s Week 1 romp over the Packers

As the bye weeks are in full swing, fantasy owners will be looking for fill-ins at all positions, including wide receiver.

However, fantasy owners may also want to look for replacements for the following players. All three wideouts are in less than ideal situations to produce this week.

Here’s your bench list for Week 6:

Benching of the Week – Tavon Austin, St. Louis

Without a touchdown reception since Week 2, Tavon Austin’s drought is likely to continue this week against the Houston Texans. The Texans have played opposing wide receivers extremely well this year and have not surrendered a touchdown to a wideout in 3 weeks.

Austin is also not being given a chance to run the ball anymore, limiting the potential of the speedy receiver. Unable to produce last week against the lowly Jaguars, Austin belongs on your bench this week against the league’s top defense.

Anquan Boldin, San Francisco

Since his Week 1 explosion against the Green Bay Packers, Boldin has only had one game of 90 or more yards. With teams realizing Colin Kaepernick’s limitations as a passer and the fact that the 49ers only have one other viable receiving option in Vernon Davis, Boldin has seen double-coverage all season long.

With a matchup against Patrick Peterson, one of the best young corners in the league, Boldin will be in for a long and unproductive day. Leave Boldin on your bench as the 49ers look to pound the rock this week against the Cardinals.

DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia

DeSean Jackson owners may not have the resources in order to do so, but a trip to Revis Island in Week 6 may warrant a benching of the Philly wideout. In their only matchup two years ago, Jackson was a non-factor, posting 2 receptions for 28 yards.

While Revis has been playing less man-to-man in Tampa Bay this year, an improved Bucs’ secondary may still end up giving Jackson fits this week. If you have the depth to do it, move Jackson to your bench, but temper expectations this week if he has to play.

Colin Kaepernick Looking for Payback in Seattle

Colin Kaepernick looked dominant in win against the Packers

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is getting ready for his first big test of the 2013 NFL season. Kaepernick will be facing a Seattle defense that allowed less than 320 yards of total offense per game last year. That was good enough for 4^th best in the NFL in that defensive category.

During week 1 this season, Seattle shut down 3^rd Year pro Cam Newton to under 120 passing yards. Cam Newton has a similar skill set to Kaepernick, but the Niner’s run game is much more of threat than what Carolina has to offer. This means that Seattle has to worry about much more than just stopping the quarterback.

During the Hawks/Niners matchup last season, Seattle held Kaepernick to under 250 yards passing with just one touchdown. Kaepernick had trouble with trouble with Seattle’s 12^th man (crowd noise), who made it hard to hear anything on offense. This is a condition he will once again become familiar with this Sunday night.

Kaepernick is a rising star in the NFL and seems to get better as each week passes. He’s more mentally prepared this time around and has shown growth and maturity since their last matchup.

Kaepernick’s skill set is incredibly hard to prepare for and his knowledge of the game makes him a defensive coordinator’s nightmare. The 25-year-old is determined to march into Seattle and silence the dominating crowd noise and his critics, while bringing a win back to San Francisco.

Colin Kaepernick Looking for Payback in Seattle

Colin Kaepernick looked dominant in win against the Packers

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is getting ready for his first big test of the 2013 NFL season. Kaepernick will be facing a Seattle defense that allowed less than 320 yards of total offense per game last year. That was good enough for 4^th best in the NFL in that defensive category.

During week 1 this season, Seattle shut down 3^rd Year pro Cam Newton to under 120 passing yards. Cam Newton has a similar skill set to Kaepernick, but the Niner’s run game is much more of threat than what Carolina has to offer. This means that Seattle has to worry about much more than just stopping the quarterback.

During the Hawks/Niners matchup last season, Seattle held Kaepernick to under 250 yards passing with just one touchdown. Kaepernick had trouble with trouble with Seattle’s 12^th man (crowd noise), who made it hard to hear anything on offense. This is a condition he will once again become familiar with this Sunday night.

Kaepernick is a rising star in the NFL and seems to get better as each week passes. He’s more mentally prepared this time around and has shown growth and maturity since their last matchup.

Kaepernick’s skill set is incredibly hard to prepare for and his knowledge of the game makes him a defensive coordinator’s nightmare. The 25-year-old is determined to march into Seattle and silence the dominating crowd noise and his critics, while bringing a win back to San Francisco.

Quarterback Russell Wilson Faces Stiff 49ers Defense

Fantasy owners have reason to worry against the Niners defense

Expected to be a top-10 quarterback heading into the season, Seattle’s Russell Wilson put up 320 passing yards and scored a touchdown to help the Seahawks squeak by the Carolina Panthers 12-7 on Week 1. Wilson was very efficient on the day, but it was the Seattle defense that allowed the Hawks to sneak out of Carolina with the win.

When evaluating Wilson’s first week, the second year quarterback day can be described as efficient, but not mind-blowing. One are area that was a disappointment for fantasy owners was Wilson’s rushing totals. He rushed 5 times gaining only 7 yards and left fantasy owners with a pedestrian 15 fantasy points.

With such high expectations, Wilson left fantasy owners flat during Week 1 and Week 2 doesn’t look any better as the Seahawks welcome the 49ers into town. Wilson will square off against a top five San Francisco defense that likes to pressure the quarterback.

While the 49ers just gave up 333 passing yards and 3 scores to Packers’ QB, Aaron Rodgers, Wilson owners shouldn’t expect similar results. Expect the defenses to dominate this week 2 matchup as Wilson is highly unlikely to crack the 300-yard mark. Fantasy owners might want to consider benching Wilson until his Week 3 matchup against the hapless Jaguars.

Kendall Hunter Reclaims 49ers Backup Role

Kendall Hunter did not finish the 2012 season on a good note. The third year back for the 49ers was losing his backup job to the rising LaMichael James and ended up suffering a season ending Achilles injury in Week 12. As his season came to a halt, James continued to shine and entered camp as the likely backup to Frank Gore.

While James was being given the opportunity to be next in line for carries, Hunter started the preseason on the PUP list. However, since he came off that list on August 10^th, Hunter has impressed both teammates and coaches. During two preseason games, Hunter rushed for 27 yards on 7 carries, but looks to have not missed a step since his injury.

James, on the other hand, has not shown the same burst he displayed last year. Too make matter worse, James suffered a sprained MCL in the 49ers’ final preseason game. Projected to miss at least a month, the injury only cemented Hunter’s status as the No.2 back.

With Hunter back on the field and in his normal role as Frank Gore’s backup, fantasy owners could be looking at Hunter as a handcuff for Gore – a player with injury risks and who is on the wrong side of 30. But Hunter could also be valuable in his current role in deeper leagues. Before going down last year, Hunter compiled 371 yards and 2 touchdowns in 10 games with an offense that loves to run the ball.

Hunter should be owned by most Gore owners, as his value will skyrocket if Gore does go down, but could be worth a pick late in drafts too.

Alex Smith Prepares for the Andy Reid Show

Alex Smith has a cake matchup against Jacksonville

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith was in good form during last week’s preseason game against the Steelers. Smith went 17 of 24 for 158 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t throw any interceptions and rushed 38 yards on one breakaway run.

Smith remains something of a mystery to fans in his new home, but his consistent performance should clear up all the questions up for Chiefs fans and fantasy owners alike. He doesn’t turn the ball over, completes a high percentage of passes, and is a vast improvement under center for his new team.

Last year, Smith completed more than 70% of his passes and threw only 5 interceptions. This is precisely what should be expected from the newly appointed quarterback in Kansas City. However, do not expect him to become the leader of a brand new aerial assault for the Chiefs.

Smith has never been known as the guy to put a team on his back and carry them. In San Francisco, he did a fine job keeping the team at a high level, but was also helped by a terrific defense.

Smith is a fine pick at backup quarterback for fantasy CEOs, but should not be the bread and butter for any team (real or imaginary). You can expect him to be exactly what he has proven to be: consistent and reliable. However, he’s not a game changer, and will need help to take the Chiefs, and his career, to the next level.

3 Players to Steer Clear of on Draft Day

Expectations are too high for Mike Wallace in Miami

Anyone who has played fantasy football before has been burned by a draft day “bust.”

There are always players who seem to fall off the face of the earth and make owners cringe when look back on draft day.

Here are three players to avoid if you don’t want any major “busts” on your roster this year.

Greg Jennings, Minnesota (ADP – 95)

Newly acquired Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings has been slowly sliding down fantasy draft boards during the past few weeks. Jennings has been so busy bad mouthing Aaron Rodgers that he forgot to bring his “A-game” to Minnesota’s training camp.

Jennings is about the only viable fantasy receiver on the team, but we still have know idea how compatible he will be with the shaky Christian Ponder at quarterback.

While being drafted as a starter, Jennings should not be relied on as a starting fantasy wide receiver this year. Minnesota will run, run, and then run some more and Jennings just isn’t the player he once was two or three years ago.

Mike Wallace, Miami (ADP – 75)

Fantasy owners drafting Mike Wallace as a wide receiver #2 this season may be in for a rough year. A feast or famine player who relies solely on the deep ball, Wallace has been very inconsistent during the past two seasons.

In his past 24 games, Wallace has only two 100 yard games and that was with Big Ben throwing him the ball. While Dolphins’ second year quarterback Ryan Tannenhill should improve, there are likely to be growing pains between the young QB and his new star receiver.

Buyer beware when reaching for this former fantasy stud.

Darren McFadden, Oakland (ADP – 39)

Seemingly everyone knows about the injury problems surrounding Raiders running back, Darren McFadden. But each year, McFadden is highly sought after in hopes that this will be the year he breaks out.

More than likely, this just isn’t going to happen. Heading into his sixth year as a pro, McFadden still hasn’t come close to playing a full 16 game schedule. And even when he did play last year, McFadden looked sluggish and a shell of his former Razorback self.

McFadden can no longer should be counted on as a top-20 fantasy running back and anyone who drafts him as such is sure to have a season long headache. Go for cheaper options with more upside at the position with players like Eddie Lacy, Lamar Miller and David Wilson.