Top pick

1. Denver Broncos (-7) vs. Ind – The Colts are playing on house money in the 2nd round. They can’t run the ball nor defense the run very well, and beat an undermanned Bengals team to get here. Their season will end this weekend. Denver is well rested, gets some key members back on D (LB Brandon Marshall), and will destroy Indy’s defense with its run / pass attack. Look for the Broncos to easily cover the point spread.

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2. Seattle Seahawks (-10.5) vs. Car – These teams have met each of the last two seasons and each contest has been close. Each contest has also been in Carolina. This one moves to Seattle. Look for the Seahawks D to bear down on Newton all evening and force mistakes while limiting points. Seattle will win by more than two TDs.

3. Baltimore Ravens (+7) vs. NE – The Patriots will win this game. The success Baltimore had against New England in the playoffs came before the Patriots went out and got a legit D. They have one now and CB Revis lets Belichick do a lot of things. But Baltimore matches up well against the Patriots strengths and this should come down to the wire again.

4. Green Bay Packers (-5.5) vs. Dal – The only way this should remain close is if Aaron Rodgers injury is worse than the team is letting on. Otherwise, this is a mismatch. The Packers offense will dominate the Cowboys D and control the clock. On the other side of the ball while the Cowboys will have success on the ground, Green Bay’s D is opportunistic – especially at home, and will force one or two key turnovers.

Must Start

Le’veon Bell, Jamaal Charles, Marshawn Lynch, Eddie Lacy, LeSean McCoy and DeMarco Murray*

Tier 1

Arian Foster vs. Bal – The prospect of facing a tough D and having to do so with a 3rd stringer behind center moves Foster down a notch.

CJ Anderson vs. Cin – The threat of Manning throwing has opened everything up or Anderson.

Joique Bell vs. Chi – The Bears run D is a sieve.

Jeremy Hill vs. Den – Hill’s a load and the Broncos will find this out Sunday.

Fred Jackson vs. Oak – Expect Buffalo to make Jackson a large part of the game plan.

Mark Ingram vs. Atl – The Saints ground game has gotten off track in recent week. Atl is a good place to get back on track.

Tier 2

Justin Forsett vs. Hou – Don’t expect a trip to the end zone but he’ll pick up 100 total yards.

Alfred Morris vs. Phi – Morris will top 80 yards with a TD.

Daniel Herron vs. Dal – Expect Herron to be involved in the passing game.

Latavius Murray vs. Buf – The Bills have shown vulnerability against the run recently.

Lamar Miller vs. Min – Miller is a solid No. 2 against the 23rd ranked rush D.

Jonathan Stewart vs. Cle – The Browns are missing key defenders that are crucial against stopping the run.

Steven Jackson vs. NO – The old man is still a threat and has a solid matchup here.

Bust

Ryan Mathews vs. SF – The 49ers are beat up but still field a formidable run D.

Fantasy Sleeper

Matt Asiata vs. Mia – The Dolphins don’t stop the run well. Asiata is a big fantasy sleeper on championship weekend.

Must Start

Jamaal Charles, Matt Forte, Le’Veon Bell, Arian Foster and LeSean McCoy

Tier 1

Marshawn Lynch vs. SF – Lynch is the one back who consistently tops 100 yards against the 49ers.

DeMarco Murray vs. Phi – The Eagles stopped him last time. Tough matchup right back.

Justin Forsett vs. Jax – Forsett will top 125 yards with a TD against the lowly Jags.

Mark Ingram vs. Chi – There are gaping holes in the middle of the Bears D.

Chris Ivory vs. Ten – The Titans D is a sieve.

CJ Anderson vs. SD – All of the attention paid towards Manning has opened things up for Anderson. Look for 100 yards with a TD.

Joique Bell vs. Min – Look for 90 yards with a TD. Bell is the goal line back.

Fred Jackson vs. GB – Value in PPR league.

Eddie Lacy vs. Buf – Lacy will hit 13-17 FFL points but the Bills D is formidable.

Tier 2

Legarrette Blount vs. Mia – The Dolphins run D is very poor. Blount should receive 20 carries and find the end zone.

Daniel Herron vs. Hou – The Texans are middle of the pack stopping the run. Herron will notch 5 receptions as well.

Jeremy Hill vs. Cle – Look for a big bounce back after their last outing.

Giovani Bernard vs. Cle – Expect 8-11 points. The timeshare impacts both players.

Alfred Morris vs. NYG – The Giants are the 2nd worst team against the run.

Rashad Jennings vs. Was – Injury makes his status a question mark.

Bust

Frank Gore vs. Sea – Seattle will end the 49ers season and keep Gore in check.

Fantasy Sleeper

Chris Johnson vs. Ten – The Titans are the worst team against the run in the NFL. A little payback against his former team.

Must Start

Matt Forte, Le’veon Bell, Demarco Murray, Arian Foster, Marshawn Lynch and LeSean McCoy

Tier 1

Eddie Lacy vs. Atl – The Falcons sport a horrible run D.

Jamaal Charles vs. Arz – The Cardinals sell out to stop the run.

Mark Ingram vs. Car – The Panthers can’t stop the run. Ingram will top 120 yards with a TD.

Frank Gore vs. Oak – San Francisco will ride Gore vs. the Raiders.

Justin Forsett vs. Mia – The Dolphins run D was torched by the Jets.

Rashad Jennings vs. Ten – Check his ankle injury. Ten surrenders a ton of yards on the ground. Andre Williams if he can’t go.

Tier 2

Giovani Bernard vs. Pit – He’ll split carries with Hill.

Jeremy Hill vs Pit – The Bengals will look to wear out the struggling Steelers D.

Ryan Matthews vs. NE – The Pats focus on the pass game leaves opportunities open in the run game. Expect 13-15 FFL points.

Steven Jackson vs. GB – The fear is the Falcons will be down by 30 at the half.

Joique Bell vs. TB – Look for  13-15 FFL points.

Daniel Herron vs. Cle – He’s the play of the two at RB.

Andre Ellington vs. KC – Check his injury status too.

CJ Anderson vs. Buf – The Bills are a formidable opponent and stop the run well. But Manning’s ability to spread the field will open up opportunities.

Isaiah Crowell vs. Ind – Crowell is a solid No. 2 FFL RB against the Colts.

Fred Jackson vs. Den – His receiving skills will be used heavily.

Tre Mason vs. Was – Mason showed why he’s the No. 1. Expect a double digit performance this week.

Alfred Morris vs. Stl. – Morris is a low No. 2 in FFL this week.

Darren Sproles vs. Sea – Should be on the receiving end of a lot of dump offs against an aggressive Seahawks D.

Fantasy Sleeper

LeGarrette Blount vs. SD – Look for 70 yards and a few TDs.

Bust

Lamar Miller vs. Bal – The Ravens D will shut down the Fins’ running game.

Le’veon Bell, DeMarco Murray, Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy, Marshawn Lynch, Arian Foster

Tier 1

Matt Forte vs. Det – His value will come in PPR leagues. The Lions run D is tops.

Mark Ingram vs. Pit – Look for the Saints to pound the rock when they hit Pit.

Andre Ellington vs. Atl – The Falcons run D is worst in the league.

Eddie Lacy vs. NE – The Pats strength is its pass D. Lacy will top 100 yards and be used as a receiver.

Rashad Jennings vs. Jax – Jennings will top 125 total yards with a score.

Alfred Morris vs. Ind – Gruden will give Morris 20 carries and he’ll top 18 FFL points.

Justin Forsett vs SD – Expect the Ravens to feed Forsett the ball 20 times. He will top 18 FFL points.

Jeremy Hill vs. TB – Hill’s a low No. 1 since earning more playing time after Bernard’s injury.

Joique Bell vs Chi – Bell will top 80 yards with 2 TDs.

Denard Robinson vs NYG – New York’s run D has been shredded recently.

Tier 2

Giovani Bernard vs. TB – His carries will pick up in his 2nd game back.

Tre Mason vs. Oak – The Raiders rank 25th against the run.

Ryan Matthews vs. Bal – Baltimore poses a tough test which keeps Matthews a No. 2 / flex play.

Jerrick Mckinnon vs. Car – The Panthers still can’t stop the run. Look for 12-14 FFL points.

Fred Jackson vs. Cle – The loss of DT Phil Taylor took away the Browns’ most feared run defender.

Daniel Herron vs. Was – Brings additional value in PPR leagues.

Shane Vereen vs. GB – Vereen will put up 9 FFL points.

CJ Anderson vs. KC – He’s also a threat as a receiver out of the backfield.

Lamar Miller vs. NYJ – Miller comes in at a low No. 2 / flex play against the Jets run D.

Latavius Murray vs. Stl – Had a tremendous game vs. KC in a little over a quarter. He’s the main tailback now.

Bust

Isaiah Crowell vs. Buf – It’ll be tough sledding against the Bills run D.

Fantasy Sleeper

Fred Jackson vs. Cle – Still bouncing back from an injury but this will be a big week for Jackson. The Browns run D took a major hit when DT Phil Taylor went out.