Top pick

1. Arizona Cardinals (+6.5) vs. Car – The Panthers should win and enter the game in pretty good shape health-wise. The Cardinals are forced to play QB Ryan Lindley which is a depressing thought. However, Arizona’s D will be ready to play and will force Cam Newton into mistakes. Expect a close game which Arizona may pull out in the end. Either way, Carolina won’t be covering the point spread.

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2. Detroit Lions (+7) vs. Dal – The Cowboys come in strong, finishing 8-0 on the road. They haven’t fared as well at home. The Lions D will challenge Romo and this running game all afternoon. Matt Stafford is good for a few mistakes but this will be close throughout and could go either way. If Stafford shows some maturity then the Lions may steal one on the road.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) vs. Bal – The loss of RB Le’veon Bell is big, but Pittsburgh still has enough firepower to beat the Ravens at home. Baltimore does not enter this game playing their best ball and will go out in round 1.

4. Indianapolis Colts (-3) vs. Cin – The Bengals will likely be without WR AJ Green who has a concussion. That is a huge loss. They’ll pound the rock with RB Jeremy Hill but will face another aggressive defensive plan like they faced earlier when shutout 27-0 to the Colts. Expect QB Andrew Luck and Co. to get the job done again.

Must Start

Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, Drew Brees and Tom Brady

Tier 1

Peyton Manning vs. Cin – The Broncos new offense moves Manning down a few notches in fantasy.

Matt Stafford vs. Chi – Chicago’s D is horrendous.

Tony Romo vs. Dal – The Cowboys may rely more heavily on Romo with Murray’s status uncertain.

Matt Ryan vs. NO – This is a dream match-up for Ryan owners. Even more so with Julio Jones back.

Tier 2

Russell Wilson vs. Arz – The pass D is still an area teams exploit against the Falcons.

Eli Manning vs. Stl – ODB has returned Eli to fantasy relevance. He’s a 15-18 point candidate here.

Bust

Ben Roethlisberger vs. KC – Kansas City sports the top rated pass D.

Fantasy Sleeper

Mark Sanchez vs. Was – Sanchez killed a lot of fantasy teams’ hopes in the divisional round. Lucky for him this is a great match-up.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Matthew Stafford

Tier 1

Ben Roethlisbger vs. Atl – Roethlisberger and Co. will light up the Falcons secondary.

Tom Brady vs. Mia – Brady will top 250 yards with 2-3 TDs.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Buf – This is a trickier matchup. The Bills D is tough – especially at home.

Philip Rivers vs. Den – Expect 22-25 FFL points vs. the Broncos.

Tony Romo vs. Phi – Look for a bounce back from the last performance against the Eagles.

Cam Newton vs. TB – Newton is coming off a monster performance and faces a healthy matchup here.

Drew Brees vs. Chi – Brees threw in a stinker in Week 14. The Bears D is poor.

Jay Cutler vs. No – Only because the Saints D is just as bad.

Tier 2

Eli Manning vs. Was -Manning will hit 13-17 FFL points against the Skins.

Mark Sanchez vs. Dal – The Cowboys D is winded. Sanchez will put up 3 TDs and 225 yards against this unit.

Russell Wilson vs. SF – The 49ers are done. Expect Wilson to put up between 15-17 points.

Bust

Ryan Tannehill vs. NE – The Patriots D will force a few turnovers.

Fantasy Sleeper

Joe Flacco vs. Jax – Jacksonville’s D is ripe to give up a lot of pass yards.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Andrew Luck

Tier 1

Aaron Rodgers vs. NE – This is his toughest test of the season.

Tony Romo vs. Phi – The Eagles will be forced to commit more against the run which will open up the passing games.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. NO – It’s been light and day Roethlisberger when playing at home or the road. He’s home this week.

Drew Brees vs. Pit – He’ll be firing and the Steelers D is a bit limited. But Brees struggles on grass surfaces away from home.

Matt Stafford vs. Chi – Nothing like the Bears D to get Stafford back on track.

Ryan Tannehill vs. NYJ – Jets are midpack stopping the pass.

Eli Manning vs. Jax – The Eli to ODB connection should be on display against a giving Jaguars D. Eli is a low No. 1.

Tier 2

Mark Sanchez vs. Dal – Dallas ranks 19th vs. the pass and Philly will be throwing all afternoon. Expect 17-20 points.

Cam Newton vs. Min – Newton will put 14-17 FFL points at Minnesota.

Andy Dalton vs. TB – This is another strong play for Dalton. Bucs bottom 25.

Russell Wilson vs. SF – The 49ers run a strong D, so look for Wilson to pick up points with his legs.

Matt Ryan vs. Arz – The Cards rank at the bottom 3rd of the league against the pass.

Bust

Jay Cutler vs. Det – The Lions aggressive D will be all over Cutler on Thursday.

Fantasy Sleeper

Drew Stanton vs. Atl – The Falcons pass D ranks dead last. Look for Stanton to put up 17-20 FFL points.

Top

1. Dallas Cowboys vs. Was – The Cowboys will roll to an easy win on Monday Night. Typically rivalry games are tricky, but not when the Redskins will be without their top defensive player (Brian Orakpo) and starting 3rd stringer QB Colt McCoy. Look for Dallas to easily cover the point spread and win by double digits.

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2. Cleveland Browns vs. Oak – Last week was embarrassing. The previously winless Jags upset the Browns in their home park. That won’t happen this week. The Raiders are dreadful and will struggle on the road.

3. Miami Dolphins vs. Jax – The Jags lone win will not become a “winning streak” unfortunately. Miami’s D is stout and will stifle the young Jags O. Look for Ryan Tannehill and the offense to put up 27 in the easy win…

Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers,  Drew Brees and Andrew Luck

Tier 1

Russell Wilson vs. Car – Wilson’s making plays with his legs and arm.

Tom Brady vs. Chi – The Bears pass D is highly suspect.

Matt Stafford vs. Atl – Expect Stafford to get back on track against the lowly Falcons.

Tony Romo vs. Was – Romo will top 250 yards with 3 TDs.

Philip Rivers vs. Den – The Chargers could be playing from behind in this one. Rivers typically plays well against the Broncos.

Tier 2

Nick Foles vs. Arz – Arizona’s D is tough on the Eagles in the desert.

Carson Palmer vs. Phi – Look for 225 yards and 2 TDs.

Jay Cutler vs. NE – Cutler will put up between 15-18 points in Foxboro.

Ryan Tannehill vs. Jax – He’ll follow up an impressive Week 7 with another 2 TDs.

Bust

Matt Ryan vs. Det – The Lions D will overwhelm the Falcons OL and force Ryan into turnovers.

Fantasy Sleeper

Geno Smith vs. Buf – With the addition of WR Percy Harvin, Smith becomes a fantasy sleeper this week.

Tier 1

Philip Rivers vs. KC – Look for Rivers to continue his hot start at home.

Tony Romo vs. NYG – Romo will top 250 yards with 2 TDs. The run sets up everything.

Matt Stafford vs. NO – The loss of Calvin Johnson lowers him a bit, but still a No. 1 vs. the Saints.

Cam Newton vs. GB – The Packers D is down a few DBs potentially. Newton’s using his legs more too.

Russell Wilson vs. Stl. – Expect Wilson to get back to playing like his normal self against the Rams.

Joe Flacco vs. Atl – Tough to repeat last week’s effort but this is a great matchup.

Jay Cutler vs. Mia – The Dolphins D just got torched for 3 TDs. Cutler can put up 250+ yards and 2 TDs.

Tier 2

Alex Smith vs. SD – There could be issues with the Chargers pass D.

Matt Ryan vs. Bal – Ryan still benefits from garbage time points.

Carson Palmer vs. Oak – Palmer has a nice matchup here. Could top 225 with 2 TDs.

Kirk Cousins vs. Ten – Cousin’s may be benched but it won’t happen this week. He’ll put up 20+ fantasy points.

Bust

Drew Brees vs. Det – Something is missing with the Saints and it’s more than TE Jimmy Graham.

Fantasy Sleeper

Jake Locker / Charlie Whitehurst vs. Was – The Skins pass D is horrible.

Must Start

Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford and Drew Brees

Tier 1

Tony Romo vs. Hou – Romo will put up 25 FFL points against the Texans.

Philip Rivers vs. NYJ – The Jets are vulnerable in the secondary.

Eli Manning vs. Atl – Manning is firing on all cylinders and will continue his hot hand vs. the Falcons.

Russell Wilson vs. Was – The Skins are abominable stopping the pass.

Nick Foles vs. Stl. – Things will get better for Foles at home. Look for 300 yards with 2-3 TDs.

Joe Flacco vs. Ind – Flacco is putting up low No. 1 FFL numbers relatively consistently. This will be a high scoring game.

Ben Roethlisbger vs Jax – Roethlisberger catapults to a No. 1 FFL QB against this D.

Tier 2

Cam Newton vs Chi – He’ll get back on track against a porous Bears D.

Matt Ryan vs. NYG – Ryan will put up 2nd tier numbers against an improving Giants D.

Tom Brady vs. Cin – This is a tough game for Brady. May be worth looking elsewhere if you have a good No. 2.

Colin Kaepernick vs. KC – He’s a high No. 2 option at this point. Has difficulty reading defenses in the pass game.

Alex Smith vs. SF – Smith will put up 15 points against his old squad.

Bust

Jay Cutler vs. Car – The Panthers have been embarrassed the past few weeks. They’ll get after Cutler at home.

Fantasy Sleeper

Brian Hoyer vs. Ten – Hoyer’s been a sneaky fantasy option and has a favorable matchup in Tennessee, a D coming off giving up 4 TDs to Luck.

Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Andrew Luck

Tier 1

Philip Rivers vs. Jax – Expect 250 yards and 3 TDs vs. a horrible Jaguars D.

Matt Ryan vs. Min – Ryan will top 25 fantasy points again.

Tony Romo vs. NO – This is a great matchup for Romo and Co. The Saints D is missing something.

Nick Foles vs. SF – The 49ers secondary is highly suspect.

Kirk Cousins vs. NYG – It doesn’t look like RGIII will reassume his job. Cousin’s fits perfectly into this offense.

Matt Stafford vs. NYJ – He’ll bounce back against a weak Jets secondary.

Jay Cutler vs. GB – He’ll put up 2-3 scores in what should be a high scoring game.

Tier 2

Colin Kaepernick vs. Phi – The Eagles D is giving up points in bunches.

Tom Brady vs. KC – Something is missing although he is still good for 15 points.

Bust

Cam Newton vs. Bal – This is a very difficult place to play and Newton’s lacking at the skill positions.

Fantasy Sleeper

Eli Manning vs. Was – He is a 17-20 point candidate against the Skins D.

Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck

Tier 1

Nick Foles vs. Phi – The Colts pass D is vulnerable due to a depleted pass rush.

Matt Ryan vs. Cin – The return of Julio Jones opens up the entire passing game. Even against a solid D like the Bengals.

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Bal – He typically performs well against the Ravens.

Jay Cutler vs. SF – Cutler will top 300 yards with 2 TDs vs. a depleted Niners secondary.

Tom Brady vs. Min – Brady will bounce back here.

Tier 2

Tony Romo vs. Ten – Romo will toss a few TDs and go over 250 yards.

Andy Dalton vs. Atl – The Falcons pass D is highly suspect.

Colin Kaepernick vs. Chi – Look for Kaepernick to top 25 FFL points on SNF.

Bust

Matt Stafford vs. Car – The Panthers D will keep Stafford held in check. Not many have success against this group.

Fantasy Sleeper

Jake Locker vs. Dal – This is a big fantasy sleeper play. The Cowboys pass D is horrible.