December 23rd

This is Championship weekend for most leagues. I stay away from Week 17 championships because you shouldn't have to worry if your starter will play in the most important game of the season. You build a team to get your best to the big game and commissioners that use a 17 week format really should give their heads a shake.

Out of 4 teams, 3 made the playoffs and one missed on a heartbreaking play during the last game. All teams were above .500. A strange playoffs because the teams I thought would win their semi-final matches last week wound up losing (leave your girlfriend at home next time Romo), while the team I've had to hold together with bandaids, duct tape, and +50 roster moves made the final. I've added that matchup below. Watch the weather really well this week and an inferior player, even a waiver wire pickup, can beat a normally solid player with bad weather.

Weather to watch this week definitely includes Buffalo, Chicago, and Seattle. Wind and/or snow are factors. Other cities are affected to lesser degrees. Make sure you know the weather and this is one of the sites I've found to be pretty decent:

http://www.ffbookmarks.com/weather.htm

Best of luck this weekend with your teams!

Week 16: Dec 18 - Dec 24 Coach Janky Spanky

Championship Game

Two games are already in the books. The only real decision I've needed to make at this point was at WR #3. I started Santonio Holmes instead of Jabar Gaffney. Holmes got held out of the endzone but chipped in a solid 140 yards. I wouldn't shy away from Gaffney though if you have him. The weather in New England isn't nearly as bad as it was last week and Belichick may want to give Brady a chance to get the TD pass record. They're expecting temperatures in the mid-40's, some rain, and winds of < 20 MPH. Good enough for Brady to roll. I wouldn't shy away from any Patriot receivers this week. At TE I'm starting Daniels over SF's Vernon Davis. Not the best matchup but I'm expecting Daniels to be active. RB Kolby Smith might be a major sleeper this week (I hope) vs a sub-par Detroit D. He definitely has upside if you need him. Gostkowski is my kicker and probably good for 4+ PATS and 1-2 FGs. His start will depend on weather and he is more of the "safe" start because of their offence. I may grab a waiver wire kicker with more upside (multiple FGs, especially +40 yards) and good weather. Seattle's Josh Brown looked like a good start but it's wet in Seattle and needs watching.

Coach Janky Spanky

Pos Player Opp Status Projected Actual

QB Kurt Warner (Ari - QB) P Atl Sun 3:05 pm 19.01 0.00
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Cin - WR) Cle Sun 12:00 pm 11.04 0.00
WR Marques Colston (NO - WR) P Phi Sun 12:00 pm 13.20 0.00
WR Santonio Holmes (Pit - WR) @StL W, 41-24 9.19 14.00
RB Marion Barber (Dal - RB) @Car W, 20-13 12.92 18.10
RB Kolby Smith (KC - RB) @Det Sun 12:00 pm 10.86 0.00
TE Owen Daniels (Hou - TE) @Ind Sun 12:00 pm 4.02 0.00
K Stephen Gostkowski (NE - K) Mia Sun 3:15 pm 8.04 0.00
DEF Green Bay (GB - DEF) @Chi Sun 12:00 pm 11.01 0.00

Total 99.29 32.10 Points

Pos Player Opp Status Projected Actual

QB Tony Romo (Dal - QB) P @Car W, 20-13 20.27 15.08
WR Braylon Edwards (Cle - WR) @Cin Sun 12:00 pm 11.90 0.00
WR Larry Fitzgerald (Ari - WR) Q Atl Sun 3:05 pm 9.98 0.00
WR Chris Henry (Cin - WR) P Cle Sun 12:00 pm 4.43 0.00
RB Ryan Grant (GB - RB) @Chi Sun 12:00 pm 15.91 0.00
RB Aaron Stecker (NO - RB) Phi Sun 12:00 pm 12.78 0.00
TE Antonio Gates (SD - TE) Den Mon 7:00 pm 10.06 0.00
K Mason Crosby (GB - K) @Chi Sun 12:00 pm 7.10 0.00
DEF Tampa Bay (TB - DEF) @SF Sun 3:05 pm 8.81 0.00

Total 101.24 15.08