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Do you have plans for the Super Bowl yet? If not, there's plenty of time to get it all squared away. That's what the two-week gap between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl is for. That, and to excessively overhype the game to the point that die-hard fans find themselves flipping away from the coverage to watch something else, anything else.
While there is still time to figure out where you'll watch the big game and what you'll do for food, owners in TSN's Playoff 3 for all game need to start planning immediately for the Super Bowl. A bad decision this week could cost your team in the end. In this game, it's never too early to prepare.
The main key is to make sure you don't paint yourself in a corner. For example, in many of my leagues, Peyton Manning is the only remaining quarterback I have used. Despite the fact that I would rather use Donovan McNabb, Tom Brady will be my starting choice this week. Tickets
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By starting Brady, I guarantee that no matter the outcomes of this weekend's
games, I still will have a player to use in the Super Bowl -- the NFC quarterback.
If I chose McNabb this week, there would be no one to start if the Eagles face
the Colts.
This strategy is key at quarterback, but owners can work around it at the other positions. Because of Stephen Davis' injury, Edgerrin James is the only back left who is unquestionably his team's top runner. Antowain Smith, Kevin Faulk, Duce Staley and Correll Buckhalter leave plenty of acceptable choices. As for receivers, Brandon Stokley, Reggie Wayne and Todd Pinkston have shown that second and third options also can produce.
SECOND OPINION
Tom Brady, QB, Patriots. As teams advance further into the playoffs, injury news becomes sparse. Brady's left knee hasn't been 100 percent since he took a hit to it in the season finale, and rumor in New England is that Brady has been getting fluid drained from the knee. He hasn't shown up on an injury report because there is no question he will play. Still, his ability to avoid Dwight Freeney and the rest of the Colts' pass rush will be a concern. It also doesn't help that left guard Damien Woody is done for the season after suffering a slight tear to his medial collateral ligament Saturday.
Stephen Davis, RB, Panthers. A strained quad is not an injury that a running back can simply shrug off after just one week. Davis will be limited against Philadelphia, and it shouldn't be a surprise to see DeShaun Foster get the start. The Eagles had big problems on run defense this season; they allowed at least 100 rushing yards in 11 consecutive games before slowing Washington in Week 17. Ahman Green ran for 156 yards against them last week. Expect a strong day from Foster, everyone's favorite sleeper pick this week.
Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts. Harrison's sore ribs and his matchup against a formidable Patriots' pass defense will make it tough to surpass the numbers he put up the past two weeks. Even with the injury, Harrison is still the most talented receiver left in the playoffs. If you haven't used him yet, his sore ribs shouldn't be a reason to pass on him again.
Marcus Pollard, TE, Colts. Most owners aren't worried about Pollard's sprained ankle because few postseason games require tight ends. The main fantasy impact of Pollard's injury will come on Manning owners. If Pollard plays, it gives Manning one more option to further spread out the Pats' defense. Manning won't be as effective if his top tight end is Joe Dean Davenport.
Antowain Smith, RB, Patriots. In the Week 13 game between the Patriots and Colts, Faulk carried 15 times (for an abysmal 42 yards) and caught five passes for 36 yards. Meanwhile, Smith was inactive. Coach Bill Belichick's reasoning was that Faulk would be more effective on turf because he's quicker. With a game at home and in the cold, Smith would be the better option this week if not for his twisted ankle. The injury probably won't keep him from starting, but there is some question as to how effective he will be. Belichick could decide to lean more heavily on Faulk again, or he might be forced to make that call if Smith comes up hobbling.
THIRD AND SHORT
Top quarterback picks:
1. Peyton Manning, Colts, at New England.
2. Donovan McNabb, Eagles, vs. Carolina.
3. Tom Brady, Patriots, vs. Indianapolis.
4. Jake Delhomme, Panthers, at Philadelphia.
Top running back picks:
1. Edgerrin James, Colts, at New England.
2. DeShaun Foster, Panthers, at Philadelphia.
3. Duce Staley, Eagles, vs. Carolina.
4. Kevin Faulk, Patriots, vs. Indianapolis.
5. Stephen Davis, Panthers, at Philadelphia.
6. Correll Buckhalter, Eagles, vs. Carolina.
7. Antowain Smith, Patriots, vs. Indianapolis.
Top wide receiver picks:
1. Marvin Harrison, Colts, at New England.
2. Steve Smith, Panthers, at Philadelphia.
3. Troy Brown, Patriots, vs. Indianapolis.
4. Deion Branch, Patriots, vs. Indianapolis.
5. Reggie Wayne, Colts, at New England.
6. James Thrash, Eagles, vs. Carolina.
7. Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers, at Philadelphia.
8. Freddie Mitchell, Eagles, vs. Carolina.
9. Brandon Stokley, Colts, at New England.
10. Todd Pinkston, Eagles, vs. Carolina.
HAIL MARY
Because of some problems in the red zone and some boneheaded calls, my projected Packers-Rams matchup isn't going to happen. At least the Colts-Patriots pick came through. This week, I'll be pulling for the Colts and the Eagles (ouch, it hurts to say that). It would be great to see a Super Bowl that pits McNabb versus Manning, especially when the alternatives are Delhomme and Brady. (Sorry, New England's offense bores me.)
The only way Carolina can pull off another shocking upset is if the Eagles continue to struggle on run defense, which is possible. Still, like most teams, the Panthers won't have an answer for McNabb, whom we all know is horribly overrated. (Any other great football knowledge you wish to instill in us, Mr. Limbaugh?)
The game in New England could go either way. The Patriots' defense has been incredible at home this season. The team allowed just two passing touchdowns in its eight regular-season games in Foxboro, and the Pats held Steve McNair to 210 yards and one score last week. Nevertheless, it's hard to ignore how well Manning has played this postseason, and he did throw four scores against New England in Week 13. The biggest problem for the Patriots will be their limited running game. Brady always wins the close ones, but not this time.