We’ll have some Thursday football this week in what could possibly be a preview of the NFC Championship. The 10-1 Cowboys and the 10-1 Packers face off in Dallas Thursday night in a game that will likely play a pivotal role in determining home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
In Week 13, the Bears and Vikings will both have an Adrian Peterson in their backfield this Sunday. With Cedric Benson shelved the final five games, Chicago now has a new primary RB and “All Day” will try to continue his dominance during his rookie campaign. New England will look to continue their undefeated season on Monday Night Football against the struggling Ravens and the Dolphins will try to get their first victory against the Jets.
With most fantasy leagues playoffs beginning in Week 14 and 15, this is a very important week. It’s basically must-win time from here on out, folks. The Weekly Forecast will preview Week 13; we’ll give you the lowdown on the injuries around the league, showcase some interesting stats and matchups and recap the latest depth chart changes.
Quarterbacks
Donovan McNabb sat out practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of an ankle and thumb injury and it looks like A.J. Feeley will get another start at QB. Coach Andy Reid has said that McNabb won’t return until he’s 100% so the Philadelphia media is already speculating the slim possibility that McNabb has already played his final game with the Eagles.
With Jeff Garcia hurting with a back injury, Luke McCown is expected to start at quarterback for the Bucs this weekend vs the Saints. Garcia is still unable to throw, so coach Jon Gruden is leaning towards giving McCown the nod over Bruce Gradkowski after his horrible performance last week. The Saints rank No. 27 vs the pass, allowing 245.5 yards/game with 19 throwing TDs, so McCown is worth rolling the dice on as your QB2 for the week. He hasn’t started a game since 12/26/04, but definitely has a favorable matchup … Veterans Testaverde, Harrington and Culpepper are all expected to start this week for their teams.
Injury List
Marc Bulger (concussion) – out for Week 13, Gus Frerotte will replace
Jeff Garcia (back) – questionable, Luke McCown would replace
Brian Griese (shoulder) – might be No. 3 QB, Rex Grossman will start
Matt Hasselbeck (ribs) – probable, will play
Byron Leftwich (ankle) – will be No. 2 QB, Joey Harrington will start
Donovan McNabb (ankle, thumb) – questionable, A.J. Feeley will likely continue to start
Steve McNair (shoulder) – will be a backup, Kyle Boller will start
Alex Smith (arm) – might be out the year, Trent Dilfer will start
Vinny Testaverde (back) – questionable, is Panthers starter when healthy
Kurt Warner (ribs) – probable, expected to start
Running Backs
Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Jesse Chatman, Samkon Gado? The Dolphins starting lineup has truly been a revolving door this season. It appears with the return and quick loss of Williams and the questionable health of Chatman, the Dolphins may turn to Samkon Gado to start in the backfield against the Jets. They are surrendering 150 rushing yards/game, second-worst in the NFL so consider adding Gado for some surrogate help.
The Broncos backfield is also in utter disarray. Travis Henry is expected to get a ruling on his suspension soon and it sounds like he’s going to avoid suspension. Selvin Young and Andre Hall are also dealing with injuries, but it sounds like Young will be able to share the workload in Week 6 vs Oakland … Marshawn Lynch was unable to practice Wednesday and remains questionable for Sunday vs Washington. Anthony Thomas is also listed as out indefinitely after he tore a muscle in his calf, so there’s a possibility Fred Jackson would get the start.
Injury List
Shaun Alexander (knee, wrist) – questionable, Maurice Morris could share RB workload
Cedric Benson (ankle) – out for the season, Adrian Peterson will replace
Chris Brown (ankle) – questionable, might be LenDale White’s backup
Michael Bush (leg) – out for the season
Jesse Chatman (ankle) – game-time decision, Samkon Gado would replace
Ryan Grant (ankle) – probable, will start
Ahman Green (knee) – expected to return this week
Andre Hall (ankle) – doubtful for Week 13, Selvin Young/Travis Henry would replace
Chris Henry (suspension) – can return in Week 16
Travis Henry (ribs) – questionable, Selvin Young/Andre Hall would replace
Priest Holmes (neck) – out for the season, retired
Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) – doubtful, Derrick Ward expected to start
Larry Johnson (foot) – likely out for the season, Kolby Smith will replace
Marshawn Lynch (ankle) – questionable for Week 13, Anthony Thomas would replace
Chris Perry (ankle) – likely out for the season
Adrian Peterson, CHI (knee) – will return in Week 13, Chester Taylor will share workload
Michael Pittman (ankle) – doubtful for Week 13, Lionel Gates will backup Earnest Graham
Anthony Thomas (calf) – doubtful, Fred Jackson will likely start and Dwayne Wright could see action
Derrick Ward (ankle) – expected to start, Reuben Droughns will be backup
Brian Westbrook (knee) – questionable, missed practice all week so far, Correll Buckhalter would replace
Ricky Williams (chest) – out for the year
Wide Receivers
Injury List
Troy Brown (knee surgery) – is active for Week 13
Isaac Bruce (hamstring) – probable, likely will play
Plaxico Burress (ankle, knee) – questionable, game-time decision
Michael Clayton (ankle) – questionable, might return this week
Laveranues Coles (ankle) – game-time decision, Brad Smith would replace
Jerricho Cotchery (finger) – questionable, missed practice Wednesday and Thursday
Patrick Crayton (ankle) – questionable, expected to start Thursday
Braylon Edwards (hamstring) – expected to play
Terry Glenn (knee surgery) – out indefinitely
D.J. Hackett (ankle) – out, might return in Week 15
Marvin Harrison (knee) – doubtful, game-time decision again
Santonio Holmes (ankle) – might return in Week 13
Joe Horn (hamstring) – probable, likely will play
Brandon Lloyd (shoulder) – out for the season
Aaron Morehead (back) – out for the season
Santana Moss (heel) – probable, expected to start
Antwaan Randle El (heel) – probable, expected to play
Steve Smith, NYG (hamstring)– doubtful for Week 13
James Thrash (ankle) – out indefinitely
Javon Walker (knee) – expected to play in Week 13
Reggie Williams (back) – game-time decision
Tight Ends
Injury List
Dallas Clark (concussion) – questionable, likely will play
Owen Daniels (ankle) – questionable, likely will play
Bubba Franks (knee) – out, Donald Lee will continue to start
Todd Heap (hamstring) – might be out for the season
David Martin (ankle) – questionable, Justin Peelle would replace
Matchups for Week 13
Toughest against the pass
1. Pittsburgh (152.1 YPG) – Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh
2. Indianapolis (161.9 YPG) – David Garrard, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones
3. Miami (176.6 YPG) – Kellen Clemens, Jerricho Cotchery, Laveranues Coles (questionable)/Brad Smith
4. Oakland (184.3 YP) – Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Javon Walker
5. Tampa Bay (188.0 YPG) – Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Reggie Bush
Easiest against the pass
32. Minnesota (283.1 YPG) – Jon Kitna, Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson
31. Detroit (269.1 YPG) – Tarvaris Jackson, Sidney Rice, Bobby Wade
30. Cleveland (266.5 YPG) – Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Bolden
29. Buffalo (258.7 YPG) – Jason Campbell, Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El
28. Jacksonville (246.5 YPG) – Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison (questionable)/Anthony Gonzalez
Toughest against the run
1. Minnesota (74.8 YPG) – Kevin Jones, T.J. Duckett
2. Pittsburgh (77.1 YPG) – Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson
3. Baltimore (77.9 YPG) – Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk
4. Dallas (77.9 YPG) – Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson
5. New England (82.1 YPG) – Willis McGahee, Musa Smith
Easiest against the run
32. Oakland (153.6 YPG) – Travis Henry (questionable), Selvin Young (questionable)/Andre Hall
31. New York Jets (150.5 YPG) – Jesse Chatman (questionable), Samkon Gado
30. Miami (148.5 YPG) – Thomas Jones, Leon Washington
29. Denver (146.7 YPG) – Justin Fargas, LaMont Jordan
28. Cleveland (131.4 YPG) – Edgerrin James, Marcel Shipp
Week 13 Schedule
Thursday, Nov. 29 8:15pm ET
Green Bay @ Dallas
Sunday, Nov. 2 1:00pm ET
Detroit @ Minnesota
Seattle @ Philadelphia
San Diego @ Kansas City
New York Jets @ Miami
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis
San Francisco @ Carolina
Houston @ Tennessee
Atlanta @ St. Louis
Buffalo @ Washington
4:05pm ET
Cleveland @ Arizona
Denver @ Oakland
4:15pm ET
New York Giants @ Chicago
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans
8:15pm ET
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh
Monday, Dec. 3 8:30pm ET
New England @ Baltimore