Last Minute Decisons

[Hache Man]

Last Minute Decisions
Each week, Last Minute Decisions is your final stopping point before setting your lineups Sunday morning. I'll tell you Game-Time Decisions to watch, provide matchup rundowns you won't find anywhere else, and focus on a player not to underestimate. Make sure to check the site early Sunday for the latest news around the NFL.

Important Week 11 Game-Time Decisions

Arms
Charlie Frye – definitely will play after being upgraded to probable Friday
David Carr – also certain to play, HOU could feature the run versus BUF
Brett Favre – probable despite hurting groin Thursday, a solid play vs. Pats
Matt Hasselbeck – unlikely to go, could serve as Seneca Wallace's backup

Wides
Derrick Mason – upgraded to probable Friday, will play vs. hurting Atlanta
Bernard Berrian – worked fully all week, check morning inactives to be safe
T.J. Houshmandzadeh – cleared medically Friday, will play in great matchup
Malcom Floyd, Eric Parker – both expected to play but I wouldn't use either
David Tyree – starter was a late addition to the injury report, status uncertain
Joe Horn – probable, should have strong day against Bengals CB Tory James
Sinorice Moss – oft-injured rook may make second career catch on Monday
Greg Jennings – may not start but will play against shaky Patriots secondary
Bobby Engram – his return may spell disaster for D.J. Hackett's fantasy value
Marcus Robinson – among 13 Vikes missing parts of practice, status unknown

Backs
Ronnie Brown – practiced fully Friday but a very tough start vs. Minnesota
Frank Gore – upgraded to probable on Friday, a certainty to play on Sunday
Rudi Johnson – missed parts of practice the last two days, check AM inactives
Tatum Bell – Denver RB situation one to avoid at San Diego in the afternoon
Reuben Droughns – don't think he'll play and not a good play vs. Pittsburgh
Chester Taylor – virtually certain to play at MIA after being upgraded Friday
Shaun Alexander – should get goal-line carries if he goes, check PM inactives
Jerious Norwood – likely to play, reduce Warrick Dunn back to a carry-sharer
Cedric Houston – appears to be out of the picture for the Jets, uncertain to go
Vernand Morency – will play, likely reduce Ahman Green's open-field role

Ends
Vernon Davis – No. 6 pick has a chance to become a factor down the stretch
Kellen Winslow – says he's "85 percent" but will play, an every-week start
Tony Gonzalez – may see a limited role but definitely not worth counting on
Alge Crumpler – worked without restrictions Thursday and Friday, will play
Todd Heap – pick up insurance for Heap but I expect him to suit up Sunday
David Martin – returned to practice Friday, again a good bet for 4-5 catches

Legs
Rob Bironas – if he's on your fantasy team, feel free to sell low

Already Ruled Out for Week 11

Arms
Byron Leftwich – Redskins' next quarterback likely out for the rest of the year
Daunte Culpepper – practicing some, may emerge as second-stringer later on

Wides
Santana Moss – declared self out, worried about double teams on Chris Cooley
Josh Reed – performed individual drills Friday, shooting for a Week 12 return
Brandon Stokley – could rack up late-season catches when starters are sitting
Shaun Bodiford – Charles Woodson will resume his role in punt return game
David Givens – eight catches a Titanic loss for Titans, Brandon Jones' gain

Backs
Willis McGahee – Anthony Thomas a solid flex again, this week at Houston
Clinton Portis – Ladell Betts to be primary back, T.J. Duckett to vulture TDs?
Tony Richardson – on I.R., potentially major loss for Minnesota's run game

Ends
Ernie Conwell – Mark Campbell is among the league's worst fantasy tight ends

A Non-Injury Game-Time Decision

Who Will Start At QB for the Raiders?

If the Raiders' collective decision making was predictable, I'd be more confident that Aaron Brooks would get the nod as Oakland's starting quarterback. But it isn't, and depending on who's active, I believe there's a chance that both Brooks and Andrew Walter will see action on Sunday. Oakland uses a committee at nearly every other position (running back, left tackle, cornerback, defensive line, tight end, wide receiver), so why not quarterback? While some of these player rotations are common throughout the league, the Raiders take them to the extreme, often at the expense of having their best players on the field. I picked up Aaron Brooks in one of my leagues. If he plays better than Walter and/or Marques Tuiasosopo this Sunday, he could emerge as a QB2 down the stretch.

Week 11 Matchups to Exploit

If you didn't catch last Saturday's first-round rundown, it's linked up and to the right. Note: Marques Colston was not a first-round pick. There are some matchups affected by key injuries that are too good to pass up this week. Let's get to them.

Bengals @ Saints
Game Time: 12:00 CT/1:00 ET

On paper, there is a severe mismatch set to take place in The Big Easy on Sunday. With Deltha O'Neal having been downgraded to doubtful, first-round rookie Johnathan Joseph will start and is expected to face Marques Colston in primary coverage. Joseph has posted quality statistics with ten passes defended (by far the best of any other first-rounder) and may already be the Bengals' best coverman. But Joseph gives up six inches and 31 pounds to Colston, who has proven well beyond his years in terms of his ability to separate. Colston will be able to dominate Joseph if he gets him one-on-one in the end zone. Joe Horn is also an exciting play against Tory James, the man Joseph was drafted to eventually replace…

…On the other side, since a surprising and unlikely strong start, the Saints' run defense is being exposed when not faced with a bye week or teams coached by Jon Gruden. Jamal Lewis arose from the dead in Week 8, accumulating 109 yards on the ground. Willie Parker busted out for an unprecedented 212 rushing yards last Sunday. Look for the Bengals to get the ground game established early before turning to the pass, as they have shown a tendency to do frequently. In what should be another shootout, Chris Henry, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Chad Johnson should all enjoy strong fantasy games. Henry especially looks again to be a sleeper against any one of the Saints' safeties or nickel Jason Craft, who has made some big plays in his career but struggles to make stops in man coverage and will give up seven inches to Henry if the two are caught on an island.

Rams @ Panthers
Game Time: 12:00 CT/1:00 ET

I'm not too worried about Marc Bulger without Orlando Pace. St. Louis' coaching staff has shown it's resilient, saying publicly they're prepared to move Alex Barron all over the field to match up with Julius Peppers. Barron is a false-start machine, but all that does is put St. Louis in position for longer pass plays. I'm under the impression that he's already an excellent pass protector and the Rams are ready to let him become their answer for opposing pass-rush demons. Pace was torn apart by Jared Allen earlier in the year; it's not even that big of a loss. I wouldn't sit Bulger at any point in the foreseeable future…

…On the same side, St. Louis' wideouts are all set up for solid days due to the likely absence of Ken Lucas, who missed practice on Thursday and Friday. Supremely talented but inconsistent Chris Gamble and rookie Richard Marshall, a Mel Kiper special drafted mostly to help on returns before Reggie Howard went M.I.A., are set to start on the corners for Carolina. With St. Louis making adjustments to have at least decent pass protection, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce should run circles around Carolina's still-raw defenders. Christian Morton, a practice-squad type player lucky to be on an active roster at this point, will play the nickel and could see a lot of Kevin Curtis on Sunday.

Colts @ Cowboys
Game Time: 3:15 CT/4:15 ET

The Cowboys' defense is solid in all areas, ranked ninth against both the pass and the run, and third overall. What Dallas will be lacking Sunday is a consistent pass rush, with Greg Ellis, second on the team in sacks (4.5), lost for the season due to a torn Achilles. If there is a way to beat Peyton Manning, it is to pressure him relentlessly. Other than DeMarcus Ware, Dallas lacks a real pass-rushing presence in the front seven. Peyton should have time to connect frequently with Reggie Wayne against Anthony Henry, a physical corner who may be forced to give Wayne room off the line to prevent against a big play…

…On the other side, Indianapolis continues to have major problems stopping the run. Hard-hitting free safety Bob Sanders, middle linebacker Gary Brackett, and defensive tackle Montae Reagor will all miss Sunday's contest. Nothing against Anthony Thomas (he ran hard), but if the Colts yield 109 yards rushing to the A-Train, we can expect strong days from Marion Barber and Julius Jones in this one. Barber has emerged as not only the third-down back, but also the goal-line back, and while his open-field carries are usually cut in half by Julius, Barber should be able to easily dive up the middle when Dallas gets near the goal. I expect at least a score from Marion Sunday afternoon.

Giants @ Jaguars
Game Time: Monday night 7:30 CT/8:30 ET

I don't usually like using backup running backs in my fantasy leagues, and currently own few members of running back by committees. But this game presents a solid matchup for No. 2 runners on both teams. While rookie nose Barry Cofield and Antonio Pierce are stout up the middle, the Giants are vulnerable to outside runs with third-round rookie OLB Gerris Wilkinson and 33-year-old Carlos Emmons plugged in due to injuries. Tiki Barber's thumb injury could create more open-field opportunities for Brandon Jacobs, in addition to his normal duties near the pylons. If you're looking for a flex to use this week, either Maurice Jones-Drew, a better bet to sweep or catch a short pass outside than Fred Taylor, and Jacobs are strong options to fill your void.

Do Not Underestimate

Cedric Benson?

The Bears are two games ahead of everyone in the NFC. Of the 6-3 teams in the conference, the Giants face Jacksonville on the road this Monday night, and the Cowboys at home in Week 13. Seattle has an easy schedule coming up, but the health status of the Seahawks' superstars is still uncertain. New Orleans could very well lose to Cincinnati at home this week and Atlanta the next to fall out of conference contention. While a Week 12 trip to Foxborough will be a challenge, Chicago has a real chance to clinch the NFC by Week 14 or, more likely, Week 15. It's very possible that if the Bears do clinch early, Thomas Jones, who has amassed 84 touches the past three games, could take a seat when the games don't matter anymore. Cedric Benson, the team's first-round pick in 2005, might then become a real asset during the fantasy playoffs. I don't think much of him, but Ced-Ben has shown an ability to execute on the goal line. When it comes down to it, touchdowns win fantasy leagues.