Crabtree has a great matchup in San Fran

Note: This is Evan Silva's matchup breakdown for 2009's Thursday Night Football debut. The game starts at 8:20ET. As of noon Thursday, the forecast for Walsh Field at Candlestick is calling for 60-degree temperatures, only 12MPH winds, and zero chance of precipitation.

And on to the matchup:

Michael Crabtree was widely compared to Larry Fitzgerald coming out of Texas Tech, and it just so happens that Fitz ripped this same Bears secondary for 123 yards and two TDs last week. In coverage, Crabtree will see LCB Peanut Tillman -- playing with a separated shoulder -- and RCB Zackary Bowman, who's been picked on all year. Look for Crabtree's first touchdown Thursday night on NFL Network ... The Bears have been stingy against tight ends, but are dealing with injuries to their top two strong safeties (Al Afalava - shoulder, Kevin Payne - back). An obvious must-start, Vernon Davis is fantasy football's No. 1 TE.

Isaac Bruce (ankle) won't play, increasing Josh Morgan's snaps and WR3 viability. The 49ers' offense is theoretically run heavy, but OC Jimmy Raye has shown a willingness to use shotgun-spread looks since installing Alex Smith at QB. More passing means more targets for a "No. 4" option like Morgan ... 49ers slot WR Jason Hill caught his first four passes of 2009 in Week 9, going for 50 yards and two fluky touchdowns. He is a situational player, however, and will be very inconsistent ... Frank Gore is averaging 20 touches for 146 yards a game with a pair of touchdowns in his last two outings. Chicago is 21st against the run.

Continue reading "Thursday Night Matchup: CHI @ SF" »

Posted by Adam Levitan at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (43)

Last week, I posted about the teams with the best schedules in the fantasy playoffs. (Here’s the link if you’re too lazy to scroll down, or if your computer can only handle the most miniscule of tasks like mine right now.)

I mentioned the teams with the worst schedules in Weeks 15 and 16 in today’s Dose, but here’s another look with some different points. Again, anticipated weather plays a part.

1. BEARS - @ Ravens, vs. Vikings: The Ravens have been susceptible to the pass this season, but weather is going to be a factor here. Devin Hester gets a slight downgrade and Matt Forte, well, you know.
2. PANTHERS - vs. Vikings, @ Giants: The Giants are really struggling against the pass without Kenny Phillips, but that won’t matter if Jake Delhomme doesn’t snap back to his former self.
3. REDSKINS - vs. Giants, vs. Cowboys: Ladell Betts is deservedly a hot pickup this week, but it’s hard to see him doing anything spectacular behind that line in these matchups.
4. RAVENS - vs. Bears, at Steelers: The home game against the Bears shouldn’t be a problem, but that fantasy Super Bowl game in Pittsburgh in late December is brutal. Good thing Ray Rice is an indestructible force that can not be phased by anything, man or beast.
5. JAGUARS - vs. Colts, @ Patriots - A lot here will depend on if their opponents are locked into playoff seeding. If they are, this could become a favorable schedule. If not, it’s trouble.

Posted by Adam Levitan at 01:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)