Clement’s Weekly Picks and Prognostications…Week 17

Blame the holidays, blame the traffic, blame the end of a semester, blame whatever you want. During Week 16, for many of us (not me this season), it was the culmination of a fantasy season and I was MIA.

And not the crappy Sri Lankan-born singer either.

But fear not, as Week 17 offers us two playoff spots in the NFL up for grabs AND 5% of fantasy leagues that – for reasons beyond my understanding – end their seasons in Week 17.

We will be making playoff picks and transitioning into college basketball picks in the coming weeks; however, not even a single mention will be made in accordance with Fantasy NFL Playoff Leagues. Except for that one, of course.

NFL Picks: [28-15-2]
New England @ NY Giants [+14.5]














How many suckers drafted Stallworth before Moss?
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Couldn’t the spread be 16? We have heard anything and everything possible about the Pats and this season of greatness (and yes, it’s been beyond great). The real question is will Tom Brady and Randy Moss hook up for two more record-breaking TDs before they sit. 16-0 will be a special moment in the Meadowlands, spread or not, just not for the Patri-haters.

San Francisco @ Cleveland [-10]












Anybody else think he looks like a brother of Will Smith?
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

San Fran is blowing a top 5 pick for New England (poor Pats, will they ever catch a break?). Interestingly enough, Cleveland can lose this game and still visit the 3-seed next weekend. Although, it is underreported that if the Titans and Colts freakishly tie, the Browns need to win. Since Romeo Crennel is bound to know this, don’t bet for one second that the Browns won’t deliver a blowout victory in Week 17.

Tennessee @ Indianapolis [+6.5]













Has there ever been a playoff-QB with a worse TD to INT ratio?
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

On Sunday night, the Titans will know – just as they do right now - what they need to do to secure the 6-seed in the playoffs: WIN. With that being said, the Colts are likely to sit anyone and everyone possible. While everyone is asking about Marvin Harrison, I want to know how rusty Anthony Gonzalez, Raheem Brock and Robert Mathis might be after a bye week? While the Titans are the riskiest bet east of New Orleans, go with them, albeit hesitantly, to cover.

Dallas @ Washington [-9]


















How many Week 17 Fantasy GMs are starting Glenn?
Credit: Yahoo! Sports

I could make things easier and tell you that I believe New Orleans and Minnesota will win, but neither will, which means the ‘Skins could very well already have a wild-card berth locked up before they play. If only the NFL wanted real drama and pegged one of the other two NFC wild-card contenders at 4pm as well. It won’t matter, as the Skins will win. As for covering? Barely. In fact, by a point.

3 Must Starts and Must Sits
START
…Final Week…
Tom Brady: Don’t sit him. The touchdown record means more than he’ll ever admit, even he only plays the 1^st half.
Greg Jones: While Jones-Drew and Taylor are likely to sit in the 2^nd half, Jones will get plenty of muck yardage throughout Week 17.
Kenton Keith: If you were wise and held onto the backup, this is the week to truly enjoy what he can do. While he may not put up Addai-like numbers, he’s the best spoiler the Titans D will face.

SIT
…Final Week…
Terry Glenn: Nobody knows how healthy he is or how much Dallas cares about this game. Not a good idea.
Vince Young: Huh? I just don’t think he’s the right start; especially, with so many other options available this weekend.
Ahmad Bradshaw: It’s tempting for the big play, but the Pats will neither face any injuries nor any chance of not seeing 16-0.

Happy New Years to all. Be safe!

Until next time…

Clement’s Weekly Picks and Prognostications…Week 15

I must admit I was a little downtrodden this weekend, largely in part due to the absence of college football. While the games don’t get me as excited as they once did, I missed the picks - especially, the correct ones.

However, professional football has begun its playoff push. We had a basic playoff elimination game last Thursday (Chicago losing to Washington) and plenty others.

In fact, several division champions (Cowboys, Packers, Seahawks) were crowned and a wild-card spot was essentially clinched in the NFC and AFC (Giants and Jaguars).

You can also reasonably pencil in Tampa Bay in the NFC South, Indy as champs of the AFC South, and then, it gets interesting.

Did You …
-Believe Trent Edwards would be making a playoff push for a wild-card spot?
-Ditto for Tarvaris Jackson?
-Ever believe we could see 16-0 and 0-16 in the same season?
-Have a QB toss 45 TDs and come 4th in MVP voting (Tony Romo)?
-See LT deface a teammate mere hours before a 60 Minutes special promoting him as a class act?
-Envision Derek Anderson and the Browns making a realistic push for 11-5?

Whether you did or didn’t, it’s predictions time!

NFL Picks: [26-14-2]
Buffalo @ Cleveland [-5.5]

















Credit: Yahoo! Sports

At 7-6 and 8-5 respectively, both squads are neck-deep in the thick of the wild-card race. The Browns may have more to win, but the Bills obviously have more to lose. With an important tie-breaker possibly coming in hand for the victor, I always look to two things -- momentum and the location. While Buffalo is sizzling, the Browns will be at home and their big offense will easily outscore the Bills.

Washington @ NY Giants [-4.5]














Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Clinging to their playoff lives, the Skins walked away last Thursday with a hard-fought victory and a 10-day lay-off in between games. The Giants walked away with a W (which may have been more an Eagle loss); yet effectively clinched a wild-card spot. Likely the five seed, the Giants will have plenty to play for in the upcoming weeks. However, I don’t expect the Giants to cover this spread, even at home.

Arizona @ New Orleans [-3]














Credit: Yahoo! Sports

While the NFC South is likely the possession of the Buccaneers, both of these squads are fighting for their playoff lives this weekend on Bourbon Street. As inconsistent as any pair of teams, the Saints offense needs to score first while the Cardinals need their big-play wideouts to remain healthy this weekend. I’ll get bit again likely, but the ‘Aints are the pick this weekend.

3 Must Starts and Must Sits
START
…Last Week…
Lee Evans: Betting against the Dolphins is the second safest bet all year.
Sidney Rice: Not so much…
Reggie Bush: His replacement Aaron Stecker was a decent last-second plug.

…This Week…
Plaxico Burress: Injuries or not, he’s too lethal a target.
Aaron Stecker: Speaking of him…
Anthony Gonzalez: Manning knows he’ll need this guy down the stretch, healthy Harrison or not.

SIT
…Last Week…
Reggie Williams: Strike one.
Warrick Dunn: Foul ball. Strike two.
Texans QBs: Strike three…I’m out.

…This Week…
Todd Collins: There are a lot of QB issues out there, but don’t start him (even in a 2QB league).
Jerry Porter: Not even in a flex position would I start him this week.
Chris Henry: Another flex guy who isn’t worth the risk this season.

Until next time…

Clement's Weekly Picks and Prognostications...Turkey Day Edition

Enjoy all the fixins and all the family (or good luck avoiding one or both of them) on your Thanksgiving Day.

If at all else, there’s always some NFL and NCAA action to wet your appetite. Not sure about “leftovers” though…

NFL Picks: [17-13-1]
Green Bay @ Detroit [+3.5]










Credit: Yahoo! Sports

For the first time in recent memory, the Lions won’t be the underachieving squad trying to pull the Turkey Day upset. Despite two tough losses in a row (with zero rushing game), the Lions have a winning record and are legit wild-card contenders. Green Bay won’t allow themselves to look forward to next Thursday (hosting the also 9-1 Cowboys). In fact, Favre and the soon-to-be 10-1 Pack will straight wallop the Lions mainly due to a set of stud CBs shutting down the phenom Lion wideouts.

New York Jets @ Dallas [-14]












Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Despite notching a home upset over the Steelers (woot!), the Jets get no respect. Tough times continue for a 2-8 team. Interestingly enough, the Steelers struggled most to run against a particular terrible Jets “rush D”. While Dallas hasn’t run the ball too well in recent weeks, their passing game is too much to handle for the Jets. Tony Romo will show Jets second-year QB Kellen Clemens a few tricks inside the pocket. Mainly, Romo will show why it’s nice to not have DeMarcus Ware on your bad side…or worse, your blind side. The Jets will score first and potentially keep it close for a half, and then be soundly walloped throughout the second half in a crushing defeat.

Atlanta @ Indianapolis [+11.5]














Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Obviously a game made for television well before the Vick dogfighting scandal broke, the Falcons are stuck with two bad quarterbacks and a lot of aging defenders. While Harrison is likely to sit, Peyton Manning has too much pride to not take advantage of a nice few extra days off following this game. The season will only get longer for Bobby Petrino, especially after a double-digit drubbing from the bruised and battered yet resilient Colts.

NCAA Picks: [12-6]
#11 USC vs. #7 Arizona State [+3]















Credit: Yahoo! Sports

Arizona State has plenty on the line. For starters, they win and they’re Rose Bowl-bound. However, there’s another team in the mix who doesn’t feel like getting shut out of the BCS, even if it isn’t the title game for the second straight year. While I’ve picked USC time and time again this season, the Sun Devils have squeaked out victory over victory as of late. In the end, I’ll stick with the Trojans…again.

3 Must Starts and Must Sits
START
…This Week…
Indianapolis D: Yep, a D start. The Falcons love to give up the defensive TD. They LOVE IT!
Julius Jones: You obviously want to start Barber III, but also peg Jones as the Jets rush D is nothing short of putrid (despite playing quite stoutly against Willie Parker last Sunday).
Alge Crumpler: As bad as the Falcons are, he is the only legit play.

SIT
…This Week…
Chris Baker: Even if your tight end depth is shaky, he won’t be a redzone target this week.
Warrick Dunn: The Indy D might be a little tired, but Dunn will be too.
Kevin Jones: Only in a flex league with 3 starting RB slots would I consider using the former Hokie, who may be lucky to crack 25 yards with his recent play.

Enjoy your holiday everyone.

Until next time…

Clement’s Weekly Picks and Prognostications – Week 2…

One week down, sixteen to go. While some of your favorite NFL teams faltered (cough, Jets), others like Tarvaris Jackson and the 1-0 Vikes surprised.

In the fantasy realm, Dallas QB Mr. Carrie Underwood broke open more than a few matchups with a 5-touchdown performance (4 through the air, 1 on the ground) while still enabling fantasy owners of TO (2 TD receptions in the second half) and even Marion Barber III (impressive TD run on a fourth and short) to enjoy their respective days.

That Randy Moss guy (9 receptions, 183 yds, TD) put up impressive numbers in his Patriots debut despite missing nearly the entire pre-season. The same can be said for Plexico Burress and his 3 TD Sunday night performance.

The opening week signified struggle and disappointment for the big three of fantasy football. Despite totaling 2 TDs, LT underachieved with less than 30 yards rushing. LJ was non-existent. Steven was missing the “Action” from his Jackson, matching last year’s lost fumble total of two.

As for last week’s predictions, as one of my idols, Johnny Drama might say, “VICTORY!”

The Panthers game finished exactly as I expected. Ditto for the matchup on Sunday Night. Had Brian Billick arrived in Cincinnati with a gameplan and Steve McNair had two less turnovers, I’d be bringing out the brooms. Unfortunately, he didn’t. Nevertheless, LSU putting the beatdown on Virginia Tech made for a 3-1 final tally in Week 1. The Tigers thrashing allowed us to take the briefest of glimpses at QB Tyrod Taylor, who should be a professional after his junior season in Blacksburg.

Now that Week 1 is spoken for, I figured I’d keep the love coming fast and furiously!

Week 2 NFL Picks: [2-1]
Indianapolis @ Tennessee [-7]















Source: ViewImages.com

-So Vince Young, you’ve got the Madden curse staring you directly in the face and the Colts at your place in Week 2. Step up with the upset and you can lay claim as the leader of the up-and-coming team in the AFC. Sadly, that’s easier said than done. Despite totally shutting down the Jaguars rushing attack last week, look for the downhill rushing of Addai and the precision downfield aerial assault of Manning to take over midway through the 2^nd quarter as the Colts cruise by double digits.

…Sunday Night Football…
San Diego @ New England [-3.5]


















Source: NBCSports

-Both teams took home key victories in Week One. However, the Patriots looked as good as possible doing it. While LT is more than willing to call out the Patriots yet again, the Patriots seem as determined as ever to return to the Super Bowl. Always trust a Bill Belichick team over a Norv Turner team. Always.

…Monday Night Football…
Washington @ Philadelphia [-6.5]













Source: Yahoo! Sports

-If you think Philly only lost due to a pair of special teams disasters, you completely ignored the dominant performance by the Packers front 7 against the interior of the Eagles offensive line. While Jason Campbell was far from stellar against the Fins, he did walk away 1-0. Neither team looked very good, but remember that the Skins always play the Eagles tough at home. Since it’s a road game, take the Iggles…big.

Week 2 NCAA Picks: [1-0]
#22 Tennessee @ #5 Florida [-8]
















Source: FoxSports.com

-Run the ball and you win in this series. If you are Tennessee, control the game for three quarters and then let the whole dang thing slip away in the closing minutes. Tennessee is too mistake-prone to win in the Swamp, or cover the points, without a more solidified rushing attack.

#1 USC [-10.5] @ #14 Nebraska














Source: GettyImages

-It will be a sheik pick to take Bill Callahan’s Huskers in this game; a sort of program-rebuilding game. Yeah, we’re buying that one. Don’t let any upset talk fool you, Pete Carroll is more than ready to lead his Trojans, who may double or triple this spread, to certain victory.

3 Must Starts and 3 Must Sits;
START
…Last Week…
Jacksonville Defense: Neither beautiful nor a disaster, fantasy-wise at least. Push. I should’ve suggested anyone playing against Charlie Frye.
Brian Westbrook: No TD and an Eagle loss. Unimpressive on all accounts.
Darrell Jackson: Too bad we couldn’t count that fumble recovery he pounced on in the endzone.

…This Week…
Willis McGahee: Without the Jets rush D (or complete lack thereof), McGahee gets $20-million from Baltimore instead of $40. Start him. Unless you don't like 117.5 ypg versus 73 ypg for his career.
Donald Driver: Don’t even think about sitting him, bum foot or not. The Giants secondary will get torched for the second week in a row.
Maurice Jones-Drew: It’s going to be a bumpy ride all season. When you see the Atlanta D (especially without Rod Coleman) on your schedule, start your running back with confidence.

SIT
…Last Week…
Lee Evans: Hater or not, I KNEW IT! Score one for the big guy.
Ronnie Brown: Not the trickiest of picks. Now as for next week…
Joe Horn: Nice fill-in pick. Then again, was it too easy?

…This Week…
Antwaan Randel-El: He won’t see nearly as many targets as the Skins will pound the ball on Monday night. Don’t buy this guy too heavily.
Jerricho Cotchery: Lav Coles is a sturdier redzone target; nevertheless, neither Jet wideout will fare as well as Ocho Cinco and Houshmandzadeh did on Monday night (especially since Clemens appears to be in as Pennington is likely out this weekend).
Laurence Maroney: You gotta start him … or do you? The Chargers rush D will force Tom Brady to beat them with his arm … which he gladly will.

I’d say more, but you’ve had more than enough love this week.

Until next time…