| QUARTERBACKS - Several quarterbacks will see short time in week 17. The most notable candidates to sit early are Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Kerry Collins, and Ben Roethlisberger. It's hard for owners to predict any production, so you'd be better off going with a QB who still has playoff motivation. It's certainly a difficult decision, but you must look to more capable options such as Tavaris Jackson, Jeff Garcia, and Kyle Orton. They are ordinarily mediocre starters, however they may prove to be more valuable in the season finale.
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| RUNNING BACKS - Lamont Jordan pilfered a couple TD runs from Sammy Morris last week. He appears planted in the goal line role. Frank Gore looks like he's going to play this week in a tough matchup against Washington. He's aiming for 1000 rushing yards for the third straight season, so expect the 49ers to use him often. Pierre Thomas is listed as out. Brandon Jacobs will be inactive, so Derrick Ward will get the start. Ward is shooting for 1000 rushing yards, making him a good start in an otherwise meaningless game for the Giants. Marshawn Lynch is out leaving Fred Jackson to start against the thin Patriots defense.
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| WIDE RECEIVERS - The Bengals made a late scratch on TJ Houshmanzadeh and Chad Johnson. Needless to say, owners should avoid the Kansas City-Cincinnati game altogether. The Denver-San Diego game has shootout written all over it - go with every offensive player you have in the contest. Braylon Edwards’s owners shouldn't torture themselves any longer. Considering the never-ending quarterback carousel, keep him on the bench versus Pittsburgh.
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| TIGHT ENDS - Capping off an injury-riddled season, Jeremy Shockey won't play in week 17. Billy Miller is more than a capable backup. Heath Miller had 8 receptions for 69 yards in week 16, so consider him a decent option against Cleveland. Visanthe Shiancoe continues to make headlines. This time it's for a 2 TD 136 yard effort.
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| KICKERS - Dan Carpenter is a capable emergency starter in what many expect to be a close game between the Dolphins and the Jets. Stephen Gostkowski and Rian Lindell might be in for some trouble in week 17. Weather forecasts predict strong winds in Buffalo.
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| DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS - Very desperate owners might find some turnovers in the Chiefs-Bengals game since both offenses are sporadic. Tampa Bay is an obvious choice against Oakland. The same goes for Pittsburgh versus Cleveland. |
