San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals: Fantasy Analysis and Weather Update

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Wind: Medium, North-Northeast at 11.0 mph

Chance of Precipitation: 15-20 percent

Week 16 Match-up:  San Diego Chargers (8-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-11)

Rankings based on top 25 QBs, 40 RBs, 60 WRs and 25 TEs

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San Diego Chargers

(Chargers Schedule)

Opponent Defensive Ranks

Cincinnati Pass Defense—2010: Yards Allowed/Game 17th—TDs Allowed T-13th

Cincinnati Rush Defense—2010: Yards Allowed/Game 22nd—TDs Allowed T-21st

San Diego Offensive Cast

Philip Rivers (QB Week 16 Ranking: No. 6)

2010 Season: 309/464—for 4,141 yards and 29 TDs

You gotta love yourself some Philip Rivers, at least when it comes to fantasy.  He’s easily one of the more despised players in the league, but you have to give him his props as a competitor, as a fantasy player and as a genuine NFL quarterback.  With Cinci basically throwing in the towel, expect a nice little showing out of Big Mouth this weekend.

Mike Tolbert (RB Week 16 Ranking: No. 20)

2010 Season: 178 carries for 737 yards and 11 TDs || 25 receptions for 216 yards and zero TDs

A touchdown is a given this Sunday, though I expect Mathews to get himself quite a few carries as a warm-up for the post-season.

Ryan Mathews (RB Week 16 Ranking: No. 33)

2010 Season: 120 carries for 503 yards and three TDs || 16 receptions for 98 yards and zero TDs

I can actually see the rookie getting 20 touches this weekend against a Bengals team that won’t be able to put up much of a fight.  How much that produces from a fantasy aspect, I’m not sure, but he’s definitely worth playing as a flex this Sunday.

Vincent Jackson (WR Week 16 Ranking: No. 1)

2010 Season: Seven receptions for 141 yards and three TDs

How you score three TDs in your second full game against guys who have been playing all season is beyond me.  VJax is obviously one of the best in the league and his numbers this Sunday will prove that fact once again.

Malcom Floyd (WR Week 16 Ranking: No. 31)

2010 Season: 35 receptions for 660 yards and six TDs

Floyd could be set to return, but you’ll want to check the news coming out of the Chargers camp at www.pyromaniac.com or www.ffpharmacy.com just to be sure.  If he’s a go, his big-play potential is worth a start.

Legedu Naanee (WR Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 15 receptions for 233 yards and one TD

Naanee went without a target last week and is essentially a forgotten man in this offense.  Let him loose.

Seyi Ajirotutu (WR Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 12 receptions for 245 yards and two TDs

Ajirotutu isn’t involved enough to take a risk on.

Patrick Crayton (WR Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 28 receptions for 514 yards and one TD

It looks like Crayton (wrist surgery) won’t play until Week 17, not that you would play him anyway.

Antonio Gates (TE Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 50 receptions for 782 yards and 10 TDs

Gates isn’t likely to play before the playoffs, but because he can win you weeks all by himself, keep him stashed on your bench just in case.

Randy McMichael (TE Week 16 Ranking: No. 13)

2010 Season: 16 receptions for 186 yards and two TDs

McMichael will likely get another start this weekend and could put up some decent numbers for you.  The Bengals are only so-so in defending tight ends this year, so unless you have a better option, go ahead and play Randy.

Cincinnati Bengals

(Bengals Schedule)

Opponent Defensive Ranks

San Diego Pass Defense—2010: Yards Allowed/Game 1st—TDs Allowed T-2nd

San Diego Rush Defense—2010: Yards Allowed/Game 2nd—TDs Allowed T-18th

Cincinnati Offensive Cast

Carson Palmer (QB Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 314/520—for 3,396 yards and 21 TDs

While passing through Cincinnati this weekend, I stopped by the local Wendy’s and was greeted by none other than the store manager himself, Carson Palmer!  I congratulated him on his new job as he handed me my Baconator Triple.  Best hand off I’ve ever had…

Which is exactly what he'll be doing with Terrell Owens out for the year and Chad Ochocinco ruled out for this game.  The guy's career is done.  Don't let him ruin your fantasy team in the process.

Cedric Benson (RB Week 16 Ranking: No. 22)

2010 Season: 276 carries for 1,006 yards and seven TDs || 25 receptions for 166 yards and one TD

Benson had his best game of the year against the Browns last weekend, but don’t expect that to continue.  The Bengals have decided to finally use a fullback, so Ceddy could do a little bit of damage this weekend, but the San Diego rush D is pretty formidable, so don’t expect more than flex numbers this Sunday.

Terrell Owens (WR Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine TDs

Owens has been placed on injured reserve with a sprained mouth.  Or was it his knee?

Chad Ochocinco (WR Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 67 receptions for 831 yards and four TDs

Schizocinco is dealing with bone spurs in his ankle and has been ruled out for this game.

Andre Caldwell (WR Week 16 Ranking: No. 54)

2010 Season: 49 receptions for 583 yards and two TDs

With Terrell Owens down for the year, Caldwell will immediately step in as a starter and becomes the WR1 with Ochoschizo out as well.  Last weekend, after T.O. came up lame, Caldwell went off for 89 yards on four catches with six targets on the day (tops all for the team on the day).  Andre is a former third-round pick, so you know he has the skills.  Those who were counting on Owens or Schizo at this point might want to take a chance here. 

Jordan Shipley (WR Week 16 Ranking: Not ranked)

2010 Season: 14 receptions for 164 yards and zero TDs

Shipley should end up with a good 4 or 5 catches this week, but the only way he gets into your lineup is if you play in a 12 or 16-man league that uses a flex position.

Jermaine Gresham (TE Week 16 Ranking: No. 21)

2010 Season: 48 receptions for 415 yards and three TDs

Gresham could be Palmer’s savior this weekend, with a heavy pass rush likely to be applied.  If the Chargers have a weakness, it’s in defending the tight end, so Jermaine might end up a decent play.

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