The Patriots have given up at least 14 fantasy points to every QB they’ve faced not named Tyler Palko.  Enough said, moving on…

The Dolphins have allowed the 7th most passing yards and the second fewest rushing yards, so the way to beat them is obviously to air it out.  Sanchez probably won’t throw it 50+ times as he did last week, but 40+ is a definite possibility.

This little factoid has been mentioned in this space several times this year, but it’s worth noting again that Tate has double digit fantasy points in each of the games where he has received twelve or more carries.  With Houston locked into the three seed, you can expect Arian Foster to be on the bench for most if not all of this one, which should allow Tate to get well over twelve carries and at least ten fantasy points.

Sproles is solid as Sears.  He has nine games with double digit fantasy points and only one game with less than five fantasy points.  With a matchup against the second worst run defense in football, it is unclear why ESPN’s Karabell and Harris have him outside their top 20 and why the Expert Consensus Ranking on him on FantasyPros.com is only #20.

Maclin’s reception and yardage totals have increased each of the last two weeks, so it looks like he’s working his way back into the offense nicely.  With no real reason for Philly to sit starters, Maclin should be a nice play this week.

With Braylon Edwards released and Kyle Williams and Ted Ginn unlikely to play, Crabtree and Brett Swain are the only San Francisco receivers healthy for a game they need to win.  As will be discussed below, Vernon Davis may struggle to be productive in this matchup, so Crabtree is easily the best option for Alex Smith this week.  Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter should see a lot of work, but what San Fran gets through the air figures to go through Crabtree.

Green Bay sucks against tight ends to begin with, and if they rest any defensive starters (likely), it makes sense that they would suck even more against tight ends.

Cook has 17 catches for 272 yards the last two weeks, and he’s available in 88% of leagues.

Speaking of Green Bay sitting starters, there is a huge difference between Rodgers/Nelson/Finley and Flynn/Jones/Crabtree.

Assuming Detroit beats Green Bay during the 1:00 games, Atlanta would be locked into the #6 seed before their 4:15 game.  Even though coach Mike Smith has suggested he’ll play his starters no matter what, there’s no way you could trust Ryan/Roddy/Julio/Turner/Gonzalez to play much if at all.

Benson did score two touchdowns against Baltimore in week 11, but he only managed 41 yards in 15 carries in that game.  Benson has only managed 80+ yards in four games this year, but if he can get 84 on Sunday, Cincinnati would owe him an additional $250,000 for reaching 1,100 yards.  As a result, it wouldn’t be a shock if Bernard Scott saw an extra series or two.

Don’t be fooled by Jackson’s participation in practice late this week.  San Diego has been eliminated from the playoffs, and it’s just too risky to put Jackson in your lineup when he could be held out of the game or pulled from it at the slightest sign of trouble.

The Rams have allowed the fewest yards, touchdowns, receptions, and fantasy points to opposing tight ends.  They held Davis to 3 catches for 32 yards in week 13.  There’s no way you can trust Davis in a fantasy final.