FanHouse KevinWalter

This weekend's AFC South showdown appeared, at the beginning of the week, to be one of those strength vs. strength matchups. The Colts have the NFL's seventh-ranked pass defense and they have only allowed three passing touchdowns all season (making them the stingiest in the NFL). The Houston Texans are the NFL's third-best passing team and have thrown 16 touchdown passes in eight games.

Things this week, have, uh, changed a bit.

With Fantasy Football season ready to kick in high gear, FanHouse is here to preview each and every team -- one per day until we've done them all.

Meet The ...
Quiet Contenders. With an explosive offense -- last season's third most prolific to be precise -- Houston is a hot topic this season in fantasy terms. Last season, starter Matt Schaub and backup Sage Rosenfels combined for a franchise record in passing offense. Furthermore, rookie running back Steve Slaton proved to be the sleeper of the season.

This year, with an improved defense and a healthy Schaub, the Texans look like real deal contenders. The defense remains the big question mark, but the offense should keep them in contention, and more importantly continue to provide fantasy owners with big-time points.

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With attention spans dwindling, we forego full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. Click here to go back in time.

Saturday

Baltimore (9-5) at Dallas (9-5): This is just the start of what should be now called "The Best Week 15 Slate of Games of All Time." Both these teams desperately need a win for playoff implications, with the Steelers, Eagles, and Falcons all watching verrrry intently in their own regard. Tony Romo and company are averaging 23.7 points per game while Ray Lewis and his revived wrecking crew are giving up a stingy 15.2. In the famous words of Jack Nicholson, "Something's gotta give." I think the Dallas defense, who has locked down the last three games and is allowing just over 12 points in those games, rattles Joe Flacco and the 'Boys move a step closer to becoming the 2007 New York Giants of the playoffs.

Tony, remember this -- even Phil Mickelson can win a major championship every now and again.

Pick: Dallas

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds.

Here's Week 14 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory. (Disclaimer: This will only be for the Sunday games, since you probably can't even remember the Thursday games at this point.)

Studs

Brian Westbrook, RB Philadelphia (33 rushes, 131 yards, 1 TD, 6 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD) -- Not a lot of people have exposed the Giants' defense like Westbrook did yesterday, but I guess not a lot of people have completely taken over games in Brandon Jacobs' house. Westbrook had 203 all-purpose yards in the upset by the Eagles, not only keeping Philly's playoff chances very much alive but showing that when the offense is clicking, this team will be scary for the other side of the sidelines. Donovan McNabb might have just found his best offensive scheme yet -- check down to Westbrook and let the athlete make the plays.

Weeding through those unwieldy waiver wires requires a keen eye and a quick trigger. Thus, Waiver Wire Wonders provides a weekly snapshot of players worthy of consideration who should be available on a good portion of league waiver wires. Enjoy those pickups...

With the holiday season and the first big week of the fantasy playoffs in full effect, let's kick things off with a little scene from 'A Christmas Story'.

Mr. Parker: It's a Major Award!
Swede: Shucks I wouldn't know that. It looks like a lamp.
Mr. Parker: What is a lamp, you nincompoop? It's a Major Award. I won it!
Swede: Damn, hell, you say won it?
Mr. Parker: Yeah, mind power, Swede; mind power.

As we learned from Ralphie's old man, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When it comes to waiver wire decisions in the fantasy playoffs, most rosters are pretty stable by now, but there are always a few holes to fill. This week, for those of you looking to fill specific needs, there are a few major prizes out there.

Derrick Ward (RB, Giants) - Derrick Ward looked like a decent add coming into this week's game against the Eagles, but with Brandon Jacobs leaving the game with an injured knee, he is officially this week's leg lamp -- a major award. Coach Tom Coughlin says he is hopeful that the injury is nothing big, but Jacobs did not return to action after injuring the knee early, so snag Ward now in case Jacobs misses some time. Jacobs has struggled this season with injuries, so it is very conceivable that this might be more problematic than the coaches are leading on at this point. In Jacobs' absence, Ward carried the ball eight times for just 39 yards. Hence, this payoff only comes to fruition if Jacobs misses action, but I think it is worth the add if you can spare a roster spot.

Ah yes, another week in the books, but it just wouldn't be complete without a MNF scoring barrage. Yup, plenty of fantasy football implications going on right now with the Packers and the Saints. For the record, I watched two potential victories explode early on. However, what did I really expect clinging to a small margin and having to face Greg Jennings and Ryan Grant in one league and Pierre Thomas in another?

Deep sigh, but at least there's always next week. And for some of us next week might mean the playoffs. Yes, we're talking playoffs. Of course, there just may be one more week for survival and/or the last chance to make the playoffs for others. It's been a fun ride thus far, but brace yourself for the intensity and/or anxiety to pick up starting this Thursday. Yet, for now, it's time to take a tour as we do on Monday night and let the dust settle. Let's check the pulse of the fantasy football world and dish out some thoughts moving forward.

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds.

Here's Week 12 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory.

Studs

Matt Cassel and Randy Moss, New England (8 connections, 125 yards, 3 TDs) -- This team is starting to look a lot like 2007 if you ask me. Cassel has become comfortable, and is riding the huge wave named confidence to victory after dominating victory. Moss put out 100 percent on his routes, caught some beautiful passes from No. 16, who had himself a pretty decent game. Cassel has thrown for 815 yards and six touchdowns, and ran for one, in the last two weeks. I know Varsity Blues is a movie but if Gisele ends up leaving Tom Brady for the USC product I wouldn't be the least surprised. "Hey Tom ... I don't want, your life."

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his face-mask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's our new feature, Studs and Duds:

Here's Week 5 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory.

Studs

Brandon Jacobs, RB NYG (15 rushes, 136 yards, 2 TDs) -- Remember back when you were in fifth and sixth grade and there was that kid who was bigger, stronger and more athletic than you and all your friends? Yeah, well that's Brandon Jacobs, except he's the best running back on the best football team in the world. A dominating performance against Seattle that was highlighted by a 9.1 yards per carry average has the Giants ... umm .... giant?

Matt Schaub is sick. Sick and tired of losing. Oh, and he's literally sick -- and it's bad enough that he was sent to the hospital on Saturday night.

So, yeah, in a huge divisional matchup and the team's first return to Houston since Ike hit, things are going to be a little thin at quarterback.

Schaub fell ill Saturday night, but is active as the second quarterback for this afternoon's game. Tight end Owen Daniels is the Texans' emergency quarterback.

In five starts with the Texans in 2007, Rosenfels was 4-1. He played in 10 total games and finished with a career-high 1,684 passing yards and 15 touchdowns.

Yeah, so things aren't that bad for the Texans, but we don't really know how bad they are for Schaub just yet. Hopefully he'll be fine, but until we hear more, we just have to assume that he's doing alright under medical watch.

Sage Rosenfels will start in his place and Lord have mercy on the Texans if Daniels has to take snaps.

Fantasy Spin: Obviously bench Schaub immediately, and consider grabbing Rosenfels -- he doesn't seem like a particularly attractive option but if you're facing Kyle Orton or someone of that lower end nature and he's there, well, the Colts defense isn't that stout and he does have Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter.

Matt Schaub is sick. Sick and tired of losing. Oh, and he's literally sick -- and it's bad enough that he was sent to the hospital on Saturday night.

So, yeah, in a huge divisional matchup and the team's first return to Houston since Ike hit, things are going to be a little thin at quarterback.

Schaub fell ill Saturday night, but is active as the second quarterback for this afternoon's game. Tight end Owen Daniels is the Texans' emergency quarterback.

In five starts with the Texans in 2007, Rosenfels was 4-1. He played in 10 total games and finished with a career-high 1,684 passing yards and 15 touchdowns.

Yeah, so things aren't that bad for the Texans, but we don't really know how bad they are for Schaub just yet. Hopefully he'll be fine, but until we hear more, we just have to assume that he's doing alright under medical watch.

Sage Rosenfels will start in his place and Lord have mercy on the Texans if Daniels has to take snaps.

Fantasy Spin: Obviously bench Schaub immediately, and consider grabbing Rosenfels -- he doesn't seem like a particularly attractive option but if you're facing Kyle Orton or someone of that lower end nature and he's there, well, the Colts defense isn't that stout and he does have Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter.