24 Hours 'Til Sunday — Andy Richardson

Ian Allan did a pretty thorough job of breaking down the two games on Thursday, so I won't repeat that. I will add a couple of notes on stuff that's come up since then, however.

I'll also note that while Ian has no rooting interest, as far as I know, I do. I'm an unabashed Favre fan, and I live in the New York area and am rooting for the Jets. If you're also looking for a rooting interest, consider: a vote for the Jets is not only a vote for the underdog, it's a vote against teams resting players in week 16, ruining fantasy championships and influencing the league's postseason field. A vote for the Vikings, meanwhile, is a vote for anyone who's ever been pushed out the door by his employer (even though he did his part, I understand), told that he's too old to get it done anymore; we're gonna look to the future with the younger guy on the bench.

If one day in the future someone tells you you can't do something, you'll always be able to say, "That's what the Packers thought about Brett Favre!!!!!!" You know, if the Vikings win, that is. OK, on to the games....

Jets at Colts: Given the choice, this isn't a game I'd want to pin a lot of fantasy hopes on. The best players in the game are either facing a tough defense (the Colts) or uncertain to have a larger role than the guy ahead of them (Shonn Greene). Anything is possible, but if you want to bet on Peyton Manning going out and carving up this defense, be my guest, but I wouldn't go there. Reggie Wayne will be covered by Darrelle Revis. Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Dallas Clark will probably divvy up the remaining passing production against a defense that allowed just 8 TD passes all season. I mean, why invest in that?

The Jets will face a Colts defense that's better than you think, so it's tough to get excited about using anyone from a team that's not about to sling it all over the yard or anything. Dustin Keller's on a little roll, he's an option. Greene has also been hot, but Thomas Jones is there. If you believe the Jets can win (and I do), you can consider the Jets Defense, because somehow, some way, perhaps they'll find a way to come up with some big plays -- turnovers, special teams scores, etc. I'm going to call it Jets 23, Colts 20, just because, well, I'm through underestimating them.

Vikings at Saints: Minnesota's been really healthy this season; losing linebacker E.J. Henderson was the only significant injury. So they've got to be a little bummed that both Ray Edwards and Kevin Williams came out of the win over Dallas with knee injuries, and Percy Harvin's migraines flared up again this week. Beating a New Orleans team that simply steamrolled Arizona last week is a tall order anyway; even moreso if those players are either sidelined or limited (which seems most likely).

For the sake of discussion, let's assume all three players are good to go. I'm still wary of Harvin; but for the migraines, I'd be all over using him. So instead I'll opt for Sidney Rice, and then look to the Saints receivers -- Marques Colston, and Robert Meachem (limited in practice this week but still probable, whereas Harvin is questionable). I'll avoid Jeremy Shockey, who's banged up and not reliable; he didn't practice this week. If he's ruled out, I'd consider David Thomas. Visanthe Shiancoe is a good option in TD-only formats, but otherwise not.

Like Ian, I'll give a slight edge to Drew Brees, at home and with all his weapons, but I feel like Favre should have a pretty good game as well. Let's face it, he's been here a little more than Brees (more than anyone in this game), and he should get a nice sense of nostalgia playing in the place where he won his Super Bowl. He might even have a decent number of fans in attendance.

But the guy I'm really intrigued by here is Adrian Peterson, because he is DUE. Sure, he was due last week, and averaged less than 3.0 yards per carry and didn't score, but Dallas has a very good run defense; New Orleans does not. The guy is supposed to be the best running back in the league; he's certainly in the discussion. So isn't this the game -- and I know he had a dreadful game against a better Saints run defense last season -- where he goes for 150 yards and 2 TDs? I mean, doesn't he have to do something big, on the threshold of the Super Bowl, to remind us how good he is? If nothing else, make it easier on Favre, whose last championship game, at Lambeau Field two years ago, was torpedoed by cold weather (not a factor), his own poor play (not a factor?), and the Giants just shutting down Green Bay's running game (which Mike McCarthy basically forgot about, I might add, giving it only 13 carries). Peterson has to be big this week. For the Saints, well, I guess you consider Reggie Bush, based on his big game last week, but the Saints could use four different runners, so I'd personally stay away.

Who's gonna win? My heart says the Vikings; this is why Favre came back, and it would be awfully storybook if it works out. My head says the Saints, with that offense and opportunistic defense, playing at home, simply won't lose this game. Still, I'm going with my heart and calling it Vikings 34, Saints 24, and hope that's how things work out. And if I'm wrong, hey, congratulations New Orleans, because they deserve it, too.

Enjoy the games.

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