CNNSI.com - Fantasy Central - Pro Football - Back Page: Week 16 mortal playoff locks

RESOURCES

Scoreboards

Statitudes

SI Online

Teams

Transactions

MORE

SI for Kids Games

SI for Kids Fantasy

Back Page

Week 16 mortal playoff locks

Posted: Friday December 28, 2001 3:49 PM

Terrell Owens has tied his career high of 14 TDs through 14 games. Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

By Bob Harris, Special to CNNSI.com

Week 16 is upon us, which means you're either in the midst of a playoff run – or you're battling for your league's title. Either way, there's nothing like heading into the weekend with some aces up your sleeve.

What do mean by "aces?"

I mean "mortal locks." Guys who are going to produce -- and produce in a big way -- no matter what this weekend.

Here then, is a position-by-position breakdown of the guys I consider Week 16 mortal locks:

Quarterback

1. Kurt Warner (St. Louis Rams) As noted by Sports Illustrated's Peter King this week, in the last three weeks, all must games for the Rams, Warner has been almost unstoppable, completing 68 percent of his attempts for 974 yards and 10 touchdowns with just one interception. This week's opponent -- the Colts -- have given up an average of 239 passing yards per game and a generous 26 touchdown passes this season.

2. Aaron Brooks (New Orleans Saints): Faces a major challenge going up against a talented Redskins defense -- led by cornerbacks Fred Smoot and Champ Bailey -- that has given up an average of 203 passing yards per game and 18 TD passes this season. However, Brooks, who threw a career-high four interceptions against Tampa Bay last week, hasn't had poor back-to-back performances since early in the year. I'm looking for a big rebound.

Running Back

1. Marshall Faulk (St. Louis Rams): Racked up 202 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns against the lowly Panthers last week, adding another 50 yards on three receptions. For the season, Faulk has 215 carries for 1,096 yards (an average of 5.1 yards per carry) with eight touchdowns. He also has 71 catches for 660 yards (an average of 9.3-yards per reception) for another eight touchdowns. All this, despite the fact that he missed two games in midseason with a knee injury. This week Faulk goes up against a Colts defense that has allowed 134 rushing yards per game and 17 total rushing TDs.

2. Ahman Green (Green Bay Packers): Took over a must-win game last Sunday by rushing for 150 yards on 21 carries on a snowy Lambeau Field. Green currently boasts an NFC-best 1,253 rushing yards on 264 carries (an average of 4.7-yards per carry) with six touchdowns. He also has caught 58 passes for 560 yards (an average of 9.7-yards per reception) and two touchdowns. So far this season the Vikings have given up 145 rushing yards per game along with a total 19 rushing TDs.

Wide Receiver

1. David Boston (Arizona Cardinals): Boston had his worst game of the season last week, finishing with three catches for just 26 yards. But I'm looking for him to bounce back in a big way in Carolina this weekend. The Panthers currently rank 29th in the league against the pass after giving up an average of 246 passing yards per game and a total of 22 TD passes this season.

2. Terrell Owens (San Francisco 49ers): On Wednesday, Owens cruised the Niner locker room sporting a white T-shirt emblazoned with a photographed image of the x-year receiver standing on the midfield logo at Texas Stadium last year, spreading his arms wide as he looked skyward. That image not only caused a lot of controversy last season, it also put the kibosh on whatever good will existed between Owens and head coach Steve Mariucci. However, none of that changes the fact that Owens is one of the hottest wideouts in the league this season after posting a league-high 14 TD catches through 14 games.

Tight End

1. Marcus Pollard (Indianapolis Colts): Pollard continues to assert himself in the Colts offense. He already has set single-season bests with 43 receptions, 697 yards and eight TDs -- including an 86-yarder that further endeared him to owners in distance scoring leagues. Over the last five weeks, Pollard has pulled in 15 passes for 258 yards and three TDs. Look for more of the same this weekend with the Colts trying to come from behind against the Rams.

2. Bubba Franks (Green Bay Packers): Continues to be a dominant force in the red zone. Franks is currently the top scorer among all NFL tight ends with nine touchdown catches and overall this year, he's pulled in 31 catches for 259 yards (an average of 8.4-yards per reception). Look for Franks to continue his red zone dominance against the Vikings this Sunday.

Kicker

1. Jeff Wilkins (St. Louis Rams): The Rams might put up 50-plus points against the Colts this week and Wilkins will get his fair share.

2. Kris Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers): Leads the NFL with 115 points even though he's missed a league-high 14 field goal tries and two extra point conversions. Brown missed two field goals last Sunday, but still scored 10 points. According to reports out of Pittsburgh, Brown's kicking may have been the highlight of Thursday's practice when the former Cornhusker made all four of his kicks in a drill head coach Bill Cowher revived from his days as the special teams coach of the Cleveland Browns.

There you have it boys and girls. I'll go ahead and congratulate those of you with two or more of the above-mentioned "mortal locks" on your roster and I'll wish the rest of you a happy and safe New Year!

Bob Harris is Editor and Webmaster of the TFL Report and Senior Editor for Fantasy Sports Publications

Related information
Stories
Back Page: Statistical stocking stuffers Sunday's Best: Plenty of holiday gifts abound for fantasy owners Fantasy File: Meet the 2001 surprise all-stars
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.