Well, if you are like me, you are watching the fantasy Championships from the sidelines. Oh the season as riding along just fine, until the injury Grinch snuck up and reeked a bit of havoc on my squad. First was Fred Jackson’s injured calf that turned out to be a broken leg. Honest mistake. Once I had a paper cut and turns out I separated my shoulder…. Then was the dreaded high ankle sprain to RB Adrian Peterson. Yep, with RB Toby Gerhart and BenJarvis Green-Ellis, consider the fantasy train officially derailed. **Sigh**

Bitter, party of me?   Nah...   Ok, maybe a little.

Anyway, in most leagues Week 16 is Championship Week. It’s the matchup for all the marbles! It’s the game to secure not only some extra holiday coinage, but the chance to procure that obnoxiously large league trophy that we discussed earlier in the season. You can liken it to the Leg Lamp in A Christmas Story. It’s a major award, and YOU want it! Yep, they’ll roll the crate in your front door.

Well, to get to that point, let’s take a look at some Feast or Famine options for Week 16:

“I Want An Official Red Ryder, Carbine Action, Two-Hundred Shot Range Model Air Rifle!!”

QB Phillip Rivers vs Detroit Lions

Don’t count the Bolts out just yet kids. Rivers is gaining some momentum, minimizing mistakes, and reveling in the steady return of all his downfield weapons. This game should be a quite an offensive display, and a great one for the Chargers signal caller, as long as the San Diego offensive line can keep Lions DT Hdamukong Suh out of Rivers’ grill.

QB Kyle Orton vs Oakland Raiders

I mentioned him as a waiver wire selection this week, and I am putting my money (so to speak) where my mouth is and recommending Orton this week against the Raiders. The Chiefs elevate their level of play at home, have the opportunity to put a dent in a divisional foe’s playoff hopes, and are playing against a defense he should be able to exploit. Look for a solid day all around from Orton and his receivers in this one.

RB Kahlil Bell vs the Green Bay Packers

I will preface this buy saying as long as the Bears are in this game, Bell will get an opportunity to do his thing. It should be moderately interesting, as the Bears defense is playing at an elite level, and they meet a Packers team that felt loss for the first time this season. All that said, I believe the Packers deficiencies on defense could make for a decent day for Bell. Work with me here.. His name is Bell – Christmas night.. HELLO…

RB LeGarrette Blount vs Carolina Panthers

The Buccaneers have been in a bit f a funk recently, and to get out of the aforementioned funk, that means running Blount early and often. The good thing is the Panthers can be run on. As long as the game is in reach and Tampa Bay doesn’t have to abandon that type attack, Blount should be in for a productive afternoon.

WR Plaxico Burress vs the New York Giants

This one has intrigue written all over it. Firstly, it’s the battle of New York and Jets head coach Rex Ryan is talking already. Second, Burress gets to match up against his former team and given the state of the Giants secondary, inside the 20 Burress will prove virtually un-coverable.

WR Mike Wallace vs St. Louis Rams

It is my hopes that his quiet last few weeks didn’t upset your Championship aspirations. In the event that you weathered the storm, look for Wallace to bust out this week at home against the hapless Rams.

WR Laurent Robinson vs Philadelphia Eagles

As well as the Eagles are playing defensively, they still run into issues when they play a team with a talented third receiver. The matchup problems will create headaches for the Eagles and an all-around good day for Robinson. WR’s Dez Bryant and Miles Austin will have their problems, but look for Robinson to put up quality numbers.

WR Andre Roberts vs Cincinnati Bengals

Face it, the guy is red hot – did it last year and is doing it again. I wouldn’t make him your #1 or #2 receiver this week, but in leagues that start 3 receivers, he is a fantastic option in that spot. In many cases, it’s points from the deeper guys that make all the difference.

TE Anthony Fasano vs New England Patriots

So he isn’t Rob Gronkowski or even Aaron Hernandez. However Fasano has been an effective option downfield for the Dolphins this season and I look for him to add to his touchdown totals this weekend. Mark him down for 40+ yards and a score. You heard it here first.

TE Owen Daniels vs Indianapolis Colts

Congratulations to the Colts! If it wasn’t for RB Arian Foster,  I would lean to them grabbing win #2 this week against the Texans. That said, I think with WR Andre Johnson out and Foster providing his regular offensive punch, I think that Daniels finds some open space to make plays and Yates hits him for at least one touchdown. Pure gut call, but I have a gut, so there you have it.

“You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out, Kid!!”

QB Carson Palmer vs Kansas City Chiefs

The same Chiefs defense that shut down Packers QB Aaron Rodgers returns home to host Palmer and the Raiders. I’d probably steer clear in this one, as the Chiefs are in full blown spoiler mode and could give Palmer some problems this week.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick vs Denver Broncos

I would expect after the loss to the New England Patriots, the Denver defense will be looking to right the ship this week against Fitzpatrick and the Bills. The Bills are in a state of flux since losing RB Fred Jackson and this week they get an irritated Broncos team looking to stay in the hunt.

RB Marshawn Lynch vs San Francisco 49ers

While I agree you are going to start him, the matchup couldn’t be worse for Lynch this week. The Niners have been beyond stingy against the run this year, not allowing a rushing score in 14 weeks. Not a recipe for Skittles, or success for that matter.

RB Frank Gore vs Seattle Seahawks

My concern here is how the Niners will choose to handle Gore in this game, especially when it is widley known that he is battling a plethora of small but nagging injuries. I don’t see the point in running him ragged in a game with little or no meaning and risking further injury. I would look for RB Kendall Hunter to see more action that usual.

RB BenJarvis Green-Ellis vs Miami Dolphins

Law Firm’s overall yards have dwindled in the last couple of week, his saving grace being a trip or two to the endzone. However this week against the Dolphins, I wouldn’t be looking for much or either. Despite all of Miami’s issues in 2011, their defense against the run and their defense overall has been stellar. I’d walk away from, BGE, Danny Woodhead, Stevan Ridley – the whole lot of ‘em as the passing game will rule the day, and the running game well, won’t.

WR Hakeem Nicks vs New York Jets

Obviously we have another player that you wouldn’t sit under any circumstances, but you can’t really blame my skepticism, can you? I was pretty sure I saw unflappable CB Derrelle Revis exploited a few times last week. That said I am sure that it won’t happen again this week. The other Giants receivers may find some daylight against the Jets, but I think Nicks might found himself in lockdown mode for a better part of the afternoon.

WR Brandon Lloyd vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Quite honestly, I love Lloyd. He is a solid player week in and week out. But this week it won’t be how he is defended that concerns me. It is the pressure that will be applied against an inexperienced quarterback that will basically nullify Lloyd’s fantasy relevance this week. A running back can run, but a wide receiver needs a quarterback to deliver him the ball. I see this being a problem this week for Lloyd and the Rams.

WR Desean Jackson vs Dallas Cowboys

Why trot this guy out there in yoru leagues Championship Week? Why entrust a guy who basically sat on his hands (but not his mouth) all season in a salary and contract dispute? Safe to say he's been an abject disappointment all season long and I wouldn't take that risk. He's been a bum all season, coasting on name value. Don't reward mediocrity by putting him in your lineup at this critical juncture. Grab someone else and you'll do just fine. Can you tell I am born and raised in Philadelphia?

WR Damian Williams vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Williams had a nice little productive run for a few weeks, without question. But with QB Jake Locker behind center for the Titans, it has been fairly obvious that WR Nate Washington not Williams, is Locker’s favored downfield option. With those developments, if you need to start a Tennessee Titans wide receiver, the clear choice is Nate Washington. My condolences.

Best of luck to everyone.

And remember, the secret decoder message is “Be Sure To Read Your FantasyGameday.net”

I Triple-Dog Dare ya to Tweet that to #fantasyfootball.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!!