AJ Mass

  (2:59 PM)

Looks like its you and me, folks. Matthew is off to see the wizard... something about a broken Madden controller? I don't know. Let's get to it.

Steven Jackson (St Louie)

Should I sit tonight vs. a tough Steelers D, and let Ryan Grant and Earnest Graham lead my owner to his first ever Superbowl?

AJ Mass

  (2:59 PM)

Yes, Jax. Sit down, relax, enjoy a fine beverage of your choosing.

John, Huntsville, AL

Romo or Favre? Grant or S. Jackson?

AJ Mass

  (3:00 PM)

Both have something "to play for" but I think Romo is far more motivated to put up some decent stats this week. And I'll go Grant.

Jason, Baltimore

Just writing to cry a little. I lost my first two games, and then won the final 10. I had most points for with 1000, and an average win margin of 25 points. I had Brady, TO, Welker, MJD, Jacobs, the Seattle D and Rudi Johnson in as a upside flex. I put up 19 points last week, got crushed, and now I'm watching the Superbowl from the sidelines. Fantasy can be a harsh mistress.

AJ Mass

  (3:01 PM)

Welcome to fantasy football, Jason.

Scott, Alexandria VA

A.J., whuddya think....Rosenfelds or Jeff Garcia this weekend?

AJ Mass

  (3:02 PM)

I think Garcia, so long as the back holds out.

Tim (ATL)

AJ, can you help me out? Would you trade away reggie bush for fred taylor in a keeper league? in the championship this week and need some RB help, but is that too big of a future hit to do?

AJ Mass

  (3:03 PM)

Two different questions... for the future it's better to have Bush. But the idea is to win now. Taylor helps you a heck of a lot more today. I make the deal.

Jason - Boston

Hey AJ, thanks for a great year - helped me reach the championship! Start Fred Taylor and Marshawn over Rudi and Clinton?

AJ Mass

  (3:04 PM)

Yes and yes. And be thankful you don't live in Baltimore.

Kyle (Columbia, MD)

Hey AJ, gotta figure out who to start at my WR/TE flex position - Cooley, Santonio Holmes, or Shaun McDonald? Thanks!

AJ Mass

  (3:05 PM)

I'd go with Holmes, as tempting as it is to go with McDonald - I trust Ben a lot more than Kitna.

Rick - Philly

Do i trust the crystal ball and play ward over driver? It also said to play the lion's def over the patriot's def.

AJ Mass

  (3:06 PM)

Ward is a better play than Driver. Donald doesn't score TDs. Hines does. I like Detroit's D against Croyle. Pats are likely to give up a lot of garbage yards... Lions aren't better - but can get better fantasy points.

Will (Fullerton, CA)

You've said a few times now to bench S-Jax. So does that mean I am better off playing Jacobs or MJD this week?

AJ Mass

  (3:08 PM)

I'm just not convinced that Jackson will go the whole game. Jacobs is a far better play, likely to get 125 yards. I might go with Jackson over MJD, but that's a tough call with the Rams having no reason to play the studs.

Jason (SF, CA)

Hey AJ, thanks for your wonderful work this year! Do I go with Lendale White or Willie Parker? Kitna or Garcia?

AJ Mass

  (3:09 PM)

I'll take my chances with Willie over Lunchdale. And I go Garcia.

Dan (Raleigh)

How much does Bush take away from Stecker? Am I safe to assume a decoy here?

AJ Mass

  (3:09 PM)

I'm not thinking Bush goes. If anything, he lines up at WR a few times to avoid pounding into the line and reinjuring himself.

Major Suck Up, Military Base

AJ, you're my last hope! Big Ben tonight or chance the weather for Anderson? Please, Please, Please!!

AJ Mass

  (3:10 PM)

I'm going Anderson. I do not fear the weather.

Jack Straw (Wichita)

I promise I won't ask this anymore. Just give me a name sir! Ward or Jennings???

AJ Mass

  (3:10 PM)

Jennings.

Evan (stressed out, CA)

AJ, I need help!!!! Need 2 for the championship.. .5pts per rec. Bruce, Gaffney, Evans, Hester??? THANKS!!!

AJ Mass

  (3:11 PM)

Bruce and Evans

dan (KC)

The title is on the line. Can I trust Rudi to have a decent game against Cle? Or should I hitch my trailer to Aaron Stecker?

AJ Mass

  (3:11 PM)

Get the trailer to New Orleans.

3rd WR used to be Walker or Harrison:

Where does the yellow brick road lead? Cotchery, Moss, or White this week?

AJ Mass

  (3:12 PM)

Assuming you're asking about Santana and not Randy, it leads to White.

Dan Cleveland

PLEASE HELP! for the championship. Everyone has Favre ahead of Palmer, but I am tempted to start Palmer because he has lit cleveland up the last two times they have played. Why is Favre the better play?

AJ Mass

  (3:13 PM)

I don't think he is. A lot of people are worried about poor weather conditions. I don't buy into the fact that's an automatic negative.

Rick (VA)

Do you take the Red pill and follow Hines Ward down the rabbit hole, or take the blue pill and wake up to watch Chad Johnson on Sunday?

AJ Mass

  (3:14 PM)

I go 85, Morpheus.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Opening gifts on Christmas Eve or opening them on Christmas morning?

AJ Mass

  (3:14 PM)

Opened them over Hanukkah, but thanks for playing.

Mike (FL)

Gaffney or Roydell? Yuck, I know

AJ Mass

  (3:15 PM)

Roydell's not so much a yuck. Young likes him and the Jets aren't exactly the greatest D in the world.

Ed (its 11:58) PLEASE ANSWER

Please HELP!!! I made it this far but I now i need some help. Pick One: R Dayne, A Stecker, K Jones. Also, I Bruce or A Gonzalez. Thanks and happy holidays..

AJ Mass

  (3:16 PM)

Stecker. Dayne is hurt and Jones plays for a team that can go weeks between handoffs. I like Bruce tonight.

Nick (Greenwich, CT)

Hey Aj!! Long-time viewer!! lol.. Packers or BUCS defnese 'Fo da Ship!!!!! :) Happy Holidays!

AJ Mass

  (3:17 PM)

Both are good plays, but I'll keep riding Tampa.

Will (Indianapolis)

I know I know, check the rankings, but there is the reassurance factor that just comes with your kind typing...MJD or Fred Taylor? Thanks. Im dedicating my Championship Win to you!

AJ Mass

  (3:17 PM)

Fred.

Matt (Bmore, Md)

Ouch...harsh on Baltimore man...Speaking of which does Boller sit and Smith start and what do you expect out of Mason and McGahee?

AJ Mass

  (3:19 PM)

No diss on the Inner Harbor - commenting on the prior comment from Jason from Baltimore to another guy named Jason. Stay with me people. They SHOULD sit Boller and play Smith. We can only hope Billick stops being stubborn. That said, I like Willis, but not Mason.

Dan - San Jose

I decided not to go with your advice last week and I LOST because of it. I will never doubt you again. Please pick two: Boldin, Holt, Welker.

AJ Mass

  (3:20 PM)

Welker for sure. Holt may be rested, and Boldin isn't exactly the bastion of health. I'll lean Anquan, but it's only a slight lilt.

Steve(Hartford)

Any word on M. Turner? What do you think are the chances of LT resting next week and who is his backup?

AJ Mass

  (3:23 PM)

Turner missed practice earlier in the week. Another case of not needing to rush him back with the game fairly meaningless. But it is a Monday game, so it's plausible he might be back. Either way, LT will likely be rested late. I wouldn't start either Turner or Sproles though.

Jack (NYC)

My fantasy championship depends on the answer to this question: Portis or Edge this week in a PPR league?

AJ Mass

  (3:25 PM)

Let's take the Edge.

Chace (LA)

Why do you think Kolby Smith is a better start than Brandon Jacobs?

AJ Mass

  (3:26 PM)

Never said I did. And I don't. Are you feeling OK? Would you like a cold compress?

JB (Wheeling WV)

Would you start K. Jones, Kolb or Gore this week? Thanks.

AJ Mass

  (3:27 PM)

Of those three, we go Gore.

Jay (MA)

For all the marbles!! Redskins, Giants, or Chiefs Def this week?

AJ Mass

  (3:27 PM)

All the Marbles - a fine Peter Falk film about ladies' wrestling. I like NYG.

Tim (NY)

Hector and Victor love Bobby Wade this week. Is something wrong with them?

AJ Mass

  (3:28 PM)

I don't have the H&V picks in front of me, but with Rice gimpy, and the Skins likely to load the box on AP, it's not a horrible sleeper pick.

Ryan , Philly

my ring depends on this on... dayne or A.Gonzo at flex??

AJ Mass

  (3:29 PM)

Gonzo. Avoid Dayne this week - huge red flags.

Brian (Ontario)

Bench Jackson in favor of K. Jones? Also Evans or White?

AJ Mass

  (3:30 PM)

No, not for Kevin. I like Evans.

Peter Falk

Love ladies wrestling... Cutler or Garrard.. S. YOUNG OR ENGRAM

AJ Mass

  (3:30 PM)

I'd go Garrard and Engram.

Taylor (MI)

reggie bush, darius walker, arnaz battle, justin gage, jabar gaffney, or lamont jordan as my flex? non-ppr league.

AJ Mass

  (3:32 PM)

I think I'd actually go Battle. It's between him and Walker if I'm sure Dayne is too hurt to play.

M. Millen (Detroit)

Parcells just signed.. Miami to improve fast?

AJ Mass

  (3:33 PM)

Not unless he plans on starting at QB. (You know, if he were a good QB or something like that.)

Bizzy(philly)

Am i crazy for playing Ap(minn) and Grant and sitting Addai?

AJ Mass

  (3:34 PM)

Why on earth would you be crazy for starting Peterson? And Grant is certainly able to get 100. If you're fearful Addai gets rested, then you have to start those two.

Buddy the Elf (Back in the North Pole)

Big question before my finals. Bulger or Todd Collins?

AJ Mass

  (3:35 PM)

Todd Collins. Got this nagging premonition of a lot of hair smothering Bulger.

Ryan (Austin, TX)

No Holiday cards for Martz or Petrino!!! Who touches the ball more often this week...Norwood or KJones?

AJ Mass

  (3:36 PM)

Norwood.

Tim (ATL)

what's your favorite tie-breaker for a championship? bench total is tough because it's a keeper league so guys have hurt players on their bench.

AJ Mass

  (3:38 PM)

Wrote a whole column about this on Monday, so thanks for being SUCH a loyal reader. ( I keed. I keed. ) I hate bench points. These are the guys you chose not to play, and some are only there as handcuffs. I go with declaring OT players - rank your bench in order of preference and go down the list until somebody wins. Much more true to the spirit of the game.

Tyrone (Seattle, Wa)

This is for the Championship in my league so I need some help. Should I start Clinton Portis or LenDale White? I'm favoring White because they play the Jets but Portis could possibly get to the outside on the Vikes D.

AJ Mass

  (3:39 PM)

Yeah, Minny's D makes Portis a real hard sell. Looks like its second helpings for White.

The Rog-Dude (Bothell, WA)

I'm your biggest fan, so you better answer this... Who do I start this week, my hero Favre? or hunky Romo?

AJ Mass

  (3:40 PM)

This question scares me so.

AJ Mass

  (3:40 PM)

(I've already said Romo over Favre - scroll back and see!)

Jeff, Southampton NY

All experts say stick with your studs, but I'm thinking about benching Frank gore for the big game this weekend, I have Jacobs and MJD, but i'm nervous what do ya think?

AJ Mass

  (3:41 PM)

Since I consider Jacobs a stud, this would not bother me one bit.

The Rog-Dude (Bothell, WA)

Sorry... I got flustered.

AJ Mass

  (3:42 PM)

What! I thought nothing flusters the Rog-Dude!

Matt,MPLS

My league has moved away from H2H and plays in a league where the most points goes 8-0 for the week and so on down. I want to go back to H2H and if not, at least just play straight up points. How would you rank the three scoring systems and why?

AJ Mass

  (3:44 PM)

H2H for me is the most fun, especially because it's far easier to keep track of how your team is doing... but I will admit the 8-0 system is actually the best way of figuring out which team is the best. I still prefer H2H, though... that extra element of luck of the draw makes the game far more interesting to me.

Tim (Blacksburg, VA)

Everyone is telling me willie and taylor, but i just can't sit Addai, thoughts?

AJ Mass

  (3:46 PM)

It's your team. Do what you want. Addai is a solid player and it's not like you're talking about starting Antonio Pittman on a hunch. The odds favor sitting Addai - but the odds are not always right.

Rob (Grand Rapids, MI)

Collins over Bulger? That's not what your rankings say. What about Sage vs Bulger?

AJ Mass

  (3:47 PM)

<--- Not TMR. Hello. Is this thing on?

Jess (Philly)

If Hackett plays, should he be started over C. henry, roydell williams or Battle at WR3?

AJ Mass

  (3:49 PM)

I don't see Hackett playing. So, if he does end up on the field, I'd rather go with Henry or Williams.

Jess (Philly)

A.J. You are my hero and favorite analyst!

AJ Mass

  (3:50 PM)

I've always said that when it comes to taste, Jess from Philly has the market cornered.

Kevin (cleveland)

Warner or Hasselbeck?

AJ Mass

  (3:50 PM)

I'm going with Kurt - and let's kick off LIGHTNING ROUND!!!!

Cage (NEPA)

What are your thoughts on DST losing a shutout bonus because of the offence giving up a DTD?

AJ Mass

  (3:51 PM)

Dem's da breaks.

anthony (nj)

Two critical close calls: Eli in the elements vs. Rivers in what may be less than a full game again? Kevin Jones against a recently awful run defense or Maroney who may be featured again in bad weather? Thanks.

AJ Mass

  (3:52 PM)

I can't start Eli. I just can't. And the RB selection is equally bleah. I guess I'd have to go with Maroney.

Lightning Round.....KO punch

Jennings over Wayne (becasue they may rest him)???

AJ Mass

  (3:52 PM)

That's not a bad choice to make.

Wise ( Austin, Mass)

Hello TMR. This whole conversation contradicts your rankings?

AJ Mass

  (3:53 PM)

Hello, Wise? Not exactly living up to the name there, buddy.

Will (Fxburg, Va)

Should I take the gamble in the apparent shootout game with Chris Henry(cincy) or go with the steady hands of Bobby Engram?

AJ Mass

  (3:53 PM)

I would go for the gold!

Ron (Denver)

Scheffler or V Davis?

AJ Mass

  (3:54 PM)

Scheffler.

Rob (Grand Rapids, MI)

See I'm not the only one. Sorry AJ, saw the photo and title at the top of the page. Can I still get an answer? Sage or Bulger?

AJ Mass

  (3:54 PM)

No worries, Rob. The big "AJ Mass:" before each response should be a giveaway though. I'm rolling with Sage.

Pink Floyd, London

You are only coming through in waves. Fitzgerald ok to deploy this weekend?

AJ Mass

  (3:55 PM)

I think I might opt for another WR if I had one who wasn't so, shall we say, uncomfortable.

Pat (College Park)

Wow AJ, from the looks of that picture you've really let yourself go.

AJ Mass

  (3:56 PM)

What surprised me most of all was waking up to the smell of crocodile.

Rico(Melbourne) PLEASE HELP

Holmes, Branch or Ward

AJ Mass

  (3:57 PM)

Ward

Kyle (Columbia, MD)

Cooley or Santonio? Cooley = great match-up, Santonio = lingering injury...

AJ Mass

  (3:57 PM)

Not so great matchup if they leave Cooley at home to help run-block. I'd go Santonio.

Jon (Kansas City, KS)

You've mentioned you like Fred Taylor and Jacobs this week. Which do you like better? I'm assuming you like them both better than Parker this week.

AJ Mass

  (3:58 PM)

Yepper doodles. One more!

Josh (Denver)

Can you give me a pick out of Stecker, Rudi or Norwood

AJ Mass

  (3:59 PM)

Gotta go with Stecker.

Rebel (Lexington, KY)

Driver or A. Gonzalez in a PPR league?

AJ Mass

  (3:59 PM)

Bonus answer for good kids: Driver.

little timmy (the orphange)

gore portis or Rudy?

AJ Mass

  (4:00 PM)

Going Gore --- and then I'm going too. Have to see a dermatologist about this "condition" you all seem to have noticed. Be well, good luck and happy holidays to you all.