Scott Engel

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! I will take your fantasy football questions today, and if you feel daring shoot me something on the upcoming NASCAR or Arena Football league seasons from the fantasy perspective!

David(RI)

Am I the only person in America that thinks the Chargers have a decent shot at beating the Pats? I mean loo,everything just worked out last week so neat and easy for the Pats to jog to another SB championship, nothing is that simple, especially in sports. All banged up, bad weather, unbeaten...I can see the Pats getting a major scare on Sunday and possibly losing and I'm not a Charger fan and dislike many of their players...

Scott Engel

  (3:03 PM)

I think people are simply searchinga nd hoping for a weakness with New England, but we have been through that 17 times. SD is banged up, and NE would have the advantage in bad weather. NE is too close to their goal now and won't be stopped.

Brad, ND

what type of an effect will the weather in Green Bay have on the players?

Scott Engel

  (3:06 PM)

The wind can certainly hinder the passing and kicking games, and hard footballs can lead to turnovers. I would avoid Giants in the Gridiron Playoff Challenge this week - Favre is much more experienced in adverse conditions, obviously

Brad, Fargo

What is up with Plaxico Burress? I know he has been injured all year, but the last two games, 38 yrds-wild card, 5yrds last week! What can we expect from him this weekend?

Scott Engel

  (3:08 PM)

In addition to him not being 100 percent, defenses have been using quarters coverage and double-teaming him because he is Eli's top deep receiver - this week, I would avoid using him in playoff leagues as the weather will force Eli to scale back the passing attack

Jerry (SF)

Scott, I know it's early but I have to pick one reciever to keep. Do you think it should be Lee Evans, Roy Williams, or Brandon Marshall? Thanks for the help!!

Scott Engel

  (3:09 PM)

Never too early to start talking keepers - I would go with Marshall - youn, lots of upside and has clearly emerged as a go-to guy - Williams has been injury-prone and Evans lacks complements

Mark (Atlanta, GA)

Any update on Phil Rivers? Did he practice today? Is he likely to play the whole game on Sunday?

Scott Engel

  (3:11 PM)

No update yet from practice but it should come shortly - At this point, I would expect Rivers to play, but I think he is risky on the road at NE at less than 100 percent

David (RI)

Scott...They are a great team with a great coach, but they have been volnerable the last third of the season. I don't know anyone that thought that the Colts would lose to SD. All I'm saying is its much closer and more dangerous to the Pats than almost everyone is thinking.

Scott Engel

  (3:14 PM)

I don't see them as vulnerable - the last few weeks have proven they can win the close ones as well as the blowouts - NE has a better receiving crew than Indy and a more complete defense - everyone is earching for a weakness with NE, it seems - the reality is, they don't make mistakes, as Mr. Hoge or Schlereth would tell you. They are perefect. I am getting tired of people saying "Brady's fingernails are dirty. He doesn't have a chance this week."

Scott Engel

  (3:16 PM)

My Gridiron Playoff Challenge Team for the next two weeks - Brady, Favre, Maroney, Grant, Jennings, Gaffney, Franks, Gostkoswki, NE D/ST

Scott Engel

  (3:19 PM)

Predictions for this weekend - NE 34, SD 21. GB 28, Giants 17

Scott Engel

  (3:24 PM)

Top 10 Fantasy NASCAR Drivers for 2007 - Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle., Kurt Busch

Mike(Charlotte)

Is Casey Mears a good sleeper this year?

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

I think he can definitely contend for the Chase in his second season with Hendrick, and he's going to be much more steady for fantasy purposes. Mears had some bad luck at Daytona testing last week, but it's nothing I would read much into. He's definitely very good as a complementary driver to your superstars this year

JD (Hoop Hall City)

Any use in making arguments about special teams tipping the games this weekend, if if they do, who will likely get the edge?

Scott Engel

  (3:29 PM)

I don't think it will be much of a factor in the NE game, as the Pats hardly punta t all and don;t settle for many field goals. In the GB game, I like Crosby much better than Tynes, especially for fantasy purposes, but the Giants have better return men, so that's even and I don't think that is where it will be decided

Patrick (Agawam MA)

Not surprising all your top 10 NASCAR drivers are from the Power Teams, Hendrick, Gibbs, Roush,...how did Penske and Childress manage to sneak 1 in?!

Scott Engel

  (3:37 PM)

Hendrick, of course, will be a wellspring of fantasy success this year, and any hype surrounding Junior may actually be lived up to. He's going to be a force now that he'll have a better, more dependable ride. As for Busch, he is very solid and looked like a champion again at times last year, and i think he is a lock for the Chase again and a very dependable fantasy driver. Harvick will do well enough just to hang around the back of the Chase field, but I would not want him as my top fantasy driver

Edwardo(NYC)

can you name your early top 5 or top 10 at QB, Wr, and Rb for next year.. thanks.. love the chats!!

Scott Engel

  (3:43 PM)

QB - Brady, Manning, Brees, Romo, Palmer, Derek Anderson, Favre, McNabb, Hasselbeck, Garrard, RB - Tomlinson, Westbrook, Peterson, Steven Jackson, Addai, Portis, Grant, McGahee, Lynch, Parker WR - Moss, Owens, Braylon Edwards, Wayne, Colston, Fitzgerald, Houshmandzadeh, Jennings, Welker, Marshall

Andy (Mt Airy, NC)

any idea as to who might go after M Turner? or who should go after him? Thanks

Scott Engel

  (3:44 PM)

Teams with RB needs include the Texans, Falcons Raiders, Lions and Seahawks. I could see Atlanta making a push for him, but Seattle would really be the best fit, where Alexander is not likely to bounce back well

Andy (MT.Airy, NC)

how good could D Bowe be if he had the right QB throwing the ball?

Scott Engel

  (3:46 PM)

I think Bowe did as well as he could as a rookie, and the QB situation didn't hold him back to much - he'll be more dependable as a fantasy starter next year if the Chiefs surround him with better complements

Eric (Denver, CO)

Do you see Julius Jones potentially regaining his status as a Top 20 type of RB once out of Dallas?

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

Of course, it all dpends where he lands, but I don;t think Jones is going to be viewed as a full-time RB by any prospective team on the market and he will only be top 25 at best

Justin (Pella, IA)

This maybe a little out of your area of interest, but it seems the Field Turf surface is on its way to becoming a majority of the NFL fields. Any impact on Fantasy numbers for-- say the Steelers who will make the switch from grass next season?

Scott Engel

  (3:51 PM)

I don't see it having a major impact at all, althugh the players in Seattle really seem to like it - some have complained it has less give, but I don't think it's enough to warrant a significant turn in numbers either way

Andy (Mt.Airy, NC)

I see MBIII not in your TOP 10 RB's...where would you put him and possible projections if he does become the starter?

Scott Engel

  (3:53 PM)

He is certainly top 15, but even if Julius Jones leaves, I don't think Dallas will turn the entire load over to him, even if he dominates the carries - Barber does lack open field explosiona nd I think the Cowboys could draft a slasher type to complemet him - but as the clear No. 1 RB, I could see 1,100-plus yards nad 13 TDs in the best case scenario

Dan (Baltimore)

Are you turning into another Negative Nate when it comes to MBIII?

Scott Engel

  (3:57 PM)

Not at all - I am just relatic about him - he's a very tough and determined runner, but he is nota breakaway guy, and I think Dallas would like to get a slasher/speedster to complement him and keep defense soff balance - just because I think Barber is lacking in one area doesn't mean I don;t like him as a very good fantasy player

Andy (Mt.Airy, NC)

We play 2 QB's and I only had 1 (Brady) for next season. I traded R Moss for C Palmer and F Taylor. My other starting WRs are B Marshall, Jennings...good trade?

Scott Engel

  (3:59 PM)

If I was trading Moss, I would have gotten Romo or Brees if I could, or I would have offered Marshall instead - you filled your need, but I think the other team made out a bit better

Scott Engel

  (4:00 PM)

Thanks a lot everyone - see you next week!