AJ Mass

  (10:58 AM)

Happy holiday season one and all. We're into the nitty gritty as most Championship Games start tonight. Let's get the ball rolling, shall we? Who's up first?

Mike (VA)

AJ, who should I start at W/R...Chester Taylor, Braylon Edwards, Hightower or Hixon? Thanks!

AJ Mass

  (10:59 AM)

I can't see Timmy doing much, and Hixon is a bit unreliable. I'd go with Chester... he's put up several solid weeks in a row, and if the Vikings are up big/down big AP will get rest.

Jonathan: (Montgomery, PA)

what two RBs would you start out of steven jackson, deangelo williams, and pierre thomas?

AJ Mass

  (11:00 AM)

I'm sitting S-Jax. He looked OK last week, but he's the only legit option his team has, and there's really nothing to play for.

Rich - Chippewa Falls, WI

Mathew Berry has Houston D ranked #1 this week... Should I sit Miami's D and start Houston, or is he a little off on this one?

AJ Mass

  (11:01 AM)

Who is going to catch passes for Oakland? Curry and Lelie are almost surely out. I fear not Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens.

Joe (chicago)

Championship starts tonight! Who to start at flex: Rhodes, D. Foster, or L. Moore?

AJ Mass

  (11:03 AM)

I'd go with Dominic. Dungy is already talking about resting players next week, so an iffy Addai is not going to play all of this week, and may not play much at all.

Adam (Jersey)

Hi AJ - Sans Marvin Harrison, woul you start Gonzalez over Marion Barber?

AJ Mass

  (11:04 AM)

Yes, b/c I have no faith in Barber's health. I don't love Gonzalez at all, but because I have to decide today, I'm pulling the trigger.

Derek (Littleton, CO)

Good morning AJ! Who would you start this week at flex out of Cadillac, K. Walter, Bess, or Benson? Thanks!

AJ Mass

  (11:06 AM)

Walter is my choice here. Cadillac is a close second, but I've been high on Walter all season, and I have faith in one more solid week.

Jason (Seattle)

Not worried about the weather in NE, but I am worried about Warner mailing it in with nothing to win or lose. Do you start Warner or Cassel?

AJ Mass

  (11:08 AM)

I start Cassel since I think the Patriots win this game. The Cards will surely run to Leinart late if this game is out of reach, since AZ is locked into the 4 seed.

AJ Mass

  (11:08 AM)

I start Cassel since I think the Patriots win this game. The Cards will surely run to Leinart late if this game is out of reach, since AZ is locked into the 4 seed.

Fernando (Miami)

Thigpen or Hill for the championship?

AJ Mass

  (11:09 AM)

I like Shaun Hill. Color me not so wiggy as some of my colleagues, at least not this season.

Steve (Syracuse)

Slaton, Turner or PThomas, odd man out---good problem to have I know

AJ Mass

  (11:10 AM)

Of the three I think Turner has the worst day.

Craig (St. Paul, MN)

I can't believe I'm actually starting a waiver pickup (P. Thomas) and fourth rounder (T. Jones) over two first rounders (LDT and S. Jackson) in the Championship, but would you agree it's the right way to go?

AJ Mass

  (11:11 AM)

Craig, once that draft is over, my roster is my roster. Labels such as "first rounder" have zero meaning. After all, who are you starting this week? "Waiver wire pickup" Matt Cassel or "1st Rounder" Tom Brady.

Adam (Chicago)

Romo or Pennington?

AJ Mass

  (11:12 AM)

Chad. Romo will get hit. Frequently. All that abuse adds up.

Jim (NYC)

Deshaun Foster over Housh at flex if Gore is out?

AJ Mass

  (11:14 AM)

Yes, I think you have to go that route... with Cleveland-Cincy, the game will either be 52-45 or 7-3, but Foster should be able to get close to 100 total yards if Gore is out. I'll take that.

Josh (Pennsylvania)

Weather conditions are expected to be snowy and windy on Sunday in New England. Would you start Matt Schaub @Oak over Kurt Warner @NE if the weather is bad?

AJ Mass

  (11:16 AM)

No, I don't look at the weather at all when choosing a lineup. I believe that, barring hurricane force winds, snow doesn't effect QBs - in fact it may even help them as the WRs know which route they are running and are far less likely to slip. Warner's a better play.

Cedar Falls, IA

I got 3 rbs to choose and i can't do it, once you read this you will understand why. I've got T. Jones, D. Willams, A. Peterson, P. Thomas, S. Slaton. Have fun

AJ Mass

  (11:17 AM)

Are you in a 1-team league? Seriously, what RBs could your opponent have that could match any of those you choose?

Tom (Chicago)

How worried should I be about the injury status of both Adrian Peterson and Anquin Boldin? I'm in the title game here!

AJ Mass

  (11:19 AM)

You have to start AP. As for Boldin, if he plays at all, he's a must start. Wait until game time to make that call. I'd take one half of each over many backup options.

Jmerms (NYC)

Whats going on with Marvin Harrison?

AJ Mass

  (11:19 AM)

He is out for tonight. Anthony Gonzalez will take his place. Harrison will not play next week either if the Colts win tonight.

Joel (East Longmeadow, MA)

I've decided that I'm not going to play Addai tonight, so do you like Chester Taylor over Dunn this week? I fear Cadillac taking more and more carries away from Dunn.

AJ Mass

  (11:21 AM)

I don't think Cadillac steals so many carries, but he will get the goal-line work, which certainly cuts into Dunn's potential scoring. I do like Taylor more this week.

Dennis (MO)

Does Harrison out help Gonzo or Clark more?

AJ Mass

  (11:23 AM)

Well, it helps both, in a way. Gonzalez isn't stuck running the WR3 routes, so he doesn't have to compete with Clark for those short over the middle throws. And Clark has a "lesser receiver" where Gonzalez used to be, making him likely to get more targets as well.

Mike(Villanova, PA)

For all the marbles! and money! Hill or McNabb? Lee Evans or V. Jackson?

AJ Mass

  (11:24 AM)

McNabb over Hill and Jackson over Evans.

Alan (Austin Tx)

For flex play ,who looks better Choice, Rhodes or Ward.

AJ Mass

  (11:25 AM)

Assuming Jacobs plays, I like Ward in that spot. He's far more successful as the change of pace guy than the go-to guy. Choice has done well versus Pitt and NYG, but I'm still not sold he'll have the success against Baltimore.

Jamie (Atlanta, GA)

Grant or Brown this week? Rankings and projections are close, so to me it is a matchup vs timeshare issue and I am still torn. Opinion? THANKS.

AJ Mass

  (11:26 AM)

I'd go with Brown. I don't like playing road MNF's when they really have nothing to play for.

Steiny (NYC)

John Carney or Mare?

AJ Mass

  (11:27 AM)

Let me get this coin out of my pocket... call it in the air....

Jason (Bethlehem, PA)

ARI starters: Any merit to the theory on them sitting a portion or all of a meaningless game this week? Thanks.

AJ Mass

  (11:29 AM)

I don't think its a meaningless game. Sure, if they stink up the joint early on, the odds of seeing Leinart-to-Urban increases no end, but after they played so poorly last week, they HAVE to work out a more balanced offense attack, and really need to have their guys play.

Justin (Puxico, MO)

I am in my championship game and all of my WR"s have great matchups so which one do I pick out of the three? Steve Smith, Lance Moore, Bernard Berrian.

AJ Mass

  (11:29 AM)

Steve Smith (assuming it's the Carolina version).

Joel (East Longmeadow, MA)

Thanks for the advice, AJ. One more from me please: stick with the banged up Tenn DST or take a flier on GB or maybe even CLE?

AJ Mass

  (11:31 AM)

Good heavens Joel! Step away from the computer. Put down that mouse!

Frank the Tank

Hey AJ. Think it's stupid to hang with Scheffler this week? He's done the job for me so far but it might be a close one this week.

AJ Mass

  (11:32 AM)

Scheffler has certainly disappointed, and there are many tight ends like Carlson and Boss and Lee that are in the same general tier that are better plays.

Tina, Gastonia, NC

help please! Santanio Holmes or Derrick Mason?

AJ Mass

  (11:34 AM)

I have to go with Holmes given the lack of Haynesworth at least making the Titans defense a bit more mortal than usual.

David(California)

can i securely use the browns defense against the bengals? or stick to bucs defense this week?

AJ Mass

  (11:35 AM)

Stick with the Bucs. As I said earlier, the Ohio battle could just as easily be 100 total points as a scoreless tie.

Rich, Kansas

AJ, Evans or Curtis this weekend? Thanks for all your advice this season!

AJ Mass

  (11:36 AM)

Don't love Evans, but with Trent Edwards coming back, I have to believe he'll get enough looks to get some stats. I go with him.

Philip (NC)

I HATE Thursday games!!! Do I play Addai tonight or do I wait and hope that Foster gets the start for the 49ers on Sunday?

AJ Mass

  (11:37 AM)

I think Addai plays, but I don't think he plays a lot, and probably not at all in the second half. Everything I've heard on Gore leads me to believe he sits, so I'd hold out.

Elizabeth (Los Angeles, CA)

Hey AJ. Do you think Coles gets it done this week? Edwards was a stud last week too, but I need a reliable player for my flex spot. Bess, Choice, Hightower too. Those are my options. Eep.

AJ Mass

  (11:40 AM)

I am not high on Coles... another west coast trip for the Jets, and the last three haven't been stellar. I'd let Braylon go for me.

Keeper Question:

Need to decide today: which 2 do I keep, torain,Pierre thomas,welker,avery,bensen,santonio H,or felix jones?

AJ Mass

  (11:42 AM)

Why oh why do we need to decide today? This is ridiculous. We don't even know who will be on what team next season with what coaches, how could we know who best to keep? I'm not going to be an enabler here. Sorry.

Will (STL)

Most projections I've seen indicate that I should start TO over Bowe in a half PPR. However, expert rankings seem to think Bowe is the better play. Considering that I'm starting the Baltimore D and like to avoid conflicts of interest whenever possible, who would you recommend as the stronger play (other starting WRs are Roddy and Welker)? Thanks, man.

AJ Mass

  (11:44 AM)

I actually don't mind starting a WR and the defense he faces. For one, it makes me immune to any fumbles (as I'll get those points back) and my WR can still have a 100 yard day without destroying my defense's YA. I also however think Bowe is a stronger play.

Rufio (Rip City)

Start 2: Santana, Royal, Holt, or A. Gonzo? Thanks!

AJ Mass

  (11:45 AM)

I'm going Holt and Gonzalez.

joe (semi-finals)

big game versus the boss! Sammy Morris or Laveranues Coles

AJ Mass

  (11:45 AM)

Sammy.

DA

Portis or Foster (assuming Gore sits)?

AJ Mass

  (11:46 AM)

Foster.

Help

Shockey or Schefler Tampa or NYJ

AJ Mass

  (11:46 AM)

Shockey and Jets.

Bird (Knoxville, TN)

Lightning round! Schaub or McNabb for all the marbles in my championship?

AJ Mass

  (11:46 AM)

Donovan

Jennifer (Baltimore)

Yuck. Houston DST or Cleveland DST?

AJ Mass

  (11:46 AM)

Houston. Not yuck at all.

Rod (Chicago)

What about kickers in bad weather? Should I pick up someone to replace Gostkowski? Or does he have the testicular fortitude to make it irrelevant? Also, Bears or Colts D?

AJ Mass

  (11:47 AM)

There you go... kickers ARE affected by bad weather. Look elsewhere there. And I'd go Colts D.

j (pdx)

this is killing me. pick 1 RB to start. rhodes, addai, parker...

AJ Mass

  (11:49 AM)

I think you gotta go Rhodes.

tom (de)

Hi AJ, which 3 for my championship game: Westbrook, Turner, TJones, Lynch, Pierre Thomas.

AJ Mass

  (11:49 AM)

Not Westbrook. I'd also sit Lynch, but it's close.

Bob - Billings MT

How can we rely on matchups when even they are so unpredictable? Case in point - Westy was the #1 play last week against CLE, and he got about 5 pts. So what do we do?

AJ Mass

  (11:51 AM)

You have to base decisions on something, and in this case, the matchup was good. The problem was primarily that it was TOO GOOD and Kyle Eckel came in with a 3-score lead late. If the game was closer, Westbrook would have played more... and if Andy Reid hadn't gotten cute and had DeSean Jackson throw a pass, Westbrook could have had closer to 20 points.

Scott (Boston)

Why not Westbrook?

AJ Mass

  (11:53 AM)

I don't think he's at full health, and I don't think the Redskins mount enough of a threat to keep the game close, meaning Westbrook probably sits a good portion of the second half again.

Meg (Indiana)

Brandon Jacobs or Sammy Morris as flex?

AJ Mass

  (11:55 AM)

I'd go Morris since waiting on Jacobs might end up costing you, and I don't think he gets more than 15 carries if he does in fact play.

Sean (orlando)

Hey AJ- you dont seem to like Schaub that much? Schaub or RIVERS this week?

AJ Mass

  (11:57 AM)

I'd go Rivers. I don't necessarily hate Schaub, but he does have to contend with Nnamdi Awesome-O and I'm not convinced Rosenfels doesn't get a few series.

Troy (KY)

Just before the horn ... Bess or D-Jax???

AJ Mass

  (11:57 AM)

Bess

alvin LB

FOR THE RING! orton or matt ryan? thanx AJ!

AJ Mass

  (11:58 AM)

Roll with Ryan.

Jimmy (NC)

AJ - Last second shot....Any chance Cutler's playing time shrinks of they have already clinched a playoff spot by kick-off?

AJ Mass

  (11:59 AM)

I don't think so. I think the game stays close and Broncos play to win regardless.

AJ Mass

  (12:01 PM)

Well folks, that's the time for today. I appreciate all the questions, as usual, and sorry we can't get to them all. Good luck to all of you still playing, and remember, there's another chat at 3pm. Peace out, and we'll see you the next time on VIlla Allegre!