Did you miss my fantasy segment with Mo Egger on Thursday on ESPN 1530? Here are my notes...

WEATHER WATCH
(Conditions owners need to keep their eyes on for this week)

--Jets at Steelers
--Eagles at Giants
--Packers at Patriots
--Bears at Vikings
--Broncos at Raiders (heavy rain)

FANTASY INFIRMARY
(Some key injuries that could have an impact in Week 15)

QB Aaron Rodgers (concussion) – He was forced from last week’s matchup with the Lions after suffering his second concussion of the year. Owners that were fortunate to survive his two-point output last week will likely need to look elsewhere in Week 15. The team will not make a decision until Saturday, but the Packers don’t play until Sunday night at New England.

TE Antonio Gates (foot), WR Malcom Floyd (hamstring) – Gates is going to miss his second straight week in tonight’s tilt with the 49ers. Floyd, who scored two touchdowns a week ago, will be a game-time decision and there is speculation that he may have suffered a bit of a setback with his hamstring injury. His status is definitely up in the air and using him comes with a great deal of risk. If both are out look for big things out of Vincent Jackson, who becomes a MUST start.

WR Steve Smith-NYG (knee) – Smith’s return to the Giants’ lineup was short lived, but not from the pectoral muscle that kept him sidelined for a month of action rather a knee injury in Monday’s win over the Viking. It will require surgery and officially ends his season. Hakeem Nicks on the other hand looked good in his return to action and should be a WR1 option down the stretch.

WR Brandon Lloyd (calf) – As if his late dip in production wasn’t enough to concern his owners, now Lloyd is dealing with a pesky calf injury. He’s expected to return to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session, but is a situation that will need to be monitored.

WR Austin Collie (concussion) – The Colts’ wideout appears set to return to action this week against Jacksonville. Despite his production this earlier this season though, Collie comes with some concern. He hasn’t played a complete game since Week 6. Still, he does possess enough to upside to garner heavy consideration as a WR3 in Week 15.

LINE-UP ADVICE
(Guys that need to get in and out of your lineup)

START
RB Jonathan Stewart (vs. ARZ) – He rushed for 133 yards last week against Atlanta and has hit the 90-yard mark in all three games back since returning from injury. Look for that trend to continue on Sunday against a Cardinal defense that ranks 30th in the league against the rush. Mike Goodson could steal some of his thunder, but expect Stewart to break the century mark and make at least one trip to the end zone this week.

WR Kenny Britt (vs. HOU) – Britt eased back into action last week against the Colts, but figures to be the focal point of the Titans’ passing attack this week against the Texans.  Houston has the league’s worst pass defense and the Titans’ offense finally showed some life last week after going 12 quarters without a touchdown. Britt is a high-end WR2 this time around.

SIT
QB Ben Roethlisberger (vs. NYJ) – Big Ben may be the toughest quarterback in the league, but his injuries are taking a toll on his fantasy numbers of late. He’s only thrown one touchdown pass over his past three games and now gets a Jets’ D that only allows 203 yards per game through the air. He falls in at No. 14 this week on the GSI Cheat Sheet making him a weak starting option.

WR Sidney Rice (vs. CHI) – Owners that waited patiently for Rice to return to action were rewarded by a couple of decent games by the Vikings’ receiver. However, with Joe Webb now in line to take over at quarterback and the Monday Night matchup against the Bears being moved outdoors in frigid conditions Rice can’t be trusted in the week ahead.

TREND OR MIRAGE?
(Which way are these players heading?)

Kyle Orton - DEN
-0 TD’s and 3 INT’s over past two weeks
TREND – With Josh McDaniels out as head coach and his ribs hurt, Orton’s fantasy bubble has burst just at the wrong time. There’s a chance he won’t even play on Sunday and even if he does the team could pull him at anytime to give rookie Tim Tebow a look.

Darren McFadden - OAK
--209 total yards, 3 TD’s a week ago
TREND – McFadden is as explosive as any player in the league and when healthy a top 5 fantasy commodity. This week he faces a Broncos’ D that he torched for 165 rush yards, 31 receiving yards and four total touchdowns in Week 7.

Tim Hightower - ARZ
--148 yards, 2 TD’s last week vs. DEN
MIRAGE – Despite a matchup against the Panthers, who have allowed the third most points to fantasy running backs this season, I have problems trusting a guy this late in the season that has failed to eclipse 60 yards in nine of his 12 games this season and scored just three times before last week.

Ryan Torain - WAS
--24 carries for 172 yards in return to lineup
TREND – The Redskins are a mess, but the one number that really stood out from last week was the 24 attempts. Torrain has had 20+ carries in his last three games which he completed. With weak rushing defenses in the Cowboys and Jaguars on tap over the next two weeks, he’ll have a chance to turn those opportunities in to fantasy production.

Deion Branch - NE
--14 catches, 328 yards, 4 TD’s over last three games
MIRAGE – Don’t kid yourself Branch has earned himself a spot in most lineups as a flex option with his play of late, but I am not convinced he’s going to produce at this rate. Owners shouldn’t get too carried away with him when making tough lineup decisions.

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