Inside Week 16

Championship week ended for most leagues with a fairly uninteresting matchup between Philadelphia and St. Louis. As expected, Donovan McNabb didn't play long, leaving the field after engineering a touchdown drive late in the first quarter. With six points using the Yahoo! default scoring system, McNabb still outscored David Carr, Chad Pennington, Patrick Ramsey, Kyle Boller, Joey Harrington, Eli Manning, Byron Leftwich, Billy Volek and Ken Dorsey. That's not too shabby for one quarter's work.

We did get to see the future in rookie RB Steven Jackson. He barreled over defenders en route to a game-high 148 yards. With Marshall Faulk struggling to make the cuts and lacking the explosiveness that was long his trademark, Jackson takes over next season.

Speaking of Faulk, his streak of 158 consecutive games with a reception ended in Monday night's victory against Philadelphia. Faulk was targeted twice by Marc Bulger, including once at the five. Bulger owners wish they had that toss back.

How about we take a quick poll? Which coach frustrated you most this season – Mike Tice, Mike Martz or Mike Shanahan? Though I lean toward declaring it a three-way tie, I'll cast my vote for Shanahan. Though Bell had been declared the starter and was clearly able to handle the rock in Week 16, Shanahan sucker-punched fantasy owners by utilizing Droughns in the passing game and with the bulk of the carries. That three-touchdown swing likely signaled doom to many championship efforts. Notice that all of the nominees are named Mike, which leads to a new fantasy golden rule – never trust a guy named Mike.

The Indianapolis Colts' trio of receivers have all topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark and have combined for 223 receptions. Brandon Stokley leads the trio, connecting with Peyton Manning successfully on 70 percent of the throws for which he was the intended target.

This week due to blowout scenarios, injuries and the wonderful "RB by committee" approach, only 21 backs topped 20 touches. Week 16 Touches leader Lee Suggs hit that mark at about halftime.

I'll be back on Thursday with a "Fun with Numbers" piece, including the pivotal Week 17 injury updates.

Let's get deeper into Week 16:

Shouldering the load: Most active RB's (carries+catches)

• See the expanded touches table from Week 16

Attention getters: Top intended targets (looks)

• See the expanded looks table from Week 16

Trainers table: Updates on the wounded in action

• Keary Colbert and Ricky Proehl are nursing injuries heading into the season finale against New Orleans. Colbert sprained an ankle and Proehl had his bell rung. Both are expected to be available on Sunday.

• Coming off of arthroscopic knee surgery two weeks back, T.J. Duckett expects to hit the field against the Seahawks. He may see a series or two, but expect he, Michael Vick and Alge Crumpler to do a quick disappearing act like the Eagles' starters did on Monday night.

• Todd Heap re-aggravated the ankle injury that sidelined him for nine weeks earlier in the season. He missed the second half of Week 16 and will not practice this week, making for a game-time decision. Re-insert Plan B if you had retained Heap's services.

• Byron Leftwich was glassy-eyed after sustaining a concussion in the first quarter of the Jags' game against the Jets. He threw for only 35 yards and gave way to David Garrard late in the contest. The Jaguars need a win against the Raiders to have a shot at the playoffs, so if the medical staff clears him, he's a solid play. If not, David Garrard is a nice option against the hapless Oakland defense.

• Clinton Portis tore a pectoral muscle in the crushing loss to the Cowboys and will miss the season finale. Ladell Betts will get the nod against the Vikings.

• The top-tier Redskins defense will play without LaVar Arrington, Ade Jimoh and Fred Smoot, meaning that you may want to look for another defense if you've been running with the 'Skins.

• Brian Griese sustained a hip strain against the Cardinals and is questionable for Week 17. Chris Simms would line up under center if Griese can't go.

• The 49ers' Brandon Lloyd is questionable with a toe flexor strain in his left foot and may miss the finale against New England. Rashaun Woods would take his place running back to the huddle after an incompletion.

• Rookie sensation Ben Roethlisberger may sit this week with bruised ribs sustained on a hit from Terrell Suggs. Tommy Maddox will play caretaker for the season finale.

• Fred Taylor missed Week 16 with a knee injury after head coach Jack Del Rio and the coaching staff watched him struggle in pre-game workouts. He's listed as questionable for the Week 17 tilt with Oakland. Rookie Greg Jones would get the start if he's unable to go.

• The Seahawks won without QB Matt Hasselbeck, thanks to the legs of Shaun Alexander. Hasselbeck's injured right elbow limited him in practice and may hold him out of the season finale.

• Duce Staley sat out yet again this week with his hamstring injury. He will likely not suit up for Week 17 and will next be seen when the Steelers play the weekend of January 15th.

• Sidelined by a sprained ankle in Week 16, Marcus Pollard will be listed as questionable for a Week 17 return. Dallas Clark played well in Sunday's thriller against San Diego. He will be the man on the road at Denver.

• Carson Palmer sat for the second straight game with a sprained knee. It's highly probable that Jon Kitna will handle the snaps this week at Philadelphia.

• Since the Chargers' playoff seed is set in stone, Keenan McCardell stands to miss the finale against Kansas City. Eric Parker makes for a solid stand-in against the woeful KC defense. Heck, we may even get to see some Philip Rivers before this weekend ends.

• Though he's been off the field since Week 2, Peter Warrick is making news. The latest report is that he has a degenerative condition in his knee that may force him to miss next season entirely, or be very limited at the minimum. T.J. Houshmandzadeh is a free agent after the season that will certainly get the attention of bidders.