NY JETS at BUFFALO BILLS: JETS: The Jets have taken the training wheels off Sanchez and he has delivered the last two weeks. I still cringe when I see some of the balls he throws into coverage but Edwards and Keller prove that all you need is to give your receiver a chance to make a play and it will pay off. The run game at this point belongs to L.T. as Greene has been relegated to number two status. LT scored the lone rushing TD last week and is the one you have to start. This week, both guys should be a safe play. Buffalo has been horrible stopping the run, ranking 27th in run D and allowing 29 PPG for the 31st spot. If ever there was a week yet that Greene could prove some value it's this one. If he doesn't give you at least 9 points then it is time to look for options.
BUFFALO: The Bills sent their QB of the future packing this week and have given Fitzpatrick the keys to the kingdom for now. Word is they are back to selling Lynch for the right deal so they could wind up with a solid number two at some point. A guy like Leinart, Shaun Hill, Matt Moore or Quinn could be making his way to Buffalo soon. Buffalo is dead last in Total YPG and 31st in passing yards per game. Obviously their strength is the rush and it will be tested against the leagues 4th ranked run D who is giving up 61 RYPG. Add to that the fact that week to week it's anyone's guess who is going to have the good game and it will do you well to look for other options if you have them.
Buffalo did give the Pats a run for their money on the road so there is a chance for an upset here since they play above potential within their divisional games. However, there is too much chaos and uncertainty on this team to believe it will happen. If Gailey has any shot at winning this game he will have to throw early and often. JETS 28 BILLS 17
FANTASY STARTS: JETS: Edwards (6 for 80 1 TD) Keller (5 for 60 1 TD) L.T. ( 14 for 70 1 TD/ 4 for 48yds) Greene ( 11 for 70 1 TD)
BUFFALO: Parrish ( 8 for 70 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Steve Johnson BUF......He is second on the team with 137 passing yards and should be the best option to break one deep, especially in garbage time. The Jets will be able to run the clock with their run game, forcing Fitzpatrick to throw often in the second half.
BALTIMORE RAVENS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS: RAVENS: Ray Rice has a "significant" knee contusion and could be questionable for this game. Believe it or not, it doesn't really affect the Ravens as they are 17 in Passing YPG and 23rd in Rushing YPG with only 89 YPG. Not really what you would expect, but the addition of Boldin and Houshmenzadeh have allowed Flacco to throw more and not depend on Rice so heavily. Flacco finally burst out of his two week funk last Sunday but will face the league leading Defense in points allowed. Since they weren't really going to get much on the ground against the Steelers to begin with, this is a game where Houshmenzadeh proves his value to the team. While the Steelers are 17th against the pass, they will not be able to handle all three of the Baltimore receivers at once and guard Rice or Mcgahee flaring out of the backfield.
STEELERS: Ben who? Charlie Batch showed why the Steelers keep him around every year, torching the Bucs last week through the air. However, it was one of those games where the score doesn't tell the whole story. Two TD passes were interceptions that bounced off defenders hands and another drive came off a fumble that was returned for a TD. Facing the NFL's top Pass Defense will prove much more of a test and Pittsburgh should run the ball often since Baltimore is 23rd against the rush allowing 127 YPG on the ground. Mendenhall will carry the load in a game that is a toss up depending on what Baltimore team shows up.
The Ravens have too many options for even this Defense to handle and Flacco seems to be hitting his stride now. The key will be the effectiveness of Mcgahee on the ground but more importantly in pass blocking and catching. Batch won't be able to make mistakes against the Baltimore Defense and he is bound to face pressure all game behind a suspect O-Line. The Ravens win this one on the road. RAVENS 20-STEELERS 13.
FANTASY STARTS: RAVENS: Boldin (6 for 70 yds. 1 TD) Heap ( 4 for 40 1 TD) Rice/Mcgahee (14 for 43 yds. 7 for 50 yds 1 TD)
STEELERS: Ward (8 for 70 1 TD) Mendenhall ( 18 for 110 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Houshmenzadeh and Mcgahee....they should have a few good match up's in the game as the Steelers focus on Boldin and Mason and probably run a cover 2 against them.
CINCINNATI BENGALS at CLEVELAND BROWNS: BENGALS: Last year the run game was the source of the Bengals road to the playoffs and controlling the game. This year, the Bengals have shown a commitment to running the ball again, with Benson getting 65 carries thru three games. Problem is he has only gained 202 yds. with those touches for a 3.1 Per Carry Avg. and two scores. His longest is a 13 yard run, while Bernard Scott has a 12 yard run on only 13 carries and is averaging over 5 yards per carry. While Benson had a great game last week, keep in mind it was against the Panthers whom have proven they are far from the team they were last year. With Cleveland coming up you can expect a similar performance, though on the road against a state rival it could be tempered. Palmer has not looked as sharp as everyone hoped so far, with 3 TD's and 3 INT's. I expect this group to get better as the season goes on, but the Bengals are just barely getting it done so far, always doing just a bit more than the opposition. This game should be easily won by the Bengals as long as they don't play down to the competition.
BROWNS: This Defense is surprisingly top twelve everywhere but rushing. After what Boldin did to them last week though, look for these numbers to start rising as teams with better weapons come to town. Seneca Wallace has well outperformed Delhomme and should be the starter for the year if Mangini has a brain left in his skull. The big surprise here is Peyton Hillis, his 3 TD's and 5.6 per carry average. Hillis, like Wallace should keep his starting gig until he proves otherwise over the course of several games. Mangini at least has recognized who the better back is at this point and has given him the start. While the run game has produced results, the pass game has been abysmal ranking 22nd. Massaquoi and Robiskie are nowhere to be found after having high expectations. The Browns are not going to win games until one of these two can get some respect and allow the field to open up for Cribbs and Hillis.
This game has the potential to be closer than expected if the Browns can play on emotion against a rival. But emotion will wear off once the points start racking up. Did anyone see what Boldin did to them last week? The Bengals are a team just starting to get on a track and that doesn't bode well for Cleveland. Cincinnati should cruise in this one. BENGALS 24-BROWNS 13.
FANTASY STARTS: BENGALS: Ochocinco (8 for 110 yds. 1 TD) T.O. (6 for 80 1 TD) Benson (17 for 80 1 TD) Palmer ( 275 yds 2 TD) BROWNS: Hillis (18 for 90 yds./ 3 for 25 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Massaquoi CLE....with Adam Jones nursing the shoulder injury, there could be room for him to finally post a decent game as the attention is focused on Hillis and Cribbs.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: WASHINGTON: Portis' slip and fall in order to "protect the ball" while he was in the middle of the field has taken the headlines this week. Shanny obviously wasn't happy, benching him afterwards. Ryan Torain came in instead of Keiland Williams which was a bit of a surprise but given he was with Shanny in Denver, it's no huge news. The question is who gets the start after Torain performed well and is not afraid to take a hit. In a way this helps the team, taking a bit of attention off Mcnabb's return to Philly. Washington is coming off a loss to the Rams and given their in house issues with diva's, this team is not one that can afford drama that detracts from their play. The Skins are very one dimensional with nobody being a true threat outside of Santana Moss and Cooley. They are 28th in Rushing YPG and the Defense is dead last in Total Yards Allowed PG and 31st against the pass. Guess what the Eagles do well? Washington will step up for this game, but the key will be if they can run the ball and keep Vick off the field. Look for Torain to get the start if he has a good week of practice and to possibly take the job if he produces come game time. If you remember the grudge Shanny carried with Haynesworth during pre-season, then benching Portis shouldn't be that wild an idea. The Redskins chances will hinge on Haynesworth getting penetration and putting up his best game in the last two seasons as well as the run game controlling the clock.
PHILADELPHIA: The Eagles are 14th in Passing YPG and 7th in Rushing YPG which makes all sorts of trouble for a Defense like Washington's. Vick has energized the city with his play and is out to prove he is a passer first and foremost. After D. Jackson's big game last week and the continued red zone prowess of Maclin, the Eagles will look to take advantage of Washington's weak pass Defense. I expect Washington to really use all their effort on stopping the pass, so this could become a game where the Eagles adapt and are forced to use the running lanes Washington leaves open for them. They will still have great success through the air, but don't be surprised if it turns into a balanced attack and McCoy has his first big game of the year.
The Redskins have been media darlings this year, but not in a good way. All the distraction and diva attitude on this team are the exact opposite of what this coach wants or looks for. Unless they control the clock with the run game, I don't see Washington having the mental fortitude to bounce back after a deflating loss to St. Louis and they lose big here. EAGLES 30- REDSKINS 20.
FANTASY STARTS: EAGLES: McCoy ( 16 for 98yds 1 TD/ 4 for 30 yds) Maclin (5 for 60 yds 1 TD) Jackson ( 8 for 115 yds 1 TD) Vick ( 240 yds. 2 TD/ 6 for 48 yds 1 TD) REDSKINS: Moss (8 for 110 yds. 1 TD) Cooley (6 for 70 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Ryan Torain.....Shanny will look to control the clock and keep Vick from touching the ball. If that happens and Torain gets the call, he could touch the ball 20 times.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT ST.LOUIS RAMS: SEATTLE: Coming off a game where Leon Washington single handedly beat the Chargers, there really wasn't a great deal that the team could feel good about other than the win and the Special Teams play. Granted they were playing the Chargers, but the Defense allowed Rivers to pass for over four hundred yards. This is a team that ranks 30th against the pass and 28th in total YPG allowed. With Steven Jackson possibly missing time this week, the Rams are going to attack their weakness and won't be able to expect Washington to bail them out again. Offensively, the Seahawks are 21st in Passing YPG and 24th in Rushing YPG. John Carlson is the teams leading pass catcher which isn't a good thing. The Seahawks are a team nearly unbeatable at home but very questionable on the road. The good news is that in their division all they need to do is win the home games and they could win it.
ST. LOUIS: The Rams are riding high after the big upset against Washington and will see a very similar team in Seattle. If Steven Jackson is unable to go, it may not hurt the Rams as much as thought since Seattle is vulnerable to the pass. The play of Clayton and Amendola has given this team a boost behind a QB who has proven to be worth the money they spent on him. The Rams are staying in games because of their play on 3rd downs, allowing only 13 conversions on 40 attempts and keeping opponents to an average of 16 PPG. Given their lower tier Defense, it's been a bit of teams stalling once they get to the red zone against them. Given last week the Seahawks stalled on two drives before the half, St. Louis could have another upset on their hands. The key will be Bradford's ability to make plays and not turn the ball over.
The Seahawks have always had split personality when it comes to their play at home versus the road and although they are riding high after a great win, I didn't see enough to encourage they are for real. I would feel a lot better if it were Sunday morning and Jackson was getting the start, but so far an MRI revealed only a groin strain which means he should be available. St. Louis builds off last week and beats a Seattle team who may be over confident after beating the Chargers. ST. LOUIS 24- SEATTLE 21.
FANTASY STARTS: SEATTLE: Forsett (11 for 60 yds./ 2 for 30 yds.) Branch ( 5 for 70 yds. 1 TD) Washington (10 for 60 yds. 4 for 40 yds. 1 TD)
ST. LOUIS: Bradford (340 yds. 3 TD) Jackson ( 17 for 80 yds. 3 for 25 yds. 1 TD) Clayton (7 for 90 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Danny Amendola....with attention focused on Clayton and the possible loss of Jackson or the Rams using him cautiously, Amendola should receive plenty of target and break for one.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers at ATLANTA FALCONS: 49ERS: Singletary shook things up firing the OC Jimmy Raye on Monday and this actually might be what the team needs. Usually firing an OC three games into the season is a very bad sign, but with a team that has the talent to score yet ranks 31st, can it get any worse? Ironically it hasn't been the play of Alex Smith killing them, but the lack of WR help and a Defense that is exhausted being on the field too much because of it. Crabtree did show some minor progress last week, but is far from living up to expectations. Singletary is also shaking up the defensive rotation, allowing some new blood starting which may help energize a defense that was torched by KC. If Frank Gore is going to make it through the season, someone has to step up soon. SF is killing itself on 3rd downs, converting only 10 on 41 tries. Atlanta ranks 22nd against the pass but it stout against the run ranking 12th. Smith will need to connect with his WR corps if he is to have a chance at winning. Singletary will make them focus this week and most likely be extremely involved on both sides of the ball this week during practices.
ATLANTA: The number 2 ranked run game will face a stiff test against an angry 49ers team whom before KC was ranked 7th against the run. Matt Ryan has yet to really be effective due to a lack of production outside of White. The Falcons will no doubt face a stacked box by SF in an effort to shut Turner down and force Ryan to pass to a receiver not named White. Turner will have to be more involved in the pass game if Atlanta is going to hold off SF and send them to 0-4. Once Jenkins returns, it will be a different story, but given what SF has to lose, this will be a test of what he can do with limited options.
The 49ers season rides on this game since there is a huge difference between 1-3 or 0-4. Singletary should have them focused and disciplined for this one ready to come out and live up to their potential. While the firing of Jimmy Raye be some cause for concern, they kept the promotion of OC in house to ease the transition. Given how desperately SF needs this game, they pull it out behind Frank Gore and a Defense with a chip on it's shoulder. SF 17- ATLANTA 14
FANTASY STARTS: ATLANTA: Turner (18 for 80 1 TD) White ( 7 for 80 1 TD) SAN FRANCISCO: Gore (15 for 60 yds./ 7 for 65 yds. 1 TD) Davis (7 for 60 yds.1 TD)
SLEEPER: Mike Crabtree....He has the ability, and look for Singletary to simplify things for him a bit to get the production he needs to win this game.
DETROIT LIONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS: DETROIT: The good news is Stafford should start throwing this week. The bad news is that Best has a strained or maybe partially torn ligament in his toe. The Lions are 31st in Rushing YPG averaging only 66 YPG and they give up a league worst 148 YPG. Nate Burleson should be back, adding some help and relief to Megatron who has been largely held in check because of no other threat on passing downs. The possible loss of Best only makes things worse since he was also a factor in the pass game. Shaun Hill has been serviceable in relief of Stafford and getting Burleson back could help somewhat, but not against a Packer team steaming after beating themselves on Monday night. The Lions will not have much to work with and on the road in a hostile environment is the worst situation they could have walked into this week.
GREEN BAY: After shooting themselves in the foot with questionable play calling by Mcarthy and an obscene amount of penalties, the Packers should be in top form and angry. The Defense is 3rd against the pass, facing a team which will not have any other option but to do so. Just how out of hand this game could get is scary, but the Packers will have other issues to acknowledge this week as well. The run game is 22nd with Brandon Jackson and the Pack need to address the situation via trade soon. Their schedule has them facing tough run defenses in the next five weeks and waiting at this point is not an option.
Green Bay is a team expected to make a Super Bowl run and you don't get those expectations without being able to handle the teams you should beat. Green Bay easily walks over the Lions. PACKERS 34- LIONS 17.
FANTASY STARTS: LIONS: Calvin Johnson (9 for 80 yds. 1 TD) PACKERS: All of them, even Jackson who should find plenty of room. Defense ( 3 turnovers, 3 sacks, 17 pts allowed)
SLEEPER: Shaun Hill....He should wind up throwing close to forty times and while he will allow many turnovers, his overall production could provide points if your starting QB happens to be on a bye this week. But ONLY if you have no better options.
DENVER BRONCOS AT TENNESSEE TITANS: BRONCOS: I think the time to consider Orton a legitimate QB has arrived for any doubters. The Broncos lead the NFL in passing, averaging 350 Passing Yards PG. With a host of weapons to throw to thanks to the emergence of Brandon Lloyd, Orton has thrown four TD to four different players. The problem comes in the red zone, which kept them from beating Indianapolis last week.The run game has gotten off to a horrible start, but Maroney seems to have infused a bit of energy in what the Broncos hope will be enough of a run game to just keep defenses on their toes instead of sitting back against the pass. They will need it big time as they face the 5th ranked Pass Defense. This should be tempered by the fact that the Titans have faced Offenses of Oakland, Pittsburgh, and the Giants whom have all shown they are not close to the caliber of Denver. The key here then becomes the fact that Tennessee will focus on stopping the pass and will force the Broncos to turn to their 30th run offense. There shouldn't be much of a change in Offensive philosophy for the Broncos since they know the Titans have yet to be truly tested in the air and will test it early to see where they stand.
TENNESSEE: The Titans are 30th in Passing Offense but great in the run behind Chris Johnson. However, they face Denver's 10th ranked run Defense giving up only 95 YPG. Denver did face MJD albeit not the one we are used to seeing. Denver can be passed on, ranking 23rd so look for Young to get more involved here through the air. He had a mediocre performance after getting benched the game before and will be the key if Tennesse hopes to win.
This is a match up where each teams Offensive strength plays into the Defenses strength. The Broncos lost a game they had in their control last week but couldn't capitalize on short fields. Given that the Titans have yet to face a passing team of this caliber, I think the Broncos continue to spread the ball around and Maroney is able to contribute keeping the Titans Defense on the field longer than they are used to, forcing Vince Young to pass more than Fisher wants him to. BRONCOS 24-TITANS 20
FANTASY STARTS: BRONCOS: Orton (320 yds. 2 TD) Gaffney (7 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Lloyd (8 for 90 yds 1 TD) TITANS: CJ (18 for 110 yds. 1 TD) Washington ( 6 for 70 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Maroney...given the attention to the pass game and the battle that will go on there throughout the game, Maroney breaks some decent runs and sneaks one in the endzone.
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: CAROLINA: Turning the ball over 12 times in three games doesn't help your effort to win games. Especially when you are starting a rookie QB and have under performing RB's. Regardless, Fox made the right decision in starting Clausen and giving him the go this week as well. Deangelo William had somewhat of a breakout game rushing for 65 yards but Steve Smith was limited to little production behind Clausens pressure and fumble issues. This is a team that could become competitive later in the year, but facing the defending champs will pose problems for a Defense that ranks middle of the road against the Pass and Run.
NEW ORLEANS: With Atlanta and Tampa Bay surprisingly tied with the Saints in record up to this point, the Saints will look to beat a divisional opponent and put some distance between them at the top. The Saints seem to have picked up Offensively where they left off last year, and after a sluggish start, the Defense has started playing with the speed we saw as well. Lance Moore made his impact last week with the absence of Reggie Bush and should continue to produce as long as Bush is gone, essentially taking on his role as short pass routes in the middle of the field. Meachem has yet to make an impact this year, with Henderson getting more of the targets. This is a team that likes to use all it's weapons and spread the ball around so guessing who will be the benefactor week to week will be a headache. The position to watch is at RB to see who takes on the lead role s substitute to Pierre Thomas when he's not in the game.
Carolina has too much inexperience at QB and no real number two WR to be a threat to New Orleans. While it is a divisional game at home, the talent is not up to par with the Saints and they will be left with another loss. SAINTS 28-CAROLINA 13.
FANTASY STARTS: NEW ORLEANS: Brees (320 yds. 3 TD) Colston (6 for 90 yds. 1 TD) Moore (7 for 55 yds. 1 TD) Henderson (7 for 80 yds 1 TD) Thomas (15 for 70 yds. 1 TD)
CAROLINA: Smith (8 for 110 yds. 1 TD) Williams (13 for 60 yds)
SLEEPER: Goodson....Steve Smith will get the targets, but NO will make sure they surround him come red zone time. If he doesn't get the score as I predict or if the Panthers are able to get in the red zone more than anticipated, Goodson is a good bet to sneak one while the Defense is focused on the other side of the field.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: JAGS: David Gerrard has been put on notice after the Jags were awarded Trent Edwards off waivers yesterday. Given Gerrard's numerous chances to prove himself, he has proven ineffective. The lack of normal production we all expect from MJD has me believing he either had some minor clean up surgery this off-season or is playing hurt, which makes the need for Gerrard to produce all that more important. Gerrard is surrounded by capable weapons but his slow decision making is hurting him. I guess watching Leftwich all those years paid off in a bad way. Gerrard is most likely on borrowed time until Edwards picks up the offense and will need to have a great game to buy himself a little more time and create doubt. Jacksonville always gives Indianapolis a run for their money, but the Jags 29th ranked pass Defense is bad omen of things to come this week.
COLTS: Peyton is Peyton and the fall of Garcon has opened the door to Austin Collie whom is putting up the Reggie Wayne numbers in a flip flop of production thus far. Collie looks like the energetic, crisp route runner Peyton feeds on and that they have. The Colts run game and Defense are struggling this year which has them fighting harder than normal to win games. While it's still early, there isn't much to make you think this is something that will get significantly better. It could be age slowly creeping up on the Colts, but like Collie, they are a team with talent in the wings.
This should be another close game for the Colts with the balance depending on the play of Jones-Drew. If MJD can return to his dominating ways, Jacksonville has a chance to keep the ball out of Peyton's hands and pull off an upset. Given what we've seen so far though, this seems like only an outside shot. Mercedes Lewis is a wild card here who could affect the game if Gerrard can find him. Colts win 28-21.
FANTASY STARTS: Manning (340 yds. 3 TD) Wayne (6 for 90 yds. 1 TD) Collie (9 for 100 yds. 1 TD) Clark (8 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Addai (15 for 55 yds. 1 TD) JAGS: Simms-Walker (7 for 80 yds. 1 TD) MJD (16 for 80 yds. 1 TD/ 4 for 30 yds.) Lewis (5 for 60 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: M. Thomas....The Colts have the 20th ranked pass Defense and should have trouble watching Thomas if they are forced to bring help up front to stop MJD.
HOUSTON TEXANS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS: HOUSTON: The Texans had a wake-up call against the Cowboys last week as well as a reminder how average they can become when Andre Johnson is not at 100 percent. While they own the 8th and 5th Offenses in Passing and Rushing respectively, they also own the league worst pass defense, giving up an astonishing 369 yards Passing PG. Their Rush Defense is 2nd allowing only 54 YPG but teams will test them through the air, hoping to hold them just one drive more than they can hold the opponent. Andre Johnson has not stated any set backs after the game and should be available after a light week of practice. Regardless, they face Oakland's 2nd ranked pass defense and Asomugh should blanket Johnson regardless of health, leaving it on Arian Foster's shoulders to beat up on the Raiders weak run defense.
OAKLAND: The Raiders have found new life behind Gradkowski but are coming off a loss where normally dependable Janikowski missed three field goals. Both Louis Murphy and even Heyward-Bey have been effective with Gradkowski at the helm and McFadden has made his return to expectations when he was a top draft pick. The Raiders are coming off a tough loss in Arizona and return home to face a high scoring team who's strength is their Defensive strength. While Oakland has had success running the ball, they will be tested with Mario Williams providing penetration against a weak O-Line.
While the Raiders line offers questions, Gradkowski loves to move and throw on the run. Both Heyward-Bey and Murphy seem to be in sync with him, always coming back to the ball. Since Houston can't defend the pass at all, they will be unable to try and focus on limiting the damage thru the air and stopping McFadden. The Raiders win this game by a field goal as Janikowski redeems himself. RAIDERS 24-TEXANS 21.
FANTASY STARTS: OAKLAND: McFadden (17 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Murphy ( 8 for 110 yds. 1 TD) Miller ( 6 for 70 yds. 1 TD) HOUSTON: Schaub (280 yds. 2 TD) Foster ( 17 for 100 yds. 1 TD) Johnson (6 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Walter ( 6 for 50 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Owen Daniels HOU...Daniels may be the key to the Texans chances and was targeted six times last week. With Johnson and Walter facing tough coverage, Daniels will have the middle of the field open as the LB's focus on stopping McFadden.
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: SAN DIEGO: No doubt most of practice this week will focus on the Special Teams play after being torched twice by Leon Washington last week. The Chargers still almost overcame the deficit, having a chance to tie at the end. The Bolts also lost Merriman, although it shouldn't serve as a huge loss given his fall in production. The Chargers are ranked no lower than 13 in all categories Offensively and Defensively except for....yeah, special teams. Thankfully, the Chargers face a team ranked 25th in Passing YPG, Total YPG, and PPG.Add to that the 31st Run Defense and 19th Pass Defense and you have just the match up the Chargers needed after a tough loss. The Chargers rank 1st in Total YPG, 2nd in Passing and 13th in the Run game. Getting the Special Teams play up to par is their lone problem, and one that should be fixed within the next few weeks. Mathews went though individual drills on Monday without incident and could be back in the line up Sunday.
ARIZONA: Beanie Wells made his return last week and immediately was given starters carries. The Cards are hoping he can take some of the pressure off Anderson but no amount of run game is going to help a passing offense averaging just 175 YPG. Fitzgerald's stock is falling to number two status daily and the loss of Breaston and Doucet will only allow teams to add extra focus on him. Arizona has officially begun rebuilding mode as so many teams do after a Super Bowl appearance. Though their process should be a much quicker one since they have the base to build off of already in place.
The Chargers take advantage of the loss of Breaston and are able to bring extra men up to protect against Wells while picking the Defense apart with their choice of run or pass. SD 31-ARI 17.
FANTASY STARTS: SD: Mathews or Tolbert ( 16 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Floyd (6 for 100 yds. 1 TD) Gates (8 for 90 yds. 1 TD) Naanee (5 for 70 yds. 1 TD) Rivers (300yds. 3 TD)
ARIZONA: Wells (14 for 70 yds. 1 TD) Fitzgerald (7 for 80 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Steve Williams...Breaston averaged 6 targets a game and Williams has the speed to make those targets work for him if he gets the start.
CHICAGO BEARS AT NY GIANTS: BEARS: The Bears have silenced all the critics with their big win over Super Bowl pick Green Bay. The Bears Defense was especially relentless and Peppers played out of his mind. The question is if the Bears can continue the intensity here on out. Coming off a win like that there is no reason not to think so. A win like that can carry a team for a while given what it does to a team's confidence. Cutler seems to have settled in to Mike Martz system and the Bears have realized Greg Olsen's potential within the system. With some better growth from their WR group, the Bears have the potential to improve their already 5th ranked Pass Offense Per Game. Their problem lies in Rush offense, sitting at 29th. While a run game is not called for in a Martz offense, the Bears will need to fall back on it in games and will need to be effective. The pass defense sits at 28th and will be the Giants focus as they are 9th in the NFL in Passing YPG.
NY GIANTS: The Giants will air it out against the Bears given the match up and are ranked 4th against the pass which will give the Bears a bit of a challenge. Then again, the Packers were a top ten pass defense and gave up their share to Cutler. The Giants are coming off a beating at home against the Titans and the calls for Coughlin's job are starting to be heard again. The Giants will hope to use ball control but should wind up ineffective as the Bears own the top rushing defense. Steve Smith finally became involved in the Giants pass game last week and they will need him as this turns into an air show.
The Bears momentum and confidence coming off a short week and playing on National TV should propel them to another hard fought win as these two teams seem to be going in opposite directions. BEARS 21-GIANTS 17.
FANTASY STARTS: BEARS: Forte (12 for 40 yds./ 5 for 65 yds. 1 TD) Olsen ( 5 for 60 yds. 1 TD) Knox (6 for 70 yds. 1 TD) GIANTS: Nicks ( 5 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Manningham (6 for 70 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Devin Hester....The Giants know who to focus on in the Martz attack and they won't be able to safely hold down the left side along the the Bears strong right. Hester could take a short slant to the house on any play here.
MONDAY NIGHT.....will be posted up Monday morning,
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
18 Game Season a Done Deal?
Colts President Bill Polian stated yesterday the 18 game season is pretty much a done deal. No doubt as fans this is a good thing. The four weeks of pre-season are meaningless and we really get nothing out of it. I read somewhere that Dungy believes it will hurt player development and draft picks, but I think otherwise, it should actually help. Don't tell me that a kid coming out of college is growing by playing his first four NFL games against other guys in the same boat as well as guys who went undrafted or are practice squad caliber. OTA's and Mini-Camps will obviously have to start a bit earlier and this is where the work is done. Priority one is learning your team's scheme, playbook, assignments, and learning to break down film. Rookie Mike Williams played with the Buccaneers starters pretty exclusively and he has 2 TD in three games. Dez Bryant missed a lot of this "development" time and came out making an immediate contribution since he has returned. There are numerous examples, and it all boils down to the player's ability and work ethic, not how many pre-season games they get to play in. I think Dungy is trying to make a case for the players by making this comment and maybe setting up a bargaining argument. Though it is pretty easily debunked if that's the case. Bottom line, it is a good thing if the players are compensated for all their extra time and the extra injury risk.
Fantasy wise this also has obvious rewards such as more fantasy football! Certain changes might have to made to the settings and your strategy as well. Roster size....two more games could mean your number one RB getting that dreaded ACL tear earlier on...or right before the playoffs. Depth will be more necessary to combat the possibility of injury at all positions. The Draft...with only two pre-season games I've got to assume most drafts will happen on game two, leaving only one game to evaluate where players are going to be used. Teams will most likely show their starting line-up's in game one but mini camps become all that more important when it comes to fantasy. Could we expect better coverage by the networks on individual camps instead of the pageantry and gloss that passes over as coverage? We should see more coverage and it should get us more involved in the month leading up to the season. The bigger the league, the more attention fantasy owners will need to give. A Gap between elite and average......Two games isn't going to make a huge difference, but it should elevate some of those number three WR's and RB to number two status now that they will have two more games to put up points. The biggest benefactors should be QB's, giving Brees and Rogers two more chances to score 25-30 fantasy points. Does this make them more important? We will have to wait and see what it all feels like when it happens. But one thing is for sure, more football is a good thing.
Fantasy wise this also has obvious rewards such as more fantasy football! Certain changes might have to made to the settings and your strategy as well. Roster size....two more games could mean your number one RB getting that dreaded ACL tear earlier on...or right before the playoffs. Depth will be more necessary to combat the possibility of injury at all positions. The Draft...with only two pre-season games I've got to assume most drafts will happen on game two, leaving only one game to evaluate where players are going to be used. Teams will most likely show their starting line-up's in game one but mini camps become all that more important when it comes to fantasy. Could we expect better coverage by the networks on individual camps instead of the pageantry and gloss that passes over as coverage? We should see more coverage and it should get us more involved in the month leading up to the season. The bigger the league, the more attention fantasy owners will need to give. A Gap between elite and average......Two games isn't going to make a huge difference, but it should elevate some of those number three WR's and RB to number two status now that they will have two more games to put up points. The biggest benefactors should be QB's, giving Brees and Rogers two more chances to score 25-30 fantasy points. Does this make them more important? We will have to wait and see what it all feels like when it happens. But one thing is for sure, more football is a good thing.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
What We Learned Sunday
Okay, first off a little pat on the back for calling KC and ST. Louis games. I missed Denver although hey had numerous opportunities to score and win this game. All the other ones were either toss ups or heavily favored so read into it what you will. This week coming should be a bit easier after three weeks and seeing how teams respond against winners and losers.
VIKINGS: They are pretty much where everyone rates them. They are good enough to beat the bad teams but are lacking dimensions to beat the good teams. Peterson is the focus and only true offense here, running for 160 yds. on the Lions. Other than Harvin, as expected the Vikings have average options. Several players caught balls for 30 yds. and Harvin was the only true WR here and finally had a good game. While a good start, there is cause for concern until Rice returns. Fantasy wise, only Harvin and Peterson seem to be dependable options.
DETROIT: Shaun Hill has served as a decent replacement, lacking that little extra that wins games. It was no different in SF and is why he was let go. Until this team is healthy don't expect more than some well played, close scoring games from this team. They will compete week in and out regardless of QB but the Lions are better with Stafford.
PITTSBURGH: The expectation was that this would be a defensive game but it turned out anything but on one end. The Bucs defense took the day off and a 31st ranked pass game scored three touchdowns. Charlie Batch proved that he is able to waltz into any game and be an effective back-up. Mendenhall also rushed for a score, giving the Steelers a 3-0 record. If this is what they can do without Ben then imagine how good this team can be with him. This defense is tops in the league and has set up this team for a playoff run presuming Ben returns in top mental and physical shape.
BUCCANEERS: The Bucs came in with high expectations and were put in check. This was a game where the teacher showed the student he was not yet ready to fight him. Tomlin threw a curve ball on Morris, throwing more and effective than anyone, including Morris would have thought. They did pound the ball as well, but the fact Tomlin was committed to the pass was surely not what the Bucs schemed for. The Bucs did what they could offensively, but were no match for a top defense. The Bucs have two weeks to prep for the Bengals so let's see where this teams will lays.
NY GIANTS: Eli Manning made some poor decisions, allowing C.J. and the Titans to capitalize. The Giants D took a step back, allowing CJ to run for 125 and 2 scores while VY was effective, tossing a score. The Giants seem to be a team lacking an identity. The run hasn't been overwhelming and the pass has been effective but average. The defense has been up and down thus far and looks to balance out. This team is showing all the signs of losing confidence in Tom Coughlin and the Bill Cowher bell has started ringing. Unless he can turn it around, his job is gone come end of the season. The Giants at this point look like an 8-8 team barring any changes.
TITANS: The Titans on the other hand have an identity, but the question is if it's enough. Vince Young went 10-16 for 118 and a TD, and CJ ran for multiple TD's on 125 yds. As the Steelers showed last week, a good enough defense can shut down CJ and with the Offense in Young's hands, there can be questions on if he can pull it out. While he showed last year the ability to do so, the Titans are too one dimensional overall and the passing game needs to be a bit more of a focus as the season rolls on. The defense has performed above expectations and has the ability to hold teams when it matters.
BENGALS: This was one of those games you were unpleasantly surprised to get away with a win. The Bengals are showing multiple personalities, and Palmer has yet to really instill confidence that he is back to where he was three years ago. Two picks and one TD were enough to beat a rebuilding, young Carolina team but things will need to change until they can be considered for real. The loss of Adam Jones and Odom could have put extra stress on the offense, but overall the Bengals have work to do. They did commit to the run some more which was needed, so if they can get back to last year's roots there may be more confidence coming.
CAROLINA: Clausen was about what you expected in his first game, throwing for 188 and a pick. The problem for Carolina this year has been turnovers and the weak run game. The off-season surgeries have been a big cause of concern for me and so far have proven me correct. While I expected Stewart to have the bigger game here of the two, Williams was the benefactor, running for 64 yards. Not that it was a great performance, but it was the best yet by a Carolina rusher. This team has all but sealed it's fate in the basement of the NFC South, but as the Bucs have shown, one year can make a significant difference. Their youth is an advantage long term, but this year will be more about experience and growth.
NEW ENGLAND: Forget about figuring out this team past WR and QB. Ben Jarvis was the lead back when rational and common thought assumed it would be Taylor, and Hernandez led in yardage while Gronkowski got the TD. Brady tossed Moss 2 TD and you can expect more of those coming, but no other players other than Welker are a safe bet to contribute every game. Buffalo always seems to give the Pats a scare, but it ends there. New England is back, but the Defense needs to grow over the next few weeks if they hope to make a serious run in the playoffs.
BUFFALO: Much like the Pats, forget about figuring this team out, but you can't feel secure at any position. Each week it's a different statistical leader and the change to Fitzpatrick seems to have only muddled things further. The Bills will need to address offense this off-season as well as QB and a host of positions. They have heart and play hard for a city where they are the only show in town, so it is a matter of better management decisions and a commitment to winning by ownership.
BALTIMORE: Flacco set everyone at ease after two subpar performances, tossing three passes to Boldin in a route of the Browns. Ray Rice ran for 80 yds. and no scores, but this is what Baltimore needed. A game to get Flacco on track will help this team to become the balanced attack they are known for. Ray Rice may be a bit banged up so we will know more as the week goes on. Mason has definitely taken a back seat to Boldin and is nothing but a bye week fill in for now. Heap is one of those guys that will be feast or famine, so if you have a more productive option it may be worth using weekly. The Ravens will be a force this year and keep in mind that they have gotten off to a slow start and are still a competitive bunch.
CLEVELAND: The Browns put up a fight but the lack of talent at WR continues to be an issue. Wallace captained well at times but he or Delhomme need a pure WR threat before teams will stop focusing on their strength in the run game. Regardless, Peyton Hillis put up 141 with a score and has solidified himself as the lead back for the Browns and the one you want to own in fantasy. He's the only one you want to own on this team other than Harrison as the handcuff. I have no doubt Holmgren will get this team on track, but it will take time to see results.
CHIEFS: Cassel delivered on the key to this game, throwing TD passes to Bowe and Mclusteer which kept the 49ers on their heels and allowed both Charles and Thomas to post games above 90 yds. Thomas got the TD but Charles continues to outperform Thomas with fewer touches. Why they are not flipping the number of carries mystifies everyone except for Hailey but hey, if it ain't broke.....The Chiefs are the surprise team this year and it boils down to Defense. Romeo has transformed this team, focusing and exploiting each individuals talents within the scheme instead of forcing players to adapt to the scheme. If Cassel can continue days like this, the Chiefs will be a force within their division. San Diego has shown it is not as superior as last season and lack the defensive strength needed to shut down the Chiefs or Broncos. It will only be a matter of time before teams start getting better film on the Chiefs and then the real challenges will begin. For now they are showing they can adapt and attack a team's flaws.
49ers: Exactly what happened to the team penciled in to win their division? Outside of Frank Gore who is doing his damned best to do it all and carry them, teams are realizing all that is needed to beat San Fran is to take away Vernon Davis and focus on the run. Gore has become this team's number one receiver which is bad news. Crabtree has people printing the bust label and has little time before he is forced to prove he is otherwise. The presence of Vernon Davis and Gore should have this guy exploding for yardage, but he just doesn't seem to have the separation speed everyone expected and has been a fairly easy cover for teams. Singletary won't be afraid to make some big changes quickly and it just may be what this team needs. They are still somehow within striking distance for this division so don't count them out yet. But don't count on a huge turnaround either.
COWBOYS: Romo got what he wanted and was rewarded. Dallas finally commited to it's run game and while not stellar it was enough. The Defense woke up and held one of the best Offensive teams so far in check. Andre Johnson was held to 64 yds. although how much of that was D or his ankle is up for debate. Roy Williams saved himself from a benching I have to assume was spoken about to him during this past week. Yes, he has a big salary, but when you stink it up two games all bets are off. You know Jones was willing to do anything needed to spice things up in a year when they host the Super Bowl. The bad news is that Williams only seems to perform when he has to. Unless he can come out after the bye and light it up I will still believe he is the worst buy this team has made in the last two years. Regardless, Dallas can be a very emotional team, so look for this to maybe be the spark they needed if it can carry them through the bye week.
TEXANS: Offensively, Houston didn't really have a bad game. It's just their Defense continues to give up points, putting the burden of winning a game on Schaub and Johnson. Until this unit can stop a team and prove they are able to win games, Houston will be a one and done contender come playoff time. Management has tried to bring talent in yet it never seems to be enough. Fortunately for them, the Offense is capable of scoring every drive and will provide success. The scare here is what happens when one of the star playmakers goes down? Johnson's hurt ankle is most likely the cause of his low numbers and could be cause for concern going forward should he re-injure it.
ST.LOUIS: I may have been the only guy on the planet to call this one so let me ignore the ones I got wrong for a minute. St. Louis as I said is the most exciting and best losing team to watch this year. Bradford matched Mcnabb in the stats, but was more of an effective manager, spreading the ball out more. The Rams defense is what pulled this one out, keeping Washington to 91 yards of production from the RB squad with no scores. It forced Mcnabb to throw which seems to be what he will have to do if they want to win. Clayton had another solid game catching 5 for 85 although failing to score. Right now though, Rams fan are holding their breath after a Steven Jackson groin injury in which he will get an MRI on Monday. Jackson is nothing but injury prone because of his work load and this injury seems to have an ominous tone to it. Darby is not the answer, so no doubt the front office will be calling the Bills again in an effort to get one of their backs. If Bradford can stay healthy though, there is no ruling this team out of any game.
WASHINGTON: Mcnabb continues to be a one man show, the only source of consistency on this team. While Santana Moss has been a dependable receiver on the field and in fantasy, the lack of a ball control run game is exposing Mcnabb's ability to search for second and third option. Add to that the weak O line and this isn't a team ready for the long haul. Shanny is doing his best, but much as his last two years in Denver, he is forced to pass more often than he would like. The Skins could use a shot in the arm at RB and may look to make a trade for someone soon now that St. Louis will be in the market heavily.
PHILADELPHIA: Welcome back Michael Vick and welcome to your new contract. Vick silenced any doubters whom may still have had a soft spot for Kolb and threw for 291 3 TD and rushed for one more. Vick has never had the weapons he now has at his disposal and looks to have understood that the pass comes first, run second. While he is definitely far from clearing his name off the field, he is doing things right on it and has the Eagles looking like legit contenders who will cause headaches for opposing Defenses. Talk about a fantasy monster, Vick who was always a guy that could make or break you in fantasy has become a top five QB you want to own. His decisions have been on point for the most part and he has learned how to manage a game instead of looking for the home run every play. Jeremy Maclin continues to be a TD machine with Vick at the helm and could be in for a great statistical year both on the field and in fantasy. Celek continues to go unused and should be dropped to number two status as long as Vick is under center. McCoy is still not quite where everyone expected and seems to at this point be no more than a number two/flex option for now.
JAGUARS: Jones-Drew continues to raise questions on how healthy he really is, averaging only 4 yds. per carry this game. The real problem lies in David Gerrard who continues to underperform and seems unable to stop staring down his receivers. Gerrard will be what wins or costs the Jags every game and with no option behind him this could be his last year if he fails to produce. The Jags need MJD to return to form but I believe he is not at 100 percent health which is why he is having a down year so far. They have the talent but always seem to be a crapshoot if they're going to use it or not.
BRONCOS: One of my two big upset picks, the Broncos stalled on five occasions in the Colts redzone that would have won them the game easily. Orton threw for a crazy 476 yards and over 100 yds to two different receivers in a game where Denver beat the Colts everywhere but the scoreboard. It was a great effort given what they've been through this week and probably stings more than normal at their lack of red zone efficiency. Regardless, nobody can or should criticize too much a team that gave an amazing effort given the circumstances. Denver will bounce back and if teams haven't already noticed, they are a pass first team who are good at it.
COLTS: A week after coming to life, the run game died again forcing Manning to throw for the win. He proved all he needs are warm bodies who can catch at WR to win a game, tossing a TD to Blair White whom was on the practice squad two days ago. Still, this was more a game won by the Broncos lack of efficiency in the red zone than a rally the Colts could feel great about. A win is a win, but the run game needs major work or the Colts will collapse when playoff time comes. Austin Collie is the second WR you want in Indianapolis and Garcon is now officially droppable. Time to look for other options if you own him or at least leave him on the bench in case the injury bug bites Collie or Wayne. Otherwise you can't trust him going forward, not can you trust either Brown or Addai until they show consistency.
RAIDERS: Gradkowski should have cemented his spot as starter at least for one more week after putting the Raiders in position to win twice, only to have Janikowski go wide left on what would have been the game winner. Gradkowski continues his Jeff Garcia impression, putting Bey, Murphy, and Miller in opportunities to succeed. McFadden had another solid game and will be the lead back going ahead no matter what. The Defense simply allowed Arizona to respond when they needed to and couldn't make a stand to seal the game. The loss will fall on Janikowski's shoulders however and was one of those games every kicker is prone to having once a year. He is normally more consistent than that and should not be in any jeapordy of losing his starting gig. The Raiders do seem to be making progress with Gradkowski and are a team that is slowly getting better on the Offensive side of the ball.
CARDINALS: It sucks if you own Fitzgerald! Derek Anderson continues to kill all Arizona WR value and Fitz should be sliding down to a low end number one play after this week. Yes he got a catch for a TD but 26 yards? Yes it was Asomugh, but what about week one? This looks to be close to where Fitz will wind up against decent corners, but as long as he catches a TD every game who cares? That was no surprise, but the return of Wells running for 75 yards and getting more touches than Hightower was. Hightower seems to have lost all the mojo he built the last two weeks in a flash and was put back in his place immediately as the number two back. While Wells was effective, lets give it some time before we can figure out if it was a pretty good performance because of opponent or his talent.
SAN DIEGO: Two fumbles killed drives early on for the Chargers and wound up making the difference as the Charges gave one to Seattle. What killed them even more was their horrible special teams play. Phillip Rivers threw for 455yds but still was unable to pull it out despite having a chance at the end. Naanee and Floyd along with Gates are resembling the Packers trio of pass catching studs as the Chargers seem to mirroring the Green Bay strategy. Mike Tolbert started out slow but got stronger as the game went on and will be the handcuff to Mathews who could miss some more time. The Chargers need help on Defense, losing Merriman to a calf injury and the Offensive line has had trouble allowing the run game to find holes. The Chargers will rely on outscoring opponents this year, which is a reoccuring theme around the league. Problem is if you turn the ball over and can't cover kick returns then no amount of scoring will help. Both games the Chargers have lost by close margins so don't expect them to be too discouraged as of yet.
SEATTLE: Take away Leon Washington's two TD returns and his run to mid field and Seattle loses this game with only one offensive TD. A win is a win but the only somewhat bright spot other than Washington was Justin Forcett who ran for 63 yards. The Defense is the Seattle strength, clamping down again when they needed to. When it boils down to it nobody cares how you win so that's what counts for now. To expect more showings like this may be asking too much, but the Seahawks seem to be adaptable to the flow of a game and are showing they are the surprise bet to win this division if San Fran doesn't get it's act together.
JETS: Braylon Edwards earned some respect back from his team after catching another TD pass on 87 yards. Dustin Keller scored twice with 98 yards. The Jets have taken the training wheels off Sanchez and it seems to be paying off. The Baltimore game must feel like ages ago to Jets fans and their play warrants that game to be more opening day rust as each game goes on and the Jets win. LT continues to look like he has returned to his old self, showing explosiveness and agililty we remember him for. Shonn Greene on the other hand has left fantasy owners scratching their heads. He will no doubt have value as the season goes on, but at this point he is a flex play, low end number two depending on the match up. The Jets seem to be hitting their stride now and with Sanchez throwing the ball confidently, the return of Santonio Holmes should pay huge dividends. New York seems to have their swagger back so look for the smack talk to start back up this week.
MIAMI: The Dolphins looked better than expected and Henne shut me up for at least one week. He threw for 363 yards, 166 of it going to Brandon Marshall. He spread the ball out well, connecting with my sleeper pick Hartline for 86 yards and almost a score. Bess also put up 86 yards on 6 catches. Is this a sign of things to come for the Dolphins pass game? I doubt it, no Revis and a young secondary outside of Cromartie can account for much of the damage, but the more telling thing is how the Dolphins still lost the game with Henne's performance. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combined for 82 yards and no scores against a tough front. The Dolphins are still a team hard to put a finger on. They are not a run first wildcat gimmick anymore and even with the addition of Marshall they aren't a pass attack team either. Though they showed they can be last night, the Dolphins are a balanced team who still are in search of their new identity. They should develop into a serious contender but it's all based on Henne and his play.
VIKINGS: They are pretty much where everyone rates them. They are good enough to beat the bad teams but are lacking dimensions to beat the good teams. Peterson is the focus and only true offense here, running for 160 yds. on the Lions. Other than Harvin, as expected the Vikings have average options. Several players caught balls for 30 yds. and Harvin was the only true WR here and finally had a good game. While a good start, there is cause for concern until Rice returns. Fantasy wise, only Harvin and Peterson seem to be dependable options.
DETROIT: Shaun Hill has served as a decent replacement, lacking that little extra that wins games. It was no different in SF and is why he was let go. Until this team is healthy don't expect more than some well played, close scoring games from this team. They will compete week in and out regardless of QB but the Lions are better with Stafford.
PITTSBURGH: The expectation was that this would be a defensive game but it turned out anything but on one end. The Bucs defense took the day off and a 31st ranked pass game scored three touchdowns. Charlie Batch proved that he is able to waltz into any game and be an effective back-up. Mendenhall also rushed for a score, giving the Steelers a 3-0 record. If this is what they can do without Ben then imagine how good this team can be with him. This defense is tops in the league and has set up this team for a playoff run presuming Ben returns in top mental and physical shape.
BUCCANEERS: The Bucs came in with high expectations and were put in check. This was a game where the teacher showed the student he was not yet ready to fight him. Tomlin threw a curve ball on Morris, throwing more and effective than anyone, including Morris would have thought. They did pound the ball as well, but the fact Tomlin was committed to the pass was surely not what the Bucs schemed for. The Bucs did what they could offensively, but were no match for a top defense. The Bucs have two weeks to prep for the Bengals so let's see where this teams will lays.
NY GIANTS: Eli Manning made some poor decisions, allowing C.J. and the Titans to capitalize. The Giants D took a step back, allowing CJ to run for 125 and 2 scores while VY was effective, tossing a score. The Giants seem to be a team lacking an identity. The run hasn't been overwhelming and the pass has been effective but average. The defense has been up and down thus far and looks to balance out. This team is showing all the signs of losing confidence in Tom Coughlin and the Bill Cowher bell has started ringing. Unless he can turn it around, his job is gone come end of the season. The Giants at this point look like an 8-8 team barring any changes.
TITANS: The Titans on the other hand have an identity, but the question is if it's enough. Vince Young went 10-16 for 118 and a TD, and CJ ran for multiple TD's on 125 yds. As the Steelers showed last week, a good enough defense can shut down CJ and with the Offense in Young's hands, there can be questions on if he can pull it out. While he showed last year the ability to do so, the Titans are too one dimensional overall and the passing game needs to be a bit more of a focus as the season rolls on. The defense has performed above expectations and has the ability to hold teams when it matters.
BENGALS: This was one of those games you were unpleasantly surprised to get away with a win. The Bengals are showing multiple personalities, and Palmer has yet to really instill confidence that he is back to where he was three years ago. Two picks and one TD were enough to beat a rebuilding, young Carolina team but things will need to change until they can be considered for real. The loss of Adam Jones and Odom could have put extra stress on the offense, but overall the Bengals have work to do. They did commit to the run some more which was needed, so if they can get back to last year's roots there may be more confidence coming.
CAROLINA: Clausen was about what you expected in his first game, throwing for 188 and a pick. The problem for Carolina this year has been turnovers and the weak run game. The off-season surgeries have been a big cause of concern for me and so far have proven me correct. While I expected Stewart to have the bigger game here of the two, Williams was the benefactor, running for 64 yards. Not that it was a great performance, but it was the best yet by a Carolina rusher. This team has all but sealed it's fate in the basement of the NFC South, but as the Bucs have shown, one year can make a significant difference. Their youth is an advantage long term, but this year will be more about experience and growth.
NEW ENGLAND: Forget about figuring out this team past WR and QB. Ben Jarvis was the lead back when rational and common thought assumed it would be Taylor, and Hernandez led in yardage while Gronkowski got the TD. Brady tossed Moss 2 TD and you can expect more of those coming, but no other players other than Welker are a safe bet to contribute every game. Buffalo always seems to give the Pats a scare, but it ends there. New England is back, but the Defense needs to grow over the next few weeks if they hope to make a serious run in the playoffs.
BUFFALO: Much like the Pats, forget about figuring this team out, but you can't feel secure at any position. Each week it's a different statistical leader and the change to Fitzpatrick seems to have only muddled things further. The Bills will need to address offense this off-season as well as QB and a host of positions. They have heart and play hard for a city where they are the only show in town, so it is a matter of better management decisions and a commitment to winning by ownership.
BALTIMORE: Flacco set everyone at ease after two subpar performances, tossing three passes to Boldin in a route of the Browns. Ray Rice ran for 80 yds. and no scores, but this is what Baltimore needed. A game to get Flacco on track will help this team to become the balanced attack they are known for. Ray Rice may be a bit banged up so we will know more as the week goes on. Mason has definitely taken a back seat to Boldin and is nothing but a bye week fill in for now. Heap is one of those guys that will be feast or famine, so if you have a more productive option it may be worth using weekly. The Ravens will be a force this year and keep in mind that they have gotten off to a slow start and are still a competitive bunch.
CLEVELAND: The Browns put up a fight but the lack of talent at WR continues to be an issue. Wallace captained well at times but he or Delhomme need a pure WR threat before teams will stop focusing on their strength in the run game. Regardless, Peyton Hillis put up 141 with a score and has solidified himself as the lead back for the Browns and the one you want to own in fantasy. He's the only one you want to own on this team other than Harrison as the handcuff. I have no doubt Holmgren will get this team on track, but it will take time to see results.
CHIEFS: Cassel delivered on the key to this game, throwing TD passes to Bowe and Mclusteer which kept the 49ers on their heels and allowed both Charles and Thomas to post games above 90 yds. Thomas got the TD but Charles continues to outperform Thomas with fewer touches. Why they are not flipping the number of carries mystifies everyone except for Hailey but hey, if it ain't broke.....The Chiefs are the surprise team this year and it boils down to Defense. Romeo has transformed this team, focusing and exploiting each individuals talents within the scheme instead of forcing players to adapt to the scheme. If Cassel can continue days like this, the Chiefs will be a force within their division. San Diego has shown it is not as superior as last season and lack the defensive strength needed to shut down the Chiefs or Broncos. It will only be a matter of time before teams start getting better film on the Chiefs and then the real challenges will begin. For now they are showing they can adapt and attack a team's flaws.
49ers: Exactly what happened to the team penciled in to win their division? Outside of Frank Gore who is doing his damned best to do it all and carry them, teams are realizing all that is needed to beat San Fran is to take away Vernon Davis and focus on the run. Gore has become this team's number one receiver which is bad news. Crabtree has people printing the bust label and has little time before he is forced to prove he is otherwise. The presence of Vernon Davis and Gore should have this guy exploding for yardage, but he just doesn't seem to have the separation speed everyone expected and has been a fairly easy cover for teams. Singletary won't be afraid to make some big changes quickly and it just may be what this team needs. They are still somehow within striking distance for this division so don't count them out yet. But don't count on a huge turnaround either.
COWBOYS: Romo got what he wanted and was rewarded. Dallas finally commited to it's run game and while not stellar it was enough. The Defense woke up and held one of the best Offensive teams so far in check. Andre Johnson was held to 64 yds. although how much of that was D or his ankle is up for debate. Roy Williams saved himself from a benching I have to assume was spoken about to him during this past week. Yes, he has a big salary, but when you stink it up two games all bets are off. You know Jones was willing to do anything needed to spice things up in a year when they host the Super Bowl. The bad news is that Williams only seems to perform when he has to. Unless he can come out after the bye and light it up I will still believe he is the worst buy this team has made in the last two years. Regardless, Dallas can be a very emotional team, so look for this to maybe be the spark they needed if it can carry them through the bye week.
TEXANS: Offensively, Houston didn't really have a bad game. It's just their Defense continues to give up points, putting the burden of winning a game on Schaub and Johnson. Until this unit can stop a team and prove they are able to win games, Houston will be a one and done contender come playoff time. Management has tried to bring talent in yet it never seems to be enough. Fortunately for them, the Offense is capable of scoring every drive and will provide success. The scare here is what happens when one of the star playmakers goes down? Johnson's hurt ankle is most likely the cause of his low numbers and could be cause for concern going forward should he re-injure it.
ST.LOUIS: I may have been the only guy on the planet to call this one so let me ignore the ones I got wrong for a minute. St. Louis as I said is the most exciting and best losing team to watch this year. Bradford matched Mcnabb in the stats, but was more of an effective manager, spreading the ball out more. The Rams defense is what pulled this one out, keeping Washington to 91 yards of production from the RB squad with no scores. It forced Mcnabb to throw which seems to be what he will have to do if they want to win. Clayton had another solid game catching 5 for 85 although failing to score. Right now though, Rams fan are holding their breath after a Steven Jackson groin injury in which he will get an MRI on Monday. Jackson is nothing but injury prone because of his work load and this injury seems to have an ominous tone to it. Darby is not the answer, so no doubt the front office will be calling the Bills again in an effort to get one of their backs. If Bradford can stay healthy though, there is no ruling this team out of any game.
WASHINGTON: Mcnabb continues to be a one man show, the only source of consistency on this team. While Santana Moss has been a dependable receiver on the field and in fantasy, the lack of a ball control run game is exposing Mcnabb's ability to search for second and third option. Add to that the weak O line and this isn't a team ready for the long haul. Shanny is doing his best, but much as his last two years in Denver, he is forced to pass more often than he would like. The Skins could use a shot in the arm at RB and may look to make a trade for someone soon now that St. Louis will be in the market heavily.
PHILADELPHIA: Welcome back Michael Vick and welcome to your new contract. Vick silenced any doubters whom may still have had a soft spot for Kolb and threw for 291 3 TD and rushed for one more. Vick has never had the weapons he now has at his disposal and looks to have understood that the pass comes first, run second. While he is definitely far from clearing his name off the field, he is doing things right on it and has the Eagles looking like legit contenders who will cause headaches for opposing Defenses. Talk about a fantasy monster, Vick who was always a guy that could make or break you in fantasy has become a top five QB you want to own. His decisions have been on point for the most part and he has learned how to manage a game instead of looking for the home run every play. Jeremy Maclin continues to be a TD machine with Vick at the helm and could be in for a great statistical year both on the field and in fantasy. Celek continues to go unused and should be dropped to number two status as long as Vick is under center. McCoy is still not quite where everyone expected and seems to at this point be no more than a number two/flex option for now.
JAGUARS: Jones-Drew continues to raise questions on how healthy he really is, averaging only 4 yds. per carry this game. The real problem lies in David Gerrard who continues to underperform and seems unable to stop staring down his receivers. Gerrard will be what wins or costs the Jags every game and with no option behind him this could be his last year if he fails to produce. The Jags need MJD to return to form but I believe he is not at 100 percent health which is why he is having a down year so far. They have the talent but always seem to be a crapshoot if they're going to use it or not.
BRONCOS: One of my two big upset picks, the Broncos stalled on five occasions in the Colts redzone that would have won them the game easily. Orton threw for a crazy 476 yards and over 100 yds to two different receivers in a game where Denver beat the Colts everywhere but the scoreboard. It was a great effort given what they've been through this week and probably stings more than normal at their lack of red zone efficiency. Regardless, nobody can or should criticize too much a team that gave an amazing effort given the circumstances. Denver will bounce back and if teams haven't already noticed, they are a pass first team who are good at it.
COLTS: A week after coming to life, the run game died again forcing Manning to throw for the win. He proved all he needs are warm bodies who can catch at WR to win a game, tossing a TD to Blair White whom was on the practice squad two days ago. Still, this was more a game won by the Broncos lack of efficiency in the red zone than a rally the Colts could feel great about. A win is a win, but the run game needs major work or the Colts will collapse when playoff time comes. Austin Collie is the second WR you want in Indianapolis and Garcon is now officially droppable. Time to look for other options if you own him or at least leave him on the bench in case the injury bug bites Collie or Wayne. Otherwise you can't trust him going forward, not can you trust either Brown or Addai until they show consistency.
RAIDERS: Gradkowski should have cemented his spot as starter at least for one more week after putting the Raiders in position to win twice, only to have Janikowski go wide left on what would have been the game winner. Gradkowski continues his Jeff Garcia impression, putting Bey, Murphy, and Miller in opportunities to succeed. McFadden had another solid game and will be the lead back going ahead no matter what. The Defense simply allowed Arizona to respond when they needed to and couldn't make a stand to seal the game. The loss will fall on Janikowski's shoulders however and was one of those games every kicker is prone to having once a year. He is normally more consistent than that and should not be in any jeapordy of losing his starting gig. The Raiders do seem to be making progress with Gradkowski and are a team that is slowly getting better on the Offensive side of the ball.
CARDINALS: It sucks if you own Fitzgerald! Derek Anderson continues to kill all Arizona WR value and Fitz should be sliding down to a low end number one play after this week. Yes he got a catch for a TD but 26 yards? Yes it was Asomugh, but what about week one? This looks to be close to where Fitz will wind up against decent corners, but as long as he catches a TD every game who cares? That was no surprise, but the return of Wells running for 75 yards and getting more touches than Hightower was. Hightower seems to have lost all the mojo he built the last two weeks in a flash and was put back in his place immediately as the number two back. While Wells was effective, lets give it some time before we can figure out if it was a pretty good performance because of opponent or his talent.
SAN DIEGO: Two fumbles killed drives early on for the Chargers and wound up making the difference as the Charges gave one to Seattle. What killed them even more was their horrible special teams play. Phillip Rivers threw for 455yds but still was unable to pull it out despite having a chance at the end. Naanee and Floyd along with Gates are resembling the Packers trio of pass catching studs as the Chargers seem to mirroring the Green Bay strategy. Mike Tolbert started out slow but got stronger as the game went on and will be the handcuff to Mathews who could miss some more time. The Chargers need help on Defense, losing Merriman to a calf injury and the Offensive line has had trouble allowing the run game to find holes. The Chargers will rely on outscoring opponents this year, which is a reoccuring theme around the league. Problem is if you turn the ball over and can't cover kick returns then no amount of scoring will help. Both games the Chargers have lost by close margins so don't expect them to be too discouraged as of yet.
SEATTLE: Take away Leon Washington's two TD returns and his run to mid field and Seattle loses this game with only one offensive TD. A win is a win but the only somewhat bright spot other than Washington was Justin Forcett who ran for 63 yards. The Defense is the Seattle strength, clamping down again when they needed to. When it boils down to it nobody cares how you win so that's what counts for now. To expect more showings like this may be asking too much, but the Seahawks seem to be adaptable to the flow of a game and are showing they are the surprise bet to win this division if San Fran doesn't get it's act together.
JETS: Braylon Edwards earned some respect back from his team after catching another TD pass on 87 yards. Dustin Keller scored twice with 98 yards. The Jets have taken the training wheels off Sanchez and it seems to be paying off. The Baltimore game must feel like ages ago to Jets fans and their play warrants that game to be more opening day rust as each game goes on and the Jets win. LT continues to look like he has returned to his old self, showing explosiveness and agililty we remember him for. Shonn Greene on the other hand has left fantasy owners scratching their heads. He will no doubt have value as the season goes on, but at this point he is a flex play, low end number two depending on the match up. The Jets seem to be hitting their stride now and with Sanchez throwing the ball confidently, the return of Santonio Holmes should pay huge dividends. New York seems to have their swagger back so look for the smack talk to start back up this week.
MIAMI: The Dolphins looked better than expected and Henne shut me up for at least one week. He threw for 363 yards, 166 of it going to Brandon Marshall. He spread the ball out well, connecting with my sleeper pick Hartline for 86 yards and almost a score. Bess also put up 86 yards on 6 catches. Is this a sign of things to come for the Dolphins pass game? I doubt it, no Revis and a young secondary outside of Cromartie can account for much of the damage, but the more telling thing is how the Dolphins still lost the game with Henne's performance. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combined for 82 yards and no scores against a tough front. The Dolphins are still a team hard to put a finger on. They are not a run first wildcat gimmick anymore and even with the addition of Marshall they aren't a pass attack team either. Though they showed they can be last night, the Dolphins are a balanced team who still are in search of their new identity. They should develop into a serious contender but it's all based on Henne and his play.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday Gut Check
First two quick updates....Laurent Robinson has been listed as doubtful and is in a boot. Knowshaun Moreno has been ruled OUT of Sunday's game due to a hammy injury.
Now for the Gut Check....Sometimes you have that feeling in your gut that just tells you to start Benjarvis Green-Ellis over Fred Taylor despite what all the "experts" say and all the rankings. You bench him only to watch on Sunday the stud tank and the second tier guy put up a career game. Of course this could also blow up in your face so proceed with caution.We all have them, so here are mine.
1. Shonn Greene NYJ: No Braylon for a certain period of the game, and possibly no Mangold who is a game time decision. So why start him over a better match up? Because the weakest part of the Miami Defense is stopping the run. Not that it's very weak at all, but with no Braylon and a QB who struggles against top D's the Jets are going to need to run a lot and often. L.T.'s effectiveness out of the back field shoul be limited by the Jets passing D, and it will make it a much harder day for him. A banger like Greene should have more effectiveness and get the touches as the game goes on.
2. Cadillac Williams TB: 23rd in rushing, against a top run Defense in Pittsburgh doesn't sound like a smart choice? So why do it? Pittsburgh has faced two teams who's identity is their RB. Both Turner and C.J. are top backs and the Steelers knew what they needed to focus on. Out come the Bucs, whom are more balanced but their strength is the pass. The Steelers know this and with rookie stud Mike Williams playing well and an added threat in Winslow, this might open a small window for Williams at times. Don't be surprised if Cadillac overcomes his low score projections.
3. Dwayne Bowe KC: Everyone knows he has the talent, but he has been useless with Cassel throwing the ball. SF is better at stopping the run game, and look for their strong LB core to shadow Charles and Jones leaving some good coverage against Bowe. There are plenty of better options, but he might surprise.
4. Brian Hartline MIA: All he's really done this year so far is catch one TD pass. Past that he's been useless. The Jets have no Revis, but Cromartie is no lame dog either. They should have him shadow Marshall, leaving Hartline in man coverage against a young secondary. Miami's run game should be kept in check pretty well forcing Henne to beat them. Hartline could find a lot of open looks downfield.
5. Brandon Jackson GB: While he's already slated to have a solid game, I expect bigger things this week. The Bears will have their hands full with the GB pass weapons and no doubt may employ a little more cover two than what they already use. Finley will cause the LB's fits and leave them on their heels for much the game. Jackson should have no problem finding holes and with his speed, could do damage. Any team playing the Pack are forced to focus on the downfield throw and Jackson should have a great day since the Pack will not take Chicago's pass game lightly and look to control the clock to keep the ball out of Cutler's hands.
6. Jonathan Stewart CAR: The Bengals D looked impressive last week after tanking in week one. A rookie QB for Carolina will have Cinci foaming at the mouth. Carolina no doubt will not want to limit Clausen's rookie opener to simpler pass routes and will plan on pounding the rock. Neither back has been at all spectacular, and while the backs worry me, I would not be surprised to see Stewart have the better day of the two. Bengals will bring the heat, and since Deangelo is more of a cut back dancing type of back I think a straight ahead guy like Stewart will have better success. He performed better than Williams last week despite fewer touches and could have his first good game of the season instead of Williams.
Now for the Gut Check....Sometimes you have that feeling in your gut that just tells you to start Benjarvis Green-Ellis over Fred Taylor despite what all the "experts" say and all the rankings. You bench him only to watch on Sunday the stud tank and the second tier guy put up a career game. Of course this could also blow up in your face so proceed with caution.We all have them, so here are mine.
1. Shonn Greene NYJ: No Braylon for a certain period of the game, and possibly no Mangold who is a game time decision. So why start him over a better match up? Because the weakest part of the Miami Defense is stopping the run. Not that it's very weak at all, but with no Braylon and a QB who struggles against top D's the Jets are going to need to run a lot and often. L.T.'s effectiveness out of the back field shoul be limited by the Jets passing D, and it will make it a much harder day for him. A banger like Greene should have more effectiveness and get the touches as the game goes on.
2. Cadillac Williams TB: 23rd in rushing, against a top run Defense in Pittsburgh doesn't sound like a smart choice? So why do it? Pittsburgh has faced two teams who's identity is their RB. Both Turner and C.J. are top backs and the Steelers knew what they needed to focus on. Out come the Bucs, whom are more balanced but their strength is the pass. The Steelers know this and with rookie stud Mike Williams playing well and an added threat in Winslow, this might open a small window for Williams at times. Don't be surprised if Cadillac overcomes his low score projections.
3. Dwayne Bowe KC: Everyone knows he has the talent, but he has been useless with Cassel throwing the ball. SF is better at stopping the run game, and look for their strong LB core to shadow Charles and Jones leaving some good coverage against Bowe. There are plenty of better options, but he might surprise.
4. Brian Hartline MIA: All he's really done this year so far is catch one TD pass. Past that he's been useless. The Jets have no Revis, but Cromartie is no lame dog either. They should have him shadow Marshall, leaving Hartline in man coverage against a young secondary. Miami's run game should be kept in check pretty well forcing Henne to beat them. Hartline could find a lot of open looks downfield.
5. Brandon Jackson GB: While he's already slated to have a solid game, I expect bigger things this week. The Bears will have their hands full with the GB pass weapons and no doubt may employ a little more cover two than what they already use. Finley will cause the LB's fits and leave them on their heels for much the game. Jackson should have no problem finding holes and with his speed, could do damage. Any team playing the Pack are forced to focus on the downfield throw and Jackson should have a great day since the Pack will not take Chicago's pass game lightly and look to control the clock to keep the ball out of Cutler's hands.
6. Jonathan Stewart CAR: The Bengals D looked impressive last week after tanking in week one. A rookie QB for Carolina will have Cinci foaming at the mouth. Carolina no doubt will not want to limit Clausen's rookie opener to simpler pass routes and will plan on pounding the rock. Neither back has been at all spectacular, and while the backs worry me, I would not be surprised to see Stewart have the better day of the two. Bengals will bring the heat, and since Deangelo is more of a cut back dancing type of back I think a straight ahead guy like Stewart will have better success. He performed better than Williams last week despite fewer touches and could have his first good game of the season instead of Williams.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
THURSDAY PRACTICE QUICKIES
Practiced and Cleared to Play:
Beanie Wells-ARI
Michael Turner-ATL Sorry to everyone who wasted a waiver pick on Snelling. However, he will no doubt be useful going ahead as Turner is bound to get hurt again with his heavy work load.
Percy Harvin-MIN Oddly it wasn't his hip that held him out but...migranes.
Limited in Practice:
Fred Taylor-NE This is probably more them taking it easy on him given his age.
Joseph Addai-IND
Dez Bryant-DAL
Held out of Practice:
Ryan Mathews-SD Looks like Tolbert will get the start. Word was he was fine and then the words "high ankle sprain" were released. High sprains are more serious, especially for a RB.
Pierre Garçon-IND.He's becoming a drop prospect every week that passes.
Devin Aromashudu-CHI While he is not injured, Martz has done nothing but criticize him this week. Complaining about downfield blocking. Like Garçon, another week of no points will make him a drop.
Beanie Wells-ARI
Michael Turner-ATL Sorry to everyone who wasted a waiver pick on Snelling. However, he will no doubt be useful going ahead as Turner is bound to get hurt again with his heavy work load.
Percy Harvin-MIN Oddly it wasn't his hip that held him out but...migranes.
Limited in Practice:
Fred Taylor-NE This is probably more them taking it easy on him given his age.
Joseph Addai-IND
Dez Bryant-DAL
Held out of Practice:
Ryan Mathews-SD Looks like Tolbert will get the start. Word was he was fine and then the words "high ankle sprain" were released. High sprains are more serious, especially for a RB.
Pierre Garçon-IND.He's becoming a drop prospect every week that passes.
Devin Aromashudu-CHI While he is not injured, Martz has done nothing but criticize him this week. Complaining about downfield blocking. Like Garçon, another week of no points will make him a drop.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
It appears A.J. Smith's ego is bigger than the team. WR Vincent Jackson has not been traded by the deadline meaning he will serve the full suspension. The bigger question here is if as V.Jax implies it is unethical business practice. Jackson believes his agent and teams did everything needed to make a deal happen but Smith asked for more than he knew anyone would give. Smith knows the Chargers are in a good position to compete even without Jackson which is why they only offered him a tender. So why not trade Jackson for something of value in the future? Is A.J. Smith hurting his team when they don't need Jackson yet could adress another situational need this year as they make a run at the playoff's? A.J. Smith essentially ran L.T. out of town and is known to be a brass businessman who is alleged to have a temper. The problem is when temper controlls rationale. To me this makes no sense and boils down to nothing but ego. If he was a good decision maker and looked at Jackson only as an asset, why not trade him and get good value to help your product either now, in the future, or both? This all but gaurantees Jackson won't return to the team when his contract is up and then the Chargers will be left with nothing. A poor decision by a G.M. with a big ego.
Buccaneers Safety Tanard Jackson suspended immediately 1 year for violation of the NFL substance policy. This would mean it's his third failed drug test! Thankfully the Bucs kept Piscatelli. Jackson had no immediate explanation to press. While not a huge loss to the Bucs who signed Sean Jones in the off-season, it does eliminate depth and a great young talent at the position. Back to Piscatelli who was oft criticized due to his bad angles last year but seems to have himself together this year.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS
CLEVELAND at BALTIMORE: Easily overmatched and on the road, Flacco should have his way with the secondary. Clevelands run defense is better than the perception and could hold Ray Rice under control. Seneca Wallace should be getting another start after a good performance last week, and Cribbs should touch the ball more if the Browns have a shot to compete. Hillis and Harrison will face their toughest opponents yet and given their low rushing totals so far, they should have no place to go. The Ravens have yet to hit their stride Offensively and this could be just what they needed to get things moving. After being man handled again by the Bengals, look for the Ravens to come out strong and not let up. Baltimore wins 28-13.
FANTASY STARTS: CLEVELAND- Cribbs (5 for 70 yds 1 TD) BALTIMORE- Rice (14 for 65/ 4 catch for 35 1 TD) Boldin (6 for 85 1 TD) Mason ( 4 for 50 1 TD) Flacco (240 yds. 2 TD)
SLEEPER: McGahee...he could steal some carries once this one gets out of hand as well as a goal line steal.
CINCINNATI at CAROLINA: The Bengals are averaging 340 yds/pg versus Carolina's 257. Given the Bengals ability to hold Baltimore down last week, the defense should have it's swagger back and make Clausen's first NFL start one to forget. Steve Smith has a deep bruise on his wrist though mild injuries don't seem to hinder him. Chad Ochocinco has a fractured rib and could be a late scratch given the opponent. Carolina doesn't have the horses to compete with top tier teams this year and Clausen will make a few mistakes that turn into points. The Bengals should feed Cedric Benson a good portion of touches in an effort to get him into a rhythm after a slow start. Bengals 23-Panthers 14.
FANTASY STARTS: CAROLINA- Steve Smith (5 for 70 yds 1 TD) Williams (19 for 80 1 TD)
CINCINNATI- Benson (18 for 90 1 TD) Palmer ( 260 yds. 2 TD) T.O. (7 for 90 1 RD) Ochocinco could get those numbers if he plays the duration.
SLEEPER: J. Greisham...If Ocho is given some time to rest, Greisham could be utilized often.
DALLAS at HOUSTON: These two teams are actually close statistically in YPG and Passing but it all separates when it comes to PPG. Dallas is averaging a poor 13.5 compared to Houston's 32. This may be a must win game for Dallas but Houston proved they can score with anyone and are the real deal.Last week was their first ever OT win. The Defense will allow Dallas to score better than the previous two games which can make this a shoot out until the end. Andre Johnson's ankle will be a big factor in how this game turns out. The Texans become very one dimensional without him and even if he isn't at top speed it's better than not having him on the field. Dallas will have to get their run game going and control the clock, keeping the ball out of Schaub's hands. If Dallas loses I would not be surprised to see Jerry Jones pave the way for a bye week firing of Phillips. This team is portraying all the signs of poor prep and some new blood could be what they need to spark some fire under them. Roy Williams has all but lost the job to Dez Bryant, whom has done more in two games than Williams last six. Contingent upon the health of Johnson, Houston wins 28-24.
FANTASY STARTS: DALLAS- Dez Bryant (7 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Austin (9 for 110 1 TD) Romo (290 yds. 2 TD) HOUSTON- Foster (18 for 95 1 TD/ 3 for 25) Johnson ( 8 for 100 yds. 1 TD) Schaub ( 300 yds. 2 TD)
SLEEPER: Felix Jones...The Texans have yet to face a speed back and Jones could provide them some problems. J. Jones (Hou)...He was able to display a bit of his ability against Washington and given Johnson's ankle issue they may look to ease his work load giving Jones a chance to shine.
SAN FRANCISCO at KANSAS CITY: The new Arrowhead is as hostile a place to play as the old one, just ask the Chargers. The Chiefs always take it to another level at home and after a great start will be playing at full speed. The lack of a pass game outside of Vernon Davis should help the Chiefs focus in on Gore who will be coming off a short week where he carried a heavy load. KC is in a good postion to win only if Cassel can do better than he has and get his receivers involved early. KC has yet to face a good LB corps like the Niners, whom will be able to keep the run game in check. The way Rivers and Seneca Wallace were able to pass on KC could turn out being the secondary key to the game. Alex Smith looked a lot better on Monday night and although they lost, I think it may have been a slight motivator confidence wise knowing they can come back when the game is on the line. Look for Charles to get more work here as Weiss follows the Saints game plan and sends Charles running routes more often than normal. The speed of the SF linebackers will prove tough for Thomas Jones' style. Although this game is a toss up, Alex Smith has shown he is playing at a high level for him and we have yet to see Cassel scratch the surface of a good outing. This is where he does, and it pays off. KC squeaks it out 17-14.
FANTASY STARTS: KANSAS CITY-Charles (10 for 45/ 4 for 50 yds. 1 TD) Bowe ( 4 for 60 yds. 1 TD) SAN FRANCISCO- Davis ( 7 for 85 1 TD) Gore (14 for 70 yds/ 5 for 55 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Crabtree, SF...Both Naanee and Cribbs had success againts this secondary and Crabtree knows the bust birds are circling.
PITTSBURGH at TAMPA BAY: This game is one of the more intriguing games due to the fact that it is the only game on Sunday where two 2-0 teams will square off and that it should be closer that what you would think given the recent history of these two teams. The Steelers are winning with Defense and Dixon was proving to be the QB they expected to groom for the future. However, after a miniscus injury Dixon is out and either Leftwich or Batch is in. The Bucs know Leftwich well, but Batch should be the front runner due to health. The Bucs had success shutting down the Carolina run game and the Defense in general seems to be playing as fast as they ever have. The Steelers have so far kept teams with more explosive backs in check, so it will be on the Bucs passing game to try and put up points through the air. Mendenhall should be called on often to allow whoever the QB is to settle in on their first start. This should be where the Buc D focuses and forces Pittsburgh to beat them through the air. At the risk of making a bias projection, the Bucs pull this one out 16-14.
FANTASY STARTS: BUCS- Winslow (7 for 50 1TD.) Mike Williams ( 8 for 60 1 TD)
STEELERS- Mendenhall (18 for 90 1 TD) Ward (6 for 70 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Stroughter (TB)...The Bucs will need to spread the ball around and Stroughter could provide a big game out of the slot where the Steeler secondary weakens a bit.
DETROIT LIONS at MINNESOTA: Who in the world would have expected the PPG stats to be 23 vs 9.5 in the LIONS favor! I have a hard time believing the Sidney Rice was that integral a part of this team that would have the Vikes averaging only 185 yds per game. Their slow start looks to me more the result of guys playing out of position and a lack of chemistry due to the Favre holdout and injuries. The Vikings get the match up they need in the Lions, whom have lost Nate Burleson to his yearly ankle injury and Matt Stafford to his yearly shoulder injury. Though missing both men, Shaun Hill has stepped in admirably and Detroit is a team that will fight until the end. Jhavid Best is proving to be this years best rookie back so far and could give the Vikes some headaches. Regardless, the Vikings run game will be able to control the clock and Favre should find a rhythm finally with Harvin and Berrian. Harvin is nursing a hip strain, but it didn't seem to hamper him too much last week. Pettigrew had a great outing last week and should get more looks with Burleson out. Given how well the Lions are playing, the Vikings could just as easily lose this game as they could win it. In the end, the Vikings home stand proves dividends and they pull away 28-17.
FANTASY STARTS: LIONS- Best (16 for 50 yds/ 4 for 55 1 TD) Johnson (7 for 80 yds. 1 TD)
VIKINGS- A.P. ( 16 for 90 1 TD/ 4 for 35) Harvin ( 6 for 72 1 TD) Favre ( 250 yds. 2 TD)
SLEEPER: Bryant Johnson...someone will need to step up in Burleson's place and help take pressure off Megatron. Johnson had some good games last year and could sneak up on the Vikings.
BUFFALO at NEW ENGLAND: New QB, same result. The Bills are a rebuilding team who need more help than they can draft in one year. They are young and better days are ahead. Normally a competitive game by the Bills, I think the swap to a new QB making his first start on the road here hurts. Lee Evans has been a complete let down though not his fault and Chan Gailey has not really brought the spark everyone hoped for. Lynch needs to be traded to get some help fast. New England is back on track in what should be an easy day. New England 31-17
FANTASY STARTS: NEW ENGLAND: Uhh, everyone. BUFFALO: NOBODY!! With Lynch getting all the work last week and Gailey now promising Spiller will get a bigger work load with Fred Jackson. Until there are only two RB's in this town there is nobody safe starting.
SLEEPER: Roscoe Parrish: He has seemed to get the little bit of work amongst the WR and could post some good numbers since Buffalo will be throwing a lot.
ATLANTA at NEW ORLEANS: Mike Turner is expected to be back and active this week but pay close attention to how much work he gets on Thursday practice. Overall, this is a bad sign for Atlanta who overworked Turner last year and wound up missing him in some games. Matt Ryan is proving to be a one dimensional QB who needs more weapons. Gonzales has maybe hit the end of the road and no Mike Jenkins forced Ryan to target White a ridiculous 25 times? Atlanta is an easy team to scheme for and New Orleans should have a fairly easy game at home. Atlanta will make the score look closer than the game actually is. Fantasy wise, no NO WR has looked really great or put up the big numbers. I think the loss of Bush will hurt more than people think. Chris Ivory may be a good waiver claim but Deshaun Wynn should get all the initial work, but it will be limited since Pierre Thomas can will be a work horse. NO 28-21.
FANTASY STARTS: ATLANTA: Turner/Snelling ( 17 for 80 yds. 4 for 46 1 TD) White (9 for 110 1 TD) NEW ORLEANS: Thomas (19 for 90 yds. 6 for 45 1 TD) Brees (290 yds. 3 TD) Colston ( 6 for 90 1 TD) Meachem (5 for 80)
SLEEPER: Chris Ivory...He showed explosiveness in the pre-season and if healthy could get a few touches that are made to count.
TENNESSEE at NY GIANTS: This should be one of the better games to watch because this game should say a lot about how these teams deal with adversity going forward. The Giants were dismantled by the Colts and Brandon Jacobs meltdown led to a meeting with management. The Titans benched Vince Young and last time he was benched it wasn't good. Coaches seem more comfortable than ever benching then starting QB's but I don't see Young as a guy that appreciates it. Then again every competitive QB wants in there regardless. Chris Johnson should have a good but not great day as the Giants force VY to beat them with the throw. Giants win a close one, 20-17
FANTASY STARTS: NY GIANTS: Manning (250 yds 2 TD) Nicks ( 5 for 80 1 TD) Manningham (4 for 60 1TD) TITANS: CJ ( 17 for 96/ 3 for 40 1 TD) Nate Washington ( 4 for 65 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Brandon Jacobs....He is bound to get a bigger workload after supposedly asking for a trade and making his frustrations known. The Giants know they need him for the long season and will appease him by giving him 10 to 12 touches and maybe some goal line work.
WASHINGTON at ST.LOUIS: The Redskins have shown more Offense than anyone anticipated given their lack of receiver depth. Larry Johnson was released yesterday, opening the door for Keiland Williams who could steal the lead back job if given a real opportunity. Portis won't be healthy all year and the Redskins may have a diamond in the rough here. The Rams have been the best losing team to watch so far with Bradford and Mark Clayton surprising critics. The Rams will beat some unsuspecting teams this year and it may just start this week. Portis is a bit banged up and two hard fought games should have Washington's aged team a bit slower than normal. Upset of the week, St. Louis wins 21-17.
FANTASY START: WASHINGTON: Cooley (5 for 68 1 TD) Moss (7 for 95 1 TD) McNabb (225 2 TD) ST. LOUIS: Clayton (8 for 110 1 TD) Jackson ( 16 for 90 1 TD/ 6 for 60)
SLEEPER: Bradford...Washington has given up a lot of points through the air and Bradford could have a statistically great game fantasy wise.
PHILADELPHIA at JACKSONVILLE: Looks like the locker room won here as Reid came out on Monday naming Kolb the starter then flip flopped naming Vick the starter on Tuesday. The players will rally around Vick who really does give them the best chance to win for now. I do agree with Mr. Clayton form ESPN though in believing this is a bad long term decision. Kolb is the future and what happens when Vick wets the bed? While Kolb looked weak in both pre-season and game 1, lets see what happens as the season wares on. For now, Vick is a top five QB start this week. Mike Simms-Walker was finally involved last week though most of it was garbage time. I have been preaching that something is wrong with MJD since pre-season. He has had an amazing amount of work the last four years and that 500 carry mark is when backs start to show signs of over use. I believe MJD is playing hurt and while he will be an every day start, he will not come close to his top five draft status. This could be a closer game than expected as Jacksonville always seems to play their A game at home. Philadelphia wins though 24-21.
FANTASY STARTS: PHILADELPHIA: Vick ( 230 yds. 2 TD/ 4 for 50 yds) D. Jackson ( 6 for 85 1 TD) McCoy ( 16 for 75 yds/ 4 for 40 1 TD) JACKSONVILLE: Simms-Walker (7 for 90 1 TD) Gerrard ( 250 yds. 2 TD) MJD (16 for 90yds. 1 TD) M. Lewis (6 for 70 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Mike Thomas...not necessarily a sleeper, Thomas should produce as most of the attention is on the right side of the field and MJD.
INDIANAPOLIS at DENVER: The Broncos will play an emotional game coming off the death of receiver Mckinley. How they respond is anyone's guess and there would be no criticism should they fall flat under the circumstances. I do think they play a hard fought game and give the Colts a run for their money. The return of Moreno and Buckhalter is good news as the passing attack will become more balanced. Orton loves to spread the ball around and the run game return adds another dimension. He has quietly thrown for 295 and 302 in 2 games. The Colts picked apart the Giants last weekend but they will face a stiffer challenge as the Broncos secondary is much better than the Giants. Pierre Garcon's disappearing act has been tempered by Austin Collie's emergence and the run game had it's first decent game last week. If the Broncos come out strong amid their adversity, this could be an upset. Broncos 31 Colts 28.
FANTASY STARTS: INDIANAPOLIS: Wayne (7 for 90 yds 1 TD) Collie ( 5 for 70 yds) Manning (300 yds 3 TD) Addai (16 for 80 1 TD/ 5 for 40 yds) DENVER: Orton (310 yds. 2 TD) Thomas (7 for 90 1 TD) Moreno (15 for 80 yds 1 TD) Royal ( 6 for 70 1 TD)
SLEEPER: J. Gaffney and P. Garcon...with the attention on Demaryus Thomas' breakout game and Royal being a known threat, this could be the game where Gaffney sneaks in a score again. The Broncos know what to expect form the Colts, and Garcon may be the key to Manning winning this one. Both receivers get out of the basement here.
OAKLAND at ARIZONA: Cable makes the smart move and Gradkowski is the starter. This benefits Louis Murphy the most since they seem to have a trust with each other. Being a TB fan, I see a lot of Jeff Garcia in Gradkowski whom served as his mentor somewhat. The return of McFadden helps take the pressure off a weak pass protecting Offensive line and Heyward-Bey's best game of his young career could mean good things to come. The Cards are in trouble and must be re-thinking the release of Leinart. Wells doesn't seem quite ready to play yet, but Hightower has taken the lead back role effectively, but the problem is with Anderson and the passing game. Fitzgerald will get his numbers, but looks so far like he will not reach his elite fantasy status. Especially with Asomugh covering him. Oakland wins this game behind a shifty Gradkowski and the run game, 21-14.
FANTASY STARTS: OAKLAND: Murphy (7 for 85 1 TD) Miller ( 6 for 70 1 TD) McFadden ( 22 for 120 yds. 1 TD) ARIZONA: Fitzgerald (5 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Hightower (17 for 80 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Breaston...who will need to have a good game and should have plenty of targets while Fitz is blanketed.
SAN DIEGO at SEATTLE: The Chargers bounced back after and upset loss in KC and Rivers could end up right behind Rogers as the league's top passer. Malcom Floyd met expectations last week, but the ankle injury to Matthews while minor could be something to watch long term. Mike Tolbert looks to be who they will turn to should he have issues and may get more carries this game than expected. Norv already stated he will split goal line duties with Matthews and could pose big problems for opposing Defenses. Seattle came back to earth last week and the lack of any production from their run game is allowing Defenses to key on the pass. While always tough at home, San Diego just has too many options and should win a high scoring affair. SD 34-28.
FANTASY STARTS: SAN DIEGO: Floyd ( 6 for 90 1 TD) Naanee ( 5 for 70 1 TD) Gates (6 for 80 1 TD) Matthews ( 17 for 70 yds. 1 TD) Rivers ( 320 yds. 3 TD) SEATTLE: Hasselbeck (290 yds. 2 TD) Williams ( 6 for 80 1 TD) Carlson ( 6 for 50 yds 1 TD) Forsett ( 13 for 55 yds/ 6 for 50 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Deion Branch...Branch is always a gamer at home and Hasselbeck trusts him.
NY JETS at MIAMI: Miami is coming off a big win at home against the Vikings but Henne still has yet to prove he is reliable as a passer. Marshall's stock will continue to be in doubt until Henne hits his stride. Ricky Williams has been non existent as Ronnie Brown has shown knee surgery has not hampered him. The lack of a number two threat out wide will keep teams in games against them. Their top rated pass defense will keep them competitive if Henne can produce. The Jets will not start Braylon Edwards after another DWI which kills their potential even more to score through the air, making them one dimensional. Even if Edwards plays this is an easy game for the Dolphins to plan for. Shonn Green and L.T. will be used heavily and I think the Dolphins follow suit with Williams getting more carries. Cromartie should shadow Marshall taking the Dolphins pass game away.
FANTASY STARTS: JETS: Greene (17 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Tomlinson ( 15 for 60 yds./ 6 for 50 yds. 1 TD) MIAMI: Brown ( 18 for 90 yds. 1 TD) Williams ( 13 for 60 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Fasano and Keller....Both teams will need to move the ball somehow through the air and their TE are the only decent second options as Cromarie and Davis hold each teams WR studs at bay.
GREEN BAY at CHICAGO: The Bears are riding high at 2-0 silencing the critics who doubted Cutler's abilities. Forte has bounced back after an off year and looks to be heavily involved all season long. This week will prove just how legit their Offense is facing a Defense that is much stronger than Detroit's or Dallas'. This game will come down to the Bears D ability to hold Rogers in some kind of check so that the game doesn't get away from them too fast and allow GB to sit back. While being able to use Forte as a pass catcher is a great weapon, I actually think the smarter move is to pound the ball with the run and keep the ball out of Rogers hands. If Chicago can win the posession time then they have a great chance. Regardless though, it doesn't take Rogers much time to score and the Bears have given up an average of 30 PPG. In the end Green Bay's Defense keeps Chicago from pulling it out. GB 31-28 CHI.
FANTASY STARTS: GREEN BAY...all the normal players in a game where Finley, Jennings, Jackson, and Driver score. CHICAGO: Forte (18 for 70 yds 1 TD/ 7 for 60 yds) Knox (6 for 70 1 TD) Cutler (270 yds. 2 TD) Hester ( 4 for 60 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: G. Olsen...Martz used Olsen last week with good results and I think he will need to do the same while Matthews is busy following Forte around. Olsen could easily take the stats projected for Hester or Knox.
FANTASY STARTS: CLEVELAND- Cribbs (5 for 70 yds 1 TD) BALTIMORE- Rice (14 for 65/ 4 catch for 35 1 TD) Boldin (6 for 85 1 TD) Mason ( 4 for 50 1 TD) Flacco (240 yds. 2 TD)
SLEEPER: McGahee...he could steal some carries once this one gets out of hand as well as a goal line steal.
CINCINNATI at CAROLINA: The Bengals are averaging 340 yds/pg versus Carolina's 257. Given the Bengals ability to hold Baltimore down last week, the defense should have it's swagger back and make Clausen's first NFL start one to forget. Steve Smith has a deep bruise on his wrist though mild injuries don't seem to hinder him. Chad Ochocinco has a fractured rib and could be a late scratch given the opponent. Carolina doesn't have the horses to compete with top tier teams this year and Clausen will make a few mistakes that turn into points. The Bengals should feed Cedric Benson a good portion of touches in an effort to get him into a rhythm after a slow start. Bengals 23-Panthers 14.
FANTASY STARTS: CAROLINA- Steve Smith (5 for 70 yds 1 TD) Williams (19 for 80 1 TD)
CINCINNATI- Benson (18 for 90 1 TD) Palmer ( 260 yds. 2 TD) T.O. (7 for 90 1 RD) Ochocinco could get those numbers if he plays the duration.
SLEEPER: J. Greisham...If Ocho is given some time to rest, Greisham could be utilized often.
DALLAS at HOUSTON: These two teams are actually close statistically in YPG and Passing but it all separates when it comes to PPG. Dallas is averaging a poor 13.5 compared to Houston's 32. This may be a must win game for Dallas but Houston proved they can score with anyone and are the real deal.Last week was their first ever OT win. The Defense will allow Dallas to score better than the previous two games which can make this a shoot out until the end. Andre Johnson's ankle will be a big factor in how this game turns out. The Texans become very one dimensional without him and even if he isn't at top speed it's better than not having him on the field. Dallas will have to get their run game going and control the clock, keeping the ball out of Schaub's hands. If Dallas loses I would not be surprised to see Jerry Jones pave the way for a bye week firing of Phillips. This team is portraying all the signs of poor prep and some new blood could be what they need to spark some fire under them. Roy Williams has all but lost the job to Dez Bryant, whom has done more in two games than Williams last six. Contingent upon the health of Johnson, Houston wins 28-24.
FANTASY STARTS: DALLAS- Dez Bryant (7 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Austin (9 for 110 1 TD) Romo (290 yds. 2 TD) HOUSTON- Foster (18 for 95 1 TD/ 3 for 25) Johnson ( 8 for 100 yds. 1 TD) Schaub ( 300 yds. 2 TD)
SLEEPER: Felix Jones...The Texans have yet to face a speed back and Jones could provide them some problems. J. Jones (Hou)...He was able to display a bit of his ability against Washington and given Johnson's ankle issue they may look to ease his work load giving Jones a chance to shine.
SAN FRANCISCO at KANSAS CITY: The new Arrowhead is as hostile a place to play as the old one, just ask the Chargers. The Chiefs always take it to another level at home and after a great start will be playing at full speed. The lack of a pass game outside of Vernon Davis should help the Chiefs focus in on Gore who will be coming off a short week where he carried a heavy load. KC is in a good postion to win only if Cassel can do better than he has and get his receivers involved early. KC has yet to face a good LB corps like the Niners, whom will be able to keep the run game in check. The way Rivers and Seneca Wallace were able to pass on KC could turn out being the secondary key to the game. Alex Smith looked a lot better on Monday night and although they lost, I think it may have been a slight motivator confidence wise knowing they can come back when the game is on the line. Look for Charles to get more work here as Weiss follows the Saints game plan and sends Charles running routes more often than normal. The speed of the SF linebackers will prove tough for Thomas Jones' style. Although this game is a toss up, Alex Smith has shown he is playing at a high level for him and we have yet to see Cassel scratch the surface of a good outing. This is where he does, and it pays off. KC squeaks it out 17-14.
FANTASY STARTS: KANSAS CITY-Charles (10 for 45/ 4 for 50 yds. 1 TD) Bowe ( 4 for 60 yds. 1 TD) SAN FRANCISCO- Davis ( 7 for 85 1 TD) Gore (14 for 70 yds/ 5 for 55 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Crabtree, SF...Both Naanee and Cribbs had success againts this secondary and Crabtree knows the bust birds are circling.
PITTSBURGH at TAMPA BAY: This game is one of the more intriguing games due to the fact that it is the only game on Sunday where two 2-0 teams will square off and that it should be closer that what you would think given the recent history of these two teams. The Steelers are winning with Defense and Dixon was proving to be the QB they expected to groom for the future. However, after a miniscus injury Dixon is out and either Leftwich or Batch is in. The Bucs know Leftwich well, but Batch should be the front runner due to health. The Bucs had success shutting down the Carolina run game and the Defense in general seems to be playing as fast as they ever have. The Steelers have so far kept teams with more explosive backs in check, so it will be on the Bucs passing game to try and put up points through the air. Mendenhall should be called on often to allow whoever the QB is to settle in on their first start. This should be where the Buc D focuses and forces Pittsburgh to beat them through the air. At the risk of making a bias projection, the Bucs pull this one out 16-14.
FANTASY STARTS: BUCS- Winslow (7 for 50 1TD.) Mike Williams ( 8 for 60 1 TD)
STEELERS- Mendenhall (18 for 90 1 TD) Ward (6 for 70 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Stroughter (TB)...The Bucs will need to spread the ball around and Stroughter could provide a big game out of the slot where the Steeler secondary weakens a bit.
DETROIT LIONS at MINNESOTA: Who in the world would have expected the PPG stats to be 23 vs 9.5 in the LIONS favor! I have a hard time believing the Sidney Rice was that integral a part of this team that would have the Vikes averaging only 185 yds per game. Their slow start looks to me more the result of guys playing out of position and a lack of chemistry due to the Favre holdout and injuries. The Vikings get the match up they need in the Lions, whom have lost Nate Burleson to his yearly ankle injury and Matt Stafford to his yearly shoulder injury. Though missing both men, Shaun Hill has stepped in admirably and Detroit is a team that will fight until the end. Jhavid Best is proving to be this years best rookie back so far and could give the Vikes some headaches. Regardless, the Vikings run game will be able to control the clock and Favre should find a rhythm finally with Harvin and Berrian. Harvin is nursing a hip strain, but it didn't seem to hamper him too much last week. Pettigrew had a great outing last week and should get more looks with Burleson out. Given how well the Lions are playing, the Vikings could just as easily lose this game as they could win it. In the end, the Vikings home stand proves dividends and they pull away 28-17.
FANTASY STARTS: LIONS- Best (16 for 50 yds/ 4 for 55 1 TD) Johnson (7 for 80 yds. 1 TD)
VIKINGS- A.P. ( 16 for 90 1 TD/ 4 for 35) Harvin ( 6 for 72 1 TD) Favre ( 250 yds. 2 TD)
SLEEPER: Bryant Johnson...someone will need to step up in Burleson's place and help take pressure off Megatron. Johnson had some good games last year and could sneak up on the Vikings.
BUFFALO at NEW ENGLAND: New QB, same result. The Bills are a rebuilding team who need more help than they can draft in one year. They are young and better days are ahead. Normally a competitive game by the Bills, I think the swap to a new QB making his first start on the road here hurts. Lee Evans has been a complete let down though not his fault and Chan Gailey has not really brought the spark everyone hoped for. Lynch needs to be traded to get some help fast. New England is back on track in what should be an easy day. New England 31-17
FANTASY STARTS: NEW ENGLAND: Uhh, everyone. BUFFALO: NOBODY!! With Lynch getting all the work last week and Gailey now promising Spiller will get a bigger work load with Fred Jackson. Until there are only two RB's in this town there is nobody safe starting.
SLEEPER: Roscoe Parrish: He has seemed to get the little bit of work amongst the WR and could post some good numbers since Buffalo will be throwing a lot.
ATLANTA at NEW ORLEANS: Mike Turner is expected to be back and active this week but pay close attention to how much work he gets on Thursday practice. Overall, this is a bad sign for Atlanta who overworked Turner last year and wound up missing him in some games. Matt Ryan is proving to be a one dimensional QB who needs more weapons. Gonzales has maybe hit the end of the road and no Mike Jenkins forced Ryan to target White a ridiculous 25 times? Atlanta is an easy team to scheme for and New Orleans should have a fairly easy game at home. Atlanta will make the score look closer than the game actually is. Fantasy wise, no NO WR has looked really great or put up the big numbers. I think the loss of Bush will hurt more than people think. Chris Ivory may be a good waiver claim but Deshaun Wynn should get all the initial work, but it will be limited since Pierre Thomas can will be a work horse. NO 28-21.
FANTASY STARTS: ATLANTA: Turner/Snelling ( 17 for 80 yds. 4 for 46 1 TD) White (9 for 110 1 TD) NEW ORLEANS: Thomas (19 for 90 yds. 6 for 45 1 TD) Brees (290 yds. 3 TD) Colston ( 6 for 90 1 TD) Meachem (5 for 80)
SLEEPER: Chris Ivory...He showed explosiveness in the pre-season and if healthy could get a few touches that are made to count.
TENNESSEE at NY GIANTS: This should be one of the better games to watch because this game should say a lot about how these teams deal with adversity going forward. The Giants were dismantled by the Colts and Brandon Jacobs meltdown led to a meeting with management. The Titans benched Vince Young and last time he was benched it wasn't good. Coaches seem more comfortable than ever benching then starting QB's but I don't see Young as a guy that appreciates it. Then again every competitive QB wants in there regardless. Chris Johnson should have a good but not great day as the Giants force VY to beat them with the throw. Giants win a close one, 20-17
FANTASY STARTS: NY GIANTS: Manning (250 yds 2 TD) Nicks ( 5 for 80 1 TD) Manningham (4 for 60 1TD) TITANS: CJ ( 17 for 96/ 3 for 40 1 TD) Nate Washington ( 4 for 65 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Brandon Jacobs....He is bound to get a bigger workload after supposedly asking for a trade and making his frustrations known. The Giants know they need him for the long season and will appease him by giving him 10 to 12 touches and maybe some goal line work.
WASHINGTON at ST.LOUIS: The Redskins have shown more Offense than anyone anticipated given their lack of receiver depth. Larry Johnson was released yesterday, opening the door for Keiland Williams who could steal the lead back job if given a real opportunity. Portis won't be healthy all year and the Redskins may have a diamond in the rough here. The Rams have been the best losing team to watch so far with Bradford and Mark Clayton surprising critics. The Rams will beat some unsuspecting teams this year and it may just start this week. Portis is a bit banged up and two hard fought games should have Washington's aged team a bit slower than normal. Upset of the week, St. Louis wins 21-17.
FANTASY START: WASHINGTON: Cooley (5 for 68 1 TD) Moss (7 for 95 1 TD) McNabb (225 2 TD) ST. LOUIS: Clayton (8 for 110 1 TD) Jackson ( 16 for 90 1 TD/ 6 for 60)
SLEEPER: Bradford...Washington has given up a lot of points through the air and Bradford could have a statistically great game fantasy wise.
PHILADELPHIA at JACKSONVILLE: Looks like the locker room won here as Reid came out on Monday naming Kolb the starter then flip flopped naming Vick the starter on Tuesday. The players will rally around Vick who really does give them the best chance to win for now. I do agree with Mr. Clayton form ESPN though in believing this is a bad long term decision. Kolb is the future and what happens when Vick wets the bed? While Kolb looked weak in both pre-season and game 1, lets see what happens as the season wares on. For now, Vick is a top five QB start this week. Mike Simms-Walker was finally involved last week though most of it was garbage time. I have been preaching that something is wrong with MJD since pre-season. He has had an amazing amount of work the last four years and that 500 carry mark is when backs start to show signs of over use. I believe MJD is playing hurt and while he will be an every day start, he will not come close to his top five draft status. This could be a closer game than expected as Jacksonville always seems to play their A game at home. Philadelphia wins though 24-21.
FANTASY STARTS: PHILADELPHIA: Vick ( 230 yds. 2 TD/ 4 for 50 yds) D. Jackson ( 6 for 85 1 TD) McCoy ( 16 for 75 yds/ 4 for 40 1 TD) JACKSONVILLE: Simms-Walker (7 for 90 1 TD) Gerrard ( 250 yds. 2 TD) MJD (16 for 90yds. 1 TD) M. Lewis (6 for 70 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Mike Thomas...not necessarily a sleeper, Thomas should produce as most of the attention is on the right side of the field and MJD.
INDIANAPOLIS at DENVER: The Broncos will play an emotional game coming off the death of receiver Mckinley. How they respond is anyone's guess and there would be no criticism should they fall flat under the circumstances. I do think they play a hard fought game and give the Colts a run for their money. The return of Moreno and Buckhalter is good news as the passing attack will become more balanced. Orton loves to spread the ball around and the run game return adds another dimension. He has quietly thrown for 295 and 302 in 2 games. The Colts picked apart the Giants last weekend but they will face a stiffer challenge as the Broncos secondary is much better than the Giants. Pierre Garcon's disappearing act has been tempered by Austin Collie's emergence and the run game had it's first decent game last week. If the Broncos come out strong amid their adversity, this could be an upset. Broncos 31 Colts 28.
FANTASY STARTS: INDIANAPOLIS: Wayne (7 for 90 yds 1 TD) Collie ( 5 for 70 yds) Manning (300 yds 3 TD) Addai (16 for 80 1 TD/ 5 for 40 yds) DENVER: Orton (310 yds. 2 TD) Thomas (7 for 90 1 TD) Moreno (15 for 80 yds 1 TD) Royal ( 6 for 70 1 TD)
SLEEPER: J. Gaffney and P. Garcon...with the attention on Demaryus Thomas' breakout game and Royal being a known threat, this could be the game where Gaffney sneaks in a score again. The Broncos know what to expect form the Colts, and Garcon may be the key to Manning winning this one. Both receivers get out of the basement here.
OAKLAND at ARIZONA: Cable makes the smart move and Gradkowski is the starter. This benefits Louis Murphy the most since they seem to have a trust with each other. Being a TB fan, I see a lot of Jeff Garcia in Gradkowski whom served as his mentor somewhat. The return of McFadden helps take the pressure off a weak pass protecting Offensive line and Heyward-Bey's best game of his young career could mean good things to come. The Cards are in trouble and must be re-thinking the release of Leinart. Wells doesn't seem quite ready to play yet, but Hightower has taken the lead back role effectively, but the problem is with Anderson and the passing game. Fitzgerald will get his numbers, but looks so far like he will not reach his elite fantasy status. Especially with Asomugh covering him. Oakland wins this game behind a shifty Gradkowski and the run game, 21-14.
FANTASY STARTS: OAKLAND: Murphy (7 for 85 1 TD) Miller ( 6 for 70 1 TD) McFadden ( 22 for 120 yds. 1 TD) ARIZONA: Fitzgerald (5 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Hightower (17 for 80 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Breaston...who will need to have a good game and should have plenty of targets while Fitz is blanketed.
SAN DIEGO at SEATTLE: The Chargers bounced back after and upset loss in KC and Rivers could end up right behind Rogers as the league's top passer. Malcom Floyd met expectations last week, but the ankle injury to Matthews while minor could be something to watch long term. Mike Tolbert looks to be who they will turn to should he have issues and may get more carries this game than expected. Norv already stated he will split goal line duties with Matthews and could pose big problems for opposing Defenses. Seattle came back to earth last week and the lack of any production from their run game is allowing Defenses to key on the pass. While always tough at home, San Diego just has too many options and should win a high scoring affair. SD 34-28.
FANTASY STARTS: SAN DIEGO: Floyd ( 6 for 90 1 TD) Naanee ( 5 for 70 1 TD) Gates (6 for 80 1 TD) Matthews ( 17 for 70 yds. 1 TD) Rivers ( 320 yds. 3 TD) SEATTLE: Hasselbeck (290 yds. 2 TD) Williams ( 6 for 80 1 TD) Carlson ( 6 for 50 yds 1 TD) Forsett ( 13 for 55 yds/ 6 for 50 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Deion Branch...Branch is always a gamer at home and Hasselbeck trusts him.
NY JETS at MIAMI: Miami is coming off a big win at home against the Vikings but Henne still has yet to prove he is reliable as a passer. Marshall's stock will continue to be in doubt until Henne hits his stride. Ricky Williams has been non existent as Ronnie Brown has shown knee surgery has not hampered him. The lack of a number two threat out wide will keep teams in games against them. Their top rated pass defense will keep them competitive if Henne can produce. The Jets will not start Braylon Edwards after another DWI which kills their potential even more to score through the air, making them one dimensional. Even if Edwards plays this is an easy game for the Dolphins to plan for. Shonn Green and L.T. will be used heavily and I think the Dolphins follow suit with Williams getting more carries. Cromartie should shadow Marshall taking the Dolphins pass game away.
FANTASY STARTS: JETS: Greene (17 for 80 yds. 1 TD) Tomlinson ( 15 for 60 yds./ 6 for 50 yds. 1 TD) MIAMI: Brown ( 18 for 90 yds. 1 TD) Williams ( 13 for 60 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: Fasano and Keller....Both teams will need to move the ball somehow through the air and their TE are the only decent second options as Cromarie and Davis hold each teams WR studs at bay.
GREEN BAY at CHICAGO: The Bears are riding high at 2-0 silencing the critics who doubted Cutler's abilities. Forte has bounced back after an off year and looks to be heavily involved all season long. This week will prove just how legit their Offense is facing a Defense that is much stronger than Detroit's or Dallas'. This game will come down to the Bears D ability to hold Rogers in some kind of check so that the game doesn't get away from them too fast and allow GB to sit back. While being able to use Forte as a pass catcher is a great weapon, I actually think the smarter move is to pound the ball with the run and keep the ball out of Rogers hands. If Chicago can win the posession time then they have a great chance. Regardless though, it doesn't take Rogers much time to score and the Bears have given up an average of 30 PPG. In the end Green Bay's Defense keeps Chicago from pulling it out. GB 31-28 CHI.
FANTASY STARTS: GREEN BAY...all the normal players in a game where Finley, Jennings, Jackson, and Driver score. CHICAGO: Forte (18 for 70 yds 1 TD/ 7 for 60 yds) Knox (6 for 70 1 TD) Cutler (270 yds. 2 TD) Hester ( 4 for 60 yds. 1 TD)
SLEEPER: G. Olsen...Martz used Olsen last week with good results and I think he will need to do the same while Matthews is busy following Forte around. Olsen could easily take the stats projected for Hester or Knox.
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