Category: Fantasy Football (Page 142 of 324)

      Titans win AFC South – Browns interested in Marty Schottenheimer

      December 7, 2008 /

      The Tennessee Titans became the first team to win their division after beating the Cleveland Browns 28-9 on Sunday. Unless you want to break down Ken Dorsey’s passing chart, there’s really not much to discuss regarding this game, although Titans’ RB Chris Johnson made another case to win Rookie of the Year after rushing for 136 yards and a touchdown.

      The most significant news regarding this matchup is that the Browns are apparently interested in former San Diego Charger head coach Marty Schottenheimer.

      Chris JohnsonThe Cleveland Browns are formulating a plan that ultimately could lead to the return of Marty Schottenheimer as their coach for the 2009 season, according to sources.
      The Browns would also be open to considering Bill Cowher if he sends stronger signals that he’s ready to return, the sources said.

      The Browns plan to fire coach Romeo Crennel after a disappointing year, regardless of injuries the team has suffered, the sources said. Pubicly, owner Randy Lerner has only said he will evaluate Crennel after the season.

      Schottenheimer was the Browns’ defensive coordinator under Sam Rutigliano in 1980 but took over as head coach when Rutigliano was fired midway through the 1984 season. Schottenheimer had a 44-27 record with the Browns, won three divisional titles, had four playoff appearances and two AFC Championship Game appearances before he was fired by owner Art Modell.

      Schottenheimer might not be as sexy a name as Cowher, but he’s a proven winner and the guy has a history of turning around morbid franchises like the Browns. Cleveland needs structure and they need a coach to get the players to buy into a system. Schottenheimer can do both of those things and over time, he could probably build a winner, too. Granted, he doesn’t come without his flaws, but the Browns could do a hell of a lot worse than Schottenheimer if they can’t convince Cowher to come out of retirement.

      Fantasy Football, NFL, Rumors & Gossip

      Vikings stay one game ahead of Bears in NFC North, but lose Frerotte

      December 7, 2008 /

      Tavaris JacksonIt wasn’t pretty, but the Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 20-16 on Sunday to remain one game ahead of the Chicago Bears – who beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-10 – in the NFC North Division.

      The story for the Vikings is that quarterback Gus Frerotte was carted off the field with a back injury and that Tarvaris Jackson (yes, that Tarvaris Jackson) lead Minnesota to a come from behind victory. Jackson completed 8 of 10 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, although Brad Childress kept things ultra-conservative and relied on Adrian Peterson (102 yards on 23 carries) to move the ball.

      Not that he was playing very well before the injury, but the Vikings will need Frerotte the rest of the way or else their slim lead in the division could evaporate. Jackson hasn’t played all season and it was evident on Sunday that Childress still doesn’t have a ton of confidence in the young QB to win the game by throwing the ball. And if Childress doesn’t have confidence in Jackson to throw the ball vertically against the Lions, than he won’t when the Vikings play the Cardinals, Falcons and Giants the rest of the way.

      Even though they’re still one game back in the division and were just waxed in Minnesota a week ago, the Bears actually look like they’re in better shape right now than the Vikings. They have a tough home matchup on Thursday against the Saints, but then play a skidding Packers team at Solider Field before wrapping up their season against Houston. Minnesota actually has a tougher remaining schedule, although Chicago needs to beat the Saints on Thursday or else their postseason dreams might be dashed.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Do the Giants miss Plaxico Burress now?

      December 7, 2008 /

      Eli ManningWhen the New York Giants placed wide receiver Plaxico Burress on the non-injury football list earlier this week and effectively ended his season, everyone said all the right things. The players said they could win with or without him and the media said the Giants were all about the team – both true.

      But nobody could say following their 20-14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday that the Giants couldn’t have used Burress. Eli Manning was just 13 of 27 for 123 yards and a touchdown, while no Giant receiver had more than four catches or 40 yards.

      I don’t want to take anything away from the Eagles’ defense, because they blitzed and swarmed Manning the entire game. They also should have had at least one interception, but Asante Samuel and Brian Dawkins collided with each other and the pass fell to the ground.

      That said, Manning looked completely out of sync with his receivers and Domenik Hixon dropped a perfect pass that could have been a touchdown. And once Brandon Jacobs left the game with a knee injury in the third quarter, the Giants could have really used a playmaker like Burress to breathe life into their offense.

      Burress doesn’t deserve to be playing right now and it’s only fair he’s being punished for his selfish actions. But the idea that the Giants are a better team without him still remains to be seen and their loss Sunday proves that. They’re still the best team in the league and they will bounce back from their defeat. But it’ll be interesting to see whether or not the offensive woes that were on display on Sunday will reappear in the postseason without Burress in the lineup.

      As for the Eagles, this was a massive win and it keeps their slim playoff hopes alive. With the Saints’ win over the Falcons, the final NFC Wild Card spot is up for grabs and if Brian Westbrook (203 total yards, 2 total touchdowns) and the Eagles’ defense plays as well as they did against the Giants, than Philly’s playoff hopes are far from dead.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      NFL Week 14 Primer

      December 7, 2008 /

      Marion BarberSunday’s Best: Cowboys (8-4) at Steelers (9-3), 4:15 PM ET FOX
      The Cowboys are fighting for their playoff lives while the Steelers are trying to stay ahead of the surprising Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North. Dallas could be without running back Marion Barber (toe injury), which would be a massive blow going against the best defenses in the league. If the ‘Boys can’t run the ball, expect Dick Lebeau to dial up plenty of blitzes to force quarterback Tony Romo into mistakes. This essentially is a must-win for the Cowboys, who would be left on the outside looking in if the playoffs started today. A loss coupled with a Falcons win over the Saints and the Cowboys would need some help the rest of the way, with a remaining schedule that looks like this: vs. Giants, vs. Ravens, at Eagles. The Steelers, meanwhile, should be at full strength as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Willie Parker are expected to play. We’ll see what the Cowboys are made of come 4:00 o’clock on Sunday. Steelers are a currently a 3-point favorite.

      Upset Watch: Texans (5-7) at Packers (5-7), 1:00 PM ET CBS
      Houston welcomes back quarterback Matt Schaub this week but he’s not the reason they could pull off a decent-sized upset in Week 14. Rookie running back Steve Slaton is. Slaton is coming off a 130-yard effort against the Jaguars on Monday night and racked up 156 yards three weeks ago against the Colts. Considering the Packers are allowing a whopping 141.2 yards a game on the ground this year, Slaton could be set up for another huge day. The Texans will need to find a way to get pressure on Aaron Rodgers, however, or else it’s going to be tough to win at Lambeau. The Texans’ pass defense is improving, but Rodgers and company are averaging 228.9 passing yards a game and could find success against a young Houston secondary. If the Texans don’t win outright, I say they cover the 6-point spread.

      Gus FrerotteIntriguing Matchup: Vikings (7-5) at Lions (0-12), 1:00 PM ET FOX
      There’s nothing intriguing about the winless Detroit Lions, but what is interesting is whether or not Kevin and Pat Williams will play for the Vikings. Minnesota needs a victory to stay at least one-game ahead of the Bears and Packers in the division, but without their interior defensive line, even the Lions are capable of finding some running room. The league suspended the Williamses on Tuesday morning, but a court ruling could change all that and allow the two mammoth d-tackles to play. If they don’t, could Detroit get its first win and turn the NFC North upside down yet again? Can Gus Frerotte keep this team afloat if the defense loses two key players?

      Other notable games:

      Eagles (6-5-1) at Giants (11-1), 1:00 PM ET FOX
      Philly will try and keep its slim playoff hopes alive, while a win would crown the G-Men as NFC East champions and get them one step closer to claiming home field advantage throughout the postseason.

      Redskins (7-5) at Ravens (8-4), 8:15 PM ET FOX
      This Sunday night matchup is a great one. Both teams desperately need a win to stay within reach of a playoff berth. A loss for the ‘Skins could essentially knock them out of the postseason race.

      Buccaneers (9-3) at Panthers (9-3), 8:30 PM ET ESPN
      Finally a great Monday Night Football matchup after weeks of utter crap. The winner takes a one-game lead in the NFC South and holds an edge for the second spot in the NFC playoff picture, while the loser gets tossed into the Wild Card mix.

      Falcons (8-4) at Saints (6-6), 1:00 PM ET FOX
      Atlanta has been a nice story this year, but it can’t relax now. A win would go a long way in securing a playoff spot for the Falcons, who finish with a possibly depleted Vikings and a hapless Rams team in their final two games.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Vikings receive huge boost, Pat and Kevin Williams to play Sunday

      December 5, 2008 /

      The Minnesota Vikings’ defensive line will have their two key run-stuffers this week against the winless Detroit Lions.

      A federal judge has blocked the NFL from suspending five players for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

      U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson said today he needed more time to consider the case after hearing several hours of arguments from the league and the NFL Players Association.

      Kevin Williams and Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings, and Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints all were suspended this week for four games. They tested positive for a banned diuretic in the dietary supplement StarCaps.

      The union has argued the NFL didn’t properly inform players about the substance. The NFL’s attorneys argued that claim, and others, had been considered and rejected in a process set out by the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

      The Vikings will play the Lions on Sunday at Ford Field.

      This obviously great news for the Vikings now, but what happens if the league’s suspension upholds next week? Then the players still have to miss four games and that could spill over into the playoffs if Minnesota makes the postseason. This situation is still very dangerous for the Vikes.

      Related Articles:

      Ruling on Vikings’ DTs coming Friday

      NFLPA to file lawsuit on behalf of suspended players

      NFL suspends six, including Deuce McAllister, Pat Williams and Kevin Williams

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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