Category: Fantasy Football (Page 161 of 324)

      So much for an upset – Titans beat Bears

      November 9, 2008 /

      Justin GageSeveral pundits were talking a Bears’ upset of the Titans Sunday at Solider Field, but it wasn’t meant to be as Tennessee won 21-14 to stay undefeated on the season. With Rex Grossman starting for Chicago, are we surprised by the outcome?

      Rex wasn’t horrible (he did complete 20 of 37 passes for 173 yards and a TD), but as been the case for much of his career, he once again failed to deliver in the clutch. When the Bears cut the Titans’ lead to 21-14 with just under three minutes remaining in the game, Grossman failed to even pick up a first down despite great field position and the game on the line. He telegraphed passes, he locked on to receivers and he couldn’t do anything on third downs.

      But this loss wasn’t all Grossman’s fault. Don’t forget, the Titans’ defense is pretty good. Not only that, but Grossman doesn’t cover receivers, either. The Bears’ defense sold out to stop the run, which they did by holding the Titans to only 20 yards rushing, but they got zero pressure on Kerry Collins and he picked Chicago’s banged up secondary apart. Either way, the Bears need Kyle Orton back soon or else their playoff hopes don’t stand much of a chance. They’re fortunate to play in such a mediocre division.

      Had the Titans not fumbled on the goal line in the first half, this could have been a blowout. Everyone is waiting for Tennessee to falter, but this truly is the best team in the NFL and despite being 9-0, they’re also underrated. No flash – all production.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Adrian Peterson saves himself, Vikings

      November 9, 2008 /

      Adrian PetersonThere’s a reason why players play and coaches coach. While I marvel Adrian Peterson’s competitiveness and enthusiasm, the stunt he pulled in the fourth quarter of the Vikings’ 28-27 win over the Packers on Sunday was ridiculous.

      With Green Bay up 24-21 and Minnesota facing a 4th and 1 from their own 41-yard line, Peterson started screaming at head coach Brad Childress to go for it. The spineless Childress obliged, Peterson wound up fumbling on the play and the Packers eventually turned the gift into a field goal to go up 27-21.

      Granted, Peterson saved the game and perhaps Minnesota’s season when he busted off a 29-yard touchdown run with just over 2 minutes remaining to put the Vikes up 28-27, but he needs to leave the decisions up to Childress and Minnesota’s coaching staff. And Childress needs to grow a pair and tell Peterson that he makes the calls. Going for it in that situation with that much time on the clock was a bad decision. But Childress should be allowed to screw up without Peterson in his face.

      On a lighter note, this was a massive win for the Vikes, who are now tied with the Bears atop the NFC North at 5-4. While they still look shaky at times, Minnesota is right back in it despite a slow start to the season.

      Conversely, this loss really stings the Packers. Mason Crosby missed a 52-yard field goal that could have won the game in the end. They’re still 2-1 in the division, but next week is huge as they host the Bears.

      Side Note: Will Blackmon’s 65-yard punt return for a touchdown was absolutely sick. Watch the highlights if you haven’t seen it already.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Never bet against Bill Belichick and the Patriots following a loss

      November 9, 2008 /

      BenJarvus Green-EllisI don’t care if Tom Brady is playing quarterback or if it’s Rumplestilskin – Bill Belichick and the Patriots are tough to beat following a loss.

      Case in point: Patriots 20, Bills 10. The final score looks close, but Buffalo added a touchdown late. New England was in command of this game the entire way as rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown. I don’t know if any team is better than the Pats are coming off a loss – especially one when they didn’t execute very well as was the case in their defeat at Indy last Sunday night.

      After beating the Chargers to get to 5-1, the Bills have lost three in a row and have fallen back in the AFC East race. Turnovers have absolutely killed this team and one has to wonder if their fast start was nothing but a fluke considering they beat the Seahawks, Raiders, Rams and the suspect Jaguars and Raiders. But things get easier for them over the next couple weeks as they face the Browns, Chiefs and 49ers. Things look bleak for Buffalo, but the playoffs are still very much in the picture.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Week 10 NFL Primer

      November 9, 2008 /

      Donovan McNabbSunday’s Best: Giants (7-1) at Eagles (5-3)
      If you don’t like a good ‘ol fashion NFC East battle than you don’t like America. The Giants need a win to stay two games up on the Redskins in the division while the Eagles need a victory just to keep pace. Neither team has huge injury concerns so we’re about to see the best each squad has to offer. The G-Men swept the series between these two teams last year and sacked Donovan McNabb 12 times, which tied an NFL record. But the Eagles have won three straight and have averaged 31 points per game in those victories. Keeping McNabb healthy and upright has been the key, which will again be a main concern for the Eagles against a stout Giants’ pass rush. Perhaps no team in the league plays better on the road than Tom Coughlin’s bunch, but Philadelphia is always a tough environment to play in and the Giants will look to neutralize Jim Johnson’s blitz-happy defense by running the back effectively with Brandon Jacobs. Neither team turns the ball over very much, so this game will likely come down to which squad forces their opponent out of their game plan first.

      Upset Watch: Seahawks at Dolphins, 1:00 PM ET
      An easier upset to call might be Detroit over Jacksonville with how bad the Jaguars have looked the past two weeks. But I’m willing to bet the Jags can handle Daunte Culpepper much better than they did Ryan Fitzpatrick last Sunday. There’s everything to love about the Dolphins and nothing about the Seahawks, but that’s exactly why I like Mike Holmgren’s bunch this week. Typically teams that travel from the West to East don’t fare well, but the Hawks were just in Florida to play the Bucs so they’re used to the travel preparations. Miami has been the talk of the NFL the past two weeks, which means they’re in uncharted territory. They’re due for a letdown and while the Seahawks are missing six starters and have zero offense, the underdog has covered the last six games involving the Dolphins. Okay, so Miami might win. But the Hawks cover the 9-point spread after falling behind early.

      Rex GrossmanIntriguing matchup: Titans at Bears, 1:00 PM ET
      Even though pundits have been impressed with the Titans’ start, you get the feeling that everyone is waiting for them to stumble eventually. They aren’t blowing teams out by any means and narrowly escaped defeat last week at home against Green Bay. Chicago starts a pissed off Rex Grossman this weekend and while that normally spells trouble, he did rally the Bears last week against Detroit. Word is that it’s supposed to snow in Chicago this Sunday, which only plays into the Bears’ hands. They’re so banged up on defense that the Titans still have the advantage, but don’t be surprised if this is the week Tennessee is finally tripped.

      Other notable games:
      Saints (4-4) at Falcons (5-3), 1:00 PM ET
      This game is going to reach the mid-50’s or 60’s by its conclusion. Even without Reggie Bush, the Saints’ offense is a juggernaut, but they’ve struggled defensively and will be without DE Charles Grant for the rest of the year due to injury. Rookie Matt Ryan has been nothing short of phenomenal this year and has the Falcons thinking playoffs. Teams have forced him to beat them through the air, which he has. This is one of the more underrated rivalries in the league and a sure bet for a shootout this weekend.

      Bills (5-3) at Patriots (5-3), 1:00 PM ET
      Bill Belichick should be ashamed of the way he game planned for the Colts last week and will no doubt be looking to smoke division rival Buffalo to get back on track. The Bills, meanwhile, have lost two games in a row because Trent Edwards can’t keep the turnovers low. The Jets are right in the mix too, but a win in this game is huge for the division.

      Colts (4-4) at Steelers (6-2), 4:15 PM ET
      Indy got back on track last week with a win over the Patriots, now they have to show that they can be consistent. The Steelers thumped the Skins on the road last Monday, but are coming off a short week and could be without Ben Roethlisberger. Can Byron Leftwich lead Pittsburgh to another victory? Or has the return of Bob Sanders lifted the Colts?

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Willie Parker to miss Week 10

      November 7, 2008 /

      Non-FWP Mewelde Moore owners can rejoice! The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Willie Parker will not play in Week 10 against the Colts.

      After finally returning from a four-game absence to play in Monday night’s victory against the Washington Redskins, the two-time Pro Bowl running back has a new injury — an ailing shoulder — and will not play against the Indianapolis Colts.

      Parker injured his shoulder sometime in the third quarter against the Redskins — “I’m not sure how,” he said — but still finished the game. His shoulder did not begin aching until the next day, and he has not practiced this week. Parker finished with 70 yards on 21 carries in his first game back from a sprained ligament in his left knee.

      He is expected to miss only one game and will be replaced by Mewelde Moore, who averaged 101 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns in three previous starts. Moore had three big catches for 45 yards against the Redskins.

      The Colts offense is brutal, so Moore is an outstanding start.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑