Category: Fantasy Football (Page 193 of 324)

      Giants are still the team to beat in NFC East

      October 5, 2008 /

      Brandon JacobsThe Dallas Cowboys might be the most talented team in the NFC East, but the New York Giants are clearly still the team to beat. And it’s amazing the way the G-Men continue to fly under the radar in the NFL.

      The Giants crushed the Seahawks on Sunday. By crushed, I mean destroyed, hammered and routed. And it wasn’t flashy, either. They ran Brandon Jacobs down the Seahawks’ throat, played outstanding defense and Eli Manning took care of the football. The end result was a 44-6 drubbing of Seattle at the Meadowlands – without WR Plaxico Burress, by the way. (Nice fill-in job Domenik Hixon.)

      Entering the season, the Giants were easy targets for a team that could potentially fall apart this year. Michael Strahan retired, Jeremy Shockey was traded, Burress was bitching about his contract and Osi Umenyiora didn’t even take one snap before his season ended due to a knee injury. But after five weeks, there might not be a more sound football team in the league, save for maybe the Tennessee Titans.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Aaron Rodgers deserves a break from Favre comparisons

      October 5, 2008 /

      Aaron RodgersHere’s a revelation – Aaron Rodgers isn’t Brett Favre. He’ll never be. And he doesn’t deserve the constant comparisons that now come with being the Green Bay Packers starting quarterback.

      When Rodgers hurt his shoulder last week in a loss to the Buccaneers, it was all the media could do to ask him about Favre’s record for consecutive starts and whether or not he felt pressure to play. Rodgers responded by saying he doesn’t need any motivation to play. If he could, he would. And he did.

      Rodgers was clearly in pain during Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Falcons, but he gutted it out and finished with over 300 yards passing and three touchdowns. And while his late interception was a killer, he didn’t hurt his team by playing injured. He deserves credit for his toughness (especially when one of the knocks on him is his durability, or lack thereof) and the respect not to be compared to Favre in every situation.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      NFL News & Notes: Carson Palmer to play

      October 3, 2008 /

      Carson Palmer– Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis says that ‘All systems are go’ for quarterback Carson Palmer to play Sunday against the Cowboys. (Bengals.com)

      – Despite Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returning to practice on Friday, the team has listed him as questionable to face Jacksonville. Big Ben is dealing with a shoulder injury. (NFL.com)

      – Baltimore running back Willis McGahee was limited in Friday’s practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Titans. McGahee suffered a rib injury Monday night against the Steelers. (NFL.com)

      – Anquan Boldin underwent surgery to repair his sinus fracture and will not play in the Cardinals game Sunday against the Bills. Steve Breaston will start in Boldin’s place. (Arizona Republic)

      – The Eagles are reporting that RB Brian Westbrook should play this weekend against the Redskins despite being hobbled by an ankle injury. (PhiladelphiaEagles.com)

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      NFL Week 5 Primer

      October 3, 2008 /

      Donovan McNabbSunday’s Best: Redskins (3-1) at Eagles (2-2) 1:00 PM ET FOX
      Who would have thought after four weeks that the Washington Redskins would be right in the thick of things in the NFC East? Especially after they bombed in the opener against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. But they are, and a big reason for that is the maturity of QB Jason Campbell, who has looked comfortable running Jim Zorn’s West Coast Offense the past three weeks. But he’ll get a major test this weekend against Jim Johnson’s blitz-happy defense. The WCO is predicated on short timing routes and getting the ball into the hands of receivers so they can get yards after the catch. If Campbell can’t get the ball out of his hands quickly, Philly is sure to produce plenty of sacks and turnovers. Whether or not the Eagle offense converts those turnovers into points remains to be seen, however. In their loss last week to Chicago, Donovan McNabb struggled getting the Eagles into the end zone without the threat of Brian Westbrook in the backfield. Westbrook will be a game time decision, although he has seen a fair about of practice time this week, which might be a good sign that he’ll play. Expect another physical matchup between NFC East rivals.

      Upset Watch: Bills (4-0) at Cardinals (2-2), 4:15 PM ET CBS
      I’m not fooling oddsmakers by calling this a potential upset because they’ve already established the Cardinals as 1-point favorites. But considering how well the Bills have played this year and how Arizona surrendered 56 points in last weeks loss to the Jets, a Cardinal victory would be an upset. The fact of the matter is that the Cards just flat out play better in the desert than they do on the road. They’re a completely different team and while dynamic wide out Anquan Boldin is not expected to play after suffering a nasal injury last Sunday, the Cards have more than enough offensive weapons to pull out a win. The key will be Kurt Warner not turning the ball over and for the team to play all four quarters. Buffalo has trailed in the second half of three of their four victories this year, which means that they’ve been outstanding in the clutch. Arizona will have to play a complete game to earn a win, but an upset could be in the making.

      Ben RoethlisbergerIntriguing Matchup: Steelers (3-1) at Jaguars (2-2), 8:15 PM ET NBC
      The Steelers may be 3-1, but they can’t feel too good about the way things are unraveling as injuries continue to mount. Not only will Pittsburgh go into this game without their top two backs in Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall, but Ben Roethlisberger is also dealing with shoulder and hand injuries and OT Kendall Simmons is now lost for the year. The Steelers had offensive line issues coming into the season with Simmons in their lineup. Now they have to play without him, which isn’t good news for Big Ben and the rest of the offense. The Jaguars started the year 0-2 but are now gaining confidence after beating the Colts and Texans in dramatic fashion over the past two weeks. The running game has opened up the passing attack for David Garrard, who is starting to play like the quarterback who led the Jags deep into the playoffs last season. We’re going to see what Pittsburgh is made of, because Jacksonville is starting to show signs of the Super Bowl contender that everyone that they’d be in preseason.

      Other Notable Games:
      Titans (4-0) at Ravens (2-1), 1:00 PM ET
      Tennessee is one of only two teams still undefeated and perhaps is playing the best defense in the AFC. Rookie Joe Flacco looked like he was starting to come into his home against the Steelers, so it’ll be interesting to see how he fares against a tough Titans’ defense.

      Buccaneers (3-1) at Broncos (3-1), 4:05 PM ET
      This is one of the best matchups on the Week 5 schedule as it pits Monte Kiffin’s defense against the Broncos’ offense, which has been one of the best units in the league so far. Can Denver bounce back from its embarrassing loss to the Chiefs last week? Can the Bucs further convince people that they’re a contender with Brain Griese under center?

      Bengals (0-4) at Cowboys (3-1), 4:15 PM ET CBS
      Ocho Cinco vs. Grab Your Popcorn. Should be a good one.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Love ‘Em & Leave ‘Em: Week 5

      October 3, 2008 /

      Every week, I highlight a few players to start and a few players to sit at each position. I’m a firm believer in starting your studs, so I won’t tell you about how Drew Brees or LaDainian Tomlinson has a tough matchup – just go ahead and start them. I’ll focus on the borderline guys – players you’ll only start under the right circumstances. It’s important to note that depending on your roster and situation, you may not be able to follow these recommendations. For example, if I suggest you bench a solid starter like Donovan McNabb, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.

      LOVE ‘EM

      QB: Trent Edwards (@ ARI) has an enticing matchup with a Cardinals defense that yielded six touchdowns to the Jets last week. Need I say more?…If you’re in a pinch, you could do worse than Kyle Orton (@ DET) who has thrown for an average of 234 passing yards and 2.5 TD over the past two weeks. Meanwhile, the Lions are pretty awful against the run. My only worry with Orton is that the Bears will get up by 10-14 points in the first half and try to sit on the lead…Chad Pennington (vs. SD) plays a Chargers secondary that is dead last against the pass (276 yards, 2.3 TD per game)…Likewise, Phillip Rivers (@ MIA) should be in your lineup as well. The Dolphins are 26th against the pass…Brian Griese (@ DEN) is another decent spot starter this week. The Broncos have yielded an average of 276 yards and 1.8 TD through the air this season.

      RB: Earnest Graham (@ DEN) should be a good start against the Broncos, who have allowed 133 rushing yards and 1.3 TD per game. My main concern about Graham would be for the Broncos to jump out to a lead and John Gruden deciding to pass 60+ times again…Mewelde Moore (@ JAX) is a sneaky good start against a Jags defense that has been mediocre…Steve Slaton (vs. IND) has a tantalizing matchup with a Colts defense that is 31st in the league against the run (199 yards, 1.0 rush TD per game)…Jonathan Stewart (vs. KC) isn’t a bad start against the Chiefs, who have yielded 177 rushing yards and 1.5 rush TD per game.

      WR: Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers (@ MIA) are both starter worthy this week against the Dolphins, who have been pretty bad against the pass. You’d think that Chambers especially would play well, so that he could stick it to his old team…DeSean Jackson (vs. WAS) faces a Redskins defense that is playing pretty well on the whole, but is 23rd against the pass…I like Bernard Berrian (@ NO) this week. He has been much more productive with Gus Frerotte under center and he faces a Saints defense that is 29th against the pass. Also, New Orleans is likely to put up some points, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Vikings have to pass more than they’d like to…Both Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams (vs. CHI) are starter worthy this week against a Bears defense that is (surprisingly) 28th against the pass. The Lions have also said that they need to open up the offense more, so that should mean more targets for both players…Eddie Royal (vs. TB) faces a Bucs defense that has yielded 216 yards and 1.8 pass TD per game.

      LEAVE ‘EM

      QB: David Garrard (vs. PIT) hasn’t played all that well this season, though he had a good game last week. This week, he faces a tough Steelers defense that is 3rd in the league against the pass (162 yards, 1.0 TD per game)…It seems like Matt Schaub (vs. IND) might be in for a big game in a high-scoring affair, but the Colts have only allowed 141 yards per game through the air and have yet to allow a passing TD…Damon Huard (@ CAR) played well last week, but the Panthers are 7th in the league against the pass, so the odds are against another good game…J.T. O’Sullivan (vs. NE) has been solid this season, but I’m not optimistic against his chances against a Patriots defense that is good against the pass and has had two weeks to prepare.

      RB: Chris Johnson is probably still worth starting, but LenDale White (vs. BAL) should find the going tough against a very good Ravens rush defense…Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor (vs. PIT) have a tough matchup against a Steelers defense that has yielded just 74 yards and 0.5 rush TD per game.

      WR: Derrick Mason (@ TEN) has a rough matchup against a Titans defense that has given up an average of just 178 yards and 0.3 TD through the air…Matt Jones (vs. PIT) should probably ride the pine this week. The Steelers are tough against the pass…I like Justin Gage (vs. BAL) in general, but I wouldn’t start him this week against a good Ravens pass defense.

      DTBWW

      Welcome to the world of Defensive Team By Waiver Wire. Each week, you pick up a defense usually playing at home against a bad offense, and each week, you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position. All teams are available in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

      Here are this week’s picks:

      CAR (vs. KC)
      ARI (vs. BUF)

      Last week’s picks:

      Saints: 17 PA + 6 sacks + 2 INT + 1 FR = 11 fantasy points
      Bengals: 20 PA + 1 sack + 1 INT + 1 FR = 3 fantasy points

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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