Category: NFL (Page 1190 of 1282)

Here was your best early game in the NFL:

Falcons 41, Steelers 38
Any other action still yet to be played in week seven is going to have a hard time topping this thriller. What an unbelievable game by Michael Vick, who was criticized all week (including by myself) for his open comments about how the team should pass more. Well, after Vick’s performance today, everybody’s comments can take a back seat for at least one week, because apparently the young man was right.

With this win, it appears that at least offensively, Atlanta has incredibly sprouted a balance on offense. It should be stated, however, that the Steelers dominated in the pass department as well. Before QB Ben Roethlisberger was knocked out of the game late in the third quarter (concussion), he was 16 of 22 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. On the day, Pittsburgh threw for 418 yards and five touchdowns against a pretty decent secondary for Atlanta.

Most impressed with: It’s got to be Vick, Hines Ward and Alge Crumpler. For the first time in his career, Vick threw for more than two touchdowns (four to be exact) and kept pace with the Steelers rapid scoring. He finished 18 of 30 for 232 yards and the four scores – three to Crumpler (6 catches for 117 yards). Hines Ward had an un-real day as well. Ward went off for 171 yards on eight receptions and three touchdowns. Ward seemed to be open on every pass.

Least impressed with: The secondary unit for the Falcons was abysmal and the Steelers discipline was horrible as well. DeAngelo Hall and Jason Webster will see the name Ward in their nightmares for years to come while Pittsburgh fumbled three times that led to three Falcon touchdowns. Plus, Pittsburgh had a false start penalty at the end of the game, which killed any attempt at a Jeff Reed game-winning field goal (the 10 second rule went into place, which ran off the rest of the game clock).

Quick Shots:
There were a ton of great games out of the early contests. Atlanta-Pittsburgh was out and out crazy, but how about Matt Bryant kicking a 62-yard field goal as time expires to give the Buccaneers a 23-21 victory over the Eagles? CB Ronde Barber takes two Donovan McNabb-interceptions back for touchdowns and all of a sudden, Tampa Bay is playing good football under rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski. Philadelphia on the other hand, has crashed and burned since its win over Dallas a few weeks ago…Here’s another decent shocker: Kansas City trumps San Diego 30-27 on a game winning field goal by Lawrence Tynes. RB Larry Johnson chewed up 132 yards and two TDs against a usually stout Chargers defense. And Damon Huard (15 of 27 for 232 yards and two touchdowns) continues to give the Chiefs a chance to win with starter Trent Green out…The Patriots steamrolled over the Bills 28-6 on the weight of a two-touchdown day by RB Corey Dillon. QB Tom Brady was his usual cool and collected self in throwing for 195 yards and two touchdowns as New England improves to 5-1…The Panthers built up a 14-7 lead heading into halftime, only to freeze in the second half and lose to the Bengals 17-14. QB Carson Palmer was 23 of 39 for 240 yards and two touchdowns while RB Rudi Johnson grounded out 101 yards on 26 carries. Nice day from WR Chad Johnson (6 catches for 73 yards) and T.J. Houshmanzadeh (7 catches for 61 yards) too…In the who cares game of the week – the Packers defeated the Dolphins 34-24. Now QB Brett Favre has thrown for a touchdown in every NFL city while Joey Harrington throws 4,000 passes for Miami. Harrington’s stat line was 33 of 62 for 414 yards and two touchdowns…How about the J.E.T.S, Jets, Jets, Jets! getting it done again on Sunday? New York topped Detroit 31-24 on the strength of a Leon Washington 129 yard day. The rookie from Florida State rushed for two scores while WR Jerricho Cotchery caught seven passes for 79 yards…What the hell is wrong with Jacksonville? The Jags are now 0-3 on the road after losing to the Texans 27-7. Let’s run that back: Houston crushed Jacksonville 27-7, crushed. And to add salt in the wounds for the Jaguars, Wali Lundy almost hit the century mark (93 yards and a touchdown) while QB David Carr threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Carr has had a really solid season thus far, but Wali Lundy? Injuries are starting to kill this Jacksonville team.

Don’t forget to check out my NFL Random Thoughts blog on Monday.

Byron Leftwich will be a game-time decision on Sunday after an MRI on his injured ankle came back negative…Trent Green has been cleared to practice, but not yet cleared to play…Brian Westbrook and Donte Stallworth are reportedly expected to play despite their questionable status. Be sure to check back Sunday before finalizing your lineups…Ahman Green has been upgraded to probable and should play…LaMont Jordan is expected to play unless he experiences a setback with his sore back…Samkon Gado and Wali Lundy split the snaps with the first team this week. Neither guy is a good play against a tough Jacksonville defense…Jerramy Stevens is expected to play in Week 7, but it might take him a game or two to get back into the flow of things…Tiki Barber confirmed that he will retire after this season. Obviously, this makes Brandon Jacobs even more valuable in keeper leagues as he’s already penciled in as the Giants’ starter at RB next season…Laveranues Coles missed a part of practice on Thursday, but is expected to play…Matt Jones was downgraded to out and will not play Sunday. Jones has been a mild disappointment this season, while teammate Reggie Williams has been a nice surprise.

Every week in the Pregame, I’ll provide a few players to start and a few to bench. These recommendations are based on that player’s strength of schedule (SOS) for that particular week or that player’s specific situation.

I’m a strong advocate of always starting your studs, so I won’t be telling you about LaDainian Tomlinson’s tough matchup or how Peyton Manning and company will light it up against a bad defense. Anyone can make those calls. I’ll be discussing marginal fantasy starters – guys that can start for you, but only under certain circumstances.

START

BRETT FAVRE has a nice matchup with a Miami defense that has yielded just 172 passing yards per game, but has allowed 10 TD through the air, which is tied for fourth worst in the league…BYRON LEFTWICH and CHAD PENNINGTON also have good matchups with the Texans and the Lions, respectively…The Bengals haven’t been able to stop the run, so it’s a good week to play DESHAUN FOSTER…Likewise, EDGERRIN JAMES, COREY DILLON and LAURENCE MARONEY have great matchups against the Raiders and Jets, respectively…LEE EVANS has been playing well of late and is a good start against the Patriots, who have allowed an average of 222 passing yards per game…REGGIE WILLIAMS is also a solid start against the Texans, who have one of the worst secondaries in the league.

BENCH

Several fringe QBs have tough matchups this week. CHARLIE FRYE, DAVID CARR, BEN ROETHLISBERGER and PHILLIP RIVERS should be avoided if at all possible…WALI LUNDY owners are certainly happy with the recent news that he is going to be much more involved in the offense in the near future, but he has a tough matchup week against the Jaguars (9th in the league in rushing yards allowed)…WARRICK DUNN may find the going tough against the Steelers, who have allowed just 78 rushing yards per game thus far…If you have another good option, it wouldn’t be a bad week to bench BRAYLON EDWARDS, who faces a Broncos squad that has allowed only one passing TD in five games.

Be sure to check back on Saturday for a complete injury update. In the meantime, feel free to post your questions on our Fantasy Q & A.