Category: NFL (Page 965 of 1282)

      Love ‘Em & Leave ‘Em: Week 3

      September 19, 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 Ben Roethlisberger, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.

      LOVE ‘EM

      QB: There are a number of fringe starters with nice matchups this week. Jake Delhomme (@ MIN), Matt Cassel (vs. MIA), Brett Favre (@ SD), J.T. O’Sullivan (vs. DET), Matt Hasselbeck (vs. STL) and Kerry Collins (vs. HOU) all have favorable matchups this week…For the desperate, Joe Flacco (vs. CLE) has a date with a sketchy Browns defense.

      RB: Michael Turner (vs. KC) is a must-start against a Chiefs run defense that has given up an average of 213 rushing yards and 1.5 rush TD per game…Kevin Smith (@ SF) has a nice matchup against the 49ers, who have yielded 139 rushing yards and 1.5 rush TD per game…It hasn’t been pretty, but don’t take Larry Johnson (@ ATL) out of your lineup this week. The Falcons are bad against the run…Julius Jones (vs. STL) is a good start this week, especially if Maurice Morris misses again.

      WR: It would be wise to start Steve Smith (and Muhsin Muhammad) against a questionable Vikings secondary…This almost goes without saying, but Eddie Royal (vs. NO) should be in your lineup against a Saints defense that has yielded the 5th most passing yards per game this season…Both Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles (@ SD) have a good matchup against the Chargers, who gave up a ton of fantasy points to the Denver wideouts last week… Bryant Johnson (vs. DET) is a sneaky good start against a troubled Lions secondary…For the desperate, Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason (vs. CLE) are adequate starts against a bad Browns pass defense…For the super desperate, Koren Robinson (vs. STL) gets the start against the Rams, who have been brutal against the pass.

      LEAVE ‘EM

      QB: Matt Ryan (vs. KC), Derek Anderson (@ BAL), Matt Schaub (@ TEN), David Garrard (@ IND), JaMarcus Russell (@ BUF) and Brian Griese (@ CHI) all have unfavorable matchups this week and should be benched if better options are available.

      RB: With Tim Hightower vulturing his goal line carries and a tough matchup with the Redskins this week, it’s not a bad time to sit Edgerrin James (@ WAS)…Jonathan Stewart (@ MIN) had a nice Week 2, but I wouldn’t depend on him for much production against a very stout Vikings defense…Jamal Lewis’ brutal schedule continues with a date with the Ravens in Baltimore…Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams seem like a bad idea against a Patriots defense that is tough against the run.

      WR: It’s not a good week to start any of the Jacksonville receivers as the Colts have been decent against the pass. But if you’re desperate, Bob Sanders is out, so Matt Jones might be startable in a PPR league…Keep Ronald Curry (@ BUF) on the bench until he and JaMarcus Russell show us that they’re using the same playbook…I’d sit Vincent Jackson (and maybe Chris Chambers) this week against a Jets secondary that is playing pretty well.

      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:

      ATL (vs. KC)
      SF (vs. STL)

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      NFL Week 3: Five Things to Watch

      September 19, 2008 /

      Norv Turner1. How will the San Diego Chargers respond?
      By now, everyone knows that Ed Hochuli blew the call that cost the Chargers a win last Sunday. It’s a done deal – plain and simple. But how will the Chargers respond? Over the past couple seasons, the book on the Chargers reads that they’re a good team, but one that can’t seem to stay focused when things don’t go their way. Case in point, last Sunday they gave up 31 first half points to the Broncos after being beat on a last-second touchdown pass against Carolina the week before. Head coach Norv Turner was rightfully furious over Hochuli’s call, but he has to put it behind him and get his team ready for Monday night where San Diego will host the Jets. While Brett Favre looked good in the season opening win over Miami, he looked equally bad in the Jets’ loss to the Patriots last week. There isn’t a more perfect time for the Chargers to recover than hosting an average New York team on a national stage. But can the Bolts put the past behind them for once?

      2. Can Aaron Rodgers continue his hot play?
      Rodgers has been absolutely phenomenal so far this season, throwing for 506 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. But he’s also played two suspect defensive backfields in Minnesota and Detroit, so this Sunday’s matchup with Dallas will be a true test of his development at quarterback. The Packers’ offensive line has been excellent in giving Rodgers time to throw, giving up just one sack so far on the season. They’ll need to be equally as good Sunday night, because the Cowboys like to disguise their blitz packages so that LB DeMarcus Ware cannot be double-teamed while rushing the quarterback. Rodgers could use a solid performance out of RB Ryan Grant to help ease the pressure, although Grant didn’t look that good last week against a suspect Detroit front seven. The Eagles proved Monday night that the Cowboy defense is susceptible to giving up the big play, so it’ll be interesting to see whether or not Rodgers can take advantage and keep his team undefeated on the season.

      Maurice Jones-Drew3. Jags’ banged up offensive line vs. the Bob Sanders-less Colts’ run defense
      Which will give in first? The Jaguars have had major issues running the ball because of injuries along the offensive line and it has had a trickle down affect on QB David Garrard and the passing game. But Jacksonville will face a weak Colts’ run defense without their best run-defender in safety Bob Sanders, who will miss the next 4-6 weeks because of a high ankle sprain. If the Jags’ running game were every to get back on track, this would be the week to do it, but you can bet Indy will stack the box with eight defenders in hopes that Garrard and the Jacksonville passing game won’t get into a rhythm.

      4. Can Gus Frerotte lead the Vikings? Will Adrian Peterson play?
      The Vikings dominated the Colts in every phase of the game last Sunday, but walked away with a loss because they settled for field goals instead of being able to punch the ball in for six. This week they face a confident Panthers team, who welcome wide receiver Steve Smith back from a two-game suspension. During the week, Minnesota head coach Brad Childress benched former starter Tarvaris Jackson for 37-year old Gus Frerotte at quarterback. The veteran Frerotte should be an upgrade in the passing game, although if RB Adrian Peterson is limited because of a hamstring injury, Carolina’s defense will be relentless in crashing the pocket. Peterson is expected to play, but it remains to be seen how effective he’ll be.

      5. Which ’07 playoff team will still be winless after this week?
      Jacksonville, Seattle and San Diego are still winless on the year, but the Seahawks and Chargers have favorable matchups this week. Seattle hosts a Rams team that has been absolutely brutal in both of their games this season, while San Diego is at home against the Jets on Monday night. The Jaguars won’t have it easy on the road against the Colts, but Indianapolis hasn’t looked sharp so far this season, either. It’s hard to imagine that all three of these teams will still be winless after this Sunday, but anything is possible in the unpredictable NFL.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Couch Potato Alert: 9/19

      September 19, 2008 /

      37th Ryder Cup
      The three-day match-play competition between the United States and Europe has a way of making the world’s elite golfers wilt under the pressure of trying to capture the Ryder Cup. Over the last 25 years, it has become a hotly contested event, with the U.S. record at four wins, seven losses, and a tie, including three straight match defeats to the Europeans (the Ryder Cup takes place every two years). The competition will begin this morning at 7 AM EST on ESPN from the Valhalla Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky, and continue throughout the weekend on NBC.

      Wake Forest vs. Florida State
      Neither school has distinguished itself as a contender for securing a spot in the ACC championship game. Wake Forest would love to duplicate their last trip to Tallahassee, when they shutout the Seminoles 30-0 two years ago. Florida State has been playing short-handed due to player suspensions and will welcome back star wide receiver Preston Parker to the lineup on Saturday. Coverage begins at 7 PM EST on ESPN2.

      LSU vs. Auburn
      There’s no better way to start off the SEC season than with a LSU-Auburn showdown. The “Tiger Bowl” winner could establish itself as the team to beat in the SEC West, though Alabama might have a say in the matter down the road. LSU and Auburn have split their last four meetings, with each game decided by six or fewer points. Coverage begins at 7:45 PM EST on ESPN. Click here for the official LSU-Auburn smack thread.

      Georgia vs. Arizona State
      The luster has been taken off this game by the Sun Devils’ overtime loss at home to UNLV last week. It’s still a big game, as the Bulldogs are in the national title hunt despite being passed in the polls by USC and Oklahoma. ASU could get back in the BCS bowl picture with an upset in Tempe on Saturday night. Coverage begins at 8 PM EST on ABC.

      Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees
      This Sunday night, the final major league baseball game will be played at historic Yankee Stadium. The House That Ruth Built has been the home office for post-season success come October, as 100 World Series games have been played at the Stadium. This event will be nationally televised on ESPN beginning at 8 PM EST.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, College Football, Couch Potato Alert, General Sports, Golf, MLB, NFL, Television

      Brad Childress concerned about Adrian Peterson

      September 19, 2008 /

      Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress is concerned about his star running back. 2007 Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson was held out of Thursday’s practice because of a hamstring injury.

      Adrian Peterson“He didn’t participate today so that probably says what it says,” Childress said. “DNP. He was limited [Wednesday]. It’s a concern. Your legs are your legs. We’ll just see how he comes out by the time we get to Sunday.”

      Peterson said earlier in the day that his hamstring is sore. He felt it tighten up on a run late in the fourth quarter. He said he hopes to be ready to play Sunday.

      The Panthers (Minnesota’s opponent on Sunday) have to be licking their chops. Chester Taylor is a solid backup, but he certainly doesn’t bring what Peterson brings to the field. Plus, the ageless one Gus Frerotte is starting at quarterback and the Vikings’ secondary looks brutal again this year. Good time for WR Steve Smith to be coming off a suspension.

      I know this will come back to bite me in the ass, but how good does Carolina look getting 3.5 points as a road underdog?

      Update: Peterson practiced Friday and is expected to play Sunday.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Week 3 NFL Primer

      September 19, 2008 /

      Aaron RodgersSunday’s Best: Cowboys (2-0) at Packers (2-0) 8:15 PM ET NBC
      General NFL fans and fantasy football owners alike are pumped for this Sunday Night Football matchup. The home team generally has the upper hand, with the host going 14-2 in the last 27 years of this underrated rivalry. Before becoming a starter this season, Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers only saw significant playing time one other time in his career – last year in a regular season loss to the Cowboys after Brett Favre was injured following two interceptions. Rodgers did well, too, completing 18 of 26 passes and tossing one touchdown. The Dallas defense will be well prepared for Rodgers this time, although the Cowboys are coming off a short week after beating the Eagles on Monday night.

      Upset Watch: Saints (1-1) at Broncos (2-0) 4:05 PM ET FOX
      If there’s one thing the NFL has taught fans over the years is to expect the unexpected. After two weeks, the Broncos look like world-beaters and after losing last week in Washington, the Saints appear to be vulnerable. But Denver’s defense didn’t play well in the second half last week and even without WR Marques Colston, New Orleans has more than enough offensive weapons to make things interesting this weekend in Denver. The Broncos are coming off an emotionally draining win last Sunday against San Diego, not to mention an emotionally draining week having to answer questions about Ed Hochuli’s blown call. Could the pissed off Saints be catching Denver at the right time?

      Ben RoethlisbergerIntriguing Matchup: Steelers (2-0) at Eagles (1-1), 4:15 PM ET CBS
      If it weren’t for the mega matchup in Green Bay on Sunday night, the Steelers-Eagles game Sunday evening would be the best of the Week 3 schedule. Pittsburgh has looked very good in its two victories, but questions remain about the health status of QB Ben Roethlisberger, who is dealing with a bad shoulder (although head coach Mike Tomlin says Big Ben’s shoulder isn’t separated). Philadelphia will be coming off a short week after playing on Monday night, but the Eagles are always tough to beat at home. Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook will also look to bounce back after fumbling away an opportunity to beat the Cowboys. This should be a physical game between two very good teams.

      Other Notable Games:
      Jaguars at Colts, 4:15 PM ET CBS
      Jacksonville’s offensive line is incredibly beat up, which hasn’t bode well for the usually-explosive Jag running game. But Indy lost its best run-defender in Bob Sanders for 4-6 weeks and the Vikes’ Adrian Peterson ran wild on them last Sunday. Could the Jaguars really start the season 0-3? Could the Colts really start 1-2? Neither team looks like the potential Super Bowl contenders everyone thought they would be entering the season.

      Panthers at Vikings, 1 PM ET FOX
      The Vikings are looking for their first win of the season while the Panthers are looking to gain even more of an edge in the NFC South. Can Carolina keep Adrian Peterson in check? Will Steve Smith take advantage of a weak Minnesota secondary in his first action of the season after serving a two game suspension?

      Cardinals at Redskins, 1 PM ET FOX
      Usually this game would be a bore-fest, but Arizona is 2-0 and Washington might have gotten on track after beating the Saints last Sunday. The Cardinals could open up a decent size lead in the NFC West with a victory.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑