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      Fantasy Fallout, Week 11: Where Buffalo continues to be a gold mine of fantasy talent

      November 22, 2010 /
      CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Buffalo Bills looks to pass the ball during NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

      It was a wild and wacky set of early games, highlighted by the Bills comeback against the Bengals. Ryan Fitzpatrick (316 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs) finished with nice numbers in a bad matchup against a Cincy DT that has been stingy against QBs this season. He has developed into a bona fide Top 10 fantasy QB this season and usually puts up big numbers because the Bills always seem to be playing from behind. Steve Johnson (8-137-3) had another huge day, and now has nine TD catches on the season. Donald Jones (5-70-1) looks like he has taken over Roscoe Parrish‘s role in the slot, so he could be an interesting pickup going forward. Fred Jackson (129 total yards, 2 TDs) was terrific and should be a fine RB2, even when C.J. Spiller returns.

      Down in Dallas, the Cowboys’ offense continued to roll, and Jon Kitna (147 yards, 3 TDs, 1 rush TD) has looked good the last two weeks. He has a couple of tough matchups in the next two weeks, but his schedule during the fantasy playoffs is favorable. He didn’t throw for much yardage, which means there weren’t any standout performances by his wide receivers, even though Dez Bryant (3-8-1) and Miles Austin (2-7-2) both scored. Felix Jones gained 86 yards but failed to score, which was disappointing.

      News broke on Sunday morning that Clinton Portis (46 total yards) was going to get the start, but he re-injured his hamstring and Keiland Williams (29 touches, 95 yards) wasn’t terribly productive in his place. On the other side of the ball, Randy Moss (0-0) laid another egg while Nate Washington (5-117) took advantage of a suspect Redskins secondary. I think it’s time to sit Moss down until he shows us something. This was a terrific matchup and he did absolutely nothing. He was targeted just three times and almost scored on a long TD but was called for offensive pass interference. Vince Young (165 yards) tore a ligament in his hand and may need surgery. Even if he doesn’t, the Titans have already announced that he lost his starting job due to his behavior during and after the game.

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      External Sports, Fantasy Football, NFL

      Are the Falcons becoming a pass-first team under Matt Ryan?

      November 21, 2010 /
      NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 2: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of the game at the Louisiana Superdome on November 2, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

      For the past two years the Falcons have largely been known as a run-first team, which makes sense because they are.

      Or were.

      For the past two weeks the Falcons have gotten away from their mantra of allowing Michael Turner and the running game to set up Matt Ryan and the passing game. In their 26-21 win over the Ravens last Thursday night, seven of their first nine plays were passes and for the most part, they stuck with the pass even after they built a two-score lead.

      In their 34-17 win over the Rams on Sunday, Turner racked up 131 yards on 28 carries but 39 of those yards came on one touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. Truth be told, Atlanta had issues running the ball with consistency for much of the game and relied mostly on Ryan’s arm to earn their NFC-best eighth win.

      Ryan was outstanding. He completed 26-of-39 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions (although he was nearly picked off in the end zone in the second half). Whenever the Falcons needed a big play, it was Ryan finding Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White and Michael Jenkins through the air – not Turner churning out first downs on the ground. That’s not to say Turner was ineffective or wasn’t a part of the game plan because he was (on both accounts). But it’s becoming clear that offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is putting the game more on Ryan’s shoulders, which is good seeing as how well the third-year quarterback has handled the pressure.

      That said, a balanced offense remains the key to the Falcons’ success. Ryan has looked great running the no-huddle and has done his most damage when he can read the defense and to check to plays at the line of scrimmage. But Atlanta found some balance late in the third quarter against St. Louis and that’s when the Falcons were at their best offensively. There was little the Rams could do as Atlanta marched up the field methodically and dominated time of possession. The Falcons are dangerous right now because they have so many weapons that they can throw at a defense. But balance is everything.

      Next week should be fun. The Falcons host the Packers in what could be a potential playoff showdown in the Georgia Dome.

      External Sports, NFL

      In rare outcome, Peyton Manning costs Colts a potential victory

      November 21, 2010 /
      FOXBORO, MA - NOVERMBER 21: Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts walks to the huddle against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

      As he drove the Colts down the field in the final minutes at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, you got the sense that Peyton Manning was on the verge of silencing an already stunned Foxboro crowd.

      The Colts, who trailed the entire game, were down 31-21 with roughly 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But Manning found Blair White on a 5-yard touchdown pass to cut the Pats’ lead to 31-21 midway through the quarter and then he hit White again on an 18-yard touchdown with just under five minutes remaining to put the Colts within a field goal.

      After his defense shut down Tom Brady and New England’s offense, Manning methodically began to drive the Colts down the field. Facing a 1st and 10 at the New England 24-yard line, Manning dropped back to pass but the pressure caused him to shift his feet and his pass sailed on him. Patriot cornerback James Sanders then leapt into the air and snagged the interception to preserve a huge win for the Patriots.

      It’s rare to see Manning cost the Colts a potential victory. Granted, even if Indy tied the game they still would have had to play the Patriots in overtime. But they had stolen the momentum and if they had won the coin toss, there was a good chance Manning would finish the Patriots off in the extra frame.

      But Manning never gave them that opportunity and while legions of Colts fans will give him a mulligan, it was a disheartening outcome to say the least.

      And it wasn’t Manning’s first interception either. He was picked off a total of three times on the night and despite throwing for 396 yards and three touchdowns, those three turnovers proved costly for the Colts. Now Indy is tied with the Jaguars (who have already beaten the Colts this year) atop the AFC South.

      As for the Patriots, this win was huge because the Jets apparently have no intentions on losing another game the rest of the year. Both teams are 8-2 and jockeying for position not only in the AFC East, but for the No. 1 spot in the conference. With six games remaining, it’s going to be a thrilling finish in both conferences.

      External Sports, NFL

      Vince Young benched indefinitely in Tennessee

      November 21, 2010 /
      Tennessee Titans Quarterback Vince Young (10) looks on as his Tennessee Titans fall to the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium, in Miami Florida.November 14, 2010. The Miami Dolphins beat the Tennessee Titans 29-19. . UPI/Susan Knowles... Photo via Newscom

      Vince Young tore a tendon in his right thumb in a 19-16 overtime loss to the Redskins on Sunday and may need surgery. But whether he has surgery or not, Titans’ head coach Jeff Fisher has made it clear that the starting quarterback job won’t be Young’s once he returns.

      According to the Nashville Tennessean, Young tossed his shoulder pads into the stands and left LP Field “abruptly.” Teammate Michael Griffin reportedly chased after him as he left the stadium, but Young brushed him off and continued walking.

      This is what Fisher had to say about replacing Young with Rusty Smith, as well as his quarterbacks’ attitude following the game:

      “Vince tore a flexor tendon in his thumb and I was not satisfied with his ability to control the ball so I stayed with Rusty,” Fisher said. “He never said to me he was OK and wanted to go back in, and I was told he was a little upset after, and I was also told he threw half his uniform in the stands.

      “Clearly that is no way to respond, so we have some things we have to sort out with him. He may need surgery, and if that’s the case, he is done for the year. If that’s the case, Rusty is our guy.”

      Fisher was later asked if Young had lost his starting job and Fisher said, “Yes, right now he has.” While it’s a bit premature to say that VY is done in Tennessee, he has to be about out of chances. He had a mental breakdown two years ago when he considered quitting football altogether. Then he was given the starting job in preseason this year after playing well in the second half last season and the Titans thought he had turned a corner.

      Now he can’t beat out Rusty Smith. So again, while it’s too soon to draw any conclusions about his future in Tennessee, one would think that the Titans will be searching for a new quarterback next offseason. Either that, or Fisher is trying to send a message to Young that he has to be more of a leader. That he can’t act like a child when things don’t go his way and that he can’t lead his teammates when they’re the ones chasing him out of the locker room.

      Some players have all the talent in the world but nothing in the intangibles department. It appears as though Vince Young is one of those players.

      External Sports, NFL

      Are the Jaguars legitimate playoff contenders?

      November 21, 2010 /
      JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars breaks out for a big run that would lead to the winning touchdown during a game agaisnt the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Field on November 21, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

      The media often says that good teams find ways to win.

      Uh, if that’s the case, then are the Jaguars a good team?

      In the last three weeks, the Jags have crushed the Cowboys in Dallas, beat the Texans on a last-second Hail Mary and on Sunday, came back to beat the Browns in dramatic fashion. In their wins over the Texans and Browns, they had leads heading into halftime and in both games they had to use fourth quarter magic to pull out wins.

      Down 20-17 to Cleveland with 2:46 remaining in the game, it looked like Jacksonville may be heading for a loss. But Maurice Jones-Drew broke off a 75-yard screen pass to put the Jags on the Browns’ 1-yard line. MJD scored a couple of plays later and after picking off Colt McCoy in the red zone on Cleveland’s final drive, the Jags went on to win, 24-20.

      Of course, good teams generally don’t turn the ball over six times like the Jaguars did against the Browns. Yeah they won, but that had to be the ugliest win of any team all year. Phil Dawson also missed two field goals, so who knows how the game would have played out had the Browns’ kicker been more accurate. Shame on Cleveland for not converting the opportunities it had off of the Jaguars’ turnovers, but teams usually don’t win when you throw for a lower yards per pass average and turn the ball over more.

      That said, no matter how you shape it, the Jaguars are 6-4. And if the Colts lose to the Patriots on Sunday, then Jacksonville will own first place in the AFC South by virtue of a tie-breaker over Indianapolis.

      Their wins appear to be a collection of luck, fluke play and incredible fortune, but the Jaguars are winning nonetheless. If they can figure out a way to keep winning, they won’t need to answer whether or not they’re for real. Their record will speak for them.

      External Sports, NFL

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