Good Luck

 

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. If and when opportunity comes your way and you have failed to prepare, then you've prepared to fail. Non preparers call this bad luck. The truth is we create our own, whether good or bad.

 

Sometimes it may be better to simply be Luck. Andrew, that is. The top-drafted rookie from Stanford found himself in a  twelve-point deficit (33-21) to the Detroit Lions (4-8) with 8:41 left in the fourth quarter at Ford Field Sunday afternoon. He threw an interception during the drive. Luck then put together an eight-play, 85-yard drive for a score to cut the Lions' lead to five (33-28) with 2:39 left on the clock. Luck, as he would have it, got the ball back with only 1:07 to go with no timeouts. The 6' 4" back-to-back Heisman runner-up drove the field with an eleven-play, 75-yard drive for the game-winning touchdown pass to Donnie Avery as time expired to complete his 424 total yard and four touchdown performance. Lucky? No. Luck bows and exits stage right.

 

 

 

QB
Sam Bradford (StL @ Buf)
Brandon Weeden (Cle vs KC)
Russell Wilson (Sea vs Ari)
RB
Joique Bell (Det @ GB)
Vick Ballard (Ind vs Ten)
Shonn Greene (NYJ @ Jac)
WR
Chris Givens (StL @ Buf)
Antonio Brown (Pit vs SD)
Anquan Boldin (Bal @ Was)
TE
Kyle Rudolph (Min vs Chi)
Dustin Keller (NYJ @ Jac)
Heath Miller (Pit vs SD)
DEF

Miami @ SF
Indianapolis @ Ten
Green Bay vs Det

QB
Philip Rivers (SD @ Pit)
Colin Kaepernick (SF vs Mia)
RB
Beanie Wells (Ari @ Sea)
Reggie Bush (Mia @ SF)
WR
Stevie Johnson (Buf vs StL)
Larry Fitzgerald (Ari @ Sea)
TE
Antonio Gates (SD @ Pit)
Vernon Davis (SF vs Mia)
DEF
Baltimore @ Was
NY Giants vs NO

Cam-Era

If there was any suspicion of a sophomore slump with Carolina's quarterback Cam Newton, the Philadelphia Eagles (3-8) defense serves as the proverbial bottle of Robitussin. His 306 passing, 52 rushing yards and four total touchdowns would then emulate a stronger immune system, clearer nasal passages and gratification the following morning.
The 3-8 Panthers may still have a slight dry cough, but going into Kansas City's (1-10) Arrowhead Stadium may resemble the Halls of medicine or perhaps a Ricola even though the Chiefs possess a top-ten pass defense.
Either way the 'itis-laden Panthers should look forward to their first winning streak of the season on Sunday afternoon. Maybe even the running game will get a shot of Vitamin C or DeAngelo Williams. 'Get well soon' cards are currently in rotation.

Byes: none

 

QB

Joe Flacco (Bal vs Pit)

Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buf vs Jac)

Christian Ponder (Min @ GB)

RB

Jonathan Dwyer (Pit @ Bal)

Michael Bush (Chi vs Sea)

DeMarco Murray (Dal vs Phi)

WR

Riley Cooper (Phi @ Dal)

Kendall Wright (Ten vs Hou)

Pierre Garcon (Was vs NYG)

TE

Jacob Tamme (Den vs TB)

Greg Olsen (Car @ KC)

Owen Daniels (Hou @ Ten)

DEF

NY Jets vs Ari

Dallas vs Phi

Cincinnati @ SD

 

 



QB
Philip Rivers (SD vs Cin)
Jay Cutler (Chi vs Sea)
RB
Darren McFadden (Oak vs Cle)
Ryan Mathews (SD vs Cin)
WR
Vincent Jackson (TB @ Den)
Michael Crabtree (SF @ StL)
TE
Antonio Gates (SD vs Cin)
Dustin Keller (NYJ vs Ari)
DEF
NY Giants @ Was
Pittsburgh @ Bal

TE Comparison:
                                     REC     YDS   TD
Vernon Davis (SF)          35         487       5
Brandon Myers (Oak)   55         591       3

Window Dressing

 

The Texans (10-1) needed every solitary yard he made in order to beat Jacksonville (1-9) 43-37 in overtime. He also added a 48-yard touchdown reception to his 14 catches and 273 yards to end the game. "In the win column, it either says 'W' or 'L'", he stated after the game. "They don't ask how you got it done."

Who is he? And why does he not fit the typical 'diva' persona most NFL receivers wear so proudly? Andre Johnson. That's it and that's all. Even though he went to Miami (FL), he barely raises his voice. The 6" 3' 230 pound silent assassin does his job then leaves the scene with very little or no audio. The late, great Paul Brown said, "You win, and say nothing. You lose - say less."



 

 

 

QB
Colin Kaepernick (SF) @ NO)
Sam Bradford (StL @ Ari)
Nick Foles (Phi vs Car)
RB
Bryce Brown (Phi vs Car)
Knowshon Moreno (Den@ KC)
Vick Ballard (Ind vs Buf)
WR
Brandon Gibson (StL @ Ari)
Cecil Shorts (Jac vs Ten)
Emmanuel Sanders (Pit @ Cle)
TE
Brandon Myers (Oak @ Cin)
Greg Olsen (Car @ Phi)
Anthony Fasano (Mia vs Sea)
DEF

Arizona vs StL
Indianapolis vs Buf
Denver @ KC

 

QB

Jay Cutler (Chi vs Min)

Philip Rivers (SD vs Bal)

RB

Reggie Bush (Mia vs Sea)

Steven Jackson (StL @ Ari)

WR

Dwayne Bowe (KC vs Den)

Vincent Jackson (TB vs Atl)

TE

Antonio Gates (SD vs Bal)

Jermichael Finley (GB @ NYG)

DEF

Cincinnati vs Oak

San Francisco @ NO

 



Planet Cybertron

Some say he can transform into numerous weapons and vehicles, depending on which universe he's in. Apparently, in this galactic faction, he comes in the form of an NFL wide receiver by the name of Calvin Johnson from Georgia Tech. Human spectators have grown accustomed to his acrobatic feats and are no longer amazed, but mildy ecstatic. The interplanetary specimen collected 12 catches, 207 yards and a touchdown in the 34-24 loss at Minnesota (6-4) Sunday. With a nagging knee injury and recovering nerve endings to his phalanges, the 6' 5" Johnson has proven to be quite the cafe` supernova, as opposed to being just another star in the constellation.

Byes: Minnesota, NY Giants, Seattle, Tennessee

QB
Andrew Luck (IND @ NE) Although Luck is from this planet, he'll be on he road against the fourth-worst pass defense in the league on Sunday (285.3 pass ypg).
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buf vs Mia) Ranked 28th versus the pass, the 'Fins will be facing a dark horse QB that is ranked ahead of Cam Newton, Tony Romo and Eli Manning.
Nick Foles (Phi @ Was) The rookie from Arizona will line up across from the 30th-ranked pass defense minus the 14 turnovers (M. Vick).
RB
Marcel Reece (Oak vs NO) The S-aint's allow 162 rushing yards per game. Enough said, no?
Steven Jackson (StL vs NYJ) With his starting spot threatened, Jackson will have a worthy game against a Jets defense that allows 145 rushing yards per game (30th).
Jacquizz Rodgers (Atl vs Ari) Rodgers is a ppr gem. Plus anytime Atlanta is on 3rd down, he's on the field instead of Michael Turner.
WR
Andre Roberts (Ari @ Atl) Roberts has put up double-figure performances four of the last six games. He just may surprise Atlanta on Sunday.
Donnie Avery (Ind @ NE) With Reggie Wayne seeing double-team coverages all afternoon, Avery should get targets against the 29th-ranked defense against receiving.
Eric Decker (Den vs SD) With nearly 50 receptions and seven scores, why not?
TE
Greg Olsen (Car vs TB) Tampa Bay has the worst defense in the NFL against the air attack. Olsen is a no-brainer on any planet.
Brandon Myers (Oak vs NO) Myers has 44 catches through nine games. He may see red zones targets against New Orleans.
Owen Daniels (Hou vs Jac) Daniels may as well be the number two receiver on Houston's depth chart, based on his stats this season. Major 'out of this world' sleeper.
DEF

Atlanta vs Ari
Cincinnati @ KC
St. Louis vs NYJ

QB
Philip Rivers (SD @ Den)
Mark Sanchez (NYJ @ StL)
RB
Shonn Greene (NYJ @ StL)
Rashad Jennings (Jac @ Hou)
WR
Mike Wallace (Pit vs Bal)
Michael Crabtree (SF vs Chi)
TE
Vernon Davis (SF vs Chi)
Dennis Pitta (Bal @ Pit)
DEF
Pittsburgh vs Bal
Miami @ Buf

Choose One

Life is all about choices. From choosing to quickly respond to a text before the light turns green - even though it's raining, to choosing to send your kids to public school or home school, things happen as a result of certain choices being made.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie (Boise St.) running back, Doug Martin, chose the 'A' gap shortly after halftime on his way to a 45-yard touchdown run at Oakland (3-5). Martin also made the decision to follow his special-interest group along the left sideline to end the third quarter in the Bucs'(4-4) 42-32 defeat of the Raiders on Sunday. The California native gashed the Raiders defense for 272 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in victory.

Byes: Arizona, Cleveland, Green Bay, Washington

 

QB
Alex Smith (SF vs StL) Facing St. Louis at home, Smith will line up across from the 17th ranked defense the NFL against the pass.
Jake Locker (Ten @ Mia) Locker has gotten the nod to start Sunday. He will face a Miami pass defense that ranks 30th, allowing over 300 passing yards per game.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buf @ NE) As great as the Patriots offense is, the defense gives up 281 yards through the air (28th).
RB
Marcel Reece (Oak @ Bal) Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson are injured. Plus Baltimore has the fifth-worst run defense in the NFL through nine weeks (139.5 rush ypg).
Rashad Jennings (Jac @ Ind) Jennings should be Fantasy worthy, facing a Colts defense that gives up 130.8 rushing yards per contest (25th).
Christopher Ivory (NO vs Atl) The Falcons allow almost five yards per carry and 127.5 rushing yards per game. Ivory should benefit.
WR
Michael Crabtree (SF vs StL) This game may get out of hand by the beginning of the third quarter. Crabtree should see the end zone before halftime.
Malcom Floyd (SD @ TB) Who has the worst defense against receiving? That's right, the Bucs. Enough said, no?
Emmanuel Sanders (Pit vs KC) With Antonio Brown nursing a foot injury, Sanders will get more targets against the Chiefs on Monday night.
TE
Martellus Bennett (NYG @ Cin) Bennett has seen his numbers decrease over the past three weeks but the fact that the Bengals are allowing the seventh-most Fantasy points per game to tight ends should serve as a remedy.
Dustin Keller (NYJ @ Sea) Although the Seahawks have a decent defensive unit overall, they tend to give up quite a mound to tight ends in 2012.
Greg Olsen (Car vs Den) More than likely, Carolina will be playing from behind for most of the game. Olsen should get targets for this reason, if not for anything else.
DEF

NY Jets @ Sea
Pittsburgh vs KC
Miami vs Ten

QB
Russell Wilson (Sea vs NYJ)
Jay Cutler (Chi vs Hou)
RB
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Cin vs NYG)
Shonn Greene (NYJ @ Sea)
WR
Jeremy Maclin (Phi vs Dal)
Justin Blackmon (Jac vs Ind)
TE
Antonio Gates (SD @ TB)
Brandon Pettigrew (Det @ Min)
DEF
Philadelphia vs Dal
Atlanta @ NO

Welcome Matt

Bye weeks can be tricky. Breakouts happen when we least expect it with no forewarning. Detroit Lions (3-4) quarterback Matthew Stafford certainly picked an opportuned time to have his breakout performance. The Georgia Bulldog-turned-Lion picked the Seahawk defensive unit apart with 352 yards and four total touchdowns en route to a 28-24 victory at Ford Field on Sunday. Stafford earned top dog (or Lion) status for week eight. Now on to sunny Jacksonville.
Let week nine be a treat for us all.

Byes: New England, NY Jets, San Francisco, St. Louis

 

 

 

QB
Josh Freeman (TB @ Oak)
Matt Moore (Mia @ Ind)
Russell Wilson (Sea vs Min)
RB
Jacquizz Rodgers (Atl vs Dal)
LeRod Stephens-Howling (Ari @ GB)
Rashard Jennings (Jac vs Det)
WR
Brandon LaFell (Car @ Was)
Brandon Stokley (Den @ Cin)
Mike Thomas (Det @ Jac)
TE
Owen Daniels (Hou vs Buf)
Dallas Clark (TB @ Oak)
Heath Miller (Pit @ NYG)
DEF

Detroit @ Jac
Miami @ Ind
San Diego vs KC

QB
Jay Cutler (Chi @ Ten)
Joe Flacco (Bal @ Cle)
RB
Michael Turner (Atl vs Dal)
Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG vs Pit)
WR
Dez Bryant (Dal @ Atl)
Dwayne Bowe (KC @ SD)
TE
Dennis Pitta (Bal @ Cle)
Martellus Bennett (NYG vs Pit)
DEF
Atlanta vs Dal
Arizona @ GB

Drew Arms

A week seven road game.
Out of the huddle, the scenario is first and ten on the Buc's 20-yard line with 0:21 left before halftime. The look is of shotgun formation. One running back is to the left of the would-be passer. On the strong side near the line of scrimmage is a wide out, a slot receiver and tight end. There is one receiver on the left side of the formation as well, hugging the line.
 On the snap, the quarterback puts the ball in the belly of the half back then quickly pulls it out. He hits the tight end down the seam for a touchdown, which is Saints quarterback Drew Brees' fourth of the half.
The 6' 0" (maybe) signal-caller ended the game with 377 yards, 4 touchdowns and a 35-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Byes: Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Houston

QB
Carson Palmer (Oak @ KC)
Chad Henne (Jac @ GB)
Matt Hasselbeck (Ten vs Ind)
RB
Phillip Tanner (Dal vs NYG)
Brandon Bolden (NE vs StL in London)
Jonathan Dwyer (Pit vs Was)
WR
Josh Gordon (Cle vs SD)
Kendall Wright (Ten vs Ind)
Andre Roberts (Ari vs SF)
TE
Dustin Keller (NYJ vs Mia)
Brent Celek (Phi vs Atl)
Brandon Myers (Oak @ KC)
DEF

Arizona vs SF
New England vs StL in London
Green Bay vs Jac

 

QB

Matthew Stafford (Det vs Sea)

Mark Sanchez (NYJ vs Mia)

RB

Steven Jackson (StL vs NE in London)

Shonn Green (NYJ vs Mia)

WR

Vincent Jackson (TB @ Min)

Michael Crabtree (SF @ Ari)

TE

Aaron Hernandez (NE vs StL in London)

Jermichael Finley (GB vs Jac)

DEF

Denver vs NO

Atlanta @ Phi