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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Leap Year: Fantasy Finale

Aaron Rodgers is easily 2011's version of Fantasy Football's MVP. With 4,643 passing yards, 48 total touchdowns on only six interceptions and no established running game to speak of, a pat on the back is well deserved. Rodgers illuminates what a champion is. Here are week 17's champions:

Byes: none

John Skelton (Ari vs Sea)

Matt Flynn (GB vs Det)

Kyle Orton (KC @ Den)

Felix Jones (Dal @ NYG)

Kahlil Bell (Chi @ Min)

Donald Brown (Ind @ Jac)

Damian Willliams (Ten @ Hou)

Torrey Smith (Bal @ Cin)

Malcom Floyd (SD @ Oak)

Joel Dreessen (hou vs Ten)

Ed Dickson (Bal @ Cin)

Brent Celek (Phi vs Was)

DEF

Arizona vs Sea

Atlanta vs TB

Kansas City @ Den

Aaron Rodgers (GB vs Det)

Ben Roethlisberger (Pit @ Cle)

Frank Gore (SF @ StL)

Cedric Benson (Cin vs Bal)

Laurent Robinson (Dal @ NYG)

Marques Colston (NO vs Car)

Jermichael Finley (GB vs Det)

Vernon Davis (SF @ StL)

DEF

Dallas @ NYG

New Orleans vs Car

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Road Birds

Swarming, swooping with wings spread and beaks aimed, the Seahawks played as if they were in a bird bath at Chicago's Soldier Field on Sunday. Although the injury-laden Bears posted 14 points, Seattle's defense only gave up eight in a 38-14 decimation from hind claw to furry ear. Hibernation may be an option for Chicago as the Seahawks picked off backup quarterback Caleb Hanie four times while sacking him four times, returning two interceptions for touchdowns and forcing and recovering a fumble that sent Bears receiver Johnny Knox to the sideline for the remainder of the season. Perched on a Space Needle, the Seahawks peer at playoff prey in hopes to steal a spot in 2011's version.

Byes: none

QB
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buf vs Den) If your number one signal caller is out because of injury, the Harvard hurler should be good for double figures for week sixteen.
Kyle Orton (KC vs Oak) Orton will be decent against Oakland's 23rd-ranked pass defense at home.
Charlie Batch (Pit vs StL) With Big Ben out with an ankle sprain, Batch will face a discouraged Rams team (2-12) with a deceivingly solid pass defense. Batch should do well regardless.
RB
Willis McGahee (Den @ Buf) Buffalo is allowing nearly 140 rushing yards per game (29th) through fourteen games. If Willis is cleared to go, he will do just that.
Michael Bush (Oak @ KC) Bush will be facing the 24th defense versus the run. Plus everyone else on Oakland's offense is falling to injury.
Kevin Smith (Det vs SD) Smith should be healthy enough to start on Saturday against a Chargers unit which allows 126.1 per game on the ground.
WR
Santana Moss (Was vs Min) Minnesota has one of the worst pass defenses, having given up a league-high 13 passing plays of 40 yards or more.
James Jones (GB vs Chi) The Bears rank 27th in the NFL against receivers, which is great for Jones while top receiver Greg Jennings sits.
Doug Baldwin (Sea vs SF) Seattle won't be able to run much on the 49ers, so Baldwin should benefit from a high volume of pass attempts on Saturday afternoon.
TE
Joel Dreessen (Hou @ Ind) With Owen Daniels hobbled with injury, Dreessen has a prime opportunity to be a top sleeper on Thursday night against the Colts.
Anthony Fasano (Mia @ NE) Why not? New England hasn't proven worthy of stopping anyone on defense, especially through the air (313.5 rec yds/gm-last in NFL).
Dustin Keller (NYJ vs NYG) Keller will be open all game against the Giants' 29th-ranked receiving defense.
DEF

Washington vs Min
Seattle vs SF
Cleveland @ Bal

QB
Andy Dalton (Cin vs Ari)
Colt McCoy (Cle @ Bal)
RB
Peyton Hillis (Cle @ Bal)
Steven Jackson (StL @ Pit)
WR
Anquan Boldin (Bal vs Cle)
Nate Washington (Ten vs Jac)
TE
Greg Olsen (Car vs TB)
Brandon Pettigrew (Det vs SD)
DEF
Houston @ Ind
Detroit vs SD

Friday, December 16, 2011

Got MoJo?: Playoff Mode

Immeasurables are obviously invisible and can make the evaluation process rather difficult. Apparently, the eye test puts Reggie Bush, Laurence Maroney, DeAngelo Williams, Joseph Addai and LenDale White ahead of a 5' 6" tailback out of UCLA with no dancing skills in the 2006 draft. Yet six running backs and sixty picks later, there remained Maurice Jones Drew for Jacksonville, who passed on him for Marcedes Lewis in the first round. Unfortunately, no tape measure, stopwatch or talking head with a 150 thread-count suit can determine the size of this little giant's heart. Just ask his latest victim, Tampa Bay's defensive unit. The Bucs actually did a good job, containing MJD to only 136 total yards and 4 touchdowns en route to a convincing 41-14 victory on Sunday. The so-called 'Pocket Hercules' currently leads the NFL with 1,324 rushing yards. Not bad for a guy so..... close to the ground.

Byes: none

Matt Hasselbeck (Ten @ Ind) Hasselbeck is nursing a calf injury, but playing the Colts secondary should be an instant anesthetic.

T.J. Yates (Hou vs Car) The rookie from North Carolina should have a decent game by default against one of the league's worst run defenses.

Caleb Hanie (Chi vs Sea) Head coach Lovie Smith said that the training wheels come off against the Seahawks as they attempt to open up the playbook a bit more.

RB
Beanie Wells (Ari vs Cle) The Browns rank 31st against the run (150.9 ypg).
Felix Jones (Dal @ TB) Jones produces a lot more in the first half of games, which will be the case Saturday night against the Bucs who allow 139.7 yards per game on the ground (28th).
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE @ Den) Although Denver's defense is solid at nearly every level, they give up 124.2 rushing yards each game in a match up that more than likely won't be a 10-6 final score.

WR
Jonathan Baldwin (KC vs GB) Like shooting fish in a barrel....a no-brainer.
Kevin Walter (Hou vs Car) The Panthers pass defense is not as bad as its run defense, but yielding more than 250 receiving yards per game plays in Walter's favor.
Jordy Nelson (GB @ KC) With Greg Jennings out of the lineup, Nelson has the spotlight. Only Rob Gronkowski and Calvin Johnson have more receiving touchdowns than Nelson.

TE
Brandon Pettigrew (Det @ Oak) The second-year tight end from Oklahoma State is closing in on 70 catches, as he did last season, and will get red zone looks against Oakland on Sunday.
Dustin Keller (NYJ @ Phi) The Eagles will get things together on defense, just not this week.
Jermaine Gresham (Cin @ StL) Low-hanging fruit is the most attractive, as well as the most risky, but this is the playoffs and Gresham is up against the Rams, after all.

DEF

Arizona vs Cle

Green Bay @ KC

Cincinnati @ StL

Michael Vick (Phi vs NYJ)

Ben Roethlisberger (Pit @ SF)

Frank Gore (SF vs Pit)

Ryan Mathews (SD vs Bal)

DeSean Jackson (Phi vs NYJ)

Brandon Marshall (Mia @ Buf)

Antonio Gates (SD vs Bal)

Greg Olsen (Car @ Hou)

DEF

Denver vs NE

Cleveland @ Ari

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Newton's Law

Upside is merely potential success based on attributes whether they be physical, mental or both. Upside can also be described as blind predictions that have yet to be factually proven. After thirteen weeks and a 4-8 record, one thing is certain about Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton - he is the real deal, without question. 'Superman' wouldn't be a good nickname for the rookie from Auburn simply because Clark Kent's alter-ego didn't post 204 passing yards, 54 yards rushing, a 27-yard reception and four total touchdowns in a 38-19 victory at Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Byes: none

Rex Grossman (Was vs NE) Good Rex (as opposed to Bad Rex) should appear against the NFL's worst pass defense. Maybe.

Joe Flacco (Bal vs Ind) Sunday shall be a long afternoon for the Colts (0-12), to put things mildly.

Tarvaris Jackson (Sea vs StL) No other reason than because the Rams are horrible on defense, Jackson will be on the field quite a bit on Monday night.

Mike Tolbert (SD vs Buf) Facing the 24th rated defense against the run (129.1 ypg), Tolbert should get a few goal line touches.

Reggie Bush (Mia vs Phi) Two factors: Bush has proven he can rush for 100+ yards more than once and Philly has proven that their 'collection of talent' on defense (115.6 ypg) is not yet a cohesive unit.

Toby Gerhart (Min @ Det) If AP can't go, with all of the injuries at the running back position this season, Gerhart is a better #2 play than none for week 14.

Santana Moss (Was vs NE) With Fred Davis suspended the remainder of the season, Moss will get plenty of targets against the Patriots.

Darrius Heyward-Bey (Oak @ GB) Oakland's receivers are thin in depth. This should play into Heyward-Bey's favor against the second-worst defense in the NFL versus receivers.

Malcom Floyd (SD vs Buf) Floyd had 108 yards receiving on the road against the 4th-best pass defense in the league. He'll be at home against Buffalo (14th) on Sunday.

Dustin Keller (NYJ vs KC) Although Keller has proven to be inconsistent this season, the Chiefs are rather generous when it comes to tight ends (6th worst) in 2011.

Vernon Davis (SF @ Ari) Davis found the end zone against Arizona in week11.

Kellen Winslow (TB @ Jac) Winslow is averaging more than five catches per game in the last month.

DEF

Denver vs Chi

Seattle vs StL

Jacksonville vs TB

Ben Roethlisberger (Pit vs Cle)

Andy Dalton (Cin vs Hou)

Willis McGahee (Den vs Chi)

Steven Jackson (StL @ Sea)

Laurent Robinson (Dal vs NYG)

Dwayne Bowe (KC @ NYJ)

Brent Celek (Phi @ Mia)

Owen Daniels (Hou @ Cin)

DEF

Dallas vs NYG

New Orleans @ Ten

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Drew-Orleans Lou-Brees-iana

New York Giants quarterback, and New Orleans native, Eli Manning didn't quite get the homecoming he expected Monday night at the Superdome. Perhaps the reason had something to do with the 363 passing yards and five total touchdowns Drew Brees mixed in his roux of offensive ingredients in the Saints' 49-24 thrashing of the Giants' injury-laden defense. Who dat? Apparently not the 'G' men.

Byes: None

QB
Dan Orlovsky (Ind @ NE) The UConn alum will get his first crack at the worst pass defense in the league for the twelfth straight week.
Matt Moore (Mia vs Oak) Matt Moore has improved nicely since taking over in week six, averaging 17 points in November.
Alex Smith (SF vs StL) Under rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh, Smith has been a solid play complementing a strong running game and even stronger defense.
RB
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE vs Ind) The Ole Miss grad should have a 'firm' grip on a horrible Colts defensive unit, favored by 20+ points.
Jonathan Stewart (Car @ TB) The Bucs' defense has been less than desirable this season. Stewart should get a few big runs up the middle with outside containment set up to attempt to stop DeAngelo Williams and Cam Newton.
C.J. Spiller (Buf vs Ten) Spiller should get rushing and receiving yards, totaling around 100. Even if he doesn't score, the Clemson Tiger is a solid sleeper for week 13.
WR
Pierre Garcon (Ind @ NE) The Colts' leading receiver will be the second option against the Patriots - a no-brainer.
Jason Avant (Phi @ Sea) Maclin will be inactive again. Avant had 25 points last week against New England.
Doug Baldwin (Sea vs Phi) With Sidney Rice out for the season, Baldwin should get double figures at home versus Philly.
TE
Dustin Keller (NY Jets @ Was) Keller found pay dirt twice last week. Washington's defense falls somewhere in the middle, giving up the 17th most points to tight ends.
Jacob Tamme (Ind @ NE) Although Tamme only grabbed two catches last week versus Carolina, the match-up (Pats' defense) is just too ripe to pass up.
Heath Miller (Pit vs Cin) Facing a top five defense, Big Ben's security net is Miller. He only had six points the first time these two teams met. Look for red zones targets to go in Heath's direction.
DEF

Tampa Bay vs Car
Minnesota vs Den
Washington vs NYJ

QB
Matt Ryan (Atl @ Hou)
Sam Bradford (StL @ SF)
RB
Steven Jackson (StL @ SF)
Rashard Mendenhall (Pit vs Cin)
WR
DeSean Jackson (Phi @ Sea)
Dwayne Bowe (KC @ Chi)
TE
Scott Chandler (Buf vs Ten)
Greg Olsen (Car @ TB)
DEF
Detroit @ NO
Miami vs Oak

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Next Man Up

When your number is called, it's best to be ready so you won't have to get ready. Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith took full advantage on Sunday as he impaled Carolina's hapless defensive unit, accumulating 230 total yards and three touchdowns in his first game since 2008. The 49-35 shootout against the Carolina Panthers was the perfect stage for the Miami native to make his mid-season campaign for fantasy relevance.

Byes: None

Andy Dalton (Cin vs Cle) Dalton is averaging 17 points per game in the last four weeks.

Carson Palmer (Oak vs Chi) Palmer is playing in mid-season form. Plus he'll be at home against the 30th-ranked pass Chicago defense.

Christian Ponder (Min @ Atl) Ponder should rack up points, including some rushing yards against the 26th-best unit versus the pass in the league.

Toby Gerhart (Min @ Atl) The Stanford grad should have at least a double-figure performance against Atlanta. Gerhart is an obvious sleeper, especially for owners of Adrian Peterson.

Donald Brown (Ind vs Car) Carolina has been consistent all season at allowing running backs to run about the field with ease, (140.7 rush ypg) which ranks 30th.

Ryan Grant (GB @ Det) Call it a hunch, but Ryan Grant is due for a decent game with James Starks out with an injury.

Pierre Garcon (Ind vs Car) The Colts' leading receiver should be a no-brainer against a lack-luster defense (30th vs run, 16th vs pass).

Danarius Moore (Oak vs Chi) Chicago's defense has proven to be rather weak in the secondary, giving up 284.1 receiving yards per game, which is currently the third-worst in the league.

Laurent Robinson (Dal vs Mia) Robinson has stepped up in Miles Austin's absence, grabbing 17 receptions for 242 yards and 5 touchdowns in the last four games.

Fred Davis (Was @ Sea) The 'Skins' leading receiver will get plenty of targets facing one of the league's toughest run defenses (8th).

Scott Chandler (Buf @ NYJ) With no. 1 receiver Stevie Johnson stranded on Revis Island all afternoon long, Chandler should get quite a few crumbs off the cake.

Vernon Davis (SF @ Bal) The middle of the field should look a bit more open to the 6' 3", 250 pound Davis without Ray Lewis occupying it.

DEF

Tennessee vs TB

San Diego vs Den

Cincinnati vs Cle

Eli Manning (NY Giants @ NO)

Joe Flacco (Bal vs SF)

Ray Rice (Bal vs SF)

Marshawn Lynch (Sea vs Was)

Stevie Johnson (Buf @ NYJ)

Vincent Jackson (SD vs Den)

Jermaine Gresham (Cin vs Cle)

Dustin Keller (NY Jets vs Buf)

DEF

NY Giants @ NO

Philadelphia vs NE

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Feathers

It has been proven that the reason birds seem to glide through the sky so easily is because of hollow bones. Apparently dreadlocks don't weigh Cardinals (3-6) All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald down the least bit. With the replacement John Skelton at quarterback, the Pitt alumnus recorded his best game of the season with seven catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns on the often confused 'collection of talent', Eagles' (3-6) defense, by the score of 21-17. Cardinals are considerably smaller and more maneuverable than the much larger eagle and proved to be ever-elusive on Sunday in Philadelphia.

Byes: Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Pittsburgh

Alex Smith (SF vs Ari) The former #1 draft pick is gradually gaining composure and statistical momentum with every game. This week Smith is at home against Arizona. "...fish in a barrel".

Sam Bradford (StL vs Sea) With a run defense just outside the top ten (12th), Seattle will see plenty of balls in the air late Sunday afternoon in St. Louis. Bradford has no choice but to fit as a decent QB if your main guy is on a bye.

Josh Freeman (TB @ GB) The Kansas State graduate is having a tough year with only nine touchdowns and thirteen interceptions. Green Bay's pass defense (31st) should delay his 2011 depression.

Marshawn Lynch (Sea @ StL) Lynch has 55 carries for 244 rushing yards with two touchdowns in the last two games against two of the stingiest run defenses in the NFL (Dallas an Baltimore).

Maurice Morris (Det vs Car) With Jahvid Best still in his loopy state, Morris will be facing a defense that allows 137.6 (28th) rushing yards per game.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE vs KC) The law firm is primed for a 134 yard performance since that's exactly how many yards Kansas City is giving up to rushers each game (26th).

Doug Baldwin (Sea @ StL) Baldwin had thirteen receptions over twenty yards, and should continue in week eleven.

Jerome Simpson (Cin @ Bal) With rookie A.J. Green injuring his knee against Pittsburgh last week, Simpson should get more attention from Andy Dalton.

Steve Breaston (KC vs NE) Against the league's worst defense versus receivers...just an idea.

Ed Dickson (Bal vs Cin) The Bengals have a top ten defense in just about every category, so Joe Flacco will need a safety valve on Sunday afternoon. Dickson to the rescue.

Aaron Hernandez (NE vs KC) It may be safe to say that everyone should get to play for New England on Monday night.

Benjamin Watson (Cle vs Jac) One might think that Cleveland should get in the red zone against the Jags, even if they are fifth in the NFL against air attacks.

DEF