Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner…
I’m not even going to discuss last week’s picks. It was so bad that I don’t even have any explanation for the horrendous outcome. And I don’t think this week will be any easier with some interesting matchups. Half way through the regular season and we still don’t have a clear cut leader in either division. My prediction: there will be an abnormal amount of upsets this week. Some players will come back to life and others will surprise you. Either way, it’s a great time of the year to be a football fan.
-Jets @ Lions: Most of you will probably disagree but this is one of those interesting games for me. If the Detroit Lions haven’t earned your respect yet than they should this week. With the exception of their game against the Vikings, the Lions have been in every game until the end. They are resilient and continue to play solid defense. As a matter of fact, the Lions defense is 7th in fantasy points through the first half of the season. That is higher than the Chargers, Giants, and the defensive “juggernaut” New York Jets. Speaking of the Jets, what are they doing on offense. Ladanian Tomlinson is a great play but he is being overworked as they run a majority of the time. Look for Shonn Greene to get a few more touches this week. Mark Sanchez may air it out more but will run into some trouble with the Lions solid pass rush. Matthew Stafford played great in his first game back from injury last week throwing for 4 touchdown, 3 of which went to Calvin Johnson. This duo will be an unstoppable force for years to come and while the cover-corners in New York are good, Stafford has enough weapons to keep the chains moving. Jahvid Best shouldn’t be expected to do a lot running the ball but his ability to make plays after the catch makes him a viable option.
This is one of my favorite games of the week and I believe it will be the most talked about game on Monday. The Jets seem a little lost after their bye week and that may continue. With the franchise quarterback starting again, a decent run game and amazing receiver in Johnson, Nate Burleson and Brandon Pettigrew I think they will surprise all of us. At the very least this game will be close, but I’m going with the upset of the week. Lions win 34-28.
-Chargers @ Texans: This was the hardest game to pick for me. Both teams have explosive potential on offense and they both have struggles on offense. The Chargers rank among the best in terms of total defense and have lost games mainly on the basis of youthful mistakes. Matt Schaub will struggle and should only be played if you don’t have a more viable option (ahem…start Fitzpatrick, Jon), but Andre Johnson will find a way to create big plays after the catch. Arian Foster is a beast (one whom I miss on my team) and should be in your lineup every week. Ryan Matthews seemed to come to life a little bit last week and will continue to improve this week. The Chargers receiving corp. is in disarray right now, so they are lucky to be landing such a favorable matchup. The Texans have one of the worst pass defenses in the league and they haven’t given up less than 24 points in any game this year. So whoever is starting for the Chargers has a good chance of producing solid numbers. Phillip Rivers has the most fantasy points of any quarterback in the league and will build on that this week. The Chargers showed great effort and played their best game in their win over the Titans last week and they will play great again given the Texans their first back-to-back losses of the season. Chargers win, 28-17.
-Bucs @ Falcons: Here are to very improved teams in a mediocre division fighting for a playoff spot. The Falcons look like the division leader they were predicted to be but Tampa Bay is playing some surprisingly good football, right? Wrong the Buccaneers have had some good matchups against lower level teams but haven’t played as well against contenders. In two games against playoff level teams (Pittsburgh and New Orleans) the Bucs lost giving up 31 and 34 points in those games, compared to an average of 17.6 points in their wins. Michael Turner will have his best game of the season giving Matt Ryan room to throw to his top targets. Tony Gonzalez should be locked in to your lineup and Roddy White is the best receiver in the NFL right now (and I’m so glad he’s on my team). Josh Freeman will post adequate numbers but will make some key mistakes. Tampa Bay will not lean on LeGarrett Blount as much as people expect because of their faith in their young quarterback but he should post around 60-70yards and a touchdown. I believe the Falcons are a real contender to win their division and even the NFC. Atlanta wins on Tampa’s mistakes, 28-14
-Saints @ Panthers: Brees and the Saints will improve their chemistry against a surprisingly porous defense and Marques Colston a big game. However, considering all the options Brees has it is very hard to start any of the Saints wideouts with confidence. If you start one of them temper your expectations and realize you may not get double-digit points out of him. Jonathan Stewart is the Panthers only hope this week and he does have a decent shot. The Saints are giving up a little over 100 rushing yards a game so if you have Stewart and he starts for the injured Williams role the dice with him as a decent flex option. Either way the Panthers aren’t good enough to compete with the reigning world champions. Saints win and get a defensive touchdown in the second half, 30-17.
-Bears @ Bills: This could be the week Buffalo turns the corner. The Bears secondary can be pretty vulnerable at times and Ryan Fitzpatrick has been playing great. The Bears will try to slow down Steve Johnson so Lee Evans could end up having a better day. The Bills run game is nothing to take seriously so sit any of their backs on your team. While Matt Forte needs to be used more, especially against a bad Bills run defense, he is hit-or-miss in Mike Martz system. He has great upside and if you have to I would start him. The Bills pass defense has been fairly solid this year and if they can get to Jay Cutler they should slow Chicago’s offense down a lot. My prediction, Cutler continues to struggle and the Bears get behind early. Bills win, 24-20
-Cardinals @ Vikings: I got home from work the other day and when I turned on the television I thought I was watching one of the old soap operas my mom use to watch. Then I realized it was just a story on the state of the Minnesota Vikings. For the love of God, what is going on their. Brad Childress is like a resentful, single mother of 11 children and Brett Favre is the burden child that is always sick or causing problems. Not to mention the villain Randy Moss. Arizona could have a chance to capitalize on the Vikings’ dysfunction. Derek Anderson will look to Larry Fitzgerald often and with the return of Steve Breaston it should be a lot easier. Fitz will have another solid outing and Breaston will put up respectable numbers as well. Beanie Wells has been making a comeback but he will be stuffed by the Vikings’ solid run defense. Visanthe Shaincoe will be the winner in the Moss situation as he will see an increase in touches maybe even a touchdown. Adrian Peterson will run all over the Cardinals and should have a huge day. My prediction is this will be an ugly game that ends with the Vikings barely on top. Vikings win, 16-12
-Patriots @ Browns: At first glance to me, this looks like it could be a very close game. The Browns have been playing very good defensively and Peyton Hillis is running very well. The problem is this is the type of game the Patriots just win. Tom Brady will get back on track this week working in short, three step drops to deliver strikes to his two tight ends (Aaron Hernandez and Bruce Gronkowski), and Danny Woodhead should have a solid day. The gamebreaker in this one will be Brandon Tate who finally broke out last week. Hillis will continue to put up solid starting numbers and Ben Watson is the only respectable receiving option on the Browns. Hillis will post the best numbers but the Patriots will win big. New England takes it, 31-14
-Dolphins @ Ravens: This is the most excited game on the schedule. The Dolphins and the Ravens are mirror images of each other in almost every aspect of the game. Both teams play solid defense and their respective offenses go for almost identical total yardage (Miami:343.7 and Baltimore: 340.3) with the break down between rushing and passing being similar as well. This one looks like it will turn into a defensive struggle. However, the Ravens have ranked close to 22nd against the pass this year giving up big yardage to teams like the Bills and Patriots. Chad Henne is a nice sleeper pick at quarterback and Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess could have decent games as well. However, the Dolphins struggle to punch it in from 20 yards out. The red zone offense is so bad that kicker Dan Carpenter has hit 5 field goals in each of the last two games and is scoring more points than most backs and receivers. I expect Ray Rice to break out of his slump and take on a solid Miami defense. And no, that’s not just because I just traded for him. Okay, that’s exactly why I want him to play well. Anquan Boldin has been good this year but not consistent. I think he will play well but may not get to the endzone this game. In the end the team that makes the mistake will lose. Ravens win 20-16.
-Giants @ Seahawks: I believe the Giants are the best team in the NFC right now and can contend as one of the top 5 teams in the league. This will be another ugly game for the Seahawks as their offense will continue to look like a high school JV squad. It is in your best interest to sit all Seattle offensive players until further notice, or a better matchup. For the Giants, however, I would be remiss if I didn’t advice you to start Ahmad Bradshaw or Hakeem Nicks as they will have monster games against the Seahawks. Seattle’s defense has been decent but when you have to spend as much time on the field as they do you start to wear down a bit. Eli Manning will move the ball efficiently without making any mistakes. I would even go as far to say Brandon Jacobs is a solid play as he will probably get goal line attention. No big secret here, Giants win big 40-14
-Colts @ Eagles: Peyton Manning is simply a miracle worker. I swear, he could take my grandmother and turn her into a Pro Bowl receiver. The Colts are riddled with injuries and are weak defensively but continue to win games. This week they go up against an Eagles team that is returning Mike Vick, Desean Jackson and Jason Peters to the lineup. While the safe beat statistically to me is the Eagles, the Colts are 6-0 in the regular season against NFC opponents in the last 2 years. Lesean McCoy will be the difference in this one as he exploits the Colts weak run defense and Vick should be mobile enough in the pocket to create issues for the Colts pass rush. Peyton Manning is the best at what he does, but I’m not sure if that is enough to beat a team with the weapons that Philly has. I’m probably wrong but I have to go with Philly. Eagles win a close one 27-23.
-Chiefs @ Raiders: This may end up being the best game of the week. These two are 1 and 2 in the division and a hard fought game will be the difference. The Raiders are riding high after back to back wins, albeit against the Seahawks and the Broncos. Jason Campbell has developed confidence and with Darren McFadden running over whoever he damn well pleases the offense may be able to continue their scoring ways. The Chiefs have a solid run defense this year and will slow down the Raider but by how much is yet to be determined. Matt Cassel will manage a solid game (manage is football lingo for start someone else) and hand it off to the dynamic duo of Jamal Charles and Thomas Jones. While their carries may be equal, Charles will end the day as the top back. Dwayne Bowe has been the only viable receiving option and the Raiders will easily keep him in check. Look for tight end Tony Moeaki to step up in this game to produce a solid 65 yards and a touchdown. Confidence goes a long way but I don’t think it will be enough for the Raiders. Campbell will make a few key mistakes in the passing game ending any chance of tying the Chiefs for the lead in the division. Chiefs win, 27-24.
-Cowboys @ Packers: “The Mediocrity Bowl” is coming to Green Bay this Sunday and will showcase to popular Super Bowl picks that are reeling half way through the season. Aaron Rodgers can throw against anyone and in mobile enough to possible run in a touchdown for you. However, I can’t see myself starting anyone else in the game with supreme confidence. I can’t really say much about this game other than it will be nothing like was expected in the preseason. The difference in this one will be Charles Woodson v. Jon Kitna, and we all know who is going to win that battle. Packers win a yawner of a game, 21-13
- (MNF) Steelers @ Bengals: The Pittsburgh Steelers and their players were built for Monday night. Mike Tomlin is 5-0 on Monday night and Ben Roethlisberger will have his way with the Bengals’ suspect defense. Rashard Mendenhall should be locked into your starting lineup as he will tear through Cincy’s defensive line and get a few big yardage opportunities. Carson Palmer has had a couple good games but his success will come to a screeching halt against a ferocious Steelers defense. While Palmer may not have the best day, his top receiver will be Terrell Owens yet again, and I would start him with confidence. In the end the Steelers are balance and the Bengals are anything but. Steelers win an important divisional game, 27-13
Good Luck Leaguers…
