Boss of the Week: Tom Brady- 380 Yds, 6 TD
Just as we projected, Brady and the Pats tormented the Titans 31st-ranked pass defense in their 59-0 victory in snowy Foxboro, Mass. Brady looked like his old hulky self, completing 19 of his first 20 passes, showing accuracy that was missing in the first five weeks. Five of his career-high six touchdowns came in the second quarter, equaling the most by any player in a quarter since 1950. I was super impressed that the snowy conditions didn’t slow down the passing attack. Brady made it look as easy as playing in the backyard on a winter afternoon. Tom Terrific is like WHOA.
Patriots Day
While we’re talking Pats, all New England fantasy factors had breakout games this week. Randy Moss got sithy, finishing with eight receptions for 129 yards and three TDs, while Wes Welker racked up 10 catches for 150 and two.
Surprisingly, underachiever Laurence Maroney exploded for 123 yard and a touchdown on 16 carries, after Sammy Morris went down with a knee injury on the first drive of the game. There’s that late-’07 Maroney I’ve been patiently waiting to see! If Morris’ knee injury is serious, obviously Maroney is the primary beneficiary, so pick up the dread-locked Jekyll and Hyde right now.
New England’s defense also hulked up, shutting out Tennessee and collecting five turnovers (2 INT, 3 FUM) in the process. I picked up Pats D in three leagues to fill in this week, so I love the results like a fat kid loves cake.
Weakest of the Week: Kerry Collins and Vince Young combine for -7 passing yards combined
Ummm yea. On a brighter note, these bozos ineffectiveness did not slow down Chris “Silky” Johnson- 17 Att, 128 Yds with a long of 48 Yds.
Equally Weak: Steve Smith (CAR)- 1 Rec, 4 Yds
What the hell? The real Steve Smith averaged a league-leading 101.5 yards per game last year. Double teams were the issue, which opened up the Panthers running game in Sunday’s win over TB.
Pocket Hercules
Maurice Jones-Drew carried a huge workload, equaling a big game against the Rams Sunday- 33 Att, 133 Yds, 3 TD, 5 Rec, 45 Yds. This coming a week after he expressed displeasure with the Jags playcalling, saying he was the second highest paid decoy in the NFL behind Reggie Bush. Well, he got the rock this week, and is currently even with Adrian Peterson as the top RB fantasy performer this year.
Rice Ball
Ray Rice’s 77 rushing yards (10 Att), 117 receiving yards (10 Rec), and two touchdowns against Minnesota place him third in fantasy points this week behind Brady and Jones-Drew. Rice is a reception and total yardage monsta. His 127.7 yards per game, 33 receptions, and four touchdowns have him on pace for 2000-plus total yards, 88 catches, and 11 TDs. Numbers talk and they’re saying Rice is a legit RB1.
Sidney Rice had six catches for 176 yards in Sunday’s win over the Ravens, including a clutch 58-yard reception to set up the game-winning field goal. He and Brett Favre have legit chemistry and if Percy Harvin’s shoulder limits him, that’s even better for Rice’s fantasy stock. He has risen to WR3 status.
DeAnge and J-Stew Get Silly
The Carolina running game got on track Sunday, as both studs rushed for over 100 yards for the first time this season. DeAngelo Williams had 30 Att for 152 Yds and two TDs, while Jon Stewart had 17 Att for 110 and a tuddy. Obviously, it was an encouraging rushing performance and it vaulted the Panthers to victory.
Standout Quarterbacks
Each of the following quarterbacks had big games this week, passing over 300 yards: Ben Roethlisberger (417), Matt Schaub, Joe Flacco, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, David Garrard
Meanwhile, Brett Favre didn’t go for 300 yards, but he had 270-plus and three touchdowns against Baltimore. He’s third in the NFL in passer rating and has 12 touchdowns versus only two interceptions. Favre is on pace to finish with 3592 Yds, 32 TD, and 5 INT. Can the old man keep it up as the season wears on? Prob not but his 2009 is looking magical nonetheless.
Random Observations/Thoughts
Thomas Jones busted out for over 200 rushing yards versus Buffalo, and now is a top-5 rusher. He continues to defy age. I’d rather own him than L.T. right now.
Mike Sims-Walker is Jacksonville’s No. 1 WR, not Torry Holt. I told you this might be possible back in July. Here are the numbers:
Sims-Walker- 28 Rec, 398 Yds, 3 TD (missed one game and Holt hulked)
Holt- 27 Rec, 407 Yds, 0 TD
Donnie Avery scored for the second straight week. He might be valuable the second half of the season with a healthy Marc Bulger and an improving (hopefully?) and gelling Rams team.
Steven Jackson continues to put up nice yardage – 128 total yards – but still has zero touchdowns. Hopefully he gets that first one and more for the same reasons I said above for Avery.
Mark Sanchez had five interceptions Sunday. A reminder that rookie QBs will be rookies. It’s difficult to trust ‘em in fantasy.
Zach Miller finally had a nice game, trying to make his case that he is more than waiver wire scraps. He blew up with 6 Rec, 139 Yds, and a TD. He’s essentially their No. 1 WR. The problem is JaMarcus Russell and the Raidaz stink.
Justin Fargas carried the ball 23 times while Michael Bush received only 6 carries in Oakland’s win over Philly. Head coach Tom Cable said he and Fargas have a “connection”, so it appears they’re going to lean on Fargas for the time being.
Julius Jones, Justin Forsett, and Edgerrin James combined for 10 carries and 12 yards against Arizona. The Cardinals are the top run-stopper in the league, having only given up 250 yards all season!
Where’s Waldo? I mean where’s Derrick Ward? He only received one carry for two yards, while Cadillac Williams dominated the workload.
Hines Ward, on the other hand, put up 159 yards and a TD on eight catches. He currently leads the league in receptions (41) and receiving yards (599). Wow Hines. Will his body hold up though? I’d try to trade him for a top-flight WR right now.
Santonio Holmes also went over 100 yards in Pitt’s pass-friendly attack.
Hakim Nicks is a stud. Pick him up if he’s still available, which I doubt. He had his first career 100-yard game Sunday and has now scored in three straight.
Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas surprisingly received 15 carries apiece Sunday. While Thomas was the more effective runner, Bell vultured a touchdown and the talk is that Bell is the Saints’ short-yardage back. Bell is worth a pick-up again.
Marques Colston had his best game of the season Sunday, exploding for 166 yards and a touchdown. I just bought low on him last week. It’s probably too late for you.
Steve Slaton, had a nice game, highlighted by six catches for 102 yards and a touchdown. This is one reason he’s valuable.
One sentence about Sunday Night Football Bears at Falcons
Rodzilla White is a filthy dragon who burns and A-town stomps on dulk hearts. |
