Week 3 should again be an easy victory for me, as my opponent as several players out of the lineup with byes. I also finally get T.J. Houshmanzadah back, as he practiced on Friday and was upgraded to probable. This will help me overcome the loss of Ladanian Tomlinson(off with bye), as I can throw Reggie Bush in at RB, and put Housh in the WR/RB slot, with Darrell Jackson keeping his spot, thanks to a strong game in week 2. I have several favorable matchups in week 3 against bad defenses that I will break down by position...
....Quarterbacks....
Michael Vick is going up against a weak New Orleans defense on Monday night that will have no chance of stopping Vick when Atlanta employs the spread option they did in week 2. Vick had 126 yards rushing against Tampa Bay, and looked unstoppable. Something tells me New Orleans won't fare any better than Tampa Bay, who has one of the fastest defenses in the league. Although I'm glad Vick is putting up big numbers, it does worry me he is going to take a lot of big hits running so often. As for McNabb, another 300 yard and multiple TD performance is very likely this week in San Francisco. San Francisco did look impressive in week 2 against the Rams, but the Rams never pass anymore, so to me that was no surprise.
......Running Backs.....
Reggie Bush continues to impress every week. He rushed for only 5 yards in week 2, but he caught 8 passes for 68 yards and had 36 return yards, which is a very solid effort in PPR leagues. The Saints will continue using him in this pass-catching role, so he is a must-play in PPR leagues like mine. He will finally score a TD against Atlanta on Monday, so bank on that. I'm rolling with Willie Parker again this week after a horrible showing against Jacksonville. Pittsburgh was totally shutdown, and will be fired up to prove themselves against Cincinnati. Cincy's run defense is so-so, so a 100-yard game and a touchdown are likely for Parker.
.....Wide Receivers.....
Donald Driver is continuing to put up big numbers, although he has yet to catch a touchdown pass. I knew coming in his value would be in the number of catches he got, and he hasn't disappointed, catching 15 balls for 249 yards. Housh will make first start of the season now that he is finally healthy, and I will use him in the swing spot, although I don't think he will have a huge game against Pittsburgh. Chris Chambers broke out in week 2, although it should be noted his touchdown came in garbage time, but maybe that's a good sign. Darrell Jackson may see reduced looks with Deion Branch entering the fray, but he still is Matt Hasselback's go to guy. L.J. Smith is probable with a shoulder injury, but is quietly one of the most productive tight ends in the league with 13 catches in two weeks. He should find paydirt against San Fran on Sunday.
....the rest.....
When it comes to defense and kickers, I just throw in whoever has the most points. I picked my two kickers after everyone else, and they have both been pretty consistent, so there's a tip for next year. Never draft one of the top-rated kickers, because it really is just a crapshoot. Anyway best of luck to everyone in week 3. My Yahoo! projected score is 200-132, so I won't be sweating it out...
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
"A Devastating Loss" and Other Week 2 Reactions
The best game of the year took place in week 2, as the New York Giants visited Philaldelphia for a division showdown, one of 11 such matchups. The Eagles came out on fire, eager to put last season's divisional 0-6 record behind them. They were truly dominant for three quarters, getting consistent pressure on the quarterback, shutting down the run, and racking up over 350 yards on offense.
Leading 24-7 as the fourth quarter started, the Giants looked to have no chance. But things can change quickly in the NFL, and thanks to a few lucky bounces of the ball(the Eagles' inability to recover a fumble near its own goal line, and a subsequent Bryan Westbrook fumble), the Giants climbed back into the game.
It's amazing how a team can be ineffective for an entire game, then go to a no-huddle offense late in the game and the offense appears to be unstoppable. And although the Eagles did become more conservative with their big lead, as most teams are, the Eagles continued to blitz Manning, but they weren't able to get as much pressure with their defensive line, which had been the key for the first three quarters. As Manning easily moved the Giants down the field for two touchdowns and a field goal in the fourth quarter, the Eagles were blitzing with defensive backs and linebackers, but Manning was finding the open receivers with relative ease.
When the tying field goal went through the uprights in the final seconds of regulation, I knew the game was over, because the Giants had all the momentum. Sure enough, the Eagles couldn't do anything on offense in overtime, gaining almost no yards. It's difficult for a team to "turn the switch back to on" as the Eagles had only picked up a couple of first downs in the fourth quarter, choosing a conservative run-oriented attack that wasn't very effective.
Anyway, it was over before the OT coin flip, and I'm sure everyone has seen the game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress hundreds of times so there is no need to rehash that. The bottom line is the Eagles suffered a devastating loss at home, when they had it all but locked up a 2-0 record and seemingly re-established their NFC East dominance. But, now the Eagles need to regroup, and if they can't beat the Cowboys in Philly(on October 8), their season is pretty much over, considering their horrible back-to-back-to-back road trip through the NFC East the last month of the season.
Other thoughts on week 2....
The Falcons look like the class of the NFC right now. Last year their run defense was atrocious, but this year they have allowed only 105 yards total in their first two games. Even with Vick throwing for 92 yards against Tampa Bay, they are dominating their opponents. Vick is running a scaled-back version of the option and it is working very effectively, the only question is if and when is going to get injured. As long as he can get out of bounds frequently, he will continue to rack up big rushing numbers.
The two primetime games in week 2 were almost unwatchable. Defensive struggles are not entertaining, other than the occasional big hit. The Jacksonville-Pittsburgh game was pathetic, with both teams playing it conservative the whole game, until the Jags decided to try passing on first and second down in the third quarter. As for the Redskins-Cowboys, any game involving the Redskins this year apparently is going to be a bore. They were on Monday Night Football in week 1, and showed no signs of having the explosive offense they are supposed to have this year with the addition of new offensive coordinator Al Saunders, although Clinton Portis' return in week 3 should help. Other than one or two big plays by the Cowboys and Terrell Owens getting injured, there was nothing to get excited about or keep people on the East Coast awake.
The Chargers and the Ravens both look pretty damn good after two weeks, but neither team has played anyone, so don't pencil them in the AFC Championship game just yet. Both teams have showcased outstanding defenses and adequate offenses, but Steve McNair is old and frail and Phillip Rivers is young and inexperienced. Neither team will be tested in week 3 with the Chargers off and the Ravens going to Cleveland, so we'll have to wait and see.
Leading 24-7 as the fourth quarter started, the Giants looked to have no chance. But things can change quickly in the NFL, and thanks to a few lucky bounces of the ball(the Eagles' inability to recover a fumble near its own goal line, and a subsequent Bryan Westbrook fumble), the Giants climbed back into the game.
It's amazing how a team can be ineffective for an entire game, then go to a no-huddle offense late in the game and the offense appears to be unstoppable. And although the Eagles did become more conservative with their big lead, as most teams are, the Eagles continued to blitz Manning, but they weren't able to get as much pressure with their defensive line, which had been the key for the first three quarters. As Manning easily moved the Giants down the field for two touchdowns and a field goal in the fourth quarter, the Eagles were blitzing with defensive backs and linebackers, but Manning was finding the open receivers with relative ease.
When the tying field goal went through the uprights in the final seconds of regulation, I knew the game was over, because the Giants had all the momentum. Sure enough, the Eagles couldn't do anything on offense in overtime, gaining almost no yards. It's difficult for a team to "turn the switch back to on" as the Eagles had only picked up a couple of first downs in the fourth quarter, choosing a conservative run-oriented attack that wasn't very effective.
Anyway, it was over before the OT coin flip, and I'm sure everyone has seen the game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress hundreds of times so there is no need to rehash that. The bottom line is the Eagles suffered a devastating loss at home, when they had it all but locked up a 2-0 record and seemingly re-established their NFC East dominance. But, now the Eagles need to regroup, and if they can't beat the Cowboys in Philly(on October 8), their season is pretty much over, considering their horrible back-to-back-to-back road trip through the NFC East the last month of the season.
Other thoughts on week 2....
The Falcons look like the class of the NFC right now. Last year their run defense was atrocious, but this year they have allowed only 105 yards total in their first two games. Even with Vick throwing for 92 yards against Tampa Bay, they are dominating their opponents. Vick is running a scaled-back version of the option and it is working very effectively, the only question is if and when is going to get injured. As long as he can get out of bounds frequently, he will continue to rack up big rushing numbers.
The two primetime games in week 2 were almost unwatchable. Defensive struggles are not entertaining, other than the occasional big hit. The Jacksonville-Pittsburgh game was pathetic, with both teams playing it conservative the whole game, until the Jags decided to try passing on first and second down in the third quarter. As for the Redskins-Cowboys, any game involving the Redskins this year apparently is going to be a bore. They were on Monday Night Football in week 1, and showed no signs of having the explosive offense they are supposed to have this year with the addition of new offensive coordinator Al Saunders, although Clinton Portis' return in week 3 should help. Other than one or two big plays by the Cowboys and Terrell Owens getting injured, there was nothing to get excited about or keep people on the East Coast awake.
The Chargers and the Ravens both look pretty damn good after two weeks, but neither team has played anyone, so don't pencil them in the AFC Championship game just yet. Both teams have showcased outstanding defenses and adequate offenses, but Steve McNair is old and frail and Phillip Rivers is young and inexperienced. Neither team will be tested in week 3 with the Chargers off and the Ravens going to Cleveland, so we'll have to wait and see.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)