With 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter, Houston Texans' fans were more than ready to celebrate their team's first win of 2008. After all, they were up 10 on the Indianapolis Colts and had the ball. Then, the unthinkable happened. QB Sage Rosenfels, who was filling in for the flu-ridden, Matt Schaub, fumbled not once but twice, leading to two Colts touchdowns and a 31-27 loss for the Texans. Just as games can swing so quickly in the NFL, so too can they in fantasy football. In fact, even with just one game left on the docket for week 5, plenty of owners going to bed tonight thinking they have their game in the bag may not be so happy tomorrow if Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson go off. But, that's what makes this game so beautiful. Now, onto the Week 5 Weekly Words.
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Manning Masterful
With the New York Giants suspending wide receiver Plaxico Burress for insubordination for their week 5 match-up against the Seattle Seahawks, there were questions as to how Eli Manning would perform without his favorite target. Perhaps a younger Eli would have struggled, lacking the confidence to get the job done. But, in taking the Giants through the playoffs last season to a Super Bowl championship, Manning matured and is a different quarterback than he was in the past.
That showed Sunday as Manning surgically picked apart the Seattle Seahawks secondary to the tune of 267 pass yards and 2 TDs. Without Burress in the game, Manning spread the ball around more than normal, connecting with 8 different receivers (Domenik Hixon, Amani Toomer, Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith, Derrick Ward, Kevin Boss, Brandon Jacobs, and Mario Manningham).
More than any other game this season, this Giants victory exhibited the confidence Eli now has as an NFL quarterback. Combining his talent and pedigree with that confidence, Eli should continue to impress the rest of the season. Going forward, he’s a solid QB1.
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New England New Gameplan
To say the least, the 2008 season has not gone according to plan for the New England Patriots, but that will happen when you lose the likes of Tom Brady for the season before one quarter of play has gone by. The Patriots struggled to find their identity without Brady, eeking out victories in weeks 1 and 2, before falling mightily to the Miami Dolphins in week 3. Then, came their week 4 bye and as the Bruno Boys predicted, the Patriots and Bill Belichick utilized it to the fullest.
With Brady gone, the Patriots have come to the realization that no longer can they be the pass happy team they were in 2007. Nope, those days are gone. Rather, the situation has dictated that they return to the style of play that led them to that first Super Bowl victory back in the 2001 season. Thus, they came out in week 5 with a more balanced attack, establishing the ground game with their 4 back committee; thereby opening the passing game for deep play action routes. The plan worked like a charm as the Pats handed the 49ers a 30-21 loss with 144 team rush yards and Matt Cassel throwing for 259 yards and a score, by far his best outing of the season, even with the 2 INTs he threw. Cassel’s strong day, also, led to solid outings for Randy Moss, whop topped the 100 yard mark and caught a score for the first time since week 1, and Wes Welker, who caught 8 passes for 73 yards.
If I’m a Randy Moss, Wes Welker, or Matt Cassel owner, this game has eased some of my fears. As long as the Patriots stick to their new game plan, things should be ok in Foxboro.
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No Millen, Same Lions
The Lions made a huge step forward towards improving themselves by parting ways with former president, Matt Millen, but Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears proved that the Lions are a long ways away from being competitive in the National Football League.
While Millen is gone, many of the players he brought in are still on the Lions’ roster, and it’s already been proven that that personnel is not a recipe for success and that showed again Sunday as the Lions fell 34 to 7 to Da’ Bears.
Things could get even worst for the Lions before they get better as it appears they’re moving from the Kitna-era to the Dan Orvlosky-era as Jon Kitna was benched in the second half of this week’s game. Kitna’s value was already on the decline with Mike Martz leaving town prior to the season and now, it’s non-existent. Kitna should not be on any fantasy football rosters.
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DE-FENSE!!!
If every game played out like the Tennessee Titans – Baltimore Ravens game did this past Sunday, it could be the death of fantasy football. The match-up was billed as a defensive battle and it held true to its hype as both teams were held under 14 points, with the Titans pulling out the 13-10 victory to remain undefeated.
The game was such a defensive affair that just one skill player (LeRon McClain) put up more than the 8 fantasy points each defense tallied, going for 12 points on 63 total yards and a score.
No doubt about it; these defensive units know how to hold opponents in check. If your guy has a match-up with one of these two squads, be ready for a dip in fantasy production.
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WEEK 6 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
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