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KQ: Champs Rule East
Authored by Andrew Perna - 11th November, 2008 - 11:06 am
Playoff-bound teams and impersonators alike were able to pad their records at an astounding rate this season against the likes of Detroit, Kansas City, and St. Louis.
Between Lane Kiffin at Tennessee and openings at Clemson, Washington, Syracuse, Mississippi State and Purdue, there are fertile jobs out there.
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I'll save a majority of this for a separate, specific, column, but I’m starting to really question some of Andy Reid’s offensive decisions. The Eagles would probably have two more wins (over the Giants and Bears) had their play calls deferred on third-and-short and fourth-and-short in the final quarter.
Why would you run Brian Westbrook, who is undoubtedly playing hurt, twice in a row starting on third-and-2 on your final drive? That game, against the NFC East-leading Giants, was a make-or-break battle.
Leave the ball in the hands of Donovan McNabb. Have him get the ball to Westbrook on a traditional West Coast pass or take the ball and scratch out the few feet himself. A screen pass. Something. Anything. Expect for two-straight runs against the stiff New York defense.
If I continue any further, I’ll never stop, so let’s get on with the downs.
The Downs First Down…Brady Looks Good
The Browns may have lost to the Broncos, but Brady Quinn looked pretty good in his first NFL start. He went 23-for-35 with 239 yards and two touchdown passes. Denver’s fourth quarter comeback, including 21 points in the final fifteen minutes, ruined what could have been a tremendous story in the Week 10.
The Broncos have one of the worst pass defenses in the league, and things will change this weekend against the Bills in Buffalo. Assuming Romeo Crennel keeps Quinn under center, he’ll get a reprieve against the Texans and Colts in successive weeks. He might actually be a quality fantasy starter as we head into the playoffs.
Second Down…Jets Roll Over Rams
The Jets notched a franchise-record victory over the Rams on Sunday, thanks to a career performance from Thomas Jones. I think his resurgence this season has been more important to New York’s success than “savior” Brett Favre. Jones ranks fifth in rushing yards (750) as well as rushing touchdowns (8).
He is also averaging 4.7 yards per carry, more than a yard higher than he posted in 2007 his first season with the Jets. He has lost just one fumble through Week 10, and should be fresh at the end of the season thanks to the presence of Leon Washington. Jones will need to bring his ‘A’ game against the Pats (Week 11), Titans (12) and Bills (15) but should excel against the Broncos (13), 49ers (14), Seahawks (16), and Dolphins (17).
Third Down…Colts Starting To Impressive
Two weeks ago the Colts looked like they were down, but after back-to-back wins over contenders in the Patriots and Steelers, they appear to have reinvented themselves at midseason. Peyton Manning has been excellent in his last two games, with 496 passing yards and five touchdowns.
Now, they’ll face the Texans in Week 11 in another must-win, but one that should come much easier. Their schedule hits a soft spot in the second half of the season, with the Browns, Bengals, and Lions coming in consecutive weeks (Week 13 to 15).
Fourth Down…Talkin’ ‘Bout Panthers
For whatever reason, no one is talking about the 7-2 Carolina Panthers. They pounded the Raiders despite four interceptions from Jake Delhomme on Sunday and have won three-straight games. Detroit will likely be their fourth-consecutive victim this Sunday.
The Panthers rank in the top-ten in rushing yards per game, rushing attempts, total defense, and points allowed. Unfortunately, for John Fox and Co., the NFC South is as tough as it has ever been. They are just a game up on the Falcons and Buccaneers, whom they will face in Week 12 and 14, respectively.
The ‘Who The Heck’ Statline of the Week… Tyler Thigpen, KC QB: 27-for-41 with 266 yards and three touchdowns.
Keyboard Prediction for Week Eleven N.Y. Jets @ New England, Thursday 8:15PM EST
The Jets will travel to Gillette to battle the Patriots on Thursday night in a game that not many will be able to see. It should be a tremendous battle, with New England playing at a slightly lower level this season and New York raising their game behind numerous offseason additions.
The game will decide first place in the AFC East, for now, and I think Thomas Jones, who has been red-hot as of late, will be the difference. New England is getting beat up on defense, including the loss of linebacker Adalius Thomas with a broken arm. The Patriots (12th in the league) are allowing 100 yards per game on the ground but will have to respect the arm of Brett Favre, opening open lanes for Jones and Leon Washington to run wild.
The Keyboard Prediction: N.Y. Jets 24, Patriots 20
Season Record: 5-5
My Fantasy Diary:
All good things must come to an end. After four-straight wins, The Drew Crew fell to The Big Bulls in Week 10. Luckily, four of the five other teams in the my division lost, maintaining my two-game lead with just a few weeks left until the postseason.
Thomas Jones exploded, accounting for 36 points, thanks to his 149 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, Joseph Addai (47 total yards), Bernard Berrian (0 catches), and Chris Chambers (0 catches) were absolutely horrible.
Philip Rivers provided me with 27 points; Mason Crosby added 11; and Dallas Clark tallied 24 receiving yards and a touchdown this past weekend. And then, the Giants lit up the Eagles' defense on Sunday Night Football.
I might have had a shot, but Adrian Peterson went off for my opponent, with over 200 total yards and a touchdown.
Heading into Monday night’s matchup between the 49ers and Cardinals, I held an 18-point lead. As you could imagine, it wasn’t long before all hope was lost.
I’ll face The Rugrats in Week 11, who have Peyton Manning, Mewelde Moore, Steve Slaton, Braylon Edwards, Reggie Wayne, Tony Gonzalez, Matt Prater, and the Giants' defense. Could be another tough one.
Week One Record: 4-1 Week Two Record: 4-1 Week Three Record: 1-4 Week Four Record: 3-2 Week Five Record: 2-3 Week Six Record: 4-1 Week Seven Record: 3-2 Week Eight Record: 4-1 Week Nine Record: 3-2 Week Ten Record: 2-3 Season Record: 30-20 (.600)
Top Ten Fantasy Starters At Each Position For Week Eleven Based On Prior Week Performance And Matchups
Quarterbacks 1. Drew Brees, New Orleans
2. Jay Cutler, Denver
3. Kurt Warner, Arizona
4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
5. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
6. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
7. Philip Rivers, San Diego
8. Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants
9. Matt Ryan, Atlanta
10. Brett Favre, N.Y. Jets
Running Backs 1. Clinton Portis, Washington
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
3. Brandon Jacobs, N.Y. Giants
4. Matt Forte, Chicago
5. Thomas Jones, N.Y. Jets
6. Michael Turner, Atlanta
7. Marion Barber, Dallas
8. Ronnie Brown, Miami
9. Chris Johnson, Tennessee
10. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego
Wide Receivers 1. Roddy White, Atlanta
2. Calvin Johnson, Detroit
3. Andre Johnson, Houston
4. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
5. Greg Jennings, Green Bay
6. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
7. Santana Moss, Washington
8. Anquan Boldin, Arizona
9. Brandon Marshall, Denver
10. Vincent Jackson, San Diego
Tight Ends 1. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego
3. Jason Witten, Dallas
4. Owen Daniels, Houston
5. Chris Cooley, Washington
6. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis
7. Bo Scaife, Tennessee
8. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland
9. Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets
10. Kevin Boss, N.Y. Giants
Kickers 1. John Carney, N.Y. Giants
2. David Akers, Philadelphia
3. Jason Elam, Atlanta
4. Rob Bironas, Tennessee
5. Stephen Gostkowski, New England
6. Rian Lindell, Buffalo
7. Ryan Longwell, Minnesota
8. Matt Prater, Denver
9. Mason Crosby, Green Bay
10. Shaun Suisham, Washington
Defense/Special Teams 1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. New York Jets
4. Tennessee Titans
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Philadelphia Eagles
7. New York Giants
8. Chicago Bears
9. Green Bay Packers
10. Minnesota Vikings
