Sorry Folks, but we’re skipping the full game by game this week due to the holidays and travel and illness (nothing major) and what not. But here are our picks for this week. Good luck to you all…
Keith: Carolina - Green Bay has a hard time with the run, and got lit up against the pass last week too.
Howard: Green Bay - A big rebound is needed and I think the home game will help. (more…)
Make sure those picks are in! Here’s how I see the games going. Keith should be along soon…
Keith: Was eating, but would have picked the Titans
Howard: Tennessee - The ground game will dominate and the Lions remain winless
Keith: Was eating more, screaming at the TV with joy and would have picked the Cowboys.
Howard: Dallas - Uh, Bob…I think that spread should be just a little bit higher.
Keith: Was in semi-coma on the couch, but would have picked the Cardinals.
Howard: Arizona - Philly’s season is spiraling down the drain
Six teams get the short week here for the big Thanksgiving Day games. Make sure your lineups are adjusted, picks made, whatever you have to do to make sure you’re ready for this week. For a lot of you (and me in one league) it’s do or die. Win and you’re in. Don’t get caught not paying attention. Here’s how I see tomorrow’s games unfolding…
Tennessee Titans @ Detroit Lions
With the NFL’s threat to take away their traditional Thanksgiving Day game and the looming 0-16 potential, I’m sure the Lions were watching as much game film of last week’s Titans loss as they could. Will it help? Probably not. I think the loss makes the Titans a little more relaxed, if anything. The pressure’s off and now they face a weak team and can get back to doing what they do best…running the football. It was nice seeing Kerry Collins try to play like a kid again; hurling the rock towards Justin Gage every chance he could get. But it’s back to business and coach Jeff Fisher wants to stay dominant via the rush. Chris Johnson and LenDale White owners should be very happy to hear this. A re-commitment to running the ball against the worst run defense in the league that gives up an average of 166.7 yards per game? This could get ugly. I’m sure the Lions will do everything they can, but you just can’t count on any of them, except for Calvin Johnson. He’s really the only guy you can start without hesitation. Kevin Smith is an outside possibility against a run D that allows almost 104 YPG, but he’s been limited in practice while nursing a bum shoulder. There’s also a chance that Albert Haynesworth (head injury) comes back which will certainly clog the middle and stifle the Lions run. The Good: Chris Johnson, LenDale White, Calvin Johnson The OK: Kerry Collins, Justin Gage, Bo Scaife, Kevin Smith The Ugly: All remaining Lions (more…)
A little pig skin is better than no skin, right?
We’ve already started the playoffs in some leagues and in others we’re still jockeying for position. Some people I’ve heard from have dominated their leagues and are coasting towards the postseason while most that have written are still fighting for their lives. It was somewhat of a crazy week in the NFL what with the shredding of defenses, the crazy points totals and, of course, the upsets. Fantasy points were flying all over the place. Here’s a look at the fantasy results from week 12 and what it could mean for, in most leagues, the final game of the regular season. Here we go…..it’s Round-Up time!
Pittsburgh Steelers 27 Cincinnati Bengals 10
This one was a favorite for King of the Hill pool participants, but ended up being a little bit of a disaster for a lot of fantasy owners. Ben Roethlisberger had himself a pretty nice night throwing for 243 yards and a TD while also running one in himself, but the Steelers backs had their difficulties all night. With Willie Parker still nursing his myriad of injuries, and leaving with a “tweaked knee” in the 3rd quarter, Mewelde Moore took over the full RB duties. But neither guy was really able to get things going as Parker netted only 37 yards on the ground while Moore had 56. To add insult to injury, it was third striger Gary Russell who got the call for the TD run. The weather destroyed the passing game as well although it was nice to see Santonio Holmes grab 80+ yards while Heath Miller re-established himself as a favorite red zone target and grabbed Big Ben’s one TD throw. Hines Ward? The alleged dirty hits? A non-factor. With the passing game grounded, so was Ward for most of the night. For the Bengals, it was just what you would have expected. Coupled with the crappy weather, the Bengals suspension of Chad Ocho Cinco put the kibosh on any sort of passing game as T.J. Houshmandzadeh was double covered most of the time. Once that option goes, the Bengals have little else to turn to. Ryan Fitzpatrick was barely able to find open receivers since the Steelers had no problems worrying about Cedric Benson and the crappy Bengals ground game. Not that you should be starting Bengals, but next week looks even worse as they host the Ravens in all their defensive prowess. The Steelers go to New England next, and based on the style the Pats are playing lately, Big Ben and his receivers could be a huge factor. (more…)
We both hit with Pittsburgh on Thursday; not a tough one to call. But here’s how we see the rest of the games unfolding…
Keith: Tampa Bay - We are witnessing history. 0-16.
Howard: Tampa Bay - Time for Jeff Garcia and Warrick Dunn to grab their season highs (more…)
Tampa Bay Bucaneers @ Detroit Lions
Yes, it is very possible that the Lions go winless for another week here. The Tampa offense is averaging 351.6 YPG which is good enough for 9th in the NFL while the Lions and their 31st ranked D gives up just over 402 per game. That means get your Bucs active and fast. Expect the Bucs to pound the ball with Warrick Dunn early and often which will allow Jeff Garcia to take his time and gradually carve up the feeble Lions secondary. Expect to see a lot of Antonio Bryant and Alex Smith and…hell, we might even see some extra Joey Galloway in there. We already know that a game against the Lions equals a stud performance by the opposing QB, so this week won’t be any different. As for the Lions, it’s the same story every week. Start Calvin Johnson, but anyone else is a severe risk. Yes, even Kevin Smith who has been on a little tear lately. He’s got a groin issue, the Bucs run D gives up less than 100 YPG, and who knows how quickly they’ll have to abandon the ground game. The Good: Jeff Garcia, Warrick Dunn, Antonio Bryant, Calvin Johnson The OK: Alex Smith, Joey Galloway, Kevin Smith The Ugly: Any other Lions (more…)
Thursday night action…
Keith: Pittsburgh - With bad weather Cinci’s only offensive option (the pass) is hurt badly.
Howard: Pittsburgh - Another victory in the snow
The Thursday night game doesn’t have nearly the impact that last week’s Jets/Patriots contest had — both in the NFL and in fantasy. This week, we’re looking at what shoul dbe a pretty one-sided contest. Here’s what to expect…
Cincinnati Benglas @ Pittsburgh Steelers
First of all, once again, we’re looking at possible snow flurries and a super cold night. Obviously that’s going to tilt the game towards the Steelers again who have A. a better RB tandem in Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore vs the Bengals’ Cedric Benson and B. a much better defense — less than 70 YPG allowed on the ground this season. Parker (still recovering from his shoulder problems) has also asked for the Steelers to run the ball a lot more, so expect a hard-nosed smashmouth style game. I’m sure, with the weather and the fact that Cincy has the 23rd ranked run D (allows 130 YPG) this won’t be a problem for the Pittsburgh coaches. It’d be nice to keep Ben Roethlisberger under wraps as much as possible. Yes, his shoulder seems healthy, but better safe than sorry. He won’t be contained totally, but I don’t see him looking downfield too often. More like some short passes to Hines Ward and a few check downs to Moore and whomever the TE will be. Heath Miller is a game-time decision. For Cincy, it’s not going to be like it was last week against the Eagles. Benson will get a lot of carries, but Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely be forced into the air. T.J. Houshmandzadeh had a breakout game finally, and he’ll be the one Fitzpatrick looks for. I don’t see Chad Ocho Cinco having too strong of a day. Pfft. None of the Bengals should. The Good: Willie Parker, Hines Ward The OK: Ben Roethlisberger, Mewelde Moore, Heath Miller (if he plays), Cedric Benson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh The Ugly: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Chad Ocho Cinco, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington
Sorry folks. But due to outside circumstances, I will be unable to do the round up for this week. Stay tuned though for the Game by Game for NFL Week 12. The first part will be ready tomorrow.
Thanks for reading…
And here’s how we see the rest of the games playing out…
Keith: Atlanta - This one is a tough call for me to make. I’d take the over though.
Howard: Atlanta - Michael Turner will help control the clock (more…)
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