The Fantasy Five

Another NFL Sunday has come and gone which means it’s time for The Fantasy Five.  The top five fantasy stories from yesterday’s action, broken down quick hits style.  For any of you who haven’t checked out my “Studs vs. Duds” column today, click here to read a humorous story about the disaster that was my Sunday morning. 

1.   Big Blue Backfield:  What a beating the defending champs put on Ray Lewis and the Ravens yesterday at the Meadowlands.  Baltimore came into their Week 11 showdown with the NFL’s #1 ranked run defense, allowing a paltry 65.4 yards per game.  In addition, the Ravens had not allowed a 100+ yard rusher since 2006, and had only given up 1 rushing touchdown this entire season!  So much for the fancy statistics, because all of that came to a crashing halt on Sunday when the New York backfield carried a combined 33 times for 207 yards and 2 scores.  Jacobs (11 carries, 73 yards, 2 TDs), Bradshaw (9 carries, 96 yards) and Ward (11 carries, 41 yards) had their way with one of the league’s most feared defensive units and sent Ray Lewis and friends back to Inner Harbor with a first class ass kicking.  Big Blue is still the top ranked rushing team in the NFL.  Baltimore?  Well, giving up 200+ yards on the ground isn’t exactly going to keep you at the top of the (Todd) heap. 

 

2.   The Arizona Explosion Continues:  It’s official.  Kurt Warner is now the #1 ranked QB in fantasy football.  What’s even more amazing is that his top two targets, Boldin and Fitzgerald, are the #1 and #2 ranked receivers in standard scoring formats, respectively.  Arizona spent their Sunday afternoon shredding yet another helpless defense, as Warner connected on 32 of 44 passes for 395 yards and 1 touchdown.  For those of you at home who aren’t keeping track, old man Warner has now topped 300 yards passing in 6 of 10 games this year, including 4 straight.  When you’re watching the Cardinals play, do they remind anyone else of the “Greatest Show on Turf”?  Warner is throwing the ball all over the lot, while Boldin and Fitz look a heck of a lot like Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce from back in the day.  I’m not sure what is going to be more interesting to watch over the next couple of months:  The Cardinals trying to make a run in the playoffs, or the 20+ NFL teams looking to dump millions into Boldin when he becomes a free agent (paging Philadelphia).  If you have a couple of minutes today, be sure to check out this article yours truly wrote before the season started.  Every now and again a blind squirrel is going to find a nut. 

 

3.   Addai vs. Slaton:  This had to be one of the most exciting 1pm games yesterday, thanks in large part to Joseph Addai and Steve Slaton.  Addai (every fantasy owner’s favorite punching bag this season) came out of his corner swinging, carrying the rock 22 times for 105 yards and a touchdown.  As an added bonus, he also caught 4 passes for 48 yards and, you guessed it, another score.  J.A. was one of my favorite “Buy Low” players last week, due largely in part to his soft second-half schedule.  Not to be outdone, Slicin’ Steve ripped off 156 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries (11.1 YPC).  As expected, Sage Rosenfels threw a last minute interception to seal the Texans’ loss (shocker), but even that wasn’t enough to put a cloud over the numbers these two running backs put up. 

 

4.   Magic Eight Ball Says Cleveland Still Stinks:  The Browns have done an excellent job the last two weeks of tanking would be wins in the fourth quarter, to continue the franchise’s proud tradition of losing more often than winning.  I don’t see it being any different tonight, as Cleveland heads to Buffalo to take on the suddenly fading Bills.  This trip got off to a wonderful start, with the Browns’ flight being delayed close to three hours because of mechanical issues with their airplane.  I expect to see a healthy dose of running back Marshawn Lynch tonight.  Cleveland’s defense is currently ranked 27^th in the league against the run, allowing 21.6 points and 145.2 yards per game.  In addition, the Browns are 2-2 on the road this year, but their wins have come at Cincy and Jacksonville, while they’ve lost at Baltimore and Washington.  Buffalo is 3-1 at home in 2008 (lone loss was to the Jets) and is averaging 24.5 points per game at Ralph Wilson Stadium.  Here we go, Buffalo!

 

5.   The Return Of The Milk Carton:  I’ve received several suggestions for the milk carton this week in the comments section of today’s “Studs vs. Duds”, so I decided to roll with it.  Marques Colston is back to his below-average ways (thanks Matt), catching only 3 passes for 30 yards against lowly KANSAS CITY.  Denver tight end Tony Scheffler put up the coveted goose egg (thanks Michael), catching zero passes for zero yards and zero touchdowns.  I also want to put a team picture of the Philadelphia Eagles up on the carton this week.  What a sad display at Cincinnati yesterday.  And yes McNabb, there are ties in the NFL. 

 

Pat Myself On The Back:  For recommending you start Hines Ward (11 catches for 124 yards) and sit Bernard Berrian (3 catches, 46 yards, NO TDs).  Nothing impressive, just business as usual.

 

Kick Myself In The Junk:  For once again underestimating the New York Giants rushing attack.  I told you to sit Brandon Jacobs and he proved me wrong seven minutes into the game.  That was a lot of fun to watch, in case you were curious.