Sunday, November 2, 2008

FSH: THE SUNDAY MORNING REPORT WEEK 9

November 2nd, 2008 8:05am PST



THE SUNDAY MORNING REPORT

If you're looking for last minute information to help you make those last second critical decisions, make sure you are here and check out the Sunday Morning Report.

Week 8: The Week that was...

  • The Titans running back LenDale White continued his touchdown assault adding two scores in the teams' huge Monday Night win against the Colts.
  • The Cardinal's wide receiver Anquan Boldin was huge in his Week 8 return totaling 93 yards with two touchdowns in the team's loss last Sunday.
  • The Dolphins passing game received a huge boost with the surprising play of wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr, who caught 7 passes for 175 yards in the team's Week 8 upset over the Bills.
  • The Saints quarterback Drew Brees continued his assault on the NFL record books passing for 339 yards against the Chargers. It was Brees 6th game this season with more than 300 yards passing.
  • The Falcons wide receiver Roddy White continued his spectacular play with 8 more receptions last week, with two going for scores against a tough Eagles defense.
  • The Rams rookie receiver Donnie Avery exploded last week for 163 receiving yards and turned in a spectacular 69 yard touchdown reception in Week 8.

More notable performances....
....the Redskins QB Jason Campbell was big in Week 8 passing for 328 yards and tossing one touchdown.....the Dolphins QB Chad Pennington continues to have the hot throwing hand passing for 314 yards for a score in Week 8.....the Rams QB Marc Bulger finally turned in his first 300 yard passing game last week.....RB DeAngelo Williams was a strong play last Sunday with 108 yards rushing with a score in the Panthers Week 8 victory.....the Brown's RB Jamal Lewis was solid last Sunday with 80 yards and a touchdown last week.....and the Jaguars WR Matt Jones was big in Week 8 with 8 catches for 117 yards with a touchdown.

This Week at a glance...
  • Parker expected to return: The Steelers running back will make his return Monday night, but fantasy owners should still expect to see quite a bit of MeWelde Moore, who filled in for Fast Willie Parker. The Steelers are facing the leagues 5th ranked run defense.
  • Colts could play without Wayne: The Colts top receiving option missed some practice this week, sidelined with a knee injury, but was a limited participant on Friday. The team has not expressed much concern and it sounds like Wayne will likely play tonight.
  • The NFL suspends Larry Johnson: The Chiefs will be without Johnson for two more games, this Sunday and week 10 as the NFL handed down his suspension earlier in the week. While Johnson is out, the team will rely on Kolby Smith and the rookie Jamaal Charles to carry the load. While Johnson could face more punishment with a hearing scheduled in December, it is not lining up to be this season. The LJ saga continues and fantasy owners will have to wait and see.
  • Jackson says he will play: The Rams running back Steven Jackson took the time to post on his personal web-site his plan to play Sunday. It was noted that he wrote "the leg is feeling good enough for me to go on Sunday." The Rams have not confirmed, but the outlook appears promising.
  • Broncos rookie could make debut Sunday: With so many injuries to the Denver backfield, word is Pittman is going to start for the Broncos, but it is likely that the rookie Ryan Torain will make his NFL debut this Sunday.
Notable Game-time plays today...
  • The Cowboys TE Jason Witten remains a game-time decision today against the Giants. If he site, the rookie Bennett will start in his place.
  • While the web-site post from RB Steven Jackson is a good indication he will play, the Rams are not likely to confirm until we get close to kick-off.
  • The Bears are hoping for the return of WR Brandon Lloyd this week. He will be a game-time decision today when the Bears meet the Lions at Soldier Field.

Don't forget to Check "Sunday Morning Game-time" for those last minute injury updates!

The Otherside of the ball...

Check here each week for weekly key IDP injuries.
......The Jets LB David Harris did not travel with the team and will miss today's matchup against the Bills.....the Packers LB AJ Hawk (groin) is expected to be in the lineup for every down today against the Titans....the Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu (concussion) did not practice Friday and will likely be a game-time decision......the Raiders DB Gibril Wilson (toe) was limited some in practice this week, but should play today.....the Ravens are expected to be without DB Samari Rolle (shoulder).......the Vikings FS Madieu Williams return to his starting role today....the Seahawks leading sacker, DL Patrick Kerney has been ruled OUT today.
Check "Sunday Morning Game-Time" for the last minutes starts and sits for today's games.

Two Minute Drill!

Fill the Void:
The Patriots face the Indy Colts tonight in the weekly Sunday Night Matchup. With their backfield still banged up, the Patriots RB Kevin Faulk will again get the start this week. The Colts have had their struggles with the run this season ranked 26th. Fantasy owners can look for Faulk as a nice flex option or replacement play this week for any of your big guns out. Last Sunday Faulk was solid in the run and pass against the Rams, Week 9 should provide similar results.

The Cowboys could be without their starting tight end Jason Witten this week. Witten fractured a rib in the team's Week 8 win over the Buccaneers. Even if Witten should play, after missing practice all week, he is likely to be limited on Sunday making his back up TE Martellus Bennett an appealing option. Bennett has quietly become more involved with the pass game, with 5 receptions in his last two games. Bennett is a big target, very athletic, nice hands and if Witten sits today, he could be a nice Week 9 fantasy sleeper.

The Texans and Vikings matchup today could up end being more of an aerial assault than anything else. There's no question that the passing game will be the strength of the Texans with All-World Andre Johnson, but fantasy owners can look at WR Kevin Walter as a reliable option as well. With 5 touchdowns this season, Walter should see a few red-zone opportunities today. On the other side, the Vikings will more than likely have to go to the air at some point and WR Bobby Wade could become a heavily targeted favorite for Frerotte. Both wideouts could be decent WR3 plays in deep leagues today.

My Weekly Fantasy Picks!

THE FOUR HORSE-MEN...

QB-Kurt Warner (Ari)...facing the Rams 26th ranked pass defense, Warner should be big today. Warner is playing solid this season and last year in their final meeting against the Rams, he to torched the secondary for 300 yards and three touchdowns. Fantasy owners should expect to see more of the same today.
Prediction: 28 of 40 passing for 335 yards and 2 touchdowns!

RB-Michael Turner (Atl)....the Falcons leading rusher has a good matchup this week against the Raiders 26th ranked run defense. Turner has been very predictable this season, struggling against good defenses and running well against weaker ones. This week it looks like he will be on.
Prediction: 22 carries for 135 yards rushing and a touchdown!

WR-Donnie Avery (NO)....the kid has been electric and over the past several weeks, he's been featured as the Rams deep threat. Look for a shoot-out in the Edward Jones Dome. The Cards defense has not played well this season on the road and their 14 touchdown passes allowed are tied for the most allowed this season. Avery is a strong play this week and should be in your line up.
Prediction: 5 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown

TE-Dallas Clark (Ind).....the Colts tight end appears to be completely healed and he's playing very well as of late. Expect him to be a big part of the passing game once again. With receiver Reggie Wayne hobbled, Clark could be instrumental in the Colts red-zone offense tonight.
Prediction: 7 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown!


The 5th Rider...
(Flex/option) The Rams stud RB Steven Jackson lands here only because many prognosticators could be advising otherwise. Jackson injured his thigh two weeks ago, but sat out last Sunday because he felt he could not perform like "Action-Jackson." This week the Rams face the Cardinals at home, and Jackson has been on a roll. On his personal web-site Jackson stated he is back. If we see Action-Jackson on Sunday, he should have another big week.

Three and Out (RBs & WRs):
Three receivers I like in week 9 and ones that I would strongly suggest that you have in your line up Sunday!

Wide Receivers...
(1st Down) WR-Calvin Johnson (Det)....the Lions huge receiving target is the clear number one option and is likely the team's best chance at scoring today against the Bears. Expect to see Megatron heavily targeted today and to come up with a couple of red-zone receptions.

(2nd Down) WR-Steve Breaston (Ari)....even with the return of Anquan Bolding, Breaston is going to see a lot of targets and remain core piece of the Cardinal's passing game. Today the Cards have a great matchup against the Rams 26th ranked pass defense. All three receivers, including Breaston should be good plays today.

(3rd Down) WR-Matt Jones (Jax)....the Jaguars 6'6" target has emerged as a strong WR2 fantasy option this season. Today he'll matchup nicely against the much shorter Bengal's corners that each stand at 5'11". Last Sunday Jones had his best day as an NFL receiver with 8 catches. He may not do quite the same today, but he should perform well.

(OUT-sit him) WR-Bobby Engram (Sea)....the Seahawks passing game is a mess. With Hasselbeck still riding the pine, quarterback Seneca Wallace will start once again. This week the Hawks face the vaunted Eagles defense. All passing options on Seattle should be on your bench this week.


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