TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK
Monday Night recap...
Saints and Packers light-up the Dome on Monday night....
.....the game started fast and furious and seemed to only pause for a moment when both teams left the field at the mid-mark break. Both Brees and Rodgers came out slinging the rock, throwing punch after punch like two heavy-weights in the title bout for the world championship. The Packers open up the action starting out at their own 21-yard line and going three and out. Following Packer punter David Frost's kick to the Saints 23-yard line the Saints followed suit with a three and out of their own, like two boxers just feeling one another out.
It was on the Packer's second drive that the fireworks began. The Pack took advantage of a nice 27-yard punt return by kick returner Will Blackmon and just needed 7-plays to drive 37-yards and score on a 1-yard run by full-back John Kuhn. The stage was set and the Drew Brees and the Saints would answer. The Saints needed just one play for Brees and wideout Lance Moore to hook-up for a 70-yard catch and run for the tying score. With 8:17 left on the clock in the first quarter, this game was tied 7-7.
If anyone thought this one might be a quiet affair with lock-down corners limiting opportunities for the Saints and the Packers using a sound running attack to keep Brees off the field, both teams may not have got that memo. When the quarter had ended, both teams had exchanged possessions 3 times, each three scores on the board, with the Packers 4th possession running the clock out to end the first stanza. Both teams were firing on all pistons, with the Saints totaling 110-yards of offense and the Packers 112-yards and this was just the first quarter. The excitement continued throughout the second quarter with both team exchanging a number of touchdowns; the Saints scoring on a 14-yard pass to Lance Moore and 30-yard field goal from Garrett Hartley. The Packers scored on a 7-yard pass play to Greg Jennings and a 10-yard run by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The halftime score Saints 24, Packers 21.
The second half had all the makings of what the first half had been, but from the start it appeared only one team came ready with its' guns blazing. The Saints opened up the action with a long sustained 13-play 80-yard drive that was capped with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Brees to tight end Billy Miller. The score opened the Saints lead to 31-21 and from there the bottom fell out for the Packers. With Green Bays next two drives resulting in turnovers (interceptions) the doors were blown open, the Saints went up big, and the game was put away.
This was a game that had all the makings of a classic shoot-out, but one that turned out to be more one sided than anything else. The Saints passing attack was just too much for the Packers' defense to slow down and with Brees on target connecting on 20 of 26 passes for 323-yards, this one was over just as fast as it had begun. The key for the Saints was protecting Brees allowing him time to find his receivers and making the big plays with his arm. Brees threw four touchdowns for the evening, including two 70-yard touchdown scores. Big plays in the Big East are what the Saints are all about.
For the Packers, it was like getting in a horse race then running out of gas on the back stretch. A team perfectly capable of big plays of its' own with playmakers like Driver and Jennings, but one that does not rely on them, the Pack just didn't have the horses for the long haul. The inability to pressure Brees, put much pressure on Rodgers and the offense to keep up. Forced to throw, turnovers were the Packers' undoing and deciding factor in this matchup. The loss dropped the Packers to 5-6, just a game behind the Bears. With a Week 16 scheduled showdown with the Bears on Monday night, the Packer's playoff hopes are still very much alive.
The Saints had just spent the last month and a half on the road and on Monday night home cooking never tasted so good. The Saints number one offense posted its highest point total of the year and kept its' playoff hopes alive with the Monday night win. The Saints improved to 6-5 on the season, but sit one game out of a playoff spot. With three games left within the division, the Saints still have plenty of opportunity to make the post-season.
Fantasy notes: The Packers WR Greg Jennings caught 8-passes for 101-yards and scored his 6th touchdown of the year. It was the 4th time Jennings had surpassed 100-yards receiving in a game and it was his second consecutive game with a score. Ryan Grant was limited to 67-yards on the ground primarily because the Packers had fallen so far behind early in the second half...........the Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been a fantasy football "Untouchable" throwing 4 touchdowns and for over 300-yards Monday night. It was Brees 8th time this season Brees had thrown for over 300-yards and his 4 touchdown night was the 5th time he had at least three touchdowns in a game. WR Lance Moore caught 5 passes for 115-yards and score two touchdowns. It was the fourth straight game for Moore with a touchdown and the 3rd time this season with at least 100-yards receiving.
The Saints had just spent the last month and a half on the road and on Monday night home cooking never tasted so good. The Saints number one offense posted its highest point total of the year and kept its' playoff hopes alive with the Monday night win. The Saints improved to 6-5 on the season, but sit one game out of a playoff spot. With three games left within the division, the Saints still have plenty of opportunity to make the post-season.
Fantasy notes: The Packers WR Greg Jennings caught 8-passes for 101-yards and scored his 6th touchdown of the year. It was the 4th time Jennings had surpassed 100-yards receiving in a game and it was his second consecutive game with a score. Ryan Grant was limited to 67-yards on the ground primarily because the Packers had fallen so far behind early in the second half...........the Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been a fantasy football "Untouchable" throwing 4 touchdowns and for over 300-yards Monday night. It was Brees 8th time this season Brees had thrown for over 300-yards and his 4 touchdown night was the 5th time he had at least three touchdowns in a game. WR Lance Moore caught 5 passes for 115-yards and score two touchdowns. It was the fourth straight game for Moore with a touchdown and the 3rd time this season with at least 100-yards receiving.
This week's "Dark-horses".....
Last Thursday night an ineffective Willie Parker exited the game against the Bengals early in the second half with a knee injury. He's now questionable for week 13, and with the playoffs in the distinct future for the Steelers, do not be surprised if the team is more cautious about bringing Parker back. With running back MeWelde Moore (97-total yards) ready to fill in expect the Steelers to expand his role over the next couple of weeks, allowing Parker time to heal. The Steelers will face the Patriots and Cowboys over the next couple of weeks, both tough against the run, but with Moore's versatility (31-receptions this season) in the run and pass game, he could be a nice "dark-horse" going into the fantasy playoffs.
The word out of Philly is running back Correll Buckhalter suffered a sprained MCL this past Sunday and it is likely the Eagles runner will miss time. As of Monday according to the Philadelphia Daily News, Buckhalter is expected to miss a few games with the injury. With Buckhalter out and Brian Westbrook (ankle) missing practice on Monday, rookie running back Lorenzo Booker is expected to see a heavy workload Thursday night against the Cardinals. Booker has not seen much action this season, but the former Florida State Seminole was drafted primarily for his versatility. If Booker gets the start this week he should be a good fit for the offense and could put up strong fantasy numbers. Booker may be only a weekly rental for fantasy owners, but with Westbrook and Buckhalter both injured, he's an appealing "dark horse" for the next couple of weeks.
Perhaps the biggest secret in fantasy football at the running back position has been the Patriots Kevin Faulk. If he's not a secret, he has not been getting much ink time over the last several weeks where he has only averaged 99-total yards in 4 of his last five games. In week 10 Faulk was a non-factor as the Patriots rolled with their hot hand Green-Ellis, but in the four other contests since Week 8, Faulk has been solid and steady. Faulk has been averaged 15 touches in the four contests, totaled 397-yards, caught 19 passes, and scored two touchdowns. With the Pat's offense starting to heat up, Faulk versatility in the pass game will give him more value than any other Patriots' running back, making this "dark horse" a potential solid flex leading into the fantasy playoffs.
There's little question that many fantasy owners ran short on patience and cast quarterback Trent Edwards aside weeks ago. The Bills quarterback was caught in the middle of a terrible slump with 8 picks and 10 total turnovers over his last four starts leading into Sunday's matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. There's nothing like playing the leagues worst ranked defense to regain your confidence. On Sunday Edwards, not only played well, he was spectacular throwing two touchdowns and passing for 273-yards, but he also ran two more scores in and gained a total of 38-yards on the ground. This was just the game Edwards needed to find his confidence and get back to playing well. With the Niners due next on the slate and the Bronco's scheduled for Week 16, Edwards is fantasy "dark horse" that will be hard to overlook.
Heading for the Sideline......
The Bears have never been known as a big passing team, although the rise of Orton earlier this season as serviceable low end QB2, did stir a little interest. With the many injuries to the teams' offensive skill players, if WR Marty Booker was going to make a move into the rotation, it looks like he has missed his chance. With Lloyd out for several weeks, Booker had plenty of opportunity to make an impact as one of the teams' starters. Booker did not play in Week 12 and in his three games prior, he did not record a single catch. The Bears are a more ball control offense and won't be looking to put the ball in the air much with the season moving closer to the chilly months. Booker did not have much value to begin with, but it's definitely time for those owners still holding to cut their losses and send him to the fantasy sidelines.
Once a touchdown making machine for quarterback Brett Favre and the Jets, it looks like the novelty has worn and the charm is gone from WR Chansi Stuckey. Stuckey has recorded three touchdowns in his first three games this season, but in his last four games he has just 2 catches for 11-yards. With the emergence of tight end Dustin Keller as a reliable option over the middle and Favre starting to groove with his two receivers Coles and Cotchery, Stuckey has become the forgotten man in New York. It's probably time for fantasy owners to forget about Stuckey as any kind of option in any format as well.
Heading for the Sideline......
The Bears have never been known as a big passing team, although the rise of Orton earlier this season as serviceable low end QB2, did stir a little interest. With the many injuries to the teams' offensive skill players, if WR Marty Booker was going to make a move into the rotation, it looks like he has missed his chance. With Lloyd out for several weeks, Booker had plenty of opportunity to make an impact as one of the teams' starters. Booker did not play in Week 12 and in his three games prior, he did not record a single catch. The Bears are a more ball control offense and won't be looking to put the ball in the air much with the season moving closer to the chilly months. Booker did not have much value to begin with, but it's definitely time for those owners still holding to cut their losses and send him to the fantasy sidelines.
Once a touchdown making machine for quarterback Brett Favre and the Jets, it looks like the novelty has worn and the charm is gone from WR Chansi Stuckey. Stuckey has recorded three touchdowns in his first three games this season, but in his last four games he has just 2 catches for 11-yards. With the emergence of tight end Dustin Keller as a reliable option over the middle and Favre starting to groove with his two receivers Coles and Cotchery, Stuckey has become the forgotten man in New York. It's probably time for fantasy owners to forget about Stuckey as any kind of option in any format as well.
Recent reports are indicating that Rams running back Steven Jackson could be returning to action very soon. According to head coach Jim Haslett, Jackson has looked good in workouts on Saturday and Monday and could play in Week 13. Jackson has missed the last three weeks with a lingering thigh injury, but if he's able to practice this week with no setbacks, he's a lock to play Sunday. With the prospect of Jackson returning and running back Antonio Pittman figuring to move into the back-up role, RB Kenneth Darby will likely become the odd man out as the teams third stringer. If Jackson is go, Darby will likely find residence on fantasy sidelines the rest of the way.
POWER RANKINGS
POWER RANKINGS
How they rank...
1. New York Giants (10-1-0)....the Giants move into the top spot this week with a 37-29 win over Arizona. They were held to 87-yards on the ground in Week 12, but proved they can throw the rock to win if needed. Eli threw for over 200-yards for the first time in 7 weeks and his 3 touchdowns on Sunday was the 3rd time this season he has accomplished that feat.
2. Tennessee Titans (10-1-0)....the Titans fall just one spot this week. It's had to argue a 10-1 record, even the best teams can have an off day. The Titans still have one of the leagues best defenses, but the Jets may have shown that Tennessee still needs a little work to be the best in the league.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3-0)....the Bucs survived a bit of a scare on Sunday, trailing 17-0 early, but came away with their 8th win of the season behind a solid defense that registered 4 sacks and forced three turnovers. The Bucs moved into a tie-with the Panthers atop the NFC South and look like a solid contender in the NFC post-season race.
4. Dallas Cowboys (7-4-0)....the Cowboys used a big effort from their super stars on Sunday to defeat the Niners and climb the rankings. It looks like the Romo and TO show has just begun and America's team looks set to be a huge factor in deciding the post-season picture in the coming weeks.
5. New York Jets (8-3-0)....with an impressive win over the Titans on Sunday the Jets improved to 8-3 and remained one game ahead of the defending AFC Champion Patriots in the AFC East. Broadway Brett has brought a swagger and enthusiasm to the big Apple and the Jets are now looking like one of the teams to beat in the AFC.
Rounding out the top 10...
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3-0).....the leagues best overall defense will surely be a huge factor in the AFC.
7. Indianapolis Colts (7-4-0)....don't look now, but look who's back the other Manning.
8. Washington Redskins (7-4-0)....the Skins have to much balance to be overlooked.
9. Baltimore Ravens (7-4-0)....back in the top-10, it's hard to deny a defense this good.
10. Atlanta Falcons (7-4-0)....the second team with a rookie QB to crack the top-10
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