Monday, December 1, 2008

FSH: THE SUNDAY NIGHT NFL REPORT

November 30th, 2008 11:47pm PST


Week 13...
NFL Injury News

  • The Steelers linebacker James Harrison injured his back in the first half of his teams' Week 13 tilt with the Patriots. Harrison was able to return in the second half and finish the game. No further updates on the injury as he appeared to be okay playing in the second half.
  • The Ravens running back Willis McGahee was active Sunday, but did not get into the game according to the Baltimore Sun. The move appeared to be by design and head coach John Harbaugh commented that "it's strategic" and " Willis will be a big part of December."
  • The Niners linebacker Patrick Willis was a little dinged up following Sunday's game against the Bills. Willis had X-rays taken on his ribs after the teams' win. The results were unavailable.
  • The Browns tight end Kellen Winslow injured his ankle on Sunday. Following the game Winslow was seen wearing a walking boot. He will have an MRI taken Monday according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
  • The Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress suffered an off-the-field injury (gunshot wound to his leg) and will likely miss the rest of the season, if placed on the non-football injury reserved list.
  • The Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday. There is no word of the severity of the injury.
    Jackson was limited to one carry in the 4th quarter of the Ram's game on Sunday. Head
  • Coach Jim Haslett attributed it to Jackson "being gassed" and "his leg was starting to bother him." This is a situation we will follow during the week.
  • According to the Colt's official website, linebacker Gary Brackett had X-rays after being carted off Sunday with an ankle injury. There are no further updates available.
Sunday's Game Notes:
  • The Rams running back Steven Jackson returned to action on Sunday for the first time in several weeks. After practicing in only a limited basis all week, it was speculated the Jackson could see a limited work-load on Sunday, such was not the case as Jackson toted the rock 21 times for 94-yards and added a reception for another 16-yards. Jackson has great upside looking toward the fantasy playoffs, but right now is a solid RB2.

  • The Chiefs running back Larry Johnson again saw more work in the teams version of the "Wild-Cat" formation. Johnson ran the ball 24 times for 92-yards and punched one into the end zone. It looks like LJ could be working his way back into good graces with the team and with upcoming games against the Broncos and Chargers, he could have a huge impact in many fantasy leagues post season.
  • The Saints running Reggie Bush made his return to action on Sunday against the Buccaneers, but was limited. Bush saw just a handful of carries (3 for zero yards) and did most of his damage early in the game with 5 catches for 32-yards. Fantasy owners looking to ride the Bush coat-tails into the post season, may need to consider other options for the moment, while Reggie works his way back.

Week 13...
SUNDAY'S HEROES


Taking a look over this past weekend's dockets, there were not only a few interesting developments, but some notable performances to consider as fantasy owners get set to begin their post-season run. In our Fantasy Notebook we recognized a couple of developments this week that owners should keep in their notepads. We've also noted some of the fine play of some note-worthy performances that could impact some of the fantasy post-season action. Don't forget to check out, who's been doing what and making the most noise for fantasy owners in Week 13 with our usual "Sunday's Heroes."

Here are this week's fantasy Studs!


The Fantasy Notebook (notable mentions) for Week 13....


What we think we know:
  • Well it seems pretty apparent in Denver that Shanahan appears very comfortable rolling with his former full-back turned featured back Peyton Hillis. In Week 13 against the Jets, Hillis carried the ball 22 times and ran for over 100-yards. The most notable factor was the non-appearance by recently acquired running back Tatum Bell. With Hillis now holding down the fort, owners can scratch Bell the rest of the way and consider Hillis a legit high-end RB3 option.
  • With two big performances now under his belt, it's safe to say Terrell Owens is back. You knew it would take the return of quarterback Tony Romo to get TO back on the fantasy trail. Over his past two games, the Cowboys receiver has 12 receptions, 311-yards receiving and 2 touchdowns and should be considered an every week start.
  • With the Ravens running back LeRon McCLain see the bulk of the carries on Sunday and running back Willis McGahee not playing it's safe to say,the situation is Baltimore is no longer safe. While McGahee is the better option of the three backs in Baltimore, it appears that the Ravens could be saving their runner so the final run of the regular season and the playoffs. With the three backs being rotated and McGahee's status in hiatus, this is a situation fantasy owners should try to avoid.


Fantasy Spotlight:

D-Lo scores four times...
The Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams continued to make the fantasy headlines in Week 13 with four rushing touchdowns and 72-yards rushing in the teams' win over the Packers.

Fargas keeps the ground game moving...
The Raiders running game keeps the wheels rolling with Fargas rushing for 82-yards on 18 carries Sunday against the Chiefs. The former SC Trojan also added his first rushing touchdown this season.

Flacco passes the Ravens to blowout win...
The Ravens rookie quarterback plays less and less like a rookie each week. On Sunday Flacco was solid passing for 280-yards and tossing two touchdowns leading the Ravens to their 8th win of the season.


Ryan keeps the birds flying...
The Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan was steady in Week 13 leading the Falcons to a big road win over the Chargers. Ryan completed 17 of 23 passes and threw two touchdowns in Sunday's win.

The old-man in Frisco keeps getting it done...
The Niners veteran receiver Isaac Bruce caught 5 passes for 67-yards on Sunday and scored the games' only touchdown leading the Niners to a road win over the Bills in Week 13.


Another Sunday and another week in the NFL, here are your week 13 "Sunday's Heroes!"

AFC / NFC

300-PASSING CLUB

QB-Jay Cutler (Den).....the Broncos quarterback stood tall and had the more impressive arm in his matchup with the Jets Brett Favre. Cutler completed 27 of 43 passes (62.7% completion) for 357-yards and threw two touchdowns in his teams big Week 13 road win.

QB-Tony Romo (Dal).....in Week 13, the Cowboys quarterback threw his hat in the MVP ring passing for 331-yards and throwing three touchdowns in the teams Thanksgiving day win over the Seahawks. It with his sixth 300-yard passing game and 6th time throwing three touchdowns in a game this season.


QB-Eli Manning (NYG).....the Giants offense again was anchored by the other Manning in Week 13. On the road, against their division rivals. Manning led the G-men by completing 21 of 34 passes, passing for 305-yards and throwing one touchdown.


100-RUSHING CLUB

RB-Thomas Jones (NYJ)....the Jets running back was huge in his teams Week 13 loss to the Broncos. Jones carried the ball 16 times, gained 138-yards on the ground, and scored two rushing touchdowns.

RB-Marshawn Lynch (Buf)....the Bills running back continues to make fantasy owners smile with another stellar performance in Week 13. Lynch carried the rock 16 times for 134-yards rushing in his teams loss on Sunday.

RB-Adrian Peterson (Min).....the Vikings running back and leagues leading rusher continues to compile the numbers with 28 carries on Sunday night for 131-yards rushing. Peterson also added a rushing touchdown in his teams victory over the Bears.


RB-Peyton Hillis (Den).....the Broncos new feature back keeps turning in solid numbers each week. Hillis carried the ball 22 times and gained 129-yards on the ground while adding a touchdown in the Broncos Week 13 win.

RB-Chris Johnson (Ten).....the Titans rookie running back keeps posting solid fantasy numbers, rushing for 125-yards in the teams Thanksgiving blowout win over the Lions. Johnson carried the ball just 16 times and added two rushing touchdowns.



RB-Michael Turner (Atl).....the Cowboys running back was a huge fantasy stud Sunday night leading the team to a big win. Barber carried the ball 24 times for 114 yards on the ground and scored one rushing touchdown.

RB-Brian Westbrook (Phi).....the Eagles running back was huge on Thanksgiving rushing for 110-yards on 22 carries and scoring two touchdowns in the teams big win over Arizona.

RB-LenDale White (Ten).....the Titans running back rebounded in Week 13 with 23 carries for 106-yards rushing and two touchdowns in the teams Thanksgiving day win over the Lions.



100-RECEIVING CLUB

WR-Mark Clayton (Bal)....the Ravens 4th year receiver is quickly becoming a familiar fantasy play with another solid day. In Week 13, Clayton caught 5 passes for 164-yards and scored on a fabulous one-handed grab and run for 70-yards.

WR-Bernard Berrian (Min)....the former Bears receiver was big Sunday night and pivotal in the Vikings win over his former team. Berrian caught 4 passes for 122-yards, but it was his 99-yard catch and run for a touchdown that turned the game around.

TE-Jason Witten (Dal)....the Cowboys tight end finally rebounded in Week 13. It was a matter of time with the return of quarterback Tony Romo and on Thursday, he and Witten connected often. Witten grabbed 9 balls for 115-yards and a score in the Cowboys Turkey day win.



WR-Roddy White (Atl)....the Falcons wideout keeps playing like one of the leagues very best with 6 catches for 112-yards on Sunday, in the teams Week 13 win over the Chargers.

TE-Tony Gonzalez (KC)....the Chiefs future hall-of-famer tight end was solid was again on Sunday with 8 receptions for 110-yards receiving in the teams win over the Raiders.

WR-Marques Colston (NO)....the Saints receiver had a strong outing against the Buccaneers defense with 6 catches for 106-yards in his teams Week 13 loss.

WR-John Carlson (Sea)....the Seahawks tight end was a solid fantasy start with 6 receptions for 105-yards on Thursday in his teams loss to the Cowboys.

WR-Steve Smith (Car)....the Panther's big play-maker caught 4 passes for 105-yards to lead his team to a big win over the Packers in Week 13.


Check back in the morning for more NFL news, notes, updates, and analysis with the "Monday Morning Huddle"

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