Monday Morning Huddle
Week 12 in the NFL
THE WEEKEND THAT WAS...
[Sunday's games]
The Titan's kept their perfect season in tact with a come from behind win in Week 11. Tennessee's quarterback Kerry Collins once again showed he had enough arm to lead his team passing for 230 yards with three touchdowns in the team's 24-14 win over Jacksonville.
Not to be outdone, the Giants thoroughly bum-rushed the Raven's in Week 11 for more than 200 yards on the ground on their way to a 30-10 romping. The ground attack was led by Brandon Jacobs with 73 yards on the ground and 2 rushing touchdowns.
The Bronco's took a step closer to taking control in the AFC West by defeating the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday 24-20. The Bronco's playing with less than a run game were anchored by the steady play of quarterback Jay Cutler who passed for 216 yards with a touchdown.
The Packers running back Ryan Grant had his best game of the season the team to a rout of the Bears in Week 11, 37-3. Grant carried the ball 25 times for 145 yards rushing and added a touchdown in the team's win on Sunday
The Niner's came alive on Sunday in their divisional matchup with the St.Louis Rams. Led by their ground game and running back Frank Gore's 106 rushing yards, this one was over by halftime. Gore also added 2 rushing touchdowns in the team's 35-16 victory
The Cowboys kept their team's playoff hopes alive with a big divisional win over the Redskins Sunday night. The game marked the return of quarterback Tony Romo, but it was running back Marion Barber who stole the spotlight totaling 153 yards of offense with a score.
[Thurs Night]
The Jets took sole possession of first in the AFC East defeating the Patriots last Thursday night 34-31 in overtime. The Jets were led by their running back Thomas Jones who rushed for 1o4 yards with a rushing touchdown.
Sunday's Scoreboard [Week 11]
Minnesota-13 at Tampa Bay-19
Oakland-15 at Miami-17
Philadelphia-13 at Cincinnati-13 (tie)
Detroit-22 at Carolina-31
New Orleans-30 at Kansas City-20
Houston-27 at Indianapolis-33
Arizona-26 at Seattle-20
San Diego-10 at Pittsburgh-11
Tonight Monday Night Football
at 
Cleveland Browns Buffalo Bills
TWO MINUTE BLITZ
Are the Jets now the team to beat?...
Just when you think it's time for Brett Favre to say good-bye and sail off into the sunset, the golden boy from Mississippi, announces that not only does he want to keep playing, but he wants to win another championship. Surely at Favre's age, his motivation to subject himself to the brutal punishment and rigors of the day to day life of an NFL quarterback, was not just for the joy of playing. Favre wants to win and that's why fans across America love him.
When Brett Favre announced his retirement more than 8 months ago, fans knew they would be losing an NFL Icon. A pure gunslinger that gave his all and left all he had on the field each time he strapped it up. Favre was bigger than life in the world of the NFL and he was going to be missed.
For many of us that follow the sport, it was hard to imagine that Favre would not be returning to a team that he led to the NFC championship last season and that had a good chance of returning this season. After his 28 touchdowns in 2007 surely he had not lost much of his skill, surely he could compete, so why walk away. Perhaps Favre pondered the same questions, we he reconsidered his retirement and decided to play in the 2008 season.
I am quite sure there are many fans in the greater New York area that are glad he decided to comeback, but probably no one is more happy than Favre himself. Sure a lot has happened this season, with Brady going down and the Bills suddenly tanking, but is it coincidence or could it be the legacy that is Favre. It seems most of his storied career has been written like a script right out of Hollywood, so doesn't it seem fitting that the Jets 4-12 a year ago should suddenly see an about 180 and find themselves in the hunt for a division title?
With six weeks left in this season, Favre has brought to the Jets a lot of what he does (300 lifetime interceptions, including 12 this season) and who he is, the perennial gunslinger with 460 career touchdowns (including 6 in one game this season), 167 wins (most by a starting quarterback) and 263 consecutive starts in his career. Favre plays on the edge every game, which offers a high risk and reward return, but fortunately for fans everywhere he has delivered more times than not. With the Jets sitting in first place of the AFC East at 7-3, fans can only wonder one thing, can Favre deliver one more time?
BRETT FAVRE-QB (NYJ)220-completions, 315-passes, 2,237-yards passing, 18-touchdowns, 12-interceptions, 93.0-passer rating
How good is too good?....
When you look at what quarterback Kurt Warner has done so far this season, you have to ask, how good is too good? It's funny too, just before the season began Warner was caught up in a bit of a quarterback controversy as the team was trying to decide if they should try to ride the arm of a 37-year old veteran or hand the reigns to their offense over to the franchise quarterback (Matt Leinart) the team drafted back in 2006.
Last season there was some talk that Warner would came back this season as the team's starter, following his 27 touchdowns in 14 games, but when camp opened up before the start of the regular season it was Leinart that was named the team's starter. Certainly it made sense that the team would prefer to go with the younger arm, in hopes of building a team around him, but as the Cardinals made their way through the preseason it became evidently clear that Warner was the better option of the two. The rest has been history, as once given the reigns, Warner has the offense locked in a death grip he has not intention of letting go.
How fortunate for the Cardinals and head coach Ken Whisenhunt, that the decision to go with Warner was made, because this season no other quarterback has been better. Sure there have been a few quarterbacks like Jay Cutler and Phillip Rivers to show flashes of brilliance, but when you take a look at Warner's resume this season there's no one close. Only Drew Brees has more passing yards this season than Kurt Warner's 3,155 yards and his 20 passing touchdowns ranks 2nd in the league, behind only Phillip Rivers with 21. The Cardinal's quarterback also boasts the leagues highest passer rating of 105.5 and his 70.9 completion percentage leads all quarterbacks.
With Warner at the helm, the Cardinal's have turned there fortunes around this season. The offense is the third highest scoring this season averaging 28.9 points per game and they are ranked 2nd in the league in total yards with 392.7-yards per game. Sitting on top of the NFC West at 7-3, they are in the driver's seat to make the playoffs and Warner has the state of Arizona believing in this team. Once a punch line in the league, the Cardinals offense is for real and Warner is playing like the two-time MVP he is. With just six weeks left in the 2008 season, the chants of M.V.P. may be faint at the moment, but with each passing they grow louder and louder. Can you say THREE?
KURT WARNER-QB (ARI)270-completions, 381-passes, 3,155-yards passing, 20-touchdowns, 7-interceptions, 105.5-passer rating
MONSTERS OF THE GRIDIRON
Week 11 was another action filled weekend of great plays and fantastic finishes on Sunday. Big plays, big hits, and big screen TV's were the highlights for Sunday of most fantasy owners in Week 11. There are never too many games on the docket or too much action to follow as Fantasy Football reaches its frenzy with every performance having even greater meaning and implications. Fantasy owners will be jockeying for position each week setting their line ups and resetting their line ups. As we approach the fantasy playoffs only the best of the best players in the NFL will do.
Here are the very best, Week 11's Monsters of the Gridiron!
Monster QB
Matt Cassel (NE).....the Patriots quarterback was spectacular Thursday night turning in a big performance in the team's Week 11 loss. Cassel completed 30 of 51 passes on the night for 400 yards. He also threw three touchdowns in the losing effort and finished the evening with a passer rating of 103.4.
Monster RB
Steve Slaton (Hou)....the Texan' rookie running back turned in his biggest performance of his young career. Slaton ran the ball just 14 times, but galloped his way to 156 yards on the ground in Week 11. Slaton also added his 6 rushing touchdown for the season.
Monster WR
Anquan Boldin (Ari).....the Cardinal's strong and tough receiver was an unstoppable force on Sunday, roaming the opposing secondary all day for big catches and big yards. Boldin had his way all afternoon pulling in 13 passes for a cool 186 yards receiving. The Card's receiver also added a carry for 3 yards in the team's Week 11 win.
Monster TE
Ben Watson (NE).....the Patriots offense has not been the same in the post-Brady Era, but Thursday night they found some of that old magic. Tight end Ben Watson was a frequent target on the night catching 8 balls for a total of 88 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in the team's Week 11 loss to the Jets.
IN THE MIX
Maybe it took two thirds of the season to get there, but could the Colt's offense finally be starting to click? In Week 11 Peyton Manning and company were firing on all cylinders running up 474 yards of offense in Sunday's matchup with the Texans. One of the notable components in the Colt's scoring machine was the re-appearance of wide receiver Marvin Harrison. The Colt's veteran wideout has been spotty at best this season, with an occasional fantasy appearance from time to time, but in Week 11 there was no question that he arrived. Against their divisional rivals, the Texans Harrison made grab after grab collecting 9 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Fantasy owners better take note, that not only are the Colts back, but Marvelous Marvin is in the mix.
IN THE MIX
Maybe it took two thirds of the season to get there, but could the Colt's offense finally be starting to click? In Week 11 Peyton Manning and company were firing on all cylinders running up 474 yards of offense in Sunday's matchup with the Texans. One of the notable components in the Colt's scoring machine was the re-appearance of wide receiver Marvin Harrison. The Colt's veteran wideout has been spotty at best this season, with an occasional fantasy appearance from time to time, but in Week 11 there was no question that he arrived. Against their divisional rivals, the Texans Harrison made grab after grab collecting 9 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Fantasy owners better take note, that not only are the Colts back, but Marvelous Marvin is in the mix.
The Patriots passing game this season has not been what it was a year ago with quarterback Tom Brady at the helm. Matt Cassel up until last Thursday had not been much more than a game manger, but another element that has been missing in the pass game has been the tight end position. Well all that changed Thursday night against the Jets. Tight end Ben Watson was a featured option catching 8 passes for 88 yards and a score. With the opposing teams focusing on taking Moss and the deep ball away, expect to see the Patriots work Watson in the mix and have him play a more prominent role in the passing attack.
With appeal hearings set for next week, the fates of several players caught up in the midst of failed steroids testing hang in the balance. With running back Deuce McAllister being one of those players, running back Pierre Thomas could see his role in the offense expand very soon. On Sunday Thomas was the featured runner with 16 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. With the possibility of McAllister missing time, fantasy owners should expect to see Thomas figure more into the mix in the coming weeks.
Now that rookie running back Kevin Smith has secured the starting role in Detroit, fantasy owners can count on the kid being a weekly producer in the fantasy football world. In his past two starts Smith has totaled 208 rushing yards, including his first 100 yard game in Week 11. The rookie also has 27 receptions this season and with the Rudi Johnson experiment all but over in the Motor City, Smith will be in the mix through the remainder of the season.
4TH QUARTER TIMEOUT
fantasy notes from the past week....
Whether they were hopeful or not the Chiefs saw the return of running back Larry Johnson on Sunday and while it remains to be seen if he can keep his head straight and stay out of trouble, he did not look bad running the ball or the KC Wildcat formation. Johnson total 87 yards from scrimmage in his return and if he can avoid any further troubles of the field, he could be a serviceable low end RB2 in the latter part of the season.
The Saints and Rams both did not have one of their biggest weapons on the field in Week 11 with running backs Reggie Bush (Saints) and Steven Jackson (Rams) out. The general feeling was both backs were close to returning this week, but just needed a little more rest to heal. While it has not been confirmed, it is speculated that both could be in service in Week 12. If healthy, fantasy owners can count on the two being weekly plays heading into the fantasy playoffs.
The Bengal's have not been lighting up any scoreboards this season, but it seems their current starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh have found a groove. In the team's last five games the two players have connected on 42 pass plays. T.J. leads the league with 73 catches and while Fitzpatrick doesn't strike fear he keeps improving. In the six games these two have played together Housh has not had fewer than 6 receptions, with 12 this past Sunday being his season high. Fantasy owners can expect these two to improve each week and see the numbers get better looking ahead.
Both Saint's quarterback Drew Brees and Cardinal's quarterback Kurt Warner have a chance at history this season. Both are on pace to have a shot at eclipsing Dan Marino's single season record for passing yards with 5,084. Warner is on track to come in just under the number, while Brees is right on pace. Both quarterbacks have been having a solid and very productive season from a fantasy standpoint putting up ridiculous numbers from week to week and while they both share this common chance for history, Warner has a shot at something a little larger. With their tremendous play at the quarterback position this season, both players have been the subject of M.V.P. conversation. While this would be Brees' first honor, if Warner should win this prestigious award, this would be his third and tie Brett Favre as the only other player to accomplish such a feat.
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
The Saints and Rams both did not have one of their biggest weapons on the field in Week 11 with running backs Reggie Bush (Saints) and Steven Jackson (Rams) out. The general feeling was both backs were close to returning this week, but just needed a little more rest to heal. While it has not been confirmed, it is speculated that both could be in service in Week 12. If healthy, fantasy owners can count on the two being weekly plays heading into the fantasy playoffs.
The Bengal's have not been lighting up any scoreboards this season, but it seems their current starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh have found a groove. In the team's last five games the two players have connected on 42 pass plays. T.J. leads the league with 73 catches and while Fitzpatrick doesn't strike fear he keeps improving. In the six games these two have played together Housh has not had fewer than 6 receptions, with 12 this past Sunday being his season high. Fantasy owners can expect these two to improve each week and see the numbers get better looking ahead.
Both Saint's quarterback Drew Brees and Cardinal's quarterback Kurt Warner have a chance at history this season. Both are on pace to have a shot at eclipsing Dan Marino's single season record for passing yards with 5,084. Warner is on track to come in just under the number, while Brees is right on pace. Both quarterbacks have been having a solid and very productive season from a fantasy standpoint putting up ridiculous numbers from week to week and while they both share this common chance for history, Warner has a shot at something a little larger. With their tremendous play at the quarterback position this season, both players have been the subject of M.V.P. conversation. While this would be Brees' first honor, if Warner should win this prestigious award, this would be his third and tie Brett Favre as the only other player to accomplish such a feat.
Check back every Monday for more Monday Morning Huddle!
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