TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK
Monday Night recap...
The Browns sneak past the Bills....
.....the night wasn't pretty, but it sure was cold. Orchard Park was a crisp 30 degrees at kickoff with a wind chill of 22 and while it was cold, both offenses started the evening just as cold. The Bills quarterback Trent Edwards had trouble identifying his teammates in the early going throwing three interceptions in the team's first four drives. While the Browns were set up with great field position on three of their first four drives they could only muster two field-goals.
It was a fortuitous start for the Browns jumping out to an early 13-0 lead, following a 2-yard run from Josh Cribbs. The touchdown by Cribbs capped off a 12-play 96-yards drive with a couple of key passes from quarterback Brady Quinn to wide receiver Braylon Edwards. Edwards looked like he was in top form Monday night, catching 8 passes for 104 yards. With the Brown's out front in the early going and their quarterback struggling, the Bills did not panic. Led by running back Fred Jackson's 35 yards rushing during the drive and Lynch's 18-yard touchdown reception, the Bills answered back making the score 13-7. With both offenses trying to get out of first gear in the 2nd quarter the Bills closed off the first half with a 13-play 54-yard drive to close the gap to 13-10.
The second half of the game started out much like how the first half ended with the kickers highlighting the scoring in the third quarter, but when the 4th quarter opened the game took on a new personality with both teams getting big plays. On the first play of the final quarter the Browns running back Jerome Harrison broke loose over the left side and scampered his way to a 72-yard touchdown run to push the Brown's second half lead to 23-13. Moments later on the ensuing kickoff the Bills return man Leodis McKelvin took the kick back 98-yards for a touchdown making the score 23-20.
The hot hand on the night was the leg of Browns' kicker Phil Dawson. After the Bills charged back and drove in for the go ahead score, highlighted by Trent Edward's 1-yard touchdown, the Browns had again squandered a 13-point lead for the second time in two weeks. Back in Week 10 against the Broncos, the Browns led 23-10 in the second half before eventually losing 34-30. This was a team that had been called out by one of its' team leaders barely a week ago. Running back Jamal Lewis had accused many of his teammates of quitting in their Week 10 loss. With their backs against the wall on Monday night, how would the team respond?
With 2:25 left on the clock and the ball spotted on their own 33-yard line, the Browns led by Quinn drove the ball 28-yards in 46 seconds, down to the Bills 39-yard line to set up Phil Dawson for the potential kick that could give the Browns the lead back. With 1:39 left in the game and ball spotted on the Bills 46-yard line, Dawson proceeded to kick his career long 56-yard field-goal right down the middle to give his team the lead for good. The Bills kicker Rian Lindell would get his shot at a game winning kick, but his 47-yard try sailed right, preserving the Brown's Week 11 victory.
Fantasy notes:
The Bills got a huge performance from running back Marshawn Lynch in the team's Monday night loss. Lynch was a fantasy stud, rushing for over 100 yards for the first time this season and totaling 177 yards on the night. Lynch added 10 catches to his totals, which included a very nice 18 yard catch and run for a score. Quarterback Trent Edwards continued to struggle throwing 3 more picks (that's 8 in his last four games) and completing 16 passes for a mere 148 yards. Edwards did not look comfortable once he threw the three picks and was only targeting short routes and check downs. With their quarterback struggling the receiving corp manufactured just 4 receptions for 62 yards..........the Brown's quarterback Brady Quinn did not have his best night as he struggled in his second NFL start. Quinn only completed 14 of 36 passes for 185 yards. The Bills kept constant pressure up the middle and did not let Quinn get comfortable in the pocket. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards had one of his better nights in the team's Week 11 win catching 8 passes, but it was the leg of kicker Phil Dawson that was the offenses best weapon as he connected on five field-goals Monday night.
This week's "Dark-horses".....
With the NFL scheduled to hear the appeals from several players on steroid policy violations, the Saints running back Deuce McAllister stands in line as one of those who could be facing a four game suspension. With the prospect of Deuce missing time, running back Pierre Thomas could inherit a golden opportunity to play a larger role in the Saints ground game. This past Sunday against the Chiefs, Thomas had the hot hand and took advantage of the situation rushing for 88 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown. Even with Bush expected to return soon, Thomas could be a dark horse down the stretch and offer value as a RB3 or flex option.
Week 11 was not much of a return performance for the Bronco's newly signed running back Tatum Bell. The former Lion did get in the game, but was limited to just 7 carries. Bell was not particularly flashy or exciting, but did appear decisive hitting holes on his way to 34 yards on the ground. As he works himself back into shape, it's not such a long shot to think Bell could win the starting job from running back Peyton Hillis. Hillis is a full back by nature and Bell is familiar with the offense. When the Bronco's have tried to run this season, they have had success averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Until running back Selvin Young gets healthy Bell gives the ground game its' best chance to continue success. Owners can expect the Bronco's to give Bell the opportunity and he could very well be a nice dark horse to consider in the coming weeks.
Now that he's finally looking healthy and playing again, it could be just a matter of time before Seahawks receiver Deion Branch starts clicking with his quarterback. Branch started this past Sunday catching 4 passes for 54 yards and finished the game with no incidents or setbacks. After being sidelined for such an extended time, he has likely spent most of this season residing on waiver wires or fantasy roster benches. It could be time for fantasy owners to dust off the former Patriot's receiver off and consider him a dark horse that could be ready to run.
He's certainly no sleeper, but coming off knee surgery last season and the slow start he has had this season, Colt's receiver Marvin Harrison has fallen out of charm with fantasy owners in general. In Week 11 "Marvelous" Marvin had one of his best games this season, but it is more than likely fantasy owners did not reap the benefits, but rather had him on their bench. With Peyton starting look like Manning-of-old and Harrison's performance this past Sunday, owners may want to consider having Marvin in the line up down the stretch. He could be the dark horse owners need to get over the top.
Heading for the Sideline......
An obvious choice to send to the sideline this week has to be the Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who's immediate future appears to be in doubt. With the NFL set to hear appeals regarding the leagues steroids use violations, McAllister is one of several players looking at a possible four game suspension. The word is once the appeals have been heard this Tuesday, a ruling could come down within 10-14 days. Its likely that McAllister will be available to play Sunday in Week 12, but he could lose touches to Pierre Thomas who has been running well and to Reggie Bush who could return this week.
The Saints have another player fantasy owners should consider turning loose. With Marques Colston back in the line up and Reggie Bush nearing return, there just may not be enough balls to share for wide receiver Robert Meachum. The Saints wideout did not see any action on Sunday and with the team's receiving position filled with healthy playmakers like Colston, Henderson, and Shockey, Meachum has become the odd man out.
In Tampa Bay, it looks like wide receiver Joey Galloway's run as a playmaking deep threat could be coming to a close. Galloway did not see any balls in his direction on Sunday as he was held without a catch. Galloway has only 4 receptions in three games since coming back from a foot injury. With the emergence of Antonio Bryant as the team's go-to receiver it could be time for fantasy owners to cut loose some dead weight.
Now over in Carolina, the team's passing game situation has become a tough sell for fantasy owners. With Delhomme's inconsistent play the past couple of weeks and the team's ground game running loose in Week 11, there haven't been too many appealing options to consider. While we don't expect Delhomme's slump to continue much longer, fantasy owners that may have been waiting on wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett to step up, should not hold their breath. Jarrett was a healthy scratch in Week 11 and appears to have fallen behind DJ Hackett for the number 3 spot. It's not likely that Jarrett is occupying too many roster spots these days, but just the same he should not be owned. the time to cut losses is way overdue and your roster spot should be used for more appealing options.
Power Rankings
How they rank...
1. Tennessee Titans (10-0-0)....the Titan's are using the arm of Kerry Collins to keep their perfect season in tact. Over the past two weeks Collins has passed for nearly 600 yards while throwing 5 touchdowns. With the Jets 4th ranked run defense up next, the Titans make have to take to the air once again to make it to 11 straight.
2. New York Giants (9-1-0)....the Giants continue to do what they do best, run the ball. Against the leagues best run defense, the leagues top ranked ground game got the better on Sunday. The Giants ran the ball 33 times and rolled up 207 yards (6.3 yards per carry) on the ground coasting to a 30-10 win.
3. Carolina Panthers (8-2-0)....the Panthers are not sexy, but they are effective with a two-headed monster of their own. With a running game that features two durable backs, the Panthers have seized control of the South and heading toward a big Monday night showdown with Tampa Bay in Week 14.
4. Tampa Buccaneers (7-3-0)....the Buccaneers used a swarming defense in Week 11 to keep the leagues top rusher, Adrian Peterson in check. The Buc's defense stepped up and shut down the Viking's runner holding him to 8 runs for 3 yards or less, including 3 for negative yards. It's not pretty, but the Buc's just keep winning.
5. Dallas Cowboys (6-4-0)....inspired by the return of Romo, it was the defense that stepped up Sunday night and shut down the Redskins. The boys are loaded with talent on both sides, but they will need a better and more consistent effort from the passing game if they are to succeed in the future.
Rounding out the top 10...
6. New York Jets (7-3-0).....a stout defense and Thomas Jones has this team on the rise.
7. Arizona Cardinals (7-3-0)....led by Warner this team could pass its' way to the playoffs.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3-0)....they still boast one of the league's toughest defenses.
9. Indianapolis Colts (6-4-0)....with Manning finding his form the Colts could make a run.
10. Washington Redskins (6-4-0)....the offense has scored just 16 point in last two games.
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