FSH: THE SUNDAY NIGHT NFL REPORT

December 7th, 2008 9:47pm PST


Week 14...
NFL Injury News

• The Cowboys tight end Jason Witten suffered an ankle injury and an apparent chest injury. Witten had X-rays taken of his chest (results were negative) at halftime during Week 14, but was able to return and finish the game. No further updates available on either injury.
• The Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles exited the teams game on Sunday with an ankle injury. Charles was able to finish the game, but there are no further updates available regarding the ankle.
• The Broncos running back Peyton Hillis tore his hamstring in the second quarter on Sunday in the teams Week 14 matchup. Hillis could be out at least a month. There are no further updates at this time.
• The Niners running back Frank Gore injured his left ankle in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's matchup with the Jets. Gore had his ankle examined on the sideline, then was carted off to the locker room. He did not return and no further updates are available as to the severity of the injury.
• The Ravens running back Willis McGahee suffered a shoulder stinger in Sunday nights game and did not return to the game. No further updates available.
• The Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday in the teams Week 14 loss to the Vikings. The severity of the injury is not known.
• The Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte suffered a bruised lower back in Week 14. His status for Week 15 is uncertain.
• The Giants running back Brandon Jacobs left Sunday's game with the Eagles with an apparent left knee injury. Jacobs said he could have returned, but was kept out the remainder of the game. No further updates available at this time.

Sunday's Game Notes:

• The Chiefs stayed with the spread offense for the most part on Sunday limiting the run game to 12 attempts on the day, not including Thigpen's 6 scrambles. With their new spread offense the Chiefs have discarded any real sense of a rushing attack limiting running back Larry Johnson's production, but making Gonzalez and Bowe more attractive fantasy options looking forward.
• The Saints aerial attack was a bit quiet in Week 14 with Brees passing for a mere 230-yards against the Falcons, but the team may have just found its' running legs in the process. Running backs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush combined for a total of 26 carries for 182-yards rushing. It was by far the Saints best rushing production in a single game this season.
• The Cardinals running game failed to get on track once again, proving this team will live and die by the pass. Facing one of the leagues worst run defenses the Cards could only muster 63-yards rushing on 20 carries for the day. Warner was good, but not spectacular passing for 279-yards with a score, fortunately he was facing the Rams and could afford to be less than spectacular.
  
  

Week 14...
SUNDAY'S HEROES

Week 14 was nothing short of an exciting week of fantasy action. With the playoffs underway for many fantasy owners, every performance made an impact, including players like Matt Ryan, Shaun Hill, Peyton Hillis, Pierre Thomas, and Deion Branch. Don't forget to check out, who did what and made the most noise for owners in Week 14 with our usual "Sunday's Heroes."

Here are this week's fantasy Studs!

The Fantasy Notebook (notable mentions) for Week 14....

What we think we know:

• With Hillis going down on Sunday, we know the Broncos have to be the unluckiest team in the NFL when it comes to running backs. The Seahawks took that award for wide receivers earlier in the season. It looks like the running duties will be split between Tatum Bell and Selvin Young the rest of the way. Maybe Shanahan can flip a coin and stick with one of these two down the stretch.
• It's now hard to argue against Matt Ryan being voted Rookie of the year. Although the Falcons dropped one on Sunday, this kid has been right on this season with a solid 92.0 passer rating. What will win it for Ryan is the complete team turnaround from a season ago, led by his solid play at the quarterback position.
• The Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is not going down without a fight. In the past two weeks Westbrook has totaled over 330-yards and scored 6 times (69-fantasy points). Westbrook has been dominant over this two game stretch like no other this season and could continue this fantasy blitz with the Browns due next on the slate.
• With receivers like Boldin, Fitzgerald, and Breaston, what we know is Kurt Warner and company are heading to the playoffs and going to be a very tough opponent for whomever they face. With the NFC West locked up, the Cards will enjoy a first round home game and could be setting the table to be party crashers for teams like Carolina, Tampa Bay, and/or the Giants.

Fantasy Spotlight:

***Marshall scores twice in Broncos win...
The Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall had a game high 11 receptions and scored twice in the teams Week 14 victory over the Chiefs. Marshall also finished the game with 91-yards receiving.

***White runs for 99-yards in Week 14...
The Titans running back LenDale White carried the ball 24 times and rushed for 99-yards in the teams Week 14 win over the Browns. White also added his 14th rushing touchdown this season.

***Bush comes back with a bang in Week 14...
There's no place like home for the Saints running back Reggie Bush. On Sunday Bush totaled over 100-yards of offense and added a 5-yard touchdown reception.

***Hill is solid in Niners second consecutive win...
The Niners quarterback Shaun Hill was a solid fantasy performer on Sunday passing for 285-yards and throwing two touchdowns leading the Niners to their second consecutive win over AFC East foes.

***Branch has big game in Week 14...
The Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch caught four passes for 88-yards with two scores on Sunday in the teams Week 14 loss to New England. It was his best performance of the year thus far.

Another Sunday and another week in the NFL, here are your week 14 "Sunday's Heroes!"

AFC / NFC

300-PASSING CLUB

QB-Matt Schaub (Hou)
.....the Texans quarterback made a big return in Week 14 with a huge performance. Schaub completed 28 of 42 passes (67% completion) while throwing for 414-yards and tossing 2 touchdowns for a 104.7 passer rating in Week 14.

QB-Matt Ryan (Atl)
.....the Falcons rookie quarterback was superb once again passing for over 300-yards in the teams Week 14 loss. Ryan completed 24 of 33 passes for a total of 315-yards passing with a touchdown.


100-RUSHING CLUB

RB-Chris Johnson (Ten)
....the Titans running back Chris Johnson carried the ball 19 times on Sunday for 136-yards rushing. Johnson averaged 7.2 yards per carry and added a rushing touchdown.

RB-Brian Westbrook (Phi)
....the Eagles running back was a fantasy monster on Sunday with 131-yards rushing on 33 carries. Westbrook added 6 receptions for another 72-yards and scored twice (1-rush, 1-receive).

RB-Steve Slaton (Hou)
.....the Texans rookie running back ran the rock 26 times on Sunday gaining 120-yards on the ground. Slaton averaged 4.6 yards per carry and added 3 receptions for another 40-yards.

RB-Ryan Grant (GB)
.....the Packers running back ran the ball 19-times and rushed for 104-yards on the ground and added one rushing touchdown on Sunday in the teams Week 14 loss.

RB-Adrian Peterson (Min)
.....the Vikings running back rushed the ball 23 times on Sunday and gained 102-yards on the ground against the Lions. Peterson averaged 4.4 yards per carry and added a catch for 15-yards.

.
RB-Pierre Thomas (NYJ)
....the Saints running back had a big day on Sunday in the teams Week 14 win. Thomas carried the ball 16 times for 102-yards, he also added one reception for 7 yards and scored twice (1-rush, 1-receive).

100-RECEIVING CLUB

WR-Roddy White (Atl)
....the Falcons wide receiver had a monster game on Sunday in the teams Week 14 loss. White caught 10 balls for 164-yards in Week 14.

WR-Vincent Jackson (SD)
....the Chargers wide receiver was spectacular Thursday night in the teams Week 14 victory over the Raiders. Jackson can 5 passes for 148-yards and scored one touchdown.

WR-Kevin Walter (Hou)
....the Texans wideout came up big on Sunday in the teams upset victory over the Packers. Walter hauled in 6 passes for 146-yards receiving in Week 14.

WR-Wes Welker (Hou)
....the Patriots wide receiver was a PPR specialist on Sunday in the teams Week 14 win. Welker caught 12 balls for 134-yards receiving.


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