TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK
Eagles too much for Browns on Monday night....
.....the Eagles started quick, opening the night with an 8-play 64-yard drive that was capped with a 14-yard strike from quarterback Donovan McNabb to wide receiver Kevin Curtis. The Eagles went up 7-0 and never looked back. The Eagles would have their struggles in the red-zone committing two turnovers and settling for a field goal, but this was a game that was never a contest. Even when the Eagles struggled by turning over the ball the Browns were unable to capitalize, but did set an NFL record for the longest interception return (98-yards) without scoring a touchdown.
The Eagles are fighting for their post-season lives and have now won three straight. The biggest key to their current run has been the great play of quarterback Donovan McNabb and running back Brian Westbrook. While Westbrooks’ number was not called much Monday night, it was the arm of Donovan McNabb that proved to be too much for the Browns defense. McNabb tossed a couple of touchdowns and passed for nearly 300-yards leading the Eagles to a Monday win and keeping their season hopes alive. With the win the Eagles remain just a half game out of the second wildcard position.
Fantasy notes: The Browns did see a glimpse of hope under the lights of the Monday night stage. There's no questions this season has been a disappointment for Browns fans, but Monday night wide receiver Braylon Edwards gave Cleveland fans something to cheer about. Edwards
caught 5 passes for over 100-yards, it was the 4th time Edwards has gone over 100-yards on Monday night…….........the Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was a master passing technician completing 71% of his passes to nine different receivers for 290-yards. McNabb has averaged 275-yards over his last four starts, while throwing 9 touchdowns.
While the Packers are facing the reality of no post season play this season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense continue to play and build for the future. One player they may be taking notice of is wide receiver James Jones. Jones missed much of the middle of the season nursing a knee injury, but over the past couple of weeks Jones has been seeing regular targets and in Week 15 he exploded with 4 catches for 132-yards. With teams watching Jennings and Driver, Jones could see more balls in his direction over the last couple of games and be worth a look for owners needing to take a chance.
Now that Matt Jones is out due to suspension and Jerry Porter continues to struggle with injuries, wideout Dennis Northcutt will likely start the rest of the way for Jacksonville. In his first start this season, Northcutt took advantage and made the most with 5 catches for 127-yards and a touchdown on Sunday. Northcutt is not an explosive playmaker, but he has good speed, nice hands, runs crisps routes and will likely be Garrards go-to in the teams final two games. For owners that have questionable starter at the WR3 position, Northcutt maybe a consideration.
With the Eagles hanging by a string and fighting for their playoff lives, quarterback Donovan McNabb is going to call the numbers of those receivers he can count on to deliver in the clutch. Everyone now knows who rookie DeSean Jackson is, but have we forgot about one receiver that McNabb trusts and has connected well with in the past is wide receiver Kevin Curtis. The Eagles speedy wideout was a 1,000-yard receiver a year ago, and now healthy from sports hernia, he could be the catalyst in the Eagles passing game down the stretch. Curtis was solid Monday night and with the Redskins up next, he could be worth the look.
Heading for the Sideline......
With no time to spare and one big game left, fantasy owners can hardly afford to leave points on the bench by playing a dud who's carrying dead weight. Over past several weeks, these are the players that have teased, but not delivered the goods owners will need this Sunday. It's time to cut them loose and go another direction.
Over the past five weeks, the Ravens tight end Todd Heap has just one touchdown. In that span Heap has caught just 12 passes for a total of 159-yards, averaging a paltry 32-yards per game. Heap has only had one game with as many as 5 catches in a single game and has only had over 55-yards in a game once this season. While the position is not deep this season, there are other favorable options (Billy Miller, Dustin Keller, & John Carlson) that offer more upside than Heap.
While the Chargers are finding ways to pull out wins in desperation mode, wide receiver Chris Chambers continues to operate in silent mode. Over the teams last three games Chambers has hardly made a sound catching just three passes for 30-yards. With the emergence of Vincent Jackson as a favorite target of quarterback Phillip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates finally coming to life, Chambers may become the forgotten option down the stretch. With all the marbles riding in Week 16 for some owners, the Chargers quiet man has become too much a risk to consider starting at this point.
Power Rankings
How they rank...
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3-0)....the Steel Curtain was dominant and too much in Week 15 limiting the Ravens to three field goals and earning the city of Pittsburgh another AFC North title and a first round bye in the Playoffs.
2. Indianapolis Colts (10-4-0)....the Colts offense rolled up another 31-points and 421-yards of offense on their way to the teams 7th straight win. Manning and company are starting to gel and are one step closer to the post-season.
3. Carolina Panthers (11-3-0)....the Panthers dynamic running duo of Smash N Dash continue to run towards a division title and a post season berth. Carolina is just one win away from making the playoffs.
4. Tennessee Titans (12-2-0)....the Titans stumbled this week to an upstart Texans team and could be showing a few chinks in the armor. Next week Tennessee will face the Steelers in what should decided homefield throughout the playoffs.
5. New York Giants (11-3-0)....with the loss to the Cowboys Sunday night, the Giants have now lost two straight and get set to face the Carolina Panthers in what should decide homefield throughout the playoffs.
Rounding out the top 10...
6. Dallas Cowboys (9-5-0).....TO, turmoil, Playoffs, get your pop-corn ready!
7. Baltimore Ravens (9-5-0).....defense alone may not be enough to win in Baltimore.
8. Minnesota Vikings (9-5-0)....as long as the wall holds up, this team could be trouble in the post season
9. Miami Dolphins (9-5-0)....just one win last season, now in the middle of a battle for a division title.
10. Atlanta Falcons (9-5-0)....another big turnaround by a team that was at rock bottom last season.
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