January 11th, 2010
[Late Edition]
Monday Morning Huddle
A Wild Fantasy Weekend of Football
If you are still engaged in fantasy football or just following the stats, this past weekend was filled with more than its share of game-breakers and money makers. It was a day of back-ups coming to the forefront on Saturday and some good old fashion gun slinging on Sunday during the Wildcard frenzy.
In both of Saturday's matchups a couple of backup running backs made huge statements and were major fantasy impact players. In the earlier tilt between the Jets and Bengals, rookie running back Shonn Greene burst onto the scene with his first carry going for 12 yards. From then on it was off to the races for Greene. The rookie averaged 6.4 yards per carry and broke more runs for 9, 9, 8, 15, 14, and a 39 yard score.
In the night cap, it was running back Felix Jones' turn. On 16 carries, the Cowboys number two running back powered his way to 148 yards on the ground for a hefty 9.3 yards per carry average. Jones highlighted the Cowboys evening by breaking free for a 73 yard touchdown run that put the final nails in the coffin ending the Eagles hopes.
Unlike the ground game that was prevalent on Saturday, it was the vertical game that filled the highlight reel on Sunday. In the showdown at the Cardinal coral, both quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Aaron Rodgers light up the scoreboard like a Christmas tree. Aaron Rodgers was relentless throwing the pigskin 42 times, completing 28 passes for 422 yards and four scores. Rodgers also added a one yard touchdown keeper to his stats.
On the other side Kurt Warner was equally impressive completing 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards and tossing five touchdowns. The two quarterbacks combined for 801 yards in the air, 10 touchdowns, and 90 points; now that's a Wildcard weekend at its best.
More Injury notes from Sunday...
QB-Joe Flacco (finger)....banged up, questionable for Saturday.
RB-Marion Barber (knee).....expected to start vs Vikings.
WR-Anquan Boldin (ankle, knee)....hopeful to play Saturday.
TE-Todd Heap (back)....x-rays negative, expects to play.
LB-Shawne Merriman (foot)...healthiest he's been all season.
LB-David Harris (ankle)....should be healthier for Sunday.
What I saw this past weekend
The old man has plenty of fire....
Just when many figured the Cardinals run would not even get out of the gate against the Packers, Kurt Warner shows up and turns it up. Maybe someone should have told him he was 38 years of age, because on Sunday he did not play like it. The Cardinals signal caller was nearly flawless throwing five touchdowns and only four incompletions on the day. Warner passed for 379 yards, led the Cards to 51 points on the board and a trip to New Orleans in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Who says the old man is finished, it looks like he is just getting started.
The Jets go Gang Greene on Cincy...
The Jets have one of the leagues very best rushing attacks in the game today and they are often led by their veteran runner Thomas Jones, but on Saturday it was all Shonn Greene that did in the Bengals. The rookie running back from the University of Iowa blew up for 135 yards on the ground Saturday, including a 39 yard scamper to pay dirt. With Thomas Jones (knee) ailing some, the rookie was able to pick up the slack and punch out the opposition.
Romo proving the critics wrong....
Not only was the third time a charm for the Cowboys over the Eagles this season, but it was also a charm for Cowboy's quarterback Tony Romo. In his third post season appearance, Romo finally led his team to a post season victory. The Cowboys quarterback completed 23 of 35 passes for 244 yards and threw two touchdowns in the win over the Eagles. Romo has been one of the hottest quarterbacks in the second half of the season with 13 touchdown passes and only two interceptions in his last seven starts. After leading the Cowboys to their fourth straight win this season and first playoff win since 1996, Romo could have critics changing their minds about his play on the big stage.
Quick Notes:
The Cowboys running back Felix Jones is becoming more prominent in the team's offensive game plan. In his last two games he has averaged over 17 touches and totaled 272 yards from scrimmage with two rushing touchdowns.
The Raven's running back Ray Rice has been on a roll the last five weeks totaling more than 100-yards from scrimmage in four of his past five starts. Rice is averaging nearly 125 yards rushing with three touchdowns over that span.
The Jets ground game keeps turning green. Over the past three games, rookie running back Shonn Greene has averaged nearly 17 carries per game and totaled 292 yards on the ground with one score that came on Saturday against the Bengals.
Remember to check back for more "Monday Morning Huddle!"
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