FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

December 22nd, 2009 11:30pm PST

David's Daily Digest

[My Take]

More football news and happenings from around the league; here’s the latest I am hearing, reading, and following with my take on things and how they will impact the coming fantasy week……

Player Notes From Across My Wire...

Young has elevated his game...

The Titans quarterback Vince Young is still a dangerous runner outside the quarterback, but over the past several weeks he has looked very strong and played very well from inside the pocket (three touchdown passes this past week). In the past month Young has resembled more of a poised pocket passer, than a scrambler. This will be something fantasy owners will be watching as he finishes up the 2009 campaign and something they may want to remember looking toward 2010.

Rivers truly playing like an MVP....

The Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has really been playing as well as any other quarterback in the league. The team is currently riding a nine game win streak and Rivers 18 touchdowns in that stretch has been a big part. What makes Rivers so good and so dangerous for opposing defenses is his tremendous confidence in his own ability and his superb touch on the deep ball.

Manning still looks like a sure play....

The Colts may appear to have nothing left to play for except pride, but you could not tell Peyton Manning that. On Thursday night he was battling just like it was the AFC championship in Foxboro, minus all the snow. With a perfect 14-0 record, the playoffs just a few short weeks away, you can't tell me the Colts don't want to win and keep winning. Manning (33 passing touchdowns in 2009) has been spectacular all season and sometimes better than that in a single half; he looks like a safe play again for Week 16 (but check his status later in the week).

Schaub on his way to the next level.....

With a strong finish (back-to-back 360-yard passing games) to a very good 2009 campaign, the Texans quarterback Matt Schaub is very much lobbying for fantasy elite consideration. Schaub has not only played well this season with over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, but he has started every game this season for the Texans. With Andre Johnson to throw to, it's going to be hard to see Schaub slip too deep in next season's fantasy drafts.

IDP Notes....

DeMarcus Ware returns in a big way….

After consecutive losses to open the month of December, what the Cowboys needed was inspired play if they had any hopes of upsetting the undefeated Saints. That is exactly what they got from linebacker DeMArcus Ware who was questionable to even play after suffering a neck sprain the previous week. Sprain or not Ware was definitely a pain the Saints neck, in particular quarterback Drew Brees. Ware harrassed Brees all night sacking the pro bowl quarterback twice and forcing two fumbles. Ware now has 11 sacks and five forced fumbles this season.

Check back with "Your Fantasy Sports Home" for more Football to digest....

FSH: FOOTBALL TALK

December 22nd, 2009 9:37pm PST

FOOTBALL TALK

Looking under the hood of

Week 15

Do what you do best!....

Even though they may not have anything left to play for in the regular season, it may make great sense for Philip Rivers and the Chargers to keep doing what they do best. Over the past two and a half months only the Colts have been as good and no one's been better than Rivers. The Chargers have rattled off nine straight wins and look like a formidable opponent for everyone heading into the post season. Why? It's very simple, Rivers has masterd the art of the vertical game. In his last nine starts Rivers has thrown 18 touchdowns and passed for 263-yards per game. He has been unbeatable as a starter (17-0) in December and appears poised to lead San Diego deep in the playoffs. Fantasy owners would agree Rivers should keep doing what he does best.

If it ain't Broke don't fix-it....

The Colts have been in this precarious position once before and to put it simply, "don't fix things if they ain't broke." The Colts offense led by Peyton Manning has been not only outstanding, but at times this season it has been dominant. Manning is the epitome of consistency and every week he seems to be in a class of his own, finding ways to keep winning. While the Colts remain unbeaten they have not been perfect, but when Manning (33 touchdowns in 2009) passes for 300 yards every game (nine times this season) they are awful tough to beat. With two games left and a chance for an unbeaten season, the Colts really want to keep riding that winning feeling right into the post season. Rest may seem like a good idea, but when you have an offense and a Peyton Manning firing on all pistons while tamper with that formula. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.; let your players play.

Expect the Eagles to keep soaring.....

The Eagles and Donovan McNabb may be one of the few favorite fantasy offenses left this season with great incentive to go out this weekend and keep doing what they do best. McNabb was banged up a bit early in the season, but since has begun to take flight with his explosive Eagles offense (28.5 points per game/ranked 2nd). One of the keys has been the explosive DeSean Jackson (8 touchdowns) and McNabbs favorite red-zone target tight end Brent Celek (7 touchdowns). The Eagles are now using a full rotation of receiving opitons; last Sunday against the Niners McNabb completed passes to eight different receivers. With Brian Westbrook expected to return to action this week, there's really no reason to expect anything different from Andy Reid's offense. It should be all about passing and scoring once again as McNabb will look to soar on Sunday against the Broncos.

More fantasy Notes

The Texans quarterback Matt Schaub appears to be just warming up. With consecutive 360-yard passing games and three touchdowns to just one pick, Schaub looks like a lock to have a big passing day against a Dolphins secondary (ranked 23rd against the pass) that surrendered three touchdown passes to the Titans last Sunday.

The Niner's offense in recent weeks has managed to get back to the basics and hand the ball to running back Frank Gore. With 41 carries in his last two starts Gore has ran for 274 yards on the ground and scored once. With the Lions (ranked 24th against the run) and Rams (ranked 27th against the run) next on the schedule Gore looks to finish strong in 2009.

The Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has been making the most of his oppoprtunity as the team's featured running back with Ronnie Brown on IR. Williams is averaging nearly 100 yards per game over his last six games and has scored six times. With the Texans (ranked 17th against the run) up next Williams looks to be a very good start in Week 16 for fantasy owners.

Quietly and before anyone could forget about him the Chargers superstar receiver Vincent Jackson is back at it doing what he does so well. The playmaking wideout has put together back to back 100 yard receiving games while snagging 12 balls along the way. This past Sunday against the Bengals he was a one man wrecking creew catching two passes for scores. Although the Titans are healthy and playing well, because of his 6'5" frame, Jackson is always a tough matchup and a must play.

Very much under the fantasy radar, the Packers tight end Jermichael Finley has been a solid go to receiver for the past several weeks. In his last three games Finley is averaging a cool 74 yard receiving with a total of 21 receptions. The tight end also has three touchdowns over the same span and looks to continue to be the Packers go-to target over the middle. Next week he'll have a very good matchup against the Seahawks 29th ranked pass defense.

By David Ortega

Check back every Tuesday for more “Tuesday (Football) Talk”

FSH: ON THE COVER

December 22nd, 2009 10:00pm PST

This Week on the Cover….

[Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images]

Carving His Name into the

History Books

While we watch with great awe and appreciation, do many of us casual fans or great enthusiast truly realize what we could be witnessing before us? Just like we have seen over the recent years Tiger Woods complete dominance over the PGA Tour, is that what we are now seeing with Peyton Manning against the NFL?

If Manning finishes the 2009 undefeated with a ring on his finger, where will that put him in the annals of history? He is already considered to be one of the best in today's game, but with another championship and perfection would that elevate him to the top?

All he has done in his twelve seasons is really redefine the position in today's game with complex defensive schemes to read, the endless adjustments he has to learn with his receivers, and the fact he pretty much calls his own game most of the time. Let's not forget the level of success he has achieved while accomplishing all this;

Peyton Manning's accomplishments...

10 Time Pro Bowl Selection

4 Time First Team All-Pro

3 Time AP NFL MVP

Pro Bowl MVP (2005)

Super Bowl MVP (XLI)

366 career touchdown passes

49,841 career yards passing

95.3 career passer rating

One Super Bowl Ring

Not many players in the league come close to what Peyton has accomplished and even in the 2009 season that still has two games remaining, the Colts field general has shown fans plenty. This season he has nine 300 yard passing games and has four games with four touchdowns and a total of seven with at least three.

Seven times this season Manning has also led his Colts team to a game winning score in the fourth quarter. There is a name for those kind of antics, it's called "clutch" and no one since the great John Elway has made quite an art of such great feats.

If Manning can accomplish the unthinkable and finish the 2009-2010 campaign without a blemish, many of those that follow the game better start thinking about him as being "the greatest ever", because he will have done something no one ever has. And yes, that is a big "IF."

Check back everyday for more football!

FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

December 21st, 2009 9:57pm PST

[Late Night Edition]

Monday Morning Huddle

Just some thoughts from Sunday

As we watched the games being played on Sunday in Week 15, it was not hard to note of couple of obvious facts that fantasy owners will be thinking about when looking ahead to 2010.

Looking at 2010

Can't Misses...

After watching his performances thus far in the fantasy playoffs, its safe to say that Matt Schaub has proven he is fantasy royalty; 25 touchdowns and eight 300-yard passing games in 2009, and has started every game this season for Houston.

With three 300-yard passing games in his last four starts and a total of seven this season, fantasy owners should be convinced that quarterback Tony Romo is among the fantasy favorites. If not, his 23 touchdowns this season with just seven picks should be more than enough to state his case.

Fantasy owners that had wide receiver Roddy White in their lineups on Sunday found out the hard way, a tough lesson learned. Do not start a fantasy receiver matched up with the Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. White finished the day with just four catches for 33 yards. This will be something on fantasy owners "what to avoid" watchlist for 2010 (or it should be).

What I Saw in Week 15

Manning is still determined....

The Colts quarterback Peyton Manning doesn't look like he wants to sit out and the way he's playing he can still do a lot of damage even in one half of play. Fantasy owners might be concerned about how much he'll play in Week 16, but even if he's limited last Thursday night against the Jaguars Manning still scored 16 fantasy points in the first half alone. Even though the Colts will face Darrelle Revis and the Jets, Peyton still has a too many weapons to choose from; he should be a safe play.

There's no mystery in New Orleans....

With all the committees on offense that the Saints running, countless receivers, multiple running backs in the backfield, there is no real mystery here. The only reliable fantasy play in New Orleans is their quarterback Drew Brees. Although Brees only scored 13 fantasy points on Saturday night against the Cowboys, in his last five games Brees is averaging more than 25 fantasy points. Like the Colts the Saints could be limiting the play of their starters, but like his counterpart in Indy Brees could do just enough damage for owners in a single half. It would be very difficult to sit him.

Quick Notes:

The Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles could very well be a early round draft pick in most fantasy leagues next season. He's making a great argument in any case with two consecutive 100-yard rushing games and six straight games with at least one score.

Marshall continues to be the Broncos primary and in some case only weapon in the passing game. In each of his last four games he has caught six or more passes and has scored in his last three. For the season Marshall has 93 catches for 1,081 yards and a career high 10 touchdowns.

10 Things I remember

1. The Bills inept offense continues to struggle with the pass regardless of who is under center. Once again wide receiver Terrell Owens was a non-factor catching just two passes for 20 yards.

2. On Sunday the Browns ran all through the Chiefs defense, but it wasn't the Cribbs-Jennings show. On Sunday it was all about Jerome Harrison as he ran for 286 yards to help the Browns win their third game this season.

3. The Jets focused on the run (29 runs) Sunday against the Falcons, but could never get the ground game out of the gate. Running back Thomas Jones led the team with 19 carries for 52 yards.

4. To answer the question, can Schaub be special two weeks in a row; with 367 yards passing, a touchdown pass, and a win on the road yes he can.

5. It doesn't matter who Chris Johnson faces in 2009, there is no stopping the Titans running back. Johnson totaled 159 yards (104-rushing, 55-receiving) on Sunday to help lead Tennessee back to a .500 record.

6. Kurt Warner's performance Sunday against the Lions was hardly any kind of redemption, but his 233 yards passing and two scoring throws were enough for the Cards to win at Detroit.

7. It wasn't the kind of day fantasy owners were expecting from the Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno, although he did total 81 yards for the day.

8. Even without a couple of his horses, the Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has plenty of weapons to target; 306 yards passing and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing).

9. It wasn't a six pack being served at Heinz Filed on Sunday as the Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger out-duel the Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers passed for 383 yards and three scores, while Big Ben tossed up five bills (503 yards) and three scores of his own in the win.

10. The Bengals honored their fallen teammate on Sunday with a valiant effort against the Chargers. Led by Carson Palmer (314 yards passing, two touchdowns) and Chad Ochocinco (105 total yards, one touchdown) the Bengals battled this one down to the wire, but came up just short when Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding booted a 52-yard game winner with less than a minute to play.

Remember to check back for more "Monday Morning Huddle!"

FSH: SUNDAY NIGHT FANTASY FOOTBALL HEADLINES

December 21st, 2009 8:37pm PST

Sunday Night FF Headlines

Who is now making Fantasy News?

Keep track of which players are making noise

[fantasy points based on traditional scoring]

QB-Ben Roethlisberger goes nuts on Sunday....

The Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a fantasy game like very few have ever seen passing for more than 500 yards, completing 29 passes, and throwing three touchdowns to lead the Steelers and undoubtedly earn a few fantasy owners a win. (38 fantasy points)

QB-Aaron Rodgers has a huge Sunday.....

The Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had himself a very nice Sunday outing passing for over 380 yards against the Steelers and throwing three touchdowns, unfortunately he was matched up against Big Ben. (33 fantasy points)

RB-Jerome Harrison has nearly a record day.....

The Browns running back Jerome Harriosn nearly had one for the record books, although his performance will rank among the very best all-time. Harrison carried the ball a game-high (and season high) 34 times for 286 yards on the ground (8.4 yards per carry). Harrison also added three scores to lead the Browns to a rare win. (47-fantasy points)

RB-Jamaal Charles continues to run wild....

The Chiefs running back is quickly cementing himself as a 2010 preseason fantasy favorite with one strong performance after another. Charles carried the ball 25 times on Sunday against the Browns and rushed for 154 yards including a score. It was his fourth straight game with a rushing touchdown. (21-fantasy points)

WR-Steve Smith: Dynamite in small package....

The Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith turned in a dominant performance Sunday night against the Vikings secondary. Smith caught nine passes for 157 yards and a touchdown to lead the Sunday night upset. (21-fantasy points)

WR-Andre Johnson; simply a beast....

The Texans Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson had another big Sunday catching nine balls for 196 yards receiving in the Texans Week 16 victory over the Rams. (19-fantasy points)

Notable IDP Fantasy Newsmakers…

The Patriots outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain had a huge impact Sunday recording three sacks in the teams win over the Bills. Banta-Cain finished the afternoon with six total tackles in the winning effort.

The Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware returned to action on Saturday night against the Saints after being knocked out of a Week 14 matchup with the Giants with a neck sprain. For the Cowboys his return was huge and for the Saints unfortunate. Ware led a huge defensive effort recording two sacks and two forced fumbles in the Cowboys win that ended the Saints perfect season.

By David Ortega

Check back every Sunday for more “Sunday Night FF Headlines!”