Well… it was a strange weekend for me readers. My fantasy projections panned out pretty well, but I couldn’t pick a game to save my life. On one hand, it makes for excellent television. Does anyone else out there have DirectTv? Isn’t it a beautiful thing readers? 8 channels of NFL on one screen where you can flip back and forth at will… Combine that with the apparent parity of the league this year, and it makes for some awesome Sundays. BUT, on the other hand, it’s making me look like a bit of a chump on this lovely blog here. I’ll learn readers, I will.
Here’s what I got right, and what I got wrong:
Right:
- Hasselbeck had a nice game this week, putting up 18 on the Bengals. I called him Friday my best value QB and he keeps putting up the numbers. He’s not Rogers getting 30 every week (relish these games folks, because he’s made the jump to an extremely special level), but he is getting double digits week in and week out, and he’s available. If you’re having troubles at QB, consider this guy. Great value selling low.
- Sproles went for 15 this week against the Bucs with a receiving TD and about 100 total yards. Like I mentioned before, the problem with RB’s at this point in the season is that all the good ones are owned. But you still might be able to find someone willing to part with Sproles as he’s only getting the start around 67% of the time. I checked the rules of the various leagues I’m playing in this year, and the trade deadline is coming up in the next couple weeks folks. So get your deals done before time runs out and you’re left to waivers.
- I finally got over my San Diego homer-ism, picking against them in the game against Green Bay. It was a lot closer than I thought though, and I give the Chargers credit for staying in the game as long as they did, some how managing to turn it into a good old fashioned shoot out. But like I mentioned, Aaron Rodgers is playing out of his shoes right now, and it’s going to take an incredibly special team to have any shot at beating him and the Packers.
WRONG:
- Well it was a relatively rough weekend for me here at Sports Stock. Let’s just get the pick stuff over with before we get to fantasy, because I think there’s a lot to be learned there.
- First of all, kudos to the Jets for winning a big statement game against the Bills. Going into this weekend the Jets were behind by a game in their division to both the Bills and Patriots, and a loss would have put them 2 back of Buffalo with the Pats coming up next week. But now with a win, they’re tied with the Bills, and have a shot to move into first place with a win over New England next week.
- Next there was Miami, playing themselves out of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes… Now, I don’t buy giving up games to get a draft pick. But if you watch ESPN everyone there, who are all much smarter and experienced in football than you and I, are saying that Luck is the closest thing to a can’t miss pick. So maybe Miami lets a few guys go, makes a few trades, tries a few new things… But with a win, it leaves only the Colts at 0-9. That should be an interesting storyline to watch as the second half of the season unfolds.
- Average is the word for the Raiders in their loss to the Broncos. Carson finally got a full game under his belt and had an AVERAGE performance. 3 TD’s with 3 INT’s. I still feel like he should be able to get it figured out as the season goes along, but for now, the Raiders are an AVERAGE 4-4.
- Eli lived up to his “elite” quote this week beating the increasingly pedestrian Patriots. They seem to be beatable by any team with a solid offense and at least middle of the road defense (something that there is plenty of in the league right now). The thing is that Brady is going to put up points against you, but their defense is air thin. If the other team ever gets out to a lead, the Pats are in trouble due to their virtual lack of a deep threat. Like many people at the World Wide Leader, I completely whiffed on saying that Ocho would have an amazing season this year. I was drooling at the teaming up of Brady and the (up until now) vastly underrated Ochocinco, and a couple of my fantasy drafts took a hit because of it. But give Eli and the Giants credit. I still think his numbers are going to cool off with the weather, and as their schedule toughens up.
- Also Baltimore, somehow pulled out the game against the Steelers this weekend. There was a bunch more luck involved in this game though than the one earlier in the season, but a W is a W. They still seem to me like a team that is very inconsistent. They’re able to get themselves going for their “superbowl” games, but then come out and struggle against a rookie QB and the Jags. So I think the jury is still out on the Ravens, but nice win this week.
- As for fantasy, a few of my awards players had bye’s this week, and McCoy plays tonight so we’ll have to see on that one. I mentioned liking AJ Green a couple times this past week, and he had a bit of a lack-luster game getting only 8 fantasy points.
- Lastly, I mentioned liking Dez Bryant earlier this week, and he (along with most of the Dallas O) had a surprisingly week game against the Seahawks this week. Dallas got the win, but numbers were down. Don’t forget, Pete Carroll is a pretty good defensive coach, and a couple weeks ago they beat the Giants in New York. So I’m still buying here, but my patience is running low waiting for Dallas to finally click.
Whew… that was a much longer “Wrong” list than I would have liked, but oh well there’s always next week. Let’s now look ahead to the MNF game tonight, that is looking like it’s going to be a good one. On paper, it looks like it’s the classic Power O vs. Power D type game, however both of these teams have had their down weeks on the side of the ball where they’re supposed to dominate. Chicago has given up 30 to the Saints, 27 to Green Bay, 29 to Carolina, and 24 to the Lions… and we all know Vick has had his share of poor QB mistakes. Everyone at ESPN seems to be talking about Vick starting to be able to “read the field”. It’s like the buzz term of the week. I still think they’re a small finesse team that has a real weakness with turnovers. But we’ll have to see. I don’t feel a huge need to go into great detail about the fantasy impact here… Everyone owns Vick, everyone owns McCoy, and Avant, and Celek, and Maclin, and Forte and Hester (in return points leagues)… It should be a nice match up of stars tonight with points to be had all around. I say enjoy the game, because the NFL is really showing why it has become America’s sport with thrilling match ups week in and week out. Every game seems more important than the last. I have the Eagles tonight, in a lower scoring game than you might imagine… Let’s just hope that this week doesn’t end up at 7-7. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for reading folks. This is Jake at Sports Stock Radio.
