By Dalton Del Don
In one of the worst slates in recent memory, I expected the Falcons vs. Lions to be one of the better matchups in Week 7, but even that ended up being pretty ugly. Matthew Stafford has a 16:4 TD:INT ratio on the year, but while heâs limited turnovers recently, heâs gotten just 5.8 YPA over the past two weeks, giving him a 7.1 mark on the season â that number isnât terrible on the surface, but when you factor in the current passing numbers in todayâs NFL (it comes in as 17th best right now), him playing six of seven games in a dome this year and having Calvin Johnson as a teammate, he hasnât been all that great. Although in his defense, the Lions might have the worst running game in the NFLâ¦Matt Ryan has thrown for multiple touchdowns in just one of seven games this season. Heâs yet to get 7.5 YPA in a contestâ¦Michael Turnerâs demise may have been a bit overstated, as he currently leads the NFL with 26 broken tacklesâ¦Pretty crazy the Jerome Harrison trade almost certainly saved his life.
This commercial isnât exactly what Iâd call PC.
Brandon Marshall has had numerous inexcusable drops, but heâs also had to face the Browns, Chargers, Jets (whom rank as three of the four best fantasy defenses against wide receivers so far this year) and Broncos (when Champ Bailey returned) the last four weeks. Even with Matt Moore â buy. Despite that, heâs still on pace to finish with 91 catches and 1,288 yardsâ¦Even without Brandon Lloyd, it looks like Eric Decker owners may be out of luck. Demaryius Thomas, while hardly a sure thing, looks like the Broncosâ preferred WR from here on out, as he was clearly Tim Tebowâs No. 1 target Sundayâ¦Speaking of Tebow, at this point, what more can be said? The dude writes his own scripts. After going 4-for-14 for 46 passing yards over his first 11 drives, he decided to stop messing around and went 9-for-13 for 121 yards with two touchdowns over his final two drives in regulation (h/t ESPNStatsInfo). Also, on a game-on-the-line two-point conversation attempt with possibly the most inaccurate/best running QB in the NFL from the 2-yard line, might want to put a linebacker on him Miami. Not having their goal-line defense on the field in that situation is embarrassing.
Great announcer involved in a crazy set of events.
I canât say Iâm shocked the Texans won in Tennessee on Sunday, but I was rather surprised by the final score. This team may finally be getting it. Arian Fosterâs breakaway speed on his 78-yard TD catch was sick, if a bit unexpected. Iâd take him No. 1 overall in a redraft todayâ¦Ben Tate somehow has the 15th most carries in football so far this seasonâ¦Iâm beginning to think Matt Hasselbeck may miss Kenny Britt. Seriously, that performance was downright ugly coming off a bye against a defense that was missing Mario Williams and had Danieal Manning leave early with a broken legâ¦Chris Johnson, at least to me, is a true buy-low candidate, because I personally think it would take some guts to trade for him right now. He looks noticeably slower than ever, and while Tennesseeâs run blocking has been bad, Javon Ringer looked superior whenever he entered the game last week. Johnson has got 1.9 YPC after contact this season, which ranks 53rd among running backs. But at least it hasnât shaken his confidence: “Basically, if you are watching the game and you really canât tell what is going on with the run game then I would say you really donât know football,” Johnson said. “I wouldnât say I am the issue.” Either way, his fantasy owners arenât happy.
Worst liquor store robbery ever.
After posting a 15:1 TD:INT ratio over the final eight games of his sophomore season last year, Josh Freeman has an NFL-high 10 interceptions in 2011. His 6.4 YPA is also pretty pathetic, so heâs taken a major step backâ¦Tough break for Earnest Graham owners. In fact, what a ridiculous week for running back injuries, also including Darren McFadden, Beanie Wells, Willis McGahee, Marshawn Lynch and Tim Hightowerâ¦Matt Forteâs touchdown upside is limited (thanks to his poor execution at the goal line throughout his career and now Marion Barberâs presence), but heâs currently on pace to finish with 2,494 yards from scrimmage, which would rank as the second-most all-timeâ¦Mike Williams remains a big disappointment, but his 60 targets rank as the fifth-highest in the NFL this year (although his six drops also rank as the second most, with only Brandon Marshall having more).
Iâm not sure whatâs crazier, the makeup job here or the tats.
The Seattle/Cleveland game set football back a good 30 years, although in fairness both teamsâ defenses played pretty well. Although you have to work hard to score just six points while possessing the ball for 43 minutes like the Browns did Sundayâ¦Relying on Marshawn Lynch is tough enough to begin with, but it doesnât get much worse than not playing without any reports suggesting it was even a possibility beforehand. If youâre in a deep league, might as well add Leon Washingtonâ¦I still like Greg Little as a WR3 for fantasy purposes moving forwardâ¦Tarvaris Jackson obviously sucks, but heâs better than Charlie Whitehurst. And Joe Hadenâs return certainly contributed to Sidney Riceâs poor performance Sundayâ¦Montario Hardestyâs 117 yards from scrimmage were nice, and it came against arguably (although Iâm tired of calling them âsurprisinglyâ at this point) the NFLâs best run defense, but it took a whopping 33 rushing attempts, as he simply hasnât shown the ability to make defenders miss at the NFL level.
This guy ate a live giant scorpion just for fun.
At what point would it take the Chargers to further outperform their end results to get Norv Turner fired? I mean seriously, how long can this charade go? Frankly, itâs become beyond comical. At this point, no one should ever be throwing their hands up in the air and declaring how San Diego âshould have won that game.â Even with Sundayâs latest example, realize they were also spotted a 7-0 lead on a âflukeâ defensive TDâ¦Not that Philip Rivers doesnât deserve plenty of blame this season. His YPA and completion percentage remain high, but after posting a 30:13 TD:INT ratio last season (without Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates for a significant amount of time), heâs totaled eight TDs while committing 11 turnovers through six games. Rivers hadnât been picked off in his previous 100 throws in the fourth quarter before Sunday, when he was intercepted twice in the final frame and executed one of the worst two-minute drills youâll ever see…Without question, one of my bigger fantasy disappointments this year has been Santonio Holmes. I expected so much moreâ¦I have no proof, but Iâd imagine few players have ever managed just 6.3 yards-per-catch with three touchdowns like Plaxico Burress did Sundayâ¦The Jetsâ blocking was better, but Iâd never seen Shonn Greene run as well as he did in Week 7. Maybe thereâs hope for him after allâ¦Quietly, Mark Sanchez has been a top-10 fantasy QB so far this season.
Like clockwork, Coldplayâs new album is sugary sweet, not for music elitists, yet also has 4-6 songs that are legitimately catchy. I get they are easy to make fun of, but there isnât a band more consistent (and more predictable) in the world. Their new album wonât sniff my top-5 for 2011, but Iâd also suggest music snobs shouldnât be totally dismissive.
Mike Shanahan was at it again Sunday, as Iâd imagine far more fantasy owners started Ryan Torain than Tim Hightower, something I personally supported. While it didnât work in Week 7, and Roy Helu may become a bigger factor, Torain owners still ultimately ended up with a big upgrade after Hightower was lost for the season with a torn ACLâ¦The most rushing touchdowns by a QB since the merger was 12 (by Steve Crogan in 1976), with just two total reaching double digits. Cam Newton is on pace to finish with 16 during his rookie campaign. Oh, and also 4,807 passing yards, which would be the fourth most in NFL history. His rookie season has been pretty special, and fantasy wise, itâs been positively transcendental.
I have no clue why these two people are single. This is the best date ever.
Larry Fitzgerald has averaged 84.2 yards per game this season compared to 71.1 last year, but heâs also on pace to finish with 83 receptions and five touchdowns â both lower than last seasonâs disappointing numbers. So much for Kevin Kolb returning him to top-three fantasy WR statusâ¦Itâs become a weekly joke about how badly Ben Roethlisberger had his knee turned or was hit or whatever. Letâs stop kidding ourselves. The guy is indestructible. A prison sentence or the Supervolcano is far more likely to be the cause of him missing a game than an injuryâ¦Speaking of injuries, Beanie Wells hurt yet again, ugh!…The Steelers have forced the fewest takeaways over the first seven games of a season since the merger (h/t Bill Barnwell)â¦Mike Wallace has got 14.3 yards-per-target this season, which I believe would go down as the best mark in NFL history.
Iâm someone who still loves roller coasters, so make of this what you will, but if I lived in New York, Iâd absolutely go to this Haunted House (tangent: in college, I tagged along with a few friends who had heard good things about this Haunted House in SLO, only when inside they locked the doors and it was a religious cult that preached for at least an hour. I guess ultimately the job was done, because believe me, I was âterrifiedâ by the events at hand). I mean, just look at the rules. Tickets cost $40-60 (depending on the time you attend), and I especially love how you must be prepared to put something unknown in your mouth and how thereâs a âsafe word.â Sign me up!
Darren McFaddenâs foot sprain is reportedly minor, but to me Iâd rather a knee or hamstring injury. I hope Iâm wrongâ¦The Raiders and Chiefs combined for a 0:8 TD:INT ratio Sunday. That it came with just one total sack against two secondaries that rank in the bottom half of the NFL makes it all the more crazy. The bye week couldnât come at a better time for Oaklandâ¦After starting the year 0-3 and being outscored 109-27 in the process, the Chiefs have rebounded by winning their last three contests by a combined score of 78-41â¦In Yahooâs box score, their âtop performerâ on the day had one carry for seven yards.
Dirt bike lands on a âchick.â
Dallasâ defense by all means played well, but fantasy owners might feel a little disappointed with just one sack and two turnovers at home against a Rams offense that has averaged an NFL-low 9.3 points per game while starting A.J. Feeleyâ¦Through six games, the Rams have had a lead for a total of just six minutes and 28 seconds (h/t Bill Barnwell)â¦Brandon Lloyd received 12 targets immediately upon joining St. Louis and should see a nice increase in fantasy value down the stretch. Heâll no doubt be tougher to trade for now than he was 10 days ago, but thereâs also a good chance his value will never be lower from this point moving forwardâ¦Itâs tempting to not want to get overly excited with just one game (in ideal conditions), but itâs even harder not to be thoroughly impressed with DeMarco Murray, who had the type of performance Sunday that could lead to him being Dallasâ feature back from here on out. Felix Jones even when healthy has always been better in theory than reality, and while heâs hasnât been able to exploit it, a lead runner in that situation could be quite productive. Murray, while still needing work as a blocker and receiver, could finally be the one to take advantage of it. Heâs a must-start this week in Philadelphia. Realize his 3.6 YPC after contact this season ranks as the third-most in the NFL. He could be a true difference maker down the stretch.
The worst (best?) obituary of all-time.
Man who tried to turn his feces into gold is jailed.
Aaron Rodgersâ current 9.93 YPA mark would go down as the best in NFL history (since the merger), and heâs also totaled 21 touchdowns to just three turnovers. With a suspect pass defense, the leagueâs best passing attack that utilizes spread formations and terrific team speed yet with a shaky rushing attack, the Packers are actually best built to play in a dome, and ironically, poor weather late in the year in Lambaugh Field would actually do this group a huge disservice. They might be more vulnerable playing a home NFC title game than one in a controlled environment. The current Super Bowl odds are the NFC -3â¦Well, thatâs not goodâ¦After something of a down year last season, Jared Allen has 10 sacks over his past five games, as heâs been an absolute beast.
If youâre into levitation and/or hover boards, watch these two clips. The future is upon us.
New Orleansâ 62 points scored tied for the most since the merger. Drew Brees had more touchdowns (five) than incompletions (four)â¦Seriously, how important is Peyton Manning?!!…Darren Sproles is somehow averaging more yards-per-carry (7.4) than he is yards-per-catch (7.3). What a fantastic season heâs havingâ¦Why, exactly did Joseph Addai return earlier than expected?…The funny thing about Reggie Wayneâs season is that heâs actually averaging his most yards-per-catch since 2007.
Two stories well worth reading, the first about overconfidence, which absolutely has relevance with fantasy sports (and the title is a clear shot at Malcolm Gladwell) and the second about the anatomy of a baseball trade.
What an ugly Monday night game. Itâs almost as if the scheduling had something to do with it. Still not quite sure how Jacksonville went from having a historically bad secondary last year that allowed 8.3 YPA to one this season that has yielded just 6.4. A remarkable difference, especially without a ton of personnel changeâ¦What was up with Ray Rice and Maurice Jones-Drewâs fumbling problems? That was crazyâ¦Joe Flacco has produced two games with a QB rating higher than 103.5 this season, and three others with less than 61.0. So inconsistent.
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