No Pain, No Gain….Week #5 Winners

Oct 6, 2010

Detroit Lions' Ndamukong Suh (90) Sacks

Upset Alert!!!!! Not the games….my stomach. The season is a quarter of the way through for all teams with the exception of those with a week #3 bye, and just when you figure teams are beginning to show their true make-up, they do a 180-turn and disrupt everything. Take the Packers for instance. Coming off an uninspired loss at Chicago, facing another division foe at home, you’d think they’d come out guns blazing. Add to the mix that it’s the Lions they’re playing and well, Aaron Rodgers should have been a mortal lock to have major fantasy production. Instead he goes 12-17 for 181 yds. True, he does throw 3 tds., but also 2 picks. Hardly what we anticipated. Next, let’s look at those defending Super Bowl champs, the Saints and their leader – Drew Brees. Coming off an emotional loss to a division rival, and playing at home against another division team, you’d have to believe that the Saints would be raring to go. Considering how thin New Orleans is at running back right now, Drew Brees would have to accumulate significant fantasy points. Well, he did go 33-48 for 275 yds. and 1 td. but it was below our expections. No wonder both teams barely escaped with wins at home against teams with a combined record of 0-8.

Our week #4 picks at running back were just as pedestrian. Tennessee has one true play maker in Chris Johnson and he has yet to exhibit the kind of production that made him a top overall pick for many fantasy draft experts. Yes, I understand that teams key on him since the Titans haven’t really shown much of an offensive threat otherwise, but it has always been that way and he has consistently put up outstanding numbers. This past Sunday was a huge exception to that rule. He ran for 53 yds, caught 3 balls for another 11 yds., and fumbled once without crossing the goal line. Ronnie Brown and the rest of the Dolphins were put in a hole when it became clear that Chad Henne was erratic in the passing game. Couple that with the big deficit the Dolphins had to overcome in the second half (due to their special teams) and he had very limited chances. Lastly, Clinton Portis ran decently (55 yds., and 26 more in receiving) but the Eagles defense woke up in time to stymie any more scoring threats from the Redskins. The end result is that we clearly had a subpar performance.

Our receivers were a mixed bag of good, bad and ugly. Reggie Wayne showed his skills repeatedly and hauled in 15 balls for 196 yds. but did fumble once. Roddy White of the Falcons also had a strong game with 7 catches for 104 yds., but again no scores. And lastly, Chad Ochocinco only took in 3 balls for 59 yds. without a touchdown. In his case, it seems that he and his running mate Terrell Owens are trading off having superb weeks. Just our luck that when we do reach out there to snatch one as a “starter”, it’s the other one getting all the balls.

Happy with our tight end selections as all three scored touchdowns. Dallas Clark put up the best numbers with 7 catches for 68 yds. while Vernon Davis of the Niners added 4 receptions for 36 and the Redskins’ Cooley had 2 more for 37 yds. respectively.

The Titans’ kicker Bironas made 2 of 3 kicks including a 55 yarder as well as 2 extra points and the Bears’ Gould only had 1 chance, converting a 40 yd. field goal. Lastly, the Saints recorded 3 sacks and recovered 1 Panther fumble. The Packers defense did far better (although the 26 points they gave up would have you believe otherwise). They also had 3 sacks and 1 fumble recovery but also had 2 interceptions taking one back for a touchdown.

So once again, we are left to ponder if the glass is half-empty or half-full. Maybe week #5 will bring us a better than average result….

I like Drew Brees to light up the scoreboard against a Cardinals defense that got torched by the Chargers this past week. Mild ups go out to Matt Schaub of the Texans and Philip Rivers of the Chargers. In Schaub’s case, I’m still not sold on the Giants defense despite the carnage they causesd against Jay Cutler and the Bears. And with Rivers, you have a quarterback throwing against a Raiders defense that has struggled against the pass. Considering Ryan Matthews’ health at running back, the ball should be sailing a lot in that game.

At running back, you’ve got to consider Frank Gore of the Niners. True, it always seems like I’m picking against the Eagles defense (considering I’m an Eagles fan, it’s not easy). But the reality is that the Niners need to control the clock, keep their defense (much-maligned and perhaps significantly overrated) off the field. I also like Jahvid Best to have a good day against the Rams. The Lions are much improved even though their record does not indicate it. Lastly, take a flyer on C.J. Spiller of the Bills. Not that he needed to concern himself with it, but seeing Lynch traded to the Seahawks has to mean something to his production.

Ah, wide receivers. Last week I mentioned that I often go with receivers from the same team as the quarterbacks I am starting so as to maximize point production. The thought this week is a little different. I still like many of the Saints, Texans and Chargers wide-outs but believe the ball will be spread around among many different players. So let’s take a shot with DeSean Jackson of the Eagles (I still believe Kolb can throw the ball downfield). I also like Austin Collie of the Colts who I believe will benefit from a Chiefs defense keying on stopping Reggie Wayne. And finally, look at Miles Austin of the Cowboys.

At tight end, put your money on Vernon Davis of the Niners and Visanthe Shiancoe of the Vikings. I also like Dustin Keller of the Jets especially if New York gets in a passing down in the red zone.

Mason Crosby should have a good game against a Redskins’ team coming off an emotional win inPhilly. Don’t expect them to keep the Pack out of the end zone completely, but they should force enough stops to give Crosby a few chances. Also like David Akers of the Eagles to get enough chances, especially if McCoy is held out of the game with that broken rib.

Defense always seems predictable but seldom lives up to the anticipation. Maybe the Bears (on the road again against the Panthers and still unsure of who will lead their offense) will come up strong. Another team to look at are the Ravens. One note: At the time of this writing, Randy Moss is still a Patriot. Although I can’t imagine he would have a huge impact on the Vikings’ offense against the Jets, his presence could open things up for Peterson to have a good game at running back. Time will tell….

Got to go now…running out of antacid for my stomach. Hopefully these upcoming games will help settle me down.