NFL Parity Dampens Fantasy League Performance – Week #6 "Hopefuls" | NFL and College Football | NFL and College Football Previews, Predictions, and Recaps

Oct 13, 2010

Israel%20Idonije%20sacks%20Jimmy%20Clausen%20and%20causes%20a%20fumble%20late%20in%20the%20first%20quarter.%20Idonije%20would%20finish%20with%20a%20career-high%20three%20sacks.

Every week I start out the article with a recap of last week’s picks. I often find myself defending my selections (in the face of dubious performances) and even go as far as rationalizing how it must be some outside influence that has taken control over the NFL to insure parity throughout. Well, I’d like to say this week will be different…but it won’t. It can’t. When “top-tier” teams (and their superstars) turn in uninspired performances, it’s virtually impossible to gauge how any given Sunday will go. According to league records, this is the earliest point in the season that there are no undefeated team since the league expanded back in the mid-70s. Take into account that 21 of the 30 teams are either 2-3 or 3-2, and you have the makings for a very difficult fantasy football year.

Last week, we chose Drew Brees as our starter at quarterback. After two less than Brees-like performances and going up against the Cardinals who have given up more points than anyone in the league, it seemed like the perfect scenario. Except, no one told Brees and the Saints. Sure 279 passing yds is solid to go along with 2 tds. But 3 interceptions took away any offensive continuity and New Orleans is clearly not the same team as last year. Yes, I realize that a lack of a running game is partly to blame but that should have increased Brees’s numbers instead of negatively impacting them. We also mentioned Matt Schaub of the Texans who completed less than 50%, threw for only 196 yds and, just for added ineptness, had 1 interception and 1 lost fumble. The national media keeps reminding us that Houston’s achilles heel is their defense but you have to wonder if the other side of the ball isn’t a bit overrated. Finally, we took Philip Rivers. Now, a case could be made that he had a monster game. 27 for 42, 431 yds., 2 tds., and 1 run of 14 yds. But even he had 2 costly fumbles.

At running back, we should have just picked names out of a hat…Frank Gore goes for 52 yds and another 21 yds receiving on 4 catches including one for a score but lays the ball down twice. Jahvid Best rushes for 67 yds and adds 4 catches for another 37 but never crosses the goal line (despite the Lions putting up 44 on the Rams). C.J. Spiller was an after thought to the Bills offense only netting 31 yds rushing.

At wideout, we liked DeSean Jackson (2 for 24 yds) and Collie of the Colts (5 for 48). Allelujah……finally got one right. Miles Austin grabs 9 balls for 166 yds and a score. At tight end, Vernon Davis did well with 5 catches for 104 and 1 td. V. Shiancoe and D. Keller did very little as both just caught 2 balls each, none for any significance. The Bears defense stepped up as they needed to, given a lack of quarterback savvy, and recorded 5 sacks and 3 picks. The Ravens defense did what it had to (and not any more) in their win vs. Denver – 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery.

So, once again I submit to all of you that this year (at least so far) has been completely unpredictable. Honestly, at this point, which teams are “elite”? The Ravens, Jets and Steelers? Maybe, the Falcons and Bears? And what do all these have in common ? They are all winning primarily with defense. Hardly what you look for in fantasy league production. But perception is reality…..so let’s muddle through and see what sticks to the wall.

This week, I like Eli Manning to have a strong game at home against a Lions team coming off an emotional whitewash of the Rams. I also like Tony Romo to accumulate a lot of points on the road against the Vikes.

Running backs are completely up and down each week (see Foster of Houston). I actually like Stephen Jackson of St.Louis to get substantial carries, at least early on, against the Bolts. Likewise, Ahmad Bradshaw of the Giants. Lastly, go with Mendenhall of the Steelers to help ease “Big Ben” back into an offensive flow.

I like Michael Crabtree of the Niners to have a nice game against a strong, yet vulnerable Raiders’ secondary. Also like Maclin of the Eagles and Knox of the Bears to turn in “prime time” performances. At tight end, got to go with Gates of the Chargers and take a shot with Miiller of the Steelers (same reason as above).

I like what the Chiefs did to the Colts, limiting them to only 1 td and 4 fgs. I can’t believe it will be much different in Houston this coming week. Take Neil Rackers at kicker. Finally, I really like the Bears defense again this week at home against Seattle. Also like the Giants to lay the smack down on the Lions.

Usually, I try to recap and add some quirky or humorous line at the end of each post. Turns out however that the joke is on me (at least for the first 5 weeks of the season). Twelve more to go. Catch you all next time.