Week 4 NFL Matchups
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Ben Margot/Associated PressRex Ryan returns to Baltimore to coach against the team that declined to promote him to head coach when he was its defensive coordinator.
Jets (2-1) at Ravens (2-1)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m.
Line: Ravens by 3.5.
Any team coached by a member of the Ryan family does not so much play a 16-game schedule as careen from bitter rivalry to bitter rivalry, each game becoming the kind of over-boiled grudge match usually settled with suplexes and folding chairs at ringside. It happened to Buddy Ryan’s Eagles, and it has happened to Rex Ryan’s Jets.
Jets-Cowboys becomes Rex Ryan against Rob Ryan. Jets-Patriots becomes Rex Ryan against Bill Belichick. Jets-Ravens devolves into Rex Ryan against the team that declined to promote him to head coach when he was its defensive coordinator. Next time the Jets face the Raiders, it will be Rex Ryan against the team that broke his quarterback’s nose. Even Rex Ryan could not muster a feud with the Jaguars, but Joe Namath got into the act this week, so if you play the current Jets against the 1968 version in a video game, that is now a grudge match, too.
Granted, the presence of the ex-Ravens Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard and Derrick Mason on the Jets roster does give the game a familiarity-breeds-contempt angle. “This is a family game, but it’s also a heated rivalry,” said Ravens defensive end Terrell Suggs, perhaps not realizing that Jets charity softball tournaments are also heated rivalries. “You’ve got to go beat up on the ones you love.” In other words, this time it’s personal. Just like all the other times. Pick: Jets.
Steelers (2-1) at Texans (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Line: Texans by 4.
The season often starts this way for the Steelers. They grind out a couple of seemingly difficult wins against bad teams. They lose to the Ravens, or someone Ravens-like. We question their offensive line and remark that the team is not deploying the classic Steelers running game, because in Pittsburgh it is always 1978 and the only way to win is to hand off 40 times.
The Steelers have had a suspect offensive line for the entire Ben Roethlisberger era, made worse by Roethlisberger’s belief that getting rid of the ball on time causes back pimples. Bruce Arians has been the offensive coordinator for five years, and he has always been more pass-oriented than the guys with Franco Harris collector’s edition beer steins would like. The Steelers have reached two Super Bowls in four years through a succession of ugly wins. It is time to stop being surprised. Pick: Steelers.
Lions (3-0) at Cowboys (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Line: Cowboys by 1.
The Cowboys botched several center snaps on Monday night, and Tony Romo knows why: the Redskins were imitating his pre-snap cadence. That’s right: there is a Romo voice impersonator on the Redskins, or perhaps the team purchased one of those “Romo Calls” from a sporting goods store (“Blow into it, and American Idol runners-up flock to your position!”) The Romo Karaoke did not stop the Cowboys’ six field goals because no one knows what kicker Dan Bailey sounds like. (The holder Mat McBriar actually calls for the snap, but his voice was a mystery, too.)
Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson scored two touchdowns in each of his first three games, in part because opponents have an illogical impulse to leave him single-covered in clutch situations. The Cowboys will not make that mistake. “You always have to account for Calvin,” safety Gerald Sensabaugh said. Maybe he should tell the Vikings and the Chiefs. Pick: Cowboys.
Panthers (1-2) at Bears (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Line: Bears by 6.5.
It’s time for advanced algebra with Mike Martz. Let x represent the amount of control Martz has over an offensive gameplan. Let f(x) represent running plays and g(x) represent passing plays. As x increases, the ratio of f(x) to g(x) is an asymptote approaching zero. Meanwhile, h(x), Lovie Smith’s blood pressure, and p(x), Jay Cutler’s health insurance premiums, increase exponentially. We would compute the rate of change in the Bears’ playoff hopes as Martz’s influence increases, but this is no place for derivative humor. For the Bears, Martz and his 4-to-1 pass-run ratios will always be an x-factor. Pick: Panthers.
Bills (3-0) at Bengals (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Line: Bills by 3.
“The fandemonium is running high in Buffalo,” began a WIVB television segment about the Bills early last week. The nearly three-minute segment revealed that Bills merchandise is flying off the shelves, that Ryan Fitzgerald jerseys are on back order, that Bills fans are hanging out at the bar more but drinking less (“They don’t have to drink away their sorrows,” said the tavern manager Jill Vecchio, after wiping a bar top that looked perfectly clean in the first place) and that there is precious little else to talk about in greater Buffalo besides a three-game winning streak. One fan was said to be heading to an “exclusive Bills-only watering hole in Florida,” which makes you wonder how some business models survive the recession while other, saner ones fail. Pick: Bills.
Patriots (2-1) at Raiders (2-1)
Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
Line: Patriots by 4.
Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain said during the week that the Patriots were “just a finesse team.” Tom Brady, perhaps realizing that the criticism hit too close to home, immediately consented to the most famous buzzcut since Elvis Presley was drafted in 1957. The high ‘n’ tight Brady can take solace in the fact that only successful teams are accused of being “finesse,” often by grumbling opponents who fail to notice that their own offenses consist largely of end-arounds and cutesy option plays. Pick: Patriots.
Redskins (2-1) at Rams (0-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Line: Redskins by 1.5.
Like the first frost of autumn, the first unhinged DeAngelo Hall rant was late to arrive this year. But once it came, it delivered everything we have come to expect in a Redskins player interview: frustration, profanity and more than a hint of insubordination. Hall criticized the coordinator Jim Haslett’s blitz packages, saying “you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out after a while.” Rocket scientists could not track a 6.5-ton satellite as it crashed to the earth last week, so they might find Haslett’s defense rather befuddling. Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has a degree in that most reliably predictive of all disciplines (finance), which may explain why he so often looks surprised. Pick: Redskins
49ers (2-1) at Eagles (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Line: Eagles by 8.5.
X-rays on Michael Vick’s right hand revealed that the Eagles’ linebackers are terrible. The Eagles took eventual action, benching Casey Matthews in favor of Brian Rolle in a panic-scented move. Vick says that there is a “100 percent chance” he will play despite a tender nonthrowing hand. Speaking of percentages, the folks at FootballOutsiders.com have determined that the 49ers have a 74.7 percent chance of reaching the postseason; only the Packers and the Lions have better odds. The percentages are determined by feeding statistics and schedules to a computer, watching as the computer gains sentience and weeps at the fate of the Seahawks, the Cardinals and the Rams, then drawing the obvious conclusion. Pick: Eagles.
Vikings (0-3) at Chiefs (0-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Line: Vikings by 1.5.
The Vikings have now blown halftime leads of 17-7, 17-0, and 20-0, and have been outscored, 67-6, in second halves and overtime. Coach Leslie Frazier and the offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave have made plenty of questionable decisions late in games. Why leave Calvin Johnson single-covered in overtime? Why work Adrian Peterson into the ground, then hand off to Toby Gerhart on fourth-and-1? The Vikings can defeat the Chiefs without solving these riddles. After that, their fans are advised to tape the games and watch them backward so they can enjoy the spirited comebacks. Pick: Vikings.
Saints (2-1) at Jaguars (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Line: Saints by 7.
The Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker tore a quadriceps muscle while goofing off with other coaches after practice. Coach Jack Del Rio talked Tucker and the offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter into fielding punts from a JUGS machine, and things went horribly awry. Thank heavens they did not opt for skeet shooting instead. Del Rio was later seen grabbing the JUGS machine by the collar, getting up in its grill and shouting “You fool! That ball was meant for Koetter!” Tucker will miss this week’s game, but defensive coordinators do not do much against the Saints anyway, except stand around and contemplate futility. Pick: Saints.
Titans (2-1) at Browns (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Line: Browns by 1.
The Titans’ passing attack has been surprisingly efficient in the early weeks, but that may change now that Kenny Britt has torn an anterior cruciate ligament. Britt had 17 receptions for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns, picking up much of the offensive slack left by Chris Johnson, who is still struggling to average more than one body length per carry. “It’s not like we can magically create another Kenny Britt,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said during the week. If they could, the Titans would win the first-ever Nobel Prize in Traffic Violations. Pick: Browns.
Falcons (1-2) at Seahawks (1-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
Line: Falcons by 4.5.
The Falcons have surrendered 13 sacks in three games, prompting Coach Mike Smith to consider personnel changes: left tackle Sam Baker is a leading candidate to be benched if there is trouble Sunday. Meanwhile, on the police blotter, kicker Matt Bryant got his stolen golf clubs back. A Chinese food deliveryman swiped the clubs from Bryant’s garage, then traded the clubs for drugs — who knew there was even an exchange rate? The police eventually tracked the stolen clubs by their serial numbers on the Internet, untangling one of the most pathetic webs of crime ever spun. Bryant’s prized Scotty Cameron putter, like the Falcons’ pass protection, was still missing at press time. Pick: Falcons.
Giants (2-1) at Cardinals (1-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
Line: Giants by 1.
The Giants’ injury report arrived in the in-box this week, and it did not crash the server, there was no “low memory” error and there was no need to change toner cartridges twice while printing it up. Those are positive signs: Mario Manningham and Osi Umenyiora are back at practice, and additions are finally starting to outnumber subtractions. Eli Manning is fifth in the league in quarterback rating, and the Giants host the Seahawks after Sunday’s journey to Arizona, where Kevin Kolb is fading a little every week, running back Beanie Wells is banged up and the local fans are distracted by the Diamondbacks. At this rate, Tom Coughlin may be almost cheerful by November. Pick: Giants.
Dolphins (0-3) at Chargers (2-1)
Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
Line: Chargers by 7.
Reggie Bush Rationalization Season is upon us, a time to examine all of the underlying reasons for Bush’s slow start while missing the main reason: he simply is not very good. “This last game, I got caught pressing. I’ve got to be patient,” Bush said Wednesday. And the Wednesday before that. And most Wednesdays in 2009 and 2010. Tony Sparano wants his staff to “do a better job of getting Reggie in space, try to get Reggie touches early.” Bush fumbled twice in the first half against the Browns, once on a pitch to the outside that gave him plenty of space in which to bobble. The Dolphins signed running back Steve Slaton this week. He’s a small, shifty back who has had some brushes with greatness but has reliability issues. They must be trying to complete the set. Pick: Chargers.
Broncos (1-2) at Packers (3-0)
Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
Line: Packers by 12.5.
The Packers’ midweek injury list was long. Running back Ryan Grant (kidneys) and tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) are unlikely to play. Tight end Jermichael Finley and three key players in the secondary (Nick Collins, Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams) were all either out or limited in practice as of Wednesday. The Packers had a similar injury rash last season, and they won the Super Bowl by replacing their starters with other team’s castoffs. Any general manager who releases a practice squad player right now is simply playing into Ted Thompson’s hands. Pick: Packers.
Colts (0-3) at Buccaneers (2-1)
Monday, 8:30 p.m.
Line: Buccaneers by 10.
The two franchises that Tony Dungy helped to build are going in different directions. The Buccaneers are an up-and-coming team with lots of quality players but few superstars. The Colts are scotch-taping Kerry Collins together in what is becoming an increasingly depressing farce of an effort to survive without Peyton Manning. Dungy has become a best-selling author since leaving the Colts back when Manning was healthy and the supporting cast was capable. Dungy’s next inspirational book should be titled “Distancing Yourself from Disaster.” Pick: Buccaneers.
Article source: http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/30/week-4-n-f-l-matchups-2/
Week 1: Which Players Will Put Up Major Points?
By · CommentsThe start of fantasy football this week with the start of the NFL regular season should go a long way to molding the outcome of the NFL fantasy season.
Arian Foster established himself this time last year with a massive breakout game against the division rival Indianapolis Colts. This year there will be plenty of players looking to make a similar move in Week 1.
Not all of these players will be unknowns like Foster was but not all will be the established elite players that you expect either. The biggest thing that affects a player’s projected performance is the matchup and situation he finds himself in from week to week.
Both quarterbacks of the curtain raiser should be able to put up respectable numbers against good defenses but Aaron Rodgers will be the one that tops the quarterbacks points on opening weekend. With Jermichael Finley, Greg Jennings and Donald Driver all being built like running backs, it will be almost impossible for the Saints’ defense to matchup to them.
On the other side of the ball the Pittsburgh Steelers’ cumulative defensive effort should see them top the fantasy totem poll as they take advantage of a overmatched Ravens offense. The Ravens’ offensive line doesn’t appear to be in the best shape while they lack depth at receiver to spread the field.
Steven Jackson may be considered an enigmatic option as the Rams face off against the Philadelphia Eagles but expect Jackson to get a lot of carries and expose the biggest flaw on the Eagles roster. The Rams will feature a lot of heavy sets and look to get Jackson into the Eagles’ linebackers and safeties who will struggle to bring him down.
Ben Tate is another back that should have a huge day with the absence of Arian Foster from the Texans’ starting lineup. The Colts defense is a notoriously poor rushing defense and the Texans will likely have a lot of reasons to run the ball because they should be playing with a lead.
With the Dallas Cowboys traveling to play the Jets in New York, neither Miles Austin or Dez Bryant will be favorable fantasy players this week. Expect Jason Witten however to have a huge game with most of the Cowboys passing game going through him. Witten is an elite tight end and well used to being the main offensive target so he should have no issues carrying the load.
Mike Williams will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ go-to guy once again this year as he enters his second season. While the Detroit Lions have drastically improved their front seven and slightly improved their secondary he should still have a big day this weekend. Josh Freeman wrestling Ndamukong Suh will be a sight to watch but whenever Freeman gets the better of him Williams will make plays and put up points.
Vincent Jackson’s return to the San Diego Chargers offense for the whole season this year has made him a brilliant fantasy option. Jackson should get off to a good start also as he has a notable advantage over any of the Vikings’ secondary men that will try to match up to him with his height. The decimated defensive line in Minnesota will really hurt the Vikings pass rush also giving Philip Rivers time to pick his passes.
Most of these players are likely to have big years for the whole season and getting off to a big start could give them a lot of momentum this week.
Article source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/837229-fantasy-football-week-1-projections-which-players-will-put-up-major-points
Fantasy Football stats at all NFL games
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The National Football League has embraced the popularity of fantasy football. All teams must display real-time fantasy stats during home games this season.
Prior to the latest ruling, the NFL left the decision to the discretion of the home team whether or not to post fantasy updates. USA Today reports that in an about-face that surprises some who still disdain fantasy football and those that play the game, the league believes that all football information is good football information.
It is unclear if the stats on the video screen will relate to the two teams playing at the time or display the performances of the top picks in most fantasy drafts.
The NFL rarely makes a major business move without discussion, study and a reason. Because owners made a splash during the lockout speaking about growing the league’s income, including putting more fans in the stadiums, feeding fantasy football habits is another way to say, “We care about you.”
Then there are those who buy tickets despite trying to follow the fate of their team that lives on a computer server someplace at ESPN.com, Yahoo! or elsewhere. Even those fans are getting a tip of the cap from the league. Didn’t bring your smart phone or don’t own one? Well they care about you too.
The in-stadium attendance has dropped three years in a row according to the books and records of the NFL. Since 2007, 4.5% fewer people are paying to see the games in person, reported USA Today. If even a few fans look at this latest move and decide to buy a ticket, ground is gained in the eyes of the owners.
Whether or not some fantasy stats can overcome the ticket prices that have risen as much as the number of ticket buyers has declined remains to be seen. It is estimated that more than 20 million people are actively engaged in playing fantasy football in the U.S. Only four years ago that number was under 10 million.
Remember when network pre-game talking heads virtually spit when the word “fantasy” was attached to the game they played? There may be a few holdouts, but once current players admitted they follow their status on the pre-season fantasy rankings, or that they played the game themselves it seems the attitude shift was permanent.
Yes, there are those who get agitated when they report their injury status and fantasy fans all groan in unison, for example the recent flap over the Twitter comments by Arian Foster. But Foster was quick to try and smooth over what fans thought was an insult to those that live or die by the Texans’ stats for their teams.
Welcome to the new world where the NFL finally stopped treating their game as if it were a religious ceremony and good luck to those that are drafting today just prior to Week 1′s first game.
Article source: http://www.huliq.com/10061/fantasy-football-stats-all-nfl-games
Finances rule fantasy football
By · CommentsSeptember 8, 2011 by Steven Slivka
Advertisements and marketing go beyond the game of football
As football fans around the country prepare for opening day kickoff, fantasy football players are licking their chops at the opportunity to claim their own championships.
Fantasy football has taken the country by storm. According to entrepreneur.com, an estimated 27 million people will participate in fantasy football leagues and it is expected to gross between $800 million and $1 billion this season.
According to www.thefantasyfootballtimes.com, the age demographic of fantasy football players ranges from 12-48 with 25-34 year olds being the largest demographic of players. More than $3 billion is spent on media products related to fantasy football.
The sensation of fantasy football gives regular fans the opportunity to run their own team. Although there are leagues that cost money to enter, most fantasy leagues are free to join and make the ultimate football experience that much more exciting.
As a college student, money can be scarce, and fantasy football doesn’t seem like a necessity to many. However, despite the juggernaut that is fantasy football, the availability of free leagues make fantasy football a steady hobby, as it has become to 27 million people in the United States.
Ryan Yadao, a college student at UNLV, plays fantasy football on ESPN.com, and knows first-hand the expenditures of some leagues just to play fantasy football.
“If you’re tight on money, then it’s a fun thing to do,” Yadao said.
ESPN features fantasy experts like Matthew Berry, otherwise known as “The Talented Mr. Roto,” Eric Karabell, and many other sports writers who have made a living writing about fantasy football.
UNLV senior Colton Lochhead knows the business aspect of the growing sensation as well.
“Because of how big it’s gotten and because there is so much money involved, it needs all of the coverage,” Lochhead said. “I think ESPN got it perfect because they market it so well. You can follow it online, and you can read it in their magazines.”
Some leagues have entry fees that cost hundreds of dollars, which makes football season much more intense with plenty of money at stake.
The average fantasy football player indicates a household income between $60,000 and $100,000 per year for the 25-34-year-old demographic.
There are a staggering amount of websites that offer fantasy football leagues. Since most leagues are free, they create more popularity on the Internet, which causes more revenue for advertising companies.
NFL.com has numerous advertisements on websites with the hope of gaining publicity from fantasy football players. Juggernauts like Visa and General Motors were constantly featured on web pages for fantasy football websites and they aren’t the only companies who have prospered during football season.
There are websites that feature podcasts entirely dedicated to fantasy football.
It’s an experience that is shaping the culture of sports. And with so much popularity amongst its already hungry fan base, fantasy football is a marketing dream.
Article source: http://unlvrebelyell.com/2011/09/08/finances-rule-fantasy-football/
Week 1 in Fantasy Football: Favorable Matchups
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David Kohl/Associated PressKerry Collins may not put up Peyton Manning-like numbers, but his favorable matchup makes him worth a look in Week 1.
Jason and Justin Sablich are here to help you with your fantasy football team. The Sablich brothers will provide fantasy football advice throughout the season on this blog and on Twitter (@5thDownFantasy).
Do you have a start/sit question for Week 1? This season, we will be taking your questions on Twitter rather than in the comments section below. Follow us at @5thDownFantasy.
A big welcome back to fantasy football fans everywhere and to our faithful readers from seasons past. In case you’re just joining us this season, this is the weekly post in which we highlight some players who are not automatic starts, players who are not named Andre Johnson or Aaron Rodgers, who have a chance to succeed based on their matchups for the week. The players you’ll find in these posts will coincide with our weekly rankings and will help explain why certain players are ranked where they are.
Week 1 is always the toughest week to measure; we don’t know how this season’s defenses will fare. We can only assume some of last year’s units will continue to struggle in certain areas given their preseason performances and off-season happenings. When in doubt, start the team you drafted!
Favorable/Unfavorable Quarterback Matchups
Favorable
Rex Grossman vs. Giants – This defense, particularly the secondary, has suffered major losses during the off-season. The Giants also allowed Grossman to rack up 336 passing yards and 2 touchdowns in Week 17 last season.
Kerry Collins vs. Houston – Collins will get last season’s most favorable quarterback matchup as well as the best receiving corps of his career, now that the Colts have said Peyton Manning is out. Can his shaky offensive line buy the notoriously immobile Collins enough time, and just how open will the playbook be for him?
Eli Manning vs. Washington – This matchup is a friendly one for Manning (third best in 2010), who will be hoping to quickly erase a poor preseason. However, he has averaged just 13.3 fantasy points over his last three games against the Redskins.
Matt Hasselbeck vs. Jacksonville – The Jaguars’ defense allowed the seventh-most points to quarterbacks last year, and they haven’t shown us anything this preseason to make us believe they will be tougher to throw on in 2011.
Unfavorable
Joe Flacco vs. Pittsburgh – Flacco had a rough outing the last time he faced the Steelers (fifth-worst quarterback matchup in 2010), totaling just 125 passing yards, 1 TD and 1 interception in last season’s divisional playoff round.
Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Kansas City – The Chiefs were pretty tough on quarterbacks last season (12th-worst matchup), and their young secondary, featuring the star cornerback Brandon Flowers, only figures to get better.
Jay Cutler vs. Atlanta – There wasn’t a lot to get excited about regarding the Bears’ passing game this preseason, and Atlanta’s improving defense may keep things that way for at least another week.
Sam Bradford vs. Philadelphia – Bradford goes up against the scary threesome of Samuel, Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie, with only the rookie tight end Kendricks as an established target.
Favorable/Unfavorable Running Back Matchups
Favorable
Chuck Burton/Associated PressDeAngelo Williams is up against a team that struggled against the run last season.
DeAngelo Williams vs. Arizona – The Cardinals’ 3-4 defense struggled against the run in 2010 (second-best RB matchup), and the running game is still this offense’s best asset.
Jahvid Best vs. Tampa Bay — Best has a chance to get off on the right foot (pun intended) as the Buccaneers allowed 20 fantasy points a game to the position on average last season.
Beanie Wells vs. Carolina – Panthers rookies Sione Fua and Terrell McClain will be forced to play extensively because of injuries on the defensive line, and that can’t be a good thing considering the team’s struggles against the run last year (sixth-best RB matchup).
Knowshon Moreno vs. Oakland – Moreno lighted up last year’s ninth-best running back matchup for 21 fantasy points in Week 7, and he should see plenty of touches with the run-heavy coach John Fox calling the shots.
Unfavorable
Felix Jones vs. Jets – One of this preseason’s brightest stars faces a stiff Week 1 challenge on the road against the second-worst running back matchup from 2010.
LeGarrette Blount vs. Detroit – Blount’s straight-ahead style and questionable offensive line might not hold up against the Lions’ nasty defensive line.
Mark Ingram vs. Green Bay – Limited carries in a committee with Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles against one of the better run-stopping units in the game (fourth-worst RB matchup in 2010) isn’t a recipe for fantasy success. He’ll probably have to score a touchdown to make him worth the start, something the Packers allowed running backs to do just six times last year.
Ryan Grant vs. New Orleans – He’ll be in a 50-50 timeshare with James Starks against an improved Saints defense.
Favorable/Unfavorable Wide Receiver Matchups
Barton Silverman/The New York Times
Mario Manningham vs. Washington – The Redskins’ secondary (fifth-best matchup in 2010) struggled to contain Manningham when he was the Giants’ WR1 option in last year’s final regular-season game (4 receptions, 101 yards, 1 touchdown).
DeSean Jackson vs. St. Louis – Last season’s 10th-best WR matchup could have an even tougher time slowing down Jackson on artificial turf.
Santonio Holmes vs. Dallas – Despite the Jets’ preseason struggles in the passing game, Sanchez connected well with Holmes, and that rapport could carry straight into Week 1 if the Dallas secondary hasn’t improved (best WR matchup in 2010).
Kenny Britt vs. Jacksonville – Britt hasn’t seen much preseason action because of a hamstring injury, but it might not matter going up against one of the most generous secondaries in the league (23 fantasy points allowed per game in 2010).
Unfavorable
Percy Harvin vs. San Diego — The Chargers allowed the second-fewest points to receivers last season, and there’s no reason to think this unit won’t be a formidable one again in 2011.
Steve Johnson vs. Kansas City — Johnson should be seeing plenty of the shutdown cornerback Brandon Flowers at Arrowhead on Sunday.
Marques Colston vs. Green Bay — You’ll want to start Colston as long as he’s healthy, but he’ll have his work cut out for him Thursday night as Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson front one of the best secondaries in football.
Dwayne Bowe vs. Buffalo — With his quarterback Matt Cassel nursing bad ribs and the weak Buffalo run defense on deck, the Chiefs could opt to run the ball all day.
Favorable/Unfavorable Tight End Matchups
Favorable
Lance Kendricks vs. Philadelphia – Sam Bradford’s favorite target this preseason gets 2010’s best fantasy tight end matchup.
Jared Cook vs. Jacksonville – The popular sleeper has a good chance at early success; the Jaguars had a hard time stopping tight ends in 2010 (third-best TE matchup).
Unfavorable
Zach Miller vs. San Francisco – The 49ers were the toughest tight end matchup in 2010, and we’re not sure how Miller will be used yet.
Favorable/Unfavorable Defense/Special Teams Matchups
Favorable
Arizona vs. Carolina, Kansas City vs. Buffalo, San Francisco vs. Seattle, Cleveland vs. Cincinnati
Unfavorable
Chicago vs. Atlanta, New Orleans vs. Green Bay, Jets vs. Dallas, Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh
Do you have a start/sit question for Week 1? This season, we will be taking your questions on Twitter rather than in the comments section below. Follow us at @5thDownFantasy.
Article source: http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/07/week-1-in-fantasy-football-favorable-matchups/
The San Francisco 49ers head into this weekend’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks with plenty of question marks as they start the Jim Harbaugh era. They are implementing a West Coast offensive scheme and make aggressive changes to the defensive scheme and personnel. Frank Gore and Vernon Davis will remain top notch fantasy football options, but beyond that the 49ers feature some tough decisions when it comes time to choose who to start and who to sit.
START
Frank Gore
numberFire.com Projections: 15.90 FP – 80.18 rushing yards, 0.64 rushing touchdowns, 4.35 receptions, 38.72 receiving yards, 0.03 receiving touchdowns
Analysis: Frank the Tank has appeared in training camp to be fully recovered from a hairline fracture of his hip, thus making him a solid start. He is facing a Seattle defense filled with question marks and one against which Gore has historically had some strong performances. His two biggest rushing games and three of his top seven rushing performances have come against the Seahawks. Look for another big day.
Vernon Davis
numberFire.com Projections: 9.30 FP – 4.33 receptions, 56.79 receiving yards, 0.60 touchdowns
Analysis: Vernon Davis could benefit as much as anybody in the Jim Harbaugh offense as Greg Roman mixed in a lot of plays designed for the tight end at Stanford. Stanford had some solid tight ends last year, but none of them is quite like Davis. There is no reason not to start him at this point, particularly facing a potentially brutal Seahawks defense.
Braylon Edwards
numberFire.com Projections: 7.80 FP – 3.64 receptions, 56.54 receiving yards, 0.33 touchdowns
Analysis: Edwards escaped the swift sword of Goodell justice as the league decided not to suspend him for his September 2010 DWI. For fantasy football owners, that could prove huge. Thanks to Michael Crabtree‘s foot injury, Edwards has worked his way into the heart of Alex Smith and could be an excellent flex or third receiver option. It’s hard to tell what will happen with this new Harbaugh offense, but Edwards has been working extra time with Smith to develop necessary timing and chemistry. It’s a roll of the dice in week one, but against a questionable Seahawks secondary, it’s a worthwhile gamble.
49ers Defense
numberFire Projections: 8.21 FP – 20.17 pts allowed, 2.29 sacks, 1.95 turnovers, 0.20 touchdowns
Analysis: Two words, Tarvaris Jackson. The 49ers are implementing a more aggressive, more blitz heavy defense in 2011. Against a questionable quarterback like Jackson, you might as well get your fantasy points while you can.
David Akers
numberFire.com Projections: 1.49 FGs made, 2.72 XPs made
Analysis: Akers makes his debut with the 49ers against a sufficiently weak Seahawks defense that he should get numerous field goal and extra point attempts. The 49ers had some red zone struggles in the preseason, which could bode well for Akers fantasy performance.
SIT
Michael Crabtree
numberFire.com Projections: 3.90 FP – 2.56 receptions, 32.54 receiving yards, 0.11 touchdowns
Analysis: Although Crabtree has worked his way back onto the practice field, it’s questionable how effective he can be after only a few days of practice. He is immensely talented, but if you have him on your bench it’s worth waiting to see how he bounces back from the injury. He thinks he “should” be ready for Sunday, but there is always the chance he could be a late scratch. Have other options available until you know he’s healthy and ready to produce.
Josh Morgan
numberFire.com Projections: 1.89 receptions, 29.91 receiving yards, 0.07 touchdowns
Analysis: Morgan is going to start opposite Braylon Edwards on Sunday and could benefit from the new West Coast offense. However, until he proves to be a consistent threat for several weeks in a row, Morgan remains a fantasy sit.
Alex Smith
numberFire.com Projections: 125.52 passing yards, 1.01 touchdowns, 0.63 interceptions
Analysis: Alex Smith enters potentially his last hurrah with the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh is hoping to reinvent Smith in his West Coast offense. As the projections show, confidence is not high. Smith could potentially turn into a decent bye week or injury option later this season, but for now it is too early to get crazy and roll the dice on him.
Our weekly 49ers sit/start suggestions are based on a combination of our knowledge as fans and the weekly projections of numberFire.com. Head over to numberFire.com to get a full breakdown of their weekly projections.
Article source: http://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/7/2409642/fantasy-football-sit-start-projections-week-one-frank-gore-set-to
There are two very easy ways to win your fantasy football league this year and in years to come. The ideas I am about to present are neither original or my own.
In fact, these ideas are from a dear friend of mine, who we will call … Dan Marino. You see, “Dan” is a genius, but he’s one of those people who’s shy about sharing his ideas, so I’ve decided to steal his idea and write this article to prove to him that he should’ve written it himself. Enough with the preamble, you say?
How can you win your fantasy football league?
1. Surround yourself with stupid people: Be in a league with a bunch of stupid folks. Seriously! Your ability to win your league has a lot more to do with how stupid the people are in your league than how smart you are, or how smart you think you are. Make sure that your league is filled with guys and girls who run their mouth’s, but really lack the football knowledge and preparation time to seriously contend in the league. For the record, I fall into this category. I totally run my mouth about beating everyone, but probably won’t pour over the waiver wire enough to be a serious contender.
2. Be lucky! If everyone in your league has the same amount of football knowledge and is willing to put in the same amount of crazy time in preparing, then it really comes down to dumb luck. Who can really predict who is going to get injured? No one—so while you think you used your smarts to win your league because all your guys stayed healthy, it’s really just luck! Think about it—if you draft an amazing team, but your team was crippled by injuries, you would attribute it to bad luck. But, when your team stays healthy and you win your league, you think you are smart and had good instincts to draft “healthy” guys.
In closing, you can’t control No. 2, but you definitely can control No. 1. So, recruit the stupid, most cocky jerks you can find in your office and in your group of friends, because it’s always more fun to take stupid people’s money anyway.
In closing, it’s really important that you not only recruit stupid people for your fantasy football league, but that you keep the smart folks out of the league. Make sure that you come up with great excuses to prevent legitimate contenders from joining your league.
If people believe these two facts about fantasy football would they still play? After “Dan” showed me the light, I definitely lost some motivation. Well, at least I know have a good excuse when I come in last.
What do you think of these theories?
Article source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/838640-fantasy-football-2011-easy-ways-to-win-your-league-every-time
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Fantasy football season is upon us, and the key to winning your league will be finding the sleepers that are being picked too late and capitalize on the other owner’s missteps.
These players will fall to you in the mid-to-late rounds, and they could be the difference between finishing in sixth and walking away with your league’s championship trophy.
Keep an eye out if these players come across your docket, and don’t be afraid to take a risk that will surely pay off.
Jahvid Best—While the Detroit Lions aren’t the best offense in the league, with quarterback Matthew Stafford healthy and rookie running back Mikel Leshoure out for the season, the door is open for Jahvid Best to take the bulk of the carries and a plethora of catches.
Best is a great running back, but last season was marred by injuries that an offseason full of conditioning and training will hopefully remedy. Expect big things from the Lions’ running back.
Anquan Boldin—The Baltimore Ravens are always considered a death trap for talented wide receivers when it come to fantasy points, but this is the year Anquan Boldin breaks that notion.
The addition of Lee Evans on the opposite side will take the top off of defenses, and Boldin will thrive on the short and mid range catches, and his yards after the catch will make him a top ten receiver.
Brandon Marshall—While the Miami Dolphins lack of a quality quarterback will scare many fantasy owners away, don’t be afraid to take Brandon Marshall if he falls to you in the later rounds.
With the same crappy offense as last season, Marshall will build on the 86 catches and over 1,000 yards he had in the tough AFC East last year. I also expect for him to eight touchdowns this season instead of the three he had last year.
Check back for more on the NFL world as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Football Page to get your fill of the NFL.
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- Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 3 Reasons You Should Draft Defense Last
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The St. Louis Rams’ rookie tight end, Lance Kendricks, could be a fantastic fantasy draft sleeper in 2011. Or he could be Joe Klopfenstein.
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Sep 5, 2011 – Dear 2011 fantasy football sleeper-hunters: I want you to do your best to forget about Joe Klopfenstein. I was like you—in 2006 I took the Sleeper Mag advice and drafted a St. Louis Rams rookie tight end under the impression that the offensive coordinator was going to utilize him heavily. He ended up catching 20 balls for one touchdown. But forget about that—it’s 2011, and the new tight end who’s going to be utilized heavily by the Rams’ mad scientist offensive coordinator is Lance Kendricks!
Kendricks caught 11 balls for 155 yards and three touchdowns in the preseason! He was Sam Bradford‘s favorite target! He’s a big, mobile tight end in a Josh McDaniels offense, and the other man in the two-tight-end set, Michael Hoomanawanui, is always injured!
Don’t let it bother you that the guy who was second in receptions, Mardy Gilyard, has been cut, or that the guy who was third in yards, Donnie Avery, was also cut, or that Fendi Onobun, the second most-popular tight end, was also cut. Don’t let that bother you at all. Just draft Lance Kendricks, so I won’t be alone in reliving my Joe Klopfenstein nightmares forevermore.
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Article source: http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2011/9/5/2405607/nfl-fantasy-football-sleepers-2011
Fantasy football season is finally here. I’ve been waiting for this week for nine months, and now I can finally set my starting lineup for Week 1!
I can prowl the waiver wire for a last minute star or make a last minute trade to put my team over the top.
The last fantasy football drafts are taking place this weekend, and I’m locked and loaded for the season.
In my years of playing fantasy football, I have picked up a wealth of knowledge about waiver wire acquisitions that could save your season.
Tip No. 1: Where there’s smoke, there is usually fire.
If rumors emerge of a potential favorite target for a quarterback, it’s probably true. If rumors emerge of a backup running back that is going to steal carries, it’s probably true.
Think Arian Foster last season.
Tip No. 2: Watch for breakout performances.
Ryan Grant? Who is that? Oh, just a guy that emerged on Monday Night Football with a 100-yard rushing effort.
How about Derek Anderson? Oh, just a Pro Bowl quarterback that emerged after Charlie Frye was traded from Cleveland to the Seattle Seahawks.
Of course we all remember Steve Johnson and Arian Foster last year.
Watch box scores, watch highlights, whatever you have to do, you need to be on the lookout for every breakout performer. If you’re not, someone else will be.
Tip No. 3: Claim those players, IMMEDIATELY!
Don’t let someone beat you to those players. Put in a waiver wire claim immediately, and if you’re team doesn’t have waivers, that’s even better.
At the very least, these players may have some trade value, especially if the breakout player is a running back.
Running backs are always tough to come by so if you can pick up a player that has a breakout game and follows it up with another one, you could score big on the trade market.
Last year, I picked up Ryan Torain and moved him for a fourth round pick (technically a seventh, because it is a keeper league) in this year’s draft after just two weeks of him starting. Torain eventually got injured and I stole an extra pick for this season. I was able to grab Percy Harvin with that pick, looks like a pretty good trade now, huh?
Top No. 4: Start the season with one empty bench spot, if possible
This may sound strange to some, why would you want to start the season with an empty roster spot? Because someone is going to breakout Week 1, and you need that empty spot to pick them up.
If you don’t want to leave a roster spot empty, use it on a player from your favorite team who is a deep sleeper, or another deep sleeper you aren’t afraid of releasing after the first week.
Keep these tips in mind this year, and you may just steal the show in your fantasy league.
Article source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/835234-fantasy-football-4-must-read-waiver-wire-tips-that-will-save-your-season
