Week 12 Rumblings

The holidays are here!! We know what THAT means. Sitting in front of the TV watching football while we eat turkey and stuffing instead of with the rest of the family in the dining room! Why listen to grandpa regale us with stories of Thanksgiving during the Great Depression when we can listen to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman regale us their analysis of another Detroit Turkey Day one-sided contest? And all this talk about NOT having the Lions and Cowboys play on Thanksgiving every year? Forget it! Keep the tradition going! Someday the Lions will be better and the game will be more competitive. To me, Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys.
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STUDS, DUDS, AND SLEEPERS (Week 12)

-STUDS-
QB Aaron Rodgers (GB vs. Det) If Brady Quinn of all people can have a career day against the Lions defense, can you imagine the numbers Aaron Rodgers will put up on national television against them? Can't think of a better way to celebrate a holiday then to watch your fantasy QB carve up a victory.

RB Joseph Addai (Ind @ Hou) He hasn't had a 100 yard rushing day yet this season, but he's the guy who gets the ball in the red zone. Houston's run defense is horrible and I like Addai to exploit that this week.

RB Justin Forsett (Sea @ Stl) The Rams defense is horrible. The Cardinals burned them for over 200 rushing yards last week. Forsett only had 9 yards against the Vikings last week but still managed to score a TD. If you were the owner that jumped on him on the waiver wire, this could be the week he pays big dividends.

WR Chad Ochocinco (Cin vs. Clev) Ocho has been quiet the last few weeks but he scored twice against the Browns in Cleveland earlier this year. He's due for a big game and if a rookie QB can throw five TDs against the Browns, you know Palmer will have a good game. I'm betting Ocho is the main beneficiary.

DUDS

QB Tony Romo (Dal vs. Oak) The Raiders can't defend the run but CAN defend the pass and rush the QB. Romo hurt his back last week making a tackle and I can't imagine him being 100% just four days afterwards. Either the Cowboys run the ball to beat the Raiders, or Romo is so ineffective we have a John Kitna sighting. Either way, Romo's numbers will be pedestrian at best.

RB Rashard Mendenhall (Pit @ Balt) I don't like any Steelers this week if Rothlisberger is not 100% But Ravens are going to be fired up at home against an opponent they know for SURE won't be a pushover. Despite two bad games against Cedric Benson, the Ravens are still 6th best against RBs. I expect them to hold Mendenhall to under 75 yards this week.

WR Calvin Johnson (Det vs. GB) He finally had a big game, but it came against the Browns. This week he'll be covered by Charles Woodson and have Dante Culpepper throwing to him.  Not a great recipe for fantasy points. If you don't want heartbreak to go with your Thanksgiving heartburn, leave him on the bench if you have better matchups elsewhere.

TE Kevin Boss (NYG @ Den) Denver has only allowed 2 TDs by tight ends so far this year. While Boss has been on a roll the last few weeks, he and Eli Manning will find the road tough to hoe in the Mile High City this Thanksgiving Day.

SLEEPERS

WR Brandon Gibson (Stl vs. Seattle) Gibson will be starting for the Rams this week due to injuries at WR. He's looked pretty good the last couple of games and is playing a Seattle defense third only to Tennessee and Jacksonville in giving up fantasy points to WRs.

QB Alex Smith (SF vs. Jac) He's been pretty good since taking over for Shaun Hill a few weeks ago. He has certainly built a good rhythm with TE Vernon Davis and WR Michael Crabtree. The Jags are having a hard time preventing big plays in the passing game lately and this could be the week Smith explodes with huge numbers.

WR Kenny Britt (Tenn vs. Ariz) The rookie first round pick finally found the end zone for his first career TD catch last week. Arizona and Tennessee will be playing in a high scoring shootout on Sunday and Britt may be in line for another score or two from Vince Young, now that he has finally busted the TD cherry.
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JUST SAYING

The main float in the Oakland Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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IFFL UPDATE

With a climatic 49-41 victory over the West Virginia Dolphins, and losses by the Green Bay Dynasty and Buckeye Wrecking Crew I gained a cushion in the Glory Division playoff race. At 9-2 I am one game ahead of the Dynasty and two games in front of the Dolphins and Wrecking Crew.

Glory Division	W	L	PS
Miami Waves	9	2	742
Green Bay Dynasty	8	3	690
West Virginia Dolphins	7	4	679
Buckeye Wrecking Crew	7	4	661
Pennsylvania PimpDaddies	5	6	734

My opponent this week is the Pennsylvania PimpDaddies. Despite the record, this is a team to be feared, especially in this scoring system. QB Donavan McNabb, RBs Adrian Peterson and DeAngelo Williams (Cedric Benson too if he's healthy), WRs Brandon Marshall, Hines Ward, and Miles Austin, and even TEs Dallas Clark and Antonio Gates. It's amazing that this team is almost out of contention for a playoff spot.
My lineup for this pivotal division contest:

TMQB	Cincinnati (Carson Palmer)	vs. Cleveland
RB	Chris Johnson (Tenn)	vs. Arizona
WR	Randy Moss (NE)	@ New Orleans
WR	Mike Sims-Walker (Jac)	@ San Francisco
WR	DeSean Jackson (Phil)	vs. Washington
WR	Chad Ochocinco (Cin)	vs. Cleveland
PK	Ryan Longwell (Minn)	vs.Chicago
DST	Denver Broncos	vs. NY Giants

Tony Romo's back injury concerns me too much to start him on Thanksgiving, so I'll go with Palmer .. which is a favorable matchup against Cleveland. Again, I'm tempted to start LeSean McCoy but have no idea which WR to bench, so I'll stick with my four WR formation and gut it out.
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Week 11 Ramblings

We're coming up on the holidays which is always crunch time in NFL and fantasy football. This is the time where teams that are still in contention need to take a long look at their roster and make the critical decisions that can make or break their championship chances.  It's late third quarter baby! Time to pick up the pace!
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STUDS, DUDS, AND SLEEPERS

I swear I had Ricky Williams pegged as a stud this week! Darn Thursday night games!!! Oh well ....

STUDS

RB  Pierre Thomas (NO @ TB) As hard as it is to gauge which Saints RB will do well in any given week,  Thomas is due for a big game. The Bucs defense 5th worse in points allowed to RBs and both Ronnie Brown (before going down for the year to an ACL) and Ricky Williams had success against them last week.

WR Hines Ward (Pit @ KC) Rothlisberger and company should bounce back quite nicely against the Chiefs defense. In a PPR scoring system, Ward should be gold.

RB Kevin Smith (Det vs. Clev) The Browns can't stop the run and if they can't score against the Lions, expect a heavy dose of running for Smith in the latter part of the game.

WR Anquan Boldin (Ariz vs. Stl) He's finally healthy and has a chip on his shoulder the size of a boulder. Watch him take it out on a weak Ram secondary.

DUDS

RB Ladell Betts (Wash @ Dal) His solid game last week was a direct product of the injury to Kyle Orton and the poor play of Chris Simms. Don't expect similar results against a stout Dallas defense.

RB Justin Forsett (Sea @ Minn) Another one week wonder who's going against a Vikings defense second to only the Steelers in points allowed to RBs.

WR Roddy White (Atl @ NYG) The Giants had a week to resolve their issues and will be coming out determined to end their losing streak. Without Michael Turner to keep the front seven of the Giants honest, keeping White in check will be their number one goal.

WR Devin Hester (Chic vs. Phil) When CB Asante Samuels is on the field, the Eagles tend to neutralize a teams best WR. (See Vincent Jackson's stats from last week.)

SLEEPERS

RB Bernard Scott (Cin @ Oak) Only Buffalo gives up more points to RBs than the Raiders. Cedric Benson is hurting so Scott will be seeing more touches for the time being. Worth a flyer start in a deep league.

WR Muhammad Massaquoi (Clev @ Det) You would think Cleveland could get at least ONE offensive TD against the Lions defense, right? Why not the #1 WR?

WR Kenny Britt (Tenn @ Hou) The Titan are going to have to score a lot of points to keep up with the Texans, and Chris Johnson won't be able to do it by himself. (Although I really hope he DOES) Britt is going to see a few more targets with Justin Gage banged up.

QB Josh Freeman (TB vs. NO) I'm apparently really liking rookies as sleepers this week. Freeman has played exceptionally well in his first two games, throwing four TDs against fairly decent defenses. Saints defense is tough but have some injuries in the secondary.

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IFFL UPDATE

With a 76 - 61 victory over the Delaware Enforcers my record improves to 8-2 and I maintained first place in the Glory Division. But because the Green Bay Dynasty, West Virginia Dolphins, and Buckeye Wrecking Crew all won as well ... the traffic jam continues. The good news is.. I now have a cushion in points, leading by 48 over the Dynasty, by 60 over the Dolphins, and by 100 over the Wrecking Crew.

Glory Division	W	L	PS
Miami Waves	8	2	693
Green Bay Dyansty	8	2	645
West Virginia Dolphins	7	3	638
Buckeye Wrecking Crew	7	3	593
Pennsylvania PimpDaddies	4	6	682

With my next three games against division opponents, I need to keep my winning streak going. This week is a rematch with the West Virginia Dolphins. Not an easy one though, with Dolphins RB Maurice Jones-Drew going against a weak Buffalo defense. Hopefully Chris Johnson can counter MJD's production. My probable lineup:

TMQB	Dallas (Tony Romo)	vs. Washington
RB	Chris Johnson (Tenn)	@ Houston
WR	Randy Moss (NE)	vs. NY Jets
WR	Mike Sims-Walker (Jac)	vs. Buffalo
WR	DeSean Jackson (Phil)	@ Chicago
WR	Chad Ochocinco (Cin)	@ Oakland
PK	Ryan Longwell (Minn)	vs. Seattle
DST	Denver Broncos	vs. San Diego

After Sims-Walker scored this past week, I'm not benching him again this year. Most likely the lineup I start this week will be the one I go with the rest of the way. Even though I have good backups in LeSean McCoy, Laurence Maroney, and Devin Hester I can't see any reason I'd need to start them barring injury. If this was a standard scoring system I might consider it, but with the bonus points I get for long TDs,  all of these guys need to stay.
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GO BUCKS!!!!!

Good luck tomorrow Buckeyes!! Beat Michigan for the seventh straight time!

Week 10 Ramblings

This has been a very hectic week so this version of 4th and 37 will be a bit short. Consider this my "Bye Week".

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STUDS, DUDS, AND SLEEPERS

STUDS

RB Ray Rice (Bal) Cleveland's defense will have no chance of stopping Rice on the ground OR in the passing game. I expect at least over 150 total yards of offense for the second year RB from Rutgers.

WR Wes Welker (NE) Randy Moss should have a big day too, but in what I think will be an offensive shootout in Indy, Tom Brady will have to pass at least 40 times. Welker should get 10 or more catches and at least 100 yards.

WR Percy Harvin (Minn) The speedy rookie should have a big day against a slow Detroit defensive backfield. Could have another KR score to boot.

DST Dallas Cowboys If your scoring system takes sacks into account, this is almost a must-start with Green Bay's meek pass protection. DeMarcus Ware also a definitve start as an IDP.

DUDS

WR Mike Sims-Walker (Jac) Jets and CB Darrell Revis pretty good at shutting down opposing #1 WRs. QB David Garrard pretty good at NOT finding his WRs on the road.

RB Julius Jones (Sea) This is the week the Arizona Cardinals will actually look dominant at home. They'll get off to a fast start, making Jones virtually useless in the second half.

QB Josh Freeman (TB) Last week the rookie looked good, but was aided by a opportunistic Tampa D. This week his learning curve gets quite a bit steeper against the Dolphins.

SLEEPERS

TE Brandon Pettigrew (Det)  The Vikings are suprisingly the worst in the league at defending against the tight end. The Detroit rookie finally started getting some looks last week in Seattle with 7 catches for 70 yards and a TD. Expect more of the same this week.

WR Chaz Schilens (Oak) Raiders need a boost in the passing game and his hands can provide it. Chiefs pass defense among the worst in the league. Could have a nice welcome back game.

DST Kansas City On the other hand, Raider QB Jamarcus Russell very sloppy with the ball and could turn it over three or four times, giving Chief defenders gift TDs.

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IFFL UPDATE

With a big 102-47 win over the West Virginia Dolphins I vaulted into first place in the Glory Division thanks to the Pennsylvania PimpDaddies upsetting the Green Bay Dynasty. My last three games have been huge point scorers and have allowed me to catch up after being way behind early on.

Glory Division	W	L	PS
Miami Waves	7	2	617
Green Bay Dyansty	7	2	574
West Virginia Dolphins	6	3	575
Buckete Wrecking Crew	6	3	540
Pennsylvania PimpDaddies	4	5	623

Up this week are the 3-6 Delaware Enforcers, who have QB Tom Brady,  RB Pierre Thomas,  WR Marques Colston, and WR Wes Welker as it's main weapons. My lineup will look like this:

TMQB	Dallas (Tony Romo)	@ Green Bay
RB	Chris Johnson (Tenn)	vs. Buffalo
WR	Randy Moss (NE)	@ Indianapolis
WR	Devin Hester (Chic)	@ San Francisco
WR	DeSean Jackson (Phil)	@ San Diego
WR	Chad Ochocinco (Cin)	@ Pittsburgh
PK	Nick Folk (Dal)	@ Green Bay
DST	Denver Broncos	@ Washington

Since this is Saturday, Devin Hester has already played and knotted me a big goose egg. This doesn't bode well for me. If Brady hooks up with Welker a lot and not Randy Moss, I could be in big trouble.
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GO BUCKS!!!

Whoooo hooo! Go Bucks!! With the win over Iowa today, the Ohio State Buckeyes are finally going to a Rose Bowl after 12 years!!! A win against Michigan this week will be icing on the cake!! O-H-I-O!!!

Week 9 Ramblings

EATING CROW

Maurice Jones-Drew is making me eat my words. Before the season started I was shocked at how highly ranked he was in fantasy projections and aghast that in some drafts he was even going first overall. I didn't see him as a #1 RB, let alone worthy enough to be taken with the very first pick. 8 weeks later he leads the NFL in rushing TDs with ten and is gaining 5.5 yards per carry. His EIGHT carry game last week against the Titans netted him over 170 yards rushing. Yikes! My comments about him being a Darren Sproles/Leon Washington type that could not function as a lone feature back in an NFL offense was obviously very narrow minded. And the fact that he's only 5'8" has nothing to do with his abilities or his toughness.

Normally I wouldn't bother admitting I was wrong, but this one was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off. Although I did say he wouldn't make it through the season and the season is not over yet ... I have a feeling he'll be just fine for the remainder. Pass me a wing please.

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STUDS, DUDS, AND SLEEPERS: WEEK 9

STUDS

QB Aaron Rodgers (GB @ TB) The Packers are ticked about losing to the Vikings again. Rodgers going to come into this week with a chip on his shoulder. Look for him to take it out on a very bad Tampa D.

RB Frank Gore (SF vs. Tenn) Okay, if Maurice Jones-Drew and light up the Titan run defense with just eight carries, think about the damage Gore can do with a steady workload. Gore already has three TD runs of 50 yards or longer.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew (Jac vs. KC) Speaking of MJD ... again .... KC's run defense not much better than Tennessee's. I suspect Jones-Drew will get more than eight touches this time.

WR Randy Moss (NE vs. Mia) Two rookie CBs starting for the Dolphins, need I say more?

DST New Orleans Jake Delhomme avoided turnovers last week in Arizona .... but an opportunistic Saints defense has a pretty good chance of scoring again on an INT return.

DUDS

QB Matt Schaub (Hou @ Ind) The loss of Owen Daniels is a huge blow to this offense. There's only so many times you can throw it to Andre Johnson.

RB Ronnie Brown (Mia @ NE) Think the Patriots have forgotten how Brown singlehandedly destroyed them in Gillette Stadium last year? Nope. Think they'll let it happen again? Nope. Can you say "Mildcat"?

RB Cedric Benson (Cin) Benson was the first RB to hit the Ravens with a 100 yard rushing day in almost two years back in week 4. The Ravens came out of the bye week breathing fire and lit Denver up .... stopping Benson from doing it again will be a top priority.

WR Miles Austin (Dal @ Phil) CBs Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown have a knack for countering a team's best WR. If Austin HAS been playing over his head ... this is the game he comes back to earth.

WR Antonio Bryant (TB vs. GB) With a rookie QB vs. CBs Charles Woodson and Al Harris? No thanks, I'll pass.

SLEEPERS

RB Jamaal Charles (KC @ Jac) Getting the start and has the speed to break one. With what Chris Johnson did to the Jags defense last week, Charles could make a play or two.

WR Michael Crabtree (SF vs. Tenn) Has had two weeks to warm up and has looked good doing it. Could see his first score against a weak Titans secondary.

WR Malcolm Floyd (SD @ NYG) Giants d-backs are beat up. Chris Chambers has hit the road. Floyd has a chance for some big things in the Meadowlands.

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IFFL UPDATE

Improved my record to 6-2, gained some ground in total points scored, and slid into third place in the Glory Division with a 97-55 victory over the Bruney Broncos. Chris Johnson's huge game was the difference. This week is a HUGE matchup against the division rival West Virginia Dolphins, who are also 6-2 and just a few points ahead of me.

Glory Division	W	L	PS
Green Bay Dynasty	7	1	546
West Virginia Dolphins	6	2	528
Miami Waves	6	2	515
Buckete Wrecking Crew	5	3	471
Pennsylvania PimpDaddies	3	5	533

Dolphins owner Roger Miller is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, but his luck in fantasy football has been atrocious over the years. This is his best start ever and while I wish I could root for him ... NOT THIS WEEK ROG! The Dolphins have QB Matt Ryan, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, RB Steve Slaton, and WR Andre Johnson as it's main weapons. My lineup should lok like this:

TMQB	Cincinnati (Carson Palmer)	vs. Baltimore
RB	Chris Johnson (Tenn)	@ San Francisco
WR	Randy Moss (NE)	vs. Miami
WR	Devin Hester (Chic)	vs. Arizona
WR	DeSean Jackson (Phil)	vs. Dallas
WR	Chad Ochocinco (Cin)	vs. Baltimore
PK	Nick Folk (Dal)	@ Philadelphia
DST	Denver Broncos	vs. Pittsburgh

I do have other options to consider. Should I start Romo @Philadelphia over Palmer at QB? Should I start Laurence Maroney vs. Miami or Mike Sims-Walker vs. KC (both good matchups) instead of Hester? This IS a key game. If I win I move up into second place and gain leverage in the run to the playoffs, if I lose I risk falling back into fourth and having to play catch up all over again. I play the Dolphins again in two weeks and need to at least split with them to keep up.