New York Giants at Philadelphia
- New Eagles Offensive Line Shows Umeniyora Up?
Two bitter NFC East rivals square off Sunday night in what could be dubbed the “Ballerina Bowl” due to LeSean McCoy and Osi Umeniyora’s consistent jawing over the social media airwaves. These two teams are talented and familiar with each other; meaning this will not likely be a low-scoring game. The Eagles were drubbed by the Cardinals last week 24-6, with ball security a major issue, stemming from their inability to protect quarterback Michael Vick. It is hard to see how the Giants defensive line does not offer a clear threat to Vick even finishing the game. The Giants are coming an extra three days of rest and the Eagles are still banged up at receiver. Luckily Giants corner Corey Webster and safety Antrel Rolle are both banged up as well. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin present a good fantasy plays as WR2’s in this game. Celek could exploit some mismatches with Giants linebackers. The Eagles will still need to run Shady McCoy to keep the Giants from pinning their ears back.
On the Giants side, they are in midseason form on offense-- they put up 36 at Carolina with backups at WR1 and RB1; now Bradshaw and Hakeem Nicks are back. I would be wary of starting any Giants running back in this one but Victor Cruz is getting his salsa steps ready; he’s a must-start in any format. Martellus Bennett has shown flashes of being a TE1, so if he’s available off the wire do yourself a favor and snag him.
Adore: Eli Manning, Victor Cruz, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy
Meh: Ahmad Bradshaw, Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Andre Brown; Hakeem Nicks, Brent Celek, Martellus Bennett; Giants D
Avoid: Eagles D
New Orleans at Green Bay
- Laid A Heck of a Foundation
Two pissed-off teams, that are fading from the ranks of NFC contenders square off at Lambeau Field on Sunday. The Packers couldn’t hold off the Seahawks pass rush and Drew Brees couldn’t complete a pass in the final quarter as both teams fell last week to Seattle and Kansas City, respectively. The Saints are allowing a laughable 215 yards rushing a game which negates the good things they’ve done on offense. Last week they got shredded by Jamaal Charles and Cedric Benson comes into town. Granted, the Saints have played three teams that have dynamic rushing attacks in the Redskins, Panthers and Chiefs. By comparison, the Packers don’t put that type of emphasis on running which will probably benefit New Orleans. For your fantasy team this has the look of a shootout even though the Packers have allowed only 125 yards through the air. Drew Brees will probably come close to tripling that average; look for the Saints go with plenty of passes to Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles and look to get Pierre Thomas (19 carries for 138 yards) and Mark Ingram (27 carries for 79 yards) going in the running game. Lance Moore may be the most productive wideout for the Saints, who have an atypical passing food chain. Devery Henderson typically catches a long pass in these types of contests, but they miss Robert freakin’ Meachem. He was an efficient blend of Colston and Henderson whose production their other young receivers haven’t been able to reproduce.
The Packers are out-of-sync on offense and fantasy owners everywhere will want a signature Green Bay game with 400 yards from Rodgers and Nelson and Greg Jennings, and even Finley redeeming themselves fantasy-wise. This version of the Saints defense offers the opportunity. They’ll be plenty of Green Bay yards in this one. The Packers have got to get Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson going—it’s been a lot of dink and dunk. If Jennings doesn’t turn it up in this game, then I’m starting to regard him as more of a WR2, with his most productive days behind him. Cedric Benson is a decent fantasy play as a RB2, the Saints can’t contain anyone on the ground at this point. I mean he’s not going to be Ahman Green in his prime, but if he’s a RB2, you can probably squeeze ten points out of him in this matchup—he’s been decent catching the ball.
Adore: Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham, Cedric Benson, Aaron Rodgers, Darren Sproles
Meh: Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Finley, Marques Colston, Greg Jennings, Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore
Avoid: Packers D, Randall Cobb, Mark Ingram, Saints D (of course)
Carolina at Atlanta
- Can't Keep Up With the Joneses
Cam Newton is defending himself against critics questioning his mental toughness this week. He’s rumored to be undergoing therapy. Hey, it’s not tricking if you got it. He’ll need all the help he can get leading up to this Sunday’s matchup against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons offense has been impressive through Week 3, with fantasy QB1 leader Matt Ryan leading the attack. However, Carolina and Atlanta both give up well over 100 yards a game rushing, so expect RB2-type fantasy contributions from Michael Turner and Jonathan Stewart (if healthy). Turner could really benefit from the Panthers rushing defense to rejuvenate his season--in the last four games against Carolina he’s rushed for 394 yards and six touchdowns. Jacquizz Rodgers may eat into Turner's touches and I suspect Julio Jones will remind us all he’s very much a WR1-fantasy-must-start in this game. In 2012 venerable Tony Gonzalez has caught more passes than any other Falcon, or tight end in the NFL for that matter, so start him at TE without hesitation. Roddy White at home is always a good play. Monitor J-Stew’s health, and if he can't go, then jump all over DeAngelo Williams as a RB2.
- Forget Therapy Cam, This Is What the Doctor Ordered
Cam Newton threw three picks with zero scores his last time at the Georgia Dome and doesn’t appear to mentally be in sync at this point of the season. However, I would start Newton in this game and give him another opportunity to redeem himself. It’s a homecoming for Newton, a divisional game, he’s had vocal haters even in Charlotte, and veteran WR Steve Smith was able hopefully to get the quarterback’s mind right during the Giants debacle. It’s not like he is missing passes—his 63.7% completion rate so far is higher than 2011. The Panthers tend to start slow, historically. If Newton can pull things together in this game passing, than some fantasy contributions from Brandon LaFell and conversely, Jacquizz Rodgers, would not be outrageous. Turner is definitely a RB2 now anyway and LaFell is a decent WR3/Flex play. Newton is almost guaranteed to get you 5-8 points just by running the ball in this game.
Adore: Julio Jones, Roddy White, Matt Ryan, Steve Smith, Cam Newton
Meh: Tony Gonzalez, Michael Turner, Brandon LaFell, Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart, Jacquizz Rodgers,DeAngelo Williams
Avoid: Mike Tolbert,
Washington at Tampa Bay
- Tampa Will Need to Cover Some Skin(s) For a Change
This is an under-the-radar game with shootout potential mainly because of the two statistically, most generous secondaries in the NFL. Although the Buccaneers are dead last in offense in the NFL (258 yards per contest) they’ll be going up against a suspect Washington Redskins defense that the Cincinnati Bengals torched last week. No one has noticed the Bucs ranked 1st in the league in rushing defense, which is pretty significant considering they were operating such a bush-league run defense last year. They have shut down the Panthers, Giants, and Cowboys so they’ll be able to contain Alfred Morris; but they’ll have their hands full with Robert Griffin III, however, who has rushed for over 200 yards by himself so far. Robert Griffin III, because of his dual-threat ability, is a QB1 in this game. Fred Davis caught 7 for 90 against Cincinnati and is starting to heat up. He’s still a shade under a must-start, but encouraging that his and RG3’s chemistry is building. The Redskins wideouts, a fast bunch, are tricky fantasy-wise behind Garcon.
On the Bucs side, Freeman and Martin are “meh” but I like Vincent Jackson to carve up the Washington secondary and the Redskins to counter with some deep bombs of their own. The Bucs have to get their running game on track to set up the aforementioned bombs. The Redskins best fantasy play will probably be Robert Griffin III. Pierre Garcon coming back (foot) is still questionable which gives him a “Meh” rating. If he plays, be aware he torched the Bucs in Ray Jay last year as a Colt. There may also be a LeGarrette Blount sighting but I wouldn’t play him in any format just yet. Stay tuned, word is coach Greg Schiano wants more a 1-2 punch at running back (3.6 yards a carry from Martin will do that for ya).
Adore: Vincent Jackson, Robert Griffin
Meh: Josh Freeman, Fred Davis, Buccaneers D/ST, Pierre Garcon, Santana Moss, Doug Martin
Avoid: Alfred Morris, Redskins D/ST
