Fbkid's Week 16 Fantasy Studs

The last week of the fantasy football season is upon us and if your team is fortunate enough to have a shot at winning the title, continue what has brought your team to this point and when it comes to positions where you aren't as certain play the matchups.

QB: Josh Freeman vs Saints: Freeman was very solid last week and while he isn't worth starting as a number one quarterback, he is a sleeper option in league's that start two quarterbacks. The Bucs should be down early which means Freeman should have his fair share of opportunities. Granted, he is a rookie quarterback and with the 30 plus pass attempts that he will most likely throw a pick or two. Regardless, Freeman should have a solid day and expect him to put up around 225 yards and two touchdowns.

RB: Chris Wells vs Rams: Wells is turning it on for his fantasy owners at the time where they need him the most and should turn in his finest performance this week. He now goes up against a Rams defense that allows over a 140 yards per game on the ground. Expect around 120 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Michael Crabtree vs Lions: The week of the rookie continues as Crabtree has a very favorable matchup against a weak Lions secondary. Even though it will always be remembered for the lenghty holdout, Crabtree has put up some solid numbers this year and will be a very good sleeper option in leagues next year. Expect around 80 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Fred Davis vs Cowboys: As bad as the Redskins season has been, Davis is one of the few bright spots. After Chris Cooley went down with a season ending injury Davis has taken his place and leads the team with six touchdown receptions. In his last three games Davis has scored four touchdowns and now goes up against a Cowboys defense that has allowed some big games to opposing tight ends. Expect around 65 yards and a touchdown.

K: Shayne Graham vs Chiefs: While the Bengals have had a hard time scoring against bad teams, Graham has had his fair share of field goal opportunities and has made 22 of them. Expect around three field goals and two extra points.

DEF: 49ers vs Lions: While the Rams and Buccaneers continue to play hard, the Lions are officially throwing their names into the Ndamukong Suh sweepstakes. After placing Matthew Stafford on injured reserve, the team will be starting Drew Stanton this week in a move which lets the Lions see if they have a quality backup for the future. Considering that Kevin Smith is also out for the year and that the Lions don't play a lot of defense, Stanton should be throwing the majority of the game and the 49ers secondary should end up making good on a few forced throws to Calvin Johnson. Expect around four sacks and three interceptions.

Fbkid's Week 16 Predictions

Last week was a very tough one to predict as the parity that had been completely missing this entire season made a cameo last week. The races for the final playoff spots look like they will come down to the very end. Going into this week eight teams were in the hunt for the two wild card positions. Even though the Titans loss to the Chargers lowers the number to seven, it should be a very exciting week of football.

Game of the weak: Raiders vs Browns: Last week I put the Browns against the Chiefs here which surprisingly turned into one of the better games of the week. However, it's highly doubtful that Josh Cribbs runs two kickoffs for touchdowns again let alone Jerome Harrison running for over 275 yards. With Charlie Frye at quarterback for the Raiders, it is very possible that Cribbs who is the easy choice for team MVP doesn't even get two return opportunities.

Game of the week: Texans vs Dolphins: The season is on the line for both teams as the loser will have eight loses and will be eliminated from playoff contention. This should be a very interesting matchup as the teams have very different styles offensively as the Texans thrive on passing the ball while the Dolphins prefer to grind games out running the ball. A key thing to watch in this game is how the Dolphins two impressive cornerbacks Sean Smith and Vontae Davis try and contain Andre Johnson.

Last week: 9-7
Overall: 152-72

Last week with the spread: 8-8
Overall: 122-02

Bills 14 Falcons 24
Chiefs 17 Bengals 26
Raiders 13 Browns 17
Seahawks 14 Packers 31
Texans 20 Dolphins 24
Ravens 16 Steelers 23
Panthers 21 Giants 34
Jaguars 20 Patriots 30
Bucs 16 Saints 27
Rams 14 Cardinals 34
Lions 10 49ers 35
Broncos 20 Eagles 27
Jets 14 Colts 20
Cowboys 31 Redskins 20
Vikings 27 Bears 14

Chargers vs Titans Prediction

Early on in the season, this seemed like a game without much at stake. After an 0-6 start, it seemed like the Titans were destined for a top pick in this year's draft. But with Vince Young at quarterback and a heavy dose of the electrifying Chris Johnson, the team has now won seven of it's last eight to be in the thick of the playoff race. While the single season rushing record appears out of Johnson's reach, he has a very good chance of breaking Marshall Faulk's yards from scrimmage record and it could even go down tonight.

The Chargers are one of the league's hottest teams and with one more win clinch the number two seed in the AFC. While most people are talking about either Payton Manning or Drew Brees for MVP, Philip Rivers is having an excellent season and when he is at the helm the Chargers just don't lose in December as they have won an NFL record 17 straight.

While the Titans have been a great story with Young reviving his career and Johnson chasing Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record, the Chargers still have something to play for and will be a tough task for the Titans.

My prediction is Chargers 26 Titans 23

Fbkid's Week 15 Fantasy Studs

For most fantasy players, this is one of if not the biggest week of the year. This is either the week of the league championship game or when the matchup will be determined. It all comes down to this, so it is key that you search the waiver wire and try and find as many favorable matchups as possible.

QB: Jason Campbell vs Giants: For all the negative press you hear about Campbell, it's hard to believe that he is having a pretty solid season. Now he goes up against a Giants defense that has been struggling against the pass of late and doesn't have the ability to rush the passer the way they did only a few years ago. Expect around 240 yards and two touchdowns.

RB: Beanie Wells vs Lions: Wells is one of the many Cardinals worth starting this week. Even though Tim Hightower does very well near the goal line, expect Wells to get around 110 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Antonio Bryant vs Seahawks: For any team on the east coast a trip out west is tough. Now try doing it when your team is 1-12. While the game could get ugly, Josh Freeman should be throwing early and often to Bryant as the Seahawks secondary has struggled. Expect around 90 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Jermichael Finley vs Steelers: Even though Finley has only put up big numbers when he is on Monday Night Football, he could be a very good play this week. The Steelers should be blitzing Aaron Rodgers early and often which could lead to many short passes Finley's way and with his ability to run after the catch he could be in for a big day. Expect around 65 yards and a touchdown.

K: Neil Rackers vs Lions: Like other kickers who go up against the Lions, Rackers could be in for a big day. While he won't have many field goal opportunities, he will most likely be worth six or seven points off extra points alone. Expect around one field goal and five extra points.

DEF: Texans vs Rams: While my previous selection of the Texans defense backfired, they should be a very good plug and play this week. The Texans game plan will be to stop Steven Jackson (which is easier said than done) and make rookie Keith Null who is coming off his first career start beat them.

After Null's five interception game, much was made about the fact that Ryan Leaf was his quarterbacks coach in college. Regardless of the fact that his coach was one of if not the biggest busts ever, what was everyone expecting a 6th round pick behind that offensive line to do? For all we know, Null could end up being a solid player in the league. The most entertaining part of this story however, is that it's pretty much a guarantee that we will be hearing this exact story in six years with the name Ryan Leaf switched to JaMarcus Russell.

As far as the Texans defense goes, expect around four sacks, three interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Fbkid's Week 15 Predictions

This past week was a very sad one for the NFL and its fans as Bengals receiver Chris Henry died at the age of 26. The saddest part of the story is how Henry was starting to turn his life around. During the first few years of his career, Henry along with his former college teammate Adam "Pacman" Jones frequently made the news for all the wrong reasons and eventually Roger Goodell had to step in and suspend the two of them.

This was expected to be a breakout year for Henry as he was getting rave reviews during training camp and appeared that he was fully committed to football. Before being placed on injured reserve, Henry played in eight games and averaged almost 20 yards a catch and also had two touchdowns.

This Sunday, he will be with the Bengals in spirit as they are wearing decals in his honor while Chad Ochocinco will wear his number 15 jersey. It is a shame that we will never have the opportunity to see Henry's full comeback story as he had loads of potential. Unfortunately we can only think about what could have been.


Game of the weak: Browns vs Chiefs: At this time of year for both of these teams, roster spots are on the line. While this game should be played with high intensity, unless you are a fan of either of these teams or you have Jamaal Charles on your fantasy team it isn't worth watching.

Game of the week: Bengals vs Chargers: The Bengals travel out west with heavy hearts in a huge game that determines who will have the second seed in the AFC. Right now the Chargers are playing as well as any team in the league but emotions can lead to strange things.

Last week: 13-3
Overall: 143-65

Last week with the spread: 11-5
Overall: 114-94

Cowboys 20 Saints 31
Patriots 26 Bills 21
Browns 14 Chiefs 20
Falcons 20 Jets 24
Texans 35 Rams 17
Dolphins 17 Titans 23
Cardinals 41 Lions 17
Raiders 13 Broncos 26
Bengals 23 Chargers 28
Bears 14 Ravens 26
Bucs 13 Seahawks 28
49ers 17 Eagles 26
Packers 28 Steelers 20
Vikings 31 Panthers 23
Giants 27 Redskins 21

Colts vs Jaguars Prediction

While the Colts have already clinched everything possible in the AFC, the season is on the line for the Jaguars. Even though the Jaguars control their own destiny as the final wildcard in the AFC, it's up for debate if the team is as good as their record indicates.

Even though they are a very young team, wins against the Chiefs, Rams and Bills all came down to the last minute and those are teams that should have been easy wins. If you also include the two gifts that the team received from Chris Brown when playing the Texans, they could as easily be 5-8 as 7-6.

It has been up for debate if the Colts should play their starters this week but when it comes down to this game they should. It keeps the team in a rhythm and if the Jaguars do make the playoffs and happen to win their first round game, they will be facing the Colts. Considering they already play two times a year, it would be hard to find that knows the Colts schemes better.

My prediction is Colts 26 Jaguars 20.

Fbkid's Week 14 Fantasy Studs

Last week was another solid one for my fantasy studs as Alex Smith, Matt Forte, Jeremy Maclin and Shayne Graham all had solid weeks. In many leagues, this is the first week of playoff games. While some leagues start the playoffs next week, starting it now would make more sense as you would have the chance to get points out of your key players who's teams have already clinched homefield advantage such as Peyton Manning. This is crunch time for fantasy owners and hopefully I keep my positive momentum going another week.

QB: Joe Flacco vs Lions: While Flacco put up huge numbers right out the gate, he hasn't been very productive these past few weeks. That should change against a poor Lions defense where opposing quarterbacks have an average quarterback rating of over 100. Expect around 230 yards and two touchdowns.

RB: Jamaal Charles vs Bills: After taking over Larry Johnson's starting role, Charles has emerged as a very good fantasy option over the past few weeks. He now goes up against a struggling Bills rush defense and with his versatility should have a solid day receiving as well. Expect around 130 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Davone Bess vs Jaguars: If you are in a points per reception league, chances are you already know how valuable Bess is. Even though he only has one touchdown catch for the year, with his high reception total he is good for at least eight to ten points a week. Now he is coming off a 100 game and goes up against a banged up Jaguars secondary. Since Bess has a knack for getting open, he should have plenty of opportunities this game. Expect around 70 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Dustin Keller vs Buccaneers: Before the season started, many thought Keller would be in for a huge season with a rookie quarterback in Mark Sanchez helm. While he showed signs the first few weeks of the season, he has had some games where he is held to five yards. With Kellen Clemens starting for the injured Sanchez, Keller could be in for a big day against a vunerable Bucs defense. Expect around 60 yards and a touchdown.

K: Josh Scobee vs Dolphins: Scobee has been very inconsistent this season but after a strong game against the Texans, he could be worth taking a flier on this week against a Dolphins defense where he could get some opportunities. Expect around two extra points and two field goals.

DEF: Packers vs Bears: The Packers defense has played well of late and now play against a Bears offense that has struggled to say the least. It's hard to think of a fan base that has turned on a possible franchise quarterback as fast as the Bears with Jay Cutler. Yes, he has thrown 20 interceptions on the season but it's not like he has an all world supporting cast or offensive line in place either.

With that being said, look for Cutler's interception total to rise this week as the last time these two teams met in week one he threw four. Expect around four sacks and three interceptions.

Fbkid's Week 14 Predictions

Before the season started, the Steelers and Patriots were considered two of the teams to beat in the AFC. The Steelers were coming off a Super Bowl victory and the Patriots had a healthy Tom Brady. Wow, how things have changed since August. The Steelers have lost their last five games losing to teams such as the Chiefs, Raiders and Browns while the Patriots only hold a one game lead on the Dolphins. While many things can change in the next few weeks, it appears highly unlikely that at least one of the perennial favorites in the AFC will make the playoffs.

Game of the weak: Redskins vs Raiders: While the Redskins and Raiders have shown improvement the last few weeks, it is sad to see how far these once proud franchises have fallen. The real battle in this game is which owner is worse. In the Redskins corner you have Dan Snyder who's team looks like the result of a Madden fantasy draft. In the Raiders corner you have Al Davis an owner who helped shape the NFL into what it is today and is known to draft physical specimen. I already touched on this subject in a fantasy studs column a few months back, so it should be interesting how the game plays out.

Game of the week: Chargers vs Cowboys: When it comes down to games in December, these teams couldn't be more opposite. While it appears Philip Rivers and the Chargers never lose this time of year, Tony Romo and the Cowboys somehow always collapse. If the Cowboys win this game, they still have a very good chance of winning their division as they are currently tied with the Eagles at 8-4.

Last week: 11-5
Overall: 130-62

Last week with the spread: 8-8
Overall: 103-89

Saints 31 Falcons 20
Lions 14 Ravens 23
Packers 27 Bears 17
Seahawks 17 Texans 24
Broncos 20 Colts 28
Dolphins 23 Jaguars 20
Bills 24 Chiefs 17
Bengals 23 Vikings 31
Panthers 17 Patriots 26
Jets 17 Bucs 21
Rams 13 Titans 26
Redskins 24 Raiders 16
Chargers 28 Cowboys 23
Eagles 24 Giants 20
Cardinals 31 49ers 21

2009 Race For the Heisman: Tim Tebow Take Two?

Tonight one player will reach college football immortality as the winner of the Heisman Trophy is announced. While I usually don’t write about college football, this is one of the closest Heisman calls in recent memory as there is no clear cut favorite to win this year’s award. However, with 145 votes in each of the six regions in the country, all of the first place votes are scattered and it is very possible somebody who you would least expect could sneak up and win the award.
The reason why this could be one of the closest races ever is due to the fact that every player that is attending the ceremony in New York is from a different region.

Starting out West you have Stanford running back Toby Gerhart who was the face of a Cardinal team that ended the year ranked and beat both Oregon and USC. Gerhart also was the recipient of the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back running for 1736 yards along with 26 touchdowns on the season. Gerhart should receive the majority of the 1st place votes out west but considering the time Stanford usually plays (10 PM EST) and the fact he didn’t get much face time until a few weeks ago, it should be interesting to see how he fairs.

The Southwest region has Texas quarterback Colt McCoy who led Texas to an undefeated season and a showdown against Alabama in the national title game. McCoy has received lots of accolades this season as he became the winningest quarterback in college football history. He also won the Davey O’Brien Award given out to the nation’s best quarterback along with the Maxwell Award which along with the Heisman is an award given out to the best player in the country. While McCoy doesn’t have the gaudy numbers that some candidates have, but he has been in this situation before and could receive some sympathy votes as two quarterbacks in Florida’s Tim Tebow along with Sam Bradford of the rival Oklahoma Sooners have previously beaten out McCoy for the reward.

In the Midwest region there is Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh who almost single handedly led the Corn Huskers to a win over Texas in the Big 12 championship game. Regardless of who wins the Heisman, Suh is the big winner out of all of them. Along with the multiple defensive player of the year awards he has already received, Suh is most likely going to be the first pick in next year’s NFL draft as scouts and GM’s around the league are already salivating over what he would bring to a team with his high motor and ability to beat double teams. It is very rare that a defensive player wins the Heisman but if the award is meant for the best player in the nation then there is no reason why Suh shouldn’t win.

Now in the South region is where things get interesting with both Alabama running back Mark Ingram and Tebow. Ingram was the leader of the Crimson Tide’s explosive running attack with over 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had arguably his best game of the season against Tebow and the Gators in the SEC title game running for over 100 yards and three touchdowns along with 76 receiving. While Ingram had an outstanding season, he has a few factors going against him.

With all of their history, it’s hard to believe that Alabama has never had a Heisman trophy winner. There is no doubt that voters brought this into consideration when looking at Ingram thinking “Is this really going to be the first guy?” The other thing going against Ingram is that he is a sophomore. While sophomores have won the award the last two years, their situations were different. Like Ingram, both of them led their teams to the National Championship game but there is a huge gap in statistics. In the year’s they won, Bradford threw for 50 touchdowns and Tebow accounted for 55 touchdowns. This year Ingram accounted for 18 touchdowns.

The positive for Ingram out of this is that he will be the preseason favorite for the award next year and will most likely win it as long as he stays healthy.

Even though his team lost in the conference title game, Tebow will go down as one of the greatest players in college football history. He already has won the Heisman and was the first sophomore to do so. Along with the hardware, he also has won two national championships and leaves college as the SEC record holder for career touchdowns. Even though this past season was Tebow’s worst statistically as a starter, there is an outside chance that he can become the 2nd player to ever win two Heisman’s.

In last year’s voting, Tebow led all players in 1st place votes but ended up losing the award. This year he can win the same way he lost to Bradford. With all of the 1st place votes scattered around the country and Tebow being in the top 3 in everyone’s ballot, he has a very good chance of winning the award. In a year without a clear cut winner, some could view this as giving Tebow the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award for all he has done in college football both on and off the field.

When talking about Tebow and the Heisman many people say how he won’t be a good quarterback in the NFL. While I happen to agree with those people regarding the NFL, except for Carson Palmer there isn’t a quarterback that has won in the past 20 years that has done anything on the NFL level. Some examples of this are Jason White, Eric Crouch, Chris Weinke, Danny Wuerffel, Gino Torretta and Ty Detmer. While none of them did much in the pro game, this is an award for the best player in college football and Tebow is one of the best ever in that regard.

While most people are now talking about Tebow being drafted by the Jaguars in the 1st round to boost ticket sales, him coming out of nowhere and winning his second Heisman is much more likely.

Steelers vs. Browns Prediction

At one point the Steelers were 6-2 and looked like they would defend their Super Bowl title. Due to injuries to key players, they have lost their last four to bring them to 6-6 and on the outside looking in at a wildcard berth. The good news for the Steelers is that they play the Browns who with a 1-11 record are a confidence builder for a team that is falling fast. Even though Brady Quinn is starting to show signs that made him a first round pick three years ago, the Steelers defense is still strong and should throw many confusing blitz packages Quinn's way.

My prediction is Steelers 31 Browns 17

Fbkid's Week 13 Fantasy Studs

Last week was a very good one for my fantasy studs as everyone was productive. This is the most important week of the year for many fantasy owners as their team is either competing for a playoff spot or the playoffs have already started. More than any other week, this is the time where you need to check the injury reports and waiver wire for favorable matchups.

QB: Alex Smith vs Seahawks: Smith was my quarterback last week, but with another favorable matchup and his performance last week, I am going to use him again. The Seahawks have really struggled against the pass this year and Smith is finally in an offense in San Francisco where he feels comfortable. Expect around 230 yards and two touchdowns.

RB: Matt Forte vs Rams: In the beginning of the year, I said that I wouldn't mention the obvious players in this column. The definition of obvious would be players who were high draft picks that you should start every week regardless of the matchup. Even though he was a top 5 pick in almost every draft, Forte isn't in the obvious category anymore. For the year he is averaging less than 3.5 yards per carry and with only 543 yards and three touchdowns could be considered one of the biggest fantasy draft busts ever.

However, he has the ability to get back into the good graces of fantasy owners this week against a poor Rams rush defense. If you still have Forte, start him with confidence as he could be in for a big game. Expect around 140 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Jeremy Maclin vs Falcons: Maclin has really emerged as one of Donovan McNabb's favorite targets and has been putting up solid numbers even with DeSean Jackson in the lineup. Now the Eagles go up against a Falcons secondary that has had injury problems and Maclin should be the number one option as Jackson is missing the game with a concussion. Expect around 90 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Tony Scheffler vs Chiefs: While Scheffler hasn't put up the kind of numbers he did with Jay Cutler at quarterback, he has still been productive when given the opportunity. Look for him to bounce back this week against a Chiefs defense that struggles covering the tight end. Expect around 60 yards and a touchdown.

K: Shayne Graham vs Lions: Even though the Bengals offense has struggled of late, Graham should be in your lineup against the Lions. The Bengals have had a hard time scoring touchdowns lately and for some reason don't put up many points against the teams you would expect. Regardless of it's through field goals or extra points, Graham will get his opportunities this week and should have a big game. Expect around two field goals and three extra points.

DEF: Chargers vs Browns: While the Chargers defense isn't what it was a few years ago, they are still a solid unit and should have a big week against a struggling Browns offense. Expect around four sacks and two interceptions.


Start all Texans and Jaguars: With two sub-par defenses and Gus Johnson announcing, this game has all the makings of a shootout. If you live in the Houston area or you have Sunday Ticket watch this game as you could be in for a treat. (If you just want to see who you should start, feel free to skip the following paragraphs).

Even though the game is already blacked out locally in Jacksonville, I am recommending that fans should come down before the game starts and try to buy tickets. Living in Jacksonville, when you listen to sports talk radio the two main topics other then Tebow to the Jaguars are the Gators and the Jaguars lack of offense. I realize that college football is what many locals prefer as they had built allegiances to programs long before the Jaguars came to town.

However, Florida plays Alabama tonight and won't be playing in another game this month. Also, based on the matchups offense should not be lacking in this game. In the last year or two I have also started paying more attention to the marketing aspect of sports. The Jaguars staff does a great job of trying to generate interest in the city and compared to other NFL teams have very reasonable ticket prices.

I know this is a topic that doesn't mean much to most people but the Jaguars mean more to this city then anyone could imagine. The team has brought lots of businesses to the area and has really grown after hosting the Super Bowl. This is why the frequent articles of them moving start getting to me. I have been going to games since the franchise arrived and I was wearing diapers but have built many memories in the process.

Overall, I am very fortunate to have had an NFL franchise in this city during my childhood as I would never have been as passionate about the game without it. I would hate for younger children who could one day bring their kids to Jaguars games to lose out on the opportunity that I had.

Finally after my anti Los Angeles Jaguars rant, here are the players you should start for each team including the obvious ones.

Texans: Matt Schaub, Steve Slaton (if he plays), Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and for deeper leagues James Casey, Chris Brown, Ryan Moats (if Slaton doesn't play Brown would start) and Jacoby Jones.

Jaguars: David Garrard, Maurice Jones-Drew, Mike Sims-Walker and for deeper leagues Marcedes Lewis, Torry Holt and Mike Thomas.

Fbkid's Week 13 Predictions

This December should be one to remember for NFL fans as the playoff races willcome down to the wire. At this point in the year regardless of if your playing for draft position or the playoffs, every game is huge. Right now it is important to look out for teams that have been picking up steam of late. In the past, teams who are in situations like the Chargers and Titans right now get hot and eventually make a run in the playoffs. Like the Chargers and Titans, my predictions are picking up steam as well as I have put together some very solid weeks back to back.

Game of the weak: Bucs vs Panthers: Both of these teams are out of the playoff race in the NFC (Carolina isn't officially but needs to win out in order to have any chance)and the game should be sloppy. This is a huge game for Matt Moore as he gets the start with Jake Delhomme out. With a big performance here, he could solidify himself as the Panthers quarterback of the future.

Game of the week: Titans vs Colts: After losing their first six games, the Titans could have lost all hope. Instead, they have won five in a row, Chris Johnson is playing out of this world and Vince Young continues to prove his doubters wrong. Even though the Colts have already clinched the division, this is a huge game for them as well as their perfect season is on the line against a rival who always plays them tough.

Last week: 13-3
Overall: 129-57

Last week with the spread: 9-7
Overall: 95-81

Eagles 27 Falcons 17
Bucs 14 Panthers 23
Rams 20 Bears 27
Lions 17 Bengals 31
Titans 20 Colts 24
Texans 26 Jaguars 20
Broncos 26 Chiefs 21
Patriots 31 Dolphins 20
Raiders 14 Steelers 26
Saints 26 Redskins 14
Chargers 24 Browns 10
Cowboys 21 Giants 24
49ers 23 Seahawks 17
Vikings 28 Cardinals 20
Ravens 17 Packers 24

Jets vs Bills Prediction

The Jets were the talk of the league the first few weeks of the season but after coming back down to earth are now in a situation where another loss could put them out of playoff contention.

While they only have four wins, the Bills have shown some hope the past few weeks and already beat the Jets on the road. Looking at this game, I feel that Thomas Jones and the Jets running game will be too much to handle for a Bills defense that has allowed an average of 165 yards a game on the ground.

My prediction is Jets 24 Bills 17

Fbkid's Week 12 Predictions

This past week was one of my better ones as my predictions were right on for the Jets Patriots and Eagles Bears games. There are lots of interesting games this week and hopefully I keep my positive momentum going as the playoff races heat up.

Game of the weak: Seahawks vs Rams: The Rams have shown some fight recently, but with an injury to Marc Bulger now turn to Kyle Boller. Both of these teams are looking once again at having a top ten pick in the upcoming draft.

Game of the week: Patriots vs Saints: What a game this will be. Two explosive offenses led by two of the league's best quarterbacks in Tom Brady and Drew Brees. As good as the Patriots Colts game was a few weeks ago, this one could be even better.

Last week: 12-4
Overall: 106-54

Last week with the spread: 8-8
Overall: 86-74

Bucs 17 Falcons 27
Dolphins 26 Bills 14
Redskins 16 Eagles 28
Seahawks 21 Rams 17
Panthers 24 Jets 20
Browns 13 Bengals 28
Colts 31 Texans 26
Chiefs 20 Chargers 31
Jaguars 20 49ers 26
Bears 14 Vikings 35
Cardinals 20 Titans 23
Steelers 13 Ravens 17
Patriots 31 Saints 35

The Opportunity of a Lifetime

Usually, I am attending all of the Jacksonville Jaguars home games as a fan. This time I was there under different circumstances. Once again, through the Sportz Ventures program I had another experience that I will never forget. Along with five other students from my school, I had the chance to watch the Jaguars play the Buffalo Bills from the press box at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

Before the game, we had the chance to go on the field and take a couple of group pictures. I have been on the field without any fans there before, but it was interesting to see what a players sees as he looks up to the stands. After that, we were directed by a member of the Jaguars staff to the press box. During this time, I had my first contact with a player.

As we walked through the Bills tunnel the linebacker corps was getting ready to go out onto the field for pregame warmups. Suddenly, Bills linebacker Paul Posluszny calls to me and asks "Hey, how's the weather out there?". I then described the conditions to him for a minute and afterwards he thanked me and then huddled up with the other linebackers prior to taking the field. After this, I was behind the group but I caught up and nobody could believe the story when I told them. Then we headed up to the press box.

When I first saw the press box, I couldn't believe how big it was. There were separate sections for the PR staffs for both teams, areas for the TV and radio announcers and sections for the reporters of the respective teams. I could only imagine how much of a mad house that place was when the Super Bowl was in town four years ago.

After eating a pregame meal, we got adjusted in our seats. They were in the first row and were located at the 15 yard line sitting near the Buffalo reporters. Before the game, I was just taking in the whole environment. Prior to the game, the press box is a very quiet area as most of the reporters are setting up their computers or jotting down notes related to the game.

During the game, I was taking notes on everything that was taking place. In my notepad, I wrote down the key plays and things I found interesting while each team had the ball. Even if you missed a play, it isn't hard to catch up. There are TV's showing the game which comes in handy if there is a questionable call. One of the things that they do in the press box which I really liked was after each quarter, they gave out the stats. This also included a play-by-play transcript of everything that occurred during the respective quarter. As a stats guy, I found this very helpful as I didn't have to worry about trying to calculate the numbers in my head which I usually would have to do at games. Even with all the excitement in the press box, there was still a game being played.

As the Bills entered with the league's worst rush defense and an interim coach who was just brought in this week, the Jaguars were favored to win. The Bills however gave the Jaguars all they could handle on both offense and defense. My new "friend" Posluszny did an excellent job stopping the run as he led the Bills with 12 tackles. On offense, Terrell Owens had one of the best games of his Hall of Fame caliber career as he had nine receptions for 197 yards. This included a 98 yard touchdown which was very cool to see from our angle and one I will never forget. At 98 yards, chances are it will be the longest touchdown from scrimmage that I'll ever witness in person. Owens was running down our sideline and when he started taunting at the Jaguars 30 yard line. This play was also a historic one as it ws the longest in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and Bills team history. Even though that touchdown gave the Bills the lead in the 3rd quarter, there was still a lot of football to be played.

At the two minute warning the Jags trailed 15-10. They faced a third and two at the Bills four. However, it was time to start going down for the post game press conferences. On the bright side, we ended up not missing a play of the game and got quite the workout in the process going down flights of stairs in order to get to the room where the Jaguars would address the media. Fortunetly, there was a TV in the room where the game was playing. After Maurice Jones-Drew converted on third down, David Garrard threw a three yard touchdown pass to Mike Sims-Walker to give the Jaguars the lead which was 18-15 after the two point conversion. The Bills then started at their own 39 but after Anthony Smith picked off a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass, the game was over.

While waiting for Jack Del Rio and some players to arrive, CBS was showing the Colts move to 10-0 before switching to the Steelers Chiefs game. This one was of particular interest to the Jaguars as a Steelers win would put them in front of the Jaguars in the playoff standings. Surprisingly, the Chiefs sent the game to overtime and when they got the ball Matt Cassel connected with Chris Chambers for a 61 yard catch and run to set themselves up at the Steelers four yard line. After the play, coach Del Rio walks in and the TV was shut off. Del Rio then says "Don't cut that off, let's watch it for a while." The game was then turned back on just in time to see Ryan Succop hit a 22 yard field goal for a 27-24 Chiefs win. "See, it was worth those 30 seconds" Del Rio said. The press conferences had officially begun.

Even though none of us asked any questions, it was interesting to see what the normal press conference is like. They were held in one of the team's large meeting rooms and it is a different experience seeing how everything compares to the "live look ins" that you would see after a game. In additon to Del Rio's, we also were at the Garrard and Jones-Drew's press conferences. All three of them talked about how a young team needs to stay focused as every game becomes more important.

Overall, this was an excellent experience that I will never forget. Some writers sometimes don't watch a game in the press box for the first time until they are finished with college. I had the chance to have this experience at a young age and with a pro football team none the less. I would once again like to thank Jenny Corace with the Sportz Ventures program and the Jaguars for making this all possible. I really appreciate the opportunity and am fortunate to have already had so much hands on learning experiences in the field.

Fbkid's Week 12 Fantasy Studs

I have had some bad weeks when predicting my fantasy studs but this past one could have been the worst. Other then Bernard Scott, none of the players would have been worth over seven in a standard scoring league. Since six teams are playing on Thanksgiving, I am deciding to post my fantasy studs now. After last week, my predictions can go nowhere but up.

QB: Alex Smith vs Jaguars: Coming into the year, many considered Smith to be a huge bust but is playing well this year in San Francisco. To say the least, the Jaguars secondary is banged up and if they play anything like they did on their last west coast trip, Smith could have a big day. Expect around 225 yards and a touchdown.

RB: Ricky Williams vs Bills: Last week Williams smoked (no pun intended) the Panthers defense showing signs of the back who used to be one of the league's elite. Now he goes up against one of the league's worst run defenses and should keep his positive momentum going. Expect around 130 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: James Jones vs Lions: While Aaron Rodgers has lots of weapons to get the ball to, Jones has proved this year that he is an excellent deep threat. He is an all or nothing pick here but if you are looking for a flex play in very deep leagues, Jones is worth a shot. Expect around 60 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Kellen Winslow vs Falcons: Winslow hasn't played that well in his last few games, but he will have plenty of opportunities to redeem himself against the Falcons. The Bucs should fall behind early and as I have said before here, a pass catching tight end is a rookie quarterback's best friend. Expect around 70 yards and a touchdown.

K: Nick Folk vs Raiders: Yes, the Cowboys offense has really struggled in recent weeks but if going against the Raiders isn't a slump buster I don't know what is. Look for the Cowboys offense to breakout this week which will give Folk lots of opportunities. Expect around 2 field goals and three extra points.

DEF: Panthers vs Jets: This game could be a battle between the two most turnover prone quarterbacks in the league but due to the injury to Kris Jenkins the Jets could have a problem stopping the run. That is why I am going with the Panthers here but neither team is that bad an option. Expect around three sacks and two interceptions.

Fbkid's Thanksgiving Day Picks

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays as it features everything you could ask for: family, food and football. While the games this year don't look all that great on paper, one of football's greatest traditions will still carry on. Here are my picks for the three Thanksgiving games and I hope everyone has a great holiday.

Packers 35 Lions 17
Raiders 14 Cowboys 23
Giants 26 Broncos 17

Fbkid's Week 11 Fantasy Studs

Last week was not a great one for my fantasy studs. While the Titans defense was fantastic and Chad Henne had a solid day, the three rookies I selected had little impact on their games and my selection at kicker, Steven Hauschka, was cut this week. The fantasy playoffs are approaching so it is more important then ever to search the waiver wire and pay attention to key injuries.

QB: Matt Hasselbeck vs Vikings: Hasselbeck hasn't put up the best numbers this year, but he could have a pretty big week against the Vikings. With the Vikings offensive fire power, the game could get out of hand pretty early. This means that during the portion of the game where Hasselbeck won't be on his back starting at the roof of the newly named Mall of America Field, he will be getting the ball to his weapons early and often against a 23rd ranked Vikings pass defense. Expect around 260 yards and two touchdowns.

RB: Bernard Scott vs Raiders: Before Cedric Benson actually became reliable, Scott was one of my deep fantasy sleepers heading into the year. Now that Benson is hurt, Scott has the ability to rack up lots of points against a Raiders defense that ranks 29th against the run.

There are two warnings that come with this prediction: Considering teams usually have a lead against the Raiders and milk the clock, it is hard to tell if they are really that bad against the run. The other is that the team has Brian Leonard who will most likely be getting the goalline work.

However, I feel the reward outweighs the risk and feel Scott is a great number two back this week and will be a great fill-in for Benson owners until he returns. Expect around 100 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Lee Evans vs Jaguars: Evans hasn't put up great fantasy numbers this season but he has been more efficient when Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting at quarterback and that is the case this week. Evans will also benefit from the absence of Rashean Mathis and it wouldn't be surpising if he beats the Jaguars secondary deep as we have seen him do so many times to opposing defense throughout his career. Expect around 80 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Jeremy Shockey vs Buccaneers: Shockey is back in the good graces of fantasy owners this year as he has already scored three touchdowns compared to last year where he didn't score at all. He now faces a very favorable matchup against a weak Buccaneers pass defense and it wouldn't be surpising if Drew Brees finds him early and often. Expect around 60 yards and a touchdown.

K: Neil Rackers vs Rams: Rackers isn't putting up the fantasy numbers he did a few years ago, but he has been very accurate this year and should get plenty of opportunities this week against the Rams. Expect around two field goals and four extra points.

DEF: Lions vs Browns: Warning approach with caution. The Lions defense is slowly starting to improve, but this pick is mainly due to how bad the Browns offense has been. If the Lions win it would be a big confidence boost to the younger players as the unit continues it's progression. This week they are a decent plug and play option in deeper leagues if your normal defense has a tough matchup. Expect around 4 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Fbkid's Week 11 Predictions

Last week was a decent one for picks as I am starting to get back on track. While I was way off on my prediction for the Broncos Redskins game, I was right on the money with my predictions for the Raiders Chiefs and Seahawks Cardinals. As the playoff hunt heats up, hopefully I can keep my positive momementum going in week 11.

Game of the weak: Browns vs Lions: Since both of these teams fans are already looking forward to next year's draft and the loser of this game will most likely have the first pick, here is what I think they will do.

If the Browns lose, they will most likely take either Jake Locker or Jimmy Clausen. Even though Clausen is more polished, the team would most likely take Locker as he has more upside and they haven't exactly had a good recent history of selecting Notre Dame quarterbacks.

If the Lions lose, look for them to take either Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy. Based on his experience in Tennessee as a defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz knows how important it is to build up front. Regardless of which one they take, they will be getting a player they can build a defense around.

Game of the week: Titans vs Texans: If the last time these two teams played is any indication, this game is going to be very entertaining. This is also a must win for both teams as the Titans need to win out for any chance at the playoffs and the Texans must show that they are for real in front of a national audience in order to stay in the hunt.

Last week: 10-5
Overall: 94-50

Last week with the spread: 8-7
Overall: 78-66


Colts 28 Ravens 16
Redskins 14 Cowboys 24
Browns 17 Lions 26
49ers 17 Packers 28
Bills 20 Jaguars 27
Steelers 31 Chiefs 14
Seahawks 17 Vikings 34
Falcons 20 Giants 24
Saints 35 Bucs 26
Cardinals 35 Rams 20
Chargers 24 Broncos 17
Jets 16 Patriots 27
Bengals 28 Raiders 13
Eagles 27 Bears 20
Titans 23 Texans 28

Dolphins vs Panthers Prediction

Like last week, I will only be posting my prediction for the Thursday night game in this post but stay tuned the rest of the week. Along with my weekly and fantasy predictions, there will be a surprise post you won't want to miss.

Both the Dolphins and Panthers are very similar teams. They are both getting hot at the right time and rely heavily on the running game. However, the Ronnie Brown injury is a huge blow to the Dolphins as he is exceptional at running the wildcat.

My prediction is Dolphins 17 Panthers 26

Fbkid's Week 10 Fantasy Studs

Before I start, I would like to say sorry to all the Buccaneers fans. Not for the Lee Roy Selmon's recommendation, but for saying you should leave the game. If you didn't follow my advice, you saw a very exciting game which happened to be your team's first win. This past week was one of my best this season as Matt Hasselbeck, Kellen Winslow, Ryan Succop and the Falcons defense all had solid games. Hopefully I can keep the positive momentum going this week.

QB: Chad Henne vs Buccaneers: Even without a go-to-guy, Henne has put up some solid numbers this season. His touchdown numbers haven't been very impressive but that should change against a Bucs defense that has allowed 18 on the year. Expect around 210 yards and a touchdown.

RB: LeSean McCoy vs Chargers: McCoy has done a very adequate job of replacing the often injured Brian Westbrook and could have a huge day against a struggling Chargers rush defense. McCoy is also a very good receiver out of the backfield so if you are in a points per reception league, he is a must start this week. Expect around 130 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Mike Wallace vs Bengals: As most of you know, I am a big Wallace fan and he is starting to put up numbers that fantasy owners should notice. He is the Steelers best deep threat and is starting to form a connection with Ben Roethlisberger. Last time he played the Bengals, Wallace went for over 100 yards in just his third career game. Don't be surprised if he does it again. Expect around 70 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Brandon Pettigrew vs Vikings: This isn't the first time I have mentioned Pettigrew here and it probably won't be the last. He is coming off the best game of his career recording 70 yards and his first career touchdown. Now the Lions go up against a Vikings defense that knows how to get to the quarterback and Matthew Stafford will be looking for Pettigrew as a check down target early and often.

If you still aren't sold on Pettigrew this week, keep in mind that with the Vikings offense and the Lions defense there should be lots of garbage time where he should have plenty of opportunities to pad his stats. Expect around 60 yards and a touchdown.

K: Steven Hauschka vs Browns: Hauschka has been inconsistent at times this season, but should have plenty of opportunities as the improved Ravens offense goes up against a struggling Browns defense. Expect around three extra points and two field goals.

DEF: Titans vs Bills: Many people myself included wrote off the Titans defense a while ago but they could be in for a big week. In the last two games they have shown improvement and are now healthier in the secondary. The only risk is that the Titans have had difficulty stopping the run and now face one of the league's best rushing tandems in Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson.

With that being said though they are going up against a quarterback in Trent Edwards who is playing his first game since a concussion and has earned the nickname "Captain checkdown" among Bills fans. I would say the

Fbkid's Week 10 Predictions

As far as predictions go, this past week could have been my worst ever. I missed badly on games such as Cardinals Bears and Packers Buccaneers. In fact, the only pick that I really nailed was the Redskins Falcons game. Hopefully my week ten predictions are better as I already got off on the right foot winning the Thursday night game.

Game of the weak: Ravens vs Browns: It is hard to pick against the Chiefs Raiders game here, but this is the pick as the whole country has to suffer through this.

Game of the week: Patriots vs Colts: Everything to be said about this game already has. Someday though we are going to be able to tell our kids and grandkids how we had the pleasure to watch Tom Brady and Peyton Manning face off in their prime.

Last week: 6-7
Overall: 84-45

Last week with the spread: 4-9
Overall: 70-59

Falcons 26 Panthers 20
Bucs 16 Dolphins 26
Lions 17 Vikings 35
Jaguars 20 Jets 26
Bengals 17 Steelers 24
Saints 38 Rams 14
Bills 14 Titans 27
Broncos 23 Redskins 13
Chiefs 17 Raiders 13
Seahawks 17 Cardinals 28
Cowboys 28 Packers 24
Eagles 17 Chargers 23
Patriots 27 Colts 34
Ravens 26 Browns 10

Bears vs 49ers Prediction

While I usually pick all the games at once, due to the first Thursday night game I will just be posting my prediction for this game. Look later in the week for my other predictions and my fantasy studs.

The Bears defense has really struggled lately and with a west coast trip on a short week, I don't like their chances against Alex Smith and the 49ers improving passing game alongside Frank Gore running the ball.

My prediction is Bears 21 49ers 27

Fbkid's Week 9 Extra Points

Out of any team in the league, the Cardinals could be the hardest to figure out. After losing by 13 points at home to the Panthers, they come out and beat the Bears by 20 on the road. Even with this inconsistent play at 5-3 the Cardinals should be looking at another division title as nobody else in the division is above .500.

Much to the dismay of defenses around the league, Michael Turner is finally starting to pick up where he left off last year. In his past two games, Turner has run for over 300 yards to go with three touchdowns. This is a huge boost for the Falcons as Matt Ryan has had trouble taking care of the ball the past few weeks and the running game will open up the offense for Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez.

While it was only one game, it looks like the Buccaneers have found their quarterback of the future and will be starting Josh Freeman the rest of the year. Even though he completed less than 50 percent of his passes, Freeman was calm in pressure situations and threw for over 200 yards and three touchdowns without his top receiver Antonio Bryant. The Bucs aren’t going to be making a playoff push this year considering this was their first win, but with Freeman and a few more solid draft classes they could be headed in the right direction.

Considering how many they have drafted over the years, it’s hard to believe it but the Lions need another receiver. Calvin Johnson was double teamed constantly throughout the game and Matthew Stafford forced a lot of his throws which resulted in him throwing five interceptions. While the Lions have bigger priorities particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, they need to try and add another receiver whether it's through free agency or the draft.

It seems that once a team gets a certain reputation, it is hard for them to lose it. Recent examples of this include the Steelers as a run oriented team and the Jaguars being built around stopping the run. The most recent example: The Ravens winning games on defense. While this unit has showed flashes at times this season, it is a shadow of what it was two to three years ago. There are still young players such as Haloti Ngata with Pro Bowl talent, but with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed both in their 30’s, it may be time to start reloading.

Some of the most well known players in all of football are receivers but it is quite possible that one who is on pace for a career year is underrated. Vincent Jackson not Antonio Gates is quietly becoming Philip Rivers’ favorite target in San Diego. Like Gates, he is a big threat in the red zone as he already has seven touchdowns. Jackson is emerging as one of the league’s best deep threats as well with his 6’5 frame and 17.2 yards per catch. As the Chargers seem to be improving each week, look for Jackson to finally start getting the attention he deserves.

This offseason, the Chiefs gave up quite the haul to acquire Matt Cassel from the Patriots who the year before did an excellent job replacing Tom Brady after his season ending knee injury. The way things have played out so far, it looks as if he may be a one year wonder. Cassel was constantly running for his life against an at best mediocre Jaguars pass rush. Up until the last few minutes of the game, Cassel was only throwing dink and dunk passes and got the ball to Dwayne Bowe only once. Cassel’s numbers say he had a good day with 262 yards and two touchdowns but all of that came when the game’s outcome was already decided. Chiefs fans I have talked to and myself are wondering if Cassel with that supporting cast and his large contract are that much better than Tyler Thigpen who the team traded to the Dolphins earlier this year.

One of the most improved players in the league this year could be Vernon Davis. Entering this year, he was labeled by some as a huge bust who was the definition of a “workout warrior”. Now through eight games he already has a career high with seven touchdowns and is building a very nice rapport with Alex Smith. With his unique build and freakish speed, if Davis appears as committed as he looks, he could be one of the league’s top tight ends for years to come.

Fbkid's Week 9 Fantasy Studs

This past week wasn't the greatest for my fantasy studs as only Matt Stover had a big game while Devin Hester and Jeremy Shockey both put up respectable numbers. The past few weeks have been a little rough for my fantasy so hopefully this week is a step in the right direction.

QB: Matt Hasselbeck vs Lions: In some leagues, Hasselbeck is a free agent. If he is still available, pick him up now. He goes up against a Lions defense that struggles against the pass and is now flying across the country. Remember what Hasselbeck did to the Jaguars pass defense a few weeks back? This could be a repeat. Expect around 260 yards and three touchdowns.

RB: Jamaal Charles vs Jaguars: Charles will be replacing the suspended Larry Johnson this week and could be in for a big game. He is a solid receiver out of the backfield and is a very similar runner to Chris Johnson who just slashed the Jaguars for over 200 yards. He may not be worth starting, but would be an excellent flex play. Expect around 100 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Michael Crabtree vs Titans: The past few weeks, it seems that everything has been going Crabtree's way. He finally got payed, he is getting more involved in the offense each week and he has already more than doubled Darrius Heyward-Bey's reception output for the season in two weeks. While all these things make Crabtree happy, fantasy owners are thrilled their patience has payed off.

He now goes up against a Titans pass defense that has been one of the worst in the league and should be a safe number three fantasy receiver for the rest of the year. Expect around 60 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Kellen Winslow vs Packers: A reliable tight end is a rookie quarterback's best friend and Winslow has already scored four touchdowns with quarterback play that has been inconsistent to say the least. Look for Josh Freeman to find Winslow early and often. Expect around 80 yards and a touchdown.

K: Ryan Succop vs Jaguars: This past year's Mr. Irrelevant is starting to develop into a relevant fantasy option as a bye week fill in and could even emerge as one of the better fantasy kickers in the next few years. At this time, he faces a favorable matchup against a Jaguars defense that has struggled the past few weeks. Expect around 2 field goals and two extra points.

DEF: Falcons vs Redskins: The Redskins offense has struggled the past few years, but only now has it gotten to the point where Dan Snyder is being compared to Al Davis. Unlike many others I actually like Davis. While the game may have passed him by, he is a big reason why the NFL is what it is today, still has a very sharp wit and is guaranteed to make at least one "What were they thinking" move each draft.

In my opinion, those comparisons are actually an insult at Davis considering he has actually won in the past (Three total Super Bowls the last being in 1984) and to his credit he at least goes after certain kinds of players. Snyder's team has no direction whatsoever and is built more like something out of a Madden 10 fantasy draft than an NFL team. Anyway after that mini rant, back to my main point.

The Falcons defense hasn't been overly impressive this year, but against a struggling Redskins offense, they are a great plug-and-play option if you happen to have the Vikings defense which is on bye or another defense with a tough matchup. Expect around 4 sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Start all Packers: On a day where the Buccaneers honor hall of famer Lee Roy Selmon and wear their creamsicle jerseys (one of my two favorite throwbacks of all time the other is the Chargers baby blues), there won't be a lot of Selmons's specialty as a player: defense.

This game could end up reminding Selmon of his first few years on the Bucs where they started their first two years 0-26. The Packers have tons of offensive fire power and the game could be decided early.

In fact, if I was a Bucs fan, I would go to the game, pay your respect to Lee Roy and afterwards go over to his restaurant Lee Roy Selmon's a few blocks away. Trust me, I don't live in Tampa but the place is fantastic. Every time I am in town I go there at least twice and everything on the menu is very good. I would recommend the wings with the Oklahoma Sauce (Help! I'm turning into Peter King) or the ribs.

Finally after my non caffeinated Peter King-esque rant, the Packers you should start (I am including the obvious) are Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, Mason Crosby, Packers defense and a flier in very deep leagues is James Jones.

Fbkid's Week 9 Predictions

Last week was a solid week for my predictions but it was filled with ups and downs. While my Texans vs Bills and Cowboys vs Seahawks picks were right on the money, I missed badly with my Jaguars vs Titans and Panthers vs Cardinals picks. Hopefully my week 9 picks can me more consistent.

Game of the weak: Chiefs vs Jaguars: On a week where neither the Browns or Raiders play, it's hard to find a game for this category but if you have to choose, this would be the one.

Game of the week: Texans vs Colts: This is a huge game for the Texans and a possible trap game for the Colts. If the Texans win, they prove that they are a legitimate playoff contender in the AFC. The Colts, who face the Patriots next week, are now without two of their starting defensive backs and face one of the league's more explosive passing attacks.

Last week: 9-4
Overall: 78-38

Last week with the spread: 7-6
Overall: 66-50

Redskins 16 Falcons 28
Cardinals 20 Bears 24
Ravens 26 Bengals 21
Texans 27 Colts 35
Chiefs 17 Jaguars 24
Dolphins 20 Patriots 35
Packers 28 Bucs 13
Panthers 24 Saints 35
Lions 14 Seahawks 31
Chargers 20 Giants 26
Titans 17 49ers 23
Cowboys 21 Eagles 27
Steelers 21 Broncos 26

Fbkid's Week 8 Fantasy Studs

Last week wasn't the best for my fantasy studs as only Austin Collie and Nate Kaeding had good games. In most fantasy leagues, the first half of the year is already over and now is the time to plan your playoff push. More then ever, it is important to analyze the matchups and search the waiver wire for key free agents.

QB: David Garrard vs Titans: Garrard usually doesn't put up great fantasy numbers, but has a very good matchup against a struggling Titans pass defense. Expect around 230 yards and a touchdown.

RB: Beanie Wells vs Panthers: The Panthers have had trouble stopping the run so far this year and if last week is any indication Wells is going to start getting some more carries in the Cardinals offense. Expect around 80 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Devin Hester vs Browns: The Browns have really struggled stopping the pass so far this year and Hester also has the potential to score anytime he touches the ball. Expect around 80 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Jeremy Shockey vs Falcons: The Falcons proved last week that they have a hard time stopping the pass and now they face the explosive Saints passing attack. Shockey got a lot of balls thrown his way last week and based on his performance, that should continue. Expect around 60 yards and a touchdown.

K: Matt Stover vs 49ers: The 49ers defense was one of the surprise stories of the first few weeks but have been in a tail spin for the past few weeks. Stover replacing the injured Adam Vinetari, should get plenty of opportunities. Expect around four extra points and a field goal.

DEF: Cardinals vs Panthers: The Cardinals have loads of talent on the defensive side of the ball and the last time they played the Panthers in the playoffs Jake Delhomme had one of the worst days of his career. While it will be hard to repeat that performance, look for the Cardinals to get pressure on Delhomme through out the game. Expect around two sacks and two interceptions.

On another note, make sure to start all of your Lions and Rams players this week. While the two teams combine for only one win, there should be lots of fantasy points as neither team plays much defense. Some players to consider starting other then the obvious such as Steven Jackson and Calvin Johnson are: Matthew Stafford, Kevin Smith, Brandon Pettigrew, Marc Bulger, Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton (very deep leagues only).

Fbkid's Week 8 Predictions

Last week was a very good one for my picks as I went 11-2 against the spread. As far as picks go, this year has been a pretty solid one as I am now 15 games over .500 against the spread and I have also been doing pretty well straight up as well. Hopefully I can keep the positive momentum going with my week 8 predictions.

Game of the weak: Rams vs Lions: This game could end up being pretty high scoring, but when both teams combine for a total of one win, it's hard to go against it.

Game of the week: Vikings vs Packers: This game isn't only Brett Favre's return to Lambeau.It is a huge game for both teams as the winner will emerge as one of the favorites in a competitive NFC.

Last week: 9-4
Overall: 69-34

Last week against the spread: 11-2
Overall: 59-44


Broncos 20 Ravens 24
Texans 26 Bills 14
Browns 13 Bears 28
Seahawks 17 Cowboys 31
Dolphins 23 Jets 17
49ers 17 Colts 35
Giants 21 Eagles 27
Rams 20 Lions 28
Raiders 13 Chargers 26
Jaguars 28 Titans 14
Vikings 24 Packers 28
Panthers 13 Cardinals 27
Falcons 23 Saints 35

Fbkid's Week 7 Extra Points

After seven weeks, a record three undefeated teams are still left standing. Many of the games this past week were blowouts. Two games however could apply to some of what was said in the Denny Green rant that occurred over four years ago. Here are my week seven extra points.


The Giants aren't who we thought they were: While their 5-2 record is impressive, the Cowboys are the only team they have beat with any chance of making the playoffs. Other than that, the Giants have beaten the Chiefs, Buccaneers and Raiders. The team does have a talented roster, but not being able to beat the Cardinals or Saints who are playoff caliber teams is a reason for concern.



We let them off the hook: The Dolphins led by 21 points at home against an undefeated Saints team and still managed to lose. The Dolphins game plan was working perfectly as they were running the ball all over the Saints. Then the Saints offense got going and the game was never the same. If we learned anything out of this game it’s that Chad Henne really needs some playmakers for him to be successful. Brian Hartline had a very good game and Davone Bess is an excellent slot receiver, but Ted Ginn isn’t turning into the player they hoped he would be. Look for this to be one of the 1st positions addressed this offseason.



One play that really stood out to me in the Giants Cardinals game was when Antrel Rolle lined up at quarterback in the wildcat and threw the ball. The play didn't count, but it stood out to me for two reasons. I had no idea that Rolle could throw the ball that well as he threw a perfect strike 40 yards down field to Larry Fitzgerald. The second thing is that Rolle could have a stronger arm than backup quarterback Matt Leinart who was drafted to be the future of the franchise four years ago. Leinart with the weapons around him could end up turning into a solid pro, but as of now it looks like he will be another disappointment from the overhyped 2006 draft class.



Alex Smith should have won himself the starting job in San Francisco with his performance against the Texans. In one half, he threw for over 200 yards and three touchdowns. With the emergence of Vernon Davis and the recent signing of Michael Crabtree, Smith has some weapons to throw to and could put up some solid numbers.



The Josh Johnson era looks to be over in Tampa. Even though he threw eight interceptions, Johnson showed some potential but after drafting Josh Freeman in the 1st round this past year, it was only a matter of time until Johnson would get the shaft. Johnson could end up being a solid quarterback so it should be interesting to see if they keep him or try and trade him this offseason.



A real darkhorse for the defensive rookie of the year is Bills safety Jairus Byrd. Byrd is always around the ball and that is a main reason why he is among the league leaders with five interceptions. Look for him to only get better over the course of the year and take his game to another level in his second year.



A player who doesn't get much attention but could end up being a Hall of Fame player is Saints safety Darren Sharper. With 60 interceptions he is the league's active leader and with 11 only trails Rod Woodson for touchdown returns. Sharper has a few good years of football left in him so don't be surprised if he ends up with more than 70 interceptions for his career.



If you are looking for a running back in your fantasy league, a guy to consider is Jets rookie Shonn Greene. Leon Washington is out for the season so Greene will be getting his carries and has he proved against the Raiders, he can make the most of them. Greene also has the body to be effective around the goal line so don't be surprised if he becomes one of the more valuable fantasy backs in the stretch run.

Fbkid's Week 7 Fantasy Studs

Last week I didn't get the chance to do my week six fantasy studs so hopefully with these predictions I can bounce back.

QB: Matt Cassel vs Chargers: The Chargers defense has really struggled this year and Cassel's numbers have improved every week and is starting to form a solid connection with Dwayne Bowe. Expect around 210 yards and two touchdowns.

RB: Jonathan Stewart vs Bills: Stewart has been hurt battling injuries so far this season and got back on track last week against the Buccaneers. Now he plays the Bills who have the worst run defense in the league and should have another big game. Expect around 125 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Austin Collie vs Rams: Pretty much every Colts player would be worth starting against the Rams, but none will be more value then the rookie out of BYU. Collie is really emerging as one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets and now faces a very weak Rams secondary. Expect around 80 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Heath Miller vs Vikings: Miller is on pace for a career season and now faces a Vikings pass defense that isn't very strong. He is one of Ben Roethlisberger's favorite targets and should get some red zone opportunities. Expect around 65 yards and a touchdown.

K: Nate Kaeding vs Chiefs: The Chiefs defense is one of the worst in the league and Kaeding should have lots of opportunities as the Chargers have no problem scoring. He got back on track against the Broncos so look for him to keep it. Expect around three extra points and two field goals.

DEF: Panthers vs Bills: The Panthers defense has played fairly well the past few weeks and now goes up against a struggling Bills offense starting a backup quarterback. Expect around three sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Fbkid's Week 7 Predictions

This past week was one of the first that showed the parity which we have seen around the league in past years. Teams such as the Chiefs, Raiders and Bills all had very surprising wins which were huge hits to survivor pools. Here are my week seven predictions.


Game of the weak: Bills vs Panthers: Both of these teams won last week, but if you enjoy good quarterback play, this one isn't for you.

Game of the week: Vikings vs Steelers: The Vikings are arguably the best team in the league right now and the Steelers are the defending champs who are missing a quality win. Look for the Steelers defense to pressure Brett Favre and make him win the game.

Last week: 8-6
Overall: 60-30
Last week against the spread: 6-8
Overall: 48-42

Packers 28 Browns 14
49ers 23 Texans 28
Chargers 26 Chiefs 20
Colts 42 Rams 10
Patriots 35 Bucs 13
Vikings 21 Steelers 27
Bills 14 Panthers 20
Jets 24 Raiders 16
Bears 17 Bengals 23
Falcons 26 Cowboys 17
Saints 20 Dolphins 26
Cardinals 23 Giants 28
Eagles 26 Redskins 10

Fbkid's Week 6 Extra Points

The Saints are currently the best team in the league. Gregg Williams' defense was impressive yesterday constantly getting pressure on Eli Manning and the offense is almost impossible to stop. There next big test is in a few weeks at home against the Falcons which will be a very important game in both the division and overall NFC standings.

If anyone has benefited the most from the Brett Favre era in Minnesota it is Sidney Rice. He is emerging as a big play threat and is showing the potential that has some in the Vikings organization comparing him to Larry Fitzgerald. Favre and Rice are only going to get better as a tandem as the year goes on so it wouldn't be surprising if he had over 1000 yards receiving.

The Jets really need to be worried about the way Mark Sanchez played yesterday in cold weather. The Meadowlands is very windy and it could be possible that he doesn't have the arm strength needed to play there. This is also a question that frequently is asked about Eli Manning and while he doesn't put up great numbers at home, there are few quarterbacks who are better on the road.

Out of all the great running backs to come out of the 2008 draft class, it's possible that Ray Rice doesn't get enough attention. He was very impressive this week rushing for over seven yards a carry along with ten receptions and two touchdowns. With Rice and Joe Flacco, the Ravens are certainly not the same team they were a few years ago and the offense could become one of the league’s elite in the next few years.

Last week I mentioned that it might not be until December that Tom Brady returns to his 2007 form. If the six touchdown passes against the Titans are any indication, he's back. Unlike prior weeks, Brady hit all of his receivers and seemed comfortable in the pocket. This offense is still very explosive and they are heating up at the right time.

After their embarrassing 59-0 loss, I have finally realized that the Titans are in the exact same situation the Jaguars were last year. Both teams over-achieved and faced high expectations heading into the next season. Instead of being a Super Bowl contender, both teams looked old and ready to rebuild. There is some talent to build around with players such as Chris Johnson, Cortland Finnegan and Michael Griffin. However the strength of the Titans has always been upfront and until they address that through free agency or the draft, it could be a few years until they are contenders again.

After seeing him play in person for the first time, it is clear to me that Steven Jackson deserves a better team. At 6’2 235 pounds he is built more like a linebacker but he is one of the best running backs in the entire league. Jackson is a very powerful runner and also has soft hands. His all around play was shown on a screen pass that he broke for 40 yards on a very impressive run dragging tacklers with him. Jackson is under contract until 2013, but if he is ever given a chance to play on another team, he will be in the discussion with Adrian Peterson over who is the best running back in the league.

Fbkid's Week 6 Predictions

A new thing that I am going to start adding to my predictions is how I am fairing against the spread. When I make my predictions, I don't look at it but afterwards it is interesting to see how far off they are from the Vegas lines. Here are my week six predictions.

Game of the weak: Rams vs Jaguars: Last week these two teams combined to score a total of ten points. Considering how poor both of these defenses are though, it could end up being a high scoring game.

Game of the week: Giants vs Saints: Both teams have impressed in every aspect of the game and the winner should be the early front runner in the NFC.

Last week: 9-5
Overall: 52-24
Last week against spread: 8-6
Overall: 42-34

Texans 20 Bengals 24
Lions 21 Packers 34
Rams 14 Jaguars 26
Ravens 23 Vikings 27
Giants 17 Saints 21
Browns 10 Steelers 28
Panthers 24 Bucs 13
Chiefs 21 Redskins 26
Eagles 35 Raiders 10
Cardinals 24 Seahawks 28
Titans 16 Patriots 27
Bills 13 Jets 24
Bears 20 Falcons 26
Broncos 17 Chargers 23

Fbkid's Week 5 Extra Points

This past week was another example of how this year doesn't contain the parody that a normal NFL season does. There are still four winless teams and as crazy as 0-16 sounded last year, it looks like that a few teams could give the Lions a run this year. Here are my week five extra points.

Ronnie Brown doesn’t get as much attention as he deserves. He has put up solid numbers but until you watch him you don't know how good he really is. The wildcat offense may not be conventional, but Brown thrives on it and few players have his decision making ability with the ball. He is a tough runner who can either get a first down in a short yardage situation or take it 60 yards for a touchdown. Another thing that is underrated is his throwing ability as he has proven on multiple occasions that he can throw when called upon.

Rex Ryan should be pretty worried about the Jets performance on defense. They didn’t get any pass rush against Chad Henne and in order to rattle a young quarterback, you need to get in his face. The defense has loads of talent, but they need to keep the games relatively low scoring. Mark Sanchez has shown a lot of promise in his first five games, but he hasn’t yet shown that he can put the team on his back and win.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Johnny Knox could be a dark horse for the offensive rookie of the year award. Right now Austin Collie is showing that he could be in it for the long haul. He is quickly developing into one of Peyton Manning’s favorite targets and is getting more involved in the offense each week. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if Collie is starting even when Anthony Gonzalez returns.

Like many people, the Patriots were my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The way they are playing of late they could be in trouble. Tom Brady is not back to his old self yet and has missed receivers on passes that could have been easy touchdowns. The defense has also had some injury problems on a unit that isn’t getting any younger. Predictions for the Patriots this season were mainly based off the impact that Brady would have on the team. For all we know, it could take him until December to regain his 2007 form.

If the season ended today, it would be hard not to give Kyle Orton the most improved player award. Granted, he now has more weapons around him but he is making better decisions with the ball as he has only thrown only one interception through five games. As impressive as the Broncos have been, Orton’s play will determine how far they go this year.

As hard as it is to believe, the Ravens defense could hold them back this year. The pass defense has really struggled up to this point and what they have been doing late in games is reason to worry. Yes, there were some very controversial calls in the game against the Patriots, but their defense lost their composure towards the end of the Bengals game. They became over aggressive trying to make plays but that ended up leading to penalties that helped the Bengals cap their game winning drive. Even Ray Lewis got in the act hitting a defenseless Chad Ochocinco for a crucial unnecessary roughness penalty. This is a veteran unit though and if any group can fix this they can.

In case you were wondering, along with the Broncos, the Bengals are for real. They have already beaten every team in their division and are doing it in dramatic fashion. The offense which was supposed to drive the team this year has struggled at times but a young, athletic defense is what really is standing out so far. The unit is improving by the game and is filled with emotion as defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s wife unexpectedly passed away this past week. If the offense plays up to its potential, look out.