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.

Fbkid's Week 5 Fantasy Studs

Last week wasn't a great one for my fantasy studs as only Mike Sims-Walker and the Bengals defense had a real impact. With that being said, I want to remind everyone that I won't be stating the obvious players in this column, but rather guys who have favorable matchups and players who you can find on the waiver wire. Here are my week five fantasy studs.

QB: Matt Cassel vs Cowboys: Cassel hasn't done as well as many would have thought but that is mainly due to the lack of supporting cast he has. This week he goes up against the Cowboys who have one of the worst pass defenses in the league and the Chiefs will be playing from behind. Expect around 240 yards and two touchdowns.

RB: Tim Hightower vs Texans: The Texans run defense has been terrible so far this season and now they go against Hightower who is a solid receiver and is a goalline threat. Expect around 100 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Sidney Rice vs Rams: Rice is starting to become one of Brett Favre's favorite targets and is showing the talent that led so many people to predict a breakout season last year. Now he goes up against a Rams defense that has allowed seven touchdowns and Rice's size makes him a very good red zone threat. Expect around 70 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Brandon Pettigrew vs Steelers: Pettigrew is becoming more involved in the offense each week and without Troy Polamalu, the middle of the field will be open. Look for Daunte Culpepper to find Pettigrew early and often. Expect around 60 yards and a touchdown.

K: Lawrence Tynes vs Raiders: The Giants offense has been explosive so far this season and against a struggling Raiders defense he should get his fair share of opportunities. Expect around two field goals and three extra points.

Def: Eagles vs Buccaneers: The Bucs offense really struggled last week and with an inexperienced quarterback in Josh Johnson starting, the Eagles will blitz him early and often which should lead to turnovers. Expect around 3 sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Fbkid's Week 5 Predictions

A quarter through the season, only five undefeated teams remain. On the opposite side of the spectrum, it is hard to remember a year where so many teams were this bad out of the gate. There are six winless teams and an additional six only have one win. If you are in a survivor pool, there is a very good chance that their will be multiple winners at the end of the year. That is because there are at least six teams you can pick against each week and feel fairly confident. Here are my week five predictions.

Game of the weak: Browns vs Bills: Both of these teams have been disfunctional so far this year and it could be a very sloppy game.

Game of the week: Bengals vs Ravens: Most people would go with the Patriots Broncos game here, but this game is a rivalry. Two teams that don't like each other very much fighting for first place in the division. As hard as it is to believe considering the Ravens are involved, this could end up being a high scoring game as well.

Last week: 10-4
Season: 44-18

Bengals 21 Ravens 27
Browns 16 Bills 20
Redskins 17 Panthers 23
Steelers 35 Lions 23
Cowboys 27 Chiefs 17
Raiders 10 Giants 28
Bucs 14 Eagles 35
Vikings 31 Rams 13
Falcons 20 49ers 24
Texans 27 Cardinals 34
Patriots 23 Broncos 17
Jaguars 21 Seahawks 17
Colts 31 Titans 20
Jets 17 Dolphins 20

Fbkid's Week 4 Extra Points

With ¼ of the season on the books we’ve seen some surprising developments begin to emerge. Here are my week 4 extra points.

Before the year started, I thought Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels was in way over his head and the Broncos would have a miserable year. Instead, they are perfect through week four and after their win against the Cowboys I’m starting to believe. If McDaniels can lead the team to a victory over his mentor Bill Belichick and the Patriots, I'm sold.

It's hard to believe but the Saints won with defense last week against the Jets. Unlike last year in Jacksonville, Gregg Williams has the right personnel in place for his system and the unit is improving every week.

On another note regarding the Saints, many people feel that Drew Brees is the first quarter MVP, but his stats aren't nearly as impressive as they may seem. Take away his amazing 358 yards six touchdown week 1 game against the Lions and for the remaining three games he has a mere 700 yards passing and three touchdowns. His fantasy owners may be a little worried, but Brees is winning games for the Saints and in the league that's all that matters.

The other week I mentioned that Darrelle Revis could be the most underrated player in the league. Another candidate is Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield. An elite corner for quite some time; he’s now distinguished himself as a run-stopper. Winfield showed all the qualities that make him great against the Packers as he had ten tackles and an interception.

In my preseason predictions, I thought that the Packers could make a deep run in the NFC. They have lots of talent but their offensive line is a huge concern. Aaron Rodgers got a good look at the Metrodome roof as he was on his back almost the entire game. Jared Allen alone had 4.5 sacks. Keep in mind I said something similar about the Steelers last year and look how that turned out. The critical difference will turn out to be the Packers less-than-stout defense.

Braylon Edwards was traded to the Jets yesterday in what should be a good deal for all concerned. Edwards went to Honolulu in 2007 but due to inconsistent quarterback play and drops, he hasn't been the same since. Now he has a fresh start with rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez along with other targets in the passing game such as Jericho Cotchery and Dustin Keller.

This trade worked out well for the Browns too. They acquired two players who Eric Mangini is familiar with along with two draft picks. In so doing they rid themselves of a player that was losing support in the locker room and the community. Derek Anderson's number one target now should be Mohamed Massaquoi who he connected with last week for eight catches and 148 yards.

The Michael Crabtree holdout saga has finally come to an end, but don't expect him to make a huge contribution this rookie season. Crabtree still has to learn the playbook and has to form a connection with quarterback Shaun Hill. Considering the 49ers have a bye week six, look for Crabtree to make his NFL debut the following week against the Texans.


Last but not least, a personal highlight for me occurred this past weekend at the Jaguars Titans game as I had the chance to meet Michael Lombardi before the game. I am a very big fan of his column on National Football Post and his work on NFL Network. He is one of the most knowledgeable football men out there and I learn more every time I read his work. I really appreciate that he took a few minutes out of his day to talk to me and provide encouragement.

Fbkid's Week 4 Fantasy Studs

Last week wasn't a very good one for my fantasy studs as all in all they didn't put up the numbers I expected. This is a key week for fantasy owners as it is the first week where teams are on bye so it is more important then ever to pay attention to your roster. Here are my week four fantasy studs.

QB: Mark Sanchez vs Saints: Sanchez has been excellent for the Jets through three games so far but his fantasy numbers haven't been great. The Saints should still be able to put up points against a tough Jets defense so Sanchez will need to throw the ball more then he has been. Expect around 240 yards and two touchdowns.

RB: Glenn Coffee vs Rams: Coffee was a hot fantasy pickup this week and his owners should get an immediate payoff against a poor Rams defense. Coffee was very good in the preseason and if that was any indication, it could be a long day. Expect around 130 total yards and a touchdown.

WR: Mike Sims-Walker vs Titans: Sims-Walker has been one of the biggest fantasy surprises so far but if it wasn't for injuries, the surprise would have ended by the end of last year. He is emerging as David Garrard's favorite target and against a poor Titans pass defense that will be missing Cortland Finnegan, Sims-Walker should have a big day. Expect around 90 yards and a touchdown.

TE: Anthony Fasano vs Bills: Fasano became a decent option for fantasy owners last year but has really struggled so far. This is Chad Henne's first career start and considering that the Dolphins receiving corps isn't that strong, Fasano should be his safety net. Expect around 60 yards and a touchdown.

K: Joe Nedney vs Rams: Nedney has been productive so far this season and that should continue against a weak Rams defense. Expect around 2 field goals and three extra points.

Def: Bengals vs Browns: The Bengals might have the most underrated defense and the league and could have a very big game against a Browns offense that is in complete disarray. Expect around 4 sacks and two interceptions.

Fbkid's Week 4 Predictions

Last week was another good one for picks as I went 12-4 and predicted big wins for both the Bengals and Lions. The real contenders are starting to establish themselves and it should be interesting to see what happens this week as their are some great matchups. Here are my week four predictions.

Game of the weak: Buccaneers vs Redskins: The Bucs are coming off a game where they had less then 100 yards total offense and the Redskins lost to a team who had lost the previous 19 games. This one could be ugly.

Game of the week: Packers vs Vikings: A Packers fan's worst nightmare is finally here. Favre playing in a Vikings uniform against them. This game isn't only here for that factor, but the winner is the leader in a competitive NFC North.

Last week: 12-4
Season: 34-14

Lions 14 Bears 21
Bengals 26 Browns 10
Raiders 17 Texans 27
Seahawks 16 Colts 28
Titans 23 Jaguars 17
Giants 24 Chiefs 13
Ravens 20 Patriots 24
Bucs 13 Redskins 17
Bills 20 Dolphins 14
Jets 20 Saints 26
Cowboys 23 Broncos 16
Rams 10 49ers 26
Chargers 17 Steelers 23
Packers 23 Vikings 27