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.

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

Fbkid's Week 3 Extra Points

This past week was very entertaining with last second wins, upsets and many close games. Here are my thoughts on the past weeks games.

Congratulations go out to the Detroit Lions for winning their first game after 19 straight losses. Matthew Stafford played his best game of his very young career and the defense played well. Jim Schwartz has this team headed in the right direction.

On the other hand, the Redskins are in trouble. They are struggling on the defensive side of the ball and allowed two 90 plus yard scoring drives to the Lions. The offense has also been inconsistent so far this season and to say the least Jim Zorn will be on a short leash the rest of the season.

Byron Leftwich has been replaced as the Buccaneers starting quarterback by last year's 5th round pick Josh Johnson. While many people were expecting to see this year's 1st rounder Josh Freeman, this was a good move. While nobody doubted Leftwich's ability to throw the ball, Johnson unlike Leftwich is very mobile outside the pocket and can make things out of broken plays. The Bucs now get to see Johnson against a first team defense and will now be able to decide if he should be a part of the team as they are rebuilding. I was very high on Johnson coming out of San Diego last year so it will be interesting to see how he does.

While many people are crediting Carson Palmer for the Bengals early season success, one player to throw into the mix is Cedric Benson. Benson who was considered a major bust, is now third in the league and rushing yards and has provided the Bengals a solid rushing attack to go with their explosive passing game.

I know coach of the year is usually reserved for head coaches, but one guy who really deserves to be considered up to this point is Broncos defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. He has turned around a unit that was one of the worst in the league last year and through three games is allowing less then 10 points per game. Granted, they haven't played very tough opponents but regardless the turnaround Nolan has orchistrated is very impressive.

I would also like to say congratulations to Steelers rookie receiver Mike Wallace. This past sunday he had his first career 100 yard game and as some of you know he was my first ever player interview. He has all but locked up the role of being the Steelers number three receiver and it is impressive that he is already having such a big impact only three games into the season.