Pred's Fantasy Football Forums - 3-3 is No Record to be Proud of

Let’s pick up the pieces of our weekend – whether it was destroyed in anger or a victim of excess celebration. We’re here to face the glowing/ugly reality of how we did.

We’ll start this week with Jersey TW (2-6) going against the Brain Dead SC (3-5). Waste were dying on Sunday, watching McNabb not even break into the double digits on scoring. Then, William Green totaled a whopping 20 yards. His WR averaged just over 10 points each. So, going into MNF with only 49 points was less then desirable. However, Edge ran up 26.90 points. Chasers, on the other hand, loved seeing Hasselbeck perform as his pre-season projections (30.1 points). Marshall did not have a standard Marshall day, but had a respectible 16.8 points as well. Jordan, Burress, TJ (no, I’m not spelling his last name), and Stallworth combined for 10.5 points…ouch! As I gave him warning last week, Jacksonville was on a BYE, hello!!! Witten showed he’s a solid starter with 12.7 points. However, going into MNF with only a kicker to go and 70.1 points was not a good feeling. It actually came back to bite the Chasers this week

Prediction: Comes down to whether Randy Moss plays or not. If he doesn’t, hands down to Waste. Having no DT hurts Chasers a bit. Heck, I’ll take Waste either way.

** Actual: Jersey Toxic Waste 85.60 to Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers 79.30

Next up is Wonder Mutts (6-2) versus Nittany Dodgers (3-5): The Wonder Mutts are wondering what happened to Vinny. In the last two weeks, he’s thrown six picks alone (that doesn’t even include the fumbles). So, they were thankful he stayed in the double digits. Thankfully, Favre comes back next week (since I gather Boller won’t move up to #1 on the depth chart). Dominic Davis stepped up this week – finally getting healthy (pulling in 26.75 points). Corey "somehow I was hurt last week but not this week" Dillon played exceptionally well too (also bringing in 26+ points). McCarreins & Robinson did little more than I expected. However, I was stunned at how well the Steelers shut down TO. Antonio Gates is making a case for the #1 TE out there with a monster game (3 TD). Oh my. Nittany Dodgers had a shot until Pennington went down (again for 2-4 weeks from what I read). Tiki Barber continues to stun the NFL (I think most people are like me and waiting for him to falter). Tony G tried to keep pace with Gates, but fell a little short at 22.8 points. Pittsburgh was good to the Dodgers with the Steelers and Jeff Reed getting double digits.

Prediction: Upset of the Week – Dodgers slow the Mutts down a bit…

** Actual: Mutts 126.8 – Dodgers 116.80 (I think I would have been right if Pennington didn’t go down…yeah, that’s it. Rationalize)

Royal Hawaiian Opihi (5-3) against SB Derby Cars (2-6): The Opihi thought ther were in trouble going against the NE DT with Bulger, however he showed some poise and racked up 26.1 points. Droughns shows he’s the FA pickup of the year so far with 20.35 points. Anthony Thomas is trying to challenge Droughns for that title (and if he keeps up weeks like this he might) scoring 31 points. Holt and Lelie also played very well, but I’m scratching my head about where Robinson went last night. Shockey even pulled in a TD, as well as Seattle DT and ADAM Vinatieri didn’t want to be left out, so HE threw a TD. Poor Marcus Robinson was the only one NOT to find the end zone this week…expect his teammates to rub it in that a Kicker scored a TD and he didn’t. Derby Cars had way too much ground to make up on MNF even with a man named Peyton. 36.15 wasn’t enough. Hoover was solid with a TD. Westbrook was limited in his return. I see him getting more reps as the weeks go on. All three WR totaled 12.2 points. Not good. What really has to hurt is that Darrel Jackson and Johnnie Morton was on his bench. Sadly enough, not enough Cars

Prediction: Cars, check out the waiver wire…there’s gotta be a RB somewhere!!! This one to Opihi

** Actual: Opihi 167.70 to Derby Cars 80.25 (ooo getting doubled gotta hurt…)

Philly Freedom (3-5) facing off against Liquid Swords (5-3). Freedom were doubly hurt. First of all, they HAD to start Jay Fiedler (a curse in and of itself this season), but worse than that, he went out injured. So, the 12.8 points were a blessing. More painful, Curtis Martin was brought back down to Earth by the Buffalo DT (not even hitting 100 yards, or 75 for that matter). McCallister is making it back from injury as well and his nearly 100 total yards and a TD were a good start. Bring once more hit the end zone, but his yards were down again. Looks like Bulger is focusing only on Holt. Brandon Lloyd is stepping up to actually be a solid #3 WR finally…now if he could only be consistent….hmmmm – if anyone on SF can be consistent. Swords are hoping Randy Moss comes back soon. Not because they have him on the roster, but because Culpepper has been only average without him. McGahee looks to be the starter from here on out in Buffalo with 30.55 points (3 starts, 3 100 yard games, 3 Buffalo wins). Boldin and Horn were combined under 10 points. Thankfully, Rod Smith got a TD because he only had 29 yards. NE helped.

Prediction: Freedom celebrate, I picking Swords (come on, you think I’d choose you Freedom when you have to start Fiedler???)

** Actual: Freedom 96.25 to Swords 100.10 (close game…sorry Freedom, I actually was right on this one)

Now Parkwood Predators (6-2) tackle the BA Bloodsucking Insects (3-5): .Aaron Brooks is back to his old antics…inconsistency. However, Preds were exceptionally pleased with Michael Pittman’s career game of 38.55 points. LT2 was good, but not up to his standards…somethings gotta be wrong with that boy…oh yeah, they actually have a passing game now… Ward almost broke the 20 points mark with his two arm-flapping TDs. Andre Johnson, on the other hand was stuffed for the day. Baltimore last minute Ray Lewis interfering with the TE interception for a TD was a huge help for the DT. Insects are pulling for the Bay Area-boy, Kerry Collins who still hasn’t gotten things straight with only 14.4 points. But, with Alexander going for 34.5 points and Portis for 29.7 – who really cares. Coles was on the receiving end of Portis TD catch – hey, Laveranuesm, maybe Clinton should be your QB and you’d get more TDs. Porter and Stokely were non-factors. Eric Johnson has also been quiet lately. Thankfully, riding on the RB, the Insects didn’t need much more.

Prediction: Insects are better than their record, but even Alexander and Portis can’t pull one out for them….Preds

** Actual: Predators 125.25 to Bloodsucking Insects 132.30 (ok..ok. the RB WERE enough)

Finally, Indiana Undead (5-3) clash with Urza’s Ragers (5-3): The Undead wanted to show that Jake Plummer had four more TDs (still stunning to me). All eyes are on a man name Priest and the injury report this week. He came back down to Earth without a 3-point landing and appears dinged up. Rudi nearly ran for 100, but had a few receiving yards to help him out. Harrison was not as much a factor as expected with three TDs going to TEs. Speaking of TE’s Daniel Graham has been a non-factor the last four games. Niether Rudi nor Chad reached the end zone this week. The Ragers look like they are keeping Brees in the rest of the season with four more TDs this week. Someone tell me SD is NOT tied for lead of AFC West??? Jamal Lewis had a right to complain. This is beginning to be a consistent trend with the Ravens. Brian Billicks ego is costing him games. He so badly wants to convince the NFL that he is right with Boller being a starting QB, he is forcing passing plays when he should run….perfect example was play offs last year vs Titans. If you have a 2000 yards rusher, you don’t give him the ball only 10-20 times a game and expect to win. Ok, I’m done with my soapbox. Anyway, he scored 21.5. Morris was a surprise at 17.7 as well as Chambers at 16.55. Rod Gardner and Roy Williams were huge disappointments.

Prediction: Game of the week. We have play-off implications here!!! Will return of Jamal Lewis be enough to push Ragers past the Undead??? Can either Plummer or Brees repeat Week 8 numbers??? Will Priest Holmes get another 4 TDs this week? Only time will tell.

Personally, I think Undead have the edge w/ loss of Fred Taylor for the Ragers.

** Actual: Undead 103.75 to Ragers 108.85 (definitely a great game by all accounts.

Off we go to face the downhill slope of the season. More than half has been played and a lot of things are falling into place (or to pieces – depending on your team). So, until next week this is Tank D’Season, comb the waiver wire and continue your threats and beggings for me not to choose you to win!