It's funny, every year, everybody (myself included) gets overwhelmed by all the wacky things happening in the NFL. We all act like it's never happened before, like THIS is the first time it hasn't gone according to plan. But that's exactly why football is so fun... because EVERY year is bizarre. The Bills and Broncos are still undefeated, and definitely should be after this week (facing St. Louis and KC, the Missouri suck-twins). The NFC East, who everybody knew would be good, is a combined 10-2, and 8-0 outside their division! I'd add more, but you've probably read all the interesting anomalies all week long, instead I'll share two new sections...
Interesting Fantasy Trades of the Week:
1) Aaron Rodgers and Antonio Bryant for Fred Taylor, Chad Ocho Cinco, and Jeremy Shockey:
This was between myself and fellow SPLP writer Bullock. Ok, so maybe this one was just interesting to me because I was a part of it. Still, if somebody asked you before the season about this trade, it would probably look incredibly unbalanced in favor of the players on the right. But I had the good fortune of drafting both Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, and with them both sitting in the top-4 of QB ranks so far this season, I felt the need to move when they had their peak value. Plus, my 3rd best RB was DeAngelo Williams. Freddie will be an upgrade, and I'll take the risk of Oucho-Stinko since he won't be in my top-3 WR's. I know Shockey's hurt, but with Brees as my QB, he's worth shelving for now
2) Peyton Manning for Eli Manning, straight up:
I was pretty speechless when I first saw this. It's noteworthy that this trade happened between one of the most fantasy-savvy members of our league and probably the least fantasy-savvy members... and that the savvy one is a ginormous Colts fan. C'mon Laura, I know Peyton's struggled a bit early on, but you forgot the most important rule about Eli Manning, that being that HE IS STILL ELI MANNING. The best way I can describe this trade is that you just traded ass-cancer for ball-cancer.
NFL Headline of the Week:
"Quick-healing Favre walking with only slight limp"
Drink it in Jets fans. Your encouraging news is that your geriatric QB is only sightly limping.
Runner Up:
"Warrant issued for Bengals defensive lineman "
Surprise Factor: negative a hojillian.
Before we get to the picks, I just want to give a fond farewell to Troy Brown, the epitome of New England Patriot football from '93-'03. An undersized, late-round pick with less than blazing speed, he scratched and fought to make a place for himself in the league, morphing from kick return specialist to #1 receiver for a Super Bowl championship team, and all-time team leader in receptions. He worked hard, stayed humble, and did whatever he needed to to help the team. It's nice in today's sports world to see a guy who's easy to root for stick with one team for his entire career. Good luck in the next stage of your life Troy.
WEEK 4 PICKS
Vikings @ Titans (-1.5)
As predicted here last week, the Vikes hopped on the Gus Bus and rode to their first victory. The Titans, meanwhile, are quietly undefeated and atop the talented AFC North, all without their suicidal QB. This game could go either way, but I see it going similarly to Week 1, where the Titans shut down a great running game and pulled off a win at home.
Prediction: Titans, 20-14
Fantasy Love: Bo Scaife, Chris Johnson, Tennessee DEF, Adrian Peterson
Fantasy Hate: Gus Frerrotte, LenDale White
Broncos @ Cheifs (+11.5)
One of the most deserving double-digit dogs at home, ever. There's not a single thing I like about KC outside of Dwayne Bowe, and the Broncos offense has looked scary good so far, scoring 38 per game. With the way Denver's D has been playing though, at least KC will have a chance to put up a few meaningless scores.
Prediction: Broncos, 34-21
Fantasy Love: Brandon Marshall, Jay Cutler, Eddie Royal, Dwayne Bowe
Fantasy Hate: Tyler Thigpen, Larry Johnson, Selvin Young
49ers @ Saints (-2.5)
The Saints have lost two in a row coming into this one, and San Fran is riding high at 2-1. I just don't see them stopping Brees and Bush though, even with Colston and Shockey injured. Especially not in New Orleans. I have a feeling San Fran is going to be one of those completely unpredictable teams all year long. Hey Bay-area fans... that's better than being predictably bad again, right?
Prediction: Saints, 31-28
Fantasy Love: Drew Brees, Devery Henderson Reggie Bush, Frank Gore, JT O'Sullivan, Bryant Johnson
Fantasy Hate: David Patten, Vernon Davis (so much hate)
Cardinals @ Jets (EVEN)
I really really REALLY hope this isn't the game we get stuck watching with the bye-week. With the Giants also on bye, it seems likely though. At least we get a really old QB showdown. Expect lots of graphics referring to this from FOX... you can just feel it coming. I'm not convinced on either of these teams, so I'll give it to the home squad.
Prediction: Jets, 21-17
Fantasy Love: Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, Chansi Stuckey, Thomas Jones
Fantasy Hate: Edgerrin James, Laverneous Coles
Packers @ Bucs (+2.5)
Without Warren Sapp and Brett Favre, this matchup doesn't have the sizzle it used to. Still, it's 2 of the better teams in the NFC facing off. We're getting far enough into the season to get confidence in Rodgers, and Brian Griese is single-handedly resurrecting the careers of Antonio Bryant and Ike Hilliard. Yes, that sentence actually happened. Also noteworthy, Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn are averaging 6 and 5.2 YPC, respectively. Still, I see the longball beating smallball in this one. This seems like a good time to mention that Lil Wayne has a blog and is a Packers fan.
Prediction: Green Bay, 28-20
Fantasy Love: Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Antonio Bryant, E
arnest GrahamFantasy Hate: Ryan Grant, Ike Hilliard
Falcons @ Panthers (-5)
This game is surprisingly being played for first place in the division. The Falcons have taken advantage of an early schedule, and you can see them getting confidence. Meanwhile the Panthers seem to only play well when nobody is telling them they should. Steve Smith is back and had 70 yards last week working his way into game-speed. Expect a big day here against an unproven secondary. Also, I went to the ESPN page for the Falcons, and saw the image to the right. Way to keep things up to date.
Prediction: Carolina, 24-14
Fantasy Love: Michael Turner, Steve Smith, Jonathan Stewart Fantasy Hate: Mike Jenkins, DeAngelo Williams
Texans @ Jaguars (-7.5)
I give credit to the Jags, they pulled off a big road win last week... but let's face it, the Colts are slipping. I think the Texans are a lot better than 0-3, but because of their rough schedule, that's where they might end up. I can see myself being completely wrong here but...
Prediction: Jaguars, 27-24
Fantasy Love: Fred Taylor, MJD, Andre Johnson, Steve Slaton
Fantasy Hate: David Garrard, Ahman Green
Browns @ Bengals (-3.5)
Check that, THIS is the game I don't want to be seeing. I guess you can at least hope for some offensive fireworks, or that Brady Quinn will come in mid-game, or that Ocho Cinco will actually live up to his own hype for a week. Still, things just aren't pretty in the land that's high in the middle and round on the ends.
Prediction: Bengals take it, 34-24
Fantasy Love: Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, Housh, Carson Palmer, Chris Perry
Fantasy Hate: Derek Anderson, Ocho Cinco, Jamal Lewis
Chargers @ Raiders (+8)
The whole Oakland clubhouse tormoil thing isn't even interesting anymore, it's just annoying. Meanwhile the Chargers finally got back on track against a bad team last week. I expect that trend to continue.
Prediction: San Diego, 34-14
Fantasy Love: Tomlinson, Rivers, Chambers, Gates, McFadden
Fantasy Hate: JaMarcus Russell, Vincent Jackson, Michael Bush, Ronald Curry
Bills @ Rams (+9)
This is my pick for Survivor Pools this week. The Rams are just gawd-awful, and shell-of-a-man Trent Green is now starting. Also, have we ever had a game with both starting QBs named Trent before? Once again, we're in a world where the Bills are clear AFC East front-runners. It's giving me childhood flashbacks.
Prediction: Bills, 34-10
Fantasy Love: Trent Edwards, Lee Evans, Marshawn Lynch, Torry Holt
Fantasy Hate: Trent Green, Steven Jackson
Redskins @ Cowboys (-7)
At 2-1, the Skins might be this years version of the '07 Giants... in that I am convinced they're no good but they keep winning anyway. Still, I don't see them rolling into Big-D and toppling the Cowboys this week. With the emergence of Felix Jones, Dallas has a scary amount of weapons now.
Prediction: Cowboys, 34-21
Fantasy Love: Romo, TO, Witten, MB3, Felix Jones, Clinton Portis, Santana Moss
Fantasy Hate: Patrick Crayton, Antwan Randel-El
Eagles @ Bears (+6.5)
After two very tough weeks, the Eagles head to Chicago to face a team that's looked better than expected. Last week's bloodbath leagues McNabb and Westbrook banged up, and Correll Buckhalter might be the main man. If that's the case, the Bears have a chance... but I'm going to assume McNabb and Westbrook play and say...
Prediction: Eagles, 24-17
Fantasy Love: McNabb, Hank Baskett (whos apparently dating Kendra Wilkinson), Matt Forte
Fantasy Hate: Greg Lewis, Kyle Orton
I'm going to wait until Monday for injury updates to predict the Monday Night game. Have a great weekend everyone.
Credibility Check
Last Week: 10-6
Season: 27-20
Predictions I Almost Nailed: Seahawks 31 - 13 (Actual: 37-13), 49ers 31-21 (Actual: 31-13)
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