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I've got a TON to say so let's get at it
As everyone has heard all week,
in every presidential election since 1936, if the
Washington Redskins win their final home game before
the Tuesday voting, the party in power keeps the
White House; if the Redskins lose, the party out
of power retakes the White House. In recent years,
both political parties have become increasingly
sophisticated about manipulating events -- polls,
turnout, media coverage, "surprise" scandals
and etc. Why are we so naive as to think both parties
did not attempt to manipulate the Packers-Redskins
outcome?
Joey Galloway (groin) has
started to practice again. It is unclear if he will
return in Week 9, but he's still a good pickup if
your team is thin at receiver.
In the near future, it's become
apparent you can't depend on Randy Moss. It's clear
that the only thing that will help him heal is some
rest. And if he chooses to play, he's going to be
ineffective. Don't count on using Moss for another
week or two unless his health takes a dramatic,
positive turn.
Thomas Jones suffered a sprained
left foot on Sunday night, and his status is unclear
as of now. The Bears still don't know how serious
the injury is.
Keep a watch on Patriots RB
Cedric Cobbs. He has been taken off the PUP list,
and he could prove to be a quality injury replacement
for Corey Dillon in the future.
Brett Favre aggravated a right
wrist and thumb injury on Sunday, but with a bye
approaching, he'll have some time to heal. Don't
be surprised, however, if the Packers stick more
to the run to protect Favre when their schedule
resumes.
Eye
on Week 9
Expect Duce Staley to have
a big day, as he takes on his ex-teammates from
Philly.
Michael Pittman could have
another solid outing, as the Buccaneers look to
play ball control against the Chiefs.
Two punchless offenses could
get a temporary upgrade when Oakland faces Carolina.
Look for good numbers form Keary Colbert and Jerry
Porter.
The Cowboys should have another
successful offensive week, as Keyshawn Johnson and
Jason Witten stand out against Cincinnati.
Lock Drew Brees into your lineup
again. He faces the defenseless Saints.
The Vikings will rebound against
the Colts, even if Randy Moss is useless again.
It will be a good week to start Marcus Robinson
and Nate Burleson.
Stats of the Week
Kansas City has scored 101
points in its last two games.
Stats of the Week No.
2
Denver and Indianapolis both
exceeded 500 yards of offense, and lost.
Stats of the Week No.
3
New England gave up its first
turnover-return touchdown since the Patriots' winning
streak began in 2003.
Stats of the Week No.
4
Daunte Culpepper is on pace
to break Dan Marino's single-season record for passing
yards, while Peyton Manning is on pace to break
Marino's single-season record for touchdown passes.
Stats of the Week No.
5
Counting sacks, New England
coaches called passes on 29 consecutive plays. Counting
downs nullified by penalty, Denver coaches called
passes on 18 consecutive plays. Both teams lost.
Stats of the Week No.
6
Since taking the field for
their Super Bowl appearances, Carolina and Oakland
are a combined 7-26.
Stats of the Week No.
7
Kansas City recorded 590 yards
of offense, 33 first downs and 233 return yards.
Stats of the Week
No. 8
Buffalo scored 38 points despite
just 209 yards of offense.
Stats of the Week No.
9
The Tony Dungy-coached Colts
are now last in defense, surrendering an average
419 yards per game.
Stats of the Week No.
10
When Indianapolis and Kansas
City played in January, Kansas City scored 31 points
and lost. When Indianapolis and Kansas City played
Sunday, Indianapolis scored 35 points and lost.
Stats of the Week No.
11
Atlanta is third in the league
in rushing, and its top rusher is -- Michael-Mike
Vick.
Stats of the Week
No. 12
The teams with the three top-ranked
defenses -- Washington, Buffalo and Tampa Bay --
are a combined 6-15.
Stats of the Week No.
13
The teams with the three top-ranked
offenses -- Minnesota, Indianapolis and Kansas City
-- are a combined 12-9.
Stats of the Week No.
14
San Diego, the 2003 last-place
finisher, is currently the highest-scoring team
in the league.
Sweet Play of the Week
In losses to Houston
and Jacksonville, Kansas City faced a late third
down and, had it converted, could have held the
ball for the win or to force overtime; both times
the Chiefs failed and ended up losing the game.
Leading Indianapolis 38-35 with 2:18 remaining,
the Chiefs faced third-and-5 on the Colts' 14. Kansas
City play-faked, Tony Gonzalez ran the zed-in, touchdown
-- finally a successful late-game third-down conversion.
Sweet Play of
the Week No. 2
Leading 6-3, Tennessee
faced fourth-and-goal on the Cincinnati 1 with two
seconds remaining in the first half. Yours truly
would have taken the field goal. The Flaming Thumbtacks
play-faked then rolled right, touchdown pass from
Billy Volek to who-dat tight end Shad Meier. The
play-fake numbered among the sweetest TMQ has seen.
Sour Play of
the Week
Trailing 31-10, New
England reached first-and-goal on the Pittsburgh
7. To that point, Flying Elvii coaches had called
20 consecutive passing plays. Nevertheless, on first
down, New England ran a play fake, incompletion.
On second down, New England ran a play fake, incompletion.
On third down, New England ran a play fake, incompletion,
field goal on fourth down. Who's going to fall for
play fakes when you've thrown 20 consecutive times?
More Dribble
Until recently, it was
generally know that Hines Ward was simply a player
you couldn't afford to bench in a fantasy league.
While Ward was indeed underrated, savvy fantasy
players knew he would deliver very good numbers
every week.
But that doesn't seem to be the case anymore, as
a new trend has developed in Pittsburgh. Suddenly,
Ward is producing mediocre numbers, and Plaxico
Burress, who was a forgotten man during the preseason,
has re-emerged as the focal point of the Steelers'
passing game.
Defenses have started
to pay extra attention to Ward, which has resulted
in more single coverages for Burress, and rookie
QB Ben Roethlisberger is clearly more willing and
able to get the ball downfield to Burress more often
than Tommy Maddox did. Ward is a superb possession
receiver, yet the Steelers truly needed someone
with a major-league arm to get Burress the ball
in the spots he needed them. Roethlisberger has
the cannon and creativity needed to take advantage
of Burress' height and leaping ability.
Best Blocks
Once again, the Kansas
City offensive line played so well this item is
reserved for it alone. Representative down: Chiefs
leading 21-14 in the second quarter, Kansas City
called a screen pass on first-and-10. Guards Will
Shields and Brian Waters blocked perfectly in front
of the screen receiver, Priest Holmes, who rumbled
52 yards. On the next play, Kansas City scored to
make it 28-14, and Indianapolis was in a hole. The
Kansas City offensive line is playing so much better
than any other offensive line that it's almost spooky.
Note:
If I was going to mention any other offensive line,
which I am not, the Blue Men Group had perfect "down"
blocking when Shaun Alexander simply went off-tackle
left and ran 44 yards, setting up the fourth-quarter
touchdown that iced the Carolina-Seattle game. It's
pretty fun to run for 44 yards when everyone in
front of you has already been knocked to the ground.
I am also not going to mention that San Diego is
getting surprisingly good offensive line play from
a group of gentlemen whom you have never heard of.
What a glorious
mess
Go ahead. Take a stab.
It's midseason, and the playoff picture is about
as uniform as a plate of spaghetti. Just when you
think things are finding order, something like the
past weekend comes along. The great shakeup saw
seven of last week's top 12 teams lose, including
those uNFLappable Patriots. Parity? Outside of the
Eagles, Steelers, Patriots and Jets, there isn't
a single NFL team you can count on from week to
week.
Now get
back to work...
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On Football Writer Ray Monohan is an NFL analyst
with 10+ years of experience covering the NFL. He
provides a great perspective on the NFL with player
and team insight unmatched in the NFL football betting
industry.
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