Sports Blog

GOLD

Antonio Gates, SD, TE, VS. Miami

Forecast: 8 catches, 113 yards, 2 Tds (25 points)
Yes, I know if you own him you are starting him anyway, but I think he is for a huge game against TE friendly Miami. Miami has already been torched by Tony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark and now they have to deal with Gates. Even better for Gates is that LT might not play again meaning Rivers is going to throw the ball a lot. Expect a huge game from Gates.

Tim Hightower, ARI, RB, VS. Indianapolis
Forecast: 17 carries, 96 rushing yards, 3 catches, 21 yards, 1 TD (19 points)
The Colts run defense has been horrible of late, that bodes well for Hightower who has been surprisingly solid so far. Whether it’s been running or receiving he has made an impact. I expect solid number against this weak defense.

Matt Forte, CHI, RB, @ Seattle
Forecast: 23 carries, 103 yards, 3 catches, 22 yards, 1 TD (21 points)
Forte has struggled in the first two games this season and has disappointed some owners. Well this week he should go off. Did you see what Frank Gore did to this defense? Well I expect something similar from the talented Forte.

Brandon Jacobs, NYG, RB, @ Tampa Bay
Forecast: 22 carries, 115 rushing yards, 1 catch, 8 yards, 2 Tds (24 points)
Like Forte, I see a struggling player getting right against a weaker opponent. Jacobs has not been over 20 carries in any of the first to games, well I see that changing this week. With more opportunities he will go off this week.

Brent Celek, PHI, TE, VS. Kansas City
Forecast: 6 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD (15 points)
With McNabb out and Kevin Kolb as QB, I see another big performance from Celek. Kolb looked for him a lot last week and Celek ended with 8 catches and over 100 yards. I see another big game coming against the Chiefs

Mario Manningham, NYG, WR, @ Tampa Bay
Forecast: 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD (16 points)
Tampa Bay have been giving up huge plays in the passing game so its only right that Mario goes off again this week after coming up huge against Dallas. He has been the Giants big play receiver so far this season and I don’t see it changing against Tampa.

Felix Jones, DAL, RB, VS. Carolina
Forecast: 17 carries, 98 yards, 2 catches, 17 yards, 1 TD (17 points)
With Marion Barber being out for the game, Jones should get more opportunities to run wild this week. He is a threat to go all the way on every touch. He should have a couple big plays in this game so start him with confidence.

Byron Leftwich, TB, QB, VS. New York Giants
Forecast: 305 passing yards, 3 Tds, 2 Int, 10 rushing yards (21 points)
Leftwich has had to throw a ton in the first two weeks and it doesn’t look it’s going to change. The Giants should take a early lead forcing Tampa to pass all day. I could see Leftwich throwing for around 300 yards and a couple TDs. But be careful he could have some turnovers also.

COLD
Willie Parker, PIT, RB, @ Cincinnati
Forecast:15 carries, 38 rushing yards, 0 Tds (3 points)
The Steelers have struggled to run the ball and there has been talk that Parker has lost a step. Against a solid defense I don’t see him improving this week. It might be time to give up on Parker for this season if Rashard Mendenhall has a good game this week.

Adrian Peterson, MIN, RB, VS. San Francisco
Forecast: 24 carries, 47 rushing yards, 1 catch, 8 yards, 1 TD (11 points)
I know your thinking I’m crazy right now but I think the 49ers will keep Peterson in check this week. The last time they played they held him to his worst game ever 3 yards on 14 carries. Now there defense is better and Peterson has not been practicing because of a bad back. I don’t think he will have a huge game this week but your probably starting him anyway.

Darren McFadden, OAK, RB, VS. Denver
Forecast: 14 carries, 43 rushing yards, 2 catches, 15 yards, 0 TD (6 points)
Last week I thought Bush would get the goal-line carries but it was McFadden. The Denver defense has been solid so far this season and I think it will be hard for McFadden to duplicate last week against the Chiefs.

Hines Ward, PIT, WR, @ Cincinnati
Forecast: 4 catches, 41 yards, 0 TD (6 points)
Last year in this game he broke the jaw of Keith Rivers on a blind side hit that is now illegal. This week he has talked about doing it again if he gets the opportunity. I think he is going to have a huge target on his back. Besides that he looks like he has lost a step this season.

Brandon Marshall, DEN, WR, @ Oakland
Forecast: 3 catches, 37 yards, 0 Tds (4 points)
Two words “Nnamdi Asomugha.” he should be shadowed on Marshall all day making it tough for him. Even worse he still hasn’t made a strong connection with Kyle Orton. I guess missing practice will do that.

SCORING BENCHMARKS
QBs: 12+ fantasy points
RBs: 12+ fantasy points
WRs: 10+ fantasy points
TEs: 8+ fantasy points
*Scoring system:
4 PTs/Pass TD
1 PT/25 pass yards
6 PTs/Rush-Rec TD
1 PT/Reception
1 PT/10 Rush yards
1 PT/20 Rec yards
-2 PT/INT or FL

GOLD
Michael Bush, OAK, RB, @ Kansas City                                                                LOSS
Forecast: 15 carries, 65 rushing yards, 2 catches, 15 yards, 1 TD (14 points)
Actual: 9 carries, 35 rushing yards, 1 catch, 17 yards, 0 Tds (4.3 points)
Santana Moss, WAS, WR, Vs. St. Louis                                                                  LOSS
Forecast: 7 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD (17 points)
Actual: 3 catches, 35 yards, 1 Fumble Lost, 0 TD (2.75 points)
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT, QB, @ Chicago                                                               WIN
Forecast: 301 passing yards, 2 TDs, 2 TO, 10 rushing yards (17 points)
Actual: 221 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 Int, 6 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD (17.5)
Steve Smith, CAR, WR, @ Atlanta                                                                             WIN
Forecast: 8 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD (20 points)
Actual: 8 catches, 131 yards, 0 TD (14.5 points)
Leon Washington, NYJ, RB, Vs. New England                                                    LOSS
Forecast: 15 carries, 75 rushing yards, 5 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD (20 points)
Actual: 14 carries, 58 rushing yards, 2 catches, 18 yards, 1 Fumble Lost (6.8 points)
Bernard Berrian, MIN, WR, @ Detroit                                                                  LOSS
Forecast: 5 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD (16 points)
Actual: 6 catches, 46 yards, 0 TD (8.3 points)
Vernon Davis, SF, TE, Vs. Seattle                                                                            LOSS
Forecast: 6 catches, 55 yards (8 points)
Actual: 2 catches, 32 yards (3.6 points)
Philip Rivers, SD, QB, Vs. Baltimore                                                                        WIN
Forecast: 265 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 Int (20 points)
Actual: 436 passing yards, 2 passing Tds, 2 Int, 10 rushing yards (22.4 points)
                      ___________
Last Week: 3- 5 (37.5%)
Season: 8- 8 (50%)

COLD
Mike Bell, NO, RB, @ Philadelphia                                                                  LOSS
Forecast: 12 carries, 43 rushing yards, 1 catch, 5 yards, 0 TDs (5 points)
Actual: 17 carries, 86 rushing yards, 1 catch, 9 yards, 1 TD (16 points)
Roy Williams, DAL, WR, Vs. New York Giants                                              WIN
Forecast: 3 catches, 46 yards, 0 TDs (5 points)
Actual: 1 catch, 18 yards, 0 TD (1.8 points)
DeSean Jackson, PHI, WR, Vs. New Orleans                                                 LOSS
Forecast: 3 catches, 22 yards, 1 carry, 14 yards (5 points)
Actual: 4 catches, 101 yards, 3 carries, 15 yards, 1 TD (16.5 points)
Julius Jones, SEA, RB, @ San Francisco                                                          WIN
Forecast: 20 carries, 49 yards, 2 catches, 10 yards, 0 TDs (6 points)
Actual: 8 carries, 11 yards, 3 catches, -3 yards, 1 TD (9.8 points)
Tin Hightower, ARI, RB, @ Jacksonville                                                        LOSS
Forecast: 12 carries, 44 yards, 3 catches, 15 yards, 0 TDs (7 points)
Actual: 15 carries, 72 yards, 3 catches, 12 yards, 1 TD (16.7 points)
____________
Last Week: 2- 3 (40%)
Season: 6- 4 (60%)

Image Source: Getty Images

Fantasy Studs:

• Peyton Manning passes for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 2-point conversion.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers Defense racked up 7 sacks and 2 interceptions.
• Donovan McNabb led the Eagles with 349 yards and 2 touchdown passes.
• In the first start of his career, Tim Hightower rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown.
• Antonio Bryant caught 8 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown.
• Kurt Warner had 342 yards in the air and 2 touchdowns.
• Chris Johnson of the Titans had 89 yards on the ground, 72 receiving and a touchdown.
• Adrian Peterson tallied up 139 yards and a touchdown.
• The Giants’ Brandon Jacobs had 117 yards and touchdown.
• Owen Daniels caught 11 passes for 133 yards.

Fantasy Duds:

• Ben Roethlisberger left the game early Monday Night, finishing with only a rushing touchdown.
• Joseph Addai finished with only 42 total yards.
• Stephen Jackson managed only 17 yards on the ground for the Rams.
• Santana Moss caught only 2 passes for 14 yards.

Photo Source.

Photo Source.

Fantasy Studs:

• DeAngelo Williams had 3 total touchdowns and 123 yards rushing.
• Brandon Jacobs rushed for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Giants
• Lee Evans finished with only 2 receptions, but for 100 yards, including a 87-yard touchdown.
• Randy Moss finally did some good on Sunday, catching a touchdown to go along with 111 yards.
• The Dolphins’ Ronnie Brown went over 100 yards again (125) and 1 touchdown.
• Michael Turner rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown against the Packers.
• Kurt Warner aired out 250 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Chris Cooley racked up 109 yards receiving and a touchdown.
• Big Ben Roethlisberger passed for 309 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Washington Redskin Clinton Portis ran for 145 yards and a touchdown.
• Roddy White caught a touchdown to go with 132 yards.
• Aaron Rodgers’ 313 yards and 3 touchdowns wasn’t enough to push the Packers to victory

Fantasy Duds: 

• Larry Johnson racked up a whopping 2 yards from scrimmage.
• Santana Moss didn’t record a single catch or yard this weekend.
• Marvin Harrison once again disappointed, having only 4 catches for 32 yards.
• Fred Taylor rushed for only 19 yards.
• Tony Gonzalez finished with 3 catches and 17 yards.

Photo Source.

Photo Source.

Check out and see who made an impact this week in the NFL for your fantasy football teams:

• Jaguars running back Fred Taylor had 147 yards rushing and a touchdown.
• Marques Colston had 8 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown.
• Jamal Lewis ran all over the Bills for 163 yards to help the Browns to the victory.
• The Philadelphia Eagles Defense was responsible for the win over the Cowboys, holding them to 6 points and sacking Tony Romo four times and nabbing three interceptions.
• The Patriots Defense was just as good, contributing 5 sacks, a blocked punt and interception for a touchdown and a fumble recovery.
• Stephen Jackson had 143 yards rushing, including a 43-yard touchdown run for the Rams.
• Despite not recording a touchdown, Brian Westbrook still had a strong game with 81 yards rushing and 63 yards receiving.
• Kurt Warner tossed 3 touchdowns in a losing effort for the Cardinals.
• Clinton Portis rushed for a touchdown and 126 yards.
• Portis’ counterpart Brandon Jacobs had 130 yards in a losing effort for the Giants.
• The San Diego Chargers had a field day running on the Detroit Lions. LaDainian Tomlinson had 116 yards and 2 touchdowns while Darren Sproles had 122 yards and 2 touchdowns of his own.
• The Miami Dolphins finally won a game behind the arm of Cleo Lemon, who threw for 315 yards and a touchdown.
• Aaron Stecker ran for 95 yards and had 2 touchdowns for the Saints, taking place of Reggie Bush.
• David Garrad threw for 3 touchdowns as did Ben Roethlisberger, but it was Garrad who came away with the win over the Steelers.
• Frank Gore broke loose for 138 yards.

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