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It was hard to watch the games yesterday. With my championships in the bag, the edge was missing,
I have to admit. The other problem was the the lack of competetive games using starters the entire way (hard to compete
with the Patriot/Giant game from Saturday night too). Even though the Seattle/Atlanta game ended 44-41, it didn't
seem that competetive to me watching Chris Redman battle against Seneca Wallace. Same for Houston's 42-28 victory
over Jacksonville, who sat Garrard, Taylor and Jones-Drew. I usually enjoy high scoring games, but these left me pretty
bored. Here were the games I did take something from:
New Orleans at Chicago. The saints had to win this game to have a chance at the playoffs, and Chicago was just playing out the string with Kyle Orton at QB, which should have spelled success for New Orleans. But true to form, a dome team just did not look comfortable outside in December. Chicago jumped out early with some interesting stars. Devin Hester is quite the weapon as he showed with both a TD reception and a punt return for a score. Have to figure out ways to get him the ball more next year. Adrian Peterson also threw a TD pass on a halfback option pass, who doesn't enjoy that play, teams should run it more. The saints responed with two scoring passes to Marques Colston, but when he left the game due to injury, they were left without their top 3 weapons (Bush and McAllister being the others), and it was pretty much over. Pierre Thomas also showed why teams don't need to have top flight running backs to succeed as he had both 100 yards rushing and receiving. Pierre who???
Tennessee at Indianapolis was also a good game. Based on tiebreakers, Tennessee had to win to get in regardless of what Cleveland did so they were motivated going in against an Indy team just trying not to get anyone hurt. There was quite a bit of talk about Marvin Harrison playing this game after missing the last 10 due to his knee injury, but he was inactive, which meant Peyton and the rest of the starters were only going to get a few series which should have spelled easy victory for Tennessee. Of course, that was not the case. After a lackluster first half, a Vince Young injury, a Lendale White fumble and a Jim Sorgi TD pass, Indy led 10-7 midway through the 3rd quarter. But in typical ugly week 17 fashion, 3 Rob Bironas field goals gave Tennessee a victory and a trip to sunny San Diego next week.
Minnesota @ Denver was interesting if only because this makes two out of three NFC teams that were playing for their playoff lives and lost. Minnesota was running all over Denver early, but turnovers cost them any momentum that they had and Denver made the right adjustments in the second half and held on, barely, winning in overtime. How good is Brandon Marshall? He is going to be a key guy for next season, should go in the third round or so I would guess.
Speaking of players and their value for next season, here is a short list of players who will either be interesting for fantasy or played themselves into jobs next year with great final weeks.
Chris Redman - Atl, he should have a job somewhere
Roddy White - Atl, he will get drafted earlier than he should for fantasy
Nate Burleson - Sea, how did he end up with double digit TD's?
Quinn Gray - Jax, proved he can be a quality backup QB against a terrible team with nothing to play for
Matt Jones - Jax, perfect example of talent over heart. How good would he be if he cared at all?
Reggie Williams - Jax, 10 TD's for this guy too, where will he be drafted now that people trust David Garrard?
Devin Hester - Chi, 5 Return TD's to go with 2 receiving TD's, he could be viable as a third WR next year
Reggie Bush - NO, If Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas can run for 100 yards consistently in that offense, why can't Bush? I hear a falling rock.
Chester Taylor - Min, He should be a solid starter for someone next year, in real football and fantasy
Larry Fitzgerald - Ari, If he could keep his legs healthy, he could be the best WR in fantasy next year
Chad Johnson - Cin, Stay away from this guy unless he falls to the 4th or 5th round, not worth it otherwise, he is not a target in the red zone and Houshmandzadeh and Henry will be even bigger part of offense
Dominic Rhodes - Oak, They can obviously run the ball, but who will be the RB next year? Fargas, Rhodes or Jordan?
Enjoy the playoffs, should be 150% better than week 17 for sure.
New Orleans at Chicago. The saints had to win this game to have a chance at the playoffs, and Chicago was just playing out the string with Kyle Orton at QB, which should have spelled success for New Orleans. But true to form, a dome team just did not look comfortable outside in December. Chicago jumped out early with some interesting stars. Devin Hester is quite the weapon as he showed with both a TD reception and a punt return for a score. Have to figure out ways to get him the ball more next year. Adrian Peterson also threw a TD pass on a halfback option pass, who doesn't enjoy that play, teams should run it more. The saints responed with two scoring passes to Marques Colston, but when he left the game due to injury, they were left without their top 3 weapons (Bush and McAllister being the others), and it was pretty much over. Pierre Thomas also showed why teams don't need to have top flight running backs to succeed as he had both 100 yards rushing and receiving. Pierre who???
Tennessee at Indianapolis was also a good game. Based on tiebreakers, Tennessee had to win to get in regardless of what Cleveland did so they were motivated going in against an Indy team just trying not to get anyone hurt. There was quite a bit of talk about Marvin Harrison playing this game after missing the last 10 due to his knee injury, but he was inactive, which meant Peyton and the rest of the starters were only going to get a few series which should have spelled easy victory for Tennessee. Of course, that was not the case. After a lackluster first half, a Vince Young injury, a Lendale White fumble and a Jim Sorgi TD pass, Indy led 10-7 midway through the 3rd quarter. But in typical ugly week 17 fashion, 3 Rob Bironas field goals gave Tennessee a victory and a trip to sunny San Diego next week.
Minnesota @ Denver was interesting if only because this makes two out of three NFC teams that were playing for their playoff lives and lost. Minnesota was running all over Denver early, but turnovers cost them any momentum that they had and Denver made the right adjustments in the second half and held on, barely, winning in overtime. How good is Brandon Marshall? He is going to be a key guy for next season, should go in the third round or so I would guess.
Speaking of players and their value for next season, here is a short list of players who will either be interesting for fantasy or played themselves into jobs next year with great final weeks.
Chris Redman - Atl, he should have a job somewhere
Roddy White - Atl, he will get drafted earlier than he should for fantasy
Nate Burleson - Sea, how did he end up with double digit TD's?
Quinn Gray - Jax, proved he can be a quality backup QB against a terrible team with nothing to play for
Matt Jones - Jax, perfect example of talent over heart. How good would he be if he cared at all?
Reggie Williams - Jax, 10 TD's for this guy too, where will he be drafted now that people trust David Garrard?
Devin Hester - Chi, 5 Return TD's to go with 2 receiving TD's, he could be viable as a third WR next year
Reggie Bush - NO, If Aaron Stecker and Pierre Thomas can run for 100 yards consistently in that offense, why can't Bush? I hear a falling rock.
Chester Taylor - Min, He should be a solid starter for someone next year, in real football and fantasy
Larry Fitzgerald - Ari, If he could keep his legs healthy, he could be the best WR in fantasy next year
Chad Johnson - Cin, Stay away from this guy unless he falls to the 4th or 5th round, not worth it otherwise, he is not a target in the red zone and Houshmandzadeh and Henry will be even bigger part of offense
Dominic Rhodes - Oak, They can obviously run the ball, but who will be the RB next year? Fargas, Rhodes or Jordan?
Enjoy the playoffs, should be 150% better than week 17 for sure.
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