| Authored by Andrew Perna - 20th November, 2007 - 8:04 am
 After a Week Eleven victory over the winless Miami Dolphins, my Philadelphia Eagles appear primed for the playoff race and done – all at the same time. While their victory on Sunday moved them to 5-5 and into the thick of the NFC playoff race, losing Donovan McNabb to injury might end of Philadelphia’s postseason dreams.
Losing McNabb hasn’t meant the end for the Eagles in past seasons, but this year A.J. Feeley is the only backup with professional experience. Jeff Garcia is busy winning games in Tampa Bay, and with McNabb possibly out for this Sunday’s game against the undefeated Patriots, Feeley will be lucky to get out of Foxboro with his health and ego intact.
Of course, all week I was telling anymore who’d listen that my only wish for the Eagles’ game against the Dolphins was that McNabb and Brian Westbrook came out healthy. One out of two ain’t bad, but I was really hoping to see McNabb, my favorite NFL signal-caller, when I visit Gillette Stadium this weekend.
At this point, with McNabb’s status in question (ankle, thumb), I hoping the Patriots don’t score triple digits against my Eagles.
The Downs
The First Down…Green Bay Rising
Everyone is talking about the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots, but not enough is being said about the 9-1 Green Bay Packers. Their 31-17 victory over the Panthers this Sunday marked their fourth straight win with tough battles against the Lions and Cowboys on the horizon. A win over the Lions this week would all but seal up the NFC North for Green Bay with 38-year old Brett Favre leading the way. He is second among all quarterbacks in terms of yardage and resides in the top five of most other categories. His 67.7 completion percentage is a career-best.
The Second Down…Vick Surrenders
“Former” Falcons quarterback Michael Vick surrendered to U.S. Marshals on Monday and will remain in jail until the start of his sentencing for a dogfighting charge begins in three weeks. Vick could be sentenced to up to five years of prison time if found guilty. I’m sure Vick has been given his own cell, but he must be popular among the 450 other inmates at the Northern Neck Regional Jail. At 3-7, Atlanta will be happy to get both Vick’s sentencing and the 2007 season behind them.
The Third Down…Ricky Is Back!
Ricky Williams officially began his comeback with the Miami Dolphins on Monday by joining the team for some weightlifting and meetings. Williams is set to practice for the first time on Wednesday, and there is a chance that he’ll suit up and play against the Pittsburgh Steelers this coming Monday night. Miami needs a victory in the worst way, and as sad as it is, Ricky might be able to help them do just that. I wouldn’t count on that victory coming against the Steelers who have to be angry following their shocking loss to New York, but Week Thirteen against those same Jets is a possibility.
The Fourth Down…Two For Four
The Cowboys’ Terrell Owens caught four touchdown passes in a win over the Redskins Sunday afternoon, and then not to be outdone, the Patriots’ Randy Moss duplicated the feat on Sunday night against the Bills. Owens caught eight passes for 173 yards, scoring on half of his touches. Moss outdid Owens with ten catches for 128 yards with all four touchdowns coming in the first half. It was quite the day for fantasy owners everywhere – whether it was good or horribly bad. Luckily for me, it was horribly bad.
The ‘Who The Heck’ Statline of the Week…
Ravens’ receiver Devard Darling: Four catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.
My Keyboard Prediction for Week Twelve
Philadelphia at New England, Sunday 8:15PM EST
Good Lord, it’s finally here. I’ve been waiting nearly three years for this game; my Eagles are going to invade Gillette Stadium this weekend. Ms. Scoop just so happens to be a die hard Patriots' fan, which makes things difficult between us at times, but she gave me one hell of a birthday present this summer when she presented me with a pair of tickets to the game. I know it’s going to be ugly, real ugly, but I’m going to enjoy myself nonetheless.
Keyboard Prediction: Patriots 107, Eagles 13
My Fantasy Diary…
You know how the Jets sort of lulled the Steelers into a loss this weekend? That’s kind of what happened to The Drew Crew when they took on the Borats with the chance to improve to 8–3.
The Borats enjoyed season-bests from guys like Cedric Benson and D.J. Hackett, on their way to the highest point total during Week Eleven of ECP play. Of course that means that I lost, slipping to 7–4 in the process. Worst of all The Kings, my division rival, won. That moves them up to first place and puts me second in the standings for the first time all season.
I now hold just a one-game lead over the Woodpeckers for second-place, meaning another loss could put me on the playoff bubble. With just three weeks until the playoffs begin, I can’t afford to lose this week to the Vipers, who despite their 3-8 record, have won two of their last four games.
It’s not like The Crew played horribly last week. They posted a respectable 99 points in defeat and enjoyed nice days from Eli Manning, Joseph Addai, Dwayne Bowe, Anquan Boldin and Benjamin Watson. Just like in Week Nine, though, it was Willie Parker who cost me a victory. His 52 yards rushing couldn’t counteract the efforts of either Benson or Willis McGahee, both inferior running backs. It’s all about luck, as my 99 points would have beaten seven of the other eleven teams in the league.
I suppose Manning could have thrown more than one touchdown, and maybe a few of my players could have hit the milestone 100-yard mark, but beggars can’t be choosers. I’m focused on Week Twelve now with last week’s disappointment in the rearview mirror.
A loss to the Vipors would hurt more than just my playoff chances. Their owner, the league commissioner Paul, is a guy I chat with on a daily basis. The ridicule would be hard to swallow…
Anyway, enjoy Week Twelve gang and Happy Thanksgiving. Go Drew Crew and Fly, Eagles, Fly!
My Fantasy Football Record for the 2007 Season:
Week Eleven: 6-6
Week Ten: 4-8
Week Nine: 5-7
Week Eight: 6-6
Week Seven: 6-6
Week Six: 10-2
Week Five: 5-7
Week Four: 9-3
Week Three: 7-5
Week Two: 6–6
Week One: 8–4
Overall: 72 wins and 60 losses
Predictions, Fantasy Stories, or Rambles? Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
