Don't miss your chance for football betting at BetUS.com. As America's #1 sportsbook, BetUS offers the most up-to-date betting lines & odds for all your betting needs.
KQ: Strange Things Are Happening
Authored by Andrew Perna - 18th November, 2008 - 3:21 pm
Peyton Manning's playoff resume has been greatly debated. Here is how his numbers compare to the regular season, along with Tom Brady and more than two dozen other all-time greats.
There’s a difference between a favorite and a lock. When up against a team with playoff-level talent, it’s rare that the team with the better record ever appears in the second category.
RealGM Search
First, the Patriots lost a meaningful game at Gillette Stadium against the Jets on Thursday night despite 400 yards and three touchdowns from Matt Cassel.
Then, the Eagles and Bengals played to a 13-13 tie, the first game of its kind in six seasons. Complete with confused players on both sides of the field.
Then, Vegas bookies scratched their heads as Pittsburgh defeated San Diego 11-10, a final score that had never been seen in some 12,837 NFL games. Of course, the tally wasn't without controversy as Troy Polamalu had a last second fumble return for a touchdown negated by some poor officiating.
All the while, The Drew Crew appeared primed for an important late-season fantasy victory. That was, until Willie Parker topped the 100-yard mark, and Matt Hasselbeck tossed his third interception of the afternoon...
The Downs First Down...Mr. Jones And Brett
The Jets took sole possession of first place in the AFC East with a dramatic overtime win over the Patriots in Foxboro on Thursday night. Thomas Jones continued to dominate on the ground, burning New England's aging defense for 104 yards and a touchdown. New York's victory also pushed my season mark to over .500 on the season (see below).
In order to remain in first place past this weekend the Jets will have to hand the Titans their first loss of the season. After facing Tennessee this Sunday, though, the Jets will likely be favored in each of their remaining five games. Meanwhile, New England still has Pittsburgh and Arizona on the docket.
Second Down...We Talkin' 'Bout A Tie?
The Eagles, in dire need of a win to improve their playoff chances, traveled to Cincinnati this past weekend to face the Bengals. An easy win, right? Wrong. So...they lost? Well, not quite. For the first time since 2002, a pair of NFL teams played seventy-five minutes of football, and no one was declared the winner. For the Bengals it might feel like a victory, but for the Eagles it just might be worse than a loss.
To top it all off, Donovan McNabb admitted after the game that he wasn't aware of the league's one-overtime rule. Admittedly, it's a dumb rule, but still why on earth would #5 admit something like that in a city that will lambaste you for not winning in proper fashion? Perhaps he was joking in an attempt to mock an outdated rule. He wasn't? Ok, Donovan. Win out and we'll forget about it.
Third Down...11 + 10 = 21
Sunday's game between the Chargers and Steelers had a strange feel about it even before the opening kickoff, when snow flurries placed the passing games in doubt. Philip Rivers, who entered the game alongside Drew Brees and Kurt Warner as the best quarterbacks of the season, struggled to deal with the bitter cold and strong Pittsburgh defense. Thanks to a key second quarter safety, Mike Tomlin and Co. had just enough to defend their home turf.
When the dust settled, the officials finished botching another cal,l and everyone's toes thawed we were left with an NFL first: a game that ended with the score of 11-10. It would have been one thing, perhaps even an achievement of honor (albeit a bitter one for San Diego) had the game legitimately ended Steelers 11, Chargers 10, but that's really not what happened. Polamalu scored, and the final should have been either 17-10, or 18-10. My apologies, Vegas.
Fourth Down...Romo Returns To Win
Tony Romo wasn't spectacular by any means, but he returned to the Cowboys on Sunday and helped lead them to a huge win over the rival Redskins. Perhaps the presence of Romo on the sideline lit a fire under the behinds of his teammates because the Dallas defense was crisp, and Marion Barber looked dominant against a Washington team that has now lost three of their last fives games.
The Cowboys could soon be 8-4, with dates against the porous defenses of the 49ers and Seahawks upcoming. However, things will get difficult soon after. America's "team" will close out the season against the Steelers, Giants, Ravens, and Eagles.
The 'Who The Heck' Statline of the Week… Garrett Hartley, New Orleans K: 3/3 on field goals and 4/4 on extra points.
Keyboard Prediction for Week Twelve N.Y. Jets @ Tennessee, Sunday 1:00 PM EST
I picked the Jets last week over the Patriots, and they rewarded me with a win, so I'm going to leave my chips on their table. I don't lack respect for the Titans, but they have looked somewhat vulnerable in recent weeks, and New York has to be feeling rather good about themselves.
It will take a serious effort from Brett Favre and the offense, but I believe the Jets will hand the Titans their first loss of the 2008 season. Kerry Collins can win a game for Tennessee with his arm on occasion, but New York's defense won't allow him to replicate what he did against the Jaguars in Week 11. It'll be close, but the Titans will fall.
The Keyboard Prediction: Jets 24, Titans 16
Season Record: 6-5
My Fantasy Diary:
After four weeks of pure bliss, the last two have been horrible for The Drew Crew.
Luckily, the rest of my division has struggled as well, because despite a 6-5 record, I still have a one-game lead over the second place team(s).
In Week 10 it was Kurt Warner's huge Monday Night performance that ended my four-game win streak, and in Week 11 it was the legs of Willie Parker and the arm of Matt Hasselbeck.
Prior to the late-afternoon games this Sunday I made a tough decision and benched Philip Rivers in favor of Hasselbeck. I didn't like San Diego's matchup, and the snow in Pittsburgh led me to believe that the Chargers' quarterback would have a rough afternoon.
In the end I was right, and for three quarters Hasselbeck appeared primed to lead me to a big victory. Then he threw his second and third interceptions of the game, and Parker surpassed the 100-yard mark for my opponent.
In a matter of seconds, with mere minutes remaining in the late-afternoon games, I went from up five to down four and suffered my second-straight defeat.
Through eleven weeks I have had the most points scored against me of any team in my 12-man league, but I'm still first in my division.
I guess that's a good thing, right?
Week One Record: 4-1 Week Two Record: 4-1 Week Three Record: 1-4 Week Four Record: 3-2 Week Five Record: 2-3 Week Six Record: 4-1 Week Seven Record: 3-2 Week Eight Record: 4-1 Week Nine Record: 3-2 Week Ten Record: 2-3 Week Eleven Record: 0-5 Season Record: 30-25 (.545)
Top Ten Fantasy Starters At Each Position For Week Twelve Based On Prior Week Performance And Matchups
Quarterbacks 1. Kurt Warner, Arizona
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans
3. Jay Cutler, Denver
4. Philip Rivers, San Diego
5. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
6. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
7. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
8. Brett Favre, N.Y. Jets
9. Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants
10. Matt Cassel, New England
Running Backs 1. Clinton Portis, Washington
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
3. Thomas Jones, N.Y. Jets
4. Brandon Jacobs, N.Y. Giants (injury risk)
5. Marion Barber, Dallas
6. Frank Gore, San Francisco
7. Michael Turner, Atlanta
8. Matt Forte, Chicago
9. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville
10. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego
Wide Receivers 1. Anquan Boldin, Arizona
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
3. Roddy White, Atlanta
4. Calvin Johnson, Detroit
5. Andre Johnson, Houston
6. Greg Jennings, Green Bay
7. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
8. Santana Moss, Washington
9. Brandon Marshall, Denver
10. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati
Tight Ends 1. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City (injury risk)
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego
3. Jason Witten, Dallas
4. Owen Daniels, Houston
5. Chris Cooley, Washington
6. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis
7. Bo Scaife, Tennessee
8. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland
9. Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets
10. Kevin Boss, N.Y. Giants
Kickers 1. Mason Crosby, Green Bay
2. Jason Elam, Atlanta
3. Stephen Gostkowski, New England
4. John Carney, N.Y. Giants
5. David Akers, Philadelphia
6. Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay
7. Rian Lindell, Buffalo
8. Neil Rackers, Arizona
9. Rob Bironas, Tennessee
10. Phil Dawson, Cleveland
Defense/Special Teams 1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. New York Giants
5. Tennessee Titans
6. New York Jets
7. Green Bay Packers
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Arizona Cardinals
10. Chicago Bears
