| Authored by Andrew Perna - 25th November, 2008 - 11:22 am
 The twelfth weekend of the NFL season was highlighted by one of the loudest benchings in recent memory. And no, I’m not talking about Romeo Crennel’s decision to sit Brady Quinn in favor of Derek Anderson against the Texans.
I have spent the better part of the last three seasons covering the Eagles for RealGM, so the benching I am referring to has obviously weighed heavily on mind in the last few days.
Rather than exhaust you, and my brain, with more on Andy Reid’s decision to bench Donovan McNabb at halftime against the Ravens, just click to read my full analysis from Monday afternoon: Reid’s Decision Ends Philly’s Season.
The Downs
First Down…Undefeated No More
The Titans are no longer undefeated after getting manhandled by the Jets on Sunday afternoon, 34-13. New York is just the type of team that will give Tennessee trouble through the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. The most disturbing part of the defeat was that the Titans were helpless in trying to stop the Jets, both through the air and on the ground.
Brett Favre played well too, something that hasn’t necessarily coincided with all of New York’s eight victories this season. As if Favre’s 224 yards and two touchdowns weren’t enough (it actually would have been enough for a win), Thomas Jones and Leon Washington (178 yards and two scores) absolutely embarrassed Chris Johnson and LenDale White (45 yards).
Second Down…Tom Who?
Matt Cassel is starting to look like…well, look like Tom Brady. He has put up back-to-back 400-yard performances after toasting Miami for 415 yards and three touchdowns at Dolphin Stadium. Cassel is ranked 11th in quarterback rating, eighth in passing yards, seventh in completion percentage and has thrown just eight interceptions this season.
Cassel could have issues against the Steelers in Week 13, but should have big efforts against the Seahawks, Raiders, and Cardinals in consecutive weeks. I’d imagine that teams are going to start lining up for his services at the end of the season. That is, if New England is willing to deal him.
Third Down…They Are Baaack!
Just two weeks ago the Cowboys were done. Finished. Season over. Now, after back-to-back victories that have coincided with the return of Tony Romo, Dallas is very much alive in the NFC playoff race. In the process of getting back on their feet, Terrell Owens has been fed a nice confidence booster. Owens caught seven passes for 213 yards and a score against San Francisco, one of his old teams, on Sunday.
Dallas will battle with Washington for one of the wild card playoff berths with New York running away with the NFC East, so the postseason is certainly far from a lock. However, the cogs of the machine are clicking at the right time for the Cowboys, and the Redskins are starting to look a tad vulnerable. They’ll need to pad their chances with a beatdown against the Seahawks this weekend to improve their odds.
Fourth Down…Manning Keeps Colts Hot
Four games ago the Colts were 3-4 and on the cusp of falling out of the AFC playoff picture. Now, four amazing weeks later, they are 7-4, and if the season ended today they’d have one of the conference’s two wild card berths. Peyton Manning, who looked like his brother Eli circa 2005 early in the season, is starting to look like himself once again.
Meanwhile, Joseph Addai appears healthy and is starting to rack up the yards (and touchdowns) once again. Marvin Harrison is showing flashes that he still has some gas left in the tank while Anthony Gonzalez has proven why Indianapolis drafted him to replace Harrison when the time comes. Having Bob Sanders down the stretch would help, but that’s never a guarantee. Want more positive signs? They have Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Detroit coming in the next three weeks.
The ‘Who The Heck’ Statline of the Week…
Madison Hedgecock, N.Y. Giants: two catches for 10 yards and a touchdown
Keyboard Prediction for Week Thirteen
Arizona @ Philadelphia, Thursday 8:15PM EST
I’ve been picking tough games as of late, and after succeeding with my prediction of the Jets over the Titans last week, I’ll choose another close battle. In a game that 95% of the country won’t see, the Cardinals will travel to Philadelphia to face the reeling Eagles on Thanksgiving night. Donovan McNabb will start, but how focused will the Birds be in the wake of “The Benching”?
In true Philadelphia fashion, I see the Eagles winning this one, only further clouding the goings-on. A loss would be so much easier for the situation, legitimizing Andy Reid’s decision to bench McNabb midway through Week 12. Arizona has the kind of defense that McNabb can abuse, and the Eagles are as tough as ever on the other side of the ball. It’ll be close, but the Eagles will win by a beak.
The Keyboard Prediction: Eagles 27, Cardinals 24
Season Record: 7-5
My Fantasy Diary:
For the first time all season, my opponent put up a stinker against me in Week 12. This, after last week I discussed how I scratched my way to a 6-5 record despite having an inordinate amount of points scored against The Drew Crew.
This week, The Woodpeckers managed just 51.75 points despite 25.45 from Ben Roethlisberger on Thursday night. Midway through the Sunday night battle between the Colts and Chargers, I had a victory in the bag.
My team wasn’t explosive, scoring just 78.1 points, but I got a much-needed win nonetheless.
I still have a one-game lead over the second place team in my division and now a two-game edge over the third place club. With just two weeks left in the regular season, I can probably lose out and still qualify for the postseason.
However, if I want to win my division – and I very much do – I can clinch the division title with a victory over My Little Ponies this weekend.
You tell me, what do you think?
The Drew Crew vs. The Ponies
Philip Rivers vs. Tony Romo
Joseph Addai vs. LaDainian Tomlinson
Thomas Jones vs. Michael Turner
Chris Chambers vs. Dwayne Bowe
Santonio Holmes vs. Marvin Harrison
Dallas Clark vs. Zach Miller
Mason Crosby vs. Adam Vinatieri
Philadelphia D/ST vs. Baltimore D/ST
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
Week Twelve Record: 3-2
Season Record: 33-27 (.550)
Top Ten Fantasy Starters At Each Position For Week Thirteen
Based On Prior Week Performance And Matchups
Quarterbacks
1. Kurt Warner, Arizona
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans
3. Philip Rivers, San Diego
4. Jay Cutler, Denver
5. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
6. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
7. Matt Cassel, New England
8. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
9. Brett Favre, N.Y. Jets
10. Tony Romo, Dallas
Running Backs
1. Clinton Portis, Washington
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
3. Thomas Jones, N.Y. Jets
4. Michael Turner, Atlanta
5. Matt Forte, Chicago
6. Marion Barber, Dallas
7. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina
8. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego
9. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis
10. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo
Wide Receivers
1. Anquan Boldin, Arizona
2. Calvin Johnson, Detroit
3. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
4. Andre Johnson, Houston
5. Roddy White, Atlanta
6. Randy Moss, New England
7. Terrell Owens, Dallas
8. Greg Jennings, Green Bay
9. Brandon Marshall, Denver
10. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
Tight Ends
1. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego
3. Jason Witten, Dallas (injury risk)
4. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis
5. Chris Cooley, Washington
6. Owen Daniels, Houston
7. Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets
8. Bo Scaife, Tennessee
9. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland
10. John Carlson, Seattle
Kickers
1. John Carney, N.Y. Giants
2. Stephen Gostkowski, New England
3. Rian Lindell, Buffalo
4. Jason Elam, Atlanta
5. Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay
6. Ryan Longwell, Minnesota
7. Neil Rackers, Arizona
8. Nick Folk, Dallas
9. Rob Bironas, Tennessee
10. Mason Crosby, Green Bay
Defense/Special Teams
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. New York Jets
6. Chicago Bears
7. New York Giants
8. Tennessee Titans
9. Green Bay Packers (injury risk)
10. Minnesota Vikings
Predictions, Fantasy Stories, or Comments? Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
