Week 9 has come and gone, with only the Monday nighter left to play, and now we will focus on Week 10 of this 2008 NFL campaign. I have a lot to cover, so lets get to it.
(And remember to check back this Thursday for the Week 10 Fantasy Football Sleeper Focus for that late playoff push.)
On with the show:
ON FIRE…. Any team Defense that is playing the Oakland Raiders. You can count on that Defense, unless of course it is the Cleveland Browns D, who plays to the level, or lack thereof, of their opponent. Oakland is pathetic at best, and most high school teams could play them and chalk up a “W”.
Tim Hightower, RB-Cardinals ON FIRE. He was my sleeper when I started my posts this year, and has done nothing but continue to gain confidence and carries each week. Remember, Tim Hightower is a rookie, was a 5th round draft pick, and just stole Edgerrin James’ starting job. No, better yet, he ran away with it, literally. Hightower posted a 1 Touchdown, 109-yard day on 22 carries yesterday. Remember, Edgerrin James only had 3 100+ yard games in all of 2007 and it doesn’t look like he will get any in 2008.
Kurt Warner, QB-Cardinals ON FIRE. Everyone had written this guy off years ago. The 37-year old landed in Arizona to serve in the back up role for Matt Leinart. It has not quite gone that way. Kurt Warner again beat out the former first round pick in the pre-season and has not looked back. Warner has a 104.2 QB rating with 2,431 yards and 16 touchdowns. Warner is having an MVP-like season. The Cardinals offense looks fantastic and Kurt Warner is the biggest reason why.
Chris Johnson, RB-Titans ON FIRE. As of late, I had advised everyone to start both Titans running backs, even if you have them both on your team. I still stand by that, as Tennessee stands by being committed to the run. This past week however, Chris Johnson took a step out in front of his partner in crime, LenDale White. Johnson had 24 carries to White’s 8. This 3:1 ratio of carries continued even though White broke off a 54 yard scamper. Both are quality starts, and I still recommend having both on my team, but I was asked before by one of my readers which one I would rather have, and my answer was then and still is Chris Johnson.
Bill Cowher, Former HC now Football Analyst. ON FIRE. Ok, this is a pipe dream for me, but I can hardly stomach another horribly coached Browns game where they give up an enormous lead to a pitiful offense.
Romeo is a nice guy and all, but I want FIRE on the Cleveland Browns sideline. Who better to get the Browns over the landslide of losses to the Steelers then the Chin. Remember, the Chin has Cleveland ties, and I don’t remember EVER seeing Pittsburgh blow two touchdown leads. This Browns team is a playoff-caliber team, just like last year; and just like last year, the Browns will not make the playoffs again. I will make this prediction though: this team will win against the Titans if they are still undefeated when they play them. I say this just because the Browns play to the level of their opponents. Oh yeah, it would be an added bonus if Kellen Winslow didn’t play that game. Remember, Browns are 2-0 without Winslow with wins over the at-that-time undefeated Giants, and the Jaguars.
ON ICE… Any player on the following teams, including team defenses, due to their poor offensive play. The Cowboys, Raiders, Seahawks, Rams, and if no Orton, the Bears as well. You can remove a few teams from this list when Steven Jackson and Tony Romo return. The rest appear to be screwed for the duration.
I am not ready to give the Bengals any classification yet, but you have to admit that Cedric Benson looked impressive against the Jags, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting to look more like the Fitzpatrick who produced in St. Louis. With Benson’s performance on Sunday, this shows you how horrible the Bears offense will become if Rex Grossman has to continue to take snaps.
Please check back in on Thursday for this week’s fantasy football focus.
By the way, props to ESPN and it’s fantasy “guru” Eric Karabell (right) for his advice on starting Justin Fargas over Matt Ryan at the offensive flex position. It was in a live chat, so I can’t link out to it to properly take him to task. But I am definitely glad I didn’t listen.
Kurt Fraschetti
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[tags]fantasy football, nfl, sports forum[/tags]
