Reggie Wayne Solid in Win

Email Post Email Post

Update: Colts WR Reggie Wayne had a solid win in the Colts blowout victory against the Ravens. Wayne had 8 catches for 63 yards and a score on 11 targets.

Fantasy Impact: Wayne had another great season this year and should be a top 5 wide receiver this year.



Manning Good Enough

Email Post Email Post

Update: Colts QB Peyton Manning did not have a great game, but it was enough to be the Ravens Saturday, going 30/44 for 246 yards, 2 scores, and a pick.

Fantasy Impact: Manning got his fourth MVP this year, so expect him to be a high pick next year.



Rice Continues to Shine

Email Post Email Post

Update: Ravens RB Ray Rice really carried his Pro Bowl season into the playoffs. Rice had 13 carries for 67 yards and 9 catches for 60 yards on 12 targets.

Fantasy Impact: Rice is a possible top 5 pick next year after putting up the number he did this year.



Flacco Has Another Poor Outing

Email Post Email Post

Update: Ravens QB Joe Flacco had another poor playoff game, and the Ravens did not survive this one. Flacco went 20/35 for 189 yards and 2 picks.

Fantasy Impact: Flacco will likely hold the same value he had going into this year in next year's draft: an upper middle of the pack QB that will be picked somewhat later in the draft.



Hightower Breaks One

Email Post Email Post

Update: Cards RB Tim Hightower had 6 carries for 87 yards and a score after breaking a 70 yard TD run on the Cards' first play from scrimmage, reminiscent of the Ravens-Pats game last week. He also had 3 catches for 27 yards on 4 targets.

Fantasy Impact: Hightower and Beanie Wells split the carries 6-5 and Hightower got 3 catches while Wells wasn't a part of the passing game. Until we know the status of Kurt Warner for next year though, it is tough to know the value of anyone on the Cards offense.



Kurt Warner Injured, Has Average Game

Email Post Email Post

Update: Cards QB Kurt Warner suffered a chest injury in the first game of the divisional round game against the Saints, but returned to finish with 17/26 for 205 yards and a pick.

Fantasy Impact: There have been rumors flying about Warner's possible retirement, and that would affect the fantasy value of every Cardinal.



Pierre Thomas Gets Most Carries

Email Post Email Post

Update: Saints RB Pierre Thomas had 13 carries for 52 yards Saturday against the Cards and had by far the most number of carries.

Fantasy Impact: The Saints backfield is more crowded than ever, with Reggie Bush getting 5 carries, Mike Bell getting 6 for 11 yards, and Lynell Hamilton getting 5 for 23 yards and a score (he was given the goal line carries). It's getting difficult to tell what is going on here for next year.



Reggie Gets a Pair of Scores

Email Post Email Post

Update: Saints RB Reggie Bush had a big game against the Cards Saturday, rushing 5 times for 84 yards and a score, catching 4 passes for 24 yards on 5 targets, and returning 3 punts fr 109 yards and a score.

Fantasy Impact: Bush retains more value than other backs do in the now crowded Saints backfield because of his value to the passing game.



Brees Leads Blowout

Email Post Email Post

Update: Saints QB Drew Brees had himself another big game in the Saints divisional round game against the Cardinals. Brees threw 23/32 for 247 yards and 3 scores.

Fantasy Impact: Brees will be a top fantasy pick next year again.



Sunday Divisional Round NFL Playoffs Picks

Email Post Email Post

The Divisional Round Playoffs are here and I will be sharing a very important tip for all of you bettors out there: don’t get caught in the hype.

During the 1st round of the playoffs, every team that won looked extremely impressive and are fresh in peoples minds. However, there is a reason why these teams are playing in the first round. They are not as consistent as the teams that had byes.

People often bet on emotion, and what they remember last, and that’s why people lose and the Guru wins…like yesterday, when both of my Saturday divisional round picks were correct.

[Read more...]



Harbaugh turns down Bills offer

Email Post Email Post

Update: Pro Football Talk is reporting that Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh reportedly turned down an offer from the Bills to be their next head coach. Harbaugh recently signed an extension at Stanford and will stay apparently not jump to the NFL.

Fantasy Impact:  The Bills have been linked to a number of coaches, from Mike Shanahan to Bill Cowher to Brian Schottenheimer and now Harbaugh.  Clearly the Bills are having a hard time luring a big time coach to a team that is extremely untalented. 



Rodgers-Cromartie may have torn ligaments

Email Post Email Post

Update:  Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie believes he tore ligaments in his left knee early in Saturday's loss to the Saints. He suffered the injury in the first quarter, and did not return to the game. 

Fantasy Impact:  Rodgers-Cromartie was spotted on the sidelines late in the game with crutches, although the Cardinals coaching staff did not comment on the injury, only saying they would have to wait on the results of an MRI.  Whether or not Rodgers-Cromartie was healthy or not Saturday probably would not have made a difference as Drew Brees was fantastic. 



Reed 50-50 on retirement

Email Post Email Post

Update: Dan Kolko of MASN Sports is reporting on his Twitter page that Ravens safety Ed Reed is reportedly considering retirement following the team's 20-3 playoff defeat to the Colts.

Fantasy Impact: Reed was banged up a bit this year, and was forced to miss a few games due to injuries.  He is an aging veteran, but is still able to play at a high level when healthy.  It should be interesting to see what Reed decides.  Either way, look for the Ravens to continue to incorporate Tom Zbikowski into their secondary.  Zbikowski filled in for Reed when he was out, and did a very solid job.



Boldin won’t force trade

Email Post Email Post

Update:  The Miami Herald is reporting that Cardinals wideout Anquan Boldin said he will not request a trade in the offseason. Boldin was forced to miss the team's two playoff games with an injury, but appears content on staying in Arizona.

Fantasy Impact: Boldin is no doubt a star wide receiver in the league, and the Cardinals have him under contract for one more season.  The team is getting him at a bargain, at just $3 million. Given the Cardinals know it will be tough for them to re-sign him, don't be surprised if they end up dealing him in the offseason.



Hot Ticket: NFC Championship Game in New Orleans

Email Post Email Post

The New Orleans Saints, who earned the #1 seed in the NFC despite losing three straight to end the regular season, thrashed defending NFC champion Arizona today to move on to the NFC Championship Game for the second time in four years.

Based on their 13-0 start, I don’t think anyone is surprised that the Saints have moved onto the NFL’s final four. The ease with which they dispatched of the Cardinals, however, probably was surprising to many.

But in the Superdome, when things start going right for the home team it can be very difficult for the road time to get any momentum. That is what the Cardinals learned today.

Next weekend, either the Cowboys or Vikings will get a taste of Superdome madness. If you’re thinking about attending the game, we’ve got links to the best prices out there for NFC Championship Game tickets.

[Read more...]

Email the author of this post: jerod@midwestsportsfans.com