Jacksonville claims QB Edwards off waivers

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Update: According to Adam Schefter, the Jacksonville Jaguars have claimed QB Trent Edwards off waivers. Edwards was released earlier this week by the Buffalo Bills.

Fantasy Impact: Hold off on giving Edwards any fantasy value just yet. He will be used to push David Garrard, as his performance has not been so good this year. However, look for Edwards to get a chance to take over the number one job if Garrard puts in another performance like he did last week against Philadelphia.



Jacksonville claims QB Edwards off waivers

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Update: According to Adam Schefter, the Jacksonville Jaguars have claimed QB Trent Edwards off waivers. Edwards was released earlier this week by the Buffalo Bills.

Fantasy Impact: Hold off on giving Edwards any fantasy value just yet. He will be used to push David Garrard, as his performance has not been so good this year. However, look for Edwards to get a chance to take over the number one job if Garrard puts in another performance like he did last week against Philadelphia.



Manning, Saturday and The Surprising Importance of QB-Center Chemistry

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PEYTON MANNING-JEFF SATURDAY WILL START 158th GAME TOGETHER ON SUNDAY

How vital is it for a quarterback and center to be in sync to orchestrate an NFL offense?

“I think it’s extremely important, each one of them knows the other’s limitations and strengths, but there is a huge trust factor involved in it as well,” says Indianapolis Colts head coach JIM CALDWELL. “To see those two guys work together is a work of art.”

Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING and center JEFF SATURDAY have started 157 games together.  This Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Manning and Saturday will surpass Buffalo’s JIM KELLY and KENT HULL (157) for the most games started by a quarterback-center combination since the 1970 merger.

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Bettor’s Guide: NFL Week 4 Picks, Point Spreads, and Over-Unders

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Update 9/28: This post has been updated. All spreads and picks are in.

I had another solid effort in Week 3. Heading into tonight’s Monday nighter between the Packers and Bears, I am 9-6 for the week against the spread. That makes my season record 27-17-3 (a winning percentage of 57%) and means I’ve been over .500 all three weeks this season.

Hell yes. That means I’ve started out much more like the Dolphins or Falcons than the 49ers.

It’s only Monday, but it’s never too early to look ahead to Week 4.

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



Viewer’s Guide: NFL Week 4 TV Schedule, Announcers, and Odds

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Update 9/28: This post has been updated with the odds and announcer assignments.

Week 3 was the last week with a full slate of games for a while. The byes start in Week 4, and both the Cowboys and Vikings were able to get Ws so that they don’t have to sit around all week at 0-3.

Among the highlights on the Week 4 NFL schedule: an AFC North showdown between the Ravens and Steelers; a Monday night tilt between the Dolphins and Patriots; and, Donovan McNabb’s return to Philadelphia.

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Charlie Batch will start again

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Update: NFL.com is reporting that Pittsburgh Steelers QB Charlie Batch will start again in week four against the Baltimore Ravens. Batch comepleted 12 of 17 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in the team's week three win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. QB Ben Roethlisberger is set to make his return in week five.

Fantasy Impact: Despite his performance against the Buccaneers, Batch should not be played in fantasy leagues since he's going up against a Baltimore defense ranked first in the NFL in overall defense. Their one point of weakness is the run defense, so expect RB Rashard Mendenhall to be the focal point of the Steelers offense.



D’Qwell Jackson set for surgery

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Update: NFL.com is reporting that Cleveland Browns LB D'Qwell Jackson is going to have surgery on his right torn pectoral muscle. Jackson suffered the injury last Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens and was placed on injured reserve. He will miss the remainder of the 2010 season.

Fantasy Impact: The Browns defense is struggling as it is so this injury certainly doesn't help. Continue to disregard the Browns defense and look to play anyone going up against the Browns.



Andre Johnson: "I’m going to feel pain"

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson said that his ankle will continue to bother him for a while. Johnson aggravated his already sprained right ankle in a game which he only put up 64 yards receiving against the Dallas Cowboys. Head Coach Gary Kubiak indicated that he might rest Johnson for week four to get his ankle back to normal.

Fantasy Owners: It may sound crazy but fantasy owners should sit Johnson even if he does play. His ankle is preventing him from putting up his usual numbers and he will have to face Oakland Raiders CB Nnamdi Asomugha who covered WR Larry Fitzgerald like a blanket last Sunday. If owners have another solid receiver on their bench, it is probably a good idea to replace Johnson this week. Also, expect big numbers from RB Arian Foster as he goes up against a struggling Raiders run defense.



Browns’ Wright in starting lineup

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Update: NFL.com is reporting that Cleveland Browns CB Eric Wright will remain in the starting lineup despite a poor performance against the Baltimore Ravens in which he gave up three touchdown passes to WR Anquan Boldin. Wright blamed himself for the Browns loss.

Fantasy Update: It isn't much of a surprise that the Browns defense got burnt. Next week Wright will face to face the likes of WR Chad Ochocinco and WR Terrell Owens with the Cincinatti Bengals. Ochocinco has a dislocated pinky and broken ribs, but will still probably put up impressive numbers against the Browns. Fantasy owners should keep and eye on Ochocinco and if he's healthy he is a must-start next week.



Seahawks Okung, Pitts may return

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Update: NFL.com is reporting that Seattle Seahawks OT Russell Okung and OT Chester Pitts may return next week against the St. Louis Rams. Okung suffered a sprained ankle suffered in the team's third preseason game. Pitts is recovering from microfracture knee surgery.

Fantasy Impact: The Seahawks have been missing the presence of their two offensive lineman and currently rank 29th in total offense averaging only 284 yards per game. Fantasy owners of RB Justin Forsett have surely been frustrated thus far, but it looks like hope is on the horizon. If Okung and/or Pitts plays on Sunday, Forsett may put up the numbers owners have been waiting for against a Rams defense that has been exposed by the run.



Pace may play, Revis may not

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Update: ESPN.com is reporting that New York Jets LB Calvin Pace has made significant progress since having foot surgery and may play next week against the Buffalo Bills. However, CB Darrelle Revis is still recovering from a strained hamstring suffered in week two against the New England Patriots and is unlikely to next week.

Fantasy Impact: Pace's return will help the Jets, but not nearly as much as Revis would. The Jets defense got torched last week by the Miami Dolphins passing game in Revis's absence. For now, fantasy owners should still play the Jets defense next week even without Revis since they are playing a woeful Bills team.



Witten has sprained MCL

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that Dallas Cowboys TE jason Witten suffered a sprained MCL in the team's week three game against the Houston Texans. However, the injury isn't too serious and shouldn't miss any playing time.

Fantasy Impact: The silver lining in Witten's injury is that it happened before a bye week so he'll have plenty of time to rest. Witten has been targeted more and more each week by QB Tony Romo so expect him to put up big numbers when the team is set to play again in week five.



Louis Vasquez Won’t Require Surgery

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Update: The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Sad Diego Chargers RG Louis Vasquez will not require surgery on his knee. He is however expected to miss at least 2 games. Vasquez sprained his MCL during the first quarter this past weekend.

Fantasy Impact: Losing Vasquez will likely mean that the Chargers will have slightly less time to throw the ball and the running game may be a tad less effective. However, all of the skill players with the Chargers will still be good plays in fantasy as losing Vasquez does not make a big impact on fantasy production.



Louis Vasquez Won’t Require Surgery

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Update: The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Sad Diego Chargers RG Louis Vasquez will not require surgery on his knee. He is however expected to miss at least 2 games. Vasquez sprained his MCL during the first quarter this past weekend.

Fantasy Impact: Losing Vasquez will likely mean that the Chargers will have slightly less time to throw the ball and the running game may be a tad less effective. However, all of the skill players with the Chargers will still be good plays in fantasy as losing Vasquez does not make a big impact on fantasy production.



49ers Looking At Trent Edwards

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Update: According to Jason La Canfora of NFL Network, the San Francisco 49ers are considering claiming free-agent QB Trent Edwards off of waivers. Edwards was released by the Bills recently.

Fantasy Impact: Alex Smith is the starter in San Francisco, but he's been inconsistent throughout his career, as has Edwards. Since the 49ers are winless through 3 games, maybe bringing in another quarterback will motivate Smith to up his play, or he may be benched.