Chicago Blackhawks’ OT Win Could Give Them Much Needed Momentum

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What could have been another blown lead by the Blackhawks last Sunday turned out to be an exciting overtime win that could prove to be more helpful than just the two points the Hawks earned as a result.

As of Monday, the Hawks sit at 9-9-2, hovering around .500. Nothing to be proud of really, but while there are many odds going against the Hawks in the early-going there might be time for optimism in the future.

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The NBA Morning After: No More Unbeatens Edition

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The Morning After is a look at the night that was in the NBA along with other NBA-related fodder

– You hate to draw conclusions from one picture, but maybe Brendan Haywood needs to work on his personal hygiene. That, or maybe he just used too much Axe for Chris Paul’s liking. That stuff can be pungent.

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Fantasy Football Week 11 Player Rankings

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The bye weeks done, meaning that the full player pool is available as teams try to close out the regular season strong and get into the fantasy playoffs. I’ve already posted this week’s start em, sit em picks, as well as some Week 11 waiver wire sleepers for you, and now it’s time for the hardest task of the week: ranking the players.

Let’s dive right in.

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



Fantasy Football Week 11 Start / Sit Picks and Projections

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I enjoyed Week 10.

Not only did I hit more than I missed with my start/sit picks and comment advice in Week 10, but my team in the P&G-sponsored Blogger Fantasy Football League also exploded for an easy and much-needed victory over the sublimely named Sweaty Ditkas.

What I loved best about my win in BFL2010 is that the two guys who carried me were unheralded players that I recommended to a lot of you in Week 10: Fred Jackson and Mike Thomas. There is nothing I love more than when I follow my own advice and it works out…because that means it’s working out for many of you too.

Just like these Week 11 start em, sit em picks will. (At least, that’s the gameplan…)

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



VICKtory!

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Update: On the NFL's biggest stage, Monday Night Football, Michael Vick did not hold anything back.  Vick had a historic game leading the Eagles to a huge 59-28 victory over the Washington Redskins.  Vick could do no wrong: his passes were crisp, his feet were like lightining, and he made all of the right decisions.  Vick had a record setting Monday night, he is the first player to ever: pass for 333 yards, throw for 4 touchdowns, rush for 80 yards, and rush for 2 touchdowns, with a quarterback rating of 150.7. The Eagles play the New York Giants Sunday night. 

Fantasy Impact: Michael Vick tore apart the Redskins defense Monday night as he had a historic record setting game.  His fantasy numbers were also off the chart as he threw for 4 tds, rushed for 2, and had no interceptions.  While you have to start Vick next Sunday against the New York Giants, don't look for Vick to have the same numbers as he did against the Redskins.  The Giants are ranked fourth in pass defense and typically do not give up many points.  All that being said, Vick seems to be playing on an untouchable level right now and shows no signs of slowing down.



Big Mac Looking To Bounce Back

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Update: Donovan McNabb has just signed a 5 year deal with the Redskins for $78 million big ones; talk about an apology from the Skins.  With the new deal, McNabb should feel even more comfortable tonight as he plays his former team.  McNabb will not have the pressure this time around from the Philadelphia fans, and should play well against a defense he is familiar with.

Fantasy Impact: Look for Donovan McNabb to have a big game against the Birds Monday night.  This season McNabb has only thrown seven touchdowns, he has eight interceptions, and a QB rating of just 76. It doesn't help either that in McNabb's last game against the Eagles he only threw for 125 yards, with a TD and an interception.  All that being said, McNabb plays his best off of a bye, and after being well rested should come out firing.  Also, if history repeats itself, after being benched in 08 with the Eagles, McNabb threw for 260 yards and four TD's in his next game against the Arizona.  With a shaky secondary for the Eagles and history on his side, I would absolutely start McNabb for this week.



Boldin The Beautiful

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Update: Thursday night the Ravens lost a heartbreaker to the Atlanta Falcons 26-21.  Anquan Boldin was held to just five cathes for 50 yards, but he did find the end zone once.  The Ravens are looking to bounce back as they face a Carolina team that looks to be out matched in ever aspect of this game.  Anquan Boldin has 45 receptions this season for 596 yards and six touchdowns.  Joe Flacco struggled early in the Thursday game, but found his stride in the second half.  The Ravens are 6-3, and with a win Sunday it will keep them in first place in the AFC North.  The Panthers are ranked 25th in points allowed this season, and although their secondary is pretty good against the pass they are not going to be able to handle the Raven's shifty receiver. 

Fantasy Impact:  With a mediocre performance againt Atlanta Thursday night, Boldin looks to rebound against a 1-8 Panther team that has been a door mat for offenses this season.  With a long break and plenty of rest, Boldin is set to have a big game Sunday.  Now with all bye weeks over for the NFL, Boldin should be your number one reciever and get you big numbers this week.  I would start Boldin in all fantasy leagues for the rest of the season.  Boldin leads the Ravens in in all recieving categories and is 17th overall in yards, and 10th in receptions.



Redskins give McNabb contract extension

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Update: ESPN.com is reporting that the Washington Redskins have given QB Donovan McNabb a 5-year contract extension worth $78 million. The deal also includes $40 million guaranteed. Also, ESPN's Michael Smith reports that McNabb could earn up to $88 million if certain incentives are reached.

Fantasy Impact: This comes as somewhat of a surprise considering McNabb was benched for QB Rex Grossman in the team's previous game against the Detroit Lions. Rumors circulated that McNabb wasn't in good enough physical form and that he didn't know the two-minute offense well enough to lead the team to victory. Rumors aside, McNabb is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and the Redskins are paying him what he's worth.



WR Cotchery to miss 2 games

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that New York Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery is expected to miss two games with a groin tear. Cotchery underwent and MRI Monday that revealed the tear and determined that it will not require surgery.

Fantasy Impact: Cotchery played well last week, but he still isn't a worthy wideout considering he is behind WR Braylon Edwards and WR Santonio Holmes on the depth chart. Now that he is out two games, it's probably best to look for receiver help elsewhere, like WR Danny Amendola of the St. Louis Rams, who has caught a touchdown pass in past two consecutive games.



WR Driver misses practice

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that Green Bay Packers WR Donald Driver missed practice Monday with a thigh injury. The Packers had a bye in week ten and Monday was the team's first practice. Driver missed the team's week nine game against the Dallas Cowboys with the same injury.

Fantasy Impact: Driver has been pretty reliable throughout his career, so this injury is somewhat of a head-scratcher. Monitor his status throughout the rest of the week and expect him back by Sunday.



Clinton Portis won’t play tonight

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Update: CBSsports.com is reporting that Washingotn Redskins RB Clinton Portis will not play tonight against the Philadelphia Eagles. Portis injured his groin has hasn't played since week five. RB Ryan Torain is expected to start despite a hamstring issue.

Fantasy Impact: Torain has done an excellent job filling in for Portis, so much so that Portis may never get his job back as he climbs in age. For now, keep Portis on the bench and hope he can get back on the field by the time the playoffs start.



Photo Story: Extending the Albatross – The Inside Story of the Donovan McNabb Contract Extension

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donovan-mcnabb-contract-extension-mike-shanahan

Two weeks ago, Mike Shanahan benched Donovan McNabb for Rex Grossman in the closing minutes of a winnable game. What ensued was a comedy of fumbled explanations, backtracking, and hurt feelings that made the Dallas Cowboys (for at least a week anyway) seem stable.

Incredibly, without a game occurring in between, it was announced today that Donovan McNabb has been given a contract extension by the Redskins for…get this…5 years, $78 million.

Take a quick breath while the details of McNabb’s extension sink in.

To recap: Donovan McNabb was benched for Rex Grossman in the 4th quarter of a close game, and without doing anything else on the field, was awarded with a gargantuan contract extension that even his own mother couldn’t explain. (Okay, fine, I’m convinced. No matter how I type it, it doesn’t stop sounding completely ludicrous.)

Anyway, as we often do here at MSF, we were able to get the inside story of how McNabb’s contract extension came about and how he and Shanahan are dealing with it. And I promise you: even the extraordinary details you’re about to learn are not in any way more ridiculous than the reality of the extension itself.

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



Favre to see Dr. James Andrews on shoulder

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Update: ESPN.com is reporting that Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre is going to contact Dr. James Andrews concerning his right shoulder. Favre is suffering from pain in the shoulder and believes that it is related to the surgery that Dr. Andrews performed on Favre to repair a partially torn biceps tendon after the 2008 season. He is also expected to submit an MRI for Dr. Andrews.

Fantasy Impact: Favre's problem just keep piling up on him. The 41-year-old quarterback may be able to play out the rest of the year, but don't expect him back next year since he is literally falling apart. Favre isn't having the season he had last year, so much so that he shouldn't even be considered anything of fantasy value from here on out.



Orton The Real Deal

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Update: Kyle Orton exploded Sunday as the Broncos put on a scoring clinic against the Kansas City Chiefs: 49-29.  Orton completed 22 of 34 passes for 296 yards and a career high 4 touchdown passes.  Orton ended the game with a QB rating of 131.5, which boosts his rating to 96.4 for the season.  Orton has stepped up this season, even with Brandon Marshall's absence who was his number one reciever of a year ago.  With that win, the Broncos snap a four game losing streak and face a much easier schedule for the second half of the season. 

Fantasy Impact: Kyle Orton has put up another steller performance, and is on the list of the top ten quarterbacks this season.  As the Broncos face a struggling Chargers defense, Orton's high numbers should continue for this week. Orton has thrown for 16 touchdowns and spreads the ball around with great accuracy.  Orton is a must start for this Monday night matchup that is sure to be a high scoring shoot out.



QB Pennington out for year

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Update: ESPN.com is reporting that Miami Dolphins QB Chad Pennington will miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury suffered in the team's week ten game against the Tennessee Titans. The injury is considered to be potentially career-ending.

Fantasy Update: This is terrible news for Pennington who got injured on the very first play after winning the starting job back from QB Chad Henne. Unfortunately, due to his age and the severity of the injury, this may be the last time Pennington plays in an NFL game. Either way, he is longer a fanasy option sicne he will miss the rest of the year.