@DenverPolice cold..
— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) December 1, 2014
Poor Nuggets. The Denver Police Department Twitter account was having a little sports-based fun on Sunday night and completely overlooked the city's NBA team when sending out the love.
They apologized though, so all is forgiven -- maybe.
@DenverPolice: @denvernuggets - we blew that one. Not only LOVE our Nuggets, we congratulate you on the grt win against the Suns! GO NUGGS
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) December 1, 2014
Can you blame him?
The Lakers are now 4-13 after beating the shorthanded Toronto Raptors in overtime at home, so now is as good a time as ever for three-time actual NBA champion James Worthy to parade around in circles, claim this win is the "first of many more" and suggest the team "played like champions tonight." There won't be many happy moments this season.
Later, this happened:
"Kobe Bryant, he's in the MVP category after tonight's game." - James Worthy, post game, making Tommy Heinsohn blush.
— Rich Levine (@rich_levine) December 1, 2014
Kobe had a 30/12/10 line ... but no.
(Via @TheNoLookPass).
Another week in the NFL season is almost in the books, and we have a new No. 1 after the New England Patriots fell to the Green Bay Packers. There is now less than one month remaining in the 2014-15 NFL regular season and we have a change at the top of the league rankings […]
NFL Power Rankings: Packers Take Over No. 1 Spot Entering Week 14 - FanSided - FanSided - Sports News, Entertainment, Lifestyle & Technology - 280+ Sites
This is Kobe Bryant in a nutshell. To wit:
Peyton Manning and the Broncos won big over the Chiefs in an important AFC West matchup, 29-16.
After a shaky win over the Miami Dolphins last week, the Denver Broncos wanted to make a statement on the road at one of the toughest venues in the league. And on a chilly 21-degree night in Kansas City, they did just that, when Peyton Manning and the Broncos won a critical AFC West matchup over the Kansas City Chiefs, 29-16.
They are now alone on top of the AFC West and look prepared to clinch another division crown this season, while Kansas City dropped below San Diego in the standings. Here's what we learned.
1. Denver's defense is legit.
Following a loss to the St. Louis Rams and a close win over Miami, there were questions about Denver's ability to keep other teams out of the red zone, especially after losing Aqib Talib to a hamstring injury. Those questions were answered in the first quarter when Denver kept Alex Smith and the Kansas City offense on their heels. Denver had 122 yards in the first quarter; Kansas City had negative yards with no first downs.
Despite eventually allowing touchdowns to tight end Anthony Fasano and running back Jamaal Charles later in the game, Denver defenders like DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller kept up the pressure on Smith and the Chiefs' receivers (both Ware and Miller are among the NFL's top-ten in total sacks.) The Broncos defense played well in every phase of the game, including a fumble caused by Bradley Roby on the Chiefs' last chance to get the game back in hand. Smith had under 100 yards passing well into the fourth quarter -- he was forced out of the pocket and sacked five times. Kansas City turned over the ball three times, and was never able to finish badly-needed scoring drives.
2. Kansas City's defense might have some holes.
The Chiefs have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL, but as their game against the Broncos on Sunday showed, their rush defense isn't quite so good. Running back C.J. Anderson went wild against the Chiefs, rushing for more than 150 yards for the second straight week. That vaunted pass defense couldn't slow down Manning and receivers like Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas made big gains in the Kansas City secondary. Kansas City is in the top ten for sacks league-wide, but the rebuilt Broncos offensive line gave Manning plenty of time to check his receivers and make big passes to the outside. Kansas City was eventually able to slow down the Denver offense in the second half, but the damage was already done. The Broncos doubled the Chiefs in total yardage and in plays run, and it showed on the scoreboard.
3. How good is Denver, really?
The answer? We don't know. The Broncos looked far better against the Broncos than they did against the Dolphins, and the Chiefs are among the best in the league at home (just ask New England.) What's more, Kansas City will likely be the toughest test they'll face over the the next month. But this is still a Broncos team that looked pedestrian against the New England Patriots and Rams. Time will tell if this Broncos squad could win another AFC Championship.
Following the Week 13 nightcap at Arrowhead Stadium, the NFL Playoff standings have been updated with a number of teams still alive in the AFC and NFC Wild Card races. The Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots currently hold first place in their respective conferences, with the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos trailing closely […]
NFL Playoff Standings Entering Week 13 Finale - FanSided - FanSided - Sports News, Entertainment, Lifestyle & Technology - 280+ Sites
Peyton Manning threw for two touchdowns as the Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 29-16 on Sunday. The Denver Broncos took a giant step towards winning the AFC West on Sunday, as they defeated the rival Kansas City Chiefs 29-16 on Sunday night. As they often do, Denver got on the board first. Peyton […]
Broncos Vs Chiefs Final Score: Peyton Manning, Denver Topple Kansas City, 29-16 - FanSided - FanSided - Sports News, Entertainment, Lifestyle & Technology - 280+ Sites
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had no words, and just one motion for what he thought of this referee's penalty call. Now we need to wonder why, because the call was against the Von Miller of the Denver Broncos for hitting Alex Smith late.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been on the receiving end of some hard hits against the Denver Broncos, but tight end Travis Kelce took exception to a cheap shot on Alex Smith. Kansas City Chiefs fans have come out in droves to see if they can’t watch their team move into first place in the […]
Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce Does Jerking Motion Over Alex Smith Cheap Shot (Video) - FanSided - FanSided - Sports News, Entertainment, Lifestyle & Technology - 280+ Sites
Sunday night features an AFC West showdown that could make the division much more interesting the rest of the way.
The Denver Broncos are 8-3, but are only a game clear of two of their division opponents, as the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers are both 7-4 and breathing down the Broncos' necks. Denver will look to get some separation Sunday night as they try to finish a season sweep of the Chiefs.
The Broncos will again be without running backs Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman Sunday, while tight end Julius Thomas appears on track to play, though he's not likely to be full strength. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have no fantasy-relevant injuries, entering Sunday's game largely healthy.
The Chiefs will host Sunday's game at 8:30 p.m. ET. Let's look at the fantasy considerations:
Start 'em: Of course, you're starting Peyton Manning but thanks for clicking on my story to confirm. ... C.J. Anderson has seized the Denver top RB job, and he might keep it even when the other guys are back and healthy. ... Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders might be the league's best one-two combination of receivers; they've both had double-digit fantasy performances in six straight games, and nine times each overall. ... Assuming Julius Thomas goes, he needs to be in all lineups. He only needs a couple of catches to be fantasy helpful.
Start 'em?: The Broncos added kicker Connor Barth over the week, dumping Brandon McManus. You're always wary of a guy in his first game, but kicking for a strong offense, Barth could be helpful.
Sit 'em: For now, all Juwan Thompson is is a change-of-pace guy for Anderson, and definitely not a fantasy option. ... Yeah, Wes Welker scored in Week 12, but he's still off the fantasy radar. ... The Broncos' defense is better in real football than it is in fantasy. Tread lightly.
Start 'em: Since his injury, Jamaal Charles is averaging 18.8 fantasy points a game. That's crazy good. ... Few good players have been as frustrating as Travis Kelce has been in fantasy, but as rough as the position is, he's still a fantasy starter.
Start 'em?: You'd like more upside than Cairo Santos offers as a kicker, but he has at least five fantasy points in eight straight games and nine of 10.
Sit 'em: If you're digging deep, Alex Smith is mildly interesting, sure -- you always like a quarterback facing Denver -- but ultimately it's hard to imagine trusting him outside of a two-quarterback league. ... Knile Davis stumbles into the occasional touchdown behind Charles, but it's nowhere near consistent enough to consider him a fantasy option. ... The Chiefs' defense hasn't been very good and now faces Denver. Nope.
Start in every league: Peyton Manning, C.J. Anderson, Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Julius Thomas, Jamaal Charles, Travis Kelce
Start if you're desperate: Connor Barth, Cairo Santos
Bench: Juwan Thompson, Wes Welker, Denver defense, Alex Smith, Knile Davis, Kansas City defense
Oh, this ought to be fun.
You'll have to wait until late afternoon Sunday, but Week 13's premier matchup might be one of the premier showdowns of the entire NFL season, as the 9-2 New England Patriots carry their seven-game winning streak into Green Bay to play the 8-3 Packers. The two teams are in first place in their respective divisions and own the two largest point differentials in the league.
The Patriots listed quarterback Tom Brady, running back Shane Vereen and wide receivers Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell on the week's injury report, though only Vereen and LaFell had noted injuries, and none of the four appears to be at any risk for Sunday. For the Packers, only wide receiver Davante Adams had any fantasy relevance from the injury report, as he was limited Thursday with a heel problem. Keep an eye on his status for Sunday.
The Packers, who have won their last two home games by a combined score of 108-34, host Sunday's game at 4:25 p.m. ET. Here's a look at the (many, many) fantasy options to consider:
Start 'em: Since Week 4, Tom Brady has averaged 23.7 fantasy points a game. He's been one of the best in the league. ... Rob Gronkowski is still either the No. 1 or No. 2 tight end in the game, and absent injury, that won't be changing. ... Stephen Gostkowski is so dang good.
Start 'em?: The only New England running back whose usage you can feel somewhat confident in is Shane Vereen, whose snaps remain high. He'll be on the field a lot, and at the least you can expect some quantity, if not quality. He's a flex play. ... Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell both appear pretty safe to offer a handful of fantasy points a game, while it's hard to expect either to give a lot more than that. They're high-floor, low-ceiling flex plays. ... Tim Wright needs a touchdown to have fantasy value, but he's been getting a lot of them. He's a high-end TE2 who might be your best option.
Sit 'em: The last two games, the Patriots' top running back has put up a combined 63 fantasy points. But that was Jonas Gray in Week 11 and LeGarrette Blount in Week 12, and consider Bill Belichick's ways, it's hard to know who to trust week to week. ... The Patriots' defense is good, but it's hard to imagine trusting any defense against that Green Bay offense at home.
Start 'em: Week 12's 19 fantasy points was Aaron Rodgers ' worst total since Week 5, and that was 18. He's been incredible for almost the whole season. ... In his last six games, Eddie Lacy 's fantasy production has been 4, 13, 17, 17, 22 and 25 fantasy points. He keeps getting better. ... They were both relatively quiet in Week 12, but Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are still WR1's or close. ... In a game that definitely could be a shootout, Mason Crosby ought to get plenty of kicking action.
Start 'em?: If you're using one defense in this game, it's the Packers' defense, but the better bet is to avoid the lot.
Sit 'em: Even without his injury concern, Davante Adams is too far down the totem pole in Green Bay to be a viable fantasy option. ... Andrew Quarless ' usage has increased of late, but he's still not helpful for fantasy.
Start in every league: Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gostkowski, Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Mason Crosby
Start if you're desperate: Shane Vereen, Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Tim Wright, Green Bay defense
Bench: Jonas Gray, LeGarrette Blount, New England defense, Davante Adams, Andrew Quarless
Would you believe this is technically a matchup of first-place teams?
A battle between first place teams! Arizona Cardinals! Atlanta Falcons! One 9-2, and the other -- 4-7? Really? Oh, well, Sunday afternoon's game between the two is indeed a fight between two first-place teams, even if that's mostly due to the vagaries of divisional arrangements.
The Cardinals listed quarterback Drew Stanton, running back Andre Ellington and wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown on the week's injury report. Only Fitzgerald is at any risk to miss Sunday, and even he has said he's pretty sure he'll play. On the Atlanta side, wide receiver Harry Douglas was limited in practice this week, but looks likely to play Sunday.
The Falcons will host Sunday's game at 4:05 p.m. ET. Let's look at it for fantasy:
Start 'em: It's been a rough stretch of games for Andre Ellington, as his injuries and schedule have caught up with him. You'll still be using him against the porous Atlanta run defense, but this might be his last time as a sure starter all season. ... The Cardinals' defense has averaged 15 points a game in its last four, and needs to be started every week.
Start 'em?: The best Arizona pass-catching option at this point is John Brown, and it's not actually that close. Considering all the team's question marks, he's still just a low-end flex, though. ... Chandler Catanzaro has really fallen off from his early-season production, but in what looks like a nice matchup, he could rise again Sunday.
Sit 'em: Even against a bad defense, Drew Stanton is at best a low-end QB2. Look elsewhere. ... It's hard to imagine letting your playoff fate rest in the hands of Michael Floyd or a banged-up Larry Fitzgerald . ... John Carlson has had four or fewer fantasy points in 10 of 11 games this season; he's averaged 2.6 fantasy points a game.
Start 'em: Sunday was a good game for Julio Jones by normal wide receiver standards, but the fact that 12 fantasy points was his highest total since Week 3 is disheartening. Still, he's a WR2, as is teammate Roddy White .
Start 'em?: If you're up against it, Matt Bryant has been a fine kicker of late. Against Arizona's defense, he might struggle for opportunities, though.
Sit 'em: How can you run Matt Ryan out there? He's averaged 13.6 fantasy points a game since Week 4 with no game over 15; that's low-end QB2 territory. Stay away. ... Against a strong Arizona defense, Steven Jackson would be defensible as a flex play if it's desperate, but I'd prefer to just avoid him. ... Remember when I said Levine Toilolo would be a decent low-end fantasy option after a Week 1 touchdown? He's averaged 1.2 fantasy points a game since. Good times. ... Nope, not the Falcons' defense.
Start in every league: Andre Ellington, Arizona defense, Julio Jones, Roddy White
Start if you're desperate: John Brown, Chandler Catanzaro, Matt Bryant
Bench: Drew Stanton, Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald, John Carlson, Matt Ryan, Steven Jackson, Levine Toilolo, Atlanta defense
These are two bad teams, but one of them still has something to play for.
The Minnesota Vikings are 4-7 and playing out the string on the season. The Carolina Panthers are worse, at 3-7-1, but because of their division, are only a win and some help away from a playoff spot. Sunday, they look to get that win against the Vikings, who have lost two in a row.
The Panthers will likely get running back Mike Tolbert back from short-term injured reserve this week, muddying up that team's running situation even more. Meanwhile, the Vikings have almost all of their skill players listed on the report, including running backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata, wide receivers Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings and Jarius Wright, and tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Chase Ford. Only McKinnon and Patterson appear to be any kind of risks to miss Sunday's game.
The Vikings will host Sunday's game at 1 p.m. ET. Let's take a look at the fantasy options:
Start 'em: In a year with so many strong rookie receivers, Kelvin Benjamin is right there, and is a strong WR2. ... With only 5.3 fantasy points a game in his last four, Greg Olsen has fallen behind the other elite tight ends, but he's still a definite must-start.
Start 'em?: If you've been running Cam Newton out there all year and are still in contention, congratulations. He's been very underwhelming. This week, he's a reasonable QB2, with the Vikings' struggles against the running game potentially helping Newton.
Sit 'em: The return of Mike Tolbert makes DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart even less fantasy-relevant. Feels like I've written variations on that sentence for decades now. ... Still waiting for the first strong fantasy day from Jerricho Cotchery this season. ... Graham Gano has had four or fewer fantasy points for three straight games. ... The Panthers' defense had 12 and 13 points in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively, and has 12 total since.
Start 'em?: The Vikings give Blair Walsh enough opportunities that, in a home game, he's not a bad kicking option.
Sit 'em: There are signs of things to build on for Teddy Bridgewater in Minnesota, but there's no way to use him in fantasy right now. ... Between his injury, his lack of use, and his unexciting numbers, Jerick McKinnon is a non-starter right now, and Matt Asiata has far too much downside to use, either. Ben Tate might actually be the Vikings' best fantasy option at running back, but you don't know until you see how he is used. ... Charles Johnson has been Minnesota's best receiver of late, with Cordarrelle Patterson , Greg Jennings and Jarius Wright all dragging behind, but I wouldn't touch any of them. ... Kyle Rudolph is getting healthier, but he still has yet to put up a big fantasy game all season, even outside of his injury. ... The Vikings' defense had a decent two-game run about a month ago, but outside that it's been a bad unit all year.
Start in every league: Kelvin Benjamin, Greg Olsen
Start if you're desperate: Cam Newton, Blair Walsh
Bench: Mike Tolbert, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Jerricho Cotchery, Graham Gano, Carolina defense, Teddy Bridgewater, Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata, Ben Tate, Charles Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings, Jarius Wright, Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota defense
First place versus last place! 7-4 versus 4-7! Those two sentences don't match up, actually.
The NFL -- where the Pittsburgh Steelers can be 7-4 and tied for last place in their division, while the New Orleans Saints can be 4-7 and tied for first in theirs. You'd think the team tied for first would be a better bet in a Week 13 game than the one tied for last, but not here, as the Steelers will be the clear favorites against the Saints Sunday.
The Saints have every single one of their running backs on the week's injury report. Khiry Robinson is the one who might miss the game, though it's not yet 100 percent either way, while Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas and Travaris Cadet will likely all play. The Steelers had both wide receiver Martavis Bryant and tight end Heath Miller on the injury report, though neither is any kind of risk to miss.
The Steelers will host Sunday's game at 1 p.m. ET. Let's look at the fantasy considerations:
Start 'em: Fresh off his best fantasy game of the season in Week 12, Drew Brees now has a road game, so he's no guarantee to continue that, but he's still a must-start. ... If you have Mark Ingram, you're probably using him, though his numbers are tailing off and the team is getting its other running backs back. His stock is falling. ... Jimmy Graham is still elite, still Jimmy Graham, and still a must-start.
Start 'em?: Both Marques Colston and Kenny Stills had serviceable games in Week 12 with Brandin Cooks done for the year. If I'm choosing one, it's Stills, but both guys are reasonable low-end flex plays. ... You're probably starting Shayne Graham if you have him, but he's no sure thing, so feel free to look around.
Sit 'em: Active or no, you can't realistically use any of Khiry Robinson, Pierre Thomas and Travaris Cadet. They're just there to take touches away from Ingram. ... The Saints' defense is really bad.
Start 'em: Against that run defense, Le'Veon Bell becomes the single-best fantasy option this week. ... Antonio Brown is still an easy WR1.
Start 'em?: The group of quarterbacks ranked between, say, seventh and 15th, are all pretty interchangeable. Personally, I have Ben Roethlisberger ranked as a QB2, but you might disagree. ... The down game for Martavis Bryant last time out was the single-most predictable thing to happen in fantasy this season; no one could continue his hot stretch. He's a low-end flex. ... Shaun Suisham has been intermittently good this season, but has yet to put up back-to-back double-digit scores. ... The Saints' offense isn't as vaunted as it once was, but it's still good, which could hurt the upside of the Steelers' defense.
Sit 'em: There just has to be a better tight end option out there for you than Heath Miller, who is more likely to put up one fantasy point than anything else.
Start in every league: Drew Brees, Mark Ingram, Jimmy Graham, Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown
Start if you're desperate: Marques Colston, Kenny Stills, Shayne Graham, Ben Roethlisberger, Martavis Bryant, Shaun Suisham, Pittsburgh defense
Bench: Khiry Robinson, Pierre Thomas, Travaris Cadet, New Orleans defense, Heath Miller
Both teams are in last, but one of them still looks far better than the other.
Not all last-place teams are created equal. The Oakland Raiders are in last in the AFC West, are 1-10, and just won their first game of the season. They deserve to be in last. The St. Louis Rams, meanwhile, are 4-6, and just completed a 3-3 stretch against Seattle, Kansas City, San Francisco, Arizona, Denver and San Diego. That's a strong run of a schedule, and despite sitting at 4-7, the Rams have shown more than that. So Sunday's game between these teams is more than just a "last-off."
The Raiders are waiting for running back Latavius Murray to get clearance from the concussion he suffered in Week 12, though he's practiced enough this week that it appears likely he'll play. For the Rams, both wide receiver Kenny Britt and tight end Jared Cook are on the week's injury report with back problems, though both are expected to play.
The Rams will host Sunday's game at 1 p.m. ET. Let's look at the fantasy considerations, slim though they may be:
Start 'em?: Assuming he's cleared, which seems likely, Latavius Murray will be popular this week, but tread lightly, as we haven't exactly seen a wealth of strong performances out of him. ... You don't want to be stuck using an Oakland receiver, but if you are, the one to use is definitely James Jones . ... Sebastian Janikowski has been performing well over the last several games -- he's averaged almost eight points a game since Week 6.
Sit 'em: It's been a rough stretch for Derek Carr , who has only nine fantasy points a game over his last four, and only 9.5 in his last six. ... Murray or no, Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew are off the fantasy radar. ... Andre Holmes hot stretch of games is only a memory now, and the same is true for Mychal Rivera . ... The Raiders' defense is pretty bad.
Start 'em: Hey, this game does have one decent fantasy option. Tre Mason has seized the top job in St. Louis, and he'll be a reasonable RB2. ... The Rams' defense more than held its own against some really strong teams; against Oakland, it should do very well.
Sit 'em: Two games for Shaun Hill since reclaiming the starting job, and 17 total fantasy points. Nope, that won't play. ... Benny Cunningham is playing almost as many snaps as Mason, and while he's not as productive, playing time is playing time. Meanwhile, Zac Stacy is not getting playing time at all. ... Kenny Britt had a good game, then Stedman Bailey had one. Before that, it was Jared Cook. But none of them is fantasy-helpful. ... We've seen more bad games than good out of Greg Zuerlein . Even playing at home isn't a help.
Start in every league: Tre Mason, St. Louis defense
Start if you're desperate: Latavius Murray, James Jones, Sebastian Janikowski
Bench: Derek Carr, Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew, Andre Holmes, Mychal Rivera, Oakland defense, Shaun Hill, Benny Cunningham, Zac Stacy, Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Jared Cook, Greg Zuerlein
Roddy White is starting to get it going for his fantasy owners. Will that continue in Week 13?
Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White has been much better in his last few weeks with averages of 81 receiving yards and 0.7 TDs. He'll take that momentum into a Week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Earlier this season, the Cardinals were blitzing constantly and it led to some huge games out of receivers. They gave up multiple-TD games to receivers in three of the four games from Week 5 to Week 8, but they have allowed just one TD to receivers since that bad run. It looks like the safeties and corners have played a little softer which has kept the big plays to a minimum. In fact, they have kept receivers to just 75.3 yards per game to receivers in the last four games.
Fantasy impact: Bad matchup aside, Roddy is at home and he should have a lot of chances to catch passes. The Falcons will be one dimension in a big way. He's a solid WR2.
C.J. Anderson went off in Week 12. Will he do it again for his fantasy owners?
The Denver Broncos have been a waiver wire hot bed in the fantasy running back world. First, it was Ronnie Hillman busting out as an RB1 while he was starting and now it's C.J. Anderson's turn.
Hillman is not close to a return while Montee Ball is not ready to go either. That means it should be the Anderson show again vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Chiefs have actually been an unbelievably tough nut to crack and just allowed their first TD to a running back last week, the Broncos are just too good on offense.
Anderson and the Broncos had some success against them in Week 2 and they should be able to at least score in the 20s in the divisional matchup.
Fantasy impact: There is really no way Anderson should be on your bench this week. He's coming off two huge games and he'll find a way to get you big fantasy points.
These two teams were both considered done for, but theoretically both could still make the playoffs. Weird season.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have both been left for dead this season. For Tampa Bay, the team is 2-9, and being left for dead might be smart. However, the team is still only two games out of first place in the NFC South, and with that division, who knows how that will go. Meanwhile, the Bengals looked dead in the water after a 24-3 beatdown at the hands of the Cleveland Browns in Week 10, but two straight wins have the team back at 7-3-1 and in first place in the AFC North.
Both teams enter their Sunday matchup basically healthy from a fantasy perspective. Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu and Buccaneers running back Charles Sims and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins were all on the week's injury report, though all three should be fine for Sunday's game.
Tampa Bay will play host Sunday, with the game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Now for a look at the fantasy considerations:
Start 'em: We've seen more than enough out of A.J. Green since his injury return to put him in every lineup, every week.
Start 'em?: If you have Jeremy Hill , you're probably using him. The same applies for Giovani Bernard . But with the confusing usage of the two running backs, it's tough to say for sure who would be the better play, and even who will be productive at all. ... If you're digging deep, Mohamed Sanu does face a bad pass defense, and is coming off a 10-point game. He could be a low-end option. ... Mike Nugent is one of those kickers who will probably get you six to nine fantasy points, but rarely anything above that. There are a lot of those this year.
Sit 'em: After Andy Dalton 's worst game of the season, he had his best. And after his best, he had a big "meh" game. In general, "meh" is what to expect out of Dalton this year, so even in a really nice-looking matchup, it's hard to use him. ... Jermaine Gresham hasn't done much of anything this season. Even his two-touchdown game offered little else. ... The Bengals' defense had 27 fantasy points through Week 3, and has 18 in eight games since.
Start 'em: This crazy level of production from Mike Evans obviously won't continue -- he's great, but not best-in-the-game great -- but as long as he's performing, he needs to be in all lineups.
Start 'em?: In five complete games played this year, Josh McCown has averaged 16 fantasy points a game. That's not great, but it's serviceable if you're in a bind. ... Vincent Jackson is due for a big game soon, and you might be able to capitalize on it. ... The Buccaneers' defense has improved of late -- 2.1 points a game through seven, 9.0 since -- but you'd have to be pretty needy to dive this far.
Sit 'em: I'm sure one of the Tampa Bay running back trio of Charles Sims, Doug Martin and Bobby Rainey will have a serviceable game. Maybe. But I have no idea which, and I don't particularly care -- none of the three is worth the heartache. ... I have no idea how you can trust Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and that's even without considering his injury. ... Patrick Murray has had more bad games than good this year.
Start in every league: A.J. Green, Mike Evans
Start if you're desperate: Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Mohamed Sanu, Mike Nugent, Josh McCown, Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay defense
Bench: Andy Dalton, Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati defense, Charles Sims, Doug Martin, Bobby Rainey, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Patrick Murray
Former Baltimore Ravens‘ running back Ray Rice has won his appeal with the NFL and can now turn to the business of football. The New Orleans Saints are reportedly considering the option of signing Rice. In focusing on the football side of things strictly, teams across the NFL are now wondering if there is a […]
Ray Rice Rumors: Saints Considering Signing Rice - FanSided - FanSided - Sports News, Entertainment, Lifestyle & Technology - 280+ Sites
Not only did Washington make a weird quarterback choice, it robbed us of Griffin vs. Luck.
In theory, Sunday's game between the Indianapolis Colts and Washington should have been a fun storyline of Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, the first- and second-overall picks in their draft, facing off for the first time as pros. But then Griffin had to struggle, and then Washington had to go and bench Griffin. In the end, it's just another game of a good team against a bad one.
Washington expects to get tight end Jordan Reed back from a hamstring injury Sunday, though that's not yet a sure thing, and Reed is always at risk to get re-injured. For the Colts, tight end Dwayne Allen will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury.
The Colts will host Sunday's game, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let's look at the fantasy considerations:
Start 'em: The only moderately consistent and good fantasy option Washington has is running back Alfred Morris who needs to be started every week, and especially against the Indianapolis run defense.
Start 'em?: We're about due for one of those fantasy-game-winning weeks from DeSean Jackson that he puts up every now and then, but with his quiet performance of late he's hard to trust. ... Kai Forbath has had five strong kicking games in his last six. He's usable.
Sit 'em: There isn't a single quarterback on Washington's roster worth a fantasy look. Right now, the starting job is Colt McCoy 's, but who cares? ... Pierre Garcon is off the fantasy radar right now. ... With Jordan Reed back, Niles Paul is back to forgettable, and Reed's constant injury concerns make him impossible to trust. ... The Washington defense is bad.
Start 'em: Yeah, no reason to bench Andrew Luck, even after his worst game of the season. Washington is very generous to opposing quarterbacks. ... T.Y. Hilton keeps proving he's a super-elite receiver. ... What Adam Vinatieri is doing as the oldest player in the league, kicker or otherwise, is amazing.
Start 'em?: With Dwayne Allen out for Sunday, Coby Fleener is once again an interesting fantasy option, though he did absolutely nothing with the opportunity a week ago. ... The Colts' defense has had more than its share of ups and downs; against a Colt McCoy-led offense, this could be an up.
Sit 'em: It's hard to imagine being forced to use an Indianapolis running back. If you are, it's Dan Herron over Trent Richardson , but the best bet is to just stay away. ... Everyone watching Reggie Wayne thinks he's lost a step. Had to happen eventually.
Start in every league: Alfred Morris, Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton, Adam Vinatieri
Start if you're desperate: DeSean Jackson, Kai Forbath, Coby Fleener, Indianapolis defense
Bench: Colt McCoy, Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed, Niles Paul, Washington defense, Dan Herron, Trent Richardson, Reggie Wayne
After Thursday's classic combination of overindulgence and narrative rejuvenating-I'm sure your dad reminded you early and often that TONY ROMO ALWAYS CHOKES-we look toward this Sunday for the next round of our FanDuel experiment. Today, we'll highlight four players that vary from slightly underpriced to incredibly, inexplicably cheap for their expected production.
QB - Eli Manning, $7200
There is a fish, popular mainly in Japan, that can only be eaten through the most intricate and careful of preparations. If prepared incorrectly, the poor sap stuck eating it will die from poisoning. Eli Manning is that fish, mouth agape and useful only in the most delicately prepared situations. This week, he faces a Jaguars defense that, while definitely improved and better than expected, still struggles to contain the pass. Cheaper than Michael Vick or Kyle Orton, Eli is cheap and poised for a solid outing.
RB - Rashad Jennings, $7100
Finally healthy and back to his usual production, Rashad Jennings enjoys a rarefied workload. He had 27 touches in last week's bout against Dallas, turning that opportunity into 16 fantasy points. Acting as Eli's check-down security blanket and goal-line back (excluding one inexcusable series where the Giants force-fed Andre Williams), Jennings offers a high floor and high upside for a cheaper price. I would much rather trot out Jennings at $7100 than players like Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill (hamstrung by a committee), an ailing Andre Ellington, or, for only $100 cheaper, LeGarrette Blount.
WR - Josh Gordon, $8100
Admittedly not the cheapest option, but I feel like we have one more week of undervaluing Gordon before everyone remembers the ungodly beasting of 2013. In his first game back, Gordon saw an unreal 16 targets from Brian Hoyer, many of which were lame-duck prayers hoping for a savior. Given his natural ability and sheer volume of touches, Gordon should be trotted out as a pricey WR2 or a cheaper WR1, with this week's salary under the likes of Mike Evans, T.Y. Hilton, or the duo of Packers studs facing an elite New England secondary.
DEF - Miami, $4900
The easiest, most promising pick of the week. For anyone blessed with missing the Jets on offense this year, I can summarize the fun by linking you to any Breaking Madden article. They are the CPU on Amateur with all the sliders out of wack, a decent run game that refuses to run and a passing game that refuses to employ any of their weapons. With Geno Smith returning this week-his last start, mind you, ended in the first quarter after going 2/8 for 5 yards and three interceptions-I'd recommend any defense playing him. However, the Dolphins have a legitimately solid defense! They are a decent play regardless of matchup, and they now have arguably the worst offense in the league during a primetime matchup. At $600 cheaper than the top DEF this week, start Miami with confidence and enjoy the turnover buffet.
With these four picks, you're afforded a ton of flexibility for the reminder of your lineup. Enjoy the games, and, please, join me on Monday for the annual New York Jets primetime bloodbath.
The NFL in 2014 is all about good-but-not-great teams. Here are two more!
Both the San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens sit at 7-4. Both teams have won two in a row to end losing streaks that threatened to derail their seasons. Both are tied for second place in their divisions, and both need every win possible to stay in contention for a playoff spot. And finally, both play one another Sunday.
The Chargers have running back Ryan Mathews on the week's injury report with a shoulder injury, though he's expected to be fine for the game. The Ravens, meanwhile, come into the game basically healthy from a fantasy perspective -- in fact, Baltimore is probably the league's single-healthiest team all -around right now.
Baltimore will host Sunday's game at 1 p.m. ET. With both teams needing a win to stay near the top of the playoff race, let's look at the fantasy considerations:
Start 'em: Even off a strong of disappointing games, there just aren't enough productive tight ends to render Antonio Gates a non-starter.
Start 'em?: It's been a rough stretch of production for Philip Rivers , who hasn't had more than 13 fantasy points in any of his last three games and hasn't reached 20-plus since Week 6. He's a mid-range QB2 now. ... In a neutral matchup, Ryan Mathews would be a surefire starter, but the Ravens have the league's best run defense, so Mathews is more of a flex play at best this week. ... Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd keep yo-yoing as the team's best fantasy receiver. Neither is a strong start, but both could be flex plays if things are desperate. ... Nick Novak is a relevant kicker, right on the fringes of every-week startability. ... The Chargers' defense doesn't look as good as it did early in the season, but it's still worth a start if you're outside the top units.
Sit 'em: The return of Mathews renders Branden Oliver a fantasy afterthought. ... Eddie Royal has had his patented hot-start-quick-decline again this year, and he's off the radar.
Start 'em: We've seen more than enough out of Justin Forsett to believe him as a top-flight running back the rest of the way. ... Justin Tucker remains one of the better kicking options.
Start 'em?: The Smiths -- Torrey Smith and Steve Smith Sr. -- are reasonable flex plays, though neither is very strong, since they battle one another for touches. ... The only thing keeping Owen Daniels in fantasy consideration is the fact that tight end is such a barren position. You might be stuck using him. ... The recent struggles of the San Diego offense mean that the Ravens' defense is a totally defensible fantasy start.
Sit 'em: Out of 11 games this season, there have been exactly two where Joe Flacco was a strong and helpful fantasy option, and the last one was Week 6. Stay away. ... Neither Bernard Pierce nor Lorenzo Taliaferro is getting enough play to be anywhere near a fantasy lineup.
Start in every league: Antonio Gates, Justin Forsett, Justin Tucker
Start if you're desperate: Philip Rivers, Ryan Mathews, Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd, Nick Novak, San Diego defense, Torrey Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Owen Daniels, Baltimore defense
Bench: Branden Oliver, Eddie Royal, Joe Flacco, Bernard Pierce, Lorenzo Taliaferro
The SB Nation Fantasy War Room is live until 1 p.m. ET. Trying to figure out your last minute lineup decisions? Have thoughts on a trade or a waiver pick-up? We're here for you!
Welcome back to the War Room! This marks the third season of a chat room that offers you the most extensive fantasy football advice on the Internet. In 2012, SB Nation created a live chat called the Fantasy War Room, in order to help you better prepare for your fantasy football drafts and weekly lineup decisions. Unlike other chats that are for an hour or two on game day, the Fantasy War Room is live several hours a day, for virtually the entire season.
The War Room was launched in order to help people in this era of the 24-hour news cycle. A Top 200 ranking is helpful, but even waiting a couple days to update it can leave a fantasy football player hopelessly out of date. The War Room will be able to provide you answers on the latest breaking news, and how it impacts your fantasy draft board.
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Eli Manning has Odell Beckham Jr., but is that enough for Eli's fantasy owners?
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has been on a roller-coaster ride all season. He is coming off a big game against the Dallas Cowboys thanks to Odell Beckham Jr. basically breaking the internet with his insane catch.
This week, the Giants get another great matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars were getting beaten badly in the passing game earlier this season, but they've started to put a few respectable games together. They actually held Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck to just one passing TD and they've only allowed eight passing TDs in their last seven games.
Eli is also going to be on the road and he's had some really bad showings in those game. Manning and the Giants will likely run a little more because the Jaguars are just brutal on offense.
Fantasy impact: There is not much upside here for Manning despite the solid matchup on the surface. He's more of a QB13-15 in most formats.
Cam Newton has been a disappointment so far this season. Can he turn it around for his fantasy owners in Week 13?
Quarterback Cam Newton was in the top five for fantasy quarterbacks in every season up until this year. If that's going to continue, he has his work cut out for himself.
Newton is just the 19th-best quarterback on the season and only has one big game on the year. He is coming off his second-best game of the season against the Atlanta Falcons with 292 passing yards and two passing TDs, but that was one of the best matchups of any team
This week, he'll get a date with the Minnesota Vikings, who rank as the 10th-toughest matchup against fantasy quarterbacks. They actually held Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers in check last week and have only allowed one 300-yard game to QBs all season.
Fantasy impact: It's tough to count Newton out, but his owners shouldn't be expecting big numbers this week. He's more of a QB10-14 this week and is a bench candidate if your backup has a good matchup.
NFL Coverage Map And TV Listings For Week 13 It is time to enter the final stretch of the 2014-15 NFL regular season, with another busy Sunday of action set to come our way. In the early slate of games on Sunday, the San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Ravens matchup which will impact the AFC […]
NFL Coverage Map And TV Listings For Week 13 - FanSided - FanSided - Sports News, Entertainment, Lifestyle & Technology - 280+ Sites
Isaiah Crowell lit it up for his savvy fantasy owners last week. Should they ride him again?
Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell was a star of Week 12. He hit pay dirt two times against the Atlanta Falcons on his way to 88 rushing yards on just 12 carries. He was an undrafted free agent and has been the Browns' best back all season.
Last week was one of the best matchups possible, but this week it'll be a little different against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have been the third-toughest matchup to fantasy running backs and have allowed TDs to backs in just two games this season.
Plus, the Browns are still likely going to give Terrance West some touches this week in the road game while quarterback Brian Hoyer probably won't be able to move the ball. In other words, there is not much of a chance for Crowell to score this week.
Fantasy impact: Crowell should be on benches this week as a low-end flex. There just isn't enough upside here.
Ryan Tannehill gets a great matchup this week. Should fantasy owners take advantage?
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has made some nice strides in his third season. The Dolphins are in the mix for the playoffs and he's been a top-10 fantasy quarterback on the season.
He gets the best matchup possible against the New York Jets on Sunday. The Jets have allowed multiple pass TDs in all put one game this season and simply can't stop any quarterback. In fact, their season-low is 17 fantasy points allowed in standard leagues, which is something most fantasy owners would gladly take in a given week.
Tannehill is coming off a big game against the Denver Broncos with 228 passing yards and three scores. He should have another multiple-TD game in this divisional matchup. Plus, it helps him to get another day to prepare for the Jets and their blitz schemes.
Fantasy impact: He's actually a must-start guy unless you have a guy like Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees.
Brandon LaFell didn't have a big game in his last showing. Will he turn it around for his fantasy owners this week?
New England Patriots receiver Brandon LaFell is listed as questionable to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. This is a late afternoon game, so there is a little bit of risk involved. That said, the Patriots list players as questionable all the time and it would be a shock to see LaFell on the inactive list. He did get some practice in this week.
LaFell had a big game against the Detroit Lions with nine catches for 98 yards. It's the third time in his last four games in which he caught more than six balls and it's clear he's the Pats' big-play guy down the field. Plus, the underneath routes have really helped his value in PPR leagues.
This week, he'll get a great matchup against the Packers. This game his the highest over/under of the week and LaFell could have a monster game.
Fantasy impact: He's a solid WR2 in just about all formats. Start him.
Tre Mason has a couple good games under his belt. Should fantasy owners keep him rolling this week?
St. Louis Rams running back Tre Mason has really kept it going after not even being on the active roster earlier this season. He had a 113-yard game two weeks ago against the Denver Broncos and he received some extra snaps on passing plays against the San Diego Chargers last week.
When Mason was in the mix as the starter, the Rams had some really bad matchups and Mason will still able to put up decent numbers. This week, they get a great matchup against the Oakland Raiders, who rank as the fifth-easiest matchup for fantasy running backs. They haven't been allowing many TDs in the past few weeks, but they've allowed over 100 yards to backs on the ground in six of their last eight games.
Mason should see a lot of time as the start and is likely to get touches in the teens, which should put him close to 100 yards and one score.
Fantasy impact: He is a solid option as a high-end RB2 this week, especially with the Rams looking a little better on offense.
He finally had a big game in Week 12. Should fantasy owners look to use him this week?
San Diego Chargers receiver Keenan Allen was expected to have big season after a breakout in 2013. Well, it hasn't quite happened yet, but Week 12 did give his fantasy owners some hope.
Allen caught six balls for 104 yards and one score against the St. Louis Rams last week. He's also caught at least four balls in each of his last four games, so the consistency is starting to come around after a putrid start.
He gets a great matchup this week against the Baltimore Ravens, who are the second-easiest matchup for fantasy receivers on the season. They just gave up 284 yards to receivers alone in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints and also gave up 254 to receivers three games ago against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Fantasy impact: Allen does have some risk, but there is probably enough reward to start him this week. He should be viewed as a mid-level WR2.
Ben Roethlsiberger has cooled off since his consecutive two six-TD games. Can he get hot again on Friday?
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has come crashing back to Earth following one of the best two-game stretches of any quarterback in history, passing for six touchdowns in Week 8 and Week 9.
In the past two weeks, he only had one TD in each game and one of those was particularly bad because it came against the easiest matchup in football, the New York Jets.
This week, he'll get another nice matchup against the New Orleans Saints, who rank as the 11th-easiest matchup to fantasy quarterbacks on the season. They tend to blitz a lot and the Steelers are prone to giving up sacks, so Roethlisberger isn't a completely safe option this week. Still, the Saints are awful on the road.
He is entering the week with basically his whole team healthy and another week of practice with his young receiver corps should help.
Fantasy impact: Ben is better at home and his fantasy owners should have him locked in this week.
The AFC West will be affected big time in Week 13 as the Denver Broncos take on the Kansas City Chiefs, and the San Diego Chargers have a tough game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Denver Broncos were one of the most dominant teams in the NFL a season ago, and they're not far removed from that this time around. They've been excellent, sporting an 8-3 record and in control of the AFC West, but their spot atop the division isn't guaranteed and is even in danger in Week 13.
Both the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers are pushing the Broncos for the division lead. The Chiefs are 7-4 and have to be kicking themselves after falling to the Oakland Raiders in Week 12 -- it was a solid opportunity to tie things up, and they blew it. But the Chiefs will get another chance in Week 13, as they will play host to Peyton Manning and the Broncos on Sunday Night Football.
That game could very well decide the fate of the AFC West, but the Chargers are still in the discussion. San Diego has a tough matchup as they'll be facing off against the Baltimore Ravens, who are also 7-4 and fighting for a division lead. The AFC West is certainly one of the most interesting divisions in the league, and Week 13 could go in many different directions.
Here's how the rest of the divisions are shaping up around the league:
If the AFC West isn't the most competitive division in football, then it's definitely the AFC North. The Cincinnati Bengals are currently on top with a 7-3-1 record, with that lone tie being the deciding factor between them and the rest of the division. The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Ravens all sit at 7-4 with as good a chance as any to take the division lead this week. The Bengals have an easy game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however, while the other three teams have tougher matchups.
The Indianapolis Colts may have slipped up a couple times, but they're still 7-4 and there's not much threatening them from within the NFC South. The Houston Texans, the worst team in the league last season, aren't far behind at 5-6, but this division likely belongs to the Colts, who will take on a bad Washington team on Sunday. Both the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars are non-factors.
The New England Patriots are getting pushed for the AFC East more than usual this year, but they're still three games up on both the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills. New England is 9-2 and has to be eying a No. 1 seed in the playoffs, but they do have a tough game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Miami has an easy game against the New York Jets on on Monday Night Football, while the Bills have a tough game against the Browns on Sunday.
This division has been a wild one. The Arizona Cardinals are 9-2 after dropping a Week 12 game to the Seattle Seahawks, who are now 8-4 after beating the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday. Arizona has a winnable game against the Atlanta Falcons, where they can increase their lead in the division.
The Packers are ahead in the NFC North, but with a tough game against the Patriots, they could soon be tied with the 8-4 Detroit Lions. The Lions beat the Chicago Bears on Thursday and will have to wait for Green Bay's game to know if they'll share the lead in the division going into Week 14. Both Chicago and the Minnesota Vikings are non-factors.
This is the worst division in football by far. While the New Orleans Saints and Falcons are dangerous teams, they've both been bad a lot more than they've been good this year. They share the division lead at just 4-7 on the season, while the Carolina Panthers are also sadly in the discussion at 3-7-1. Even the 2-9 Buccaneers are in it, which says plenty about the NFC South.
This division was impacted big time on Thursday, as the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Dallas Cowboys, 33-10. The two teams were tied at 8-3 going into that game, but the Eagles now have sole possession of first place at 9-3. The Cowboys are obviously still in the running, and they are one of the first in line for a wild card berth if they can't bring home the division. Both the New York Giants and Washington are non-factors.