Dr. Pigskin: Week Four
The first quarter of the 2008 NFL regular season has come and gone with a flurry of surprises. The Bills and Titans are undefeated, the Browns are winless, the Pats are Brady-less, and the Redskins went into Big D and got a Big W for only the second time in the last 14 tries. That’s why the games are settled on the field and not on paper. Let’s jump right in and take a look at this week’s best…and worst.
Studs of the Week
Brett Favre, QB, New York Jets – No brainer here. Favre had a career game with six TD passes. He most likely led your team to victory if you started him.
Matt Schaub, QB, Houston Texans – Schaub delivered a bounce back performance and he did it in a hostile environment. He gave his team every chance to win, throwing for 300+ yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers.
Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs – Grand-ma-ma says give me the damn ball! They did and he ran for nearly two bills on 28 carries. LJ looked great.
Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams – Another disgruntled running back had a great game, as Jackson accounted for 188 yards and a score in a 17-point loss at home.
Laveranues Coles, WR, New York Jets – After a slow start, Coles made up for lost time with three TD grabs. Anyone have a Favre-Coles combo on their team? If so, I would venture to say you did well this week.
Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers – Jennings turned in a surprisingly good performance in Tampa, where the Tampa Two defense usually keeps offenses in check. He had six catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
Duds of the Week
Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers – After looking like a top three NFL quarterback during last week’s MNF game, Rivers looked average here as he was 14-of-25 for 180 yards, with one TD and an interception. His team still won, but his owners were left desiring more.
Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland Browns – Quinn Watch 2008 is now in full effect after another week of less-than-gaudy numbers from Anderson. Anderson just sucked less on this Sunday as the Battle for Ohio set back American football a few decades. Gross.
Marion Barber, RB, Dallas Cowboys – He never even had a chance. The Redskins kept the Cowboys off the field and Tony Romo kept the ball in the air as Barber only had eight carries resulting in a negligible fantasy output.
Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints – I am telling you this guy is a scratch off lottery ticket from week to week. Week Four: Please Play Again.
Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans – A big game from Schaub usually results in big numbers for Johnson, but not so this week as he went for three and 38. Meanwhile, Owen Daniels had seven catches for 87 yards. Weird.
Donald Driver, WR, Green Bay Packers – I think this will be a trend for Driver. He was Favre’s comfort blanket, but it seems Aaron Rodgers likes to throw to Jennings much more. The aging Driver had just one catch for eight yards. Jordy Nelson seems to be stepping in to produce more as well.
Calls of the Week
Note: Last week I said to start J.T. O’Sullivan (bad call; I realize now that he is not a good QB), sit Michael Turner (18 carries, 56 yards), and play Santana Moss (140 receiving yards). That’s a solid 2-for-3 performance. Now to Week Five calls of the week.
At QB, my call of the week is to start Kyle Orton in Detroit. What!? Yes. I expect Orton to put up good numbers this week. If you do not have a top flight QB with a good matchup, and have Orton, play his ass! I expect 250 yards and three TDs against a pourous Lion pass defense.
At RB, my call of the week is to sit Chris Johnson in Baltimore. The Titan rookie has been awesome early in the season, but in Week Five he will be going against a Raven defense that just does not let teams run on them. This is a nice spot to “rest” the rookie, and go with a better matchup.
At WR, my call of the week is to start Steve Smith of the New York Giants who are at home vs. the Seahawks. Steve Smith No. 2 is getting more looks lately and, combined with the Plaxico Burress fiasco, it will result in him getting a lot of action. The fact that Seattle is among the NFL’s worst at defending against the pass, I expect upwards of eight catches for around 100 yards and hopefully a score. Smith would be a nice WR3 start, especially filling in for someone who has a bye week.
Sleeper of the Week
Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys (vs. CIN) – Miles is being worked into the game plan well. I think the Bengals key on Terrell Owens, leaving plenty of opportunity for other Cowboy receiving options. I would only start him as my WR3 for fill in duty if necessary. Do note that despite its awful record, Cincy has fared well against the pass.
Note: Last week’s SOW, Chris Perry, seemed to be sleeping during the game as well, as he was totally ineffective (although he did manage five receptions).
Have a wonderful Week Five!
