Game Balls: Week 3

26. September 2010  - Published by Jim Humbert

QB Game Ball - Michael Vick, Eagles - 17/31, 291 yards, 3 TD, 4 carries, 30 yards, 1 TD
If you haven't been following the Eagles this season, then it is important to note that Kerry Kolb is the future quarterback for the organization. But that isn't stopping Michael Vick from winning football games in the present. And Vick isn't just winning the games - he's leading the team to victories. Yes, he's still doing it with his legs as he ran for a score against the Jags on Sunday. But he is also staying in the pocket when he needs to and finding the open receivers. DeSean Jackson had another huge day with 153 yards and a TD. But for now the Eagles are all about Vick and until someone stops him, Kolb will remain in the future.

QB Honorable Mention - Matt Cassell, Chiefs - 16/27, 250 yards, 3 TD, 1 Int (solid running game and nice D make a QB look good.)


RB Game Ball - Adrian Peterson, Vikings - 23 carries, 160 yards, 2 TD, 5 catches, 30 yards
If I were a 40-year old NFL QB I sure hope I would have a good running game. Oh wait Brett Favre - you have one! The Vikings road the legs of AP against the Lions on Sunday. Half of the studs' yards came on one big TD run but hey, it all counts. And most importantly for the Vikes, they are finally in the win column. Just keep giving the ball to your stud and maybe you can pick up another.

RB Honorable Mention - Peyton Hillis, Browns - 22 carries, 144 yards, 1 TD, 7 catches, 36 yards (lone bright spot in three weeks for Cleveland.)


WR Game Ball - Austin Collie, Colts - 12 catches, 171 yards, 2 TD
Reggie Wayne is a stud WR. Dallas Clark is a stud TE. But right now Austin Collie is the stud for the Colts and Peyton Manning. Collie has scored in each game this season and now has 27 catches for 359 yards. Not too bad for a #2/#3 guy.

WR Honorable Mention - Lance Moore, Saints - 6 catches, 149 yards, 2 TD (just one more weapon for Drew Brees.)


Special T Game Ball - Leon Washington, Seahawks - 4 kickoff returns, 253 yards, 2 TD
Good teams win by executing in all aspects of the game. Not sure if Seattle is a good team yet, but Washington helps them big time in the return game.

The Game Used Sock Award

Frank Gore, RB, 49ers - 15 carries, 43 yards, 9 catches, 102 yards
Okay, before anyone in the bay area starts crying, yes with those receiving numbers that's a pretty solid day for any RB. But think about it. Gore managed just 43 yards on the ground versus the Chiefs. Two weeks ago he had just 38 rushing yards against the Seahawks. And the Niners are 0 and 3. Yes, Alex Smith is not playing well at the quarterback position and the defense isn't stopping anybody. But Gore is supposed to be a stud running back. Give him the ball and let him carry the team to victory. He can do it even having to wear last week's stanky, sweat-stained socks. Really. He can.

Stinky Sock Honorable Mention - Sebastian Janikowski, K, Raiders - two missed field goals including a 32-yard attempt to win the game.

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Line Up Locks: Week 13

27. November 2008  - Published by Jimmy Dinsmore

Here is our Line-Up Locks for Week 13. Three games on turkey day and they could all be turkeys, especially the afternoon games. This means that's there good match ups and good reason to watch football closely on Thanksgiving. Here's a quick look at those who has favorable matchups (LOCK IN) and those who deserve a spot on your bench this week (LOCK OUT):

QUARTERBACKS
Lock In:
--Tony Romo vs. Sea
My take: Romo will likely be munching on one of those freakish 8 leg turkeys Fox serves after the game. Romo will have a fantastic statline against a miserable Seahawk team.

--Brett Favre vs. Den
My take: The Jets are hot and are being led by Favre. Champ Bailey might play, but don't expect that to hinder Favre's numbers who will shred a terrible Bronco defense and connect for at least two TDs.

--Matt Ryan @ SD
My take: This just in, the Chargers cannot stop the pass. The strong Falcon's running game does hurt Ryan's statline, a little, but it also means less blitzing and more open receivers. Ryan will throw two TDs this week.

Lock Out:
--Matt Cassell vs. Pit
My take: Cassell has been an absolute stud the last two weeks. He makes for a tough choice of whether to start him or not, but this week it's such a tough match up that Cassell should take a seat on the bench this week.

--Donovan McNabb vs. Ari
My take: The late night Thanksgiving Day game could be a real turkey for the Eagles quarterback. He was benched last week after yet another terrible performance. He's desperate and angry and has an inept offense, that spells trouble.

--Tyler Thigpen @ Oak
My take: Thigpen has been pleasantly surprising, throwing for multiple TDs in multiple games. However, this week he goes against a very underrated Raider defense.


RUNNING BACKS
Lock In:
--Chris Johnson/Lendale White @ Det
My take: Football on Thanksgiving is a great tradition, but Titans versus the Lions is not good football, unless you own the Titan running backs. Lendale White only touched the ball three times in Sunday's loss, and he complained, look for the Titan TD machine to remedy the situation while Johnson will rack up the yardage.

--Ronnie Brown @ StL
My take: The Dolphins are still stinging from the beatdown the Patriots gave them. They will get well and Ronnie Brown will rack up the stats versus the Rams.

--Michael Turner @ SD
My take: Turner is a fantasy stud and has made the surprising Falcons a dangerous team. In this match up, you cannot sit Turner.

Lock Out:
--Reggie Bush @ TB
My take: Bush may or may not start. Reports indicate that Bush will return to action this week. But, this match up and the emergence of Pierre Thomas makes Bush a very risky play this week.

--Willie Parker @ NE
My take: Parker is once again, questionable with an injury. Even if he plays this is not a good match up for him, or any Steeler for that matter.

--Larry Johnson @ Oak
My take: Take away one big 60+ yard run and LJ did nothing last week. The Chiefs have become a pass-oriented team and LJ is slipping away from his fantasy starter role.


WIDE RECEIVERS
Lock In:
--Anquan Boldin/Larry Fitzgerald @ Phi
My take: Boldin and Fitzgerald are fantasy studs and should never be considered for anything but your starting lineup. Watching their performance Thanksgiving night will help with your digestion, if you own either of them.

--Roddy White @ SD
My take: Much like Boldin and Fitzgerald, White is a WR stud. He is not glamorous, but in PPR leagues he's a must start and in most leagues he's an absolute must start, and this week is no exception.

--Derick Mason @ Cin
My take: All Mason does is make big catches. Against the Bengals he will exploit them.

Lock Out:
--TJ Houshmandzadeh vs Bal
My take: It's hard to bench someone who's targeted so much, but he had a bad last week versus Pittsburgh and will put up another sub-par performance this week.

--Marques Colston @ TB
My take: Colston is starting to take a back seat to Lance Moore, who's emerging as one of Drew Brees' favorite targets. Colston is still a solid WR2, but this week, be careful as the Bucs defense could limit the stats of Colston and the Saints passing game in general.

--Plaxico Burress @ Was
My take: Burress has had a very mediocre season and the last couple games he's been practically irrelevant. He has a gimpy hamstring to make matters worse.


TIGHT ENDS
Lock In:
--Dustin Keller vs. Den
My take:  Keller was targeted nine times in last Sunday's win over the Titans. This week, the match up is even better and Keller is a fantastic starter this week.

-- Jason Witten vs. Sea
My take: Witten will split a turkey leg with Romo after a cake walk game versus the Lions.

--Dallas Clark @ Cle
My take: The Colts are on fire and Dallas Clark will dismantle the Browns this Sunday.

Lock Out:
--Kellen Winslow vs. Ind
My take: Winslow was practically invisible last week and with no Brady Quinn now, Winslow could be back to underachieving.

--Owen Daniels vs. Jax
My take: No one has been hurt more by Matt Schaub's absence than Daniels who is now a borderline fantasy starter.

--Heath Miller @ NE
My take: This is a tough match up for all Steeler offensive players.


TEAM DEFENSE/ST
Lock In:
--Baltimore @ Cin
--Tennessee @ Det
--Dallas vs. Sea

Lock Out:
--Denver vs. NyJ
--Chargers vs. Atl
--Cleveland vs. Ind

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