10 Takeaways from Bruins-Blackhawks Game 3

Garnett and Rivers to Clippers Deal ‘Dead’

Bruins Take 2-1 Series Lead as Rask Silences Blackhawks

A Brief History of Stolen Bases and the Red Sox

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Fantasy Football Report: Week 2

When it comes to drafting, I think I need to rethink my WR strategy. In my two leagues, both of my WR groups suck. This includes Denver’s Eddie Royal on both squads. I really do think that I would be better off just streaming receivers each week much like some people do with defenses and kickers.

Matt Hasselbeck Fractures Rib

Another week, another QB with a broken rib. This time it was Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck. He suffered the injury right before halftime against the 49ers. Seneca Wallace filled in for Hasselbeck, going 15-23 for 127 yds with a TD and INT. Hasselbeck is quetionable for Sunday’s game against Chicago.

DE Odom Wreaks Havoc on Green Bay

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom had a field day against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers as he recorded five sacks. This gives him seven sacks in two games which is just one off of his single-season best eight sacks he had in 2007 with the Titans. In IDP leagues, he is a must play against Ben Roethlisberger in week 3.

Don’t Worry, Cutler is Fine

Those of you who hit the panic button after Cutler’s first game against Green Bay where he threw four INT’s need not worry anymore. Cutler threw for 236 yds and two TD’s in week 2 and seems to have settled into his new surroundings.

Week 2 Top Performers

Matt Schaub (QB), Houston Texans

Schaub shook off his terrible week 1 performance and ripped the Titans’ secondary a new one with 357 yds and 4 TD.

Week 3 Outlook

Schaub should stay on a roll against the Jaguars. Jacksonville is in the bottom 10 in pass yds allowed with 279.5 pass yds allowed per game.

Chris Johnson (RB), Tennessee Titans

Johnson’s day was like playing Madden football on “rookie” difficulty. He rushed for 197 yds and 2 TD to go along with his 87 receiving yds and one receiving TD.

Week 3 Outlook

Be weary of starting Johnson this week as he faces Rex Ryan and the Jets. The Jets have shut down both the Texans and the Patriots this season allowing on average 240 yds of total offense.

Andre Johnson (WR), Houston Texans

Last week, I called him a dud. He showed up in week 2 with 149 yds and 2 TD.

Week 3 Outlook

As I mentioned before with Schaub, Johnson and the Texans’ offense should be just fine against Jacksonville.

Dallas Clark (TE), Indianapolis Colts

Clark was the recipient of half of Peyton Manning’s completions as he hauled in seven catches for 183 yds and a TD.

Week 3 Outlook

The Colt’s face a questionable Cardinals defense that looks good on paper with only 231 pass yds allowed per game. Then again, Arizona has shut down David Garrard and Shaun Hill, so Indy will be their first real test of the season.

Rian Lindell (K), Buffalo Bills

Lindell was a perfect 4-4 on field goals and a perfect 3-3 on his extra points against Tampa Bay.

Week 3 Outlook

Lindell is a good play against New Orleans. The Saints allow almost 300 pass yds per game and have been great against the run with only 59 rush yds allowed per game. This could potentially mean some stalled goal line runs that could turn into field goals.

Denver Broncos’ Defense

The Broncos shut down Brady Quinn and the Browns with just six points allowed, four sacks, one INT, and two fumble recoveries.

Week 3 Outlook

Expect another great game from the Broncos as they face the offensive Raiders offense (get it?). JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden will not be any kind of threat, so expect a low-scoring affair with a nice helping of turnovers.

Week 2 Duds

Tom Brady (QB), New England Patriots

Brady was no match for Rex Ryan’s defense as he threw for 216 yds, zero TD and 1 INT.

Week 3 Outlook

Well, it can only get better. The Patriots will be back at home against the 2-0 Falcons and Atlanta has been weaker against the run than the pass. It may not be a shootout, but Brady will most likely stick to the screen and short-yardage passes.

Matt Forte (RB), Chicago Bears

Forte couldn’t get anything going against the Steelers tough run defense as he accumulated just 62 total yds with no scores.

Week 3 Outlook

Forte only has 84 rush yds through two games. It may be too early to panic, so just ride this rough patch out. His week 3 matchup looks very promising against Seattle. The Seahawks have the 2nd best pass defense with just over 146 pass yds allowed per game. However, they are terrible against the run. Remember, Frank Gore just bitch slapped them for 207 rush yds on Sunday.

Reggie Wayne (WR), Indianapolis Colts

After 162 yds in week 1, Wayne could only muster three catches for 37 yds against Miami.

Week 3 Outlook

If Indy has the ball for more than 15 minutes this week, then Wayne’s numbers will automatically improve. Indianapolis against Arizona could end up as a shootout, so Wayne shouldn’t have a problem finding the ball.

Jeremy Shockey (TE), New Orleans Saints

After a two-TD performance in week 1, Shockey didn’t find the end zone at all on Sunday and only had 49 receiving yds to boot.

Week 3 Outlook

Anybody on the Saints’ offense is usually a good play. Week 3 looks especially good against the Buffalo Bills who have the second worst pass defense in the NFL with 332 pass yds allowed per game.

Jeff Reed (K), Pittsburgh Steelers

Reed was crap on Sunday when he went 0-2 on his field goal. His 2-2 on extra points wasn’t enough to pull him out of mediocrity.

Week 3 Outlook

The Steelers head into Cincinnati to face the Bengals. The Bengals have actually been good at shutting down opposing runners to the tune of 82 rush yds allowed per game. Combine that with Ben Roethlisberger’s ability to get sacked, and we will have an ample amount of missed red-zone TD opportunities which will turn into field goal opportunities.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Defense

Philly ran Jake Delhomme off the field in week 1, but they couldn’t stop Drew Brees and the Saints from scoring 42 points on Sunday.

Week 3 Outlook

Things look good against Kansas City. Chiefs’ QB Matt Cassel is still trying to find a groove in his new home and the Chiefs couldn’t even outscore the Raiders in week 2 in a 13-10 loss.

Unexpected Stars

Mario Manningham (WR), New York Giants

The second year receiver caught 10 passes for 150 yds and a TD.

Week 3 Outlook

That was quite the breakout game and another quality performance is on the horizon against Tampa Bay. The Bucs allow close to 450 total yds per game. This clearly isn’t the same Bucs defense we are used to seeing.

Correll Buckhalter (RB), Denver Broncos

Even on just nine carries, Buckhalter rushed for 76 yds and a TD with 30 receiving yds.

Week 3 Outlook

The Denver backfield is clearly splitting carries with no clear #1. However, against the Raiders, Buckhlater could be another good flex play as Oakland is once again bolstering a terrible run defense responsible for giving up 125 rush yds per game.

Johnny Knox (WR), Chicago Bears

Knox caught six passes for 70 yds and a TD against Pittsburgh.

Week 3 Outlook

Knox has actually been a quiet source of yardage with 152 yds this season. He may have a tough time against Seattle’s pass defense this Sunday. Plus, Cutler finds a new favorite receiver each week, so don’t depend on Knox too much to deliver.

Byron Leftwich (QB), Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Leftwich put together a good game 296 yds, 3 TD, and 2 INT.

Week 3 Outlook

Tampa Bay has a very poor defense which leads to a lot of passing opportunities for Leftwich. He may meet his match against the Giants. New York allows less than 170 pass yds per game.

Kevin Kolb (QB), Philadelphia Eagles

People were right to be skeptical of Kolb, but he proved everybody wrong with 391 yds, 2 TD, and 3 INT.

Week 3 Outlook

Ok, so the 3 INT’s were bad, but he did everything else right. If Kolb plays again this week, he should have no trouble against the Chiefs. Kansas City shut down JaMarcus Russell last week, but who can’t shut down JaMarcus Russell?

Sports of Boston Football League

• I lost a real stinker 127.12-79.20 to SoB’s Ty.
• SoB’s Mike scored 124.32 points…and lost to SoB’s Chris who scored a league-best 154.04 points. Chris can thank Chris Johnson for that.
• Recent pickups include: Seneca Wallace, Laurent Robinson, Steve Smith (NYG), Dustin Keller, Brandon Stokley, and Ted Ginn Jr.

Tags: Andre Johnson, Chris Johnson, Dallas Clark, Fantasy, Fantasy Football Report, Jay Cutler, Jeremy Shockey, Matt Forte, Matt Hasselbeck, Reggie Wayne, Tom Brady

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