2015 NFL Playoffs: NFC Championship All About The Run Game

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Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Carson Palmer (4,671 yards, 35 TD’s, 104.6% Rating) left a lot to be desired in getting his first career playoff victory last week against the Green Bay Packers. Things don’t get easier against the Carolina Panthers this weekend, either. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

If you haven’t yet, check out my AFC Championship Game thoughts and prediction, here

Two points. One half.

That’s the reason I’m writing about the Carolina Panthers hosting the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Continue reading “2015 NFL Playoffs: NFC Championship All About The Run Game”

NFL Playoffs 2015: NFC Divisional Round A Proving Ground For Packers, Seahawks

 

NFC Championship - San Francisco 49ers v Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson (4,024 yards, 34 TD’s, 110.1 Rating) has been nothing short of sensational in 2015; and in his last four meetings against the Panthers (including postseason) he’s posted totals of 1,028 yards, 6 TD’s, 1 INT, and a 109.8 Rating. More importantly? The Seahawks are 3-1 in those games. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

One of the best parts about sports, for me, is the competition when something is on the line. It’s that competition when you’re so close to achieving the ultimate goal that makes everything about practicing and playing worth it. Which is why this week’s NFC Divisional match ups has me so excited for football this weekend. Continue reading “NFL Playoffs 2015: NFC Divisional Round A Proving Ground For Packers, Seahawks”

Fantasy Football 2015: Week 7 Waiver Wire Targets, Bye Week Advice

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The Vikings Stefon Diggs has 19 targets, 13 receptions, and 216 yards in two games. Considering the schedule and the competition it’s time you give him a run in your fantasy leagues.

It’s week 7, which means those of you who rely heavily on Bengals, Packers, Bears and Broncos are going to have a lot of roster work to do.  Continue reading “Fantasy Football 2015: Week 7 Waiver Wire Targets, Bye Week Advice”

Fantasy Football 2015: Week 3 Waiver Targets

David Johnson averaged 8.4 yards per carry on five carries Sunday (42 yards) and scored a touchdown. Even though Arians is cautious with rookie running backs, I would add him this week if available. (Photo By: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
David Johnson averaged 8.4 yards per carry on five carries Sunday (42 yards) and scored a touchdown. Even though Arians is cautious with rookie running backs, I would add him this week if available. (Photo By: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)

Injuries are starting to mount for quite a few fantasy stars (and emerging options as well).

Just when Tevin Coleman started rolling a rib injury may force him to miss multiple weeks. Drew Brees and Tony Romo both went down with injuries that will cause them to miss multiple weeks. Continue reading “Fantasy Football 2015: Week 3 Waiver Targets”

2015 NFL Preview: NFC Division Predictions

I like Seattle to win the NFC West again in 2015 despite a holdout from Kam Chancellor. But a division rival might have the last laugh in playoffs. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
I like Seattle to win the NFC West again in 2015 despite a holdout from Kam Chancellor. But a division rival might have the last laugh in playoffs. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Division and playoff predictions are tricky in the NFL.

Every week a team can look like a “team to beat” or the worst team you’ve ever seen. With the NFL only playing 16 games, one could put themselves in a situation to be roundly criticized for picking the wrong team without the benefit of hindsight.  Continue reading “2015 NFL Preview: NFC Division Predictions”

Fantasy Football 2014: What’s Real, What’s Not On The Waivers After Week 3

Blake Bortles has been named the starting quarterback in Jacksonville. Should you look to own him on your fantasy team? (Photo By: John Konstantaras/Getty Images North America)
Blake Bortles has been named the starting quarterback in Jacksonville. Should you look to own him on your fantasy team? (Photo By: John Konstantaras/Getty Images North America)

Let me start by telling you all that I went a clean 4-0 last week in fantasy football. I know, hold your applause.

But really, though, there are so many people to thank. Continue reading “Fantasy Football 2014: What’s Real, What’s Not On The Waivers After Week 3”

Fantasy Football 2014: Top-10 D/ST Units To Target For Fantasy Football

It was going to be hard enough for the 49ers D/ST to be a top-5 unit again in 2014 without Navarro Bowman. Now that Aldon Smith has been suspended for nine games they'll be hard-pressed to crack the top-10 (Brian Bahr/Getty Images North America)
It was going to be hard enough for the 49ers D/ST to be a top-5 unit again in 2014 without Navarro Bowman. Now that Aldon Smith has been suspended for the first nine games this season they’ll be hard-pressed to crack the top-10 (Photo Credit: Brian Bahr/Getty Images North America)

It isn’t enough to just collect all of the best offensive talent when constructing your fantasy rosters. A good Defense/Special Teams (D/ST) can go a long way towards getting you in the playoffs and even stealing sealing a victory when you need one the most. Continue reading “Fantasy Football 2014: Top-10 D/ST Units To Target For Fantasy Football”

Fantasy Football 2014: Fantasy Football Quarterback Tiers Done My Way

Jekyll and Hyde?: Games 1-8: Stafford's numbers were 2,617 yards, 16 TD's, 6 INT's and a 94.7 rating. Games 9-16: 2,033 yards, 13 TD's, 13 INT's and a 72.1 rating
Jekyll and Hyde?: Stafford’s first-half numbers (2,617 yards, 16 TD’s, 6 INT’s and a 94.7 rating) didn’t resemble anything he did in the second-half ( 2,033 yards, 13 TD’s, 13 INT’s and a 72.1 rating)

The quarterback position is the most important position in fantasy football.

Go ahead and disagree. I say that without a hint of reservation or sarcasm. It doesn’t make sense to place the hopes of a well drafted team in the hands of someone who isn’t going to consistently give you the production you need from, what should be, the steadiest spot on your roster. Continue reading “Fantasy Football 2014: Fantasy Football Quarterback Tiers Done My Way”

Fantasy Football 2014: Top-10 Breakouts Players In 2014

Jordan Matthews left Vanderbilt as the All-Time, SEC leader in receptions and receiving yards. He'll be equally as good on Sundays in Philadelphia for the Eagles
Jordan Matthews left Vanderbilt as the All-Time, SEC leader in receptions and receiving yards. He’ll be equally as good on Sundays in Philadelphia for the Eagles (Frederick Breedon/Getty Images North America)

It is that time of year again, folks.

We are three weeks away from the start of the NFL season but fantasy football is already in full swing. My trash talk game is already in midseason form so I’m good to go. Continue reading “Fantasy Football 2014: Top-10 Breakouts Players In 2014”

Fantasy Football 2014: Depth At Running Back Is Better Than Advertised

Chargers running back Danny Woodhead has averaged 335 yards and two touchdowns receiving a year since 2009. Combined with his rushing statistics that makes him a a top-20 running back annually no matter the format
Chargers running back Danny Woodhead has averaged 335 yards and two touchdowns receiving a year since 2009. Combined with his rushing statistics that makes him a a top-20 running back annually no matter the format

My old fantasy football drafting habits are hard to let go of.

After all this time playing I still can’t bring myself to draft a running back first without a lot of hesitation. I am that guy who gets lured into not being able to resist the consistent production that comes with Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning. Can you blame me? Since 2010 they’ve all, at some point, finished in the top-3 in scoring among all players. Continue reading “Fantasy Football 2014: Depth At Running Back Is Better Than Advertised”