Teams on a bye: Ravens, Texans, Bills, Bengals
When a group of people loses its leader, chaos erupts within the group, while it may not always show, that uncertain feeling is undoubtedly hidden deep inside. All of a sudden, each person is on his own, with no guidance from that one person whom everyone respects. To the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Lewis is that leader. Not only is Lewis respected by the entire Ravens organization but he’s respected by just about every person involved with the National Football League.
I don’t need to talk about Lewis’ talent; everyone knows how good he is – one of the best linebackers to ever live. What does need to be mentioned is how durable the 13-time Prow Bowler is. He’s started no less than 12 games in 14 of his 17 years in the league, and has played a full 16 games eight times. The Ravens went into last week’s game against the Texans tied for the best record in the AFC (with the Texans), but Houston made them look like just the opposite, embarrassing the Ravens, 43-13. It was quite noticeable that the Ravens were without their legendary linebacker – something just didn’t look right when the defense trotted out onto the field without number 52 their side.
While Ravens fans tried to look away, Texans fans and fantasy owners of Texans players rejoiced in all the great performances. Matt Schaub threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Arian Foster rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Andre Johnson reeled in nine balls for 86 yards. Kevin Walter caught four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. And Owen Daniels had seven receptions for 59 yards and a score.
The Ravens are not the Ravens without Ray Lewis.
Players I Love for Week 8
Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos: How could anyone forget the last time Manning battled Drew Brees and the Saints? I know for a fact that Manning hasn’t forgotten, and I’m sure the memory will fuel him in a dominating performance over a weak New Orleans defense. In fact, this Saints defense allows the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (21.7). If that’s not enough, Josh Freeman threw for 420 yards and three touchdowns against this defense just last week.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers: Roethlisberger is the lucky winner this week. His prize is facing the worst pass defense in the league. The Redskins have allowed the most passing yards per game (328.4), the most touchdowns (16, tied with New England and Tennessee), and the sixth most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (19.4). Big Ben and his talented receiving corp should go to town on this Washington defense.
Andrew Luck, QB, Colts: Let’s get this out of the way. This game is at Tennessee. Luck and the Colts have been dreadful on the road this year. In the team’s two games away from Lucas Oil Stadium this year, Luck’s numbers are horrid (50.6 completion percentage, 1 touchdown, 5 interceptions, and a 52.1 passer rating). However, one explanation for those numbers is who Luck was facing in those two games: the Bears and the Jets. The Bears have allowed the fewest passing touchdowns all season and have the most interceptions and the Jets are the 9th-best pass defense in the league. This week, despite being on the road, Luck will be opposed by a Titans defense that has allowed the third most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (20.5) and the most passing touchdowns (16).
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: In two career games against the Browns, Rivers has posted a 69.8 completion percentage, 584 yards, two touchdowns and a 118.7 passer rating. Cleveland’s pass defense has been awful this season, having allowed 15 touchdowns through the first seven weeks of the season. Though Rivers has struggled this season, this is the perfect game for him to turn it around.
Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: I had Johnson here last week and he made me look like a genius. I’m all in again. Last week’s dominating performance (195 yards and 2 touchdowns) should have been a huge confidence boost for the former 2,000-yard rusher. While Indianapolis’ run defense is nowhere near as embarrassing as Buffalo’s (no one’s is), it’s still right there towards the bottom. The Colts have allowed the fourth-most rushing touchdowns so far (8) and the seventh-most yards per game (141.7). Like I mentioned earlier, the Colts will be away from home for this game, and have not been able to stop the run under that circumstance. In Week 1, Matt Forte rushed for 80 yards on 16 carries and a score, and two weeks ago, Shonn Greene tallied 161 yards on 32 carries and three touchdowns.
Willis McGahee, RB, Broncos: The Saints can’t stop the pass. And they’re not much better against the run (they allow the second-most rushing yards per game, 161.0). McGahee should do wonders this week.
Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, WRs, Packers: It appears as if Greg Jennings will not be healthy for quite some time, thus leading to more looks for both Cobb and Nelson. Just a few days ago, Aaron Rodgers said that Cobb will go down as “one of the best picks of Ted Thompson’s career, if not the best.” This just shows how much respect and trust he has in Cobb. Last week, Cobb reeled in all eight balls Rodgers threw to him, racked up 89 yards, and found the end zone two times. Nelson had just as great a performance, catching eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Over the last four games, Nelson is averaging nearly ten targets and seven receptions per game. This week, the Packers will be opposed by Jacksonville. This could be ugly.
Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers: In each game so far, Brown has caught either four passes or seven passes. That’s it. He caught four in Week 1; seven in Weeks 2, 3, and 5; four in Week 6; and seven last week. This might be the end of this bizarre pattern, as Brown will be up against the worst pass defense in the league. Brown should have some fun this week.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos: He has Peyton Manning throwing to him; he’s playing the Saint; and the game is in Denver. Yes, please.
Players I Hate for Week 8
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers: A struggling second-year quarterback versus one of the best defenses in the league, if not the best? No thanks. The Bears have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (8.8), have allowed the fewest passing touchdowns (6), and have the most interceptions (14). Newton has struggled on the field and off the field; he’s acted very immature after loses this year, and his latest post-game press conference was a perfect example. His on-field struggles are not as big of a concern, but, this stat pretty much sums up his year so far: Newton has 5 passing touchdowns this year, the same number of touchdowns the Bears defense has scored.
Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: In case you didn’t know, under Andy Reid, the Eagles are undefeated coming off a bye. With a new defensive coordinator, this Philadelphia defense should come out fired up and ready to go. Turner has seen a drastic decrease in carries this season, and I don’t see any reason for Matt Ryan to start feeding him the ball now, especially against a solid defense against the run.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks: Lynch hasn’t been the player everyone thought he would be during the second half of last year. Things aren’t going to get easier; Detroit has allowed just one rushing touchdown all year and in its last two games, the opposing starting running backs (LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte) combined have 118 yards on 36 carries (3.2 yards per carry).
Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: New England has never been known to have a good defense, but this year, when it comes to stopping the run, the Patriots are among the best. It has allowed an impressive 3.3 yards per carry and just three rushing touchdowns. Steven Jackson has been an enormous disappointment through the first seven weeks. The former Pro-Bowler is averaging a mere 3.8 yards per carry and has found his way into the end zone just once this season.
Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: New England has never been known to have a good defense, but this year, when it comes to stopping the run, the Patriots are among the best. It has allowed an impressive 3.3 yards per carry and just three rushing touchdowns. Steven Jackson has been an enormous disappointment through the first seven weeks. The former Pro-Bowler is averaging a mere 3.8 yards per carry and has found his way into the end zone just once this season.
Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: Smith shocked everyone last year, including many experts, with his impressive play. This year, he’s been the complete opposite – a huge disappointment. He and Newton developed such a great chemistry last year, which seemed to vanish over the off-season. People, myself included, were expecting big things from these two and this young Panthers team this season, but they don’t seem to be playing together as a team. Until they begin to do so, while Newton will always give Smith the looks he deserves, I can’t see any big things happening for the veteran receiver. Couple all of what I just said with the fact that he’ll be defended by arguably the best shut-down corner, behind Darelle Revis, of course, in Charles Tillman, and you’re left with a recipe for disaster. In case you didn’t see last week’s Monday night game between the Bears and the Lions, Tillman shut down the best receiver in football, holding Megatron to just three catches for 34 yards. If you can shut down Calvin Johnson, you can shut down any one.
Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers: A few years ago, Finley looked as if he would be able to compete for the title of “Best Tight End in the NFL.” Last year, he had a decent season, but nothing that would constitute him as the best. This year, he’s been one of the worst. He’s averaging a mere 34.4 yards per game (21st among tight ends). While his 26 receptions are enough for the 11th spot, Finley has scored just one touchdown this year (T-21st). Even against a porous Jaguars defense, Rodgers would be much better off looking for his other receivers, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and James Jones. When it comes to Rodgers’ favorite targets, it seems Finley is last on that list.
When it comes to deciding on your lineup, one minor slip-up could be that utterly frustrating difference between a win and a loss; choose wisely.