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| Authored by Andrew Perna - 23rd September, 2008 - 12:15 pm
 Eight games were decided by ten points or less in Week Three, providing us with a number of last-second finishes, including a pair of overtime contests and five games that were decided by made (or missed) field goals.
In addition to all the drama, five teams earned their first win of the season while six clubs kept their undefeated records intact.
It was an interesting week for the Eagles as they came out on top in a tough battle with the Steelers but saw both Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook suffer injuries in what became a physical battle early on.
McNabb, who missed a few plays with a chest injury, performed well against a tough Pittsburgh defense. He went 24-for-35 with 196 yards, one touchdown,and his first interception of the season, outplaying Ben Roethlisberger, who was sacked eight times and intercepted once by the Philadelphia defense.
What has worried fans more than excited them following the win is the injury to Westbrook, which was officially diagnosed as an ankle strain on Monday. Westbrook is, without-a-doubt, one of the NFL?s most dynamic players, but I truly believe that the Eagles can win football games without him close to 100%.
They rely more on the health of McNabb, good-decision making,and the strength of their blitz-happy defense.
This Sunday will be another slugfest when they face the Bears, which should be a winnable game for the Eagles regardless of whether or not Westbrook suits up in Chicago.
The Downs
First Down?Dolphins Shock Pats
The Dolphins won just their second game since the start of the 2007 season on Sunday, beating the rival (and dominant) Patriots in the process. The Pats hadn?t lost in the regular season since December of 2006, but Sunday will be more of an aberration than normality in both Miami and New England.
Second Down?Gus Has Got It
Gus Frerotte led the Vikings to their first win of the season against the formerly undefeated Panthers. Frerotte wasn?t awesome ? going 16-for-28 with 204 yards, one touchdown and an interception ? but he was good enough to manage a strong outing for the Minnesota offense. As long as Gus plays within himself, Adrian Peterson (and his 114 yards per game) can do the needed damage with the ball.
Third Down?Are The Broncos ?3-0? Good?
After three weeks Denver is 3-0 and possesses the NFL?s best offense, having scored 114 points (four more than the second-place Chargers). Jay Cutler admitted late last week that the Broncos copied some of the Patriots? spread offensive sets, but I doubt they anticipated enjoying the similar results. They already have a two-game lead in the AFC West and won?t face a challenge from the Chiefs this Sunday.
Fourth Down?Is Detroit?s Defense '0-3' Bad?
As good as the Broncos? offense has looked so far, the Lions? defense looks even worse. Entering their bye week, Detroit has surrendered an average of 38 points a game, and their three opponents (Atlanta, Green Bay and San Francisco) have all had their most balanced offensive performances of the season against them. They are last in the league in rush defense, and sit 23rd against the pass. Chicago?s Matt Forte could explode in Week Five.
The ?Who The Heck? Statline of the Week?
Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay WR: Ten catches for 138 receiving yards.
Keyboard Prediction for Week Four
Washington @ Dallas, Sunday 4:15 PM EST
This game is a huge one for the Redskins if they want to make noise in the tough NFC East heading into October. The Cowboys, along with the Giants, stand at 3-0 through the season?s first three weeks. Every team in the division has a winning record, something no other grouping can say, which means that two losses in the first month of the season could end Washington?s playoff hopes.
Jason Campbell and the offense are starting to show signs of serious improvement, and the Dallas defense has been exposed early despite their undefeated record. However, Tony Romo and Co. might be too much for the Redskins on the other side of the ball. Without Jason Taylor on the field, Washington could lack the bite needed to hurry Romo.
The Keyboard Prediction: Dallas 31, Washington 20
Season Record: 1-2
My Fantasy Diary
Let me remind you of how I finished my ?fantasy diary? last week:
?I?m feeling good, but a Week Three loss could easily change that.?
After posting a 4-1 record in each of the first two weeks of the season, I hit rock bottom in Week Three. However, worse then my 1-4 mark was the traumatic defeat I suffered in the East Coast Pigskin League.
Sunday was a light day for The Drew Crew, with Philip Rivers, Thomas Jones,and Chris Chambers playing on Monday Night. I trailed by 21.3 points after all but one of the games were over this past week, with my opponent, My Little Ponies, having LaDainian Tomlinson left on his roster.
My deficit, definitely within reach, would have been a lot more manageable had the Baltimore defense not exploded for the Ponies. The Ravens compiled five sacks, three interceptions and a touchdown in their romp of the Browns. In case you?re wondering, that?s worth 29 points. Figures.
With that said, I was feeling awesome at halftime of the Jets-Chargers game, with Rivers having turned my twenty point deficit into a ten-point lead. Philip had three touchdowns in the first half, including one to Chambers, and Tomlinson was ineffective on the ground, seemingly because of his injured toe.
Of course, Tomlinson came out like a man-possessed in the second half. Less than five minutes into the third quarter, L.T. found the end zone on a 2-yard run. My lead was trimmed to four points, but I still felt confident with three players in the mix. Just one more connection between Rivers and Chambers could have ended it.
Forget it. Jones was hardly on the field as the Jets threw, and threw, and threw again in a futile attempt to get back in the game. The Chargers, who carved up New York?s secondary in the first thirty minutes, kept the ball on the ground, rotating between Tomlinson and Darren Sproles.
Then my fantasy nightmare occurred.
On third-and-five, Rivers threw deep right to Vincent Jackson, who not only caught the ball, but streaked towards the end zone for what seemed like a sure score. Jets cornerback Dwight Lowery, who was coating Jackson the entire time, forced Jackson to the ground at the two-yard line with just a few feet left to six points for both San Diego and The Drew Crew.
Predictably, and dreadfully, Rivers handed off to Tomlinson on the next play for a 2-yard touchdown that put My Little Ponies up by 1.7 points with four minutes in the game.
You know how it ended. Jones remained on the sideline for New York, and San Diego focused on running out the clock. Rivers threw one more pass, but it fell well short of what I needed to re-take the lead and The Drew Crew dropped to 1-2 on the season with an 88.7 to 87.3 loss.
Bartender, I?ll have one bourbon, one scotch and one beer.
Week One Record: 4-1
Week Two Record: 4-1
Week Three Record: 1-4
Season Record: 9-6
Top Ten Fantasy Starters At Each Position For Week Four
Based On Prior Week Performance And Matchups
Bye Week Advisory: Detroit, Indianapolis, Miami, N.Y. Giants, Seattle, New England
Quarterbacks
1. Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. San Francisco
2. Jay Cutler, Denver @ Kansas City
3. Philip Rivers, San Diego @ Oakland
4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay @ Tampa Bay
5. Tony Romo, Dallas vs. Washington
6. Kurt Warner, Arizona @ N.Y. Jets
7. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia vs. Chicago
8. Brett Favre, N.Y. Jets vs. Arizona
9. J.T. O?Sullivan, San Francisco @ New Orleans
10. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore
Sleeper: Jason Campbell, Washington @ Dallas
Running Backs
1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego @ Oakland
2. Frank Gore, San Francisco @ New Orleans
3. Marion Barber, Dallas vs. Washington
4. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo @ St. Louis
5. Reggie Bush, New Orleans vs. San Francisco
6. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia @ Chicago (injury risk)
7. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota @ Tennessee
8. LenDale White, Tennessee vs. Minnesota
9. Larry Johnson, Kansas City vs. Denver
10. Michael Turner, Atlanta @ Carolina
Sleeper: Larry Johnson, Kansas City vs. Denver
Wide Receivers
1. Anquan Boldin, Arizona @ N.Y. Jets
2. Brandon Marshall, Denver @ Kansas City
3. Terrell Owens, Dallas vs. Washington
4. Chris Chambers, San Diego @ Oakland
5. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona @ N.Y. Jets
6. Greg Jennings, Green Bay @ Tampa Bay
7. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati vs. Cleveland
8. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore
9. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland @ Cincinnati
10. Roddy White, Atlanta @ Carolina
Sleeper: Chansi Stuckey, N.Y. Jets vs. Arizona
Tight Ends
1. Jason Witten, Dallas vs. Washington
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego @ Oakland
3. Tony Scheffler, Denver @ Kansas City
4. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City vs. Denver
5. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland @ Cincinnati
6. Chris Cooley, Washington @ Dallas
7. Robert Royal, Buffalo @ St. Louis
8. Jeremy Stevens, Tampa Bay vs. Green Bay
9. Donald Lee, Green Bay @ Tampa Bay
10. Vernon Davis, San Francisco @ New Orleans
Sleeper: Dustin Keller, N.Y. Jets vs. Arizona
Kickers
1. Ryan Longwell, Minnesota @ Tennessee
2. Nate Kaeding, San Diego @ Oakland
3. Matt Prater, Denver @ Kansas City
4. Jason Elam, Atlanta @ Carolina
5. John Kasay, Carolina vs. Atlanta
6. Josh Scobee, Jacksonville vs. Houston
7. Nick Folk, Dallas vs. Washington
8. Joe Nedney, San Francisco @ New Orleans
9. Neil Rackers, Arizona @ N.Y. Jets
10. Robbie Gould, Chicago vs. Philadelphia
Sleeper: Rob Bironas, Tennessee vs. Minnesota
Defense/Special Teams
1. Tennessee Titans, vs. Minnesota Vikings
2. Philadelphia Eagles, @ Chicago Bears
3. Pittsburgh Steelers, vs. Baltimore Ravens
4. Green Bay Packers, @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Baltimore Ravens, @ Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Buffalo Bills, @ St. Louis Rams
7. Minnesota Vikings, @ Tennessee Titans
8. Jacksonville Jaguars, vs. Houston Texans
9. San Diego Chargers, @ Oakland Raiders
10. Carolina Panthers, vs. Atlanta Falcons
Sleeper: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, vs. Green Bay Packers
Predictions, Fantasy Stories, or Excitement? Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
