Rice is the man in Baltimore…

There is no longer any debate, discussion over. While many teams in the NFL embrace the running back by committee formula, the Ravens no longer appear to be a believer in that theory. Over the past several weeks there were tell-tale signs indicating that second year back Ray Rice was the featured ball carrier, but his 28 touches on Sunday against the Broncos proved his case without a shadow of a doubt. In his two previous starts Rice had his number called 21 and 22 times, but on Sunday he finished with 28 touches (23 carries, 5 receptions). As far as fantasy goes, his 874 total yards and five touchdowns also put him in rare company this season.

Miles Austin has arrived….

In case you haven’t been noticing the playmaking receiver in Dallas these days is not Roy E. Williams, not Terrell Owens, and not even tight end Jason Witten. From out of nowhere 4^th year receiver Miles Austin has arrived under the big top in Big-D to lead the Cowboys aerial attack. Austin has caught 21 balls for 482 yards and five touchdowns in his last three games. Now implanted as one of the starting wideouts in Dallas fantasy owners can make ready for a big second half from a receiver who had only caught 18 passes in 37 career games prior to the start of the 2009 season.

Looking under the microscope

While there was so much debate in the offseason surrounding the Cutler trade to Chicago, the biggest question had to be who would Jay throw to. After looking over the past eight weeks of football it becomes clear; it’s not a former teammate, a surprise rookie, or a projected all-pro potential tight end. Over the past three weeks wide receiver Devin Hester appears to be blossoming into the role quite comfortably. Both he and his quarterback seem to be developing a very good chemistry with Cutler looking his way 27 times over the past three weeks. In the same span Hester has caught 21 of those balls for 265 yards and one touchdown. The 4^th year receiver from the University of Miami still has some work to do with his route running, but there now seems to be little doubt about who Cutler will be throwing to these days.

More fantasy Notes

One of the biggest notes from this past weekend had to be the emergence of running back Ryan Moats in Houston. With starting running back Steve Slaton handing the ball away like a concert flyer (has fumbled seven times this season), the door has been swung wide open for Moats. On Sunday he seized the day rushing for 126 yards and scoring three times. His performance was so strong the question is raised “should Moats start?”

While some fantasy owners may have run out of patience, those that stayed the course with Bears running back Matt Forte reaped big rewards on Sunday. In Forte’s two previous starts he had totaled just 109 yards with zero scores. Sunday was a different story for the Bear’s back as he carried the ball 26 times, caught a couple of balls, totaled 121 yards and scored two touchdowns. Welcome back Matt Forte!

With his fumbling woes in 2009, the Texan’s running back Steve Slaton pulled the biggest disappearing act on Sunday finishing the day with just three touches for 11 total yards and one turnover.

Coming completely out of left field, I will promote Tennessee Titans RB LenDale White. Surprised? Look at these scenarios that home come together for White this week. The Titans are at home after two weeks preparing for an opponent, after they were embarrassed by a pitiful performance in a blow out loss. Additionally, they are winless against an opponent they usually dominate, who beat them handily earlier this season. Lastly the Titans are starting a new QB this week and they should be leaning even heavier on the running game. As another alternative both Raiders backs could show up as long as the rest of the team can keep it close.

Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears is my WR this week.  For some teams he may be an every week start but for some he is not. Hester is at home against a Cleveland Browns defense that is struggling on all levels. Hester participates on all those levels at least some in every game. Whether it be with a reception, a run, a wildcat pass, or even a return I have a feeling Hester will score at least one touchdown.  The other WR I want to throw out there was almost my main guy this wee but I could not bring myself to do it, Terrell Owens.  Owens has been a secondary option since Fitzpatrick took over for Edwards, but I got a feeling he shows up in a big way this weekend.

Since I’m going on instinct as much as, if not more than, stats this week I’ll throw Dustin Keller’s name into the mix.  Keller started hot, but has dropped off almost completely these last few games.  This weekend Keller’s NY Jets will play a Miami Dolphins team that they have already faced once this season in a tight game. The Dolphins run a ¾ defensive front. As I have stated before most ¾ teams can be hurt by tight ends down the middle of the field.  For my second TE option I leave you with GB’s Donald Lee, If he doesn’t have to sit back and help pass protect, he could be effective.

I will go back to the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams game to get my Defense for this week.  One of these two defenses should have a nice game, and because of the extra week of prep time I’ll go with the Lions.  St. Louis’s O-line has struggled, their WRs are consistently hurt, and their QB seems to end up that way. Jim Swartz would like to use this game to give a glimpse into how his defense of the future will play.  The Jaguars Titans game is another game where one of the defenses will show up, I’m picking the Titans but who knows.

Last Weeks Favorite Five

Matt Cassel – 1 TD 97 yards and 3 INTs, Not what I expected

Donald Brown – Injured, but his replacement scored.

Sam Aiken – 1 TD 66 yards, I love it when a plan comes together!

Heath Miller – 38 yards, Sorry.

Indianapolis Colts – 1 TD, 3 Sacks and 2 INTS, also only give up 6 points. Not bad.

The Chargers’ defense put the beatdown on the Chiefs during an easy 37-7 win in Kansas City. San Diego intercepted Matt Cassell three times, sacked him four times, and held him to just 3.9 ypa (97 yards on 25 attempts). Kansas City managed just 10 first downs and 203 total yards on the day, and was shut out during a first half which had the Chargers leading 20-0 by halftime.  

#4:  ROMO RIGHT ON WITH AUSTIN’S HELP

After struggling to find consistency earlier this season, Tony Romo had his best game of the season, going 21 of 29 for 311 yards, 3 TD, and 0 INT, and he seems to have found his replacement for the departed Terrell Owens, in Monmouth College product Miles Austin, who caught 6 balls for 171 yards including touchdowns of 59 and 22 yards, helping the Dallas Cowboys storm back for a 37-21 home victory after spotting the Atlanta Falcons a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.

#3:  PACK DOES IT ALL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL

There wasn’t much that Green Bay didn’t do outstandingly in their 31-3 rout in Cleveland. Defensively, the Packers shut down the Browns, holding Cleveland to just 139 total yards, just 58 on the ground and only 81 through the air, while shutting out the Browns for the first 50 minutes. Offensively, Aaron Rodgers was extremely efficient. He threw just 20 times, but completed 15 passes for 246 yards (a 12.3 ypa), 3 TD and 0 INT, and a 155.4 passer rating. Ryan Grant’s 148 yards on 27 carries led a Pack ground attack that amassed 202 rushing yards.

#2:  JETS RUSH PAST RAIDERS

The Jets blew away the Raiders in Oakland, 38-0, rushing for 316 yards on 54 carries, led by the tandem of rookie Shonn Greene (19-144, 2 TD) and Thomas Jones (26-121, 1 TD). The output on the ground was nothing new for New York, although the outcome was drastically different than the previous week’s loss to Buffalo, as the Jets became the first team in 34 years to rush for over 300 yards in consecutive games.

#1:  PALMER’S NEAR-PERFECT PASSING DAY

Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer was nearly perfect in a 45-10 home rout over the Chicago Bears. Palmer played the first three quarters, during which the Bengals scored all seven times they had the ball, getting 6 TD’s and a FG. Palmer was 20 for 24 for 233 yards, 5 TD (four of those coming on the Bengals’ first four possessions in the first half), and 0 INT, while leading touchdown drives of 77, 80, 63, 66, and 61 yards. It all added up to a passer rating of 146.7 for Palmer and finally, a laugher for the 5-2 Bengals after they barely eked out four previous wins.