Fantasy Football: Give thanks for the Patriots this fantasy season
As you celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend, make time to reflect on all that is right with fantasy football this season.
Be thankful if you have QB Tom Brady carving into opposing defenses every weekend. Be grateful that you bagged WR Randy Moss, who's been the recipient of many of Brady's servings, 16 TDs to be exact. And if you have Wes Welker (61 catches, 7 TDs) too, it's like adding the whip cream to the pumpkin pie.
Be thankful that you stayed away from the Cedric Benson/Thomas Jones debate and picked neither. Be pleased if you have T.J. Houshmandzadeh and not Chad Johnson, and be glad that you were able to depend on unknowns like QB Derek Anderson and RB Ernest Graham to pull you through tough times - bye weeks and injuries to star players.
However, there have been plenty of turkeys this season. Most have been stuffed thanks to injuries: it starts with WR Marvin Harrison, RBs Deuce McAllister, Stephen Jackson, Shaun Alexander and Rudi Johnson - all of whom contributed to a weak first round of this year's draft.
What else are you thankful for?
"I am thankful Tony Romo was available in the 4th round of our draft and I was able to pick him," emailed Dan Campbell of Rockford.
"I'm thankful for drafting RB Adrian Peterson in three leagues," emailed Rich Walsh of Poplar Grove. "I'll be even happier if he's back for the playoffs that start in Week 15."
"In light of my hideous year (Steven Jackson, Deuce McAlister, and Marc Bulger), I'm thankful for being my league's defending champ," emailed Tim Scholten of Rockton.
"I am thankful for sleepers like Kenny Watson and Dwayne Bowe who have kept me in the mix though the killer bye weeks," emailed Dennis Nelson of Rockford.
Extra Points
What's wrong with Peyton Manning? He has just three TDs and eight interceptions in his past three games. On Sunday, Manning failed to throw a TD for just the second time in two years.
Don't think it matters who plays quarterback? Think again. Houston WR Andre Johnson returned last week after a seven-week absence and had six receptions for 120 yards and one TD. Houston QB Matt Schaub has a passer rating of 111.8 when Johnson plays and 77 when he doesn't.
I have probably the top three backs in fantasy football currently on my roster - Priest Holmes, Ricky Williams and Jamal Lewis - if this was still 2003.
Start 'em
(Opponents in parentheses)
QB Vince Young (Cincinnati); RB Selvin Young (Chicago); WR Joey Galloway (Washington); TE Ben Watson (Philadelphia); K Mason Crosby (Detroit); DEF Pittsburgh (Miami).
Bench 'em
QB Philip Rivers (Baltimore); RB Kevin Jones (Green Bay); WR Lee Evans (Jacksonville); TE Eric Johnson (Carolina); K Adam Vinatieri (Atlanta); DEF Philadelphia (New England).
Game of the Week
Tennessee at Cincinnati. The Titans had 423 total yards last week against Denver but turned the ball over three times. Vince Young passed for 305 yards and can duplicate that against the Bengals' pass defense, which is ranked 28th. Carson Palmer was picked off four times last week against Arizona. He, too, will find success against a soft Titans' defense that gave up four touchdowns of 40 or more yards to Denver.
Mailbag
How does your league keep owners interested when their team is out of the playoff chase?
"Our incentive to turn in a lineup is the team scoring the most points for the week receives 'x' amount of money," emailed Ed Wenzel of Loves Park.
"Our league has a 'Toilet Bowl,' for teams that don't make the playoffs," emailed Dan Campbell of Rockford. "The team that loses the Toilet Bowl is the 'winner' and is in charge of running the draft board at the next draft. No one wants that job."
Question of the Week
What one player or transaction are you thankful for this fantasy season?
Paul Anthony Arco is the fantasy football columnist for the Rockford Register Star. E-mail questions or comments to paularco@aol.com.