Monday, September 26, 2011

Fantasy Football thoughts post-week three

The new kings of fantasy football may very well be the Detroit Lions’ Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew. Stafford and Johnson hooked up for both of Stafford’s scores in the second half and Johnson caught seven on the day for 108 yards. Stafford was 32 of 46 in the Lions’ 26-23 win over Minnesota for 378 yards, but the Georgia product didn’t just target Johnson. Pettigrew, who was drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft, the same year as Stafford, hauled in 11 receptions for 112 yards. Stafford has thrown for 977 yards in three games with nine scores. Johnson meanwhile has racked up 225 yards with six scores in three games. The Lions used to be a laughingstock in the NFL. Now the franchise is proving to possess an explosive offense.

Cam Newton picked up his first win as a professional in the Panthers’ 16-10 decision over Jacksonville, however fantasy owners may have seen it more as a loss. Newton racked up only 158 yards through the air and one score while rushing for just 27 yards on seven carries. Newton had averaged 427 yards per game in his first two contests as a pro.

Maurice Jones-Drew didn’t find the endzone against Carolina but he did rack up plenty of fantasy points with 45 yards receiving and 122 rushing yards. Depending on your league’s point system he may have still carried your squad to a victory despite not reaching paydirt.

Is it too late for people to go back and NOT draft Chris Johnson with one of the first three picks in their fantasy draft? Johnson carried it 13 times for just 21 yards in Tennessee’s recent game. He did pile up 54 yards on four receptions but his 75 total yards is not first round pick-worthy. Matt Hasselbeck did throw for 311 yards and two scores but I would only pick him up if you have a high waiver claim and want to try and flip him to a team with Peyton Manning rotting on the bench and is willing to give you a running back. Hasselbeck is averaging right at 310 yards per game and has 5 scores but I wonder how long the Titans’ ownership is going to let its first round pick Jake Locker sit on the bench.

If you were unfortunate enough to go against the New York Giants defense last week, I am sorry. I did too and the Giants defense came up with sack after sack and pick after pick. The Giants always seem to have the defensive line to warrant a before-you-are-comfortable pick in next year’s draft.

If you haven’t dropped Lee Evans yet in your league, go ahead and do it. I took Evans with my final pick because I thought he’d be the deep threat for Baltimore but injuries forced him out of the lineup the first few weeks and now Torrey Smith has likely forced him out for good. Smith caught three first quarter touchdowns and odds are the 2011 second round-pick is in the lineup to stay.

The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl one year ago with Jermichael Finley missing the second half of the season and the playoffs with an injury. You might have wondered if Finley would be able to slide right back in once back from injury. Yep. Finley caught seven passes for 85 yards against Chicago and three scores. Finley is a mismatch nightmare that the coaching staff loves to use. I’ve never heard of trying to trade FOR a tight end, but this one might just be worth it.

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