Showing posts with label Pittsburgh Steelers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh Steelers. Show all posts
  • FANTASY IN FOCUS The New England Patriots defense continues to struggle. Credit that to their inability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. This is leaving their largely inexperienced secondary isolated and vulnerable. Opposing teams will continue to employ an aerial attack when facing them. This will only change provided their front seven can start generating pressure on a more consistent basis.

    The current scenario is bad for Patriot fans but bodes well for Tom Brady, Wes Welker, & Randy Moss owners. The Patriots are 7-5. They hold a fragile one game lead in the AFC east division. Their remaining games are playoff caliber games. They haven’t had a very effective running game this year. So expect this offense to continue to rely heavily on the arm of Tom Brady. The Patriots upcoming schedule: Carolina, @Buffalo, Jacksonville, & @Houston.

    Brady, Welker, & Moss are great options moving forward. Consider benching the Patriot defense if you have a better option.



    What is going to become of the Indianapolis Colts offensive unit? Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, & Joseph Addai have consistently produced. The Colts stand at 12-0. Head coach Jim Caldwell has said he will be resting his starters once they have clinched a playoff bye. Manning, Wayne, & Clark in particular may see reduced playing time. Owners need to pay close attention to this situation.

    The looming question is how playing time will be distributed amongst the backs? Maybe Joseph Addai will get fewer carries? Making way for Donald Brown & Chad Simpson to see increased reps? Watch this situation moving forward.



    The 12-0 New Orleans Saints are on a roll. Their QB Drew Brees continues to engineer the leagues top ranked offensive unit.

    In week 13 Brees hit WR Robert Meachem on a 53 yard bomb in the fourth quarter to tie the game. Meachem has emerged as this year’s Lance Moore. In recent weeks he has played like a #1 fantasy receiver, out of the #3 spot for the Saints. He has produced 6 TDs in the last 5 games. He is another receiver breaking out in his third year.

    The Saints were able to manufacture 33 points against the Washington Redskins. The NFL’s #1 ranked pass defense.

    Marques Colston Robert Meachem, & Devery Henderson remain Brees’ most dangerous weapons. I don’t see any of their remaining opponents being able to stop them.

    Pay close attention to the running back situation. Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, & Reggie Bush crowd their backfield. Thomas is the best starting option of the three. That could change if head coach Sean Payton decides to rest some of his guys. Even though he has said his players will be playing down the stretch, in hopes of going 16-0. Regardless of that statement stay tuned, to see what will transpire over the coming weeks.



    What happened to the Pittsburgh Steelers? They lost in week 12 at Arrowhead Stadium, to a terrible Kansas City Chiefs team. Pair that with a week 13 loss at Heinz Field, to an Oakland Raiders squad. A defeat that drops the defending champs to a meager 6-6 record.

    With the Cincinnati Bengals on the verge of wrapping up that division, the Steelers will be fighting for a wild card spot. This is good news for Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, & Rashard Mendenhall owners. Expect them to post solid numbers down the stretch.

    Heath Miller has been non-existent in this offense of late. Roethlisberger should find a way to get him re-involved in the offense.

    Like the Patriots it is the Steelers defense that has been their downfall. The impending scenario is how long will Troy Polamalu remain sidelined? He is the heart & soul of this defense. Polamalu’s absence has extinguished the defenses spirit. If he remains sidelined consider using another defense.



    The Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers & Donald Driver connection continues to roll. Rodgers remains the top fantasy scoring player in the majority of leagues. Donald Driver has served as a reliable safety valve for Rodgers all season. Driver & Jermichael Finley are Rodgers favorite targets, when his pocket prematurely collapses. But don’t make the mistake of leaving Greg Jennings out of the conversation. He has had a disappointing year to date. Poor blocking for Rodgers has hurt Jennings fantasy value. He is a lethal vertical threat when Rodgers is given the time. The Packers O-line has found some cohesion of late. They looked legit against a stout Baltimore Raven front seven. Owners have no excuses in not starting these guys.

    The Packers can still win the NFC north title. They need the Vikings to lose 3 out of their last 4, and they need to win outright. Every week is a big game.

    At times Dom Capers has been able to orchestrate this young defense into NFL elitism. Rookies Clay Mathews Jr. & BJ Raji have played extremely well. Mathews Jr. is a fun one to watch. He flies all over the field and has a knack for the ball. Raji has been able to plug gaps and get a solid push up front. Combine that with perennial ball hawk Charles Woodson and you have a formidable defense in the making. Don’t make the mistake of sitting this defense.

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  • FANTASY SNAPSHOT - Running Back Updates There were some key RB injuries in week 10.



    Cincinnati Bengal Cedric Benson left the game with a strained hip flexor. Rookie Bernard Scott filled in with 13 carries for 33 yards. He also had 1 catch that went for 21 yards. Not a very impressive stat line. But he was running against the Steelers. The Bengals play the Oakland Raiders in week 11. The Bengals say Benson will be ready to go week 11. Provided that changes Scott becomes a great fantasy play.



    Seattle Seahawks Julius Jones is severely banged up. He spent the night in the hospital as he was experiencing bleeding in his lung. He also has a broken rib. Jones will be out for at least the next two weeks. His replacement was second year RB Justin Forsett. He made the most of his opportunity. Running for a career high 123 yards on 17 carries. He added 5 receptions for 26 yards. Unless you’re stacked at RB pick him up. He is an elusive back that the Seahawks are in need of. Not to mention head coach Jim Mora has taken a strong liking to him.



    Atlanta Falcon RB Michael Turner suffered a high ankle sprain. It is being reported that it isn’t a severe sprain. It is really a question of how much time Turner will be missing.

    My guess is that Jason Snelling will get the start in week 11. He has been averaging 4.9 yards per carry on the season. Head Coach Mike Smith praised his hard running style.

    Jerious Norwood is still listed as questionable with a hip injury.

    The team will be signing Aaron Stecker in the coming days. To serve as a #2 or #3 back.

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  • ONE OF THE ELITE The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line exhibited superb cohesion Monday night in protecting their QB Ben Roethlisberger, while facing a stout Denver Bronco defense at Mile High. Defenses giving Big Ben that amount of time to throw to receivers Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and tight end Heath Miller is the equivalent of drinking a glass of paint thinner over Dom Perignon. Throw in some gaping holes the size of the ones the 1990’s Cowboys O-line would open for Emmitt Smith for the youthful legs of Rashard Mendenhall and it is going to be a long night for any defensive coordinator. A primitive example of the old saying, “the game is won in the trenches.” A line that is applicable against the evolution of the game.

    Witnessing the second half adjustments the Steelers defense executed is the development of a championship caliber defense in every facet. Great in the adjustments, the coaches concocted down to the beautiful textbook execution by the players. Further, it is a testament to the scouting department in enabling the player personnel department to bring in players that are compatible with the coaches’ schemes. Troy Polamalu exemplifies such. There has never been a better safety to have graced an NFL field. Polamalu is capable of changing the momentum of a game on any one single play. Plainly put he is a menace to opposing offenses. Quarterbacks and potential blockers have to be aware of him at all times. The Steelers defense was lacking his threatening presence in his absence. Throw him back into the mix and there isn’t a more lethal defense in the NFL. Defense wins championships.

    That intriguing juncture has arrived in the course of the NFL season in week 10 when some teams that came out of the gate on fire have had their flames extinguished. While other teams that were chastised by their home fans for being a disappointment, have discovered a spark of hope in the last few weeks in priming themselves for a potential run.

    The Pittsburgh Steelers should be considered the most well balanced team in the NFL heading into week 10. Stay tuned NFL fans stay tuned.

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