Category: NFL

Donald Brown Back In Action

Donald Brown was back in action Sunday against the Titans after missing two games with a knee injury.

Analysis: Brown is under the radar at the moment due to his knee surgery and the layoff but he did perform well Sunday. Brown was on the end of 14 carries for 80 rushing yards. He’s averaging 15 carries per game in his five games this year making him one valuable lower tier back. He does not help out much in PPR leagues with only 3 receptions thus far this year.

At this point Donald Brown is available in well over thirty percent of leagues but he will be one of the hottest pick ups going into week nine. He may only have one touchdown this year but his workload has been consistent and his 4.3 yards per carry average is respectable. He is certainly more of a fantasy asset than his backfield mate Vick Ballard.

Going forward Brown will split some carries with Ballard but expect 15-20 carries per game and just hope for the touchdowns to come. If he’s available there is no reason not to pick him up.

Streaming Defenses- Week 8

With the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals on their bye this week it is imperative to choose the right defense in week eight.

Analysis: Whether you like to stream or need a fill in defense this week it appears that the squad of choice just may be the San Diego Chargers who are coming off of a bye. The Chargers are a top 12 fantasy defense this year while playing high powered teams like Atlanta, New Orleans and Denver. San Diego is in Cleveland this week against the Browns who only managed to put up 13 points on the Colts in week seven.

With the San Diego D you have a unit that is 11th in the NFL in interceptions, 6th in forced fumbles and 5th in fumble recoveries. The Browns on the other hand have Brandon Weeden at quarteback with 10 interceptions in seven games this year. Weeden is also sporting a 72.3 passer rating and a completion percentage of 56%. The Browns are 21st in points per game with the 30th ranked rushing attack so all signs point to a solid San Diego performance in week eight.

Lance Moore Bounces Back

After missing a week with a hamstring injury and then a week six bye, Lance Moore had himself a ball game Sunday against the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Analysis: Lance Moore caught nine balls on ten targets for 121 receiving yards Sunday. He was targeted heavily due to the fact that tight end Jimmy Graham was inactive this week. Regardless, Moore is a must own fantasy wide out. He’s caught eight touchdowns each of the past two seasons and already has two in five games this year with 408 receiving yards to his credit.

Moore is available in a few leagues and he certainly deserves a roster spot on most squads out there. The man simply produces and even more importantly produces in the touchdown department(18 last 35 games). If we break down his numbers by a per game basis this year we come up with 5.6 receptions per game and 81.6 receiving yards per game, not bad at all. It’s time to make a move on Lance Moore if he’s available in your league before it’s too late.

Josh Freeman Is Surging

Josh Freeman threw for 420 yards and three touchdowns Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Analysis: Josh Freeman has now thrown for six touchdown passes and 748 passing yards over his last two games. While his opponents have not been solid defensive clubs, he has done what is expected of him. Freeman is punishing lesser teams with his arm leading Tampa to 35 and 38 points in his last two contests.

Freeman is available in thirty percent of leagues and he is certainly worth a look. With guys like Alex Smith and Andrew Luck underperforming, Josh Freeman as a QB2 makes a lot of sense. With games against Oakland, Carolina and San Diego in the near future you have to love Freeman’s fantasy potential. Those three opponents coming up in the next four weeks rank nineteenth or worst in passing yards allowed per game.

With a passer rating of 91.2, zero fumbles lost and only nine sacks on the year, Josh Freeman is limiting the mistakes which you cannot say for a Sam Bradford or a Ryan Fitzpatrick. We are going into the middle of the 2012 NFL season and Josh Freeman is surging at the right time.

Streaming Defenses- Week 7

The Buffalo Bills have a home contest with the turnover prone Titans in week seven.

Analysis: The Buffalo defense has been hit and miss this year but don’t expect the Titans to torch them in week seven. Although the Titans did score 26 points last Thursday on the Steelers, they did fumble the rock twice(losing none) and Matt Hasselbeck did throw one interception. The Titans now have eleven turnovers in six games this year as well as the 23rd ranked offense in terms of points per game(19.0). The Titans don’t scare any defenses out there, they have only scored more than 14 points in just two ball games this year. Matt Hasselbeck and his 74.1 passer rating will be starting in week seven as Jake Locker remains out with a shoulder injury.

The Bills’ defense has been inconsistent but with Atlanta, Philly, Miami and Denver on their bye week the Bills are a solid choice to stream. Buffalo’s defense ranks 10th in the league in sacks, 14th in interceptions, 3rd in forced fumbles and 6th in fumble recoveries. All signs point to a solid Buffalo performance in week seven.