NFL top performers - Week 3

Welcome back, NFL top performer viewers. Let’s take a look at the top Fantasy QB, RB and WR from this past week of thoroughly enjoyable pro football action.

Fantasy QB of the week
Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles

In week three against the Jags, Vick threw for 291 yards with three TDs and zero interceptions. Maybe Vick really is back and is again a must-start QB in all leagues after all. He appears to have most of his speed back and his accuracy actually seems better than it was in Atlanta. Could Mike Vick be the comeback player of the year? Keep in mind that the last two defenses he has faced (Detroit and Jacksonville) are two of the weaker against the pass. Next week’s game against a better ‘Skins D will show us all a lot about who Vick and the Eagles really are.

Last week’s opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars - 2009 passing defense rank - 27
Next week’s opponent: Washington Redskins - 2009 passing defense rank - 8


Fantasy RB of the week
Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings

Well, All Day had a great game, but it was against the Lions. It still counts, right? Adrian rushed for 160 yards on 23 carries for two TDs in week three. There is no doubt that Peterson is a top back and should be starting in all leagues at all times, except for next week (Bye week). Peterson will have a great challenge when the Vikings return in week five against a stingy Jets’ rushing defense.

Last week’s opponent: Detroit Lions - 2009 rushing defense rank - 25
Next week’s opponent: Bye- (Week 5- New York Jets) - 2009 rushing defense rank - 8


Fantasy WR of the week
Anquan Boldin – Baltimore Ravens

Boldin and Flacco had some fun on Sunday against LeBron’s old city. The combo met up for three TDs and 142 yards. Keep in mind it was against the Browns, one of the worst passing defense teams in the league, but still impressive. Boldin should be starting in all leagues.

Last week’s opponent: Cleveland Browns - 2009 passing defense rank - 29
Next week’s opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers - 2009 passing defense rank - 16

Center(s) of attention

With the NHL set to return to the ice in under two weeks, it is time to start ranking players for your draft that should be coming up. Your Fantasy Sports Guy will crunch the numbers and list the top ten players per position. Let’s start out with the Centers.

1. Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins

Sid the Kid had another great year in ’09 and with all the talent around him, he will have another in ’10.

2. Nicklas Backstom – Washington Capitals

Backstrom plays on a line with Alex Ovechkin…enough said.

3. Evgeni Malkin – Pittsburgh Penguins

The other phenomenal Penguins’ center. He may even play some wing this year so that could open up his eligibility and make him even an even more attractive pick.

4. Henrik Sedin – Vancouver Canucks

There is no reason to believe that the scoring champ from last year won’t have another killer season for the Canucks.

5. Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning

If Stamkos was on a team that people actually paid attention to, he could be just as popular as Crosby…but he’s not. Still take Stamkos in the draft because he will follow up last year’s 95 points with another great output.

6. Ryan Getzlaf – Anaheim Ducks

Getzlaf missed a few games last season due to injuries but when he was in the lineup he produced. The Ducks’ stud averaged more than a point per game in his 66 starts. Don’t forget about him.

7. Pavel Datsyuk – Detroit Red Wings

Datsyuk had a bit of down year in 2009, but still had 70 points and was a +17 for the year. With some offensive help back this year, Pavel and the Wings should be scoring more goals.

8. Joe Thornton – San Jose Sharks

It seems like Thornton has been playing forever but he is only 31-years-old and still putting up nice numbers. He’ll get you goals, but he’ll get you a ton of assists.

9. Mike Richards – Philadelphia Flyers

Richards’ point totals dropped last season due to 19 less assists. He is still a top player at his position on a top team in the league.

10. Anze Kopitar – Los Angeles Kings

Kopitar had a career year in 2009. The Kings center set new personal highs in goals (31), assists (45) and points (76). Look for even higher numbers this season.

NFL watchers: Week 2

Week two is full of interesting matchups around the league. We are going to focus on one RB, one WR, and one TE to definitely start in your league in case you are having second thoughts.

Joseph Addai – RB - Indianapolis Colts

The Colts’ running back didn’t have the best of games last week against the Texans as he gained only 44 yards on 10 carries and didn’t reach the end zone. The Texans did have one of the better rush defenses in 2009 and look pretty solid this year so don’t take out your frustrations entirely on Addai. Look for a nice week two with the Colts taking on the G-Men from New York. Last season, the Giants gave up 21 rushing TDs, which was third most in the NFL. Start Joseph Addai in week two!

Jeremy Maclin – WR – Philadelphia Eagles

When Michael Vick entered last week’s game against the Packers as Kevin Kolb’s replacement due to injury, the Eagles’ offense began to move the ball consistently on a stingy Green Bay defense. When Vick wasn’t rushing, he found a receiver he liked in Maclin. Although he only gained 38 yards, Maclin caught Vick’s only passing TD. This week the Eagles travel to the Motor City where a weak Lions’ passing defense will be eaten up. Last season, the Lions gave up the league’s most passing yards and passing TDs. Look for this trend to continue this week and possibly the entire season.

Visanthe Shiancoe – TE – Minnesota Vikings

In week one against the Saints, Shiancoe became one of Brett Favre’s favorite targets. With four receptions for 76 yards and two TDs, Shiancoe is easily a top pick to start at his position this week. The Vikings welcome the Dolphins, and their 24^th rated pass defense from last year, into town. With Percy Harvin still questionable to start and Sidney Rice gone for a few more weeks, Shiancoe is looking better and better.

NFL top performers: Week 1

Every week, Your Fantasy Sports Guy will be highlighting the past week’s top NFL Fantasy performers. I will be showing you the top QB, RB and WR of the week, and we’ll take a look at the upcoming week’s defenses that they will face.

Fantasy QB of the week

Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts

Even though the Colts lost, if you had Manning on your team, chances are you won. Peyton was 40-57 for 433 yards with three TDs and zero INTs against the Houston Texans.

Last week’s opponent: Houston Texans - 2009 passing defense rank - 18

Next week’s opponent: New York Giants - 2009 passing defense rank - 15

Fantasy RB of the week

Arian Foster – Houston Texans

Foster lived up to the hype for game one, but will the Texans’ back be able to duplicate week one’s dominance? Foster had 33 carries for 231 yards and three TDs.

Last week’s opponent: Indianapolis Colts - 2009 rushing defense rank - 24

Next week’s opponent: Washington Redskins - 2009 rushing defense rank - 16

Fantasy WR of the week

Hakeem Nicks – New York Giants

Is Nicks Eli’s new favorite target? Don’t be so sure of it yet with Steve Smith and Mario Manningham also lining up. Nicks caught only four passes, but they were for 75 yards and three touchdowns.

Last week’s opponent: Carolina Panthers - 2009 passing defense rank - 4

Next week’s opponent: Indianapolis Colts - 2009 passing defense rank - 14

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Can you hear that? That is the blended sound of birds chirping, babies laughing and the pigskin gods clanging the bells of happiness together to signify the return of old friend, football. Football, we have truly missed you and are so happy to see you again!

Sure, a number of things have changed since you were last seen in February. There are a few new names around, a couple guys decided to change teams and even Bubbles the Lion has been working out a bit, but all is well, and we are all very excited to see your helmeted face again.

So, I know what you’re thinking, and Your Fantasy Sports Guy has it all taken care of. You’re thinking to yourself that although you love watching how the season plays out, you would love to see the future and know what happens before it actually happens (in no way is this for betting purposes…).

So like a good Fantasy Sports Guy, I did all the work for you. I have gone through every regular and post-season game, yep, all 267 of them, to figure out every teams’ final regular season record, who will go on to the playoffs and who the champs will be.

I figured in all suspensions, current injuries, future injuries, future Roethlisberger suspensions and Favre retirements in the old Your Fantasy Sports Guy Swarovski crystal football. So without further ado, here is what is going to happen in the National Football League in the next six months (spoiler alert!).

The final regular season standings:

NFC East
Dallas 13-3
N.Y. Giants 9-7
Philadelphia 6-10
Washington 6-10

NFC North
Green Bay 13-3
Minnesota 11-5
Detroit 5-11
Chicago 3-13

NFC South
New Orleans 13-3
Atlanta 12-4
Carolina 5-11
Tampa Bay 2-14

NFC West
San Francisco 12-4
Seattle 10-6
Arizona 4-12
St. Louis 1-15

AFC East
N.Y. Jets 13-3
New England 11-5
Miami 10-6
Buffalo 2-14

AFC North
Baltimore 14-2
Pittsburgh 9-7
Cincinnati 6-10
Cleveland 1-15

AFC South
Indianapolis 13-3
Tennessee 10-6
Houston 9-7
Jacksonville 2-14

AFC West
San Diego 10-6
Oakland 9-7
Kansas City 7-9
Denver 5-11

Due to regular season records, head-to-heads and versus conference records, here are the teams that will be included in the playoffs:

NFC
1. Green Bay Packers
2. New Orleans Saints
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Atlanta Falcons
6. Minnesota Vikings

AFC
1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Indianapolis Colts
3. New York Jets
4. San Diego Chargers
5. New England Patriots
6. Tennessee Titans

With the rankings above, the playoffs start like this:

Wild Card Round

NFC
Minnesota Vikings @ Dallas Cowboys
Atlanta Falcons @ San Francisco 49ers
Winners: Dallas & Atlanta

AFC
Tennessee Titans @ New York Jets
New England Patriots @ San Diego Chargers
Winners: New York & New England

Divisional Round

NFC
Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers
Dallas Cowboys @ New Orleans Saints
Winners: Green Bay & New Orleans

AFC
New England Patriots @ Baltimore Ravens
New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts
Winners: Baltimore & New York


Conference Championship Round

NFC
New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers
Winner: Green Bay

AFC
New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens
Winner: New York

Super Bowl XLIV
Green Bay Packers vs. New York Jets (in Dallas)
Your 2011 Super Bowl champions…J-E-T-S JETS, JETS, JETS

In a battle of Brett Favre’s exes, the Jets’ defense was better than the Packers’. Last season, we saw that Mark Sanchez wouldn’t lose games as a rookie; well, he didn’t this year either as a second-year QB. A Jets team that had a solid 2010 season traded for Antonio Cromartie and added LaDainian Tomlinson and Jason Taylor (oh, and Nick Folk). This team is solid all around. Fireman Ed could block for Sanchez, and they would still be in good shape.

The K-Zone

If your league prioritizes strikeouts, here are three excellent options on players that could be available in your league. If they are, pick them up, start them and get your K points.

Jason Hammel – Colorado Rockies
Hammel had a nice September last season. He racked up 38 Ks and went 2-1. This season, Jason is having a solid and quiet year in the Mile High City going 10-7 with 126Ks so far. With a solid set of bats in his lineup, he could be a very nice option for your team.

Wandy Rodriguez – Houston Astros
Rodriguez is stuck in Houston, which is unfortunate because the ‘Stros’ bats cannot score runs for him. The Magic Wand was 2-2 last September with a 3.19 ERA and 35Ks. His last two starts have been terrific. On 8/26 in Philly, Wandy went seven innings giving up only one earned run and striking out six. He followed that start up with another great one in St. Louis. This time, Rodriguez went seven innings, zero earned runs and whiffing five. Start him this week while he is hot.

Jonathan Sanchez – San Francisco Giants
Sanchez enjoys striking batters out. His 37Ks last September ranked him in the top 10 of starters in terms of strikeouts. Sanchez and his Giants are fighting for the division so he should be starting in your league. Although his record isn’t too impressive (9-8), his 163 strikeouts in 157.2 innings are. If available, pick him up and at least collect his strikeout points.

September Arms

You need quality starting pitchers for this week so I deliver. This is a very important week in Fantasy because this is most likely the last week in your regular season or the first round of the playoffs. Take a strong look at the three pitchers below and pick them up if available or start them if you have them.

Bronson Arroyo – Cincinnati Reds
Arroyo is a big part of the Reds’ impressive season. He is 14-9 with a 3.84 ERA so far this year and the resurgence is quite possibly attributed to Bronson getting rid of his cornrows. Although his strikeouts (97 strikeouts in 187.1innings) aren’t impressive, he’s on a division leading team that has a strong offense. Last September, Arroyo was 4-1 with a 1.83 ERA and a WHIP of .90.

Jorge De La Rosa – Colorado Rockies
De La Rosa was injured for a good portion of this season, which takes away from his numbers a bit, but he is still 5-4 with 82Ks through 82.1 innings. De La Rosa was very impressive last September posting a 4-0 record with 37 strikeouts though 33.1 innings. The Rockies are still fighting the Giants and Padres for the division and we all know how Colorado seems to turn it up in the second half on the season.

Javier Vazquez – New York Yankees
In five starts last September with the Braves, Vazquez was 4-1 with 46 strikeouts in 43.1 innings. His ERA was a minuscule 2.28 with a .92 WHIP. Javier has had his issues with the Yankees, but I will always take a decent pitcher with strong strikeout potential that is on a great offensive team. If he is available in your league, pick him up and start him.

Hot Bats

With Week 23 starting on Monday, owners need to know who has the hot bat. In many cases, this period is the final week of the fantasy regular season, so if you have a hole in your lineup, here are a few hot bats based on last September’s historical stats:

Billy Butler – Kansas City Royals
Believe it or not, Butler is still not owned in all leagues. If he is available, scoop him up and if you are not starting him, do so for next week. Butler killed the ball last September with a .363 average and hit six homers while driving in 26 runs. He doesn’t have much help around him, once again, but he will still get you fantasy points.

Derek Lee – Atlanta Braves
Lee’s 2009 numbers come from when the first baseman played in hitter-friendly Wrigleyville, but his numbers can transfer over because of the potent lineup he is now part of in Atlanta. Last September, Lee hit .386 with nine homers and 23 RBI. Take a strong look at Lee if you need a 1B or U.

Miguel Tejada – San Diego Padres
Yep, THAT Miguel Tejada! The shortstop isn’t posting the same numbers he did in Oakland or Baltimore, but if you need a SS to fill a gap, check him out. Last September, while in Houston, Tejada hit .363 with three homers and 13 RBI while having a slugging percentage of .549. The Padres might be on a skid right now, but Tejada has some talented bats around him and he will produce points for you.