NFL Monday Wrap-Up

Is it fair to "wrap-up" the NFL week before Monday night's game? Yes.

We all try our best to supply a top-notch Fourcast; however, I feel the juice of a successful Sunday running through my veins (J-E-T-S) and think it's time our loyal reader(s) get to enjoy Monday analysis outside of Peter "Stiller" King and whomever else wants to rant today.

While I could generate talk of the week galore, instead I want to focus on the "awards chase", which changes weekly (of course).

Awards Index: Monday of Week 12

MVP
1) Kurt Warner
-The 300+ yards would've looked better with a W, more than 1 TD, less than 2 turnovers, and countless other reasons. Nevertheless, the Cardinals remain 7-4 and primed for a NFC West title and good shot at a bye (the NFC South will beat each other up). What was truly telling - even with the G-Men absent Jacobs & Plax - was the Cardinals expecting to win yesterday. Guess who changed that philosophy??? Warner (and Whisenhunt).
2) Peyton Manning
-Don't look now but the Colts are becoming the favorite in the AFC playoff picture. If they get in. To think, David Thomas might end up playing a huge role in a tie-breaker between Colts/Pats. The more likely scenario has the Ravens falling off and the Colts/Pats being lethal 5 and 6 seeds. Yikes.
3) Eli Manning
-Jacobs and the RBs get all the acclaim; however, it's obvious Eli is a changed QB. Despite some struggles at times, he is a poised passer who can win games. The Giants are 10-1 and the consensus best team in the league. It's because of their QB they are 10-1. Thus, the #3 slot.
4) Michael Turner
-Matt Ryan's story is getting more pub; yet, Turner changed Atlanta. A few frowned at how much of an impact he could have, until he finally won me over with a 4 TD day. He's 3rd in the NFL in rushing and is a fantasy force to boot. Turner has Atlanta in prime contention for a playoff spot. Nobody saw that. NOBODY.
5) Brett Favre
-Jets fan, right? Of course. Check the atmosphere in New York around Favre and the team. He breeds confidence and winning. The Jets are 8-3. After the 1-2 start and that loss at Oakland, I questioned the move. Now, I realize why Green Bay fans love the guy so much. He's an egotistical prick who wanted everything handed to him. Now, he's winning with a team that has a lot more talent - and spent their money oh so well this off-season - and is becoming dangerous.

Offensive Player of the Year
1) Clinton Portis
-On a gimpy knee he carried the Skins to victory in Seattle. Then Ladell Betts ruined it. Why Jim Zorn had to back up Betts the way he did is beyond me.
2) Adrian Peterson
-Durability is still an issue...or is it? A-Pete is likely to take home a rushing crown, but can he get his team into the playoffs out of a crowded NFC North?
3) Kurt Warner
-As talented as Fitz/Boldin/Breaston are, do you honestly think Matt Leinart would have them at numbers anywhere close to they are now? Seriously?
4) Brandon Jacobs
-Missed a week; however, his rushing prowess, goalline abilities, and the steamrolling attitude has been a godsend for the Giants. He's also made Derrick Ward and Bradshaw better because their contrasting styles are a nightmare after Jacobs bulldozes you.

Defensive Player of the Year
1) Kris Jenkins
-Slips past Alby due to shutting down he gameplan for the Titans. Guess how many rushing attempts Len Dale had? ONE. That isn't because the Titans planned on passing. (Not with Revis, Rhodes, & Elam playing so well) Instead, the Titans knew Jenkins would swallow up the inside rush attack and CJ had to be deployed outside the tackles. Didn't work either way. Jenkins or Favre is a great "better off-season trade" debate.
2) Albert Haynesworth
-One week doesn't take away from an incredible campaign. He is getting better. Although, I don't like the excuses of him being dinged up in the second half. He was barely a factor in the first. Faneca has breathed life back into Mangold. It's ironic Mangold and Mawae were on the same field yesterday, at least for me.
3) Charles Woodson
-He might intercept 12 passes...tonight. Drew Brees is overrated as an offensive force. So what if he throws for a lot of yards. His team constantly underachieves and it isn't 100% the defense. The offense makes plenty of mistakes, including Brees. As Pay told me, his stats are biggest in his losses. I smell a pick-six for good old AllProCW2 (plug!).
4) Julius Peppers
-His return to dominance might've been rushed. He's been a force this year, yet I want to see it in a big game. A really big game. He'll get his shot soon enough.

Offensive Rookie of the Year
1) Matt Ryan
-If you thought the Falcons would be 7-4 and that Ryan would have 7 games without an INT, go to Vegas and start placing multiple bets.
2) Joe Flacco
-If you thought Joe Flacco would be 7-4 as a rookie starting QB, you'd have to think the Ravens defense from 2000 was cloned in 2K8.
3) Matt Forte
-Amazing he's an obvious third-selection. The guy is a force of nature as of late. By the way, this dude can catch the ball too. If anything, he would've been a great third down back by this point for any other team who might've drafted him.

Defensive Rookie of the Year
1) Jerod Mayo
-Enough said. Oh wait, he's a BEAST. (Damn Patsies)

I'll let you all worry about Comeback and Executive of the Year and all the rest.

Although I gotta give more Jet love to our former QB Chad Pennington.
Could he really win Comeback Player of the Year two years in a row?
Stranger things have happened...

See you next Monday!!!

Clement's Weekly Picks and Prognostications...Week 5

Unfortunately, technical difficulties delayed both the writing and posting of this week's article.

With that in mind, you'll be viewing a more abbreviated version of the weekly set of rants, raves, and other r-related NFL and fantasy banter.

The NFL and fantasy MVPs, per usual, seem to have similar names.
...in no particular order...
-Tom Brady [Officially his to lose after the first four weeks of the season.]
-Randy Moss [A mortal lock for Comeback Player of the Year, don't be surprised if he steals a few votes from the above Pat.]
-Peyton Manning [His team is 4-0 and the only legit AFC threat, right now, that doesn't play in Foxboro.]
-Tony Romo [4-0 and flying high. The botched FG seems a distant memory right now in Dallas.]
-Brett Favre [Another 4-0 QB playing out of his mind. Is it 1995 again?]
-Vince Young [2-1 sure, but the Titans may be the AFC's third-best team. When you consider the supporting cast, Vinsanity is reigning in the NFL already.]

NFL Picks: [6-6]
Chicago @ Green Bay (-3)
Griese clearly wasn't the answer last week, but don't blow up the Bears just yet. Even though Favre and company are 4-0, the Bears have to realize just what a 4-game hole in the division will mean. Even with that all being said, the Bears are too injured and Favre has been too good. Take the Pack to win and cover the spread, which is strangely shrinking by the day.

Seattle @ Pittsburgh (-6.5)
Pittsburgh was exposed, more than a little bit, last week in the desert against the Cards. Meanwhile, the 49er and Ram freefalls have left Seattle sitting rather pretty at a quiet 3-1. If this game were in Seattle, I'd easily take the Hawks. However, the Super Bowl XL rematch will go to the Steelers, even at 6.5 points.

Baltimore @ San Francisco (+3.5)
The Ravens clearly aren't the team many predicted them to be. In fact, Steve McNair may be losing his coach and team's confidence by the snap. While it's not Boller time just yet (he is 1-0 though), the Ravens need a statement win. Hello old pal, Trent Dilfer! Unless Dilfer can get the Ravens from stacking eight in the box to shut down Gore, it's gonna be an ugly day at home for Mike Nolan's crew. Take the Ravens, but only with monopoly money on the line with that spread.

NCAA Picks: [4-2]
#9 Florida @ #1 LSU [-7]
The spread has shrunk by the day, even though LSU has had its fair share of upsets against the Gators in the Bayou. However, it's been quite some time since the teams met when LSU was #1 in the polls. While last week's loss at home to Auburn is a great motivator, the sweltering heat in Louisiana will give the Bayou Bengals a pick-six at the end to clinch a non-score-indicating double digit W.

#4 Ohio State @ #23 Purdue [+7]
Neither team may be as legit as the records tell us; however, this game may mean a ton for the respect Jim Tressel's kids will or won't receive. They have a lot of credibility that needs to be built back up after the disaster last season in the Orange Bowl. While it won't completely erase those memories, take the Buckeyes...big.

3 Must Starts and Must Sits
START
...Last Week...
Marshawn Lynch: The TD was more than enough for a fantasy rookie gem.
Ben Roethlisberger: Cheap yards and cheap TDs. A perfect example of how fantasy stats never tell the story.
Travis Henry: No TD, but tons of yardage love. I can't be blamed for these drug test allegations though.

...This Week...
Anthony Gonzalez: Yep, pick him up and plug him in at #3. This will be a good day for the rookie.
Maurice Jones-Drew: The KC D loves to give up big plays. While he's been brutal to owners thus far, start him with confidence.
Bobby Engram: He's a nice redzone threat on a team that has needed one, out of the receiving corps, for years. Easy play this weekend.

SIT
...Last Week...
Julius Jones: That TD was odd in itself; yet, I still stand by the overall pick.
Wes Welker: An easy selection. Although, I won't make it often. Where's Donte Stallworth exactly?
Roddy White: Falcons wideout? DUH! Although I didn't expect Michael Jenkins to catch 2 instead.

...This Week...
Joey Harrington: Sure, it seems safe. But it isn't. It just isn't.
Marshawn Lynch: Unless you have to, trust 2 other back this weekend.
Patrick Crayton: This will be TO's week. Not Crayton's.

Early to rise and early to bed.

Until next time...