by Sam Spiegelman
Loss to Goldstone Puts Fienberg in Third
Loss to Goldstone Puts Fienberg in Third
Six and six, feast or famine – this seems to be exactly the situation plaguing Fienberg in the final stretch of the season as his team struggles to make the top four teams vying for the playoffs. It did not help to get nearly tripled in Week 13.
Aside from a touchdown from Matty Ice and Andre “The Giant” each, the team essentially went scoreless. Steven Jackson and the running game put up a solid doughnut, while week-to-week stud Roddy White got blanked by the Packers.
On the flip side, Goldstone showed why he belonged in the playoffs, earning his sixth win of the season and taking the head-to-head matchup against Fienberg. An explosive effort out of Aaron Rodgers through the air and on the ground led the way, followed by another consistent performance out of his partner in crime Greg Jennings, and standout running back Maurice Jones-Drew. It helped to get solid games out of Jeremy Maclin and Hines Ward, who combine for a dangerous wide-out core.
Steele Falls to Horwitch in Super Bowl Preview
Aside from a touchdown from Matty Ice and Andre “The Giant” each, the team essentially went scoreless. Steven Jackson and the running game put up a solid doughnut, while week-to-week stud Roddy White got blanked by the Packers.
On the flip side, Goldstone showed why he belonged in the playoffs, earning his sixth win of the season and taking the head-to-head matchup against Fienberg. An explosive effort out of Aaron Rodgers through the air and on the ground led the way, followed by another consistent performance out of his partner in crime Greg Jennings, and standout running back Maurice Jones-Drew. It helped to get solid games out of Jeremy Maclin and Hines Ward, who combine for a dangerous wide-out core.
Steele Falls to Horwitch in Super Bowl Preview
As the two top teams in the 3 Year Keepers league faced off Sunday, only one team showed why they are worthy of hoisting the Super Bowl trophy come season’s end. Horwitch topped the 90-point mark, the highest point total in the league this week, in a 23-point win over Steele.
Horwitch was led by breakout superstar of the year Peyton “Running Down” Hillis and his 42 points, which defense seems to have found an answer for. Although Chris Johnson was limited in his game, the duo of Hillis and Johnson at running back is easily the best tandem in the league. The 19-point effort by Deon Branch made up for the doughnuts by Antonio Gates in his first return to action and the slow game on the part of Anquan Boldin.
For Steele, the always-reliable Philip Rivers was finally held without a score by the Indy defense. That won’t happen again, so it is not too much of a concern going forward; it did, however, hurt this week as his presence could have made the difference between a win and a loss, and eventually the top seed for playoffs. Twenty-plus-point games from Arian Foster and Rashard Mendenhall were responsible for the bulk of the scoring, while Brandon Lloyd quietly nabbed 15 points off two touchdowns, another exceptional effort in his resurgent season.
Horwitch was led by breakout superstar of the year Peyton “Running Down” Hillis and his 42 points, which defense seems to have found an answer for. Although Chris Johnson was limited in his game, the duo of Hillis and Johnson at running back is easily the best tandem in the league. The 19-point effort by Deon Branch made up for the doughnuts by Antonio Gates in his first return to action and the slow game on the part of Anquan Boldin.
For Steele, the always-reliable Philip Rivers was finally held without a score by the Indy defense. That won’t happen again, so it is not too much of a concern going forward; it did, however, hurt this week as his presence could have made the difference between a win and a loss, and eventually the top seed for playoffs. Twenty-plus-point games from Arian Foster and Rashard Mendenhall were responsible for the bulk of the scoring, while Brandon Lloyd quietly nabbed 15 points off two touchdowns, another exceptional effort in his resurgent season.
Do or Die for Fienberg in Week 13
In the NFL, it seems as if every week a team faces a game which dictates the rest of their season at this point. In fantasy football, that time has come in Week 13 when Fienberg, at .500, faces off against quietly good Meyers in the hopes to rebound from a disappointing loss.
Fienberg knows most of his starters – you have to stick with Matty Ice at quarterback, especially in a road content against the division rival Bucs in which he might need to make a play or two to win his Falcons the game. The same goes for Steven Jackson who gets to run train on the same Arizona defense that got torn up by Brian Westbrook on Monday Night Football after getting the ball just five times beforehand. Andre “The Giant” is a must-start, regardless of the fact he must contend with a top pass defense; Marques Colston is dealt the second-stringers in the Cincy defense. The move that needs to be made is starting Jonathon Stewart (if cleared to play, which he should) as RB2. Stewart is dynamic, and every chance he has had to start he has capitalized. I am sure Mike Goodson will see his share of carries, but Stewart is the better option to score.
On the other side, the upset-minded Meyers has a chance to ruin Fienberg’s season. To accomplish this feat, it starts with replacing Eli Manning, who is throwing to guys picked up off of the street, with Jay Cutler. As the Bears stay hot, it is due to the arm of Cutler finding his wide receivers instead of opposing defensive backs. As long as Adrian Peterson is healthy, he is a must-start – as are Megatron and Johnny Knox.
Prediction: Fienberg will remain alive and kicking in the race for the postseason as his matchups are too good this week. Meyers’ team is too dependent on the Cutler-to-Knox relationship, and Brandon Jackson can very likely be slowed by the 49ers defense.
Fienberg knows most of his starters – you have to stick with Matty Ice at quarterback, especially in a road content against the division rival Bucs in which he might need to make a play or two to win his Falcons the game. The same goes for Steven Jackson who gets to run train on the same Arizona defense that got torn up by Brian Westbrook on Monday Night Football after getting the ball just five times beforehand. Andre “The Giant” is a must-start, regardless of the fact he must contend with a top pass defense; Marques Colston is dealt the second-stringers in the Cincy defense. The move that needs to be made is starting Jonathon Stewart (if cleared to play, which he should) as RB2. Stewart is dynamic, and every chance he has had to start he has capitalized. I am sure Mike Goodson will see his share of carries, but Stewart is the better option to score.
On the other side, the upset-minded Meyers has a chance to ruin Fienberg’s season. To accomplish this feat, it starts with replacing Eli Manning, who is throwing to guys picked up off of the street, with Jay Cutler. As the Bears stay hot, it is due to the arm of Cutler finding his wide receivers instead of opposing defensive backs. As long as Adrian Peterson is healthy, he is a must-start – as are Megatron and Johnny Knox.
Prediction: Fienberg will remain alive and kicking in the race for the postseason as his matchups are too good this week. Meyers’ team is too dependent on the Cutler-to-Knox relationship, and Brandon Jackson can very likely be slowed by the 49ers defense.
Chaiken Looks to Maintain Sloppy Seconds vs. Steele
Another potential Super Bowl matchup will take place in Week 13 when Chaiken takes on Steele in what can only be viewed as a high-scoring affair.
For Steele, it is another game for another week, trying to take control of the top seed heading into the playoffs. But in the eyes of Chaiken, it is a chance to improve playoff positions and secure the spot in the postseason.
The scoring will run through Peyton Manning, who will look to rebound off a four-interception night versus the Chargers as he faces off against Dallas at home. Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning for a reason – he is going to light it up in Indy. In the running game, The Law Firm is a sneaky play – running backs have had their success against Jets (see Peyton Hillis), but for some reason my gut is telling me this is a Tom Brady-led effort for the Pats at home. He and Fred Jackson are both considered average matchups this week. In the wide receiving core, however, is where Chaiken will make his money. Dwayne Bowe is the league’s hottest receiver, Mike Williams will get a chance to take advantage of a decent Atlanta secondary at home and Sidney Rice will be another week healthier as he adjusts back into the Vikings passing attack. However, if Malcolm Floyd is healthy he is the better matchup over Rice, as Philip Rivers will find his receivers no matter who is defending them.
For Steele, the decisions are a little more complex. It is a no-brainer sticking with Rivers, but Rashard Mendenhall versus the Ravens is a toss-up with Michael “The Burner” Turner facing the Tampa Bay Bucs. The Burner historically roughs up Tampa, while the vulnerable Ravens rush defense may be fired up for a primetime showdown between division rivals. I am going with the Burner on this one.
Other matchups include Brandon Lloyd versus Kansas City, who he should continue having his way with; D-Jax should dominate the lackluster Houston secondary and Mike Wallace is always a threat to go deep, especially under the lights in a game with a lot at stake. It is hard to sit superstar Reggie Wayne. Usually, I prefer to start my studs regardless of the matchup, even if I am facing off against Manning. Wayne to essentially cancel out some of Manning’s production – it is high risk, high reward. If there is one player to sit it would be Lloyd, but is really a preference.
Prediction: cash another win for Steele. So much depth, so much talent and there is plenty of room for a missed decision this week with so many outstanding matchups. Rivers and the wide receiving unit will dominant and put up a plethora of points, and the running backs should do their part as well.
For Steele, it is another game for another week, trying to take control of the top seed heading into the playoffs. But in the eyes of Chaiken, it is a chance to improve playoff positions and secure the spot in the postseason.
The scoring will run through Peyton Manning, who will look to rebound off a four-interception night versus the Chargers as he faces off against Dallas at home. Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning for a reason – he is going to light it up in Indy. In the running game, The Law Firm is a sneaky play – running backs have had their success against Jets (see Peyton Hillis), but for some reason my gut is telling me this is a Tom Brady-led effort for the Pats at home. He and Fred Jackson are both considered average matchups this week. In the wide receiving core, however, is where Chaiken will make his money. Dwayne Bowe is the league’s hottest receiver, Mike Williams will get a chance to take advantage of a decent Atlanta secondary at home and Sidney Rice will be another week healthier as he adjusts back into the Vikings passing attack. However, if Malcolm Floyd is healthy he is the better matchup over Rice, as Philip Rivers will find his receivers no matter who is defending them.
For Steele, the decisions are a little more complex. It is a no-brainer sticking with Rivers, but Rashard Mendenhall versus the Ravens is a toss-up with Michael “The Burner” Turner facing the Tampa Bay Bucs. The Burner historically roughs up Tampa, while the vulnerable Ravens rush defense may be fired up for a primetime showdown between division rivals. I am going with the Burner on this one.
Other matchups include Brandon Lloyd versus Kansas City, who he should continue having his way with; D-Jax should dominate the lackluster Houston secondary and Mike Wallace is always a threat to go deep, especially under the lights in a game with a lot at stake. It is hard to sit superstar Reggie Wayne. Usually, I prefer to start my studs regardless of the matchup, even if I am facing off against Manning. Wayne to essentially cancel out some of Manning’s production – it is high risk, high reward. If there is one player to sit it would be Lloyd, but is really a preference.
Prediction: cash another win for Steele. So much depth, so much talent and there is plenty of room for a missed decision this week with so many outstanding matchups. Rivers and the wide receiving unit will dominant and put up a plethora of points, and the running backs should do their part as well.
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