Matt Berry was true to his word and didn’t grade his picks from last week. I did. And since there is no proof to the contrary, I’m going to say that I dominated him last week. He couldn’t touch my picks as far as I know. Take that Mr. Roto! By the way, Berry recommends that you not start Matt Flynn this week. Got that? Don’t start the rookie seventh round draft pick who may or may not start this week. Good lookin’ out, Matt. Let’s check out last week’s picks:
Time to Shine:
QB Jake Delhomme, Carolina: Jake looked like the 2004 model throwing for two scores and nearly 300 yards. Hit.
RB E. Graham, Tampa Bay: It took him nearly the whole game to get on track, but a big run late and the ensuing touchdown gets him to 111 yards on the day with a score. Hit.
RB Chris Perry, Cincinnati: Long day for Perry, bad day for me. Miss.
WR Isaac Bruce, San Francisco: I said 80 and a score. Bruce went for 54 and a score. The touchdown overshadows the missing 26 yards. Hit.
WR Andre Johnson, Houston: Looks like I picked the wrong Houston receiver. Miss.
Ride the Pine:
QB Jason Campbell, Washington: 231 yards and 2 touchdowns against the best team in the NFL. Has Jason Campbell arrived? Probably not but he was good enough to call this one a miss.
RB Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh: 236 total yards – of course 200 of those yards were on his run to the IR. Hit.
RB Correll Buckhalter, Philly: 90 total yards and a score. I won’t doubt you again, Correll. Miss.
WR Roddy White, Atlanta: 90 yards receiving but nothing else. Not great, but good enough. Miss.
WR Brandon Lloyd, Chicago: Lloyd came back down to earth last week with only 33 receiving yards and nothing else. Hit.
Week four totals: 5-5
Overall totals: 20-18-3
On to this week’s picks:
Time to Shine:
QB Trent Edwards, Buffalo: Two weeks ago in Oakland, the Bills learned a valuable lesson in looking past an opponent. They won’t look past the Cardinals this time around. Edwards will feast on the Card’s secondary that is shakier than and Ikea endtable. Edwards will have his first multi-touchdown game of the year this week.
RB Jerious Norwood, Atlanta: I would tell you to start Michael Turner, but if he’s on your team he’s in your line-up. So instead I give you Norwood, a backup who’s averaging 7 yards a carry. Green Bay’s already suspect run defense took a hit when Cullen Jenkins went on the IR. Mike Montgomery should replace him. Did you know that the Packers give up 6 yards per carry when Montgomery is in the game? I’m no math major, but that works out to something like 13 yards a carry when Norwood touches the ball this week. No score but 80 yards and some bonus points if your league rewards return yards.
RB Steve Slaton, Houston: As Slaton grows into his new role as starter, the Texans continue to find new ways to get him the ball. The Colts defense seems softer than usual this season, so look for 100 total yards and a score for Slaton.
WR Robert Meachem, New Orleans: Meachem is averaging 40.8 yards per catch, yet he only has 5 receptions on the year. It seems to me that the Saints should throw him the ball about 20 times a game. 816 passing yards will win you a lot of football games. Sadly, Meachem is your classic all-or-nothing wide receiver. This week should be an “all” week. 90 yards and a score.
RB Rudi Johnson, Detroit: Usually I try to pick two running backs and two receivers, but Rudi “The boy that nobody loved” Johnson is just too good to pass up. The Bears defense just isn’t the same without Tommie Harris in the line-up, and his one game suspension this week is enough for me to recommend starting him. 80 and a score for Rudi.
Ride the Pine:
QB Jay Cutler, Denver: Kansas City figured out something to slow down the Broncos offense last week. Sure Cutler threw for 361 yards, but most of those were in the fourth quarter. I like this Bucs defense and they’ll be sure to throw lots of confusing looks at Denver in this game. Cutler has improved greatly, but he’s not above having a bad game every now and then. This will be one of them.
RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee: Johnson will have his toughest test of the season against a stingy Ravens D that is second in the league in rush defense. This seems like a game better suited for the zaftig frame of LenDale White. Fewer touches means less production from the rookie star.
RB Frank Gore, San Francisco: Gore is off to a phenomenal start this season and it’s really tough to pick against him. But here’s the thing: the Patriot’s defense has been stewing for two weeks over their embarrassing performance against Ronnie Brown and the Dolphins. No way they let another back have a big game again this week.
WR Greg Jennings, Green Bay: It’s looking less and less likely that Aaron Rodgers will be ready to play on Sunday, so although the Pack plays a sorry Falcon defense, if Matt Flynn is throwing, Jennings ain’t catching.
WR Ocho Cinco, Cincinnati: If you haven’t reserved a permanent place on your bench for this Bengal bilingual receiver yet, it’s time to do so. Ocho Cinco has been Ocho Stinko so far this season. Now he gives the Cowboys motivation by talking about kissing the star at Texas Stadium. It’s quite possible 85 isn’t just his new name, it’s the value of Chad Johnson’s next contract – in pesos.
On bye this week: Browns, Raiders, Rams, Jets.
