The season is in gear now, and we do have a few season-ending injuries thinning the herd at various places. Here's last week's studs.
Quarterback: Cam Newton
Running Back: Adrian Peterson
Wide Receiver: Miles Austin
Tight End: Rob Gronkowski
Kicker: Adam Vinatieri
Team Defense: Detroit
Defensive Player: Michael Boley
Best of luck to everyone next week.
My views on hockey and soccer primarily, without any of the advantage of big-name insider connections.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Fantasy Baseball All-Stars week 24
The baseball season is closing down quickly, and it's not looking too good for a majority of my teams, but these players would have been valuable to help me last week.
Catcher: Carlos Santana, 7 runs, 8 hits, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, .364 average, .481 on base
First Base: James Loney, 5 runs, 9 hits, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, .360 average, .448 on base
Second Base: Dustin Pedroia, 8 runs, 8 hits, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB, .333 average, .346 on base
Third Base: Mike Moustakas, 7 runs, 11 hits, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB, .524 average, .545 on base
Shortstop: Erick Aybar, 8 runs, 10 hits, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, .455 average, .520 on base
General Infielder: Pablo Sandoval, 5 runs, 11 hits, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, .440 average, .481 on base
Left Field: Josh Hamilton, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, .400 average, .464 on base
Center Field: Matt Kemp, 7 runs, 10 hits, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 SB, .385 average, .433 on base
Right Field: Carlos Beltran, 7 runs, 14 hits, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, .467 average, .515 on base
General Outfielder: Ryan Braun, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, .455 average, .455 on base
Starter: Justin Verlander, 15 IP, 2 wins, 12 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.93 WHIP
Reliever: Drew Storen, 5 IP, 4 saves, 7 K, 0 holds, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Best of luck over the next week and a half in the quest for championships.
Catcher: Carlos Santana, 7 runs, 8 hits, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, .364 average, .481 on base
First Base: James Loney, 5 runs, 9 hits, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, .360 average, .448 on base
Second Base: Dustin Pedroia, 8 runs, 8 hits, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1 SB, .333 average, .346 on base
Third Base: Mike Moustakas, 7 runs, 11 hits, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB, .524 average, .545 on base
Shortstop: Erick Aybar, 8 runs, 10 hits, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, .455 average, .520 on base
General Infielder: Pablo Sandoval, 5 runs, 11 hits, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, .440 average, .481 on base
Left Field: Josh Hamilton, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, .400 average, .464 on base
Center Field: Matt Kemp, 7 runs, 10 hits, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 SB, .385 average, .433 on base
Right Field: Carlos Beltran, 7 runs, 14 hits, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 0 SB, .467 average, .515 on base
General Outfielder: Ryan Braun, 6 runs, 10 hits, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, .455 average, .455 on base
Starter: Justin Verlander, 15 IP, 2 wins, 12 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.93 WHIP
Reliever: Drew Storen, 5 IP, 4 saves, 7 K, 0 holds, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Best of luck over the next week and a half in the quest for championships.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday Night Game week 2
Tonight's Sunday night game is in Atlanta, with the Falcons hosting the Philadelphia Eagles. Atlanta got the first score, a touchdown pass of 2 yards from Matt Ryan to Roddy White. Matt Bryant was serviced for the extra point. Philadelphia evened the score in the second quarter on Michael Vick's touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin, a 5 yard reception that was followed by Alex Henery on the extra point, followed by a 22 yard field goal later in the frame. The Falcons took the lead back when Ryan threw to Tony Gonzalez for a 4 yard TD, and Bryant was there for the extra point, leaving the score at halftime as 14-10 Atlanta, and they hooked up again after the halftime break for 17 yards and a score, as Bryant tacked on the PAT to make it 21-10. Shortly after that, Vick and Maclin connected for 36 yards and a touchdown, with Henery adding the extra point. The Eagles struck again with LeSean McCoy running 8 yards for a touchdown, allowing another Henery extra point, and then he ran another 2 yards to score later in the quarter, with Henery again making the extra point. The Falcons got some back with Ryan and Ovie Mughelli connecting for a yard and a TD. Bryant came on for the extra point. Bryant also made the PAT when Michael Turner ran 3 yards to find the end zone. The final had Atlanta up 35-31, moving them to 1-1, and dropping the Eagles to the same mark.
NFL Late Games Week 2
A much lighter slate in the afternoon, we have four games going. The first is in California...
Where the San Francisco 49ers host the Dallas Cowboys. San Francisco led off the scoring with a second quarter touchdown by Frank Gore, coming from a yard away, and allowing a David Akers extra point, who also had the PAT for the aerial pass from Alex Smith to Kyle Williams for 12 yards and a touchdown. Dallas got on the board before halftime with Tony Romo and Miles Austin connecting on a 53 yard touchdown, and Dan Bailey made the extra point. The score is 14-7 49ers. The Cowboys tied it with Jon Kitna throwing to Austin, good for a 5 yard touchdown, and Bailey added the extra point. The 49ers got the lead back with Smith finding Delanie Walker for 29 yards and a touchdown, followed by another extra point from Akers. San Francisco added a field goal of 55 yards from Akers in the fourth quarter. Dallas pulled closer with Romo passing another 25 yards to find Austin yet again in the end zone, and Bailey added another extra point. The Cowboys tied it on the last play of the game, a Bailey field goal of 48 yards. The score stands at 24 all, and the game will go into overtime, the first of such this year. In overtime, the Cowboys took the game with a 19 yard Bailey field goal, improving themselves to 1-1 and dropping the 49ers to the same mark.
Into the Rockies, the Denver Broncos host the Cincinnati Bengals. Denver drew first blood with a Willis McGahee touchdown run from a yard out, followed up by Matt Prater with the extra point. Cincinnati got on the board with a Mike Nugent 45 yard FG. Prater replied for the Broncos with a 34 yard field goal for a halftime score of 10-3. Denver took control in the third quarter with a Kyle Orton touchdown pass of 25 yards to Eric Decker, with Prater tacking on the extra point. The Bengals got three more points from a Nugent field goal of 37 yards. Cincinnati pushed a little closer to the Broncos with Andy Dalton finding Andre Caldwell for 10 yards and a touchdown, but the two point attempt was a failure, as Dalton's pass to Jerome Simpson was wayward. Nugent later added a 23 yard field goal to pull within two. Denver got back some separation with Orton and Decker hooking up yet again, this time going 52 yards for the touchdown, and Prater was again available to make the extra point. The Bengals shot back with Dalton passing 5 yards for a touchdown to A.J. Green, and Nugent had the extra point. The Broncos held off a storm, and won 24-22, going to 1-1, and dropping Cincinnati to 1-1.
Back much farther east, the New England Patriots host the San Diego Chargers. New England opened with Tom Brady and Aaron Hernandez making magic in the form of a 14 yard touchdown connection, with Stephen Gostkowski doing his part on the extra point. San Diego replied with a Ryan Mathews 10 yard TD rush, and Nick Novak made the extra point with ease. The Patriots retook the lead on a Gostkowski field goal of 22 yards, and he added the extra point when Brady met Rob Gronkowski for a 10 yard touchdown pass. Before the half, Gostkowski nailed a 47 yard field goal, giving New England a lead of 20-7 to take into the locker room. San Diego struck in the fourth quarter with Philip Rivers hitting Vincent Jackson for a 3 yard touchdown, and Novak made the PAT. Brady gave a little breathing room to the Patriots with a 17 yard TD pass to Gronkowski, and they converted the two point attempt on Danny Woodhead run. The Chargers fought back with Rivers and Jackson meeting for 26 yards and a TD, followed by a Novak extra point to put them back seven. New England appeared to have put the nail in the coffin on a 16 yard touchdown run via BenJarvus Green-Ellis, followed by Gostkowski's extra point to make it 35-21. This was a final, giving the Patriots a 2-0 record and San Diego faded to 1-1.
Rounding out the second wave, the Miami Dolphins welcome the Houston Texans. Houston strikes early with two field goals by Neil Rackers, from 23 and 22 yards away. Dan Carpenter replied for Miami with a 42 yard field goal. The Texans pulled to a more comfortable lead when Matt Schaub found Owen Daniels for a 4 yard touchdown, bringing Rackers on for the extra point. Rackers also kicked a field goal before the half to make it 16-3, this final kick being 36 yards. The Dolphins pushed a little closer with a Chad Henne touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall, good for 12 yards and a touchdown, and Carpenter added the PAT. Miami chipped away with a field goal by Carpenter, coming from 34 yards out. Houston extended their lead with Schaub finding Andre Johnson for 23 yards and a touchdown, with Rackers adding on the extra point. The final had the Texans up 23-13, moving them to 2-0 and dropping the Dolphins to 0-2.
Where the San Francisco 49ers host the Dallas Cowboys. San Francisco led off the scoring with a second quarter touchdown by Frank Gore, coming from a yard away, and allowing a David Akers extra point, who also had the PAT for the aerial pass from Alex Smith to Kyle Williams for 12 yards and a touchdown. Dallas got on the board before halftime with Tony Romo and Miles Austin connecting on a 53 yard touchdown, and Dan Bailey made the extra point. The score is 14-7 49ers. The Cowboys tied it with Jon Kitna throwing to Austin, good for a 5 yard touchdown, and Bailey added the extra point. The 49ers got the lead back with Smith finding Delanie Walker for 29 yards and a touchdown, followed by another extra point from Akers. San Francisco added a field goal of 55 yards from Akers in the fourth quarter. Dallas pulled closer with Romo passing another 25 yards to find Austin yet again in the end zone, and Bailey added another extra point. The Cowboys tied it on the last play of the game, a Bailey field goal of 48 yards. The score stands at 24 all, and the game will go into overtime, the first of such this year. In overtime, the Cowboys took the game with a 19 yard Bailey field goal, improving themselves to 1-1 and dropping the 49ers to the same mark.
Into the Rockies, the Denver Broncos host the Cincinnati Bengals. Denver drew first blood with a Willis McGahee touchdown run from a yard out, followed up by Matt Prater with the extra point. Cincinnati got on the board with a Mike Nugent 45 yard FG. Prater replied for the Broncos with a 34 yard field goal for a halftime score of 10-3. Denver took control in the third quarter with a Kyle Orton touchdown pass of 25 yards to Eric Decker, with Prater tacking on the extra point. The Bengals got three more points from a Nugent field goal of 37 yards. Cincinnati pushed a little closer to the Broncos with Andy Dalton finding Andre Caldwell for 10 yards and a touchdown, but the two point attempt was a failure, as Dalton's pass to Jerome Simpson was wayward. Nugent later added a 23 yard field goal to pull within two. Denver got back some separation with Orton and Decker hooking up yet again, this time going 52 yards for the touchdown, and Prater was again available to make the extra point. The Bengals shot back with Dalton passing 5 yards for a touchdown to A.J. Green, and Nugent had the extra point. The Broncos held off a storm, and won 24-22, going to 1-1, and dropping Cincinnati to 1-1.
Back much farther east, the New England Patriots host the San Diego Chargers. New England opened with Tom Brady and Aaron Hernandez making magic in the form of a 14 yard touchdown connection, with Stephen Gostkowski doing his part on the extra point. San Diego replied with a Ryan Mathews 10 yard TD rush, and Nick Novak made the extra point with ease. The Patriots retook the lead on a Gostkowski field goal of 22 yards, and he added the extra point when Brady met Rob Gronkowski for a 10 yard touchdown pass. Before the half, Gostkowski nailed a 47 yard field goal, giving New England a lead of 20-7 to take into the locker room. San Diego struck in the fourth quarter with Philip Rivers hitting Vincent Jackson for a 3 yard touchdown, and Novak made the PAT. Brady gave a little breathing room to the Patriots with a 17 yard TD pass to Gronkowski, and they converted the two point attempt on Danny Woodhead run. The Chargers fought back with Rivers and Jackson meeting for 26 yards and a TD, followed by a Novak extra point to put them back seven. New England appeared to have put the nail in the coffin on a 16 yard touchdown run via BenJarvus Green-Ellis, followed by Gostkowski's extra point to make it 35-21. This was a final, giving the Patriots a 2-0 record and San Diego faded to 1-1.
Rounding out the second wave, the Miami Dolphins welcome the Houston Texans. Houston strikes early with two field goals by Neil Rackers, from 23 and 22 yards away. Dan Carpenter replied for Miami with a 42 yard field goal. The Texans pulled to a more comfortable lead when Matt Schaub found Owen Daniels for a 4 yard touchdown, bringing Rackers on for the extra point. Rackers also kicked a field goal before the half to make it 16-3, this final kick being 36 yards. The Dolphins pushed a little closer with a Chad Henne touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall, good for 12 yards and a touchdown, and Carpenter added the PAT. Miami chipped away with a field goal by Carpenter, coming from 34 yards out. Houston extended their lead with Schaub finding Andre Johnson for 23 yards and a touchdown, with Rackers adding on the extra point. The final had the Texans up 23-13, moving them to 2-0 and dropping the Dolphins to 0-2.
NFL Early Games week 2
There are 10 games on this morning, starting with surprise undefeated teams...
As the Buffalo Bills host the Oakland Raiders. The scoring was opened by Oakland in the second quarter with Michael Bush going via ground across the goal line and Sebastian Janikowski kicking the extra point. The Raiders added some more points as Darren McFadden ran 5 yards into the end zone for a touchdown, and Janikowski nailed the PAT. Buffalo found points late in the second as Rian Lindell nailed a 25 yard field goal. Jason Campbell and Oakland scored another touchdown late in the quarter as the QB kept it for himself and took it in 1 yard, with Janikowski chipping in another extra point. The Raiders will take a comfortable 21-3 lead into the half. The Bills got going in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns, going to Fred Jackson for 43 yards on the ground and Ryan Fitzpatrick sending the ball airborne to Stevie Johnson for 7 yards, with Lindell getting both extra points. Buffalo kept rolling in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard Jackson TD run, his second of the game, with Lindell adding the extra point. Oakland took the lead back with Campbell passing to McFadden for 12 yards and a touchdown, on which Janikowski added an extra point. The Bills regained the lead with Fitzpatrick passing to Scott Chandler for 6 yards, good for a touchdown as Lindell nailed the extra point. Oakland would not back down, retaking the lead as Campbell found Denarius Moore for 50 yards, and Janikowski made it 35-31 with the extra point. The Bills took the lead on a Fitzpatrick touchdown with 14 seconds left in the game, connecting from 6 yards with David Nelson. Lindell's PAT made it 38-35. This was the final, with Buffalo going to a shocking 2-0 and dropping the Raiders to 1-1.
Moving west, the Detroit Lions host the Kansas City Chiefs. Detroit drew first blood with a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson, a 15 yard connection with Jason Hanson adding the seventh point. Kansas City replied with a Ryan Succop field goal from 33 yards away. The Lions answered back with a touchdown from Stafford to Tony Scheffler for 36 yards, polished off by Hanson with the extra point. Hanson also kicked field goals of 51 and 28 yards before halftime, with Detroit leading 20-3. Stafford and Johnson met up again in the third quarter for a 1 yard touchdown, followed by Hanson with the PAT. The Lions grabbed some more points in the fourth, as Stafford picked apart the KC defense again to find Jahvid Best 9 yards away, allowing another Hanson extra point, as well as the extra point on Best's own carry from a yard away for the touchdown. Detroit put salt in the wounds of the Chiefs with a 1 yard rush for a TD by Keiland Williams, with Hanson doing the extra point yet again. The 48-3 score was a final, pushing the Lions to 2-0 and Kansas City fell to 0-2.
Down south, the New Orleans Saints welcome the Chicago Bears to the Big Easy. Chicago struck first with a touchdown pass from Jay Cutler to Dane Sanzenbacher for 8 yards, allowing a Robbie Gould extra point. New Orleans replied with a John Kasay 31 yard field goal. The Saints took the lead on Drew Brees' 79 yard touchdown pass to Devery Henderson, with Kasay supplying the extra point, and also later field goals of 29 and 53 yards. The Bears replied with Gould kicking a field goal of 42 yards, although they trail at the whistle by a 16-10 margin. Gould picked up where he left off with a 38 yard kick for a field goal, promptly erased by New Orleans' 4 yard touchdown pass from Brees to Robert Meachem. Brees and the Saints looked to put the nails in the coffin with a touchdown pass to Darren Sproles for 12 yards, and Kasay made the extra point. New Orleans maintained the 30-13 lead, and won the game, going to 1-1 while Chicago fell to 1-1.
Backtracking to Indianapolis, the Colts will host the Cleveland Browns. Indianapolis opened early with an Adam Vinatieri field goal of 39 yards. Vinatieri also contributed a field goal in the second quarter, this one shorter at 27 yards. Cleveland got the lead with Colt McCoy's 16 yard touchdown pass finding Evan Moore, with Phil Dawson finishing it off with the extra point. Vinatieri replied and took the lead back for the Colts on a 52 yard FG. The Browns took the lead back on a 1 yard Peyton Hillis touchdown run, with Dawson making the extra point afterward, good for a 14-9 halftime lead. The Colts got three back with Vinatieri kicking a 36 yard field goal to open the third quarter. Cleveland got separation in the fourth with a Dawson field goal going 20 yards. The Browns gained a few more with Hillis running 24 yards for a touchdown, and Dawson added another PAT, and a field goal of 23 yards. Indianapolis finally got a touchdown with Kerry Collins passing 6 yards for the score to Dallas Clark, and Vinatieri made the extra point. However, time would expire, and Cleveland took the 27-19 win. The Browns are now 1-1 and the Colts fell to 0-2.
Off to the northwest, the Minnesota Vikings will play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Minnesota was on the board late in the first quarter with Adrian Peterson rushing a yard to score a touchdown, and Ryan Longwell provided the extra point. Longwell also knocked in a field goal of 22 yards in the second quarter. Peterson extended the Vikings lead with another rushing touchdown, 9 yards out, with Longwell adding another extra point. The score had Minnesota up 17-0 at the half. Tampa Bay awoke in the third quarter with LeGarrette Blount running 27 yards for a touchdown, allowing Connor Barth to kick an extra point, and also a field goal later, from 36 yards away. Minnesota put a little distance between them and the opposition with a 29 yard field goal from Longwell. The Buccaneers put on a charge with Josh Freeman connecting with Arrelious Benn for 25 yards and a touchdown, allowing a Barth extra point both here and on a 4 yard rushing TD by Blount. Tampa Bay held on for a comeback 24-20 win, going to 1-1 and dropping the Vikings to 0-2.
Back along the East Coast, the Carolina Panthers scrimmage with the Green Bay Packers. Carolina opened an early lead with Cam Newton passing to Brandon LaFell 3 yards away, and Olindo Mare capping off the touchdown. Mare added a 20 yard field goal later in the first quarter, and a 33 yard boot in the second. Green Bay finally got on the board with John Kuhn's one yard run for a touchdown, and Mason Crosby provided the extra point. The score at halftime is a surprising lead of 13-7 for Carolina. The Packers switched gears for the third quarter, as Aaron Rodgers found Greg Jennings on a 49 yard touchdown, followed by Crosby with an extra point and three later field goals from 37, 19, and 34 yards away. Mare added three points to the Panther cause, going through the uprights from 21 yards out. The Packers crushed the dreams here with Rodgers and Jordy Nelson connecting on an aerial 84 yard touchdown, with Crosby's PAT making it 30-16. Newton ran a touchdown in for Carolina, going 4 yards to score, and a Mare extra point put them within seven. Green Bay weather the storm and won 30-23, improving to 2-0 and pushing the Panthers to 0-2.
Into Pennsylvania, with the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Seattle Seahawks (with Bill Leavy as Head referee). Pittsburgh struck first late in the opening quarter as Rashard Mendenhall ran a yard into the end zone, and Shaun Suisham added the PAT. The Steelers poured some more on with Isaac Redman running 20 yards to secure a touchdown, and Suisham nailing the extra point. Suisham also kicked a field goal from 20 yards away. Pittsburgh goes into the locker room up 17-0. The Steelers boosted a few more points on the board as Ben Roethlisberger found Mike Wallace for a 2 yard score, and Suisham provided another extra point. The final would be 24-0 Steelers, who go to 1-1 and drop the Seahawks to 0-2.
Backing into the Tennessee, the Titans welcome the Baltimore Ravens. Tennessee gets on the board first, with a second quarter field goal by Rob Bironas, coming from 25 yards away. Baltimore took the lead with Joe Flacco and Ray Rice meeting for 31 yard aerial attack, followed by Billy Cundiff making the extra point. The Titans took a lead with Matt Hasselbeck passing 4 yards to Kenny Britt for a TD, and Bironas adding the PAT, but the lead was matched by Cundiff drilling a 41 yard FG at the buzzer for a 10 all tie. Tennessee got back into the scoring theme with Javon Ringer rushing 10 yards to find paydirt, capped off by Bironas with an extra point, followed by a field goal for the Titans' kicker from 43 yards out. Bironas also had a 39 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Cundiff replied with a 29 yard field goal. Not to be outdone, Bironas replied again with a 33 yard field goal, leaving the score at 26-13 Titans, the final, with both teams shifting to 1-1.
Into the Nation's Capital, with the Washington Redskins hosting the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona was the first to score as Kevin Kolb connected with Jeff King for 21 yards and a touchdown, with Jay Feely adding the extra point. Washington got some back with Graham Gano kicking a field goal of 26 yards. The Redskins got the lead with Rex Grossman finding Fred Lewis for a yard, allowing Gano the extra point. Washington takes a slight 10-7 edge into the locker room. The Cardinals stole the lead away on a 2 yard touchdown run from Beanie Wells, with Feely tacking on the extra point. Gano cut the deficit to 1 point for the Redskins, kicking a 23 yard chip shot of a field goal. Arizona made short work in restoring a sizable lead, with Kolb finding Larry Fitzgerald for 73 yards on a catch and run touchdown. Feely added the PAT. Washington came back with Grossman finding Santana Moss for an 18 yard touchdown, but Grossman failed on the two point conversion attempt the Moss. Gano added a field goal, putting Washington up by 1, coming from 34 yards away. They would hold this lead and ride to a 22-21 win, improving to 2-0 and pushing the Cardinals to 1-1.
Lastly, the New York Jets oppose the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Meadowlands. New York opened quickly with a touchdown from Mark Sanchez to Santonio Holmes for 17 yards, and Nick Folk added the extra point. The Jets added on a safety bu sacking Luke McCown, courtesy of Muhammad Wilkerson. Jacksonville eventually got on the board later in the quarter with a Josh Scobee field goal from a whopping 55 yards away. Folk replied with a 38 yard field goal early in the second quarter, and a 45 yard boot later that same frame. The Jets will take a 15-3 lead into halftime. New York exploded for a two-touchdown third quarter, as Sanchez met up with Dustin Keller for 11 yards, and Shonn Greene ran the ball a yard for a score, with Folk adding both extra points. The Jets allowed Folk another field goal in the fourth, this time from 23 yards. The score stood at 32-3 at the end of the game, putting the Jets at 2-0 and the Jaguars at 1-1.
As the Buffalo Bills host the Oakland Raiders. The scoring was opened by Oakland in the second quarter with Michael Bush going via ground across the goal line and Sebastian Janikowski kicking the extra point. The Raiders added some more points as Darren McFadden ran 5 yards into the end zone for a touchdown, and Janikowski nailed the PAT. Buffalo found points late in the second as Rian Lindell nailed a 25 yard field goal. Jason Campbell and Oakland scored another touchdown late in the quarter as the QB kept it for himself and took it in 1 yard, with Janikowski chipping in another extra point. The Raiders will take a comfortable 21-3 lead into the half. The Bills got going in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns, going to Fred Jackson for 43 yards on the ground and Ryan Fitzpatrick sending the ball airborne to Stevie Johnson for 7 yards, with Lindell getting both extra points. Buffalo kept rolling in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard Jackson TD run, his second of the game, with Lindell adding the extra point. Oakland took the lead back with Campbell passing to McFadden for 12 yards and a touchdown, on which Janikowski added an extra point. The Bills regained the lead with Fitzpatrick passing to Scott Chandler for 6 yards, good for a touchdown as Lindell nailed the extra point. Oakland would not back down, retaking the lead as Campbell found Denarius Moore for 50 yards, and Janikowski made it 35-31 with the extra point. The Bills took the lead on a Fitzpatrick touchdown with 14 seconds left in the game, connecting from 6 yards with David Nelson. Lindell's PAT made it 38-35. This was the final, with Buffalo going to a shocking 2-0 and dropping the Raiders to 1-1.
Moving west, the Detroit Lions host the Kansas City Chiefs. Detroit drew first blood with a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson, a 15 yard connection with Jason Hanson adding the seventh point. Kansas City replied with a Ryan Succop field goal from 33 yards away. The Lions answered back with a touchdown from Stafford to Tony Scheffler for 36 yards, polished off by Hanson with the extra point. Hanson also kicked field goals of 51 and 28 yards before halftime, with Detroit leading 20-3. Stafford and Johnson met up again in the third quarter for a 1 yard touchdown, followed by Hanson with the PAT. The Lions grabbed some more points in the fourth, as Stafford picked apart the KC defense again to find Jahvid Best 9 yards away, allowing another Hanson extra point, as well as the extra point on Best's own carry from a yard away for the touchdown. Detroit put salt in the wounds of the Chiefs with a 1 yard rush for a TD by Keiland Williams, with Hanson doing the extra point yet again. The 48-3 score was a final, pushing the Lions to 2-0 and Kansas City fell to 0-2.
Down south, the New Orleans Saints welcome the Chicago Bears to the Big Easy. Chicago struck first with a touchdown pass from Jay Cutler to Dane Sanzenbacher for 8 yards, allowing a Robbie Gould extra point. New Orleans replied with a John Kasay 31 yard field goal. The Saints took the lead on Drew Brees' 79 yard touchdown pass to Devery Henderson, with Kasay supplying the extra point, and also later field goals of 29 and 53 yards. The Bears replied with Gould kicking a field goal of 42 yards, although they trail at the whistle by a 16-10 margin. Gould picked up where he left off with a 38 yard kick for a field goal, promptly erased by New Orleans' 4 yard touchdown pass from Brees to Robert Meachem. Brees and the Saints looked to put the nails in the coffin with a touchdown pass to Darren Sproles for 12 yards, and Kasay made the extra point. New Orleans maintained the 30-13 lead, and won the game, going to 1-1 while Chicago fell to 1-1.
Backtracking to Indianapolis, the Colts will host the Cleveland Browns. Indianapolis opened early with an Adam Vinatieri field goal of 39 yards. Vinatieri also contributed a field goal in the second quarter, this one shorter at 27 yards. Cleveland got the lead with Colt McCoy's 16 yard touchdown pass finding Evan Moore, with Phil Dawson finishing it off with the extra point. Vinatieri replied and took the lead back for the Colts on a 52 yard FG. The Browns took the lead back on a 1 yard Peyton Hillis touchdown run, with Dawson making the extra point afterward, good for a 14-9 halftime lead. The Colts got three back with Vinatieri kicking a 36 yard field goal to open the third quarter. Cleveland got separation in the fourth with a Dawson field goal going 20 yards. The Browns gained a few more with Hillis running 24 yards for a touchdown, and Dawson added another PAT, and a field goal of 23 yards. Indianapolis finally got a touchdown with Kerry Collins passing 6 yards for the score to Dallas Clark, and Vinatieri made the extra point. However, time would expire, and Cleveland took the 27-19 win. The Browns are now 1-1 and the Colts fell to 0-2.
Off to the northwest, the Minnesota Vikings will play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Minnesota was on the board late in the first quarter with Adrian Peterson rushing a yard to score a touchdown, and Ryan Longwell provided the extra point. Longwell also knocked in a field goal of 22 yards in the second quarter. Peterson extended the Vikings lead with another rushing touchdown, 9 yards out, with Longwell adding another extra point. The score had Minnesota up 17-0 at the half. Tampa Bay awoke in the third quarter with LeGarrette Blount running 27 yards for a touchdown, allowing Connor Barth to kick an extra point, and also a field goal later, from 36 yards away. Minnesota put a little distance between them and the opposition with a 29 yard field goal from Longwell. The Buccaneers put on a charge with Josh Freeman connecting with Arrelious Benn for 25 yards and a touchdown, allowing a Barth extra point both here and on a 4 yard rushing TD by Blount. Tampa Bay held on for a comeback 24-20 win, going to 1-1 and dropping the Vikings to 0-2.
Back along the East Coast, the Carolina Panthers scrimmage with the Green Bay Packers. Carolina opened an early lead with Cam Newton passing to Brandon LaFell 3 yards away, and Olindo Mare capping off the touchdown. Mare added a 20 yard field goal later in the first quarter, and a 33 yard boot in the second. Green Bay finally got on the board with John Kuhn's one yard run for a touchdown, and Mason Crosby provided the extra point. The score at halftime is a surprising lead of 13-7 for Carolina. The Packers switched gears for the third quarter, as Aaron Rodgers found Greg Jennings on a 49 yard touchdown, followed by Crosby with an extra point and three later field goals from 37, 19, and 34 yards away. Mare added three points to the Panther cause, going through the uprights from 21 yards out. The Packers crushed the dreams here with Rodgers and Jordy Nelson connecting on an aerial 84 yard touchdown, with Crosby's PAT making it 30-16. Newton ran a touchdown in for Carolina, going 4 yards to score, and a Mare extra point put them within seven. Green Bay weather the storm and won 30-23, improving to 2-0 and pushing the Panthers to 0-2.
Into Pennsylvania, with the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Seattle Seahawks (with Bill Leavy as Head referee). Pittsburgh struck first late in the opening quarter as Rashard Mendenhall ran a yard into the end zone, and Shaun Suisham added the PAT. The Steelers poured some more on with Isaac Redman running 20 yards to secure a touchdown, and Suisham nailing the extra point. Suisham also kicked a field goal from 20 yards away. Pittsburgh goes into the locker room up 17-0. The Steelers boosted a few more points on the board as Ben Roethlisberger found Mike Wallace for a 2 yard score, and Suisham provided another extra point. The final would be 24-0 Steelers, who go to 1-1 and drop the Seahawks to 0-2.
Backing into the Tennessee, the Titans welcome the Baltimore Ravens. Tennessee gets on the board first, with a second quarter field goal by Rob Bironas, coming from 25 yards away. Baltimore took the lead with Joe Flacco and Ray Rice meeting for 31 yard aerial attack, followed by Billy Cundiff making the extra point. The Titans took a lead with Matt Hasselbeck passing 4 yards to Kenny Britt for a TD, and Bironas adding the PAT, but the lead was matched by Cundiff drilling a 41 yard FG at the buzzer for a 10 all tie. Tennessee got back into the scoring theme with Javon Ringer rushing 10 yards to find paydirt, capped off by Bironas with an extra point, followed by a field goal for the Titans' kicker from 43 yards out. Bironas also had a 39 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Cundiff replied with a 29 yard field goal. Not to be outdone, Bironas replied again with a 33 yard field goal, leaving the score at 26-13 Titans, the final, with both teams shifting to 1-1.
Into the Nation's Capital, with the Washington Redskins hosting the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona was the first to score as Kevin Kolb connected with Jeff King for 21 yards and a touchdown, with Jay Feely adding the extra point. Washington got some back with Graham Gano kicking a field goal of 26 yards. The Redskins got the lead with Rex Grossman finding Fred Lewis for a yard, allowing Gano the extra point. Washington takes a slight 10-7 edge into the locker room. The Cardinals stole the lead away on a 2 yard touchdown run from Beanie Wells, with Feely tacking on the extra point. Gano cut the deficit to 1 point for the Redskins, kicking a 23 yard chip shot of a field goal. Arizona made short work in restoring a sizable lead, with Kolb finding Larry Fitzgerald for 73 yards on a catch and run touchdown. Feely added the PAT. Washington came back with Grossman finding Santana Moss for an 18 yard touchdown, but Grossman failed on the two point conversion attempt the Moss. Gano added a field goal, putting Washington up by 1, coming from 34 yards away. They would hold this lead and ride to a 22-21 win, improving to 2-0 and pushing the Cardinals to 1-1.
Lastly, the New York Jets oppose the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Meadowlands. New York opened quickly with a touchdown from Mark Sanchez to Santonio Holmes for 17 yards, and Nick Folk added the extra point. The Jets added on a safety bu sacking Luke McCown, courtesy of Muhammad Wilkerson. Jacksonville eventually got on the board later in the quarter with a Josh Scobee field goal from a whopping 55 yards away. Folk replied with a 38 yard field goal early in the second quarter, and a 45 yard boot later that same frame. The Jets will take a 15-3 lead into halftime. New York exploded for a two-touchdown third quarter, as Sanchez met up with Dustin Keller for 11 yards, and Shonn Greene ran the ball a yard for a score, with Folk adding both extra points. The Jets allowed Folk another field goal in the fourth, this time from 23 yards. The score stood at 32-3 at the end of the game, putting the Jets at 2-0 and the Jaguars at 1-1.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Monday Night Football week 1
Two games from Monday night, sorry for the delay, just getting back into the groove of the football season. New England traveled to Miami for the first game. Miami got off to a quick start with a rushing touchdown from Chad Henne from 9 yards away, followed by a Dan Carpenter extra point. New England replied quickly with BenJarvus Green-Ellis taking a 4 yard TD rush. Stephen Gostkowski had the PAT, as well as another one on the second quarter touchdown by Tom Brady, who found Rob Gronkowski 10 yards away. The Patriots took a 14-7 lead into the half. Henne did work to tie the game back up in the third quarter with a pass going 10 yards to Brian Hartline for the score, and Carpenter added the tying point. New England took short time to regain the lead as Brady found Wes Welker for a 2 yard score and Gostkowski PAT. The Dolphins got some points back with Carpenter drilling a 20 yard field goal. The Patriots quickly eliminated this with Brady connecting with Aaron Hernandez for a yard a touchdown. Gostkowski converted the extra point and kicked a fourth quarter field goal of 20 yards. Brady added on with some theatrics later as he connected with Welker on a catch and run of 99 yards for a touchdown. Miami made a valiant effort at stopping the bleeding as Henne and Bush got together on a 2 yard touchdown, with Carpenter's extra point leaving the score at 38-24 New England. The Patriots are now 1-0 and the Dolphins sit at 0-1.
The other game is out west, with the Denver Broncos hosting the Oakland Raiders. Denver opened with a first quarter field goal by Matt Prater, 28 yards away. Oakland took the lead on a Jason Campbell touchdown pass to Marcel Reece for 3 yards, followed by Sebastian Janikowski's extra point. Janikowski nailed three straight field goals after that, from 37, 21, and an astonishing 63 yards, a record setting kick. The Broncos got back to work in the third, with a punt return by Eric Decker fro 90 yards, with Prater getting the PAT. later in the quarter, Prater tacked on 3 points with a 30 yard field goal. The Raiders got some separation on a rushing TD by Campbell in the fourth, taking it in a yard and letting Janikowski drill the extra point. Denver pulled within a 23-20 score on Kyle Orton's touchdown pass to Lance Ball for 9 yards and Prater's extra point, but they wouldn't finish the comeback. Oakland goes to 1-0 and Denver drops to 0-1. Check Sunday for more game recaps from week 2!
The other game is out west, with the Denver Broncos hosting the Oakland Raiders. Denver opened with a first quarter field goal by Matt Prater, 28 yards away. Oakland took the lead on a Jason Campbell touchdown pass to Marcel Reece for 3 yards, followed by Sebastian Janikowski's extra point. Janikowski nailed three straight field goals after that, from 37, 21, and an astonishing 63 yards, a record setting kick. The Broncos got back to work in the third, with a punt return by Eric Decker fro 90 yards, with Prater getting the PAT. later in the quarter, Prater tacked on 3 points with a 30 yard field goal. The Raiders got some separation on a rushing TD by Campbell in the fourth, taking it in a yard and letting Janikowski drill the extra point. Denver pulled within a 23-20 score on Kyle Orton's touchdown pass to Lance Ball for 9 yards and Prater's extra point, but they wouldn't finish the comeback. Oakland goes to 1-0 and Denver drops to 0-1. Check Sunday for more game recaps from week 2!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Fantasy Football All-Stars week 1
This opening week had many different scenarios play out. Here's the best players of the week.
Quarterback: Tom Brady
Wide Receiver: Steve Smith (Carolina)
Running Back: Mike Tolbert
Tight End: Scott Chandler
Kicker: David Akers
Team Defense: San Francisco
Defensive Player: Brian Urlacher
Quarterback: Tom Brady
Wide Receiver: Steve Smith (Carolina)
Running Back: Mike Tolbert
Tight End: Scott Chandler
Kicker: David Akers
Team Defense: San Francisco
Defensive Player: Brian Urlacher
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