The Fantasy Football Blog

REACTION 1: I guess one of the best case scenarios for you this week is to have a team named The Barber Shop and to have started Tiki Barber (NYG-RB-206 yards, one touchdown) and Marion Barber (DAL-RB-127 yards, two TDs). Can't imagine anyone actually has the at team, name, but it's possible. You'd probably have to have the Tampa Bay defense, which includes Tiki's twin brother Ronde Barber at defensive back, I suppose.

REACTION 2: Just when I think I'm starting to figure things out in this league, everything goes crazy again. Let me get this straight: Jacksonville downs Pittsburgh without Ben Roethlisberger (PIT-QB) but with most of its other top weapons. It then loses to a Rams squad without Marc Bulger (STL-QB), Torry Holt (STL-WR) and Isaac Bruce (STL-WR). I really don't get it. Also, Tampa Bay looks like a potential Super Bowl sleeper for the first six weeks and then loses to San Francisco, which has someone named Cody Pickett (SF-QB) under center. Way to go Chris Simms (TB-QB) who had two picks and a fumble. Should probably assume the injury-plagued Ravens will stomp on the now-healthy Steelers.

REACTION 3: Nice to see the Washington Redskins show up for what was supposed to be a huge NFC East game at the New York Giants. The Giants were sky high with emotion after the death of beloved owner Wellington Mara and the Redskins had no interest in matching their intensity. Goes to show what 52 points against the 49ers means. But that's the same SF team that downed Tampa, right? Seriously, I don't get it. Anyway, Eli Manning (NYG-QB) didn't light up a good Redskins defense (Tiki Barber did plenty of that). But he didn't let all of the pressure (and there was a ton) force him to make mistakes that hurt his team. Definitely impressed by his effort even though the numbers (146 yards, one TD, one INT) aren't amazing.

REACTION 4: Nice to see the big two tight ends have big games on the same Sunday. Playing against each other, Antonio Gates (SD-TE) and Tony Gonzalez (KC-TE) each had their best games of the season. Gates won bragging rights, however, as he tallied 10 catches for 145 yards and three TDs and got the 26-20 win over Gonzo's (seven catches, 97 yards, one TD) Chiefs.

REACTION 5: It's gotten to the point where you can absolutely feel comfortable starting both Mike Anderson (DEN-RB) and Tatum Bell (DEN-RB). They are both going to get 15-20 carries and they will likely both break 80 yards and a score. The 1-2 punch has been very impressive and dominated an Philadelphia team that stonewalled LaDainian Tomlinson (SD-RB) last week. Very impressive 49-21 win, even if it got a little scary for Broncos fans late.

EXTRA MINI REACTIONS: It's about time the Houston Texans won a game. Still think USC could beat them? Maybe the Trojans can beat Cleveland. ... Amazing to watch Tedy Bruschi (NE-LB) play on Monday night. What a warrior. ... What is going on with Cadillac Williams (TB-RB)? ... Steve Smith (CAR-WR) is incredible. ... Brett Favre (GB-QB) no longer is. ... Looks like Daunte Culpepper (MIN-QB) might be done for the year.

MONDAY NIGHT QUESTIONS
Baltimore at Pittsburgh (ABC, 9)

Can the Ravens defense hope to stop Willie Parker (PIT-RB) and company without star defenders Ed Reed (BAL-S) and Ray Lewis (BAL-LB)?

Will Jamal Lewis (BAL-RB) respond to this week's comments about not playing hard with a strong effort or are we one week closer to Chester Taylor (BAL-RB) starting for the Ravens?

Will the Pittsburgh and Ravens defenses score enough fantasy points to help their owners in tight games?

Will Heath Miller (PIT-TE) continue his strong rookie campaign?

See you Tuesday for Roster/Injury updates.

You have to love any team that has three running backs and the most healthy of the three had midweek eye surgery after being poked in the eye. That's the case with Green Bay, which will start Tony Fisher (GB-RB) this week after knee injuries have ended the seasons of Ahman Green (GB-RB) and Najeh Davenport (GB-RB). I'd still consider starting Fisher if you had Green or if you have a starter on a bye this week.

Alex Smith (SF-QB) is out and Ken Dorsey (SF-QB) is in for this week's game against Tampa Bay. Smith has been beat up in losses to Indy and Washington (could have seen that coming). Please, don't start Dorsey.

Travis Henry (TEN-RB) is back this week after serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy. He'll likely take some carries from Chris Brown (TEN-RB), but don't start Henry just yet.

Check out the NFL Injury Report. Here's a breakdown:


OUT
Patrick Crayton (DAL-WR), Rex Grossman (CHI-QB), Lee Suggs (CLE-RB), Robert Ferguson (GB-WR), Drew Bennett (TEN-WR), David Akers (PHI-K)

DOUBTFUL
Torry Holt (STL-WR)

QUESTIONABLE
Julius Jones (DAL-RB), Troy Brown (NE-WR), Corey Dillon (NE-RB), Roy Williams (DET-WR), Andre Johnson (HOU-WR), Isaac Bruce (STL-WR), Marc Bulger (STL-QB), Samie Parker (KC-WR), Nate Kaeding (SD-K), Olindo Mare (MIA-K), Joe Horn (NO-WR), Donte' Stallworth (NO-WR), Aaron Stecker (NO-WR), Keary Colbert (CAR-WR), DeShaun Foster (CAR-RB), Randy Moss (OAK-RB), Chris Brown (TEN-RB), Troy Fleming, Brandon Jones (TEN-WR), Steve McNair (TEN-QB), Carnell Williams (TB-WR), Arnaz Battle (SF-WR), Alex Smith (SF-QB), Plaxico Burress (NYG-WR), Mark Clayton (BAL-WR)

Check back Monday morning for reactions to Sunday's games and questions for the Monday night game between Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

The big news this week is that Ahman Green (GB-RB) is out for the season with a knee injury suffered Sunday in the loss to Minnesota. With Najeh Davenport (GB-RB) also out for the season, Tony Fisher (GB-RB) should be the starter for now.

Robert Ferguson (GB-WR) is out for one month.

Kevin Johnson (DET-WR) is out for the season.

Steve McNair (TEN-QB) is expected to start this week.

Alex Smith (SF-QB) and Vinny Testaverde (NYJ-QB) are both struggling through injuries. Smith’s status is unclear for this weekend and Vinny T left Monday night’s game. If you really care about this, your fantasy team is probably in a lot of trouble.

Have to assume that Chris Simms (TB-QB) will start for the Bucs this weekend. It has to be too soon for the newly-acquired Tim Rattay (TB-QB) to see much action.

The Cowboys cut kicker Jose Cortez (Free Agent-K) this week and signed rookie Shaun Suisham (DAL-K) to take his place.
Check back between now and Thursday for updates and, of course, for the Friday Extras.

PROGRAMMING NOTE
I’ll talk about the players to watch for the second half of the season in this Friday’s column. LAst year, many teams were led to fantasy titles by terrific second halves from then-Carolina's Muhsin Muhammad (CHI-WR) and Willis McGahee (BUF-RB). Who are this year's best and worst bets for strong second halves? Check out Friday's column.

INJURIES
The complete NFL Injury Report will be listed HERE at some point Wednesday. I’ll have the breakdown Friday with my column extras.

Jeff Garcia (AP)

Crazy Sunday with a ridiculous number of great games and awesome endings.

REACTION 1: Look at the schedule before annointing any team as your Super Bowl pick. Indianapolis is a very good team and at 7-0, everyone's SB choice at this point. But take a look at the Colts' schedule. They've beaten: Baltimore (2-4), Jacksonville (4-2), Cleveland (2-4), Tennessee (2-5), San Francisco (1-5), St. Louis (3-4) and Houston (0-6). Then they have a bye before playing the two-time defending champs. That's one pretty good win (Jacksonville). The teams they've played are a combined 14-30. Their remaining schedule includes Houston and Tennessee again and Arizona (2-4). That's nine games they can sleep through and still win.

REACTION 2: Sticking with the schedule theme, take a look at Cincinnati's decisions before calling them anything but moderately above average. The Bengals (5-2) have beaten Cleveland (2-4), Minnesota (2-4), Chicago (3-3), Houston (0-6), and Tennessee (2-5). They've lost to Jacksonville (4-2) and Pittsburgh (4-2). How about beating a remotely tough opponent before caling them the next big thing in the NFL?

Note: These "takes" were caused by the NFL pregame shows, which are going crazy for both of these teams. Indy is legit and definitely the team to beat. Their easy schedule is frustrating, however. The Bengals, meanwhile, aren't impressing me unless they are playing the dregs of the NFL.

REACTION 3: With the way the Philadelphia Eagles manhandled LaDainian Tomlinson (SD-RB) and the entire Chargers offense, particularly in the first half, the tape of today's game is going to be featured viewing for all of San Diego's future opponents' defensive coordinators. Tomlinson had minus-13 rushing yards in the first quarter, didn't get back to zero until the fourth quarter and finished with seven yards on 17 carries. Amazing to watch. ... Also, how in the world is SD only 3-4. That's incredible.


Ahman Green (AP)

REACTION 4: I'll be anxiously awaiting the word on Ahman Green's (GB-RB) knee injury suffered in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to Minnesota. With Najeh Davenport (GB-RB) already on the IR, Tony Fisher (GB-RB) would be the net guy in line for some serious touches.

REACTION 5: Jeff Garcia (DET-QB) started for the Lions today. He didn't exactly dominate the game (210 passing yards, one rushing TD, one INT). He didn't exactly down a terrific team (Cleveland). But he didn't make mistakes and he played well enough to win despite missing Roy Williams (DET-WR), Kevin Johnson (DET-WR) and Charles Rogers (DET-RB). The Joey Harrington (DET-QB) "error" in Detroit looks officially over.

Check back Tuesday for roster/injury updates, which will be updated with major news through Thursday, as well as the link to the NFL Injury Report, which is released Wednesday.

AP
The NFL has moved the Kansas City Chiefs game at the Miami Dolphins to Friday at 7 p.m. because of the likely arrival for Hurricane Wilma. You can read the full story HERE. Be sure to do all of your add/drops before then as most leagues won't allow transactions after the week's first game.

INJURY REPORT
Check out the NFL Injury Report. I listed the full KC/MIAMI report below Check out the breakdowns below that:

KC
OUT
DT Ryan Sims (Foot)
QUESTIONABLE
CB Dexter McCleon (Groin) WR Samie Parker (Knee) T Kevin Sampson (Illness)
PROBABLE
TE Jason Dunn (Knee) RB Larry Johnson (Quadricep) OLB Gary Stills (Shoulder) G Brian Waters (Knee) FS Greg Wesley (Back)

MIA
QUESTIONABLE
OLB Junior Seau (Calf) DE Jason Taylor (Foot)

INJURY REPORT
OUT
Bobby Engram (SEA-WR), Darrell Jackson (SEA-WR), Lee Suggs (CLE-RB), David Akers (PHI-K), Drew Bennett (TEN-WR), Derrick Blaylock (NYJ-RB), Jay Fiedler (NYJ-QB), Chad Pennington (NYJ-QB)
DOUBTFUL
Randy Moss (OAK-WR), Braylon Edwards (CLE-WR), Arnaz Battle (SF-WR)
QUESTIONABLE
Mark Clayton (BAL-TE), Julius Jones (DAL-RB), Jeff Garcia (DET-QB), Kevin Jones (DET-RB), Roy Williams (DET-WR), Bubba Franks (GB-TE), Ahman Green (GB-RB), Andre Johnson (HOU-WR), Joe Horn (NO-WR), Aaron Stecker (NO-RB), Isaac Bruce (STL-WR), Marc Bulger (STL-QB), Hines Ward (PIT-WR), Antwaan Randle El (PIT-WR), TJ Houshmandzadeh (CIN-WR), Erron Kinney (TEN-TE)

NOTES
I'm looking forward to seeing whether Jeff Garcia (DET-QB) plays this week. He could be a good fantsy sleeper for the second half if he wins the starting job. ... Will the return of Nate Burleson (MIN-WR) spark the Vikings and Daunte Culpepper (MIN-QB)? ... Dennis Green had better start Josh McCown (ARZ-QB) this week! ... The Washington defense could have a monster game chasing Alex Smith (SF-QB) around Sunday. ... Also in that game, Mark Brunell (WAS-QB) and Santana Moss (WAS-WR) are terrific fantasy starters. ... I'm guessing Mewelde Moore (MIN-RB) beats up on Green Bay. ... I have a bad feeling we won't see Tony Gonzalez (KC-TE) get back on track tonight. Hope I'm wrong, he's killing my fantasy teams!

A few quick notes today with deeper breakdowns Wednesday, which will include the NFL Injury Report when it is released.

Marc Bulger (STL-QB) suffered a sprained right shoulder. He'll miss at least a couple weeks. Jamie Martin (STL-QB) is an OK replacement.

Brian Griese (TB-QB) suffered a knee injury and may be out for the season. We should know more as the week goes on.

Randy Moss' (OAK-WR) status is up in the air as of right now.

REACTION 1: LaDainian Tomlinson (above, AP, SD-RB) still isn't getting the recognition he deserves. If he stays healthy, this guy is going to be among the greatest four or five RBs of all time. Yesterday, he rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass and threw a touchdown pass. It doesn't get any better than that. Meanwhile, Shaun Alexander (SEA-RB) gets even less respect, but he's having yet another monster season. The consensus No. 2 pick scored four TDs and rushed for 141 yards against Houston Sunday night.

REACTION 2: I'm almost ready to completely pull the plug on Daunte Culpepper (MIN-QB)and getting to close Tony Gonzalez (KC-TE). Have their been two more disappointing fantasy players this year? Culpepper had 237 yards and two INTs against Chicago for crying out loud! And this was a first round pick in many leagues? Yuck. T-Gonz was supposed to bounce back this week after complaining during the bye about his role. Coach Dick Vermeil said in the post-game that they had designed plays to get Gonzalez the ball, but they were well covered. Easily the No. 1 guy at TE on every draft board, Gonzalez has been a major, major disappointment to those who drafted him.



REACTION 3: It was nice to see Kelly Holcomb (above, AP, BUF-QB) get the start again this week for the Bills and continue to play well. After some questions were raised about whether horrible second-year player J.P. Losman (BUF-QB) would return to the starting lineup, Holcomb led the team to another win and played well enough (two TDs) to make a fantasy impact. The Bills would be crazy not to start him the rest of the season.

REACTION 4: Who would think the Mark Brunell (WAS-QB) to Santana Moss (WAS-QB) combination would be among the most lethal in the league this year? Brunell entered the league as a backup and has looked fantastic, while Moss was given low expectations after a disappointing 2004 with the Jets. Brunell threw for three TDs Sunday, including two to Moss and they've been on fire since connecting on those two fourth-quarter bombs against Dallas early in the season. Start 'em if you got 'em.

REACTION 5: Tatum Bell (DEN-RB) is looking more and more like an superstar. He's not going to get 25 carries per game as long as Mike Anderson (DEN-RB) produces, but Bell will still grind out enough yards to be worth starting in most weeks. If he's given the feature spot next year, he'll probably be a first or second round pick.

MONDAY NIGHT QUESTIONS
St. Louis at Indianapolis (ABC, 9)

How will the Rams react to missing coach Mike Martz, who is on indefinite leave with an infection in his heart?

Will Peyton Manning (IND-QB) and the Colts passing game stay on track against a moveable Rams defense?

Is Torry Holt (STL-WR) healthy enough to carry his fantasy owners to wins?

Will Brandon Stokely (IND-WR) finally break out?

With Priest Holmes (KC-RB), Tomlinson and Alexander all having solid fantasy weeks, will either of tonight's -- Edgerrin James (IND-RB) and Steven Jackson (STL-RB) -- put up a similar performance?

I’ll be watching the Denver Broncos-New England Patriots game very closely Sunday.

The Broncos have two players, Mike Anderson (DEN-RB) and Tatum Bell (DEN-RB) who could carry their fantasy teams if only they were given 20-25 touches per game. I’ll be interested to see how coach Mike Shanahan works them into the offense against the defending champs.

ALSO
I’m wondering how the St. Louis Rams will react to losing coach Mike Martz indefinitely due to a heart infection. Everyone always jokes about Martz being a bad coach, but will the Rams actually fall apart without him on the sidelines and calling plays on offense? ... Who is going to get all of Deuce McAllister's (NO-RB) rushes now that he's out for the season? ... How much action will Ricky Williams (MIA-RB) see behind Ronnie Brown (MIA-RB)?

INJURIES
The complete NFL Injury Report is listed HERE. It will be updated at some point today.

The big names listed are:
Out: Kyle Boller (BAL-QB), Chad Pennington (NYJ-QB), Jay Fiedler (NYJ-QB), Rex Grossman (CHI-QB)

Doubtful: Bobby Engram (SEA-WR), Darrell Jackson (SEA-WR), John Hall (WAS-K), Isaac Bruce (STL-WR)

Questionable: Joe Horn (NO-WR), Aaron Stecker (NO-RB), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (CIN-WR), Drew Bennett (TEN-WR), Erron Kinney (TEN-TE), Ben Troupe (TEN-TE), Hines Ward (PIT-WR), Cadillac Williams (TB-RB)

Two good running backs saw their seasons end Sunday. Deuce McAllister (NO-RB) and Najeh Davenport (GB-RB) are both done for the year. The Saints will look to either (or both) Antowain Smith (NO-RB) or Aaron Stecker (NO-RB) to take over as featured back. The Packers will use Ahman Green (GB-RB) when he returns. Until then, it will be Tony Fisher (GB-RB). Also backup Derrick Blaylock (NYJ-RB) is out for the year as well.

Ricky Williams (MIA-RB) finally returns this week after a four-game suspension that followed a season-long odessey. Expect him to see action as a change of pace back behind rookie Ronnie Brown (MIA-RB), who has earned the starting job with some strong performances the past few weeks.

Looks like Cadillac Williams (TB-RB) will be good to go after sitting out this weekend.

Darrell Jackson (SEA-WR) had knee surgery last week and will miss four weeks.

Andre Johnson (HOU-WR) has a strained left calf.

The Bills are saying they haven't decided whether JP Losman (BUF-QB) or Kelly Holcomb (BUF-QB) will start for them this weekend. Are you serious!?!?

The NFL Injury Report will be posted HERE at some point Wednesday. It'll have last week's for now and then will be updated (you may have to click the refresh button on your browser).

I'll have updates with anything earth-shattering Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, I'll have the weekly extras to go with the column and a breakdown of the injury report.

REACTION 1: It was nice to see the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre (GB-QB) finally beat someone. We all knew it was going to happen, but who could have guessed they'd explode for 52 points. Seems like the New Orleans Saints might be dragging now from the longest couple of months of any of their lives.

REACTION 2: I'm pretty good at this fantasy football thing (although I feel snakebit this season), but I'm really, really bad at picking game winners. Not by the spread or anything, either. I really just can't pick winners. Heading into this weekend, I was exactly 30-30 in a free just for fun pick 'em league with a group of friends. I could spend more time thinking about the games, I guess, but I'm honestly not convinced that I'd get any more right. I'm losing to people who make their picks based on which mascot would win in a fight and whose QB is cuter! What is wrong with me?

REACTION 3: Najeh Davenport (GB-RB) has always been one of those "if only" guys. Like LaMont Jordan (OAK-RB) before he finally got a starting job with the Raiders, Davenport was considered good enough to be a solid fantasy player if he only got the carries. He certainly looked good, dropping two TDs on the Saints, before an injury knocked him out of Sunday's big win. I'll be interested to see his status and what happens when both he and the struggling Ahman Green (GB-RB) are both good to go.

REACTION 4: It's amazing how much can change in a minute or so. Trent Dilfer (CLE-QB) and Antonio Bryant (CLE-WR) went from fantasy duds Sunday to fantasy studs in 38 seconds of game time. The pair hooked up for two long TDs in that time and helped the Browns down Chicago. Before that time, they were killing their fantasy teams. After that, they were carrying them.

REACTION 5: Ronnie Brown (MIA-RB) certainly made his case to continue getting 25 touches per game when Ricky Williams (MIA-RB) returns from suspension next week. Brown finished with 97 rushing yards on 17 carries and caught six passes. Would like to see him get into the end zone a couple time in one game, but his owners will certainly take that performance.

MONDAY NIGHT QUESTIONS
Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers (ABC, 9)

Can the Steelers' talnted defense slow down LaDainian Tomlinson (SD-RB) and Antonio Gates (SD-TE), the two best players at their respective positions?

If the Steelers lost to the Patriots two weeks ago and the Chargers beat up virtually the same Pats team last week, shouldn't the Steelers get trounced? Somehow, I don't see that happening.

Can this somehow be a letdown game for the Chargers after last week's big win on the road?

With Willie Parker (PIT-RB), Jerome Bettis (PIT-RB) and Duce Staley (PIT-RB) all likely to play, how will Pittsburgh distribute the ball among them? Will any end up being strong fantasy players if they have to share?

This has to be the toughest fantasy week as far as byes are concerned. I can't imagine there are more star fantasy players off in one single week than in Week 5.

Thank about it. The four teams off are Kansas City, Oakland, New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings.

On those teams are Tony Gonzalez (KC-TE), Eddie Kennison (KC-WR), Trent Green (KC-QB), Priest Holmes (KC-RB), Randy Moss (OAK-WR), Lamont Jordan (OAK-RB), Kerry Collins (OAK-QB), Eli Manning (NYG-QB), Tiki Barber (NYG-RB), Plaxico Burress (NYG-WR), Jeremy Shockey (NYG-TE), Daunte Culpepper (MIN-QB), Mewelde Moore (MIN-RB).

You could also make arguments for Larry Johnson (KC-RB), Courtney Anderson (OAK-TE) and the Chiefs Team Defense. Is anyone playing at full strength this week?

INJURIES
The NFL posts its injury report HERE. It will be updated again today at some point.

The big names listed are:
OUT - Kyle Boller (BAL-QB), Kurt Warner (ARZ-QB), Rex Grossman (CHI-QB), David Akers (PHI-K), Chad Pennington (NYJ-QB), Jay Fiedler (NYJ-QB)

DOUBTFUL - Bobby Engram (SEA-WR), Darrell Jackson (SEA-WR), Isaac Bruce (STL-WR)

QUESTIONABLE - Ahman Green (GB-RB), Cadillac Williams (TB-RB), TJ Houshmandzadeh (CIN-WR), Arnaz Battle (SF-QB), Joe Horn (NO-WR), Bubba Franks (GB-TE), Erron Kinney (TEN-TE), Ben Troupe (TEN-TE), John Hall (WAS-K), Hines Ward (PIT-WR)

I'll do this a little differently this week. Along with updating Tues-Thurs with whatever big nuggets come out, I'll post a link to the NFL's entire injury report when it is released Wednesday. That way, you'll be able to check on your RB's O-Line, your team defense's starting LB and everything else. I'll still pull out the biggest stuff and post it with the Friday extras. Check back for updates in italics at the bottom of the post.

UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, 12:38 A.M.; THURSDAY, 12 A.M. (SEE BOTTOM)

ESPN is reporting that Charles Rogers (DET-WR) will be suspended for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Looks like Jabar Gaffney (HOU-WR) is now the No. 2 wide receiver for the Texans, not Corey Bradford (HOU-WR). With that offense, it shouldn't matter in all but the deepest fantasy leagues.

The Bucs are saying that they're not sure if Cadillac Williams (TB-RB) will play this week.

Bubba Franks (GB-TE) did not play in Monday's game. Not sure what his status is for next week.

UPDATED: Wednesday
I'll be back later to post the link to the NFL Injury Report when it is released, but there were a few things worth mentioning beforehand.

Alex Smith (SF-QB) will start this week for the 49ers. Never, ever start a rookie QB in his first NFL game.
If you are in a QB bind this week, consider Josh McCown (ARZ-QB) against Carolina. I don't think he'll post similar numbers as he did Sunday against the 49ers, but he should be adequate at worst.

The injuries to Chad Pennington (NYJ-QB) and Jay Fiedler (NYJ-QB) have turned Laveranues Coles (NYJ-WR) from strong fantasy starter to fantasy backup in a hurry.

UPDATED: THURSDAY

Here is the link to the NFL's Injury Report, which was listed later than I expected this week. You can find the complete list HERE. I'll break down the report in the Friday Extras post that will run with my column.

Also, it looks like Vinny Testaverde (NYJ-QB) is going to start for the Jets this week and the rumor is that J.P. Losman (BUF-QB) will not start this weekend. Instead, it will be Kelly Holcomb (BUF-QB). If that is confirmed, Holcomb is a much better fantasy option than Losman was as a starter and his ability in the passing game could open things up even more for Willis McGahee (BUF-RB). Should be interesting.

See you Friday with the Extras.

Eli Manning (AP)

No more overreacting. Just reacting. We’re far enough into the season that nothing should shock us that much.

REACTION 1 — Eli Manning (NYG-QB) is sure starting to look like his older brother, Peyton Manning (IND-QB). The pair posted similar numbers Sunday as Eli (296 yards, four TDs in win vs. St. Louis) continues to come into his own in his second year, and Peyton (264 yards, four TDs in win over Tennessee ) got back on track after a slow start.

Eli is fast becoming a very, very good fantasy starter, especially against teams with defenses in the bottom half of the NFL.

REACTION 2 — The Patriots finally hit the injury wall. A team can only lose so many highly important players before it finally slips. New England lost two of its top three defensive players for the year (Tedy Bruschi-MLB, Rodney Harrison-SS) and the Chargers were perfectly matched up with a great running back (LaDainian Tomlinson) and a great tight end (Antonio Gates) to take advantage of those holes.

REACTION 3 — For the first time this weekend, I spent Sunday afternoon outside of my living room. I’m generally very picky about watching NFL Sunday outside of my (remote) control, but a group of us went to Smokey Bones in Springfield for the Sox-Yankees/Pats-Chargers combo. Great atmosphere, and I was able to keep track of virtually all my players by swivelling in my chair and finding each game between innings and pitches.

REACTION 4 — I did bail out of the Baltimore-NY Jets game as my survivor pick because it just seemed too good to be true. I went with Cincy over Houston and nearly tore my hair out willing the Bengals to down the hapless Texans. They eventually did, 16-10, but I was worried that I made the wrong choice all the way down to the final whistle. By the way, the Ravens also won (13-3).

REACTION 5 — Did anyone outside the population of Northern California and Arizona watch the Sunday night game (49ers vs. Cardinals in Mexico City)? If you did, you either have a serious football problem or your fantasy matchup was on the line. I guess you could be something with a serious football problem AND a fantasy matchup that was still on the line, but let’s admit that to our wives (or husbands).

THE BIG MONDAY NIGHT QUESTIONS
Green Bay at Carolina (ABC, 9)

Much like the Sunday night game, is anyone outside of their fanbases and fantasy owners going to watch?

Does Brett Favre (GB-QB) have one more magical Monday night in him? You know John Madden and Al Michaels (and Favre’s fantasy owners) are hoping so.

Are Ahman Green’s (GB-RB) legs too tired to get back to the performance of the last several years? If so, is he the biggest bust in fantasy football this season?

Is Steve Smith (CAR-WR) going to carry a few of his fantasy owners to big comeback wins this week? How about Donald Driver (GB-WR)?

See you Tuesday with Roster/Injury updates