Courtesy of: Football Perspective
This week’s preview is written by I Hate JJ Redick’s Ross Dunham.
After three weeks of NFL play, Jim Chaney and myself are all tied up with one win apiece (we tied the first week). Week three was a slaughtering in my favor, 50-27. All you really need to know is that I had Josh Gordon (22 points) on my side, and he had Knowshon “No-Show” Moreno (3 points) on his.
Here are this week’s picks:
Jim: QB, Philip Rivers (vs. DAL): So the bye weeks have begun! The NFL is easing us in this week with just two teams on bye, but they are two team with QBs you would be starting if you had them. So this week, I’ll go with the resurgent Philip Rivers as my signal caller. He came back to earth last week but also threw the ball sparingly. This week against a surprisingly solid overall team in Dallas, I think Rivers will be forced to the air a little more and put up respectable back end top 10 QB numbers.
Ross: QB, Ben Roethlisberger (vs. MIN): Look, Big Ben hasn’t looked great so far this year, but last week he showed flashes of his old self against a solid Bears defense. The turnovers are something that I’m worried about, but I’ll take my chances considering he’s going up against one of the worst pass defenses in the league in the Vikings. Just think, if Brian Hoyer can torch them, what will Ben do?
Ross: RB, Jason Snelling (vs. NE): Last week, Snelling had over 130 receiving and rushing yards combined with a touchdown. While he didn’t touch the ball as much as Jacquizz Rodgers, Snelling is the primary third down back and vultures the goal line carries. There’s an opportunity for big points here if the Falcons give it to Snelling inside the five.
Jim: RB, Jaquizz Rodgers (vs. NE): Let’s make this interesting shall we? Ross took Snelling because he believes the goal line work will be the difference maker. I will take Rodgers here because I was both surprised and impressed with how much he produced as the “lead back” in Steven Jackson’s absence. It’s true that Snelling seems more involved in the passing game, but Rodgers certainly has the talent and elusiveness to break a long run in those early down situations.
Jim: WR, Denarius Moore (vs. WAS): I have a general rule that I find myself breaking this week; never start a Raiders wide receiver. Last week, Moore showed why so many people believed he could be a productive wideout if only he had a productive QB to go with him. Granted, the Raiders were blown out early against Denver, but Terrelle Pryor made some great throws and Moore made some great catches in that game and this week, the combo takes on a terrible secondary in Washington. Look for another solid outing from Moore.
Ross: WR, Brian Hartline (@ NO): Just how good are these Dolphins? A 3-0 record all the while beating some quality teams. They’ll certainly be put to the test this week as they go up against the Saints. Hartline has had a TD in two of their games this year. Since I’m thinking this game will be somewhat of a shootout, I imagine Hartline will produce.
Ross: TE, Heath Miller (vs. MIN): A sneaky good play at tight end this week. Miller was back on the field after a brutal injury sidelined him towards the end of the year last year and Big Ben should be relieved his safety valve is back. The Vikings are terrible against the pass, so Miller is undoubtedly going to see a high volume of throws his way.
Jim: TE, Coby Fleener (@ JAX): I was actually pretty high on Dwayne Allen coming into the season as the Colts best TE, but with Allen out with an injury, Fleener is the guy. And going against a putrid Jacksonville team seems like a roll of the dice that I’m willing to take this week.
Jim: DEF, Saints (vs. MIA): The Saints story so far this year hasn’t been as much about their offensive attack (we all knew they could score), but instead, has been about the emergence of their Rob Ryan led defense. This week, against an offensive line in Miami that has allowed the 2nd most sacks in the league through 3 weeks, I think New Orleans is a surprisingly solid defensive option here.
Ross: DEF, Titans (vs. NYJ): The Titans have been very surprising this year on both offense and defense. Their defense has forced opponent quarterbacks into four turnovers already and has nine sacks. Geno Smith is coming into town and we all know his tendency to throw to the other team, so Tennessee is a good DEF play this week.
Team TSC: 1-1-1
Team IHJJR: 1-1-1
