Monday Morning Hangover: Week Four

Jeff Haverlack Posted On September 30, 2013

Every Sunday we’re featuring the Sunday Six Pack that covers the day’s biggest story lines. We follow this up each and every Monday with The Monday Morning Hangover, which looks back on those stories and covers what we learned. These back-to-back articles are sure to get you primed, pumped and informed throughout the entire season. In addition, reading these articles will ensure you understand the dangers of not paying attention or drinking too much on Sundays.

Can #1) Giant Disappointment

The disappointment continues. Traveling to play the surging Kansas City Chiefs, the G-men were in a must win situation after starting the week 0-3. When it was all said and done, the Chiefs waltzed to an easy 31-7 victory … and it wasn’t that close. Outside of the consistent Victor Cruz, there was no fantasy relevance to be found in week four from the Giants. Cruz, for his part, pulled down ten receptions on 16 targets for 164 yards and a touchdown. The flagging Hakeem Nicks caught three of his nine targets for a lackluster 33 yards. David Wilson led the team in rushing yards, gaining 55 yards on 13 carries while also pulling down two receptions for eight yards. Most importantly, Wilson did not put the ball on the ground. Look for changes moving forward from coach Tom Coughlin. Keep an eye on the play level of Rueben Randle with the continued epic slide of Hakeem Nicks. Next up for the Giants is a divisional match-up vs. the Eagles.

Can #2) Hoy Vey!

Don’t look now but the Cleveland Browns may just have something going with Brian Hoyer under center. Blame it on the beat-up secondary of the Bengals, the return of Josh Gordon or simply better quarterback play but the fact is that the Browns have managed 48 points and two victories over the past two weeks with Hoyer taking snaps. Hoyer managed the game well, throwing for 269 yards and two touchdowns, without an interception or fumble. Tight end Jordan Cameron continues to display hot hands and carry a true TE1 status by pulling down ten receptions for 91 yards and another touchdown. Last week’s receiving monster, Josh Gordon, could only muster four receptions for 71 yards but continues to see his arrow pointing straight up. Perhaps most noteworthy for the Browns is that their defense continues to perform well and is arguably now the best in the division.

Can #3) You Like It Broyled?

Ryan Broyles was a hot start/sit topic in my lineup advice column and Twitter this week. Thankfully, I was hesitant to suggest any owner start him in week four, preferring to wait until we see some modicum of production before getting too excited. Broyles saw exactly one target and ended the day with no receptions. There’s little doubt that he does provide significant upside potential as the season unfolds and is a great buy-low candidate.

Can #4) London Calling

Wembley was rocking on Sunday and the London fans were treated to a high scoring affair. The marquee player in this game, Adrian Peterson, did not disappoint. On the day, AP rumbled for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Cassell, replacing the injured Christian Ponder threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns. Let the quarterback controversy begin. And now with his second noteworthy fantasy day, Jerome Simpson may just start gaining further notice. Simpson caught seven of his 11 targets for 124 yards only to be outdone by Greg Jennings, who pulled down three receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns. For Pittsburgh, this game marked the first start for rookie Le’Veon Bell, who did not fail to impress with his two touchdowns on 16 carries, but with only 57 yards. Big Ben Roethlisberger passed for 383 yards but could only muster a single touchdown. With only one win between these two teams after two weeks, it would seem that a trip to London may just be the highlight of their year.

Can #5) Rocky Mountain High

Peyton Manning makes it look easy. Michael Vick makes it look painfully difficult and it may be time for a change in Philly. Manning did what Manning does, throwing for 327 yards and four touchdowns on the day. Nearly every Denver offensive skill position player had decent fantasy production highlighted by two touchdowns each by both Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker. Eric Decker led the team in receiving yards with 88 from five receptions and Knowshon Moreno led all running backs by rushing for 78 yards and a touchdown. For Vick, while he did throw for 248 yards with no interceptions while rushing for 41 more, he couldn’t mount a consistent attack and was eventually replaced by Nick Foles late in the game. Whether Foles’ entrance portends a quarterback change to come will be the talk in fantasy for week five. The Broncos remain the favorite to reach the Super Bowl and the Eagles are the favorite for questioning their new quirky offensive scheme. Being very aware of Chip Kelly’s enormous ego while coaching here in the Northwest while at Oregon, I will be watching his reaction this week with great interest.

Can #6) Down Goes Rivers

Missing cornerstone offensive lineman or not, the Chargers had a rhythm on Sunday by besting the Cowboys 30-21. One sack. One. The Cowboys couldn’t manage consistent pressure on Philip Rivers and he responded with a 401 yard , three touchdown effort. Rivers had a 120.3 quarterback rating when the smoke cleared and Antonio Gates looked 25 again by reeling in ten receptions for 136 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Keenan Allen notched his best day as a pro by bringing in five receptions for 80 yards. But the story here remains the play of the Chargers’ offensive line in that they controlled the line of scrimmage in the face of a typically strong Dallas defensive line. The next two weeks find the Chargers on the road in Oakland, before hosting Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts in week six.

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Jeff Haverlack

Co-Founder at Dynasty League Football

Appreciative husband and proud father who poorly attempts to balance family life with his passion for creating the largest, most helpful and most impactful fantasy community on the planet! DLF was created for the community and we're committed to each member within it! Hope anyone playing this great game will call DLF home in some way!

You can find Jeff on Twitter at @dlf_jeff

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