Monday Morning Hangover – Week Twelve

Jeff Haverlack Posted On November 25, 2013

Every Sunday we’re featuring the Sunday Six Pack that covers the day’s biggest storylines. 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) Ben Again?

Another great day for Ben Roethlisberger, who threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns against the Browns on Sunday. And what of Antonio Brown vs. Joe Haden? Brown secured six receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown on the day, proving that his 2013 has been no fluke. He’s developed as a fantastic PPR receiver but has now found a way to get into the end zone as well. Brown has exploded into a bonafide WR1. LeVeon Bell held his own, rushing for 80 yards and a score, about what we’ve come to expect. The big surprise this week was that Jerricho Cotchery, a receiver that I fervently recommended this week, put up a big goose egg on the day. Thanks JC. A special hat’s off to Browns’ receiver Josh Gordon who pulled down 14 of 17 targets for 237 yards and a touchdown, setting a new Cleveland record. Gordon is going to be a long-time receiving threat as long as he keeps his head on straight and, well …. keeps his head on straight. He’s a monster and no one wants to see him in opposing lineups.

Can #2) The Bell Tolzien For Thee

Somehow a game featuring Christian Ponder, Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn playing to a tie is fitting. And that’s exactly what happened as the two teams deadlocked at 26 at the end of overtime.

Adrian Peterson was studly, rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown. Cordarrelle Patterson is finally in the fold, racking up eight receptions for 54 yards. Eddie Lacy did his best AP impression by putting up 110 yards and a score, in addition to adding six receptions for 48 yards. Jarrett Boykin reeled in the only passing touchdown for the Pack on his way to five receptions for 60 yards and that single score. This kid may be for real. The story here was that Tolzien was pulled from the game in favor of Matt Flynn, who turned in a solid game, passing for 218 yards and a touchdown. Both are merely keeping the position warm for the eventual return of Aaron Rodgers, perhaps in week 13. For Tolzien, the bell has indeed tolled for thee.

Can #3) Dried Up Rivers?

Philip Rivers slowing down? Not this week against K.C. it would seem. In the end, Rivers and the Chargers upset the Chiefs at home by the score of 41-38. Rivers threw for a healthy 392 yards and three touchdowns on the day, proving that the soon-to-be 32 year old still has what it takes. He’s boring, forgotten … perhaps even long forgotten and past his prime, but it’s not arguable that he’s a QB1 in 2013. Emerging rookie star, Keenan Allen, helped Rivers out by catching nine balls for 124 yards. He didn’t get into the end zone but proved to be a valuable and reliable target yet again. He’s now a low-end WR1.

Don’t miss the fact that backup tight end, Ladarius Green, tallied 80 yards on three receptions, including a 60 yard touchdown. It’s only a matter of time. Kudos to Jamal Charles of the Chiefs, who totaled nearly 160 combined yards and two touchdowns on the day. He’s getting better with age. Dwayne Bowe found the end zone again for the second week in a row? Could there be a trend forming here? Color me unimpressed for now, but owners will take it.

Can #4) Yes We Cam

It was a rough start for Cam Newton and the Panthers, but he (they) found his rhythm in the second half and managed a passing touchdown to go with a five yard rushing score to salvage the day. He could only muster 174 yards through the air against the stingy Dolphin defense, but he found a way to get it done and steered the Panthers to a 20-16 victory. There just wasn’t much to note in this game save another disappointing performance for Dolphin back Lamar Miller and a noteworthy day for for Mike Wallace, who made fantasy owners smile with a five catch, 127 yard performance.

Can #5) McGlovin

It wasn’t a repeat performance for Matt McGloin, but his 260 yards, one touchdown and one interception was a solid follow-up to his big week eleven. In the end, Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Titans outlasted the Raiders by the score of 23-19. He’s done enough to continue to draw the start. One condition to keep an eye on is that McGloin doesn’t seem to have the same window-awareness that other smaller quarterbacks have shown, seeing at least four balls batted down on Sunday.

On the Titans’ side of the ball, it was particularly frustrating watching the game plan for Chris Johnson. The Titans just seem to have no awareness as to how to use CJ. He badly needs a change of scenery if he’s every to recapture his fantasy potential on a consistent basis. Fitzpatrick seems far more willing to run three yards and take a hit than to dump it off to Johnson, let alone for the coaching staff to call stretch runs allowing him to utilize his patience and burst. A big game for Justin Hunter who yet again proves that Kenny Britt is dead in Tennessee. Britt committed at least two bad drops yet again and could even be waived.

Can #6) Dependable Donald?

As has become Donald Browns‘ legacy, no sooner than he gains some notoriety in fantasy, perhaps even getting a start in some fantasy circles, he completely disappears. On the day, in an ugly loss to the Cardinals from Arizona, Brown tallied an amazing one yard on two touches. Personally, I think it was closer to half of a yard, but I guess they rounded up. He was badly outplayed by Trent Richardson, who rushed for 15 yards on seven carries while adding 11 yards on two receptions. Epic.

Suddenly Andrew Luck is looking very pedestrian and a little lost. He could only manage 163 yards, a single touchdown and one interception on the day against an up and coming Arizona defense.

For the Cardinals, props to Michael Floyd who continues to emerge. While Larry Fitzgerald scored twice on the day, Floyd did much of the dirty work, hauling in seven receptions for 104 yards.

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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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