Monday Morning Hangover: Week Six

Jeff Haverlack

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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) Toe the Line

Give the Jaguars credit.  The winless team didn’t play like one and consistently made plays to keep the Broncos off balance and pressing, if only more than expected.  In the end, Denver took the game by the uninspiring score of 35-19.   Peyton Manning failed to eclipse 300 passing yards and threw an interception, while also losing two fumbles.  The interception was a pick-six by veteran linebacker Paul Posluszny, who made a leaping grab moving to his right.    The highlight player of the day was none other than Knowshon Moreno who rushed for only 42 yards but scored three short-distanced touchdowns, while adding seven receptions for 62 yards.  Next week will feature a Sunday night whopper of a contest as Manning returns to Indianapolis to face his sophomore quarterback replacement, Andrew Luck.  Expect Manning to get a warm reception from the classy Indi fan base.

Can #2) Stump the Schaub

Let the discussion heat up as to who will be under center in week seven.  Matt Schaub, for his part, didn’t do any further damage to his starter status and wasn’t the reason for his teams dismal performance against the Rams. But that didn’t stop the Houston faithful from cheering loudly as Schaub exited in the second half due to a rolled ankle.   In what turned out to be a 38-13 route by St. Louis, the Texans could do not right on the day.  Any cheers for Schaub’s absence should die down quickly as T.J. Yates demonstrated yet again that that their shouldn’t by much optimism if a change does occur.  Yates did complete 12-15 passes on the day but threw two bad interceptions, one of them doing his best Schaub imitation as it was returned for a touchdown.   At 2-4 and with tilts vs. Kansas City and Indianapolis over the next two weeks, look for Schaub to be back under center once more as the Texans try to salvage their season.

Can #3) For Whom the Bell Doesn’t Toll

It wasn’t pretty but the Steelers and Le’Veon Bell bested the Jets from New York by the score of 19-6.  While those in the Steel City can rejoice in finally tallying a win on season, there has to be some further concern about the state of their offensive line and, perhaps, the dynamic of the rookie runner, Bell.  Averaging an anemic 2.1 yards per carry, Bell couldn’t get it going for a second week in a row, finding few running lanes and failing to make many miss.  Fantasy owners are willing to look past a poor performance as long as touchdowns are scored, but demanding coaches can’t feel confident with another day like today.   He did knock down three receptions for a 22 yards and there’s not much to fear on the bench behind him, ensuring that he’ll continue to receive the lion’s share of the carries going forward.    Bell is no greater than a last-flex play option until he, and the Pittsburgh offensive line, prove otherwise.

Can #4) Gronksgiving Is Cancelled

It’s being said that a rift is beginning to form between teammates and Rob Gronkowski.  All indications and reports have pointed to a healthy-enough-to-play status while Gronk’s camp continues to insist that more time is needed to ensure the arm is structurally sound.  Regardless of which side you are on, there’s no question that the ongoing loss of Gronkowski is negatively impacting Tom Brady and frustrating fantasy owners.    Week six vs. the visiting and surging New Orleans Saints would have been a great week to get the big target back on the field.  As it stands, they may have lost, again, their primary small target, Danny Amendola, who took a vicious sideline shot and exited with what appeared to be a relatively significant concussion. Amendola cannot be counted on in fantasy.  And it seems that until Gronkowski returns, neither can Tom Brady.  Oh, the Patriots got stubbornly conservative late in the fourth quarter, settling for a field goal and ultimately almost lost the game when Drew Brees threw a late fourth quarter touchdown.  But a touchdown pass to Kenbrell Thompkins with 0:10 remaining salvaged a 30-27 win.

Can #5) CenturyLink Sacrifice

The Titans made a show of it and hung close with the Seahawks and their twelfth man, ultimately falling by the score of 20-13.  The physical running style of Marshawn Lynch was ultimately too much for the Titans as Beast Mode rumbled for only 77 yards on the ground but punched in two critical touchdowns, both from close to the goal line.  Lynch also chimed in with four reception for 78 yards, including a critical third down reception in the fourth quarter.  Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson had a quiet fantasy day with 257 passing yards, but managed the game like a season veteran to secure the win.  Seattle’s twelfth man is as potent a secret weapon as you could ask for … yet they are the worst kept secret in the NFL.  I’m a Seahawk homer but the NFC better hope that the road to the Super Bowl doesn’t run through Seattle.

Can #6)  Miles Austin and the Hamstring of Doom

Addition through subtraction.  Rookie Terrence Williams, who has been earning coming on strong over the past two weeks, had his value sapped in week six as news surfaced that Miles Austin would return.  As it turns out, Williams still found the end zone all the while Austin failed to secure even a single reception.  Subtract Austin from the equation and Williams gets a big boost in value.  There’s little argument that he is much better as the starter across from Dez Bryant rather than the third receiver off the bench.  On the night, the rookie tallied two receptions on two targets, for 27 yards and that single touchdown.  Austin could lose his starting gig not only for his inability to stay healthy but also do the improving play of Williams, but this remains to be seen.  For Austin owners, the air is coming out of the balloon at an ever-quickening pace but he’s not a free agent until 2017. For Williams owners, there’s plenty to be excited about in the future as the young rookie appears to have the size and speed dynamic to play a role similar to that of Mike Williams in Tampa Bay.  He’s not the name that is Dez Bryant, but he’s in an offense that can make him a consistent and notable WR2 in time.

jeff haverlack