Monday Morning Hangover – Week Eleven

Jeff Haverlack Posted On November 18, 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) No Go In Buffalo

As long as you heavily invested in Buffalo’s EJ Manuel, Marquise Goodwin and T.J. Graham this week, you were sitting pretty on Sunday. While the Bills steamrolled the Jets, it was a largely miserable day for Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller, who combined for 40 yards on 25 carries. PPR leaguers got little additional production in that the pair only added four receptions and 15 yards. Goodwin, for his part, reeled in six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown while adding a single carry and 17 yards. Manuel looked like a capable starter once again by managing an impressive 245 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. Little can be said about the performance of the Jets in that Geno Smith was awful, completing only eight passes on 23 attempts, including three interceptions and two fumbles, one of them lost. The lone bright spot was that of Chris Ivory who rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown, 69 of those yards coming on a single carry. He looks like your feature back for the remainder of the year.

As for C.J. Spiller, his woes continue and his lackluster season has likely ended more than a few fantasy seasons already.

Can #2) Eastbound and McCown

Not much to be excited about from this contest. The Bears took the game in overtime but it was a mess of a game. Starting for the newly reinjured Jay Cutler, Josh McCown didn’t hurt himself with a well-managed game, throwing for 216 yards and a touchdown. You could do worse. The surprise of the day was the anemic performance of one Brandon Marshall, who could only muster 42 yards on four receptions. Alshon Jeffery continues to emerge and tallied 83 yards on seven receptions.

Arguably, the fantasy bright spot in the contest was in the performance of Ray Rice, who rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown. He also chipped in with three receptions for another 17 yards. We’ll take everything we can get here in hopes that Rice can build upon this week’s performance in a tilt next week vs. Jets from New York.

Can #3) Saving the Sinking Ship?

In a meaningless NFL game, there was plenty to watch as the Falcons visited Tampa Bay on Sunday. Save two late touchdowns for the Falcons in what amounted to garbage time, the Buccaneers ran away with the contest, ultimately besting the grounded birds, 41-28.

Matt Ryan couldn’t muster a consistent attack and finished with 254 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to two interceptions. Steven Jackson received 11 carries but could only manage 41 yards and appears to be done as a fantasy contributor. Tony Gonzalez pulled down six receptions for 51 yards but couldn’t find paydirt for the second week in a row. Roddy White finally found the end zone but on only three receptions for 36 yards. White also lost a fumble. I’ve taken heat for saying that few of the Falcons starters are just that, “starters”, in fantasy … but I stand by my assessment. There are too many other consistent players to be found in fantasy to rely on a flagging offense devoid of dynamic. I’ll give Harry Douglas a pass on that assessment as he continues to perform.

For the Buccaneers, a big “Hello” to new starter Bobby Rainey, who tallied 165 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and another touchdown on one of his two receptions. The Falcons simply had no answer for the diminutive-but-tough runner. Vincent Jackson continued his strong play by notching 165 yards and a touchdown on ten receptions. Mike Glennon seems to be gaining comfort under center and certainly has looked the part a as a starter. Stay tuned …

Can #4) Pryor Restrained

Could we actually have a Pryor-McGloin quarterback controversy? As expected, Terrelle Pryor was shut down vs. the Houston Texans, giving the undrafted free-agent Matt McGloin the start. McGloin wasted no time making an impact by throwing two first quarter touchdowns and finishing the day with three passing touchdowns and 197 yards without registering an interception. Rashad Jennings kept the Houston defense busy by rumbling for 150 yards on 22 totes with a touchdown.

Perhaps the biggest story of the day was that Case Keenum was pulled from the game in the second half, replaced by none other than Matt Schaub, to a chorus of boos by Texan faitfhul. Andre Johnson notched ten receptions for 116 yards but couldn’t pull two late-game end zone targets on the same pattern. Neither target was close and Johnson and Schaub were seen exchanging words on the sidelines. The exchange likely went something like this:

Schaub: Whuh?
Johnson: You suck Matt. You’re no Case Keenum!
Schaub: Whuh?

While it’s true that Keenum wasn’t lighting it up on Sunday, it’s a mystery why Kubiak would take a shot at the youngster’s confidence by pulling him when he’s been nothing if not exciting and consistent since taking over under center.

Can #5) Kaeper-sick

Colin Kaepernick certainly didn’t set the world on fire but at least he found the end-zone multiple times, registering a fantasy relevant performance. He only managed 127 passing yards, but made them count by putting two of them in the paint while adding 25 yards on the ground. The 49’ers lack of receiving weapons continues to take its toll on Kaep’s numbers but his legs being the weapon they are, there’s room for optimism each week. The 9’ers drop a heart-breaker on a last second field goal off the foot Garrett Hartley. Anquan Bolding and Vernon Davis, the usual suspects, both found themselves on the receiving end of Kaepernick touchdown passes.

For the Saints, no fantasy-rostered player found the end-zone on the day and Brees’ 305 yard passing day was somewhat disappointing when looking beyond the “W”.

Can #6) The Game of the Millennium

Maybe the game didn’t quite live up to its billing, but it was entertaining. As expected, the Broncos did win the day (or night as it were) by a score of 27-17. Peyton Manning had his usual impressive yardage total (323) but could only manage a single touchdown. Across the field, Alex Smith, too, had a decent fantasy night, throwing for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Montee Ball vulched two touchdowns from Knowshon Moreno, even if one of them came from eight yards out. Ball managed 25 yards on eight carries in addition to securing three receptions for 16 yards. Moreno’s numbers were about as impressive with 79 yards on 27 carries. Demaryius Thomas was the big winner this week in the passing attack by pulling down five receptions for 121 yards. The lone passing touchdown recipient was Julius Thomas, who was on the receiving end of three of Peyton’s passes, totaling 43 yards.

For Kansas City, Dwayne Bowe has been generating a bit more chemistry with Smith and found the end zone again on one of his four receptions and 57 yards. Usual producer Jamaal Charles had a quiet night, notching 78 yards on 16 carries to go along with a stellar -6 yards on two receptions. The Chiefs showed that they are for real as they held their own against the juggernaut that is the Broncos. Their defense is notable and Alex Smith, for the game manager he is, is capable of leading his team deep into the playoffs … at least until such time as they visit Denver again.

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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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