Monday Morning Hangover – Week Thirteen

Jeff Haverlack Posted On December 2, 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) Contenders or Pretenders

San Francisco had little trouble with the visiting Rams, winning the day by the score of 23-13. Yardage-wise, it was a relatively even contest with the 9’ers totaling 338 yards to the Rams’ 312. Neither quarterback had a stellar day, but Colin Kaepernick continues to establish greater consistency and threw for 275 yards and a single touchdown without turning the ball over. He also added another 21 yards on the ground. Aging veteran Anquan Boldin pulled in nine receptions for 98 yards and was open underneath throughout the day. Kaepernick’s lone touchdown was to his favorite target, Vernon Davis, who tallied 82 yards on four receptions, including the touchdown.

The biggest concern in the city by the bay is the state of the defense as the run defense continues to be somewhat lack-luster, allowing 114 yards and 4.4 yards per carry on the day. Patrick Willis, once feared in IDP leagues, could muster only three total tackles. With an offense not lighting up opposing defenses and a defense not lighting up opposing offenses, there’s reason to doubt the red and gold looking forward. One bright spot on the day was the return of Michael Crabtree who reeled in two of his four targets for 68 yards. One more weapon in the offense does have the potential to change their prospects but we’ll have to wait and see.

Can #2) Foles Real?

It sure appears that Nick Foles is the real deal. Whether due to maturity beyond his years or Chip Kelly’s dynamic offensive scheme, he continues to perform as a QB1 in fantasy. On the day, Foles produced a mediocre 237 passing yards but threw three touchdowns, all to his tight ends. Rookie Zach Ertz was the star of the day hauling in five receptions and two scores while fellow tight end, Brent Celek, pulled down four balls for 29 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles’ run game produced only 105 yards on the ground, but RB1 LeSean McCoy did managed 4.2 yards per carry on 19 totes, for a total of 79 yards. Riley Cooper, again, proved that he’s best as a last-flex-play in fantasy by catching a mere three balls for a 48 yards. DeSean Jackson posted a similar day with three receptions for 36 yards. A ho-hum for all Eagles not named Foles or Ertz.

Can #3) In The Weedens

This just in: Josh Gordon can make any quarterback look like Peyton Manning. Gordon, for the second time in two weeks, turned in a stellar performance by lighting up the stat sheet with ten receptions, 261 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Note that he also missed nearly a quarter of action after a hard hit following a reception. In two weeks, Gordon has managed 498 yards and three touchdowns. Not bad. Give Brandon Weeden his due in that he at least knows where his bread is buttered. On the day, Weeden produced 370 yards and three touchdowns but also tossed two picks and lost a fumble. He’s still no better than QB3 material at best. Owners of Jordan Cameron can continue to sigh as Cam could only muster four receptions and 43 yards. Why throw to anyone else other than Gordon?

Can #4) Spiller’s Revenge

Just when you thought it was safe to write off the enigma that is C.J. Spiller, he roars back to life with 149 rushing yards and a touchdown against the woeful Falcons from Atlanta. He also chipped in with two receptions for eight yards. Backfield mate Fred Jackson also turned in a nice day, scoring both on the ground and via the passing game, totaling a combined 78 yards from scrimmage. But even with the backfield production, the Bills fell to the Falcon in overtime by the score of 34-31. EJ Manuel managed 210 passing yards and a single touchdown without registering a turnover. He continues to make progress as a starting signal caller. With three promising games on tap for Spiller and the Bills, against Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Miami, there’s reason to be hopeful that Spiller can string productive games during the most important time of the year for fantasy players. Now apparently healthy, he looks he should be inserted into your lineup without delay. Forgive me if I do so with a least some level of doubt.

Can #5) You Can Call Me Allen

San Diego’s Keenan Allen continued to be a bright spot on the offense, finishing the contest vs. Cincinnati with eight receptions for 106 yards. In two weeks, Allen has produced 17 receptions and 230 yards and continues to perform as a WR1 as a rookie. In the end, the Bengals outlasted the Chargers by the score of 17-10. San Diego tight end, Ladarius Green scored for the second week in a row, if only on two receptions for 45 yards. With Antonio Gates clearly on the decline, those adding Green earlier in the year, or earlier, looks like they may have a gem on their hands in years to come. Overall, in was an underwhelming day for both clubs without much in the way of fantasy fireworks. A.J. Green did manage five receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown but there just wasn’t much in the way of excitement in this contest.

Can #6) Tear Through The Bears

The woes for the Bears and, specifically, their run defense, continues. The Vikings seemingly ran at will on Sunday, piling up 246 yards on the ground, Adrian Peterson tallying 211 himself. When the final whistle blew, the Vikings had kicked an overtime field goal to beat the Bears by the score of 23-20. Despite Peterson’s rushing performance, he was upstaged by the young Chicago receiver, Alson Jeffery, who dominated Minnesota’s secondary to the tune of 12 receptions, 249 yards and two touchdowns. Jeffery has taken a huge step in 2013 and is no longer only a red-zone threat. It’s very possible that the torch has been passed from Brandon Marshall. One last note involving an IDP player. Rookie inside linebacker Jon Bostic had his best game as a pro with nine total tackles and a sack. He’s young, has good size and the Bears want him to be their middle linebacker of the future.

The Bears are now 6-6 and have lost three of their last four. The Vikings are 3-8-1 and are playing only to find next year’s impact players. First and foremost has to be a complete scrapping of the quarterback position and immediate addition of a young, dynamic, arm to be the face of the franchise. With a near-certain top ten pick on the way in the 2014 NFL draft, the Vikings will be adding a good prospect in this next year’s quarterback-rich pool. For the Bears, they now find themselves a game back from the Detroit Lions and in the thick of the playoff hunt.

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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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