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Priest Holmes at SDG
Deuce McCallister at WAS
LaDainian Tomlinson vs. KC
Ahman Green at NE
NOT Marshall Faulk vs OAK (which is shocking enough to
note here)
Jamal Lewis vs Indianapolis
It's been a hard road for Lewis and the rest of the Ravens,
as their fates have more or less intertwined since the 2001 season.
Lewis ripped a knee, the Ravens went into the tank offensively,
and the team had to slash costs. Uncertainties abounded for Baltimore
with the start of 2002, not the least of which was whether Lewis
could come back after a single year and perform near the standards
he set as a rookie. Could he get support from the young Chris
Redman at QB, and would the defense hold together enough to keep
the Ravens in games, and allow Lewis to bruise his way into late-game
yardage?
So far (at least since getting brutalized by the Buccaneers in
Week Two), things are working out pretty well. Lewis ran for 78
tough yards and a score against a hostile home Broncos defense,
then exploded on Sunday night against the Browns, rushing 26 times
for 187 yards and catching five passes to lead all receivers as
well. The defense has stiffened, and is giving Lewis the extra
carries he needs to be able to wear down the defense. This doesn't
bode well for the Colts, who are giving up five yards per carry,
and let Corey Dillion and the Bengals nearly threaten to make
the game competitive. And that's instructive--while I think the
Colts will have an easier time than usual against the Ravens with
Ray Lewis out, a team that focuses on the run as Baltimore does
will still get positive yardage. Look for another solid performance,
and a possible upset.
Lewis Recap:
(21 carries, 75 yds, 2 TDs; 7 catches, 51 yds)
I heard the announcers during this game say that Lewis went
to the coaching staff a couple weeks ago and asked to be more
involved in the passing game. Mark mentioned above that Lewis
had 5 catches against the Browns and looky here... 7 more
catches for 51 yards this week. I wish got everything I asked
for.
Anyway, Lewis looked comfortable on the screen passes and
the dump-offs over the middle, and while he's not as fluid
as Tiki Barber or shifty like Priest Holmes, his production
is beginning to rival their all-purpose numbers, enhancing
his fantasy value. He had workmanlike effort on the ground
averaging 3.6 yds/carry but the two TD plunges coupled with
the receiving yards made Lewis a top fantasy back of the week.
The Ravens don't have may offensive options so look for his
"al-purpose" stats to continue in the coming weeks.
I'm sure all of you playing him as your #2 fantasy back aren't
complaining. BTW, isn't Lewis coming off a knee injury? Sure
doesn't look like it to me.
Grade: A
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Travis Henry at Houston
Of course, it's easy to pick on the expansion team. More
often than not, it's a safe bet for expansion opponents to put
up big numbers against new teams. And the Bills certainly can
put an array of offensive talent on the field, which will stretch
the Texans defenders to their breaking point. But while I'm not
senseless enough to predict that Drew Bledsoe will actually struggle
against Houston, I suspect he won't have his best game of the
season against them (which, considering that he's already had
a 463 yd, 3 TD effort, wouldn't exactly be a knock against him).
The Texans are playing fairly tough defense, particularly against
the pass, and after a week to prepare for the challenge that Bledsoe
poses, the coaching staff will have their players ready.
And that's why I'm selecting Henry here. The Texans are going
to look at the film of the Bills' games, and all they'll see is
Bledsoe to Moulds, Bledsoe to Price, Bledsoe to whomever he wishes,
and so they'll devise all kinds of schemes to frustrate and confuse
him if they can. What they may not spend much time worrying about
is the rushing attack of Henry, which would be a mistake. After
a tremendous start in Week One, there was no need to run against
the Vikings in Week Two, and his numbers suffered. Since then
Henry has been an active part of the offense, save for the better
part of a half after fumbling against Chicago. He is surprisingly
seeing many of the touches that might have ordinarily gone to
Larry Centers, and he is proving to be a dogged runner inside,
yet capable of a burst outside when necessary. And obviously,
having Bledsoe scaring the safeties out of their jocks helps open
up some running lanes. Regardless of the opponent, I think Gregg
Williams will look to slow things down a bit, and try to avoid
the horse-race sensibility of their loss to the Raiders. The Texans
will be looking to defend the pass, and I think Henry will have
a fine day on the ground.
Henry Recap:
(28 carries, 159 yds, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 11 yds)
And the roll continues... another primo pick from Bunster!
Although, I might just deduct a grade for Mark's slight against
Mr. Fantasy himself, Marshall Faulk (see top of page). What
were you thinking? :)
Mark's temporary insanity aside, he managed to think clearly
long enough to make Henry a Prime Pick this week. Nice choice.
Yeah, he dropped the ball on the ground again (his fifth fumble
of the season) but head coach Greg Williams elected to ride
Henry... nice choice. Henry was routinely gashing the Texans
for 5 yds a pop, had already scored 2 TDs... a one-yard plunge
and a 23-yard waltz into the endzone late in the third quarter,
and why rock the boat because of a fumble that wasn't really
a result of careless ballhandling? This guy is a horse and
despite his propensity for laying the ball on the ground he's
too good to keep out of the lineup (See Ahman Green). Coach
Williams knows this and also knows that the Bills will need
to rely on Henry more and more as the season goes on. With
defenses focused on stopping Bledsoe (he held to his lowest
output of the season this week 19 - 33, 254 yards) Henry should
continue to spark this offense until defensive coordinators
around the league sit up and take notice... this kid is a
player. Nice choice.
Grade: A
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Fred Taylor at Tennessee
Taylor is starting to heat up (although Mack is getting the scores), and the Titans are in total disarray. The Redskins embarrassed them through the air, but they also ran very easily on them.
Antowain Smith vs Green Bay
Look for the Patriots to regain control of the clock and ball by using Smith, and trying to keep Favre and the Packers off the field. The Green Bay front seven is really hurting right now, and the Patriots will look to dominate them physically at home.
Edgerrin James vs Baltimore
No Ray Lewis. That should be all you need on this one.
Clinton Portis vs Miami
They shut down the Patriots running game, but I think Portis takes the opportunity to shine against Miami on a national telecast at home. Griese will try to stretch the field more than Brady did, giving Portis more room to run.
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