|
 |
|
Updated: 10/15/02 |
Marvin Harrison vs BAL
Randy Moss vs DET
Eric Moulds/Peerless Price at HOU
Jerry Rice at STL--happy 40th, Jerry!
David PatteRn vs Green Bay
Here's a pick that's kind of ballsy, don't you think? Well, after pulling down 102 yards and two scores on five catches, maybe not. But as a rule, it's not necessarily a good idea to hype the guy who just blew up last week. On the other hand, all the stars appear to be aligning for Patten in this game. The word on Troy Brown continues to point to a game-time decision. Obviously if Brown doesn't play, Patten likely becomes Tom Brady's main target. If Brown does play, he'll likely draw attention on reputation alone, but may not be ready to go full speed. That kind of coverage can only help the rest of the receivers find openings.
And make no mistake, there should be openings. The Packers are hurting, badly. Their defensive seven is a shambles, and without a pass rush, the secondary clearly isn't up to the task of staying with the receivers forever. Green Bay had their statement game on the road against the Bears, and a letdown on the road out of conference seems like a plausible scenario. On the other hand, the Patriots are in a mini-swoon, and they'll look toward this game as an opportunity to get on the right track. The Packers are giving up 15 yards per completion, and Patten's specialty is getting behind the defense--a lethal combination.
PatteRn Recap:
(2 catches, 18 yds)
Ooof. I tell you what, I liked Mark's reasoning on this one
but the numbers never materialized. Troy Brown did play, but
really just make an early cameo appearance and never really
had an impact on the game. In fact, no Patriot player had
an impact. Ahman Green kept the clock moving, shortened the
game and before you knew it was 14-3 at halftime. Still, with
New England forced to play catchup most of the game, certainly
PatteRn could add a few second half catches to his resume.
Not happening. Even with a depleted the defensive line and
secondary, the Packers were able to pressure Brady with their
front-four, disrupting the timing with the WRs and forcing
Brady into three INTs. Even when PatteRn found the ball in
his hands, the result was usually called back due to penalty....
aggravating to say the least. You know it's going bad, when
down 28-3 in the fourth quarter, the Patriots were running
Antowain Smith... and having success. Let's just move on shall
we... nothing to see here.
Grade: F
|
Corey Bradford vs Buffalo
I believe this is the debut of a Texans offensive player in the FFToday matchups! Welcome to the league, don't get used to it. I don't think the rationale is hard to perceive in this one. Few teams are as porous against the pass as the Bills, and while I think Buffalo will eventually win the game, look for Houston to make it interesting for a while, if only in catch up mode. The extra week of practice will hone the connection between Bradford and David Carr, the enthusiastic home crowd will keep their energy up--and if all that fails, they'll keep throwing the ball in an attempt to find a way to come back.
Bradford only has 13 catches in four games, but he's also got three scores (including two against the vaunted Philly defense--one early, one late). His per-catch average is a bulbous 17.4, and it seems clear that he's Carr's first read on most passing plays. If you've got him, now is definitely the time to use him. It's entirely possible that the Bills find their legs and shut down the Texans offense, but I'm not betting on it.
Bradford Recap:
(5 catches, 126 yds)
Not bad for the Texans debut on the Matchups page and nothing
like an 81-yd reception early in the first quarter to get
you feeling good a about your WR pick, right Mark? Bradford
beat Safety Pierson Prioleau, on the play but was caught from
behind... Damn. The catch was the longest in Bradford's career.
Ok, so the TD would have been nice and who cares if Bradford's
other 4 catches totalled 45 yds. He accounted for more than
half of Carr's yardage and gave you what you needed as a fantasy
player. This was also Bradford's first 100-yd game of the
season. Good enough for me.
Grade: A
|
Jerome Pathon at Washington
While Donte Stallworth is out, Pathon is seeing extended time opposite Joe Horn, and with Horn being hampered by injuries, at least for now Pathon remains a prime target. The Redskins won't be able to stop the Saints with any regularity.
Jimmy Smith at Tennessee
Obviously. If Rod Gardner can do it...
Rod Gardner vs New Orleans
Speaking of Gardner...he's definitely the man in Washington right now.
Curtis Conway vs Kansas City
Everybody beats the Chiefs secondary like an Irish Gypsy's child in a mall parking lot. Conway's having a great year so far; ride the trend.
|
|
 |
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
|
|
