Entries Tagged 'NFL News' ↓

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If you’re already at the top of your league like I am then don’t forget to breathe, the end is not far off… However, don’t get over confident and screw it up now! Here’s another running-back-focused view on fantasy football picks, this one’s for Week 11:

Must Starts Continue reading →

Getting rocked in your Fantasy League? It’s not too late to start digging yourself out, even just by picking up a few free agents. Here are a few of our recommended RB pick-ups:

Deuce McAllister, Running Back, New Orleans Saints

McAllister is available in about 55 percent of leagues polled.
In Week 4, he rushed 20 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. He also had one reception for another 10 yards.

After seeing spot duty during the first three weeks, McAllister was a big factor in Week 4 and showed some signs of the McAllister of old. While his knees may never be the same, he was utilized 21 times, including seven plays within the red zone.

Le’Ron McClain, Running Back, Baltimore Ravens

McClain is available in about 56 percent of leagues polled.

Entering Monday night, McClain, a fullback, is seeing an average of 18 rushing attempts per game so far this year. He is averaging 76 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, 1.5 receptions and 14 receiving yards per game through two games.

McClain’s 260-pound frame is a load to bring down, and he figures to be a weekly element within their conservative offense. The run-first mentality used to protect rookie quarterback Joe Flacco works in his favor for weekly touches.

Michael Bush, Running Back, Oakland Raiders

Bush is available in 55 percent of leagues polled. However, keep in mind the Raiders have Week 5 off.
In three games, Bush is averaging 14.7 rushing attempts, 64.3 rushing yards, 0.33 rushing touchdowns, 2.67 receptions and 28.3 receiving yards per game.

This one is a bit volatile, as running back Justin Fargas (groin) missed the last two games with a groin injury and could be back after the team’s Week 5 bye. Rookie Darren McFadden (toe) has also been limited the past two weeks due to a toe injury.

The Raiders are a run-first team, though, so Bush could still be involved enough for someone who needs backfield depth.

Tim Hightower, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals

Hightower actually gave way to starter Edgerrin James for two touchdowns inside the 5 last week but still plunged into the end zone from one yard out. He has found paydirt in three of his four games this season.

The rookie is still averaging 1.25 plays per game inside the 5 – a more consistent pace than James’ average of 0.50.

The goal line threat would be a capable bye week substitute. He’s available in only 29 percent of polled leagues.

Rudi Johnson, Running Back, Detroit Lions

In Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers he rushed for 83 yards and caught three passes for 48 yards, with a score, as the Lions rode the hot hand.

The Lions were not afraid to use Rudi exclusively when he was performing well, even with apt rookie Kevin Smith in tow. Johnson looks to be back in playing shape and picking up the Lions’ playbook.
Even if he splits time with Smith, the Lions are aiming to go back to a run-first philosophy to try to be competitive early in games, meaning Johnson could see a legitimate number of touches.

Johnson is coming off a bye, so be sure to look for his name on the waiver wire. The vet is available in 24 percent of leagues polled.

The point spread, e.g. NFL point spread, also goes by the names of the spread and the line. It is used by books to handicap the favorite team. The person setting the initial odds (the opening line) predicts that a team will win by a certain number of points. The corresponding number of points is the point spread of the opening line.

The favorite team is denoted by a minus sign (e.g. -3.5). Conversely the underdog is denoted by a plus sign (e.g. +3.5).

In order to win when you bet on the favorite team, that team has to win and it has to do so by more points than the point spread. Should you decide to bet on the underdog, the way you win is if the underdog wins, ties or loses by less points than the point spread.

Even if you don’t bet, knowing how to read NFL odds and spreads is useful during and leading up to the season, especially when picking your players for fantasy football.

Fun Fact: When the Jets acquired Bret Favre, their super bowl odds went from 80/1 to 40/1!

Former Green Bay Packers quaterback Brett Favre, who announced retirement at the end of the 2007 NFL season, wants to give it another go on the field.

After 16 seasons in the NFL and capped by losing to the New York Giants in the 2007 Conference Championship, we believed Favre’s football career was over. He held a retirement press conference stating that he was indeed retiring and knew that he could play a couple more seasons, but just doesn’t want to. The Packers named Aaron Rodgers the starting quarterback when Favre retired.

Well, when summer came and NFL camps began, rumors abounded saying Favre wanted to come back and play, and that his family wanted him to play another season, too. Favre denied the rumors, saying he was retired and finished playing.

Later in the summer, Favre wanted to play, he was getting the urge to play again, but the Packers didn’t want him back. That Packers already named Rodgers as the starting quarterback, and if Favre was to ever go back to the Packers, he would be a backup for Rodgers. A long-suspenseful conflict between the Packers and Favre began.

Many Green Bay fans wanted Favre back more than ever; they didn’t think Rodgers was ready to start yet, and they wanted to see the man that was on their television screens for 16 years back on those screens for another year or two. Other than Packers fans, NFL fans everywhere had to be thinking about this situation. Nobody knew what exactly was going on, and there were questions that needed answers.

Nobody knew exactly if Favre was going to be on the Packers, another team, or remain retired. Everyday you’d hear something about Favre and his situation, either on the radio, ESPN, NFL Total Access, NFL.com, or anything about sports. Favre was eventually back on the Packers, but the Packers still wanted to trade him.

Finally, the day came, Favre was traded to the New York Jets on Aug. 6 for a conditional draft pick—depending on how many snaps Brett Favre takes this season, and if the Jets go to the Super Bowl, that will determine whether the Packers get a first-, second-, third- or fourth-round draft pick.

After Favre’s first practice with the Jets, he was named starter in the upcoming preseason game, hosting the Washington Redskins. Favre did run a penalty lap for fumbling a snap at practice, and he’s saying that his arm is getting tired, but only time will tell if he can get the job done in his 17th NFL season.