Week 3 Thoughts & Observations

[Tom Kessenich]

Here are some thoughts and observations about this week as I wonder if everyone else experienced a massive decline in scoring across the board or if it it was just me:

Throughout the offseason, we touted the importance of getting one of the Top 12 quarterbacks in fantasy drafts. On Sunday, we saw the value of that plan. Of those 12, 10 came through with at least solid or great days while many of the early season high-upside QB2s (like Eli Manning, Sam Bradford, Matt Schaub, Carson Palmer and Philip Rivers) came up small or completely soiled the bed. Give me one of those plug-and-play quarterbacks all day as my QB1. Makes the job so much easier, especially in a low-scoring Week like Week 3 was.

Speaking of Eli and the Giants, Wow. Just wow.

The Giants had one yard passing at halftime. Even Blaine Gabbert's laughing at that.

I'm hardpressed to think of a more pathetic handling of a major situation than how the 49ers dealt with Aldon Smith on Sunday. All that mattered to them was trying to win the game and so Smith played. Then to see respected NFL writers such as Chris Mortensen and Jay Glazer talk about how "concerned" the Niners were with Smith was laughable. Yeah, they were real concerned about him all right. Somewhere after their overwhelming desire to win there may have been a tiny bit of concern for a young man who clearly has serious issues he needs to deal with. Pathetic and shameful.

In Week 1, the 49ers scored 13 points in the fourth quarter against Green Bay. In six quarters since they've scored 10. I think we can safely say nobody saw that coming.

Oh, when people downgraded Colin Kaepernick in the offseason after losing Michael Crabtree, this is why. His receivers other than Anquan Boldin are dreadful and Boldin lacks the type of speed needed to push secondaries away from the line of scrimmage.

Ahmad Bradshaw looked good against the 49ers. It's almost as if he had a chip on his shoulder or something. Wonder why.

If I'm Aaron Rodgers, the source of my venom wouldn't be Mike McCarthy, but rather Ted Thompson for failing miserably to address his team's putrid defense in the offseason. Get used to trying to win games 34-30, Aaron. That's how your defense has been built.

Speaking of Rodgers, he is now is 5-17 as a starting quarterback in games decided by 4 points or less. For an MVP-caliber player, that's pretty bad.

Jonathan Franklin looked worthless in the preseason but was terrific on Sunday. Now the Packers need to spend their bye week figuring out a way to build a potentially dynamic running game with Lacy the lead back and Franklin his complement.

I had no belief in anyone connected with the Browns or Steelers passing games this week. Jordan Cameron, Josh Gordon and Antonio Brown owners are laughing at me right now. And deservedly so.

Brian Hoyer? Really Minnesota? Brian Hoyer?

Watching the Vikings pitiful performance on Sunday two things jumped out immediately about their offense: 1) Why wasn't Christian Ponder benched? and 2) How difficult would it be to utilize Cordarrelle Patterson more effectively?

Jamaal Charles is on pace for 1,194 yards rushing, 96 receptions, 805 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns and hasn't had a big play from scrimmage yet. I heart him.

Dwayne Bowe owners. I'm sorry. I really am.

Sometimes there are slam-dunk easy decisions you don't need to be an "expert" to make (and no, I'm not talking about Start Peyton Manning). This week's example: Joique Bell. Easiest call of the week by far.

DeMarco Murray sure loves running against the Rams.

On behalf of RG3 owners everywhere, get some Stick 'Em, Aldrick Robinson. You need it.

The Jets committed 20 penalties on Sunday against the Bills. And won. J-E-T-S. JETS. JETS. JETS.

Hey look, Chris Ivory's hurt again. Shocking, isn't it?

I wonder if Santonio Holmes thinks he's healthy yet.

C.J. Spiller. Ugh.

Two or three times a season Jake Locker actually resembles an NFL quarterback. We just saw it happen once on Sunday so there's probably 1-2 more times this season when Locker won't look awful. Good luck trying to figure out when those weeks will be.

Impressive contract season you're having, Kenny Britt.

I know we haven't gotten out of September yet but Antonio Gates is still looking good. I keep waiting for the inevitable foot problem to come along but right now he's healthy and moving well. For a guy seemingly no one wanted or talked much about in the preseason that's pretty darn good to see.

Ronnie Brown's touchdown run was the first by a San Diego running back in 358 carries. You almost have to intentionally trying to be bad at running the ball to have a stat like that.

That loud sound you heard was Eddie Royal's fantasy value crashing back to earth.

Have to think it's just a matter of time before we see Mike Glennon in Tampa Bay. Josh Freeman looks miserable right now.

Jimmy Graham needs to be a Top 10 pick in fantasy drafts next year and maybe Top 5. Yeah, I said it. If you're going to take Megatron that early, why wouldn't you consider Graham too, especially given the significant difference there is between him and the rest of the tight end field? Dude is flat-out incredible. If I was a Graham owner and someone offered me Megatron I'd turn it down. That's how good this guy is.

Drew Brees, running quarterback. Yup.

Hold on, Eli Manning just got sacked again.

Based on the first two games of the season, there was no legitimate reason to start Sidney Rice and Golden Tate. So of course, both of them get it done in Week 3. Crazy game we play.

Course it does help when your quarterback is straight up dealin like Russell Wilson was against the woeful Jags.

That's more like it, Cam Newton.

I'm still not a complete believer in Ryan Tannehill but he showed me a little something in rallying the Dolphins past the Falcons. I'm still not convinced he's going to be a superstar but there may be a little more there than I have thought.

After soiling the bed for his owners last season Quizz Rodgers looked like an NFL running back on Sunday. Maybe the Atlanta running attack won't be non-existent without Steven Jackson after all.

Message to the Falcons - I love the wide receiver bubble screens you run, but next time you're inside the 10, run it for Julio Jones instead of Harry Douglas. Just trust me on this.

I'm not sure I've ever seen a defense that knows how to turn takeaways into touchdowns quite like the Chicago Bears.

And lastly, if you started Brian Hoyer, Jonathan Franklin, Bilal Powell, Nate Burleson, Nate Washington and Donnie Avery this week everyone hates you. Deal with it.

[King of Queens]

The Jets committed 20 penalties on Sunday against the Bills. And won. J-E-T-S. JETS. JETS. JETS.

In fairness, the 20th penalty (delay of game to give their punter some room) was intentional.

It was getting VERY ugly at MetLife Stadium yesterday. I didn't stick around for the end of the game for safety reasons -- had the Jets lost, there would have been knife fights breaking out on the NJ Turnpike.

[King of Queens]

And lastly, if you started Brian Hoyer, Jonathan Franklin, Bilal Powell, Nate Burleson, Nate Washington and Donnie Avery this week everyone hates you. Deal with it.

On my Primetime team, I actually started Donnie Avery AND Nate Burleson. Even so, I still need 40 from Demaryius and Knowshon tonight to secure a "W".

If that happens, BRING ON THE HATE!!!

[da bears]

And lastly, if you started Brian Hoyer, Jonathan Franklin, Bilal Powell, Nate Burleson, Nate Washington and Donnie Avery this week everyone hates you. Deal with it.

On my Primetime team, I actually started Donnie Avery AND Nate Burleson. Even so, I still need 40 from Demaryius and Knowshon tonight to secure a "W".

If that happens, BRING ON THE HATE!!!

40 points from Demaryius and Knowshon would be nice!

[Tom Kessenich]

And lastly, if you started Brian Hoyer, Jonathan Franklin, Bilal Powell, Nate Burleson, Nate Washington and Donnie Avery this week everyone hates you. Deal with it.

On my Primetime team, I actually started Donnie Avery AND Nate Burleson. Even so, I still need 40 from Demaryius and Knowshon tonight to secure a "W".

If that happens, BRING ON THE HATE!!!

40 points from Demaryius would be nice!

Fixed for me and that would be sweet.

[greenwichsttavern]

personally, yesterday had to be the worst fantasy day i could ever remember having to sit through. When your seeing all combinations of Jordan Cameron, josh gordon,ant brown,brees,cam,graham and any other player that scored over 30 pts playing against you in multiple leagues and your countering with multiple teams of Finley and Nicks and your kickers in every league give you 1 point each it makes for a longggg day. Tom, I Wish i saw that low scoring team you were talking about in the opposite column from mine because every team i played yesterday hung a 150+ . I thought venting a little would help but nope, my monday still ruined...

[BLACKHAND]

And lastly, if you started Brian Hoyer, Jonathan Franklin, Bilal Powell, Nate Burleson, Nate Washington and Donnie Avery this week everyone hates you. Deal with it.

On my Primetime team, I actually started Donnie Avery AND Nate Burleson. Even so, I still need 40 from Demaryius and Knowshon tonight to secure a "W".

If that happens, BRING ON THE HATE!!!

It drives me crazy to read this and not do it.

[Tom Kessenich]

I thought it was a very blah day overall. Maybe I got spoiled by all the points Charles and Succup got me in my top league on Thursday night but a lot of guys I thought would come through big in different leagues (like the Vikings D, Bradford, Sproles and Tavon Austin, even Dan Bailey missed a chip shot FG) didn't get it done. Every league I'm in where I'm going to win or have won I'll do so with my lowest weekly score of the season and in a couple of cases it's considerably lower. Just felt like an off week to me.

[David U Kennedy]

I think your missing something about the whole Jimmy Graham statement Tom. I would much rather have Jordan Cameron for the price he went for this year. I'm not sure but isn't Cameron the number one scoring TE. He looks like a straight up stud. Maybe Graham ends up better but can we say that happens for sure?

I spent big on Jason Snelling and was nicely rewarded this past week. Just not sure why no one else wanted him.

Glad I stayed away from NE RBs this year.

Ive watched all the Bills games from start to finish and Fred Jackson has looked like the better RB. Spiller is a marked man. Jackson has much softer hands as well. Hope the injury isn't a big deal.

[BLACKHAND]

tom , as always i enjoy reading this every week. great job.