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NFL Mailbag :: Week 8
by John Lubic
Published: October 26, 2007, 3:06 pm
Sorry for missing the column last week, and sorry to anyone that sent in a question, but what a week it was. We had a conference at work, plus both of my kids got sick which, of course, led to me being sick during the conference. After struggling all week and weekend, I had to watch my Steelers play probably the worst coached game I’ve seen in years. Starting to feel a little bit better now, good enough anyways to identify last week’s…
Fantasy Playmaker of the Week
We’re pretty much out of words to describe Tom Brady*’s amazing 2007 season, one that could go down in the record books when all is said and done. Brady had the best game of his outstanding career on Sunday, putting up 354 yards and throwing for six touchdowns, and at one point was 11 for 11 with 220 yards and four touchdowns. The MVP race is over; the Super Bowl race looks over…what more is there to say about Brady* and the 2007 Patriots*?
Lubic’s Top Five
1.  New England* - I can’t say anything that I haven’t already. Let’s start talking about 2008.
2.  Indianapolis – The Patriots* likely opponent in the real Super Bowl, also known as the AFC Championship game, should have plenty to say about the Patriots*, actually. Don’t count the Colts out. 3. Until some other teams decide to tell us they’re worthy of being mentioned with these two, forget it. There’s the Patriots*, the Colts, and everyone else.
Fearless Predictions
Detroit at Chicago – The Bears are turning their season around by getting efficient quarterback play from Brian Griese. Give the Lions all the credit in the world for their fine 4-2 start, but this is where Chicago reminds Detroit who is boss in the NFC North.
--Chicago 20, Detroit 17
Cleveland at St. Louis – The Browns have been the surprise of the AFC thus far, but I’m not expecting the Rams to be 0-16. I mean, they can’t be that bad, can they? They’ve got to win some time, right? Right?
---St. Louis 27, Cleveland 26
Indianapolis at Carolina – Peyton Manning vs. Vinny Testaverde?
---Indianapolis 33, Carolina 10
Washington at New England* – This is going to be a blowout. Don’t let the talking heads fool you into believing the Redskins are good enough to lose this game by less than 10 points.
---New England 40, Washington 24
New Orleans at San Francisco – The Saints are favored by three points, and for good reason. These are the two proverbial “teams moving in opposite directions.” Both teams are 2-4, but the Saints have won their last two while the 49ers have lost their last four. The 49ers should make a game of it, but Drew Brees is back, and should continue to right the ship in New Orleans.
---Saints 27, 49ers 20
Buffalo at New York Jets – Yuck. Part of me wants to take the home team in this stinker, but the Bills have actually been playing semi-legitimate football lately. I’ll ride the hot hand and go with a Bills team that upset the highly overrated Ravens at home last week
---Buffalo 17, New York Jets 14
Philadelphia at Minnesota – The Eagles are favored in this game, but I’ve given up on them this season. Minnesota is a better team than their record indicates, and are a quarterback away from respectability.
---Minnesota 20, Philadelphia 17
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati – Upset pick of the week, though the Bengals are at home and are only 3 ½ point underdogs. The Broncos may have exposed the Steelers last week, and the Bengals’ passing game could be able to pick the Steeler defense apart. The AFC North race gets tighter.
---Cincinnati 28, Pittsburgh 24
Houston at San Diego – It doesn’t matter to me where or when this game is played, I like the Chargers. I also like the city of San Diego, and my thoughts go out to everyone affected by the fires.
---San Diego 30, Houston 20
Jacksonville at Tampa Bay – Another upset special, the NFC just can’t compete with the AFC’s better teams. The Jaguars may have been lit up by Indianapolis last week, but they’re not the first or the last team that will happen to. Jags in a close one.
---Jacksonville 23, Tampa Bay 21
New York Giants "at" Miami – I absolutely hate the idea of games being played overseas, and so should England for having to put up with the pathetic winless dolphins. Giants in a laugher.
---New York Giants 27, Miami 10
Oakland at Tennessee – Vince Young should be returning this week, and the Titans should continue to roll. Oakland might have something to say about that 7 ½ point spread, but a win isn’t going to happen for the Raiders.
---Tennessee 20, Oakland 13
Green Bay at Denver – Last week’s victory over the Steelers started the Broncos’ turnaround. This week they’ll continue it with a win over the 5-1 Packers at home on Monday night in what should prove to be a very entertaining game.
---Denver 28, Green Bay 27
 To the Mailbag!
Our question this week comes from D’Angelo in Detroit, who writes,
“Which two RB's would you start this week?
Gore vs. NO
T. Jones vs. BUF
M. Jones-Drew @ TB
L. White vs. OAK”
Very good question, D’Angelo. I think Frank Gore is a must-start every week, despite his early struggles. He’s faced some very good defenses and has been playing from behind quite a bit, but he should be expected to perform well this week on his home turf against a middle-of-the-pack New Orleans run defense. Gore has played better in recent weeks, averaging 4.8 yards per carry over his last three games, though he hasn’t been able to find the end zone while the 49ers were being outscored by 40 points in that span. That should change in a more competitive game this week.
For the second runner, I would go with Thomas Jones. Maurice Jones-Drew didn’t practice until Thursday, and was limited after injuring his knee against the Colts. While Thomas Jones hasn’t scored a touchdown yet this season, only seven teams are allowing more rushing yards per game than the Buffalo Bills. This could be the week that Jones finally breaks out.
Send in your fantasy football related questions! Tags: Fantasy Football Advice, NFL Mailbag, NFL Predictions
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