The Red Zone Report’s NFL Quick Hits (Nov. 6)

Bob Sanders Out For Season

He was originally just getting his arm scoped by Dr. James Andrews, but clearly they found something bigger than originally thought.

Sanders will miss the remainder of the season with a torn bicep, exiting the starting line-up just weeks since making his 2009 debut. Indy’s seventh ranked pass defense will take a hit.

 

Anthony Gonzalez Has Knee Scoped

This is just another fantastic tidbit for mini-Gonzo.

If you were holding out hope for him to rescue your weak receiving corps, you can give up. Even if he does make it back (which is in doubt), he’s no lock to be a huge factor in time for your playoffs.

 

Antonio Bryant’s Knee Swelling Up

Great. Experts were plugging this guy all weak against a beatable Packers secondary, and now his knee is acting up.

Head coach Raheem Morris, and Bryant himself, admitted that this injury could very well keep him out of the Week Nine match-up with Green Bay. Bryant will be a game-time decision.

 

Brian Westbrook Ready to Play This Sunday

He’s still listed as questionable after sustaining a concussion against the New York Giants, but he should be ready to go for Sunday Night’s game against the Cowboys.

Westbrook is in a complete timeshare with LeSean McCoy, and is facing a decent defense, so he’s not an elite play this week. Mark him as a low-end RB2.

 

Donald Driver Looks Good For Sunday

Driver sat out two practices this week due to a stinger, but looks to be healthy enough to take a crack at carving up Tampa Bay’s awful secondary.

He’s an elite WR2 this week, if he does indeed play. Keep up to date with his status leading up to game-time.

 

Devin Hester to Start on Sunday

Hester’s ankle was holding him back a bit in practice this week, but the receiver says he’s “100%” and ready to go.

He’s been targeted quite well in his past three games, and should post a decent line against a very vulnerable Arizona pass defense. Consider him a stable and rising WR3.

 

For more fantasy news and advice, head of to www.theredzonereport.com

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NFL Soup’s NFL Picks: Week 9

(Matt Schaub and the Texans will be smiling Sunday.)

These days, the only certainty you have is that the Saints and Colts are going to win, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to lose. At least, that’s what we thought. Then both the Saints and Colts squeak out wins, and now experts are picking the Buccaneers to upset the Packers.

What’s up with that?

For all those people who kept doubting the Denver Broncos and picked them to lose each week, we congratulate you on getting it right on the seventh attempt.

We’ll do our best to help you in office pools or with your bookie. Take a look at this week’s game picks with some analysis and predicted score:

Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals stole a win in the waining seconds the last time these two teams met up, and despite the game being in Cincy, don’t count on it happening again. The Ravens came out and played inspired football en route to a 30-7 thrashing of the previously undefeated Denver Broncos last week.

Ravens 24, Bengals 13

Upset Special: Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots

The Patriots have been riding high after finally getting their offense back on track, albeit against winless teams. The Dolphins, on the other hand, have looked sharp for three straight weeks, and could be headed for a 5-3 record if it weren’t for a monumental collapse against the undefeated New Orleans Saints. Miami is better than people give them credit for.

Dolphins 33, Patriots 30

Kansas City Chiefs @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Chiefs are well rested after their bye in Week Eight, while the Jaguars suffered another demoralizing defeat, this time by the hands of the Tennessee Titans. Matt Cassel should find plenty of room for his passes against a terrible Jacksonville pass defense, while Jamaal Charles looks to finally step out of the suspended Larry Johnson’s shadow.

Chiefs 21, Jaguars 14

Upset Special: Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts

It’s the undefeated Colts on the road. Nothing sounds better to Houston, who at 5-3, is still trying to prove it’s doubters wrong. The Colts lost corner Marlin Jackson for the season, and could be without both Kelvin Hayden and Bob Sanders. The streak ends Sunday.

Texans 37, Colts 34

Arizona Cardinals @ Chicago Bears

The Cardinals have been decent at stopping the run, while Matt Forte has only found success against the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. Forget about Kurt Warner’s five interceptions last week. Chicago doesn’t have the No. 1-ranked secondary like Carolina does.

Cardinals 27, Bears 23

Washington Redskins @ Atlanta Falcons

Clinton Portis should get the ball early and often against a disabled Atlanta rush defense, and new replacement tight end Fred Davis should be active against the Falcons, who have trouble with tight ends. But all of that can only help to make a game of it, as Atlanta is the superior team and desperately in need of a win.

Falcons 31, Redskins 21

Green Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Some experts are calling “upset” for this game, but Tampa Bay’s defense is too terrible, and Green Bay plays great against anyone not named Minnesota or Cincinnati. This is another opportunity for Ryan Grant to show he’s the lead back the Packers thought he was when they signed him to a big deal last offseason.

Packers 38, Buccaneers 17

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints

The Saints can be run on without their key cog, Sedrick Ellis, in the middle, and running is exactly what Carolina intends on doing. DeAngelo Williams and co. will do a mighty fine Atlanta impersonation and keep things close for most of the game, but Jake Delhomme simply isn’t good enough to keep up with Drew Brees.

Saints 41, Panthers 27

Detroit Lions @ Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks have had some success against lesser opponents this season, and considering the way Detroit is playing, they definitely qualify as a lesser opponent. Without Calvin Johnson and some offensive threat, the Lions don’t stand a chance.

Seahawks 27, Lions 10

Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers

It’s the “I want my career back” Bowl, between fellow forgotten first rounders, Vince Young and Alex Smith. We’re going with the kid with the better receiving options and the coach (Mike Singletary) that would never put on a Peyton Manning jersey.

49ers 26, Titans 24

San Diego Chargers @ New York Giants

We can’t see how Brandon Jacobs goes a ninth straight game without rushing for 100 yards in a game, especially when he’s going up against the league’s 27th-ranked run defense. Eli Manning won’t be hassled too much, as the Giants get back to what they’re good at and run all over the Chargers.

Giants 34, Chargers 28

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

Both of these teams are slightly better than advertised, although they both have displayed their fair share of inconsistency. We’re going with Tony Romo, simply because he’s thrown eight touchdowns to zero picks in his last three games, and he hasn’t lost to the Oakland Raiders, yet.

Cowboys 27, Eagles 24

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Fantasy Football Week 9 Waiver Wire Watch: Matt Cassel’s Rise Begins

(For one week, at least…)

Start/Sit columns attempt to help you pick between several options, highlighting guys that are on every team, or suggesting to sit guys that would normally be “studs”. While those columns definitely have their place in fantasy football, sometimes you need to dig a little bit deeper.

When you don’t have the Tom Brady’s and Andre Johnson’s of the fantasy world, sometimes you need a little extra help to locate the next “gem” that’s lurking on your waiver wire in your league.

The following players are available in at at least 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues this week, and would make excellent additions to your depleted or bye week-starving roster:

Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

He’s probably in your free agency pool because he was on bye last week, so if you’re looking for some serious help at your starting QB spot, Cassel could save you for a week.

With a nice match-up against a very beatable Jacksonville secondary, don’t be surprised if Cassel has one of his better games of the year, en route to a KC victory.

Available in 52 percent of leagues.

Alex Smith , QB, San Francisco 49ers

Smith came out on fire against the Houston Texans two weeks ago, throwing for over 200 yards and three touchdowns. He ran into a bit of a road block against a stellar pass defense in Indianapolis last week, but kept optimism alive with 198 passing yards and a touchdown pass to Vernon Davis.

Going up against a spotty Tennessee Titans pass defense, Smith should shoulder much of the load, as Frank Gore and the rushing attack should struggle to find room against the Titans’ solid rush defense.

Available in 80 percent of leagues.

Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans

Much like Alex Smith, Young is getting his last chance at proving himself, and so far, so good. Young passed for just 125 yards and a touchdown last week, but also found 35 yards on the ground in a convincing 30-13 win over Jacksonville, the Titan’s first of the season.

The 49ers are a proud defense, and will look to shut down the ground game of Chris Johnson and Lendale White, which could make Young take the game into his own hands, both in the air, and on the ground.

Available in 90 percent of leagues.

Mike Bell, RB, New Orleans Saints

After a hot start to the season, Bell succumbed to injuries and the rise of Pierre Thomas. However, now healthy, Bell has been snagging his fair share of carries, recording at least 12 rushed in three straight games.

His yardage total hasn’t been at the level we would like, but if the touches continue to be there, Bell could be very useful as a quality Flex play, and even can fill-in as a RB2 if you’re in a bind.

Available in 58 percent of leagues.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

With the one-game suspension of starter Larry Johnson, Charles officially gets his chance to claim the starting job as his. Charles has a nice match-up with a Jacksonville run defense that gave up 200+ yards and two scores to Chris Johnson, so he has a good chance at solid numbers.

Charles could prove to be a solid player to hold onto after this week, as well, as LJ’s future is very much in doubt.

Available in 61 percent of leagues.

For the rest of this week’s Waiver Wire Pick-ups, head over to NFLSoup.com

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NFL Fantasy Football Updates: Anthony Gonzalez Seeking Second Opinion

(Collie and Garcon have filled in admirably.)

While it may still end up being worth the wait , all signs are pointing towards dropping Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez .

He hasn’t played a single down since going down in Week One and is now seeking a second opinion on his injured right knee.

The injury was originally suspected to be a sprain, but reports are now saying that Gonzalez has been rehabbing a slightly torn PCL for the past nine weeks, and he is now seeking a second opinion through Dr. James Andrews.

Fantasy Perspective

Keep Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie handy (mainly Collie), and at least start contemplating what life would be like with mini-Gonzo sitting among the other inept receivers on your waiver wire.

If there are any gems left over, this may be the time to cut ties with Gonzalez and take a chance. Receivers such as Jeremy Maclin, Michael Crabtree, and possibly even the newly-signed Chief, Chris Chambers, could be worth the risk.

For more Fantasy News and Advice, go to NFLSoup.com

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A Fan’s Account Of Favre Bowl II at Lambeau Field

As a one-time devoted Green Bay Packers fan, as well as an openly hopeless Brett Favre enthusiast, this writer got the best of both worlds this Sunday.

Tailgating with Packers and Vikings fans in a stranger’s backyard, taking trips to a self-made bathroom, I discovered what it is to be both a true Packers/Vikings fan, some humility and that defending your favorite player for the past four years has its perks in the end.

I also learned several other things on November 1st. I learned to not use “the bucket,” the “number two” disposal device, that makes women of all sizes cringe, and makes men second guess the number of brats they’ll be embedding into their fat walls.

I also learned about ketchup, and how it “never belongs on a brat.” I was told to go back to “Detroit,” or whatever that means.

But despite the unlikely culture shock a Florida resident receives from going back to his stomping grounds, the even bigger surprise was seeing the outcome of the game, and somehow even more enlightening-the unfriendly “welcome back” Brett Favre received.

You could hear the boos from inside the bathroom, even with 120 other men avoiding eye contact and trying to get “their business” done. Even with Vikings fans laughing at other Packers fans, amidst a 24-3 third quarter lead.

Even when the game seemed to be out of reach, ever single time the former Packers legend took the field, he was treated as if he had never played for the green and gold before in his life.

He was, whether we like to admit it or not, truly an outsider.

In talking to many fans and listening in on conversations, it became quite apparent that people weren’t just peeved with Favre. They didn’t just dislike him.

They hated him.

And quite honestly, they hated you if you wanted anything to do with him, too.

From the first Vikings turnover, where Favre attempted an audible and the center flicked the ball past him (leading to their first fumble), to chants of “Favre sucks” randomly emitting from section 126, it had finally dawned on me that sometimes, at least for Favre, you really can never go home.

But the true Packers fans stuck around, even after the bitter loss, and congratulated Favre on his likely final appearance at Lambeau Field as a player.

Even if their form of congratulations was in a “boo,” you could still tell the haters from the folks that were merely saddened and disappointed they had lost their veteran quarterback for good.

After three hours of tailgating, defending Favre, and watching the legend himself pick apart the Packers’ shaky defense, I came two two conclusions:

Green Bay is beyond just moving on from Brett Favre. The fans and the community have erased him from their collective memories, and are in the process of burning any physical evidence of his existence away for good.

But after seeing the jubilant Favre walk off the field truly happy as a winner, I also realized that it just didn’t matter.

If you were at that game, Packers fan or Vikings fan alike, you knew you were witnessing greatness yet again, and regardless of which team you were cheering for, you’d have to try pretty damn hard to keep from smiling when Favre exited the field, arms raised over his head.

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Fantasy Injury Update: Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers may have failed to fend off Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings, but that, nor multiple foot injuries, will keep Rodgers down.

The Packers’ quarterback was limping around the field noticeably on Sunday, taking hit after hit behind an unforgiving offensive line and being chased around all day by an aggressive Minnesota defensive front.

Rodgers is doing his best impersonation of Favre, the Iron Man legend that he continues to try to replace, stopping himself from exiting the game in the fourth quarter despite being in severe pain.

Fantasy Perspective: With a foot sprain and a bad toe on separate feet, Rodgers has reportedly said that he won’t miss Green Bay’s tasty match-up with the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach Mike McCarthy seconded that thought. Rodgers played uninspired and ineffective football in the first half on Sunday, but his three second-half touchdowns displayed his steady QB1 status in fantasy football.

For more Fantasy News, Updates, and NFL News, go to NFLSoup.com

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Kansas City Chiefs and Larry Johnson Working On Settlement

Reports have the Kansas City Chiefs discussing a settlement with their outspoken star, running back Larry Johnson.

Johnson hasn’t been good for a while. He hasn’t been a great player and he hasn’t been a good employee.

An offense against the Chiefs has been committed by Johnson for the second straight year, and we may finally be nearing a separation from the two parties.

With Johnson, they haven’t had much success this season. And while he may still possess the strength and toughness to be an every-down back, the Chiefs have a capable runner backing Johnson up.

The settlement isn’t guaranteed to lead to Johnson’s release, but it could have certain restrictions and could lead to a lessened role.

 

Fantasy Perspective: Stay away from Chiefs running backs until we’ve actually seen some consistency from them. LJ teased us two weeks ago, then mustered little inspiration against the Chargers in Week 7.

Don’t sleep on Charles if you’re in a deep league. His role is likely to increase, regardless of LJ’s status with the team.

For more Breaking News, Player Updates, and all other fantasy advice, go to www.nflsoup.com

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Alex Smith Named San Francisco 49ers’ Starting Quarterback

San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary announced Monday that former first-round draft pick Alex Smith will take over as the team’s starting quarterback. Singletary made the announcement after sitting down with former starter Shaun Hill.

Hill had been ineffective in his past two starts and hadn’t been solid under center since Week Two. Considering the 49ers had dropped to 3-2 and only had a shot against Houston on Sunday when Smith entered the game, the change was almost expected.

Smith, the 49ers’ former franchise quarterback, got another shot at holding down the starting job Monday afternoon after throwing three second-half touchdowns and nearly leading a ferocious comeback against the Texans in a 24-21 loss.

Smith’s lively arm and athleticism bring much more potential and excitement to the 49ers’ passing attack, especially with the addition of freshly signed rookie receiver Michael Crabtree.

Smith will make his first NFL start in over two years next week on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.

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For more breaking NFL news, fantasy updates, and advice, go to www.nflsoup.com

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Alex Smith Named San Francisco 49ers’ Starting Quarterback

San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary announced Monday that former first-round draft pick Alex Smith will take over as the team’s starting quarterback. Singletary made the announcement after sitting down with former starter Shaun Hill.

Hill had been ineffective in his past two starts and hadn’t been solid under center since Week Two. Considering the 49ers had dropped to 3-2 and only had a shot against Houston on Sunday when Smith entered the game, the change was almost expected.

Smith, the 49ers’ former franchise quarterback, got another shot at holding down the starting job Monday afternoon after throwing three second-half touchdowns and nearly leading a ferocious comeback against the Texans in a 24-21 loss.

Smith’s lively arm and athleticism bring much more potential and excitement to the 49ers’ passing attack, especially with the addition of freshly signed rookie receiver Michael Crabtree.

Smith will make his first NFL start in over two years next week on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.

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For more breaking NFL news, fantasy updates, and advice, go to www.nflsoup.com

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Carolina’s Jake Delhomme is Getting Close To Being Benched

Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback Jake Delhomme could be finally heading to the bench.

After head coach Jon Fox was non-committal toward Delhomme on Monday, the thought of a new quarterback behind center in Carolina has finally become an idea with some life.

Despite being 2-4, Fox was adamant about sticking with Delhomme as his starting quarterback earlier in the season. And especially after a two-game win streak, he was beginning to look like he made the right decision.

However, another three-interception game and another loss added to a tumultuous season that has seen Delhomme play horrifically in the season opener and be off target on countless occasions with his receivers.

Delhomme’s lack of elite arm strength and poor decision-making, have resulted in Steve Smith trade rumors, opposing defenses being able to clog the running lanes, and an entire fan base calling for the quarterback’s head.

Fox’s only options appear to be Matt Moore and the well-traveled A.J. Feely, although neither jump out as sure-fire upgrades.

Regardless of your opinion on Delhomme, Fox, or the Panthers as a whole, something is clearly not right, and a change should be in the works.

Delhomme is on pace for a disgusting 35 interceptions on the season, a number Fox cannot allow his team to even get remotely close to if he wants to keep his job.

For more breaking news, fantasy updates, and advice, head over to NFL Soup .

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