Watchlist Q & A Week 7
After all of the weekly games are finished be sure to check our waiver wire column, studs and duds, a who’s hot, and who’s not report plus more in our fantasy football guide.
Here is another installment of the Watchlist Q & A. This week there are more teams returning from byes, some teams with a lot to prove, and there are plenty of injury concerns for your Fantasy teams. Add in the fact that there are some pretty damn good games on the schedule and you have what promises to be a very interesting week in the NFL.
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So lets see what I will be watching for in Week 7.
1. How will some good teams respond to bad losses?
Philadelphia – It was a complete bed crappin last week by the Eagles. This week they play Washington on the road Monday night. The Redskins are in shambles – the Eagles should be able to get Donovan McNabb (although his history against Washington isn’t great), Brian Westbrook, DeSean Jackson and company going this week. Hopefully!
NY Giants – The Giants also laid an egg in Week 6. They have a lot to prove this week and with Eli Manning another week removed from his bum foot. Count on them bouncing back this week. They play Arizona at home – they’re gonna need to score lots of points to keep up with the potent Cardinals. I think they get it done.
San Diego – at Kansas City this week, coming off a loss to division foes the Denver. KC has a weak defense and if Rivers can get the ball to Gates (why doesn’t he more often) – the floodgates could open.
Chicago at Cincinnati – Chicago needs a win this week. They have to get something from “All Bust” Forte and likely will do anything in their power to spark their RB. Cutler has been playing well and Cincinnati will be without their best pass rusher. I smell another bounce back performance from all of Da Bears!
2. What wrinkles will the team returning from byes have for this week’s matchups?
Dallas – Interesting story lines in Dallas. This team is nowhere near where they thought they would be – far from elite. Marion Barber should be 100% and it will be interesting to see what the coaches have planned to Tashard Choice (Felix Jones is due back too). Romo will fine – he likely used the bye week to remember his best weapon – Jason Witten. The WR position is a tossup.
Indianapolis – Looking to go 6-0 and playing the woeful Rams. The running game figures to get a lot of work as the Colts are gonna be up early. I’ll be watching to see what a rejuvenated Joseph Addai and even Donald Brown do.
Miami – It will be interesting to see what the O-Cordinator invents withe the extra week off. This offense is unpredictable and exciting, yet the 2 Running Backs are the only 2 stars on their Offense.
San Francisco – Looked like Contenders for a while, until the Falcons made them look like Pretenders. The Niners get Frank Gore back from injury this week and that makes them a way better team. The Niners will also have Michael Crabtree in the lineup.
3. Who will emerge from the slough of running back committees around the NFL?
Carolina Panthers – DeAngleo Williams and Johnathan Stewart both lit it up last week and a once bullying rushing attack was reborn. The Panthers are a drastically different team when these 2 are going and they could propel Carolina toward respectability.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Willie Parker could be healthy (sorry – it just doesn’t sound right). Coach Mike Tomlin has stated that Rashard Mendenhall will remain the team’s starter with Parker acting as the change of pace back. We’ll see this week how the platoon plays out. Maybe Parker will re-emerge.
New Orleans Saints – Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell split the carries equally last week. Reggie Bush also had a few touches out of the backfield. This week should go a long way in determining who has the upper hand in the committee battle in New Orleans.
Dallas Cowboys – Marion Barber and Tashard Choice are in a real battle to be “The Man” in Dallas. Add in the fact that Felix Jones is due to come back from injury soon, and you have a real cluster fu#& in Cowboys land. It could be a “ride the hot hand” scenario in Dallas, so keeps tabs and see who is ready to seize the job.
NY Giants – Brandon Jacobs has been a disappointment and Ahmad Bradshaw has been a surprise. Jacobs is still the starter but unless he can regain his 08 form, he will continue to lose touches to an obviously more effective Bradshaw.
4. Will teams on losing streaks continue their futility?
NY Jets – After a great start to the season, the Jets have fallen back to earth. They visit Oakland this week – just the recipe to snap a 3 game losing streak. Mark Sanchez will bounce back this week and put up OK – not great numbers as he will be able to rely on Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. The running game should be able to dominate and take the Jets over 500 once again. 
San Diego Chargers – 2 straight losses against 2 pretty good teams. This week will get a lot easier. The Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead. Is LaDainian Tomlinson back? Your guess is as good as mine. The passing game will have success – Rivers, Gates and Vincent Jackson are great plays.
Washington Redskins – At home Monday night against the hated Eagles. Me thinks the losing continues and ALL Redskins will be awful. The team has given up on coach Jim Zorn and is already looking forward to the Mike Shanahan era.
5. Who are the contenders and who pre the pretenders?
Atlanta (4-1) at Dallas (3-2) – Dallas needs a win in the worst way – they need to start clicking if they hope to make the playoffs this year (a bit early I know – but they have some catching up to do already). Atlanta could really make a statement in this game. Beat Dallas, be 5-1 and prove that they belong with the big boys in the NFL. It is an interesting matchup indeed!
Chicago (3-2) at Cincinnati (4-2) – 2 more teams in need of a win. A win for either team will go a long way in determining whether they are contenders or pretenders. Smells like a low scoring game doesn’t it?
San Francisco (3-2) at Houston(3-3) – Big game for both teams – The Niners could find themselves (with an Arizona loss at Giants) only 1 game out of 1st in the NFC West. Houston’s offense is off the hook right now and should score enough to take the Texans over 500.
6. What injuries could affect my Week 7 decision process?
Trent Edwards – Concussion – doesn’t look good for Sunday.
Marion Barber and Felix Jones – Barber is close to 100% – start him if you have him. Felix Jones says he’ll play but be limited – Tashard Choice has overtaken him anyways.
Willie Parker – whispers are that he’s not 100% but will still play. Count on 1/3 of the carries against a tough Minnesota Defense
Anquan Boldin – ankle sprain and a game-time decision. Keep tabs if you are a Boldin owner
Greg Jennings – Sore Hip – shouldn’t be a problem.
Jerricho Cotchery – hasn’t practiced – 50-50 to play. You might wanna make alternate plans.
Roy Williams – back at practice and will be on the field on Sunday.
Percy Harvin – Bad shoulder might keep him out this week.
Donnie Avery – Hip injury – status unknown.
7. I still don’t like Braylon Edwards.
There ya go folks – lots of information there – hope it helps. Enjoy what should be a great week in the NFL.
