NFL Week 3

Since Week 3 starts tonight…

I am an NFL Bigamist. I grew up a Giants fan, 20 miles from the Meadowlands. When I moved to Charlotte 8 years ago I adopted the Panthers as my local team. I never had season tickets for the G-Men and have only been to a handful of their games. On the other hand, I go to 3 or 4 Panthers games a year, and went to all 8 home victories in the 2008 season.

So I’m always torn when they play each other. I could have gone to the game tonight but I declined because I’d be cheering when both teams did well. I have to root for the Giants to win, because I think they have a better chance of getting to the playoffs this year (and I have Eli on my fantasy team.)

Should be a pretty good game though, even with all the injuries.

Me too. Of course, after his dismal play in their opener against the Cowpokes, I benched him in favor of Matt Schaub last weekend and then 500 yards happened.

Ouch. Cost me my game.

If I heard correctly, the Giants are really thin at WR and RB due to injuries.

Nicks, Bradshaw and Dixon are out. So is Diehl.

Well, then Victor Cruz is just going to have to catch 30 balls then.

On the plus side, the Panthers secondary is pretty weak.

Panthers defense has allowed 152 yards to WRs, least in the NFL.

Thursday
NYG @ CAR

Sunday early
STL @ CHI
BUF @ CLE
TB @ DAL
JAC @ IND
NYJ @ MIA
SF @ MIN
KC @ NO
DET @ TEN
CIN @ WAS

Sunday late
PHI @ ARI
ATL @ SD
HOU @ DEN
PIT @ OAK

SNF
NE @ BAL

MNF
GB @ SEA

I think the replacement refs will once again be a major story this week. In such a reactionary business, I expect that the games will be even more slow as the refs throw more flags for holding and pass interference. On the other hand, I also expect more coaches and players working the refs, and more of them working them successfully. And more uncontrolled chippiness leading to more problems among the players. I’m afraid it will get worse before it gets better.

That may be true, but it’s too early for statistics to mean anything. Rookie Josh Norman shows promise, but it’s a very mediocre group.

Buccaneers beat Cowboys. You heard it here first. Also probably last.

That wouldn’t surprise me at all.

They only have 4 active wide receivers for this game.

Tip for fantasy players: If ever there was an opportunity for Ramses Barden to make a name for himself, this game is it. (6’5" red zone threat.)

In his fourth year in the NFL, Ramses Barden has one less touchdown catch, but one more overall catch and 39 more yards than Danny Amendola had … LAST WEEK.

I don’t recall if we have any Chiefs fans here, but this rant is pretty funny. Link is to a NY Daily News article with a link to the rant.

Romeo Crennel strikes again.

It must have been an illusion how well they played down the stretch for the guy last year. That or they’ve seen through him. I don’t know what to think about that guy.

That rant, though, is exactly what I would expect from a meathead who calls himself “Bulldog”. Dumbass.

Danny Amendola has been a stud (albeit a mostly unknown one) for a while now. He was always clutch on my dynasty team.

How do you think Eli will do tonight without Nicks and Hixon?

I’m taking a chance and starting Smith tonight, gambling on his knee holding up. The G-men give up a lot of fantasy points to WRs, so maybe the gamble will pay off…

Steve Smith is a must play. His knee isn’t that bad, according to local sources.

I’d rather have Jason Avant.