Power Position Betting Quick Hits: Week Five Football Review

McNabb and the Eagles showed what was what in the NFC East. There is no doubt that this is not only McNabb’s team, but McNabb’s division. The game of the week lived up to the hype, though T.O. did not. It all came down to Bledsoe in the red zone, and a 102-yard int-return cemented the game.

For those of you who do not know this, last year’s mild fantasy resurgence aside, Drew Bledsoe is not the same quarterback as McNabb. I admit that I was one of those who thought TO would bring an increase to Bledsoe’s production—but then again, I thought Randy Moss and the Raiders would be having a hell of a year. Everyone makes mistakes.

Moss caught another touchdown, two weeks in a row—though in those two weeks he has 6 catches for 60 yards, and the Raiders remain the worst of the worst. All the proof you need is the fact that the 49ers lost 41-0 the week before and were still the favorites by three and a half points.

Scares abound in the Cardinals Vs. Chiefs matchup. Leinart had a decent debut, lost the lead in the fourth corner, but overshadowing all this was the possible injuries to Larry Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. Rolle grabbed LJ by the facemask after a 78 yards screen that saved his fantasy day, after which LJ took himself out of the game. The effect was immediate. The Chiefs had to settle for the go-ahead field goal (after they couldn’t punch it in from the 4 yard line), and then had to sweat a 51-yard attempt by Rackers that went wide left.

How many people picked the Colts in their suicide pools, and had to sweat out another nail biter against the Titans. 18.5 spread? I think Manning and company are purposefully messing with the hearts and minds of football fans across America, and as long as they are undefeated, well, more power to them.

Know what they say about playing with fire, though…

You get burned. Just like Reggie Bush burned the Bucs, who maybe thought they were on the way to getting their first win. It was his first, of many hopefully, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Fourth quarter, home, and to win the game. That’s what we dream about people, that’s what we dream about.

How about the two blowouts—that’s what we have nightmares about, two great defenses on the attack. The Bears most likely would have had a shutout as well, if not for a Brian Greasy fumble. That QB controversy in Chicago is so in the past, it might as well have been a dream. And the Jaguars, against the goal line to preserve the big O, fantastic. Everyone watching knew the Jets weren’t punching in for the score.

The Patriots beat a Joey Harrington led Dolphins team, and suddenly they are 4-1 and contenders again. And how about the Rams? How is Mike Martz doing? Oh yeah, 0-5 as the Lions offensive coordinator, recently stymied by the Vikings. The Rams are winning ugly, but no matter how ugly a win is, when the day is done and the lights are out and the room is dark—a win is still a win.

How good do the Giants feel? They got their first sacks of the season and shut down a Redskins team that had recently been feeling good about itself—and Shockey was clearly out coached once again. It’s all right though, he’ll get around to a good game eventually—at least, fantasy owners across the league hope. The era of tight end dominance seems to be over. For a great article about this and other fantasy issues, check out the Sports Guy.

Speaking of weirdness in fantasy, you have Larry Johnson rushing for only 30-something yards against the Cardinals, Tomlinson gaining 70 total yards (bunch of receptions, but still), and Alexander on the bye and hurt (or cursed)—all hurting, many being outperformed in surprising ways.

What this week, and this fantasy season, shows us is simple: there is no set way, no one way to do things right to win. You have to roll with the punches, adapt, and not be afraid to make risky calls if based on sound judgment. And most importantly, remember to enjoy the game and have fun, because if not, then what’s the point?

Here’s hoping the big names all start playing as big next week, but here’s knowing that football will always be great. Until the podcast (where we totally rocked some great advice for you guys, not to pat ourselves on the back too hard), College Boy is out.