The Phenom's 1st Annual FSYA, 2010 Year in Review, and Top 10 Fantasy Studs of 2010

Happy New Year to all of you Fantasy Crazies!

The Phenom is happy to present the 1st Annual FSYA (Fantasy Stud of the Year Award) to...SIDNEY CROSBY!
Sidney Crosby, center for the Pittsburgh Penguins, has simply dominated the NHL in 2010. The first overall pick in the 2005 draft, the first overall pick in most fantasy drafts in 2010, and the top fantasy point producer, has simply been awesome! There is debate on whether Crosby is the best player in the NHL in comparison to Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals. However, in fantasy terms, Crosby is clearly the best! As the top goal-scorer in the NHL over the past two seasons, Crosby has proven that he is not just a goal-scorer as he has ranked in the top 5 in shots on goal (SOG) and assists in 2010. Congratulations to Sidney Crosby for winning the 1st Annual FSYA!

The Phenom's Fantasy Year in Review 2010
2010 was definitely the year of the sleeper pick. Those of you who were lucky, or smart, to acquire the likes of Michael Vick, Carlos Gonzalez, or Arian Foster, most likely went deep into your league's playoffs...and hopefully, you won a championship with these guys. I had Foster on my 14-2 football team that lost in the championship of my league. I also had Carlos Gonzalez (Cargo) on my fantasy baseball team that won the championship in 2010. Michael Vick was the 2nd string QB of the Eagles at the start of the season and was projected in the 250 range (which means that he mostly went undrafted). Michael Vick might turn out to be the greatest free agent pick up in the history of fantasy sports.
The fantasy year of 2010 also saw the usual suspects continue to produce great numbers. Aaron Rodgers finished the 2010 fantasy season as the #2 point producer, just barely behind Michael Vick, even though he missed a game and a half due to a concussion. Lebron James has dominated the NBA in fantasy points for a few years now and continues to play at an incredible pace. Miguel Cabrera continued to do his thing and solidified his place as a top 5 MLB fantasy pick in 2011. Prior to signing with the Boston red Sox, Carl Crawford did everything for the Rays in 2010, putting together a truly phenomenal fantasy season.
As you look towards 2011, it is very important that you add Vick, Gonzalez, and Foster to your top picks in 2011. These three have tremendous futures and are sure to repeat their successes of 2010. You must also determine which guys will consistently produce great fantasy numbers in 2011. Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Kevin Durant, Alex Ovechkin, Joey Votto, and Miguel Cabrera, are all no-brainers. The key to winning your fantasy league is to put together a team of top-producers, consistent producers, and of course...a few great sleepers. The middle rounds of your drafts is where championships are made. Try to figure out who might be the next big sleeper in the MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA. You just might put together a championship team in 2011. Good luck!

The Phenom's Top 10 Fantasy Studs of 2010
1. Sidney Crosby (PIT/ NHL)
2. Carlos Gonzalez (COL/ MLB)
3. Lebron James (MIA/ NBA)
4. Michael Vick (PHI/ NFL)
5. Aaron Rodgers (GB/ NFL)
6. Miguel Cabrera (DET/ MLB)
7. Arian Foster (HOU/ NFL)
8. Carl Crawford (BOS/ MLB)
9. Alex Ovechkin (WAS/ NHL)
10. Kevin Durant (OKC/ NBA)

Good luck to all in 2011, and email me with any questions, comments, and suggestions!

The Phenomthephenom@fantasysportsphenom.com

http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/

The 2010 Phenomenal Fantasy NFL Player of the Year and the Phenom's All-Pro Team

2010 Phenomenal Fantasy NFL Player of the Year

...and the award goes to...ARIAN FOSTER!

Congratulations to Arian Foster for winning the highly-coveted "2010 Phenomenal Fantasy Player of the Year" in the NFL! Foster was typically selected in the middle rounds of most fantasy drafts back in September, but he quickly emerged as the top-producing player in the league. Most, if not all, teams that were fortunate enough to have Foster were able to make their league's playoffs, and many of them won league championships as well. Foster was the leading fantasy scorer in all leagues and in all formats. He was dominant from the beginning and will be a top three pick in next year's draft.

The Phenom's 1st annual NFL All-Pro Fantasy Team is obviously led by Arian Foster at the RB position, but we must not lose sight of the others. Michael Vick came out of nowhere, starting the season as the Eagles' #2 QB behind Kevin Kolb, and finished as the #2 overall fantasy point producer behind Foster. This was definitely the year of the "sleeper" as Peyton Hillis, Brandon Lloyd, Dwayne Bowe, LeSean McCoy, Marcedes Lewis, Hakeem Nicks, Mike Wallace, and Darren McFadden, all made the Phenom's All-Pro team. Tom Brady edged out Drew Brees and Peyton Manning simply because Brady threw 34 TD's and only 4 INT's.

The Phenom's All-Pro Team

First Team
QB- Vick/ PHI
RB- Foster/ HOU
RB- McCoy/ PHI
WR- White/ ATL
WR- Lloyd/ DEN
WR- Bowe/ KC
TE- Witten/ DAL
DEF/ ST- New England
K- Akers/ PHI

Second Team
QB- Rodgers/ GB
RB- Hillis/ CLE
RB- McFadden/ OAK
WR- A. Johnson/ HOU
WR- C. Johnson/ DET
WR- Jennings/ GB
TE- Gates/ SD
DEF/ ST- Arizona
K- Janikowski/ OAK

Third Team
QB- Brady/ NE
RB- Peterson/ MIN
RB- Charles/ KC
WR- S. Johnson/ BUF
WR- Wallace/ PIT
WR- Nicks/ NYG
TE- M. Lewis/ JAX
DEF/ ST- Pittsburgh
K- J. Brown/ STL


The Phenom's Top 10 Picks for 2011
1. Vick/ PHI
2. Foster/ HOU
3. Peterson/ MIN
4. McCoy/ PHI
5. Rodgers/ GB
6. Hillis/ CLE
7. C. Johnson/ TEN
8. White/ ATL
9. Charles/ KC
10. A. Johnson/ HOU

The Phenom
http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/

Tim Tebow...The emergence of a great fantasy football player begins!

Let's face it...Tim Tebow is a winner and does whatever it takes to get the job done. Following one of the most-storied, if not most successful, college football careers, Tebow has put together back-to-back starting performances that have many nay-sayers changing their tunes.

First of all, before I dive into the current and future fantasy value of Tebow, I would like to address the Tebow nay-sayers with a few startling statistics and comparisons. In comparing Tebow's first two NFL starts to that of John Elway, Steve Young, and Michael Vick, Tebow's numbers are much more impressive. I am not, in any way, stating that Tebow will have a better career than any of the aforementioned players. You nay-sayers might be the same people that once doubted Elway, Young, and Vick. It is very easy to sit back and critique the play of a 23-24 yr. old rookie playing in the most critical position on the football field. The fact of the matter is that a high percentage of the most highly-touted high school and college quarterbacks simply do not succeed in the NFL. It takes a very special individual with a ton of talent and ability and the heart of a winner. Well, I have news for all of you, Tim Tebow has everything it takes to be a great NFL quarterback, and he is here to stay for a very long time.

In John Elway's inaugural NFL season of 1983, he started 10 games, threw 7 TD's and 14 INT's, while completing only 47.5% of his passes. Steve Young started 5 games of his first NFL season with the Tampa Bay Bucs. It took Young a full 4 games to compile 2 TD passes and 1 rushing TD. He also threw 6 INT's in his first four starts. Michael Vick finished his first NFL season by starting the final two games. Vick completed only 46% of his passes for 380 yards and 1 TD, rushed for 110 yards but failed to reach the endzone on the ground.

Over the last two weeks, Tim Tebow has managed to stay calm and composed in a tough loss at Oakland (where he threw a TD and ran 40 yards for another TD), lead a come-from-behind win vs. the Texans, has thrown for 446 yards and 2 TD's, rushed for 105 yards and 2 TD's, and scored the game-winning touchdown on a bootleg run in the red zone. There's no doubt that Tim Tebow is a winner. We all know that to be true. We know he is a class-act, has a tremendous work ethic, and the type of guy you want your daughter to marry. Now, let's get to that fantasy value that Tebow brings to the table as we wind down the 2010 season and look towards the future.

Tim Tebow has averaged 22 fantasy points per game in his only two starts of the season. Let's put that into proper perspective. Take a look at the top 6 fantasy quarterbacks of 2010:

1. Michael Vick (20.0 pts./game)
2. Tom Brady (18.3)
3. Philip Rivers (17.7)
4. Aaron Rodgers (17.5)
5. Peyton Manning (17.4)
6. Drew Brees (17.4)

In fantasy terms, Tebow is quickly becoming a solid fantasy option for 2011. Tebow has been the 5th-best fantasy point producing QB in week 15 and 16, and is second only to Michael Vick in total fantasy points     over that span (assuming that Vick has a decent game tonight).

The off-season in Denver will clarify where the Broncos' stand on Tebow's future. The fans want him to be the Broncos' savior, but management and a new coaching staff might have other ideas. As the Broncos' organization looks to the off-season, I, The Phenom, make one plea to the powers that be...solidify Tebow as your starter and QB of the future, focus on your weaknesses on defense (specifically the lack of pass rush that has crippled your chances to compete in a mediocre, if not bad division), strengthen your O line and improve on your horrendous running game, and get a defensive-minded head coach. The Broncos have won in the past with a beast of an O line, excellent runningbacks, deep receiving corps, a tough-minded and opportunistic defense, and a quarterback that did everything it took to put his team in a position to win...every game!

The Phenom
http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/

Fantasy Football Playoffs Week 16

Your interest in this blog means that you are still alive in your fantasy football league, which means that you are either in the semifinals or quite possibly playing for a championship in week 16 of the NFL season. Well, I am going to make it easier for you to win your league.

I have evaluated the top-producing fantasy players of the 2010 season; the players that have helped you stay alive in your playoffs and the players that have put you in a position to win a championship. Now...here's the hard part. I am going to tell you which of these top-scoring players should be considered a "given" to play, the ones that should be "debateable", and the ones that should be considered a "no play" in week 16.

The "Givens" are players that have taken you this far, probably have decent-to-favorable match-ups, and should absolutely stay in your lineup this week.

Given
1. RB-Foster/ HOU @ DEN
2. QB-Vick/ PHI vs. MIN
3. QB-Brady/ NE @ BUF
4. RB-Turner/ ATL vs. NO
5. QB-Rivers/ SD @ CIN
6. RB- Jones-Drew/ JAX vs. WAS
7. WR-A. Johnson/ HOU @ DEN
8. WR-White/ ATL vs. NO
9. RB- C. Johnson/ TEN @ KC
10. QB- P. Manning/ IND @ OAK
11. WR-Wayne/ IND @ OAK
12. RB-Mendenhall/ PIT vs. CAR

The "Debateables" are a set of players that were integral parts of your successful fantasy team in 2010, but who are facing a tough match-up or other circumstances that might hinder their ability to produce solid results in week 16.

Debateable
1. QB-Rodgers/ GB vs. NYG
2. QB-Schaub/ HOU @ DEN
3. RB-McFadden/ OAK vs. IND
4. RB-Rice/ BAL @ CLE
5. RB-Bradshaw/ NYG @ GB
6. RB-S. Jackson/ STL vs. SF
7. WR- V. Jackson/ SD @ CIN
8. WR-Bowe/ KC vs. TEN
9. WR-Jennings/ GB vs. NYG
10. WR-C. Johnson/ DET @ MIA
11. QB-Brees/ NO @ ATL
12. RB-Charles/ KC vs. TEN

The following fantasy stud players should be considered a "No Play" in week 16. Yes, they have had tremendous 2010 seasons, but I have my reasons (injuries, tough match-ups, playing on bad teams, etc.). All signs point to a poor showing for the following three players:

No Play
1. RB-Peterson/ MIN @ PHI
2. RB-Hillis/ CLE vs. BAL
3. WR-Lloyd/ DEN vs. HOU

Good luck!

The Phenom
http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/

San Diego Chargers...the best 7-6 team around

If the age-old maxim "defense wins championships" is correct, the San Diego Chargers may win the Super Bowl this season. The Bolts have the top overall defense in the NFL led by the top-rated pass defense and the 4th-best rush defense. Conversely, the Chargers have one of the best QBs in the NFL in Philip Rivers, the best TE in Antonio Gates, a serviceable set of WRs and RBs that have made due while key members of the offense have been injured, involved in a contract hold-out, or suspended. All of that being said, the Chargers' are 3rd in the NFL in total points scored. So...how did they become 7-6?

The 2010 Chargers have finally learned how to win on the road. They lost their first four road games, albeit by a small margin, to mediocre teams like STL, OAK, SEA, and KC. After starting the season with a typical Charger slow start and a 2-5 record, they flipped a switch and have reeled off a 5-1 record ever since. The Chargers do a great job of playing to the level of their opponent as seen in wins over Jacksonville (38-13), Indianapolis (36-14), and with their 3-point loss to the top team in the AFC, New England. This San Diego team is schizophrenic for sure, but they are also very dangerous.

Antonio Gates will sit out on Thursday night as the Niners travel south to face the Bolts in San Diego. Pro Bowl WR, Vincent Jackson is finally back from his hold-out and subsequent suspension, and ready to produce while Gates gets healed before the playoffs. Philip Rivers is contributing yet another Pro Bowl-like season despite the offensive personnel limitations. The backfield triumvirate of Mathews, Tolbert, and Sproles, have finally attained a normal level of good health. This team is primed and ready for a very strong playoff run...but, not so fast. They absolutely MUST win their next three games to have a chance. The chances are that the Chiefs will lose at least one of their next three and maybe even two. The Chargers will win the tie-breakers, which would give them yet another West Division title. 10-6 is now a reality as the Chargers face San Francisco, Cincinnati, and Denver to finish out the regular season.

Despite the many hurdles for the Chargers' offense, Philip Rivers is still a top 5 fantasy QB. Antonio Gates is still the #1 TE for fantasy production in 2010, despite missing three games and playing injured for most of the season. RB Mike Tolbert, who has filled in for the injured rookie RB Ryan Mathews, has produced more fantasy points than the Jets' LaDainian Tomlinson. It hasn't been a great year for the Chargers in fantasy terms, but the future still looks bright. Ryan Mathews should have a break-out fantasy season in 2011, Rivers will most likely be a top 3 fantasy option at QB, and Gates will always be a top-notch TE.

The Phenom
http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/

The Biggest Bust of the 2010 Fantasy Football Season

And the award goes to...Randy Moss!

First of all, my research included healthy players, only. Randy Moss, now on his third team this season, has produced a meager 27 receptions, 375 yards, and 5 TD's in 13 games played. Moss was typically drafted in the late 1st or early 2nd round in most fantasy football drafts prior to the season. He was a top 15 pick with high expectations.

On the other hand, Moss' tendency to self-destruct, which we have seen many times over his 13-year Hall of Fame career, once again reared its ugly head. Prior to the 2010 season, it was reported that Moss was not happy as a Patriot and that he might not be a Patriot in 2011. This should have been your first sign that things were not going well for Moss in New England. In 2007, Randy Moss caught 23 TD's and helped his team make it to the Super Bowl, in which they endured a shocking loss to an underdog Giants' team. During his stay in New England, Moss caught 50 TD's in 52 games and further cemented his place in Canton when it is all said and done. However, if you drafted him in the 1st or 2nd round of your fantasy football draft, you are probably still cursing him for ruining your season.

Moss's fantasy production in 2010 is at the level of an undrafted free agent. James Jones of the Green Bay Packers and David Gettis of the Carolina Panthers have had more catches and yards than Moss. In fact, Eddie Royal (Broncos) would have been the better option than Moss. And, just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, Moss throws a big goose egg in the reception column in a Thursday night loss to the Colts. I know for a fact that people stopped playing Moss a few weeks ago, simply because their fantasy seasons were coming to a screeching halt. Drafting Moss with your first or second pick most likely caused you to lose many games and left you wondering when he might have his break-out game. Well, I am here to tell you that it won't happen this season. Moss is a definite no-play from here on out.

I examined a sample of  fantasy teams that drafted Moss and none of them made the playoffs in their respective leagues. In fact, their overall winning percentage was a lowly .396. Even the very best fantasy player would have a very difficult time recovering from Moss' devastatingly poor season. It's no consolation but the following statement might help you to cope with your lack of success after drafting Moss in 2010. Just blame it on Randy.


Biggest Busts Honorable Mentions
1. Larry Fitzgerald
2. Chad Ochocinco
3. Matt Schaub
4. Ray Rice
5. Shonn Greene
6. Mike Sims-Walker
7. Brandon Marshall
8. Hines Ward

The Phenom

http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/

Tulo Gets Paid!

Tulo Gets Paid!

Troy Tulowitzki, the all-star shortstop for the Colorado Rockies, just received a 7-yr./ $134 million contract extension. And, you know what? He's worth every penny! Tulo played in only 122 games in 2010 due to a wrist injury that kept him sidelined during the middle of the season. That being said, he still batted .315, hit 27 HRs, and drove in 95 RBI. Tulo will be a top 5 fantasy pick in the upcoming 2011 draft as he is projected to hit 40 HRs and 125 RBI.

Tulo was the first round pick (9th overall) on my championship fantasy team in 2010. I put together one of the most dominant fantasy baseball seasons of all-time as I claimed first place in early May and stayed on top throughout the remainder of the season. In fact, I finished 14.5 points ahead of the second place team. The race was pretty much over in July, and then Tulo came back from his injury and went on a tear that sealed the deal.

As one of the leaders of my 2010 championship team, Tulowitzki did not disappoint. On the other hand, I probably could have won the title without Tulo. Here's just a sample of the team I fielded in the 2010 season (in a 12-team league), which has to be one of the greatest fantasy baseball teams of all-time:

Tulowitzki/ COL (.315, 27-95)
Cano/ NYY (.319, 29-109)
C. Gonzalez/ COL (.336, 34-117)
Howard/ PHI (.276, 31-108)
Beltre/ BOS (.321, 28-102)
Jimenez/ COL (19 wins, 2.88, 214 k's, 1.15 WHIP)
Lee/ TEX (12 wins, 3.18, 185 k's, 1.00 WHIP)
Oswalt/ PHI (13 wins, 2.76, 193 k's, 1.03 WHIP)
Hernandez/ SEA (13 wins, 2.27, 232 k's, 1.06 WHIP)
Soria/ KC (43 saves, 1.78, 71 k's, 1.05 WHIP)

Ok, there might have been better teams out there somewhere, but I doubt it. As the 2011 MLB season approaches, many of the aforementioned players will be top draft choices. I can almost guarantee that Tulo, Carlos Gonzalez, and Robinson cano will be in the top 5 along with Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols.

The Phenom

The Phenom's Top 10 Fantasy Basketball "Value" Plays of 2010-2011

The Phenom's Top 10 Fantasy Basketball "Value" Plays of 2010-2011 (as of 12/8/10)

1. Russell Westbrook/ OKC    (897 total fantasy points)    The #1 overall fantasy producer in 2010-2011, Westbrook barely broke the top 40 picks in many drafts

2. Raymond Felton/ NYK        (765)    The 11th overall fantasy producer, Felton was drafted late in some leagues and went undrafted in others

3. Kevin Love/ MIN                 (833)     The 5th overall fantasy producer, Love was typically drafted in the middle rounds with some exceptions in the 4th and 5th rounds

4. Mike Conley/ MEM              (641)     Resides in the top 30 of overall production but went undrafted in some drafts and was not typically taken in the top 100

5. Paul Millsap/ UTA                 (685)      A top 30 fantasy producer that was taken late in the top 100

6. Luis Scola/ HOU                   (700)      A top 20 fantasy producer who did not crack the top 50 in many drafts

7. Lamar Odom/ LAL                (662)      In the midst of a phenomenal fantasy season, Odom is the 25th best fantasy producer and barely cracked the top 100 in the draft

8. Rudy Gay/ MEM                   (762)      Resides just outside of the top 10 fantasy producers, Gay was taken outside of the top 40 in the draft

9. Monta Ellis/ GS                     (783)      The 9th best fantasy producer of '10-'11, Ellis was taken mostly in the early to middle rounds (3rd- 5th rounds)

10. Al Horford/ ATL                 (724)      A top 20 fantasy producer, Horford was typically taken late in the top 40

The Phenom

http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/

Is he really Werth $126 Million?

The Washington Nationals, once again,  showed their commitment to mediocrity and Scott Boras, Werth's agent, showed why he is still the best in the business. How is it possible that Jayson Werth could command a $126 Million deal over 7 years? Here's a better question...why would Werth leave a perennial powerhouse and World Series contender like the Phillies to go to one of the worst organizations in the MLB? The answer is....money, of course. I just don't see the upside for the Nationals as this might turn out to be the most puzzling and lopsided deals of the 2010-2011 MLB off-season.

Let's analyze this perplexing move by the Washington Nationals. First of all, they just lost Adam Dunn, who opted to sign with the Chicago White Sox. Secondly, besides Ryan Zimmerman (.307, 25 HRs-85 RBI in '10), the Nationals have nothing in their lineup. Who will Werth drive in? Better yet, who is going to drive in Werth? He decided to go from a lineup that featured Howard, Utley, Rollins, Victorino, Polanco, and Ibanez, to a lineup with Kennedy, Willingham, Morgan, and Desmond??? Say what?

Jayson Werth was always an overrated fantasy player, but he just became the most overrated player in the MLB for the 2011 season. He will most likely project at .275, 20 HRs, and 85 RBI. He simply will not see the same pitches that he has seen over the last few years in Philly. Opposing pitchers can afford to pitch around him and put him on base, which means that he will swing at balls outside of the zone. Werth will not be a prime fantasy option in 2011...trust me.

Werth's 2010 numbers were similar to those of several other players in his salary bracket. Werth's 2010 salary ($7,500,000) was high for a guy of his caliber, but his baseball stats were similar to those of Casey McGehee ($427,500), Nick Swisher ($6,850,000), Aubrey Huff ($3,000,000), Andre Ethier ($5,750,000), and Shin-Soo Choo ($461,100). Choo hit for a higher average than Werth, Swisher hit more HRs, and McGehee, Swisher, Huff, and Choo all drove in more runs in '10. In any 2011 auction fantasy league, Werth won't be selected by any professional level fantasy leaguers. There's no value there. Werth is now in a salary bracket ($18 Million/ year) with the likes of Ryan Howard, Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera, Ichiro, Matt Holliday, and Mark Teixeira, but his production is nowhere near these guys.

The Nationals made a big mistake and they will pay, literally, for it. Werth is a good middle-round fantasy selection, a guy that can be your 3rd OF or even fill-in for your 3rd OF on occasion. He is, by no means, a top 5 round pick in any format.

And, to answer my own question and the same one that most fantasy players are asking themselves...NO, he is not Werth $126 Million!

The Phenom

http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/

The Good (Cowboys), the Bad (Redskins), and the Ugly (Peyton Manning)

The Dallas Cowboys (4-8) stunned the Indianapolis Colts (6-6),38-35, in OT at Indianapolis on Sunday. Jason Garrett has now won 3 of the 4 games at the helm of the Cowboys and has done it with a much-improved offense. Under Garrett, the Cowboys have scored an average of 33.3 points per game after scoring only 20.1 points per game in the first 8 games of the season under the leadership of Wade Phillips. The decision to fire Phillips and promote Garrett has paid off big-time as the Cowboys are on their way to salvaging the 2010 season. No, they aren't going to make the playoffs and they will most likely finish the season 6-10 or 7-9. That being said, it's a far cry from being 1-7. Up ahead for the Cowboys are the Eagles (twice), the Cardinals, and the Redskins. 2 wins is probable and 3 wins is possible. Jason Garrett should be given the reigns of the Cowboys as they go into the off-season as one of the biggest underachievers of the 2010 season.

The Washington Redskins (5-7) got torched by the Giants (8-4), 31-7, on Sunday. The game wasn't as close as the score would reveal since the Giants could have scored 40 or 50 points against the porous defense of the Redskins. The Giants' RBs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs combined for 200 yards on the ground and scored 4 TDs. Jacobs broke off runs of 39 and 28 yards while Bradshaw ran untouched to the endzone on runs of 8 and 10 yards. Besides the Redskins defensive woes against a Giants' team decimated by key injuries to their top wide receivers, Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks, the most troubling aspect of the Redskins' must be their inability to score points. The 'Skins have now lost 4 of their last 5 (their only win coming against a down Titans' team, 19-16 in OT), and find themselves 5-7 and out of the playoff race for good. The Redskins have only broken the 20-point mark 4 times and have yet to score more than 30 points in a game in 2010. The 'Skins are clearly the most inconsistent team in the NFL if you break down their season into 4-game increments. In the first four, they managed to beat Dallas and Philadelphia but lost to lackluster teams like St. Louis and Houston. In their next four games, they beat Green Bay (8-4), Chicago (9-3), lost a close one to Indianapolis (6-6), and lost to Detroit (2-10). Over their last four games, they have managed to lose to Philly in a 59-28 thrashing, beat Tennessee (5-7) in OT, and lost to Minnesota (5-7), and lost again today to the Giants (8-4). Since beating the Bears in Chicago, the 'Skins have given up 32 points per game. The Redskins are last in total defense in the NFL. Their offense is ranked 20th overall in the NFL. And...I thought Mike Shanahan was going to turn this team around. With their remaining games vs. TB, @ Dallas, @ Jacksonville, and vs. NYG, the 'Skins will most likely finish 6-10 in 2010. 6-10 is better than 4-12 in '09, but is a far cry from the Redskins' 8-8 in '08 and their 9-7 (and playoff appearance) in '07.

What the heck has happened to Peyton Manning? Yes, he is still considered the best quarterback in the game, but he has many of us questioning this fact over the last few weeks. After starting the season in a typical Peytonesque fashion with 15 TD's and only 2 INT's in his first 7 games, Manning has embarked on the worst 5-game stretch of his Hall of Fame career. The Colts began the season 5-2 and were well on their way to yet another stellar season when the nightmare began for the 2010 Colts. Over the last five games, the Colts have gone 1-4, and Manning has thrown 13 INT's. 3 of the 4 losses were close games in which the Colts typically win with relative ease. Unfortunately for the Colts, Manning has committed several key turnovers in critical times in each of the 4 losses and had one of his lowest QB ratings in the win over the lowly Bengals (2-10). Manning is currently on pace to throw 18-19 INTs in 2010, which would be his season-high since the 2002 season. The only way to salvage this nightmarish season is for the great Peyton Manning to lead his team into the playoffs as he has done for the past 8 seasons and for 10 of his first 12 seasons. You know what? I bet the Colts right the ship and make the playoffs. He's too darn good to think otherwise. Oh, by the way, the Colts face the Titans (5-7) twice, the Raiders (6-6), and the Jaguars (7-5) in their final four games. I predict a 10-6 record, another division title, and another respectable run in the playoffs.

The Phenom
http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/

Arian Foster...Not a fluke...The Real Deal!

On Thursday night, Arian Foster solidifed himself as the best RB in the NFL with another fine performance against a solid Eagles' defense. Foster had 22 carries for 83 yds, 2 receptions for 26 yds, and had a touchdown on the ground and in the air. Foster has become the safest fantasy play at the RB position since LaDainian Tomlinson's prime in San Diego. Foster is well on his way to earning the MVP of the NFL for the 2010 season.

On the other hand, Foster has only faced 4 of the top 10 rushing defenses in the NFL during the 2010 season. He will face another one in the Baltimore Ravens in week 14. Foster has only surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark against one of those four defenses and is only averaging 3.9 yards per carry against those teams. Is Foster dominant? I don't think so...but he is consistent. He produces respectable fantasy points EVERY week.

As the #1 fantasy point producer in the NFL, Foster does it in a variety of ways. He has six 100-yard plus rushing games, 15 total TD's, and 50 receptions, making him the safest fantasy start in the league. Foster is also the #1 option at RB, and ahead of Peyton Hillis and Adrian Peterson by as much as 30-40 points. You have to keep in mind that Arian Foster was typically chosen in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts and came in as high as the 45th overall pick and as low as the 68th pick in my three fantasy drafts. Therefore, Foster has become one of the greatest fantasy value picks of all-time.

Foster faces the Baltimore Ravens in week 14, but there's no need for concern. Foster put up 84 yards rushing, 2 TD's, and caught 6 passes for 59 yards against a stout New York Jets' defense just a few weeks ago. He can beat you on the ground and through the air. Besides, after facing the Ravens in week 14, Foster will go up against some of the worst defenses in the league (TEN, DEN, and JAX) to finish off the 2010 season.

The Texans will most likely miss the playoffs and have all but been eliminated from playoff contention with their most recent loss to the Eagles. However, the 2010 NFL season has seen the emergence of Arian Foster, who will find himself as a top 5 fantasy pick in your 2011 drafts. Keep playing this guy, no matter what the match-up, and you will win!

Arian Foster...not a fluke...is the real deal!

The Phenom

NFL Week 13 Huge Play of the Week! MJD, baby!

Maurice Jones-Drew is primed for a huge day against the Tennesse Titans this weekend. Yes, the Titans have the 17th ranked rush defense in the NFL, but that's not my focus. For whatever reason, the Titans are terrible at covering runningbacks out of the backfield.

For example, in a week 7 match-up with the Eagles, LeSean McCoy caught 6 passes for 54 yards. The Titans won as Kenny Britt had a career day with 225 yds receiving and 3 TD's.

In week 8, the Chargers completed 14 (yes I said 14!) passes to runningbacks out of the backfield. The Chargers RB's amassed 86 yards receiving out of the backfield and scored a touchdown as well.

Last week, Arian Foster damaged the Titans on the ground for 143 yds rushing and in the air with 9 receptions and 75 yds. Amazingly, Foster did not score against the Titans after scoring 13 total TD's through his first 11 games of the season.

In addition, the Titans thrashed the Jaguars 30-3, in Jacksonville, back in mid-October. The Jaguars' David Garrard sustained a concussion in the second quarter of that game and did not return. Garrard is healthy for this rematch and I expect a very different outcome. These teams are going in different directions as the Jaguars have won 3 of their last 4 and the Titans have now lost four straight games. The Jaguars are now 6-5, after starting the season 3-4, and find themselves tied for first in the AFC South. This game is huge for the Jags, and they know it!

You can count on MJD rolling up big numbers against the Titans. Last week, MJD produced 113 rushing yds against a tough NY Giants' defense (1st in NFL in pass defense, and 9th in rush defense). I think he'll do fine against the Titans' porous defense (17th rush defense, 26th pass defense).

The Phenom's prediction: JAX 34, TEN 20
MJD: 24 rushes-120 yds, TD; 7 rec.- 80 yds, TD

The Phenom
http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/