Week 3 Preview

Now that we've had a respectable week, I think it's worth pointing out that this year's point spreads are not taken from Yahoo's projections, but are hand made by the VUFSWA.

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Game of the Week

ChamPeons vs. Fresh Legs (-9)

A battle for first place? Kind of...Undefeated CHM needs to defend his spotless record against this year's 'Stem'...Baron has every offensive player playing on their home field...Champ and Baron have played each other one time, Champ winning a low scoring affair in week 7 of 2005.

News and Notes, CHM

News of Terrell Owens' broken finger went from 'out for 4 weeks' to 'out 2-4 weeks' to 'may not miss any games.' We'll be spared the saga this week in the VUFSA because Owens and his CHM teammate Julius Jones have an ill-timed by for the freshly employed one...Got all you could ask for from real-life teammates Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney last week, but I wonder how long production from both of them will last. Sooner or later, it's going to come down to one of them...the plus to that is the emergence of Joseph Addai, whose role as Indy's #1 back wasn't supposed to get here until much later in the season. He looks ahead of schedule...Daunte Culpepper is bad, and it's reasonable to wonder if he will ever be good again- he better have a great game against Tennessee...Key Byes: Terrell Owens, Julius Jones, Eddie Kennison...Key Injuries: None

News and Notes, FL

A questionable Brian Westbrook leaves a big question mark for Baron, especially with the Niners on the schedule...While he has some depth at the position, Westbrook is the only true stud on the team right now, with Duece McAllister threatened by Reggie Bush...Chris Chambers should have a monster game against the Titans, but will have to send some fantasy points CHM's way in order to do so...Reggie Brown has been productive, though hauling in only 3 passes, 2 have been for TDs...Carson Palmer has a tough go against PIT, the last time he played them he left the field with no knee ligaments...Good call with Ahman Green, who has another great matchup, even though Baron has asked me not to speak on his lineup choices anymore...It's a good call because Dominic Rhodes plays Jacksonville, a city in which Baron and I visited this very weekend just 2 years ago. It was a miserable trip...Key Byes: None...Key Injuries: Brian Westbrook (Questionable), Laverneus Coles (Questionable)

On Deck

The Slumpbusters vs. Naj Davenport's Poop (+11.5)

Week 3 has been historically good to both of these franchises: Both average 133+ points in this stage of the game...Viano set his all-time high score in week 3 with 157.00 in 2004, while Gieryna threw up 163.75 at this time last year...The Denver Bells come to center stage in this one, and if one can drastically outscore the other, it may prove to be the difference...Viano has taken 2 of 3 lifetime against The Gun.

News and Notes, SLM

Fresh off a rare low score of the week, SLM comes out with a new QB, Clinton Portis, and some killer matchups...Michael Vick is set for Monday Night Thunder against a suspect Saints defense. Vick has been amazing through two weeks, and seems like a smart play. However, SLM has had trouble with historically inconsistent QBs (Daunte) in the past...Last week I mentioned that when you own three Rams "you have 4 games on the schedule you're guaranteed giddy about, and this is one of them." This is another one of those four games...Willis McGahee plays the Jets and Portis eases back against the Texans. (Likewise, Santana Moss also draws Houston) While Andy is blessing those Texans now, he may curse them after Portis goes for 120 and a TD...Ben Watson gets the nod this week over a hobbled Jeremy Shockey...Key Byes: None...Key Injuries: Clinton Portis (Probable), Jeremy Shockey (Probable)

News and Notes, NDP

Peyton Manning draws a JAX defense fresh off a shutout of the Super Bowl Champs. While the Jags are very, very good, the Colt offense will still put up points. Manning has managed 19 TDs in 9 games against the Jaguars...Willie Parker was held down by that Jacksonville defense last week, but has good history against the Bengals; tallying 130 yards and a TD in their last meeting...Hines Ward is off to a slow start, just 82 receiving yards so far. He needs Ben Roethlisberger to get healthy and in his rythym quickly for him to return to elite status...Ronnie Brown, Jerious Norwood and Todd Heap all have superb matchups this week (TEN, NO, CLE, resp.)...Let it be said that I love the young trio of backs Viano has stashed away in Norwood, Benson and M. Barber III; all have a chance to be prime-timers late in the season, and if things fall the right way, could be the #1 reason if Viano wins the whole damn thing...Key Byes: None...Key Injuries: Hines Ward (Probable), Matt Jones (Questionable), Mike Bell (Probable)

The 3 Spot

Tice's Partyboat vs. The Nihilist Marmot (-0.5)

Small spread on a game we can't agree on- the only instance where we can't pick a favorite so far. JR and his stronger past performance get the gentle nod...A first comes from this game: Neither Drew nor JR has ever won a game in week 3 to this point; with Wolfman putting up his all-time low at this time in 2004 (71.00)...Drew holds a 2-1 lead in the regular season over his best man, though Radcliffe beat the Blaine Browns in last year's 3rd place game, evening the score.

News and Notes, TPB

Did you know the Saints return to the Superdome this week? Drew Brees (born in Texas, went to Purdue, played 5 seasons in San Diego) is a poster boy for the city's revival, just like Reggie Bush (never lived anywhere but California, ever)...Warrick Dunn, who is playing in New Orleans this week, is running all over the place. Well, not ALL over the place, just in between the goal lines...Edgerrin James has a decent matchup this week, and needs to improve upon his 68.5 ypg average...Ruben Droughns plays Baltimore this week, so his slow start may continue...Alge Crumpler is playing in New Orleans this week, did you know ESPN is holding Monday Night Football there? I wonder if they'll mention the hurricane at all on the broadcast...Why does Drew get to make Kevan Barlow jokes while starting Chris Brown? Isn't that like Brandi Timmerman making fun of my belt?...Key Byes: Randy Moss...Key Injuries: Ruben Droughns (Questionable)

News and Notes, TNM

The Foster-Housh deal tipped a little further in Dave's direction with the inclusion of a 4th round pick, but JR does get an upgrade at RB3 for the time being...With Antonio Bryant playing the way he has, Housh and his hurt heel were very expendable...Having Corell Buckhalter is key in a week where Brian Westbrook may not play- could be a game-time lineup change based on his status...I like Ben Troupe, even though Kerry Collins may not...Key Byes: Tony Gonzalez...Key Injuries: Travis Henry (Questionable)

Batting Cleanup

Madd Skillz vs. Father Abraham (-17)

I'm probably playing up the revenge thing more than he is, but it's got to be in the back of his mind...All the players from the league's first trade of the season will see action in this game, with the Houston running game playing a pivotal role...wait, really? The Houston running game?...One remnant from a previous trade also suits up for the other side, as Chad Johnson takes on the team that drafted him...Lincoln is 2-1 vs. Schillinger all-time, though Schillinger won last season's lone battle.

News and Notes, SKL

A victim of a horrific bye week this week, but I don't expect anyone to give out so much as an ounce of pity. Therefore, I won't mention it again through the preview...Makeshift running back crew consists of Kevan Barlow, the new starter in New Jersey with a decent matchup; Young Brandon Jacobs, who could vulture a goal line carry, and Wali Lundy, who should get 3-4 carries...Rudi Johnson has been stellar this season, but has a real rough go against the Steelers, who he has struggled against through his career...We could see Steve Smith's 2006 debut, which is nice since there are no other eligible WR on the roster. Just don't hurt yourself further, Steve...Chad Johnson didn't know where he was after a vicious hit last week, we'll see if it has a lingering effect...Matt Hasselbeck needs to repay me for my loyalty to him by at least matching Donovan McNabb who plays...the 49ers. Damnit...Key Byes: LaDanian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Antonio Gates, Terry Glenn...Key Injuries: Steve Smith (Questionable), Pvt. Kellen Winslow (probable), Chad Johnson (knocked retarded, seen below)



News and Notes, FA

Jamal Lewis has owned the Browns in his lifetime, averaging 133 yards per game against them, including a 295 yard day a few years ago. If he's healthy, he's good for a monster game...Donovan McNabb, the best player in our league, gets a juicy matchup against the 49ers and should continue his TO-less mojo...Joey Galloway had a big game last week, but until Chris Simms becomes dependable, he's a worrisome play...Desmond Clark is a great bye week fill-in...Anquan Boldin will get some big yardage against the Rams...Samkon Gado will probably be the eventual starter in Houston, he looked great getting 12 ypc last week...Last time I pulled off a 2-1 deal featuring a WR from Washington with Lincoln, said WR caught 2 TD passes the following week and he beat me. Rod Gardner (sent with Chester Taylor for Chad) has set a standard for Brandon Lloyd to try and match...Key Byes: Jason Witten...Key Injuries: Jamal Lewis (Questionable), Troy Williamson (Questionable)

The 5 Hole

Who is Ron Mexico? vs. Cellar Dwellers (-13.5)

Stem is 1-0 lifetime against Dave.

News and Notes, WIRM

Really wants to start Marques Colston (who plays on Monday Night Football as football returns to New Orleans!) and can if TJ Houshmandzadeh doesn't play...Chester Taylor has been everything you could want and more, but does play the greatest team ever this week...Reggie Bush (they're reopening the Superdome, did you know?) has a tough go against a great ATL defense...DeAngelo Williams is a WIRM starter (keeper?) from here on out as 1st stringer DeShaun Foster has been sent away...We'll get a rough idea of what to expect from Deion Branch when he debuts in in Seattle...Ron Dayne makes for the 3rd Houston Running back to earn a starting VUFSA spot, which is both sad and embarrassing...Key Byes: None...Key Injuries: TJ Houshmandzadeh (Questionable)

News and Notes, CD

Is LaMont Jordan's bye week actually considered hurtful at this point? When the replacement is Anthony Thomas, yes it is...Shaun Alexander will do what he does and Kevin Jones draws Green Bay, so there is still hope for a good output from the RBs...Donte Stallworth is the #2 receiver in the league now, behind a fluky Amani Toomer...1st rounder Tom Brady has gotten off to a slow start, but now that the mental trauma of losing Deion Branch is gone, look for him to focus more...As long as LJ Smith plays (he should) he'll have a nice day...Derrick Mason should get into the end zone this week...Key Byes: LaMont Jordan, Keenan McCardell...Key Injuries: Shaun Alexander (Probable), LJ Smith (Probable)