Week 4 Preview

Game of the Week

The Slumpbusters vs. Fresh Legs (+3.5)

Probably the easiest call so far for game of the week...Fresh Legs should be considered our top early season suprise...this game is the difference between 3-1 and 2-2 for both teams, and despite being week 4, is a big deal...The magic number to make the VUFSA Playoffs has been 8 wins- the winner of this game can play .500 from here on out and still hit 8 wins...Eli is 2-0 vs. Baron All-Time, winning by an average of 55 points in their two meetings.

News and Notes, SLM

Week 4 is historically the worst week for the SLM franchise- an 0-2 record and only 84.25 ppg, including their all-time low of 71.75 (2004)...Favored to buck that trend because the Rams draw their 3rd straight favorable opponent (Detroit this time) and Clinton Portis is 100%...Outside of Portis and Moss' matchup against JAX and Maurice Morris vs. CHI, everyone else in the lineup has a decent opponent...The original prognosis on Shaun Alexander (that he was out indefinitely) made Maurice Morris a coup off the wire, but the talk that he wanted to play this week diminishes Morris' impact, as Alexander could be back by Week 6...In case you haven't noticed, there are 4 QBs on this roster- how long will that last?...Key Byes: Tatum Bell, Jeremy Shockey...Key Injuries: None

News and Notes, FL

The league's top scoring team faces their toughest opponent of the season so far...Good matchups for Chris Chambers (HOU) as well as their Eagles (GB)...Still waiting on Thomas Jones to earn his keeper designation; it's really odd that the Bears' offense hasn't committed to the run more...Despite the presence of Shit-Ton Bush, Deuce McAllister has been a fine option at RB this season, a nod to a very smart move made by Baron last season...Could have a find in Doug Gabriel as the Patriots search for Wide Receivers...Key Byes: Rod Smith, Heath Miller...Key Injuries: Laverneus Coles (Questionable), Brian Westbrook (Questionable), Reggie Brown (Probable), Ahman Green (Probable)

On Deck

The Nihilist Marmot vs. Naj Davenport's Poop (pk)

5 players that can truly be considered 'studs' sit out in this matchup...TNM misses both of their best running backs, while NDP is down his RB1 and his WR1 and WR2...The talent missing and the incestuous talent left leaves the handicapping committee no choice but to leave the line off of this one, though we do favor Viano by a hair...This game is important to both men, moreso to Viano who needs to avoid a 1-3 start...The two owners involved here have split all 4 meetings down the middle, with JR winning both games last season.

News and Notes, TNM

The true strength of the Marmot is it's wide receivers, who stay in tact this week, with tremendous matchups for the Colts and Antonio Bryant...The only hiccup in the tremendous matchup for Harrison/Wayne is that every point they score gives something to NDP's Peyton Manning...The running game in shambles, DeShaun Foster takes center stage as the teams RB1 against New Orleans...Tony Gonzalez will play his second full game with Damon Huard, a tandem that gave Tony just 1 point last time out; though this one is against San Fran, not Denver...LaDell Betts is in the running for the pickup of the year, as his touches are not all garbage time like some other backup RBs...Kurt Warner is starting again, probably much to the concern of JR...Key Byes: Tiki! Barber, Cadillac Williams...Key Injuries: None

News and Notes, NDP

Opposite JR, the running game here is breathing, but the WR corp is a crapshoot...Greg Jennings had a big week because of one big play, while Matt Jones is having groin problems and Bobby Engram is option 3B in Seattle vs. the BEARS...Jerious Norwood, despite his zero last week, is a good play against ARI, and Marion Barber got goal line looks in Dallas' last game...Todd Heap's health could factor in late, as a last second deactivation hurts because there is no backup currently on the bench (though Kellen Winslow is available. eh? eh? anyone?)...Also has 2 questionable defenders, we'll see how that works out for them...kudos to Andy for not only referring me to the Crazy-ass MSU guy, but also for jumping on 2006's Neil Rackers- Robbie Gould...Key Byes: Willie Parker, Hines Ward, Javon Walker...Key Injuries: Todd Heap (Questionable), Matt Jones (Probable), 2 Questionable defenders.

The 3 Spot

ChamPeons vs. Cellar Dwellers (+18)

Champion looks to bounce back from his first loss of the season, while Stem plays his first game without Shaun Alexander, ever (byes notwithstanding)...Winner of this game gets a cushy 3-1 start and hangs out at the front of the pack for playoff teams...If/how the Patriots get in the end zone is key here- if it's through the air, advantage CD; through the ground tilts toward CHM...Champ and Stem are 2-2 against one another lifetime, Stem won both games last season.

News and Notes, CHM

Champ's weakest week is week 4, 0-2 scoring an average of just 78.75 ppg, down from his career average of 98.82...This week should bring better stats, as Daunte Culpepper, Frank Gore, Joseph Addai and Julius Jones all have good matchups...Corey Dillon is out of the lineup, and left last game early, so for Champ's sake, he better sit out on Sunday putting everything in Laurence Maroney's hands- he's not on the injury report however...Troy Brown is currently in the lineup over a questionable Terrell Owens. Owens, who overdosed on Hydrocodone (generic Vicodin, which according to Jamie is a very non-reactive drug and won't suppress your respiratory system enough to kill yourself with) is a possible last second activation for Champ if he plays on Sunday...Key Byes: None...Key Injuries: Vernon Davis (out), Terrell Owens (Questionable), Frank Gore (Questionable)

News and Notes, CD

LaMont Jordan returns to LaLineup for CD, and he better have his head out of his ass. It's not really at all his fault that his numbers are so bad, but he needs to pick up some big time slack the next few weeks. He's the most disappointing keeper since JaMal Lewis, 2005...Kevin Jones got his shit together last week, and has a STL defense that is underrated, but can still be run on...Anthony Thomas is a long shot to score with Willis McGahee running so well...Tom Brady has been a very average QB this year, not meriting his lofty draft status. He's been outscored by Jon Kitna, Alex Smith and sits tied with Charlie Frye...Keenan McCardell is a nice WR to have stashed away, but until the Chargers get some balls and throw to their WR, he's a risky guy to have in the lineup...No choice this week however, with 2 WRs out of action already...Stem is bipolar in week 4s, notching his career high (141.75) and his career low (65.75) in this week. He's 1-1...Key Byes: Plaxico Burress...Key Injuries: Shaun Alexander (Doubtful), Donte Stallworth (Questionable), Keenan McCardell (Questionable)

Batting Cleanup

Madd Skillz vs. Who is Ron Mexico? (+19)

A battle of extremes as winless WIRM tries to take down the last undefeated team in the league...WIRM catches SKL after a down week, while Dave's crew has been playing very well in their last two losses...Watch the Bengals' TDs in this one, as too many for Housh could tip the scale...Schillinger has won the only battle between these two franchises, setting a VUFSA record for margin of victory in their lone meeting, winning 165.00-47.50 (+117.50)

News and Notes, SKL

Gets four offensive starters back from a bye week, including LaDanian Tomlinson and LaRry Johnson...Johnson has potential for his first monster week against the 49ers on Sunday...Week 3 hero Matt Hasselbeck is rewarded for his 5 TD effort with a benching against Chicago- Drew Bledsoe (vs. TEN) gets his first start of the season...Terry Glenn's role in the Dallas offense is still unknown- he's been involved and will be a focal point if TO is out for some time, but it's tough to get a read on him after just 2 games...Are we witnessing the demise of Chad Johnson? His teammates at WR both had tremendous games last week, proving again that Carson Palmer does not need Chad as much as he once did. He may not be an elite once the season is done...Don't sleep on Kevan Barlow...Key Byes: None...Key Injuries: Steve Smith (Probable), Kevan Barlow (Probable)

News and Notes, WIRM

Charlie Frye takes over for Eli Manning's bye week, the idea of playing a QB vs. OAK was too great to pass up for Dave, jettisoning Brett Farve in the process...TJ Housmandzadeh was a steal for Tomke, and the draft pick he got with him was icing on the cake...Foster looks even more expendable than he did last week with the emergence of Fat Ron Dayne and the potential of Maurice Jones-Drew...Shit-Ton Bush is consistently involved in New Orleans, but hasn't had a monster game, or even scored a touchdown yet...Marques Colston was a pretty sweet pickup, I do have to admit, especially since Chris Cooley died...Chester Taylor is key for Dave this week, as a big game from him will go a long way towards keeping his team in it...Key Byes: Eli Manning, Michael Clayton...Key Injuries: TJ Houshmanzadeh (Probable)

The 5 Hole

Tice's Partyboat vs. Father Abraham (+9.5)

Could-be-3-and-0 takes on Should-be-better-than-0-and-3 in this week's final game...Cardinal TDs are at a premium, with Edge facing Anquan Boldin...Not to get too dramatic too early, but this is pretty huge for both teams...As is now, the Wolfman has to win 8 of 11 in a parity plagued leage to even sniff the playoffs, while Souzek needs a win to keep pace, as no fewer than 3 and as many as 4 teams will be 3-1 after this week...Wolf holds a 2-1 series lead over Souzek, winning by 34 in their lone 2005 meeting.

News and Notes, TPB

This is the week where the alphabetical king of the strong finish picks up the pace- 8 of his 14 career losses have come in weeks 1-3, with just 6 from week 4-14...The team is pretty much at full strength again, although Chris Brown is questionable...Randy Moss is back from his bye and has been demoted to the flex spot. A smart motivational ploy by Coach Wolfman...If Ruben Droughns is going to do anything this season, it has to start now against the Raiders. There are no gimme games in the NFL, but this is as close as you can get...Warrick Dunn and Edgerrin James go head to head on the real life field, a game which TPB needs to stay close and on the ground...Keyshawn Johnson may have peaked in week 3, as Steve Smith is close to 100% in that Carolina offense again...Drew Brees is a steady real-life QB, but his fantasy effectiveness is in question. Although, with Alex Smith the only other option on the roster, the steady Brees is probably the better week-to-week option...Key Byes: None...Key Injuries: Chris Brown (Questionable), Ruben Droughns (Questionable)

News and Notes, FA

The memory of getting burned by Joey Galloway on the bench in week 2 is fresh in the Father's mind, and he won't let it happen again- keeping Galloway in the lineup (as of press time) despite the handicap of being on a bye...I'm going to work the rest of the N&N based on the assumption that the lineup hasn't actually been set yet...Jason Witten should be a strong play against Tennesee, although Desmond Clark is a worthwhile backup...Jamal Lewis should have a tough time finding holes against a very good San Diego run defense...Samkon Gado might find his way to the bench in favor of LenDale White or Leon Washington, both of whom could play a role on Sunday...Donovan McNabb has got a great Monday Nighter against GB...Once week 4 ends, Souzek typically collapses- a .545 (6-5) winning percentage in weeks 1-4, with a .150 (3-17) after week 4...Key Byes: Joey Galloway...Key Injuries: Desmond Clark (Questionable) Domanick Davis (IR)