World of Noise (4-1) at Jimmy Jammers (3-2)
Series Record: Jammers leads 4-1.
Last Meeting: Noise won 94-83 in Week 9 (2008).
Matchup Notes: And the matchup we've been waiting for — Big Brother vs. Little Brother. East vs. West. Peyton vs. Eli.
First place in the conference is on the line — if the Slackers lose — and that makes the stakes to this matchup even higher.
This matchup is quite unpredictable due to the fact that the majority of the Jammers' and Noise's players are running up against the worst in the NFL.
Generally, you would think that it would mean that this matchup will feature a lot of points scored, but with so many players in favorable matchups, you have to believe someone is going to go off and another is going to hide in the shadows.
The Jammers will go with Big Ben again this week as the Steelers host Cleveland, while Noise has McNabb in Oakland.
Last week, the Raiders were so bad that Eli Manning was able to sit down in the second quarter with a 28-7 lead.
Many experts and fans watching the game said that all 53 guys gave up. Now, I doubt that since you only dress 45 players, but still, it was a horrific performance.
The Noise has pushed all the chips toward the center of the table for this matchup. Five of his nine starters are Eagles.
To go with McNabb, Noise will run Brian Westbrook, Jeremy Maclin, David Akers and the Eagles defense out onto the field.
This can be a risky move. The Eagles are heading across country, playing a team that was mortified last week and should have a little bit of fire this week.
If that's the case, and the Eagles — who will win — find themselves in a 21-10 game, the Noise could be in a lot of trouble.
His other back is Chester Taylor in Baltimore, Eddie Royal in San Diego and Andre Johnson in Cincinnati. All three are road games, but Johnson should be the lone road warrior to emerge victorious on Sunday.
To go with Big Ben, the Jammers will have Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller going against Cleveland.
The wintry Noreasters is expected to clear out early Sunday morning, so Pittsburgh should be dry and good for the passing game.
Holmes has been a disappointment since Week 1, when he was benched by the Jammers. He had 19.1 points Week 1; he's had 21 in the four games since.
So maybe this will be the week?
If it isn't, the Jammers will still have Larry Fitzgerald — who broke out last week — in Seattle and Braylon Edwards at home against Buffalo.
This will be Edwards' chance to prove Dawson and the critics wrong by showing everyone that he can play even when it's not Monday Night Football.
Coincidently, that might be when this matchup is decided.
The Jammers has Darren Sproles and kicker Matt Prater going against Eddie Royal on Monday Night.
But by then, the Big Brother should have already sealed the win vs. Little Brother. By then, the sun will have set on the West, while the team in the East will have moved into a position to be No. 1 in the conference.
At least, living in Arizona, Noise won't lose any sleep over praying for a big night from Eddie Royal.
Key Player: Eagles as a whole, for reasons already written.
Jammers’ Prediction: Jammers continues his success against his little bro and avenges his first loss to the owner who calls him weekly for fantasy advice. Jammers 134, Noise 98.
Chinese Organ Thieves (3-2) at Sunday Slackers (4-1)
Series Record: Thieves lead 1-0.
Last Meeting: Thieves won 109-67 in Week 9 (2008)
Matchup Notes: The Thieves are on a roll and the Slackers suffered their first setback of the season.
The loss came with Brees out of the lineup on the bye week, but Brees hasn't been much of a factor in his last two games.
After throwing nine touchdowns in the first two games, he's been shutout since.
That will end this week against a banged up Giants secondary. Brees is back in the dome and ready to go.
The Slackers will be hoping for a big offensive output, too, as they have committed to two other Saints — RB Pierre Thomas and WR Marques Colston. Colston will just earn double-points with Brees and Thomas will ensure that every Saint touchdown should belong to the Slackers.
This means, though, every touchdown Reggie Bush runs in, whether on special teams or on offense, is going to spoil the Slackers' Sunday.
But, Bush has just one touchdown in four weeks. Either he's due for some points or he just sucks.
If Bush can score 7 or more points, though, I'm sure the Thieves will be satisfied.
Limited in his choices due to the BYE, the Thieves has inserted Jonathan Stewart and Nate Burleson into the lineup. Both players had good games last Sunday and both have favorable matchups this week.
A reason to worry, though, would be the matchups for his top two stars. Adrian Peterson is going against Baltimore, which has given up some points this year, but still is a formidable defense.
With this game being played in Minnesota, l like Peterson's chances to put up 15-20 points this week. I think he'll shine against this tough Ravens defense.
The other worrisome matchup is Philiip Rivers against Denver. The Denver defense has made a case to be called the best in the NFL so far, and Rivers will have to work out of their slow start and make some smart plays to get to 20 points. He also will need either an effective run game or better pass protection, none of which he has received yet this season.
LaDainian Tomlinson is expected to return this week, but he hasn't had much of an impact — so it will either be up to Sproles. Otherwise, there will be a lot of pressure on Rivers.
There will be even more if Brandon Marshall continues his reemergence as one of the NFL's top receivers. The Chargers' secondary has been very suspect and will have all eyes. We'll see if they can tackle better than the Cowboys.
Getting back to the Slackers, let's talk about what game the owner will be watching.
How about New York and New Orleans. As mentioned, three Saints will be going for the Slackers, but he also has three Giants — Ahmad Bradshaw, Steve Smith and Lawrence Tynes.
He only lives in a second floor apartment, but we better find some mattresses and place them outside his window — because if this game is 10-7 with 1:34 left in the fourth quarter, you might see his window creep open.
The Thieves have only four players going at 1 p.m., whereas the Slackers will be done when the 4 o'clock games kick off.
He also might be landing softly outside his apartment at that time.
Key Player:Reggie Bush. He can be the spoiler. Big time. There are only so many touchdowns scored in games, and if Bush can somehow take two away from the Slackers three Saints, it could put a damper on the Slackers' 4-0 start.
Jammers’ Prediction: This has nothing to do with the fact that I'm in the Slackers' division, I just think he's going to get edged out. I like the Saints to put up about 24-28 points, but I don't see the Giants having much success this weekend. Thieves win 109-102.
Dottsville Toasters (4-1) at Channel 4 News Team (3-2)
Series Record: Toasters lead 3-2.
Last Meeting: News Team won 84-75 Week 9 (2008).
Matchup Notes: It's gotta be force.
Eh, I just wanted to say that since these two high school science video stars are matching up this week.
And while I started this preview with something about these two owners' past, it's their future that is taking center stage this weekend.
Both the Toasters and the News Team have young emerging stars leading them to their fast starts. These conference rivals and current division leaders are a combined 7-3 on the season.
The Toasters will be looking to Chris Johnson, Ray Rice and Tim Hightower this week — all young running backs who have been key in the Toasters' start.
Johnson has struggled, though, since his 52.5-point game, and this week may be tough, too. The Titans speed back will be in New England where the wintry/rainy weather has not moved out and will hang around throughout the game. That could obviously make it tough for Johnson to make cuts and burst through the hole.
Rice also will have a tough go this weekend as he's in Minnesota going against one of the better defenses in the NFL.
And Hightower should be good for his normal 10 or 12 points against Seattle, which is solid for a FLEX player.
Where the Toasters will be looking to as the key this weekend is Greg Jennings. First of all, he's going against the Lions, but second of all, News Team has Aaron Rodgers, so a big day by Jennings should keep Rodgers from getting too far ahead of the Toasters. If Jennings can be on the other end of all of Rodgers TD passes, that would be a successful day for the Toasters.
I think that would be completely possible if the Packers weren't playing the Lions. I think Rodgers will have several options when it comes to passing and that will hurt Jennings' chances to be dominant.
The News Team also has a lot of starters on the road this week, but a few of them have very favorable matchups.
The biggest one is DeSean Jackson, who is coming of the BYE and a game in which he had 1 yard. He'll bounce back for sure against the Raiders. He just has to.
I also like Kevin Smith against Green Bay. I don't expect a big day, but I do expect his normal output. He's been able to hit or get close to double-digits on a weekly basis.
Matt Forte, who said this week that he's back to 100 percent health-wise, will be inside the dome in Atlanta, and he, too, should be good for double-digits.
An iffy player on the road for the News Team is Donnie Avery in Jacksonville. First of all, he's a Ram and that offense — team for that matter — is horrible. Avery had his first score of the season last week, but I see no reason why it won't take another five weeks for him to score again.
I would like Santanna Moss against the Chiefs if they weren't playing in the wet and wild Northeast this weekend. This doesn't mean Moss won't put up the points; it just means I don't like the risk.
No matter what, this matchup should be fun to watch. With games spread all over the weekend time schedule, the News Team will have a chance to comeback or add to a lead on Sunday night with Matt Forte, while the Toasters will look to Vincent Jackson on Monday night against Denver.
Key Player: Matt Schaub. The Texans on-again, off-again QB, has to match Rodgers this weekend and it will be tough to do. The Texans are in Cincinnati this weekend and the Toasters could really use a good 20-30 points from his QB. Maybe Houston will pass on the goal-line from now on rather than hand it off to Chris Brown.
Jammers’ Prediction: News Team wins 125-110.
Fear and Loathing (2-3) at Stanksta's Gangstas (1-4)
Series Record: Stank leads 1-0-1.
Last Meeting: Stank won 112-88 in 2008 Wild Card round.
Matchup Notes: Fear and Loathing has lost two in a row and things might get worse after this weekend.
Stank also has lost two in a row, but my last sentence would suggest something good is on the horizon.
Fear is relying on a lot of things to go right on Sunday to win this matchup.
Kurt Warner in rainy Seattle could be a tough-go, but there's no way you cannot start him with the Cardinals' offensive potential.
Mewelde Moore is hit-or-miss because either the Steelers are in third-down formations with him or they are moving the ball with Rashard Mendenhall, thus keeping Moore off the field.
Fred Jackson also has taken a side-seat now that Marshawn Lynch has returned from suspension. The Bills are also playing the Jets defense — not fun.
Randy Moss is in rainy and windy New England, but he is going up against the Titans defense, which is a joke this season. If there were sunny skies Sunday, I'd predict Moss to score three TDs. The weather could limit him.
Mario Manningham in New Orleans and Jacoby Jones in Cincinnati are risky starts, but have had good weeks this season and could easily put Fear over the top.
But he's going to need every point he can get as the Stank will get big games out of Matt Ryan, Maurice Jones-Drew, Hines Ward and Tony Gonzalez.
Ryan is at home against Chicago, while Jones-Drew is at home against the Rams.
Jones-Drew has to be the key here and Stank will be hoping for two scores and 100 yards from him.
If he's shut down, then Fear could be in the driver's seat as the Stank will find himself relying on Jamal Lewis and Josh Cribbs to do something against Pittsburgh. After last week's pillow fight with Buffalo, I don't like Cleveland's chances whatsoever.
Ward, on the other side, should out-perform both Lewis and Cribbs.
The defenses also will come into play in this matchup as Fear's Steelers get Troy Polamalu back and if he's healthy, that will be a big boost against the wayward Browns.
Stank's has the 2009 surprise defense, the Broncos, going against division rival San Diego. That matchup could be tough just because when these two teams get together lately, there tend to be shootouts. If that's the case, Fear gets the edge here.
Key Player: Jones-Drew, for aforementioned reasons.
Jammers’ Prediction: This matchup is so close. We seem to have at least one of these each week. These teams have tied before in their first meeting last season, and while I sincerely doubt that will happen this season under the new scoring system, it might come down to the home team. Stank wins 106-104.
Real Houserville (2-3) at T-Money (3-2)
Series Record: Houserville leads 1-0.
Last Meeting: Houserville won 108-61.
Matchup Notes: If this matchup was a chick, you wouldn't dance with her at the party. You'd look the other way and pray she doesn't talk to you.
OK, well, I'll admit this matchup is really sexy from the neck down.
So maybe you'll swallow some pride and give this one a look.
Both Houserville and T-Money are without their quarterbacks. Peyton Manning and Tony Romo are both on the BYE.
As a result, the Villains will have to go with Matt Cassel. He hasn't been that bad against the NFC East, but still, I wouldn't like to have to rely on him too much.
But hey, Cassel is like Peyton Manning compared to the options T-Money has. As of right now, T-Money still has Romo in the lineup which means zero points.
That, however, is 1.3 more points than T-Money's backups scored last week. JaMarcus Russell had negative-0.5 last week, while Derek Anderson had negative-0.8.
I wouldn't be surprised if he hits the waiver wire before kickoff with Jake Delhomme and three other starters available.
Outside of the quarterback battle, this matchup gets interesting as one of the best offenses in the JFL will send out his normal platoon of backs in Steve Slaton, Rashard Mendenhall and Cedric Benson.
Slaton and Benson are going head to head, so the Villains will need a smash-mouth kind of game to get significant points out of this one. If it gets lopsided, one team will abandon the run for sure.
Mendenhall should get to double-digits easily. He might get a touchdown if the Steelers get the ball inside the 5, otherwise, the touchdowns will come through the air.
Roddy White had a coming out party last weekend and singlehandedly won the Villains' second-straight game. He will be going against the Bears defense this week, and while he will not go for 35 points this week, he'll still get double-digits.
Mike Sims-Walker should, too, going against St. Louis.
T-Money will rely heavily on Thomas Jones and Knowshon Moreno. Jones scored two touchdowns last week and will get some more opportunities this weekend against Buffalo. Moreno, on the other hand, has had low double-digit totals in the last two weeks. Against San Diego, I believe he will be limited.
Wideouts Anquan Boldin and Chad Johnson should be good for catches and yards, but do not hope for touchdowns from these two. Johnson has three through five weeks, while Boldin has just one.
Key Player: I'm going to go with the guy who isn't on his team yet. Jake Delhomme is the key. If Money picks him up, his team has a chance to win. Otherwise, his offense will be battling from behind.
Jammers’ Prediction: Houserville's players make the most of their Sunday as Villains win 129-88.
Graybill's Generals (1-4) at Team Boyer (0-5)
Series Record: Boyer leads 3-1.
Last Meeting: Generals won 78-73 in Week 9 (2008).
Matchup Notes: Ugh. Who wants to win this one?
Boyer had a breakout party last week, only to run into one of the JFL's top offenses.
Michael Turner finally arrived, along with Clinton Portis, and Boyer might have that kind of weekend again. Portis is going against Kansas City and Turner is at home against Chicago.
Ryan Grant also comes off the BYE with a home game against Detroit.
There's a potential for 50-60 points out of the three RBs alone. That will be important because the rest of the lineup is iffy. Bernard Berrian is still MIA in 2009 and Wes Welker has been in and out of the lineup with injuries.
His QB, who happens to be Boyer's QB, also will have to fight through bad weather to get Boyer his first win of the season. He has a lot riding on that game with TE Ben Watson and the Titans defense in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, the Generals has to be looking at his lineup and asking, "Why?"
Eli Manning put up 20 points last week, but left early because it was a blowout.
DeAngelo Williams has come back to Earth after his out-of-this-world performance at the end of last season that led to a JFL Super Bowl title.
Steve Smith (Car.) also has struggled because the Panthers just haven't been the team they were last season. Maybe this week against the Bucs they can have a 2008-like game?
Percy Harvin has been a big lift for the Generals, keeping him in matchups, but the rookie wideout is questionable this weekend.
I wouldn't be surprised to see his lineup change up by Sunday. Several bench players at this moment on Saturday seem worthy of a start, and that includes QB David Garrard against St. Louis.
Eli is going against the Saints defense, which is a scary matchup in my mind.
Antonio Gates and Donald Driver (vs. Lions) also sit on the bench waiting to get the nod.
Put them in coach!
Key Player:Tom Brady. If he can overcome the weather problems and have a big day, it might lead to Boyer's first win.
Jammers’ Prediction:I'm going to pick the Generals right now, but I'm not confident in this pick unless he gets a couple of those bench players into the starting lineup.
Series Record: Jammers leads 4-1.
Last Meeting: Noise won 94-83 in Week 9 (2008).
Matchup Notes: And the matchup we've been waiting for — Big Brother vs. Little Brother. East vs. West. Peyton vs. Eli.
First place in the conference is on the line — if the Slackers lose — and that makes the stakes to this matchup even higher.
This matchup is quite unpredictable due to the fact that the majority of the Jammers' and Noise's players are running up against the worst in the NFL.
Generally, you would think that it would mean that this matchup will feature a lot of points scored, but with so many players in favorable matchups, you have to believe someone is going to go off and another is going to hide in the shadows.
The Jammers will go with Big Ben again this week as the Steelers host Cleveland, while Noise has McNabb in Oakland.
Last week, the Raiders were so bad that Eli Manning was able to sit down in the second quarter with a 28-7 lead.
Many experts and fans watching the game said that all 53 guys gave up. Now, I doubt that since you only dress 45 players, but still, it was a horrific performance.
The Noise has pushed all the chips toward the center of the table for this matchup. Five of his nine starters are Eagles.
To go with McNabb, Noise will run Brian Westbrook, Jeremy Maclin, David Akers and the Eagles defense out onto the field.
This can be a risky move. The Eagles are heading across country, playing a team that was mortified last week and should have a little bit of fire this week.
If that's the case, and the Eagles — who will win — find themselves in a 21-10 game, the Noise could be in a lot of trouble.
His other back is Chester Taylor in Baltimore, Eddie Royal in San Diego and Andre Johnson in Cincinnati. All three are road games, but Johnson should be the lone road warrior to emerge victorious on Sunday.
To go with Big Ben, the Jammers will have Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller going against Cleveland.
The wintry Noreasters is expected to clear out early Sunday morning, so Pittsburgh should be dry and good for the passing game.
Holmes has been a disappointment since Week 1, when he was benched by the Jammers. He had 19.1 points Week 1; he's had 21 in the four games since.
So maybe this will be the week?
If it isn't, the Jammers will still have Larry Fitzgerald — who broke out last week — in Seattle and Braylon Edwards at home against Buffalo.
This will be Edwards' chance to prove Dawson and the critics wrong by showing everyone that he can play even when it's not Monday Night Football.
Coincidently, that might be when this matchup is decided.
The Jammers has Darren Sproles and kicker Matt Prater going against Eddie Royal on Monday Night.
But by then, the Big Brother should have already sealed the win vs. Little Brother. By then, the sun will have set on the West, while the team in the East will have moved into a position to be No. 1 in the conference.
At least, living in Arizona, Noise won't lose any sleep over praying for a big night from Eddie Royal.
Key Player: Eagles as a whole, for reasons already written.
Jammers’ Prediction: Jammers continues his success against his little bro and avenges his first loss to the owner who calls him weekly for fantasy advice. Jammers 134, Noise 98.
Chinese Organ Thieves (3-2) at Sunday Slackers (4-1)
Series Record: Thieves lead 1-0.
Last Meeting: Thieves won 109-67 in Week 9 (2008)
Matchup Notes: The Thieves are on a roll and the Slackers suffered their first setback of the season.
The loss came with Brees out of the lineup on the bye week, but Brees hasn't been much of a factor in his last two games.
After throwing nine touchdowns in the first two games, he's been shutout since.
That will end this week against a banged up Giants secondary. Brees is back in the dome and ready to go.
The Slackers will be hoping for a big offensive output, too, as they have committed to two other Saints — RB Pierre Thomas and WR Marques Colston. Colston will just earn double-points with Brees and Thomas will ensure that every Saint touchdown should belong to the Slackers.
This means, though, every touchdown Reggie Bush runs in, whether on special teams or on offense, is going to spoil the Slackers' Sunday.
But, Bush has just one touchdown in four weeks. Either he's due for some points or he just sucks.
If Bush can score 7 or more points, though, I'm sure the Thieves will be satisfied.
Limited in his choices due to the BYE, the Thieves has inserted Jonathan Stewart and Nate Burleson into the lineup. Both players had good games last Sunday and both have favorable matchups this week.
A reason to worry, though, would be the matchups for his top two stars. Adrian Peterson is going against Baltimore, which has given up some points this year, but still is a formidable defense.
With this game being played in Minnesota, l like Peterson's chances to put up 15-20 points this week. I think he'll shine against this tough Ravens defense.
The other worrisome matchup is Philiip Rivers against Denver. The Denver defense has made a case to be called the best in the NFL so far, and Rivers will have to work out of their slow start and make some smart plays to get to 20 points. He also will need either an effective run game or better pass protection, none of which he has received yet this season.
LaDainian Tomlinson is expected to return this week, but he hasn't had much of an impact — so it will either be up to Sproles. Otherwise, there will be a lot of pressure on Rivers.
There will be even more if Brandon Marshall continues his reemergence as one of the NFL's top receivers. The Chargers' secondary has been very suspect and will have all eyes. We'll see if they can tackle better than the Cowboys.
Getting back to the Slackers, let's talk about what game the owner will be watching.
How about New York and New Orleans. As mentioned, three Saints will be going for the Slackers, but he also has three Giants — Ahmad Bradshaw, Steve Smith and Lawrence Tynes.
He only lives in a second floor apartment, but we better find some mattresses and place them outside his window — because if this game is 10-7 with 1:34 left in the fourth quarter, you might see his window creep open.
The Thieves have only four players going at 1 p.m., whereas the Slackers will be done when the 4 o'clock games kick off.
He also might be landing softly outside his apartment at that time.
Key Player:Reggie Bush. He can be the spoiler. Big time. There are only so many touchdowns scored in games, and if Bush can somehow take two away from the Slackers three Saints, it could put a damper on the Slackers' 4-0 start.
Jammers’ Prediction: This has nothing to do with the fact that I'm in the Slackers' division, I just think he's going to get edged out. I like the Saints to put up about 24-28 points, but I don't see the Giants having much success this weekend. Thieves win 109-102.
Dottsville Toasters (4-1) at Channel 4 News Team (3-2)
Series Record: Toasters lead 3-2.
Last Meeting: News Team won 84-75 Week 9 (2008).
Matchup Notes: It's gotta be force.
Eh, I just wanted to say that since these two high school science video stars are matching up this week.
And while I started this preview with something about these two owners' past, it's their future that is taking center stage this weekend.
Both the Toasters and the News Team have young emerging stars leading them to their fast starts. These conference rivals and current division leaders are a combined 7-3 on the season.
The Toasters will be looking to Chris Johnson, Ray Rice and Tim Hightower this week — all young running backs who have been key in the Toasters' start.
Johnson has struggled, though, since his 52.5-point game, and this week may be tough, too. The Titans speed back will be in New England where the wintry/rainy weather has not moved out and will hang around throughout the game. That could obviously make it tough for Johnson to make cuts and burst through the hole.
Rice also will have a tough go this weekend as he's in Minnesota going against one of the better defenses in the NFL.
And Hightower should be good for his normal 10 or 12 points against Seattle, which is solid for a FLEX player.
Where the Toasters will be looking to as the key this weekend is Greg Jennings. First of all, he's going against the Lions, but second of all, News Team has Aaron Rodgers, so a big day by Jennings should keep Rodgers from getting too far ahead of the Toasters. If Jennings can be on the other end of all of Rodgers TD passes, that would be a successful day for the Toasters.
I think that would be completely possible if the Packers weren't playing the Lions. I think Rodgers will have several options when it comes to passing and that will hurt Jennings' chances to be dominant.
The News Team also has a lot of starters on the road this week, but a few of them have very favorable matchups.
The biggest one is DeSean Jackson, who is coming of the BYE and a game in which he had 1 yard. He'll bounce back for sure against the Raiders. He just has to.
I also like Kevin Smith against Green Bay. I don't expect a big day, but I do expect his normal output. He's been able to hit or get close to double-digits on a weekly basis.
Matt Forte, who said this week that he's back to 100 percent health-wise, will be inside the dome in Atlanta, and he, too, should be good for double-digits.
An iffy player on the road for the News Team is Donnie Avery in Jacksonville. First of all, he's a Ram and that offense — team for that matter — is horrible. Avery had his first score of the season last week, but I see no reason why it won't take another five weeks for him to score again.
I would like Santanna Moss against the Chiefs if they weren't playing in the wet and wild Northeast this weekend. This doesn't mean Moss won't put up the points; it just means I don't like the risk.
No matter what, this matchup should be fun to watch. With games spread all over the weekend time schedule, the News Team will have a chance to comeback or add to a lead on Sunday night with Matt Forte, while the Toasters will look to Vincent Jackson on Monday night against Denver.
Key Player: Matt Schaub. The Texans on-again, off-again QB, has to match Rodgers this weekend and it will be tough to do. The Texans are in Cincinnati this weekend and the Toasters could really use a good 20-30 points from his QB. Maybe Houston will pass on the goal-line from now on rather than hand it off to Chris Brown.
Jammers’ Prediction: News Team wins 125-110.
Fear and Loathing (2-3) at Stanksta's Gangstas (1-4)
Series Record: Stank leads 1-0-1.
Last Meeting: Stank won 112-88 in 2008 Wild Card round.
Matchup Notes: Fear and Loathing has lost two in a row and things might get worse after this weekend.
Stank also has lost two in a row, but my last sentence would suggest something good is on the horizon.
Fear is relying on a lot of things to go right on Sunday to win this matchup.
Kurt Warner in rainy Seattle could be a tough-go, but there's no way you cannot start him with the Cardinals' offensive potential.
Mewelde Moore is hit-or-miss because either the Steelers are in third-down formations with him or they are moving the ball with Rashard Mendenhall, thus keeping Moore off the field.
Fred Jackson also has taken a side-seat now that Marshawn Lynch has returned from suspension. The Bills are also playing the Jets defense — not fun.
Randy Moss is in rainy and windy New England, but he is going up against the Titans defense, which is a joke this season. If there were sunny skies Sunday, I'd predict Moss to score three TDs. The weather could limit him.
Mario Manningham in New Orleans and Jacoby Jones in Cincinnati are risky starts, but have had good weeks this season and could easily put Fear over the top.
But he's going to need every point he can get as the Stank will get big games out of Matt Ryan, Maurice Jones-Drew, Hines Ward and Tony Gonzalez.
Ryan is at home against Chicago, while Jones-Drew is at home against the Rams.
Jones-Drew has to be the key here and Stank will be hoping for two scores and 100 yards from him.
If he's shut down, then Fear could be in the driver's seat as the Stank will find himself relying on Jamal Lewis and Josh Cribbs to do something against Pittsburgh. After last week's pillow fight with Buffalo, I don't like Cleveland's chances whatsoever.
Ward, on the other side, should out-perform both Lewis and Cribbs.
The defenses also will come into play in this matchup as Fear's Steelers get Troy Polamalu back and if he's healthy, that will be a big boost against the wayward Browns.
Stank's has the 2009 surprise defense, the Broncos, going against division rival San Diego. That matchup could be tough just because when these two teams get together lately, there tend to be shootouts. If that's the case, Fear gets the edge here.
Key Player: Jones-Drew, for aforementioned reasons.
Jammers’ Prediction: This matchup is so close. We seem to have at least one of these each week. These teams have tied before in their first meeting last season, and while I sincerely doubt that will happen this season under the new scoring system, it might come down to the home team. Stank wins 106-104.
Real Houserville (2-3) at T-Money (3-2)
Series Record: Houserville leads 1-0.
Last Meeting: Houserville won 108-61.
Matchup Notes: If this matchup was a chick, you wouldn't dance with her at the party. You'd look the other way and pray she doesn't talk to you.
OK, well, I'll admit this matchup is really sexy from the neck down.
So maybe you'll swallow some pride and give this one a look.
Both Houserville and T-Money are without their quarterbacks. Peyton Manning and Tony Romo are both on the BYE.
As a result, the Villains will have to go with Matt Cassel. He hasn't been that bad against the NFC East, but still, I wouldn't like to have to rely on him too much.
But hey, Cassel is like Peyton Manning compared to the options T-Money has. As of right now, T-Money still has Romo in the lineup which means zero points.
That, however, is 1.3 more points than T-Money's backups scored last week. JaMarcus Russell had negative-0.5 last week, while Derek Anderson had negative-0.8.
I wouldn't be surprised if he hits the waiver wire before kickoff with Jake Delhomme and three other starters available.
Outside of the quarterback battle, this matchup gets interesting as one of the best offenses in the JFL will send out his normal platoon of backs in Steve Slaton, Rashard Mendenhall and Cedric Benson.
Slaton and Benson are going head to head, so the Villains will need a smash-mouth kind of game to get significant points out of this one. If it gets lopsided, one team will abandon the run for sure.
Mendenhall should get to double-digits easily. He might get a touchdown if the Steelers get the ball inside the 5, otherwise, the touchdowns will come through the air.
Roddy White had a coming out party last weekend and singlehandedly won the Villains' second-straight game. He will be going against the Bears defense this week, and while he will not go for 35 points this week, he'll still get double-digits.
Mike Sims-Walker should, too, going against St. Louis.
T-Money will rely heavily on Thomas Jones and Knowshon Moreno. Jones scored two touchdowns last week and will get some more opportunities this weekend against Buffalo. Moreno, on the other hand, has had low double-digit totals in the last two weeks. Against San Diego, I believe he will be limited.
Wideouts Anquan Boldin and Chad Johnson should be good for catches and yards, but do not hope for touchdowns from these two. Johnson has three through five weeks, while Boldin has just one.
Key Player: I'm going to go with the guy who isn't on his team yet. Jake Delhomme is the key. If Money picks him up, his team has a chance to win. Otherwise, his offense will be battling from behind.
Jammers’ Prediction: Houserville's players make the most of their Sunday as Villains win 129-88.
Graybill's Generals (1-4) at Team Boyer (0-5)
Series Record: Boyer leads 3-1.
Last Meeting: Generals won 78-73 in Week 9 (2008).
Matchup Notes: Ugh. Who wants to win this one?
Boyer had a breakout party last week, only to run into one of the JFL's top offenses.
Michael Turner finally arrived, along with Clinton Portis, and Boyer might have that kind of weekend again. Portis is going against Kansas City and Turner is at home against Chicago.
Ryan Grant also comes off the BYE with a home game against Detroit.
There's a potential for 50-60 points out of the three RBs alone. That will be important because the rest of the lineup is iffy. Bernard Berrian is still MIA in 2009 and Wes Welker has been in and out of the lineup with injuries.
His QB, who happens to be Boyer's QB, also will have to fight through bad weather to get Boyer his first win of the season. He has a lot riding on that game with TE Ben Watson and the Titans defense in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, the Generals has to be looking at his lineup and asking, "Why?"
Eli Manning put up 20 points last week, but left early because it was a blowout.
DeAngelo Williams has come back to Earth after his out-of-this-world performance at the end of last season that led to a JFL Super Bowl title.
Steve Smith (Car.) also has struggled because the Panthers just haven't been the team they were last season. Maybe this week against the Bucs they can have a 2008-like game?
Percy Harvin has been a big lift for the Generals, keeping him in matchups, but the rookie wideout is questionable this weekend.
I wouldn't be surprised to see his lineup change up by Sunday. Several bench players at this moment on Saturday seem worthy of a start, and that includes QB David Garrard against St. Louis.
Eli is going against the Saints defense, which is a scary matchup in my mind.
Antonio Gates and Donald Driver (vs. Lions) also sit on the bench waiting to get the nod.
Put them in coach!
Key Player:Tom Brady. If he can overcome the weather problems and have a big day, it might lead to Boyer's first win.
Jammers’ Prediction:I'm going to pick the Generals right now, but I'm not confident in this pick unless he gets a couple of those bench players into the starting lineup.
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