NFL Week 4 Recap

I'm bitter. Weeks like this happen, I understand that - but it just felt like this entire weekend was one big circle jerk. Maybe it wasn't just Wednesday night that marked the Collapse. Perhaps this was the week of the Collapse. At around 3pm on Sunday I looked down the list of games and saw only 2 definitive losses on my card (Browns and Rams). The Cowboys were sitting pretty up 27-3, the Bills up 17-3 looked to be in control against the Bengals, and the Eagles were pouring it on 23-3 against the 49ers. All of these games were in the second half. Then I hopped in the car, drove to the airport to scoop my pops, and when I got back not only had those teams lost against the spread - but they lost the games outright. I thought it was a joke. To make matters worse the Markets have plummeted nearly 800 points since last Tuesday. So when I say this hasn't been my week, this really hasn't been my week. Click for more thoughts about this weekends games after the jump...


The picks came in at 5 wins, 11 losses for the week which puts us at a 55% winning percentage on the season. That's the magic number to make money in Vegas - so it's no surprise that through 4 weeks that's where I'm at. It could be worse, it could have been better - but that's how gambling goes. On the bright side, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers survived this week, and while it was ugly I'll take the win any which way it comes, especially after that weekend. There are still have some good teams left to play with (Patriots, Saints, Ravens, Packers, and Lions) so hopefully we can continue to find the right matchups. Here's a little about what I learned in Fantasy and in the NFL. 


Fantasy: 
Through 4 weeks you should have an idea of what type of team you have for the rest of the season. You know which guys are must start players - you know which players will continue you give you headaches - and you know which players you wish you wouldn't have drafted so high. There's certainly a lot that we've learned through the first four weeks of fantasy football as well as the NFL but I think the biggest take away so far this season has been the ridiculous amount of points that have been put up. It's only been 4 weeks but here are some eyebrow-raising on-pace numbers:


- Currently 6 QBs (Brady, Brees, Newton, Rodgers, Rivers, and Romo) are on pace to break Dan Marino's 1984 record for passing yards in a season (5,084 yards). 
- Rookie Cam Newton is on pace for 5,544 passing yards, 532 rushing yards, and 36 total touchdowns.
- WR Calvin Johnson is on pace for 32 receiving touchdowns and about 48 "how in the hell did he do that" plays. 
- RB Ryan Mathews is on pace for 1,152 rushing yards, 76 receptions, 1,016 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. 
- Former University of Miami Power Forward, Jimmy Graham, TE for the Saints is on pace for 1,468 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
- RB Matt Forte is on pace for 1,296 rushing yards, 104 receptions and 1,240 receiving yards.
- Probably the most ridiculous on pace numbers this year goes to WR Wes Welker. Through 4 weeks, Welker is on pace for 160 RECEPTIONS and 2,464 receiving yards. The most receptions in a season is 143, set by Marvin Harrison in 2003. The most receiving yards in a season is held by Jerry Rice with 1,848 yards in 1995. Absurd what he is doing. 


As for this week's pick ups there really aren't many players on the waiver wire that I could see cracking many starting lineups, unless you are in need of Bye week fill-ins. The only major injury this week was to Texans WR Andre Johnson who's void will probably be filled by the return of RB Arian Foster. If you're in need of waiver wire help at this point, your team is probably not headed to the playoffs. 


As for my teams - I went 3-0 for the first time this season - but all three of my teams were in the bottom half in total points for the week. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Also doesn't hurt to have Megatron.


NFL:
In the AFC the Patriots and the Ravens are the only dominant teams through 4 weeks. The Texans are up there but with Johnson out for the next 2-3 weeks, it'll be interesting to see where they go from here. The Bills couldn't pull out a win in Cincy which definitely feels like cause for concern, but I'll wait for this weeks matchup against the lowly Eagles to hop off the wagon. The Dolphins and Colts are both 0-4. For the Dolphins they get a bye - which I still think they'll lose. Good luck in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes (My Favorite part of that clip is the bottom line - Yankees 9, Tigers 1. Ahh the good old days.) 


In the NFC Green Bay and Detroit continue their undefeated seasons. I'm still not in on the Lions being Superbowl contenders because of the nature of their last 2 victories. Just feels like that streak of luck will run out soon - it did for the Bills last week. I think the Saints join the Packers as the only other legitimate Superbowl contender in the NFC. The Eagles are in a downward spiral - mostly because of their defense and Ronnie Brown. In fact, the Eagles are the first team since 1983 with 1,700 offensive yards and a losing record. The '83 Chargers who accomplished that same feat ended up 6-10 for the season. The Cowboys are flat out frustrating to root for. The Giants were handed the game by the refs in Arizona - but now sit atop the NFC East with Washington at 3-1. The Vikings and Rams are still searching for that first W. 


That's all I got for now - I'll be back with the Survivor pick tomorrow - probably some thoughts on the Baseball playoffs (hopefully the Yanks and Phils are still alive) later this week - and whatever else I feel like writing about. Here's to a better week!