Week Three in Review Sep 25, 2007 | More

Week 3 Recap

Jets 31 --- Dolphins 28
The Jets got their first win of the year behind Chad Pennington and Thomas Jones. They grinded out a few long drives that just wore out the Dolphins. Chad had only 124 yards, but completed two TDs-one to Coles and one to the TE Baker on a nice bobbling catch in the back of the endzone. Leon Washington also contributed, but on special teams where he took a kick return 98 yards to the house.

As for the Dolphins, it was a positive fantasy day despite the loss as the fell to 0-3. Trent Green threw for over 300 yards and added a TD to Ronnie Brown. Speaking of Mr. Brown, he had a huge breakout day with 99 receiving yards, 110 rushing yards, and 2 touchdowns! Ronnie had every rushing carry, which was also a good sign for his fantasy owners. Chris Chambers also had a nice day with 6 grabs for 101 yards. 

Patriots 38 --- Bills 7
Tom Brady to  Randy Moss. Tom Brady to Randy Moss. Getting old? The Pats don't think so. Brady hooked up with Randy for 115 yards and 2 scores on Sunday as the Pats routed the Buffalo Bills at home. Brady finished with 311 yards and 4 TD's. Maroney ran for 103 yards, but Sammy Morris yet again stole a TD from him. Welker added 6 catches for 69 yards.

As for the Bills, there just isn't much to say. Marshawn Lynch scored his 2nd TD of his career and had a respectable 74 yard day on the ground. However, the Bills passing game was inept. Losman left the game early and did not return. He is expected to miss a few weeks. So, in came Trent Edwards who threw for 97 yards and an INT. Another disappointing day at the office for Lee Evans, who had just one catch for only seven yards. Now with the Losman injury news, things for Evans' fantasy owners just got worse---if that is even possible.

Chiefs 13 --- Vikings 10
A rather boring game took place in Arrowhead Sunday as the Chiefs edged the Vikes for their first win of the season. Larry Johnson continues to struggle as he posted 24 carries for 42 yards. Huard hooked up with Bowe for the eventual game winning TD in the 4th quarter. The rookie Bowe finished with 71 yards and that TD.

Holcomb made the start for the Vikes and he did not fair very well. He had just 165 yards in the air in the loss. Adrian Peterson continues to have a solid rookie season thus far with Chester Taylor suffering with his injury. AD had 102 yards on 25 carries and an early TD. He also had 48 receiving yards on three receptions.

Colts 30 --- Texans 24
The Colts picked up their 3rd win of the year in Week 3 over the Texans in Houston. Joseph Addai led the way with 72 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Peyton Manning threw for 273 yards, but had just one TD to Dallas Clark. Harrison and Wayne had 53 and 84 yards, respectively.  The Colts defense shut down the Texans running game and forced the Texans to throw, who were without their top WR, Andre Johnson, due to injury.

Speaking of injuries, the Texans got hit again this weekend when Ahman Green left the field with a left knee sprain and did not return. Jacoby Jones is also expected to miss a few weeks with a separated shoulder. The Texans only managed to rush for about 40 yards between five guys, including the QB Matt Schaub. Schaub missed his #1 target greatly as he threw for 236 with 2 picks and a late TD.

Packers 31 --- Chargers 24
The suprise team of the NFL is the Green Bay Packers. Through three weeks of the season, the Packers are 3-0, with this win being the most significant. Brett Favre tied Dan Marino for the most TD passes in NFL history in his 369-yard, 3 TD day. Donald Driver racked up 126 yards and a TD while Greg Jennings had an 82-yard day, which included the go-ahead 57-yard TD catch and run. There was not much on the ground for Packers as they ran it only 11 times, but Brandon Jackson was able to steal a late garbage TD.

On the other hand, one of the most disappointing teams in the first three games is the San Diego Chargers. They are now 1-2 and were a very popular pick this week to cover the spread (-4.5) and beat the Packers. However, they did neither. Phillip Rivers was able to throw for 306 yards and 3 TD's, but threw a late INT that ended the Chargers hopes. He also managed to get into an argument with a frustrated Tomlinson on the sidelines. LDT carried the ball 22 times for just 62 yards in the loss. He did have 3 catches for 31 yards and a TD, though.   Antonio Gates caught 11 balls for 113 yards and Vincent Jackson had his first big day of the year catching a TD and also had 98 yards. The Chargers play the Chiefs at home next weekend, and if there is one team I don't want to be next week, it's Kansas City. What was that sound? ... Oh, it was Larry Johnson plummeting down the running back rankings.

Ravens 26 --- Cardinals 23
The obvious story of the day here is Kurt Warner replacing an ineffective Matt Leinart. The former stock-boy and Superbowl MVP threw for 258 yards and 2 TD's as he almost led the Cardinals to a dramatic win over the Ravens in Baltimore. The Edge (10-57) did not find much running room, but Boldin was able to rack up 181 yards on 14 catches with two touchdowns. His partner-in-crime, Larry Fitzgerald had 85 yards, which was a decent day, but Boldin's big day can't please Fitz owners.

Baltimore's offense wasn't much to write home about though in this week. Matt Stover kicked a game-winning FG as time expired to hold off a late comeback by the Cards. He was 4 for 4 on the day. McNair (groin strain) started the game, but was later pulled for Boller. Air McNair threw for 198 yards and TD to Derrick Mason, who had 79 yards as well. Todd Heap had 4 grabs for 60 yards while Willis McGahee rushed for 98 yards on 21 carries.

Bucs 24 --- Rams 3
The Bucs are now 2-1 after back-to-back impressive wins. Caddy ran for 46 yards and a TD, but the real story was the fourth year running back, Earnest Graham, who rushed for 75 yards and 2 TD's. There was not much action in the passing game.

It's getting ugly fast for the Rams as they are clearly missing offensive lineman, Orlando Pace. Marc Bulger had a terrible day throwing for just 116 yards and 3 INT's. Holt had 63 yards, but the next best receiver was RB Steven Jackson, who had 18 yards. He also rushed 30 times for 115 yards, his best effort of the season, but in a losing effort. The Rams are in trouble as they will face the red-hot Dallas Cowboys on the road next weekend.

Steelers 37 --- 49ers 16
The Steelers are back. They have showed it with three convincing wins to start off the year, including a 21-point win over the Niners. Willie Parker rushed for 133 yards and Big Ben had 160 yards and a TD, but the Pittsburgh defense/special teams was the difference-maker here. Two TD's by that group (1 on D, 1 on ST) as they dominated this game.

Alex Smith had 209 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT in the game as Frank Gore was shut down (14-39). Vernon Davis was banged up in the game for the 49ers and Hines Ward for the Steelers.

Eagles 42 --- Lions 21
That was the half-time score.
Eagles 56 --- Lions 21
That was the final score. A shootout in Philly (on the football field) as Donovan McNabb was cheered for his 381-yard, 4 TD day. Brian Westbrook totaled over 220 yards of total offense with 3 TDs.  Kevin Curtis had a career day hauling in 11 grabs for 221 yards with 3 scores. The only sad part for Philly fantasy owners was Reggie Brown caught just 2 balls for 23 yards.

The Lions didn't stand a chance as Philly needed this game and came out firing early and often. Jon Kitna threw for 446 yards and 2 TDs. He also had 3 turnovers, though. Kevin Jones scored his first TD of the season, but there was not much running in this game. Roy Williams had 204 yards and a TD while Shaun McDonald continues his success (5-76-1). Calvin Johnson left the game after he hauled in a 39 yard bomb down the sideline. It was a tremendous catch between two defenders, but he did not return.

Seahawks 24 --- Bengals 21
This game looked like it would be a shootout early as it was 7-7, but then slowed down. Had the Bengals not fumbled the kickoff after the Seahawks scored with over a minute to go to take the lead, I believe Cincy would have at least had a chance to tie with that offense. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 248 and 3 TDs in the game, as well as 2 INT's. Branch, Burleson, and Engram all had productive days each scoring a TD and had 77, 76, and 62 yards, respectively. Shaun Alexander ran for 100 yards on the nose.

The Bengals are now 1-2 after two close losses. Carson threw for 342 and a TD, but had 2 interceptions. TJ Houshmandzadeh had 12 grabs for 141 yards and a TD while Chad Johnson had 9 catches for 138 yards. Rudi Johnson was banged up and was ineffective rushing for 9 yards on 17 carries! That's right. More carries than yards. Kenny Watson ran for 60 yards and a TD in his place.

Jaguars 23 --- Broncos 14
The Broncos could have easily been 0-2 coming into this game and it showed. The Jags completely outplayed them and as they usually do, they played up to their opponent. They struggle with the weaker teams, but they come to play vs. better teams. The Jaguars shut down the run limiting Henry to 35 yards on the ground and a TD. Jay Cutler threw for just 222 yards, one TD, and one INT. Javon Walker was held to just 2 catches for 10 yards. Brandon Marshall had a nice day with 133 yards receiving.

If the Jaguars could have converted from the goal-line twice (one fumble, one FG), the box score would have showed how one-sided this game was. The stats are not flashy, but Jacksonville did it with stingy defense and a rushing attack. Fred Taylor ran for 84 yards while Jones-Drew ran for 37 yards. David Garrard ran for 52 yards and threw for 154 and a score. Overall, the Jaguars ran the ball 47 times! Both teams are now 2-1.

Raiders 26 --- Browns 24
Two can play that game. The Raiders pull a play out of Denver's playbook as they called a late timeout to ice Dawson before he attempted a game-winining FG. Dawson nailed the first one that was nullified, but had the second one blocked and the Raiders got their first win of '07. Daunte Culpepper and McCown each threw for about 100 yards, with McCown throwing a TD to Curry, who also had 62 yards. LaMont Jordan ran for 121 yards and a TD and continues to look good.

Derek Anderson almost led Cleveland to a 2-1 start, but his kicker failed to finish the job. Anderson had one TD along with 248 yards. He hit Braylon Edwards (4-83-1) for that TD. Jamal Lewis ran for 56 yards in the loss. Winslow also managed to have 88 receiving yards.

Giants 24 --- Redskins 17
The Giants defense showed up? What did you say? The Giants shut out the Redskins in the 2nd half and overcame a 17-3 deficit to defeat the Skins. However, the Giants almost allowed Washington to come back. It was 1st and goal from the 1 for the Skins. Campbell spiked the ball on 1st down. 2nd down was a bad play call as Campbell scrambled and threw at the ankles of the FB. On 3rd down, Ladell Betts was stuffed at the line. Then on 4th down, as the clock ticked down, Campbell tried to hurry and handed off to Betts who was stopped for a loss. The Giants kept their season alive while the Skins will go into their bye week at 2-1.

Eli Manning threw for 232 yards and the game winning TD to Plaxico Burress. Eli had a few bad interceptions, but overcame them as he drove the Giants down the short field after a 4th quarter Portis fumble. Burress finished the day with 86 yard and that TD while Shockey hauled in 79 yards. Derrick Ward totaled 120 yards, but Droughns stole two goal-line TDs from him.

For the Skins, Portis ran for 60 yards and a TD, but had a crucial fumble in the 4th. Santana Moss had 3 catches for 82 yards and Jason Campbell, who looked off in the 2nd half, was 16/34 for 190 and a TD pass to Cooley.

Panthers 27 --- Falcons 20
Jake Delhomme was replaced by David Carr late in the game because of an injury. However, before leaving, he threw 2 TDs and had 109 yards. DeShaun Foster had a great day piling up 122 yards and a TD on the ground. He also had a 13-yard TD catch. Steve Smith was no where to be found as he had just one catch for 10 yards.

Joey Harrington threw 2 TDs in the game along with 361 yards on 31 completions. A big day for Joey in the loss. Roddy White had 127 yards and a TD while Dunn and Norwood had 55 and 32 rushing yards, respectively. The Falcons fell to 0-3 with the loss.

Cowboys 34 --- Bears 10
The Cowboys went into Chicago Sunday night and showed the nation that they are the best team in the NFC. Rex Grossman showed the world what we already knew. It was only 3-3 at the half, but that's when it got ugly for Chicago.

Romo had 329 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT in the victory while Gross-man had 195 yards and 3 INTs. Marion Barber rushed for 102 yards and had 2 TDs (one rec, one rush). Terrell Owens had a monster 2nd half as he racked up 145 yards on 8 catches. Jason Witten continues his hot streak as he had 90 yards and a TD.

Bernard Berrian had 6 catches for 73 yards for the Bears. Cedric Benson ran for 46 yards and one TD, and thats all he will get as long a Rex continues to struggle. 

Grie-se. Grie-se. Grie-se.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Saints host the Titans. It's a must win for the Saints to keep up with the NFC South leaders, the Bucs (2-1) and Panthers (2-1). They will be under the lights at home on Monday Night Football. The winless Eagles didn't fair too well on that stage last week, but the winless Saints will. Young will keep the Titans in the game, though.

Saints win, 26-20.