A few things fluctuating in the NFL stock market …
1.
Chris Cooley
–
UP – As bad as the Redskins have been, Cooley has been a standout fantasy producer. After Sunday’s game, he now has 22 catches for 254 yards and two TDs this season.
2.
Steve Smith – UP – This is an obvious observation as Smith has been phenomenal this year for the Giants. However, I am ready to take this to the next level. Eli’s favorite target is clearly Smith and he is now the leader in Giants franchise history with 34 catches through four games. In addition to those receptions, Smith has 411 yards and four touchdowns. He leads the league in yardage and receptions. No. 12 in Blue can forget about being called the “other Steve Smith,” because he is on pace to finish the season as a Top 10 WR.
3.
Jacksonville
Jaguars – UP – Yes, they have weaknesses on their defense, but their offense is coming together thanks to Mike Sims-Walker. I am impressed after starting 0-2 that the Jaguars have climbed back to .500. They have a couple of NFC West opponents in
4.
Knowshon Moreno
– UP –
5.
Oakland
Raiders – DOWN – As the Raiders played the Chargers in a hard-fought Monday night game on opening day, it appeared
6.
LenDale White – DOWN – This guy is virtually invisible on a team that is 0-4 on the year. That is not a good sign for LenDale owners, who is not getting the goal-line chances he was last season. Chris Johnson has also taken his game to another level, leaving minimal opportunities for White.
7.
Buffalo Bills – DOWN – Another Week 1 Monday night team that played well and lost late. The Bills, similar to the Raiders, are 1-3 and were embarrassed in
Undefeated & Defeated
4-0 teams
: Broncos, Colts, Giants, Saints. (3-0 Vikings play on MNF)
Winless teams
: Panthers (0-3), Buccaneers (0-4), Rams (0-4), Browns (0-4), Titans (0-4), Chiefs (0-4).
The Titans are the most surprising winless team through four weeks while it shocks no one that the Rams and Browns are each 0-4. The Browns have a winnable game in
Home Sweet Home
Home teams were 11-2 on Sunday. The only teams to win away from home were the road warrior Giants and Bengals, who squeaked by the Browns in overtime.
Sharing the love
Carson Palmer completed 23 passes in the Bengals’ overtime win. Eight different Bengals caught one of those Palmer passes and everyone except Cedric Benson (one catch for 12 yards) had multiple receptions.
Meanwhile, Jay Cutler completed just 18 passes to nine different Bears. Johnny Knox continued to be Cutler’s main target with five catches, while every other Bear had just one or two catches. Greg Olsen was one of them with one catch for one yard, but it was a touchdown.
Drew Brees did the same as nine different Saints caught a pass in their win over the Jets. Pierre Thomas was the leading receiver with four catches for 46 yards.
Tony Romo also threw to nine Cowboys, but one Bronco – Champ Bailey – as well.
Making the most of it
Kevin Smith received just 19 carries and ran for only 30 yards, but had two touchdowns. It appeared Smith could miss this game and there were rumors he would be out several weeks.
On the other sidelines, Matt Forte made his 12 carries count. He ran for 112 yards and a score in the Bears 48-24 win at Soldier Field.
Look ahead to Week 5 …
Houston
@
Who’s playing the Lions?
Who’s playing the Rams?
NFC Game of the Week:
AFC Game of the Week: New England @
BYE WEEKS: Bears, Packers, Saints, Chargers
Monday Night Football
Packers @ Vikings
– There has been enough hype for this one, but start all of your Packers and Vikings in primetime!