Posts tagged ChrisJohnson at FanHouse

"Run-Run-Run-Run-Run..."

The elite Rookie RB class of 2008 continues to make waves in the Fantasy world. The likes of Matt Forte and Chris Johnson continue to flourish as Top Tier RB's, while Felix Jones and Steve Slaton continue to nip at their heals to join the elite fraternity. Of course, there are a handful of other rookie runners that continue to flirt with greatness and are probably stapled into most line-ups on Sunday afternoon.

As promised, we're taking the pulse throughout the season, ranking the runners and forecasting the road ahead...if that's possible. By now, all these guys have at least a full quarter of an NFL season in the books. Some will rise and some will fall, but let's took a look at how things are shaping up thus far. As always, this could easily change after Sunday, but for now and in order...here goes.

Two things were proven in yesterday's clash of defense-first football teams. The Titans might be better than we first thought and the Ravens might be a little more scrappy than initially projected.

Tennessee outlasted Baltimore yesterday 13-10 in a game that saw four interceptions, two quarterback ratings in the low 50s and no running back or receiver eclipsing the 100-yard mark. The Ravens did what they have been doing for years while the Titans are getting used to this "simplify the offense, let the defense strut their stuff" mentality that appears to be working to perfection.

Titans center Kevin Mawae, who said he is getting really sick of all the paparazzi outside his house on a daily basis, said after the game that it was all they really needed to continue their unbeaten streak.

"I think it shows the character of this team, from the young guys to the most veteran guys," Mawae said. "It wasn't pretty, but we made the plays when we needed to and we won the game."

With attention spans dwindling, we forego full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. Click here to go back in time.

The 1s

Tennessee (4-0) at Baltimore (2-1): Okay, fine, I'll agree, the Titans are a good football team. They're giving up just 11.5 points per game, best in the NFL, they have a competent quarterback that doesn't do anything flashy but also doesn't make a lot of mistakes (only one interception in four games) and a rookie running back in Chris Johnson that made every fantasy owner that didn't snag him do a collective head slap. Interesting little comparison here, last week Johnson had just 19 less yards than Adrian Peterson with one less carry and as many touchdowns. Also worth noting, the 4-0 Titans have just one nationally televised game the rest of the season, October 27 against the Colts, while the Browns still have four. Does Al Davis also dabble in national television scheduling? Cool.

Pick -- Tennessee

Well, I figured it was only fair since I nominated an All-Bust Team yesterday that I toss some love towards those who've gone above and beyond our expectations. Yes, despite telling you to cut scrubs week in and week out and dolling out awards for the fantasy stinkers, I do have a heart. I'll quickly define a "BUST-OUT" as the obvious -- a player we were hoping to have a big season, but weren't quite sure.

Got it? So, don't get bent out of shape when you don't see me praising Adrian Peterson, Marion Barber, Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald or any of the likes. We all know those guys are the studs, but this isn't a Fantasy MVP summons. So, let's jump right into this and bestow some quarter-season praise on the surprising hero's. Shall we?

QB: Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers

Ironically this would have to be a dead tie between two guys who despise one another. Here are a couple young QBs from the same division that we just weren't 100 percent sure about. Well, not to brag (yes, I mean to brag) - I was all about Cutler during the preseason and I feel vindicated by his early performance. OK, so maybe he was pegged by a lot folks to have the "breakout" season we're seeing right now, but Rivers? Hmm.

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his face-mask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's our new feature, Studs and Duds:

Here's Week 4 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory.

Studs

Matt Bryant, K Tampa Bay (3 - 3 FG, 3 - 3 XP) -- A day after burying his 3-month-old son, Matthew Tryson, Bryant decided to suit up for the Buccaneers, and in an emotional battle most could never imagine, didn't miss a kick all game, helping Tampa Bay beat Green Bay. Some things in this world make absolutely no sense, this being one of them, but the toughness of Matt and his wife is something to be respected. Amazing effort Matt, we are all sorry for your loss.

You've got questions. I've got answers. If not, I'll make them up. Each Thursday at 1 p.m. EST, I answer your queries on all things related to the NFL. If you have a question, send it over to NFLMailbag@gmail.com. Don't forget to include your name and location. Click here for the archives. Rock'n'roll.

How will the Saints offense make up for the loss of Jamar Nesbit and Jeremy Shockey for the next month, especially with Marques Colston out? Do you see any receivers finally catching anything?
- J. Willits, Jackson, MS

The Saints have been debacled by injuries so far this year; one-fifth of the roster appeared on this week's injury report. Nesbit's suspension makes him the 11th starter from the presumed opening day roster to miss time this year. That being said, while it never helps to lose a starter, Nesbit's injury opens the door for coaches to get a look at Carl Nicks, the one-time Nebraska right tackle they drafted in the fifth round this year. Nicks was thought generally to have second- or third-round talent, but some trouble he got into in college, causing him to be banned from Nebraska's pro day, caused him to drop. He was converted to left guard in the offseason and coaches rave about the athletic ability he has for his size (6'5'', 343). Nesbit has been the weakest link on a line that has really performed poorly in the run game, so seeing what Nicks can do might prove to give the line a spark.

As far as the receivers are concerned, Robert Meachem is going to get increased looks, and rightfully so. He's only got three catches in two games, but they've totaled 105 yards and a touchdown, and all have been for first downs. Each catch has showed a flair for the ability to make plays. The Saints always find a way to move the ball through the air, so they'll put together a good enough attack to hold them over, but Meachem will work his way into the forefront. By the way, the Saints have San Francisco, Minnesota, and Oakland in the next few weeks, so their schedule is pretty favorable while everyone gets healthy.

Road Chalk and Alaskan Pipelines is Will Brinson's NFL gambling column at FanHouse. Because everyone loves a loser.

And what a loser I narrowly avoided being. Or, alternately, "7-9 doesn't make me that big of a loser". Even if Brandon Lang went 2-1. The real problem though, is that I didn't just stick with my "Take All the Favorites" philosophy, which would have netted me an 10-6 week (and would have been 11 if not for that whole Tom Brady thing.)

So, yeah: Season Record (6-10)

I also figure I'm going to pick three STONE COLD TUNGSTEN PIPERS (caps for effect!) each week. Those will be highlighted by an asterisk. And I suppose it would be unfair to go back and pick them for Week 1. I know, I know. It seems silly. But if I get ice cold/white hot, you should make some money. And that's all that matters.

Remember, each week is a season unto itself ... or some crappy motivational phrase like. Anything to make me forget a sub-.500 Week 1.

Yikes. Judging by the below records, yes, this is harder than it looks. Except for me.

Shane Bacon joins us this week as well, and you'll notice some interesting trends below. First of all, quarterback is a sketchy position this week. An already (relatively) shallow position just got a lot smaller with the losses of Tom Brady and Brodie Croyle. (See, that was just a hint of sarcasm.)

One guy we all love is Chris Johnson. He's running for the Titans and he gets the Bengals. I think we all like him to get 20+ points this week, honestly. At least I do. Jerricho Cotchery, Marvin Harrison and Thomas Jones are three other players we all totally back to meet or exceed their benchmarks.

Results from week one:
Brinson (18 - 14)
Snyder (14 - 18)
Lalley (15 - 17)
Ryan (16 -16)
Greber (14 - 18)

With attention spans dwindling, we forego full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. Click here to go back in time.

The 1s

Tennessee at Cincinnati: Well if this isn't the best matchup of crazy stories so far in the short NFL season I don't know what is. So far we've had a Bengals squad that showed next to zero life against the Ravens hosting a Titans team that upset the Jaguars last week. With Vince Young out two-to-four weeks, Kerry Collins will be the guy burdened with handing off to one of the hottest rookie running backs in the league, Chris Johnson (93 yards on the ground, 34 in the air with a TD). Hey, at least the Bengals announcers have learned they don't have to touch up on their Spanish!

Prediction: Titans

Green Bay at Detroit: Hey everyone, it's the Matt Millen Amusement Park Ride! Climb aboard, but we should tell you, the harness might fail and the ride hasn't been properly greased for eight years. No worries, the experience will most likely either start off strong and fail at the end, or not even get out of the gate. Yeah, tickets are high and the experience might stink, but if you don't get on the ride, you don't get to see the end result. Guys? Hey guys, where are you going?

Prediction: Packers

FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled weekly by the staff in order to provide answers to possible lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.

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The top three are interchangeable, really, because there's no way any owner has more than two of them ... but I like Adrian Peterson against the Colts this week to get nasty. Matt Forte schooled them. Peterson and the Vikings line are better than their Chicago counterparts, and Ed Johnson is gone. I'm talking 30+ points.

- Look for the Giants to build a big lead against the hapless Rams and use the bruising Brandon Jacobs to control the clock ... after garnering two early scores.

- As long as Ryan Grant plays, he'll destroy the same defense that made Michael Turner look like Barry Sanders. Keep your eyes on the injury reports, and check back here for Sunday Morning Tailgate -- we'll let you know. If he can't go, Brandon Jackson becomes a must-start.

- I'm loving Chris Johnson against the Bengals for at least one highlight-reel big play.

1. Adrian Peterson, Vikes, vs. IND
2. LaDanian Tomlinson, Chargers, @ DEN
3. Brian Westbrook, Eagles, @ DAL
4. Brandon Jacobs, Giants, @ STL
5. Ryan Grant, Packers, @ DET