Week 4 is upon us and all I can say is welcome back NFL refs.
I never thought I would appreciate the people who referee NFL games, but after seeing how the game flows so much smoother with them at the helm, I have a newfound respect for the work they do. Don't even get me started on that call Monday night in the Seattle-Green Bay game as that was terrible and to make matters worse the replay official couldn't find conclusive evidence to overturn that call. I am guessing that guy must have been a juror in the O.J. Simpson trial.
This week there should be some interesting games to watch if you like lots of points or defensive battles. Points will be flying in the following games; Packers-Saints, Chargers-Chiefs, Titans-Texans and the Raiders-Broncos. If you like defense, check out the Jets-49ers, the Dolphins-Cardinals and the Bears-Cowboys on Monday night.
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Rob Stewart is... The Fantasy Oracle
Onward to the WTO Laid Back League where the Oracles - contrary to what a certain Sports editor (Jon Sitler) may have thought - got off the schnide with a 111.80-100.52 win over the Gambler Josh Cotton.
In other games, Mitch Wilston clobbered John "Foosball" McAfoos, 89.08-67.52; Cody "Nightmare on Elms Street" hooked Brian "Fish" Ferry, 90.20-81.12; Bob "Big Bossman" Patchen laid down the law to "Houshmanzadeh" Sitler, 118.68-88.22; Brian "Defending Champion" Hagberg easily handled Derek "Mountain Man" Farr, 111.46-93.90, and; Allen "Wingnut" Seybert had an easy 108.52-81.64 win over Jacob Perryman which the crystal ball foretold.
This week's matchup of the week pits Patchen against my Oracles. Both teams are 1-2 but would be 24-9 and 23-10 if they played against every other team in the league every week.
This is definitely an interesting year as every team is already is in the win column, while we still have two undefeated teams (Mitch Wilston and Cody Elms) and eight teams with 1-2 records.
Sitler battles Ferry in another battle of 1-2 teams. Cotton battles undefeated Wilston as his playoff aspirations appear to be in serious jeopardy without an upset win. Cody Elms battles Farr in the other matchup featuring an unbeaten.
Seybert battles 2-1 Hagberg, while cellar dwelling McAfoos battles the 2-1 Perryman team led by Arian Foster.
BYE WEEK TEAMS: Pittsburgh and Indianapolis
HOT WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS: Mikel Leshoure should be added in all formats. Other potential acquisitions include Tashard Choice, Daniel Thomas, Lance Ball, Bilal Powell, Andrew Hawkins and Christian Ponder. Defensive teams you should be looking to add include Baltimore, Dallas, Arizona and Seattle. The NY Giants have two weeks of tasty matchups with the turnover prone Eagles and then the Browns.
SURPRISE STAT OF THE WEEK: Robert Griffin III, Matt Ryan, Big Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees have scored more fantasy points through three weeks than any other players. Surprisingly, the next two are Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andy Dalton using WTO LBL scoring.
FANTASY DUD OF THE WEEK: Chris Johnson, again. Here is a stat line for the ages through three games - 33 carries for 45 yards. I have to believe if I ran the ball I could average more than 1.36 yards per carry. We are talking that is four feet. Jamaal Charles had more than twice as many yards on just one carry last week.
FANTASY STAR OF THE WEEK: Jamaal Charles. His 91-yard TD scamper silenced the critics and his 288 yards rushing and receiving combined helped many teams get a victory last week.
BILLS(2-1): As predicted, the Bills are rolling and this week face the Patriots. They may be without C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, though. Jackson is trying to make it back from injury early, while Spiller is doubtful. If Jackson cannot go then Tashard Choice becomes the man. I think the Patriots are going to roll in this one. New England 27, Buffalo 10. Look for Fitzpatrick to struggle as New England usually forces him into committing multiple turnovers.
BROWNS(0-4): Lost Thursday night 23-16, but looked a lot better as Trent Richardson continues to impress and Brandon Weeden is getting better. He made one horrible throw that led to a Pick Six and he will learn you can't make that throw in the NFL. Kicker Phil Dawson is one of the best and he showed that with three field goals from over 50 yards.
FANTASY BUST: Steven Jackson. He's not quite healthy and Seattle's defense is impressive.
FANTASY START: Aaron Rodgers. Does it get any better for a struggling signal caller than to play a defense and team in total disarray. He should throw three or four touchdowns and easily pass 300 yards.
ELIMINATOR PICK: Tennessee upset my pick last week. We will start all over with Houston beating those same Titans. No way do they win two in a row.