The Sunday Wrap

gn=“left”>Proclamations of Donovan McNabb’s demise have been greatly exaggerated…as long as he plays against the Lions for the remainder of the season. McNabb slaughtered a Lions defense that showed glimpses of promise through the first couple of seasons.

McNabb’s big day highlighted a Week 3 that saw Tom Brady and the Patriots drop another 38 special; Brett Favre continued his climb back to the elite of fantasy football quarterbacks; the top three running backs in fantasy football from a season ago killing more owners; and Rex Grossman showed exactly why he may not be fit to be on the Chicago Bears’ roster, let alone any fantasy football ones.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Sunday Wrap.

Green Bay 31, San Diego 24

Fantasy Player of the Game: Brett Favre

Mr. Favre’s record-tying 420th touchdown pass of his career to Greg Jennings sunk the Chargers in Lambeau on Sunday. He completed 28 of 45 passes for 369 yards and three scores. Through the first three games of the season, Favre has thrown six touchdown passes and looks sharp. He is playing as if it’s 1996, people are doing the Macarena and he’s trying to go the Super Bowl. Things are looking up for the Packers offense. While they don’t have a credible rushing attack yet (42 yards yesterday), they have the Great Gunslinger from Kiln, Mississippi. Favre, who was widely considered to be a fantasy quarterback on the decline, ranks as one the early season’s best.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Norv Turner

The Chargers were an offensive powerhouse in 2006. So far, the Chargers resemble bumbling teams of the past instead of last season’s polished version. They looked confused on offense and LaDainian Tomlinson looks like a mere mortal. It seems that Turner once again is turning a franchise into mush. However, there is a silver lining in the cloud for Tomlinson owners. In the first six games of last season, he only had one 100 yard rushing effort. Also, they’ve played some pretty stingy defenses in the first three games. All is not lost…yet.

Next up: Green Bay at Minnesota; Kansas City at San Diego

Philadelphia 56, Detroit 21

Fantasy Player of the Game: Donovan McNabb, Kevin Curtis and Brian Westbrook

The Lions defense playedÂ the part of silly puttyÂ against the Eagles once mediocre offense. Kevin Curtis and Brian Westbrook scored three timesÂ each. Meanwhile, McNabb looked like theÂ McNabb of 2004 while completing 21Â of 26 throws for 381 yards and four touchdown passes.Â McNabb typically tortures NFCÂ North competition at the Linc. Take a look at last four games against the NFC North at home:

2007: vs. Detroit –Â 21 of 26Â 381 yards Â Â 4TDsÂ Â 0INT

2006: vs. GB –Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 16 of 30Â Â 288 yardsÂ Â 2TDsÂ Â Â 0INT 2TDR

2004: vs. GB –Â Â Â Â Â Â 19 of 28Â Â 245 yardsÂ Â 2TDsÂ Â Â 0INT 1TDR

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â vs.Â Minn –Â Â Â Â 32 of 43Â Â Â 464 yardsÂ Â Â 5TDsÂ Â 0INTÂ

We’ll see if McNabb is back to normal now without wearing theÂ knee brace. I’m under the assumption he’ll have more praise heaped upon him this week than Damon Huard. Â

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Detroit’s Defense

The Lions were better off not showing up on Sunday. Their defense was awful. They didn’t cover, tackle or mount significant pressure against the quarterback. They allowed over 500 yards of total offense and gave up 42 points in the first half. How embarrassing. Nice job boys.

Next up: Philadelphia at NY Giants (Sunday Night); Chicago at Detroit

Dallas 34, Chicago 10

Fantasy Player of the Game: Marion Barber III

LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson and Steven Jackson have combined for just three touchdowns this season. Barber owns five scores and for all intensive purposes is the real number one back in Dallas. Against Chicago, he scored a pair of touchdowns and totaled over 100 yards rushing. His hard-charging running style is fun to watch and often leads to scores due to missed tackles. He is notÂ a number one back due to his lack of touches but at this point he’s a great number two option. It doesn’t hurt either that he plays with the NFC’s best offense.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Rex Grossman

In his last seven games, Grossman has thrown just four touchdown passes versus 12 interceptions. Grossman’s days as a starter in this league should be numbered. He is not a capable quarterback at this level. Deion Sanders claims it’s a matter of him notÂ having rushing game. That is complete misnomer because this guy simply doesn’t take care of the football and ultimately a team can’t win a championship with a quarterback like that.

Next up: St. Louis at Dallas; Chicago at Detroit

Kansas City 13, Minnesota 10

Fantasy Player of the Game: Adrian Peterson

I hope Chester Taylor enjoyed starting for the Vikings. The way Adrian Peterson is running, it’s not likely that Taylor will see touches aplenty again with the Vikings unless Peterson becomes injury prone again. The rookie back gathered 150 total yards and scored once on Sunday.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Larry Johnson

Well, you were warned. Plenty of people were worried about Johnson’s production this season and rightfully so. In the first three games, he has just 140 yards and is averaging a measly 2.8 yards per rush. Johnson’s woes have been aided by his schedule but he doesn’t possess the zip or the same offensive line of previous years. Leave LJ on your bench until further notice.

Next up: Kansas City at San Diego; Green Bay at Minnesota

New England 38, Buffalo 7

Fantasy Player of the Game: Tom Brady

After the Buffalo drubbing on Sunday, Brady sports a tidy 141.8 quarterback rating. He tossed four more touchdown passes to raise his season mark to 10. No one is playing better football than Brady right now. He finished 23 of 29 for 311 yards to go along with the four touchdowns. With his new set of receivers, Brady is simply on cruise control. By the way, the most valuable player on the offense through the first few games maybe Wes Welker, who is turning into a rich man’s Troy Brown. Due to the attention paid to Moss, Welker seems to be wide open on every critical moment of a drive.

The only downside to the Patriots hot start is what could happen down the road. Make sure to examine your depth behind Brady, Moss and Maroney because these guys look like they’ll have everything wrapped up by early December. That means they may not be reliable guys during playoff time.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Donte Stallworth

With all of the receivers on this team, someone’s numbers had to suffer. Stallworth only has four catches for 66 yards so far. He’ll come around eventually once people figure out how to take away Moss and/or Welker. However, don’t waste time putting him in your lineup for now unless you drastic issues with bye weeks.

Next up: New England at Cincinnati (Monday Night); NY Jets at Buffalo

Tampa Bay 24, St. Louis 3

Fantasy Player of the Game: Earnest Graham

Cadillac Williams is having problems with his ribs these days. Graham stepped in and provided the Bucs with a pair of touchdown runs and 75 yards on just eight carries. Williams has been up and down with his health this season. Picking up Graham as a reserve is not a bad option at this point.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Marc Bulger

The Rams offensive woes can be traced to theÂ sporadic play of Bulger who has failed to throw for over 200 yards twice this season. He has thrown just two touchdownsÂ with three interceptions in 2007. While Steven Jackson actually ran for over 100 yardsÂ on Sunday,Â Bulger’s play was alarming. HeÂ underthrew receivers and looked listless. He is far from that elite level of fantasy quarterbacks right now. Playing with a couple of broken ribs is not exactly going to help him comeback to form either.

Next up: Tampa Bay at Carolina; St. Louis at Dallas

Baltimore 26, Arizona 23

Fantasy Player of the Game: Anquan Boldin

How many Ravens games have we seen over the years where offensive players just seem to cower at their defense’s feet? Anquan Boldin came into town yesterday and served noticed that he’s arguably the toughest receiver in the league. Boldin caught 14 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns against the vaunted Ravens defense. It seemed like Ravens players including Ed ReedÂ were hesitant to tackle him. After a performance like that, this constant talk of Boldin being second fiddle to Fitzgerald needs to end. Go back and find a game Larry Fitzgerald had like Boldin’s yesterday. You will not find many.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Matt Leinart

Leinart getting benched for what was called a “change of pace” was a bit unusual. Leinart struggled to move the team and looked completely flat. He only completed 9Â of 20 passes for 53 yards and could not lead the Cardinals back. Kurt Warner replaced him and flashed the Warner of yesteryear. Don’t expect Leinart to lose his job but how many quarterbacks get pulled for a “change of pace” and it just goes away?

Next up: Baltimore at Cleveland; Pittsburgh at Arizona

Pittsburgh 37, San Fran 16

Fantasy Player of the Game: FWP

Who leads the NFL in rushing after three games? That’s right, it’s Willie Parker. He has three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances. While the head coach in Pittsburgh changed, the identity remains the same.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Alex Smith

Smith offered another less than stellar performance. He threw for 209 yards and a lone touchdown. Sooner or later, he has to take the diapers off.

Next up: Pittsburgh at Arizona; Seattle at San Francisco

Indianapolis 30, Houston 24

Fantasy Player of the Game: Joseph Addai

The second year back only scored seven touchdowns a season ago. HeÂ added his third and fourth touchdowns against the Texans. He’s not putting up great rushing totals but he is at least getting into the endzone which is certainly more than we can say about most top tier backs these days.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Andre Johnson’s bum knee

Johnson’s untimely knee injury a week ago helped prove costly against the Colts. The Texans were game but missing Johnson’s playmaking skills put a dent in any chances the Texans had to defeat the Colts for a second consecutive time. His departure from the offense for the next few weeks will likely slow Matt Schaub’s progress.

Next up: Denver at Indianapolis; Houston at Atlanta

NY Jets 31, Miami 28

Fantasy Player of the Game: Ronnie Brown

Brown played like someone was trying to take his job and demote him to special teams…oh yes, this is happening. Brown put together a pair scores and over 100 yards rushing. Finally, Brown provided a performance worth watching. He is not out of the fantasy doghouse yet but that is a step in the right direction.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Chad Pennington

You know what stinks for NFL fans? Watching a quarterback that you know for sure can’t lead your team to a Super Bowl. I’d imagine Jets fans have that feeling. Somehow guys who throw for 124 yards against mediocre defenses don’t seem to win too many big games.

Next up: NY Jets at Buffalo; Oakland at Miami

Carolina 27, Atlanta 20

Fantasy Player of the Game: Joey Harrrrrr.….ugh I can’t do it.

Sorry Joey. I can’t type that. All you need to know is that Roddy White had 127 yards receiving and a score. As long as Harrington remains the quarterback, don’t bother to pick him up.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: DeAngelo Hall

He doesn’t get this for being called for 67 yards worth of penalties in the game’s decisive drive. Instead, he gets this for shutting down Steve Smith. The Carolina star receiver caught just one pass for 10 yards.

Next up: Tampa Bay at Carolina; Houston at Atlanta

Seattle 24, Cincinnati 21

Fantasy Player of the Game: Shaun Alexander

It’s too easy to pick Palmer, Chad or Houshmandzadeh. Instead, I’ll finally throw props toward Alexander who picked up 100 yards on the ground. He has a broken bone in his left wrist but he’ll manage until Mike Holmgrem runs him into the ground by Week 10.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Glenn Holt

He fumbled the ensuing kickoff after the Seahawks scored; thus, robbing us of a potential game-tying or game-winning drive from the Bengals. Thanks for stealing stats away from the big boys Glenn. By the way, he’s had a rough season. He took some rough hits in the Browns game. Now, he fumbled away a chance to help his team.

Next up: Seattle at San Francisco; New England at Cincinnati (Monday Night)

Oakland 26, Cleveland 24

Fantasy Player of the Game: Lamont Jordan

He may turn intoÂ one of the best value picksÂ of the season. JordanÂ ran for 121 yards and aÂ score. He’s played solid football to date. When Dominic Rhodes eventually returns, he may not exactly springÂ into a lot of action. Â

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Derek Anderson

You didn’t really think he’d have consecutive games like that did you? Anderson still put his team in a position to win but lacked the fantasy bang for the buck this week.

Next up: Oakland at Miami; Baltimore at Cleveland

Jacksonville 23, Denver 14

Fantasy Player of the Game: Brandon Marshall

With Javon Walker shut down for much of the day, Marshall caught seven passes for 133 yards. Jacksonville’s pass defense is one of the toughest in the league but Marshall still provided a productive day. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the ball on that crazy 4th down call deep in Denver territory.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Maurice Jones-Drew

He’s another back from 2006 that has fallen off the cliff. He has just 100 yards and most importantly zero touchdowns.Â He will not catch teams by surprise this season. Despite his running style, teams have a better grip on how to handle him.

Next up: Jacksonville (bye); Denver at Indianapolis

NY Giants 24, Washington 17

Fantasy Player of the Game: Plaxico Burress

After a shaky start, Burress rallied to take over the game in the second half. He’s played well to start the season and going for 86 yards and a score adds to his resume.

Fantasy Goat of the Game: Joe Gibbs

I know Clinton Portis has been banged up this season. However, is it really necessary to leave him on the bench for the final drive? Furthermore, he didn’t touch the ball in the final goalline series. Nice job, Joe.

Next up: Washington (bye); Philadelphia at NY Giants (Sunday Night)

You Tube Video of the Week:

Apparently, some people were pretty sore about this whole cheating scandal.

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