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| AFC North |
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AFC North - Insights Intelligence |
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AFC Intelligence Reports |
NFC Intelligence Reports |
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AFC East - BUF, MIA, NEP, NYJ
AFC South - HOU, IND, JAX, TEN
AFC North - BAL, CIN, CLE, PIT
AFC West - DEN, KAN, OAK, SD |
NFC East - DAL, NYG, PHI, WAS
NFC South - ATL, CAR, NO, TB
NFC North - CHI, DET, GB, MIN
NFC West - ARZ, STL, SF, SEA |
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Insights Intelligence is a free product of Fantasy Insights. Our writers submit their reports on a voluntary basis each week and, although we strive to post updated reports for every team each week, reports may not always get updated before the Thursday deadline.
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| Baltimore Ravens |
By: Scott Day
Updated: 12/30/2009
Please access our Premium Products for the Baltimore Ravens Team Capsule, Player Rankings/Statistics, Crystal Ball Projections, Fantasy Recommendations and much more.
Last Week:
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Christmas came 2 days late for the Steelers as the Ravens went out of their way to gift wrap a win for them and keep their hopes alive for a playoff berth. In the first half the Ravens continually gave the Steelers the ball on a short field. After trailing 20-10 at halftime the Ravens came out and began clicking on all cylinders....for one quarter. After pulling even the Ravens proceeded to have 2 TD's called back on penalties, Derrick Mason dropped an easy pass while wide open in the endzone and numerous stupid penalties either killed Ravens drives or helped the Steelers get in position for a 23-20 victory. Sickening!!
This Week:
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Thanks to the poor quality of all the other 8-7 teams in the AFC, even after giving a game away the Ravens find themselves in position to still get into the playoffs by merely beating the Raiders in Oakland this week. The Ravens have easily beaten the teams they were supposed to beat this year. So they should find themselves still alive after this weekend. If they can stay out of their own way, they could be dangerous in the playoffs.
Rumors:
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If you're bothering reading any of this it has to mean you're in a league that ends in week 17 and you've made it to the championship. I won't bore you with predictions for people you don't want to consider. I'm only giving you my take on real options for you.
Injuries:
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S Ed Reed is still going to be a game time decision for this week.
Position Analysis:
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QUARTERBACKS:
Statiscally the Raider's defense compares very closely to the Steelers. though they don't get quite the pressure. They do have one of the league's best CB's in Nnamdi Asomugha. I'd look somewhere else if I could. Prediction: Flacco, 230 yds, 2 TD
RUNNING BACKS:
The Raiders are 29th in the league against the run and Ray Rice is a stud (now a Pro Bowl stud) who just lit up the #3 rush defense for 141 yards. Enough said. Prediction: Rice 130 yards, 40 yards rec, 1 TD
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Derrick Mason could have a tough matchup this week going against Nnamdi Asomugha. That means Ray Rice, Mark Clayton, Kelley Washington and Demetrius Williams may get most of the action. Prediction: Mason, 50 yds rec; Williams 40 yds, 1TD; Clayton 20 yards; Washington 20 yds
TIGHT ENDS:
Todd Heap has suddenly become a big time red zone option. 2 TD's in each of the last 2 weeks. He might be a good option if you're looking for TD's this week. Prediction: Heap 40 yds, 1TD
PLACE KICKER:
Billy Cundiff is getting enough attempts to make him a viable option. Prediction: 2 FGs, 4 EPs
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
The Raven's defense held up surprisingly well against the Steelers. CB Chris Carr did a great job filling in for Lardarius Webb. The Raiders offensive is a defensive coordinators dream. Look for sacks, turnovers, you name it. Prediction: 3 sacks for 25 yards, 2 int, 1 fum, 1TD
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| Cincinnati Bengals |
By: Randy Anderson
Updated: 12/15/2009
Please access our Premium Products for the Cincinnati Bengals Team Capsule, Player Rankings/Statistics, Crystal Ball Projections, Fantasy Recommendations and much more.
Last Week:
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Cincinnati Dropped to 9-4 after an ugly loss to the Vikings. The Bengals managed to keep pressure on Favre (17/30, 192 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT) and even slowed Peterson to a 3.7 rushing average(97 YDS on 26 ATTs, 2TDs). There is one bright spot: The Bengals secondary performed as advertised. They had one INT, but dropped at least two that I counted. Joseph and Hall made life rough for No. 4, forcing him to check down to short passes, but it just wasn't enough. Things didn't go Cincy's way from the opening kick to the final whistle.
Usually known in the past for their potent air game, the Bengals couldn't get the job done. Palmer was 15/25 passing, but only had 94 yards. You read that right; 94 yards on 15 completions. No receiver had more than 27 yards, with Ochocinco leading the way with a TD REC. The Cincy ground game struggled early, but Benson still managed to finish with a 6.0 rushing average (96 Yards on 16 Carries). Scott, Johnson and Leonard were non-factors.
This Week:
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This week the Bengals face the 10-3 Chargers. This will be a tough game for the Bengals, who never seem to do well on the West Coast. It is no lost cause though: Tomlinson appears to have lost a step, and the Bengals rush defense is still respectable. The secondary held up well against Favre, so there is no reason they can't do the same against Rivers. There is, however, the little fact that San Diego has a 16 game December winning streak. Ouch.
Rumors:
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Jet-Lag? Salty air? Too much partying? Whatever the reason, the Bengals are historically bad on the West Coast. The same goes for their Baseball counterparts, the Reds. If you have a player of equal talent that plays for another team, I would go with them and not challenge history. Very similar to the whole Napoleon/Hitler situation with Russia.
Injuries:
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The Bengals have not released an injury report yet, I will update this as soon as I find out. I don't look for Crocker, Scott or Peko to play though.
Position Analysis:
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QUARTERBACKS:
Palmer didn't necessarily have a bad game last week. He made 15 completions and a TD. I point the finger of blame at the receivers for not getting open more downfield. Ochocinco will be double-covered just about all the time, so the other guys need to step up. The Bengals face a tough secondary in San Diego, and Palmer hasn't had a big game in a while.
Predictions: Palmer- 17/29, 205 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RUNNING BACKS:
Start Benson. Plain and simple. The Chargers D-line is riddled with aches and pains. Though many of them are listed as "probable" for the game, they may not be well enough yet to handle Benson's bowling-ball style of running. Scott will likely be out, Johnson will get a few carries (Not enough to matter), and Leonard will continue to only fill in on crucial passing plays.
Predictions: Benson- 20 Carries for 110 Yards 1 TD, Johnson- 5 Carries for 16 Yards, Leonard- 2 Carries for 5 Yards and 3 REC for 15 Yards.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Ochocinco may have a good game. Maybe. That all depends on whether or not his fellow receiver can get open. Caldwell and Coles just don't seem to be able to break coverage, and that hurts everyone's stats. Start Ochocinco if you must, but no Bengal WR is a good choice until they break out of this funk.
Predictions: Ochocinco- 6 Rec, 80 Yards 1 TD Caldwell- 4 Rec 50 Yards, Coles- 4 Rec 35 Yards
TIGHT ENDS:
Foschi or Coats. Pick your poison. I mean that literally, these guys are both terrible. I won't even bother predicting stats. There's an old saying for the fantasy owner that has to start Foschi or Coats: "There's always next year".
PLACE KICKER:
San Diego is a beautiful for many reasons, one of them being it's weather. I look for easy kicking conditions, and a solid game by Graham.
Predictions: Graham- 2/2 FGs, 3/3 PATs
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
The Bengals D may not have looked good on the scoreboard last week, but they accomplished a lot on paper. They held Brett Favre to one of his worst games of the season, and Adrian Peterson didn't run all over them. Don't be fooled though. Even if he didn't run ALL over them, he certainly managed to cover a good portion. I don't think LaDanian Tomlinson will have as much success. He has 10 TDs, but is carrying a weak 3.2 rushing average this year.
The Bengals secondary will continue to be the star attraction. I look for fewer INT opportunities because of the stick-straight, footrace type routes I have seen in San Diego, but they will happen. There may even be a sack or two thrown in for good measure.
Predictions: Bengals D gives up one Passing TD and one on the ground (By Tomlinson from about the 1 yard line). The secondary snags 2 INTs, and the line manages 2.5 Sacks.
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| Cleveland Browns |
By: Frank Foti
Updated: 8/28/2010
Please access our Premium Products for the Cleveland Browns Team Capsule, Player Rankings/Statistics, Crystal Ball Projections, Fantasy Recommendations and much more.
Last Week:
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This Week:
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Welcome back to Browns football. I have been writing the Browns articles for Fantasy Insights since they came back in the league 11 years ago and I like you are still waiting for the big year. The Browns went out and obtain new faces at the QB spot in Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace and also drafted Colt McCoy. The TE spot also has new faces in Ben Watson and Evan Moore. The pre-season games I have watched show the Browns making progress and Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace both have looked good. At the RB spot Jerome Harrison is off to a slow start but newly aquired Montario Hardesty has done well. We hope the progress continues and 6 to 8 wins would be nice.
Rumors:
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The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that Colt McCoy is on the bubble for making the team. With Delhomme and Wallace playing well Colt could be on the outside looking in.
Injuries:
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Cleveland Browns: RB Montario Hardesty Knee Day to Day, WR Mohamed Massaquoi Hamstring Unknown, TE Greg Estandia Unknown Injured Reserve
Position Analysis:
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Quarterback: Look for Jake Delhomme to have 2600 yards passing this season with 14 touchdowns, this could improve if he avoids the interception bug.
Running Backs: Jerome Harrison could have a 1000 year with 8 touchdowns. His back-up Hardesty could have 300 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Wide Receivers: The top two receivers are Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiske. Look for Massaquoi to have 900 yards and 6 touchdowns. Other receivers include Josh Cribbs and Chansi Stuckey.
Tight Ends: Ben Watson is the main TE and he could have 400 yards with 5 touchdowns.
Kicker: Phil Dawson has the spot locked up and is low on the place kicker rankings.
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| Pittsburgh Steelers |
By: Dave Klutz
Updated: 12/30/2009
Please access our Premium Products for the Pittsburgh Steelers Team Capsule, Player Rankings/Statistics, Crystal Ball Projections, Fantasy Recommendations and much more.
Last Week:
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Steelers 23, Ravens 20 - Two in a row for the Steelers.. Need to win one more and get A LOT of help!
This Week:
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The Steelers still have a small glimmer of hope to make the playoffs. Here is what needs to happen:
Pittsburgh clinches a playoff spot:
1) PIT win + HOU loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie
2) PIT win + HOU loss or tie + BAL loss or tie
3) PIT win + NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + DEN loss or tie
The Dolphins have the 19th ranked defense (the 12th ranked rushing defense and the 23rd ranked passing defense) while the Steelers have the 6th ranked defense (the 3rd ranked rushing defense and the 16th ranked passing defense).
Steelers win out, but miss the playoffs. Prediction: Steelers – 31, Dolphins - 21
Rumors:
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None.
Injuries:
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PROBABLE
Willie Parker (shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE
Hines Ward (hamstring)
Troy Polamalu (knee)
OUT
None
INJURED RESERVE
Aaron Smith (torn rotator cuff)
Darnell Stapleton (knee)
Sean McHugh (knee)
Frank Summers (back)
Limas Sweed (illness)
Position Analysis:
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QUARTERBACKS:
This week, Ben Roethlisberger won the Steelers' 2009 Most Valuable Player Award.
Fantasy Outlook:
Look for Roethlisberger to throw for 300-350 yards and three touchdowns against the Dolphins.
RUNNING BACKS:
Rashard Mendenhall rushed 17 times for only 36 yards and a touchdown against the Ravens.
Fantasy Outlook: Look for Mendenhall to run for 50-75 yards and a touchdown against Miami.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Hines Ward says he will play and both Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace have stepped up their game to finish the season.
Fantasy Outlook: Look for Ward to have 75-100 yards and a touchdown and Holmes to have 75-100 yards and a touchdown, with Wallace getting 50-75 yards.
TIGHT ENDS:
Heath Miller caught three balls for 35 yards against Baltimore.
Fantasy Outlook: Miller should have around 50-75 yards receiving and a touchdown against the Dolphins.
PLACE KICKER:
Jeff Reed should have 1-2 field goals and 3-4 extra points against the Dolphins.
DEFENSE:
The defense has been improving, but they are not a good fantasy option against the Wildcat.
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