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Walt Whitman once wrote “I may be as bad as the worst but, thank God, I'm as good as the best.”
On Thanksgiving weekend, this sums up my auction-league fantasy team well.
After a heartbreaking three-point loss last week, my team sits in a four-way tie 7-4. This seems like an awesome thing. However, after a 4-0 start, to be 3-4 over the last seven weeks is a little disappointing.
I have beaten some of the better teams in the league. I've lost to some of them as well. The good news is that I haven't really lost to any of the worst teams in the league. I have that chance this week as I meet the worst team in the league.
Although my squad is the second-best scoring team in the league, it is also wildly inconsistent. This has lead to an entertaining, and often frustrating ride.
Still, I'm thankful on this Thanksgiving weekend to be in good shape for a playoff run. At least I still have a shot to win the league. As important, I still have a shot to win back the cash I spent on the league and then some. I hope you find yourself in the same position.
Thinking about this got me to thinking about players on my team that I'm thankful for owning. There are really three that have carried me throughout the year, though a couple of others—Chad Ochocinco and Tony Gonzalez—have chipped in some solid stats at times. The three are Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Dallas Clark.
These three have carried me to most of the wins I own, and if all goes as planned, they will tote the load all the way to a championship. As of this week, they are averaging over 26 points per week (It is a high-scoring league.). To put this number in context, all three are in the top-20 scorers for the league. Only one other owner in the league has three scorers in the top-20, but two of his three are quarterbacks.
Based on this fact, if Ochocinco and Gonzalez would become a little more consistent, a title is quite possible. I'll believe that when I see it.
Nonetheless, I'm thankful that every week I get to watch and cheer for the exploits of these three outstanding athletes. They have made my life a little more full and a lot more enjoyable.
Which players on your team are you thankful for? Which players could you not be without? Much like other aspects of our busy world, we sometimes forget to take time to say thanks for those who entertain us every week.
I have said it before and I will say it again—fantasy football is really a silly past time. Yet, we should be thankful for the opportunity to spend our weekends enthralled by this crazy game.
Happy (belated) Thanksgiving to you and yours. Enjoy this weekend's games!
The King of the Jungle
It's rare to see a rookie in this spot, but Matt Stafford earned it in week 11. The Lions QB roasted the Browns for 422 yards and five scores, the last with no time remaining to win the game. As yesterday showed, though, inconsistency is the name of the game in Detroit for the moment, which means that Stafford will struggle to repeat this fantasy feast this year.
The Fantasy Game of the Week
New England vs. New Orleans: Be thankful that we actually have a Monday Night Football tilt worth watching. This one pits two of the top-three scoring offenses in prime time. Look for Tom Brady and Drew Brees to post excellent fantasy numbers in a battle which could determine which ends up the King of the Jungle in 2009.
All-Pro
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Carson Palmer has a chance to stuff his stat line like dressing in a turkey against the aforementioned pathetic Browns.
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If Michael Turner has to sit out, starting Jason Snelling could be as sweet as pumpkin pie.
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Not that I trust him, but Nate Burleson could provide the gravy for your team this weekend against the Rams.
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Tony Gonzalez should offer a bounty that will make his owners thankful against the Bucs defense that has allowed 22 passing TDs this season.
All-Pine
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Jay Cutler's numbers may look as mashed as the potatoes on your Thanksgiving table.
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Rashard Mendehall's numbers will be smaller than peas this week against the Baltimore front seven.
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Austin Collie's numbers have leveled since his hot start—expect more bland stats this week against the Houston secondary.
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Tom Santi had a career game last week—don't expect him to cook up a repeat this week; Dallas Clark will return to his prominent place in the offense.
The Final Horn
In week 12, keep your eye on:
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Terrell Owens: The Buffalo wideout looked much better last week—perhaps new coach Perry Fewell will commit to using him.
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Ben Roethlisberger: If “Big Ben” doesn't play, the Steelers offensive players may not be worth the start.
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