Since arriving in New England in 2000, Bill Belichick is 10-0 in snow games. While
Tom Brady merits a lion's share of the credit, it's also a testament to Belichick's innovation and willingness to think outside the box. In the copycat world of the NFL, there may not be another coach who realizes that it pays to operate a pass-oriented attack in the snow.
It certainly helps that the Pats offense is so well suited to the elements. The games of
Wes Welker and
Deion Branch are certainly not reliant on speed. They separate from defenders with quickness, impeccable route running, and quarterback chemistry. A sleeveless Welker set the tone in the wind and snow at Soldier Field, proving the Patriots could move the ball in near blizzard conditions with five receptions on the first two drives. Branch added a career regular-season high 151 yards, highlighted by a surprise 59-yard TD that had
Tom Brady "
almost laughing" as time expired in the first half. Both starting receivers hauled in eight passes while combining for 266 yards.
You don't need me to tell you that Brady is playing quarterback as well as the position can be played. The numbers are illustrative, however. Over his past eight games, Brady has thrown 19 touchdown passes while pushing his streak to 268 consecutive passes without an interception. Only Bernie Kosar and
Rich Gannon have enjoyed longer streaks. Brady also joins the late Don Meredith as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to produce six consecutive games with two or more touchdowns and no interceptions.
Wait, there's more. Brady is the only quarterback ever with three straight games over 300 passing yards plus two or more touchdowns and no interceptions since 1950. He also pulled off that feat in 2007. The Patriots are the first team since 1970 with no turnovers in five straight games, and the
first team in NFL history with 30-plus points and zero turnovers in five straight games. Brady is 118-of-164 (72.0 percent) for 1,572 yards and a 15:0 TD-to-INT ratio in those five games, never falling below Sunday's 113.4 passer rating in the snow.
Needless to say, Brady and the Pats are coming off one of the greatest five-game stretches any of us have ever witnessed. Though his 2007 completion percentage (73.9) was slightly better, Brady is actually
stretching the field better the past five weeks without
Randy Moss.
Not convinced this is the best team in the NFL? Three of New England's victories in this impressive five-game run have come against division leaders. The Pats have dissected those would-be contenders to the tune of 120-36, with two of the games played outside of Foxboro. Brady, the slam-dunk MVP pick, now has 108 wins with Belichick, passing Terry Bradshaw and Chuck Noll for the second-most by a QB-head coach tandem all time (Dan Marino and Don Shula are first with 116 wins).
Editor's Note: You can get our
Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and playoff rankings, and Chris Wesseling's Dynasty league coverage -- all for just $4.99.
Game BallsDarren McFadden - It was with matchups like this one in mind for the fantasy playoffs that I recommended targeting McFadden
back in late October. The Jaguars tried to stack the box, but McFadden actually fared better
against eight-man fronts Sunday that he did against nickel and dime packages. The 209 yards from scrimmage edge out his 196 yards in Week 7 for a career high. Even better, McFadden became the third player since 1950 with two rushing TDs of at least 35 yards and a receiving TD of at least 60 yards in the same game. Clem Daniels (1963) is the only other Raider with a 50+ yard TD run and a 50+ yard TD reception in the same game.
Despite missing two games, McFadden has a chance to bypass Napoleon Kaufman (1,294 yards in 1997) for second place on the Raiders' single-season rushing chart. He needs to average 101 yards per game against the Broncos (most fantasy points allowed to opposing backs), Colts (sixth-most), and Chiefs (15th-most) over the final three weeks. If he stays healthy, that's the Masterlock pick of the week.
The DeSean and LeSean Show - As @Chetrazzball points out,
DeSean Jackson averaged "over half a football field per catch" last night. Thanks to an explosive 91-yard touchdown catch-and-run, Jackson racked up 210 yards on just four catches.
Only two other players in NFL history, Gary Clark of the Redskins (1991) and Choo Choo Roberts of the Giants (1949), have hit 200 yards on four or fewer catches. Jackson vaulted back into the top-12 in fantasy scoring with the dynamic performance.
Teammate
LeSean McCoy, lost in
Michael Vick's shadow, highlighted the Eagles' offensive balance. Shut down in the first half, Shady killed the clock in the final four minutes, picking up four first downs while sealing the victory. Leading all running backs in receptions (70) and receiving yards (538), McCoy is also knocking on the door to 1,000 rushing yards (972). In his first season as a starter, McCoy is fourth in running back fantasy points.
Maurice Jones-Drew - The Jaguars have morphed into the
1970s Nebraska Cornhurskers, running for 207, 258, and 234 yards the past three weeks.
Maurice Jones-Drew and
Rashad Jennings both topped 100 yards, just the third tandem in franchise history to accomplish the feat in the same game. With six straight games over the century mark, MJD is your new NFL rushing leader (if only temporarily, with
Arian Foster playing Monday night).
With C
Brad Meester, LG
Vince Manuwai, and fill-in RT
Jordan Black all grading out as elite run-blockers in Pro Football Focus' player rankings, the mauling offensive line has the Jags averaging 157.8 yards per game at 4.75 yards per attempt. The good times should roll throughout the fantasy playoffs with matchups at Indy (sixth-most points to opposing backs) and home to the Redskins (10th-most) the next two weeks.
Ryan Torain - With Mike Shanahan failing to name a starter heading into Week 14,
Ryan Torain was rightfully left on the majority of fantasy benches. Torain not only started, but gashed the Bucs defense for 121 rushing yards in the first quarter, the most in the NFL since
Marshall Faulk in 2001. His 158 yards at the half were the most since
Tiki Barber's 171 in 2005.
Though he didn't look particularly fast or elusive, Torain broke arm tackles and ran through gaping holes at the second level. The Redskins offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage to the point where Torain didn't even have to stop to move his feet or change direction. The Redskins failed to pick up a first down in the third quarter, however, and Torain ended up being replaced at the goal line by
Keiland Williams. With the obvious health caveat, Torain is a RB2 with upside against the Cowboys and Jaguars the next two weeks.
Michael Turner After his third career game with at least three touchdowns, Turner has now scored 10 times in his last seven games. With the Seahawks (fifth-most fantasy points allowed to opposing backs), Saints (18th-most), and Panthers (third-most) left on the docket, Turner has even odds to bypass
Arian Foster for the NFL touchdown lead by the end of the season.
Jay Feely - A kicker scored Arizona's first touchdown in three games. With a five-yard run, Feely became the fourth kicker in 40 years to run for a touchdown and the first since Dallas' Tim Seder in 2001. Impressive as the touchdown was, Feely also matched his career best with five field goals, including a career-long 55-yarder. Feely was responsible for six consecutive scores (
screenshot) as the Cardinals ended a seven-game skid with their largest margin of victory since 1993. In many fantasy leagues, Feely was the third-highest scorer of Week 14.
Since arriving in New England in 2000, Bill Belichick is 10-0 in snow games. While
Tom Brady merits a lion's share of the credit, it's also a testament to Belichick's innovation and willingness to think outside the box. In the copycat world of the NFL, there may not be another coach who realizes that it pays to operate a pass-oriented attack in the snow.
It certainly helps that the Pats offense is so well suited to the elements. The games of
Wes Welker and
Deion Branch are certainly not reliant on speed. They separate from defenders with quickness, impeccable route running, and quarterback chemistry. A sleeveless Welker set the tone in the wind and snow at Soldier Field, proving the Patriots could move the ball in near blizzard conditions with five receptions on the first two drives. Branch added a career regular-season high 151 yards, highlighted by a surprise 59-yard TD that had
Tom Brady "
almost laughing" as time expired in the first half. Both starting receivers hauled in eight passes while combining for 266 yards.
You don't need me to tell you that Brady is playing quarterback as well as the position can be played. The numbers are illustrative, however. Over his past eight games, Brady has thrown 19 touchdown passes while pushing his streak to 268 consecutive passes without an interception. Only Bernie Kosar and
Rich Gannon have enjoyed longer streaks. Brady also joins the late Don Meredith as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to produce six consecutive games with two or more touchdowns and no interceptions.
Wait, there's more. Brady is the only quarterback ever with three straight games over 300 passing yards plus two or more touchdowns and no interceptions since 1950. He also pulled off that feat in 2007. The Patriots are the first team since 1970 with no turnovers in five straight games, and the
first team in NFL history with 30-plus points and zero turnovers in five straight games. Brady is 118-of-164 (72.0 percent) for 1,572 yards and a 15:0 TD-to-INT ratio in those five games, never falling below Sunday's 113.4 passer rating in the snow.
Needless to say, Brady and the Pats are coming off one of the greatest five-game stretches any of us have ever witnessed. Though his 2007 completion percentage (73.9) was slightly better, Brady is actually
stretching the field better the past five weeks without
Randy Moss.
Not convinced this is the best team in the NFL? Three of New England's victories in this impressive five-game run have come against division leaders. The Pats have dissected those would-be contenders to the tune of 120-36, with two of the games played outside of Foxboro. Brady, the slam-dunk MVP pick, now has 108 wins with Belichick, passing Terry Bradshaw and Chuck Noll for the second-most by a QB-head coach tandem all time (Dan Marino and Don Shula are first with 116 wins).
Editor's Note: You can get our
Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and playoff rankings, and Chris Wesseling's Dynasty league coverage -- all for just $4.99.
Game BallsDarren McFadden - It was with matchups like this one in mind for the fantasy playoffs that I recommended targeting McFadden
back in late October. The Jaguars tried to stack the box, but McFadden actually fared better
against eight-man fronts Sunday that he did against nickel and dime packages. The 209 yards from scrimmage edge out his 196 yards in Week 7 for a career high. Even better, McFadden became the third player since 1950 with two rushing TDs of at least 35 yards and a receiving TD of at least 60 yards in the same game. Clem Daniels (1963) is the only other Raider with a 50+ yard TD run and a 50+ yard TD reception in the same game.
Despite missing two games, McFadden has a chance to bypass Napoleon Kaufman (1,294 yards in 1997) for second place on the Raiders' single-season rushing chart. He needs to average 101 yards per game against the Broncos (most fantasy points allowed to opposing backs), Colts (sixth-most), and Chiefs (15th-most) over the final three weeks. If he stays healthy, that's the Masterlock pick of the week.
The DeSean and LeSean Show - As @Chetrazzball points out,
DeSean Jackson averaged "over half a football field per catch" last night. Thanks to an explosive 91-yard touchdown catch-and-run, Jackson racked up 210 yards on just four catches.
Only two other players in NFL history, Gary Clark of the Redskins (1991) and Choo Choo Roberts of the Giants (1949), have hit 200 yards on four or fewer catches. Jackson vaulted back into the top-12 in fantasy scoring with the dynamic performance.
Teammate
LeSean McCoy, lost in
Michael Vick's shadow, highlighted the Eagles' offensive balance. Shut down in the first half, Shady killed the clock in the final four minutes, picking up four first downs while sealing the victory. Leading all running backs in receptions (70) and receiving yards (538), McCoy is also knocking on the door to 1,000 rushing yards (972). In his first season as a starter, McCoy is fourth in running back fantasy points.
Maurice Jones-Drew - The Jaguars have morphed into the
1970s Nebraska Cornhurskers, running for 207, 258, and 234 yards the past three weeks.
Maurice Jones-Drew and
Rashad Jennings both topped 100 yards, just the third tandem in franchise history to accomplish the feat in the same game. With six straight games over the century mark, MJD is your new NFL rushing leader (if only temporarily, with
Arian Foster playing Monday night).
With C
Brad Meester, LG
Vince Manuwai, and fill-in RT
Jordan Black all grading out as elite run-blockers in Pro Football Focus' player rankings, the mauling offensive line has the Jags averaging 157.8 yards per game at 4.75 yards per attempt. The good times should roll throughout the fantasy playoffs with matchups at Indy (sixth-most points to opposing backs) and home to the Redskins (10th-most) the next two weeks.
Ryan Torain - With Mike Shanahan failing to name a starter heading into Week 14,
Ryan Torain was rightfully left on the majority of fantasy benches. Torain not only started, but gashed the Bucs defense for 121 rushing yards in the first quarter, the most in the NFL since
Marshall Faulk in 2001. His 158 yards at the half were the most since
Tiki Barber's 171 in 2005.
Though he didn't look particularly fast or elusive, Torain broke arm tackles and ran through gaping holes at the second level. The Redskins offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage to the point where Torain didn't even have to stop to move his feet or change direction. The Redskins failed to pick up a first down in the third quarter, however, and Torain ended up being replaced at the goal line by
Keiland Williams. With the obvious health caveat, Torain is a RB2 with upside against the Cowboys and Jaguars the next two weeks.
Michael Turner After his third career game with at least three touchdowns, Turner has now scored 10 times in his last seven games. With the Seahawks (fifth-most fantasy points allowed to opposing backs), Saints (18th-most), and Panthers (third-most) left on the docket, Turner has even odds to bypass
Arian Foster for the NFL touchdown lead by the end of the season.
Jay Feely - A kicker scored Arizona's first touchdown in three games. With a five-yard run, Feely became the fourth kicker in 40 years to run for a touchdown and the first since Dallas' Tim Seder in 2001. Impressive as the touchdown was, Feely also matched his career best with five field goals, including a career-long 55-yarder. Feely was responsible for six consecutive scores (
screenshot) as the Cardinals ended a seven-game skid with their largest margin of victory since 1993. In many fantasy leagues, Feely was the third-highest scorer of Week 14.
Committee Time1.
Chargers - The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Friday that
Ryan Mathews' (16-65, 1-6, TD) role would increase. He ended up starting the game, proving to be over his ankle injury on a spectacular 15-yard touchdown run.
Mike Tolbert (16-66, 1-13, TD) took over on the second series, and the two backs formed a committee the rest of the way. Expect that pattern to continue, with Tolbert holding more fantasy value thanks to goal-line and passing-down looks.
2.
Chiefs - Neither
Jamaal Charles (10-40, 2-9) nor
Thomas Jones (3-1) had a chance this week with the Chargers jumping out to an early lead and
Brodie Croyle showing once again that it's beyond silly to suggest he could start elsewhere in 2011. Charles, fresh off signing a $32 million contract, saw four times as many touches as Jones and has 17 more carries in the past two games. Look for JC Superstar to bounce back at St. Louis in Week 15.
3.
Saints - As promised,
Chris Ivory (7-47) was the clear lead back, gashing the Rams defense before going down with a hamstring injury in the second quarter.
Pierre Thomas (12-39, 4-29) came on in relief, looking healthy yet rusty as the second-half feature back. If Ivory's injury keeps him out in Week 15, Thomas would be worthy of RB2 consideration in PPR leagues against the Ravens.
Reggie Bush's (9-39, 5-22) role remains the same, leaving him valueless in most fantasy leagues.
4.
Cowboys -
Tashard Choice (7-16, 1-17) appeared to be on his way to an even split with
Felix Jones (13-41, 4-42, TD) before failing to score from inside the five-yard line on three consecutive attempts during the Cowboys' first drive. Jones received all but three carries the rest of the game, leaving Choice's role up in the air for Week 15 against the Redskins.
5.
49ers -
Brian Westbrook (9-23, 6-87, TD) played 26 of 30 first-half snaps as a true feature back taking advantage of
Alex Smith's checkdown tendencies.
Anthony Dixon (14-60, 1-8) took over in the second half if only because the 49ers were nursing a 30-point lead by early in the third quarter. Westbrook remains the more valuable of the two, especially in PPR leagues.
6.
Packers - Coach Mike McCarthy prescribed a three-headed attack, and he stayed true to his word.
Brandon Jackson (7-19, 3-9) started but lost third-down looks to Nance (2-4, 1-14) and early-down carries to
James Starks (6-8). Green Bay's offensive line was dominated by the Lions' front four, and there's more trouble on the horizon with a Week 15 matchup at New England -- possibly with
Matt Flynn under center.
7.
Cardinals - Let's not overreact to
Tim Hightower's (18-148, 2 TD) apparent breakout game. The Broncos played no life whatsoever and proceeded to finish rolling over in the fourth quarter down 19-3. With all of the rest of the late games already over, Hightower added 96 yards and both scores in the trashiest of garbage times.
Beanie Wells (6-16) was used in true change-of-pace fashion early in the game before leaving with a stomach virus at the half. Hightower appears to be the flavor of the month for December.
8.
Jets -
LaDainian Tomlinson (19-49, 2-5) has hit the wall with a resounding thud, averaging 2.7 YPC over his past eight starts without topping 47 rushing yards.
Shonn Greene (8-17, 3-29) was even worse against the Dolphins, struggling to find open space before leaving with a neck injury in the fourth quarter. Greene is expected to be fine for Week 15 at Pittsburgh.
9.
Dolphins - With 55 yards on 16 carries,
Ronnie Brown equaled
Chad Henne's passing yards on 18 attempts.
Ricky Williams (10-34) posted the same 3.4 yards per carry as Brown, effective enough against a tough run defense.
10.
Lions -
Maurice Morris (11-51, 1-6) dominated the first-half workload, but it was
Jahvid Best (13-38, 1-4) on the field down the stretch in a tight game. Unless Best regains feature-back duties, this backfield is hands-off for fantasy purposes.
Falling Out: Giants (MNF), Colts (Thursday), Redskins (
Ryan Torain), Patriots (
BenJarvus Green-Ellis), Raiders (
Darren McFadden)
Already Graduated: Bears (
Matt Forte), Eagles (
LeSean McCoy), Browns (
Peyton Hillis), Bills (
Fred Jackson), Buccaneers (
LeGarrette Blount), Seahawks (
Marshawn Lynch), Panthers (
Jonathan Stewart)
Editor's Note: Pick a new fantasy team just for today and win real cash with Snapdraft!Injury WardAaron Rodgers, Packers - Concussion
Chris Ivory, Saints - Hamstring
Shonn Greene, Jets - Neck
Beanie Wells, Cardinals - Illness
Lee Evans, Bills - Ankle
Deon Butler, Seahawks - Broken Leg
Brandon Stokley, Seahawks - Hamstring
Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers - Ankle
Kevin Ogletree, Cowboys - Foot
Stewart Bradley, Eagles - Elbow
Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers - Biceps
Quincy Black, Buccaneers - Broken Arm
Check out Matt Stroup's "
QB1 TBD" for in-depth analysis of Sunday's M*A*S*H unit fallout.
Awards SectionStat of the Week: The Patriots outscored opponents 99-3 over a span of seven quarters, breaking the previous record of +86
held by the 1966 Dallas Cowboys.
Runner-Up:
Drew Brees became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 20,000 yards and 150 TDs in his first five seasons with a new team.
Second Runner-Up: Bears G/T
Herman Johnson (6'7/360), signed off the Cardinals' practice squad last week, was the biggest baby ever born in Louisiana at 15 pounds, 14 ounces.
Quote of the Week: Panthers WR
Steve Smith on
Jimmy Clausen's apologizing to MLB
Jon Beason for poor play: "If you're going to apologize, you know, you should apologize to the people in the huddle with you. "He has a lot to learn.
He ain't at Notre Dame anymore that's for sure."
Runner-Up: Dolphins ILB
Channing Crowder on Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi, who tripped gunner
Nolan Carroll in kickoff coverage: "We beat the hell out of them today, so they can trip all of the people they want to. I wish they would have tripped me. I would have
broken that old man's leg."
Tweet of the Week: From
Patriots beat writer @shalisemyoung: "Which snow-related collapse is bigger: the Bears or the Metrodome roof?"
Runner-Up: From
Bengals beat writer Joe Reedy on NFL Network's Joe Theismann comparing
Peyton Manning's passes to Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Picasso: "Theismann with the Van Gogh reference. Good one Joe since all of us want to chop our ears off with this game."
Second Runner-Up: From @MikeyBoyBrown,
the fake Twitter account of Bengals owner (and wannabe Scrooge)
Mike Brown: "I love Twitter on Sundays. I live on your disappointment and tears, people."
Fantasy MVP of Week 14: Darren McFadden, Raiders
Fantasy Breakout Player of Week 14: Ryan Torain, Redskins
Fantasy Rookie of Week 14: Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
Fantasy Disappointment of Week 14: Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs /
Kyle Orton, Broncos
Fantasy Fraud of Week 14: Michael Crabtree, 49ers /
Donald Brown, Colts
Fantasy Fluke of Week 14: Arrelious Benn, Buccaneers
Fine Fifteen Fantasy Offenses1.
Eagles - Shady's game-ending drive proves Iggles aren't one-dimensional.
2.
Colts - Garcon back on Peyton's Christmas card list.
3.
Patriots - Pats' 33 points most ever allowed by Bears in one half.
4.
Saints - Scored 30+ points in 5 consecutive games for the second time in franchise history.
5.
Texans - Foster needs 50 yards to take rushing lead back from Jones-Drew.
6.
Chargers - Added two much needed playmakers with V-Jax, Mathews returning.
7.
Giants - Nicks, Smith to infuse life into the passing game?
8.
Falcons - Three straight winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.
9.
Packers -
Matt Flynn trade talk screeches to a halt.
10.
Chiefs -
Brodie Croyle, 0-10 as a starter, completed only 7 passes Sunday.
11.
Cowboys - Kitna's 21.6 fantasy points per start fall only behind the "elite six" at QB.
12.
Ravens - Mr. Consistent? Flacco between 18.8 and 24.4 fantasy points every game since Week 6.
13.
Steelers -
Hines Ward moved into 10th place all-time in receptions (944), passing Art Monk (940).
14.
Jaguars - All of the sudden, the Jags are channeling Nebraska in the 1970s.
15.
Broncos - Orton over past 2 weeks: 40.6%, 4.1 YPA, 0:3 TD-to-INT ratio.
Falling Out: Jets, Vikings
Theismann WatchAlthough they've now won five for their past eight, the 49ers have a "
prove-it" game at San Diego Thursday night.
Week 15 Clash of the TitansJaguars @ Colts: Biggest game in Jacksonville franchise history?
Eagles @ Giants: Winner takes the NFC East?
Packers @ Patriots: Pats already unbeatable at home, Packers may be without
Aaron Rodgers.
Saints @ Ravens: Saints try to knock off a dominant home team outdoors in the elements.
Early Waiver LookQB: Matt Flynn,
Kerry Collins,
Jason Campbell,
Alex Smith,
John Skelton,
Colt McCoy,
Rex Grossman,
Tim TebowRB: Javarris James,
Mike Hart,
Rashad JenningsWR: Louis Murphy,
Arrelious Benn,
Kevin Ogletree,
Ruvell Martin,
Donald JonesTE: Rob Gronkowski,
Andrew Quarless,
Randy McMichaelFor an in-depth look at this week's top waiver options, my Waiver Wired column will run on Tuesday afternoons throughout the season.
Follow
Chris Wesseling on Twitter.