Week 10 may prove to be the week everything changed, or it might just be an aberration.

1. Houston: I finally get to drop Atlanta out of the top spot.  Nice job traveling to Chicago and proving they can play defense, and on a sloppy field.

2. Chicago: Of course the question now becomes how healthy is Jay Cutler?  With the Niners, the Vikings twice, and Seattle in the next four they are going to need him.

3. Atlanta: Starting to show the fatigue of winning a lot of games late.

4. Green Bay: Their stretch of tough games starts now too.  Will the loss of Clay Matthews put the final nail in that defenses coffin for a few weeks?

5. Giants: The bye comes a week late. A 6-game schedule remaining consists of Green Bay, N.O., Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Atlanta. Can they win 4 of these?

6. New England: Playing just well enough to win and finding ways to protect their secondary.

7. San Fran: Losing Alex Smith may be the most unimportant injury for any team this week.  We will see how good a coach Harbaugh is going forward.

8. Denver: Peyton delivering on his promise.

9. Seattle: Nice dismantling of The Jets. But that’s really not that difficult a task.

10.Pittsburgh: Losing Big Ben for three weeks when two of those weeks include games against Baltimore could prove fatal.

11. Baltimore: Time to prove you can play against a big boy defense.  Let’s see what you really got.

12. Tampa: This up and down team continues to move up and down the rankings.  With the NFC so wide open at this point, they are still in the mix.

13. Cincy: Made a nice statement against a tired Giants team, but the real tests remain ahead in Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

14. Minnesota: They seem to have righted the ship. Let’s see if they can stay consistent.

15. Dallas: Again with the wide open NFC, they have climbed back into a race for a wild card spot.

Here is where we start to look at playoff possibilities, and eliminate teams from consideration.

NFC: Atlanta, Giants, Chicago, Green Bay, San Fran, Seattle, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Dallas, Detroit, St. Louis and Arizona are all still looking for playoff spots.  However everyone from Tampa on down needs to think they have to win 5 of the next 7.

AFC: Houston, Baltimore, New England, Denver, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh are in great shape at the moment. San Diego, Miami, Cincy and Tennessee are in a battle for their lives, but one of them will make the playoffs under the current scenario.  Pittsburgh and Big Ben’s injury could be the key to the playoff hopes of a few of these teams.

Gone: The Jets, Oakland, Buffalo, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Carolina, Washington and Philadelphia.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @tufdan. 

Hard to believe how fast the season progresses and now it’s time to start believing in some teams:

1. Houston: Looking like the most balanced team so far. A Monday night showcase against the hapless Jets will bring them national attention next week.

2. San Francisco: After taking a week to re-group, they showed their weapons on Sunday.  They now get three straight home games versus the Bills, Giants, and Seahawks.  This will be a nice run to see how talented they really are.

3. Atlanta: Nice win against a feisty division opponent. Three of the next four against NFC East opponents, with Oakland and a bye week in between.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Not sure how they are doing it, but they are doing it.  I think the dream ends soon with Rams, Buffalo, Minny, and San Fran on the horizon.  Let’s see where they sit after that run.

5. Baltimore: They continue to find ways to win, and using Ray Rice more is a good place to start.  K.C., Dallas and Houston up next.

6. Giants: Stumbled a little in Philly, and lost another piece in the secondary.  Cleveland at home before a trip to San Fran, home to Washington, a trip to Dallas, and back home for Pittsburgh.

7. Chicago: Nice win in Dallas..notice the multitude of Bears fans in Dallas? … Big win on short rest only because of next three.  Jags, Lions, and Panthers should move them up.

8. New England: Thought they were done in Buffalo…guess not…Broncos and Seahawks will provide test to see if they stick in the top 10.

9. Green Bay: O-Line needs help fast.  Indy, Houston, St, Louis, and Jacksonville should keep them afloat.

10. Denver: Time to show what they can do against the big boys.  Patriots, Chargers, Saints, Bengals.

11. San Diego: While we all wait for the collapse f this team, their schedule takes a turn for the better.  N.O., Denver, Cleveland and K.C.

12. Pittsburgh:  Coming off the bye week they get Philly, Tennessee, and Cincinnati.  Time to show who you are.

13. Philadelphia: Still doing it with smoke and mirrors, but if Andy Reid decides to be true to his west coast style, and use McCoy more..they could make a nice move here.  Pittsburgh, Detroit, Atlanta, and New Orleans await.  Stealing one against NY could provide a nice lift.

14. Minnesota: Nice win on the road in the division. Tenn, Washington, Arizona, and Tampa should keep them on the right track.

15. Cincinnati: Not sure where this team belongs, but the talent is there.  Miami, Cleveland, Pittsburgh before the bye should provide some insight.

16. Seattle: Battle of the underachievers Sunday with Carolina with New England and San Fran to follow.  This defense is ferocious, but this isn’t soccer, you need to score sometime.

17. Washington: Nice win in the end, but the defense was carried off the field a few weeks back.  Atlanta, Minny, NYG…Not sure they can hang on.

18. Dallas: Awful job by the offense on MNF.  Now must face Baltimore, Carolina, NYG, and Atlanta…Could be done early if they don’t figure it out soon.

19. Detroit: Actually think they might be done early this year.  Stafford struggling and D looks bad.  Eagles and Bears up next, both with good offenses.

20. Carolina: Not sure who this team is, but I do know Cam needs to stop dancing and start winning. A very tough Seattle defense up next before the bye week.

21. Jets: If they lose Holmes for any length of time, you might as well start Tebow, because there is no one to throw to anyway.  Houston on MNF next.  Jet fans might want to make other plans for that night.  New England, Miami, and Seattle after that….

22. St. Louis: Playing hard and deserve a mention.

The Rest: Buffalo, Tampa, New Orleans, Tennessee, Indy, Miami, Oakland, Cleveland, K.C. and Jax

In this scenario, Leinart will backup Carson Palmer and Terrelle Pryor will become the third string QB. There is some history to go along with this story.  At the University of Southern California, Carson Palmer was preplaced by Matt Leinart and Leinart worked with Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp while Leinart was a QB at the Houston Texans last year.

Leinart suffered a fractured collarbone last year less than two quarters into his first start of the season. He was starting in place of the injured Matt Schaub.

Last week we focused on the AFC Central

Indianapolis Colts: My Pre-Draft ranking of the Colts in Upward. Give the colts this much credit, they are doing what they need to do to get younger, faster, and better. They have cut ways with Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Peyton Manning to name a few. There are also rumors that the Colts are shopping Dwight Freeney too. As we all know the Colts have the number one overall pick and all assumptions are they that the Colts are going to draft Andrew Luck. The Colts are doing the best they can to free up cap space to put talent around Luck. It looks as if Luck will be the starter from day one too. After the horrific season the Colts had last year they can only go up. It may be a slow climb but they are one again on the right track.

Houston Texans: My Pre-Draft ranking of the Texans in NEUTRAL. The Texans took a huge step forward last year by making

October 09, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Mario Williams (90) prepares for a game against the Oakland Raiders at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

the playoffs and doing so without their starting QB. However, Mario Williams is a free agent and the two sides appear to be very far apart. This would love the Texans defense with a huge hole. Without Williams or an impact player like Williams the Texans will struggle to repeat the same success they had from last season. The Texans have the 26th overall pick in the draft. If they loose Williams look for the them to target defense (again). Questions are still floating around questioning if they have a QB/Coach combo that they can win the Super Bowl with? The bigger question, as I see it, is do they have a defense that can keep the other team off the board? With more question marks than answers, neutral is the best pre-draft rating I could give the Texans.

Jacksonville Jaguars: My Pre-Draft ranking of the Jaguars is Downward. What is there to say about the Jaguars? They reside in a market that does not care about football, they think they have a franchise QB, and free agents never want to go to Jacksonville. The Jaguars have the seventh overall pick in the draft and most mock drafts have the Jaguars looking for a OL (although some say a WR). If the Jaguars cannot protect their QB, they will not be able to win any games. However, the Jaguars have a bigger problem off the field. No body cares about football and unless the Jaguars can get some talent into the city to make the people want to go to football games that stadium will always be half empty. Maybe they should trade for Tebow? I would not be shocked to see the Jaguars to be the next NFL franchise to move, lets say to Toronto? Just throwing it out there….

Dec 11, 2011; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at LP Field. The Saints beat the Titans 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE

Tennessee Titans:  My pre-draft ranking of the Titans is NEUTRAL. Does anyone know what the Titans are? Do they have QB (doesn’t that sound like a theme for the entire AFC South)? They have a good solid young coach but beyond that they have many questions. They should get some answers by drafting some secondary help and then looking to put some talent around Locker. The biggest advantage the Titans have is that they are playing in probably the weakest division within the AFC. Yes, I think the AFC South is worse than the AFC West. If the Titans can spend the cap room wisely during free agency they could push the Texans for division champions

My Pre-Draft prediction for Final AFC South Standings: 1)Texans 2) Titans 3) Colts 4) Jaguars (8-8 might win this division next year)

]]> http://gmenhq.com/2012/03/14/focus-on-afc-south/feed/ 0 http://gmenhq.com/2012/01/15/texans-ravens-game-day-essentials/ http://gmenhq.com/2012/01/15/texans-ravens-game-day-essentials/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:00:31 +0000 Tom Brant http://gmenhq.com/?p=9683 Game Time: 1:03 pm EST/ 12:03 CST Location: M&T Stadium, Baltimore, MD TV: CBS National Telecasts (ALL CBS Affiliates) Announcers:  Greg Gumble and Dan Dierdorf Radio: WBAL 1090am (Ravens Radio) and KILT 610am (Texans Radio) Game Time Weather: Kick Off: 35* Winds 6-9 mph from E Half-Time: 34* Winds 5-7 mph from E 4th Quarter: 35* Winds from [...]

Texans-Ravens Game Day Essentials - GMEN HQ - GMEN HQ - A NY Giants Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Game Time: 1:03 pm EST/ 12:03 CST

Location: M&T Stadium, Baltimore, MD

TV: CBS National Telecasts (ALL CBS Affiliates)

Announcers:  Greg Gumble and Dan Dierdorf

Radio: WBAL 1090am (Ravens Radio) and KILT 610am (Texans Radio)

Game Time Weather:

Kick Off: 35* Winds 6-9 mph from E

Half-Time: 34* Winds 5-7 mph from E

4th Quarter: 35* Winds from 5-7 mph from E

Current Line: Ravens by 9 with Over/Under at 36.5

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Game Time: 4:33pm EST

Location: Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

TV: NBC Sports: WNBC 4 (NY,NJ, CT) and WVIT-30 (CT, MA)

Announcers:  Dan Hicks and Mike Mayock

Game Time Weather:

Opening Kick Off: 69* winds 10 mph SE

Half-Time: 68* winds10-15 mph SE

Two Minute Warning: 67*winds 3-7 mph SSE

Current Line: Texans -4.5 with the over/under at 44.0

All-Time Series: Tied 3-3

Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals. Dallas lost in overtime. The Cowboys are 7-5. They are half game ahead of the GIANTS.

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints. The Lions are 7-4 and one game ahead of the GIANTS. The Lions are one game behind the Falcons/Bears for the final playoff spot.

Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears. Kansas City won 10-3 . The Bears are 7-5 and are a tiebreaker ahead of the Lions and .5 games ahead of the Giants for the final playoff spot.

Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans. Houston won 17-10. The Falcons are 7-5 and are a tiebreaker ahead of the Lions and .5 games ahead of the Giants for the final playoff spot.

New York Jets at Washington Redskins. The Jets won 34-19.  The Redskins are 4-8 and are  basically eliminated from the playoffs.

Other than Arian Foster or Ben Tate, most Texans offensive weapons such as Owen Daniels and Andre Johnson will lose fantasy value with Yates at the helm. The Texans’ defense might also take a hit if Yates forces the defense to play more than usual due to a high number of turnovers. But Yates might be one of those rare third string rookie quarterbacks that turns out to be pretty good though. I guess we have to find out.

Now, enough about the Texans, let’s get on to the list of fantasy football players that might still be available on the waiver wire in your league that you should pick up to help you solidify your team for the fantasy playoffs or help propel your team into the playoffs…

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