Water parks usually close when the fall season comes about. The slides NFL teams continue to make in the team rankings disprove that. It looks as if parks will remain open for a long extended period of time.

Biggest Drop: Minnesota from 7th to 15th
Biggest Climb: Washington from 30th to 18th

Post Week Two Team Rankings

1. Pittsburgh (5)
Their philosophy can never be forced to be readjusted. Teams know what they can and can’t do, but still can’t game plan correctly for the Steelers. It works to the Steelers benefit every year in the regular season, but once playoff time comes that all of the sudden changes.

2. New England (1)
The days of New England dominating a regular season are over. At least going the year winning thirteen or fourteen games. Expect around eleven wins, but for that to add up once the playoffs come.

3. Philadelphia (3)
People can already shut their mouths on the TO and Donovan debate. It was all a show, or at least it was put on pause.

4. Carolina (4)
The nucleus of their team is intact for now. Injuries killed their chances last year, so this is really their year to defend their 2003 trip to the Super Bowl.

5. Indianapolis (6)
Two weeks have concluded in the explosive offense of the Colts has yet to show up. The defense has, and Tony Dungy is ecstatic over that.

6. Atlanta (2)
It was tough going all the way to Seattle. They almost clawed their way back to a win.

7. Cincinnati (10)
As impressive as any team so far.

8. Kansas City (13)
It looks like KC is going to bring it this year.

9. Tampa Bay (15)
They look like they have the elite of Cadillac’s in the NFL.

10. NY Giants (12)
They’re still waiting for that breakout game from Eli.

11. NY Jets (8)
They won last week but didn’t impress enough against the Dolphins. Curtis Martin’s banged up knee is also a bad sign.

12. Dallas (9)
They let a solid almost complete game slip away. Some teams have a hard time following a loss like that. It’s time for Parcells to make his great coaching come to use.

13. Jacksonville (14)
They demonstrated a complete team concept. Hey, you win and lose as a team.

14. New Orleans (11)
Is the inconsistent trend going to start again?

15. Minnesota (7)
Something has to go their way this week.

16. St. Louis (17)
Not much to say about their win over the Cardinals.

17. Denver (17)
Champ Bailey led their comeback. That can be a sad or a good thing.

18. Washington (30)
In two months we’ll look back and know of one thing. The Redskins got off to a great start because of the usual rustiness of teams, or because their defense continues to dominate and the offense adds a little spice.

19. Baltimore (19)
The best 0-2 team in the league. Will we be saying the best 0-3 next week.

20. Seattle (23)
Maybe they can win the division at 9-7 again.

21. San Diego (18)
Scratch last year from your memory, that wasn’t supposed to happen.

22. Cleveland (27)
Dilfer already has my vote for comeback athlete of the century and year.

23. Buffalo (20)
Losman is going to have his struggles.

24. Oakland (20)
Their tough schedule is only going to get worse.

25. Tennessee (26)
Remember the titans of 1999?

26. Green Bay (24)
At least they can look up in their division and see more than daylight. They’re falling in the same trap as last year. This time though, they might be trapped for good.

27. Miami (25)
This team needs to play a couple more games before we can figure out what to expect.

28. Chicago (32)
Their defense wins them more games a year than any other team. That’s any time they do get a win.

29. Detroit (22)
Mr. Harrington better prepare to wear a headset.

30. Arizona (28)
Kurt Warner can chuck the ball all he wants, but if the Cardinals can’t find a running back they’re going to keep losing.

31. San Francisco (31)
They can look back at this year and say they were once leading the Eagles and tied with the Eagles in the standings. Week one and two.

32. Houston (29)
Playoff dreams will be hibernating in 2005.

We know what brand of bread you buy, wonder bread. Your team is filled with so much luck, you have enough wonder bread slices to make three sandwiches.

Quarterbacks

Donovan McNabb
Chop this one up as his best statistical game of the season. Usually you can get one or the other from McNabb in terms of success with either yardage or touchdowns. To get both at high rates turned out to be a great surprise. They just jumped on the 49ers with the passing game, and didn’t go away from it. Fantasy fans that let McNabb slip out the first round are paying the price. He has always been able to put up great season numbers, and it’s because of games like Sunday. But throwing the ball a lot is not what the Eagles offense is about. They’ll settle down and get Brian Westbrook more involved.

Anthony Wright
Jack Nicholson never noticed, Anthony Wright, co-starring in As Good as It Gets. Probably because the sequel was yanked and destroyed, just what Brian Billick is about to do with his quarterbacks. Anthony Wright has an arm to use but not enough field smarts, and with Kyle Boller his assets to the team are still undisclosed. Wright threw forty times against the Titans weak defense and had sufficient yardage for a quarterback that threw twenty times, with 212 yards. Being on the trading block for a quarterback is unheard of in the NFL. It looks like the Ravens are going to change that. Maybe giving up Chester Taylor could bring about some decent offers.

Trent Dilfer
Composed and fluent as he has ever been. Dilfer is becoming one of those veterans that come into his own in their later years. He just looks comfortable about everything on the field. It does help when you’ve got a cast of receivers that could run for the USA Olympic team. Antonio Bryant, Dennis Northcutt, Braylon Edwards, and Frisman Jackson are arguably the fastest quartet of receivers in the NFL. Things will only get better for the passing game when Kellen Winslow Jr. returns next season to team up with Steve Heiden who has looked amazing. Keep in mind the Browns are a young team and are bound for trouble. When trouble comes that’s when the turnovers start and get silly.

Running Backs

Stephen Davis
Seventy seven yards sounds right. Three touchdowns, now that’s a clerical error. Maybe someone at STATS Inc. was inputting credit for touchdowns to the wrong back. His one yard plunges are a good sign that the Panthers will use him all the time as the goal line back. We’re still doubting though that he makes it the midway point before something pops up or out. He is a battered back and sustaining this type of success just doesn’t happen to a repaired body barely healed.

Thomas Jones
Last week we told you to start him and get the most of the fantasy value out of him that you can. We sure hope you listened because the warmth he is going to get being on the sidelines from November on, is going to be more than he gets underneath piles of tacklers. He should be a starter, and if a team wants to trade for him, than his fantasy value sky rockets. We know one team out there (Arizona, didn’t you draft Jones) that really needs a back. Jones showed his growth as a running back last season, and obliterated the Lions defense for seven yards a carry Sunday. Depending on how much the Bears continue to use him, he could still be a fill in bye week plugger or more.

Wide Receivers

Santana Moss
Gaining practically all your yardage and two touchdowns in the last few minutes of a game is what you call the definition of wonders in fantasy football. Moss has built his reputation as a big play guy, and that’s it. He has speed and Dallas slept on that for the final minutes. There should have been adjustments made to prevent that after the first touchdown. If the Redskins can get the offense clicking, than Moss’s value will be steady. With Clinton Portis able to get out the blocks, that’ll open the opportunity for Moss to stretch the field even more. But what Moss did on Monday night is something that isn’t supposed to happen in football. It was comparable to what Reggie Miller did against the Knicks, with eight points in a brief period of seconds. Glitches on defense happen and make lifetime moments. Moss just experienced one.

Troy Brown
He is a key player, but one of those that’s just needed on the field. He does the little things without catching the ball, but somehow he has been getting them to start this season. If you were to project Brown’s season stats it would be easy. Having a scatter plot for yards would be all over the yardage marks of zero to one hundred yards, and his touchdown last week may show up with another dot or two.

Are you the first team with an option for waivers in your fantasy football league? If that is the case, than your team is 0-2. Not a good spot to be in as the shortened fantasy football season, makes little room for error. Your looking at having to post a couple of nice runs to make up for the first two games. The only way to do it, is utilize your chances with waiver wire pick ups. It’s an under rated aspect that some losing teams still don’t try to use to spring their teams.

Quarterbacks

Trent Dilfer:
Dilfer gets a lot of smack about being the worst quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He has a ring and that’s all he cares about. Now his career has turned into a brighter direction with the new look Browns. If the season were to be over now, he’d be a lock for a Pro Bowl spot. Like Chris Berman always says, that’s why you play the game. Things can change rapidly with Dilfer, but having him as a security emergency starter would be a bright idea.

Jeff Garcia
Yes he out for an extended period of time, but prepare for the Lions to try to rush him back. Think ahead another five weeks, and Harrington will be a ghost. Kids in Detroit will be sporting Joey Harrington jerseys on Halloween to pay tribute to him one last time. Detroit has too much talent to let an opportunity slip to win the NFC North. Chicago isn’t going to do it, and the Packers and Vikings are both 0-2. Scoop up Garcia before everyone else tries to in three or four weeks.

Mark Brunell
Being hesitant on Brunell’s future with the Redskins has become a lock for this apparent season. Brunell played under flight for the most part of the Monday Night game, and then finally board with two launches in a span of three minutes. He has always had the arm. The Redskins should only get better on offense. With the defense already solid, it may be a fight for the top between them and the Eagles.

Running Backs

Sammy Morris
Morris has made the most of his carries. All it’s going to take is continued poor play by Brown for Morris to overshadow Brown totally. Morris has always been an under the radar back throughout his career, but will never fade completely. Even last year Miami couldn’t run the ball, but Morris on the other hand averaged 4.0 ypc and had six touchdowns. Miami may be over stocked at running back. So watch for the team that signs Morris in the off season. If he lands in a nice situation, he will be a great sleeper in 2006.

Derrick Blaylock
Bypassing a week to sit out could harm Curtis Martin for good. He says he is fine but we all know how weekend warriors like to push aside an injury for their teams. The decline of Curtis Martin was foresaw three or four years ago, but never happened. Lamont Jordan was supposed to be the next guy in New York, but Martin was resilient. He has done it for so long, that soon it’s just going to be injury due to age that catches up to him.

Derrick Blaylock is an opportune back. In Kansas City he raised his stock when Priest Holmes went down with injuries in prior years. What a gift for Blaylock to run behind the Chiefs and Jets offensive line. If any other NFL team goes crazy with offering Blaylock a huge contract, better look at the lines he was behind first.

Wide Receivers

Robert Ferguson:
Some think Ferguson is a better receiver than Javon Walker. Barely over a year ago, Ferguson was ahead of Walker on the depth chart. Then Ferguson was hit with the injury bug, and Walker become a star. The tables have turned in the injury department, and now it’s Ferguson’s chance to shine. Green Bay will be throwing a lot because of their defense, so Ferguson will get plenty of yardage.

Bryant Johnson
With the Cardinals lack of a rushing attack, Johnson should creep up in the stat department. Over him are two premier receivers, but there is room for more footballs. Proven that Anquan Boldin has been injury prone, could leave even more balls Johnson’s way.

James Thrash
The Redskins are so happy that they found a new angle to attack with their offense. Line up their speedy receivers and gun it down field. Santana Moss left two trails last week, and James Thrash is still in the league because of his speed. There will be new focused attention on Moss, and that could limit him for weeks. So Thrash may get the indirect fantasy stats due to Moss’s presence on the field.

Tight Ends

Jeramy Stevens:
Seattle has never used Stevens as a forceful weapon. He has great size and adequate pass catching skills. Those two skills combined are all you need to be a great tight end in the NFL. Over the past two weeks, Hasselbeck has found Stevens for forty yards a game and one touchdown. It looks as if Stevens is a safe starter if you weren’t able to grab a Randy McMichael, Todd Heap, Alge Crumpler, Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, or a Jason Witten.

From Daunte Culpepper to Peyton Manning week two in the NFL was full of disappointments. The top two quarterbacks last season combined for zero touchdowns and six interceptions. The running game continued to be hit or miss for many teams as backs like Shaun Alexander went for 144 yards and one touchdown while Ahman Green could only manage 54 yards. The oddities weren’t limited to the offensive side of the ball. Baltimore’s vaunted defense was completely overmatched, while Indy’s revamped defense only allowed three points to Jacksonville’s young emerging offense.

When Randy Moss was traded to Oakland in the off-season many thought that the Vikings offense would be able to survive with Culpepper as their unquestioned leader. However after just two games it is very obvious that this Minnesota offense is nothing like it has been in the past. Whether it is due to the absence of Moss or the lack of running game due to the suspension of Ontarrio “The Whiz” Smith, it is clear that Culpepper is just not the same quarterback. It could be easy to blame last week’s 3 interceptions on the tough Tampa defense, but this week’s five interceptions to Cincinnati? The only reason for that is Culpepper just has way to much pressure on his shoulders being Minnesota’s only scoring threat. He won’t be this bad all season and he can still be counted on to go off for a huge game on any week, but he is no longer one of the premiere fantasy players.

It is definitely too early to be concerned about Peyton Manning but this week was just weird. For starters it was only the fifth time in one hundred plus starts that he did not complete at least 50% of his passes. I know Jacksonville’s defense is good, but Manning passing for 122 yards with no touchdowns and 1 interception has got to be one of the biggest surprises of this young season. Look for Manning to get back on track next week as Indy goes to Cleveland to take on the Browns suspect passing defense.

Running backs either went big this week or they couldn’t manage much. Shaun Alexander rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown, Cadillac Williams had another great game with 128 and 1 TD. On the other side were Ahman Green, 54 yards, and Corey Dillon, 36 yards. I’m not sure why established backs are having such difficulties getting on track this year. LaDainian Tomlinson was the consensus number one fantasy player, but has only managed 108 yards and two touchdowns this season. Dillon, Green, and Stephen Jackson have not gotten on track yet and have looked pretty rusty so far. They are all good backs with good quarterbacks and should be able to turn it around soon.

As surprising as Culpepper has been this year Baltimore’s defense might be as big a surprise. They played a solid first half against Indy but then allowed 24 points in the second half. Against a young inexperienced Tennessee they allowed 25 points, although 7 were on an interception return, and only managed 1 sack and no takeaways. In their two games this year they have given up 49 points and have only managed one sack and no takeaways. Baltimore’s defense was supposed to offset their anemic offense and lead them back to the playoffs. They have the same core of quality players but they are just not able to prevent big plays. If they keep playing like this their team is in big trouble and any fantasy team that has them for a defense is in trouble also.

While Baltimore has had trouble with their defense it looks like Indy’s defense has taken that next step towards putting them in the Super Bowl. In two games they have allowed 10 points while registering 9 sacks and three interceptions. Their defense has been incredible for fantasy players who were willing to take a chance on them. With Dwight Freeny on the end applying constant pressure they don’t need to blitz their linebackers so they are able to defend the pass also. With this defense and the way Manning can throw the ball it looks like Indy has a great chance to beat New England and finally make it to the big game.

The second week is too soon to make rash decisions on whether star players will not be able to perform like they have in the past. In a few weeks things we should have a better idea as to who will perform this year and who won’t. Until then just stay patient and hope you can stay competitive until the stars get back on track. On a final note, Jake “The Snake” Plummer looked much better this week. He had that interception but was much more accurate and led that final game winning drive.

J

Which athletes shocked, embarrassed, and burst your teams chance to win this past weekend? The list is heavy this week, but the baggage can’t be trashed yet. No matter how bad they’ve stunk they have to remain like excess clothes. You may not wear them every day but knowing that they’re available is a nice resource. So don’t pack it up yet on those athletes, but let’s rag on them for the time being.

Quarterbacks

Daunte Culpepper
Someone needs to do a rattled check on Culpepper. It seems when things are going well Culpepper can be a calm Pro Bowl quarterback. When things are bad though he seems a nervous wreck in the pocket. This trend has happened time and time again for Culpepper, so getting out of this funk should just be a matter of when. First at hand for the Vikings will be to re-plot the right people on the offensive line. For a team that’s as high on a passing attack as the Vikings, they sure are unprepared to block. Seemingly eight interceptions and a handful of fumbles could have been accepted at the midway point, but by week two is just downright beyond pathetic. Someone needs to embrace Culpepper and get his mind cleared up a little bit.

Joey Harrington
By golly if Jeff Garcia would have been ready for relief duty, Harrington would be without a starting job right now. The planned course of action would have fitted right in to the plans the Lions had when signing Garcia. Games like Sunday’s against the Bears is what Harrington is known for. The games he does well enough to win are usually because he does enough not to blow the game. Harrington is losing all believers, and it may soon be the time to throw Harrington on the list of first round franchise busts.

Peyton Manning
Manning makes the list for the first time since…ever. He played in a defensive struggle and showed that the Colts offense can be held still. Any thoughts of Manning chasing his record of last year can be forgotten about. He has had a rough two weeks stat wise. Like last season though Manning said all a long he doesn’t care as long as they’re winning. Keep emphasizing that Peyton, you’ll be making everyone without you on their fantasy football team’s extra happy.

Mike Vick
His stats just make you want to feel nauseous. Draftees will always be high on Vick because of his running ability, but he isn’t worth being a starter in fantasy football leagues. His weekly average every year in the passing department has been a meager one hundred and fifty yard type average. Without researching that would put him on the bottom five list in the league. It’s sad to say but if you’re stuck with Vick as your starting quarterback you may be in real danger. Look for someone on the waiver wire, maybe a Trent Dilfer, because Vick is a bench rider for fantasy leagues until his arm shows up.

Running Backs

Jamal Lewis
Registering a few points would have been nice Jamal. Thanks for putting up the donut on the fantasy live stat tracker. It looked good seeing that there were no kinks in the live stat tracker, just that you were stinking it up. Come on, Baltimore. You were facing a team that started Willie Parker’s career. Lewis is looking for a new contract, but he isn’t going to get it if this keeps up.

Warrick Dunn
The Seahawks are notorious for flopping on the field like Vlade Divac when seeing a running back come at them. For some reason the Seahawks stood up and attacked this weekend. Dunn didn’t even pick up numbers in the receiving department. Fantasy owners probably were overly excited to start Vick once they saw the follow up team they were playing after the Eagles. Remember fantasy owners looks can be deceiving. If Dunn is your third running back, and your other two are solid, start them.

Ladainian Tomlinson
It’s hard to knock a guy for scoring two touchdowns, but that’s not where we are going to badger him. Tomlinson was risked by everyone owning a number one fantasy pick. The least he can do is post the yardage numbers owners expect from him. Touchdowns are nice, but yardage are the padding numbers that voltage out fantasy leads. You want to be able to turn the lights out on any lead you have from being comfortable to insurmountable. If that game was a year ago against the Broncos defense, Tomlinson owners would be looking at their fantasy team in a 2-0 position. Now they must hope that players from the Saints, Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants fold.

Ahman Green
Alerting fantasy owners of the Packers demise didn’t seem to click in, did it. We saw the Packers unraveling coming four to five months ago, and it has been falling just like we foresaw it. Before long the Packers are going to get so desperate that they’re going to throw Najeh Davenport in for some sort of different look.

Wide Receivers

Colts Receivers
Egh, the highest receiving total came from Edgerrin James. This was a ghostly week for the Colts, and we thought Halloween was in six weeks.

Drew Bennett
Key word “Drew Bennett” in Notjustagame.com’s search engine on the home page. Some fantasy football prognosticators need to retire or refrain from making idiotic miracle projections.

Jerry Porter
Moss has had back to back explosive weeks, while Porter has been held in check. That’ll change quickly and owners will need to be patient. Remember Moss has been somewhat held down as well, if it weren’t for two bombs to ignite Moss’s stats.

Change of the guard can happen so rapidly. Last week during Monday Night football the excitement of Atlanta vs. Philadelphia was at the same playoff level of their NFC championship game. Even before kickoff, emotions couldn’t wait for the first quarter to start. The fight ignited a quick start by the Falcon offense, and the defense was able to do the rest. Yesterday proved though the Falcons week one performance wasn‘t an indicator of Vick‘s overall game excelling.

Impressive as their win was against Philadelphia, there are some serious question marks with the Falcons offense. Not in the running game, and not even so much at wide receiver. It’s all in Mike Vick’s arm. John Madden and Al Michaels were animated when talking about Vick’s exceptional plays, and would focus on his great highlight plays. Notice that every play they would show, was involving Vick’s legs. Except for his deep throws to Michael Jenkins and Alge Crumpler, his passing game would have been as bad as David Carr’s week one performance. Picture this, without those two completions he would have had a mere seventy four yards passing. It’s true one or two big plays can change a game completely, but a championship team is going to need more than that. A quarterback can’t win a championship with his legs.

The Eagles are the type of team that get stronger as the season nears the playoffs, and there are also plenty of rising teams in the NFC. Atlanta on the other hand plays a similar style all season long. The same stats that happened last Monday night are similar to what happens every game. Great running by Warrick Dunn and TJ Duckett, and Vick making plays with his legs is when the Falcons win. Subtract positive days from Dunn and Duckett and the Falcons lose. In all actuality, Warrick Dunn’s ground game is more beneficial to the Falcons offense than Vick is. If Dunn didn’t run the ball like he does, teams would harp on Vick even more.

Their defense is also underrated. For the over dominance in Monday’s game, the final score was only 14-10. The Eagles missed a field goal, and just didn’t capitalize enough on certain drives. The Falcons defense won that game, and has won plenty for the Falcons. They’ll need to stay strong all year to keep the Falcons in close games. They’re one of few NFL teams that are strong on the defensive line, line backing crew, and secondary.

So a week one victory looks great, but at the end of the year no one will remember that game. The only time it’ll be referenced, is if the Falcons and Eagles need to settle a tie breaker for home field. Even at that the Eagles haven’t had a problem winning on the road in the playoffs. Spreading the offense with Vick’s arm, needs to happen. That would scare defensive coordinators into a whirlwind of confusion, and light up scoreboards like a New Year’s celebration. Would scare and will is the dilemma Vick has been in with his arm for a prolonged time now.