The regular season is behind us. The Bucs have still never beaten the Raiders in the regular season ... Dan Marino’s record remains safe ... The Lions made history with an 0-16 record … The Patriots are just the second 11-win team to miss the playoffs since the NFL merger (Cleveland in ’85) … Marvin Harrison passed Cris Carter for second place among the all-time career receptions leaders … And Brett Favre’s career ended (for real, this time, we swear!) with Read more...

This past week, I participated in my second mock fantasy baseball draft for the 2009 season. We have issues, people like us. The Fantasy Baseball Guide 2009 (10th Anniversary Spectacular) comes out in mid-January on newsstands. It also has my article on how I won the Tout Wars Mixed Championship this past season (see luck, plenty of it). Opening strategy: Since this was a 15-team Rotisserie draft, I knew that power wouldn’t last as long as I’m used to. I still wanted to wait on pi Read more...

Week 8 Byes: Bears, Broncos, Packers, Vikings Arizona at Carolina • The Panthers are stout against the pass, allowing just 168.7 passing yards per game, ranking them second in the NFL. But they don’t sack the QB much (only 11 so far), which is good for the health of Kurt Warner. • Warner has thrown for multiple TDs in five straight games and he’s coming off a bye week. As tough as this pass defense is, you should still start him unless you have a ridiculously good match Read more...

Week 6 Byes: Buffalo, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Tennessee Baltimore at Indianapolis • Not the week to hope Peyton Manning explodes. The Ravens have the top passing defense in the NFL right now. • Reggie Wayne is a no-brainer, but Marvin Harrison and Anthony Gonzalez should take a seat on your bench. • Derrick Mason is back to being a target-hog, with 22 in the past two weeks (only outdone by Larry Fitzgerald and Roddy White). Mason’s a solid No. 3 receiver. • Le&rsq Read more...

Teams on byes in Week 5: Cleveland, N.Y. Jets, Oakland and St. Louis Tennessee at Baltimore • Something’s got to give: Tennessee has a top-five rushing defense and only two teams have run the ball better than Baltimore. The Titans are just a stronger overall D than the Baltimore’s O though. • Derrick Mason was targeted 14 times on Monday night and he’s earning your trust again for WR3 status. • For the second straight week, LenDale White and Chris Johnson wil Read more...

Each week this NFL season, we’re witnesses to some amazing fantasy performances that we should be appreciating more. I thought I’d take the time to compare their performances to players in other fantasy sports. Week 1 -- Michael Turner, RB, ATL (220 yards, 2 TDs): That’s 34 fantasy points from a former backup running back in his first game with a team that lost 12 games the year before. (Compare that to if Josh Hamilton had five homers and 15 RBI in his first week with the Ran Read more...

Atlanta at Carolina • Jonathan Stewart owners can breathe a sigh of relief. The Vikings rush defense is behind them and the Falcons’ 26th-ranked rush defense. • Steve Smith was thrown to nine times Sunday in his first game back from suspension. D.J. Hackett was targeted only four times and Dante Rosario has been targeted just four times combined in the past two weeks. • Jerious Norwood’s presence has helped Michael Turner rather than hindered it. http://www.openspor Read more...

I asked Kramer’s caddy to give us his advice on some players you might be thinking about picking up. Brady Quinn, QB, CLE: QB Derek Anderson has worn out his welcome in the Browns’ pocket. Head coach Romeo Crennel doesn’t plan on waiting until the Week 5 bye to make the switch if he feels Quinn is ready to help the lowest-scoring offense in the NFL. Stan the Caddy says, “This one’s a gimme. Pick him up.” Brian Griese, QB, TB: Sixty-seven pass attempts Sunday Read more...

Lots of craziness in this afternoon’s contests. The Patriots lost their first regular season game since Dec. 10, 2006. The Dolphins win just their second game since beating those Patriots on Dec. 10, 2006. The Falcons were actually favored in a game – and won handily. The Raiders get 156 yards passing from JaMarcus Russell (roughly 150 yards higher than his career high). I’m telling you, things were nutty! Lexi called it, Bizarro Week in the NFL! So with that, here are your WOR Read more...

Kansas City at Atlanta • In August, this game sounded like a JV contest. But the Falcons are showing renewed life with a leader at QB and a solid running game. Michael Turner should return to the 100-yard rushing mark against a bad Chiefs defense. • The shine on Matt Ryan came off a little bit (2 INTs) last week, but the Chiefs are quite forgiving defensively. I like Roddy White for 6-8 catches, 100 yards and one touchdown. • Herman Edwards chose Tyler Thigpen to start at QB &n Read more...