Hook’s Week 14 NFL Wrap-Up

The streak ends at 297.  That’s the big story of Hook’s Week 14 NFL Wrap Up.  I’m not going to beat it to death like ESPN and other sports news outlets, but the consecutive start streak has ended for Brett Favre.  Not even an act of God collapsing the roof of the Minnesota Metrodome (giving Favre an extra day of rest) could get him on the field.  The Vikings played the game in Detroit vs the New York Giants on Monday Night with Tarvaris Jackson under center.  Jackson finished the game with a 46.3 QB Rating, which is too high for his performance in my opinion.  He should be deducted an additional 10 points for banging knees with franchise running back Adrian Peterson on a simple handoff that caused both players to miss some time in the game.  If the Vikings were smart, they’d tank the rest of the season to ensure a higher draft pick and aim for Jake Locker.  I think we’ll see one more game out of Favre this year and then the old man will hang up his cleats for good.

The curse of Brett Favre ran rampant throughout the NFL this weekend.  Every team Favre has ever played on failed to score more than 6 points in Week 14.  Aaron Rodgers was knocked out of the Detroit game early with a concussion as the Pack fell to the Lions 7-3.  As for the Jets, it seemed like every single offensive player had the Magic Johnson Flu as they could get absolutely nothing going all day.  The Jets D did their job, but not even a Sal Alosi (Jets strength and conditioning coach) trip of Miami’s Nolan Carroll could help Gang Green gain an advantage in this one.  Receivers were dropping passes all over the place as they lost to the Dolphins 10-6.  To add insult to injury, Alosi was fined $25k (31% of his salary) for the trip and suspended for the rest of the season.  Good luck finding a job next year, Sal.  I hear Burger King is hiring.

Elsewhere around the league there were a few surprises.  After getting smacked in the mouth in their season opener against the Seahawks, the 49ers dropped 40 points on the ‘hawks in 3 quarters as they rolled to an easy 40-21 victory.  In the Arizona vs Denver game, Cardinals kicker Jay Feely put on a clinic going 5-6 on field goals and Tim Hightower ran wild with 148 yards 2 TDs in a 43-13 drubbing.  Kyle Orton’s glass slipper has fallen off and the fantasy carriage he and Brandon Lloyd have provided all season has turned into a pumpkin.  Orton may have gotten you to the playoffs but you are seriously rolling the dice if you start the guy going forward.  Josh Freeman, Jon Kitna and David Garrard are all better options in Week 15 and are most likely sitting there on your waiver wire.  Sit Orton, start Lloyd.

As for the 3 or 4 people who follow Hook’s Wrap Ups, the opening round of the playoffs was not kind to my 6-7 squad that squeaked into the playoffs.  With the exception of P Riv, no one showed up for Run and Tell That. I sensed my season was over when Santonio Holmes dropped a wide open pass in the end zone that most 9 year old kids would have caught.  Needless to say Holmes, Lloyd, Charles, the Law Firm, Watson and Choice will all be on this week’s grenades and landmines list.

The standout players in Week 14 feature some usual suspects and some high draft picks turning it on at the right time.  Darren McFadden has been awesome all year and ripped off another 3 TD day with 209 total yards.  Michael “The Burner” Turner has been turning it on as of late as he scored 3 TDs 124 total yards including a rare reception.  DeSean Jackson displayed his blazing speed with a 216 yard 1 TD day.  Andre Johnson acted like a first round pick with 9 receptions 140 yards 2 TDs.  Chris Johnson had 179 total yards 1 TD, Matt Schaub was a beast with 393 yards 3 TD 1 2 PT 2 INT.  Tom Brady showed why he’s the MVP of the league with 369 yards 2 TDs 0 INTs as the Pats blew out the Bears and Deion Branch benefited with 151 yards 1 TD.  A few guys came out of nowhere to have big weeks, like Tim Hightower (148 yards 2 TD), Pierre Garcon (93 yards 2 TD), Derrick Mason (78 yards 2 TD) and Ryan Torain (182 total yards).  Marques Colston, Jason Witten and Malcom Floyd also had 2 TDs each.

We’ve already discussed a few landmines and grenades (Holmes, Lloyd, Jamaal Charles, the Law Firm, Watson and Choice) but there were plenty more.  Aaron Rodgers had a layup matchup but got knocked out early after throwing for 46 yards and 1 INT.  Adrian Peterson was hobbled by Tarvaris Jackson’s incompetence as he managed only 26 yards rushing.  Chris Ivory continues his up/down trend with 46 total yards rushing.  Eli Manning threw for 187 yards 1 TD 2 INT.  Antonio Gates decided to sit this one out last minute and Jay Cutler came down to earth in the snowstorm with 152 yards 2 INT 1 FL.  TO managed one catch for 22 yards and Jahvid Best went for 42 total yards.  Hook’s Chernobyl-like radioactive catastrophe of Week 14 goes to Kyle Orton.  His stat-line of 166 yards 3 INTs 1 FL tallied NEGATIVE points in most leagues.  Bench him now if you haven’t already.

It’s the semifinals of your fantasy football league this week.  Either your team is pretty much set or you’re out.  If you’re scrambling for a flex, here’s Hook’s Hail Mary Adds for Week 15:  Owen Daniels (TE HOU), Ryan Torain (RB WAS, most likely not available), Tim Hightower (RB ARI), Josh Freeman (QB TB), New England DST