#3 The Grazianimal Speaks!

Week 11 is right around the corner and the Fantasy Playoffs are on the horizon. Most leagues are staring their trading deadlines right in the face. The last chance to stock up your lineup for the championship run, will you pull the trigger?

Here is a deadline tip. If you are deep at a position now is the time to use that depth to diversify your line up. Good starters win games, trade those guys that would sit on your bench under normal circumstances. You should have a good idea what players are prone to missing time and those that are warhorses. Expect to use the waiver wire to cover injuries over the last six weeks of the season. Blockbusters are fun, but a little move for a guy who will start can make the difference for your team.

On to Football. The Vikings raided the Meadowlands, storming the Giants with the first ever punt, kickoff, and interception returned for touchdowns in one game. Young Eli looked a lot more like the old man then his big brother, tossing 4 INT’s. Manning and the Giants let a hapless Viking team off the canvas and right back into the race in the NFC North. I think the 6 and 3 Bears have what it takes, but at 4 and 5 and reinvigorated the Purple People Eaters have at least another week in them.

Anybody who loves the game is disgusted by instant replay. The Washington Redskins were disgusted by instant replay when a view of Mike Alstott’s 2-point conversion that showed his elbow on the ground outside of the end zone was ignored and the go ahead points were awarded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is what the league has devolved into, Mike Pereira, Head of Officials, must go onto the NFL network each week and explain what the hell these guys were thinking. “Even though we had some incontrovertible evidence, it was against the home team and therefore we had to rule for the Schmukaneers.” Gag me with a 3 chip Hi-Def digital video camera.

While I am ranting about folks that don’t know what they are doing, The Philadelphia Eagles.

Week 11 has one overriding storyline. The game of the week is the Colts and, would you believe, the Bengals. Cincy is 7 and 2 and tied with the Steelers atop the AFC North. It sure is not three years ago. Chad Johnson just guaranteed that he would not be stopped on Sunday. The Colts have not been stopped all season. 9 and zero after showing the Texans what the other side of the football rainbow looks like. I think this team has what it takes to make a move on those ’72 Dolphins. With a nod to Chad and his pronouncement I am picking the Colts for 10 and 0h baby!

I was 2 and 1 in my picks last week and that brought my career record in this column to 5 on the monies and 1 Gus Frerotte. My bad on that one. I had that Colts-Texans game figured, Ha Ha, and the Fish let one get away. I told the future with Green Bay and Atlanta. The Grazianimal sees all.

Brett brought the scattergun to dirty bird country in the person of Samkon Gado. The Pack ain’t so bad with a running game. They are back to Lambeau for the Vikes on Monday night in a game that was not supposed to mean anything. Suddenly Minnesota is tied for second in the division with a lot a football to play. If you picked up Gado last week, put him in. The GB wide receivers, Driver, and at this point, Chatman are good plays. You should also consider Mewelde Moore as a 2^nd RB if you need him and his wrist is healed. He had a TD return against the Giants but saw no carries. If he does not play again, then Mike Bennett will get the work. Pay attention to the injury reports. One of those guys should have a nice stat line.

The Skins are reeling after a quick start, losing 2 of 3. Lucky for them the Raiders stumble into FedEx Field on a two game losing streak. The Redskins are undefeated at home, 4 and 0, and that is a good omen for owners of Washington braves. Look to this game for a Brunell renaissance and another Santana explosion. Clinton Portis and LaMont Jordan are must starts. Randy Moss and Jerry Porter have a tougher job. They are both banged up and the Skin Dee is solid if not spectacular, all the more so at home. Moss has been a must start all season, but has failed to break ten points twice in the last 4 weeks. Maybe he is not a must start. Nah, he is. There probably will be a lot of points to go around in this one.

The Jets are a mess. Their coach is being openly courted by a conference rival, they just lost another starter, and Carolina whooped up on them. Thirteen point underdogs on the road against a surprisingly strong Denver team, only a maniac would take the Jets to win outright. I am such a maniac. Here is why. The kid has got chutzpah to spare. The Jets can stop the run. Curtis Martin is my starting running back. And the kid has got brass balls. The Jets almost caught the Bolts on a day when LT had 4 scores. They played the Cats to a standstill until the game exploded on them. Are the bucking Broncs an 8 and 2 team? The computer gives the Jets this game 1 in 5 times. I am giving it to them on Sunday.

From the miserable to the sublime, Carolina and Chicago have not gotten all the press, but this game could preview the NFC championship. Chi-town is strong. No one wants to give them respect because of Kyle Orton’s inexperience, but he has driven this team to 6 and 3. They have built on a foundation of defense and smash mouth running and how many titles were won on those bricks? Carolina has moved to 7 and 2 with a six game streak. Steve Smith is a whirlwind. This game is gonna be awesome. Last week the home dog betrayed me…Panthers.

I has come to my attention that some folks can’t figure who I pick, so this week it is the Jets, Panthers, and Colts Oh My!

E-mail stupidity to: grazianimal@columnist.com