Now’s another good time for clarifications of how the spreadsheet is put together due to the Saints running back situation. The No. 1 RB is determined on a game-by-game basis based on who gets the most touches (carries + receptions). On Monday night, even though Pierre Thomas caught a score and ran one in, he finished with one touch fewer than Mike Bell, so Bell’s stats were those of the No. 1 back, while Thomas and Bush combined for three touchdowns as No. 2 backs. Hence, Atlanta’s numbers against No. 2’s got much worse, while you could argue those against the No. 1’s should’ve been impacted. However, for consistency sake I need to have some sort of ground rules, so this will have to stand as is.

Week 8 2009 NFL Matchup Breakdowns

The Wild are off to a horrid start and lost again last night at home to Nashville. At least the teams combined for seven goals to make it interesting — the came in averaging a combined 3.7 goals per game. Here’s the link to my game story:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2009102830

Here are the breakdowns through seven weeks. This is also a good time for a reminder about how the stats are compiled — only the main numbers are used at each position for compiling points against averages. Quarterback rushing yards and scores are not added in, neither are wide receiver rushing yards or scores. Running back and wide receiver passing numbers are also not taken into account. This is because these are special occurances and not all teams have players they use in those ways. This allows for a basic look at how teams do against the positions specifically while not skewing the numbers one way or the other if a team were to face a heavy dose of receivers who run end arounds or have quarterbacks that sneak in touchdowns regularly.

Week 7 2009 NFL Matchup Breakdowns

I haven’t been posting these mostly because I was forgetting to, but I figured I’d go back and insert the last five weeks so you can see how my preditions have been going. Not too bad so far, although I way underestimated the Saints last week.

week 2 spotlight game

Week 3 spotlight game

Week 4 spotlight game

Week 5 spotlight game

Week 6 spotlight game

Here’s how things shake out after Week 6.

Week 6 2009 NFL Matchup Breakdowns

Here’s a look at how defenses are shaping up against specific fantasy positions after five weeks.

Week 5 2009 NFL Matchup Breakdowns

The Vikings regained their rightful place as the worst team at defending tight ends last week, while the Broncos continue to limit fantasy quarterback points better than any team in the league. I’m starting to buy into the hype, but the true test will be against New England in Week 5.

Week 4 2009 NFL Matchup Breakdowns

Some interesting data this week, in particular the ability of the Broncos to limit opposing quarterbacks and the Bengals to shut down No. 1 wide receivers. I think Denver is a bit of a mirage considering its competition thus far, but Cincinnati has shut down Brandon Marshall, Greg Jennings and Santonio Holmes — not a bad group.

Week 3 2009 NFL Matchup Breakdowns

Now through two weeks of the season, a few trends have started to take shape. It’s interesting to compare the below spreadsheet with last year’s final numbers to see which teams are improving, getting worse, or remaining consistent. The home and road splits mean little at this point, but by midseason should have a bit of value.

Week 2 2009 NFL Matchup Breakdowns

I need a quick favor.

Please click on the following link and vote for my sister, Corine, to win $25,000. She’s the only student in the Nation’s Next Top Model Home interior design competition and she put together an AWESOME house. Voting ends September 26th, so get on there now and tell all your friends to vote. Thanks!

http://www.nationsnexttopmodelhome.com/index.php/tmh/vote-final-duplicate/