Game of the week: Falcons 24, Buccaneers 23 – The Falcons and Buccaneers played a great game on Sunday that came down to the final minutes.  Doug Martin continued his strong play giving the Bucs a 7-3 lead after 1 quarter.  Jacquizz Rodgers answered early in the 2nd quarter but that was followed by a Buccaneers field goal to make things 10-10 at halftime.  Julio Jones answered a Conor Barth field goal in the 3rd quarter with an 80-yard touchdown.  The Bucs answered with 10 straight points early in the 4th quarter giving them a 23-17 lead with just over 10 minutes to play.  The Falcons put together a nice drive that ended with a Michael Turner 3 yard touchdown making things 24-23.  The Bucs never were able to put together a drive that could get them in field goal position so the Falcons escaped Tampa with another close victory.

Surprise result of the week: Giants beating Packers 38-10 - The New York football Giants were very impressive on Sunday night with a convincing 38-10 win over the Packers who were playing as good of football as there is.  Eli Manning bounced back in a big way throwing for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Hakeem Nicks looks to be getting back into form the last two weeks as he caught his first touchdown pass since week 3.  The Giants defense was impressive holding a potent Packers offense to 10 points.  The Giants are always a team that gets hot late. Will this be the start of that?

Disappointing performance of the week: Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys are one of the hardest teams to figure out on a week in and week out basis. Just when you think they are ready to get back into the playoff race they go out and fall behind big to the Redskins on Thursday.  They managed to make it respectable and make a small comeback but the result of the game was never in doubt. RGIII and the Redskins came into Dallas and dominated them from start to finish.  The Cowboys are really in trouble now and need to make a big time run to get back in the playoff picture.

Fantasy star of the week: Tom Brady (Patriots) – Tom Brady took advantage of a weak Jets team where his threw for 323 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Brady also managed to score on a quarterback sneak at the 1-yard line putting his touchdown total to 4 for the day. Tom Brady is an elite quarterback and will provide you big time points from the quarterback position.

Fantasy surprise of the week:  Shane Vereen (Patriots) – Vereen was a pleasant surprise for the Patriots on Thursday night rushing the ball 10 times for 42 yards but proved his worth in the pass game with 2 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.  It’s doubtful that anyone had him in their lineup unless you are in a deep league or have running back issues but if he was in your lineup he provided you a very nice surprise. Ridley will continue to be the man in New England but Vereen figures to get some touches going forward

Power 5:

5) San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1): The 49ers picked up a good win over the surging Saints on Sunday.  Kolin Kaepernick stepped in for his first start and was very good showing the ability to stay in the pocket and deliver passes as well has his great ability to scramble and extend plays.  This is going to be a case where whoever has the hot hand will start for the 49ers but that defense will keep them in any games.

4) Chicago Bears (7-2): The Bears bounced back this week but now look to be without Matt Forte who has an ankle injury (the same ankle that sidelined him earlier this year).  Jay Cutler played well in his return from his concussion and the Packers loss gives them a little breathing room.

3) Baltimore Ravens (7-2): The Ravens are similar to the Falcons in the fact that they are winning close games.  There is nothing wrong with that because it shoes good leadership and adversity.  The Ravens converted on a 4th and 29 late in the 4th quarter and eventually sent it to overtime.  With news that Ray Lewis may return by seasons end the Ravens are dreaming of a Super Bowl

2) Atlanta Falcons (8-1): The Falcons continue to play close games and find ways to win to improve to 8-1.  Matt Ryan started off slow but picked up the pace and threw a long 80 yards touchdown to Julio Jones.  The Falcons have shown they are capable from playing from behind and can make the big plays when they count.  This Falcons team will need to get more consistent on both sides of the ball if they

1) Houston Texans (8-1): The Texans survived a scare on Thursday playing their 2nd overtime game in 5 days.  Andre Johnson has been a big part of the offense the last two weeks putting up monster numbers.  Arian Foster continues to rush hard and productive but it was the play of Justin Forsett that got them to overtime.  Forsett looked to be tackled but got up and ran into the end zone for a touchdown. The Lions coach challenged the ruling but was denied due to the play not being reviewable and thus eliminating the officials review for scoring plays.  That was big as the Texans kicked a field goal to win it in overtime.