Week 5 roundup (00:29)

TEAM OF THE WEEK:

MIL 3-0 (EAST), GSW 4-0 (WEST), PHO 4-0 (WEST)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Giannis Antetokounmpo

runner up: Stephen Curry

HIGHLIGHTS:

GSW travels to BKN & soundly beats them 117-99, fans chanting MVP for Steph Curry

Stephen A. Smith of First Take scolds Kevin Durant for decision going to BKN (Kyrie Irving vaccine fiasco)

LAL pretty much a .500 team without LeBron

LeBron back on Friday; has altercation with Isaiah Stewart (DET); suspension or a fine?

Luke Walton fired as SAC coach; Alvin Gentry takes over

INJURIES:

TOR: OG Anunoby (hip pointer) out "for a while" CHI: according to coach Nick Nurse

CHI: Nikola Vucevic (COVID) no return date yet; already missed 5 games

GSW: Klay Thompson (knee) practicing 5-on-5 drills; could be back before Christmas; James Wiseman (knee) could be back even sooner

DEN: Nikola Jokic (wrist) out "a while" according to coach Mike Malone

CLE: Collin Sexton (meniscus tear) out for the season; rookie Evan Mobley (elbow) out 2-4 weeks; Lauri Markannen (COVID) due back Monday

ATL: De'Andre Hunter (wrist) out for 2 months

BOS: Jaylen Brown (hamstring) available to play Monday; Robert Williams II (knee) missed last week's games

NYK: Mitchell Robinson in the concussion protocols; will miss some games

DAL: Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) out all last week; may be back Tue

LAL: LeBron James (abdomen strain) back this past Friday; missed 8 games prior

PHI: Joel Embiid (COVID) still out; missed past 7 games (went 1-6 over that span)

HIGHLIGHTED UPCOMING GAMES:

NYK vs LAL (Tue), BOS vs BKN (Wed); NYK vs PHO (FRI), GSW vs POR (Fri), BKN vs PHO (Sat); ATL vs NYK (Sat), CHI vs MIA (Sat), LAC vs GSW (Sun)

FANTASY ADDS:

Lauri Markkanen (CLE), Kevin Huerter (ATL), Jalen Brunson (DAL), Aaron Gordon (DEN), Scottie Barnes (TOR)

Player spotlight: Julius Erving (21:07)

Born in Roosevelt, NY (Feb 22 1950)

A regular playing in Rucker Park in Harlem delighting the crowd

College: UMass, 3 years

Left UMass early to sign with Virginia Squires of the ABA (1971)

Drafted: Milwaukee Bucks (NBA - 1st rd, 12th pick overall)

Although drafted by MIL, tried to link up with Atlanta Hawks but to no avail thanks to VAS filing court injunctions against him signing there

Goes back to VAS to play his 2nd season with them 4 games in

Dealt to NY Nets (ABA) after season

In 1st season with NYN he, along with young players like Larry Kenon & Billy Paultz, led the team to an ABA title & his first of 3 MVP awards

His dunking prowess helped revolutionize both leagues; influenced by Connie Hawkins

Participated in 1st ever dunk contest (ABA) beating David Thompson, George Gervin, Kenon & Artis Gilmore

After the 1975-76 season the ABA folded with NBA taking in NYN, SAS, DEN & IND

In a salary dispute with NYN leading them to trade him to PHI for $3 million

Rumor: wanted to play for the NY Knicks; coach Red Holtzman didn't think he'd be a good fit

Lead them all the way to the NBA FInals in his 1st season with players like George McGinnis, Lloyd B. Free & Doug Collins; ended up losing to POR 4 games to 2 after a 2-0 lead

PHI mgmt decided to build winning team around Erving; traded for defensive stalwart Bobby Jones & later Moses Malone

Acquisition of Malone was the catalyst that would take the Sixers over the top to help Erving get his lone NBA championship beating their rivals BOS & then LAL

Decided that 1986-87 season would be his last as a player; teams paid tribute to the beloved legendary star on his farewell tour

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993

Before Michael Jordan's Space Jam Erving had his own fiim in 1979, The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh

Week 10 roundup, late games (00:29)

CAR 34, ARI 10

Although they just acquired Cam Newton, PJ Walker started this game

Cam Newton's 1st 2 touches: 1 rushing TD, 1 TD pass

Christian McCaffrey looks prime to have a great finish to the season

Robby Anderson comes to life; a sign of things to come???

For ARI, they were without Kyler Murray (ankle), DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) & Chase Edmonds (ankle)

With Colt McCoy, this performance is why he's merely a backup at this point

James Conner the clear-cut RB1 for ARI; Eno Benjamin trying to fill the Edmonds role

Christian Kirk is the WR1 when Hopkins is down

Next up: CAR hosts WAS; ARI travels to SEA

MIN 27, LAC 20

As the run game goes, so goes Kirk Cousins

Dalvin Cook solid all & all; Alexander Mattison a hold just in case something happens to Cook

Justin Jefferson getting it done; Adam Thielen good game; Tyler Conklin a hot TE right now

Justin Herbert hits a snag in this game after last week's brilliant performance

A decent game from Austin Ekeler

Keenan Allen getting the volume but just not getting in the endzone

Next up: MIN hosts GB; LAC hosts PIT (Sun night)

PHI 30, DEN 13

PHI offense coming together in this one

A good game for Jalen Hurts here

Seems like an even split among Jordan Howard & Boston Scott in the backfield

DeVonta Smith has been hot as of late

Teddy Bridgewater with not such a great one in this game

Same tune, different with for the DEN backfield of Melvin Gordon III & Javonte Williams

Efforts were made to get Jerry Jeudy more involved but Bridgewater not sharp to take advantage

GB 17, SEA 0

Aaron Rodgers makes his return after the COVID debacle; has a mediocre performance

Aaron Jones suffers a MCL injury; out for 1-2 weeks so fire up AJ Dillon

Davante Adams back to his old self with A-Rod back at QB

Russell Wilson (finger) makes his return off the IR

Alex Collins not so great here; Chris Carson's return still unknown

Nothing much happening with the receivers outside of Gerald Everett

Next up: GB goes to MIN; SEA host ARI

KC 41, LV 14

Pat Mahomes is back; rumors of his demise a bit premature

Darrell Williams may have carved his way into getting touches even when Clyde Edwards-Helaire returns

All is right with the world for both Travis Kelce & Tyreek Hill

The bloom may be coming off the rose for LV

Derek Carr with a valiant effort here

The LV run game didn't show up for this one

Need to find a way to get Darren Waller going in this offense

Next up: KC hosts DAL; LV hosts CIN

SF 31, LAR 10

Jimmy Garoppolo hanging in there at QB

Elijah Mitchell solid here: Jeff Wilson makes his debut

Deebo Samuel a terror in the passing & rushing game; George Kittle officially back to his old self

Matthew Stafford coming back down to earth

Darrell Henderson also an average type performance for him

Lost Robert Woods earlier in the week to a torn ACL; did acquire Odell Beckham Jr

Cooper Kupp continues to lead all WRs

Next up: SF visits JAC; LAR on a bye

WAIVER WIRE:

QB: Cam Newton (CAR), Taylor Heinicke (WAS)

RB: Jordan Howard/Boston Scott (PHI), Rhamondre Stevenson (NE), D'Onta Foreman/Adrian Peterson (TEN), Wayne Gellman (ATL), Mark Ingram II (NO)

WR: Jamal Agnew (JAC), Rashod Bateman (BAL), Michael Gallup (DAL), Marcus Johnson (TEN), Tre'Quan Smith (NO), Corey Davis (NYJ), Christian Kirk (ARI), Amon-Ra St Brown (DET), Robby Anderson (CAR)

TE: Tyler Conklin (MIN), Dan Arnold (JAC), Tommy Tremble (CAR), Gerald Everett (SEA)

Week 10 Roundup, Thurs night & early games (00:26)

MIA 22, BAL 10

Jacoby Brissett goes down with knee injury; enter Tua Tagovailoa

MIA run game still a nightmare

Mike Gesicki goes MIA (0 rec, 7 Targ)

BAL offense, particularly Lamar Jackson, held in check

LeVeon Bell's release could open up things for Devonta Freeman & soon Latavius Murray

Marquise Brown blanketed very well in this one

Next up: MIA visits NYJ; BAL goes to CHI

DAL 43, ATL 3

Mike McCarthy does the smart thing by taking Dak Prescott out when the game was out of reach

Ezekiel Elliott's 2 TDs salvages a below par performance for him

CeeDee Lamb has the stellar game in this one; Michael Gallup back so Dalton Schultz can be benched

A surprisingly bad performance for Matt Ryan

Wayne Gallman may have played his way into getting some touches in the future

WRs struggling with still no Calvin Ridley

DAL travels to KC; ATL hosts NE (Thurs)

TEN 23, NO 21

Even without Derrick Henry TEN humming along

Ryan Tannehill solid; still not throwing it as much as I'd imagine

TEN RB pecking order: D'Onta Foreman, Adrian Peterson, Jeremy McNichols

Marcus Johnson emerges with Julio Jones still sidelined; AJ Brown with a stinker

Trevor Siemian seems to be the QB of choice for Sean Payton;

Mark Ingram does nice job subbing for Alvin Kamara

Tre'Quan Smith quietly becoming the WR to own for NO

Next up: TEN hosts HOU; NO goes to PHI

IND 23, JAC 17

Thought Carson Wentz would have a better outing which wasn't the case

Jonathan Taylor playing top 5 RB football right now

Not much happening in terms of the WRs other than Michael Pittman Jr

Growing pains continue for Trevor Lawrence

James Robinson back after the heel injury & played well

Jamal Agnew right now is the WR to own for JAC; Dan Arnold also with a nice game

Next up: IND travels to BUF; JAC hosts SF

NE 45, CLE 7

Mac Jones a must own QB??? Yes!

Rhamondre Stevenson stars as Damien Harris (concussion) sits this one out

Hunter Henry scored a TD in 6 of last 7 games; WR N'Keal Harry back from injury

Baker Mayfield started the game but couldn't finish

D'Ernest Johnson the only RB to see touches in this one

CLE pass catchers a dry well except for Austin Hooper

Next up: NE goes to ATL (Thus); CLE host DET

BUF 45, NYJ 17

Josh Allen back to doing Josh Allen things after wetting the bed last week

Each BUF RB scored a TD (Devin Singletary, Zach Moss, Matt Breida)

Stefon Diggs with a monster game; Dawson Know back from hand injury so bench Cole Beasley

Mike White not quite ready for the Hall of Fame just yet; Joe Flacco could end up the starter at QB

Michael Carter in full command of the NYJ backfield

Corey Davis back from hip injury & plays well

Next up: BUF hosts IND; NYJ hosts MIA

DET 16, PIT 16

A very weird game that ends in a tie

Jared Goff continues to be an enigma at QB

D'Andre Swift the clear workhorse

Seems like Amon-Ra St Brown is emerging as the WR1 for DET; TJ Hockenson with a lousy game

Mason Rudolph subbing for Big Ben (shoulder) had a bit of a middling performance

Najee Harris dominates the touches yet again

Diontae Johnson & Pat Freiermuth with costly fumbles

Next up: DET travels to CLE; PIT goes to LAC

WAS 29, TB 19

Taylor Heinicke to be the starter the rest of the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick not expected back

Antonio Gibson with a solid game

DeAndre Carter making his way as the WR2 for WAS

Tom Brady with a subpar game for his standards

Still no Gronk (back) or Antonio Brown (ankle) in this game

Next up: WAS goes to CAR; TB hosts NYG

Show notes:

NBA Next 26 players, Part 2 (00:35)

Grant Hill - sensational talent coming out of Duke who could have been more if not for ankle injuries

Dwight Howard - dominant center for his 1st 10 seasons; mostly everyone agrees that he was robbed of a spot on the NBA 76 list

Kyrie Irving - mercurial oft-injured star who is his own worst enemy at times

Nikola Jokic - quite accomplished big man for only 6 seasons in the league; won an MVP unlike Shaq who made the top 50 with only 4 seasons played

Bernard King - dynamic scorer who also was robbed of being more because of major knee injuries

Bob Lanier - center often overshadowed by the likes of Kareem, Cowens & Walton

Tracy McGrady - another underrated great scorer whose also overlooked

Yao Ming - phenom from China who globally impacted the NBA & basketball in general

Dikembe Mutombo - defensive dynamo from the center position; ultimate team player

Tony Parker - the lightning quick quarterback of those San Antonio Spurs dynasty teams

Derrick Rose - former league MVP whose knee injuries kept him from being the player he could've been

Klay Thompson - one of the greatest shooters the league's ever seen; key component of the Golden State Warriors championship squads

Ben Wallace - another defensive stalwart who was the last line of defense for the 2003-03 champs Detroit Pistons

Chris Webber - former #1 overall pick who lived up to the billing & then some; put Sacramento on the NBA map with his outstanding play

Show notes:

My NBA next 26 players, part 1 (00:39)

Upon the announcement of the NBA's top 76 players of all time, I compiled 26 players who you could make a case for being on the list.

My list contains the following:

3 league MVPs

9 Rookie of the Year winners

2 Finals MVPs

13 Hall of Famers

11 players who won championships (6 multi winners)

3 Defense Players of the Year winners

8 who made the All-Defense team

4 scoring champs

2 Most Improved Player of the Year winners

7 number 1 picks overall in their respective drafts

So here we go (in alphabetical order)...

LaMarcus Aldridge - model of consistency for 13 seasons (18.6 PPG, 8.5 R, 49% FG in that span)

Walt Bellamy - great player in his own right but played in the shadow of giants Wilt Chamberlain & Bill Russell

Chauncey Billups - Mr Big Shot; a late bloomer but the maestro of 2003-04 champion Detroit Pistons

Chris Bosh - unsung member of the Miami Big 3; a dynamic player with Toronto who altered his game during his time with the Heat

Vince Carter - high flyer who was dominant his 1st 11 seasons but bounced around the league his last 11

Adrian Dantley - phenomenal scorer (4 straight seasons averaging 30+ PPG) who is often overlooked given his height & ability

Joe Dumars - great 2 way player for the Detroit Pistons of the late 80s & the GM & architect of those early 2000s Piston teams

Alex English - a fantastic scorer many said was snubbed from the NBA 50 list & snubbed yet again

Pau Gasol - Spanish phenom who was as consistent a big man for his 1st 15 seasons (18 PPG, 9.5 R, 1.7 BK, 51% FG)

Paul George - current 2 way player who could very well make the NBA 100 list when all is said & done

Artis Gilmore - intimidating big who played in the era of Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Dave Cowens & Bill Walton

Manu Ginobili - slept-on Argentinian star who was the catalyst from the bench for the San Antonio Spurs dynasty

Week 9 Roundup, late games (00:26)

LAC 27, PHI 24

Justin Herbert bounces back from bad game last week

Austin Ekeler getting the work in

Keenan Allen clicking with Herbert in the 2nd half of season so far; Mike Williams coming back down to earth

Need more production from Jalen Hurts

Jordan Howard taking over the RB room; Boston Scott a possible drop; Kenneth Gainwell unplayable right now

DeVonta Smith inspired by the turmoil with his friend Henry Ruggs

Next up: LAC hosts MIN; PHI visits DEN

KC 13, GB 7

Can't put a finger on what's going on with Patrick Mahomes

Darrell Williams with a better outing this week; Derrick Gore comes down to earth

A better showing for Travis Kelce; Tyreek Hill kept in check

Tough debut for Jordan Love given the circumstances

Thought GB should have ran more with Aaron Jones & AJ Dillon

FYI Aaron Rodgers, be ready to face some "woke" brothers in your locker room

Don't be surprised if Rodgers doesn't play for Week 10

Next up: KC visits LV (Sun night); GB hosts SEA

ARI 31, SF 17

ARI playing without Kyler Murray (ankle) & DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring)

Colt McCoy one of the better backup QBs in the league

Chase Edmonds suffers high ankle sprain; out 4-6 weeks

James Conner led the RB room with Eno Benjamin the backup now

Christian Kirk led the pass catchers in Hopkins' absence

Jimmy Garoppalo getting the yards but not finding the endzone often

Elijah Mitchell ok but not great

George Kittle back & played well; Brandon Aiyuk starting to emerge; Deebo Samuel fading

Next up: ARI hosts CAR; SF hosts LAR (Mon)

TEN 28, LAR 16

Thought Ryan Tannehill would throw it more; team more dedicated to the run game

Without Derrick Henry, TEN going with a 3-headed attack with Jeremy McNichols, Adrian Peterson & D'Onta Foreman

AJ Brown playing like an elite WR1 right now

A bad outing for Matthew Stafford by his standards this season

Darrell Henderson with the bad ankle played ok & not great

Robert Woods coming to life recently; Cooper Kupp still playing well

Next up: TEN hosts NO; LAR goes to SF (Mon)

PIT 29, CHI 27

Ben Roethlisberger at this stage in his career a game manager

Rookie Najee Harris continues to deliver

Rookie Pat Freiermuth is a must own TE at this point in the season

Rookie Justin Fields comes of age in this game; sign of things to come

David Montgomery (knee) made his return & dominated the touches out of the backfield

Allen Robinson with a solid game finally!

Next up: PIT hosts DET; CHI on a bye

WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS

QB: Trevor Siemian (NO), Teddy Bridgewater (DEN), Mike White/Josh Johnson (NYJ)

RB: Jordan Howard (PHI), Adrian Peterson (TEN), D'Onta Foreman, Javonte Williams (DEN), D'Ernest Johnson (CLE), Michael Carter (NYJ), Mark Ingram II (NO), Tony Pollard (DAL); Brandon Bolden (NE); JD McKissic (WAS), Devonta Freeman (BAL)

WR: Elijah Moore (NYJ), Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE), Tim Patrick (DEN), Olamide Zaccheus (ATL), Jamal Agnew (JAC), Rashod Bateman (BAL), Brandon Aiyuk (SF)

TE: Pat Freiermuth (PIT), Tyler Conklin (MIN), Dawson Know (BUF), Dan Arnold (JAC)

Week 9, Thurs night & early Sun games

IND 45, NYJ 30 (Thurs)

Carson Wentz one of the hottest QBs

Jonathan Taylor with a monster game; in top 5 RB discussion

Michael Pittman Jr also hot right now

Mike White leaves game with a forearm injury; enter Josh Johnson

Michael Carter dominates the touches in the NYJ backfield

Elijah Moore gaining momentum among the NYJ WRs

Next up: IND hosts JAC; NYJ hosts BUF

CLE 41, CIN 16

Odell Beckham Jr released prior to the game

Baker Mayfield managed the game well; Nick Chubb with a phenomenal game

Donovan Peoples-Jones the WR to own for CLE

Joe Burrow with an awful game

Joe Mixon still providing good production

JaMarr Chase has a nightmarish outing

Next up: CLE travels to NE; CIN on a bye

DEN 30, DAL 16

Teddy Bridgewater another game manager extraordinaire

Javonte Williams' best game as a pro; Melvin Gordon III solid game as well

Tim Patrick the WR of choice in this one

Dak Prescott's bad outing: at one point in the 3rd quarter, 6/19, 95 yds

Ezekiel Elliot with a subpar performance; Tony Pollard not much better

Combo of Amari Cooper & CeeDee Lamb held in check

Next up: DEN hosts PHI; DAL hosts ATL

MIA 17, HOU 9

Jacoby Brissett played well filling in for Tua Tagovailoa (finger)

MIA run game slightly better

Jaylen Waddle flourishing regardless of who's at QB

HOU offense is straight up lousy!

Tyrod Taylor showing rust in his return to the lineup

Run game an utter mess

Brandin Cooks tied to bad offense

Next up: MIA hosts BAL (Thurs); HOU on a bye

ATL 27, NO 25

Matt Ryan a solid game without top weapon Calvin Ridley

Run game ineffective but Cordarrelle Patterson has a stellar performance catching passes

Russell Gage reemerges; Olamide Zaccheus a waiver wire target

Taylor Siemian the starter with Jameis Winston out & Taysom Hill being mixed in

Looks like a 60/40 split between Alvin Kamara & Mark Ingram II

Tre'Quan Smith slowly coming on

Next up: ATL visits DAL; NO travels to TEN

NYG 23, LV 16

Daniel Jones not having the greatest of games

A concentrated effort to establish the run with Devontae Booker

Evan Engram sighting finally!

Derek Carr not a great outing

Timeshare between Josh Jacobs & Kenyan Drake continues

Darren Waller back in form; Hunter Renfrow the guy with Henry Ruggs III released

Next up: NYG on a bye; LV hosts KC (Sun night)

NE 24, CAR 6

Mac Jones another game managing success

Head injuries for both Damien Harris & Rhamondre Stevenson; keep an eye out for their situation during the week

Quiet day for the NE passing attack

Sam Darnold mired in a slump the past few weeks

Christian McCaffrey back for the moment; Chuba Hubbard a roster hold just in case McCaffrey goes down

Not a whole lot from the CAR pass game; Robby Anderson unrosterable at this point

Next up: NE hosts CLE; CAR visits ARI

JAC 9, BUF 6

Trevor Lawrence a pedestrian performance

Carlos Hyde subbing for James Robinson (heel) with a decent game

Dan Arnold & Jamal Agnew leads the pass game; both must adds

Not Josh Allen's finest performance

Zach Moss in concussion protocol; more touches for Devin Singletary???

Subpar game for BUF WRs

Next up: JAC travels to IND; BUF travels to NYJ

BAL 34, MIN 31 (OT)

Lamar Jackson with a terrific game

Devonta Freeman leading the backfield

Marquise Brown continues his All-Pro season

Kirk Cousins always seems to be on bad side of these games

Dalvin Cook with a very good game

Justin Jefferson in a groove right now

Next up: BAL visits MIA; MIN go to LAC

Eastern Conference (00:27)

ATLANTIC

Boston (4-6): Jaylen Brown to miss 1-2 weeks (hamstring); Marcus Smart calls out Brown & Jayson Tatum

Brooklyn (7-3): Word is no change to NYC vaccine mandate so no Kyrie Irving; James Harden's shooting slump & his adjustment to new foul rules

NY Knicks (6-4): dead last: opponents 3PG shooting; Immanuel Quickley's shooting slump; injury issues with Mitch Robinson & Nerlens Noel

Philadelphia (8-2): Joel Embiid (COVID) to miss at least next 6 games; Tobias Harris (COVID) also out; still no Ben Simmons: mental health issues

Toronto (6-5): Pascal Siakam (shoulder) back after missing 1st 10 games; OG Anunoby & Fred VanVleet playing like All Stars

CENTRAL

Chicago (6-3): DeMar DeRozan & Zach LaVine playing great; Nikola Vucevic off to slow start

Cleveland (7-4): Collin Sexton (torn meniscus) out indefinitely; Ricky Rubio a 3PG shooter now

Detroit (1-8): Cade Cunningham struggling; poor PG play; sophomore slumps for Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart & Saddiq Bey

Indiana (4-7): Malcolm Brogdon's injury woes continue; Myles Turner adding 3PG shot

Milwaukee (4-6): injuries to Jrue Holiday & Brook Lopez; Khris Middleton (COVID) out a week ago

SOUTHEAST

Atlanta (4-6): Trae Young struggling with new foul rules; need more from John Collins, Bojan Bogdanovic, De'Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter & Danilo Gallinari

Charlotte (5-6): Miles Bridges betting on himself & playing well; need more from PJ Washington, Mason Plumlee & Jalen McDaniels

Miami (7-2): best team in East; Jimmy Butler playing like MVP

Orlando (3-8): Jalen Suggs struggling with shot; Cole Anthony's phenomenal play; Wendell Carter Jr's health key for them

Washington (7-3): Bradley Beal finally getting help from newcomers Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyle Kuzma & Montrezl Harrell

Western Conference (27:30)

NORTHWEST

Denver (5-4): Michael Porter Jr's horrendous start & now a back injury; struggles at PG; Jamal Murray (knee) back in January

Mnnesota (3-5): Anthony Edwards, D'Angelo Russell & Malik Beasley struggling with shot; need Patrick Beverly to be starting PG

OKC (3-6): Josh Giddey the possible ROY?; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing well but needs help

Portland (5-5): Damian Lillard off to a slow start; CJ McCollum's great start; Justuf Nurkic playing well but lack of blocks a concern

Utah (7-3): Donovan Mitchell's hot start but FG% not so good; still need to keep Mike Conley fresh for the playoff run

PACIFIC

GS (8-1):  league best record; Klay Thompson (knee) & young big James Wiseman (knee) out; Jordan Poole off to fine start; must bring Klay off the bench when he returns

LA Clippers (5-4): Paul George on a MVP-like run; Reggie Jackson stepping up; need big guys Marcus Morris Jr & Serge Ibaka healthy

LA Lakers (5-5): LeBron James & his abdomen strain; Anthony Davis' health always key; Russell Westbrook's struggles fitting in

Phoenix (5-3): winning despite reports about owner Robert Sarver; Chris Paul going strong (now 3rd on the all-time assist list); Deandre Ayton's lower leg injury

Sacramento (5-5): Harrison Barnes & Richaun Homes playing great; DeAaron Fox scaling his game back

SOUTHWEST

Dallas (6-3): Kristaps Porginzis' Injury troubles continue; Luka Doncic playing like a MVP

Houston (1-9): rookie Jalen Green not living up to hype; Kevin Porter Jr off to a slow start; keep eye on young center Alperen Sengun

Memphis (5-4): Ja Morant's amazing start; need more from Jaren Jackson Jr, Desmond Bane's surprising start

NO (1-9): Zion Williamson (foot) weeks away; Brandon Ingram (hip) missed 4 games; Nickeil Alexander-Walker struggling

SA (3-7): Dejounte Murray's phenomenal start; need more from Derrick White & Doug McDermott

The Fantasy Football Hangout podcast - Week 8 Roundup, late & night games

Show Notes

Week 8 roundup, late & night games (00:27)

NE 27, LAC 24

Mac Jones: Bill Belichick's Tom Brady 2.0

Damien Harris supporting Jones well in the run game

A solid game for Justin Herbert but not enough for the win

Keenan Allen comes to life; Mike Williams fading

Next up: NE travels to CAR; LAC visits PHI

SEA 31, JAC 7

Geno Smith game managing well in Russell Wilson's absence

Tyler Lockett who hasn't been playable as of late had a monster game although it was DK Metcalf who found the endzone twice

Trevor Lawrence still learning in his rookie campaign

James Robinson leaves the game with a heel injury & is considered to be week to week; Carlos Hyde a waiver wire pickup

Marvin Jones Jr & Laviska Shenault Jr held down in this one

Next up: SEA on a bye; JAC hosts BUF

DEN 17, WAS 10

Teddy Bridgewater still needing protection from the DEN offensive line

DEN pass catchers seeing a lot of volatility; hard to predict who flourishes each week

Ryan Fitzpatrick could be back soon so Taylor Heinicke's time is dwindling down

Antonio Gibson may be playing hurt so keep an eye out for that

Bad game for Terry McLaurin; no Logan Thomas yet

Next up: DEN goes to DAL; WAS on a bye

NO 36, TB 27

Jameis Winston goes down with a knee injury; out for the season

Trevor Siemian fills in with Taysom Hill out

Newly reacquired Mark Ingram II walks in as the immediate RB2 behind Alvin Kamara

The NO pass catchers in flux with the aftermath of the Winston injury

Solid performance for Tom Brady although he threw the game clinching pick-6 in the loss

Leonard Fournette slowed down

Chris Godwin the beneficiary of Antonio Brown (ankle) being sidelined

Rob Gronkowski (ribs) tried to go but went down with back spasms early in the game

Next up: NO hosts ATL, TB on a bye

DAL 20, MIN 16

Dak Prescott a late scratch due to calf injury; enter Cooper Rush

Rush put up solid numbers in Prescott's absence

Fine play from Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb & Cedrick Wilson

A disappointing performance from Kirk Cousins

MIN offense as a whole was stagnant outside of Adam Thielen who played well

Next up: DAL hosts DEN, MIN travels to BAL

KC 20, NYG 17

Patrick Mahomes still playing well below his standards

KC run game turns into a committee situation with Darrel Williams & Derrick Gore

Tyreek Hill an outstanding game; Travis Kelce a horrible one

NYG still without their key skill players (Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay & Darius Slayton)

Team as a whole hung tough but couldn't pull out the win

Next up: KC hosts GB, NYG hosts LV

Waiver wire pickups:

QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick (WAS), Mac Jones (NE), Mike White (NYJ), Tyrod Taylor

RB:  Jeremy McNichols (TEN), Adrian Peterson (TEN), Chuba Hubbard (CAR),  Carlos Hyde (JAC), D'Ernest Johnson (CLE), Khalil Herbert (CHI), Boston  Scott (PHI), Jordan Howard (PHI), Sony Michel (LAR), Derrick Gore (KC),  Mark Ingram (NO)

WR:  Jamal Agnew (JAC), AJ Green (ARI), Christian Kirk (ARI), Tajae Sharpe  (ATL), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN), Jamison Crowder (NYJ), Nico Collins  (HOU)

TE: Dan Arnold (JAC), Tyler Conklin (MIN), Dawson Knox (BUF)

The Fantasy Football Hangout - Week 8 Roundup

Show Notes:

Week 8 roundup, Thurs night & early games

GB 24, ARI 21

GB without WRs Davante Adams (COVID), Allen Lazard (COVID) & Marquez Valdes-Scantling (IR - hamstring)

Aaron Rodgers played well in spite of that; Randall Cobb steps into wayback machine to help ARod

Coach Matt LaFleur changes game plan; ran it with Aaron Jones & AJ Dillon

Kyler Murray playing his worst game of the year

Chase Edmonds (1 TD) & James Conner (2 TDs) led ARI offense

Next up: GB hosts KC, ARI visits SF

CAR 19, ATL 13

Sam Darnold mired in a mini-slump; nightmarish season for Robby Anderson continues

Chuba Hubbard filling in; Christian McCaffrey due back for Week 9

Matt Ryan falls back to earth after stellar performance last week

Cordarelle Patterson by far the more dependable ATL RB

Calvin Ridley a late scratch (personal problems)

Russell Gage surprisingly a no-show in the game (0 rec, 0 targets)

Next up: CAR hosts NE, ATL visits NO

BUF 26, MIA 11

Josh Allen doing Josh Allen things

BUF run game a mess right now

Cole Beasley benefiting greatly from Dawson Knox's absence

Tua Tagovailoa's starting job safe; no Deshaun Watson trade

MIA run game still a dumpster fire; Mike Gesicki & Jaylen Waddle bottled up

Next up: BUF visits JAC, MIA hosts HOU

SF 33, CHI 22

Jimmy Garoppalo staving off the cries for Trey Lance

Elijah Mitchell reemerging as the de facto RB1

Deebo Samuel continues his sensational season

Brandon Aiyuk coming to life; watch for him in the 2nd half of season

Justin Fields turned in a good overall game; Allen Robinson II having a horrid season

Even with Damien Williams looming, Khalil Herbert still the workhorse RB

Next up: SF hosts ARI, CHI visits PIT (Mon)

PIT 15, CLE 10

Big Ben goes on despite on the downside of his career

Najee Harris has lived up to all the preseason hype

Pat Freiermuth capitalizing on season ending injury to JuJu Smith-Schuster

Nick Chubb is back; D'Ernest Johnson fills the Kareem Hunt role

Many questions about Odell Beckham Jr & his place in this CLE offense

Next up: PIT hosts CHI (Mon), CLE visits CIN

PHI 44, DET 6

PHI run game dominant behind Boston Scott & Jordan Howard (2 TDs each)

Dallas Goedert taking full advantage of Zach Ertz being in ARI

DET offense woes a product of the game plan itself or Jared Goff running it?

Only pass catcher that can be trusted: TJ Hockenson

Next up: PHI hosts LAC, DET on a bye

TEN 34, IND 31

TEN loses most valuable player Derrick Henry to a broken bone injury, out indefinitely

Ryan Tannehill is going to be leaned upon heavily down the stretch; AJ Brown back in the nick of time

A committee approach with Jeremy McNichols & newly signed Adrian Peterson?

Carson Wentz plays well in defeat; Michael Pittman Jr on fire

Next up: TEN visits LAR (Sun night), IND hosts NYJ (Thurs)

NYJ 34, CIN 31

In a surprising outcome Mike White has an outstanding game

Michael Carter rising from the ashes to take hold of this NYJ backfield

Joe Burrow had a nice outing in the loss; Joe Mixon continues his stellar season

Tyler Boyd, who I deemed as unplayable, played great; JaMarr Chase held down

Next up: NYJ visits IND (Thurs), CIN hosts CLE

LAR 38, HOU 22

Matthew Stafford marches on in his MVP campaign

Darrell Henderson great game but suffered injured ribs

Cooper Kupp continues his outstanding season; Robert Woods solid also

Tyrod Taylor soon due to come off IR

FYI: Deshaun Watson not traded at the deadline

Next up: LAR hosts TEN (Sun night); HOU visits MIA