Fantasy Zone: Week 14

Every Thursday from 9 to 10am Joe & Ebo breakdown the upcoming fantasy football weekend. The duo covers everything from quarterbacks to tight ends on who to start and who to sit. The Fantasy Zone even goes in-depth covering sleepers, the waiver wire, as well as “Studs” and “Duds”.

If you play fantasy football, you won’t want to miss The Fantasy Zone before the games kickoff each weekend!

    The Fantasy Zone: Week 12

    Every Thursday from 9 to 10am Joe & Ebo breakdown the upcoming fantasy football weekend. The duo covers everything from quarterbacks to tight ends on who to start and who to sit. The Fantasy Zone even goes in-depth covering sleepers, the waiver wire, as well as “Studs” and “Duds”.

    If you play fantasy football, you won’t want to miss The Fantasy Zone before the games kickoff each weekend!

      The Fantasy Zone: Week 11

      Every Thursday from 9 to 10am Joe & Ebo breakdown the upcoming fantasy football weekend. The duo covers everything from quarterbacks to tight ends on who to start and who to sit. The Fantasy Zone even goes in-depth covering sleepers, the waiver wire, as well as “Studs” and “Duds”.

      If you play fantasy football, you won’t want to miss The Fantasy Zone before the games kickoff each weekend!

        Packers WR Davante Adams’ toe injury not serious

        The Green Bay Packers received good news regarding their star wide receiver who was hurt during Thursday night’s 34-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Davante Adams’ toe injury is not considered to be serious.

        If Adams is to miss time, it won’t be much. The Packers’ next game isn’t until Dec 6 when they face the Cowboys in Dallas.

        “As far as long term, it’s tough to say right now,” head coach Matt LaFleur said. “But, you know, it’s going to be an opportunity, whether he’s able to go or not. It’s going to provide some other guys some opportunities and they’re going to have to step up, and next man up.”

        Aaron Rodgers could certainly use him. After saying they needed to get Adams the ball more, the Packers’ wideout hauled in 10 catches for 180 yards against the Eagles. They will certainly need to be at full force for their matchup against the Cowboys in week five.

          Packers defense carries team to 10-3 win over Bears

          CHICAGO | The Matt LaFleur era begins with a win as the Green Bay Packers picked up a 10-3 win over the Chicago Bears Thursday night.

          The Good:

          Defense | Maybe the Packers don’t have to count on Aaron Rodgers as much anymore. GM Brian Gutekunst focused on defense this past free agency. He spent money on Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Adrian Amos to help improve that side of the ball. The Smith’s combined for nine pressures created and 2.5 sacks. Amos made an interception in the endzone on the Bears’ last drive to seal the win.

          “I’m extremely happy Gutey and his crew did a great job of getting those guys for us, because they were a difference tonight,” LaFleur said.

          “Great for Adrian coming back to the team that drafted him to get a pick in the end zone there,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “But a lot of credit to the front. I thought we put a lot of pressure on ‘em. It looked like obviously both the Smiths, they were in the mix a bunch. It was just a dominating performance. It gives you a lot of confidence when you play like that on offense and win a game by a touchdown.”

          Maybe Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears offense was really bad Thursday night. But the Packers defense deserves a lot of credit for the way they played.

          The not so good:

          Offense | If I were to tell you the Packers would score only 10 points and win, you probably wouldn’t believe me. Getting the win is all that matters in the end but the offense needs to make massive improvements if they expect to be a contender.

          It was a slow start for Rodgers and company as they finished the first quarter with -12 yards. Green Bay finished with 213 yards and were just 2-12 on third downs.

          Chicago’s defense pressured Rodgers all night long. He completed 18 of 30 passes for 203 yards and was sacked five times.

          The Packers had one huge play in the second quarter when Rodgers found Marquez Valdez-Scantling on a deep shot.

          “It was a huge play in the game,” LaFleur said. “It gave us the spark we needed.”

          Player of the game:

          J.K. Scott | I’m not joking. The punter played a huge part in Green Bay’s win. He punted nine times averaging 47.6 yards per punt. Scott’s longest went 63 yards and he landed five inside the 20.

          As bad as the Bears offense was, they needed all the help they could get and Scott didn’t give them any.

          Play of the game

          Amos interception | Thursday night felt like the fifth week of the preseason. There wasn’t a lot of pretty and there was a whole lot of ugly. The Bears had a chance to tie the game in the end but the former Bear made the play to help the Packers hold on.

          What’s next?

          Vikings | The Packers (1-0) will come back home to Green Bay to host the Vikings (0-0) in week two. Kickoff is scheduled for 12pm on Sunday, Sept. 15.

           

            Report: Oren Burks has torn pectoral muscle

            According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Green Bay Packers’ linebacker Oren Burks may have a torn pectoral muscle. Burks suffered the injury during Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans

            The injury occurred when Burks was attempting to tackle Texans’ quarterback Joe Webb in the first quarter.

            Burks was a third-round draft pick for the Packers last season. He was in position to start alongside Blake Martinez in defensive coordinator’s Mike Pettine’s base defense. There is no timeline on how long Burks will be out, but a torn muscle could certainly keep him out for all of 2019.

            Green Bay doesn’t have a whole lot of depth at the inside linebacker position. Rookies Ty Summers and Curtis Bolton played well in the preseason opener but there’s no guarantee they can fill in to the level Burks could’ve during the regular season. Safeties Raven Greene and Josh Jones have also seen time at inside linebacker during certain packages.

            GM Brian Gutekunst had to make a trade for veteran linebacker, Antonio Morrison last season after Burks went down with an injury. Guteknust may have to make another move this year if Burks is to miss significant time.

            First year head coach Matt LaFleur did not say if Burks will miss significant time when he spoke to the media after Saturday’s practice.

            “Honestly, I don’t really know anything right now,” LaFleur said. “It’s kind of wait and see, but I hope not.”

              Packers claim TE Michael Roberts off waivers

              The Green Bay Packers claimed Tight End Michael Roberts off waivers from the Detroit Lions on Monday. The Lions tried to trade Roberts to the Patriots, but the deal was rescinded last Friday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Roberts didn’t pass his physical with the Patriots.

              The Lions drafted Roberts in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

              Roberts will join a depth chart of six TEs in Green Bay led by veterans Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis. The Packers’ third-round 2019 draft pick, Jace Sternberger is also in the mix. Robert Tonyan and recently claimed Pharoah McKever will all be competing for a spot on the roster.

              In 23 games over the past two years, the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Roberts has caught 13 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns.

                Aaron Rodgers makes cameo on ‘Game of Thrones’

                Green Bay Packers’ star QB Aaron Rodgers has made plenty of appearances in commercials but has now appeared in perhaps the biggest hit TV show. Rodgers made a cameo on Sunday’s episode of Game of Thrones. He didn’t have much screen time.

                Pat McAfee snapped a picture of Rodgers. He’s the third one from the right.

                Rodgers hinted that he would be a part of the show during an interview at the Kentucky Derby. It’s impressive that arguably the most talented QB in NFL history can also act.

                  Packers pick up fifth-year option on DL Kenny Clark

                  It is no surprise to anyone that the Green Bay Packers want their young defensive lineman back. According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Packers exercised Clark’s fifth-year contract option. Clark will be in Green Bay through the 2020 season.

                  A first-round pick in 2016, Clark has become one of the best, young defensive lineman in the NFL. Over the last two seasons he’s had 10.5 sacks, 14 tackles for losses and 17 quarterback hits.

                  The defensive front will look much different this season. They spent money on pass-rushers in free agency adding Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Also, the Packers used their first pick of the 2019 NFL Draft (12th overall) on another pass-rusher, Michigan’s Rashan Gary.

                  The moves made in the off-season and the draft will no doubt help take pressure off Clark. Green Bay re-tooled their defense and will be looking for another big season from Clark.