Survive and advance is a popular sports mantra normally saved for the month of March and the madness that comes with it.
But thanks to the rapid growth of the NFL and fantasy football, games like FOX Fantasy Survivor can feed your craving for “win or go home” competition seven months early.
Over 25,000 football fans signed up and participated in the FOX Fantasy Survivor game last season. The hope is, with cash prizes on the line, we can eclipse that mark in 2011.
The premise is simple: pick one (1) team who you believe is going to win that week. The survivor catch remains that once you pick a team to win, you can’t pick that team again for the rest of the season. The good news is, even if you lose, you are still eligible to win cash prizes.
To assist you with your survivor selections, the FOXSports.com’s fantasy football staff will provide you their picks for the week.
Just remember the mantra: survive and advance. In a couple months, you could be $2,000 richer.
Week 5 Recap
Mr. Cruz, the fantasy department would like to have a chat with you.
With under three minutes to go and trailing 29-25 to the Seahawks, a team ranked 25th in total and scoring offense, your quarterback managed to move the ball 75 yards and down to the Seattle 10-yard line on three plays (including a 41-yard pass and catch by you). Good, great, wonderful! Plenty of time remained on the clock as we hadn’t hit the two-minute warning. Then, what do you do minutes later, but slip, fall and try to catch the rock one handed. Ahhh! The batted ball was eventually picked off by Brandon Browner and returned 94 yards for the proverbial nail in the coffin score. Do you think this was retribution for Week 4’s non-fumble at Arizona? It was tough to stomach and snapped Harmon’s and Fowler’s Survivor streak at four games.
Halpin’s bid to improve to 5-0 rested on the long blonde mane of rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert against Cincinnati. To be fair, the Jags competed against the top passing defense in the NFL, but Gabby fumbled a snap in the game’s final minutes when his team had a chance to tie with a field goal.
The fantasy department goes oh-fer in Week 5’s Survivor picks.
Week 6 Picks
Harmon – Ravens
Editor’s Commentary – The Ravens come out of the bye rested and relaxed (Lee Evans ankle still bothering him), while the Texans travel to Baltimore without Andre Johnson (hamstring) and Mario Williams (out for season/pectoral). Is it coincidental that Houston traded for wide receiver Derrick Mason the same week they play his former team? Nah!
Baltimore is ranked first in total (284.5 ypg.) and scoring (14.3 ppg.) defense. With Johnson out of the lineup, the Ravens will look to slow down Arian Foster (85.3 rush ypg.) out of the backfield and Owen Daniels and Joel Dreessen who accounted for 201 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders last week. Opposing quarterbacks are racking up a modest 212 yards per game against the Ravens’ secondary.
Fowler – Raiders
Editor’s Commentary – This Survivor pick has more to do with the health, or lack of health, the Cleveland Browns are currently dealing with on the offensive line and in their secondary. Defensive back Joe Haden is still hampered by a sprained knee he suffered in the Titans game two weeks ago and center Alex Mack is recovering from an appendectomy. Neither have practiced this week, but have yet to be ruled out for Sunday’s game.
Haden has shut down wide receivers like Brandon Marshall, Reggie Wayne and A.J. Green this season, but if he can’t play, expect Jason Campbell to have a field day against some greener Brownies.
Mack helps open holes for Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty in addition to protecting Colt McCoy. The Raiders like to bring the heat on pass rush and his absence could make McCoy’s day at the office a little uncomfortable.
Halpin – Steelers
Editor’s Commentary – When Harmon turned his back on Cam Newton, it worked out. Halpin is hoping for the same result as he shuns Blaine Gabbert for the Jags’ Week 6 opponent. Now I’m not saying Ben Roethlsiberger is going to throw for five touchdowns again, but Las Vegas sure loves the home team. The Steelers are currently (as of Wednesday 1:45pm EST) 13-point favorites. This must be a lack of trust in Jacksonville’s quarterback (three touchdowns, two interceptions and 49.5 completion percentage) than a poke at the Jags’ defense that ranks 10th against the pass and rush.
Beall - Jets
Editor’s Commentary – The Miami Dolphins are a franchise on the brink of collapse, again. Their best offensive weapon is a rookie running back (Daniel Thomas) who has played in two games this season. With Chad Henne out for the season (shoulder), Matt Moore becomes the de facto starting quarterback for the ‘Phins.
At times, the play on the field has been just as ugly for the Jets (see: Baltimore box score). Rex Ryan predicted THIS was the year New York won the Super Bowl, but at 2-3, five games into the season, the J-E-T-S need to kick their offense into gear. They currently rank 24th in total offense and 26th in rushing defense.
