Week Four Preview - Combines vs. Blowhards

The Inland Empire Fightin' Combines (1-2) take on Western Division leader Blowhards (2-1) this weekend. FightinCombines.blogspot.com takes a look at the matchups...

Quarterback: Tom Brady (Blowhards) vs. Michael Vick (Inland Empire) - Brady is the best quarterback in the league on the field. In fantasy he is just average but capable of huge games having scored 24 points in week one. Vick has struggled throwing the ball and his week 2 performance was largely due to his running ability. Look for struggles against Carolina this week with the possibility of huge yards on the ground due to the pass rush constantly getting past the line. Advantage: Blowhards

Running back 1: Curtis Martin (B) vs. Rudi Johnson (IE) - Martin has been a huge surprise this season through two games scoring 31 and 25 points and has already scored more touchdowns this season than last. Don't really see why it shouldn't continue against Miami. Johnson has been irritatingly average and faces the Steelers who have been tough on the run this season. Advantage: Blowhards

Running back 2: Jerome Bettis (B) vs. Kevan Barlow (IE) - Bettis is a bye week play with starter and stud Shaun Alexander out for the week. Bettis is having his worst season carrying the ball only 12 times for 13 yards but did have a three touchdown game in week one, albeit on one yard rushing. Barlow scored only three points last week in the Niners debacle at Seattle. However he is reportedly healthy again after being injured late in the week two game where he scored 23 points. Advantage: Combines

RB/WR: Mike Alstott (B) vs. Jerry Porter (IE) - With RB Charlie Garner out for the season Alstott figures to be used more extensively playing both his fullback position and a little halfback. Doesn't really mean much if the Bucs can't score though. Porter had 84 yards last week and should emerge as the number one receiver in the Raiders offense. However it all depends on who new QB Kerry Collins decides is his favorite. The Combines hope he decides on Porter. Advantage: Combines

Wide Receiver 1: Javon Walker (B) vs. Andre Johnson (IE) - Walker has emerged as QB Brett Favre's favorite receiver and scored 37 points in week 3. Should level off but is still a very dangerous receiver. Johnson posted 96 yards but failed to reach the endzone in week 3. He has been better each week posting 58 yards in week 1, 86 yards in week 2 and 96 in week 3. Faces a tough Raiders pass defense in week 4. Advantage: Blowhards

Wide Receiver 2: Brandon Stokley (B) vs. Donte' Stallworth (IE) - Stokley has emerged as a great second or third option for QB Peyton Manning and seems to have the knack at finding the endzone. Stokley however is questionable for this weekends game against Jacksonville. Stallworth scored 17 points in week 2 but plays for an inconsistent offense that hasn't been able to get it going yet. Is capable of very big games. Advantage: Even

Tight End: Freddie Jones (B) vs Eric Johnson (IE) - Jones usually gets his catches and consistently puts up three or four points. Johnson sadly is the focal point of the Niners awful passing attack. If they can score any touchdowns ever, they most likely will be by Johnson Advantage: Combines

Kicker: John Carney (B) vs. Martin Gramatica (IE) - Carney has kicked five field goals last week due to the Saints inability to anything in the redzone. The Bucs offense has been bad. Gramatica has basically been the only one scoring any points and it should continue. If only they could at least stall in field goal range. Advantage: Even

Defense: Raiders (B) vs. Buccaneers (IE) - The Raiders defense has been very solid giving up only 54 points in three games. The Bucs have only given up 56 points but were scorched for 30 in week 3. The Raiders shouldn't struggle to much with the weak Houston offense while Denver could give the Bucs fits. Advantage: Blowhards

Overall: The Combines have to feel lucky that RB Shaun Alexander and WR Roy Williams are both out on their bye weeks or else they would be heavy underdogs. As it stand the Combines have a very good chance to knock off the division leader. It will come down to the performances of both teams top three players. If Vick, Rudi Johnson and Andre Johnson can at least match the contributions made by Brady, Martin and Walker then they should win the game. If they can't it could be a very long weekend and a continued stay in the CFFL basement.