FANTASY FURNACE

Broncos win their fifth in a row…

This game was actually closer than we thought it would be. The Broncos pulled out a win  with a Matt Prater FG with no time remaining for a 35-32 win over the Vikings. Those 32 points were almost as many as Denver had given up over the previous three weeks (36). Other than that, we said Tim Tebow would have an opportunity to ‘show more of his passing capabilities’ and he did, passing for a season high 202 yards and 2 touchdowns. His QB passer rating was an astounding 149.3 and he’s now 6-1 as a starter. The Broncos, our 1st win this week, will next face the Bears and the Patriots at home.

Tim Tebow passed for a season high 202 yards vs the Vikings. Photo: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Miami routs the Raiders 34-14… The Dolphins completely shut down the 7-5 Raiders who had won three games in a row coming into this game. The Fins played great defense against the run as Michael Bush really struggled rushing 10 times for just 18 yards. Of course, the silver & black had to forego their running game by the third quarter when the score ballooned  to 34-0. Palmer continued to show why the Raiders gave up so much to get him passing for 273 yards and two TD’s but it was Oakland’s lack of defense that did them in especially in the third quarter when they gave up an obscene 21 unanswered points. We completely underestimated Miami who has now won 4 of their last 5.

RB Reggie Bush runs in for a TD vs the Raiders. He also had 100 rushing yards and 27 more receiving. Photo: Hans Deryk/AP

Chiefs upset the Bears 10-3… Hard to believe the Bears (and us) lost this game essentially on a successful Hail Mary heave by K.C. QB Tyler Palko to end the first half. They figured rather than settling for a long field goal, they would try to find a way to score only their third touchdown since Halloween! It didn’t help the Bears’ cause that RB Matt Forte injured his knee in the first quarter and didn’t return. (He’ll be out 2-4 weeks). Bears QB Caleb Hanie killed any chances for a Bears comeback by throwing another three interceptions for a total of 6 in his last 2 games. The Bears will face the Broncos in Denver next week and then travel to Green Bay two weeks later so they will need Marion Barber’s legs and Kyle Orton’s arm to have any hopes of a wild card berth.

The Chicago Bears faithful will need all the help they can get with the loss of Matt Forte and the total ineffectiveness of QB Caleb Hanie. Photo: Rex Arbogast/AP

49ERS shut out the Rams 26-0… The Niners avenged their loss to the Ravens last week by pouring on the D against the St. Louis Rams. With the win, they now have clinched their division. They completely stifled the Rams’ running game, holding the combination of Steven Jackson and Jerious Norwood to just 38 yards on 21 carries. Rams QB A.J. Feeley was totally inept passing for 156 yards and a QB passer rating of 58.1. Frisco’s QB Alex Smith was sacked 4 times but managed 274 yards and two TD’s. RB Frank Gore ran for 73 yards and TE Vernon Davis who we didn’t recommend, had only 35 receiving yards. The 49ers will be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

This 49ers fan's sign says it all! Photo: Paul Sakuma/AP

Titans take care of the Bills 23-17… In our 3rd win of our five picks, the Titans took care of business and beat the Buffalo Bills 23-17. Chris Johnson as we suggested, had his way with the Bills as he continued his strong play with 153 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick aired it out , throwing 46 times for 288 yards and a score. RB C. J. Spiller had a much more effective game rushing for 83 yards and a TD.  week. With this win the 7-5 Titans are in second place behind the 9-3 Houston Texans. The Titans who have won three of their last four games play the Saints at home next week. The key game for them could end up being their last game of the season vs the Texans at Houston who dominated them 41-7 back in week 6.

Chris Johnson had another productive week running for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns vs the Bills. Photo: Rick Stewart/Getty Images

* Last week 3-2

** Season   37-23