Programming Notice

Dear readers,
There's only a couple of weeks left in 2019, which means movie and music recap SZN is right around the corner. This period is particularly exciting this year because in addition to the best/worst lists I drop at this time annually, I'm going to be celebrating the end of the decade with huge retrospectives on everything from the Most Underrated Movies to the Top 100 Trap Songs released during the 2010's. To fulfill the time requirements needed to produce these lists, I'm going to be scaling back on my writing workload for the next month. All of the weekly columns will go on as scheduled, but there won't be much additional content until the work on all of the year/decade-end lists has been completed. Thank you for your continued support and be sure to check back on Monday for the kickoff piece celebrating the top live performances of 2019.

Chris Maitland  

Earful of Fantasy Episode #14

On this episode, special guest Pete Foley comes onto discuss the fantasy semifinals, QB's whose stock could be boosted with a potential change of scenery in 2020 and the brilliance of the Dolphins backfield. Listen below and enjoy 75 minutes of takes delivered by podcasters who are all tuckered out.


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-petes-turn-eof114/id1478573845?i=1000459368563
Earful of Dirt: https://www.earfulofdirt.com/2019/12/its-petes-turn-eof114.html

Week 14 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers: 2019 Edition

Quarterback
MVP: Drew Brees (Saints)
The 49ers might've come out on top in Sunday's thrilling shootout at the Superdome, but Brees ended up outdueling Jimmy Garoppolo in fantasy. Brees cashed in on the many golden opportunities he was given to make big plays, throwing for 349 YDS and 5 TD while also punching in a 1 YD TD run on the day. He's in an excellent position to light it up again this week against a vulnerable Colts defense that just allowed Jameis Winston to throw for 456 YDS and 3 TD's.
Honorable Mentions: Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers), Jameis Winston (Buccaneers), Deshaun Watson (Texans)

LVP: Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
While he did just enough to win the game (195 YDS/1 TD/16 Rushing YDS/FUM Lost), he severely letdown his fantasy owners that were relying on him to take full advantage of a soft matchup with the Redskins in the opening week of the playoffs. Rodgers will look to return to glory in Week 15 against a Bears defense that he's slaughtered many, many times in the past.
Dishonorable Mentions: Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Tom Brady (Patriots), Baker Mayfield (Browns)

Running Back

MVP: Austin Ekeler (Chargers) 

After a few quiet-ish games in a row, Ekeler returned with a vengeance on Sunday. He absolutely demolished a Jaguars defense that has given up on playing hard, registering 213 scrimmage YDS (101 rushing, 112 receiving) and a TD grab on only 12 touches. Ekeler has remained terrific in the wake of Melvin Gordon's return and will be an RB2 for their Week 15 home showdown with a Vikings defense that has struggled to defend the pass all season long. 

Honorable Mentions: Aaron Jones (Packers), Joe Mixon (Bengals), Derrick Henry (Titans)

LVP: Alvin Kamara (Saints)

Kamara just can't seem to right the ship for more than a week or two at a time. His performance against the 49ers ended up being one of, if not the absolute worst of the season as he picked up only 43 scrimmage YDS (25 rushing, 18 receiving) and lost a key fumble on 17 touches. Considering his top 3 draft status and very middling output (1,074 scrimmage YDS, 2 TD's in 11 games), Kamara is a strong contender for 2019's top fantasy bust.

Dishonorable Mentions: Leonard Fournette (Jaguars), Sony Michel (Patriots), Benny Snell (Steelers)

Wide Receiver

MVP: Emmanuel Sanders (49ers)

What an afternoon for 2019's best offensive midseason acquisition. Sanders' monster day against the Saints included 7 REC for 157 YDS and a TD and a 35 YD TD throw to Raheem Mostert on a beautifully-executed trick play. Even in a prime matchup against the Falcons, Sanders is likely to come back down to Earth a bit in Week 15.

Honorable Mentions: Michael Thomas (Saints), DeAndre Hopkins (Texans), Robert Woods (Rams)

LVP: John Brown (Bills)

After Cole Beasley teared up the Cowboys on Thanksgiving, Brown failed to make it back-to-back successful revenge games for the Bills top wideouts. Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphery and Brandon Carr kept the explosive playmaking threat contained all game long as he hauled in just 3 catches for 26 YDS. Brown has struggled a bit over the past few games, failing to reach 40 YDS in 3 straight games after clearing 50 in each of the previous 9. He'll be a shaky WR3 play against a tough Steelers secondary this Sunday.

Dishonorable Mentions: Davante Adams (Packers), Jamison Crowder (Jets), Courtland Sutton (Broncos)

Tight End

MVP: Zach Ertz (Eagles)

With all of their receivers in the morgue and facing an inexplicable 17-3 deficit at home against a Giants squad that hasn't won since September 29th, Carson Wentz fed Ertz like crazy in a not exactly triumphant comeback win for the Eagles last night. The star tight end hauled in both the game-tying and game-winning scores to cap off a 9 REC/91 YDS performance. Fire up Ertz as a TE1 for another good matchup with the Redskins in Week 15. 

Honorable Mentions: Jared Cook (Saints), Noah Fant (Broncos), George Kittle (49ers)

LVP: Kyle Rudolph (Vikings)

Rudolph's recent resurgence as a viable receiving threat took a hit this week. He received only 2 dump-off targets, which he hauled in for a whopping 11 YDS against a Lions secondary that is just about completely decimated at the moment. With the status of Adam Thielen's hamstring continuing to look bleak, Rudolph could conceivably continue to operate as the #3 passing game option behind Stefon Diggs and Dalvin Cook the rest of the way. 

Dishonorable Mentions: David Njoku (Browns), Jack Doyle (Colts), Austin Hooper (Falcons)

Defense/Special Teams

MVP: Steelers

There was no drought in the desert for the Steelers defense. The Cardinals allowed 5 sacks, 3 INT's and a kickoff return TD in a 23-17 victory for a Steelers squad that continues to scratch and claw their way to wins. The Bills will be a plus matchup for this takeaway/sack-happy group in Week 15.  

Honorable Mentions: Rams, Vikings, Browns

LVP: Texans

Anybody who thought this banged-up Texans group had turned a corner after shutting down the Patriots before garbage time in Week 13 got burned big time this week. Outside of a single sack and INT, it was nothing but a house of horrors for Romeo Crennel and co. as their poor play (32 points allowed!!!!) was a big reason why the Drew Lock-led Broncos were able to easily pull off the shocking upset. Steer clear of these soft clowns when they travel to Nashville to take on the redhot Titans on Sunday.

Dishonorable Mentions: Eagles, Jets, Bears 

2019 NFL Power Rankings: Week 15

()=previous ranking

1.(1) Baltimore Ravens (11-2) Week 15 opponent: New York Jets
2.(4) San Francisco 49ers (11-2) Week 15 opponent: Atlanta Falcons
3.(2) New Orleans Saints (10-3) Week 15 opponent: Indianapolis Colts
4.(3) Seattle Seahawks (10-3) Week 15 opponent: Carolina Panthers
5.(9) Green Bay Packers (10-3) Week 15 opponent: Chicago Bears
6.(5) New England Patriots (10-3) Week 15 opponent: Cincinnati Bengals
7.(7) Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) Week 15 opponent: Denver Broncos
8.(6) Buffalo Bills (9-4) Week 15 opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
9.(10) Minnesota Vikings (9-4) Week 15 opponent: Los Angeles Chargers
10.(11) Tennessee Titans (8-5) Week 15 opponent: Houston Texans
11.(12) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) Week 15 opponent: Buffalo Bills
12.(13) Los Angeles Rams (8-5) Week 15 opponent: Dallas Cowboys
13.(8) Houston Texans (8-5) Week 15 opponent: Tennessee Titans
14.(16) Chicago Bears (7-6) Week 15 opponent: Green Bay Packers
15.(15) Indianapolis Colts (6-7) Week 15 opponent: New Orleans Saints
16.(18) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) Week 15 opponent: Detroit Lions
17.(14) Dallas Cowboys (6-7) Week 15 opponent: Los Angeles Rams
18.(19) Cleveland Browns (6-7) Week 15 opponent: Arizona Cardinals
19.(21) Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) Week 15 opponent: Washington Redskins
20.(22) Denver Broncos (5-8) Week 15 opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
21.(17) Oakland Raiders (6-7) Week 15 opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
22.(23) New York Jets (5-8) Week 15 opponent: Baltimore Ravens
23.(24) Los Angeles Chargers (5-8) Week 15 opponent: Minnesota Vikings
24.(26) Atlanta Falcons (4-9) Week 15 opponent: San Francisco 49ers
25.(20) Carolina Panthers (5-8) Week 15 opponent: Seattle Seahawks
26.(29) Miami Dolphins (3-10) Week 15 opponent: New York Giants
27.(28) Washington Redskins (3-10) Week 15 opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
28.(25) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) Week 15 opponent: Oakland Raiders
29.(27) Detroit Lions (3-9-1) Week 15 opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30.(30) Arizona Cardinals (3-9-1) Week 15 opponent: Cleveland Browns
31.(31) New York Giants (2-11) Week 15 opponent: Miami Dolphins
32.(32) Cincinnati Bengals (1-12) Week 15 opponent: New England Patriots

The Best and Worst of Sam Rockwell

“The Best and Worst of” series chronicles the career highlights and lowlights of an actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week, I take a look at the filmography of “Richard Jewell” star Sam Rockwell.

Films starring Sam Rockwell that I've seen:
The Green Mile
Galaxy Quest
Charlie's Angels 
The Hitchiker's Guide to Galaxy
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Choke
Frost/Nixon
Moon
Iron Man 2
Cowboys & Aliens
The Sitter
Seven Psychopaths
The Way, Way Back
Mr. Right
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Vice
Jojo Rabbit

Best Performance: Moon (2009)
It takes a special actor to carry a movie in which they share little or no on-screen time with another live person. Rockwell made this challenge look like a routine task with his work in Duncan Jones' excellent sci-fi drama Moon. His staggering, deeply nuanced performance as an astronaut who learns he's a clone while in the final portion of a three year solo mission maximizes the effectiveness of this claustrophobic psychological high wire act.

Worst Performance: Iron Man 2 (2010)
While the embarrassing theatrics/accent work of Mickey Rourke definitely overshadows him, Rockwell's hammy overacting as secondary villain Justin Hammer is still really egregious and contributed pretty significantly to the flaws that made Iron Man 2 one of Marvel's biggest missteps thus far.

Best Film: The Green Mile (1999)
Frank Darabont's second emotionally-charged prison film of the 90's is a phenomenal movie that I feel has become kind of underrated in recent years. Sure it's sappy as hell, but its unapologetically abundant sentimentality is often overshadowed by the terrific character development, remarkable acting and a flurry of genuinely devastating scenes.

Worst Film: The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
There weren't too many films I saw during my early teenage years that I deeply hated more than The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Two hours of pompous, self-congratulatory humor and convoluted time travel plotting featuring a revolving door of obnoxious characters is a surefire way to spawn a swirling vortex of rage within me.  

Thank you for reading this week's edition of “The Best and Worst of”. The next victim of my praise and ire will be “Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker” star Adam Driver.

The Best and Worst of Daniel Radcliffe

“The Best and Worst of” series chronicles the career highlights and lowlights of an actor starring in one of the week's new theatrical releases. This week, I take a look at the filmography of “Playmobil: The Movie” star Daniel Radcliffe.

Films starring Daniel Radcliffe that I've seen:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
What If?
Horns
Now You See Me 2
Trainwreck
Swiss Army Man
Imperium  

Best Performance: Horns (2014)
After his 10-year run as the face of a beloved franchise concluded in 2011, Radcliffe blazed a trail that was eventually followed by Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and several other actors that spent a good chunk of their early professional lives playing the same popular character by almost exclusively starring in offbeat indie projects in the aftermath of Harry Potter. Of the many interesting parts he took as a result of embarking on this unconventional path, Horns impressed me the most. Radcliffe displays a range that was absent during his time playing Hogwarts' most famous wizard by fearlessly handling the many surprising, morbid turns Alexandre Aja's dark fantasy flick takes.    

Worst Performance: Imperium (2016)
On the negative side of Radcliffe's bold post-Harry Potter resume sits Imperium. While it's far from a terrible performance, Radcliffe is too restrained to be fully convincing as an undercover FBI agent that infiltrates a Nazi group that's believed to be planning a bombing in Virginia.

Best Film: Trainwreck (2015)
Romantic comedies have made a hell of a comeback in recent years. Films like The Big Sick, Crazy Rich Asians and Set It Up have managed to recapture the public's interest in this light, feel-good subgenre after going through a bit of a down period earlier in this decade. If I was to credit just one project as the catalyst for this resurgence, it would be Trainwreck. Amy Schumer's big screen debut brought the traditional romcom structure into the modern day by having a story led by an imperfect character that is afraid to commit to a long-term relationship while also delivering the required dose of heartwarming charm and big laughs.

Worst Film: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2005)
As you can easily deduce from reading the list of Radcliffe films I've seen above, I'm not a Harry Potter fan. The franchise just failed to ever really connect with me and I never even bothered to finish the series. Of the four entries I've seen, the only one I have a truly negative opinion of is Prisoner of Azkaban. I just remember sitting in theater being bored out of my skull and questioning why Gary Oldman's Sirius Black looked like some kind of Goth Jesus.  

Thank you for reading this week's edition of “The Best and Worst of”. The next victim of my praise and ire will be “Richard Jewell” star Sam Rockwell. 

Week 13 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers: 2019 Edition

Quarterback
MVP: Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
There are few better remedies for busting out of a slump than a date with the Giants. Rodgers shook off the stink of his ghastly Week 12 primetime dud against the 49ers with a 243/4 TD/0 turnover performance against the dreadful defense of the G-Men. He'll look to beat up on another poor NFC East team this week when he squares off against the Redskins.  
Honorable Mentions: Deshaun Watson (Texans), Carson Wentz (Eagles), Tom Brady (Patriots)

LVP: Drew Brees (Saints)
Brees wasn't asked to do much (184 YDS/1 TD/0 turnovers) as the sloppiness of the Falcons allowed the Saints to win comfortably on Thanksgiving night, which resulted in his fantasy owners feeling disappointed by his output in a matchup against this terrible D for the 2nd time in the past month. Brees, who has been terrific in non-Falcons matchups since returning from a thumb injury in Week 8,  will be a low-end QB1 this week when the 10-2 49ers come to the Superdome.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jameis Winston (Buccaneers), Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers), Sam Darnold (Jets)

Running Back
MVP: James White (Patriots)
As ugly as the Patriots performance was in Houston on Sunday night, their fans (as well as his fantasy owners) have to be thrilled that they finally managed to get White heavily involved in the offense after 10 games of largely mediocre-to-bad production. White was arguably the best player on the field for the Pats in this shocking road loss, managing 177 scrimmage YDS (79 rushing, 98 receiving) and a pair of TD catches on 22 touches. Considering the ineffectiveness of Sony Michel and lack of options Tom Brady trusts in the passing game, White could very well be in line for a workload like this every week moving forward.
Honorable Mentions: Derrius Guice (Redskins), Rashaad Penny (Seahawks), Derrick Henry (Titans)

LVP: Aaron Jones (Packers)
Oh the plight of Jones...… The comically erratic Packers back somehow managed to get stifled by the horrid Giants defense, mustering an embarrassing 31 scrimmage YDS (18 rushing, 13 receiving) on 15 touches. Knowing how Jones operates, he'll probably go off against the Redskins sneaky solid run D this week.
Dishonorable Mentions: Le'Veon Bell (Jets), Jonathan Williams (Colts), Mark Ingram (Ravens)

Wide Receiver 
MVP: DeVante Parker (Dolphins)
There's a new explosive playmaking receiver in town and his name is... DeVante Parker?!?!?! The previously injury-prone, largely ineffective Louisville product continued his strong 2019 by annihilating an Eagles secondary (7 REC/159 YDS/2 TD) that wasn't ready to play in the South Florida heat. Parker has been the clear MVP of late on this largely stagnant offense and should remain on the WR2/WR3 borderline for the rest of the season.
Honorable Mentions: Kenny Golladay (Lions), Courtland Sutton (Broncos), Davante Adams (Packers)

LVP: Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)
It's evident that the bone bruise that knocked Lockett out of the 49ers game a couple of weeks back is still hurting him. Lockett looked tremendously uncomfortable once again last night and it resulted in him failing to register a catch against a very beatable Vikings secondary. He'll be a hard guy to trust as long as he continues to play at less than 100%.
Dishonorable Mentions: Odell Beckham Jr. (Browns), Christian Kirk (Cardinals), Jamison Crowder (Jets)

Tight End
MVP: Jack Doyle (Colts)
Apparently Eric Ebron being placed on IR was all Doyle needed to flourish. The veteran secured 6 catches for 73 YDS and a TD in a painful loss to the surging Titans on Sunday afternoon. Feel free to fire up Doyle as a starter in Week 14 when the Colts host the Buccaneers and their bottom-ranked pass defense.
Honorable Mentions: Jason Witten (Cowboys), Kyle Rudolph (Vikings), Mark Andrews (Ravens)

LVP: Hunter Henry (Chargers)
Henry's hot streak since returning from injury in Week 6 has finally come to a close. He was pretty much invisible for 4 quarters against the Broncos, finishing the game with only 2 catches for 10 YDS. This weekly high-end TE1 option will look to get back on track against a Jaguars defense that is playing as bad as any group in the league right now.
Dishonorable Mentions: George Kittle (49ers), Jonnu Smith (Titans), Zach Ertz (Eagles)

Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Titans 
There wasn't much the Titans defense didn't do against the Colts on Sunday. They truly stuffed the stat sheet with a 3 sack/2 INT/2 BLK Kick/FUM REC/TD performance. The Titans have been a sneaky solid fantasy play for most of the season, but after this week's showdown with the rapidly imploding Raiders, they won't be a great option for the rest of the fantasy playoffs (their week 15 and 16 opponents are the Texans and Saints).
Honorable Mentions: Rams, Saints, Steelers

LVP: Eagles
The poor souls that trusted the Eagles defense got burned in a big way once again this week. Despite registering 3 sacks and an early INT on Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins offense hung 37 points on Jim Schwartz's previously vaunted unit. This group can not be counted on to deliver in any matchup, but I'm sure plenty of people will trot them out again when they go against the Giants generous offense next Monday.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jets, Chargers, Browns