The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current, December 07, 2018, Image 14

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The times., December 07, 2018, Image 14

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Newspaper Page Text4B Friday, December 7, 2018 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com NFL NOTES Shanahan off to rough start with 49ers San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, left, gestures toward line judge Sarah Thomas during the second half of a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 9 in Santa Clara, California. Associated Press Kyle Shanahan’s coaching ten ure hasn’t quite gotten off to the greatest start in San Francisco. He lost his first nine games with the 49ers last year before the arrival of Jimmy Garoppolo provided a late-season spark with five straight wins to close a 6-10 campaign. With Garoppolo sidelined by a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 this year, the Niners have started the season 2-10 for the sec ond straight year under Shanahan. Shanahan is just the fifth coach to begin his tenure with a team by going 2-10 or worse in each of his first two sea sons. Cleveland’s Hue Jackson (2016-17), Detroit’s Jim Schwartz (2009-10), Tampa Bay’s Leeman Bennett (1985-86) and Tampa’s John McKay (1976-77) are the others. Bennett got fired after his sec ond season and Jackson didn’t make it through his third with the Browns. Schwartz and McKay stayed long enough to lead their teams into the playoffs, progress Shanahan hopes to be able to make with the 49ers. “I’d love it to be a lot more obvi ous and a lot easier,” he said. “We finished 6-10 last year and I’d love to be improving from this year. I also know it was hard work to get to 6-10, especially starting 0-9.1 think we came in this year with a franchise quar terback and we lost him early in the season, which definitely makes that much harder. “I think we came here knowing that it was going to take some time. I think the way we fin ished last year definitely excels everyone’s feeling and what they thought. But, by no means did I think we were coming into it this year and it was just going to be easy.” Here’s a look inside some more MARCIO SANCHEZ I The Associated Press interesting numbers heading into Week 13: ELITE COMPANY: Todd Gur ley of the Rams finds himself in exclusive company. He has gained 1,649 yards from scrimmage and scored 19 TDs so far this season. Only six players have topped those marks in the first 12 games, includ ing Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (2006), Emmitt Smith (1995), Eric Dickerson (1983), O.J. Simpson (1975), Jim Brown (1965). Priest Holmes is the other, doing it in 2002. TOUCHDOWN TOM: Tom Brady’s next touchdown pass will move him past a couple of all-time greats. Brady is currently tied with Brett Favre for third place for the most regular-season TD passes with 508. Brady is also tied with Peyton Manning for the most ever combined in the regular season and playoffs with 579. PROLIFIC PAT: Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is joining some special company in his first sea son as a starting quarterback. He joined Brady and Manning as the only players to throw at least 40 TD passes in the first 12 games of the season. Manning and Brady each won the MVP in the seasons they accomplished the feat. Garoppolo FANTASY FOOTBALL It’s playoff time in most fantasy leagues, so if you’re still contending for a title it probably means you had a crafty draft, timely waiver wire moves and a fortunate bounce or two along the way. Now, the job is shifting. Week 14 is also the last week of the regular season in a host of leagues. Weather could be a factor this week in some games, but the objective is the same as it was in September: win. START: Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys: Performing at a WR1 level, Cooper has caught 16 of 17 targets in the past two weeks and will have a great opportunity to continue his pace against an Eagles pass defense that is 30th in fantasy points allowed to opposing receiv ers. Cooper was targeted 10 times in the Week 10 vic tory at Philadelphia and will see a similar volume of tar gets from quarterback Dak Prescott. The Eagles have allowed 47 completions of better than 20 yards, which plays well for Cooper’s chances. SIT: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: The touchdowns haven’t been there for Brady, who has just four scoring tosses in his last five games, including a pair of zeroes in Weeks 8 and 10. With the emergence of rookie running back Sony Michel, the need for Brady to air it out has lessened. He’s also been less than stel lar throughout his career at Miami, who is second in the league with 19 interceptions. Unless he’s the only avail able option, look elsewhere. START: Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens: Since being plugged into the lineup, Edwards has averaged 105 yards per game. Now he gets a Chiefs defense that is 31st in fantasy points per game allowed to opposing running backs. Edwards has just one touchdown this season, a total that should go up considering that Kansas City has given up 14 rushing scores and a hefty 5.1 yards per carry. He’s a borderline RBI with potential to put up monster numbers. SIT: Marlon Mack, RB, Colts: Out of the frying pan that was the Jaguars’ defense and into the fire of a blistering hot Texans D goes Mack, who had just eight carries for 27 yards last week against Jackson ville. His production could be further carved if India napolis must go pass-heavy, as rookie Nyheim Hines will see more touches. Houston is fifth in the league against the run, and only the Bears (four) and Patriots (five) have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns than the Texans with six. Mack is too risky, especially in PPR formats. START: David Njoku, TE, Browns: Inconsistent of late, Njoku has just 12 targets in his last three games but will have the opportunity to reward faithful fantasy owners against a Panthers defense that is the worst at stopping opposing tight ends. Carolina has allowed at least DANNY KARNIK I Associated Press Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) makes the catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) during the second half of the game Nov. 18 in Atlanta. two touchdown passes nine times this season and with Cleveland looking to avoid the Panthers’ fifth-ranked run defense, it’s easy to see quarterback Baker Mayfield making Njoku a focal point of the offense, especially in the red zone. SIT: Jared Goff, QB, Rams: Yes, Goff has led many a fantasy team to postseason glory, but start ing him against the Bears could lead to a one-and-done sce nario. Game time temps will be in the upper 20s and the only thing colder than the weather are opposing pass ers against the Chi cago defense, which leads the league with 21 interceptions while allowing just five touchdown passes in the last five games. The risk-reward that comes with starting Goff on Sunday night leans heavily to the risk category. START: Adam Humphries, WR, Bucca neers: He has thrived in the wake of DeSean Jackson’s absence, catching touch downs in each of his last three games. Humphries will have every oppor tunity to extend his scoring streak against a Saints defense that is the worst in fantasy points per game allowed to oppos ing receivers, as his sure hands have caught 16 of 20 targets in the past three weeks. With this game a potential offensive free- for-all, add Humphries as a WR3/flex. SIT: Alshon Jeffrey, WR, Eagles: Fantasy own ers would love to know the whereabouts of Jeffrey, who hasn’t scored since Week 7 and has failed to exceed 50 receiving yards in his last five games. There’s little reason to envision Jeffery reviving his fortunes against a Cowboys pass defense that is sixth in fewest receiving yards allowed and is tied for third with just 16 touchdown passes allowed. START: Aaron Jones, RB, Packers: After rush ing for only 36 yards last week against the Cardinals, Jones is a strong rebound candidate when he squares up against the Falcons, who are 27th against the run and giving up 4.9 yards per carry. He did score last week, marking four straight games with a touchdown. Jones could finally see a more extensive workload under interim coach Joe Philbin. SIT: Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks: It’s tough to bench a quarterback who has thrown multiple touch downs in eight straight games, but Wilson is fac ing a Vikings pass defense that has been in lockdown mode in the past month. Minnesota is ninth in few est passing yards allowed and has contained the likes of Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady over the last five games, surrendering a combined four touchdown passes in the same span. Wil son hasn’t run much this sea son, but a Vikings pass rush that has recorded 36 sacks will force him to be more run-centric. Goff Humphries Peppers, Miller among Man of the Year finalists Associated Press Julius Peppers, Von Miller and Vernon Davis are among the 32 nominees announced Thurs day for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Unlike in the past, when three finalists were selected before a recipient was cho sen, one player from every NFL team is a finalist. All will be recognized and participate in NFL func tions during Super Bowl week. The Man of the Year will be revealed at NFL Honors, when The Associ ated Press’ individual NFL awards are announced Feb. 2 in Atlanta. The Man of the Year is honored for outstanding community service off the field as well as excellence on it. It was established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 for the Hall of Fame run ning back. “The Man of the Year Award gives us the oppor tunity to acknowledge 32 exemplary players whose commitment to excellence extends on and off the field,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “This year’s nominees have used their platforms to trans form communities across the country. We are proud of their work and celebrate their dedication and impact through this award.” A total of $500,000 will be donated in the name of the 2018 recipient, with $250,000 going to Character Play- book, the NFL and United Way’s digital character education pro gram. An addi tional donation of $250,000 will be made to the char ity of his choice. The other 31 finalists will receive a donation of $50,000 in their name to expand Character Play- book, and an additional donation of up to $50,000 to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation, United Way Worldwide, and Nationwide, the pre senter of the Walter Payton Award. “There’s nothing like being able to make a dif ference amongst those who are seeking empowerment and those who yearn to be inspired,” Davis said. “If I can encourage our youth to explore and do what ever it is they aspire to do, from painting to playing the flute, that fills my heart with joy and motivates me to do even more. Making a change one day at a time is what I live for.” Jets nominee Kelvin Bea- chum was awed to be con nected with Payton. “It’s a tremendous honor,” the offen sive tackle said. “Just the name Walter Payton, he’s the gold stan dard. What he did off the field and on the field, his excel lence is bar none, top in history. So to be mentioned in the same name and the same breath as him, it’s truly humbling.” The five current players who have won the award — Drew Brees, Thomas Davis, Larry Fitzgerald, Eli Manning and J.J. Watt — wear a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys. Peppers Brees Finalists ■ Arizona Cardinals: Antoine Bethea ■ Atlanta Falcons: Grady Jarrett ■ Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Carr ■ Buffalo Bills: Lorenzo Alexander ■ Carolina Panthers: Julius Peppers ■ Chicago Bears: Trey Burton ■ Cincinnati Bengals: Carlos Dunlap ■ Cleveland Browns: Christian Kirksey ■ Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott ■ Denver Broncos: Von Miller ■ Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford ■ Green Bay Packers: Kenny Clark ■ Houston Texans: Whitney Mercilus ■ Indianapolis Colts: Jabaal Sheard ■ Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles ■ Kansas City Chiefs: Dustin Colquitt ■ Los Angeles Chargers: Corey Liuget ■ Los Angeles Rams: Andrew Whitworth ■ Miami Dolphins: Kenny Stills ■ Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Rudolph ■ New England Patriots: Devin McCourty ■ New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram ■ New York Giants: Michael Thomas ■ New York Jets: Kelvin Beachum ■ Oakland Raiders: Marshawn Lynch ■ Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Long ■ Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Heyward ■ San Francisco 49ers: Robbie Gould ■ Seattle Seahawks: K.J. Wright ■ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy ■ Tennessee Titans: Jurrell Casey ■ Washington Redskins: Vernon Davis Associated Press Cooper, Humphries hot as playoff stretch begins Associated Press Sav ed You - Mr. NilS % UW OU LD!1av 2011-201? ’Xn'-zo, ? INTRODUCING Little & Davenport Funeral Home To inquire about pricing packages available to memorialize a pet in print, please contact Megan Lewis at 770-535-6371 or mlewis@gainesvilletimes.com Pets at Peace will appear in The Times the last Sunday of each month.