Fantasy Fact No. 3: West is weak
Cold, Hard Fantasy Facts for August 14, 2007

If you're putting together your final fantasy rankings, you might want to slide your AFC North fantasy studs up the list a couple of spots.

 

Why? They're fortunate enough to match up with the NFC West for interdivisional play this year – and that means scoring aplenty.

 

In 2006, the NFC West was worst among the eight divisions in scoring defense – the third season in a row they've landed that dubious honor.

 

Together, the Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals and 49ers allowed an average of 23.8 points a game last year, well ahead of the NFC East at 22.2.

 

The AFC West drew the lucky straw in 2006 and got to play the NFC West four times last year, and the numbers were staggering:  

• San Diego: 41.5 pts vs. NFC West, 25.5 vs. rest of league
• Kansas City: 32.5 pts vs. NFC West, 16.7 vs. rest of league
• Denver: 22.5 pts vs. NFC West, 19.1 vs. rest of league
• Oakland: 10.5 pts vs. NFC West, 10.5 vs. rest of league
  Average: 28.0 vs. NFC West, 17.9 vs. rest of league

The Chiefs doubled their normal output against the weak West, and RB Larry Johnson had eight TDs and 637 yards of total offense in those four games. His phone bill must have been through the roof with all of those thank-you calls to the West Coast.

 

If you really want to win your league, circle those NFC West games in red Sharpie – and remember who told you first.