Ed Barkowitz | Brady halfway there on way to a record season
MANY OF TOM Brady's numbers this season are astounding, but none more so than his 30 touchdown passes and two interceptions.
Astounding is one word. Historic might be more appropriate.
Because the Patriots are at the halfway point, the projections are easy. Thirty TD passes through eight games puts Brady on a pace for 60. His 2,431 passing yards projects to 4,862. Not bad for a guy who was selected in the mid-second round in many fantasy leagues and even later in others.
How's that feel, Frank Gore owners? Shaun Alexander, anyone?
Brady is chasing Peyton Manning's 2004 mark of 49 touchdown passes. Manning eclipsed the 48 thrown by Dan Marino in 1984, a record once revered like Roger Maris' 61 homers. But unlike that record, this will not become meaningless.
Brady already has set one record, with at least three TD passes in each of the first eight games, and can now take aim at another. Through eight games of their record-setting seasons, Manning had 26 touchdown passes and Marino had 24. Again, Brady has 30.
The fantasy implications of Sunday's Patriots-Colts game will be numerous. Play everybody.
On the health front, Patriots tight end Ben Watson (ankle) has returned to limited practice, but still needs to be monitored throughout the weekend. For the Colts, the status of receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) is in doubt. It's no stretch to think he sat out Sunday's contest against the NFC Panthers as a precaution for this weekend's mega AFC tilt.
Here's hoping it is the shootout everyone expects and Brady takes a few more steps toward Manning's record . . . unless you're playing against him, of course.
Contest of the Week
How many combined passing yards will Brady and Manning accumulate? They come into Sunday averaging a combined 566 yards. The reader who comes closest to the actual total will win a Daily News T-shirt. As a tiebreaker, include both quarterbacks' total passing yards.
Send your guess by fax (215-854-5524) or e-mail (fantasyfootball@phillynews.com) by 3 p.m. Sunday.
Last week's result
We asked for your toughest loss of the season and there were some heartbreakers. The one suffered Monday by Tommy Macchi, of Yardley, tops the list.
Macchi had a slight edge heading into the game, which got more comfortable when his kicker, Denver's Jason Elam, hit the field goal that sent the game into overtime. Problem was his opponent had Greg Jennings, who hauled in an 85-yard touchdown in OT to give the Packers the win and Macchi a devastating loss.
Perhaps a Daily News fantasy football T-shirt will brighten his spirits.
Three Up
* Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks: The favorable matchup against the Browns is one reason to play Hasselbeck. The expected return of receiver D.J. Hackett and possible return of Deion Branch is another.
* Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills: This is the week Lynch cracks 100 yards rushing. Would asking for multiple touchdowns be too greedy?
* LenDale White, RB, Titans: Have you noticed White's recent spurt has given him superior numbers to college teammate Reggie Bush in rushing yards (513 to 362), touchdowns (4-3) and 100-yard games (2-0).
