HOT | NOT

ROCKY ROAD

Colorado (72--87) capped a forgettable season by losing nine in a row over the last two weeks, thanks in part to a September ERA of 4.64 and an anemic offensive output; before Sunday the Rox had just 174 hits and 77 RBIs this month.

NO PROBLEM, HOUSTON

True, they've beaten nobodies, but QB Case Keenum (1,534 yards, 12 TDs) and the Cougars (4--0) have FBS's top-rated passing attack. Only downside for Keenum: Houston won't play a ranked team all year, likely dousing his Heisman bid.

NO HEAVEN FOR NUMBER 11

Denny Hamlin's Sprint Cup hopes died on Sunday with a 29th-place finish in Loudon, N.H., that left him 12th and last in the Chase standings. Hamlin, who won eight races in 2010 but just one so far in '11, said after the race, "It's painful at this moment."

R.A. IS A—O.K.

Mets' knuckleballer R.A. Dickey was perfect through seven innings against the Phillies, ending his season with a 3.28 ERA. With last year's 2.84, Dickey, 37, is the oldest pitcher since 1945 to have his first two sub-3.50 ERAs in consecutive years.

RAIDER SAVIOR

Darren McFadden hasn't finished a game with fewer than 142 total yards this season, and his two TDs (including an electrifying 70-yard run) sealed Oakland's 34--24 win over the Jets on Sunday. Fantasy advice? Do not trade this man.

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RUSSELL LANSFORD/ICON SMI (ROCKIES' ERIC YOUNG JR.)

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THOMAS CAMPBELL/US PRESSWIRE (KEENUM)

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TOM WHITMORE/GETTY IMAGES FOR NASCAR (HAMLIN)

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GREG FIUME/GETTY IMAGES (DICKEY)

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KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT/US PRESSWIRE (MCFADDEN)