Week Eleven's Top Performers and Under Achievers

A Running Back in a Quarter Backs league.

If you recall last week's "Top Performers" article I made the point that based off fantasy scoring alone one could make the overwhelming case that the NFL is a QB's league. This Sunday the prosecution presented more evidence in the case of QB vs. everyone else as 6 out of the top 10 scorers were QBs. More notable names from Ben Roethlisberger (18/29 275 yards 3 tds plus a rushing td), Aaron Rodgers (22/31 301 yards 4 scores), and Drew Brees (29/43 382 yards and 4 tds) to the emerging Ryan Fitzpatrick (21/34 316 yards and 4 scores) who along with top performing RB Fred Jackson (21 carries for 116 yards and 2 scores), and top performing WR Steve Johnson (8 receptions for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns) made an amazing comeback against the cardiac cats in Cincinnati all but sealing another head coaching vacancy at seasons end.

Elsewhere, some guys who need to start playing like their paycheck demands, had some subpar games. In Tennessee, against a Redskins D that has let anyone and everyone score on them, the only thing Vince Young (12/16 165 yards) accomplished was getting benched in favor of rookie QB Rusty Smith. Meanwhile in Carolina, against a Panthers running defense that would let Barry Switzer rush for 100+ yards, Willis McGahee managed to rush 8 times for 23 yards and caught an amazing 2 catches for -10 yards! Furthermore in Dallas, Roy E. Williams is still continued to be haunted by the injury of Tony Romo and the new look Garrett Cowboys as he made it 5 straight weeks without a touchdown catching 2 passes for 20 yards. In the didn't know two guys who play the same position for different teams have the exact same name section of fantasy football Zack Miller of the Jaguars caught more passes and yards (3-27) as a backup to Mercedes Lewis then the Raiders starter Zack Miller (2-9).

In case you were looking for it, Brent Celek went 0-0-0 once again Sunday not receiving a single target from Vick against the Giants. That makes for an astounding 4 catches for 16 yards over the last 4 games. The FANTASY BLACK HOLE consumes another performance by Celek.

Week Nine Top Performers and Under Achievers

Week Nine thus far was the week of the RB as 3 out of the top 5 fantasy scorer's were RB's. If this were the NBA Peyton Hillis would be making strong considerations for comeback player of the year as he continues to make Josh McDaniel look stupid for trading him to Cleveland for a 3rd string QB in Brady Quinn. Meanwhile in Houston Arian Foster took on the bulk of the Texans offense in a losing effort to the surging Chargers, and Adrian Peterson worked to help keep Brad Childress employed for another week in Minnesota.

Here are your week nine top scorers:

• Against the Patriots Hillis rushed 29 times for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns. 
• Arian Foster had a combined 197 yards and 3 touchdowns, nearly 4, against the Chargers. 
• Adrian Peterson had 81 yards on the ground, and 63 through the air with 2 touchdowns against AZ. 
• The Cowboys and Jon Kitna kept up their losing ways by giving the Packers defense 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and scoring only one touchdown (a pass from Kitna to Dez Bryant) on them in a lopsided defeat. 
• As I tweeted last night; you could give Philip Rivers a couple of homeless guys and he would find them in the end zone. Rivers threw for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns; 2 a piece to a backup Te (Randy McMichael and Seyi Ajirotuto)

On the flip side here are some guys who underperformed you into a possibly loss yesterday:

• Matt Schaub was mediocre again yesterday as he threw for 267 yards and 1 score plus an interception. And you spent a 4th round pick on him?
• How do you follow up a 117 yard/ 2 touchdown performance against the Vikings? You run 9 times for 14 yards marking the first time in 6 weeks he didn't find the end zone. 
• One trade that McDaniels may have gotten right was the Brandon Marshall trade. Or maybe it's just that Chad Henne is an interception waiting to happen. Marshall hauled in 5 receptions for 30 yards. Save the Sunday night game against the Jets Marshall has no touchdowns for the season. 
• He's owned in over 80% of standard leagues, was probably started in most due to a 6 team bye week, and yielded his owners a 0 receptions for 0 yards performance equalling 0 points combined over the last two weeks. And you still own him why?

Check back for later for Week 9 trends and topics...

Week Seven Starters and Bench Warmers

Touchdowns? Yes, I know them. 

Before we begin remember if you have anyone in your starting lineup from the Jets, Houston, Indianapolis, or Detroit to show them their way to the bench for the weekend.

Week Seven Starters:

QB, Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos: this week, at home, Denver faces the 13th ranked passing defense in Oakland, however, giving up only 197 ypg is only half the story. The Raiders have given up 12 touchdowns while only intercepting the ball twice! Combine that with a rushing game that is poor to say the least and we have the recipe for a killer fantasy game for Orton.

QB, Matt Cassel, KC Chiefs: albeit against the worst pass defense in the league last week, Houston, Cassel looked great throwing the ball downfield for 20/29 for 189 yards and 3 scores. Now back at Arrowhead, never underestimate the power of home field advantage in KC, Cassel faces the 30th ranked passing defense in Jacksonville who has given up 14 touchdowns to opposing QB's this year. Combine the fact their offense is starting their 3rd string QB, plus the only legitimate scoring threat for the Jaguars in MJD will be contained by KC's 3rd ranking rushing defense means more on field time for Cassel which will mean more points for you.

RB, Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams: after driving his owners crazy all year Jackson finally scored his first touchdown last week against the Chargers, and has a favorable matchup this week against the 28th ranked rushing defense in Tampa Bay. Although Tampa has only given up 4 scores all year to opposing RB's, they are giving up the 2nd most yards per game of any team in 157 per game.

RB, Chris Ivory, NO Saints: with Pierre Thomas still out Chris Ivory looks to be the #1 back again this week. Last week Ivory blew the walls down with a 158 yards on 15 carries performance, and faces a Cincinnati team that gives up 111 yards per game to opposing RB's. The Bengals boast the 6th ranked pass defense in the league and look to keep Brees and company in check. However, remember once Thomas and Reggie Bush return back from injuries Ivory's value will diminish greatly.

WR, Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles: with Desean Jackson out with a concussion Maclin looks to be the deep ball threat in Philadelphia's offense as he was last week against Atlanta pulling in 7 catches for 159 yards and 2 scores. This week, on the road, the Eagles face the Titans who are giving up 257 ypg to opposing WR's. Look for coach Andy Reid to throw the ball a lot due to a revamped Tennessee rushing defense who has only given up 1 touchdown, while forcing 5 fumbles through 6 games.

TE, Ben Watson, Cleveland Browns: this is purely based on the fact that some top TE's are on bye, or out for several weeks due to injury, this week and Watson will give you some needed production among TE's that are virtually available in all standard leagues. Leading the team in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns Watson showed himself to be a safety target for Rookie QB Colt McCoy last week against the Steelers. This week Watson faces a Saints defense that has given up at least 6 receptions/ 60 yards to teams that use their tight ends regularly. With two of the Browns WR's questionable/out this week with concussions Watson should get more then the majority of passes from McCoy.

D-ST, KC Chiefs: the Jaguars offense looked horrible Monday night against the Titans at home, and things look no better Sunday on the road at Kansas City. Unless David Garrard passes his concussion tests Sunday (he has not practices all week) recently signed Todd Bouman will start. Who ever starts for the Jags will spell trouble for their passing game which in turn means heavy doses of MJD. However, the Chiefs rank 3rd in rush defense giving up only 90 ypg.

These guys deserve a nice welcome to your bench for this weekend:

QB, Alex Smith, SF 49ers: don't jump on this bandwagon too fast. Despite throwing 5 td's over the past two weeks Smith faces the 2nd ranked passing defense in Carolina who has more takeaways then touchdowns given up (9/7) through 6 games. Now while Smith may find the end zone it will only be after a couple of turnovers (averaging 2 per game), and Frank Gore finds the end zone again. The Panthers have given up rushing totals of 120-52-112-114-209 to opposing running backs, and Gore looks to continue this trend Sunday.

RB, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars: see Chiefs Defense above.

WR, Deion Branch, NE Patriots: who needs Randy Moss when Branch can bring in 9 receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown? Despite being the new go to guy for Brady in the 4th quarter; Branch faces a tough contest this Sunday at San Diego. Combine the fact he plays for an east coast team going out west with the undeniable stats that the Chargers D plays so much better at home then on the road and the matchup doesn't look favorable. In 2 home games the Chargers D has forced 6 interceptions, sacked opposing QB's 11 times while only allowing 1 touchdown and 183 ypg.

TE, Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles: the Titans defense against TE's at home and on the road is a tale of night and day. Against opposing TE's they give up on average 3.33 receptions, 18 ypg, and no scores at home. Celek is already hampered by a wrist injury and his stats on the road are enough to bench him (3.33 receptions per game, 37 ypg, and only 1 td through 3 games).