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 Ten Stock Up/Down

Jon Kitna = fantasy gold for Dez Bryant owners

The backup Qb position has been a problem for the Cowboys the past few years as Tony Romo has been replaced by the stellar work of Brad Johnson and more recently Jon Kitna. The play at QB is affecting more then just the Cowboys record, and more recently Wade Phillip's employment status. It is also hampering two of Dallas best WR's in Miles Austin and Roy Williams.

Before Romo's week 7 injury at the hands of the Giants Austin and Williams had combined for 4 100+ yard games and 7 touchdowns. Since Kitna has been at the helm Austin and Williams have combined for 1 100+ yard game and 0 touchdowns. Williams who was finally having a breakout season has been limited to 2 catches for 27 yards over this 3 game stretch making him almost fantasy irrelevant. The firing of Phillips and promotion of Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett to Head Coach improves the stock of Austin and Williams, however, until Romo is back the poor fantasy numbers for Miles and Williams should continue.

On the other hand, one gleam of light has emerged from this dumpster fire of a situation and he is first round selection Dez Bryant. Whether it's in the red zone or in garbage time Kitna has been looking for Bryant to the tune of 224 yards and 3 touchdowns tripling his touchdown performance and out gaining his yardage compared to the previous 5 weeks combined! Furthermore, Kitna has been looking his way more and more each week as his receptions and yards have been increasing.

If you're going to play a Dallas WR Bryant looks like your only safe pick until Garrett or Kitna changes something.

Week Eight Injury Report

Looking for a 2nd Opinion; anyone?

• RB, Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns: until further notice Hillis will remain on this list with a thigh injury.
• QB, Alex Smith,. SF 49ers: questionable to play Sunday against Denver with a shoulder injury. 
• RB, Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans: probable for Sunday with a thigh injury. 
• TE, Antonio Gates, SD Chargers: probable for Sunday with a lingering toe injury.
• QB, Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: out indefinitely with a fractured collar bone.
• RB, Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams: questionable for Sunday after having surgery on a finger yesterday. 
• WR, Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts: out indefinitely with a wrist injury. 
• RB, Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions: still hampered with turf toe will be playing at home on artificial turf. 
• WR, Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions: probable against Washington with a shoulder injury. 
• WR, Malcolm Floyd, SD Chargers: questionable with a hamstring issue; will most likely miss this weeks game. 
• QB, David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars: questionable for Sunday against the Cowboys with concussion like symptoms. 
• RB, Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts: questionable against Houston still hampered by a shoulder injury. 

Week Seven Injury Report

Run DMC could be back this Sunday

Welcome to concussion city! Population: a guy that will be questionable to out for next week.

• Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins: Ryan appeared in the Redskins locker room with his left knee heavily wrapped but indicated that he was fine. 
• Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders: will test his hamstring Wednesday at practice to see if he can at full speed yet. 
• Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns: is still listed as probable with a thigh injury for this Sundays game against the Saints. 
• Lasean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles: is probable for this Sunday with a rib injury.
• Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: probable with a thumb injury, but looks like a non-issue as of now. 
• David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars: questionable with a concussion. 
• Vince Young, Tennessee Titans: questionable with a sprained knee. However, Kerry Collins looked good handling this offense.
• Donald Driver, GB Packers: sidelined with a thigh injury he is questionable but expected to play this Sunday. 
• Donovan McNabb, Washington Redskins: hampered by a hamstring injury he is still expected to start against the Bears. 
• Nate Kaeding, SD Chargers: not expected to play Sunday, but no replacement has been named yet either. 
• Vernon Davis, SF 49ers: day to day with a knee injury; Davis is questionable for next week against Carolina. 
• Eddie Royal, Denver Broncos: questionable for next week with a hamstring injury. 

Week Five Scoring Leaders

406 yards and 3 tds can go a long way

After a day that saw so much parody within a season that has been nothing but strange we bring you week five scoring leaders by position...

QB, Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: despite throwing 3 interceptions Romo had a stellar day throwing for 406 yards on 31/46 and three touchdowns.

RB, Matt Forte, Carolina Panthers: after running for 55 yards in the last two week Forte showed yet again why you were afraid to spend a 1/2 pick on him. On 22 carries Forte ran for 166 yards and two touchdowns. With Todd Collins playing QB this week Forte became the only real offensive threat for this team, and showed once again why, under Martz, he is a worthy start.

WR, Malcolm Floyd, WR: when your special teams lets you down, and your QB has to throw the ball to get your team back in the game someone has to catch those passes. Floyd became the major recipient of those throws amassing 213 yards on 8 catches with one score.

TE, Mercedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars: he played the Bills, check. The Bills give up uber points to tight ends, check. David Garrard looks for Lewis in the red zone, check. Yeah, it made for a great day and it was with 4 receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

Other guys showing up big fantasy wise Sunday:

• Ray Rice; nice to see you still play. 27 carries for 133 yards and 2 scores
• The Lions and Raiders defenses; the unpredictability of special teams play
• Chris Johnson, only because of a late interception and kick off return that both should have been taken to the house. Instead Johnson got two goal line carries and cashed in on them both. 
• Hakeem Nicks; you read it here Saturday to play him. 12 receptions for 130 yards and 2 scores. 

How about some guys who underperformed Sunday...

QB, Matt Schaub, Houston Texans: How does 3 sacks, 3 turnovers, no touchdowns, and only 196 yards sound? By the way if you were counting on Peyton Manning to show up big vs. the KC Chiefs appears you had another thing coming. 

RB, Ryan Matthews, San Diego Chargers: it seemed risky to tell people to sit Ryan Matthews, but after a 9 carries for 59 yards day you understand why. Also, seems funny how once again his running mate Tolbert ended up more points them him for 4th straight week. 

WR, Chad Ochocinco, Cincanatti Bengals: I would call out Dwayne Bowe who has 1 touchdown through 4 games and is averaging just a touch under 40 ypg, but calling out Ochocinco is much funner. Since garbage time against the Pats in week one Chad has no touchdowns and is averaging just about 40 ypg himself. Yesterday he was under average catching 2 balls for 23 yards. 

TE, Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts: in only his second game this season without a touchdown Clark was held to 20 yards on 3 receptions. Call it the Chiefs D, a bad day for Manning, or too many receiving options for the Colts this unlikely performance should not be repeated in week six against the Redskins who gave up their only touchdown to a Packers TE.