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 10 Top Performers, & Under Achievers

I throw 4 touchdowns and we still can't win?

If you don't believe that the NFL is a QB's league then open up your eyes and look around. 4 out of the top 5 fantasy scorers Sunday were QB's; while 8 out of the top 15 were QB's. Coincidentally those top 4 QB's came from only 2 games (KC vs. Denver & Pittsburgh vs. New England); in which all 4 combined for 14 touchdowns, and over 1,500 yards of passing.

Statistically the top QB and WR came from the KC side of the ball as Matt Cassel went 35/49 for 4 scores throwing 2 of those touchdown to Dwayne Bowe who also brought in 186 yards on 13 catches. Granted these stats are a little inflated due to Kansas City having to abandon the run in order to catch up with Denver, however, as a fantasy owner of either guys you'll take the production however it comes.

While on the ground the damage was done in Jacksonville and Buffalo as Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Jackson helped propel their teams to wins. MJD ran the ball 24 times for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns while Fred Jackson had 25 carries 133 yards and caught a pass for a touchdown as well.

Meanwhile in Pittsburgh Rob Gronkowski showed why the Patriots used such a high draft pick on him to replace Ben Watson hauling in 5 catches; 3 of them for touchdowns.

Now on to some guys who need to earn their keep...

It would be an easy write to call out Peyton Manning for only having 185 yards and no touchdowns against a bad Bengals D, but its without saying that Manning can be forgiven for having an off day. However, the combo of Vince Young and Kerry Collins combined for 143 yards and 1 score and a pick. Speaking of lowered expectations, Cedric Benson who is looking more and more like a 1 year comeback story was supposed to dominate a bad Colts running defense yet ran the ball 14 times for 24 yards. Speaking of domination, Randy Moss has had a history of great first games with a new team, yet only caught one ball for 26 yards narrowly beating out Brandon Marshall's 3 catches for 34 yards as the worst performance by a top tier WR in Miami.