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| Published: Oct 21, 2009 10:20 PM EST |
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Week 6 in review |
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Vikings 33, Ravens 31
FTW (For the win)
Is this really a season where a 40-year-old Brett Favre becomes one of the most consistent forces in the NFL again? Or is it an early season mirage like it was with the Jets in 2008? We shall not know until December, but for now, Favre is money. He's thrown a TD pass in every game and only two interceptions. His lowest yardage total in the last four weeks is 232. Against the Ravens, he further exposed a once feared defense for three TDs and 278 yards.
Fail!
Time to abandon the Willis McGahee bandwagon. After three weeks, he was a top five RB. Now, he's waiver wire fodder. McGahee had just seven touches for three yards Sunday. Meanwhile, backfield mate Ray Rice is proving to be one of the best dual threat RBs this season. Rice had 194 total yards on 20 touches (10-77 rushing, 10-117 receiving) and scored twice.
IDP (Independent defensive player)
One of the benefits of playing beside Jared Allen is seeing your own sack numbers increase. Minnesota DT Kevin Williams has been one of the premier player at his position for years, but is starting to experience an increase of sack opportunities as guards and centers struggle to beat him one-on-one since Allen demands two blockers so often. Williams hit Baltimore QB Joe Flacco four times, sacking the sophomore signal-caller twice. He also had four tackles (three solo).
The Godsend
Sidney Rice is beginning to become Favre's favorite target, Owned in just 66 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Rice had 176 yards on six catches Sunday. He currently leads the Vikings in catches (23) and yards (409).
Notable
Adrian Peterson didn't find paydirt, but did manage to become the second consecutive RB to break 100 yards against the Ravens, who had previously gone more than 30 games without allowing that feat to occur. Peterson had 143 yards rushing on 22 carries. ... Visanthe Shiancoe leads the Vikings in receiving TDs, catching two more Sunday. Shiancoe has become an elite red-zone option. ... It wasn't only Minnesota's offense picking on what most thought was a dominant defense. The Ravens also had plenty of big plays against a highly touted Minnesota defense. Flacco was good for 385 yards and two TDs. Also, Derrick Mason seems to be an ageless wonder, catching seven balls for 97 yards.
Saints 48, Giants 27
FTW
This was supposed to be the NFL's premier matchup for Week 6. It turned out to be a Drew Brees Passing Clinic. Brees threw four TDs to four different receivers while racking up 369 yards. 'Nuff said.
Fail!
Eli Manning was off to the best start of his career. Then he met the Saints. Manning looked like the inconsistent passer of old, throwing for a measly 178 yards and one TD to go with one fumble lost and an INT.
IDP
The Saints' OL rarely allows Brees to be touched, but the Giants were able to record one sack. Who had it? Not Justin Tuck. Not Osi Umenyiora. Not even Mathias Kiwanuka. It was LB Chase Blackburn, who also had 11 tackles (eight solo). Blackburn is filling in for the injured Michael Boley and should see plenty of opportunities to post some nice tackle numbers at WLB.
The Godsend
Robert Meachem didn't have 100 yards receiving on the season entering Sunday's game. This is why he owned in just 9 percent of leagues. Meachem won't become a consistent force, but for one week, he was a solid option with 70 yards and a TD on two catches. Also, Lance Moore -- owned in 40 percent of leagues -- posted similar numbers with 78 yards and a TD.
Notable
The Giants had to abandon the run game early due to the nature of the game, but Ahmad Bradshaw finally got more work than Brandon Jacobs. Bradshaw had been consistently outworking Jacobs with fewer carries throughout the season. Bradshaw had 48 yards and a TD on 10 totes, while Jacobs was good for 33 yards on seven carries. ... Marques Colston is one of the best seventh-round picks every. I feel confident in already giving him that kind of credibility. Sunday, Colston caught eight balls from Brees for 166 yards and a TD. He's got the ability to be the best WR in fantasy football.
Steelers 27, Browns 14
FTW
Ben Roethlisberger is setting the league on fire with his arm. Roethlisberger threw for 417 yards and two TDs in Sunday's win. He also had one INT. The Steelers have needed every yard they can get from Big Ben as their run game remains inconsistent.
Fail!
As tough as it has been for the Steelers to consistently move the ball on the ground, at least they don't have to rely on a wide receiver to be their leading rusher. Joshua Cribbs led the Browns in rushing Sunday, racking up 45 yards on six touches. Meanwhile, starter Jamal Lewis was good for a mere 21 yards on 11 carries.
IDP
Lawrence Timmons wasn't a natural fit in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme, but they drafted him because his athleticism made him a potential playmaker. Timmons has three sacks in the past two games, including two against Cleveland. He also posted five tackles (all solo) and forced two fumbles.
The Godsend
Mohamed Massaquoi is the Browns' No. 1 WR, but he remains a risky pickup because of the erratic play of Cleveland QBs. However. Massaquoi -- owned in 19 percent of Yahoo! leagues -- was targeted 10 times -- twice as many as any other player -- and caught five balls for 83 yards. He is yet to score a TD this season.
Notable
Earlier this season, I dubbed Santonio Holmes the true No. 1 WR for the Steelers. My mistake. Holmes is still a great option, but he and Hines Ward are on equal standing. In other words, it can be argued Pittsburgh has two No. 1 WRs. Or at least, two players capable of holding that honor. Holmes had 104 yards receiving on five catches Sunday, while Ward went for 159 and a TD on eight receptions. Ward also leads the league in receiving yards with 599. ... Steelers TE Heath Miller got into the end zone for a third straight week. He's score four TDs in that span. Miller had five catches for 80 yards and a TD against the Browns.
Panthers 28, Buccaneeers 21
FTW
Finally, a dominant run game has come back to Carolina. The Panthers got 100-yard performances from DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart as both players resembled their 2008 personas against the Bucs. Of course, the league's worst run defense can do that for the beleaguered. Williams got most of the work with 152 yards and two TDs on 30 carries. Stewart made the most of his chances, though, racking up 110 yards and a score on 17 carries.
Fail!
Jake Delhomme post putrid numbers against a shoddy defense. Delhomme had just 65 yards passing and tossed two INTs. He did throw one TD, which is all that kept him in positive numbers in the fantasy world.
IDP
Bucs CB Tanard Jackson picked off a pass midway through the fourth quarter and returned it 26 yards for an INT, tying the game at 21. Jackson also had five tackles (four solo). Carolina got a dominant performance from DE Julius Peppers, who registered two sacks and seven tackles (all solo).
The Godsend
Sammie Stroughter is owned in just 1 percent of Yahoo! leagues, but he flashed his big-play ability Sunday. There aren't many players who approach the game with more heart than Stroughter, and mark my words, he will have a successful career in the NFL. Stroughter led the Bucs in recieving with 65 yards on three receptions, but made his biggest impact in the return game, taking a kickoff back 97 yards for a score.
Notable
Cadillac Williams proved worthwhile again Sunday, rushing for 77 yards and a touchdown. Tampa's OL is still too shaky for any of its RBs to be taken seriously. ... Not that anyone is thinking seriously about taking Josh Johnson, but just in case someone is having a weak moment, don't do it. Johnson passed for 147 yards and threw one INT Sunday, but the most alarming stat is fumbling the ball five times. Luckily for Tampa Bay, he only lost one of them.
Chiefs 14, Redskins 6
FTW
How does one select a great player in a fantasy game when there wasn't a single TD scored? Only two players scored in double figures in this game. Kansas City WR Dwayne Bowe had 109 yards on six receptions. Washington RB Clinton Portis had a season-high 109 yards on 15 carries. After that, it's all pretty pathetic.
Fail!
Take your pick. I suppose the biggest disappointment among a great number of shoddy performances was Washington QB Jason Campbell. Campbell was benched in the second half after completing just 9-of-16 passes for 89 yards with one INT. He's got his starting job back for this week although he'll have a different voice in his ear calling the plays. Head coach Jim Zorn was stripped of those duties this week and Sherman Lewis will take over the responsibility.
IDP
Redskins DE Andre Carter puts together a great season about every other year. This just happens to be one of the good years. Carter had 4.5 sacks over the past two games, including two against Kansas City along with seven tackles (all solo). The addition of Albert Haynesworth has made the biggest difference for Carter.
The Godsend
Sadly, no one even qualified to be mentioned in this category. After all, watching this game was comparable to being in hell.
Notable
Larry Johnson had both his best yardage total and top yard-per-carry average of the season Sunday. Johnson picked up 83 yards on 23 carries for a 3.6 average. It's still mind-boggling that the Chiefs won't give Jamaal Charles a shot at more carries and are insistent upon running Johnson into the ground.
Jaguars 23, Rams 20
FTW
There are only two RBs who have crossed the 100-point mark in fantasy football at this point in the season. This is based on traditional scoring, of course. Adrian Peterson is an obvious guess. I think the average owner would need several guesses to say Maurice Jones-Drew. MJD has eight TDs this season, which is more than any other position player in the league. He had 178 total yards on 38 touches (33-133 rushing, 5-45 receiving) against the Rams along with three rushing TDs.
Fail!
On paper, Jags QB David Garrard should have easily put together a 15-20 point performance. Instead, Garrard laid an egg for a second consecutive week, throwing two INTs to go along with his 335 passing yards.
IDP
Leonard Little is a 12-year vet proving he's still got something left in the tank. Little had a sack, three tackles (all solo) and an INT he returned 36 yards for a TD against the Jags.
The Godsend
Believe it or not, Torry Holt is owned in just 64 percent of Yahoo! leagues. That's a major decline for one of the most dominant WRs of this decade. Holt has had a solid year with 407 yards, but can't seem the find the end zone. He had 101 yards on five catches Sunday.
Notable
Steven Jackson continues to find a way to contibute on a pitiful offense. Jackson had 128 total yards on 22 touches (16-50 rushing, 6-78 recieving), giving his owners a double-digit performance. ... Mike Sims-Walker might be the surprise player of the season. He led the Jags with 120 yards on nine catches against the Rams.
Texans 28, Bengals 17
FTW
Who is the most productive fantasy QB in the league through six weeks? Matt Schaub. Not your first guess huh? Schaub threw for four TDs and 392 yards with one INT Sunday. The Texans also have the top fantasy option at WR and TE. Andre Johnson didn't score Sunday, but had 135 yards on eight catches. Owen Daniels just surpassed Indianpolis' Dallas Clark in fantasy scoring, catching seven balls for 78 yards and two TDs.
Fail!
At first glance, Sunday's matchup against the Texans' run defense looked to be as promising as it gets for Cedric Benson. Benson led the NFL in rushing heading into the matchup. However, after being the league's worst run defense through the first three weeks of the season, Houston has battended down the hatches and became very stingy in the ground game. Benson managed 10 points, but was held to 44 yards and a TD on 16 carries.
IDP
Houston LB Brian Cushing is making a bid for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Cushing had nine tackles (six solo) and sealed this win for Houston with an interception as the Bengals had just crossed into the red zone.
The Godsend
Lavernues Coles was a late-round pick in most fantasy drafts, but he was also one of the first players to be cut from many teams. Coles hasn't found a rhythm in the Bengals offense, but managed to score his second TD of the season Sunday. He also had 40 yards on four catches. He's owned in just 37 percent of leagues.
Notable
Steve Slaton hasn't found much room to run this season, but he found a way to help out Houston in the passing game. Slaton had 102 receiving yards against the Bengals along with one score. He was still bottled up on the ground, though, picking up just 43 yards on 19 carries. Slaton was actually outproduced by the much-maligned Chris Brown, who had 45 yards on nine carries. ... Chad Johnson couldn't find the end zone Sunday, but did top 100 yards (5-103) for the first time this season.
Packers 26, Lions 0
FTW
While drive after drive stalled in the second half, mostly due to a lack of pass protection, Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers found enough time in the pocket during the first two quarters of play and was able to get the Packers into the end zone twice. Rodgers scrambled for his life for most of the game, but managed to complete 29-of-37 passes for 358 yards and two TDs with one INT.
Fail!
It didn't matter who was playing QB for the Lions. There just wasn't a chance of success. Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton, who I didn't know was still in the league, each struggled. Stanton threw two picks, while Peps tossed one. Neither had a passer rating above 22.
IDP
The Lions' second-best playmaker plays on defense. Julian Peterson is a LB who can rushing the passer, drop back into coverage and play solid against the run. That is when his focus is on football. Peterson was into Sunday's game, posting 10 tackles (six solo) and 2.5 sacks.
The Godsend
The Packers like what James Jones brings to the table as a No. 3 WR, but he's been relatively quiet this season. Jones is owned in just 1 percent of leagues, but managed 55 yards and a TD on two catches Sunday. Should Donald Driver or Greg Jennings get hurt, Jones is well worth picking up. Otherwise, let him sit in FA.
Notable
Driver is now the all-time team leader in receptions for the Packers. He needed one catch to overtake Sterling Sharpe, but finished with seven for 107 yards. ... Given Green Bay's inability to protect Rodgers -- he's been sacked 25 times in five games -- expect several of the Packers' drives to stall out as they cross the 50. Luckily, they have a kicker with one of the strongest and most accurate legs in the league. Mason Crosby was 4-for-4 Sunday and is 11-for-13 on the season. He's attempted at least one FG in every game this season. He very well could be the top fantasy kicker this season.
Cardinals 27, Seahawks 3
FTW
After last week's performance by the Seahawks, starting the Cardinals defense seemed to be a cautionary tale. Whoever stuck with the Cards got a 16-point performance. Arizona put pressure on Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck all day and held the Hawks to 14 yards rushing. Seattle had the ball for a mere 17:10. Arizona forced two turnovers (4 points), held Seattle to 3 points (7 points) and sacked Hasselbeck five times (5 points).
Fail!
Hasselbeck's start percentage went through the roof after his performance in Week 5 against the Jags. He didn't have a prayer of repeating that against Arizona. Hasselbeck finished with 112 yards and one INT on 10-of-29 passing. He also lost one fumble, giving him no points for Week 6.
IDP
Strangely enough, Arizona didn't have an individual stand out on defense as five different players sacked Hasselbeck. Seattle never had the ball long enough for a Card to rack up a high number of tackles, either. Lofa Tatupu was Seattle's top performer, registering eight tackles (seven solo).
The Godsend
Steven Breaston is a solid No. 3 WR option and definitely worthy of a backup role on any fantasy squad. Yet, he's only owned in 63 percent of leagues. Breaston paid dividends for his owners Sunday, catching seven balls for 77 yards and one TD.
Notable
Kurt Warner and the Cardinals didn't attack Seattle with vertical passing game. Instead, they opted for underneath passes and controlled the clock. Warner, still finished with 276 yards, although it took him 41 passes to get that total, and two TDs with an INT.
Raiders 13, Eagles 9
FTW
Can someone tell me where the Eagles went? They didn't show up in Oakland Sunday. Raiders TE Zach Miller proved he's capable of being one of the league's best if QB JaMarcus Russell, who actually had a game with a QB rating over 60, can get him the ball. Miller was targeted 11 times and caught six balls for 139 yards and a TD.
Fail!
Donovan McNabb was almost in his return from injury last week against Tampa Bay. He was problematic Sunday against Oakland. McNabb completed less than 50 percent of his passes for 269 yards and no scores.
IDP
It didn't help that McNabb didn't have any time to throw. The Raiders sacked McNabb six times. Richard Seymour led the way with two sacks along with four tackles (all solo).
The Godsend
This spot goes to Miller as well. He's had a more productful season than Dallas' Jason Witten, who was overwhelmingly the No. 1 TE taken in drafts, but remains highly unowned. Miller has been picked up in just 51 percent of leagues. It's Russell's presence that is keeping the percentage low.
Notable
Russell had his best game of the season by far, completing 17-of-28 passes for 224 yards and a TD with two INTs. ... With Darren McFadden on the mend, Justin Fargas got the heavy majority of the carries Sunday, racking up 87 yards on 23 attempts.
Patriots 59, Titans 0
FTW
So is the Tom Brady of 2007 back? Don't be so quick to assume so. While Brady did have a 2007-esque game against the Titans, realize exactly who the opponent was. Brady had 380 yards and six TDs, while missing on just five of his 34 attempts against the league's worst pass defense. Tennessee is beat up in the secondary and can't get healthy fast enough. Brady is not going to post these type of numbers on a weekly basis. It was interesting to note that Bill Bellichick remains as classless as ever. The Pats had the Titans down, but at no point did they take their foot off the pedal and try to eat up the clock. It's great for fantasy owners, but completely disrespectful. I personally believe the guy needs to be punched in the nose.
Fail!
Kerry Collins was 2-for-12 for -7 yards and an INT. Do I really need to go into further detail? It's time for the 0-6 Titans to give the nod to Vince Young. While he's not going to lead them back, they have to figure out what they have in Young and decide if he truly is the future of the franchise. Otherwise, it's time to target one of the five potential first-round picks in next year's draft.
IDP
The high point of having a defense constantly on the field is high tackle numbers for owners playing in a league with IDPs. Keith Bullock made the most of his time on the field, recording 14 tackles (10 solo).
The Godsend
Laurence Maroney has frustrated fantasy owners for four years because very now and then he flashes immense potential. It just never sticks for long. Maroney, who is owned in 39 percent of leagues, had his third highest rushing total of his four-year career Sunday, amassing 123 yards on 16 carries, including a 45-yard TD jaunt. He's worth picking up if you need someone to start Sunday as he matches up against the lowly Bucs with teammates Fred Taylor out and Sammie Morris doubtful.
Notable
Chris Johnson is the most complete RB in the NFL, but his team isn't producing positive situations for him to perform. Johnson still managed to top the century mark in this blowout, picking up 128 yards on 17 carries. He was the only high point for Tennessee's offense. ... With Brady's big game comes the re-emergence of Wes Welker and Randy Moss. Moss found the end zone three times, catching eight balls for 129 yards. Welker had 10 receptions for 150 yards and two TDs.
Bills 16, Jets 13
FTW
It's not often a team will rush for more than 300 yards and come up on the short end of the stick. It's also unlikely any team that throws six INTs can pull out a victory. Something had to give for the Jets and the outcome wasn't positive as they fell in OT, despite an inspiring performance from RB Thomas Jones. Jones averaged nearly 10 yards a carry, amassing 210 yards and a score on 22 carries. Leon Washington complimented Jones with 99 yards on 15 carries.
Fail!
However, it was the play of rookie QB Mark Sanchez that cost the Jets. Sanchez got off to a strong start this season, but was victimized Sunday, throwing five INTs. He completed just 10-of-29 passes for 119 yards.
IDP
The Bills had several impressive performers, including CB Jairus Byrd (two INTs), LB Paul Posluszny (nine tackles, six solo, an INT) and S George Wilson (11 tackles, seven solo, an INT). However, it's the Jets David Harris who really sticks out, Harris had 17 tackles (seven solo) and half a sack.
The Godsend
Lee Evans got off to what has become a traditional slow start for the sixth-year WR. His owned percentage dropped to 64 during this time. However, Evans was money Sunday, catching a timely 37-yard TD late in the fourth quarter that tied the game and allowed Buffalo to pull out an OT victory. Evans finished with a game-high four catches and 68 yards to go with the Bills' only TD.
Notable
Terrell Owens remains a total non-factor for the Bills, catching three balls for 13 yards. Owens is in a bad offense and is starting to drop a lot of catchable passes, too. ... The timeshare between Bills RBs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson is up for much debate. Jackson earned touches during Lynch's suspension, but Lynch does have the stronger pedigree. If Sunday was any indication, the difference in carries is going to be narrow with a slight edge to Lynch, who had 19 totes for 61 yards. Jackson had 15 for 52 yards. Neither was highly involved in the passing game.
Falcons 21, Bears 14
FTW
Big fantasy numbers doesn't always indicate a win. Ask Jay Cutler, who had 300 yards and two TDs along with two INTs Sunday in a loss to Atlanta. Cutler gave owners 20 points, which is all us fantasy football geeks truly care about, but couldn't deliver a victory for the Bears.
Fail!
Is Matt Forte ever going to find his 2008 form? Maybe not this season. The Bears simply struggle to run block. It's not because defenses are loading up against Chicago's ground game. Cutler's presence eliminates that threat. The OL simply isn't moving anyone. Forte was held to 23 yards rushing on 15 carries for a dismal 1.5 yard-per-carry average. He also had 37 yards on five catches, but lost one fumble, too.
IDP
Curtis Lofton has become a stalwart for the Bears defense. Lofton posted a game-high 10 tackles (nine solo).
The Godsend
No one qualified for said honor in this game.
Notable
Michael Turner hasn't been as disappointing as Forte this season, but the Falcons haven't received the breakout performance from him as they did in 2008. However, Turner is still finding the end zone with six TDs already this season. He's scored once in every game, but the season opener. He's only averaging 3.5 yards a carry, though, and surpassed 100 yard once. ... Cutler started to target athletic TE Greg Olsen more Sunday. Olsen was looked at 10 times, hauling in five catches for 57 yards and a TD. Maybe the third-year TE can start to have the type of impact many fantasy owners believed he would have this season.
Broncos 34, Chargers 23
FTW
Denver is the most unlikely undefeated team in the league. Show me the person who legitimately believed the Broncos would be undefeated six weeks in and I'll show you a homer of a fan who should have been locked up for that prognostication. Early wins over bad team snowballed into a ridiculous amount of confidence. Kyle Orton has to also be the surprise player of the season and should be in the talks for MVP. Orton threw two TDs and posted 229 yards on 20-of-29 passing.
Fail!
San Diego was giving up the most points to RBs entering this game. The Chargers held Denver's backfield tandem of Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno to a combined 10 points.
IDP
One of the reasons Denver has had massive success is the almost seamless way the defense has converted to the 3-4. Elvis Dumervil is built for the OLB position in the defense and his league-leading 10 sacks emulates that. Dumervil had two sacks Sunday along with five tackles (four solo).
The Godsend
Tony Scheffler was beginning to become an afterthought in Denver's offense and especially in the minds of fantasy owners. Scheffler had a great chemistry with Jay Cutler and felt abandoned most when Denver traded Cutler to the Bears. Scheffler can be one of the best receiving TEs in the league, though, and showed this Sunday when he had a game-high 101 yards and a touchdown on six catches.
Notable
Ladainian Tomlinson had his most productive day of the season running the ball, racking up 70 yards on 18 carries. He also had 30 yards on three catches. ... Eddie Royal didn't have a single catch Sunday, but returned a kick and a punt for touchdowns. It's unfortunate he hasn't found success in Denver's new offense. |
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| Published: Oct 21, 2009 10:20 PM EST |
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