Three teams rolled out new quarterbacks this week, with some very mixed results. Some would say that Vinny Testaverde led the Jets to a 14-12 win over the Buccaneers, but it’d be more accurate to give the entire Jets roster credit for this tough win. Vinny was efficient, completing 13 of his 19 attempts for 163 yards, but he failed to reach the end zone and threw what could’ve been a very costly fourth-quarter interception. Vinny should have some more prolific days ahead of him, but you shouldn’t be expecting any miracles here. The fact that Laveranues Coles delivered his best game of the season (6 catches for 89 yards) is promising, though.
In San Francisco, Alex Smith looked like a rookie in his debut, throwing four interceptions and losing a fumble in a 28-3 loss to the Colts. He made some poor throws, terrible reads and even worse decisions while completing just nine of his 23 attempts for 74 yards. Vinny’s arrival may prove to be good news for Laveranues Coles owners, but Smith’s promotion may be death for Brandon Lloyd’s fantasy value. Coming off two-straight 100-yard performances, Lloyd was held without a catch in Smith’s debut. Kevan Barlow, meanwhile, who’s been practically worthless for fantasy purposes this year, delivered his best game of the season (128 total yards, 99 rushing) against a very good Colts’ defense. Go figure.
Then, there’s Kelly Holcomb. If you own Lee Evans or Eric Moulds, this is the move you’ve been waiting for all year. True, Holcomb didn’t set the world on fire in his first start since replacing J.P. Losman (20-26, 169 yards, 1 TD), but he was able to get Evans (65 receiving yards) and Moulds (59 yards, 1 TD) involved in the offense while leading the Bills to a much-needed win. In fact, Evans and Holcomb got off to a quick start on Buffalo’s first possession, hooking up for a 49-yard strike that nearly resulted in six points. At best, Holcomb would be a solid backup fantasy QB, but as long as Buffalo continues to start him over Losman, Evans and Moulds should once again be decent options as #3 receivers.
SUNDAY HEADLINERS
Tom Brady: 350 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Coming into this week’s match-up against Atlanta, Brady had thrown two touchdowns and three interceptions in his last three games, numbers that had many owners understandably worried. After this performance against the Falcons, though, Brady once again looks like one of the steadier fantasy QBs around, especially with how much the struggling Pats have been relying on the pass this season.
ALSO: Matt Hasselbeck (316 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT), Matt Schaub (298 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT), Drew Bledsoe (289 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT), Josh McCown (394 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT)
Tatum Bell: 12 carries, 127 yards, 2 TD
Sure, he only got 12 carries, but Bell certainly made the most of them, ripping off TD runs of 34 and 55 yards. Mike Anderson, meanwhile, totaled just 34 yards on his 11 carries. Anderson owners should be looking to pawn him off onto an unsuspecting owner ASAP because the explosive Bell, who looked to have the inside track on the Denver featured back role heading into the season, should continue to cut into Anderson’s production. Meanwhile, if Bell is somehow available on your waiver wire, it’s time to pounce.
ALSO: Shaun Alexander (25 carries, 119 yards, 2 TD; 3 catches, 16 yards), Thomas Jones (24 carries, 137 yards, 0 TD), Domanick Davis (19 carries, 130 yards, 0 TD; 8 catches, 43 yards), Edgerrin James (21 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD; 4 catches, 42 yards)
Anquan Boldin (10 catches, 158 yards, 1 TD) & Larry Fitzgerald (9 catches, 136 yards, 1 TD)
These guys are unreal. Despite some shaky QB play from both Kurt Warner and Josh McCown, Boldin and Fitzgerald are each on pace for more than 100 catches and 1,500 yards. Fitzgerald has a slight edge in touchdowns (3 vs. 2), but at this point both receivers are must-starts for fantasy owners, no matter who’s throwing them the ball.
ALSO: Steve Smith (8 catches, 119 yards, 2 TD), Terry Glenn (7 catches, 118 yards, 2 TD), Joe Jurevicius (9 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD), Torry Holt (8 catches, 126 yards, 1 TD)
SUNDAY FLATLINERS
Aaron Brooks: 146 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Heading into the season, Brooks was known as an inconsistent fantasy QB who would take you on a roller-coaster ride during the course of the season but, by the end of the year, would deliver solid totals. At this point, Brooks looks like waiver-wire fodder, with two TDs and seven INTs on the season. The fact that he couldn’t deliver against a vulnerable Green Bay defense makes this performance even more alarming.
ALSO: Joey Harrington (97 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT), Jake Plummer (92 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT), Donovan McNabb (131 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT), David Carr (131 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)
Brian Westbrook: 6 carries, 12 yards, 0 TD; 3 catches, 24 yards
The entire Philly offense was shut down by the Cowboys today, but Westbrook’s numbers may be the worst of the bunch since, even on his down days, fantasy owners can usually count on the versatile back to deliver close to 100 total yards. Not today. Things won’t get much easier for Westbrook, with the Chargers and Broncos waiting following a week-six bye.
ALSO: Marcel Shipp (13 carries, 22 yards, 0 TD), Mike Anderson (11 carries, 34 yards, 0 TD), Stephen Davis (18 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD), Deuce McAllister (11 carries, 31 yards, 0 TD; 3 catches, 33 yards)
Michael Clayton: 0 catches
Those who don’t own Clayton may be willing to give the second-year receiver a pass on this donut since it was revealed this week that he’s been playing with a separated left shoulder since the preseason. Clayton owners, on the other hand, just wish he’d said something about the preseason injury before they spent a high draft pick on him. Depending on your situation, it may be time to cut Clayton and look for a healthy alternative (Joe Jurevicius?) in free agency.
ALSO: Donte Stallworth (1 catch, 6 yards), Marvin Harrison (2 catches, 17 yards), Rod Smith (2 catches, 23 yards), Terrell Owens (5 catches, 50 yards)
