Most of Week 9 has come and gone, and one of the league’s undefeated teams has already fallen – will the other one survive the day? Before the Pats/Colts battle begins, let’s talk about this week’s Headliners and Flatliners.
HEADLINERS
Drew Brees (314 yards, 3 TD)
Brees continued his fine play against the Bucs. He has benefited from the development of Marques Colston and his play this season has to make Miami fans wonder, “what if?”
Honorable Mention: Jake Plummer (227 yards, 3 TD), Tony Romo (284 yards, 2 TD). Marc Bulger (354 yards, 1 TD), David Garrard (177 yards, 3 TD), Damon Huard (148 yards, 3 TD)
LaDainian Tomlinson (21 touches, 192 yards, 3 TD)
LT was unbelievable in the second half after a very quiet first half. Unfortunately for Antonio Gates owners, the Chargers didn’t need to throw the ball very much in the second half since LT was running so effectively.
Honorable Mention: Steven Jackson (32 touches, 219 yards, 1 TD), Kevin Jones (30 touches, 140 yards, 2 TD), Larry Johnson (27 touches, 172 yards, 1 TD), Tiki Barber (20 touches, 155 yards, 1 TD), Ronnie Brown (31 touches, 190 yards)
Javon Walker (6 rec, 134 yards, 2 rec TD, 1 rush, 72 yards, 1 TD)
Walker was a dual threat today, catching six passes while also scoring on a long rush TD against a normally stout Steelers defense.
Honorable Mention: Roy Williams (6 rec, 138 yards, 1 TD), Devery Henderson (3 rec, 111 yards, 2 TD), Joey Galloway (4 rec, 97 yards, 2 TD), Marques Colston (11 rec, 123 yards, 1 TD), Ernest Wilford (3 rec, 44 yards, 2 TD), Donald Driver (9 rec, 96 yards, 1 TD), Terrell Owens (7 rec, 76 yards, 1 TD)
Tony Gonzalez (5 rec, 63 yards, 2 TD)
Gonzo is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season and would command big dollars in a short contract. He has played well with Damon Huard, and it’s not a sure thing that he’ll be able to keep it up with Trent Green back under center.
Honorable Mention: Jeremy Shockey (8 rec, 66 yards, 1 TD), Chris Cooley (3 rec, 66 yards, 1 TD), Alge Crumpler (4 rec, 47 yards, 1 TD)
FLATLINERS
Alex Smith (105 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT)
Smith squandered a very nice matchup against a Vikings defense that is pretty bad against the pass, costing this writer at least one win this week. Bastard.
Dishonorable Mention: Brad Johnson (136 yards, 1 INT), Carson Palmer (195 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT), Vince Young (163 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT), Eli Manning (179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)
Willis McGahee (4 touches, 15 yards)
McGahee left the game with a rib injury and left his fantasy owners in a pinch. Anthony Thomas came in and played well against the Packers.
Dishonorable Mention: Reggie Bush (15 touches, 17 yards), Carnell Williams (13 touches, 44 yards), Wali Lundy (23 touches, 59 yards), Travis Henry (19 touches, 67 yards), Frank Gore (24 touches, 77 yards), Fred Taylor (13 touches, 79 yards)
Chad Johnson (4 rec, 32 yards)
While Antonio Bryant certainly blew a good matchup this week, Chad Johnson simply isn’t meeting the expectations of those who drafted him in the second round this season.
Dishonorable Mention: Antonio Bryant (2 rec, 24 yards), Troy Williamson (1 rec, 4 yards), Amani Toomer (2 rec, 16 yards), Eddie Kennison (2 rec, 19 yards), Derrick Mason (2 rec, 20 yards), Torry Holt (3 rec, 50 yards)
Antonio Gates (2 rec, 22 yards)
LT ran the ball with ease in the second half and the Chargers didn’t need to use Gates very much.
Dishonorable Mention: Alex Smith (2 rec, 8 yards), Owen Daniels (3 rec, 34 yards)
