It was a wild and wacky set of early games, highlighted by the Bills comeback against the Bengals. Ryan Fitzpatrick (316 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs) finished with nice numbers in a bad matchup against a Cincy DT that has been stingy against QBs this season. He has developed into a bona fide Top 10 fantasy QB this season and usually puts up big numbers because the Bills always seem to be playing from behind. Steve Johnson (8-137-3) had another huge day, and now has nine TD catches on the season. Donald Jones (5-70-1) looks like he has taken over Roscoe Parrish‘s role in the slot, so he could be an interesting pickup going forward. Fred Jackson (129 total yards, 2 TDs) was terrific and should be a fine RB2, even when C.J. Spiller returns.
Down in Dallas, the Cowboys’ offense continued to roll, and Jon Kitna (147 yards, 3 TDs, 1 rush TD) has looked good the last two weeks. He has a couple of tough matchups in the next two weeks, but his schedule during the fantasy playoffs is favorable. He didn’t throw for much yardage, which means there weren’t any standout performances by his wide receivers, even though Dez Bryant (3-8-1) and Miles Austin (2-7-2) both scored. Felix Jones gained 86 yards but failed to score, which was disappointing.
News broke on Sunday morning that Clinton Portis (46 total yards) was going to get the start, but he re-injured his hamstring and Keiland Williams (29 touches, 95 yards) wasn’t terribly productive in his place. On the other side of the ball, Randy Moss (0-0) laid another egg while Nate Washington (5-117) took advantage of a suspect Redskins secondary. I think it’s time to sit Moss down until he shows us something. This was a terrific matchup and he did absolutely nothing. He was targeted just three times and almost scored on a long TD but was called for offensive pass interference. Vince Young (165 yards) tore a ligament in his hand and may need surgery. Even if he doesn’t, the Titans have already announced that he lost his starting job due to his behavior during and after the game.
The frustration for Jamaal Charles‘ owners continue. He keeps making plays (16 touches, 126 yards) and Thomas Jones (15 carries, 71 yards, 2 TDs) keeps getting the scoring opportunities. Dwayne Bowe (6-109-2) continues his studly play. He now has 10 TDs in his last six games. And to think, I was able to pick him up in one league off the waiver wire after his slow start this season.
In a lopsided Packer win, Donald Driver (4-31) made his return and was targeted seven times, which was the second-most to Greg Jennings (7-152-3, nine targets), who had a monster game. Aaron Rodgers (301 yards, 4 TDs) was brilliant in a bad matchup, but the Vikings defense started to come apart at the seams when Minnesota fell behind. For the Vikings, Sidney Rice (3-56) made his return, but only caught three passes on 10 targets. Percy Harvin (2-12, five targets) was shockingly quiet considering the Vikings trailed for the entire game.
HOU/NYJ was a great game, and Mark Sanchez (315 yards, 3 TDs, INT) played well in a great matchup. Santonio Holmes (7-126-2) was a stud and once again caught the game-winning TD. Braylon Edwards (4-86-1) had a nice game, but only had six targets to Holmes’s 12. Dustin Keller (2-7) was a huge disappointment. For the Texans, Arian Foster (143 total yards, 2 TDs) proved that he should be in starting lineups no matter how bad the matchup is. Andre Johnson‘s visit to Revis Island didn’t go very well. He finished with 4-32 on the day. Joel Dreessen (4-106-1) had the kind of game I was expecting from him last week, when I started him in my auction league and subsequently cut him. Thank you, Joel.
The Steelers trounced the Raiders, and Bruce Gradkowski (98 yards, TD) came in for an ineffective Jason Campbell (70 yards, INT). Pittsburgh shut down Darren McFadden (10 carries, 14 yards), whom I suspected would have trouble running the ball, but I thought the Raiders would use him a lot more in the passing game. He only caught two passes for 16 yards. Ben Roethlisberger (275 yards, 3 TDs, rush TD) had a huge day and Mike Wallace (3-116-1) was the main beneficiary.
Peyton Hillis (27 touches, 143 yards, TD) continues to play like a top tier fantasy RB. Some fantasy experts are calling him a Top 10 fantasy back, but I’d put him in the Top 5. I can’t think of more than four guys (Arian Foster, Chris Johnson, LeSean McCoy and maybe Frank Gore) that I’d rather have for the stretch run. For the Jags, Maurice Jones-Drew (26 touches, 220 yards, TD) played big and caught a 75-yard pass that was a game-changer. Mike Thomas (5-36-1) led the Jags with 10 targets with Mike Sims-Walker sidelined. Marcedes Lewis (5-66-1) came in second with eight targets.
Chris Ivory was dinged up all week but finished with 99 yards and a TD on 23 carries and is clearly the Saints’ main ballcarrier until Pierre Thomas gets back (if he gets back). Reggie Bush was a late scratch. Robert Meachem (3-50-2) caught a pair of TDs, but was only targeted three times, so don’t get too excited. Rookie Jimmy Graham (5-72) had a big day with Jeremy Shockey sidelined.
I’m really surprised that Frank Gore (17 touches, 60 yards) didn’t have a much bigger game against a Bucs defense that had given up the 2nd-most points to opposing RBs this season. Michael Crabtree (1-15) was only targeted twice despite 31 pass attempts by Troy Smith. Crabtree has some good matchups coming up, but I’m not sure he can be trusted.
In what turned out to be a good IND/NE game, Austin Collie (5-60) was knocked out after taking a few hits that apparently aggravated his concussion symptoms. Blair White (5-42-2) filled in admirably. Pick him up, especially in PPR leagues. Donald Brown (20 touches, 108 yards) got most of the work in the Indy backfield. For the Patriots, Rob Gronkowski (1-25) and Aaron Hernandez (1-8-1) were each only targeted once, so we don’t really know if there has been a change in the pecking order there. Deion Branch (7-70) was targeted 10 times, three more than supposed WR1 Wes Welker (5-58-1).
DeSean Jackson (5-50) is the most explosive Philly wideout, but Jeremy Maclin (9-120) might be the best all-around WR that the Eagles have. He’s fast, runs good routes and has nice hands. Maybe most importantly, he has a great rapport with Mike Vick (258 yards, rush TD). And what can I say about LeSean McCoy (19 touches, 140 yards, TD)? He flashed his tremendous speed on his 50-yard TD run, and the only complaint I have about his fantasy value is that the Eagles don’t seem to use him as much as they should. On the other side of the ball, the entire Giants offense was a disappointment. Eli Manning (147 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs) finished with a decent fantasy line, but those numbers aren’t going to get it done when there is as much depth at QB as there is this season. The Eagles are/were a good matchup for both RBs and WRs, though they have a way of out of the blue holding an offense down, and that’s what happened Sunday night. Ahmad Bradshaw (14 touches, 24 yards) never got going and Mario Manningham (3-24) did not live up to his Week 10 performance.
