Game Recaps - Week 7 (PART II)

49ers (20) v. Panthers (23)

Zzzzzzzzz.... Awful game - from a fantasy perspective and a real NFL perspective. Alex Smith started legit - but promptly sucked and melted down. David Carr replaced him and played like garbage. Sadly, all of the 49ers options suffer without Alex Smith (and you thought they just suffered WITH Alex Smith). The hardest working man in the NFL, Frank Gore, still racked up 100 yards on the ground despite being the most predictable option in the game. Chalk that up to Carolina sucking more than Gore excelling. Remember this 1-6 team gave up 166 yards on the ground to Forte the week before. I'm bearish on Gore longterm. VD had a respectable game - his long and his TD were not on the same play (something that I think is a good indication that a TE's fantasy output was not flukeish). But Crabtree disappeared yesterday. If Carr starts, you can't count on Crabtree.


Matt Moore had a good fantasy day. Say what? I thought the 9ers were supposed to be a good defense. Spoiler alert: they're not. Moore threw 300 yards and 2 TDs. Don't count on that happening again - but maybe there's hope for those who invested a 4th round pick in Steve Smith. Smith was a non-factor yesterday - but going forward you should feel safe starting him. The Panthers RBs are probably two of the biggest busts in fantasy this season. DWill hasn't broken 100 yards this season and J-Stew's output has been pathetic. If you have them, getting Blount and monitoring the waiver will be key down the stretch.


Bills (34) v. Ravens (37)

Again: this is why I love the NFL. The "defeated" Bills almost squeaked one out against what has got to be one of the top AFC teams. I think Fitzpatrick is a safe start against KC next week - 4 TDs against the Ravens is no joke. The Harvard grad's 2 interceptions were discouraging but he has thrown for 2 or more TDs every start this season. I think he's startable. Fred Jackson out-carried CJ Spiller by more than 3:1. I think the Bills stink, but at least Jackson will give you the opportunities to get double-digits. Take a chance on Steve Johnson. He has at least 3 catches in every game - and EXPLODED yesterday with 158 yards. His career numbers don't support starting him - but you know the Bills are going to be trailing a LOT during the 2nd half of the season. I love seeing Lee Evans succeed. Yesterday was his best TD/yardage output all season. Three TDs is ridiculous - that won't happen again. But he is a good bet to click with Fitzpatrick from here out. Keep him as a WR3/flex option - especially against KC.

Flacco had a GREAT game - but this is only his third game with crooked numbers in the TD column. Baltimore just plays too conservatively for his true talent to ever really be made manifest. But he's good enough to keep Boldin as a WR1 in all leagues. I don't know what's up with so many elite WRs finishing games this week catching less than half of their targets - but you should be happy with a TD and 92 yards from Q. The more interesting story is Todd Heap - he is fighting his way back to fantasy relevance. He should be in lineups regardless of how deep your league is. He really only has one "bad" game on the season - and that was his 1 catch/22 yard performance during Week 5.


Cardinals (10) v. Seahawks (22)

The QB merry-go-round continues in Arizona. The more instability, the more Larry Fitzgerald will suffer. And suffer he did yesterday collecting a grand total of 30 yards. The freakish wideout is so talented it shouldn't matter who is under center - but don't expect him to be a top 5 wideout any more. (Although, recall DA's bust-out season with the Browns three years ago...) Hightower and Beanie are splitting evenly right now. The edge still goes to Beanie - but you should be disappointed if that's your best option at RB2.

The most exciting thing on the Seahawks side of the ball was Marshawn Lynch being given opps like an RB1. Of course, he didn't do a whole lot with them - but a 3.7 YPC is encouraging. He has some upside being the featured back on a 4-2 squad. USC Mike Williams better be owned by now - he has the talent and his numbers are looking solid. Hasselbeck is a hurler - and with 16 targets this weekend you can be confident that he will remain a double-digit fantasy scorer.


Raiders (59) v. Broncos (14)

Wait, what? The Raiders scored 59 points? Huh? McFadden gets all the headlines here racking up 4 TDs and 165 yards. He is a beast and will continue to be one. Barring injuries, I think he finishes as a top 7 RB this season. Interestingly, Bush still got 15 carries yesterday. However, only three were in the first quarter. The other 12 didn't come until after Oakland was up 24-0. Zach Miller is a stud - he will continue to be a stud with the TE-friendly Campbell throwing the football. Otherwise, I'm not feeling any Raider receiver.

What happened Denver? Kyle Orton has been studly all season. His numbers weren't bad - you just should be expecting more, even against Nnamdi. Nobody had a respectable day for Denver. Moreno showed enough involvement that owners should be encouraged (Maroney is finally dead to the fantasy world).

Patriots (23) v. Chargers (20)

This was supposed to be the AFC showdown of the week. But for a shanked FG attempt, it didn't really disappoint. The Moss-less Patriots receiving corps looked stale - Welker and Branch were ordinary. Aaron Hernandez has 4 catches in every game since Week 2. He is a stud TE - I'm sorry if you didn't pick him up when FF MVP said you should have 5 weeks ago. This offense looks more like the Patriots of the early 2000's - and not just because Deion Branch is back. The ball is going to be spread out a LOT hurting Welker. Although you're not happy with Brady's numbers yesterday, he ultimately will still be a top 6 or 7 QB, even without the deep threat that was Moss. Danny Woodhead should be picked up - he's Kevin Faulk with more carries. Own him and use him in your flex if you need to. The Law Firm (BenJarvus Green-Ellis) has been given substantial opportunity the last three games - but he just isn't delivering. Own him, but don't start him.

Rivers came up big once again dialing in a 34/50-336-1td/1int yard performance. He's a premiere QB, if not THE premiere QB in fantasy. The weapons are real. Patrick Crayton better be owned in your league - he has delivered in three straight games. Gates is a freak, but you know this. You started him this week (or wish you did) and will next week again. Ryan Matthews stunk big time. I don't know what to say about this guy. We are just really sorry if you drafted him with your first pick. The intriguing play is Sproles with his 70 receiving yards. Throw in 9 receptions and he had an amazing game from a PPR standpoint. He's owned in about 60% of leagues - and I'd take a chance on him particularly since Matthews has been so ineffective.


Vikings (24) v. Packers (28)

Umm, Bob Costas made a joke about the Vikings losing by "4" at the end of the game. This was enough to cap off my wild night of football-watching. Favre's season has NOT been resurrected with the arrival of Randy Moss. Three interceptions is unacceptable - particularly when they aren't offset by the 2+ TDs you expect from the wrangler. His struggles spelled more chances for AP who turned in a monster performance. These high-100 yard games are what you should be expecting from AP from here out. The offense isn't exactly potent - but it is dynamic. Expect more of the same from the #2 fantasy back. Moss should still thrive eventually - let him get to know the offense. Favre will be trailing and will be hurling. Eventually, that will pay dividends if you own Moss.

The Pack finally won a close won - as every pundit in the world reported this morning. A-Rod's numbers were solid once again. He's turned in three big games in the yardage department - but he's only broken the 2 td mark once during 2010. Expect more from him. You shouldn't be worried about B-Jax's outing. Minnesota is not elite against the run anymore - but they are still great. You should be pleased with his carries and bank on some upside moving forward. You picked him up off the waiver, so he shouldn't be counted on as an RB1 or RB2 in the first place. But there is a lot of promise here. Donald Lee only had two catches - but I think there are more to come here. Consider picking him up. Pick up James Jones - he goose-egged last week but we know he's better than that. He is available in many leagues so grab him especially in 14+ manager leagues. The wideout to own is still Greg Jennings - he was targeted 10 times. This will even out over time. Expect 85+ yards per game from him.