Game Recaps - Week 10 (Part II)

Chiefs (29) v. Broncos (49)

The AFC West makes no sense. I just don't get it. It's a classic rock/paper/scissors arrangement. The Broncos jumped ahead EARLY and Kyle Orton was studly once again. This was arguably one of his best games all season throwing for 296 yards and four touchdowns. One of the reassuring things about this game for Orton owners is that the Broncos were winning and winning early and big and yet Orton still put up impressive numbers. The Broncos didn't just sit on the ball to bleed the game to death. Brandon Lloyd had his second 2-td performance of the season. This combo was one of the least expected in football - but right now Lloyd has the most receiving yards in football and Orton has the second most passing yards. You can keep counting on this combo to be productive. They've only really had one down game and that was against the Raiders top corner. Is Tim Tebow hurting Orton's value? Yes and no - he took two scores yesterday, but that probably won't happen again - before yesterday, all his scores were on the ground. Those TDs are probably going to hurt Moreno more than Orton. And speaking of Moreno, he was dominant against what probably is a tough KC run defense in his best game of the season. Nobody threatened him for any carries. By most metrics, his final opponents are soft. Bank on him for a huge rebound. Are you starting any other Broncos? I don't think so. Gaffney isn't reliable enough and the hype around Demaryius Thomas is fading fast. This is Lloyd's show. If you are in a FULL ppr league, you might consider starting Eddie Royal and hope for some Wes Welker-like usage. But he's not the same threat he once was.


On the Chiefs side, Matt Cassel had his best game of the season throwing for four scores. He's clicking with Bowe who scored twice and had a ridiculous 186 yards. Bowe is back - and this means you might consider picking up Cassel. There was no run game - but that should be expected when you're trailing big. Jamaal Charles saved his day in the passing game collecting 80 yards and a score in the air. Thomas Jones has been the power-back - but Charles is still the one you want to be starting. I'll eat crow on Tony Moeaki - this would have been a situation for him to breakout - but he didn't. Wait for him to string together two big games before starting him again.

Cowboys (33) v. Giants (20)

This game highlighted why I love the NFL: just when everybody wrote the Cowboys off for good and classified the Giants as the team to beat in the NFC, America's team struck back...and on the road. Pick up Kitna because his offense is clicking and he looked like he did in the Detroit offense several years ago. His stats won't be sexy - but they will be voluminous. Expect more 300 yard games and multiple TD games down the stretch. Of course, these numbers will come accompanied by some interceptions, but they shouldn't take away too dramatically from his overall production. There are too many weapons in this offense. Dez Bryant was the headliner yesterday with 100+ yards and a score. He should be owned everywhere - and probably started as a flex. Of course you're still starting Miles Austin - he scored, but was targeted less than Bryant. Marion Barber broke the new dress code - and one should query whether this is why Felix Jones took the bulk of the carries yesterday. This was Jones' third game with double-digit carries - I think you should expect more of these to come. He's the fresh back. Remember: most of his production came on a 71 yard TD reception. Don't be tricked into thinking this will be the standard rate of production. Still, remember that the NYG run D is tough - even if they are losing. Witten was a dud - but don't be afraid to start him. Remember his 90+ yard days during Weeks 7 and 8 with Kitna under center - don't downgrade him with Romo out.

Even in a losing effort, Eli kept your team's head above water. 373 yards is his second highest total on the season. Kevin Boss had his second big game of the season - but don't rush to grab him just yet. The ball is spread out too much between the Giants' big wideouts. This time it was Manningham who was the focus collecting a score and 91 yards. He doubled Nicks' number of receptions and targets - but this won't happen often. Bradshaw got the lion's share of the carries and put up impressive numbers even in the defeat. He's still the rb from this backfield you want to be starting. He's a borderline RB1 depending on the matchup. And if Jacobs is out, he's unquestionably an RB1.

Seahawks (36) v. Cardinals (18)

You shouldn't be starting any Seahawks if you think you have a chance at winning your league. Hasselbeck had a great game - but you can't count on him. I am not opposed to owning "the other" Mike Williams. 145 yards on 11 catches is no joke. You know this guy can play. If Hasselbeck is healthy, Williams should be successful. He will have high standard deviations - but this was his third game with double-digit receptions. Get him and stash him. He could be a flex if the chemistry improves. The running backs were ineffective. Forsett did more with less carries, but neither should be started.

Could the DA from 2007 be back? Probably not - but he did break the 300 yard threshold for the first time this season. I could see teams grabbing him and potentially starting him. When you have Larry Fitzgerald, you are going to have opportunities to put up big numbers. Still, this was the Seahawks and the Cards were behind for essentially the whole game. Hightower was a bust - with Beanie out, you expected him to thrive. But he didn't do much with the increased opportunities. I think neither are RB2s - and if both start, Hightower is a better option and a viable flex. I think you need to consider picking up Breaston. You know he has the pedigree - and his schedule does not look tough. Improved play from DA means more for Breaston than for Fitzgerald. If you're hurting at WR, grab him. It's too early for Early Doucet. But if Breaston were to get injured........

Rams (20) v. 49ers (23)

I started Troy Smith in one league - and got laughed at. He delivered - and but-for some penalties that forced three TDs to be called back, he would have been an excellent option Sunday. 356 yards is no joke. I think he gives Alex Smith a run for his money. I think he might actually be able to get more mileage on the ground. Watch him - he definitely has the weaponry with Morgan, Crabtree, and VD. But it was Delanie Walker who collected the most yards. He looks like he might be Smith's #2 option - rather than Morgan. Crabtree and VD both had scores called back on penalties. VD should be starting as an elite TE and Crabtree is definitely a flex option. Frank Gore is just a machine - but there isn't much that needs to be said about that. You already knew that and are starting him against all opponents.

Bradford showed poise. He hasn't thrown an INT since week 5. I'm not starting him - but he could be startable. Don't worry about picking him up, but use him in a bind. S-Jax and Frank Gore are very similar plays; they are the centers of their respective offenses, they run hard, and they are used in the passing game. 8 receptions is huge for Jackson and his most on the season. Like Gore, you should be starting him every week. I don't know who the WR to own is yet in St. Louis. But Brandon Gibson had another big game. I like him a tad bit more than Danny Amendola. Don't pick him up yet - but watch him.

Patriots (39) v. Steelers (26)

The game started off close; I thought it'd be a low-scoring affair leaving Roethlisberger owners disappointed. But both QBs put up huge numbers. Brady threw for 350 yards and three scores and rushed one in himself. He was more studly than ever. BenJarvus had his best day in the passing game and his third best on the ground. This was against a TOUGH run D. The Patriots are TOO unpredictable to count on The Law Firm, but he's still a flex option. You could do worse. Welker had his best game of the season in terms of yards. I think without Moss he isn't as effective as he once was - but you still need to be starting him as a WR2, and maybe a WR1 in PPR format. If you're hurting, get Deion Branch. He had large numbers and definitely has the chemistry with Brady. Is he a poor man's Randy Moss? Probably not... but worth a flyer. I don't know what to say about the TEs. Gronkowski and Hernandez should both be owned. They will likely cannibalize one another's production. But you can't keep them out of lineups. And, no, I don't think Gronkowski is now the #1 option. These feast-or-famine trends are common with New England.

Big Ben was dead in the passing game during the first half - but rebounded nicely. Of course a lot of his production came when NE was playing more conservatively - but owners can't complain. Expect more 300+ yard performances from the Roeth. Mike Wallace is a stud - but you knew this. Mewelde Moore had a huge game in the passing game - but I wouldn't be thinking about picking him up.

-By Patrick Hammon