They don't say ties are like kissing your sister because their enjoyable. Thus, when a player lives up to expectations, there's no overwhelming emotion that accompanies it. However, if a player exceeds expectations or falls flat, the emotions come spewing forth, whether they be joyous ones or ones filled with rage. With that in mind, the Bruno Boys are here to give you what you really want, the winners and losers from the previous week of football action.
Taking on this task of identifying those overperformers and underperformers from the previous week of fantasy football is Ryan Hallam, creator of Fighting Chance Fantasy. So, join Ryan as he takes us through the Week 7 Winners and Losers. And if you have any questions for him, email rhallam@brunoboys.net for Week 8 fantasy advice.
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WEEK 7 OVERACHIEVERS
Quarterbacks
JaMarcus Russell (Oakland Raiders) – With teh Raiders being a team in turmoil, it looked like the Jets would roll to victory. But, Russell had other ideas, throwing for over 200 yards and a touchdown. The numbers aren't eyepopping, but not much is expected of JaMarcus Russell in fantasy circles just yet. Russell's 14 fantasy points in Week 7 crushed his 7 point projection.
Hallam's Take: It isn't going to be this year that Russell develops into a solid starter, but the quarterback is showing some small signs of improvement and some of the potential that the Raiders saw when they drafted him number one overall. If you ever get more than two touchdowns in a game from Russell, count your lucky stars. Though you could hope 200 yards and one touchdown every week from Russell, and you probably won't be too disappointed. Watch the rest of his season to get a gauge of what to expect in 2009, which could be his coming out party.
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Kyle Orton (Chicago Bears) - Orton continues to shock the world by actually playing the quarterback position effectively. He threw for 283 yards and two scores, and with those two touchdowns has surpassed his career high already after just Week 7. His 19 points were well ahead of his 14 point projection.
Hallam's Take: Orton is looking like he is someone that you will be able to count on weekly. I don't know if you can expect almost 300 yards every week, but Orton is definitely playing the best football of his career. He also hasn't thrown an interception in three games.
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Matt Schaub (Houston Texans) - Schaub has looked good since he returned from an illness and had another very good game in week 7 as he threw for 267 yards and two scores. He spread the ball around to seven different receivers, but it is obvious who his favorite target is, as Andre Johnson caught 11 passes. His point projection was nearly right on as he scored 18 points, while he was expected to tally 16.
Hallam's Take: Before we go putting Schaub too high in our rankings, let's remember that this was against the Lions, and we all get excited when our players are playing Detroit. If Schaub can stay healthy, he can throw 20+ touchdowns, but he's not a guy I would feel comfortable starting every week.
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Running Backs
Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) - With back-to-back wins against quality NFC East opponents, Jackson and the Rams appear to be pointed back in the right direction. Jackson ran for 160 yards and three touchdowns as St. Louis embarrassed the reeling Cowboys. His 35 points nearly doubled his 17 point projection.
Hallam's Take: One of my favorite fantasy players, Jackson finally broke out of the funk that he has been in all season long. If the Rams can actually continue to play quality football, Jackson should be able to get back to his status among the elite.
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LenDale White (Tennessee Titans) - White had the best game of his career in Week 7, as he ran for 149 yards and three touchdowns. The Titans ran their record to a perfect 6-0, and their ground game is one of the big reasons why. LenDale more than trippled his 10 point project with 32 points.
Hallam's Take: If I were to own a Titans running back, I would go with Chris Johnson. However, there is something to be said for a guy on a quality team that gets the goal line carries. White is definitely worth a roster spot in all leagues.
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Mewelde Moore (Pittsburgh Steelers) - With Willie Parker still unable to play, Moore filled in admirably again. The Steelers opened up a can on the Bengals, and Moore ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a few balls out of the backfield and added a receiving touchdown to his night's work. Moore paid no attention to his 11 point projection and put up 31.
Hallam's Take: As long as Willie Parker is sidelined, Moore holds good fantasy value. However, since it looked like Parker would play last week before he was declared inactive, it could be very soon that the rug is pulled out from under Mewelde's season. When Parker returns Moore should still get some carries, as he has proven he is worthy, but I don't foresee his role being worthy of a roster spot.
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Wide Receivers
Donnie Avery (St. Louis Rams) - For the second straight week, rookie Donnie Avery had a solid game for the renewed Rams. Avery had five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown as the Rams won their second game of the season. His twelve points dwarfed his projection of only four points.
Hallam's Take: Avery is looking to reprise the role that Torry Holt had during the Greatest Show on Turf days. The second round pick is a burner who can really stretch the field. If Avery is still available in your league, I would make a move to acquire him.
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Chad Johnson (Cincinnati Bengals) - Will the real Ocho Cinco please stand up? Perhaps this is the game that gets Johnson going as he had 8 catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. Many fantasy players have already given up on Chad for 2008, but his 11 points nearly doubled his 6 point projection.
Hallam's Take: His value obviously takes a hit as long as Ryan Fitzpatrick is behind center for the Bengals, but he has to be better than he has been up to this point. I don't think that he will be a consistent force for the rest of the season, but Chad always has a handful of huge games in every season, and you have to play him so you don't miss out on a potential 20+ fantasy point game.
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Malcolm Floyd (San Diego Chargers) - With the injury to Chris Chambers, Philip Rivers hasn't lost a step, as Vincent Jackson has stepped into the number one role, while Floyd has assumed a much bigger role as well. The Chargers passing game is still clicking on all cylinders, and Floyd had four catches for 65 yards and a score, giving him 12 points, ten over his projection.
Hallam's Take: This increased statistical output might only be for a short period of time until Chambers comes back, but Floyd is making the most of his opportunity as he scored for the second straight week. If Chambers doesn't come back again in Week 8, add Floyd to your roster.
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Tight Ends
Greg Olsen (Chicago Bears) - The former first round pick looks like he is becoming more of a part of the Bears offense, hauling in six passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. When you have a guy 6'5" and 250+ pounds, why wouldn't you target him in the red zone? Olsen's 13 fantasy points put a hurting on the 6 points he was projected for.
Hallam's Take: These aren't your father's Chicago Bears! A near 300 yard passer? 48 points? A defense that gives up 41? This is not typical Bears football, but as fantasy players you have to welcome it. Previously, outside of a running back there were no Bears worth owning, now they are providing some good fantasy production from a few different positions.
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Kickers
John Kasay (Carolina Panthers) - The Panthers absolutely steam rolled the Saints and Kasay was able to connect on three field goals, from distances of 48, 39, and 28 yards and tacked on two extra points. His 11 points well outdid the seven point projection he was given going into the week.
Hallam's Take: Kasay has always been a solid kicker for quite a long period of time now. Getting this kind of scoring out of your kicker is always just a bonus, however, and nearly impossible to predict going into a week. Just take it and be happy, but to try to analyze it would be near impossible.
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Defenses
Green Bay Packers - Not much was expected of the Packers this week, especially after the Colts lit up the Ravens the week before. But, the Green Bay defense certainly came to play as they not only held the Colts to 14 points, but Manning threw two touchdowns……to the other team! Peyton was intercepted twice and both were brought back to the house, as the Packers D put up huge fantasy points.
Hallam's Take: This was a game that made your week if you played the Green Bay defense. You obviously can't count on this type of production from any team in any week, but it had to be nice if you got it. The Packers defense is decent, but to expect them to shut down good offensive teams again might be leading yourself to being disappointed.
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WEEK 7 UNDERACHIEVERS
Quarterbacks
Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) - Against the tough Carolina defense, Brees had his worst game of the season, throwing for only 231 yards and no touchdowns. Brees never got in stride, and also threw a pick. His 7 points were well short of his projection of 26 points.
Hallam's Take: You knew he had to have a bad game sooner or later. Don't worry Brees owners, this is going to happen. Brees is still having an MVP type season, and should get back on track in Week 8.
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Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) - Manning had another less than stellar game, as the Packers shut the Colts offense down. Peyton threw for just 229 yards and two interceptions. How many times have you seen Manning throw no touchdowns? Manning was projected to score 22 points, but was a colossal disappointment, putting up only five.
Hallam's Take: You have to just take this in stride. You most likely used a late first or early second round pick on Manning. Don't bench him, you just have to ride out the bad with the good, Peyton is too talented to sit.
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Brett Favre (New York Jets) - Favre and the Jets looked horrible in a game that they should have won against the Raiders. He threw for only 197 yards and two interceptions. It is hard to judge Favre, one game he throws six touchdowns, and then in Week 7, he throws none. His five points were far less than the 18 that he was projected for.
Hallam's Take: I still believe that Favre will be good more often than not. The main problem is that his offensive line has just not been giving him time to do what he needs to do. The Jets also need to take the glove off though, and let Favre throw the ball like he has throughout his whole career.
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Running Backs
Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) - The Giants have a great defense. 11 carries, 11 yards. What else can I say? Projection, 16 points. Actual? 6 points. Ouch!
Hallam's Take: Gore is still one of the better backs in fantasy. He is the entire focus of the 49ers offense and although that isn't saying much, Gore is a must start every week.
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LaDanian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers) - Tomlinson continued his frustrating season with a 41 yard effort in Week 7. His toe injury is obviously not healed, and he will most likely not live up to the spot that you drafted him in, but he's another guy that you can't afford to sit if he is playing. LT was projected at 17 points, but was only able to muster six.
Hallam's Take: I give Tomlinson credit for playing through this injury, but he really isn't helping the Chargers or your fantasy team. He still is getting all the carries for San Diego, so you just have to hope that he breaks out of this funk before his or your season is over.
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Ronnie Brown (Miami Dolphins) - Brown finally didn't steal the show in the Dolphins game against the Ravens. Brown was only able to rush for 27 yards, and was unable to run (or pass) for a touchdown this week. He was projected for 12 fantasy points, but only scored 2.
Hallam's Take: Did anyone see Ray and the Boys falling for that Wildcat crap? The Ravens are far too good of a defense for some fad to take them out of their game. Brown should rebound next week, better backs than him have had far worse games against Baltimore.
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Wide Receivers
Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers) - Given the success of the Packers and their passing game, it is hard to imagine how Greg Jennings had such a bad game. But the Packers star was only able to haul in three passes for 32 yards. Although he was projected to have one of the best week's for a wideout, Jennings fell far short of his 15 point outlook by posting only three.
Hallam's Take: Jennings has turned himself into a top ten receiver, and one bad game shouldn't take the luster off of his great year. He still is having a great season, and you should not adjust what you think of him based on one week and be sure to never take him out of your lineup.
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Terrell Owens (Dallas Cowboys) - Quite possibly the worst game in his career as a Cowboy, Owens was only able to catch two passes for 31 yards. With Brad Johnson at quarterback, the Dallas offense never got into rhythm, leading to a Rams victory. Owens recorded three fantasy points when he was projected for 14.
Hallam's Take: Things could get ugly in Big D if they don't stop this losing sometime soon. And, we all know that T.O. has the capability to bring the whole house of cards down if he is not happy. Niners fans and Philly fans know what I am talking about. But, it looks like Tony Romo will be back sooner rather than later, and all should be well in Dallas after that.
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Jerricho Cotchery (New York Jets) - HUGE disappointment for the Jets in Week 7. Another one of those games where there is only one thing to say. Cotchery had one catch for NO YARDS. For those bad at math, that's no points ladies and gentlemen.
Hallam's Take: Cotchery still should be the most consistent receiver on the Jets. Every team/player has games like this, and I expect Cotchery to get back on track next week with 6 or 7 catches.
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Tight Ends
Chris Cooley (Washington Redskins) - There was not a lot of offense going on between the Redskins and Browns on Sunday, and it showed in Cooley's statistics. The Washington tight end was only able to grab four passes for 32 yards, and it seems that he is having more of these disappointing games in 2008 than he has in the recent past. His three fantasy points obviously angered his owners who were expecting 12 from him this week.
Hallam's Take: The Browns pass defense is actually not bad as they almost shut down an NFC East passing attack for the second straight week. You remember what they did to Eli and the G-Men the week before. But, I am a big Cooley fan, and wouldn't panic after this poor game. He is still leading the team in receptions, but his one touchdown this season is cause for concern as Jason Campbell has only thrown one score in the last three weeks.
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Kickers
Nick Folk (Dallas Cowboys) - You can pretty much call everything the Cowboys did on Sunday a dud, as they are littered all over this list. But, when you get blown out by the Rams, you deserve the criticism you get. With the lack of offense, came lack of opportunities for Folk who was only able to muster two PATs as he missed his only field goal attempt from 46 yards. His two fantasy points were a tough pill for his owners to swallow when he was projected to get them 11.
Hallam's Take: The Cowboys are hoping that this lack of production from their offense will turn itself around very soon and is not turning into a trend. Kickers only get chances if their teams can move the ball, and lately the 'Boys haven't been great. Folk has only had nine attempts all season long, which isn't great, but he has connected on seven of them.
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Defenses
Dallas Cowboys - Going into this game, it looked like the Cowboys would be a good play. But, the Rams were ready for this game and were able to hang a 34 on the Cowboys defense. Dallas was able to record 5 sacks which was nice, but they were unable to force a turnover, and that point total will make them almost worthless on defense.
Hallam's Take: I haven't been quick to lose faith in Dallas this season, but it is getting harder and harder to defend the 'Boys. With Terence Newman and Adam Jones out, the Cowboys are not a very safe play for your fantasy team. They are giving up far too many points, and aren't getting enough turnovers to make it worth owning them.
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WEEK 8 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
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Also read: Fantasy Football Week 8 Start & Sit Advice (click to view)
Also read: Fantasy Football Week 7 Waiver Wire Advice (click to view)
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