Taking on this task of identifying those over performers and under performers 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 9 Winners and Losers. And if you have any questions for him, email rhallam@brunoboys.net for Week 10 fantasy advice.
Note: All point projections read in this recap are from standard scoring leagues (non-PPR) and are projections made by the Bruno Boys staff.
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WEEK 9 OVERACHIEVERS
Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) - One of the impressive rookie QBs in the league this season, Flacco had a pretty decent statistical game for a change. Flacco was 17/29 for 248 yards and two touchdowns. A nice surprise for the Ravens offense and fantasy football owners as Flacco scored 17 fantasy points, nearly double the nine he was projected for.
Hallam's Take: You had to see this great production coming from a guy who comes from that college football factory of DELAWARE! The BLUE HEN quarterback has been impressive even if I make fun of his college. He more than likely won't become an every week fantasy quarterback any time soon, but against a weak matchup, he might be worth a start.
Gus Frerotte (Minnesota Vikings) - When he took over, did anyone see Frerotte keeping this team pointed in the right direction? The answer: nope. But he has done just that, and had another quality game in week 9. Gus threw for just 182 yards, but had three touchdowns giving him 17 fantasy points, well ahead of the 12 point projection.
Hallam's Take: With no wide receivers that the average fan could pick out of a lineup, it is even more surprising that Frerotte is doing well. You can't think of playing him every week, but here's another guy that if you have had Brady, Palmer, Hasselbeck, etc. and are stuck playing matchups, you could do worse than Gus.
Dan Orlovsky (Detroit Lions) - The bottom of the barrel of quarterbacks looked good in Week 9, and Orlovsky was no different. Although the Lions lost again, Orlovsky did just fine. The Lions QB was 28 of 47 for 262 yards and two touchdowns. He did throw two picks, but still crushed his eight point projection by scoring 14.
Hallam's Take: With the signing of Culpepper, Orlovsky's run as the Lions' starting quarterback is probably over due to the fact that he was injured in the game . It will most likely take Culpepper a couple of weeks to get up to speed before he is ready to take over. Oh hell, if you are playing Orlovsky, your team is most likely screwed anyway.
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Running Backs
Tim Hightower (Arizona Cardinals) - There were rumors that Hightower would start to eat into Edgerrin James carries starting this week. Turns out Hightower got all the carries and did damn well with them. In his first game as a starter, Hightower rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown, giving him 16 points while he was projected for 12.
Hallam's Take: Hightower is a big guy, so we will see if he is able to carry the load on a weekly basis. This game was also against the Rams, and they are not exactly the Steel Curtain. That said, I am pretty excited about this young guy, so if he is available in your league, I would make a run at him. He could have a nice impact on a good offense in the second half of the season. This also could signal the end of the fantasy career of Mr. James.
Cedric Benson (Cincinnati Bengals) - Out of the league just about a month ago, Benson finally had an impactful game for the Bengals as they broke through and got their first win. Benson rushed the ball 24 times for 104 yards and a touchdown, as he scored 16 fantasy points, doubling his eight point prediction.
Hallam's Take: Ryan Fitzpatrick seems to be getting a little better each week, and if he can progress along with Benson, the Bengals offense might not be as embarrassing as it has been on a weekly basis. I wouldn't want to be starting Benson at any other position than a third running back or flex position, but in that role he could help your team nicely.
Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens) - Willis McGahee was unable to go in another game this season, and the rookie from Rutgers, Ray Rice, ran with the opportunity. Rice had 21 carries for 154 yards and three catches for 22 more. He was unable to find the end zone, but he showed that the Ravens don't need to panic if their starting runner needs to miss more time. Rice scored 17 points, annihilating his five point projection.
Hallam's Take: If McGahee needs to miss more time (which is possible given his injury history), you could have a huge sleeper in the second half. Rice has the talent to be a starting running back in this league if he is given the opportunity, and hopefully this game will have him eating into Willis' carries even if McGahee is healthy.
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Wide Receivers
Donald Driver (Green Bay Packers) - Against a really tough defense in Tennessee, Driver had perhaps his best game of the season as he brought in seven passes for 136 yards and a touchdown. Driver really rewarded his owners that decided to play him as he scored 19 fantasy points, destroying his six point projection.
Hallam's Take: There were probably more questions about Driver's production with the quarterback change this season than any other Packers' receiver. Driver obviously had an incredible relationship with Favre, but this season he has shown his professionalism as he has been good with Aaron Rodgers as well. He will never get the press, but Driver has been one of the more consistent WRs for five to seven years now. He is at the back end of his career, but Driver still has fantasy value as this game proved.
Derrick Mason (Baltimore Ravens) - The old man is still getting it done. After everyone thought the 100+ receptions he had last season was a fluke, Mason is doing it again this season. He is doing a great job even with a young, inexperienced QB, and caught another nine passes for 136 yards and a score. He was projected for just six, but scored 18 fantasy points.
Hallam's Take: I gave up on Mason a couple of seasons ago, but he is having a nice resurgence the past year and a half. He quietly just goes out and does his job, and he is on pace for nearly 90 receptions again this year, which is surprising with the rookie QB, but you can't argue with his production. Mason could be a low end #2 or nice #3 receiver as Flacco continues to mature.
Braylon Edwards (Cleveland Browns) - There hasn't been too many weeks that Braylon has belonged on this list, but he had a pretty good game on Sunday, so we put him here when we can. It wasn't an incredible game, but four catches for 86 yards and a score gives him 14 points, when he was projected for just six.
Hallam's Take: One of the bigger disappointments in fantasy football this season, Edwards has begun to come out of his funk a little bit lately. Word came down today about a change that we have hoped might help his value, as Brady Quinn will be starting for Cleveland on Thursday. Not sure that will do it, but perhaps some change at QB will help Edwards get back to where he was last year.
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Tight Ends
Kevin Boss (New York Giants) - It was a weak week for tight ends, but Boss was able to find the end zone when he wasn't projected to. Boss has been a nice target for Eli Manning and had three catches for 30 yards and that touchdown. That is a nine point game for Boss when he was only supposed to score four.
Hallam's Take: Ok, so he isn't Jeremy Shockey on the field, but thankfully for the Giants he isn't Shockey off the field either. He won't have the impact that the big mouth in the Big Easy has the capabilities of making, but you know what? Give me Boss with no drama over Shockey's injury problems and big damn mouth.
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Kickers
David Akers (Philadelphia Eagles) - Akers doesn't seem to have the same leg that he had a few years ago, but is still accurate from 45 yards and in. He had a great game in Week 9 as he kicked four field goals ranging from 24 to 42 yards. He also added two extra points to give him 14 points crushing his projection.
Hallam's Take: Who doesn't remember him kicking that field goal with the torn hamstring? As heroic as that was, perhaps it had a long lasting effect on his career, as he just doesn't kick the long ones anymore. He is still in the top 10 of kickers, but much closer to ten now than he once was. He is still roster worthy, but not one of the best in the league anymore.
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Defenses/Special Teams
New York Jets - Tough call between the Jets who dominated the Bills, and the Falcons who shutout the Raiders. The Jets defense was very impressive against the Bills as they gave up just 17 points, sacked Trent Edwards five times, picked him off twice, and forced a fumble. But, the factor that led me to picking the Jets was one of the interceptions was returned for a touchdown by Abram Elam. The Jets performed far beyond their three star projection.
Hallam's Take: Whenever your defensive team scores, that is big fantasy points for you. The five sacks and three turnovers is nothing to sneeze at either. Ok, so they gave up 17 points which is nowhere near as good as a shutout like the Falcons got, and the Steelers gave up just seven and sacked Campbell seven times, but that touchdown is fantasy gold. The Jets have been a good fantasy defense for the turnovers and sacks they have been getting even if they give up more points than you would like from a solid fantasy defense.
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WEEK 9 UNDERACHIEVERS
Quarterbacks
Brett Favre (New York Jets) - The Jets got a big divisional win, but it was no thanks to #4. Favre has been struggling for a few weeks now, and did not look good on Sunday. The legend was 19/28 for just 201 yards and didn't throw a touchdown. Favre did complete one pass to the wrong team, which gave him just six fantasy points when he was projected for 14.
Hallam's Take: Although the Jets keep winning, Favre is seeming to get a comfortable spot on my bust list. He has been incredibly inconsistent and is throwing interceptions like crazy. I know the Jets' offense doesn't seem to fit his skills perfectly, but he still had the ability to throw those six touchdowns under this game plan.
David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars) - The Jags have been one of the bigger disappointments in the NFL this year, and Garrard hasn't been anything thrilling. He had a very below average game in Week 9, throwing for just 229 yards without a touchdown. He was projected to be one of the better QBs this week with 20 points, but managed just nine.
Hallam's Take: I have never been a fan of Garrard, either in fantasy or in real life. He doesn't get a lot of help from the fact that his receivers are basically a group of underachievers. I wouldn't want to have to play Garrard many weeks during the year, and would certainly be looking for another option. I would rather have him than say a Ryan Fitzpatrick, but Garrard is in the bottom third on my list.
Trent Edwards (Buffalo Bills) - It was a really good game for Edwards by his standard as far as yardage is concerned, unfortunately most leagues don't reward many points for yardage. Edwards threw for 289 yards, but he only got one touchdown and threw two interceptions. He scored 11 points, while he was projected for 17.
Hallam's Take: I became a Trent Edwards hater this season as he was my bye week replacement QB in a two quarterback league. He threw one touchdown in the two weeks I needed him, and cost me a win in one of those games. So, a guy that I once liked, I now realize isn't a great fantasy QB even though he is a gritty player.
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Running Backs
Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - Going against the worst running defense in Kansas City and without Warrick Dunn, it seemed like it would be a great game for Graham. Not!!! Graham ran for just 62 yards, but did catch five passes for 29 yards. He still fell way short of his 17 point projection with just eight points.
Hallam's Take: After a huge end of the season last year and a good start to '08, Graham has fallen off in the past couple of weeks. Dunn has really started to eating into his carries, and the ones he is getting he hasn't been very efficient with. You should keep playing him if you have him, but your expectations have to be kept in check.
Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) - Jackson returned from missing a game due to injury, but he might as well have missed another week. In a huge divisional game against a weak defensive opponent, Jackson came up very small, rushing for just 17 yards on seven carries. He was projected for a nice 16 points, but severely disappointed his owners scoring just the one point.
Hallam's Take: It was nice to see S Jax back on the field as he is one of my favorite fantasy players, but the guy was obviously not healthy. Hopefully, another week of rest will get him closer to 100% and get him back to the kind of runner he is capable of being. Keep running Jackson out there, now that the Rams are back to respectability, he should get back to helping your team.
Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo Bills) - In a disappointing home loss to the Jets, the whole Bills offense didn't show up. Lynch was perhaps the biggest disappointment of all as he was able to gain just 16 rushing yards. He was able to catch three balls for 52 yards, but Lynch scored just six points, way short of his 15 point projection.
Hallam's Take: Another one of my favorite fantasy running backs, Lynch had one of his few bad games of the season. If you are a Lynch owner you have to just put this horrible game behind you and put this guy back out there again next week. He won't disappoint you very often.
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Wide Receivers
Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos) - Marshall and the Broncos ran into a tougher game than they figured against the Dolphins this week, and the statistics showed it. Marshall was able to catch just two passes for 27 yards. A colossal disappointment this week, Marshall scored just the two points when he was projected for a big 17 points.
Hallam's Take: I recently traded Marshall away and it really, really hurt me to do that, as I have a man crush on the guy. This is just a bad week, one of those that every team has every so often. If you are a Marshall owner, please, don't worry about this game. It sucks if this might have cost you a win, but Marshall will be back to the stud we know him to be next week. Trust me.
Lee Evans (Buffalo Bills) - Did the entire Bills offense show up on this list? It appears so. Well, when the QB and the RB show up on the bust list, does the #1 wide receiver have any chance of having a good game? The Bills were shut down pretty good by the Jets young secondary, and Evans caught just four passes for 41 yards. His four fantasy points were far below his 16 point production.
Hallam's Take: If you all don't know Darrelle Revis yet, the corner for the Jets, you should and you will sometime in the near future. He will be one of the best in the league before his career is over and will shut down far better receivers than Evans. For a #1 receiver, Evans is a little more hit and miss than others in his position, but he should be back to form next week.
Plaxico Burress (New York Giants) - Burress is making more headlines for his fines and suspensions than he is for his play in 2008. But, this poor game was more due to the fact that the Giants barely passed the ball in the second half as they already had the Cowboys beat by half time. Burress had just three catches for 34 yards and his three points crushed his owners when they expected 13 points.
Hallam's Take: Burress keeps showing up on this bust list, but the Giants keep winning. This isn't going down a path that looks like it will end pretty between the Giants and Plax. He continues to do his own thing, and the team continues to fine him...and continues to win. The Giants are very deep at WR, but none of them have the talent of Burress. Keep an eye on this situation, I think it is going to get juicy before it is over.
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Tight Ends
Greg Olsen (Chicago Bears) - Projected to be the highest scoring tight end of the week, Olsen did nearly nothing against the Lions. Olsen had just two catches for only ten yards. He was given a big number of 13 points as he was thought to have a field day against the lowly Lions. One is the loneliest number, and that's how many points Olsen had.
Hallam's Take: Olsen is having a nice season after disappointing last year, but he still isn't consistent enough to count on every week. However, you figure he would have a better game than this. Not too much to say about this one...I'm as shocked as you.
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Kickers
Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland Raiders) - Although he wasn't highly recommended by the Bruno Boys this week, Janikowski was projected for seven points this week. Given that the Raiders were shutout this week, that gives you an idea of the opportunities the crazy man got this week...none.
Hallam's Take: ???????? What else can I say? He didn't even get a chance to kick this week.
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Defenses / Special Teams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Playing the offensively challenged Chiefs, the Bucs were projected to be the number one defense to have this week. Not only did they give up 27 points, but they were unable to pick off Tyler Thigpen, and only forced one fumble. If you played Tampa, this was a huge disappointment as you were most likely counting on big points from your defense.
Hallam's Take: Especially without Larry Johnson, you had to be expecting big things from the Bucs. But Thigpen has been improving, and perhaps Johnson is such a cancer to the team that they are better off without him. Rookie Jamaal Charles is looking better, and the Bucs just overlooked Kansas City this week. No other explanation makes sense.
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WEEK 10 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
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Also read: Fantasy Football Week 10 Start Em & Sit Em (click to view)
Also read: Fantasy Football Week 9 Waiver Wire Advice (click to view)
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