Wrap Up - Week 7

Start’em

Brett Favre, Jets. Like many people, I saw the end of this game. Favre pulled one of his great escapes in his own end zone; then he found Chansi Stuckey for a 31 yard gain. Somehow, he got the Jets in field goal position for Jay Feely to tie the game. Incredible effort, but Favre’s numbers for the game were 21-38 for 197 yards and two interceptions. Clearly, despite the end of game heroics, this was not one of Favre’s best games and a loss for me.

Matt Schaub, Texans. Quietly, Schaub is emerging as a must start for Fantasy owners. Having Andre Johnson at wide receiver is a major factor in his production. Schaub was 26-31 for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns. His completion percentage was outstanding. Both touchdowns were to TE Owen Daniels. More importantly for Schaub, he did not throw an interception. Interceptions have killed his Fantasy points in other games this year.

Steven Jackson, Rams. I wish I could have watched this game. Jackson must have been awesome. He finished the game with 176 combined rushing and receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. On the highlight of his 56 yard rushing touchdown, he burst through the hole and barely was touched on the way to the end zone. Fantasy owners who have been burned by Jackson for a season and a half are smiling this week.

Jamal Lewis, Browns. Cleveland is too hard to figure out. The offense was crisp and fired on all cylinders against the Giants on MNF. Playing on the road in the NFL is very difficult, but the Browns looked like a totally different team. Lewis had a solid, if not great game, with 98 combined rushing and receiving yards for 6 Fantasy points.

Calvin Johnson, Lions. Johnson owners had to be worried for most of this game, but one big play turned this receiver’s whole day around. He only had 2 catches, but those grabs went for a career high 154 yards and 1 touchdown. He also caught a 2-point conversion. If QB Dan Orlovsky continues to improve, Johnson is really the only big play option in the Lions’ passing attack.

Sit’em

Jay Cutler, Broncos. Cutler banged his thumb and hand on a Patriots’ helmet on the very first play from scrimmage. He stayed in the game, but he definitely looks injured. Cutler finished the game with 168 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He just did not look like himself after the injury and after the Patriots started blowing the Broncos out of the stadium.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings. There must be something about the city of Chicago that appeals to AP. Last year, he played great at Soldier Field and this Sunday he was exceptional again. He had 22 carries for 121 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 2 touchdowns. His 54 yard rushing touchdown displayed the speed and power of 2007. He added one reception for 9 yards and finished with 20 total Fantasy points. Once again, proof to me that you have to start your high draft choices every week.

Julius Jones, Seahawks. How far have the Seahawks fallen this year without Matt Hasselbeck? Wow, they looked awful against a great Tampa Bay defense. Jones had 7 rushes for 42 yards. If you own Jones, you might want to consider dropping him after this week. Maurice Morris is back and it is hard to tell if the Seahawks will be able to move the football against anybody.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals. Even with Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB, the Bengals’ offense showed some life against the Steelers. They scored on their longest touchdown drive in two years. Houshmandzadeh finished the game with 8 catches for 58 yards and 3 total Fantasy points. Watching the game, it seems like Fitzpatrick looks more for Chad Johnson. If you have Houshmandzadeh, you have to be concerned until Carson Palmer returns.

Bernard Berrian, Vikings. I picked up Berrian on the waiver wire, and then I talked myself into not playing him this week. He torched me and the Bears for 6 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Having a great game against the bears had to feel good for Berrian. If he is healthy, he is a must starter for the next few weeks.

Totals: 7-3 (Overall 38-25-5)

My Picks

Wins: Steelers, Titans, Bears, Packers, Patriots
Losses: Chargers, Saints, Dolphins, Cowboys, Niners, Texans, Redskins, Jets, Buccaneers
Total: 5-9 (Overall 55-44-3)

Fantasy Games. When Tony Romo hurt his pinkie last Sunday, I was not too worried. My back up is Kurt Warner and I just figured to plug him into the line up. Wrong. Warner and the Cardinals were on a bye week. Thus, the week passed by with me checking everyday on Romo and his playing status. I picked up Brad Johnson on waivers. Sunday morning I woke up with Johnson in the starting line up, but never felt comfortable about it. That gut feeling led to a long breakdown of who else to pick up and play. I ended up choosing Jeff Garcia, playing him, and winning a very close game.

Ties in Fantasy Football? Last week, we had a tie game in my Dallas league. The Giants defense was unable to score a point against the Cleveland Browns and that left two teams with a tie score. A couple of years ago our commissioner held a vote and our league decided to break ties by going to the decimal point. I am in favor of the idea, because I think it makes the playoff picture much clearer at the end of the year. I also play in an Atlanta league and in that league they allow ties. Two questions: Are you for ties in Fantasy regular season? And what do you think is the best way to break a tie game? Leave a comment.