Winners and Losers Week 7

So here we are, seven weeks gone in this 2011 season. For many fantasy owners, the halfway mark has come and gone, and now teams are either thinking about the playoffs, trying to find a way to make the playoffs, or are already thinking about next season. It's a fast and furious ride, and one that won’t slow down anytime soon. So while we have a moment to catch our breath, let’s look back at some of the top (and bottom) performers from a crazy Week 7.

Winners

Arian Foster, RB, HOU

This one is pretty obvious and anyone who owned him probably won this week. Foster exploded for 115 rushing yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns as well as 119 yards on 5 catches and another touchdown against the Titans. That’s 40 points in standard scoring, for you math majors out there. Even Ben Tate rushed for over 100 yards in this game, that’s how ugly it was for Tennessee. I think it’s safe to say that Foster is back and is once again a top, if not the top, running back in fantasy land.

DeMarco Murray, RB, DAL

I knew this kid would have himself a game against the Rams. But even I didn’t predict this. 25 carries, 253 yards rushing and a touchdown for the rookie out of Oklahoma. The touchdown came on his first carry, which went for 91 yards. He broke the Cowboys’ record for most rushing yards in a single game, previously held by Emmitt Smith, who rushed for 237 in a game. Even when Felix Jones comes back, Murray should have at least earned himself a few more carries. Are we looking at a possible time share? Only time will tell in Big D.

Chiefs’ Defense

Let’s show some love to the Kansas City defense. Granted, they did face a Raider team which was starting Kyle Boller (and later Carson Palmer). But still, six interceptions, two of them were returned for touchdowns. So, raise your hand if you started the Chiefs’ D? Put your hands down, liars. Can they keep this up? It will be tough, especially with a date with Philip Rivers and the Chargers next Monday Night.

Any Fantasy owner who didn’t suffer an injury

Honestly, when was the last time this many players got banged up during a game? Let’s count some of them. Wells, McFadden, McGahee, Ryan, Stafford, Jennings, Addai, and Lynch are among the many players who suffered some sort of injury in Week 7. I somehow still won this week, despite losing Wells and McGahee for some time. So if no one on your team suffered an injury, then you are pretty darn lucky.

Losers

Tim Hightower, RB, WAS

This isn’t so much a poor fantasy effort as it is just the fact that Hightower tore his ACL on Sunday against the Panthers, and it goes without saying, he is done for the year. And he was performing well in that game before he went down, 17 carries for 88 yards. Unfortunately for Hightower, those were probably the last 17 carries he will have as a Redskin. Now, everyone is jumping on the Ryan Torain bandwagon. Remember, we are still dealing with Mike Shanahan here. There’s a chance Torain will bust and Shanahan starts putting Evan Royster on the field, and perhaps he has a good fantasy game or two.

Earnest Graham, RB, TB

Again, the same reason as Hightower, not so much a poor fantasy day, just the fact that his season is done as well. Graham suffered a torn Achilles in London against the Bears. Just when Graham was starting to get going, boom, he is out also. In general, you can say the entire Buccaneers’ RB corps is a loser right now. Kregg Lumpkin is the only healthy running back on the Tampa Bay roster. Tampa Bay does have a bye in Week 8, so we will wait and see if LeGarrette Blount can come back for Week 9.

Eric Decker, WR, DEN

Just throwing this one in because I was very high on Decker this week, and he completely bombs. Two catches for just 21 yards on only three targets in his first game with Tim Tebow at quarterback. I have a feeling we will see a merry-go-round when it comes to the Denver wide receivers. You just won’t know who will be the one to produce each week, whether it is Decker, or Demaryius Thomas, or Eddie Royal.

Fantasy owners of any Baltimore Raven

Yikes, that Monday Night game was just downright ugly. I don’t even know how I watched the whole thing. I can only imagine what it was like for Ravens fans. I can also imagine what it was like if you owned any Raven on your fantasy team. Unless you started Anquan Boldin, or even if you started Anquan Boldin, chances are you may not have been happy with their production. Joe Flacco put up a measly seven points, throwing for just 137 yards on 21/38 passing, one touchdown late to Boldin, and the interception that ended the game. Boldin at least got you double digit points, posting 40 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. But for some owners, that may not have been enough. But if you owned Ray Rice, I am terribly sorry. In what looked like a really, really sweet matchup, Rice rushed eight times for just 28 yards, caught five passes for 35 yards, and lost one fumble for a grand total of three standard scoring points. Yeah, it was that kind of night.

Any fantasy owner who suffered multiple injuries

As mentioned earlier, if you got through Week 7 without an injury to one of your players, congrats. However, if you owned multiple players who got injured, you may or may not have been lucky. I mentioned earlier my injuries, but the good news is most of these players aren’t expected to miss too much time. On the other hand, some players we don’t know the extent of the injury. Wells is only expected to miss 1-2 weeks, McGahee should be back in about a week or two, Stafford is day-to-day, Ryan came back after getting his ankle stepped on. But for guys like McFadden, Lynch, Peyton Hillis and others, we don’t know if they will miss any time, or any more time in some cases. Ah, the beauty and agony of fantasy football.

Good luck to everyone as we approach the second half of this glorious 2011 fantasy season.

Stud, Dud, Sleeper Week 7

Welcome back Corralers for another week of Fantasy Football. Week 7 is upon us, and to help to get ready, here are my choices for my Stud, Dud, and Sleeper for this upcoming week.

Stud: Eric Decker WR DEN - In case you were sleeping under a rock, Miami's pass defense is terrible. While Tim Tebow will most likely run a lot this week, he will also throw it some, and now that Brandon Lloyd is gone, Decker looks to be the top option for Tebow. Only three teams have allowed more passing yards than Miami, and all of them are much, much better than Miami. I see about 5+ catches, 80+ yards and a score.

Dud: Larry Fitzgerald WR ARI - Pittsburgh may not be the strong defense they used to be, but they still stop Wide Recievers, allowing the fewest points per game to opposing WRs, and boasting the number one pass defense in terms of yards per game. I think Arizona will try to win this game by running the ball, as the Steelers are a middle of the pack run defense, and keeping Ben Roethlisberger off the field. And when Kevin Kolb will step back to pass, chances are he's going to see pressure from Pittsburgh, and as we saw against Minnesota, Kolb doesn't handle pressure that well. It will be a rough go for Fitzy.

Sleeper: DeMarco Murray RB DAL - This may be the trendy sleeper pick, but certainly understandable. St. Louis ranks dead last against the run, and Felix Jones is out. Many think it will be a time share, however, Jason Garrett just has never been fond of Choice, and Choice was nearly traded by the Cowboys. Only reason he stayed is the Felix injury. Murray will get most of the work, especially on passing downs, making him a very nice sleeper pick. 80+ yards rushing, 50+ yards receiving, and a touchdown is my prediction for Murray.

Defense Rankings for Week 7

1. Baltimore Ravens vs JAC
2. Dallas Cowboys vs STL
3. Green Bay Packers vs MIN
4. Chicago Bears vs TB (in London)
5. New York Jets vs SD
6. Pittsburgh Steelers at ARI
7. Detroit Lions vs ATL
8. San Diego Chargers at NYJ
9. New Orleans Saints vs IND
10. Cleveland Browns vs SEA
11. Washington Redskins at CAR
12. Oakland Raiders vs KC
13. Houston Texans at TEN
14. Denver Broncos at MIA
15. Tennessee Titans vs HOU
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs CHI (in London)
17. Atlanta Falcons at DET
18. Arizona Cardinals vs PIT
19. Seattle Seahawks at CLE
20. Carolina Panthers vs WAS
21. Kansas City Chiefs at OAK
22. Minnesota Vikings vs GB
23. Miami Dolphins vs DEN
24. Indianapolis Colts at NO
25. Jacksonville Jaguars vs BAL
26. St. Louis Rams at DAL

TE Rankings for Week 7

1. Jimmy Graham vs IND
2. Jason Witten vs STL
3. Owen Daniels at TEN
4. Jermichael Finley at MIN
5. Brandon Pettigrew vs ATL
6. Fred Davis at CAR
7. Tony Gonzalez at DET
8. Greg Olsen vs WAS
9. Antonio Gates at NYJ
10. Kellen Winslow vs CHI (in London)
11. Dustin Keller vs SD
12. Ben Watson vs SEA
13. Dallas Clark at NO
14. Heath Miller at ARI
15. Jared Cook vs HOU
16. Ed Dickson at JAC
17. Kevin Boss at OAK
18. Marcedes Lewis vs BAL
19. Jeremy Shockey vs WAS
20. Lance Kendricks at DAL
21. Visanthe Shiancoe vs GB
22. Todd Heap vs PIT
23. Jeff King vs PIT
24. Daniel Fells at MIA
25. Evan Moore vs SEA

WR Rankings for Week 7

1. Calvin Johnson vs ATL
2. Miles Austin vs STL
3. Mike Wallace at ARI
4. Greg Jennings at MIN
5. Dez Bryant vs STL
6. Steve Smith vs WAS
7. Roddy White at DET
8. Vincent Jackson at NYJ
9. Dwayne Bowe at OAK
10. Brandon Marshall vs MIA
11. Larry Fitzgerald vs PIT
12. Marques Colston vs IND
13. Eric Decker at MIA
14. Santonio Holmes vs SD
15. Jordy Nelson at MIN
16. Pierre Garcon at NO
17. Santana Moss at CAR
18. Anquan Boldin at JAC
19. Sidney Rice at CLE
20. Reggie Wayne at NO
21. Percy Harvin vs GB
22. Brandon Lloyd at DAL
23. Darrius Heyward-Bey vs KC
24. Mike Williams vs CHI (in London)
25. Kevin Walter at TEN
26. Greg Little vs SEA
27. Doug Baldwin at CLE
28. Nate Washington vs HOU
29. Mike Thomas vs BAL
30. Lance Moore vs IND
31. Robert Meachem vs IND
32. Malcom Floyd at NYJ
33. James Jones at MIN
34. Steve Breaston at OAK
35. Johnny Knox vs TB (in London)
36. Torrey Smith at JAC
37. Jacoby Ford vs KC
38. Devin Hester vs TB (in London)
39. Eddie Royal at MIA
40. Dane Sanzenbacher vs TB (in London)
41. Danario Alexander at DAL
42. Titus Young vs ATL
43. Antonio Brown vs ARI
44. Harry Douglas at DET
45. Plaxico Burress vs SD
46. Jabar Gaffney at CAR
47. Hines Ward at ARI
48. Arrelious Benn vs CHI (in London)
49. Jacoby Jones at TEN
50. Emmanuel Sanders at ARI

RB Rankings for Week 7

1. Ray Rice at JAC
2. Darren McFadden vs KC
3. Adrian Peterson vs GB
4. Matt Forte vs TB (in London)
5. Rashard Mendenhall at ARI
6. Arian Foster at TEN
7. Chris Johnson vs HOU
8. Beanie Wells vs PIT
9. Maurice Jones-Drew vs BAL
10. Ryan Mathews at NYJ
11. Michael Turner at DET
12. Earnest Graham vs CHI (in London)
13. Willis McGahee at MIA
14. Steven Jackson at DAL
15. Darren Sproles vs IND
16. Mark Ingram vs IND
17. Ryan Torain at CAR
18. Shonn Greene vs SD
19. DeMarco Murray vs STL
20. Daniel Thomas vs DEN
21. Jackie Battle at OAK
22. James Starks at MIN
23. Mike Tolbert at NYJ
24. Marshawn Lynch at CLE
25. DeAngelo Williams vs WAS
26. Jonathan Stewart vs WAS
27. Pierre Thomas vs IND
28. Maurice Morris vs ATL
29. Delone Carter at NO
30. Ryan Grant at MIN
31. Montario Hardesty vs SEA
32. Ben Tate at TEN
33. Michael Bush vs KC
34. Tashard Choice vs STL
35. Reggie Bush vs DEN
36. Donald Brown at NO
37. LaDainian Tomlinson vs SD
38. Tim Hightower at CAR
39. Roy Helu at CAR
40. Thomas Jones at OAK
41. Knowshon Moreno at MIA
42. Issac Redman at ARI
43. Marion Barber vs TB (in London)
44. Ricky Williams at JAC
45. Jason Snelling at DET
46. Chris Ogbonnaya vs SEA
47. Caddy Williams at DAL
48. Javon Ringer vs HOU
49. Dexter McCluster at OAK
50. Justin Forsett at CLE

QB Rankings for Week 7

1. Aaron Rodgers at MIN
2. Tony Romo vs STL
3. Drew Brees vs IND
4. Matthew Stafford vs ATL
5. Cam Newton vs WAS
6. Ben Roethlisberger at ARI
7. Philip Rivers at NYJ
8. Matt Schaub at TEN
9. Joe Flacco at JAC
10. Tim Tebow at MIA
11. Josh Freeman vs CHI (in London)
12. Jay Cutler vs TB (in London)
13. Colt McCoy vs SEA
14. Matt Ryan at DET
15. Matt Hasselbeck vs HOU
16. Matt Cassel at OAK
17. Mark Sanchez vs SD
18. Matt Moore vs DEN
19. Curtis Painter at NO
20. John Beck at CAR
21. Charlie Whitehurst at CLE
22. Kevin Kolb vs PIT
23. Christian Ponder vs GB
24. A.J. Feeley at DAL
25. Kyle Boller vs KC

Carson Palmer, Oakland QB

Welcome back fellow corralers. Week 6 is now in the rear view mirror. If you won this week, good for you. If you lost, don't worry, still plenty of time to make a move. Either way, it's time for forget about Week 6 and set our focus on Week 7. So let's get started.

No, corralers, I did not typo. For those that are just waking up for the first time since Sunday, the big news from yesterday was that Carson Palmer was traded to the Oakland Raiders. Yes, Mike Brown actually traded him. This just shows that everyone has a price, and when someone is met with that price, they will budge.

In exchange for Palmer, the Bengals will receive a first round pick in 2012, and a conditional pick in 2013. The condition is that if the Raiders make it to the AFC Championship Game either this season or next season, the Bengals receive a first round pick in 2013. If not, the pick is a second round pick.

Pretty nice haul for someone who vowed he wasn't trading Palmer. But can you blame Brown? His Bengals are off to a 4-2 start with Andy Dalton at quarterback. He has a very young, up and coming offense, and a strong defense, which currently ranks 2nd in the NFL in yards per game allowed. Only the Steelers have allowed fewer. And now with one, possibly two, first round picks coming, this team is on the rise.

As far as Oakland is concerned, they clearly are in a win now mode. This move comes after Jason Campbell suffered a broken collarbone in Week 6 against the Browns. If they didn't land Palmer, they were possibly looking at Kyle Boller as their starter. So, I think we can see why they made the move. Say what you want about whether the Raiders overpayed for Palmer, but they usually say a franchise QB is worth two first round picks. Time will tell if Palmer holds that statement true for the Raiders.

As far as fantasy purposes go, how much value does Palmer now hold? It was originally thought that Palmer would not be the starter until Week 9, as the Raiders have their bye in Week 8. But now reports are coming out saying Palmer will start this week against the Chiefs. Obviously, Palmer may have a bit of rust he will have to shake off, having not played since Week 17 of last year, but this is a guy who finished with the sixth most passing yards last season with 3,970. He also did throw 26 touchdown passes. The only downside was that he threw 20 interceptions.

It's also very possible Palmer learns this offense fairly quickly. And if he does, all the better. He certainly now has the weapons to work with. Darrius Heyward-Bey finally looks like the receiver Oakland thought they were getting back in 2009, Jacoby Ford has the speed to break open any play, and Denarius Moore has turned into a pretty good receiver as well.

So, while Palmer may not be an absolute fantasy starter right away, he is absolutely a QB2 with upside, and certainly worth a roster spot in most leagues, if not all.

That's all for now, corralers. See you real soon.

Winners and Losers of Week 6

Sup fellow corralers? Back again to discuss some of the top performers of Week 6, and to discuss those who disappointed in Week 6.

Winners

Earnest Graham, RB, TB

We have to start here. Graham was a fantasy sleeper a few years back, but injuries had plagued him and he hadn't been able to get back on track for some time. But with LeGarrette Blount out with an injury, Graham got his chance at redemption yesterday against the Saints, and took full advantage, rushing for 109 yards on 17 carries, while also adding two receptions for 22 yards. It was his first 100-yard game since 2008. Certainly good for him to have been able to get another chance. Unfortunately, he will most likely go back to losing carries to Blount when he comes back, but Graham has gotten time on 3rd down, so he will still be involved.

Arrelious Benn, WR, TB

Continuing with the Buccaneer theme, another player who had been plagued by injury put up a very nice game yesterday as well. Benn, who suffered an ACL tear his rookie season, is working his way back, and posted a solid effort, and a nice stat line of three catches, 84 yards and a touchdown, which actually made him the fourth highest scoring WR in ESPN standard scoring. The Bucs, as a whole, finally put together a solid offensive game, Freeman looked the best he's been all year, and Benn and Graham were a couple of the reasons the Bucs came away with a huge win over the Saints to take over first place in the NFC South.

Dallas Clark, TE, IND

Boy, it sure is nice to see this guy finally find the end zone. You can tell Clark misses Peyton. This was Clark's best effort of the season, six catches, 53 yards and a touchdown. Tough fall for Clark, easily considered one of the best TEs in the game. But without number 18 throwing, Clark will continue to have rough spots this year, as Painter clearly is favoring Pierre Garcon.

I'll also add Brent Celek. As an Eagles fan, I've known now that Celek does not get targeted a whole lot anymore. But whether it was the matchup or whatever it was, Celek put up a very nice effort, easily his best output of the season, four catches, 42 yards and a score on NINE targets. He was the most targeted receiver yesterday (Jackson and Maclin each were targeted seven times). Don't get too excited, but continue to monitor this situation. Celek, to me, is still a #2 fantasy TE.

Losers

Jermichael Finley, TE, GB

Can't say I didn't warn you. This guy was one of my duds this week, and sure enough, he posts a whopping one catch for 20 yards against the Rams. This was easily the best TE St. Louis has faced all year, so now we can take their fewest points per game vs TEs a little more seriously. Finley will continue to be a boom or bust play in that explosive Green Bay offense.

Every Washington RB

Oh, how we were all duped. Ryan Torain was back and healthy, Roy Helu was going to get some action as the number two, and they were facing one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. And what did it all add up to? 14 carries, 42 yards, one touchdown total as a team. And the rushing TD was scored by...John Beck. Yes, that John Beck. The same John Beck who hasn't started a game since 2007. Crazy how one week, one game can change everything. Then again, this is Mike Shanahan we are talking about. A guy who makes all kinds of decision at the drop of a dime. So going forward, this will continue to be a headache for fantasy owners of any Redskin. And that includes those who picked up Rex Grossman, as he may not even be the starter anymore.

Roddy White, WR, ATL

Did losing Julio Jones hurt that much? Yes, Atlanta did run the ball a ton, but Matt Ryan still threw it a good bit. And White was the most targeted Falcon, with five targets. However, he only brought in two of his five targets for just 21 yards. I think this will just be a one-week thing. Once Julio comes back, White should regain his value. And again, it seemed the Falcons plan of attack was to run more anyway, 35 rushing attempts (27 for Michael Turner) vs just 22 pass attempts.

Just about any top TE you can think of

It was quite a rough day for many top TEs. Owen Daniels was tripled team most of the day, and came away with just 13 yards on two catches (three targets). Heath Miller, my choice for stud TE, only hauled in four balls for just 27 yards, although he was targeted six times. Also guys like Kellen Winslow and Greg Olsen only gave owners four points in standard scoring. You know it's a crazy week when Alex Smith scores more than guys like Winslow, Olsen, Finley, among others. And no, that's not the 49er QB. That's Alex Smith, TE for the Browns. Like I said, crazy week.

Hope everyone had a good fantasy week, enjoy Jets-Dolphins tonight, and I will see you guys later.

Week 6 Studs and Duds

Welcome back to another week of wonderful fantasy action, fellow corralers. I am going to take a look at some players who may not be on too many radars, but could have sleeper and even stud potential this week. We'll also look at the other side of the coin, those who are normally good starts, but who could disappoint.

STUDS

Andy Dalton, QB, CIN
This kid is starting to come around and has clearly developed a nice chemistry with both A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham. And facing a defense that is 19h in passing yards per game allowed and giving up about 17 fantasy points per game (ppg) to opposing QBs, and you have the making of a sneaky QB start this week.

Ryan Torain, RB, WAS
Boy, where did this kid come from? All year it was the Tim Hightower show. But if you remember, Mike Shanahan did hint that he nearly benched Hightower for Torain during Washington's Week 3 game at Dallas. Shanahan was true to his word, and here came Torain in Week 4 against St. Louis. 19 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown. And now he faces arguable the worst run defense in the NFL through five weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles. They are giving up the most ppg to opposing RBs (28.0), so this could be a sneaky matchup if you own Torain. But just remember that Hightower is still around and Shanahan is still Shanahan. Fair warning.

James Jones, WR, GB
Yes, James Jones. You may not have liked him before, but he's here, and he's my sneaky WR this week. While the Rams are middle of the pack in passing yards per game, they are one of the worst teams as far as allowing fantasy points to WRs (approx. 25 per game, 8th most in the league). Greg Jennings is the stud, of course, but there may be enough here for Jones to factor in as well.

Heath Miller, TE, PIT
Jacksonville against the TE is not that good right now, allowing the 2nd most fantasy ppg to opposing TEs (11.8). And they've allowed the opposing TE to score a TD in four straight games. Miller may not have been looked at much so far, but the opportunity is there for Miller to find the end zone for a second straight week.

DUDs

Matt Schaub, QB, HOU
One, he has a banged up throwing shoulder. Two, he still is without his best friend, Andre Johnson. Three, he's facing the Baltimore Ravens. All this adds up to what could be a disappointing days for Schaub owners against a Ravens team allowing the fewest fantasy ppg to opposing QBs (6.3).

Jahvid Best, RB, DET
Yes, the Lions are 5-0. Who saw that coming? And it's great that they are 5-0, good story. And yes, Best did just break out last week against the Bears. But the Bears run D is a bit of a mess. The 49er run D is no joke, as they are tied for the 4th fewest rushing yards per game, and allowing the fewest fantasy ppg to opposing RBs (7.4 per game). I think Detroit may have to throw it in this one if they want to get to 6-0. Beware of Best.

Brandon Marshall, WR, MIA
From the stats side of things, we can see this isn't a great matchup for Marshall. First off, he's lost Chad Henne for the season and now has Matt Moore as his QB, so we don't know yet what kind of chemistry they will have. Number two, the Jets are among the top ten in fewest ppg allowed in fantasy to opposing WRs (15.6), and there aren't many options after Marshall as far as WRs go in Miami. Oh, and he's also said his goal is to be ejected from the game in the 2nd quarter. Don't think I want to hear one of my top WRs say he wants to be ejected and only play a quarter.

Jermichael Finley, TE, GB
Here's a surprise. I know he's a top TE, and many of you will start him anyway. But I will warn you, while the Rams are generous to opposing WRs, not so much against TEs. Only 2.5 ppgs against opposing TEs. Granted, they haven't played an "elite" TE yet, but the fact of the matter is they have defended the TE pretty well so far. Also, remember the Denver game? You know, the one where Aaron Rodgers looked like God and threw for over 400 yards and 4 TD? Yeah, Finley only has 28 of those yards and did not see the end zone. Just saying. All of his damage has been done in one game so far. Just saying.