32 Fantasy Previews: Washington Redskins

Our 32 Fantasy Previews series rolls along with our final NFC East team: the Washington Redskins.

Robert Griffin III

The newest savior in our nation's capital is a rookie and last year's Heisman Trophy winner.

After trading their 1st and 2nd round picks in 2012, as well as their 1st round picks in 2013 and 2014, Griffin will be expected to step right into the starting QB spot and turn the franchise around.

Now, as far as fantasy potential goes, people are going to compare Griffin to Cam Newton and expect the same type of season. Do not buy into it.

Cam's season was a special one, and the Panthers and Offensive Coordinator Rob Chudzinski designed the playbook specially geared toward Newton.

Newton also has better WRs (i.e. Steve Smith) than Grifiin has.

Now, does this mean Griffin will have a terrible season? Of course not. He'll put up numbers through the air and on the ground.

But it is crazy to believe he will match or top Newton's numbers from last year.

3,000 yards is more realistic for Griffin.

Currently, Griffin is the 12th QB off the board, on average, as in being taken in the 7th round. This means he is being drafted as a starting QB in a 12-team league, ahead of QBs such as Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Schaub, even Jay Cutler.

I think Griffin does have some upside, but I am not quite ready to tout him as a starting fantasy quarterback, just yet.

Roy Helu, Tim Hightower, Evan Royster

Roy Helu

At least with Griffin, you know who will be starting week in and week out.

But when it comes to the running backs, that's where things get fun and the Shanahanigans begin.

That's why I grouped the running backs together. Head coach Mike Shanahan has been known to constantly change whoever the starting running back, which always causes headaches to fantasy owners.

At the start of the season, Hightower was the main back. 25 and 20 carries in Weeks 1 and 2, then 14 in Week 3. Then out of nowhere, Hightower only gets eight in Week 4, and it's Ryan Torain who picked up 19 carries.

Tim Hightower

Hightower eventually suffered an injury which caused him to miss Week 6.

That Week 6 game was against Philadelphia, and with Torain and Helu as the main backs, many expected Helu to put up big numbers against a porous Eagles run defense.

The Redskins, as a team, combined for 14 carries for 42 yards and one touchdown. 10 of those carries and 22 of those yards were from Torain. And neither RB got the touchdown. That went to QB John Beck.

Hightower returned in Week 7 and received 17 carries for 88 yards. Unfortunately, Hightower suffered an torn ACL in that game, and his season was lost.

Evan Royster

Eventually, Helu got his chance, and really made the most of it, getting 23, 23, 27 and 23 carries from Weeks 12-15, and going for 100+ yards in three of those games.

Even Royster put up big numbers after Helu got hurt for the final two games, as Royster put up lines up 19 carries for 132 yards in Week 16 and 20 carries for 113 yards in Week 17.

Now, things seemed much easier a few weeks ago when it looked like just Helu and Royster, with Torain and Hightower gone. Or so we thought.

Washington spurned fantasy owners everywhere by resigning Hightower.

However, I believe Helu will be the back to own, especially in PPRs. Helu picked up 49 receptions in 2011 and should be in line for more passes in 2012.

Helu is currently the 22nd RB off the board, going on average in Round 6, Royster is the 59th off the board and Hightower is the 65th off the board.

Helu is worth the gamble, Royster, possibly in deeper leagues, Hightower is a wait and see.

Pierre Garcon

When Washington knew they were going after Robert Griffin III, their plan of attack in free agency was to bring in some of the top free agent wide receivers.

However, due to penalties from their cap spending in 2010, Washington's 2012 cap was reduced by $36 million, which they split over two years.

This meant they were pretty much out of the Vincent Jackson running, but they sill reeled in a solid WR in former Colt Pierre Garcon.

Garcon quietly put up a 22nd place finish among WRs in 2011, finishing with 947 yards and six touchdowns, although those six TDs only came in three games (two in Week 4, two in Week 5, two in Week 12).

And this was with Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky at quarterback. Now he has Griffin III as his QB.

The question becomes how will Garcon respond to being a #1 WR and receiving a huge contract.

Santana Moss is still in the picture, but he just turned 33 and is more of a slot receiver now.

Washington did also sign Josh Morgan, but how much impact will he make, coming off an injury.

The WR to own in Washington will be Garcon, and right now, he is going off in Round 8 as the 32nd WR.

1,000 yard potential is certainly there, as well as the possibility to reach 7-8 TDs.

Fred Davis

A young TE making his way up the ranks fast is Fred Davis. Davis has 12 TDs in has last three seasons, and really came onto the scene in 2011, receiving 88 targets, catching 59 balls for 793 yards and three TDs. And this was also with him being slapped with a four-game suspension for drug use. So it's fair to wonder what the numbers could have been had he played those four games.

Davis tallied a 12th place finish among TEs, falling just shy of 100 fantasy points.

Davis is back and healthy, and has a better QB to work with in Shanahan's system.

Assuming Davis plays all 16, Davis will continue to be involved in the offense, especially with the high likelihood that long-time Redskins TE Chris Cooley will most likely be cut this offseason.

Davis' current ADP is the ninth TE off the board, going in Round 8. Another solid option to go after if you miss out on Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham.

That does it for the Redskins and the NFC East. Next time, we venture into the NFC North and we will start with the former Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.

Until next time, this is your boy, Bill Wild, signing off.

32 Fantasy Previews: Dallas Cowboys

Back again, this time our 32 Fantasy Previews series checks out the Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo

Despite people thinking he's been a poor quarterback in real football in December, the fact is, Tony Romo is a darn good fantasy quarterback.

After missing most of 2010 with a shoulder injury, Romo bounced back to finish 7th in 2011 with 4,184 yards and 31 touchdowns.

However, one of his surprise targets from last season is now gone, as Laurent Robinson signed with Jacksonville.

But with Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Jason Witten still in the mix, Romo should pick up right where he left off last season. Remember, Romo was on pace for 5,000 yards before his shoulder injury in 2010. 4,500 is completely possible in this offense.

Romo is currently the 8th QB off the board, on average, according to MyFantasyLeague, and has been taken, on average, late-5th to early-6th round. Another reason many owners will go two RBs and two WRs in the first four rounds.

DeMarco Murray

Another breakout sensation last season, Murray stormed onto the scene as a rookie after Felix Jones suffered an injury, and Murray made his presence felt with 250 yards rushing against the Rams.

An ankle injury cost him the final three games of the season, but he still ended up with 895 yards and 5.5 yards per carry.

Murray looks healthy now, and looks to be the bell cow for the Cowboys, with a little bit of Felix Jones sprinkled in (who is the 49th RB off the board, currently).

Murray, however, is currently the 13th RB off the board, averaging late-2nd, early-3rd.

I'd even draft him mid-2nd, maybe early-2nd, as I have Murray as a top-10 back, currently.

I can see 1,200 yards and 10 TDs for Murray as the lead back for the Cowboys.

Dez Bryant

Not many WRs have the crazy upside that Dez Bryant has.

If he gets his head on straight, he easily can get 1,200-1,300 yards. But he has yet to surpass 1,000, even if his career is only two years old.

He did come close last year, going for 928 yards and nine touchdowns.

And with Robinson gone, Bryant should get more of an opportunity to put up big numbers, week in and week out.

His current ADP is near identical to that of Steelers WR Mike Wallace (Wallace's is 32.75, Byrant's is 32.76).

As the 13th WR off the board, Bryant is being drafted as a WR2, but as mentioned before, has crazy, WR1 upside.

Miles Austin

While Bryant is the WR with big-play ability, Miles Austin has been the more consistent WR in Dallas over the years. 2011 was not one of those years.

Injuries limited Austin to just 10 games in 2011, and he was unproductive in about half of those games.

Austin finished with just 579 yards, and 233 of those yards came in his first two games.

2012 is a new year, and fantasy owners still believe Austin can produce, which he can with Romo at quarterback.

As long as Austin is fully healthy, Romo will continue to look his way, as well as Bryant.

Austin is currently the 18th WR off the board, going, on average, in the 4th round. I currently have Bryant at 14, Austin at 15.

Both of these WRs have top-10 upside in the Dallas offense. And both are being drafted outside the top 10.

Jason Witten

When talking about trustworthy TEs, both in fantasy and real-life, the name Jason Witten has to be part of the discussion.

Witten hauled in 942 yards on 79 catches and five touchdowns in 2011. Those 942 yards were his lowest in his last five season. That right there shows his consistency, and how trusted he is in the Dallas offense.

He has also averaged approximately 120 targets over the last four season, which also shows how much Romo trusts Witten.

His fantasy finishes the last four seasons: 2011-6th, 2010-1st, 2009-8th (only had two touchdowns), 2008-2nd.

If history is any indication, Witten will once again post high numbers and should put another top-10, possibly top-5 finish.

His ADP is around 69, about 10 spots lower than Mr. Boom or Bust himself, Jermichael Finley.

A solid way to spend your 6th-round pick, because you know you will get points from Witten.

As you can see, plenty of fantasy points to be had in Big D. Next on the list will be a team that has high hopes thanks to a Heisman winner. Tomorrow, we wrap up the NFC East with a look at the Washington Redskins.

Until next time, this is your boy, Bill Wild, signing off. So long, for now.

32 Fantasy Previews: New York Giants

We continue our look at some of the major fantasy names for each of the 32 teams with the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Eli Manning

Has he finally earned your respect, fantasy owners?

Coming off two consecutive seasons of 4,000 passing yards, and two consecutive 10th place finishes in fantasy points among quarterbacks, fantasy owners were still reluctant to draft Eli Manning as a starting quarterback.

What may have scared off owners was the fact that Eli led the league in interceptions in 2010 with 25.

Well, all Eli did in 2011 was fall 67 yards shy of 5,000 (that's FIVE THOUSAND) for the season. He also added 29 touchdown passes, his second-highest total for his career, behind his 31 in 2010.

Oh, and he also won some game called the Super Bowl for the second time and won Super Bowl MVP for the second time.

So, coming into 2012, I would hope fantasy owners are now fully aware are what Eli can do. With most of his weapons back (WR Mario Manningham and TEs Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum are out, but in come TE Martellus Bennett and rookie WR Reuben Randle, who I will get to later), there is no reason Eli can't put up another spectacular fantasy season after finishing 6th last season.

Currently, Eli is the 7th QB off the board, almost immediately after Michael Vick in the middle of five. Eli is the No. 6 QB on my board, currently, so I certainly like him at that spot.

Ahmad Bradshaw

A foot injury cost Bradshaw 4 games last season, but he clearly showed he was the better running back option for the Giants, as Brandon Jacobs struggled to get things going when Bradshaw was out.

Bradshaw rushed for 659 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010, although his yards per carry was just 3.9.

Bradshaw also seemed to cure his fumble problems from 2010, as he only lost one fumble in 2011, compared to seven fumbles (six lost) in 2010.

Despite all that, Bradshaw still finished as a top 20 fantasy RB, as he also added 267 receiving yards and a pair of receiving touchdowns.

Jacobs is in San Francisco now, so Bradshaw looks to remain the lead back in New York, despite the Giants' selection of Virginia Tech RB David Wilson in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Bradshaw's current ADP is around the end of Round 4, as the 16th RB off the board, which is right around where I have Bradshaw ranked. I'm not too worried about Wilson digging too much into Bradshaw's stock.

Hakeem Nicks

2010's breakout star did nothing in 2011 to say he was a one-hit wonder, catching 76 balls for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns.

The only knock on Nicks is that he has yet to play a full 16-game season in his career. But he did play a career-high 15 games last season.

Unfortunately for Nicks, the injury big got him again, as he broke his foot during OTAs a few weeks ago. However, he should be back in time for the season opener against the Cowboys on September 5th.

Owners may be scared off from the injury and Nicks may fall through the cracks. He is currently the fourth receiver off the board with an ADP in the middle of the second round. I would draft as high as the late-1st, early-2nd. Don't let the injury scare you, Nicks should be just fine and continue his production.

Victor Cruz

From 2010's breakout star to 2011's breakout star, Victor Cruz salsa'd his way onto the fantasy scene in Week 3 against the Eagles with 110 yards and two touchdowns. He kept up his torrid pace and finished with 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns and was the No. 4 scoring WR in 2011, behind only Calvin Johnson, Jordy Nelson and Wes Welker.

With Mario Manningham gone, and Reuben Randle possibly sliding in opposite Nicks, Cruz should continue to operate out of the slot, as well as opposite Nicks. Will he repeat 2011? Probably not. But for a third-round pick, he will certainly give you a productive season worthy of that high a pick. He is currently the 10th WR off the board and should compete again to be a top-10 WR.

Reuben Randle

A sleeper option at WR, Reuben Randle looks to be the favorite to be the third WR on 3-wide sets, and more importantly, will get even more 1st-team reps with Nicks expected to miss most, if not all, of training camp. I believe those reps will be very valuable to Randle, who the Giants stole at 63 overall in the NFL Draft, and will make Randle a very nice deep option. He is being drafted outside the top 50 WRs, but is well worth a late-round pick.

Martellus Bennett

Bennett was scooped up by the Giants in free agency after both Beckum and Ballard went down with torn ACLs.

A TE who was mostly used as a blocking TE in Dallas, Bennett is expected to be the main TE option for Eli Manning this season.

Bennett will get a chance to build a connection with Eli during camp, with Nicks out, but Bennett is more of a very deep TE option.

He is being drafted as the 22nd TE off the board. If you are in a 2-TE league, Bennett is worth a look. Other than that, he's backup status, for now.

There's a glance at the champs. Tomorrow, we take a look at the team the Giants defeated in the final regular season game to win the NFC East, the Dallas Cowboys.

Until then, this is your boy, Bill Wild, signing off. So long, for now.

32 Fantasy Previews: Philadelphia Eagles

Like a good vampire rising from the dead, I am back and this is the start of a series of articles which will break down some of the top fantasy impact players and their potential for each of the 32 teams. And we will start with the team I know the best, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Michael Vick

If you want a quarterback that you know will play all 16 games, Vick is not your guy.

In nine seasons and 11 years since being drafted in 2001, Vick has played a full 16-game season only once in his career, and that was back in 2006 with the Falcons. That was the year Vick became the first (and to this day, only) quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season (1,039).

Since 2006, Vick has played in 12, 12 and 13 games. Remember, he was in jail in 2007 and 2008 after the dog-killing incident, then was stuck as the No. 3 quarterback in Philadelphia behind Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb in 2009. After Kolb suffered a concussion in Week 1 of 2010, Vick became the starter, but missed four games due to injury, and missed three games in 2011 due to injury.

But as we know, his upside is very high. In that magical season of 2010, Vick threw for 3,018 (his first career 3,000 yard passing season), 21 touchdowns (only his second season throwing 20+ TDs), only six interceptions and rushed for nine touchdowns (his highest since rushing for eight in 2002).

Thanks to that season, fantasy owners rushed out to draft Vick very high, some even taking him No. 1 overall (I'm looking at you, Matthew Berry). (In all honestly, Berry is a great mind and his induction into the Fantasy Sports Trade Association Hall of Fame is very much deserved.)

Needless to say, Vick disappointed those who drafted him very high, especially those who took him No. 1. As mentioned before, Vick missed three games due to injury, but despite that, increased his passing yards total from 2010 from 3,018 to 3,303. But his passing touchdowns dropped from 21 to 18, his interceptions ballooned from six to 14 and the real killer, his rushing touchdowns plummeted from nine to just one. He also fumbled the ball ten times, losing four of them.

Currently, Vick's Average Draft position (ADP) is the sixth quarterback taken, and he's being taken, on average, in the fifth round. He's being taken right around the same time as Eli Manning. At that position, you're getting fairly good value for how much upside he has. The core of the Eagles offense is intact, and the Eagles should be in some shootouts this year, with games against the Lions, Falcons, Saints, Cowboys and Giants on the schedule. But it just shows the depth of the quarterback pool this year.

LeSean McCoy

One of the breakout stars of last season was running back LeSean McCoy. In just 15 games (he sat out Week 17 vs Washington to rest an injury), McCoy carried the ball 273 times for a career-high 1,309 yards and an Eagles franchise-record 17 touchdowns.

As if that wasn't enough, McCoy added 48 receptions for 315 yards and three receiving touchdowns for a total of 20 touchdowns (also a franchise record). This was his first season with double-digit touchdowns.

McCoy was rewarded in the off-season with a new long-term contract (five years, $45 million with about $21 million guaranteed).

Looking ahead to 2012, head coach Andy Reid did come out and say he may lessen McCoy's workload this season. Behind McCoy on the depth chart are second-year RB Dion Lewis, and a pair of rookies, 7th-round pick Bryce Brown and undrafted free agent Chris Polk. Most likely, Lewis will be the backup, so if you want to draft Lewis to handcuff McCoy, you certainly won't be in the wrong.

Even if his workload is lessened, he is well worth the second pick he is averaging on MyFantasyLeague.com. He is only in his fourth season, and we've seen what he can do with the ball in his hands. And he is one of the few remaining featured backs in the NFL, so if you can get McCoy, take him and don't think twice about it. You'll be one of the few owners who have to worry their running backs.

Jeremy Maclin

One of my personal favorites on the team, Jeremy Maclin has emerged into one of the better over-the-middle wide receivers in the NFL. He can also burn you deep with the long ball, as shown by his longest catch being 59 yards in 2011 and 83 yards in 2010.

He did miss three games, however, because of injury in 2011, but still ended up with 859 yards and five touchdowns on 63 grabs.

Maclin has yet to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in a single season, but this could be the year. Reports say Maclin was added bulk and looks to be in much better shape this season after the illness he suffered through during training camp last season.

With a healthy (we hope) Vick back at quarterback, Maclin has a lot of upside, and is currently the 21st wide receiver off the board, going late-4th, early-5th. I think that is great value as a No. 2 receiver for a guy who has top-ten potential.

DeSean Jackson

The other side of the Eagles wide receiving corps is headed by a player who has been a boom-or-bust type player recently.

DeSean Jackson can go from top of the heap one week to bottom of the barrel the next. In Week 1, Jackson caught six balls for 102 yards and a touchdown against the Rams. Week 2 against the Falcons: two catches, 21 yards. Week 3 against the Giants: three catches, 30 yards. Week 4 vs San Francisco: six grabs, 171 yards.

So as you can see, you never know what you are going to get with Jackson. Let's also remember that Jackson was very unhappy with his contract last season, to the point where he missed a team meeting the day before the Arizona game and was benched for the game. And it hurt the Eagles, as you can argue they would have won that game if he had played.

Now, Jackson has a long-term contract of his own (five years, $51 million). If happy, and his head is on straight, Jackson can go back to being the deep threat he has become.

Jackson is currently being drafted as the 26th receiver off the board, five receivers after Maclin (Marques Colston, Steve Smith, Antonio Brown, Steve Johnson are between the two). This means, in a 12-team league, Jackson is being drafted as a WR3. That's worth the gamble if you start three receivers or a flex.

Brent Celek

There was a time when Brent Celek was a breakout TE, when he caught 76 passes for 971 yards and eight touchdowns in 2009. Then the Eagles' offensive line became a mess, and Celek was a fantasy afterthought in 2010, after being drafted among the top 10, even top five in some cases, tight ends. He wound up with just 511 yards and four touchdowns.

After a rough first five games, Celek rose from the dead as the Eagles' offensive line became much better and Celek was able to run more routes, instead of having to stay and block.

He started his return in Week 6 against Washington with 42 yards and a touchdown. After that game, he posted four more touchdowns, including one in each of the final three games, and finished with 811 yards on 62 grabs, including 738 in the final ten games.

Celek is currently being drafted as the 14th tight end, which just shows the depth of the tight end position this season. I really like that value (Celek is my No. 10 TE, currently). And you can get him fairly late, his ADP is currently late-11th, early-12th.

There's your glance at the fantasy outlook for the Eagles. Up next will be the defending champs: the New York Giants.

Until next time, this is your boy, Bill Wild, signing off.

Stats are from NFL.com and ADP is provided by myfantasyleague.com

Running back rankings for Week 9

1.       Arian Foster vs CLE

2.       Fred Jackson vs NYJ

3.       LeSean McCoy vs CHI

4.       Matt Forte at PHI

5.       Frank Gore at WAS

6.       Michael Turner at IND

7.       Beanie Wells vs STL

8.       Steven Jackson at ARI

9.       Ray Rice at PIT

10.   Rashard Mendenhall vs BAL

11.   DeMarco Murray vs SEA

12.   Shonn Greene at BUF

13.   Darren Sproles vs TB

14.   LeGarrette Blount at NO

15.   Jackie Battle vs MIA

16.   Michael Bush vs DEN

17.   Cedric Benson at TEN

18.   Mike Tolbert vs GB

19.   Chris Johnson vs CIN

20.   Willis McGahee at OAK

21.   Reggie Bush at KC

22.   Marshawn Lynch at DAL

23.   Chris Ogbonnaya at HOU

24.   James Starks at SD

25.   Benjarvus Green-Ellis vs NYG

26.   Pierre Thomas vs TB

27.   Daniel Thomas at KC

28.   Brandon Jacobs at NE

29.   Javon Ringer vs CIN

30.   Ryan Torain vs SF

31.   Ryan Grant at SD

32.   Ben Tate vs CLE

33.   Donald Brown vs ATL

34.   Delone Carter vs ATL

35.   Joseph Addai vs ATL

36.   LaDainian Tomlinson at BUF

37.   Knowshon Moreno at OAK

38.   Kevin Faulk vs NYG

39.   Kendall Hunter at WAS

40.   Dexter McCluster vs MIA

41.   Roy Helu vs SF

42.   Ricky Williams at PIT

43.   Issac Redman vs BAL

44.   Tashard Choice vs SF

45.   Danny Woodhead vs NYG

46.   D.J. Ware at NE

47.   Marion Barber at PHI

48.   C.J. Spiller vs NYG

49.   Bernard Scott at TEN

50.   Taiwan Jones vs DEN

Peyton Hillis is OUT this week, therefore Chris Ogbonnaya will get the start at HOU with Montario Hardesty also out.

Quarterback Rankings for Week 9

1.       Aaron Rodgers at SD

2.       Drew Brees vs TB

3.       Michael Vick vs CHI

4.       Eli Manning at NE

5.       Tom Brady vs NYG

6.       Tony Romo vs SEA

7.       Matt Ryan at IND

8.       Philip Rivers vs GB

9.       Ben Roethlisberger vs BAL

10.   Matt Schaub vs CLE

11.   Matt Cassel vs MIA

12.   Josh Freeman at NO

13.   Joe Flacco at PIT

14.   Jay Cutler at PHI

15.   Tim Tebow at OAK

16.   Andy Dalton at TEN

17.   Ryan Fitzpatrick vs NYJ

18.   Mark Sanchez at BUF

19.   Tavaris Jackson at DAL

20.   A.J. Feeley at ARI

21.   Matt Hasselbeck vs CIN

22.   Carson Palmer vs DEN

23.   Colt McCoy at HOU

24.   Alex Smith at WAS

25.   Matt Moore at KC

26.   John Beck vs SF

27.   Curtis Painter vs ATL

28.   John Skelton vs STL

Notice the rankings include John Skelton due to the news that Kevin Kolb is unlikely to play this week. If anything changes, I will update.

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.