It was another bizarre week in the world of fantasy football, as two of the top four points producers weren't even owned in most leagues and one is listed second on his own team's depth chart.
Furthermore, two other members of our top 10 were active in less than 55 percent of NFL.com leagues. There were some consistent performers as well, as Tom Brady continued his assault on NFL defenses and stated his case to be the No. 1 overall selection in 2008 drafts. Without further adieu, let's take a look at the studs and duds from Week 7.
BEST PERFORMANCES
1. Tom Brady, QB, New England (50 points): To watch Brady is to watch the greatest quarterback of our generation (and no, I'm not a Patriots fan). He dissected the Miami defense for 354 yards and a career-best six touchdowns in a 49-28 win, and he did it in less than four full quarters. Brady, who has already surpassed his touchdown total from all of last season, is now on pace to throw for 60-plus scores based on his current rate of production. The Washington Redskins will be his next victims in Week 8.
2. Kenny Watson, RB, Cincinnati (33 points): When it was announced that Rudi Johnson would be inactive due to an injured hamstring, Watson became a solid option for fantasy owners. He caught three passes, totaled 157 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns in a 38-31 win over the New York Jets. Watson's scores came on runs of 3, 1 and 2 yards. Watson should sees more carries even when Johnson returns to action, but neither back has a favorable matchup next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
3. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh (31 points): Roethlisberger's matchup against the top-rated Denver pass defense didn't look too attractive on paper, but the matchups went out the window in the AFC battle. Big Ben threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-29 loss. His scores came on 1 and 12 yard passes to Heath Miller, a 13-yard pass to Santonio Holmes and a 13-yard toss to Matt Spaeth. Roethlisberger has developed into one of the better quarterbacks in fantasy football, and his success should continue next week against a Cincinnati defense that has been awful all season.
4. Rob Bironas, K, Tennessee (29 points): For the second time this season, a kicker makes our list of the top 10 performances. Bironas broke the NFL record for field goals in a game with eight, as he connected on attempts of 52, 25, 21, 30, 28, 43, 29 and 29 yards. His final conversion won what was an incredible AFC South contest against Houston. Bironas, who entered the week with a mere 35 fantasy points, wasn't active or even owned in most formats. He'll face Oakland in Tennessee next week.
5. Sage Rosenfels, QB, Houston (29 points):Matt Schaub was battered and bruised against Tennessee, as an injured ankle and a monster hit from all 320 pounds of Albert Haynesworth forced him out of action. That created a chance for Rosenfels, who threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-36 loss to the Titans. Rosenfels' scores came on passes of 7, 6, 7 and 53 yards, all in the fourth quarter. Even if Schaub is out, Rosenfels won't be a reliable option next week in San Diego against the Chargers.
6. Jay Cutler, QB, Denver (27 points): Much like Roethlisberger, Cutler posted enormous numbers in Week 7 despite a less-than-stellar matchup against Pittsburgh. The former Vanderbilt standout threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the Steelers. He connected with Brandon Stokley on a 15-yard score and threw 1-yard touchdown passes to Cecil Sapp and Tony Scheffler. Cutler has been inconsistent all season, but with six teams on a bye in Week 8, he'll be a viable fantasy starter when the Broncos head to Lambeau Field to face the Packers on Monday Night Football.
7. Chad Pennington, QB, N.Y. Jets (26 points): Pennington's spot atop the Jets' depth chart seemed to be in danger heading into this week, but his numbers against the Bengals could have bought him some time before Kellen Clemens takes over. The Marshall product threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to lead the Jets to a win. His scores came on passes of 57, 36 and 32 yards. Pennington isn't at all consistent, however, so start him with real caution next week when the Jets host Buffalo..
8. Laveranues Coles, WR, N.Y. Jets (25 points): A contest against the Cincinnati Bengals is a nice elixir for even the worst offense, and the Jets proved that this week. The Men in Green posted 31 points (and lost), and much of their success came in the pass attack with Coles. The veteran out of Florida State caught eight passes for 133 yards and scored two touchdowns on receptions of 57 and 36 yards. Coles, who has six scores on the season, should be active in Week 8 when the Jets head home to face Buffalo.
9. Wes Welker, WR, New England (25 points): When Welker records a solid stat line, I remember Jim Nantz and Adam Schefter's words of fantasy wisdom in the preseason: "Welker is going to be a great sleeper." The smallish wideout posted nine catches for 138 yards and scored two touchdowns in a win over Miami, and he now has 20 catches for 262 yards and four scores over the past two weeks. Welker has now become a must-start option in most formats in a Patriots offense that has been unstoppable after seven weeks.
10. Randy Moss, WR, New England (24 points): The third member of the Patriots on our list, Moss caught four passes for 122 yards and scored two touchdowns in South Florida. His scores came on receptions of 35 and 50 yards, and both were difficult catches that Moss made look simple due to his immense skills and athleticism. Moss is now on pace to finish the season with close to 1,700 yards and 23 touchdowns. That would break Jerry Rice's single-season record of 22 touchdown receptions, which was set in 1987.
WORST PERFORMANCES
1. Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis (minus-1 point): One of the greatest disappointments in fantasy football this season, Bulger threw for 225 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions in a 33-2 loss to Seattle. Bulger, who totaled minus-1 point overall, has now recorded a combined minus-1 points in his past three starts. He is at less than 100 percent and has a patchwork offensive line in front of him, so it's hard to blame Bulger for his failures. Still, he's become a real risk for owners.
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2. Santana Moss, WR, Washington (0 points): Outside of a two-week stretch were he recorded a combined 171 yards, Moss has been an absolute fantasy disaster. He has been at less than 100 percent, but it's still notable that Moss has totaled zero points over the past two weeks. At his current rate of production, Moss would finish the season with fewer than 600 yards and no touchdowns, and next week's matchup in New England is less than attractive. Consider him a gamble until he shows signs of life.
3. Roy Williams, WR, Detroit (2 points): Either the Tampa Bay defense is better than advertised, or the Lions offense is in the midst of a serious slide. Whatever the reason, Williams didn't do much in Week 7. He recorded three catches for 23 yards in a win over the Buccaneers, and he now has six catches, 59 yards and no scores in his past two starts. It's hard to reserve a wideout of Williams' caliber, and he should bounce back next week against a Chicago defense that has been inconsistent all season.
4. Laurence Maroney, RB, New England (3 points): Maroney was a real source of frustration for fantasy owners when he missed three weeks with an injured groin, and he continued to frustrate even in his return to action. The former Minnesota standout had six carries for 31 yards and shared the workload with Kevin Faulk and Heath Evans in a win over Miami, which could mean he's still less than 100 percent. Much like Bulger, Maroney has become one of this season's greatest disappointments after seven weeks.
5. Plaxico Burress, WR, N.Y. Giants (4 points): The Giants scored 33 points in a blowout win over San Francisco, so it was a real shock that Burress didn't produce a better stat line. He was held out of the end zone for the first time all season and finished with just 43 yards overall. He's still one of the best wide receivers in fantasy football, but one has to wonder if his injured ankle will heal without extended rest. Regardless, Burress should remain active next week when the Giants face Miami in London.
6. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans (4 points):Fantasy owners have to be thrilled that Drew Brees has started to turn it around after a porous start to the season, but Colston has not benefited in the box scores. He caught three passes for 45 yards in a 22-16 win over Atlanta, and he was held out of the end zone for the third time in four weeks. Colston has a nice matchup next week in San Francisco, but he's gone from a borderline No. 1 fantasy wideout to no more than a No. 3 receiver in most formats.
7. Jon Kitna, QB, Detroit (5 points): Kitna was on pace to record enormous final numbers after four starts, but he has experienced a serious decrease in statistical success in recent weeks. He threw for 147 yards with no touchdowns against Tampa Bay, and he now has a combined 253 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in his past two starts. He should still remain active in most formats when the Lions head to Chicago to face the Bears in Week 8, but Kitna's fantasy leash has shortened quite a bit.
8. Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle (5 points): This would have been the perfect week for Alexander to break out of his numerical slide (St. Louis ranked 27th in rush defense), but instead he posted 47 rushing yards with no touchdowns and lost time to both Maurice Morris and Leonard Weaver. Alexander has now totaled a pathetic 17 fantasy points in his past four contests. Whether it's age, diminished skills, a porous offensive line or all three, Alexander has fallen from the elite level of runners this season.
9. Cedric Benson, RB, Chicago (5 points): Benson has been a regular member of our worst performances list, and for good reason. He rushed for 46 yards on 17 carries (2.7 YPC) and didn't score in a 19-16 win over Philadelphia, and he has now failed to record double-digit fantasy points in four of his past five contests. Benson does have a tremendous matchup next week against a vulnerable Lions defense and will be active in most leagues with six teams on a bye, but he's no lock to find statistical success.
10. LaMont Jordan, RB, Oakland (6 points): Jordan was the perfect sell-high candidate a few weeks ago, but now his value as fallen to the point where it's hard to trade him. The veteran totaled 29 rushing yards, 40 receiving yards failed to score a touchdown and lost carries to Dominic Rhodes in a 12-10 loss to Kansas City. Jordan will have more value in leagues that reward points for catches, but he'll be a risk next week against a Tennessee defense that entered the weekend ranked No. 1 against the run.
