Analysis by Michael Fabiano
Robert Griffin III scored 23.68 fantasy points (258 pass yards, 89 rush yards, two touchdowns) despite throwing one interception and losing a fumble. He's become one of the elite fantasy players in the league. ... Alfred Morris lost a fumble as well, but he also rumbled for 120 yards and is now on pace for over 1,700 rushing yards based on his current totals. ... If you're looking to pick up a wide receiver off the waiver wire, Santana Moss scored two touchdowns and is now the top option in the team's pass attack. The veteran is a free agent in 48.7 percent of NFL.com leagues. ... Fred Davis suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the first half. ... Reports suggest that Pierre Garcon could be out until after Washington's Week 10 bye, so don't be afraid to drop him. ... Kai Forbath, who took over the starting kicking duties for Billy Cundiff, scored 11 fantasy points and has now posted double digits in consecutive contests.
Eli Manning's career struggles against the Redskins continued in Week 7, as he threw for just one touchdown with two interceptions. He still recorded a serviceable 13.88 fantasy points, but it wasn't his best effort. Manning's biggest scoring play came on a 77-yard pass to Victor Cruz late in the fourth quarter. Cruz finished with seven catches, 131 yards and 19.10 fantasy points. ... Ahmad Bradshaw had a nice stat line with 65 scrimmage yards and one touchdown, though he did lose one goal-line score to Andre Brown. Still, Bradshaw saw most of the backfield work on the afternoon. ... Hakeem Nicks had another forgettable stat line with five catches and 53 yards. He has now scored fewer than six fantasy points in all but one game this season. ... The G-Men had Martellus Bennett back in the offensive mix with five catches and 79 yards. If you lost Davis or need a tight end, Bennett faces his old team, the Dalals Cowboys, in Week 8.
Analysis by Adam Rank
» How is it possible that Chris Johnson had a great game, yet it was still a disappointing performance? Well, it wasn't his fault. Johnson rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns, but fantasy enthusiasts will lament two touchdowns vultured away by Jamie Harper. Yes, only Johnson could make a performance like that seem like it wasn't enough. Johnson should continue the good times next week against the Colts. Some will say to "sell high" on Johnson after next week. But realize his playoff schedule includes the Colts, Jets and Packers, so he has some favorable matchups.
» Kenny Britt was a nice fantasy option against the Bills defense, but had just 30 receiving yards in a rather disappointing performance. Understandable considering how well the Titans were able to run on the Bills. Britt is still a matchup play moving forward. ... Nate Washington was non-existent through most of Sunday, but he came through with a touchdown reception late, as he finished 43 receiving yards and a touchdown. ... Kendall Wright was a huge fantasy disappointment, as he hauled in three receptions for 19 yards. But none of these receivers are going to have huge games as long as Chris Johnson continues to run as well as he did. ... Matt Hasselbeck had a big day of handing the ball off to Chris Johnson and then getting out of the way. Hasselbeck passed for 205 yards and threw for a touchdown.
» Ryan Fitzpatrick was one of Rank's 11 Sleepers for Week 7, and he provided fantasy enthusiasts a pretty solid spot-start for those who were left out in the cold with Matt Ryan and Peyton Manning on a bye. Fitzpatrick finished fifth among quarterbacks in the early games with 19.30 fantasy points, ahead of quarterbacks such as Eli Manning, Tony Romo and Joe Flacco.
» Fred Jackson had a solid fantasy day with 18.00 fantasy points, off 71 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards and a touchdown. Jackson and C.J. Spiller were nearly split identically in touches. Jackson is still going to be a solid flex option going forward. ... Spiller didn't get into the end zone, but had a solid fantasy performance, reaching double digits after he rushed for 70 yards and hauled in six receptions for 32 yards. Spiller still appears to be the Bills running back to own. ... Stevie Johnson was missing for most of the afternoon, but came through with a 27-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter. Johnson finished with 71 receiving yards and 13.10 fantasy points. Johnson is the Bills receiver to own. ... Donald Jones added a touchdown reception and finished with 10.70 points. Jones is matchup play in most fantasy formats.
Analysis by Matt "Money" Smith
» Credit Cam Cameron, Ravens offensive coordinator, for the majority of Baltimore's offensive failings. While Ray Rice was ripping off over five yards per carry, he insisted on following the Aaron Rodgers plan of attacking the Texans defense ... with the pass. Only problem for Cameron is that he doesn't have Aaron Rodgers back there slinging the ball around. ... I normally say sit a running back if they're playing the Texans, but with six teams on a bye, and this being Ray Rice, you had to start him. You were rewarded with 5.4 points, and a great deal of anger directed at the aforementioned Cam Cameron. Really Cam, nine carries for Ray Rice? That's not a curiosity, that's a disgrace.
» Joe Flacco is a must sit when he goes on the road, and that includes his game in Cleveland after next week's bye. With a sub seven-point performance this week in Houston, in his three road contests, Flacco is averaging less than eight points per game. Conversely in his four home games, he's putting up over 18 points per contest. ... As for the Baltimore wide receivers, unless you had Tandon Doss, you had a bad week. ... Finally when it comes to the Ravens, their defense stinks. Drop it, and go after a waiver wire unit like I did today with the Dallas Cowboys. That move rewarded me with a seven-point afternoon, instead of minus-two points.
» As for the Texans, FFLers, you're making us look bad when you kick and scream about Arian Foster not getting you the production you expect after a single half. As Chargers PR director Bill Johnston said last week, "Take a Chill Pill". Foster was the Texans 2nd half offense, and ended up with a dominating 22.3 points on the afternoon. Ben Tate is nothing more than a handcuff anymore, I sat him on my bench again this week, and don't anticipate him getting off that spot anytime soon.
» Matt Schaub attacked the porous Ravens defense with his arm, and finished with a top 10 performance of just over 18 points. The roles for his pass catchers in Houston looked to be as follows -- Kevin Walter was the deep/big play threat, while Andre Johnson ended up as Schaub's underneath/possession receiver. Meanwhile, if there was a big play that needed to be made, Owen Daniels was the target. Daniels finished as the early contests' top producing tight end, while Walter had a solid 13.4-point effort. ... If you have the Texans defense, you're starting them any week regardless, so the whopping 20 points you received is a reward for your likely ninth round or so investment on draft day.
Analysis by Jason Smith
» The Jets make Tom Brady do things other teams can't make him do: spread the ball around if he's going to be successful. When the Jets draw New England, you know the Patriots weapons are going to see a decrease in points across the board because of this. This is why you saw pedestrian numbers for everyone in the New England offense. No one or two players truly dominate, so beware of that when the teams play. I don't think it means a whole heckuva lot for Brady, Stevan Ridley, Wes Welker, and Aaron Hernandez. You can't put up 500 yards of offense every week. Everyone will be fine. Now that being said ...
» I was extremely pleased with Rob Gronkowski's day. He's struggled all season long, and while you're not benching him you're saying "Why did I spend a second round pick on this guy?" The good news is he's still a terrific tight end, but won't come near the production he had a year ago. So you have to be okay with slightly diminished returns. I didn't think Brandon Lloyd would pull the disappearing act he did. And it's not like he was ignored -- Brady threw to him eight times. Right now he's a flex option at best, and only during the byes. When you're the number two WR on a dynamic passing team and can't consistently get involved in the offense? You can't really be a part of the solution on my roster.
» For New York, Shonn Greene ran tough and gave you double-digit fantasy points against a top-ten ranked rush defense. He left the game with an injury but returned to play in overtime. His fantasy value is really on the rise, and may be worth a regular spot in your starting lineup right now as a flex at least. Jeremy Kerley and Dustin Keller have become Mark Sanchez's number one and number two options in the passing game. Kerley had 10 targets against New England, and now officially has fantasy value as a flex option. Dustin Keller is back to being a Sanchez favorite, and he looked much healthier than in his return a week ago. You may not get 93 yards and a TD every week, but if you have a need at tight end, he's worth picking up off the waiver wire and putting into your lineup. Tight ends are so inconsistent this season Keller is worth a whirl.
» Mark Sanchez backed up his two-touchdown performance a week ago with a 328-yard, one-touchdown day. Is he worth a roster spot for you? Not right now. The Jets will still try to pound it on the ground every week and shootouts like this will be few and far between.
