Every Monday, I shall show the top players at each offensive skill position - fantasy-style, with the percentage owned and started in parenthesis. All data is from espn.com. (Like NFL teams, last week was my bye week - hence why there was no "Top NFL Players of the Week" last week)
Let's begin:
Quarterback:
TIE, with two players
Tom Brady (72.1%/100%)
30/43, 350 yards passing and 3 TD's; 1 Rush for 3 Yards
32 Fantasy Points (projected: 16 fantasy pts)
What seemed to be a defensive showdown by halftime turned to an offensive slugfest by both the Patriots and the Steelers. His go-to-receiver became tight end Rob Gronkowski, who caught ALL 3 of Brady's TD's for 72 receiving yards. He surprised me and millions of other fantasy owners, who started other QB's, knowing that Brady would be facing a vaunted Steelers' defense. He is still an elite quarterback (with or without Randy Moss) and still should be starting for 90+% of all leagues going forward.
Tom Cassel (14.7%/38.3%)
33/53, 469 yards passing and 4 TD's; 2 Rushes for 3 Yards
32 Fantasy Points (projected: 15 fantasy pts)
Nice performance in a losing effort by Matt Cassel, whose Chiefs were pummeled by the Broncos, 49-29. This is the third time Cassel has posted 20+ fantasy points this season, and he'll continue to do so, especially next week against the Arizona Cardinals. Since the bye weeks have officially ended after this week, Cassel is only worth starting in deeper leagues.
Running Back:
Maurice Jones-Drew (89.8/100)
24 Carries, 100 rushing yards and 2 TD's; 0 fumbles; 2 catches for 23 yards
23 Fantasy Points (projected: 19 fantasy pts)
My question to all fantasy owners: Why in the world is 10.2% of all owners NOT starting this fella? He was projected to have 19 fantasy points against a VERY poor Texans' defense. Anyways, the "Human Pinball Machine" had two first-half rushing touchdowns. Although he is facing one of the stingiest running defenses in the League in the Cleveland Browns, he is STILL worth starting in ALL fantasy leagues.
Running Back:
Fred Jackson (24.7/81.9)
25 Carries, 133 rushing yards and 1 TD; 6 Catches for 37 Yards and 1 TD; 1 Fumble
26 Fantasy Points (projected: 12 fantasy pts)
Finally, the last NFL team wins its first game of the season, in large part to Fred Jackson, who, like BJGE (BenJarvis Green-Ellis), had his finest moment of the 2010 season. He, like Cassel, is only worth starting in deeper leagues for the rest of the season.
Wide Receiver/Running Back (Flex):
Mike Wallace (61.7/100)
8 Catches for 136 Yards and 2 TD's
25 Fantasy Points (projected: 14 fantasy pts)
Wallace's excellent output against the Patriots was primarily due to the fact that star veteran wide receiver Hines Ward left the game after the first quarter to a concussion-like symptom. Once Ward left, Roethlisberger had only one primary option - Mike Wallace - who caught a majority of his passes after halftime. If Ward is unable to play next week against the Raiders (which is 50/50 at this point), START Wallace - plain and simple.
Notable TIE, with three players
Brandon Lloyd (80.3/100)
6 Catches for 90 Yards and 2 TD's
21 Fantasy Points (projected: 18 fantasy pts)
I have ranted much too many times for Lloyd, so it still surprises me that he is NOT starting in nearly 20% of all standard leagues, even though he is a bona-fide top-5 NFL receiver. I don't know why you would NOT start him.
Mike Thomas (3.1/7.1)
8 Catches for 149 Yards and 1 TD
21 Fantasy Points (projected: 5 fantasy pts)
Like Seyi Ajirotutu, the little-known San Diego wide receiver who had his big game last week, this week it was little-known Mike Thomas's day to shine. Against the WORST pass defense in the Texans, Thomas was used often - especially in the biggest play of the game - a 50-yard Hail Mary that put him around the 150-yard receiving mark. Like Cassel, and since there are NO byes for the rest of the season, Thomas is only useful in deep leagues.
Knowshon Moreno (59.2/100)
22 Rushes for 106 Yards; 3 Catches for 50 Yards and 1 TD
21 Fantasy Points (projected: 12 fantasy pts)
Due to their EXPLOSIVE game against the Chiefs, the Broncos roamed wild - with Moreno, Kyle Orton and Lloyd having outstanding performances - an all-around effort by the Broncos' offense against a surprising Chiefs team. Moreno is worth starting as a flex play going forward.
Wide Receiver:
Roddy White (92.6/100)
12 Catches for 138 receiving yards and 2 TD's
25 Fantasy Points (projected: 15 fantasy pts)
Roddy White has turned into a major stud wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons. During the Falcons-Ravens game, one of the announcers compared the duo of Mat[ty Ice] Ryan and Roddy White to the pairing of Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison/Reggie Wayne. He is a top-5 NFL wide receiver - and will continue to do so for the remainder of the year. Therefore, there should be no reason why 7.4% are NOT starting him, no matter the opponent he is facing. (Although, he did have a offensive Pass Interference penalty that was NOT called late in the Thursday night game)
Wide Receiver:
Dwayne Bowe (68.6/100)
13 Catches for 186 receiving yards and 2 TD's
30 Fantasy Points (projected: 12 fantasy pts)
Since Cassel was the League's top quarterback in Week 10, it is obvious that his top pass-catcher, Dwayne Bowe, would catch most of his passes - which he did. Bowe had his highest fantasy-point total of the season, and is therefore a solid #2 wide receiver going forward - especially next week against the Cards and their 20th-ranked pass defense.
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski (2.3/4.9)
5 Catches for 72 yards and 3 TD's
25 Fantasy Points (projected: 2 fantasy pt)
Rob Gronkowski has become Brady's go-to-target, now that Wes Welker is nearly out-of-the-picture, fantasy-wise, since Moss was released by the team. If you need a tight end in DEEP leagues, look to pick up Gronkowski on the waiver wire this week.
Kicker
Olindo Mare (15.1/16.9)
5 for 6 on Field Goals; 3 for 3 on Extra-Points
18 Fantasy Points (projected: 11 fantasy pts)
Ho, hum. Another good performance by a seldom-used fantasy kicker.
Defense/Special Teams
Indianapolis Colts (11/18.9)
3 Ints for 77 yards and 1 TD; 3 Sacks; 2 Fumble Recoveries
20 Fantasy Points (projected: 3 fantasy pts)
The Indy Colts took advantage of the turnover-prone Cincinnati Bengals squad, creating five turnovers, one of which was a 31-yard interception for a TD by cornerback Kelvin Hayden. I would ONLY grab them off the waiver wire during weeks 13 (against the Cowboys) and 15 (the Jaguars). Otherwise, leave this D/ST on the free-agent block.
TOTAL Fantasy Points: 224 (Predicted:100)
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