This Week in Fantasy Football 11.09.07: Week 10 Edition

Posted by Mark Crouse on 11.09.2007

What did we learn from Week 9? Check out this edition of TWIFF to find out!

Welcome to the Week 10 edition of This Week in Fantasy Football! This week, we'll play a little "What Did We Learn," featuring Week 9 action.

This just in, my predictions stink on ice. I really though Jacksonville had a legit defense that could keep the rejuvenated Saints in check. Wrong! I also thought Philip Rivers was in for a big game against the porous Vikings pass defense. Wrong! At least I knew Parker, McNabb, and Steve Smith would bomb out.

And now, it's time for "What Did We Learn From Week 9." In lieu of making specific predictions for the upcoming slate of games, here are some observations about certain teams and players that can help you in your lineup decisions.

-Detroit's defense has come on strong after winning many fantasy games with their outburst against Denver. They are a solid option for the rest of the season, with only one bad matchup against Dallas in Week 14.

-Unload Chad Johnson for decent value if you can. He doesn't even get consideration in the red zone, with Housh hogging all the looks. With Chris Henry coming off suspension, Ocho Cinco will receive even fewer overall chances. His momentary paralysis at the end of Sunday's game doesn't help either. The Cincy offense as a whole is a lot more pedestrian than in the past as well, since their defense is so horrific they are forced to pass too much attempting to keep pace with their opponents. They made J.P. Losman look like a legit quarterback, which is quite a gauge of incompetence.

-I can't properly calculate Adrian Peterson's value to fantasy squads. Minnesota's opponents only have one job on defense, and that is to stop the Sooner Sensation. He has almost 300 more rushing yards more than any other back in the league, and his 6.6 yards per carry are more than 1.5 more than any other back. Sunday's performance is more astounding considering San Diego's defensive talent level and that they had so many men in the box. If you have him, keep him regardless of the trade offer. Even if he scores half as well as he has to this point, you have a number one running back. His matchups for the rest of the season are very favorable as well.

-The Baltimore Ravens are a terrible football team. Raven apologists will say that they were on the road in Pittsburgh, and that the Steelers were having their 75th Anniversary celebration, and that the weather was terrible, but both teams played in the rain and the Steelers didn't seem to have an issue with it, and Baltimore has not played one good game this year. Their offense is so pathetic, it is starting to affect the fantasy value of their defense. The bottom line on the Ravens: don't start anyone from their offense besides Willis McGahee (who has a concussion and may not play against Cincy in Week 10), and if you have a better option, you can bench their defense for the rest of the way, considering their schedule consists of Cincy, Cleveland, San Diego, New England, Indianapolis, Miami, Seattle, and Pittsburgh again. You read that right, one good matchup in the whole bunch. Hope you didn't take that Ravens D too early.

-Speaking of the Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger has become a top QB option. He ranks second in touchdown passes with 20 after his monster Monday night. He doesn't throw for many yards since his offense is so efficient and because Willie Parker has become one of the top workhorse backs in the league, but Big Ben's ability to create once a play breaks down makes him a dangerous fantasy starter whose owners likely drafted as their backup.

-New Orleans is back from a fantasy perspective. Brees has turned it around in the last three games to become a marquee choice at quarterback again. Reggie Bush has made a liar out of me and has produced consistently in that span, and even Marques Colston has returned to fantasy starter status. What caused the turnaround from a team that started 0-4 and helped ruin fantasy seasons around the globe? I couldn't tell you, but they have survived the hardest part of their schedule and will enjoy good matchups the rest of the way with only Tampa Bay in Week 13 having a chance of stopping this now powerful offense. Brees, Colston, Bush, and even David Patten make good starts the rest of the way.

-What did Super Bowl XLI ½ tell us? To quote the immortal Denny Green, "They are who we thought they were!" Indy and New England are the class of the league, and the Pats offense is still explosive when it gets in a groove, even against a superior defense like the Colts. Joseph Addai, Randy Moss, and the golden boy quarterbacks will provide points in bunches against anyone. And Brady is the best player in fantasy, using his menagerie of talent to perfection.

-If you are still entertaining the idea that the Raider defense is competent, abandon it. On Sunday, they allowed Ron Dayne to rush for 122 yards and a score. They also lost their top corner, Nnamdi Asomugha for a yet-to-be-determined length of time. Any one playing the Raiders becomes a good option, especially players in the AFC West.

-Earnest Graham is convincing Tampa coaches that he can handle the full workload for them since Cadillac Williams' season-ending injury. Despite acquiring Michael Bennett, Graham had 34 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown. Bennett had 5 carries in a backup role. Graham has averaged 3.9 yards per carry for the season, and can be a decent option for bye weeks or a flex spot. Tampa has no real playmakers outside of Joey Galloway, and will rely heavily on the run to complement an up-and-coming defense.

-Dallas' offensive prowess continued against the now DOA Philadelphia Eagles. Look for more fireworks when the Cowboys visit the Meadowlands to battle the Giants. The Cowboys won 45-35 in Week 1, with Tony Romo outdueling Eli Manning with 345 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns and a rushing score. The Giant defense has improved since that game, but expect Romo, Marion Barber, and Terrell Owens to have another big game like they did then and against Philly.

-Conversely, Philly is in the tank, running their record to 3-5 and not sporting a legit fantasy option outside of Brian Westbrook. Donovan McNabb is officially a mediocre option, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns at home, and showing an inability to get the ball to his wideouts on a consistent basis.

-LaDanian Tomlinson has frustrated owners all year who are waiting for him to carry them to the playoffs. He is still a top back, but he has only really dominated in two games so far. Philip Rivers' regression has allowed defenses to focus on stopping LDT and it is working better than in the past.


That's all for this week's TWIFF. Enjoy the action and best of luck during the playoff push. Check back next week for more analysis, and The All-Time Fantasy Football Team. And as always, questions, comments, and other feedback are always appreciated.