Week Ten Fantasy Football Review

Week 10 in the NFL and the Fantasy Football season saw 4 teams score over 35 points, a big-name quarterback lost for the season and the return of Larry Fitzgerald and Chris Johnson to the big-time scoring table. This week also saw the first of the Thursday Night games in the NFL...so let's get started there.

Oakland Raiders (24) @ San Diego Chargers (17)

This game was a tale of two cities for fantasy football owners. Michael Bush, once again, had a big game finishing with 30 carriers for 157 yards and 1 touchdown and 3 receptions for 85 yards. Carson Palmer also found his stride going 14/20 for 299yards and 2 touchdowns and 1 interception - a 120 QB rating. The top story was Denarius Moore, who ate up the San Diego secondary for 5 receptions, 123 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The San Diego Chargers' side of the ball saw scoring as well, but this team seems to be sliding week by week as far as fantasy football goes. Philip Rivers finished the night in the losing effort going 23/47 for 274 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception (a lowly 72.5 QB rating). The running backs had a disappointing effort (Mike Tolbert and Ryan Matthews combining for only 70 yards on the ground). Vincent Brown, however, found a stride and put up good number, giving fantasy owners a smile with 5 receptions for 97 yards and 1 trip to the end-zone.

New Orleans Saints (26) @ Atlanta Falcons (23)

Ahhh...the game of poor choices. Drew Brees and Matt Ryan were both solid plays, each putting up 300+ yards and two touchdowns (about 25 points this week). Only Michael Turner was the burner on the ground for running backs, rushing 22 times for 96 yards, but not finding pay-dirt Sunday.

In the air, the wide receivers, were not the top plays. Tight ends were all money Sunday for fantasy football owners. Tony Gonzalez (6 receptions for 71 yards and 1 touchdown) and Jimmy Graham (7 receptions for 82 yards and 1 touchdown) continue to be among the top tight ends to play in fantasy football.

Marques Colston (8 receptions for 113 yards), Robert Meachem (2 receptions for 69 yards and 1 touchdown) and Harry Douglas (8 receptions for 133 yards and no touchdowns) were also big-time numbers this past week in this game.

Pittsburgh Steelers (24) @ Cincinnati Bengals (17)

The Steelers put forth their running game to grab a win and first place in the AFC North. Rashard Mendenhall finally put up some big fantasy football numbers for his owners, grabbing 16 handoffs for 44 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also snagged a reception for 26 yards. On the opposite side of the ball, Cedric Benson picked up 57 yards on 15 carries and Bernard Scott snagged 3 points from 38 yards on 7 carries.

Quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger (21/33 for 245 yards, 1 touchdown and an interception) and Andy Dalton (15/30 for 170 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions) got their owners a steady amount of points (10+ fantasy football points each). Antonio Brown (5 receptions for 86 yards and no touchdowns), AJ Green (a catch for 36 yards and a score) and Jericho Cotchery (2 catches for 29 yards and 1 touchdown) were also solid plays from this game.

St. Louis Rams (13) @ Cleveland Browns (12)

Quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy (both putting up less than 10 points) were completely hands off, as they will be for the rest of the fantasy and NFL season. Brandon Lloyd (4 catches for 48 yards and 1 touchdown) managed to be the only receiver to net 10 fantasy points on the week. On the ground, Steven Jackson (27 carries for 128 yards and no touchdown) grabbed 3 catches for 23 more yards in the air, and Chris Ogbonnaya (19 carries for 90 yards) snagged 2 receptions for 19. Both running backs netting nice points on the week, in a terribly poor scoring game for fantasy owners.

Buffalo Bills (7) @ Dallas Cowboys (44)

Wow...Dallas, right? While Buffalo wasn't finding too many points, fantasy owners of Fred Jackson (13 carriers for 114 yards - ya, an average of 8.8 yards per carry!) and David Nelson (4 catches for 31 yards and touchdowns) made some owners happy.

On the other side of the ball, you couldn't throw an apple without hitting fantasy football glory. Tony Romo had a big day only missing 3 passes people, hitting 23/26 for 270 yards and 3 touchdowns...and no pick-offs! Demarco Murray keeps his fantasy points rolling out of this week with 20 carries for 135 yards for 1 touchdown and 6 receptions for 36 yards (about 22 points for his owners). Dez Bryant (70+ yards and a touchdown) and Lauren Robinson (70+ yards and 2 end-zone dances) both keep putting up numbers over the last couple of weeks.

Jacksonville Jaguars (17) @ Indianapolis Colts (3)

The mighty Colts just cannot pay for a win...and in most weeks, fantasy football owners are furious about it. Only Donald Brown with 53 yards on the ground and Jacob Tamme with 75 receiving yards were the only viable plays on the Colts' side of the ball. Maurice Jones-Drew finished the day for Jacksonville with 25 carries for 114 yards and 1 touchdown, also grabbing 3 catches for 23 yards. And, of note, stay away from Blaine Gabbert for the rest of the season, as Cleveland next week is an easy opponent, but the rest of the season only gets tougher.

Denver Broncos (17) @ Kansas City Chiefs (10)

So, ugly wins, eh Broncos? They are still wins, right? But when your quarterback, Tim Tebow namely, takes the field, 2 completions is all he needs...so sad. Tebow, finished with 2 touchdowns on the day and 43 yards on the ground. Eric Decker had one of those catches for 56 yards and the touchdown, netting 11 points for the week, continuing his double digit fantasy football output over the last few weeks. The top rushers where, for Denver, Lance Ball with 30 carries for 96 yards and Jackie Battle with 9 carries for 61 yards.

Washington Redskins (9) @ Miami Dolphins (20)

While quarterbacks Rex Grossman and Matt Moore had close to negative performances on the day for owners, Reggie Bush (14 carries for 47 yards and 2 touchdowns) on the other hand, continues to make owners who drafted him late, or picked him up off of the waiver wire a few weeks ago happy, happy fantasy footballers. In the air, Brandon Marshall (7 receptions for 98 yards) and Leonard Hankerson (8 catches for 106) were the respective leaders for their teams. By the way, keep on eye out for Anthony Fasano (3 grabs for 60 yards) now has put together a few weeks in a trends...out of the last 3 of 4 weeks, he has either caught 60 yards or scored a touchdown, and he is only owned in 1.7% of the leagues out there!

Arizona Cardinals (21) @ Philadelphia Eagles (17)

In a battle of the worst, dirtiest birds in the NFL, fantasy football owners who were lucky enough to be in the 0.2% ownership snagged 20+ points from John Skelton (21/40 for 315 yards, 3 touchdowns but 2 interceptions) on the day. LeSean McCoy (14 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown) continued solid play. And Larry Fitzgerald blew up, grabbing the rock 7 times for 146 and 2 touchdowns...wow. And another heads up...Brent Celek...than it is all.

Houston Texans (37) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9)

The fantasy football gods are...ehh...fantasy football jesters in the game, churning out a quarterback with a 154 rating in Matt Schaub (11/15 for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns), but stealing him, for what is looking to be, a season-ending surgery announcement later this week. Amongst the giggles, Arian Foster had his "blow da f$&# up, my ears just fell off of my face" kinda game with 80+ yards and 1 touchdown on the ground, and an impressive 102 yards and 1 touchdown in the air netting about 30 points for his fantasy owners.
Ben Tate and Derrick Wade found the end-zone on the ground for Houston, while Jacoby Jones grabbed a couple catches for 87 yards and an end-zone dance. Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams each grabbed two catches for 40+ yards for the Bucs.

Tennessee Titans (30) @ Carolina Panthers (3)

Has the Cam Newton (23/40 for 212 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception; also 55 yards rushing) bubble finally burst? Possibly...personally, I think it was Carolina playing a short-yardage game versus Tennessee's short-yardage game, and the Titans won.

The big news in the game...Chris Johnson is finally back...at least for one game, carrying the ball 27 times for 130 yards and a touchdown, along with a hefty 44 receiving yards. Damian Williams (5 grabs for 107 and a touchdown) might be a fantasy look over the next few weeks, as he is seems guaranteed for a touchdown when grabbing 5 receptions this fantasy season.

Baltimore Ravens (17) @ Seattle Seahawks (22)

In another tale of two bird-towns, Marshawn Lynch was the big gamer, ya, I said it...Marshawn Lynch, that guy, with the teeth..ya him. Lynch carried the ball 32 times for 109 and 1 touchdown while also leading his team in both receptions with 5 and receiving yards at 58. On the opposite side of the ball, Ed Dickson at tight end, grabbed 10 catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns. This week probably isn't indicative of what's to come for the tight end, but it might be...1.5% ownership in fantasy football...is he worth it though, only the next few weeks will tell.

Detroit Lions (13) @ Chicago Bears (37)

Chicago is hot, hot, hot...in the NFL and in fantasy football. Matt Forte had a solid performance rushing for 64 yards and a touchdown. But, Da Bears' big meat is on defense, scoring two touchdowns for fantasy owners. On the other side of the ball, Nate Burleson and Calvin Johnson each grabbed 80+ yards in the winning effort.
One note if need a wide receiver, Earl Bennett (6 receptions for 81 yards) is fully healthy after suffering a chest injury in Week 2. Bennett can safely be slotted in as Jay Cutler's favorite target each week. So, if need some support at wide receiver, or in the flex, I think Earl Bennett (only 10% owned) might be money for you.

New York Giants (20) @ San Francisco 49ers (27)

In what looks to be a playoff game, the 49ers pull out a win against a tough opponent on the back of David Akers and his leg, kicking 4 field goals, one over 50 yards. Eli Manning stays strong with a 16 point week, from 300 yards in the air, 2 touchdowns but 2 interceptions.

For San Francisco, Kendall Hunter, Frank Gore's fill-in for the week, rushed 6 times for 40 yards and a touchdown. Vernon Davis snapped back to life this week, grabbing 3 catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Victor Cruz (6 receptions for 84 yards), Mario Manningham (6 grabs for 77 and a touchdown) and Hakeem Nicks (2 receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown) continue to put up solid numbers for owners.

New England Patriots (37) @ New York Jets (16)

In this meaningful AFC East match-up, the Tom Brady of old showed up, going 26 of 39, with 329 yards and 3 touchdowns. Big target, Ron Gronkowski (8 receptions for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns) continues to lead all tight ends in fantasy football with Sunday's performance. Deion Branch also had a touchdown and 58 yards in the win. Santonio Holmes (6 for 93 yards), Jeremy Kerley (4 catches for 79 yards) and Plaxico Burress (3 receptions for 39 yards and one touchdown) were Mark Sanchez's primary target in his 20 fantasy football point week.

Minnesota Vikings (7) @ Green Bay Packers (45)

In this Monday night match-up of the best and the worst in the NFC North, Green Bay showed more Superbowl hintings, extending their undefeated season on the back of who else, but Aaron Rodgers' 250 yards and 4 touchdowns in the cool Wisconsin air.

Jordy Nelson was the big fantasy play for wide receivers, grabbing 5 catches for 63 yards and 2 touchdowns. The running game was owned by Adrian Peterson's 51 yards on 14 carries, with a touchdown. Green Bay special teamer Randall Cobb also ran a punt back for a score.