As always, the NFL is full of surprises. Every season offers new twists and turns that were impossible to see until the events actually unfold. As the NFL season turns, fantasy football turns right along with it.
Weather you have a $20 office league or a $500 big league, I think you you'll agree that, to this point in the season, these have been some significant surprises.
10. The poor play of Steven Jackson. Taken very highly in most drafts (usually pick No. 7-9), owners of Jackson thought they were getting very elite talent at their running back spot, only to discover the horror that is his '08-'09 season. Did his lengthy holdout prior to the season have anything to do with this?
Perhaps it may have.
To date Jackson has very mediocre fantasy numbers and finds himself among Mewelde Moore and Tim Hightower in fantasy earnings.
9. The return of the back formerly know as Thomas Jones. With Favre running the show and providing a legit passing threat for the Jets, the field has opened up for Jones. He has not looked this good since his days in Chicago. In fact, I thought that guy was dead; however, Favre's presence has been more than enough to resurrect this guy as a fantasy option.
Currently, Jones is the seventh-best running back option ahead of other prominent names like Brian Westbrook, Maurice Jones-Drew, LaDanian Tomlinson, Brandon Jacobs, and the aforementioned Steven Jackson.
8. The play of Aaron Rodgers. Most say this is a surprise to them, so I took that into consideration; although, to me, it should be no surprise at all. The guy sat behind a legend for three seasons. He gained priceless knowledge from watching Favre every game, and yet this is still considered a surprise.
Rodgers was drafted very late in most drafts (round 10-12) as a serviceable backup. Well, as it stands today, Rodgers is the fifth best QB fantasy option in the game, ahead of McNabb, Roethlisberger, Favre, not to mention both Mannings as well.
7. The emergence of Roddy White. We have a team that only a year ago was in ruin. Atlanta seemingly had no where to go and no promise for the future after the Vick debacle and Petrino up and quit the team.
Enter Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and one Roddy White. The Falcons have done a 180-degree turnaround, and White is a huge part of that. He is one of the fourth-most elite wide receivers in the league and pays back fantasy owners who took a gamble on him, almost every week.
6. The absence of a T.O. meltdown, despite his poor fantasy output...Yes, fortunately we have not seen Owens go off this year and have a nuclear meltdown. No helicopters or shirtless sit ups in the driveway so far. And Lord knows the guy has had plenty of reasons to relapse and have an episode.
Hell, in fantasy, he is among receivers like Vincent Jackson and Lance Moore. But to Owens' credit, he has kept himself in check very nicely, despite being the 22 wide receiver in the league, fantasy-wise.
Dare we say that Owens has matured? Nah, too early for that, we better wait until the season is officially over (or at least until the Cowboys are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs).
5. The fact that Forte brings instant credibility to a once poor Chicago offense. One man has changed the offensive landscape for the Bears; that gentleman is Matt Forte.
Right now he is the BEST fantasy option at running back (No. 1) to have in the entire league. His value is even higher because he not only has 713 yards on the ground but because the guy also has 37 receptions for 282 yards to go with that.
Forte is a beast, bottom line, and not many picked him up until the later rounds as well. He is the steal of the draft, no doubt.
4. Only a rookie who has his team currently unbeaten, he is Chris Johnson. What else can you say about this kid? He has come in to the league and found himself on an undefeated squad. He is the lightning to LeDale's thunder, and together, they have made "the perfect storm."
When I say perfect, I mean perfect as in no losses to date. How long before the clouds clear and the perfect storm gives way...Who knows if we'll ever see that Mr. Sun again? (My vote for rookie of the year) Johnson is the 11th best running back in fantasy right now.
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