NFL Week 10 Studs & Duds Recap

Taking on this task of identifying those over performers and under performers from the previous week of fantasy football is Ryan Hallam's, creator of Fighting Chance Fantasy. So, join Ryan as he takes us through the Week 10 Winners and Losers.

Note: All point projections read in this recap are from standard scoring leagues (non-PPR) and are projections made by the Bruno Boys staff.

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WEEK 10 OVERACHIEVERS

Quarterbacks

Jay Cutler (Denver Broncos) – Even on a short week, you can't stop Cutler.  Against a weak Browns defense on a Thursday night, Cutler was 24/42 for 447 yards and three touchdowns. It was one of the best single game performances of the season, as Cutler kept the Broncos ahead in the AFC West.  His 27 points beat his projection of 20 points. 

Hallam's Take: Cutler further proved why he is already one of the top five quarterbacks in fantasy football. This guy has taken a giant step forward in his second full season. He's got the big arm, he's got the attitude, and he's got some good receivers. Cutler is the complete package.

Tyler Thigpen (Kansas City Chiefs) –Against the worst pass defense in the NFL, Thigpen had another good game as he threw for 266 yards on 27/41 passing with three touchdowns. He also ran for 26 yards, giving him 24 fantasy points, dwarfing his 13 point projection. 

Hallam's Take:  This is the second time that Thigpen has made this list, now who could have predicted that?  I've actually watched him some over the past couple of weeks, and the kid has looked good.

Now I'm not saying that I would want him to be my starter every week, but given the way quarterbacks have been getting hurt this year, Thigpen is some nice injury insurance. 

Brady Quinn (Cleveland Browns) – His first start comes in a week that the team plays on Thursday and probably had one day of practice. He was impressive as he was 23/35 for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw an interception and scored 17 points, which was more than I thought and more than his 13 point projection. 

Hallam's Take: What a performance by Quinn given the circumstances.  In the most anticipated debut in Cleveland since LeBron James, Quinn showed why the Browns traded back into the first round to get him. 

OK, so it was against one of the worst pass defenses in Denver, but nonetheless Quinn opened a lot of eyes in the fantasy football world with that performance.

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Running Backs

Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) – Peterson controlled the game all game long as he was the focal point of the Vikes' offense.  Peterson carried the ball 30 times for 192 yards and even caught three passes for 32 yards.  Even with a huge projection of 22 points, AP was able to surpass it with a 28 point day. 

Hallam's Take:  A.P. lived up to his nickname of "All Day" as that was when he ran on the Packers defense.  The guy is no doubt one of, if not the best runners in fantasy.  He started the game running well, and capped the game off with the winning 29 yard touchdown run. 

Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Finally!!!  Jones-Drew had the kind of game that his owners were hoping for on draft day.  Jones drew ran for 70 yards, threw in another 21 yards on receptions, and scored three times.  He put up 27 points, whipping his 17 point projection.

Hallam's Take:  Most likely the biggest source of fantasy owners' hair falling out, Jones-Drew blew up this week with huge fantasy numbers.  Like I have said here many times before:  Your player vs. the Lions=big fantasy points.  Hopefully this is the wakeup call Jones-Drew needed, as he has only been worth starting against bad teams this season.

Thomas Jones (New York Jets) – Jones had another one of his big scoring games as the Jets crushed the Rams right from the start.  He ran for 149 yards and scored three more touchdowns.  He was the top scorer of the week with 32 points, more than doubling the 15 he was projected for.

Hallam's Take:  I have touted him as a guy who just doesn't find the end zone much and I'm not going to come off of that stance regardless of last week's game.  I know he has nine touchdowns, but six of them came in just two games.  Meaning the other six weeks he has three scores. 

If you can see into the future when Jones will have another game like that, please give me a call. 

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Wide Receivers

Eddie Royal (Denver Broncos) – Royal continued his impressive rookie season with six catches for 164 yards, including a 93 yard touchdown.  Royal nearly doubled his 12 point projection, scoring a huge 22. 

Hallam's Take:  It was mentioned during Thursday night's game that no receiver in the history of the NFL has had more catches through the first nine games of his career than Eddie Royal.  Not only does he give you receptions, but the guy also returns kicks.  He is an impressive young receiver who you should probably be playing every week. 

Ted Ginn Jr. (Miami Dolphins) – One of the faster receivers in the league, Ginn has shown a good deal of improvement over the past few weeks.  He caught four passes for 67 yards and a great touchdown catch.  Ginn put up 12 points in Week 10, crushing his five point projection. 

Hallam's Take:  One of the most explosive young receivers in the league, Ginn has been electric when he gets his hands on the ball.  He is just starting to come into his own right now and could be a guy who has a big second half.  Keep him on your radar.

DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles) – The lone bright spot against the tough Giants defense, Jackson ran for a touchdown, made some big plays late in the game and finished with 14 fantasy points, which was nine more than his projection of five points.

Hallam's Take:  Jackson's production had fallen off some since the return of Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis, but he was able to turn it back around in Week 10.  His stock has certainly fallen from where it was in the first quarter of the season, but he is still definitely worth a roster spot.

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Tight Ends

Kellen Winslow (Cleveland Browns) –This could have easily been Tony Gonzalez, Dustin Keller, Bo Scaife, or Todd Heap, but I think given the way 2008 has gone for Winslow between injuries and suspension, it was a big game for him. 

Winslow caught 10 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns.  Winslow put up a huge 23 points more than double of the 11 point projection put on him. 

Hallam's Take:  His season has been one bump in the road after another but Winslow had a game that everyone had been waiting on for a long time.  In my opinion he is still a risky play until he starts showing some consistency, but chances are you don't have a great second option.

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Kickers

Jay Feely (New York Jets) – The Jets just piled on the points and Feely was the man who benefited from it the most.  Feely kicked four field goals ranging from 22 yards to 55 yards.  He also kicked five extra points giving him 21 fantasy points when his projection was only seven points. 

Hallam's Take:  Who would have thought that the kicker would outscore Brett Favre when the Jets scored 47 points? 

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Defenses/Special Teams

New York Jets (Three stars) – The Jets' defense could have easily have eased up after they were winning 40-0 at the half, but oh no.  It was a tremendous effort by the New York defense, as they allowed just three points, sacked Rams' quarterbacks twice, collected two interceptions, forced three fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown. 

They were definitely a five-star defense this week. 

Hallam's Take:  The Jets' defense has been one of the best in fantasy as they are among the league leaders in sacks and turnovers.  Outside of this week they have been allowing too many points, but they have gotten you plenty of points in other ways.  They are a good play most weeks.

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WEEK 10 UNDERACHIEVERS

Quarterbacks

Brett Favre (New York Jets) – The Jets were beating the tar out of the Rams within the first 10 minutes of the game, and Thomas Jones was the one who was scoring.  I don't think any Jets' fans are complaining, but it was another sub-par fantasy game for Favre. There wasn't much need to throw and Favre was 14/19 for just 167 yards and one score. Only 10 points when he was supposed to score 17. 

Hallam's Take: Favre is starting to have a home on this list, although this week it wasn't all his fault.  The Jets got ahead by so many points so fast there was just no reason to continue to throw the ball.  When you are leading 40-0 at the half, chances are there won't be a lot of aerial attack after the break.  That said, Favre hasn't had a good fantasy game since his 6 TD game.  Might be time to let him ride the pine. 

Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) – Rivers put up some decent stats but was just unable to meet his point projection.  Take a look at this line for a guy being called a bust.  Rivers was 27/36 for 316 yards and two touchdowns and interceptions.  Rivers was projected to be one of the best QB plays this week with 21 points, but only came up with 18. 

Hallam's Take: Tough to say a guy who threw for over 300 yards was a bust, but the turnovers hurt Rivers' fantasy points.  He is a must start every week regardless of this placement as his projected points were very high as they should have been. 

Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) – It was a tough Sunday for Rodgers as he was just 15/26 and a paltry 142 yards.  Rodgers also had no touchdowns and no interceptions.  A horrible game for Rodgers as he scored just five points when he should have 19. 

Hallam's Take:  Ugh!  Under 150 yards?  No touchdowns?  Is this the Aaron Rodgers I have come to know and love?  Against the weak Vikings pass defense Rodgers came up short this week, but don't let this discourage you from playing him again.  He is one of the best stories of the year and should be just about an every week starter. 

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Running Backs

Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) – The top rusher in the AFC, Johnson found no running room against the Bears.  The rookie runner had just eight yards on 14 carries, and was able to get 15 yards on two receptions.  One point.  One stinking little point from Johnson.  His owners were expecting 14. 

Hallam's Take:  Definitely the worst game of his short career, Johnson was STUFFED by the stout Bears defense.  He is still the best rookie runner so far this season (Forte is close), and should be started every week even though LenDale White sure steals his share of TDs. Johnson is perhaps the fastest man in the NFL and is quickly becoming a force. 

Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo Bills) – Lynch continued his recent struggles with just 46 yards on 14 carries. A definite first-round pick, Lynch left his owners high and dry this week scoring just four points, well below his 14 point projection. 

Hallam's Take:  I am a huge Marshawn Lynch fan but the Bills offense has been nearly nonexistent the past few weeks.  And if Trent Edwards can't turn himself around, all the teams are just going to stack the box to continue to stop Lynch. 

In my opinion you have to keep playing him, but the concern is starting to creep in. 

Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) – He is the entire Eagles' offense, but just ran into a great defense in New York.  Westbrook had his worst game of the season, as he was able to run for just 26 yards, and get 33 more on receptions.  Scoring just five fantasy points, Westbrook fell well shy of his 15 point projection. 

Hallam's Take: You knew it was going to be a tough match up this week against the Giants, but you had to figure he would do better than this!  I know that it is incredibly frustrating to get this kind of performance from what was your first round pick, but the guy can't go for 200 total yards every week.  Get him back in your lineup again this coming week. 

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Wide Receivers

Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers) – Despite playing the horrible Raiders, the Panthers had an even worse offensive game.  Delhomme threw for only 70 yards, and Smith was only able to catch one pass for 19 yards.  Obviously the one point is far from his 16 point projection. 

Hallam's Take: Like I said earlier, even the superstars have bad games every once in a while.  The Panthers' passing game couldn't get going this week, nothing to worry about here.

Braylon Edwards (Cleveland Browns) – Despite the great game by his quarterback, Edwards came up very short again, catching just one pass for 15 yards.  Braylon only scored one point against the Broncos defense, WAY short of his 16 point projection. 

Hallam's Take:  If Jones-Drew has caused hair to fall out, Edwards has caused more ulcers than a dozen hot wings for his owners.  After having a great game in Week Nine, Edwards came out with another total bomb.  I still think you have to keep putting him out there, and hope that the quarterback change will help turn around what has been a nightmare season for Braylon. 

Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) – Johnson has been one of the best receivers in football this season, and has really formed a great relationship with Matt Schaub.  But with his backup in there and a tough Ravens defense, Johnson was only able to bring in 66 yards of offense.  His projection might have been a little high given the team they were playing, but his six points were shy of his 15 points expected.  

Hallam's Take: See "Hallam's Take" on Steve Smith.

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Tight Ends

Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans Saints) – Shockey has pretty much been injured or ineffective all season long.  And Week 10 was no different.  "The Human Team Destroyer" caught just two passes for 16 yards.  His projection was for eight points figuring he could score against the Falcons, but he only put up one point. 

Hallam's Take: It looks like it is going to be the same old story as Brees' lit Shockey up on the sideline and he looked like he could care less.  Shockey is not even the best tight end on the team as Billy Miller has surpassed him as that.  It will only be a matter of time before he has worn out his welcome in the Big Easy as well.

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Kickers

Rob Bironas (Tennessee Titans) – The Titans only got Bironas one field goal attempt and it was from 49 yards, which he missed.  He did get the three PATs, giving him just three fantasy points while he was projected for 12.  

Hallam's Take:  He has been a star kicker all season long, but it was just one of those weeks for the Titans that they struggled to move the ball, especially on the ground.  Don't expect Bironas to have another game like this any time soon. 

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Defenses / Special Teams 

Philadelphia Eagles (4 stars)  – The Eagles defense is one of the best in the league, but they had a rough week against the Super Bowl Champion Giants.  Not only did the Eagles give up 36 points, but they also had just one sack, forced one fumble, and picked off Eli once. 

Any fantasy points they got from the turnovers were completely canceled out by the number of points they allowed. 

Hallam's Take: The Giants offensive line didn't let the Eagles get their usual pass rush, and they just didn't bring their 'A' game.  If you have the Eagles, keep throwing them out there.  These performances are very rare. 

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