Fantasy Football: 7 NFL Players Killing Your Fantasy Team

As the NFL season reaches its halfway point, fantasy owners everywhere are scratching their heads at some of their draft-day decisions.

Fear not fantasy gurus, there are some NFL players who are simply flat out not performing this season. It's not your fault—no one saw these players' seasons coming.

Here are the seven NFL players killing your fantasy team.

Chris Johnson: Titans

Most fantasy experts had Chris Johnson as the No. 1 or 2 running back on the board in August.

Johnson hasn't reached that level this season; in fact, he hasn't even come close.

Through Week 8 of the season, Chris Johnson has one touchdown.

One.

Compare that with the 11 last year and 14 in 2009 and you have the biggest bust of the fantasy season thus far.

Andre Johnson: Texans

It's not Andre Johnson's fault he is killing your fantasy team; however, it doesn't change the fact that he is.

Johnson's bad hamstring has kept him out for the last four games and rumors are he won't be back until Week 10.

He's a legitimate 10-points-a-week fantasy play when healthy. In competitive leagues, the absence of Johnson has severely hurt the records of many fantasy owners.

Peyton Hillis: Cleveland

Peyton Hillis has only played in four games so far this season for the Cleveland Browns.

He has two touchdowns and is averaging a little over 50 yards a contest.

I think the EA Sports people had a little something else in mind when they put him on the Madden 12 cover.

Peyton Manning: Colts

In a keeper league, Peyton Manning has probably caused more stress than any other in fantasy football this season.

Do you keep him? Do you cut him loose?

Fantasy owners have probably contemplated and feared both options.

By keeping Manning, a valuable backup QB spot is taken up; letting Manning go might lead to future humiliation at the hands of a rival who picks him up.

Either way Manning is hurting many fantasy teams this season.

Philip Rivers: Chargers

Philip Rivers has been a top five fantasy quarterback in recent seasons, but  many owners are baffled at his 2011 numbers so far.

Rivers has thrown for seven touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.

That's not Rivers-like and he is not helping the fantasy owners who put their faith in him.

Josh Freeman: Bucs

Josh Freeman was supposed to take the next step as a quarterback this season for the Tampa Bay Bucs. Many fantasy experts claimed he was a legitimate No. 1.

I hope those owners who drafted him have a strong running game around him.

Freeman has been wildly inconsistent and has not been as productive as many have hoped. Freeman has thrown for seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions thus far this season.

Colts Receivers and Tight Ends

To be fair it's not the Colts receivers or tight ends that really deserve the blame. Again, the Colts lost franchise QB Peyton Manning in the preseason and their offense has been nothing but terrible from then on.

Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and Dallas Clark are having poor statistical seasons. They all are former big contributors to fantasy teams everywhere—with "former" being the key word.