Week 9
11/3/06
Steppin' Up
Michael Vick, ATL: Through the
first 5 games on Atlanta's schedule, Vick was averaging a subpar
135 passing yards per game, and completing just 50.4% of his attempts,
while throwing 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. In the past 2
weeks however, Vick has more than doubled his touchdown production
and completed 65.5% (38 of 58) of his passes, raising his completion
percentage to 55.4% this season. The remarkable increase in Vick's
accuracy these past two weeks has meant a drastic increase in
his yardage through the air as well. He's thrown for 523 yards
in outings against the Steelers and the Bengals, while remaining
a threat on the ground, rushing 14 times for 95 yards. At this
pace, expect Vick to finish among the Top 3 fantasy quarterbacks
at the end of the season.
Steppin' Down
Chad Pennington, NYJ: After
a hot start in which Pennington put together back-to-back 300
yard games to begin the season, his production has had an alarming
drop-off the past few weeks. In his 6 games since a Week 2 loss
against the Patriots, Pennington has only thrown for more than
200 yards 1 time, and has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns
(5 TDs, 8 INTs). With games at New England, and at home against
the Bears following this weeks bye, expect Pennington to continue
struggling before facing the Texans in Week 12 and the Packers
in Week 13. If you have been using Pennington as your starter,
it's advised you make a deal for a more suitable QB before your
league's trading deadline passes if you plan on making a push
towards the playoffs.
Steppin' Up
Ahman Green, GB: After missing
Weeks 4 and 5 with a hamstring injury, there was legitimate concern
about how well Ahman Green would hold up for the remainder of
the season. Following the Packers bye in Week 6, Green returned
to action against the Dolphins, carrying 18 times for 118 yards
and a score. He followed that effort with an even stronger outing
against the Cardinals, rushing for 106 yards on 21 carries and
scoring 2 touchdowns. While Green may not produce as a true #1
fantasy back the rest of the season, there's a good chance he
will barring any setbacks with his hamstring. At the very least,
he should make for an outstanding #2 RB the rest of the year.
Mike Bell, DEN: Just a few
weeks after writing Mike Bell off, it appears there is reason
to hold onto him after all. Due to a nagging turf toe injury that
limited Tatum Bell in last weeks game against the Colts, Mike
Bell reemerged on the scene, carrying the ball 15 times for 136
yards and 2 touchdowns. While Tatum Bell isn't expected to miss
time with the injury (he's listed as PROBABLE for this Sunday's
game), it is something that could limit his production until the
issue is resolved. Many players that have had turf toe in the
past can attest to how painful the injury can be, despite being
able to play with it. Expect Tatum Bell to continue getting carries,
but if he can't produce at a higher level than he did against
the Colts last week (13 carries, 27 yards), Mike Bell will continue
to see increased playing time in the backfield.
Steppin' Down
DeShaun Foster, CAR: In the
3 games since DeAngelo Williams was sidelined with a high ankle
sprain, Foster has carried the ball 55 times for 167 yards, averaging
just over 3 yards per carry. While Williams was nursing his injury,
it gave Foster the opportunity to solidify his spot atop the teams
depth chart. Instead, his poor performance over the past few weeks
means he is likely to be challenged by Williams once he returns
to the team. The Panthers are on a bye in Week 9, but Williams,
who practiced with the team last week (although he was inactive
for the game), is likely to return to action when the Panthers
face the Buccaneers in Week 10. If he is able to go at, or near
100%, expect the first round pick out of Memphis to eat into Foster's
carries the remainder of the season.
Steppin' Up
Joe Horn, NO: Just when one
starts to think Joe Horn is no longer capable of producing like
a #1 WR in fantasy leagues, he goes ahead and records back-to-back
100 yard games and scores 3 touchdowns. Horn had been a solid
contributor through the first 5 games of the season, amassing
271 yards on 19 receptions, but his lack of touchdowns and 100
yard outings kept him from producing as anything more than a high
end #3 fantasy receiver. In his last 2 games however, Horn has
3 touchdowns and 11 receptions for 236 yards. While it's true
that the 11-year vet's best days may be behind him, his recent
outings prove he is still a reliable option capable of pushing
fantasy teams into the playoffs.
Doug Gabriel, NE: Since the
third week of the season, Doug Gabriel has been an emerging presence
in the Patriots passing game. He has caught 20 passes in a 5-game
span, scoring 3 touchdowns in 3 separate games. Coming off his
best performance of the season on Monday night (5 catches, 83
yards), there's reason to expect more good things to come from
the fourth year vet as he becomes more acclimated with the Patriots
offense. With Deion Branch now in Seattle, it appears Gabriel
is emerging as Brady's favorite target at the receiver position.
Steppin' Down
Drew Bennett, TEN: In the four
games since Vince Young has taken over under center for the Titans,
Drew Bennett has seen a rapid decline in his production. Through
the first 3 weeks of the season, with Kerry Collins at the helm,
Bennett was a productive #3 WR in fantasy leagues as he amassed
235 yards on 16 receptions with 1 touchdown. Since then, he has
just 6 receptions for 93 yards with no trips to the end zone.
As long as Vince Young is starting for the Titans this season,
Bennett will remain an unreliable option in fantasy leagues.
Steppin' Up
Jason Witten, DAL: After being
a bit of a disappointment through the first 6 weeks of the season,
Witten has produced up to par the past 2 weeks with Tony Romo
under center for the Cowboys. In a Monday night game 2 weeks ago,
Romo connected with Witten 4 times for 72 yards, all coming in
the second half. In the first half of that game, before Drew Bledsoe
was benched, Witten was held without a reception. Not coincidently,
in Romo's first start of the year, Witten recorded season highs
with 6 receptions, 80 yards and 1 touchdown. Expect him to keep
his level of production up as Romo continues to make better use
of his talented tight end than Bledsoe was able to.
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