By Dan O’Shea
Week 7 in the NFL featured monster performances from a RB who was supposed to see very little action, a WR who was missing his starting QB, and a QB who was facing one of the toughest defenses in the league.
Probably very few people expected Darren McFadden, Kenny Britt, Tennessee, and Ryan Fitzpatrick to have much success last week, but they ended up as the top three fantasy point scorers in Yahoo! leagues. McFadden had 165 yards rushing and four TDs; Britt had 225 yard receiving and three TDs; and Fitzpatrick collected 374 passing yards and four TDs.
Can these guys keep it up? More importantly, who might be three sleepers poised to have huge games in Week 8?
Answers to the first question:
McFadden: He’s coming back from hamstring injury that had stalled a very good season. He looks likely to get more carries than fellow RB Michael Bush the rest of the way, but if the injury bug crops up again, look for Oakland to protect its investment by keeping him on the bench.
Britt: He’s a bona fide No. 1 receiver, but Tennessee’s game plan usually leaves him on the fantasy fringe. Before getting injured, starting QB Vince Young was looking for him, and now No. 2 QB Kerry Collins is doing the same. Also helping him is the fact that star RB Chris Johnson is underperforming and getting fewer carries. Don’t expect another game like Week 7, but he’s worth starting with favorable match-ups.
Fitzpatrick: His huge week against the scary Baltimore defense was the biggest surprise of all, and his 374-yard game probably will be his season high. What makes him a decent second QB the rest of the way is that he doesn’t throw many interceptions, but I don’t think he’s a week-to-week starter.
Answers to the second question:
Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit: Week 8 will be his comeback from being injured in Week 1, and I like his chances against the Washington secondary, which has only looked good against Jay Cutler this year and terrible against everyone else.
Jon Kitna, QB, Dallas: He takes over for the injured Tony Romo against Jacksonville, which may have a worse pass defense than the Redskins. Should have a good Week 8, but he’s iffy after that.
Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona: He has split time with Tim Hightower, and while he’s 69% owned in Yahoo! leagues, he probably has spent every week on the fantasy sidelines. That could change this week and for the rest of the season as a poor passing team looks for a spark.
Expert Wire
* Yahoo! Pickups of the Week shows some love for Fitzpatrick, as well as LaGarette Blount.
* Bleacher Report looks into the Romo injury, and has a list of the biggest injuries of the season thus far.
* SB Nation reminds us that despite the huge week, Britt may end up in the dog house. Uh-oh.
–
Dan O’Shea’s Fantasy Fix appears in this space every Wednesday. He welcomes your comments. You can also read his about his split sports fan personality at his Beachwood blog SwingsBothWays.
Posted on October 27, 2010