Just when Brandon Marshall's owners thought they caught a break with Chad Pennington taking over the reins in Miami, Marshall takes another hit to his already low fantasy value. Pennington was placed on injured reserve Monday, ending his season after just two pass attempts. Adding insult to injury, Chad Henne is a lock to miss Thursday night's game against the Bears, making Tyler Thigpen the starting QB for the Dolphins. Thigpen saw just eight passing attempts in 2009 and hasn't taken a single snap yet this season, so Marshall is someone I would look to deal if you can possibly find a taker.
For those of you in two QB leagues, Kerry Collins is going to miss several weeks with a strained left calf. Vince Young will get the starting job back by default, but I think it is obvious at this point in his career that Randy Moss is not the same game changing WR he once was.
Winners
Matt Cassel: Cassel took his talents to Denver and managed to rack up an impressive 469 passing yards with four TDs and no INTs. He is owned in just 46 percent of fantasy leagues, and started in just 22 percent of leagues, so chances are you didn't capitalize off his career day.
David Garrard: I told you to start Garrard, but did you? The Texans have the last placed pass defense in the NFL, so it is no shock to see Garrard throw for 342 yards, run for another 35 yards and score twice.
* Michael Vicks: I couldn't go without mentioning Vick in here after his ridiculous Monday night effort. Vick torched the Redskins defense to the tune of 333 yards passing, 80 yards rushing and six… yes count 'em… 6 TDs! Vick is a stud and the other two winners were unexpected, but these numbers need to be mentioned.
Fred Jackson: On the heels of news that rookie C.J. Spiller was going to miss time with a sore hamstring, Jackson turned in 133 rushing yards, 37 receiving yards on six receptions and two total touchdowns. He won't do this again this season, so the 34 percent of you that started him got lucky.
Maurice Jones-Drew: MJD turned in a very good effort for his owners as he finished the upset win with 100 rushing yards, 23 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He is still a top tier RB and should be played as such.
Dwayne Bowe: As you would expect with a QB that made the winners list, his top WR also made the list with his 13 receptions for 186 yards and two endzone visits. Bowe has all the talent in the world, but the Chiefs offense is sketchy at best.
Mike Thomas: Regardless if 50 of his 149 yards came on a last second lucky play or not, the man still finished the game with 149 receiving yards, eight receptions and a touchdown. He is owned in just 26 percent of all leagues, but I bet there is a jump in adds for him this week as owners scramble to find their diamond in the rough.
Rob Gronkowski: I don't think I've ever had two TEs' from the same team make the winners/losers list on opposite sides of the list. But, this week it happened as Gronkowski racked up three (3) TDs and 72 yards while Hernandez was held without a catch. I wouldn't trust anyone in that Patriots passing game these days because of this exact reason.
Indianapolis Colts defense: Even though they beat one of the teams I write for, I've got to have the integrity to give them props as they held the Bengals to 17 points while racking up three sacks, three INTs, two fumbles recovered and a defensive TD. I still wouldn't own the Colts defense, so take this as a fluke for them.
Losers
Peyton Manning: Manning had his worst game of the season as the Bengals shut him down to the tune of an empty 185 passing yards. No touchdowns… no INTs… just enough yards to score you about eight points in standard scoring formats.
Ryan Fitzpatrick: I know… Fitzpatrick isn't someone you should own most of the time anyway. But, against the Lions, Fitzpatrick was actually looking like someone you should consider starting if your QB was on a bye. Instead of stepping up to the plate, Fitzy finished the game with 146 passing yards and a single TD.
Jahvid Best: This wasn't a great week for me as Best finished his game with a whopping 35 yards rushing and no scores. I am losing faith in Best and his ability to produce in this Lions offense this season, so I don't think I will be starting him again this season.
Michael Turner: Turner had a tough matchup against the Ravens, but he still only gained his owners and miserable 39 yards rushing with no scores. While he is better than this, the Ravens really are just that good against the run.
Reggie Wayne: When times are good for Wayne, they are really good. And in turn, when they are bad they are bad. Wayne finished this weekend with three catches for 34 yards, only good enough to net his owners about five points in PPR leagues (and even less in standard scoring formats).
Hines Ward: I know it's hard to see a name on here when the guy had to leave the game due to a concussion, but fantasy football is a stats only game. Ward saw his 186-game catch streak come to an end when he left Sunday's game in the first quarter and finished with no points for fantasy owners. Ward has become a TD or bust type of fantasy player anyway, but the zero hurts nonetheless.
Aaron Hernandez: I don't know what is worse, the fact that Hernandez was held without a catch, played just 11 snaps and got a big goose egg for his owners, or the fact that Rob Gronkowski caught five balls for 72 yards and three touchdowns. Either way, Hernandez was a huge flop on Sunday.
Baltimore Ravens defense: The Ravens may have shut Turner down, but they did not shut the Falcons offense down as they still managed to score 26 points while the Ravens were only able to get two sacks to help their stats.
Remember, you can email me (nolimitallstars1@hotmail.com), follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/fantasyguy23) or find me on Facebook to get your fantasy fix and have your questions answered.
