NFL top performers - Week 5

NFL top performers - Week 5

It’s that time to take a look at the top Fantasy QB, RB and WR from this past week of the National Football League.

Fantasy QB of the week

Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys

Who would have thought that the Cowboys would be 1-3 through five weeks? The up-and-down ‘Boys have mainly been down this year but at times show glimpses of extraordinary talent and promise. Romo had a great week five going 31-46 for 406 yards and three TDs. Make a note that it was against the Tennessee Titans and they do have one of the worst pass defenses in the league. America’s team is going up against a better, but banged up Vikings D in week six. Romo should definitely be starting in your league.

Last week’s opponent: Tennessee Titans - 2009 passing defense rank - 31

Next week’s opponent: Minnesota Vikings - 2009 passing defense rank – 19

Fantasy RB of the week

Matt Forte – Chicago Bears

Mr. Inconsistent strikes again! Some weeks, Forte looks like L.T. in his prime with his hard running and excellent catching abilities. Other weeks, the only time you see Forte is on the sidelines with his hands on his head after a fumble. Last week, Forte rushed 22 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns on the Panthers. The Panthers certainly don’t have a great rushing defense, but 166 yards is still impressive. In week six, Forte will be going up against a better defense in Seattle but still nothing that should stop you from starting him.

Last week’s opponent: Carolina Panthers - 2009 rushing defense rank - 22

Next week’s opponent: Seattle Seahawks - 2009 rushing defense rank - 15

Fantasy WR of the week

Malcom Floyd – San Diego Chargers

Floyd had a fantasy stud of a game last week. The Super Chargers’ WR had eight receptions for 213 yards and one TD. That racked him up some serious YAC. At first glance, Floyd did this against the Raiders, but take a further look at the Raiders numbers from last year. They were actually in the top ten in passing defenses in the league! Yeah, THOSE Oakland Raiders! Next week the Chargers play the Rams who have a far worse passing D so be sure to start Floyd for that game.

Last week’s opponent: Oakland Raiders - 2009 passing defense rank - 7

Next week’s opponent: St. Louis Rams - 2009 passing defense rank - 25

NFL top performers - Week 4

It’s that time to take a look at the top Fantasy QB, RB and WR from this past week of the National Football League.

Fantasy QB of the week

Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos

No, this is not a misprint and no, I am not referring to a random game that Orton played at Purdue. He really had a great fantasy game if you look at the numbers. Orton was 35-50 for 341 yards with two TDs and one interception. Sure, these numbers were against a pretty weak Titans’ defense, but they are still hefty numbers. Without much of a run game and a few talented receivers with him, is Kyle Orton worth picking up? As of right now, he would look good on your bench and who knows, maybe actually start a couple games for you. Again, this was not an error; we are really talking about Kyle Orton.

Last week’s opponent: Tennessee Titans - 2009 passing defense rank - 31

Next week’s opponent: Baltimore Ravens - 2009 passing defense rank - 8

Fantasy RB of the week

LaDainian Tomlinson – New York Jets

I guess the old man (only 31-years-old) still has something in the tank. Tomlinson looked like the old (meaning young) L.T. last week rushing 19 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, the Bills are one of the worst teams in the league and had an awful rush defense last season and look putrid again this year, but you can’t deny what L.T. did. Tomlinson will have a much tougher time next week against a stingy Vikings D in what should be a great Monday night game.

Last week’s opponent: Buffalo Bills - 2009 rushing defense rank - 30

Next week’s opponent: Minnesota Vikings - 2009 rushing defense rank - 2

Fantasy WR of the week

Terrell Owens – Cincinnati Bengals

Orton, L.T. and now Terrell Owens??? Yes, it was a strange week for Fantasy. T.O. and the Bengals exploited one of the worst passing defenses in the game and the result: Owens with 10 catches and a ridiculous 222 yards and one TD. Hopefully he wasn’t on your bench last week, and hopefully you will start him again this week against an improved, but still below average passing Kansas City defense.

Last week’s opponent: Cleveland Browns - 2009 passing defense rank - 29

Next week’s opponent: Kansas City Chiefs - 2009 passing defense rank - 22

NFL top performers - Week 3

Welcome back, NFL top performer viewers. Let’s take a look at the top Fantasy QB, RB and WR from this past week of thoroughly enjoyable pro football action.

Fantasy QB of the week
Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles

In week three against the Jags, Vick threw for 291 yards with three TDs and zero interceptions. Maybe Vick really is back and is again a must-start QB in all leagues after all. He appears to have most of his speed back and his accuracy actually seems better than it was in Atlanta. Could Mike Vick be the comeback player of the year? Keep in mind that the last two defenses he has faced (Detroit and Jacksonville) are two of the weaker against the pass. Next week’s game against a better ‘Skins D will show us all a lot about who Vick and the Eagles really are.

Last week’s opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars - 2009 passing defense rank - 27
Next week’s opponent: Washington Redskins - 2009 passing defense rank - 8


Fantasy RB of the week
Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings

Well, All Day had a great game, but it was against the Lions. It still counts, right? Adrian rushed for 160 yards on 23 carries for two TDs in week three. There is no doubt that Peterson is a top back and should be starting in all leagues at all times, except for next week (Bye week). Peterson will have a great challenge when the Vikings return in week five against a stingy Jets’ rushing defense.

Last week’s opponent: Detroit Lions - 2009 rushing defense rank - 25
Next week’s opponent: Bye- (Week 5- New York Jets) - 2009 rushing defense rank - 8


Fantasy WR of the week
Anquan Boldin – Baltimore Ravens

Boldin and Flacco had some fun on Sunday against LeBron’s old city. The combo met up for three TDs and 142 yards. Keep in mind it was against the Browns, one of the worst passing defense teams in the league, but still impressive. Boldin should be starting in all leagues.

Last week’s opponent: Cleveland Browns - 2009 passing defense rank - 29
Next week’s opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers - 2009 passing defense rank - 16

Center(s) of attention

With the NHL set to return to the ice in under two weeks, it is time to start ranking players for your draft that should be coming up. Your Fantasy Sports Guy will crunch the numbers and list the top ten players per position. Let’s start out with the Centers.

1. Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins

Sid the Kid had another great year in ’09 and with all the talent around him, he will have another in ’10.

2. Nicklas Backstom – Washington Capitals

Backstrom plays on a line with Alex Ovechkin…enough said.

3. Evgeni Malkin – Pittsburgh Penguins

The other phenomenal Penguins’ center. He may even play some wing this year so that could open up his eligibility and make him even an even more attractive pick.

4. Henrik Sedin – Vancouver Canucks

There is no reason to believe that the scoring champ from last year won’t have another killer season for the Canucks.

5. Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning

If Stamkos was on a team that people actually paid attention to, he could be just as popular as Crosby…but he’s not. Still take Stamkos in the draft because he will follow up last year’s 95 points with another great output.

6. Ryan Getzlaf – Anaheim Ducks

Getzlaf missed a few games last season due to injuries but when he was in the lineup he produced. The Ducks’ stud averaged more than a point per game in his 66 starts. Don’t forget about him.

7. Pavel Datsyuk – Detroit Red Wings

Datsyuk had a bit of down year in 2009, but still had 70 points and was a +17 for the year. With some offensive help back this year, Pavel and the Wings should be scoring more goals.

8. Joe Thornton – San Jose Sharks

It seems like Thornton has been playing forever but he is only 31-years-old and still putting up nice numbers. He’ll get you goals, but he’ll get you a ton of assists.

9. Mike Richards – Philadelphia Flyers

Richards’ point totals dropped last season due to 19 less assists. He is still a top player at his position on a top team in the league.

10. Anze Kopitar – Los Angeles Kings

Kopitar had a career year in 2009. The Kings center set new personal highs in goals (31), assists (45) and points (76). Look for even higher numbers this season.

NFL watchers: Week 2

Week two is full of interesting matchups around the league. We are going to focus on one RB, one WR, and one TE to definitely start in your league in case you are having second thoughts.

Joseph Addai – RB - Indianapolis Colts

The Colts’ running back didn’t have the best of games last week against the Texans as he gained only 44 yards on 10 carries and didn’t reach the end zone. The Texans did have one of the better rush defenses in 2009 and look pretty solid this year so don’t take out your frustrations entirely on Addai. Look for a nice week two with the Colts taking on the G-Men from New York. Last season, the Giants gave up 21 rushing TDs, which was third most in the NFL. Start Joseph Addai in week two!

Jeremy Maclin – WR – Philadelphia Eagles

When Michael Vick entered last week’s game against the Packers as Kevin Kolb’s replacement due to injury, the Eagles’ offense began to move the ball consistently on a stingy Green Bay defense. When Vick wasn’t rushing, he found a receiver he liked in Maclin. Although he only gained 38 yards, Maclin caught Vick’s only passing TD. This week the Eagles travel to the Motor City where a weak Lions’ passing defense will be eaten up. Last season, the Lions gave up the league’s most passing yards and passing TDs. Look for this trend to continue this week and possibly the entire season.

Visanthe Shiancoe – TE – Minnesota Vikings

In week one against the Saints, Shiancoe became one of Brett Favre’s favorite targets. With four receptions for 76 yards and two TDs, Shiancoe is easily a top pick to start at his position this week. The Vikings welcome the Dolphins, and their 24^th rated pass defense from last year, into town. With Percy Harvin still questionable to start and Sidney Rice gone for a few more weeks, Shiancoe is looking better and better.

NFL top performers: Week 1

Every week, Your Fantasy Sports Guy will be highlighting the past week’s top NFL Fantasy performers. I will be showing you the top QB, RB and WR of the week, and we’ll take a look at the upcoming week’s defenses that they will face.

Fantasy QB of the week

Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts

Even though the Colts lost, if you had Manning on your team, chances are you won. Peyton was 40-57 for 433 yards with three TDs and zero INTs against the Houston Texans.

Last week’s opponent: Houston Texans - 2009 passing defense rank - 18

Next week’s opponent: New York Giants - 2009 passing defense rank - 15

Fantasy RB of the week

Arian Foster – Houston Texans

Foster lived up to the hype for game one, but will the Texans’ back be able to duplicate week one’s dominance? Foster had 33 carries for 231 yards and three TDs.

Last week’s opponent: Indianapolis Colts - 2009 rushing defense rank - 24

Next week’s opponent: Washington Redskins - 2009 rushing defense rank - 16

Fantasy WR of the week

Hakeem Nicks – New York Giants

Is Nicks Eli’s new favorite target? Don’t be so sure of it yet with Steve Smith and Mario Manningham also lining up. Nicks caught only four passes, but they were for 75 yards and three touchdowns.

Last week’s opponent: Carolina Panthers - 2009 passing defense rank - 4

Next week’s opponent: Indianapolis Colts - 2009 passing defense rank - 14