Boss of the Week: Miles Austin- 10 Rec, 250 Yds, 2 TD
I told you Thursday in my blog that Austin was a good bet to breakout and make fantasy headlines this week! I wrote:
Austin is perhaps the most dangerous WR the Cowboys have and he'll start if Roy Williams is out. If Austin gets the nod, I plan to start him in multiple leagues because they're going against the pathetic Chiefs defense (27th in WR FFPts allowed). If 'Stin is on the field, he has a real chance to breakout, which could possibly earn him a bigger role going forward.
Well, the kid hulked up like no other against KC Sunday, single-handedly winning the ballgame for the Cowboys and fantasy owners alike. He displayed the beastly athleticism, balance, and run-after-the catch ability that we knew he was capable of, especially on touchdowns of 59 and 60 yards (OT game-winner). His play made Roy Williams production look infantile, as Austin’s 250 yards receiving is an NFL season-high and also a Cowboys record. I’m sure the young hulk will have a bigger role going forward if owner Jerry Jones, for one, has anything to say about it. The organization’s belief in Austin was a major reason they let go of Terrell Owens, and their belief became reality this week in a big win for Dallas.
Weakest of the Week: Mike Sims-Walker
The entire Jacksonville Jaguars squad did nothing in their shutout loss to Seattle Sunday, but Sims-Walker takes the honors this week. While given the nod in many fantasy lineups I’m sure, Sims-Walker was made inactive for breaking Jags team rules. Bozo.
Equally Weak- Derek Anderson- 23 Yds, INT
Mr. Anderson completed just 2 of 17 passes for 23 yards and an interception in their 6-3 win over the Bills. Ewww. I feel sorry for anyone who spot started him in this decent matchup. Actually, I don’t because he’s no bueno, plus he lost Braylon Edwards. The game was the NFL’s lowest scoring one of the year (9 points).
I Love Ahmad Bradshaw
I’ve been proclaiming my love this guy for a while, but he decimated Oakland in a Giants blowout, so this is a must-shout out. Bradshaw had 11 carries for 110 yards, including two touchdowns, and one catch for 55 yards. The stud makes the most of his touches and is looking like an every week RB3/Flex player and RB2 in juicy matchups. I maintain the notion that he’ll decimate the universe if Brandon Jacobs ever gets injured. If that happens, Bradshaw is the type of reserve fantasy player that can win you a league.
Birds Fly High
The following birds were fantasy standouts in Week 5:
Philly Eagles:
Donovan McNabb- 264 Yds, 3 TD … Returned from injury and didn’t disappoint
Brian Westbrook- 6 Att, 18 Yds, TD, 2 Rec, 17 Yds … Scored his first rush TD
Jeremy Maclin- 6 Rec, 142, 2 TD … Breakout game starting in place of Kevin Curtis. Pick up J-Mac!
ATL Falcons:
Matt Ryan- 329 Yds, 2 TD, INT, Ru. TD… Ryan to White connection channeled 2008
Michael Turner- 22 Att, 97, 3 TD… Finally a big game. Only has 1 reception on the year
Roddy White- 8 Rec, 210, 2 TD … Wow. This included a 90-yard TD
Seattle Hawks:
Matt Hasselbeck- 241 Yds, 4 TD … Holy sh!t! Props to anyone who started the bald bird
T.J. Housh- 5 Rec, 77 Yds, 2 TD… Snagged his first two TDs of the season. Very nice!
Nate Burleson- 6 Rec, 98 Yds, 2 TD … Having a nice year. 30/358/3 to be exact
Random Observations/Thoughts
Laurence Maroney continues to be a fantasy dulk, as Sammy Morris started and was the feature back in Fred Taylor’s absence (ankle). Maroney finished with a measly five carries for 21 yards. Where’s the ’07 playoff Maroney? Good god.
Eddie Royal got his groove back, catching 10 passes for 90, which murders his production through the first four games combined. This should vault him forward in shaking off bust status.
Brandon Marshall has four touchdowns in the last three games, including two Sunday in Denver’s big win over New England. By the way, those Bronco’s uniforms were hideous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cedric Benson is for real in ‘09, believe it or not. He’s been instrumental in the Bengals (4-1) success and Sunday was no different. Per CBS, Benson was the first RB to rush for 100 yards against Baltimore’s D in the past 39 games, and he was impressive doing it.
Marshawn Lynch was the standout RB for the Bills Sunday, gaining 125 yards on 23 touches vs. Fred Jackson’s 15 touches for 47 yards.
Clinton Portis finally scored his first touchdown since Week 17 of last year. He finished with two on the day.
Calvin Johnson hurt his knee in the first quarter and did not return in Sunday’s tilt with Pitt. His status is uncertain and he’s likely to be questionable in Week 6.
Whenever Johnson returns, Daunte Culpepper looks fully capable of getting him the ball if Matthew Stafford is still out… 282 Yds, TD, INT, 44 Ru. Yds … Also, he looks like he has regained his speed since I last saw him.
Heath Miller is quietly having a nice year. At 29/235/3, he’s on pace for the best stat line of his career. Last year his numbers suffered because they needed him to stay in and block, since their o-line was so bad. His current numbers indicate he’s more active in the passing game so far this season.
The Chiefs running game continues to be worthless…
Tony Romo didn’t play very well Sunday in Kansas City, despite his gaudy numbers – 351 Yds, 2 TD. It was all Austin. ‘Stin had 71% of Romo’s yardage and created/scored both touchdowns, end of story.
Tashard Choice continues to kill it with opportunity. He had 92 yards on eight carries= 11.5 yards per carry. His day included a 36-yard TD scamper.
For what it’s worth, Michael Bush and Justin Fargas split carries: Bush- 12, Fargas- 11. Bush averaged 3.1 YPC vs. Fargas’ 1.6. Bush scored, Fargas did not. You judge whos better, albeit on the Raiders.
The best two receivers in football, Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, went head-to-head Sunday and scored two TDs apiece. Gotta love ‘em.
One sentence about Sunday Night Football Colts at Titans
Peyton Manning is the definition of fantasy hulk.
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