FantasyFootball Week 7 Studs & Duds
By: David Bachman
Fantasy Football Editor For WagerOnFootball.com

Here's a quick rundown of the NFL's week 7 fantasy football stars. These guys are the WagerOnFootball.com "ALL Week 7 STUD Team". After you check out these top performers surf over to our NFL sportsbooks page and see what great sponsors we have here at Wager On Football Sportsbook Review.

A quick look at the big fantasy performers from the weekend.

More Weeks 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9  .10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17

Week 8 Bumps, Bruises & Bow-outs
Steve McNair (TEN) - Reaggravated sternum injury
Priest Holmes (KC) - Ankle sprain
Mike Alstott (TB) - Knee sprain/possible ACL
Casey Fitzsimmons (DET) - Knee sprain
Bubba Franks (GB) - Neck stinger
Terry Glenn (DAL) - Sprained foot
Andre King (CLE) - Leg injury
Brian Westbrook (PHI) - Chest contusion

Notes

For the first time this season, all my fantasy teams actually scored some decent points...with a little help here, a little help there, I could actually pull off some wins. Sadly, winning this week does nothing but set me up with false hope. Hope that I CAN come back from 2 3-3 records and hold on with my 5-2 and my 6-1 records. Hey, the Red Sox came back from 0-3. Maybe this is the year of the comeback?

There's a common perception that when you draft a super stud running back, you should also grab his back-up in case the starter goes down with an injury. Now for the first time since The Huddle began in 1977, one "handcuff" - namely Priest Holmes and Derrick Blaylock - were not only good to have but the best two running backs this week to start.

It's never happened since 1997. The best two fantasy running backs in the entire NFL were both from the same team. Priest Holmes (180 yards, 4 TD's) and Blaylock (136 yards, 4 TD's) both outproduced all other running backs on Sunday. It was the first time in NFL history that one team scored eight rushing touchdowns in only one game. The fact that they were facing the statistically stingiest rushing defense in the league only makes the feat even more surreal.

Evidently they are not the only profitable handcuff in the league yesterday. The 11th best fantasy running back was Lee Suggs ( 83 yards, 1 TD) and the 15th best was William Green (67 yards, 1 TD). In fact, if you had to start Jesse Chatman (14th best) you got 69 yards and one score from him and you could also have received 60 yards and a score (19th best) from his back-up LaDainian Tomlinson...

Gotcha !!

The laws of probability said that the Dolphins could not go the entire season without winning a game, so the only question was which team would get to be "it". The rest of the league thanks the St. Louis Rams not only for being the only team to lose to Miami, but for doing it in such a decisive fashion (31-14) that anyone else that loses is very unlikely to trail by 17 points.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are 5-2 on the season and have a half game lead over the Colts they just beat for the best record in the AFC South. Their five wins have all come by six points or less and there's a very good reason. In all five victories they have taken the final lead in the last minute of the game. Don't ever plan on leaving early when the Jaguars are playing.

Blowout of the WEEK

Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs
Priest Holmes went down in the third quarter with a "mild ankle sprain" and was replaced by Derrick Blaylock. Blaylock ended up having a banner day, matching Holmes' four touchdowns with four of his own while gaining 90 yards on the ground. Very impressive against the Falcons, who entered this game with the NFL's leading defense against the run.Despite his big day, Blaylock should continue to only be owned as insurance for Priest and has no Fantasy value at the present time. According to the Kansas City Star, Holmes could have returned to the game but the Chiefs were well ahead, so the team decided to play it safe. Priest insisted he would be ready for Week 8 when they host Indianapolis at Arrowhead Stadium. In what should be an excellent rematch of last years AFC SEMIFINAL at Arrowhead when noone on the planet and definatly in Kansas could stop Payton Manning and the INDY offense. I for one hope that continues next weekend. Go Colts !!!!

OUR Week 7 STUDS

Priest Holmes (180 Yd, 4 TD) - Who's the king of fantasy football? Is there any doubt. Holmes now has 11 TD on the year, 10 rushing, or 1 every 14.8 carries. Interesting to note that during the Minnesota game the commentators mentioned the Vikings offensive line is tired of pass blocking and were chomping at the bit to pound in a rushing TD. Coach Mike Tice promised them during the week of practice they would get some opportunities on Sunday. Dick Vermeil doesn't have to make any such promises. His offensive line is happier then...well...Priest Holmes owners for the third straight year. That is pretty damn happy.

Derrick Blaylock (136 Yd, 4 TD) - I have Blaylock as a backup RB on a couple of my fantasy teams. Now, I knew the Chiefs scored 56 points, I knew Holmes had 4 TD and I knew Trent Green did not have a passing TD. All that said, perusing the live scoring last night I was sure it was an error showing Blaylock with 4 TD. They must have input Holmes' stats, right? Wrong. Typically, there is no way Blaylock makes this list because no one in their right mind would ever start him this week. Its seems our esteemed FF Today host, Mike Krueger, was not in his right mind this week with Clinton Portis on bye and an otherwise injury riddled backfield. Ah, you've got to love desperation.

Donovan McNabb (376 PaYd, 4 TD) - A lot of decent but not overwhelming candidates for the number 3 spot...unless we get into the clowns who grossly disappointed this week. There were a lot of those to choose from. How about McNabb, doing his best Daunte Culpepper impersonation in a week where Daunte is a little less Daunte-like. With Terrell Owens facing former and oft-criticized teammate Jeff Garcia, it was a safe bet he was going to go off, but Todd Pinkston with 100 yards? The Browns and their atrocious receiving corps staying step-for-step with the Eagles? Overtime to pad the stats? Nicely done Mr. McNabb.

4. Ahman Green, RB, Packers (15 carries, 163 yards, 2 TDs; 3 catches, 4 yards): I'm sure Bill Parcells can't be happy about the way the Dallas defense played in Green Bay, especially allowing a 90-yard run to Green, which looked a lot like his 98-yard dash against the Broncos last year.

5. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts (27-39, 368 yards, 3 TDs): Unfortunately, he couldn't pull out a win against the Jaguars at home, and even had some issues with Reggie Wayne at the end of the game. But he did pile up the big yards yet again, showing why he is one of the top fantasy quarterbacks.

6. Terrell Owens, WR, Eagles (4 catches, 109 yards, 2 TDs): He really wanted to show up Jeff Garcia, and he did so on Sunday. But, T.O., you seem a bit sensitive, tearing down a banner and spiking another after scoring on TD passes.

7. Tiki Barber, RB, Giants (22 carries, 70 yards; 7 catches, 102 yards, 1 TD): Barber's dynamite season continues, even though he was somewhat limited on the ground. But he compensated in the passing game, including a nifty 62-yard catch-and-run for the Giants' only touchdown. Don't blame him for New York's loss to the Lions.

8. Michael Pittman, RB, Buccaneers (23 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 55 yards): He has those moments when he can pile up tons of yards yet not score a touchdown. This time, he got the yards and got the touchdown against the lowly Bears. And with Mike Alstott out with an injured knee, Pittman's number will be called even more.

9. Kerry Collins, QB, Raiders (26-45, 350 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 1 carry, 3 yards): He finally piled up the stats with his wide crop of receivers, although Oakland still lost to the enigmatic Saints. I guess Collins' job will be safe for another week.

10. Emmitt Smith, RB, Cardinals (26 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD; 4 catches, 30 yards): The old man still has it as he broke the record for most 100-yard games with 78. He's turned into a pretty credible fantasy performer this season, which is a surprise to most people.

Other top performers: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Cowboys (23-35, 308 yards, 1 TD); Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys (8 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD); Brett Favre, QB, Packers (23-29, 258 yards, 2 TDs; 1 carry, 4 yards); Javon Walker, WR, Packers (8 catches, 129 yards, 1 TD); Jimmy Smith, WR, Jaguars (5 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD); Fred Taylor, RB, Jaguars (20 carries, 107 yards; 5 catches, 67 yards); Marc Bulger, QB, Rams (23-39, 295 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 1 carry, 15 yards, 1 TD); Ravens defense (4 INTs, 1 fumble recovery, 1 fumble recovery for TD, 4 sacks); Chris Chambers, WR, Dolphins (3 catches, 128 yards, 1 TD); Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts (5 catches, 70 yards, 2 TDs); Edgerrin James, RB, Colts (18 carries, 87 yards; 6 catches, 54 yards); Byron Leftwich, QB, Jaguars (23-30, 300 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 2 carries, 8 yards); Jerry Porter, WR, Raiders (6 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD); Aaron Brooks, QB, Saints (23-39, 282 yards, 1 TD); Darrell Jackson, WR, Seahawks (8 catches, 117 yards, 1 TD).

DUDS

Michael Vick just ain't getting it done. And it wouldn't be so bad if people weren't still starting Vick on their teams. But they are! Vick managed seven completed passes yesterday, 119 yards passing and two interceptions. The only reason he had 10 fantasy points and didn't have statistically as bad a day as horrible Drew Bledsoe or Jake Delhomme or a Bears QB was that he ran for 62 yards. Yes, Vick ran for more yards than Marshall Faulk, Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson, but completed fewer passes than Craig Krenzel. Beautiful. Other choices here are Drew Brees, a QB we actually liked, and Steven Jackson, who I'm running short on patience with, though this week wasn't really his fault. Same with Torry Holt, who needs Marc Bulger to get him the ball more than once.

Drew Bledsoe, QB, Bills (20-36, 204 yards, 4 INTs): He was also sacked four times. But is this 1995 again, with two picks by Deion Sanders?

Travis Henry, RB, Bills (7 carries, 27 yards; 2 catches, 6 yards): Willis McGahee is making inroads again for the starting job as he got 16 carries for 58 yards.

Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings (24-30, 183 yards, 1 TD; 3 carries, 4 yards): It's all relative, given his performances the past couple of weeks. The completion percentage was great, but the yardage was so-so.

Torry Holt, WR, Rams (1 catch, 4 yards): Last week, Isaac Bruce didn't do much. This week, it was Holt. Can't Marc Bulger spread the wealth?

Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts (2 catches, 28 yards): He's falling behind Brandon Stokley as the No. 2 guy behind Marvin Harrison, and he seemed to take it out on Peyton Manning on Sunday.

Santana Moss, WR, Jets (2 catches, 12 yards): Speaking of ex-'Canes receivers, Moss is still battling a hamstring injury, and playing the Patriots doesn't help matters.

Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs (2 catches, 19 yards): The running game ruled the day, and he helped with blocking. But those stats don't usually matter for fantasy purposes.

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks (14-41, 195 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs; 1 carry, 9 yards): He was playing the Cardinals, for goodness sake. But seriously, he has been struggling lately, although he's still connecting with Darrell Jackson.

Shaun Alexander, RB, Seahawks (12 carries, 57 yards): He should've done more against the Cardinals, but Arizona seemed to control the action, forcing Seattle to throw more.

Early Bird Waiver Wire

Derrick Blaylock, RB, Chiefs (19 carries, 90 yards, 4 TDs; 3 catches, 46 yards): Don't expect this, well, probably ever again, especially since Holmes' ankle injury doesn't seem serious.

Brad Hoover, RB, Panthers (24 carries, 99 yards; 2 catches, 6 yards): He filled in ably for the injured Stephen Davis, and he might be worth checking out if Davis can't go next week.

Craig Krenzel, QB, Bears (9-19, 69 yards, 1 INT; 1 carry, 4 yards): He's the latest in the Chicago QB derby, but you only want him if you're really desperate.

Billy Volek, QB, Titans (17-36, 190 yards, 3 INTs): Steve McNair is hurt again, so Volek is back in charge, although the Vikings roughed him up Sunday.

Other Guys To Consider

Things that make you go hmmm.........

Kerry Collins, Raiders QB. He obviously is a force when well protected, and Oakland's O-line did its job against a tough New Orleans pass rush Sunday. Collins should get plenty of time in the pocket and overwhelmingly favorable matchups in the coming weeks (including San Diego in two of his next three games).

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals WR. Fitzgerald, finally healthy after recovering slowly from an ankle injury, is coming around on the stat sheet. And it might be only the beginning. Just wait until Anquan Boldin (knee) returns--maybe this week--and starts drawing the double teams that have been aimed at Fitzgerald until now.

Sammy Morris, Dolphins RB. It isn't safe for fantasy owners to go into the water with many Dolphins, but Morris is looking more viable by the week. His power and Miami's commitment to the run will allow him to help in deeper leagues. Miami doesn't face a tough run D until Buffalo in Week 13.

Things that basically just PISS YOU OFF !!!!!

Chris Brown, Titans RB. Brown's big body and upright running style invite a lot of full-on hits, and he might already be wearing down. Just as important, opponents will start throwing more eight- and nine-man fronts at him if QB Steve McNair and his pass-catchers don't get well soon.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks QB. Opponents' pressure is getting to Hasselbeck, and--in a departure from the recent past--he isn't reacting well to it. Things won't get any easier if the Seahawks don't start getting healthy, but the offense figures to lose WR Koren Robinson for four games (NFL suspension) either way.

Reggie Wayne, Colts WR. He won't disappear, but it looks like opponents are starting to account for Wayne--leaving the door just slightly ajar for Marvin Harrison to come bursting through. And Wayne's tussle with QB Peyton Manning won't help his cause.

What blew my mind this WEEK

What the fork is going on in Seattle? You have to be kidding me...getting stomped by the Cardinals? The whole K-Drop thing threw everyone for a loop this week. The guy is quickly becoming the biggest loser to ever set foot in the NFL, and that's saying something. He'll get hit with a drug suspension, and the Hawks bring in Jerry Rice. He's 92 years old. All the media attention from these events surely took its toll on the Hawks, but still. The Cardinals? C'mon. Hasseledcrack got out-performed by Josh McCown. Emmitt busted a C-note on this so-called tough Hawks D. Hasseledcrack threw 4 INT's and only 1 touchdown. This was a horrible game for the Seahawks and this was a horrible game for anyone that owns Seahawks in fantasy football. The only one to show up and put up a good game was Darrell Jackson. Shaun Alexander only manages 57 yards rushing on the Cards. I could go on and on and on about how ridiculous this game was. The Hawks should plug their nose......close their eyes......lean back really hard....and hope their head pops out of their ass.

Now get back to work!!!

Weeks 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9  .10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17

Top | NFL Wager | FantasyFootball | NFL Bet At Our NFL Sportsbooks