There were many big efforts in Sunday’s game to celebrate. None came in a more unlikely spot than the Rams’ upset win over the Saints. Therefore, I start the Monday roll call with SJ39.
Steven Jackson rumbled for 159 yards on 25 carries with two touchdowns, adding four receptions for 32 yards. He’d entered the game averaging 68.5 total yards per game, so many fantasy owners may have left the workhorse tailback on the bench. Jackson ran as a frontrunner as the Rams controlled the Saints and administered a ton of punishment to would-be tacklers.
The Dolphins took the heavily-favored Giants to the wire, but ultimately succumbed to Eli Manning and the passing attack. Manning passed for 349 yards with two touchdowns and a sack. Most importantly, Manning did not commit a turnover. Through seven games, Manning has averaged 303.9 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and seven turnovers. Four of those turnovers came in the shocking Week 5 loss to Seattle.
Victor Cruz once again demonstrated his knack for the dramatic on his 25-yard touchdown reception. Cruz finished Sunday’s win with seven receptions for 99 yards, his fourth game with at least 98 receiving yards in the past five weeks.
Mario Manningham also scored for the Giants and finished the contest with six receptions for 63 yards. He’s caught 16 passes in the past three weeks.
Hakeem Nicks is undergoing tests on his hamstring early this week, so Cruz and Manningham may get an upgrade against New England should Nicks be forced to sit.
Reggie Bush makes a rare appearance in the “Heroes” section after rushing for 103 yards against the Giants, an effort that included a 35-yard sprint. He added four receptions for 17 yards.
Matt Schaub didn’t dominate the Jaguars, but the addition of a rushing touchdown made for a strong day. Schaub passed for 225 yards (16-of-30) with one touchdown and two sacks.
Arian Foster didn’t obliterate the Jaguars either, but he delivered another 100-yard effort and scored in Sunday’s win. Foster rushed for 112 yards, adding a single reception for 12 yards. Foster has averaged 161.8 total yards in his past five starts.
Beanie Wells demonstrated great heart and determination to get back on the field in Week 8 and he delivered a huge effort against the Ravens. Wells rushed for 83 yards on 22 carries and scored his seventh touchdown of the season to match his career high mark set in 2009.
Anquan Boldin torched his former team for 145 yards on seven receptions to propel the Ravens to a huge comeback win over the Cardinals. Boldin was targeted 12 times in the dramatic win. He’s recorded 19 receptions for 317 yards and a touchdown in the past three weeks (two efforts over 130 yards).
Ray Rice was hardly dominant on Sunday against the Cardinals, but his three short touchdown plunges made a huge statement. Rice rushed for 63 yards on 18 carries, adding seven receptions for 36 yards. His total yardage production is keeping fantasy owners happy, but he’s rushed for 81 or fewer yards in five of seven games.
Lance Moore caught eight passes for 82 yards and scored the lone receiving touchdown for the Saints. He was definitely sitting on a ton of fantasy benches because owners anticipated continued dominance from Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston.
Cam Newton didn’t get a win at home over the Vikings, but he posted another fantastic fantasy effort. Newton passed for 290 yards with three touchdowns (Shockey, Olsen and Smith) and three sacks. He led the Panthers in rushing with 53 yards, through that production was erased by his two lost fumbles. Celebrate the continued heroics.
Adrian Peterson led the Vikings on the ground and through the air. Peterson rushed for 86 yards on 21 carries, including a hard-fought (watch the highlight) nine-yard touchdown run. Peterson also caught five passes for 76 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown reception.
The Titans scored 27 points, so somebody gets a quick nod. It’s Nate Washington, who made the most of his limited opportunities. Washington caught four passes for 34 yards, including the only touchdown thrown by Matt Hasselbeck. He also scored on a three-yard run in the final minute of the first half. I’ll pause while you curse Chris Johnson again.
Matthew Stafford said that he was going to start on Sunday against Denver. He received tremendous support from the defense and slammed on the “Easy” button. Hell, I could have caught the touchdown pass he threw to Titus Young for Detroit’s first touchdown from 41 yards out (OK, I wouldn’t have finished off the 40-yard dash at that point). Stafford finished with 267 yards with three touchdowns and even scrambled for 21 yards.
Calvin Johnson caught six passes for 125 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown reception. Johnson has logged four consecutive 100-yard games (88 or more receiving yards in seven of eight games) and has been shut out of the end zone just once.
Eric Decker caught six passes for 72 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos’ complete decimation by the Lions. Decker took a short pass and worked off of his blockers to score a meaningless late 14-yard touchdown. OK, fantasy owners who started him as a WR3 were rewarded.
Ryan Fitzpatrick quietly posted a strong day against the Washington pass defense, taking full advantage of the Bills’ strong defensive effort. Fitzpatrick completed 21-of-27 attempts for 262 yards with two sacks, two touchdowns and one interception.
Both of his touchdown passes were caught by Scott Chandler, who finished the day with exactly two receptions for 35 yards.
Fred Jackson continued his dominance with another 194 total yards on 29 touches. Jackson carried the ball 26 times for 120 yards, adding three receptions for 74 yards. He’s averaging 153.4 total yards per game.
Andy Dalton wasn’t dominant, but he did log another multi-touchdown game against the Seahawks. Dalton passed for 168 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
I celebrate him here because of his growing connection with fellow rookie A.J. Green. Green caught four passes for 63 yards and scored in his third straight game (five touchdowns overall).
Frank Gore carried the ball 31 times for 134 yards and ground down the Browns as he’s done to numerous opponents in 2011. In his past four games, Gore has rushed for at least 125 yards with a touchdown. He’ll next face a slumping Washington squad on the road.
Ben Roethlisberger spread the ball around well against the New England pass defense, completing 36-of-50 attempts for 365 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He absorbed five sacks, but still dominated in the huge home win. Roethlisberger’s thrown 11 touchdowns against two interceptions in his past four starts.
Antonio Brown delivered as a plug-in receiver in standard leagues against the Patriots. He caught nine passes for 67 yards, including his first touchdown of the year. Brown has caught 16 passes in the past two weeks and had actually entered Week 8 tied for 26th in total targets.
Does Tom Brady count with his 198 passing yards and two touchdowns (three sacks)?
Rob Gronkowski led the Patriots with seven receptions for 94 yards. Gronkowski has caught seven passes in back-to-back weeks, but his scoreless streak has now reached four games.
The Eagles ran all over the Cowboys on Sunday night. Rob Ryan had no answer for the onslaught and gets a bonus point here (it means nothing, I know) for saying as much in his post-game chatter.
LeSean McCoy carried the ball like a giant lollipop and ran freely through the Dallas secondary to the tune of 185 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns. He added two receptions for 15 yards. McCoy is averaging 127.4 total yards per game and has scored 10 total touchdowns.
Brent Celek was the receiving star of the day, pulling down seven receptions for 94 yards. Remember, Celek caught four passes with a touchdown in the Eagles’ previous game. Hang a star on him for the second half of the season.
Jeremy Maclin was the recipient of Michael Vick’s other touchdown pass. Maclin caught three passes for 54 yards.
Vick completed 21 of his 28 passes for 279 and threw two touchdown passes without a turnover. He added 50 rushing yards on seven attempts. The second season has begun, and Vick will try to shake off his spotty history against the Bears next Monday night.
Finally, I give a knowing nod to the defensive efforts of the Lions, Bills and Bengals.
- The Lions tortured Tim Tebow in a manner equivalent to “Saw.”
- The Bills sacked John Beck nine times and posted the first shutout of a Mike Shanahan-led team.
- The Bengals scored two defensive touchdowns late to finish off a strong effort in Seattle.
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