Stock rising
QB: Tim Tebow, Broncos
On the gridiron, the Denver quarterback’s performance is less than aesthetically pleasing, and his lack of accuracy (13-for-27), yardage (just 161 yards against Miami’s shaky secondary) and cognizance (at times, Tebow resembled a chicken with his head cut off) was somewhat disconcerting. (Even more troubling: I only heard, “It doesn’t matter that he’s not conventional, Tim Tebow KNOWS how to WIN FOOTBALL GAMES!” twice on TV last night. I had the over/under at 51.5. Alas.) However, in fantasy land, Tebow’s feats delivered dividends to those who started the former Heisman winner, finding the end zone twice and racking up 65 yards on the ground. With a fairly manageable slate the rest of the season, consider Tebow a safe start in formats with 12 or more teams.
QB: John Beck, Redskins
Granted, the Panthers are far from what one could consider a formidable foe, and onlookers certainly didn’t misconstrue Beck for Tom Brady. But the box score doesn’t lie: 22-for-37, 279 yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing). Reliable backups are scarce at this juncture of the season, and Beck is an available arm (owned in just 3.7 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) that can be a serviceable signal caller for owners dealing with upcoming bye weeks. Also worth noting: aside from a Week 13 matchup against the Jets, Washington’s schedule features a plethora of putrid pass defenses that will benefit Beck.
RB: DeMarco Murray, Cowboys
Not bad for a third-stringer, eh? Murray’s magnificent afternoon (25 carries, 253 yards, one touchdown) suddenly throws the Dallas backfield into disarray once Felix Jones returns. Fantasy owners are clamoring for Murray’s prognosis for the remainder of the fall. Jones will undoubtedly get an opportunity when healthy to take the reins as starter, but the fourth-year man out of Arkansas has been a fantasy faux pas this season, failing to surpass 60 yards in four of five contests. If (or when) Jones falters, envision Murray to be thrust into a featured role.
RB: Montario Hardesty, Browns
Usually a 2.9 yards-per-carry figure is not something to be celebrated (and for the unfortunate souls resigned to watching yesterday’s Cleveland-Seattle game, the only thing that should be “celebrated” is that the godforsaken contest finally ended), but Hardesty’s workman-like day (33 carries, 95 yards; two receptions, 27 yards) versus one of the better run-stopping units in football was commendable. Peyton Hillis remains a question mark, as hamstring issues are always a fickle matter for running backs. Coupled with the bad aura seemingly draped over Hillis (the strep throat controversy, a contract dispute, and, of course, the Madden Curse), and Hardesty is definitely worthy of a roster spot for the foreseeable future. (Sorry, but it needs to be re-emphasized: yesterday’s contest in Cleveland was the worst display of professional pigskin ever conducted. How bad was it? The “featured” player was defensive end Red Bryant, that illustrious storm of nature from Texas A&M who entered Sunday’s matchup with a whopping one career sack in 22 previous games. Cleveland shouldn’t have been rewarded with a victory; instead, a tie would have sufficed for the win-loss column.)
WR: Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders
Despite an abysmal showing from his quarterback counterparts, Heyward-Bey posted his fourth straight impressive outing, hauling in five receptions for 89 yards against Kansas City. While Carson Palmer’s abbreviated appearance did nothing to alleviate ambiguity concerns under center going forward (more on this in a moment), DHB has illustrated he is immune to the ineptitude and that any worries about Palmer should not ruin his fantasy prospects. On the month, the former first-round pick has 22 catches, 385 yards and a score.
WR: Antonio Brown, Steelers
After two dismal displays (three receptions 39 yards in Weeks 5 and 6), Brown validated the faith from his proponents, snagging seven receptions for 102 yards in Pittsburgh’s win over Arizona. Even more promising was the looks in Brown’s direction, as the Central Michigan product finished with a team-high nine targets. A favorable matchup lies ahead with New England in Week 8, earning Brown “sleeper” status at the flex position or WR spot in deeper leagues.
TE: Fred Davis, Reskins
In a sense, Davis doesn’t merit inclusion on this list, as four solid conquests in his team’s first six games of the season should have earned him a roster spot in many a league. Yet Davis is owned in just 67 percent of formats and started by half the teams that employ his services. For owners that need further endorsement after Davis’ six receptions for 80 yards on Sunday, there is this: the former USC Trojan is third amongst tight ends with 423 yards. Plus, Rex Grossman is gone, so that’s gotta help, right?
DEF: Kansas City Chiefs
Ok, so the quarterback combo from hell unquestionably correlated to their phenomenal fantasy day of six interceptions, two pick-sixes and a sack during their shutout of Oakland. But for a unit that was ridiculed after a stumble out of the gate, the Chiefs have held opponents to 17 points or less in three of their past four games. With a struggling San Diego offense in Week 8, followed by also-rans in Miami and Denver, feel free to utilize the Kansas City D.
Stock regressing
QB: Colt McCoy, Browns
So much for exploiting a susceptible Seattle secondary. The Seahawks, who entered Sunday’s ball game surrendering 268.2 yards per contest, held McCoy to a meager 178 yards through the air and added an interception for good measure. At least McCoy left with a win, although I think more credit goes to Quarterback Jesus’s performance, or lack thereof, in Cleveland.
QB: Matt Hasselbeck, Titans
Now there’s the Matt Hasselbeck we all know and love. Hasselbeck, who brought a 282.8 yards-per-outing mark with nine touchdowns into Week 7’s battle with Houston, was wayward with many of his passes, hitting 46.7 percent of his intended targets. Throw in the constant harassment by the Houston front line, and the final tally was not a pretty one for Hasselbeck: 104 yards, one touchdown and two turnovers. Perhaps it’s just a one game hiccup, and going against Indianapolis next weekend should facilitate a bounce-back opportunity. However, with little help from Chris Johnson and the lack of emergence of a complementary target to Nate Washington in Kenny Britt’s absence, owners have reason to imagine an ominous forecast for the Titan QB.
QB: Carson Palmer, Raiders
In his defense, he was only with the team for five days. But many of his mistakes weren’t predicated from a lack of familiarization with the Oakland offense; rather, the same issues that plagued Palmer in Cincinnati manifested their ugly head on Sunday, most notably, a lack of velocity behind his throws. Luckily for Hue Jackson and Palmer, Oakland is on bye this week, giving the duo a little leeway to right the Raider ship.
RB: Chris Johnson, Titans
I could write about his reserved running style, which makes the Tennessee back look like he’s only going half speed. Or, theoretically, I could comment on the on the confusion and lack of communication between Johnson and the rest of the offense, as the All-Pro rusher seems out of sync with the scheme. But since I am a man of the people, let’s sum up Johnson’s stock with the sentiments of the Titans’ crowd on Sunday: “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
RB: Ryan Torain, Redskins
This is whole Washington running backs thing is getting more ridiculous than the plot of Jack and Jill. (You mean Adam Sandler is playing himself and his identical sister? Wait, what’s that? You mean the unwelcomed sibling invites herself over to Thanksgiving dinner? Sounds like box-office gold!) After allegedly jumping Tim Hightower on the depth chart, Torain was allotted just two carries. The team believes Hightower suffered an ACL tear, ideally paving the way for Torain for 15-20 carries next week. So naturally, expect Roy Helu to rush for 130 yards on 30 touches in Week 8.
WR: Saints WRs not named Marques Colston
Any lingering worries concerning Colston’s health have been put to rest with his latest work of dominance, bringing in seven receptions for the second week in a row. Colston and tight end Jimmy Graham are undisputedly Drew Brees’ primary targets, with Darren Sproles serving as a security blanket. This leaves Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem fighting for fantasy scraps, making the group a risky play, even in deeper leagues. Unless the Saints are struck with a rash of injuries, the aforementioned trio does not warrant a roster spot.
WR: Eric Decker, Broncos
Feasibly, Tebow will develop an affinity with the possession receiver, and Decker’s dexterity in the first quarter of the season cannot be ignored. However, keep the Denver wideout away from a starting spot until posting a string of respectable games with Tebow at the helm.
TE: Dallas Clark, Colts
Poor Clark. It appeared the tight end was beginning to make strides with Curtis Painter. Unfortunately, this notion was shattered after Sunday night’s smackdown from the Saints, as Clark failed to record a catch. Worse, the Pro Bowler didn’t receive a single target from the overwhelmed Painter. Don’t worry, Dallas. Only nine more games to go.
DEF: San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are historically prone to falter in the first half of the season, so a 4-2 record may be cause for joy. Yet San Diego surrendered 27 points to a struggling Jets’ offense a game after Denver posted 24 on the scoreboard. For a unit that was statistically the most suffocating in football last season (league-low 271.6 yards per game in 2010), the Chargers are failing to impose their will on opposing attacks.
FOXSports.com Fantasy News | Harmon: Week 7 fantasy heroes
