Week 10 Upgrades/Downgrades

Upgrades

QB Drew Brees, NO - Brees continues to put up huge numbers this season. Against the Buccaneers, he threw for 314 yards (his fourth 300+ yard game of the year) and three TDs (his third straight such performance). He has simply been unstoppable lately.

QB David Garrard, JAX - Garrard played well in week nine against what looked like an improving Tennessee defense. While he only passed for 177 yards, he played almost error free ball and tossed three TDs against zero turnovers. That’s the kind of QB play this team needs, so there is a possibility Garrard could stick around for a while as the starter.

QB Damon Huard, KC - Huard is making it easy for the Chiefs to allow Trent Green plenty of time to return. Green ran the scout team and was the emergency #3 QB in week nine (but there really wasn’t a chance that he’d see the field). Huard’s steadiness (11 TDs and a single INT) in relief has allowed Green to recover slowly and completely and has bought Huard at least another week or two as the team’s starting QB.

QB Jon Kitna, DET - While he still makes the occasional head-scratching play (like the terrible looking shovel pass to Eddie Drummond), Kitna is flourishing in the Mike Martz offense. He torched the Falcons for 321 passing yards including a game-clinching 60-yard TD to Roy Williams. Kitna and Williams are clicking nicely and have the ability to score good points against any defense.

QB Peyton Manning, IND - In the last two weeks, he has guided the Colts to road wins over Denver and New England. In the last three weeks, he has thrown for 1013 yards and nine TDs against only one INT. On the season, he has tossed 17 scores and just three picks. Quite simply, Manning is playing at an extremely high level right now.

QB Jake Plummer, DEN - The loss of Tatum Bell might be exactly what Jake Plummer needed to become a decent fantasy QB. Without a ground game to rely on, the Broncos were forced to the air. In his first seven games, Plummer tossed a total of five TDs, but he threw three against the Steelers. If Tatum Bell continues to sit with his turf toe injuries, Plummer will need to excel if Denver expects to win.

QB Ben Roethlisberger, PIT - This is a mixed upgrade. We’re still in the “something is wrong with Roethlisberger” camp, but if he’s going to throw for a zillion yards we’ll take them. In the last two games, Roethlisberger has passed for 734 yards and a pair of TDs. Of course he has also tossed an appalling seven INTs (which reinforces the something is wrong idea). Those INTs make him a poor option if your league subtracts heavily there, but in yardage-heavy systems, Roethlisberger can be a good option.

QB Tony Romo, DAL - Against a pretty good Redskins defense, Romo completed 67% of his passes for 284 yards, two TDs and no INTs. While those aren’t astounding numbers, that kind of production off the waiver wire can save a season. More importantly, Romo put his team in position to win (Vanderjagt had a 35-yard FG blocked).

RB Tiki Barber, NYG - He finished the day with 155 combined yards on just 20 touches, but more importantly he scored a TD. Tiki (not Tomlinson or Johnson) leads all RBs with 830 rushing yards. Despite only one TD (scored this week), Tiki is playing at a very high level again this season.

RB Ronnie Brown, MIA - He lit up the Chicago Bears for 157 yards on 29 carries. He also added 33 yards on two receptions. And most of these yards were with the lead when the Bears knew he was going to run. And despite this knowledge, he mauled them on Sunday. Brown had been a pretty big disappointment up to this game this season. Maybe this was his coming out party.

RB Corey Dillon, NE - The veteran continues to hold off young stud (Maroney). By now, most of us expected Maroney to being getting the majority of the carries. But over the last three weeks the carries are nearly equal (Dillon's 30 to Maroney's 29). The TDs over this span though are four for Dillon and none for Maroney. Dillon scored 2 TDs on Sunday.

RB Ahman Green, GB - Green looked 100% healthy against the Bills and put up a solid game rushing for 122 yards on 23 carries. We wish he could be the target of all of those passes going to Noah Herron, but that might be part of a strategy to keep Green healthy.

RB Noah Herron, GB - Herron was heavily involved in the Green Bay passing game against Buffalo and caught seven balls for 57 yards (he also had 25 yards on five rushes). For a while, it seemed like every other throw was going to Herron. If that continues, he would be a nice option in leagues that award a point per reception.

RB Steven Jackson, STL - Jackson was almost the entire St. Louis offense in week nine. He carried the ball 19 times for 86 yards and a TD. Even more noteworthy were his 13 receptions on 14 targets for 133 yards. The only blemishes on the afternoon were a pair of fumbles (one of which was lost). Jackson is very much a workhorse back.

RB Kevin Jones, DET - Kevin Jones had a great game and amassed 140 combined yards and 2 TDs. This should have been an easy game for Atlanta, but two early fumbles led to drives where Kevin Jones scored TDs. He continued to run hard deep into the game.

RB Jamal Lewis, BAL - While his 3.3 YPC average has been nothing to write home about, Lewis has been a good fantasy option since HC Brian Billick took over play-calling. In those two games, Lewis has 181 rushing yards and a TD. Billick appears content to grind away with Lewis, and that makes him a viable RB.

RB Willie Parker, PIT - The Steelers were pretty much dominated by the Broncos, but Parker turned in a very good day with 137 total yards and two TDs.

RB Michael Pittman, TB - Pittman isn’t going to muscle many carries away from Cadillac Williams, but he is entrenched as the team’s third-down back. In that role, Pittman is very much involved as a receiver. Against the Saints, Pittman had more targets than any other Buccaneer (with eight) and caught six passes for 27 yards. The overall numbers aren’t great, but he could be a nice fill-in if you league awards a point per reception. Note that Pittman suffered a shoulder injury, and his status is unknown at this time.

RB Chester Taylor, MIN - The wheels came off the Vikings’ offense in San Francisco, but the engine that is Chester Taylor kept on running. He ground out 96 rushing yards and led the team in receptions (with eight) and receiving yards (with 45). Taylor finished the game with 141 of Minnesota’s 238 net yards from scrimmage.

RB Anthony Thomas, BUF - Thomas will be the Bills’ starting RB for the next two to four weeks as Willis McGahee suffered a broken rib in week nine. Thomas filled in nicely for Willis against the Packers as he rushed for 95 yards and a TD on 20 carries.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, SD - OK, this is our last Tomlinson upgrade…for now. After a 192 total yards and a three TDs again the Browns, Tomlinson now has 1151 total yards and 14 scores for the season (which is only half over).

WR Marques Colston, NO - With Joe Horn out, we had a chance to see how Colston would perform as the team’s primary WR (and the primary focus of an opposing secondary). Colston answered the bell with 11 catches for 123 yards and a TD. He is obviously the surprise of the year at WR.

WR Donald Driver, GB - Brett Favre seemingly looked to Driver on almost every play. Driver finished week nine with nine catches from 17 targets for 96 yards and a TD. Driver is capable of similar showing every week he steps on the field.

WR Braylon Edwards, CLE - After disappearing the last few weeks, Edwards came through with a score. He is still a marginal starter (due to the inconsistency of the offense), but his talent is at a very high level.

WR Joey Galloway, TB - We’ve seen Galloway be extremely inconsistent this season - he has three games with either multiple TDs or 100+ receiving yards, and he also has been held without a catch in two games. He seems to be on an uptick at the moment.

WR Marvin Harrison, IND - After a ho-hum outing against the Broncos, Harrison bounced back in a huge way against the Colts’ biggest rival. He was clearly the difference maker in Indianapolis’ win.

WR Devery Henderson, NO - Henderson gets the upgrade here not so much due to his excellent performance against the Buccaneers (111 yards and two TDs) but because we aren’t sure what to make of Joe Horn. Everything pointed to Horn suiting up in week nine, but he was a game-day scratch due to a groin injury. If Horn is ailing for a while, Henderson becomes a nice target.

WR Greg Jennings, GB - We are still concerned with his ankle, but Jennings got back on the field this week and had a decent showing. The injury could very well linger for a while, but he is still a nice option.

WR Andre Johnson, HOU - Johnson had yet another game with double-digit targets (with 11) and caught nine balls for 83 yards. While it would be nice to see him in the endzone more often, it is a bit gluttonous to expect a Texan to score with consistency. Still, Johnson has cemented himself as an elite fantasy WR.

WR Matt Jones, JAX - While he didn’t find the endzone (and hasn’t since November 11, 2005), it’s great to see him finish two games in a row. We’re also encouraged that he led the team in receiving yards against the Titans. All that aside, Jones now needs to start producing like an NFL #1 WR.

WR Rod Smith, DEN - This is a slight uptick and is really based more on the idea that Jake Plummer might be out of his funk. If the passing game can get cranked up, Smith will obviously benefit. Make no mistake though, Javon Walker is easily the team’s primary WR.

WR Javon Walker, DEN - Walker was everywhere against the Steelers. He was targeted 12 times and caught six passes for 134 yards and a pair of TDs. He also carried the ball once for 72-yard TD.

WR Hines Ward, PIT - After a slow start this season, Ward has put up three games with good yardage. Over the last three weeks, he has 23 receptions on 33 targets for 379 yards and three TDs.

WR Roy Williams, DET - The Mike Martz led offense is clicking on all cyllinders. And no one is producing better in it than Roy Williams. He exploded for 138 yards and a TD (on just 6 catches). He shredded the Atlanta secondary on his big play when Atlanta had to replace their starting safety due to injury.

TE Chris Cooley, WAS - With Santana Moss out with a bad hamstring, Cooley was the most effective WR on Sunday in Washington. If Moss isn’t at 100%, the Redskins will rely heavily upon Cooley in their passing game.

TE Vernon Davis, SF - Davis is nearing a return (he should be back either this week or in week 11). Obviously, he might not be at 100%, but he’ll be on the field and is talented enough to make an impact.

TE Tony Gonzalez, KC - Damon Huard didn’t throw often in week nine (only 15 attempts), but he did connect well with Gonzalez. The TE had five receptions for 63 yards and a pair of TDs.

TE David Martin, GB - Martin has easily out-produced fellow Packer TE Bubba Franks this season. The difference was dramatic against the Bills as Martin caught four balls for 51 yards while Franks was completely shut out of the box score.

TE Bo Scaife, TEN - Everyone was high on a Tennessee TE this season, but it looks like the wrong guy was touted. Ben Troupe has been a huge disappointment, but Scaife has been a mild surprise. He has seven more catches and 116 more yards than Troupe, and they each have a TD catch. Scaife is currently the #2 receiver in Tennessee behind WR Drew Bennett and had a nice five-catch, 70-yard day against the Jaguars.

TE Jeremy Shockey, NYG - Toomer and Burress are now dinged up. Look for Shockey to pick up the slack in the coming weeks. He had a great Sunday catching 8 passes for 66 yards and a score.

TE Kellen Winslow Jr, CLE - The Soldja talked a big game on Friday and delivered on the field Sunday. He had 11 catches for 78 yards and was targeted 13 times. He leads all TEs with 65 targets on the season.

PK Phil Dawson, CLE - Anytime a kicker boots six FGs in a single game he gets the auto-upgrade. Dawson was the beneficiary of a decent Cleveland offense that had trouble finishing off drives.

PK Jason Hanson, DET - The Lions’ offense is performing well, and Hanson’s scoring has picked up right along with it. In his last three games, Hanson has averaged 8.7 points per game (fourth in the league).

PK Josh Scobee, JAX - Scobee gets the uptick this week based on his upcoming schedule. Both the Texans and the Giants have been fairly accommodating to opposing kickers, so we expect Scobee to have good numbers over the next couple of games.

PK Matt Stover, BAL - After a few bad outings, Stover bounced back in a huge way with four FGs and two PATs against the Bengals. Since HC Brian Billick took over the play-calling, the Ravens offense has looked more consistent, so we expect Stover to have more games of three or more FGs as the season winds down.

TD Kansas City Chiefs, KC - If your league penalizes defenses for points or yards allowed, then the Chiefs aren’t an appealing option. However, if your scoring system consists of sacks and turnovers, then Kansas City definitely merits attention. In their last four games, the Chiefs have sacked the QB eight times and forced nine turnovers. Even more appealing is the upcoming schedule as the Dolphins and Raiders have been kind to opposing defenses this season.

TD Miami Dolphins, MIA - The Dolphins deserve an upgrade simply because they backed up Jason Taylor’s talk. Taylor told the world he wasn’t too impressed with the Chicago offense. He then spent Sunday helping force the Bears into six turnovers (one of which Taylor returned for a TD).

TD New York Giants, NYG - The Giants’ defense has been excellent lately. In their last four games, they have allowed only 49 points while sacking the QB 16 times and forcing eight turnovers. They are playing at a very high level right now.

Downgrades

QB Tom Brady, NE - No need to panic on Brady, but he had a horrible game. His 4 interceptions were un-Bradylike and he appeared to be forcing things a bit. Couple this with the two-headed monster that is producing at RB and inconsistent WR play and we think Brady will have some some more sub-par fantasy days in the future.

QB Rex Grossman, CHI - This is now two bad games in his last three (horrible game against Arizona in week 6 and now this stinker against the Dolphins). He is still outperforming his draft position by a wide margin, but he is not the sure start he was early this season. The Bears play the Giants in New York this week which will likely be a tough matchup for Grossman. He finished the day with 3 interceptions and averaged only 5 yards per pass attempt.

QB Brad Johnson, MIN - This season, the 49ers’ defense has allowed opposing QBs an average of 18.5 fantasy points per game. Johnson scored five against them. If he can not exploit that defense, then we have no faith in him at all.

QB Byron Leftwich, JAX - HC Jack Del Rio says that a healthy Byron Leftwich is the team’s starting QB. Of course early last week Leftwich pronounced himself healthy but didn’t get the start. David Garrard turned in an very solid performance against the Titans, so there could very well be a small QB controversy in Jacksonville. Even if Leftwich returns as the starter, one has to think the leash will be a little shorter than it has been in the past.

QB Eli Manning, NYG - Manning started the season on fire and threw 13 TDs in his first six games. However, he has cooled considerably in his last two outings and has tossed only a pair of scores and 333 total yards. Further, Manning has not passed the 200-yard mark since October 8th against the Redskins and has a single 300-yard passing day this season.

QB Chris Simms, TB - Simms has finally been placed on the injured reserve list. If you were holding out hope for a return this season, you can look elsewhere.

QB Alex Smith, SF - While we like the upcoming schedule (Detroit and Seattle should be easier to throw on), we were appalled at Smith’s week nine numbers. While he did get the win, Smith’s 105-yard, zero TD and one INT showing was simply pathetic.

RB Tatum Bell, DEN - Bell didn’t see a carry against the Steelers due to his turf toes. That injury needs rest to heal, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bell sitting for a while.

RB Chris Brown, TEN - Brown is clearly the third wheel at RB for the Titans. He will be inactive each week if Travis Henry and LenDale White are healthy. Even when active, Brown rarely sees the ball. In most leagues, he isn’t worth a roster spot.

RB Reggie Bush, NO - We still like his involvement in the passing game, but wow the rushing is horrible. The Saints were able to give Bush the ball 11 times, and he responded with a net loss of five yards (with a long run of three yards). That’s just wow.

RB Ron Dayne, HOU - This will tell you how much the Texans think of Dayne right now: Wali Lundy struggled to a 2.15 YPC average, but Dayne didn’t get a single carry.

RB Reuben Droughns, CLE - Just when we thought Droughns was finding his groove, he posts another ugly performance. He finished with just 36 yards on 19 carries on a day when it looked like he was running into a brickwall. This offensive line is not very good and severely limits any upside with Droughns going forward.

RB Samkon Gado, HOU - This will tell you how much the Texans think of Gado right now: They activated Ron Dayne instead of him for the second straight week.

RB Willis McGahee, BUF - McGahee suffered a broken rib in week nine and will miss two to four weeks.

RB Dominic Rhodes, IND - Rhodes has absolutely been passed in the pecking order by Joseph Addai. In the last two weeks, Addai has carried the ball 35 times and caught five passes on seven targets. In those same two games, Rhodes has seven rushes and three receptions on three targets. Addai is clearly more involved in the offense.

WR Bernard Berrian, CHI - Berrian struggled against the Dolphins and suffered a bruised rib. It looks like he’ll miss two to four weeks.

WR Reche Caldwell, NE - After a great week 9, he follows up with a horrible game. He doesn't get adequate separation when running his routes so we are not very optimistic that he will put up big numbers many weeks. Watson, Gabriel and even rookie Chad Jackson look to possess more natural receiving ability to us. Even Troy Brown seems to get open more than Reche Caldwell. We are thinking week 8 was a fluke and expect a lot more inconsistent play from Caldwell going forward.

WR Michael Clayton, TB - A couple of things are fairly clear in Tampa Bay: 1) Bruce Gradkowski isn’t capable of supporting more than one viable fantasy WR, and 2) Joey Galloway is the team’s primary WR. That leaves Michael Clayton with scraps.

WR Joe Horn, NO - Color us worried that Horn has suddenly become old. Marques Colston is obviously better than Horn right now, and Devery Henderson is at least comparable to the veteran. Factor in the surprising scratch on game-day, and Horn is not a guy we have a lot of confidence in right now.

WR Chad Jackson, NE - A few weeks ago, it looked as though Jackson might become a cog in the New England offense. Well, looks can be deceiving; Jackson is little more than an afterthought right now.

WR Brandon Lloyd, WAS - With Santana Moss sidelined with a hamstring issue, Lloyd had a great opportunity to excel against the Cowboys. He responded with a two-catch, 28-yard effort. Chris Cooley, James Thrash and Ladell Betts all out-produced Lloyd in the passing game.

WR Ruvell Martin, GB - Martin didn’t do much when Greg Jennings was out and was a complete no show against the Bills. He isn’t worth a roster spot in most leagues.

WR Derrick Mason, BAL - In the last month or so, Mason appears to have slotted in the WR2 spot in Baltimore. Over the last four games, Mason has 19 targets while Mark Clayton has seen 33 balls thrown his way. In those games, Mason has 11 receptions for 132 yards and zero TDs while Clayton has 19 catches for 218 yards and a pair of scores.

WR Santana Moss, WAS - Moss has an injured hamstring and missed the week nine game against Dallas. WRs with hamstring problems are especially worrisome, so we are greatly concerned about Moss’ prospects in the coming weeks.

WR Antwaan Randle El, WAS - Santana Moss missed the Dallas game, so there was a big void to fill at WR. He started the game, but Randle El was invisible all afternoon. If he is a nonfactor without Moss in the game, he has no value in most leagues.

WR Marcus Robinson, MIN - Robinson has a back injury that has kept him out of the last two games. Despite being listed as questionable each week, there are reports that Vikings’ officials worry Robinson will not see the field again this season.

WR Travis Taylor, MIN - Taylor was the top Vikings’ WR in week nine. The trouble is that he only caught three balls on six targets for 19 yards. If that’s all he can tally against the woeful 49ers, then he has almost no fantasy value.

WR Amani Toomer, NYG - Toomer had an excellent chance to excel this week against the Texans as Plaxico Burress was on the sidelines with a bad back. Instead, Toomer flopped with a terrible two-catch, 16-yard day. He is clearly not the WR he was a few years ago and is capable of nothing more than an occasional excellent day.

WR Roddy White, ATL - He is a complete nonfactor and doesn’t merit a roster spot in most leagues.

WR Reggie Williams, JAX - The up-and-down Williams was very down against the Titans and caught one ball for 13 yards. Matt Jones appears healthy again, and Ernest Wilford was a huge factor (two TDs against Tennessee). The Jaguars are very much a rushing team, so it will be extremely difficult for Williams to be a consistent factor this season.

WR Troy Williamson, MIN - Williamson has been extremely disappointing this year. We aren’t going to downgrade him again because this is rock bottom.

TE Bubba Franks, GB - Franks started the game against the Bills but failed to catch a pass. Meanwhile, David Martin also started the game and accumulated four receptions for 51 yards. So far this season, Martin has more catches (19 to 12), more yards (186 to 123) and more TDs (two to zero) than Franks. Martin is clearly the team’s primary pass-catching TE.

TE Antonio Gates, SD - This is the LaDainian Tomlinson show at the moment, so Gates and the passing game has to take a back seat. He’s obviously still an elite fantasy TE, but he is not in his own tier.

TE Eric Johnson, SF - Johnson has been OK in relief in Vernon Davis, but the rookie TE will soon return to the line-up. Johnson will still have a role as he is one of the better receivers on the roster, but his looks will see a sharp decrease when Davis gets back on the field.

TE Ben Troupe, TEN - With Erron Kinney out all season, it appeared that Troupe would have an easy time getting tons of targets and tons of catches. However, he has been a huge disappointment this year and isn’t even the top TE on his team (that would be Bo Scaife).

PK Jay Feely, NYG - The Giants’ offense has struggled a bit lately and Feely’s scoring is suffering. In his last four games, Feely has five FGs and 11 PATs and has averaged 6.5 points per game (tied for 16th in that span).

PK Ryan Longwell, MIN - The Vikings’ offense has fallen off the map. It’s one thing to struggle against the Patriots, but when a team amasses only three points against the 49ers, it’s time to find a new kicker. Longwell has only two FGs and five PATs in his last three games.

PK Jeff Wilkins, STL - Wilkins has fallen off his earlier pace in a big way. The culprit – too many TDs. Early in the season, the Rams’ offense wasn’t able to finish drives, so Wilkins was hitting FGs by the boatloads. In his last three games, Wilkins has nine PATs but only two FGs.

TD Tampa Bay Buccaneers, TB - The Buccaneers aren’t getting a lot done on defense these days. In their last four games, they have allowed 82 points and 1425 yards while sacking the QB only five times and forcing only four turnovers. Those are poor numbers in any scoring system.

TD Atlanta Falcons, ATL - If your league deducts points for yards and points allowed, then you can not afford to play the Falcons defense. In the last four weeks, they have allowed 1663 yards and 122 points. That’s a per game average of over 415 yards and over 30 points. They are simply getting torched.

TD St. Louis Rams, STL - The Rams are simply bad on defense. They can’t stop anyone (averaging 33 points and 353 yards allowed per game and a total of one forced turnover over their last three contests). In scoring systems that deduct points for yards and points allowed, St. Louis is the worst option in the league.

TD Washington Redskins, WAS - The Redskins are really struggling on defense right now. In their last three games, they have allowed 80 points and 1174 yards. Even worse are the paltry sack numbers (six in three games) and forced turnovers (zero in three games).