QB Derek Anderson, CLE - Anderson had played very poorly in the Browns' first four games this season, and many observers believed he was on the verge of being pulled for backup QB Brady Quinn. But on Monday night Anderson finally showed the arm strength and big-play ability that made him a successful QB (both NFL and fantasy) last season. Anderson ended up with 310 passing yards against the Giants, nearly doubling his season high coming into the game of just 166 yards. With Derek Anderson and the entire Browns' offense finally living up to their potential on Monday night, Anderson goes from an ineffective QB potentially on the verge of losing his job, to a strong-armed QB directing a potentially explosive offensive with talented weapons to throw to. Huge upgrade this week.

QB Drew Brees, NO - Brees continues his weekly assaults on the NFL, just obliterating opposing secondaries for 300 yards for the fifth time in six games this season. Completing 26 of 30 passes? That's unreal, especially when Brees is unafraid of throwing deep. Brees hit on four passes of 20+ yards, including a 51-yarder to Devery Henderson that was a strike and on his hands in stride. He is truly playing on a level above any other quarterback in the league.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, CIN - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Fitzpatrick started his second game this season for the Bengals. If the elbow injury to Palmer is serious, Fitzpatrick could start for the remainder of the season. Against a stingy Jet defense, he completed 20 of 33 passes for 152 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions, and he added 23 yards and a touchdown on the ground. In fact, Fitzpatrick was the leading rusher for the Bengals. Fitzpatrick did not look comfortable in the pocket and his upside is limited. He is scrappy but is not a passer that can throw down the field well. The passing offense did improve as the game progressed and looked better than in some of the past weeks.

QB Gus Frerotte, MIN - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Frerotte led the Vikings to a come from behind game in which the Lions effectively slowed Adrian Peterson. Frerotte was able to make some big plays including the 86-yard catch-and-run by Bernard Berrian. Frerotte has now led Minnesota to back to back wins in the fourth quarter. The veteran attempted 33 passes, completing 18 for 296 yards. He had the long touchdown to Berrian and one bad interception on a ball he should not have thrown. Sidney Rice should be back next week which would give the Viking pass offense one more weapon. They had three pass plays for more than 34 yards, while the longest rushing play was a mere 13 yards.

QB Jeff Garcia, TB - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Jeff Garcia may have only passed for 173 yards with a TD pass this past week, but he led the Buccaneers to a big division victory against Carolina. His success on the field may equal more starts going forward, even when Brian Griese returns to health. Garcia, who was benched for Griese earlier this season, now has his team at 4-2 tied atop the NFC South with Carolina and Atlanta. HC Jon Gruden has not made a decision on who will start next week, but the thinking here is that he'll stay with the hot hand. Stay tuned for information this week, but it looks like Garcia may have the upper hand.

QB Brad Johnson, DAL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - The veteran passer becomes a decent spot starter for fantasy owners after the Tony Romo injury news - Romo will miss the next four weeks with a broken pinkie finger. With the weapons at his disposal, Johnson could put up some good numbers. However, there is only one good fantasy match-up out of the four weeks - Week 7 at the Rams. The three games following are versus the Giants, Buccaneers, and Redskins, the last two of which are on the road.

QB Peyton Manning, IND - Maybe our downgrade for Peyton last week had something to do with his big game? Maybe it was the heroic fourth quarter comeback against the Texans last week that sparked something inside Manning's head to bring him back to life? In any event, Peyton Manning looked to be clicking on all cylinders on Sunday against the vaunted Ravens defense. He sold the play-action very well and executed even better. Is he officially back? Perhaps. If he's not, he's definitely getting warmed up. Either way, continue to start Manning every week.

QB Dan Orlovsky, DET - It was not known whether Orlovsky would be healthy enough to play with Jon Kitna out nursing a back injury, but he was able to go in Week 6. Orlovsky had happy feet in the pocket but played better as the game went along. The Lion offense only had two first downs in the first half and went three-plays-and-out on three occasions in the first two quarters. Orlovsky was under duress all game from the Viking defensive linemen, especially Kevin Williams. He only had 153 passing yards on thirteen completions. He was able to find Calvin Johnson deep a couple of times but could not get into a rhythm. Still, he merits an upgrade for a couple of reasons: 1) Kitna's health is still unclear, and 2) the Lions may soon opt to see what Orlovsky can do over a few weeks as their starter.

QB Kyle Orton, CHI - Orton had his fourth straight proficient fantasy performance on Sunday, throwing for 286 yards and a touchdown. The Bears have become a well-rounded offense, not depending solely on the running game to move the ball. Believe it or not, Orton is currently a top ten fantasy QB so far this season (FBG scoring), and while we still cannot project him as a top ten QB going forward, his consistent performance over the last month means we wouldn't hesitate to recommend starting him when he has a good match-up.

QB Chad Pennington, MIA - Perhaps it's time we take note of Chad Pennington. He has 225 yards passing in four of five games this season, which is very unlike the Chad Pennington that we have grown accustomed to. He has 5 TDs and 2 INTs through five games, not to mention 1101 yards passing. He is not going to be an every week fantasy starter, but he is showing good bye week filler potential. If you're in a pinch and need a QB, you could do worse than Pennington. However, the Dolphins host the Ravens next week, which presents a difficult match up.

QB Philip Rivers, SD - Rivers put up his second 300-yard game of the season, and his fourth game of the season with 3 touchdown passes. (He could have had a fourth TD, but Antonio Gates dropped one on the goal line.) With LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates still at less than full strength, and Chris Chambers out of the lineup on Sunday night, Rivers aired it out deep for Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd, connecting on three passes of 48 yards or more. We had downgraded Rivers out of our top ten fantasy QBs going forward after last week's subpar performance against the Dolphins, but his accuracy on Sunday night against the Patriots, particularly on his deep passes, will put him back into our top ten this week.

QB Aaron Rodgers, GB - Rodgers took another step towards staying in the Top 10 this past week. He played through a shoulder injury en route to a big road win at Seattle, which is known for being unkind to visiting teams. Stats aside, you've got to like Rodgers being able to play with pain and not have it affect his game. He showed grit and toughness calling his own number on a QB sneak for a TD at the end of the first half, bad shoulder and all. He now has three games with a rushing TD and three games with three total TDs. Rodgers and the Packers host Indianapolis next week in what could be a high-scoring affair.

QB Matt Ryan, ATL - Ryan had his first 300-yard passing game as a pro, and looked great doing it. He completed 73 percent of his passes, going 22 of 30 for 301 yards and a touchdown. He played with great confidence and poise from the opening bell, and was particularly masterful at converting long third down plays. Moreover, he did it against a Chicago defense that had looked pretty intimidating coming into Sunday's contest. Ryan has grown up very quickly, and looks like he is already an above-average NFL starting quarterback. He is not yet a fantasy starter, but may be considered a solid fantasy backup who can be started without apprehension when his owners need him.

QB Matt Schaub, HOU - Schaub may have passed for 379 yards and scored the winning TD for the Texans first win, however he was an inch away from being intercepted on the game-winning drive and an amazing acrobatic catch by Andre Johnson on fourth-and-ten that kept the drive alive. In other words - he got a bit lucky. However, he now has back-to-back 300+ yard games and is entrenched as the starter thanks to Sage Rosenfels' meltdown in Week 5.

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QB Matt Cassel, NE - We had viewed Cassel as a likely Top 20 fantasy QB just by virtue of the fact that he was directing the explosive Patriots' offense this season. But he is holding the ball too long, failing to find open receivers, and missing his targets when he does find them. Even if he stays in the Patriots' lineup, he is looking like he is not even a decent fantasy backup at this point - and in any event, his job security may be in question. He was simply ineffective on Sunday night.

QB Joe Flacco, BAL - Flacco tossed an INT on the first possession which eventually led to a quick 14-0 deficit. He and the Ravens offense were held in check by the Colts until midway through the third quarter. They didn't get a first down until the second quarter. Flacco was rattled and disrupted all game long. He botched a hand off, lost a fumble and threw three INTs. Perhaps Flacco's Monday night coming out party against Pittsburgh was a bit pre-mature. The Ravens have lost three in a row and it doesn't look like Flacco is comfortable under center. He is an average QB when he is not being pressured, but under constant pressure he has shown he has a lot to learn.

QB Brian Griese, TB - Griese was held out of the game against Carolina due to an injured elbow and shoulder. As a result, Jeff Garcia got the start and performed well. It is unclear who will start next week, but Garcia's positive effort likely has him as the front runner to start going forward. Stay tuned this week as more information comes available.

QB Matt Hasselbeck, SEA - Is there a team out there that has been hit harder by the injury bug than the Seahawks? Matt Hasselbeck was unable to play on Sunday due to a sore knee. First it was his back and now it's his knee that is bothering him - and it's only week six. Seattle desperately needs their signal caller back, because they can't do much without him. Even when Hasselbeck is healthy, he's not able to do much either. In four games, Hasselbeck has not exceeded 190 yards passing and he has more INTs (4) than TD passes (2). Unless he breaks out in a big way, it's looking like Hasselbeck is in for a long and lost season.

QB Jon Kitna, DET - Kitna did not play because of the back injury sustained in week five. Dan Orlovsky started in his place. With the poor Lion record, the team may want to stay with the young guys going forward. Even if the veteran gets back under center, there is a strong chance that he is replaced later in the season. Kitna has had a MRI on his back and consulted a spine specialist.

QB Eli Manning, NYG - Manning had his worst game of the season, but we hadn't expected him to continue at his prior pace anyway. He is still the leader of a strong offense. The Giants still have a strong running game that will help Manning sustain drives and get red zone opportunities. Manning still has playmakers like Plaxico Burress to throw to who can turn bad passes into big receptions with their playmaking ability. In short, Manning will still have more good fantasy games than bad going forward, and his disappointing performance on Monday night is no reason to panic.

QB Carson Palmer, CIN - Palmer missed the week six game with a sore elbow. This is concerning after he played in week five against the Dallas Cowboys. It is yet unknown whether the injury could be season-ending. It has been reported that Palmer will now see a specialist this week.

QB Tony Romo, DAL - Romo broke his pinkie finger against the Cardinals after a contest that saw Arizona get pressure on him all game. ESPN is reporting that he will be out for four weeks with the injury. Brad Johnson will start in his place. Romo is expected back in Week 11, after the bye.

QB JaMarcus Russell, OAK - While some quarterbacks adapt quickly to the NFL, that description should not be used for JaMarcus Russell. Just watching him against the Saints in Week 6 and you would never have guessed that he was a top pick last year. He showed nothing that would make you want him as your quarterback, fantasy or otherwise, as he was both inaccurate with his throws and unable to make good decisions within each play. He threw four passes that should have been intercepted but were dropped by the Saints defense. Several plays broke down and there were many rushing lanes for him to run for yardage, but Russell is focused solely on throwing the ball -- even into coverage. Currently, he should not even be considered for QB2 status unless the waiver wire is completely barren.

Holding steady

Running Back

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RB Marion Barber III, DAL - Barber had a great game, mostly catching passes from Tony Romo. Barber carried the ball 17 times for only 45 yards. The Cardinal defense played very well and dominated the line of scrimmage. But, Barber caught 11 passes for 128, including a 70-yard catch-and-run. He also benefited by the hamstring injury to Felix Jones. If Jones misses time, Barber will get most all of the carries in Week 7. Also, with Tony Romo out for four weeks, the Cowboys will likely rely upon Barber to carry the offense over the next four games.

RB Correll Buckhalter, PHI - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Well if there was any doubt to the two big questions of (1) who is Brian Westbrook's true backup and (2) can his backup be productive, Correll Buckhalter answered both of those against San Francisco in Week 6. Buckhalter ran hard between the tackles and followed strong blocking, a big issue in prior weeks especially near the goal line. Buckhalter is likely to see much less action with Westbrook due back after Philadelphia's bye, but Buckhalter's ability to put up 178 total yards as a featured RB is certainly worth noting and merits him a fantasy roster spot.

RB Tashard Choice, DAL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Choice will benefit from the hamstring injury to Felix Jones. Choice looked very strong in preseason, and has a similar running style to Marion Barber. Fantasy owners could get two or three games from the rookie before Felix Jones comes back to the lineup.

RB Warrick Dunn, TB - Dunn is not going to be a breakout RB this year, but he will provide good value here and there. He was the first RB to rush for 100 yards against Carolina this year and he now has 252 yards rushing in his last three games. Dunn is a good flex option that is capable of putting up decent numbers any given week. Dunn has a favorable match up next week against Seattle at home.

RB Ryan Grant, GB - Grant took another step toward rising back to respectability this past week as he gained 90 yards rushing against Seattle. The downside is that it took 33 carries to do so (2.7 YPC). He rushed with power and authority, but he wasn't able to break free for many long gains - his longest being 17 yards. This marks the second week in a row where Grant has rushed over 80 yards. He is gradually climbing back to respectability, but his owners must be disappointed in what he has accomplished so far. He has only two catches all year and he has yet to find the end zone. If you've got Grant, you probably are forced to start him. Sooner or later he will reach pay dirt, but that doesn't help the gaping hole he has left owners in owners lineups so far this season.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX - Jones-Drew had a great game in Week 6. He saw more carries than normal with Fred Taylor sidelined for most of the game with a head injury. Taylor collided helmets early in the game, leaving Jones-Drew the beneficiary against a porous Bronco rush defense. Jones-Drew rushed 22 times for 125 yards and two scores, and he added 23 more yards on two catches. Jacksonville finally looked to have the running game back on track.

RB Deuce McAllister, NO - Rumors of McAllister's inability to play apparently are long gone by now. McAllister looked like the 2006 version, punishing defenders between the tackles, keeping defenses honest by pounding the middle and forcing them to respect both the run and the pass. McAllister averaged five yards a carry and led the Saints in rushing in Week 6 against Oakland with 65 yards. Look for him to be a consistent contributor in a similar role as the Saints travel to Carolina next week.

RB Sammy Morris, NE - There are a lot of players in the New England backfield, but it's becoming clear that Sammy Morris has the lead role. Despite playing from way behind most of the night (which would favor Kevin Faulk as the third down back), Morris got more touches and even more receptions. If the Patriots can just keep the game close, that would favor Morris in the role of battering ram.

RB Michael Pittman, DEN - Pittman had a strong game against a stout Jacksonville defense. He rushed 20 times for 109 yards with a long of 20 yards and added three receptions for 16 yards. With Selvin Young and Ryan Torain out with injury, the Broncos only have Pittman and Andre Hall at running back. The Bronco offensive line does not open the holes it once did, but the aging runner was still able to consistently get good yardage.

RB Clinton Portis, WAS - While it is sometimes hard to upgrade a Top 10 player, Portis needs to get recognized for his success against the Rams in Week 6. Portis racked up over 100 yards on the ground for the third week in a row, and while it was against a weak opponent, you have to notice how he is the focal point for the Washington offense. Portis has dominated the backfield workload, a relative rarity in the NFL and the current RBBC trend, racking up his sixth consecutive 20+ carry game of the season. Portis runs very hard and hits the holes hard, which might scare off some fantasy owners as the potential for an injury is always there, but his effectiveness has to be appreciated. With two easier opponents coming up in Cleveland and Detroit, Portis looks poised for two big games in the coming two weeks.

RB Dominic Rhodes, IND - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Rhodes entered the game after Joseph Addai left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. He answered the bell with 73 yards on 25 carries including a TD. His most impressive run came on a play where he broke tackle after tackle bustling his way into Baltimore territory for a tough and bruising 38 yards. If Addai misses any time, Rhodes automatically becomes a big fantasy start next week at Green Bay.

RB Ray Rice, BAL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Small upgrade here to Rice, due to the McGahee injury. If the oft-injured McGahee misses any time, Rice could benefit. Rice, not Le'Ron McClain was used more out of the backfield. The Ravens were forced to abandon the run due to the large deficit against the Colts. As a result, Rice hauled in seven catches for 64 yards. At the end of the game, there was no indication on McGahee's injury condition.

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RB Joseph Addai, IND - Addai left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. While HC Tony Dungy said he thought Addai, was "going to be OK," there is no further word yet as to the extent of his injury. He was replaced by Mike Hart and Dominic Rhodes. Rhodes performed well and should have a role over the remainder of the season even if Addai is OK.

RB Ladell Betts, WAS - Betts suffered a knee injury in Week 6. The team hasn't given a word on the severity, but there are reports that they will bring in some free agents for workouts. That's not a good sign at all.

RB Michael Bush, OAK - Justin Fargas is now back and healthy, and it looks to be demoted down to third on the depth chart behind Fargas and rookie Darren McFadden. Bush only has value if one of those two gets injured, but for now he can be safely replaced on most fantasy rosters.

RB Edgerrin James, ARI - James is not consistently getting enough carries to be a startable fantasy running back. With only nine carries against a Dallas rushing defense that was averaging four yards per carry, this has to be considered a disappointing game. The rookie, Tim Hightower, had seven carries to James' nine. The veteran totaled 29 yards rushing and 14 yards receiving - not a good game at all. The Cardinals are simply not running the ball enough for Edge to be a consistent fantasy option.

RB Rudi Johnson, DET - Johnson was thought to have a vital role in the offense after starting the game, but looked sluggish Sunday. In the first half, Rudi five carries for one yard. Smith looked quicker and more decisive, especially on the big run. The Lions did give him more carries in the second half. Johnson rushed 17 times for only 38 yards for the game. He added a four-yard catch. The Detroit offensive line is not good enough to open holes for the runner to be relied upon. Johnson got the second half carries after Smith left the game with a shoulder injury.

RB Felix Jones, DAL - strained his hamstring in the week six game versus the Cardinals. The rookie is expected to miss at least two weeks. The timing is poor as the Cowboys only have three games before the bye week in week ten. So, it is entirely possible that Jones is out of action until week eleven. Tashard Choice will spell Marion Barber when needed.

RB Laurence Maroney, NE - This dude is really soft. Maroney practiced some last week and looked capable of playing, but he was inactive with an injured shoulder. The Patriots clearly favor Sammy Morris right now and Kevin Faulk has a nice role on third down, so Maroney is at best the second wheel of a very crowded committee.

RB Willis McGahee, BAL - The Ravens could not get anything going offensively until late in the game. By then it was all passing as they trailed by 28 points. The banged up and often injured McGahee again left the game due to injury in the fourth quarter and did not return. At the end of the game, there was no update on his condition.

RB Chris Perry, CIN - Perry had a whopping five carries for four yards in first half. He ended the game with eleven carries for a mere fourteen yards and added two more yards on two receptions. The only good news for Perry was that he did not put the ball on the ground like in past games. The Bengal offensive line was not opening holes, and Perry was neither explosive nor decisive.

RB Fred Taylor, JAX - Taylor left the week six game against the Broncos early after a helmet-to-helmet collision. Taylor was not productive before exiting the game. The veteran came back into the game in the third quarter after missing most of first half but still was not effective. He carried the ball three times for ten yards and added a ten-yard catch. The injury status is not yet known and is a situation to monitor. Even when healthy, Taylor is a marginal flex running back most weeks.

Holding steady

RB Ronnie Brown, MIA - The Dolphins split carries between Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, but both backs found the end zone against Houston. Brown didn't have a huge game rushing the ball, but he did find the end zone in the fourth quarter. He also caught three passes for 43 yards. At half time Brown was having a very ho-hum day, but he turned it into 90 total yards and a TD. That's not too bad for an off day. Continue to start Brown as your RB1 going forward. He now has seven rushing TDs in five games.

RB Patrick Cobbs, MIA - Don't let the stat line fool you. Patrick Cobbs had a career day with two long pass plays that resulted in TDs, but he remains a third string RB for Miami. Chalk this one up as a once in a lifetime day for Cobbs. In other words, we don't expect to see even a quarter of that output from him anytime soon. Heading into the game, he had two catches for 14 yards.

RB Earnest Graham, TB - Graham was forced to occupy the FB role with injuries to BJ Askew and backup Byron Storer. As a result, he managed only 11 yards on five carries. He did manage a fourth quarter one-yard TD plunge as the FB in the I-formation with Warrick Dunn in line behind him. He also led the team with 47 yards receiving on two catches. Graham has been inconsistent this year, but he does have two 100-yard games and three TDs. He remains a good RB2 start going forward.

RB Julius Jones, SEA - The stat sheet will show Jones had only 12 carries for 44 yards, but he had a 51-yard scamper that was called back due to penalty. Third string QB Charlie Frye did not pass to Jones at all during the game against Green Bay, but he did pass to Leonard Weaver (three times) and Maurice Morris (twice). Jones remains a good RB3 or flex option going forward. He has two games of 120 yards rushing or more this season with two TDs. That's better than some RBs that were drafted ahead of him. Jones is a nice surprise that will continue to be the team's primary back.

RB Thomas Jones, NYJ - Jones looked to have a great match-up versus the Bengals. The Bengals were averaging 171 rushing yards allowed, but Jones had only 65 on 17 attempts. Thomas Jones scored three times, twice on the ground and once through the air, so his overall stats were fantastic. However, Jones did not look good running the ball and lacked explosiveness. For now, Thomas Jones is a hold given the big touchdown performance but poor rushing against a bad rushing defense.

RB LeRon McClain, BAL - McClain has seen his carries decrease in every game this season going from 19 to 17, 16, 11 and this past week only two carries. Should that be cause for concern? It's not great news, but keep this in mind - he has scored four TDs in weeks three, four and five combined. The Ravens offense couldn't do much of anything against the Colts. As a result McClain's numbers suffered as well. He lost a fumble against the Colts and rushed for -2 yards on two carries. He has value, because Willis McGahee keeps on getting injured, which opens up his door for more playing time. The latest injury to McGahee keeps him afloat as a potential fantasy starter going forward.

RB Steve Slaton, HOU - Houston struggled at times to establish the run against Miami and thus the Texans opened it up to the tune of 379 yards passing. The Texans scored 29 points, but only two offensive TDs - one by Andre Johnson and one by Matt Schaub for the game-winner. The offense was explosive at times, but they struggled score for as many big plays as they had. Slaton was slowed for most of the game, with the exception of a 22-yard run. Ahman Green ran better (5.1 YPC) but had fewer carries. Slaton looked to be the primary back in the red zone, but he wasn't able to get into the end zone. Houston and Slaton tee off on the visiting Detroit Lions next week in what should be a strong effort from the running game.

RB Kevin Smith, DET - Smith broke off a 50-yard run over left tackle - hurdling a defender and cutting to the outside. Smith did not start, and only had five carries, but finished with 62 rushing yards. He added 11 yards on a pair of receptions. Also, Smith left the game with a shoulder injury, leaving all of the touches to Rudi Johnson. Considering the injury and that the big run was most of the yardage, Smith is a player to hold steady for now. We need to find out the extent of the injury. Rudi Johnson started the game, but the Lion coaching staff has stated that they will play the hot hand.

RB Jonathan Stewart, CAR - Stewart suffered from a lack of a Panthers strong running game. Tampa Bay gave Stewart and Carolina no room to run. When the point margin grew higher, the Panthers abandoned the running game and Stewart's numbers suffered as a result. Next week at home vs. New Orleans should prove to be better for Stewart. If he struggles to produce next week, it may be time to panic just a bit, because DeAngelo Williams is the primary back for Carolina and thus will likely receive more carries.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, SD - Watching Tomlinson try to cut to the left (planting with his right foot and pushing off on his toe), it is quite clear that he is still limited by his toe injury. Nonetheless, he has consistently looked a bit better each week since injuring the toe in the season opener against Carolina. He showed some burst and some nice moves in the open field against the Patriots, and appears to be on track to be at 100% over the second half of the season. In the meantime, he is still worth starting; he is merely not elite.

RB Brian Westbrook, PHI - Westbrook suffered fractured ribs in the Week 5 contest with Washington, and despite efforts to get ready for the 49ers game in Week 6 he was held out of the game and did not even travel to San Francisco. With the Eagles off in Week 7 he now has two weeks to rest up and heal for the clash with Atlanta in Week 8.

RB DeAngelo Williams, CAR - Neither Williams or his side kick Jonathan Stewart could get anything going against the Buccaneers. The holes were quickly plugged up by the Buccaneers front seven and that resulted in short rushing gains for Carolina. The Panthers got farther and farther behind, which led them to abandon their running game. Williams may not have been able to do much against Tampa Bay, but he remains a good start going forward, including next week at home against New Orleans.

RB Ricky Williams, MIA - Miami is using both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in their offense. Several times, Miami lined up in the now well-known Wildcat formation that resulted in positive yards for Williams. He ran hard all day and picked up tough yards. The combination of Williams and Ronnie Brown has proven successful. Consider using Williams as a flex option going forward against favorable rushing match ups. Next week against Baltimore is not one of those favorable match ups.

Wide Receiver

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WR Donnie Avery, STL - Rookie Donnie Avery got the start opposite of Torry Holt in Week 6, and the Rams used his speed as often as they could. Avery was worked into the offense much like the Eagles' DeSean Jackson, running end-arounds and also stretching the defense. Avery led all Rams receivers with 73 yards as he caught four out of five targets including a huge 43-yard catch on the Rams' final possession that set up the winning field goal. Avery looks to have locked down the starting receiver job going forward, which should mean plenty of action the rest of the year. The Rams also play some nice pass defenses over the next few weeks, starting with the Cowboys in St. Louis next week.

WR Bernard Berrian, MIN - Berrian was able to make a huge play for the Vikings when they needed it. He took a crossing pass to the endzone for 86 yards. Berrian's speed and good downfield blocking allowed him to split defenders. Berrian caught five of his eight pass targets for 131 yards and the big score. He also had a 33-yard catch in the first quarter. The Vikings were targeting Berrian on short and intermediate passes in hopes of him breaking the big one, and it worked.

WR Greg Camarillo, MIA - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Camarillo is a player on the rise. He burst onto the scene last year as the player who scored the OT TD against the Ravens which was the Dolphins only win of the year. He since has become more and more involved in the team's offensive plans. This year he has 3, 4, 4, 6, and 4 receptions. While he has not scored a TD yet, he is someone that may still be available on the waiver wire that could help your fantasy team. We think Camarillo is one of those players that will rise in fame as the year continues. He has already supplanted Ted Ginn and Derek Hagan as the team's primary receiver.

WR Marques Colston, NO - Colston was inactive in Week 6 as the Saints felt he was not good enough to go in Week 6. Look for him to be active in practice this week and a likely contributor in Week 7 for New Orleans against Carolina, a much bigger game in the NFC South.

WR Kevin Curtis, PHI - Curtis was almost active in Week 6 against San Francisco, but the Eagles thought I would be best if he was held out of the game. With the Eagles off in Week 7 he now has two weeks to rest up and heal for the clash with Atlanta in Week 8.

WR Braylon Edwards, CLE - It was just a matter of time, but it was nonetheless reassuring to see Braylon Edwards have his breakout game on Monday night. Edwards was targeted only six times on Monday night (he had been averaging 7.5 targets per game coming into the game), but he converted those targets into 5 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown -- his first stellar game of the season. The entire Browns' offense finally showed the explosiveness they had demonstrated last season, and Edwards was finally on top of his game. He made big plays in a number of ways -- taking a short slant and turning it into a 49 yard game by running after the catch, getting deep catching a bomb, working his way free in the end zone on an intermediate route.

WR Joey Galloway, TB - Galloway missed another game on Sunday after being listed as out on Friday (nagging foot injury). He did warm up before the game, so he could be returning back to the lineup in the near future.

WR Marvin Harrison, IND - Harrison had only three catches on Sunday against Baltimore, but they resulted in two TDs, including a 67-yard strike in the first quarter that gave the Colts the lead. The play was typical Manning play-action. Ravens corner Chris McAlister bit on the play and Harrison ran by him down the sideline to an easy over the shoulder catch. That was the first successful play-action play by Peyton Manning and the Colts this year. Harrison's other TD catch came in the second quarter on a quick move for a 5-yard TD reception. The fact that he had only three catches is nothing to shout about, but it's looking like Manning is retuning to form, which elevates Harrison's game. Harrison is a good flex or WR3 starter going forward. He hasn't had a lot of consistency this year, so take this good performance lightly until he strings together a few good games.

WR Devin Hester, CHI - Hester is slowly maturing as a wide receiver. While his speed is still his greatest asset, he is becoming a more disciplined route-runner and a trusted target for Kyle Orton. Hester was targeted 12 times against the Falcons, catching 6 passes for 87 yards. His stats could have been even better, but he and Orton failed to hook up on three deep pass attempts when Hester had gotten a step on the defender. Hester will probably receive fewer targets when Brandon Lloyd returns to the lineup, but he should remain an important part of the offense as he continues to become a more complete player.

WR DeSean Jackson, PHI - With the Eagles facing San Francisco without Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis once again, rookie DeSean Jackson got another start in Week 6. Donovan McNabb looked his way often and Jackson was close to scoring on several occasions, catching one ball in the end zone with one foot out of bounds and going down at the two with another reception. Look for Jackson to get many opportunities going forward after the Eagles' bye in Week 7.

WR Vincent Jackson, SD - With Chris Chambers out of the lineup, Jackson became Rivers' top target on Sunday night and gave a sterling performance. He beat his guy deep on three occasions, catching a 48-yard bomb on the Chargers' first play from scrimmage, a 59-yard bomb on the Chargers' second offensive play in the second half, and drew a pass-interference penalty on another long pass into the end zone. Jackson may get fewer looks once Chambers returns to the lineup (he was targeted 12 times on Sunday night), but has the ability to continue to make big plays down the field.

WR Michael Jenkins, ATL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Jenkins gets a small bump here despite just a decent showing in Week 6. We like Jenkins because of his overall situation. Obviously, Matt Ryan is playing better than the average rookie. Also, the Falcons are showing to be a much improved team overall. Finally, Laurent Robinson has not been able to stay (or even get) healthy.

WR Greg Jennings, GB - It can't get much better for Greg Jennings. He remains atop the WR rankings heading into Week 7. Jennings, who didn't score a TD until week four, now has four TDs all 25 yards or more (25, 48, 25, and 45). He again was the long ball WR for Rodgers and continues to be a must start in all leagues. Next week the Packers host Indianapolis, which should yield more scoring opportunities.

WR Andre Johnson, HOU - He's baaaack. Andre Johnson suffered through some rust and untimely drops in the first few weeks of the season, but this past week, he made people forget all about those miscues. Johnson far and away was the best receiver on the field. He singlehandedly was the reason why Houston won their first game of the year. Matt Schaub may have received all the heroics with his 3-yard TD run to win the game, but it was Johnson's clutch, unbelievable grab on fourth and ten that kept the game-winning drive alive. Johnson looked the part of a top five WR on Sunday. If he keeps up his strong play, he'll reach that status before week eight.

WR Calvin Johnson, DET - Johnson had an early deep throw go through his hands with the Lions backed up inside their own one-yard line. The team needed the big play from Johnson and could not get it, and on the next play, Orlovsky mistakenly went out of bounds for a safety. Later in the first half, Johnson was wide open for a 37-yard pass on third down and 19. It was a big play for the Lions. The second-year receiver showed his athleticism on a touchdown two plays later when he hurdled multiple defenders at the goal line. He caught another bomb in fourth quarter and fumbled it after a huge hit. Johnson was targeted seven times, several deep, and caught four for 85 yards and a touchdown. In addition, Johnson was interfered with along the sideline giving the Lions a big play that did not make the box score.

WR Matt Jones, JAX - Jones is the unquestioned primary receiver for David Garrard and is fairly quietly putting together a fine season. Against the Broncos, he amassed 69 yards on seven receptions, with a long of 14 yards. Garrard looks to Jones often with few other reliable options. Jones finished the Week 6 game with ten passing targets, seven coming in the second half.

WR Lance Moore, NO - The Saints have been looking for a complimentary wide receiver to Marques Colston all year, and it looks more and more like Lance Moore is just that guy. Moore has had at least seven targets for four consecutive weeks, which is nearly as good as a catch when Drew Brees is your quarterback. He nearly topped 100 yards this past week as he snagged all but one of his eight targets, including two deep balls of 18 and 27 yards. Expect Moore to start opposite of Colston when he returns.

WR Antwaan Randle El, WAS - The Redskins are not a dominant passing game, but over the past two weeks their opponents have rolled coverage onto Santana Moss to minimize his impact. As a result, Randle El has been able to get open enough to see 17 targets against the Eagles and the Rams, which turned into five catches and 87 yards on five looks from St. Louis in Week 6. Randle El was open outside and down the seam for four passes of 13 or more yards, all good for first downs. With the Redskins poised to face both Cleveland and Detroit over the next two weeks, Randle El could be in a position to get very good production.

WR Koren Robinson, SEA - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Slight upgrade here for Koren Robinson. He did not have a big day, only two catches for 23 yards, but he was the WR Seattle turned to for deep routes. This was Robinson's first game with Seattle this season and while it's unclear how Matt Hasselbeck will utilize him when he returns from injury, he looks to occupy an important role in the offense as long as Deion Branch is still out.

WR Steve Smith, NYG - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Smith is nowhere near fantasy starting material, but it's starting to look like he's worth a roster spot in typical leagues in case he continues to become a bigger part of the Giants' offense. He has gained Eli Manning's trust on underneath route and has become Manning's security blanket on third down plays. Smith runs good routes, and has the quickness to make a few moves and get yards after the catch, and he may be developing into Manning's second-favorite target after Burress.

WR Donte Stallworth, CLE - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Stallworth saw his first action of the season on Monday night. While he had just 2 catches for 19 yards, he was targeted 7 times and should be an important cog in the passing game going forward. He merits an upgrade just for getting on the field and not suffering any setbacks.

WR Kevin Walter, HOU - Creating a winning fantasy team is done by finding players in the middle to late rounds that blossom into solid point producers. Kevin Walter is one of those guys. He quietly is making a move to be an every week flex or WR3 starter. He has three TDs this season and three games of nine fantasy points or more. What's not to like about that? Next week the Texans play Detroit at home, which should be another strong passing game.

WR Reggie Wayne, IND - Wayne now has four TDs in five games this year. He has reached the 70-yard mark in every game this year and has reached 93 yards or more three times. He is consistent to say the least. If Peyton Manning has officially shaken off the rust, it can only mean more numbers for Reggie Wayne. Wayne is playing like a top three fantasy WR. Start him with confidence.

WR Roddy White, ATL - Despite being a game-time decision after suffering a head injury earlier in the week during practice, White turned in another stellar performance on Sunday. For the third time in four games, he finished with 100+ yards and a touchdown. He was targeted on nearly half of Matt Ryan's pass attempts (13 times out of 30 attempts, or 16 times out of 33 attempts, depending on whether you count plays nullified by penalties), with many of those targets coming on drive-sustaining third-down plays. White is a focal point of the Falcons' offense, and should continue to see 10+ targets more often than not. White is currently the #3 fantasy WR (FBG scoring), and should easily be considered a top 10 WR going forward.

Downgrade

WR Mark Clayton, BAL - We like Clayton, but he's just not in a very good situation. He's clearly the second fiddle to Derrick Mason, and Joe Flacco has shown to be good enough to support two viable fantasy receivers. That makes Clayton the odd man out.

WR Bryant Johnson, SF - Johnson was a nice sleeper option to begin the 2008 season, but he is clearly the third WR option (behind Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle) and fourth or fifth overall option (behind Frank Gore and possibly Vernon Davis) in the passing game. Over the last four weeks, Johnson's has been targeted mere nine times (including zero in Week 6). Over that same time span, Davis and Josh Morgan have 14 and 11 targets respectively. Johnson is simply disappearing.

WR Brandon Lloyd, CHI - Lloyd had appeared to be working on a nice comeback season, but he has missed two straight weeks with a strained PCL. There is no guarantee that he'll even return in Week 7, and even if he does, he'll find an emerging Devin Hester to contend with.

WR Randy Moss, NE - With the Patriots' troubles at QB, it is getting harder and harder to consider Randy Moss a Top 10 fantasy WR going forward this season. Moss was a premier deep threat last season with Tom Brady throwing him the ball, but Matt Cassel is not an accurate deep passer. Moreover, the Patriots are having trouble sustaining drives, which gives Moss fewer red zone targets. Right now, Moss is looking more like the Oakland Raiders version of himself than he is last year's New England version.

WR Santana Moss, WAS - The Rams took the same approach as the Eagles did last week, looking to minimize Santana Moss, who again had a disappointing week with just two catches for 22 yards. Moss should have been able to dominate against the Rams as they lost two cornerbacks and had few good cover guys. His ineffectiveness has to be a concern going forward, but he does have two easier opponents next up on the schedule (home vs. Cleveland and then to Detroit).

WR Terrell Owens, DAL - Owens is struggling to get catches. Opponents are double-teaming the star, making Crayton and Miles Austin beat them. Owens only caught four of his nine pass targets for 36 yards and no big plays. Many of the Owens' targets were deep to get the big play, but none were successful. Terrell Owens is the sole big-play receiver for the Cowboys and the Dallas opponents are game-planning him out of the game. However, the biggest negative is the injury to Tony Romo. With Romo out for four weeks, there is no compelling reason to believe Owens won't continue to struggle.

WR Amani Toomer, NYG - After Toomer was targeted 26 times in the first three games (8.7 targets per game), he has been targeted just 7 times over the last two games (3.5 targets per game). While Toomer's targets have been trending downward, fellow WR Steve Smith's targets have been trending upward. It appears that Smith may be moving past Toomer as the Giants' WR2, in which case Toomer would have very little fantasy value.

WR Wes Welker, NE - Welker has failed to score a touchdown this season and has not yet had a 75-yard game. The Patriots' offense is a far cry from is 2007 self, and the WRs in New England are not getting the opportunities they need to be productive fantasy contributors. Welker is still getting plenty of looks underneath, but with the Patriots unable to stretch the field vertically, opposing defenses are collapsing on Welker as soon as he catches the ball, giving him little chance to pick up significant yards.

WR Roy Williams, DET - Williams had another disappointing game. The veteran receiver was not getting open consistently, and he had only two receptions for 23 yards on three pass targets. Williams has disappointed fantasy owners in every game except last week versus the Bears. One other issue is the change at quarterback from Kitna to Orlovsky. It could be a very long season for Williams if the Lions decide to see what they have in Orlovsky and Stanton.

Holding steady

WR Reggie Brown, PHI - Reggie Brown suffered a leg injury in practice this week and was held out game in Week 6 and did not even travel to San Francisco. With the Eagles off in Week 7 he now has two weeks to rest up and heal for the clash with Atlanta in Week 8.

WR Isaac Bruce, SF - Bruce had six targets in Week 6 against the Eagles, but Philadelphia's defense and J.T. O'Sullivan's inaccuracy cost Bruce many chances. Bruce is still the primary wide receiver for the 49ers and is not going away any time soon, especially with Mike Martz running the offense.

WR Donald Driver, GB - Veteran WR Donald Driver has not had a big scoring game this year, but he has been fairly consistent. The Packers deep threat is teammate Greg Jennings, but Driver still manages to occupy his role as the perfect compliment to Jennings. He led the team in targets (10) against Seattle and made some tough catches over the middle. He was not able to get many yards after the catch, but showed he can still hold onto the ball after being hit. Driver is a great WR3 or flex option, but he has yet to have a BIG game this year. Be comfortable starting Driver, but don't expect him to carry your team.

WR Bobby Engram, SEA - The box score will show Engram had no stats on Sunday against Green Bay. The scary thing is he played the whole game. The Seahawks could only muster 83 yards passing all day long and the leading receiver (Koren Robinson) had only 23 yards. Engram was targeted only four times and was covered very well all day. Engram should do much better going forward when Matt Hasselbeck returns from injury. We are not too worried about Engram. His lack of production was mainly due to not having much experience with third-string Charlie Frye. Engram had eight catches last week with Hasselbeck under center.

WR Anthony Gonzalez, IND - Gonzalez was not a big part of the Colts offensive revival this past week and thus remains a player to not get too excited about. However, if Peyton Manning has officially shaken off the rust, Gonzalez should benefit going forward. He is a good flex option that has the ability to score a TD on any given day. Whether or not he does is another story. Gonzalez is a gamble, because he is not a consistent offensive threat.

WR Torry Holt, STL - Torry Holt led all Rams in Week 6 with 12 targets but was held to just five catches, none of which went for longer than seven yards. Holt attempted to go deep twice, but for the most part the Rams were content to have him run underneath in routes and slants, instead allowing rookie Donnie Avery to stretch the field. That game plan was modestly successful against Washington, who chose to blanket Holt often, but expect St. Louis to balance the playbook going forward. Holt should benefit the rest of the way from Avery's success this week, which will force defenses to focus on both receivers rather than just doubling up on Holt. The Rams play some nice pass defenses over the next few weeks, starting with the Cowboys in St. Louis next week.

Tight End

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TE John Carlson, SEA - Carlson scored his first TD as a pro in the lopsided loss to the Packers on Sunday. Carlson remains a good TE start with all of the injuries to the Seattle WR corps. Seattle's focus on offense seemed to revolve around Carlson. He led all players with six targets. Third-string QB Charlie Frye was pressured all game, but when he did have time to throw, he often looked in Carlson's way. Carlson is not considered an every week TE starter, but he provides good value for bye weeks or leagues that allow a TE flex.

TE Owen Daniels, HOU - Daniels is a big part of the Texans offense. The passing game flows between Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and Kevin Walter. Daniels is a very consistent TE that is perfect for your lineup every week. He has 23 receptions for 308 yards this season, which is a pace of 985 yards. If there is one thing that is lacking in Daniels' game, it's his lack of TDs. If he can get into the end zone with any regularity, he could be a top 3 fantasy TE.

TE Vernon Davis, SF - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Davis had his best game of the year as the 49ers finally decided to utilize his athletic ability and work him into the game plan. J.T. O'Sullivan looked to Davis several times - both on short passes and screens and also downfield. Davis' day was highlighted by a huge 57-yard catch and run down the seam as the Eagles scrambled to catch him, hauling him down before he scored. Davis was also wide open for a touchdown in the left flat but O'Sullivan was pressured into a bad throw. The Eagles struggle in covering tight ends with their scheme and young linebackers, but look for Mike Martz to notice Davis more and work him in next week against Seattle.

TE Jeremy Shockey, NO - Shockey was inactive in Week 6 as the Saints felt he was not good enough to go in Week 6. Look for him to be active in practice this week and a likely contributor in Week 7 for New Orleans against Carolina, a much bigger game in the NFC South.

Downgrade

TE Anthony Fasano, MIA - People are expecting Fasano to be a top eight TE, but his one catch for 12 yards against the Texans is a little disconcerting. He has only seven catches since catching eight balls in week one. He has scored two TDs this year, which keeps him afloat in the TE rankings, but if he fails to score consistently going forward, he'll quickly leave the top 10.

TE Todd Heap, BAL - Heap has been a forgotten force for the Ravens this year. He has not had more than 41 yards receiving this season. What's more disconcerting is that when the Ravens changed their offensive philosophy to more of a pass attack, Heap was no where to be found. Heap now has just five catches in his last three games. We don't recommend starting him until Flacco and the Ravens utilize him more often.

TE Donald Lee, GB - At first glance, it looks like Aaron Rodgers is not as dependent on his TEs as Brett Favre was. Packers TE Donald Lee has one game of 41 yards in week three and not much else. This past week he was rarely used - only two catches for nine yards. Lee does have one TD this year, but the Packers aren't passing to the TE as much as year prior with Brett Favre. Temper your expectations on Lee going forward. At this point, he is probably not worth starting and you should look elsewhere if you were hoping Lee would be a good TE option.

Holding steady

TE Dallas Clark, IND - It's hard to downgrade anyone on the Colts offense, if the offense is clicking. Clark was not a big part of the 31-point festivities against the Ravens. He had only two catches for 17 yards. We don't expect Clark to be a forgotten man in the Colts offense. We believe Manning was targeting the depleted Ravens secondary and staying away from the Ravens interior, which is where Clark would run most of his routes. Clark should be a big part of the offense going forward. Don't be too worried about his lack of production this past week.

Kicker

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PK David Akers, PHI - He still isn't nailing every kick through the center of the uprights, but he did manage five FG attempts on Sunday. And this was without many of the Philadelphia skill players (Westbrook, Brown and Curtis all inactive). As these players return, Akers should get his opportunities going forward.

PK Jason Elam, ATL - Rookie Matt Ryan is poised in the pocket and it is translating to an above average offense. Combined with an explosive running game, this team has over 2100 yards of offense in six weeks. All this adds up to multiple chances a game for Jason Elam. Over the last three games, Elam leads all kickers with 10 made field goals.

PK Taylor Mehlhaff, NO - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - He has replaced Martin Gramatica on the high-powered Saints offense. He should get plenty of FG chances going forward.

Downgrade

PK Martin Gramatica, NO - Gramatica has been placed on the injured reserve list with a groin injury. He will be out for the remainder of the season.

PK Sebastian Janikowski, OAK - He has a booming leg, but his accuracy is a huge problem. Add in a struggling offense and a team imploding after the firing of their coach, and Janikowski has virtually no worth going forward. He has connected on just 57% of his FG attempts the last two games and added just one EP.

Holding steady

Team Defense

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TD Tampa Bay Buccaneers, TB - Held a strong Carolina team to three points while recording three interceptions. They do not record a lot of sacks, but their version of the cover two is effective at getting turnovers.

TD San Diego Chargers, SD - They struggled out of the gate with an ineffective and injured Merriman, but have found their way recently. They have 11 sacks in their last three games. They held New England in check all night in a must win for them.

TD New York Jets, NYJ - They have recorded 10 sacks, five fumble recoveries and three interceptions over the last two games. They held a struggling Bengals team in check this past week.

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TD San Francisco 49ers, SF - Despite missing huge parts of their offense, the Eagles were able to move the ball at will on the 49ers. The 49ers yielded 40 points, while recording no sacks, no fumble recoveries and just one interception.

TD Miami Dolphins, MIA - They gave up 485 yards and 29 points to a Houston team that was inconsistent up to that point. They did manage two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a sack, but the huge chunks of yardage is a big concern.

Holding steady