Tony Cutillo
The weeks keep decreasing and the points continue to accumulate. However, this accumulation hasn’t always been allocated by the usual suspects. For example, over the last 2 weeks Jeremy Hill has played his best version of the MC Hammer classic “Have You Seen Her,” but in week 7 he decided to change his tune to Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mack.”
This isn’t the first time the Cincinnati backfield kept fantasy owners reeling and is only indicative of our time. Loyalty to your players is a complete No-No right now and new relationships built off of another teams miscalculation is the right move toward success. Let’s take a look at the recap for Week 7 below to see how some of the old reliables fared and how the rest of the “Big Name” guys disappointed again.
Standout Stars
QB
- Andrew Luck.…353 yds 3 TD
- Aaron Rodgers……326 yds 3 TD
- Drew Brees……367 yds 3 TD/1 INT
RB
- Melvin Gordon….68 yds…2 TD…..6 rec, 53 yds, 1 TD
- Matt Forte……..100 yds…1 TD…..4 rec, 54 yds, 1 TD
- Jay Ajayi…..214 yds…1 TD
WR/TE
- Davante Adams…..13 rec, 132 yds, 2 TD
- A.J. Green.…..8 rec, 169 yds, 1 TD
- Mike Evans…..8 rec, 96 yds, 2 TD
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Substandard Stiffs
QB
- Brock Osweiler….131 yds
- Eli Manning…..199 yds
- Russell Wilson….. 225 yds
RB
- Jamaal Charles…..ZERO
- Terrance West……10 yds
- LeSean McCoy…..11 yds
WR/TE
- Allen Robinson.…..2 rec, 9 yds
- Terrelle Pryor…..2 rec, 18 yds
- Stefon Diggs……2 rec, 18 yds
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Surprise Performers
Davante Adams – Is this 2015 or 2016? The reason why I ask is because last year was supposed to be the breakout year for Mr. Adams. He was everyone’s darling coming into last season after Jordy Nelson got hurt, but he quickly became the DeMarco Murray of the Packers. Now it looks like he may have finally decided to play to his strengths and make the owners who stuck with him smile. Better late than never!
Jay Ajayi – This is the second week in a row that Ajayi has exceeded expectations and now has everyone running to the waiver wire faster than the rush for free coffee day at Wawa. Unfortunately, he was already owned in 96% of all leagues so if you didn’t get him last week you’re most likely left with an empty cup. Boy do I hate when they forget to fill up the Cappuccino machine. His record-matching performance over the last two weeks has sent Arian Foster right back to the knitting class in his 55-and-older community.
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Statistical Busts
Alshon Jeffery – Jeffery’s targets this year are decreasing faster than Ryan Mathews’ touchdown-to-fumble ratio. Cameron Meredith is being looked at more and now Brian Hoyer has been lost for ostensibly the rest of the season. Matt Barkley showed us he has all the tools needed to play as a high school quarterback. Sorry, Matt. This is the NFL and your skills barely make the cut for the California Penal League. Jay Cutler is back in Week 8 and will look to show his No. 1 some love.
Russell Wilson – Russell Wilson and the entire Seahawks offense has been running on fumes lately. Wilson has been dealing with knee and ankle issues that has made him a stationary quarterback instead of the mobile panther we are accustomed to seeing. Christine Michael has been a workhouse of late, but until the franchise gets healthy enough to shine, this team will continue to flop on the scoreboard.
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Week 7 Thoughts and Theories
Allen Robinson may never wake up – Enough is enough already. Blake Bortles and Allen Robinson were supposed to be leading your team into the playoffs, not into the basement. So far in 2016, Bortles has been outplayed by guys such as Charlie Whitehurst and Brian Hoyer. This has stalled the development of A-ROB and made him look pedestrian at best. He has become terribly inconsistent and has owners growing tired of his lack of production. If you have someone else producing don’t hesitate to sit him until things turn around.
Matt Forte is alive! – Welcome back, Matt! After seeing multiple weeks where he has been out snapped 60/40 by Bilal Powell, he was given the rock 30x and gave us a classic Forte game. As long as Ryan Fitzpatrick can stop whining like a human version of Squidward Tentacles, Forte will continue to shine. Maybe if someone would take Ryan to the bank and show him the amount of money he is stealing this year it will finally make him realize he’s lucky he hasn’t been arrested. Keep hope alive!
AJ Green as the No. 1 fantasy WR – Besides TY Hilton, Green has been the most consistent fantasy WR in the game. He has 70 targets, 50 receptions and 775 yards after only seven weeks. As long as Carrot Top keeps getting him the rock, he could easily finish as the number one guy this year.
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My Skinny Post for Week 7:
Unless you like defensive battles, SNF offered as much anticipation as wondering if you guessed correctly to what the teacher in Charlie Brown was saying … NFL dropped the ball again. This time with Josh Brown. Another black eye for Roger Goodell as the new promo signs read, ALL WIFEBEATERS ALLOWED … The Jacksonville Jaguars are still trying to find an offense. Looks like the Gus Bus is running with a scooter engine … Andrew Luck is quietly reclaiming his elite status … Tom Brady is sure playing like he never skipped a beat. Did someone check those footballs yet? … Sam Bradford’s sleeves got more attention than his play. Yeah, it was that good … Matt Barkley needs to go back to surfing because his football skills are sinking … CJ Anderson and Devontae Booker were almost at an even split for Denver. Dare I mention those horrifying letters RBBC? … An APB was sent out four weeks ago for DeAndre Hopkins and he still hasn’t been found … Lamar Miller continues to be the hardest working man in football. He must feel like every Sunday is a game of Domino Rally for him. Once he gets all the dominoes lined up the way he wants them, someone comes along and slams them all down … No Ben, No Lacy, No Jamaal (1 carry) … Bring on Week 8!
As always, you can stop by my Facebook page (Fantasy Sports Addiction) or tweet me (@TCutillo23) for questions or some nice fantasy debates. I can also be heard weekly via the internet stream live at WENG RADIO every Monday at 4:00 P.M. ET for a weekend sports wrap. But most importantly, you can catch me here at Pi!
For fantasy purposes, all my articles are predicated upon a PPR-based system.