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Odds Shark 
Monday's Fantasy Wrap
The final game on Sunday evening between the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants was almost a snooze-fest after some of the shock and awe the NFL saw early in the day: Key defensive plays, near upsets, minor and major injuries, quarterback replacements, and more. Eli Manning tossed an unusual three interceptions in a second sloppy loss. For fantasy owners though, two names popped out; Hakeem Nicks led the Giants for the fourth straight week in yards, and yet another score. For the Cards, rookie Chris "Beanie" Wells made his first fantasy appearance of 2009 rushing 14 times for 69 yards and a TD. He could provide some fantasy value in the season's second half. Many owners have gone to sleep on him.
Top Waiver Wire Grab of Week 7 - NY Jets RB, Shonn Greene
If you are a savvy fantasy owner you've had this kid stashed on your bench since the season started. Most likely, whoever grabbed him on draft day has long since given up on Greene doing anything fantasy relevant this season. That means he's likely available in most leagues. Running back Leon Washington had to be carted off the field against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday with a broken fibula. Washington's season may well be done, but Greene's has just begun. The rookie stepped in to split time with Thomas Jones, and helped the Jets trounce the Raiders 38-0 with 144 rushing yards, a 7.6 YPC average and two touchdowns.
In the same game, Raider's QB JaMarcus Russell was pulled from the game after throwing two interceptions, but coach Tom Cable stated after the game, Russell remains his starting QB. This despite Russell accepting zero responsibility in the team's massive loss.
IND vs. STL - Peyton Manning picked up right where he left off before the bye week, throwing three TDs with no picks. WR Austin Collie netted yet another TD, further solidifying him, rather than Pierre Garcon, as the team's third receiver when Anthony Gonzalez returns. The only shred of fantasy light for the hapless St. Louis Rams, was once again RB Steven Jackson who rushed for 134 yards on 23 carries, at a 5.8 YPC average. If your team gives credit for return yards, Rams WR Danny Amendola is a decent pick up. He's returning kicks and is getting more involved in the passing games. He led the team Sunday with five receptions.
GBP vs. CLE - This game was much the slaughter Browns fans anticipated. Pack QB, Aaron Rodgers threw for 246 yards and three TDs, while RB Ryan Grant rushed for 148 yards and a score. For the second week in a row, the team's third receiver James Jones snuck in a TD. There were no fantasy notables for Cleveland.
Honorary Waiver Wire Grab of Week 7 - San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith
Many NFL pundits pondered how long the team would stand behind QB Shaun Hill in light of WR Michael Crabtree's signing. We got our answer Sunday in a loss to the Houston Texans. Hill lasted two weak quarters before coach Singletary benched him for Alex Smith. The team looked energized under Smith who led a late game comeback with three TD passes to tight end Vernon Davis. If you're in need of a bye week fill-in or in a keeper league, snatch Smith up. Crabtree had 5 receptions for 52 yards and no score.
For Houston the day was a mixed bag. They got the win, but they lost WR Andre Johnson to a chest injury. The team is concerned that it might cost him to lose time. Fantasy owners are concerned, too. On the bright side, Steve Slaton owners had to like his two touchdowns on the day.
SD vs. KC - It's officially time to give up on RB Larry Johnson. The Chief's need to hand the ball over to Jamaal Charles and ride him the rest of the season. QB Matt Cassell looked terrible, throwing three picks. For the Chargers, QB Philip Rivers had a nice day with three TDs. It seems every season the Chargers start slow then explode down the stretch. This game could be the catalyst. One fantasy name to watch is WR Malcolm Floyd. Chris Chambers has been invisible and Floyd, who scored this week, is a massive target for Rivers at 6'5".
PIT vs. MIN - In last week's Start/Sit column I mentioned the Steelers 20th ranked fantasy defense. To remind me why they were number one last season, they took advantage of two Brett Favre turnovers for defensive TDs to win the game in the 4th quarter Sunday. Both team's RBs, Peterson and Mendenhall were limited to 69 yards rushing. One thing has become clear for the Vikings, Sidney Rice, not Bernard Berrian, is the team's number one wide-out. He had another strong day with 11 receptions and 136 yards. The Steelers' third WR, Mike Wallace continues to impress, leading the team with 91 yards and a TD Sunday.
Fantasy Game of Week 7 - New Orleans Saints vs. Miami Dolphins
The fact that this game got so out of control early has to be my fault. After all, I did pitch the Saints team defense in Friday's Start/Sit column. Therefore they were due for a meltdown. They did redeem themselves in the second half with a Darren Sharper interception returned for a TD. What a wild fantasy game with 80 total points scored. The Dolphin's RB duo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combined for 140 total yards and four touchdowns (three for Williams). Prior to Sunday the Saints' defense had only given up three TDs to running backs in the prior five games. In the second half of the game with the Saints down by 21 points, the team's 3rd string RB, Mike Bell, who had no yards in the first half, sparked the team with 80 yards rushing in the second half, and QB Drew Brees threw one TD and ran two into the endzone himself.
DAL vs. ATL - The Falcons looked unusually sloppy Sunday in what should have been a close game. QB Matt Ryan threw two interceptions, unusual for him. Meanwhile, "stud" RB, Michael Turner yet again looked terrible running 15 times for a paltry 50 yards at a2.7 YPC. He did score, but the team's return specialist RB, Jason Snelling, made Turner look sad. Snelling ran just seven times for 63 yards, and exhibited breakaway speed, something Turner hasn't shown all season. For the Cowboy's, WR Miles Austin continues to look like a stud, with two more TDs and 171 yards receiving, while Roy Williams continues to look like a dud.
CIN vs. CHI - What should have been a tight game was a blowout by the Bengals. QB Carson Palmer did his best Tom Brady impersonation tossing five TD passes, including two to Chad Ochocinco who spent the week Twittering smack to the Bears. RB Cedric Benson continued to look like a fantasy stud with 189 rushing yards and a score. The only thing fantasy noteworthy for the Bears was three more Jay Cutler interceptions and another poor showing by sophomore RB, Matt Forte.
The Patriots' London game vs. the Buccaneers presented nothing particularly fantasy noteworthy unless you consider Brady throwing for another 300+ yards and three scores unusual. Likewise, the game I predicted to be the lame-duck of the week was in fact the Buffalo Bills vs. the Carolina Panthers. Oh, you didn't know they played this week? I almost missed it too.
See you Friday with our weekly Start/Sits.
by Rustyn Rose
Oct 26 12:29p by Kurt Turner - 0 comments