There was a lot of buzz about the Chicago Bears offense heading into the season. B-Marsh was gonna have a great year and Alshon was going to improve upon a decent but unhealthy rookie campaign. Cutler was going to have his most productive QB year yet. And underneath it all, Matt Forte was just kinda there. Sure, much of the offense was tailored to a guy like Forte but in most rankings, Forte wasn’t cracking the top 5 running backs. I’m not just talking for myself here – I put him 14th in PPR for RBs…you can berate me in the comments -he was getting treated like what he has been in most seasons coming into 2013. A low touchdown back who had strong PPR value and would gain you over 1000 yards on the ground. Nothing to go crazy over by any means. But clearly the value-flip has switched. After today’s effort of 19/91/3 to go with 2/18 through the air, Forte is pacing out to be a guy that’ll clear 1700 yards on the year to go with 13 touchdowns and a whopping 80 receptions. I doubt the reception numbers on many levels but if he finishes in the 60 range, color me not surprised. He’s been a bit of an unsung RB hero this year in a draft full of disappointments and here’s me standing up and saluting Matt and his efforts. Let’s hope he doesn’t have to do it much with McCown moving forward. In other news from week 7 for 2013 Fantasy Football…
Calvin Johnson – Looks like the man is back after a brief injury scare, dropping 8/155/2 in very Megatron-like fashion. Wanna see some non-Megatron fashion? Here.
Matthew Stafford – 357 on 28/51 and 3 scores. Most of my Stafford ranking this week was predicated on an unhealthy Megatron. Well given the stats above, nothing worry to worry about there. For the season now, Stafford is on for a near repeat of his 2011 season (4866/34/9). We forget 2012 yet? Good!
Arian Foster – It was a week of injuries. To keep us from getting too down, I’m going to weave these little nuggets of Fantasy Remorse in and out of the writeup. Foster left the game early with a hamstring issue. The scary part was he dressed down almost immediately. This is a team that’s 2-5, going to struggle to make the playoffs and one of their biggest offensive components not just for 2013 but beyond went down with an injury. I can see this lingering longer than it would for a playoff bound team. And by ‘linger’ I mean ‘we’re not making the playoffs so I’m not dragging my star player back any earlier than I have to’. I’d gamble on a move now to avoid the headache. Ben Tate is the guy to own in Texas if you’re wondering while Foster is down. If you are wondering, I wonder if this is your first week of Fantasy Football. Really? Ya didn’t know?
Rob Gronkowski – Very much back. Was worried today was going to be an adjustment day and full of decoy plays but I think the 8/114 and a near touchdown proved that theory false. You know who Gronk is. You know what he does. If he doesn’t have any issues following this game health-wise, he’s the #1b or #1a TE in the game along with Graham. Yeah, you cashed in if he fell to you in drafts. Feel free to be smug about it even though he sunk you to 2-4 heading into the weekend.
Vincent Jackson – Rivers then Freeman. Then Freeman to Glennon. After 10/138/2 on 22 targets (!?!), I think it’s safe to say Weeden could throw to him and he could produce…ok, that’s stretch. Still, I could’ve had VJax in a trade of Frank Gore two weeks ago in the Experts league. I took Roddy White. I hate most parts of life right now.
Eddie Lacy – I keep discounting him based on bad matchups and he keeps exceeding my expectations. After 22/82/1 on the ground to go with 5/26 through the air, Eddie Lacy is now Eddie Money in my book…but younger…and much less desperate.
Harry Douglas – Sure, leave the main target behind Tony Gonzalez open for the entire first half of the game. Nah, you didn’t sign Darrelle Revis to cover the other team’s best wide out. Put him on Brian Robiskie. Yeah, that’s the ticket. The Harry D dropped a big 7/149/1 on 7 targets and I’m pretty sure about 140 of that came in the first half while Tampa was getting treated for MSRA. Yeah, Schianogans.
Frank Gore – Another solid effort – 104 total yards with 2 receptions in there – that was capped by 2 touchdowns. I called him a sell. The next week he finally realized the season started. And I traded him for Roddy in the Experts league as mentioned earlier. I got Gore’d in a place I don’t wanna talk about. Bring out the doll, Detective Benson, and I’ll show you.
Ryan Mathews – I put him 12th for RBs this week for standard and got a bit of flack for it, especially ranking him ahead of Reggie Bush. Welp, heading into Sunday Night’s game, he was the 4th best back this week in standard and Reggie finished 15th. If you’ll excuse me, I need to push my glasses up with just my middle finger…
Doug Martin – Ugh…exited the game with a left shoulder injury and was seen afterwards in a sling for it. After calling him a buy, I’m starting to wear a full body sling…at least that’s what the doctors are calling it. These walls are so white and padded…Mike James stepped in and carried the load the rest of the way (14/45) so if we’re looking to add a Tampa Bay player at this point, he’s probably the one..or maybe Brian Leonard…I guess…sorry, my special pills were just delivered. I can taste colors now.
Chris Ivory – Still digging around on any news concerning this but the split today between Ivory and Powell was quite drastic. We talk about 60/40 and 70/30 splits but I don’t think there’s such a thing as 95/5 splits. I think an injury came to pass that allowed Ivory to show his merits. You know, the merits I saw when I touted him in my Chris Ivory Sleeper post. Chris is still the aggressive and dynamic runner I thought he was, he just wasn’t getting the touches. I can’t say for sure this trend keeps up but I have a funny feeling he’ll be in the podcast later today when I talk about waiver wire pickups. It’s still a maybe. But considering how much I love Ivory, it’s a probably, definitely, OMG YES IT’S GONNA HAPPEN kinda thing.
Jacquizz Rodgers – Ugh, I have to talk about this? No, I don’t. 16 yards on 8 carries and Ryan only threw to Harry D and him the whole game. Still not buying him as anything more than RB depth/flex plays in the right weeks. I stand by the nickname I derived from someone calling him a slower/smaller MJD: poopa-loompa.
Keenan Allen – Left the game with an injury but returned later. May seem unimportant but what made Keenan drop in the draft was his inability to stay healthy. Don’t hit the panic button just yet but it’s something to monitor this week.
Roy Helu – Well, I was thinking Morris was a great buy candidate coming into this weekend. After Helu got all the touchdown glory (11/41/3) and Morris’ day went unnoticed for such reasons (19/95), I’m pretty sure you now know who the lead subject will be on Wednesday’s buy and sell…yeah, it’s not Helu in case you needed clarification there.
Nick Foles – He wasn’t looking good on the day before his departure anyways but he done broked his noggin. Those two things together probably means we have Vick under center next week. After Matt Barkley threw 4 INTs – yeah, only 3 counted but still – I think it’s safe to say he’s not gonna win the Heisman under Chip like everyone thought.
Jordan Cameron – Had the ‘big day’ for the Browns, with 7/55/1 while Gordon got WeedenWhacked (2/21). I said on twitter I was worried about a Highlander thing here because of Brandon’s limited ability to read the field and so far it’s played out just about like that. There can be only one fantasy relevant guy when Weeden is behind center per week. On a more serious note, Gordon played like a guy bothered by trade talks. For all the talent he has, he’s got a bit of Kenny Britt in him. It’s troublesome to say the least. Hopefully it works itself out one way or the other for his owners.
Jarrett Boykin – I picked him up just hoping for 7 for 65 in a PPR league. Instead he goes for 8/103/1. Well that was cool. It’s a passing offense so I think expecting him to produce as a low-end WR3 most weeks is reasonable but if you started him today – and yes, I did in most leagues – you got a lil’ sumpin extra. Enjoy it, don’t expect it moving forward. This Boykin play but this Boykint be Cobb every week.
Brandon Gibson – Outscored guys like Dez Bryant and Brandon Marshall this week. Why? Because you constantly say you’ll call your Grandma and never do.
Kenny Britt – Trying to start street fights in the middle of a football game. Draws the PI call to get his team yards from the end zone only to get into a scuffle two plays later and push his team back 15. Change of scenery is beyond the best thing for Kenny at this point. I’d strongly suggest the street. See how he likes his @$$ out on it.
Case Keenum – Didn’t get to see him play – I only have 14 eyes, people – but the reviews were positive. Terms like a ‘Better Brian Hoyer’ were used. Yes, that’s a compliment. I saw a bit of him play. Given the offensive line’s issues, he’s a bit more mobile and probably fits the offense well for that reason. I’ll have to watch tape but if you’re desperate in a deep 2QB league, there’s a case for Keenum.
Jake Locker – Nice surprise return to the lineup. Not even a stats talk – though they were worthy for QB2 numbers this week – just happy to see the Titans with him back at the helm. Nothing like Fitzpatrick to make you thankful for what you had before…
Brian Quick – Only 2 receptions but he had 6 targets and 97 yards. Everyone has been waiting for a breakout. We might be seeing the early signs but you have to be quick with these…man, I didn’t even mean that pun. That’s disgusting.
Sam Bradford – This is a late added note because the power went down in my house just as I was reading on twitter that Bradford is out for the year with a torn ACL. There are tons of QB rumors out there. One of them includes Tim Tebow. I wish I were joking. It was already a tough year for pretty much every drafted player out of STL this year but oddly, Bradford was a top 10 QB through the mess. I’m not joking you on that either. I don’t care if you’re even into Dodge cars, it’s gonna be hard to hold onto a bunch of Rams parts now.
Terrance Williams – I think I called him a sell last week, worried about targets. Now I’m worried I made the wrong call. It’s not about liking a guy, it’s about how much the QB likes and trusts him. Looks like the changing of the guard IS happening at this point after three straight weeks with a TD and a week where he got 7 targets.
Jordan Reed – There’s really no other option 2 behind Garcon in Washington right now. Someone needed to fill in and with a 9/134/1 line, I’d say Reed did his job on that front. Clearly Jordan’s still has it. It’s gotta be the shoes.
Jermichael Finley – Scary as he was carted off the field but he was able to move his limbs on the way out and it’s currently being called a neck injury of unspecified seriousness. Finished with a 5/72/1 line for his fantasy goers. I will not drop any Finley-veiled jokes here.
Andy Dalton – These weeks happen. You want me to talk about him but in reality he’s mucking around at or near where I put him to start the year (QB15 heading into week 7). Good weeks happen to bad people. What? He’s not a bad person you say? All Gingers are bad. We know this is true.
Mike Glennon – Outscored Philip Rivers. Please don’t throw up in here. I just steam-cleaned.
Jay Cutler – Left the game with a groin injury and didn’t return. This is worrisome in and of itself. Next worrisome part is the team made an immediate move to sign Jordan Palmer on Sunday. Don’t know if you’ve noticed but it’s not a good year to be a QB named Palmer. On the brighter side, Cutler set a new Bears record: most sacked QB in Chicago history. I’m sure he got a wheel chair with that embossed on the back in honor of the moment.
Broncos Vs Colts – JayWrong is back from his excursion into birthday debauchery to give us the goods on a regular Sunday night of debauchery. I’m sure the beer will flow like wine for him.
