Some moments in sports are simply too big to describe with mere words. Brett Favre throwing for 399 yards and four scores just hours after his father passed away. Tiger Woods winning the U.S. Open with a torn ACL. Sergey Bubka shattering the world record in the pole vault using what was later learned to be an enormous Slim Jim. And finally, a feat that could very well top them all, my starts and sits for week 8. But I don’t want to oversell it – just look for yourself.
Time to Shine:
QB Matt Schaub, Houston: Although he did lose a fumble, 267 yards and two touchdowns more than make up for it. Hit.
RB Mewelde Moore, Pittsburgh: Maybe it was Moore and maybe it was the Bengal defense. In any case, 120 yards and two scores make this a hit.
RB Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis: Rhodes was about the only thing that did go right for the Colts last week. 114 combined yards and two touchdowns makes him a hit amidst many, many Colt misses.
WR Wes Welker, New England: He came up a little short on yards, but the touchdown puts him over the top. Hit.
WR Bernard Berrian, Minnesota: See Welker, Wes. Hit.
Ride the Pine:
QB Drew Brees, New Orleans: I imagine most owners went ahead and started him anyway, and I can’t really blame any of you, but let the record show that I did try to warn you. 231 passing yards with a pick. Hit.
RB Darren McFadden, Oakland: 80 totals yards for McFadden this week. Not great but if you started him in any of the last three weeks, then you were thrilled with this performance. Miss.
RB Ronnie Brown, Miami: No one runs on the Ravens. No one. Hit.
WR Roy Williams, Dallas: Apparently no one told Roy Williams he had been traded. Was he even on the field Sunday? Hit.
WR Brandon Marshall, Denver: 77 yards. If it was McFadden you’re pleased, but you expect more from Marshall. Hit.
Week 7 totals: 9-1-0
Overall totals: 32-26-3
On to this week’s picks:
Time to Shine:
QB Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay: I’m not 100% sure why Brian Griese took his starting spot early in the season, but since returning to the lineup, Garcia has put up increasingly good numbers. Dallas is reeling right now and Garcia should be able to take advantage. 220 and two touchdowns in big D this week.
RB Cedric Benson, Cincinnati: Since Benson has taken over as the Bengal’s primary ball carrier, he hasn’t exactly set the world on fire. This week he finally gets his chance against a suspect run defense in the Texans. Just to be clear, the Bengals will still lose, but Benson should see 80 yards and a score this week.
RB Willis McGahee, Baltimore: After weeks of disappointment and mediocrity, McGahee finally seems healthy. Couple that with a soft Oakland run defense and 100 yards and a score is very doable, making Willis what everyone will be talkin’ about come Sunday.
WR Marques Colston, New Orleans: Why start a guy who hasn’t caught a pass since week one? Simple. Big time receivers hate to look bad and Colston is a big time receiver. After getting shut out in his return to action last week, Colston will be a bit more vocal in demanding the ball and if Drew Brees is smart, he will get the ball into the hands of his best playmaker (sans Reggie Bush) as often as possible. 100 yards and a score this week for Colston. Plus, the Saints play in London this week and Marques is a European sounding name – that has to count for something, right?
WR Kevin Walter, Houston: I’ll be honest, this is more of a gut feeling than anything else. Walter seems to have one good game followed by a poor one and after last week’s 27 yard debacle, he’s due to put up some good numbers. If you want some real reason to start Walter, fine. Cincinnati has one of the worst pass rushes in the league and when Matt Schaub has time, he has a good day. Walter’s day will include 80 yards and a score.
Ride the Pine:
QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis: While it pains me to say this, Manning has been a disappointment so far this season. Maybe his knee isn’t as healthy as he says. Maybe Jeff Saturday’s injury affected him more than he let on. Maybe he’s not doing enough commercials. Whatever the case may be, a suddenly shaky quarterback against one of the top defenses in the league and a running game that will keep the Colts offense off the field means if you have any other option this week, think seriously about putting Peyton on the bench.
RB Mewelde Moore, Pittsburgh: So you started Moore last week and looked like a genius. Good for you. Now quit while you’re ahead. The Giants are not the Bengals and . . . You know what? You shouldn’t need anymore reason than that.
RB Michael Turner, Atlanta: What do Tampa Bay, Carolina and Chicago have in common? They all have top 15 run defenses and they all shut down Michael Turner. In case you’re wondering, Philly is number nine against the run this season. Turner’s three big games this year are against the Packers, Lions and Chiefs, who rank 25, 31, and 32 against the run respectively.
WR Braylon Edwards, Cleveland: I really do like Edwards as a receiver and expect him to a reclaim a spot among the elite NFL receivers someday. That day should be just about the time Brady Quinn takes over for Derek Anderson as the Browns’ starting QB. For now, leave Edwards on your bench until the Browns put Anderson on theirs.
WR Plaxico Burress, New York Giants:
Burress = early season disappointment.
Pittsburgh defense = really, really good.
Your chances of winning this week with Plax on the bench > your chances of winning with him starting.
Maybe I’m better at math than I thought.
