Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around pointing skyward, while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds for Week 11.
Studs
Ricky Williams, RB, Miami (22 carries, 119 yards, three touchdowns): No, it's not 2002. Yes, Ricky Williams was on the top performers of the week. Williams, filling in as the starting running back for injured Ronnie Brown went nuts against Carolina last Thursday, topping the 100-yard mark and finding the end zone three times -- twice on the ground, one through the air -- in a 24-17 Miami win. Williams' 22 carries were the most he's had since a 28-carry day in Week 17 of 2005. He followed that up by violating the league's substance abuse policy and being suspended for all of 2006. Let's hope he's got healthier plans this time around.
Sunday Evening Wrap checks out players who increased or decreased their value during the Sunday afternoon games.
Riser of the Week:Terrell Owens came into Sunday with just 26 catches for 366 yards and a single touchdown -- in nine games. Considering the Bills were switching back to Ryan Fitzpatrick, who did no favors for T.O. when at the helm earlier this season, there was very little reason to start Owens in many fantasy leagues. Instead, T.O. reminded us how cruel a mistress fantasy football can be. He's still alive and kicking, as he ushered forth a vintage stat line. Nine catches for 197 yards and a touchdown. Is this 2007? I'm not buying any sort of extended rejuvenation moving forward, but it probably felt good for T.O. -- if only for one Sunday in 2009.
With attention spans dwindling, we forgo full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. We call it The Once-Over.
The Early Games
New Orleans (9-0) at Tampa Bay (1-8): New Orleans was tested last week -- in fact, they've been tested in each of their last four games. Drew Brees has thrown seven interceptions and only six touchdown passes in those four games. You can expect the Saints to come out on Sunday and look to clean up their act a bit on offense as they play a divisional foe who doesn't have the arsenal to put up much of a fight.
Josh Freeman's play since taking over at quarterback is giving hope for the future in Tampa. He's thrown four touchdown passes and only two interceptions and seems to enjoy throwing to Kellen Winslow who has 11 receptions in his last two games. The Saints defense is a little beaten up, but should be able to hold off the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Sidney Rice, come on down! You're the next contestant on ... Who Wants to Be a WR1!
Rice, you've joined a list of relatively unheralded wideouts that have emerged as fantasy superstars in 2009, along with the likes of Steve Smith (not the one you drafted in the first five rounds in August), Mike Sims-Walker, and most recently, Miles Austin.
What brought you to this point? How about a 201-yard performance on just seven catches; does that do anything for you?
Moving forward, Rice is a clear-cut WR2 that will flirt with bouts of WR1-dom. If he can throw WR1 numbers up on a consistent basis, my Ronnie Brown-less season might be saved.
Cut-N-Go is Fantasy Football FanHouse's weekday roundup of the NFL news with fantasy football impact.
I was asked a question the other day on Twitter (send any fantasy football question my way to @knoxbardeen), it went something like, "Who is the better stash running back, Kolby Smith or Ryan Moats?" What an interesting thought.
Smith is coming off of major surgery to join the running back mix in Kansas City and Moats has forced a running back by committee situation in Houston. My original thought, and the answer that I provided, was to say Smith. I'm just not sold that Moats is going to be able to keep Steve Slaton from taking the job of featured rusher back. I also wasn't sold that Jamaal Charles could hold of Smith in a competition in Kansas City.
With attention spans dwindling, we forgo full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. We call it The Once-Over.
It's looking like Anquan Boldin will miss this week's game, so he doesn't appear in our rankings (*until now). Everyone else, including Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne and any other injured receiver, has been ranked as if they'll play on Sunday.
Unsure whether you'll actually have your top wideout available to you for Week 9? Join us Sunday morning for our Tailgate chat, where we dole out lineup advice and keep you apprised of all the notable gameday inactives.
And if you're curious, no, Mike Sims-Walker didn't get hurt last week. The Titans finally manned up and played a little pass defense. Is this cause for concern with MSW, or just a blip on the radar? More after the jump.
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- How can a person that's so fast be so slow? But there was Percy Harvin in the Minnesota Vikings locker room on Sunday night, methodically prepping himself before addressing the media.
Slacks and shoes on. Check. Lotion applied from head to toe. Check. A rubdown of the close-cropped hair atop his head. Check. Repeat. Make sure all in his locker is in order. Check. More lotion applied. Check.
Turn. Breathe. Cameras roll. Recorders shoved his way.
Big smile.
Harvin can light it up without the ball in his hands in a fashion that's nearly as entertaining as he does with it.
After a 37-7 drubbing of his Chiefs on Sunday, running back Larry Johnson spent post-game energy focused on his Twitter stream instead of reflecting on the 1-6 start to the season in Kansas City. He called out head coach Todd Haley in a way most employees don't recover from when speaking poorly of their employers.
"My father played for the coach from "rememeber the titans". Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn"
Johnson is obviously upset at how the Chiefs are playing. He may even be upset at the fact that he's not getting enough touches. But, we won't know what's bothering Johnson because not only did he delete his controversial tweets, he also protected his Twitter stream from being viewed unless Johnson gives explicit permission. According to Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star, he's also not happy with the media asking about his tweets.
LONDON -- A bunch of Patriots went to dinner Friday night and were mistaken for a boy band. Had they been anywhere else, that embarrassing mix up might have caused an international incident. But since England gave us the ultimate boy band, the Beatles, the Patriots graciously ate their meal.
Then they routinely devoured Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Now they head back to the States after proving what we already knew: as Tom Brady rolls, so rolls the rest of New England's band. And, ready or not, America, Brady is back in rhythm.
"I'm feeling great," he said after New England's win. "I keep rolling."
Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around pointing skyward, while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds for Week 11.
Sunday Evening Wrap checks out players who increased or decreased their value during the Sunday afternoon games.
With attention spans dwindling, we forgo full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious 
Cut-N-Go is Fantasy Football FanHouse's weekday roundup of the 
It's looking like 
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- How can a person that's so fast be so slow? But there was 
After a 37-7 drubbing of his 
LONDON -- A bunch of 
