Boss of the Week: Carson Palmer- 233 yards, 5 TD

In Cincy’s blowout win over the Bears, Palmer threw a touchdown pass in each of their first four drives and finished with five TDs on the day.  He now has 13 touchdowns in the last six games and is proving to be a gully QB draft value, which comes as no surprise.  He perfectly led a Bengals attack that included hulky performances from Ceddy Benny and Chad 85 as well.  Check out their numbers:

Cedric Benson- 37 Att, 189 Yds, TD … Why wasn’t this hulk featured on HBO Hard Knocks?  Maybe then he wouldn’t be such a kick in the head.
Chad Ochocinco- 10 Rec, 118, 2 TD … Vintage Chad Johnson

These Cats are no pussies.

Weakest of the Week: Frank Gore- 13 Att, 32 Yds, 2 Rec, 15 Yds

The Texans run defense has been much improved as of late and their jumping out to an early 21-0 lead cost Gore some touches.  Don’t worry about Gore’s health.  His ankle is straight.  This was just a dulky performance for a consensus top-2 RB this week.

Austin Story

For all those Miles Austin doubters who labeled him a fluky unreliable weekly option, think again.  He caught 6 more passes for 171 yards and two more touchdowns in Dallas’ win over ATL Sunday.  He’s gained 421 yards the past two games (wins) and is halfway to 1,000.  As long as he’s in the Cowboys starting lineup, he should be in yours too.  Even when Roy Williams is 100% healthy, Austin may not relinquish the No. 1 spot.

Which name does not belong?

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers, Alex Smith

All of these QBs tossed three TD passes Sunday, including the black sheep Smith!  Smitty replaced and outplayed Shaun Hill, which likely triggers a quarterback controversy out west.

VD vs. Owen Heart

Vernon Davis and Owen Daniels are steadily making names for themselves in the NFL and fantasy circles, especially when they met in Houston Sunday.  They both had a huge game: Davis- 7 Rec, 93 Yds, 3 TD … Daniels- 7 Rec, 123 Yds, TD

With six TDs, Davis is finally living up to the hype and he came at an unbelievable discount in fantasy drafts this year.  Daniels has been a poor man’s Jason Witten for a couple years now, but you’re finally seeing what he can do with a consistently healthy Matt Schaub.  He was always money with Schaub, and broke with Sage Rosenfels.

Grant and Greene

Ryan Grant finally had big game, hulking up to the tune of 148 yards and a TD against Cleveland.  It’s about fcukin time Deer.

With Leon Washington out with a fractured fibula, Shonn Greene exploded for 144 yards and two TDs.  The rookie is a legit NFL talent and Leon is out, so scoop Greene off waivers, NOW.

Random Observations/Thoughts

Ricky Williams hopped in a time machine against the Saints, tearing ish up for 80 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries.

Wes Welker has scored in three straight games and has four TDs on the year, which is more than he had all of last season.  Ahh, the magic of Tom Brady.

Steven Jackson ran for 134 yards on 23 carries (5.8 YPC) against Indy.  S. Jax still doesn’t have a TD this year, but the yards per carry stat is nice to see.  Can you imagine if Jackson was on a different team?  Goodness.

Browns skill players are not fantasy-friendly.

Steve Slaton has five TDs in the last four weeks and Matt Schaub is leading the league in passing (2074 yards).

Sidney Rice is Brett Favre’s favorite target by far.  Rice racked up 11 more catches for 136 yards against Pitt.  That’s 17 catches for 312 yards the past two weeks.

Vincent Jackson had five catches for 142 yards and a TD, and it all came in the first half!  

The Chiefs are worthless.

Besides for one big game versus Detroit, Matt Forte has been garbage this year.  Do I smell bust?  Too early to say, but his draft position/disappointment reminds me of Joseph Addai last year.  Forte will have a big game against CLE next week, and I would consider trading him afterwards.

Tony Romo has a new BFF.  Sorry Jason Witten.

Jeremy Shockey had a nice 105 yards on four catches, but Marques Colston snagged the only Drew Brees TD.

Mike Bell carried the ball 12 times for 80 yards, while Pierre Thomas carried eight times for 30 yards.  Bell was the main Saints back down the stretch of their comeback win, which does not bode well for Thomas’ fantasy stock.

Devin Hester is on pace for 75/995/8.

One sentence about Sunday Night Football Cardinals at Giants

Hakeem Nicks is a big, baaad man.