Let's finish off he Sunday action by taking a look at the news and notes from the late games.
-Once again we are discussing Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton in not so glowing terms after another slow start to a season just like in 2012. Newton was one big mess Sunday against Arizona in throwing three interceptions with no touchdowns while being sacked all game long. He stand this morning with only 6 passing touchdowns and 5 interceptions while also collecting only 123 rushing yards and one score. I said on the podcast yesterday that NFL defensive coordinators are getting a handle on this read option as evidenced by the slow starts of Colin Kaepernick and RG3 as well and Newton falls right in line with this. Not a terrific pocket passer by any means, if Newton is not contributing on the ground than we got trouble. I will look into this more in-depth in a STATUS REPORT in the next few days so be sure to check it out. It won't be kind.
-Something to continue to watch: Andre Ellington outrushed Rashard Mendenhall 52 yards to 43 while getting 10 less carries. Ellington will be dominating the touches by Week 8. Write it down.
-Larry Fitzgerald catching 3 passes for 43 yards simply doesn't cut it. I guess the arrival of Carson Palmer was not such a big deal for him after all.
-Sorry I won't be among the crazies to harp only on the game-sealing interception Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo threw to lose a heartbreaker to the Denver Broncos. Instead I will focus in on the single-best passing performance outside of a Peyton Manning start this season as Romo threw for an absolutely insane 506 yards with 5 TD's!!!!!!!!!!! and than one pick. Romo is a guy I have loved for a long time as you all know and this is why. However the publicity that the interception will get will help keep his annual draft price down below where it should be which means more profit can be made. Simple as that. From a production standpoint Romo is not far below Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and company. In fact he is outplaying Rodgers and Brady. Love him for what he is and that is one of the best numbers passers in fantasy football which is what this is all about.
-Peyton Manning remains a god to be worshipped by fantasy football players everywhere. He did finally throw his first interception but than Manning simply added a rare rushing touchdown to go with 4 more through the air. The Manning owner in the Experts League is still undefeated. Bet the Manning owner in your league is to.
-Julius Thomas is some story. The new Antonio Gates in his prime had a monster performance Sunday in catching 9 passes for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Thomas actually leads all Denver receivers in touchdowns and is now inching ahead of Jordan Cameron as the number 2 tight end in fantasy football behind Mr. Graham.
-Eric Decker atoned for an early lost fumble by catching 5 passes for 87 yards and another score. Meanwhile Wes Welker picked up another touchdown of his own among his 5 catches for 49 yards. Finally it wasn't the turn for Demaryuis Thomas to score but he did add 5 receptions for 57 yards. I bet you there is a team out there whose three starting receivers are Welker, Decker, and Thomas. Sounds good to me.
-Terrance Williams should have been picked up last week. Filling in for the injured Miles Austin, Williams had his second straight big game in catching 4 passes for 151 yards and a score. Austin is no lock to play next week. Make the move. Meanwhile Dez Bryant had his obligatory huge game with 6 grabs for 141 yards and 2 scores. Can't say enough good things about the guy. Even Jason Witten scored which is a rare sight as he caught 7 passes for 121 yards. Numbers all the way around in this awesome shootout.
-Houston we have big problems with QB Matt Schaub. For the third game in a row Schaub threw an interception returned for a touchdown which was one of his 3 total picks in the game. This is a classic case of a QB who has lost his confidence and Schaub should be planted firmly on the bench. The effects of his slump are hurting Andre Johnson who still has yet to score. Not good. T.J. Yates is the mediocre backup so don't look for Schaub to get benched next week in real life football. In fantasy football bench him or cut him. You pick.
-Adding more fuel to the fire that the read option is being defeated is the continued shaky performances of Colin Kaepernick. He didn't have to do much since the 49ers defense was so great and Matt Schaub was handing them the game but only 113 passing yards and one TD is not making his owners feel good by any means. I said in the summer that I need to see a breakout guy do it again before I buy totally in. This is why.
-Philip Rivers continues to throw it all day for better or for worse. He threw three ugly interceptions but luckily salvaged his day with two fourth quarter TD's. 411 passing yards was also nice. With the Chargers unable to run the football, Rivers will continue to throw it all day long which will help his TD's and yards. It also will load up his INT total. Buckle up. This could be a roller coaster ride.
-Vincent Brown finally showed he is playing in the league by catching 8 passes for 117 yards. Eddie Royal meanwhile has turned back into a pumpkin with 3 catches for 26 yards. Also take a long lok at Keenan Allen. The rookie receiver has looked solid the last two weeks and caught 6 passes for 115 yards and a score Sunday. I like him.
-Speaking of the awful Chargers running game. Ryan Matthews ran for only 8 yards on 3 carries. Among the biggest busts we have seen in a long time. We all went way overboard on the guy as a rookie but after that mess I told you all to avoid him every season since. Yup.
-Terrell Pryor has exceeded my expectations. He threw for 221 yards and 2 scores Sunday with no picks. We can trust him in two-QB formats going forward.
There you have it. Let us hear your thoughts.
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