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The unpredictability of the NFL keeps fantasy general managers coming back for more. Just when you believe you have it all figured out, remarkable things occur and shake your analytical confidence.
Did anybody really expect Lions QB Matthew Stafford and Browns QB Brady Quinn to pile up massive point totals during the Cleveland-Detroit showdown?
Stafford became the first NFL rookie since 1937 to throw five touchdown passes in one game, rallying the Lions from a 24-3 deficit to a 38-37 victory. He passed for 422 yards.
Quinn countered with four TDs, one more than he had thrown to that point in his futile NFL career. He found his rhythm in Cleveland’s no-huddle scheme, posting a 133.1 passer rating.
He had a potential fifth touchdown dropped by running back Chris Jennings.“We felt like we could utilize more things downfield against this team,” Quinn told reporters, “and we went out and executed them.”
Alas, this was likely a once-in-a-season phenomenon. Stafford is almost certain to miss time with his left shoulder dislocation and WR Calvin Johnson (seven catches for a career-best 161 yards and a TD) could also miss the Thanksgiving game.
Quinn remains surrounded by mediocre offensive talent. As much as Cleveland would like to play Detroit every week, it can’t.
Here are some other good, bad and ugly developments from Week 11:
THE GOOD
Bills WR Terrell Owens turned back the clock. With QB Ryan Fitzpatrick running the show, T.O. became a factor again. He caught nine passes for 197 yards and scored on a 98-yard passing play. Will he and fellow Bills WR Lee Evans both gain value for the rest of the season now that coach Dick Jauron is gone?
Cardinals RB Beanie Wells continued his growth. In his last three games, he has rushed for 231 yards and three touchdowns while splitting time with RB Tim Hightower.
Brett Favre was nearly perfect. The Vikings QB completed 22 of 25 passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns. He was so good, in fact, that he got to grab a seat and let Tarvaris Jackson finish up to the chagrin of greedy fantasy GMs.
Aaron Rodgers was pretty good, too. The Packers QB threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers, giving him 22 TDs (19 passing, three rushing) and just five interceptions this season.
Titans RB Chris Johnson continued rolling. Tennessee has won four straight games, QB Vince Young is managing the offense well and Johnson has rushed for 1,242 yards after 10 games. Nobody can stop the Titans ground game these days.
Patriots WR Wes Welker got busy again. He didn’t face the Jets earlier this season. He made up for lost time, catching 15 passes for 192 yards. Despite missing two games this season, Welker leads the NFL with 79 catches.
Jason Snelling filled in well. With Falcons RBs Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood injured, this Atlanta FB stepped in and rushed for 76 yards and two TDs. This was another example of how a minor waiver wire pickup can alter the course of a fantasy season.
Mike Bell filled in well, again. With Saints RB Reggie Bush sidelined by a knee injury, Bell reestablished himself in the New Orleans ground game. The No. 3 Saints RB gained 75 yards on 13 carries and scored two TDs.
THE BAD
Cowboys WR Roy Williams disappeared. Dallas QB Tony Romo managed to rally his team to an ugly 7-6 victory over the Redskins, but should he do a better job utilizing all his weapons?
Ravens QB Joe Flacco stayed in his funk. For the third consecutive game he failed to throw a TD pass. He threw interceptions didn’t that span.
Jets QB Mark Sanchez sucked again. He threw four more interceptions against the Patriots and tossed another lost fumble onto the turnover pile. Only hapless Bears QB Jay Cutler has thrown more picks (18 to 16) this season.
THE UGLY
The Redskins running game took another hit. RB Clinton Portis is out with a concussion and fill-in RB Ladell Betts suffered season-ending knee injury. RB Rock Cartwright anyone?
Seattle rushed to nowhere. The Seahawks had 13 rushes for four yards Sunday. That is not how you keep QB Matt Hasselbeck from taking a beating.
Rams QB Marc Bulger labored with a cracked leg bone, a groin muscle strain and a concussion Sunday. It didn’t go so well against the Cardinals, as you would guess. Now back-up QB Kyle Boller will take over. Will this be good or bad for RB Steven Jackson?