NFL Week 10: Tuesday Takeaways

We are now ten weeks into the NFL season and I'm getting carpel tunnel trying to keep up with all of the records that being broken (or on pace to be broken). Meanwhile, why didn't you bet the New England Patriots Sunday night? And LaDainian Tomlinson (pictured) did something in that game that deserves noting. It's all covered in The Source's Tuesday Takeaways.

1) I've written about this before, but watching Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald succeed without QB Kevin Kolb should be concerning for Arizona. On Sunday, Fitzgerald had a huge game, catching 7 passes for 146 yards and 2 TDs, all from back-up QB John Skelton. The Skelton to Fitzgerald connection has proven to be quite reliable, at least more than Kolb to Fitzgerald. In seven games with Skelton at QB (5 in 2010, 2 in 2011), Fitzgerald has 42 catches for 598 yards and 4 TDs. In the seven games with Kolb throwing to him, Fitzgerald has 34 catches for 603 and 2 TDs. The Cardinals paid a lofty price to land Kolb so benching him probably isn't in the plans. However, if the Cardinals keep losing with Kolb (1-6) and winning with Skelton (4-3), expect the pressure on Kolb to rise like the Arizona heat.

2) Another topic I write about often (as does everyone else) is Packers QB Aaron Rodgers' assault on the NFL record books. The Green Bay QB is the top passer in the NFL, and the the numbers aren't even close. Rodgers added another 4 TD passes on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings, giving him 28 TDs on the season. Rodgers also is closing in on an NFL record for most consecutive games with at least two TD passes. Currently, Rodgers is on a nine game streak with at least two TD passes. The NFL record is 13 consecutive games held by Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Add it to the list of records Rodgers will likely break this season.

3) Speaking of touchdown streaks, Saints QB Drew Brees continued his march towards an NFL record on Sunday. Brees' second quarter TD pass to Jimmy Graham against the Atlanta Falcons ran his streak to 37 consecutive games with a TD pass. Brees moved ahead of Brett Favre on that list, but he still trails Johnny Unitas, who threw a TD pass in 47 straight games.

4) Another streak worth noting is the Vikings inability to win a division game. Minnesota's 45-7 loss on Monday night to the Green Bay Packers was their ninth straight NFC North loss dating back to last year. The nine straight division losses is a franchise record for the Vikings, who have two more games to try and break the streak (@Detroit 12/8 and vs. Chicago 1/1). Sidenote: The Vikings are two seasons removed from going 5-1 against NFC North teams (finished 12-4 in 2009). 

5) When oddsmakers installed the New York Jets as one-point favorites on Sunday night against the New England Patriots, we all should have run to place our bets on the Pats. The Patriots, losers of two straight games (Steelers and Giants) heading into that Jets game, never lose three games in a row. From 2002-2011, the Patriots have played 147 games without enduring a three-game losing streak. That streak will continue after the Pats defeated the Jets 37-16. While that streak sounds impressive, it's still a (very, very) long way from breaking a record. From 1980-1999, the San Francisco 49ers went 287 games without a three-game losing streak.

6) Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson's 60-yard performance on Sunday night against the New England Patriots didn't warrant a second-look, but he did accomplish an impressive feat in the process. Tomlinson moved ahead of Detroit Lions great Barry Sanders on the all-time yards from scrimmage list. Tomlinson now has 18, 206 yards from scrimmage in his career, which is 16 yards more than Sanders (18,190). Tomlinson now trails Jerry Rice (23,540), Emmitt Smith (21,579), Walter Payton (21,264) and Marshall Faulk (19,154).

2011 NFL Schedule: Week 10

THURSDAY, NOV. 10  (All Times ET)
Oakland at San Diego  8:20 PM

SUNDAY, NOV. 13
New Orleans at Atlanta  1:00 PM
Detroit at Chicago  1:00 PM
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati  1:00 PM
St. Louis at Cleveland  1:00 PM
Buffalo at Dallas  1:00 PM
Jacksonville at Indianapolis  1:00 PM
Denver at Kansas City  1:00 PM
Washington at Miami  1:00 PM
Arizona at Philadelphia  1:00 PM
Houston at Tampa Bay  1:00 PM
Tennessee at Carolina  1:00 PM
Baltimore at Seattle  4:05 PM
NY Giants at San Francisco  4:15 PM
New England at NY Jets  8:20 PM

MONDAY, NOV. 14
Minnesota at Green Bay  8:30 PM

Week 10: Fantasy football rankings -- QB, RB, WR/TE

QB
1. Eli Manning vs. Dallas
2. Peyton Manning vs. Cincinnati
3. Ben Roethlisberger vs. New England
4. Matt Schaub at Jacksonville
5. David Garrard vs. Houston
6. Michael Vick at Washington
7. Joe Flacco at Atlanta
8. Kyle Orton vs. Kansas City
9. Tom Brady at Pittsburgh
10. Josh Freeman vs. Carolina
11. Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Detroit
12. Mark Sanchez at Cleveland
13. Matt Ryan vs. Baltimore
14. Vince Young at Miami
15. Brett Favre at Chicago
16. Shaun Hill at Buffalo
17. Carson Palmer at Indianapolis
18. Jay Cutler vs. Minnesota
19. Derek Anderson vs. Seattle
20. Donovan McNabb vs. Philadelphia

RB
1. Chris Johnson at Miami
2. Arian Foster at Jacksonville
3. Adrian Peterson at Chicago
4. Jamaal Charles at Denver
5. Frank Gore vs. St. Louis
6. Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Dallas
7. Rashard Mendenhall vs. New England
8. Ray Rice at Atlanta
9. Michael Turner vs. Baltimore
10. Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Houston
11. Steven Jackson at San Francisco
12. LeGarrette Blount vs. Carolina
13. LeSean McCoy at Washington
14. Cedric Benson at Indianapolis
15. Peyton Hillis vs. NY Jets
16. Brandon Jacobs vs. Dallas
17. Thomas Jones at Denver
18. LaDainian Tomlinson at Cleveland
19. Knowshon Moreno vs. Kansas City
20. Marshawn Lynch at Arizona
21. Jahvid Best at Buffalo
22. Fred Jackson vs. Detroit
23. Ronnie Brown vs. Tennessee
24. Ryan Torain vs. Philadelphia
25. Donald Brown vs. Cincinnati
26. Beanie Wells vs. Seattle
27. Willis McGahee at Atlanta
28. Matt Forte vs. Minnesota
29. Mike Goodson at Tampa Bay
30. BenJarvus Green-Ellis at Pittsburgh
31. Shonn Greene at Cleveland
32. Ricky Williams vs. Tennessee
33. Danny Woodhead at Pittsburgh
34. Chester Taylor vs. Minnesota
35. Tim Hightower vs. Seattle
36. Felix Jones at NY Giants
37. Justin Forsett at Arizona
38. Marion Barber at NY Giants
39. Keiland Williams vs. Philadelphia
40. Javarris James vs. Cincinnati

WR
1. Andre Johnson at Jacksonville
2. Calvin Johnson at Buffalo
3. Hakeem Nicks vs. Dallas
4. Reggie Wayne vs. Cincinnati
5. Terrell Owens at Indianapolis
6. Roddy White vs. Baltimore
7. Brandon Lloyd vs. Kansas City
8. Anquan Boldin vs. Atlanta
9. Larry Fitzgerald vs. Seattle
10. DeSean Jackson at Washington
11. Hines Ward vs. New England
12. Mike Sims-Walker vs. Houston
13. Dez Bryant at NY Giants
14. Jeremy Maclin at Washington
15. Mario Manningham vs. Dallas
16. Randy Moss at Miami
17. Mike Wallace vs. New England
18. Mike Williams (TB) vs. Carolina
19. Steve Johnson vs. Detroit
20. Miles Austin at NY Giants
21. Dwayne Bowe at Denver
22. Nate Washington at Miami
23. Brandon Marshall vs. Tennessee
24. Percy Harvin at Chicago
25. Jacob Tamme vs. Cincinnati
26. Pierre Garcon vs. Cincinnati
27. Mike Thomas vs. Houston
28. Braylon Edwards at Cleveland
29. Nate Burleson at Buffalo
30. Michael Crabtree vs. St. Louis
31. Santonio Holmes at Cleveland
32. Johnny Knox vs. Minnesota
33. Jabar Gaffnet vs. Kansas City
34. Santana Moss vs. Philadelphia
35. Chad OchoCinco at Indianapolis
36. Lee Evans vs. Detroit
37. Derrick Mason at Atlanta
38. Dustin Keller at Cleveland
39. Danny Amendola at San Francisco
40. Davone Bess vs. Tennessee
41. Blair White vs. Cincinnati
42. Mike Williams (SEA) at Arizona
43. Wes Welker at Pittsburgh
44. Steve Breaston vs. Seattle
45. Mercedes Lewis vs. Houston
46. Steve Smith (CAR) at Tampa Bay
47. Chris Cooley vs. Philadelphia
48. Bernard Berrian at Chicago
49. Eddie Royal vs. Kansas City

Week 10: Working the Waiver Wire

The first of the Thursday night games have arrived, which in most leagues means you have to submit waiver requests earlier than usual. Much like I did last week in my 'Working the WaiverWire' article, most of the players on this week's list are fill-ins only for this week. If you're still searching for a reliable, every week fantasy football starter - let's be honest - you're probably not going to find him in week 10.

David Garrard – QB Jacksonville
What better way to come off your bye then with a match-up against the Houston Texans. Garrard faces the worst passing defense, the same defense that gave up nearly 300 yards and 4 TDs to Philip Rivers last week. Garrard is the perfect fill-in for Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers or Philip Rivers.

Josh Freeman – QB Tampa Bay
Quietly, Freeman is becoming a serviceable fantasy football starter. The second year QB has led Tampa to a 5-3 record and he’s finding some success throwing the ball. Freeman struggled a bit against the Atlanta Falcons in week 9, but still managed to throw two TDs. This week, Freeman and the Buccaneers host a Carolina Panthers that appears to have packed it up for the year.

Nate Washington – WR Tennessee
Yes, he was on my list last week. Washington is one Titians player who could really benefit from the arrival of Randy Moss. Washington will start opposite Moss while Kenny Britt gets healthy (which could be multiple weeks). Moss’ presence in Tennessee’s offense will put Washington in more one-on-one situations, much like Wes Welker and Percy Harvin saw. Washington is the best free agent receiver to target this week.

Nate Burleson – WR Detroit
We don’t know who will be throwing Burleson the ball in Detroit, but we know he’ll get his targets. Burleson led the Lions in catches, yards and TDs in week 8 (7 rec., 113 yards, 1 TD). Burleson is healthy and he’s benefiting Calvin Johnson’s double teams. The Lions will have a new QB again, after Matthew Stafford injured his throwing shoulder. But that shouldn’t affect Burleson all that much. During weeks 5 and 6, when Stafford was out, Burleson caught touchdowns in two straight games. Burleson might benefit from a backup quarterback.

Mike Thomas – WR Jacksonville
If you need a one week fill-in WR, Thomas fits the bill. The Jaguars face the worst pass defense in the league in the Houston Texans. The Texans were just torched by San Diego’s Seyi Ajirotiutu in week 9, who scored 2 TDs and had over 100 yards receiving. Thomas could be in line for a nice afternoon in week 10. However, beyond this week, Thomas’ value diminishes (can’t play the Texans every week).

Blair White – WR Indianapolis
After watching Austin Collie get laid out in week 9, it’s pretty clear he won’t be back in time for week 10. Plus, Anthony Gonzalez has been ruled out for the year and that could open the door for White, who has filled in at times this year for Indianapolis. White could be in line for more snaps this week as the Colts host Cincinnati, who can thrown on. With all that said about White, if Jacob Tamme is still available in your league, pick him up first. Tamme was on this list last week and he exploded for 108 yards and a TD in week 9. So start with Tamme then think about White.

Joel Dreessen – TE Houston
The Texans have searched long and hard for a receiver who can take some of the pressure off Andre Johnson. As of week 9, they’re still searching. With that said, Dreessen is emerging as a quality target for QB Matt Schaub. He caught a team-high 5 balls for 66 yards in week 9 and he’s facing a weak pass defense in Jacksonville this week. Think of Dreessen as a one week fill-in guy.

Mike Goodson – RB Carolina
If you’re really hurting at running back, Goodson might be worth a gamble. The Panthers have two injured running backs in DeAngelo Williams (foot) and Jonathan Stewart (concussion). Goodson could be in line for more carries in week 10 against a Tampa Bay team that can be run on.

Chester Taylor – RB Chicago
Mike Martz indicated that Taylor would get more touches, especially around the goal line. In week 9, that statement proved to be true with Taylor scoring a one-yard TD against the Buffalo Bills. What is concerning about Taylor is he carried the ball 10 times for just 13 yards. He’s worth a look if you’re desperate, but don’t expect many points from his yardage. But around the goal line, he appears to be the man now for Chicago.

Week 9: Fantasy football rankings -- QB, RB, WR/TE

QB
1. Aaron Rodgers vs. Dallas
2. Peyton Manning at Philadelphia
3. Philip Rivers at Houston
4. Tom Brady at Cleveland
5. Michael Vick vs. Indianapolis
6. Drew Brees at Carolina
7. Eli Manning at Seattle
8. Joe Flacco vs. Miami
9. Ben Roethlisberger at Cincinnati
10. Matt Ryan vs. Tampa Bay
11. Jay Cutler at Buffalo
12. Matt Schaub vs. San Diego
13. Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Chicago
14. Josh Freeman at Atlanta
15. Mark Sanchez at Detroit
16. Matthew Stafford vs. NY Jets
17. Jon Kitna at Green Bay
18. Carson Palmer vs. Pittsburgh
19. Brett Favre vs. Arizona
20. Colt McCoy vs. New England

RB
1. Adrian Peterson vs. Arizona
2. Michael Turner vs. Tampa Bay
3. Jamaal Charles at Oakland
4. Ahmad Bradshaw at Seattle
5. Arian Foster vs. San Diego
6. Rashard Mendenhall at Cincinnati
7. LeSean McCoy vs. Indianapolis
8. Darren McFadden vs. Kansas City
9. Peyton Hillis vs. New England
10. LaDainian Tomlinson at Detroit
11. BenJarvus Green-Ellis at Cleveland
12. Ryan Mathews at Houston
13. Matt Forte at Buffalo
14. Thomas Jones at Oakland
15. Jonathan Stewart vs. New Orleans
16. Ray Rice vs. Miami
17. LeGarrette Blount at Atlanta
18. Brandon Jackson vs. Dallas
19. Brandon Jacobs at Seattle
20. Mike Tolbert at Houston
21. Fred Jackson vs. Chicago
22. Shonn Greene at Detroit
23. Cedric Benson vs. Pittsburgh
24. Donald Brown at Philadelphia
25. Darren Sproles at Houston
26. Willis McGahee vs. Miami
27. Chris Ivory at Carolina
28. Marshawn Lynch vs. NY Giants
29. Beanie Wells at Minnesota
30. Jahvid Best vs. NY Jets
31. Danny Woodhead at Cleveland
32. Ronnie Borwn at Baltimore
33. Ricky Williams at Baltimore
34. Michael Bush vs. Kansas City
35. Chester Taylor at Buffalo
36. John Kuhn vs. Dallas
37. Justin Forsett vs. NY Giants
38. Tashard Choice at Green Bay
39. Kevin Smith vs. NY Jets
40. Felix Jones at Green Bay

WR
1. Roddy White vs. Tampa Bay
2. Calvin Johnson NY Jets
3. Anquan Boldin vs. Miami
4. Hakeem Nicks at Seattle
5. Reggie Wayne at Philadelphia
6. Andre Johnson vs. San Diego
7. Miles Austin at Green Bay
8. Greg Jennings vs. Dallas
9. Jeremy Maclin vs. Indianapolis
10. Patrick Crayton at Houston
11. Austin Collie at Philadelphia
12. Dwayne Bowe at Oakland
13. Mike Williams (TB) at Atlanta
14. Marques Colston at Carolina
15. Patrick Crayton at Houston
16. DeSean Jackson vs. Indianapolis
17. Terrell Owens vs. Pittsburgh
18. Larry Fitzgerald at Minnesota
19. Steve Smith (NY) at Seattle
20. Brandon Marshall at Baltimore
21. Mike Wallace at Cincinnati
22. Johnny Knox at Buffalo
23. Steve Johnson vs. Chicago
24. Dez Bryant at Green Bay
25. Tony Gonzalez vs. Tampa Bay
26. Hines Ward at Cincinnati
27. Pierre Garcon at Philadelphia
28. James Jones vs. Dallas
29. Wes Welker at Cleveland
30. Lee Evans vs. Chicago
31. Steve Smith vs. New Orleans
32. Braylon Edwards at Detroit
33. Steve Breaston at Minnesota
34. Mario Manningham at Seattle
35. Jacob Tamme at Philadelphia
36. Derrick Mason vs. Miami
37. Michael Jenkins vs. Tampa Bay
38. Dustin Keller at Detroit
39. Davone Bess at Baltimore
40. Percy Harvin vs. Arizona
41. Santonio Holmes at Detroit
42. Seyi Aijrotutu at Houston
43. Chad Ochocinco vs. Pittsburgh
44. Brandon Tate at Cleveland
45. Jason Whitten at Green Bay
46. Darrius Heyward-Bey vs. Kansas City
47. Visanthe Shiancoe vs. Arizona
48. Jerricho Cotchery at Detroit
49. Mike Williams (SEA) vs. NY Giants
50. Devin Aromashodu at Buffalo