Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

AFC West Fantasy Outlook

October 25, 2007 @ 13:55:45

By Ken Jager
Edited by Herija C. Green

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 4-7, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Running Back Travis Henry, Denver Broncos: Already dealing with issues off the field, Henry (ribs) was knocked out of last week's game after he took a shot to the ribs in the third quarter. He finished with 51 yards on 17 carries. Monitor Henry's injury this week, and if he's good to go, he's a solid No. 2 option versus the Green Bay Packers in Week 8. Also to note, Henry's appeal hearing for his third positive test for marijuana is set for November 5 and, if rejected, it's likely a suspension would be handed down then.
Running Back LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers: Despite the entire team missing two days of practice this week and being forced to practice in Arizona because of the San Diego wildfires, Tomlinson's production shouldn't be affected, regardless of where they play. Tomlinson has everything going for him. He had a monster day in Week 6 (198 rushing yards, four touchdowns), and now with the team bringing in wide receiver Chris Chambers from the Miami Dolphins, defensive pressure should be alleviated a bit on the Chargers rushing attack. Tomlinson looks to be in line for another big game against the Houston Texans this week, and is a strong No. 1 play.
Tight End Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers: Gates collected just three passes for 58 yards in Week 6 as San Diego and Tomlinson had a hold of the convincing win from the start. With a full complement of receivers now, and with Tomlinson reminding us of whom he really is, Gates should have even more chances open up for him, and he's already firmly entrenched as a top tight end in any league. This week, he is a weak play versus Houston but still locked in as a top tier No. 1 option.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Jay Cutler	Denver Broncos	3	203.7	1.33	1.33	19.7	0.33
Daunte Culpepper	Oakland Raiders	3	177.3	1.33	1.00	9.0	1.00
Philip Rivers	San Diego Chargers	3	212.3	0.67	1.00	-0.7	0.33

Cutler - Cutler was able to find the end zone repeatedly in Week 7 versus a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that had only allowed three touchdown passes coming into the game. Cutler went 22-for-29 for 258 yards and three scores and added 41 rushing yards on three carries. The blemish? Cutler also tossed two interceptions. Cutler's Week 8 opponent could help build his confidence as the Broncos host the Packers and their soft pass defense. Cutler is a solid choice as a No. 1 option.

Culpepper - Culpepper completed 18 of 29 passes for 228 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Week 7. Not a great game by fantasy standards but definitely not horrible. Especially considering that he faced a good Kansas City pass defense in a game that didn't feature a lot of offense to begin with. Still, you have to wonder how long until Culpepper takes a back seat to either quarterbacks Josh McCown (foot) or rookie JaMarcus Russell. For now, Culpepper is still the man in Oakland and has a decent matchup against a Tennessee Titans pass defense that let Texans backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels look like Packers quarterback Brett Favre last week. Culpepper is a solid No. 1 play this week.

Rivers - Rivers had a forgettable performance in Week 6, which included an interception returned for a touchdown. He probably took the Bye week to try and work on his decision making as he has seven interceptions on the season. He faces a solid Houston pass defense and could get by as a No. 1 option in deep leagues, but he's probably better off sitting this week on your bench until he shows some more consistency and/or Tomlinson is held in check.

Running Backs

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TD/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
LaMont Jordan	Oakland Raiders	3	18.67 (30.48)	2.00 (21.45)	48.3	0.00	3.67	31.0	0.00
Dominic Rhodes	Oakland Raiders	2	5.50 (5.99)	0.00 (0.00)	10.5	0.00	0.50	5.0	0.00
Justin Fargas	Oakland Raiders	3	9.67 (15.79)	2.00 (21.45)	63.3	0.00	1.33	11.7	0.00

Jordan - Jordan (back) had just 29 yards on 11 rushes and registered four catches for 40 yards in Week 7. Jordan figured to be the primary running back for Oakland, but Rhodes also saw his fair share of carries (nine). Jordan is still the starter and should have decent fantasy value for at least the near future, especially with his pass-catching ability. But Jordan's numbers are likely to take a hit if this trend continues. The Titans rush defense, which hasn't given up a rushing touchdown since Week 3, won't be a picnic this week and Jordan is a weak play as a No. 2 option.

Rhodes - Rhodes saw significantly more action in his second game back from suspension than the first as he logged nine carries for 21 yards and one catch for 10 yards. According to the numbers (Jordan utilized 15 plays, Rhodes 11) Rhodes could see significant action as he fits into this offense by splitting time with Jordan. This week, however, he still should be the backup and facing Tennessee on the road means that Rhodes is a weak play and should remain on the bench.

Fargas - Don't let Fargas' stats from the last four weeks fool you, because that includes his monster outburst from Week 4. In his last two games (after a Bye week), he has only three carries for 11 yards. If last week's game is any indication (one rush for one yard), Fargas is third on the depth chart and won't see significant action from here on out. If Rhodes gets second-stringer carries this week, feel free to look elsewhere for a flex back. Fargas is a weak play versus Tennessee.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Brandon Marshall	Denver Broncos	3	10.33 (18.35)	1.00 (12.05)	5.33	57.3	0.33
Ronald Curry	Oakland Raiders	3	7.00 (11.43)	1.00 (10.72)	3.67	44.7	0.33
Jerry Porter	Oakland Raiders	3	4.00 (6.53)	0.33 (3.57)	2.33	46.3	0.67
Vincent Jackson	San Diego Chargers	3	5.67 (9.65)	1.00 (9.62)	2.33	47.0	0.33
Chris Chambers	San Diego Chargers	--	--	--	--	--	--

Marshall - Marshall was targeted 11 times in Week 7, collecting six of those passes for 77 yards and no touchdowns. With Javon Walker missing significant time, you'd like to see better production from him. His production was also limited by the increased looks Cutler gave Brandon Stokley (seven targets), who caught five passes for 70 yards and a touchdown filling Walker's spot in the lineup. Marshall faces a Green Bay defense that's given up only 97.7 yards and 0.33 touchdowns their last three games. Marshall can be utilized as a No. 2 this week, but as a weak play.

Curry - Culpepper continues to favor Curry in the Raiders' limited passing game, as Curry caught four passes for 45 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. Facing a soft Tennessee secondary this week, Curry is a strong play, but only as high as a No. 2 or No. 3 option due to the team's passing limitations.

Porter - Porter had only two targets last week, catching one pass that went for 59 yards. Porter is clearly playing second fiddle to Curry at this point, but he could see more attention this week versus Tennessee's secondary. He is a strong play as a No. 2 or No. 3 option.

Jackson - Jackson's disappointing start likely sparked the Chargers to pull the trigger on the deal to get Chambers from Miami. In his game before the Bye week, Jackson was the team's most targeted receiver, but he had just one catch for five yards. He's still on top of the depth chart, but the Chargers are looking for a way to open up the field more for Tomlinson and Gates, and Chambers could provide that more than Jackson can. So Jackson is a weak play as a No. 3 option versus Houston this week.

Chambers - Chambers is ready to make his San Diego debut since coming from Miami in a trade deadline deal. The Chargers gave up a lot for Chambers (a 2008 second-round draft pick), so they're expecting a lot from him, perhaps taking over the top spot from Jackson. Chambers also has a plus going for him as he is familiar with head coach Norv Turner's offense. He's a risky play in his first week with the team, and he is a weak play against Houston, so leave him on your bench if you have more trustworthy options. But he probably won't be idle too long, and you could even use him as a Bye week replacement if you need.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Daniel Graham	Denver Broncos	3	2.33 (4.14)	0.00 (0.00)	2.33	18.0	0.00
Tony Scheffler	Denver Broncos	3	3.67 (6.51)	0.33 (4.02)	2.33	29.0	0.33
Zach Miller	Oakland Raiders	3	5.33 (8.71)	0.67 (7.15)	2.33	21.7	0.33

Graham - The writing is on the wall for fantasy owners regarding Graham. Now that the Broncos offense is starting to utilize the tight end position more, those targets aren't going to Graham. He registered only one catch for nine yards last week and is being used primarily as a blocking tight end. Graham should remain on your bench, or the waiver wire if you're looking for a tight end replacement. He is a weak play versus the Packers Monday night.

Scheffler - With Cutler targeting more than just Marshall and the injured Walker, the tight ends are getting some play. Specifically Scheffler (leg). He was the beneficiary of six targets (to Graham's one) and recorded five catches for 50 yards and his first touchdown of the season. All of Scheffler's production this season has come in the last two games (seven catches, 87 yards, one touchdown). Despite that, until we see this become a trend, Scheffler should only remain on the radar. But feel free to pick him up for a Bye week replacement this week versus Green Bay. If you do, keep an eye on the leg sprain he suffered last week, though he's expected to play at this point.

Miller - Miller is starting to get more involved in the Raiders offense. He was targeted nine times (16.75 percent) last week, once in the red zone. He finished the game with four catches for 48 yards. But owners would expect more production with those utilization numbers. Miller should remain on your bench this week as a weak play versus Tennessee.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Jason Elam	Denver Broncos	3	2.00	2.00	1.33	1.33	6.0
Sebastian Janikowski	Oakland Raiders	3	2.67	2.67	0.33	0.33	3.7
Nate Kaeding	San Diego Chargers	3	3.33	3.33	1.67	2.00	8.3

Elam - For the third time this season, Elam kicked the game-winning field goal, a 49-yarder, in the final seconds to give Denver a 31-28 Week 7 win. It was also Denver's third win of the season. Elam added four extra points in the game. Overall, his numbers have been steadily declining over the past few weeks as the Denver offense isn't giving him many opportunities. Facing Green Bay this Monday night, Elam is a weak play and better suited for your bench.

Janikowski - Janikowski kicked a 37-yard field goal and an extra point last week, but that was all the Raiders offense was able to give him. Janikowski said this week that he's lost weight, which has helped his kicking. But we wouldn't know it with the way this offense moves, or doesn't move, the ball. He is a weak play against Tennessee this week and should sit this one out for your fantasy team.

Kaeding - Kaeding missed a 50-yard field goal in Week 6, his second miss of the season and first since Week 1. With the way San Diego is playing, Kaeding has had some big games lately. This week should be no different, matching up against Houston. Kaeding is a strong play as a lower-tier No. 1 option.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Denver Broncos	3	33.7	0.67	1.3	0.33	0.3
Oakland Raiders	3	19.0	1.33	1.3	0.00	0.3
San Diego Chargers	3	11.7	1.67	3.0	1.00	0.3

Broncos - The Broncos defense has looked awful and has given up the fourth-most points (101) in the league the last four weeks, but they showed some signs of life last week. Despite giving up 28 points to the Steelers, they recorded two interceptions and returned a fumble for a touchdown. But they need to stop the other teams from scoring before they can be considered for fantasy play. They are a weak play and should be benched at home Monday night versus Green Bay.

Raiders - The wishy-washy Oakland defense can't seem to make up its mind. It simply cannot stop the run, but they are quite effective at limiting the opponent's passing attack - the same formula that led to last week's 12-10 loss to Kansas City. This week's opponent, Tennessee, again features a strong running game and a weak passing game, so don't expect much out of the ordinary for the Oakland defense. They are a weak play but can be utilized for a Bye week replacement if you need.

Chargers - This San Diego defense has really come together the past three weeks. In Week 6, it gave up just one offensive touchdown and limited Oakland to 58 yards on the ground and 245 total yards. The Chargers have another favorable matchup this week versus Houston. Despite the fact that the venue where they'll play the game remains in question, the Chargers defense is a strong play as a top-tier No. 1.