Treasure: Reggie Bush
Entering Sunday’s victory over the 49ers, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft had two measly touchdowns. Two, and one of those was on a punt return. Raise your hand if you were growing impatient with the Saints’ all-purpose back. Good, you are the same people kicking yourselves for leaving Bush on the bench, missing out on his monster four-TD effort. He rolled up 168 total yards (131 on nine catches) with some open-field moves that left many rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Finally, the scoring drought is over. Now do it again next week, Reggie.
Off course: Tatum Bell
Shady Mike Shanahan makes life tough for fantasy owners. Since the Terrell Davis era, the Broncos coach has relied on a different running back every season or so: Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis, Reuben Droughns, Anderson again. This was to be the year for Bell, but which one? A toe injury landed Tatum Bell on the inactive list three of the last four weeks–a couple of times at the last minute. So Mike Bell stepped up with a 2-TD game. It’s difficult to play this guessing game each week, so you probably missed out on Tatum’s 133-yard effort vs. Seattle. I know I did.
Shipwreck: Brad Johnson
No matter how bad your fantasy week went, at least you can say, “I’m glad I didn’t start Brad Johnson.” Or can you? That three-touchdown game against Arizona last week might have had you bullish on the Vikings quarterback, even against the Bears at frigid Soldier Field. But alas, he was the only player on the field worse than Rex Grossman. And that’s saying something. He finished 11 of 26 for 76 yards with four picks. Good for negative-6 points in one of my leagues. Along with Jon Kitna and Brett Favre, it’s just a bad year for NFC North QBs. Stay away.