We've learned a lot over the first 8 weeks. Some items have been great - some not so great. Here are some of the tidbits we've learned along the way:
If Roddy White has a big game, Julio Jones will struggle (and vice versa). Cam Newton. Matt Stafford, and Michael Vick have not played up to our draft expectations but that should change this week. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are not the two-headed fantasy monsters that their contracts would have us believe. Vincent Jackson, Victor Cruz, Percy Harvin, and Marques Colston are just some of the names that have outperformed Calvin "Megatron" Johnson this year. Chris Johnson may finally be back...well, not this week anyway. Heath Miller has been tight end gold this year. Any QB or WR playing the Saints or Redskins is almost automatically guaranteed to have a solid day. Peyton Manning is back and just as much of a fantasy stud as he was before the neck injury. There is an actual, consistent running back in the Mike Shanahan backfield. Keep it up Alf! Robert Griffin III has been the real deal. Rob Gronkowski is still a freak of nature who basically lives in the endzone. The Packers apparently don't need a running game. Getting on the depth chart at RB is easier than getting on the season ticket list. Reggie Wayne is back to elite status and has been a lifeline to rookie Andrew Luck. Philip Rivers without Vincent Jackson is just a shell of his former self. Romeo Crennel has no idea what's going on in his own backfield. Vernon Davis is actually quiet and only weighs 90 lbs. How else are we to explain Alex Smith not being able to see him? Jay Cutler is still...well, Jay Cutler. If the day of the week ends in "y", Tony Romo will throw an interception and Cowboys fans will be asking "Why?" Adrian Peterson heals faster than any other human being leading some to suspect that he might actually be from an alien planet. Tony Gonzalez is like fine wine and cheese...he only gets better with age. Everyone chastised me in the preseason for suggesting a pass on Darren McFadden. He hasn't been the monster many expected when they drafted him and he still has the 2nd half of the season to get hurt. After Week 8's record performance, I officially have a man-crush on Jason Witten and I'm not ashamed to admit that. The QB situation on the Jets is every bit as crazy as we thought it would be. It's like a messy divorce dragging on forever without a settlement. Replacement refs make great Halloween costumes. Lawrence Tynes seriously makes me rethink my position that kickers are utterly useless. Holy points Batman! Maurice Jones-Drew has got to be regretting not getting a new contract right about now. Ryan Mathews is going to fumble, but the Chargers stand no chance of seeing the playoffs if they don't keep him in the game. A leaf gently falling off a tree and landing on Lions RB Jahvid Best is guaranteed to give him a concussion. Jermichael Finley hasn't been sick in years. Apparently he can't seem to catch anything. Randy Moss has been incredibly quiet this year. No joke here - just wanted to point this out.