O'Malley's Tallies: Week 8 -- Santana Shines

Week 8 was a time in the NFL in which the playoff pictures became MUCH tighter. Teams that only a few weeks ago were left for dead (Cleveland and Houston) are now back in the picture while the Titans continued to prove to doubters that they are the best the AFC has to offer. It is Sunday's like this one that continue to prove the age old saying that the NFL truly does stand for “NOT FOR LONG” with so much parity throughout the league. On that note, here is the Week 8 edition of “O.T.’s”……


STUDS

1. Santana Moss – In a rare appearance as punt returner for the Skins during the second half, Santana Moss made the Lions pay by taking it the distance for a huge game sealing touchdown. In addition, #89 also hauled in 9 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown, helping the Boys from D.C. quietly give first year head coach Jim Zorn a 6-2 record at the halfway mark.

2. Brian Westbrook – I think it goes without saying that when #36 suits up the Eagles, they are a MUCH different team. Still not 100% recovered from his cracked ribs a few weeks back, Westbrook had one of his most productive days of 08’ vs. the Dirty Birds. After it was all said and done, this Villanova Wildcat ripped off 209 yards from scrimmage (including a career high 167 yards on the ground) and got into the endzone twice as the Eagles improved their record to 4-3 and got themselves back into the NFC East Battle.

3. Matt Schaub – Break up the Texans!!! After starting the season 0-4, Houston has quietly reeled off three straight wins to get themselves at least back in the discussion for a Wild Card birth. Much of this credit has to fall onto the back of quarterback Matt Schaub. Against the winless Bengals on Sunday, the former Virginia Cavalier torched the secondary for 280 yards and 3 TD’s with a completion percentage of almost 86%!! With confidence growing in H-Town, going forward, Schaub can definitely be considered a QB#1 with the right matchup.

4. Ted Ginn – As a Dolphin’s fan, all I can ask is “WHERE THE HELL DID THAT PERFORMANCE COME FROM!?!?” Coming off a game two weeks ago in which he caught 1 ball for -1 yard, even Nostradamus couldn’t have predicting a 7 catch, 175 performance for Ted Ginn vs. Buffalo on Sunday! While fantasy owners should continue to be skeptical, he may be worth a spot on your bench to see if Sunday will be a confidence booster the rest of the year..

5. Donnie Avery – If you look back over the past 15 years, rookie 1,000 yard receivers are extremely hard to come by. After a 6 catch. 163 yard performance Sunday vs. the Patriots (with another touchdown), I am going to make a BOLD statement and say we may be looking at another one this year with St. Louis’ Donnie Avery. As Torry Holt continues to disappoint, this young rookie from the University of Houston continues to impress. While he only has 337 yards receiving through seven games, confidence is definitely peaking and Avery is without question worth a start in almost all formats going forward..

DUDS

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Wow. When it rains, it really pours for the lowly Bungals. They are now 0-8 after getting thumped by the Texans on Sunday and really offer nothing fantasy wise besides an occasional good game from T.J. Housh. With Marvin Lewis losing that locker room fast and a brutal schedule ahead, it may take week 17’s miserable matchup vs. the Chiefs at home to get their first win of the year…

2. Earnest Graham – After seeing S-Jax kill the Cowboys defense last week, you had to assume Earnest Graham would be able to have a big day on the ground for the Bucs vs. America’s Team on Sunday. When the clock struck zero, however, 17 carries for 42 yards was all this former Florida Gator had to show for his work.

3. J.T. O’Sullivan – Is it just me or Mike Singletary now your favorite coach in the NFL as well????? Not only did he flip out on the sidelines on former #1 pick Vernon Davis, Singletary also benched starting QB J.T. O’Sullivan after the turnover parade continued Sunday vs. the banged up Seahawks. After a few more fumbles and a interception that went the other way for 6 points, it should go without saying that J.T. should be dropped in almost all formats.

4. Ben Roethlisberger – While he may have been lacking Santonio Holmes and Willie Parker on Sunday, there is really no excuse for how bad Big Ben was on Sunday vs. the Giants. With a completion percentage of 44.8% and a whopping 4 interceptions thrown, Ben seemed beyond lost in the second half of the Steeler’s 21-14 loss to the New York Football Giants. Unfortunately for #7, things don’t get much easier with this week’s trip to D.C. to play the hungry Redskin defense on Monday night…


SPEAK TO YOU ALL AFTER WEEK 9!!

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