Fantasy Football Wrap: T.O. Is Alive

Sunday Evening Wrap checks out players who increased or decreased their value during the Sunday afternoon games.

Riser of the Week: Terrell Owens came into Sunday with just 26 catches for 366 yards and a single touchdown -- in nine games. Considering the Bills were switching back to Ryan Fitzpatrick, who did no favors for T.O. when at the helm earlier this season, there was very little reason to start Owens in many fantasy leagues. Instead, T.O. reminded us how cruel a mistress fantasy football can be. He's still alive and kicking, as he ushered forth a vintage stat line. Nine catches for 197 yards and a touchdown. Is this 2007? I'm not buying any sort of extended rejuvenation moving forward, but it probably felt good for T.O. -- if only for one Sunday in 2009.

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Faller of the Week: The Cowboys passing offense generated just 158 yards. Sure, the Redskins entered the game ranked as the top pass defense in the NFL, but the Cowboys weren't even trying until they had to. Tony Romo completed just 15 of 27 passes for a touchdown and a pick. Miles Austin was shut out for three quarters. Jason Witten only gained 43 yards, further cementing his status as a draft bust for '09. Roy Williams didn't catch a single pass, which means he'll be whining again this week. All in all, it was an awful day for the 'Boys through the air. Hopefully it's not lost on the coaching staff that the only scoring drive of the day was all pass plays. Of course, they do face the Raiders next week -- a team that can't stop anyone on the ground.

Other Shifts in Value

Robert Meachem - Sure, his two touchdowns were his only catches, but at some point you can't ignore the scores anymore. That's four in his last three games and six this year. He should certainly be owned in all leagues, if for nothing more than bench depth.

Kellen Winslow - Sunday provided us a reminder how fickle tight ends working with a rookie quarterback can be. I like Winslow to bounce back, though. The five catches (and 13 total targets) are a good indication Freeman trusts him.

Kevin Boss - Like Meachem, Boss also has four touchdowns in his last three games.

Jason Snelling - His value is completely inverse to Michael Turner's. Monitor the latter's status.

Adrian Peterson - Just 82 rushing yards and no scores? We need more than that from an overall top pick, especially against a bad team.

Nate Burleson - Last week was an aberration (when he was shut out). The six-catch, 100-yard outing was more like the Burleson we've seen much of this year.

Heath Miller - After three sub-par weeks in a row, Miller broke out in grand fashion, throwing up 95 yards and a score.

Jamaal Charles - 17 carries for 58 yards doesn't look great in a vacuum, but Charles did other things to provide us with some serious optimism. First of all, he averaged 3.4 yards per carry, which is exactly what the Steelers' top-ranked run defense had allowed entering the game. Secondly, he caught a touchdown pass, showing the positives of his involvement in the passing game. Third, he took a kickoff back for a touchdown. The more new head coach Todd Haley sees of Charles, the more he has to be impressed. In three of the next four games, the Chiefs square off against lackluster run defenses (San Diego, Buffalo and Cleveland). It's a good time to own the budding Charles. My only question is, what took so long?

Maurice Jones-Drew - The Bills entered the game as the worst run defense in the NFL. MJD mustered just 66 yards on 25 carries. Sure, the touchdown was nice, but what gives?

Greg Jennings - Neither the hill of Sunday or the valleys of much of 2009 were as drastic as T.O., but Jennings was another who channeled the ghosts of fantasy past on Sunday. Widely considered one of the bigger busts in fantasy football, Jennings showed the masses why he was so hyped in the preseason, grabbing five passes for 126 yards and a score. There is definitely hope for sustainable growth, because the Packers are going to be passing quite frequently the rest of the way.

Vernon Davis - Told ya last week it was a temporary blip on the radar for this beast. Never sit him. Ever.

Mohamed Massaquoi - Granted, it was against the Lions, but Brady Quinn appeared to be a functioning quarterback. If that continues, Massaquoi will have value in deeper leagues. He's an add for now, but don't go crazy.

Kevin Smith - He still didn't find many running lanes through the porous offensive line, but Smith caught four passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. This kind of growth -- being involved in the passing game -- gives me some confidence that Smith can be a reliable flex play when the matchup is right. At Cincinnati in Week 13 is not one of those times, but a home date against Arizona in Week 15 will work out OK.

Santana Moss - Jason Campbell just doesn't have enough time to look far downfield often. Thus, the underneath throws to a running back, tight end or Antwaan Randle El are much more prevalent than to a deep threat like Moss.

Derrick Mason - He's still the Ravens' most trusted receiver and they won't be able to run much against the Steelers next week.

Pierre Garcon - Two straight productive games, but there is no rhyme or reason to how Peyton Manning decides to spread the ball around (for evidence, I'll throw out the name Tom Santi). Garcon will end the season with solid totals, but you can't tell week to week which line you'll get.

Anquan Boldin - Suffice it to say, he's healthy. This is the Boldin you drafted. Enjoy him down the cakewalk of a schedule.

James Laurinaitis - Don't usually dabble in IDP players here, but the son of a Road Warrior collected a whopping 16 tackles Sunday. It's easily a career high and a great sign of what he can be to that improving defense.

Bernard Scott - Good day for the rookie, as he gave the Bengals reason to leave Larry Johnson where he belongs -- riding pine. Scott won't retain value as more than a handcuff once Cedric Benson comes back (should be next week), but it's nice to see he can step up to the challenge.

Raiders running backs - Great for the team and all the players in terms of real football. That's an impressive win for Tom Cable and his troops. As far as fantasy football, though, we're left scratching our heads. Justin Fargas had eight carries; Michael Bush four and Darren McFadden six. Bush appeared the most adept, again, but got the fewest touches. Moving forward, I'd be inclined to avoid them all -- considering there aren't any bye weeks left.

Wes Welker - Especially in point-per-reception leagues. 15 catches? Are you kidding me?

Braylon Edwards - Can't say this one was overly surprising, as Edwards was near-silent. He should only be started in easy matchups. Against the Buccaneers in Week 14 will qualify.

Knowshon Moreno - Due to Josh McDaniels utterly panicking -- like using an injured Kyle Orton for most of the game -- Moreno only carried the ball 10 times. He gained 80 yards, but the lack of touches prevented him from a big day. Also, he fumbled into the end zone. The ball was nearly breaking the plane, but replay reviews upheld the fumble. I still like Knowshon against lesser defenses moving forward, like Kansas City in Week 13.

Philip Rivers - Unfortunately, the Chargers didn't need to pass. He'll be back, though, you can bet on it.