How ‘bout that for a Houston Texans Monday Night Football debut? In their first Monday game ever as a franchise, the Texans steam rolled the Jaguars 30-17 and climbed into sole possession of third place in the AFC South.

RB Steve Slaton and WR Andre Johnson were once again the stars of the evening for Houston, along with its solid defensive play and disciplined coaching. While the chances of Houston making the postseason are slim to none even with the win, the team has much to build on and can improve with four games down the stretch. Read more »

Small sample sizes can often mask what players are actually capable of doing, for better or worse. If a guy plays over his head for three games, fantasy owners go nuts and start drinking his Kool-Aid. If he struggles for three games, owners cut bait and offer him in trades for 50 cents on the dollar. After nine weeks of the NFL season, season numbers are starting to weed out imposters and exposing players for what they really are.

Just like in baseball, hot streaks don’t change who a player fundamentally is. DeAngelo Williams came out of nowhere to score three touchdowns in Week 5, but does that change a fact that he is undersized and incapable of shouldering a heavy work load? Willie Parker found paydirt three times in Week 1, but does that mean his touchdown-scoring woes are officially behind him? Read more »

The ebb and flow of the waiver wire always leaves viable options for managers in need of bye week help, but this is a week where no players will act as saviors for your floundering playoff hopes. Three distinct concepts can summarize the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions, as owners must ponder the good and bad in potential bye-week fill-ins.

For the quarterbacks, “young vs. old” can sum up your available options. Brady Quinn, JaMarcus Russell and Joe Flacco all present some sort of upside, but their merits must be weighed against veterans lower-ceiling, more reliable veterans Brian Griese, Kerry Collins and Gus Frerotte. Chicago’s Kyle Orton falls right in the middle of the age spectrum and may just be the best, most trustworthy signal caller available after throwing three touchdown passes in Week 4. Read more »

Week 2 is no time to get antsy, but there is still work to do in filling out the depth of a fantasy roster. Waiver wire selections may not be for immediate benefit, but they can certainly pay dividends if an owner makes good, speculative picks.

Backup quarterbacks are good examples because they rarely make the jump from free agent to fantasy starter. But, with at least one fill-in needed for a bye week and no guarantees of pristine health, their presence on a roster is vital.

In most leagues, running backs and wide receivers are scarce commodities. Free agents at both positions are either limited in their abilities or not going to produce immediate results. Read more »