TREASURE
Reuben Droughns
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RB, Browns CARRIES YARDS TD
30 166 1
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The system or the back? That’s the question that dogs Broncos rushers, who all seem to be ridiculously successful in Denver (see Anderson, Mike: 113 yards, 3 TDs). But Droughns, whose 1,240-yard season came out of nowhere before the Browns scooped him up in an off-season trade with Denver, has skills–as evidenced by his meandering 75-yard TD run Sunday. But an important caveat: Cleveland stinks; don’t count on a repeat effort.
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES
Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals:
27 of 39, 285 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, fumble
Drew Brees, QB, Chargers:
28 of 33, 339 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
OFF COURSE
Julius Jones
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RB, Cowboys CARRIES YARDS TD FUMBLE
21 92 0 1
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Big talent, little durability. That’s the knock on Jones, whom fantasy owners finally have back full-time after a three-game injury respite–only to see him stopped three straight times on a first-and-goal from the 1 in the second quarter. Three times! So coach Bill Parcells goes back to bruising Marion Barber, who finished the day with a meager 53 yards but had two TD plunges. Look for this trend to continue: Jones gets the yards, Barber finishes with the points.
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES
Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles:
123 total yards, 0 TDs
Jake Delhomme, QB, Panthers:
22 of 38, 235 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
SHIPWRECK
Steven Jackson
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RB, Rams CARRIES YARDS TD FUMBLE
12 6 0 1
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Jackson going up against Arizona’s weak run defense was a seemingly favorable matchup, right? Nope. The Rams and the second-year back were just plain embarrassed on their home turf. Jackson had the team’s only two carries for minus-2 yards in the second half. Unacceptable. Now QB Marc Bulger is hurt again, and if he’s out for an extended period, defenses will load up on the run and spoil what had been a pleasant surprise season until this game.
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES
Drew Bledsoe, QB, Cowboys:
12 of 23, 110 yards, 0 TDs
Joey Galloway, WR, Bucs:
0 catches, 0 yards, 0 TDs
