Treasure: Lee Evans
Don’t tell me you didn’t start Lee Evans. The Bills wideout had surpassed the 100-yard mark just once, so dropping him from your No. 3 slot to the bench wouldn’t have been ridiculous. Boy, did you miss out. The third-year player doubled his TD total with 83-yard catches on back-to-back possessions in the first quarter. He finished with 11 catches for a franchise-record 265 yards. I think Dick Jauron even called Evans into his office after the game for an emotional handshake. With J.P. Losman suddenly firing away (340 yards), don’t sit Evans again.
Off course: Chester Taylor
Good lookin’ out, coach Childress. Stuffing Taylor into the end zone as time expired with no chance of winning helped out many fantasy teams, I’m sure. The Vikings running back’s second score of the game put a positive spin on a performance marred by two fumbles. Finally getting his shot as a featured back, Taylor has been a pleasant surprise. He entered Week 11 among the league’s rushing leaders and had a hard-fought 80-yard game vs. Miami. But his TD total (4) is anemic, much like the Vikes’ offense. That’s why the head coach is taking them where he can get them.
Shipwreck: Shaun Alexander
We waited two months for this? Granted, expectations weren’t terribly high for the reigning league MVP’s return from a broken foot–70 yards and a score would have been great. But the Seahawks running back turned in a grand total of 37 yards on 17 carries. “For me personally, this is very positive. My foot did great,” Alexander said. We’re glad you’re so pleased with yourself, Shaun. Especially since 49ers opponent Frank Gore almost equaled your season total (224 yards) in one day’s work (212).
