There were certainly some suprises across the board when it came to fantasy football producation in Week 7 of the NFL.

QUARTERBACKS

Who would have thought you would ever see Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick throw for 374 yards and four touchdowns? But that's exactly what he did and he has emerged as a viable bye week replacement if you need a QB this week. Fitzpatrick is still available on most waiver wires in leagues at cbssports.com, espn.com, yahoosports.com and myfantasyleague.com.

Other surprises included QBs Carson Palmer (Cincinnati) and Matt Moore (Carolina). Palmer is the No. 1 ranked QB for Week 7 with 412 yards and three touchdowns. Moore was also solid with 308 yards passing and two touchdowns. Other top QBs were Drew Brees (New Orleans) with 356 yards and two touchdowns, Philip Rivers (San Diego) with 336 yards and a touchdown and Eli Manning (Giants) who had 306 yards and four touchdowns.

RUNNING BACKS

The biggest surrpsie at running back was Ryan Torrain of Washington who rushed for 125 yards (unfortunately no TDs). Oakland's Darren McFadden returned from injury as a man possessed with 165 yards and three rushing TDs and two catches for 31 yards and a receiving TD. Other top backs were Adrian Peterson (Minnesota) with 131 yards and a touchdown, Ahmad Bradshaw (Giants) with 126 yards, Thomas Jones (Kansas City) with 125 yards and a touchdown and Michael Turner (Atlanta) who had 121 yards and two touchdowns.

RECEIVERS

With Fitzpatrick having a field day at QB, it's no surprise one of the beneficiaries was Buffalo receiver Steve Johnson who has become an impact player in the fantasy world. He had eight receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown. A new fantasy player emerged on Carolina with receiver David Gettis complementing Panthers' No. 1 wideout Steve Smith (double/triple teammed all day). Gettis had eight receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Kenny Britt of Tennessee led all receivers with seven receptions, 225 yards and three touchdowns. Other top receivers were Roddy White (Atlanta) with 11 receptions, 201 yards and two touchdowns; Jordan Shipley (Cincinnati) with six receptions, 131 yards and a touchdown; and Hines Ward (Pittsburgh) who had seven receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown.

TIGHT ENDS

The tight end position pretty much played according to form led by Dallas' Jason Witten who had nine receptions, 95 yards and a touchdown. Other top tight ends were Vernon Davis (San Francisco) who had four receptions, 74 yards and a touchdown; Zach Miller (Oakland) who had three receptions, 65 yards and a touchdown; Todd Heap (Baltimore) ended up with three receptions, 59 yards and two touchdowns; Aaron Hernandez (New England) had five receptions for 54 yards; and Chris Cooley (Washington) had seven receptions and 52 yards.

Of all the guys above, Fitzpatrick, Johnson and Gettis will be the most sought after players on waiver wires. Their production should continue so I would grab them now if you need help at QB or receiver.

If you are looking for a large number of double-digit fantasy football performances in one place this weekend, the hot game to focus on is Houston at Oakland. This game has the kind of bend-but-don't break defenses by both teams that should produce the most prolific fantasy football studs of any game.
Quarterback Matt Schaub,running back Arian Foster and all Texans' receivers should have a great day. Note that you should monitor Houston receiver Andre Johnson's injury status because he will be a game-time decision.

Oakland should also produce great stats with QB Bruce Gradkowski, back Darren McFadden, recievers Louis Murphy and Darius Heyward-Bey and tight end Zach Miller having a very busy day keeping up with the Texans.
The hot guy on the Jets these days is tight end Dustin Keller who has been quarterback Mark Sanchez's go-to guy in the red zone.

Jacksonville back Maurice Jones-Drew and Seattle back Justin Forsett are guys who have been mediocre at best to this point. But watch for both to have huge performances this weekend. Seattle coach Pete Carroll stated several times this past week that he wants to get Forsett more involved with the offense.
The Pittsburgh-Baltimore game is one to stay away from with two of the toughest defenses going against each other. But one guy to play is Steelers back Rashard Mendenhall who has performed well against the Ravens in the past.
Guys I would stay away from this weekend are Washington back Clinton Portis (been struggling), Arizona back Tim Hightower (Beanie Wells will take many touches away), New Orleans receiver Lance Moore (one week wonder?) and Lee Evans (facing tough defense).


My overall list of players to start-sit:
10 Players to start: Quarterbacks – Matt Schaub, Mark Sanchez, Matt Ryan; Running backs – Arian Foster, Matt Forte, Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew; Receivers – Mark Clayton, Wes Welker; Tight end – Dustin Keller.
10 Players to sit: Quarterbacks – Alex Smith, Derek Anderson; Running backs – Clinton Portis, Tim Hightower, ; Receivers – Lance Moore, Davone Bess, Lee Evans; Tight Ends-Brent Celek, Kevin Boss, Vernon Davis.

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After a wild and wacky week 1 in fantasy football things get really interesting in Week 2.

This week perhaps the biggest stud, or potential top fantasy football producer, will be Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. Starter Kevin Kolb is out with a concussion, giving Vick a shot as a starter.

Vick is looking at this as a chance to show he can still be a strong starter and should provide huge numbers, including rushing yardage. He rushed for over 100 yards as Kolb's replacement in week 1.

Another player who should excel is Oakland back Darren McFadden. After being a dud the past couple of seasons he had a solid performance last weekend with 95 yards rushing and 55 yards receiving. He should produce even better numbers going up against the St. Louis Rams this week.

If you can get Minnesota receiver Greg Camarillo off your waiver wire, grab him. After last week's lackluster aerial performance by the Vikings, QB Brett Favre has been working as a unit and individually this week with his receivers to try and get some rhythm. One guy he seems to be on the same page with is Camarillo. Camarillo could be this year's version of Sidney Rice, at least until Rice returns in Week 7 or 8 from injury. I see at least 10 catches and 90 yards for Camarillo this week and a touchdown.

If you have receiver Nate Washington, don't hesitate to start him despite facing the tough Pittsburgh defense. Washington is obviously Tennessee's No. 1 guy at receiver. The Steelers will have to pay extra attention to back Chris Johnson and that could open up several opportunities for Washington.

Other guys to key on for some productive numbers are quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan, backs Shonn Greene, Matt Forte and Brandon Jackson and receivers Andre Johnson, Dwayne Bowe and Mike Williams (Tampa Bay).

One potential dud to avoid this week is Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer. After the Bengals swept the Baltimore Ravens in 2009, watch Ray Lewis & Co. tear apart the Bengals' offense unit. The Ravens are on a mission this year to get to the Super Bowl and will take no prisoners in that effort.

Except for maybe receiver Larry Fitzgerald, I would stay away from all Arizona players this week. The Cardinals travel cross country to Atlanta and have a history of struggling big time when taking those long trips.

I would also avoid Jacksonville QB David Garrard who travels cross country to face a tough San Diego defense.

Other potentials duds to avoid this week are backs Fred Taylor and C.J. Spiller and receivers Lee Evans, Braylon Edwards and Bernard Berrian.

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