SUNDAY RECAP: AFC VARIETY

Willis McGahee- The most substantial injury on Sunday was that to Bills RB Willis McGahee. He has a broken rib right near his lung, and right now it appears like he'll miss around two weeks, but nothing is for certain. If you own his you're definitely upset because his next two games are against Indianapolis and Houston. Anthony Thomas played very well in relief with 95 yards and a TD, and with those two games looming he's a great pickup.

Ronnie Brown- Boom! The bust of a fantasy RB broke out for 157 yards against a Chicago Bears defense that actually gave up 100 for the second straight week. Miami started off awful last year and rebounded for a tremendous second half, and the same could be in the cards for this season. Brown is actually on pace for 1200 yards and 8 TDs, and a strong second half could validate that first round pick.

Tom Brady- Going up against the rival Colts, Brady had his worst game of the season throwing for 201 yards and 4 INTs. Perhaps if Kevin Faulk knew how to catch a football, Brady would have had a better day and led the Patriots to a game-tying touchdown. Nevertheless, Brady faces the Jets and Packers coming up, and he should bounce back nicely.

Corey Dillon/Laurence Maroney- Both Dillon and Maroney received 13 carries. Corey had 48 yards and 2 TDs, and Laurence had 63 yards. Dillon is clearly the goal-line back but struggles to put up consistent yardage, while Maroney has better yardage but a worse chance of scoring. It's tough to start either because they could be a complete bust.

Carson Palmer- All is not well in Cincinnati. First of all, Palmer is clearly not 100% healthy, and that's why his stats are suffering. He tore into his receiver Chris Henry, after his lack of effort on a hail mary. He also threw 2 interception and had the Bengals buried early. While Palmer should still start in fantasy, this situation looks horrible for the Bengals playoff hopes. Not to mention.....

Chad Johnson- Apparently Chad has had enough. He wants the ball so bad, and the Bengals just fail to get it to him. He had a tirade in the locker room following the game saying that team's best player needs the (expletive) ball. If Chad doesn't get the ball soon, this could develop in a Terrell Owens like situation. He should see a rise in value because this can't go on all year long, but he's nowhere near a top WR these days.

Willie Parker- Fast Willie Parker had a tremendous day against the stout Denver defense. He finished with over 130 total yards and 2 TDs. Parker has been one of the best fantasy RBs so far this season, already doubling his career high in TDs. He's on pace for close to 1300 yards and 16 TDs. While the TDs should fall off a bit, he's still an every week start.

Ben Roethlisberger- It appears the main reason that Big Ben is having such a terrible season is that he's throwing too much. Sure he had 433 yards passing, but he also had 4 INTs. He already has only 60 less pass attempts than his career high. The Steelers won a Super Bowl on efficient passing and pounding the rock. The reason they're losing is because they've gone away from that formula.

Peyton Manning- Everyone has their rival. For Peyton Manning it's the New England Patriots. Peyton stepped up to the challenge yesterday and had 326 yards and 2 TDs. While it was his least efficient day this season as a passer (55.6%), Peyton still managed to put up stud like numbers. He's the best player in fantasy, and he is also going to cruise to MVP.

Marvin Harrison- Last week it was Reggie Wayne, this week it was Marvin Harrison. He had 8 catches for 145 yards and 2 TDs. While the TDs are down, he's having his best season in yardage in quite some time. It's amazing how this guy's stats are always so consistent, and it appears like the only way he'll slow down is by retiring.

Joseph Addai/Dominic Rhodes- Once again facing a big game, the Colts relied on their rookie RB rather than their veteran. Addai had 18 carries for 43 yards and a TD while Rhodes had 4 carries for 13 yards. Addai will get more carries from here on out, but there should still be a split until next season.

David Garrard- Okay I'm going to take a little time to argue why I feel Jack Del Rio doesn't know what he's doing. David Garrard was 12 for 22 for 177 yards and 3 TDs on Sunday against the Titans with great field position all day. If Jack Del Rio, is trying to tell me that Byron Leftwich couldn't do as good, I'm not buying it. Leftwich is better and tougher, and Garrard may be able to throw three TDs against the Titans, but let's see how he does in two weeks against the Giants.

Wali Lundy- Facing one of the best rush defenses in the league, rookie RB Wali Lundy was held to 43 yards on 20 carries. He was due for a letdown after two straight great performances. Jacksonville should do a good job on him next week as well. He shouldn't be a starting RB in fantasy, and right now he should only start against the worst of defenses.

Vince Young- Although he did establish a new career high in yardage, Young seemed baffled by the Jaguars defense as he threw 3 INTs. It's a long, slow process for Young this season. There are times he looks like he's getting there, and times where he's nowhere close. After he gets this season under his belt, he should be vastly improved in 2007. Don't give him up in a keeper league.

LaDainian Tomlinson- One of the league's best back busted out for his third 3 TD game of the season. It was a slow start for LT, but he had a tremendous second half. Right now he's on pace for 28 total TDs which would tie him with Alexander's record. If you had the first pick and went with him or Larry Johnson, you are very happy.

Larry Johnson- LJ tore apart the weak Rams defense en route to an 172 yard 1 TD performance. He has 11 TDs now, and has went over 100 yards in three consecutive games. He's hit a stride similar to the one last season, and it should continue as Miami and Oakland loom on the schedule the next two weeks.

Damon Huard- Only two starting QBs in the NFL have thrown 1 INT or less, and they both play in Missouri. Huard had a 3 TD performance against the Rams, as he led his team to victory. It would be almost impossible for Herm Edwards to justify replacing him with Trent Green, so expect Huard to continue to start until he has a bad performance.

Mike Bell- Tatum Bell didn't play so Mike Bell had his opportunity to shine again on Sunday. However, instead he had a measly 28 yards on 17 carries. Pittsburgh's rush defense has been impressive all year, so this wasn't much of a surprise, but with Tatum Bell likely back next week, he should go back to a reserve role.

Javon Walker- The ex-Packer has quickly become Jake Plummer's favorite target. He had his best game as a Bronco yesterday with 3 TDs and over 200 total yards. He had a very impressive run for 72 yards, where the Steelers forgot how to tackle. He's on pace for a season almost identical to the one he had with the Packers in 2004.