Week 10

Every NFL team has completed at least half its schedule, so let’s take a look at the first-half award winners in fantasy football. 

MVP

Tom Brady, QB, New England: If fantasy drafts were held this week, Brady would be the No. 1 overall pick, breaking the fantasy tradition of taking a running back with the top choice.

Brady is on pace to throw 59 touchdown passes, which would shatter Peyton Manning’s single-season record of 49 in 2004. He’s also on pace to throw for 4,775 yards and just seven interceptions.

Brady has been either the highest or one of the highest scoring fantasy players each week, throwing at least three touchdown passes each week – setting an NFL record for consecutive three-TD passing games – with four 300-yard contests.

Owners of Brady likely are either leading or are near the top of their league, because he’s been so much better than any other player and is having one of the best fantasy seasons ever.

Runner-up: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota.

Nominees: Tony Romo, QB, Dallas; Randy Moss, WR, New England. 

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland: At the start of the season, Anderson wasn’t even the Browns’ starting quarterback. That quickly changed in Week 1, when starter Charlie Frye struggled and was traded to Seattle.

Since, Anderson has been on a tear. The third-year pro has more touchdown passes (17) than the quarterbacks who were chosen first (Peyton Manning, 14 touchdown passes) and second (Carson Palmer, 16) in most preseason fantasy drafts.

Runner-up: LenDale White RB, Tennessee.

Nominees: Peterson, RB, Minnesota; Wes Welker, WR, New England; Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis. 

BIGGEST BUST

Vince Young, QB, Tennessee: The Madden video game cover curse strikes again.

The second-year pro had a ton of preseason hype, being taken as a near top-five quarterback in many fantasy drafts. Young has just three touchdown passes – and none since Week 3 – and 122 passing yards a game in his seven contests. To put salt in his fantasy owners’ wounds, he has averaged just 26 rushing yards per game, with only two TDs on the ground all season.

Runner-up: Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis.

Nominees: Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis; Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis; Laurence Maroney, RB, New England; Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle; Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco; Santana Moss, WR, Washington. 

HOT READ

Justin Fargas, RB, Oakland: The fifth-year running back has taken over as the Raiders’ starter, ahead of LaMont Jordan, who has been slowed by a back injury. Fargas rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries last week against Houston, while Jordan got just four carries for 10 yards. If Fargas is available in your league, pick him up. 

BROKEN PLAY(ER)

Steve Smith, WR, Carolina: The most popular top preseason wide receiver has just five catches, 33 yards and no touchdowns in the last two weeks. Blame it on David Carr, who is a significant downgrade to a soon-to-be 44-year-old quarterback, Vinny Testaverde, for the Panthers. Testaverde is expected to start this week, so keep Smith in your lineup. But if Testaverde gets hurt again and Carr becomes the starter again, Smith’s owners seriously should consider benching him. 

OFF THE BENCH

Derrick Mason, WR, Baltimore: The Ravens face Cincinnati and its 28th-ranked passing defense. The Bengals have allowed an NFL-high 15 touchdown passes to wide receivers, including 14 receptions per week (second most).  

SAFE BET

Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay: The veteran will throw at least two touchdown passes against rival Minnesota. The Vikings have the 31st-ranked pass defense, and Favre has thrown two touchdown passes against Minnesota in nine of his last 11 meetings against the Vikings, including a 344-yard, two-TD performance earlier this season. 

EXTRA POINT

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