FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

Joseph Addai, Colts - Moving Up 
Through three games Addai has averaged 4.2 yards per carry with four touchdowns and eight receptions for 50 yards for the undefeated Colts and has been one of the few early-round running backs in fantasy football to not break their owner’s heart in the early going of 2007.  Denver visits Indy in week four and their defense is currently yielding a generous 4.6 yards per carry to opposing backs.

Frank Gore, 49ers - Moving Down
Like LT, Gore appears to still be in shaking-off-the-rust mode, and visiting Pittsburgh in week three wasn’t exactly a prescription for getting back on the fast track.  Gore had scant room to run against a very stout Steelers run defense, grinding out 39 yards on 14 carries, and only two receptions for 12 yards.  Alex Smith’s continued struggles are allowing defenses to stack the deck against the third-year back, keeping him to 3.4 yards per carry.  A welcome sight for Gore in week four arrives in the form of visiting Seattle, who he ran over for 212 yards on 24 carries (8.8 avg) last year in San Francisco.

Brian Westbrook, Eagles - Moving Up
In week three, Westbrook seized upon the opportunity of facing the cowardly Lions defense, flexing his multi-purpose muscles with 110 yards and two touchdowns on the ground (on 14 carries) and another 111 yards and a touchdown on five receptions in the Eagles 56-21 score-a-palooza in week three.  This week he travels to the Meadowlands to face the Giants, one of his favorite opponents over his career.

Larry Johnson, Chiefs - Moving Down
The bleeding continued in week three against a difficult Vikings run defense, as Johnson was squeezed for only 42 yards on 24 carries and one catch for -5 yards.  A week four trip to San Diego throws Johnson into a hornet’s nest against what will be an angry group of Chargers, who are steamed about their sluggish 1-2 start.  LJ will receive the brunt of the Bolts angst release, causing him to drop further.

Cedric Benson, Bears - Moving Down
Through three games, the Bears leap of faith in choosing Benson over the departed Thomas Jones (Jets) has not worked out.  Benson’s inability to anchor the Bears running game has exacerbated Rex Grossman’s penchant for committing turnovers, and brought the Chicago offense to a screeching halt.  Lovie Smith is now caught between a rock and a hard place, now feeling pressure to increase Adrian Peterson’s touches in addition to replacing Grossman with Brian Griese.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings - Moving Up
Peterson has delivered as advertised, capitalizing on Chester Taylor’s week one injury that has refused to go away.  The rookie has cranked out two 100-yard rushing games, including 102 yards and a score last week against Kansas City.  Peterson has also displayed game-breaking ability as a receiver, catching eight passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.  Week four’s match up against surprising 3-0 Green Bay will present his toughest defensive challenge to date.

Marshawn Lynch, Bills - Moving Up
Lynch has been the lone bright spot for 0-3 Buffalo.  Despite a non-existent passing attack and sub par offensive line, Lynch has averaged a respectable 4.0 yards per carry, while finding pay dirt twice in his first three games as a pro.  Lynch has a legitimate chance to continue his upward rise in week four against a suspect New York Jets defense.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars - Moving Down
One of the most exciting rookie backs in football last year has found himself trapped in the quicksand of the Jacksonville offense.  After registering over 1,000 yards rushing (1,041) and 13 touchdowns on the ground with 46 receptions for 436 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver last season, MJD has averaged 3.0 yards per carry, with a single game high of 37 rushing yards against Denver last Sunday.  The switch to David Garrard at quarterback and a healthy Greg Jones returning to the backfield rotation has hurt him more than expected, but the new lows that the Jacksonville offense has reached this season has plummeted his fantasy value to unanticipated, new lows.

 Marion Barber, Cowboys - Moving Up
Since the end of last season, Barber has been the tortoise to Julius Jones’ hare and week three’s Sunday night performance against the Chicago Bears symbolized the turning point in the Cowboys backfield pecking order.  Barber bagged 102 yards on the ground and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) and helped the Cowboys takeover the game in a decisive, changing-of-the-guard type win for Dallas.  This week, Barber gets the depleted Rams defense at home to keep things rolling.

Deuce McAllister, Saints - Moving Down
Deuce injured his knee and did not return in the Saints Monday night loss to Tennessee and in the prior two games, he’s gained 87 yards on 20 carries and three receptions for 14 yards and no touchdowns.  Early and unconfirmed reports have McAllister possibly missing the rest of the season with a torn ACL.