Studs and Duds: NFL Week Seven

By Brett Malamud

It’s pretty easy to spot out the studs for this week. With the many game changing plays this week, some of these studs were a lock for the list. Here’s this week’s edition of Studs and Duds:

Stud: Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos 

How can you lead off this list with anyone who isn’t named Peyton Manning? The future hall of famer reached a new plateau, becoming the NFL’s all time leading passing touchdowns leader. But he didn’t stop there, and threw another touchdown. Manning finished the day with 318 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Dud: Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals

It just so happens that the Bengals were shutout but I’m blaming Bernard here, simply because of his dip in performance from the week before. A week after his 157 yard performance, Bernard could not find success this week. He finished the day with just 17 yards on the ground and without a touchdown.

Stud: Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos

Thomas caught Peyton Manning’s record breaking touchdown as part of his two touchdown night. Thomas finished the day with eight catches on nine targets for 171 receiving yards.

Dud: Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears

Jeffery was a big disappointment this week. He had just two catches for nine yards, and that’s not acceptable, especially since the Bears were already down 14-0 and were forced to throw the football.

Stud: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson had another outstanding week. He threw for 313 passing yards and two touchdowns. Once again, Wilson proved his value to fantasy owners and added 106 rushing yards and a touchdown as well.

Dud: Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos

Surprisingly, Thomas had a off night on Sunday. He caught just four of his six targets, including a brutal drop. Thomas still leads the NFL in touchdowns though with nine.

Stud: Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills

Sammy Watkins had a great day with a pair of touchdown catches. The highlight was his second touchdown grab, which gave Buffalo the lead with a second left on the clock.

Dud: Buffalo Bills Running Backs

The Bills had a pretty dreadful second quarter. No, it wasn’t because of the score, but rather their backfield. Both Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller went down with injuries and will be out for the next few weeks. Not great for a team that is trying to compete in a competitive AFC East.

The Bills will miss CJ Spiller (Via AP)

Stud: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

Remember how I said that one play could land you on the studs or duds list? These last two studs are complete examples of just that with their trick plays. Wide receiver Antonio Brown came around the backfield to take a reverse. He curled back around to the left with the ball and fired one straight into the chest of Lance Moore. The trick play gave the Steelers the lead and eventually the win.

Stud: St. Louis Rams

The trick plays of the weekend came in St. Louis. The Seahawks, who are argued to have the top punt coverage unit in the league, were fooled multiple times by the Rams. First, they were set to return a punt as the Rams were backed up to their own 18 yard line when punter Johnny Hekker passed the ball for a first down. Then later in the game, Seattle set out to return a punt. The Rams ran back towards the left side of the field to block for return man Tavon Austin, bringing the Seahawks along with them. The punt actually came down on the opposite side of the field to Steadman Bailey, who had an almost open sideline. Bailey took the return all the way back for a touchdown. The Rams went on to beat the defending champions 28-26.

Brett Malamud is a Computer Science Major at Binghamton University. He is the co-founder of dabuzzza.com. His favorite athletes are Derek Jeter and Todd Bertuzzi. You can follow him on twitter at @brettnyy