On The Rise / Decline Week 2

Below are players that are On The Rise and On The Decline in the world of fantasy football. Note that the Monday night games are still to come (as there are two this week), but these players below have already played and their values are on the move! It's never too early to start preparing for the next fantasy week.

Adrian Peterson | RB MIN--rise

If you don't see the upside yet, that means that you passed on this guy and you're just playing that "hater" role. Whether Chester Taylor (hip) is healthy or not, Peterson is capable of being a top 10-12 fantasy runner in 2007. He could hit a rookie wall if forced to start off too quick, but the kid is so talented we wouldn't be shocked if he did well all season.

Cedric Benson | RB CHI--decline

We haven't been high on Benson like other Sites have been… his situation is great, but he is unproven at the NFL level, and it isn't like this is just his first or second season or anything. He ran the ball 19 times for 42 yards in Week 1, but he also fumbled once. He wasn't impressive. Don't sell low, as he should rebound a bit next week, but he certainly has a long way to go before he earns 2nd-round value (where so many took him in 2007 drafts).

Randy Moss | WR NE--rise

Welcome back! News flash — All Moss needed was a QB, and all of us (in hindsight of course) now feel like we should have seen it coming. He looks happy and he appears to love his new home — that translates into monster potential. Moss is now a solid WR2 in all leagues and formats just like that!

Cadillac Williams | RB TB--decline

While Caddy did average 5 yards per carry, the rusher only got 12 carries on Sunday. Caddy is still a decent flex, but he can't be counted on as a RB2 until he starts getting some more carries.

Derrick Ward | RB NYG--rise

Ward will be the most added player come Tuesday morning — Hopefully your the owner that gets him! Brandon Jacobs (sprained knee) could end up missing a significant amount of time, but even if he returns soon, Ward may have earned himself a part-time job at the very least. If Jacobs is in fact out, Ward could be this year's biggest steal via the 2007 waiver wire. The steal of the year usually gets added to fantasy teams in the first three weeks of each season and he may be this year's guy.

Ronnie Brown | RB MIA--decline

Like we have said before, with every fantasy situation there are two sides. To those that have stuck with Brown from the start, we hope you've acquired Chatman by now. For those that don't own him, trade for him while he is considered a 4th-round (or less) type of talent. Just don't overpay, as the point is to steal him so that the risk is low!

Andre Johnson | WR HOU--rise

Say hello to the most underrated WR1 in fantasy football. We wouldn't be shocked if Johnson finished as a top 5-6WR in all leagues and formats come week 16.

Jamal Lewis | RB CLE--decline

That offense isn't very good… Their QB situation is a mess… Jamal isn't the back that he use to be… any questions?

Ronald Curry | WR OAK--rise

Curry could be the most underrated WR3 in fantasy football this year.

Laurence Maroney | RB NE--decline

Maroney should get better as the season progresses, but he may not look like that first-round back right away like most are expecting. This is a good thing for the crafty trader — Trade for Maroney if the price is right, but don't overpay as he still has a lot to prove.

Marshawn Lynch | RB BUF--rise

Lynch was a beast on Sunday against the Broncos rushing the football 19 times for 90 yards and a score. He may be tough to trade for, as you'd be overpaying, but it is worth a try if you can steal him away from an owner that didn't see the game. He played better than his stats suggest, even though they are still solid numbers.

Breaking News Wire

9-10-07 | RB Brandon Jacobs

According to NJ.com, Brandon Jacobs (knee) has suffered an MCL injury according to initial tests. The runner could miss up to three weeks according to sources, but nothing is official just yet. [source]

Opinion: Ward will be the hottest free agent pick-up this week, as he could end up being a solid flex-option while Jacobs heals. If he performs like we expect, Ward could have a large role in the Giants' rushing attack even upon Jacobs' return.

9-10-07 | RB Tiki Barber

When talking with John Madden on NBC after the Giants Sunday night loss against the Cowboys, Tiki Barber said that he can't see himself returning to football, even with the Giants maybe being in some running back trouble with the injury to Brandon Jacobs (knee). Tiki Barber had this to say when Madden asked the former Giant if there was any chance that he'd return to football if the Giants gave him a call: " I honestly think that they are [Giants] in capable hands with Derrick Ward," Tik Barber told John Madden. When asked again at the end of the segment, Tiki may have created something out of nothing with his final response: "I don't see that happen, but we'll see."

Opinion: The "we'll see" comment was likely Tiki's response to getting a call, not actually coming back. Tiki seemed to have no interest in returning to football, but then again players always say that they won't return and then they do. We don't think that there is anything to this, but because buzz could emerge, we just wanted to let all of you know how it all started before the news mutates into something different. Derrick Ward is a must-own as Brandon Jacobs will have an MRI on his sprained right knee.

9-10-07 | RB Derrick Ward

Giants back-up RB Derrick Ward ran the ball 13 times for 89 yards on Sunday night against the Cowboys. Ward also had 4 catches for 27 yards and a score after replacing the injured Brandon Jacobs (sprained knee).

Opinion: Ward is a must-grab now that Jacobs is injured. We should hear some Jacobs news at some point today or tomorrow, but in the mean time, Ward will be the hottest waiver wire pick-up so far this season come Tuesday.

9-10-07 | QB Eli Manning

Giants QB Eli Manning left in the 4th quarter of the Sunday night game with a "bruised shoulder" — he did not return.

Opinion: Not good for Eli or Burress owners, as Eli to Burress was looking pretty nice tonight (3TD passes to Burress alone). We will keep you posted.

9-10-07 | QB Tony Romo

Cowboys QB Tony Romo went 15-for-24 on Sunday night for 345 and 4TDs. Romo also ran the ball for 11 yards and a score.

Opinion: Romo has top 5-6 potential in 2007 — He is a must-start in all leagues unless you have someone like Palmer, Brees or Manning in front of him on your roster.

9-10-07 | WR Terrell Owens

Cowboys WR Terrell Owens caught 3 passes for 87 yards and 2TDs on Sunday night against the Giants.

Opinion: With Romo entering a breakout year, like we've been predicting, Owens has top three written all over him this year.

9-10-07 | WR Plaxico Burress

Giants WR Plaxico Burress caught 8 passes for 144 yards and 3TDs on Sunday night against the Cowboys.

Opinion: Burress went nuts on Sunday night. Burress owners need Eli Manning (shoulder) to be alright, as the connection is looking like an outstanding one this year. Some Eli news should break at some point later today or tomorrow.

9-09-07 | RB Brandon Jacobs

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs has injured his knee in the first half of the Sunday night game against the Cowboys. He is not expected to return and the initial diagnosis is a sprained knee.

Opinion: Stay tuned. Derrick Ward and Reuben Droughns will split carries for the remainder of the first-half and will obviously shoulder the load in the 2nd. Ward is a great pick-up right now if your league allows for Sunday grabs. If the injury looks severe, Ward will likely be the hottest fantasy league pick-up entering week 2.

9-09-07 | RB Adrian Peterson

Vikings stud RB Adrian Peterson carried the ball 19 times on Sunday for 103 yards (5.4 YPC) in a win against the Falcons. The rookie rusher also caught 1 pass for a 60-yard touchdown.

Opinion: Peterson was our favorite start of the week — this is why. Chester Taylor (hip) was injured early in the game, which opened the door to the man that knows how to make big plays. Peterson might just finish inside the top 10-12 this year (if not higher) in running back scoring — he is that much of a stud.

9-09-07 | WR Randy Moss

Patriots WR Randy Moss caught 9 passes on Sunday for 183 yards and 1TD in a win against the Jets.

Opinion: Welcome back! While fantasy owners shouldn't expect this kind of fantasy-action every week, Moss is looking like a solid WR2 looking forward. Moss looked motivated and happy to be apart of a winning team — This could translate into a very productive fantasy year.

9-09-07 | RB Larry Johnson

Chiefs RB Larry Johnson ran the ball 10 times on Sunday for 43 yards in a loss against the Texans. He also caught 7 passes for 44 yards.

Opinion: While fantasy owners have to like the 7 receptions, Johnson had a disappointing fantasy outing. While Johnson has two very tough match-ups coming up in week 2 (@CHI) and week 3 (vs. MIN), we still expect him to get back to his top three-status by week 3-4. If you don't own L.J., keep these match-ups in mind and attack Johnson via trade after week 3-4.

9-09-07 | RB Clinton Portis

Redskins RB Clinton Portis carried the ball 17 times on Sunday for 98 yards and 1TD in a win against the Dolphins.

Opinion: Portis looked great averaging over 5.7 yards per carry. Portis remains a must-start as a RB2 entering week 2.

9-09-07 | RB Ronnie Brown

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown ran the ball 11 times on Sunday for 32 yards in a loss to the Redskins. He also caught 6 passes for 40 yards.

Opinion: Brown was replaced by Jessie Chatman numerous times throughout the game, something that is quite alarming and frustrating to Ronnie Brown owners. Monitor this situation, but Jessie Chatman is looking like an absolute must-own for Ronnie Brown owners at this point. There are always two sides to every situation… Brown's value should be at a record low heading into week 2, so consider taking a stab at him via trade, if the price is right, and hope that the Ronnie Brown market picks back up soon. If the risk is low (cost), he is well worth the risk. On the flip side, if you own Brown and you can get someone in your league to overpay, consider dealing the rusher.

9-09-07 | RB Jessie Chatman

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown ran the ball 7 times on Sunday for 15 yards in a loss to the Redskins. He also caught 6 passes for 48 yards.

Opinion: For those that grabbed Chatman off the waiver wire heading into the final weeks of the preseason, congrats! The back-up RB was seeing a lot of action on Sunday and could eventually take over for the struggling Ronnie Brown. We firmly believe in Ronnie Brown, as his struggles have much to do with the Miami offense and not with Brown's skill-set, but apparently the coaching staff trusts Chatman about as much as they trust Brown — this is not good.

9-09-07 | WR Chris Chambers

Dolphins WR Chris Chamber caught 6 passes on Sunday for 92 yards in a loss against the Redskins.

Opinion FX: Chambers will be a consistent, yet quiet, WR3 in all leagues and formats. He is so talented, but the quarterback situation isn't ideal in Miami this year, although, at least it is better than last year.

9-09-07 | WR Steve Smith

Panthers WR Steve Smith caught 7 passes on Sunday for 118 yards and 1TD in a win against the Rams.

Opinion: If healthy, and if Delhomme can remain healthy, Smith should easily finish inside the top 3WRs at week 16's end.

9-09-07 | QB Ben Roethlisberger

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger went 12-for-23 for 161 yards and 4TDs in a win against the Browns.

Opinion: Roethy is one of those sneaking fantasy starters in 2007. He may end up finishing inside the top 10 overall at year's end, yet so many will refuse to play him on a weekly basis. If you're stacked at every position but QB, Big Ben could be your answer at the QB position.