Antonio Gates has an 88% Quality Success Rate (QSR) and is first in overall Fantasy points for tight ends by almost 50 points. That, my friend, is consistent Fantasy dominance. In fact, Gates has more Fantasy points than any wide receiver as well. Formerly unknown running back, LeGarrette Blount, captured the overall top spot at running back and I’m pretty sure he didn’t punch anyone to earn the spot. David Garrard smoked the Cowboys defense this weekend for the top QB spot and Calvin Johnson looked liked he and Matthew Stafford didn’t miss a beat while Stafford was hurt.

No one has even come close to Antonio Gates’ consistent dominance so far this season.  Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Consistency. Any educated Fantasy owner knows that you need your Fantasy Football players to be not only good, but also consistent! It’s a proven fact that the more consistent your Fantasy players are throughout the season, the better chance you’ll have to win. More wins equals playoffs and playoffs can turn into championships! That’s why I’ll be here each week to help you identify the most consistent Fantasy football players this season in your quest of a Fantasy championship.

A quick recap for those unfamiliar with the Quality Game Scores; the Head-to-Head (H2H) format in Fantasy Football leads to the need for consistency. Many teams have been one of the highest scoring teams in their league, but miss the playoffs by one or two games. Some will call it “bad luck” and that’s partially true. Injuries to key players, bad weather, etc. are situations that affect our Fantasy teams, but are uncontrollable. However, there is one aspect of Fantasy football that you can control. The consistency of your team!

The Quality Game Score is the awarding of a Quality Game to a player each week when they exceed the average points scored in your league for that position. The more Quality Games a player is awarded each year, the more consistent that player is and the more beneficial they are to your Fantasy team. 

The scoring method used will be 1 point per 20 yards passing and 4 points for passing touchdowns; 1 point per 10 yards rushing and receiving; and 6 points for any rushing/receiving touchdown.

So, let’s begin the review…

Quarterbacks – (Quality Game Factor – 16.31)

Quality Game Earners – Week 8 

THE EXPECTED:

Drew Brees is always expected to throw a Quality Game, but when he earns one versus a tough defense like the Steelers, he needs to be recognized. Peyton Manning versus the Houston Texans is an almost guaranteed Quality Game. Over the past five seasons (10 games total), Manning has averaged 24 fantasy points against Houston, and is a perfect 10 for 10 in Quality Games. San Diego continues to rely on Philip Rivers throwing the ball to win football games.

THE UNEXPECTED:

David Garrard at the top spot doesn’t happen often, but he has the ability to put up great numbers against bad defenses. Jason Campbell has been quietly consistent over the past couple of weeks. It should be a decent controversy when Bruce Gradkowski gets healthy again. Troy Smith will not be a consistent factor for the 49ers this season, so don’t get giddy about grabbing him off the waiver wire.

Here is a group of those “bad” surprises, quarterbacks who didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. Aaron Rodgers ends up on the bad list due to his matchup versus the New York Jets defense. Do you want to know how tough the pass defense of the Jets has been over the last season and a half (24 games)? There have been only eight Quality Games earned and quarterbacks have only averaged 10.20 fantasy points per game. Yeah, they’re good.

Consistency Leaders – YTD – Quarterbacks    

Kyle Orton and Ryan Fitzpatrick hold on to perfection for another week. Josh Freeman continues to put up solid numbers as well. The bad news above consists of Carson Palmer, who is ranked sixth overall, yet has only a 43% QSR, and Matt Schaub being horribly inconsistent and low scoring this season.

Running Backs – (Quality Game Factor – 9.12)

Quality Game Earners – Week 8   

THE EXPECTED:

Arian Foster continues his consistent ways versus the Colts this season.  Without question, Jamaal Charles has been one of the most consistently good players over the past three weeks, and should continue this week against the Raiders. Maurice Jones-Drew finally had a Quality Game this week, but all 14.80 fantasy points came from yardage. He had zero touchdowns this week, as did Jamaal Charles with his 238 total yards. This is why touchdown-only leagues stink!

THE UNEXPECTED:

I guess starting with LeGarrette Blount would be too easy in the unexpected section. But let’s be honest, Tampa Bay’s number three running back is not someone you’d expect to be listed in the top running back spot, ever. The law firm of BenJarvus Green-Ellis has been a nice fill-in for Fantasy teams during the bye weeks and should put up some decent numbers over the remainder of the season. Just because we don’t have enough hyphenated, multiple name players mentioned this week, let’s focus on LaRod Stephens-Howling. Honestly, isn’t it kind of creepy that a player with the last name of Howling earned a Quality Game on Halloween?

Below is a list of some first and second round picks in most fantasy drafts that did not earn a Quality Game this week. This is a big list for non-Quality Game earners this week. The most disappointing for many was the failure by Jonathan Stewart to earn a Quality Game with DeAngelo Williams sitting on the bench this week.

Consistency Leaders – YTD – Running Backs    

Adrian Peterson and Darren McFadden remain at the top of the Quality Games world with their 100% QSRs. Frank Gore has to be one of the most quietly consistent players, but he’s so nice to rely on, regardless of how bad the 49ers are this season. Jones-Drew’s big week moved him up overall, but his consistency this season has been horrid.

Wide Receiver – (Quality Game Factor – 6.97)

Quality Game Earners – Week 8    

THE EXPECTED:

Calvin Johnson‘s big game certainly has much to do with the return of Matthew Stafford, but don’t get too excited. When Stafford was healthy, Johnson was only one for three in Quality Games. Johnson had a 75% QSR when Stafford was out. Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald have been together on this list too often this season. Fitzgerald was expected to be down this season, Johnson, not so much. Greg Jennings earned a Quality Game versus the Jets. This should probably be listed as unexpected.

THE UNEXPECTED:

The hyphenated duo of Mike Sims-Walker and Darrius Heyward-Bey take the third and fourth spot respectively this week and have been slowly improving this season. I’d lean towards Sims-Walker to be more consistent for the remainder of the season. Brandon Tate looks like he’s becoming a larger part of the Patriot offense, as Tom Brady is becoming more comfortable throwing him the ball. He could be available in your league, so grab him for the remaining bye weeks.

Here is the list of top wide receivers that didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. Randy Moss‘ name is becoming quite the four-letter word across the Fantasy world this week. Kenny Britt goes from first to worst this week as he gets injured and scores zero points for those owners who jumped on him.

Consistency Leaders – YTD – Wide Receivers    

The list of perfects is still at one due to the Falcons’ bye week and that is Roddy White. Reggie Wayne hasn’t had too many big games this season (based on his tenth overall ranking), but his 86% QSR proves why he’s always a top receiver pick. Steve Johnson continues his hot consistent streak this week and is now at a 71% QSR for the season. Terrell Owens is fifth ranked overall, but his 57% QSR is extremely sad. Trade him now while you can show what a great season he’s having.

Tight Ends – (Quality Game Factor – 5.80)

Quality Game Earners – Week 8    

THE EXPECTED:

Jason Witten is finally getting the numbers we’d expect now that Jon Kitna is at quarterback. Marcedes Lewis has been a pleasant surprise and is now expected to put up consistent numbers this season. Don’t forget that Week 9 is his bye week, so grab one of those more consistent tight ends.

THE UNEXPECTED:

Peyton Manning makes everyone look good. Let’s take Jacob Tamme for example. Dallas Clark gets hurt and the Colts plug in Tamme, who earns a Quality Game. Any questions? Daniel Fells and Craig Stevens are not supposed to be earning Quality Games over players like Bo Scaife. So, don’t get too excited about stealing one of them for a bye week.

Here are the top tight ends that didn’t earn a Quality Game this week. Vernon Davis‘ injury hurt him and his Fantasy teams this week.

Consistency Leaders – YTD – Tight Ends

Gates keeps getting better and more consistent and the other tight ends just fall by the wayside. The only real mover on this list is Brandon Pettigrew. 

There’s your Week 8 list of Quality Games earned. Start watching these Quality rankings to find your next gem on the waiver wire and then let me know how they work out in your drive towards the championship! 

Week Nine – Quality Matchups

My Quality Game research has also shown that most Quality Games are earned during a Quality Matchup. This is a game where the player goes up against a bottom 10 defense. So, let’s take a look at the schedule.

These teams have a bye this week:

Denver, Jacksonville, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tennessee and Washington

This week’s home teams are:

Detroit, Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, Buffalo, Minnesota, Atlanta, Carolina, Seattle, Philadelphia, Oakland, Green Bay and Cincinnati

Teams that are playing away versus a bottom ten defense include:

San Diego @ Houston

Chicago @ Buffalo

New York Giants @ Seattle

New England @ Cleveland

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta

As I mentioned above, the fantasy players in these Quality Matchups have a much higher rate of performing above average in comparison to the other players at that position. 

If you have any questions about the Quality Game Scores, you can email me at blung@rotoexperts.com. Thanks and have a consistently good week!

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