ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --Another week of surprise performances and big injuries just wrapped up.
You have to love how even the NFL feels most weeks. Jacksonville halts any momentum the Browns have with an upset. This game featured a great effort from Denard Robinson at RB, and had owners scrambling to get a waiver claim in. Gus Bradley didn't seemed overwhelmed by the performance, saying he thinks Robinson will remain the starter, but that O-line is still a work in progress. I would grab Robinson if you're desperate, but maybe wait a week before putting him in a must-win game.
Ronnie Hillman is a hot commodity, and he appears to be the back with the biggest role for Denver. The time is now to play Hillman. Lamar Miller falls in the same category for Miami. He had a solid performance against the Bears, and he and QB Ryan Tannehill may be finding their stride together. Miami and Jacksonville face off this week.
Teams with concerns include the schizophrenic Chicago Bears, after the star WR called out the QB in the locker room after they lost to the Dolphins. Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler have always had an interesting relationship; we'll see if the post game yelling match will lead to bad feelings on field. Cutler has always relied on Marshall too much, and often forces the action to him. This might help other players on the Bears offense, if Cutler decides to slight Marshall. Sounds immature, and it is, but I saw this exact immaturity up close when both were Broncos.
Some things never change. Calvin Johnson did travel to London with Detroit. This would appear to be a reason for optimism for a return. I would wait on plugging him in if you can afford it, but play him if he's a go on Sunday if you need it.
So here are some players to consider to fill byes. Ryan Tannehill has had a good couple of games, and with Jacksonville next, I would look to him to fill a QB hole. Paul Richardson, the CU product, was sighted as a reason for the Percy Harvin trade. Russell Wilson threw for 313 yards last week, and Richardson should see some targets, plus Seattle faces a defense gone missing in Carolina. Doug Baldwin also has been consistent for the Seahawks. The biggest name you can add, if available, is Ahmad Bradshaw of the Colts. He is the go-to back in Indy, and his receiving numbers make him a must-play. I would also bench Kirk Cousins and Jay Cutler. It will also be worth monitoring what effect the Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller injuries have on Buffalo's offense.