Fantasy Reality Check: DeAngelo Roars

Those earmarking Jonathan Stewart for a stellar week knew what they were doing. You can run on the Chiefs. You can run all over them -- which makes Denver's game plan last week so much more inexplicable, though that's a whole different subject altogether.

The problem was, the wrong Panthers running back got nasty.

I do have to self-pimp and point out that we were recommending DeAngelo Williams as a good flex option during the Sunday Morning Tailgate. This is because the Panthers split up the carries and you can never really tell which guys is going to get his on a given day. Williams actually had more carries before Sunday than Stewart (55 to 45). He just hadn't scored yet and Stewart had seen paydirt four times.

Now he's scored three times -- one via reception. I think moving forward we have to consider this an absolute split backfield, much like the Jacksonville situation with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew has been for the past couple years.

With good matchups, both running backs will be worthy of a RB2 gamble in larger leagues. With tough ones you'll have to hope they put up RB3 numbers.

One thing is for sure, we should not have been giving Stewart all our attention down in Carolina. DeAngelo deserved his as well. Now he'll get it.

Other Reality Checks

- Isaac Bruce is clearly the top receiving option for the Niners, as J.T. O'Sullivan seems to feel comfortable with him even in the red zone. He's a quality option as a WR3 every week.

- Ryan Grant isn't dead yet. Sure, he should have put up better numbers against the Falcons, but the Packers were too busy trying to come back all game, which is opposite of what we expected. Carrying the rock 18 times for 83 yards isn't all too much discouraging. The Packers get the Seahawks -- who didn't enjoy Brandon Jacobs much this week -- and the Colts' porous run defense in the next two weeks. I'd stay the course here for two more tries.

- Andre Johnson is back. Hopefully you bought low, because he's going to remain an elite option for the rest of the season.

- Kyle Orton is not going to play the Lions every week. Everyone will remind you of this in light of his huge game yesterday. The thing is, he's been a good fantasy option for three straight weeks. The upcoming schedule presents the Falcons, Vikings, and Lions again for the Bears' next three opponents. Add him to your roster if still available on the waiver wire. The defense will continue to put him in position to throw touchdown passes.

- It looks like Carson Palmer is going to salvage the fantasy season for many-an-owner of his. He passed well against the Giants, then missed a game due to injury. He shook off the rust as the game in Dallas moved along, and should find good passing holes against the Jets this coming week. You could probably still buy him cheap if you need QB help.