Week Eight of the NFL season saw several players have huge games.  Are these guys the real deal for the rest of the season, or did you just waste your waiver wire slot?

Donnie Avery, WR, STL – He had 163 rec yds and a TD last week against the Patriots and he now has 14 catches for 291 rec yds and 2 TDs over the last three games.  He was the first WR taken in this year’s NFL Draft and he’s become an integral part of the Rams’ offensive rebirth.  St. Louis has the Rams up next in what should be a shootout.  Go get him.  DEAL

Matt Jones, WR, Jax – Racked up 117 rec yds and a TD on Sunday, but quietly had 7 catches for 69 yards two weeks ago before his bye week.  He was another first round draft pick (2005) and he’s now on pace to smash his career high totals in receiving yards and touchdowns.  Unfortunately, he’s also appealing a three game league suspension for a drug violation (nice job loser), so he’s likely be shut down at any time as he’s almost certain to lose that appeal.  NO DEAL


Leon Washington, RB, NYJ – Scored both rushing and receiving and almost beat the Chiefs single-handedly with 274 all-purpose yards. I’ve always liked this guy.  Too bad the Jets don’t feel the same way – they only gave him three carries compared to 14 carries for RB1 Thomas Jones. Even Jesse Chatman had more carries than Washington.  He’s a poor-man’s Reggie Bush, but the Jets refuse to use him that way.  NO DEAL.
 

Shaun Hill, QB, SF – His stats were good but not great (65% completion rate, 173 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT) and his team lost to a bad Seattle squad.  He “broke out” in the sense that he’s the new starter in San Fran, since HC Mike Singletary benched JT O’Sullivan in the process of kicking ass and taking names.  Is he a regular fantasy starter?  No.  But he has a bye week to practice with the first team offense and his next two starts should be shootouts against the Cardinals and the Rams.  DEAL