Darren McFadden - NFL Player of the Week - Week 7

Corey Rudd Wednesday, October 27, 2010 NFL, Player of the Week

Darren McFadden scored 4 touchdowns against the Denver
Broncos during Week 7

Darren McFadden's fantasy owners weren't sure if the former Arkansas Razorback running back was going to be able to play against the Denver Broncos during Week 7 of the NFL season.

Fantasy owners who gambled and left McFadden in their fantasy line-ups were paid huge dividends and McFadden went bonkers during the Raiders 59-14 thumping of the Broncos in Denver, CO.

McFadden scored four times against the Broncos, including 165 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns on the ground while catching another ball for an additional score.

"Most touchdowns I’ve had since college, so it felt great,” said McFadden. “You love to go out there and have a big game and coming against a rival it’s even better. It’s a big rivalry game and it’s something we looked at this week. We wanted to come out here and have a big game.”

McFadden had a big game indeed and is this week's ManSpeak Player of the Week.

When healthy, McFadden has been an explosive option out of the back-field for the Raiders tumultuous offense. In 5 games played this year, McFadden has averaged 111.4 yards on the ground and has also grabbed 18 receptions, something that a Raiders offense with a quarterback desperately needs.

This type of production is why McFadden was so highly touted coming out of college. Without anybody really noticing it, McFadden has become one of the best running backs in the NFL.

Watch-out for the Raiders this year. With a healthy McFadden and a defense that comes to play, they could cause some stomach pains for the likes of Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, who both remain on the Raiders schedule.

And if you play fantasy football, consider starting McFadden going forward, assuming he is healthy of course.