[CBS Sportsline Fantasy Football]

I don't think we can call Matt Cassel a "backup" quarterback anymore.
After pulling a Billy Volek on Sunday (if you've been playing Fantasy for at least five years, you get that reference), Cassel has proven several things: He's not a noodle-armed quarterback, he's not afraid of the pass rush anymore and he can get the ball beyond 15 yards. And he can also run the ball effectively. So, he's gone from Fantasy nightmare to NFL defensive coordinator nightmare.
Matt Cassel has had two straight big-time performances, but he faces Pittsburgh in Week 13. (US Presswire) Cassel has notched 400-plus yards in each of his last two games. He's scored seven total touchdowns with just one turnover in that span and he did it against two very pesky division rivals. Throw in the near-100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns he's accumulated in his last three games, and he's arrived.
Just how far has Casselmania come? As a co-worker said to me via text on Sunday, "Cassel is better than Tom Brady."
Whether or not the statement is true is immaterial, but the mere fact that people are looking at what Cassel is doing and thinking that he's even in Brady's league is shocking. Weeks ago, we were writing Cassel off as a loser, and rightfully so. He was a turnover machine making little use of two of the NFL's most prolific receivers. Now, all he's doing is winning football games for the Patriots and for his Fantasy owners.
Here's what has changed: The Patriots aren't using their running backs effectively. Whether that's because of whom they've been playing and what the matchup dictates or the ability of their three-headed running back corps is debatable, but it's clear that New England has unleashed Cassel and reverted back to throwing the ball more. Sound familiar? It's how they went 16-0 last year. Cassel is also doing his fair share of running -- his rushing touchdown Sunday looked like it was a called play and not an impromptu scramble.
That said, Cassel also had the advantage of throwing to Moss while he was single covered on Sunday. But, that was by design, as the Patriots used their spread formation plenty. The Dolphins' secondary is no doubt the weak link in their defense, and by forcing them to cover three-plus receivers made them even more susceptible to big gains and touchdowns. Brady would have done just as well as Cassel on Sunday, minus the rushing. However, Cassel is the guy in there now, and that's all that matters to Fantasy owners.
So long as the Patriots continue their passing ways, Cassel should be fine. I don't think they'll necessarily stick to it like they did last year, but in any matchup where they face a good run defense, Cassel will throw. That includes Week 13 when they host the Steelers, who are good against the run and the pass. There's no doubt that they'll have an answer for the New England running game, but they will have to have an answer for Cassel if they're going to win. And who would have believed that to be the case a month or two ago?

Fantasy & Reality: Cassel craze running wild