Tonight's Redskins vs. Giants matchup is one of the most interesting Thursday Night Football games we'll see all year, both from a fantasy perspective and in reality.
It starts with Kirk Cousins, who nearly a year ago was the hero of Washington, DC after he racked up 427 yards and three TDs on the road vs. a tough Eagles D. The following game--at home against the Giants--he turned the ball over five times. My second son had been born three days earlier, so we were all still in the hospital that night, and I followed along on my cell phone.
It was shocking to witness such a reversal of fortunes for a QB who many in D.C. only the day before believed was deserving of starting at QB over RGIII the rest of the season. Cousins was never the same after that night. But tonight he has a great shot at 2+ TDs and 250+ yards.
On the flip side, Eli Manning has been worse than most people expected this preseason. It's realistic to suggest that if the Giants lose tonight, they could be 0-6 heading into a Week 7 matchup vs. the depleted Cowboys. This isn't what was supposed to happen. But with Victor Cruz sidelined, Preston Parker cut, and Rueben Randle ineffective, this is a team that lacks the offensive thunder that the Eli-to-Odell combination repeatedly manufactured last season. For Eli to be relevant, incredibly Odell must be as good or better than he was last year. A tall order.
At running back, Matt Jones was one of my trendy picks this preseason, but I never expected him to be this good this soon. He appears increasingly likely to supplant Alfred Morris at some point--if not fully, then potentially in a 70-30 split. Not saying it will happen, but as a betting man, I think it will. Jones is a great high-upside play tonight.
For the Giants, Rashad Jennings is as pedestrian as expected. Andre Williams is irrelevant. Tonight is all about Shane Vereen; I think he'll be a monster in PPR and could get 10+ points in standard leagues. Expecting Eli to lean on him heavily.
At receiver, will we see the Pierre Garcon of old? Without DJax, we've seen glimpses. But the slow rise of Ryan Grant and return of a healthy (for now) Jordan Reed give Cousins enough options to lean a little less on Garcon than what we saw from RGIII in 2013. Garcon's fantasy relevance hinges in part on what he does tonight, as DJax's return is sure to render him no better than a weekly WR4.
And beyond Odell, will Larry Donnell strengthen his grip as Eli's #2 trusted receiver? Or will Randle finally step up? I believe the latter will happen. Randle has breakout potential. He's done it before. The Giants need him more than ever.
A lot of side stories. A lot on the line.
It starts with Kirk Cousins, who nearly a year ago was the hero of Washington, DC after he racked up 427 yards and three TDs on the road vs. a tough Eagles D. The following game--at home against the Giants--he turned the ball over five times. My second son had been born three days earlier, so we were all still in the hospital that night, and I followed along on my cell phone.
It was shocking to witness such a reversal of fortunes for a QB who many in D.C. only the day before believed was deserving of starting at QB over RGIII the rest of the season. Cousins was never the same after that night. But tonight he has a great shot at 2+ TDs and 250+ yards.
On the flip side, Eli Manning has been worse than most people expected this preseason. It's realistic to suggest that if the Giants lose tonight, they could be 0-6 heading into a Week 7 matchup vs. the depleted Cowboys. This isn't what was supposed to happen. But with Victor Cruz sidelined, Preston Parker cut, and Rueben Randle ineffective, this is a team that lacks the offensive thunder that the Eli-to-Odell combination repeatedly manufactured last season. For Eli to be relevant, incredibly Odell must be as good or better than he was last year. A tall order.
At running back, Matt Jones was one of my trendy picks this preseason, but I never expected him to be this good this soon. He appears increasingly likely to supplant Alfred Morris at some point--if not fully, then potentially in a 70-30 split. Not saying it will happen, but as a betting man, I think it will. Jones is a great high-upside play tonight.
For the Giants, Rashad Jennings is as pedestrian as expected. Andre Williams is irrelevant. Tonight is all about Shane Vereen; I think he'll be a monster in PPR and could get 10+ points in standard leagues. Expecting Eli to lean on him heavily.
At receiver, will we see the Pierre Garcon of old? Without DJax, we've seen glimpses. But the slow rise of Ryan Grant and return of a healthy (for now) Jordan Reed give Cousins enough options to lean a little less on Garcon than what we saw from RGIII in 2013. Garcon's fantasy relevance hinges in part on what he does tonight, as DJax's return is sure to render him no better than a weekly WR4.
And beyond Odell, will Larry Donnell strengthen his grip as Eli's #2 trusted receiver? Or will Randle finally step up? I believe the latter will happen. Randle has breakout potential. He's done it before. The Giants need him more than ever.
A lot of side stories. A lot on the line.