On what was the most important Sunday for many of you this season,
let’s run down the most impactful fantasy storyline for each team:
Lions – Golden Tate earned 10 targets—and a huge fantasy day—with
Marvin Jones sidelined. While he scored
only his third TD of the season, his usage makes that a statistical
oddity. He could collect 2-3 more before
this season is over.
Saints – A tip of the cap to Matthew Berry, who foresaw Willie Snead’s
pedestrian outing (i.e. I got that very wrong).
The more interesting story, however, was Brandin Cooks rebounding from
last weekend’s 0-fer to net 73 yards on nine looks. But because there was so much more to this
game than Snead and Cooks . . . Drew Brees needs to be mentioned. He labored through his first TD-less home
game in more than seven years. Is he
hurt? Were the Saints outcoached? Whatever the reason, his outing helped and
hurt thousands of fantasy footballers make/miss the playoffs.
Chiefs – Travis Kelce has been on first these past three weeks: three
straight 100-yard games. Incredible for
a TE. He’s positioned to be fantasy’s #1
TE down the stretch with Gronk out and Jordan Reed hurt.
Falcons – If you’re relying on Tevin Coleman to pick up where he left
off after his Week 7 injury, you’re running out of time (or maybe you’re now
out of time). As fantastic as he was
before getting hurt, he won’t be an RB3+ the rest of the way.
Rams – I benched Todd Gurley for the first time this season. It probably won’t be the last time.
Patriots – Malcolm Mitchell earned eight receptions on 10 targets for
82 yards. With Martellus Bennett hurt
and/or scuffling and Danny Amendola injured during the game, Mitchell has
quickly ascended to weekly WR3 status.
Dolphins – So much for that win streak, though it was destined to
happen with DeVante Parker playing hurt and the vaunted Ravens D playing at
home. Jarvis Landry got 14 looks. Let’s remember that Landry has faded during
this win streak. When Miami’s playing
from behind, Landry is a target hog.
Something to consider in future matchups.
Ravens – Terrance West was a fantasy hero, while Kenneth Dixon barely
registered. But Dixon’s 56 yards on six
carries led the backfield. I was
premature last week in stating that Dixon was taking over. While he should, Baltimore’s coaches clearly
want to keep this as a one-two punch.
49ers – Sunday morning it was reported that Colin Kaepernick will void
his long-term contract at season’s end.
Let’s see if he has a change of heart.
In tough weather conditions on the road, Kap was simply horrendous. He might not start next week. In hindsight, he should have called in sick.
Bears – Jordan Howard. Jordan
Howard. Jordan Howard. I’ve insisted more than once that he’d
fade. To do what he’s done surrounded by
such a bad team is simply incredible.
Eagles -- I burned a mid-round pick on Zach Ertz, dropped him, lamented
when an opponent added him, then lucked out and picked him up when the opponent
lost patience. Ertz has the potential
and his QB’s trust to be a top 5 TE the rest of the way.
Bengals – Jeremy Hill suffered a rushing line (23 carries for 33 yards)
that should have ended at 12 carries.
Rex Burkhead looked far better.
With a favorable fantasy playoff schedule, Burkhead could earn RB3
numbers if he can get a few more touches a game going forward.
Broncos – Paxton Lynch was 12-of-24 for 104 yards. It’s the kind of game that should leave
Denver fans—and those with any Denver receiver on their fantasy team—feeling
deflated. Tony Romo’s arrival can’t come
soon enough.
Jaguars – If you were hoping T.J. Yeldon or Denard Robinson would stand
out so one might offer RB2 potential if Chris Ivory remains sidelined next
week, it didn’t happen. They neutralized
each other by mostly splitting 37 touches.
Texans – Lamar Miller: this site warned about his over-use many weeks
ago, that it would make him more susceptible to injury. These things sometimes matter, and when they
do, can completely upend fantasy production.
Bills – Tyrod Taylor notched his sixth rushing TD this season—more than
half of his passing TD total. While I
entered the season very skeptical of Taylor’s fantasy potential, he’s done more
with an injury-riddled receiving corps than many QBs could do. If everyone’s healthy next summer, he’ll be a
low-end QB1 sleeper.
Raiders – Latavius Murray dominated in the fantasy points column and
looked pretty good doing it. I had
thought he would have regressed by now.
His grip on the lead back role is as strong as ever.
Buccaneers – Doug Martin’s inefficient season continued: 17 rushes for
45 yards. TDs keeps bailing out fantasy
managers. Statistical probability
suggests his poor running will catch up to him during the fantasy playoffs.
Chargers – Travis Benjamin dropped what could have been a huge TD pass
while collecting two of his other three targets for 24 yards. He’s now the fourth or fifth option in that
offense.
Giants – 16 targets for Odell Beckham, Jr. That’s what you want to see heading into the
fantasy playoffs. Given his schedule,
OBJ will be a top 10 WR during the fantasy playoffs.
Steelers – Ladarius Green had that big game everyone’s been waiting
for—the equivalence of three Heath Millers.
Big Ben finally has his #2 receiver after so many others have failed to
come through this season.
Redskins – I was impressed with Rob Kelley’s production in a very tough
road game. The fantasy points weren’t
there, but the talent surely is.
Cardinals – The perennially underperforming Jermaine Gresham has now
compiled three straight respectable TE games.
Target him in Week 15 if you need a streamer.
Panthers – Yesterday’s thrashing by Seattle was the exclamation point
on Carolina’s brutal season. That Ted
Ginn has been a WR1 the past three weeks despite averaging only four receptions
a game—while every other receiver has largely been irrelevant—says everything
we need to know about this team.
Seahawks – Thomas Rawls came through.
I doubted his return to prominence this preseason and most of the
regular season. When he was named the
starter a few weeks ago, I jumped on the bandwagon. He’s officially a weekly RB1/2 with elite
upside.