Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants:
Word came down before the game that Carson Palmer wasn't going to play. I knew that meant bumping down all the receivers because I figured the game plan would consist of the usually deep routes the Cardinals run with Palmer. This caused Floyd to have a very quiet game and Larry Fitzgerald to be the more consistent one which didn't surprise me. If Palmer is out for multiple weeks than Fitzgerald is the better play. Nice to see Ellington get 15 carries and be productive but I am surprised how little he has been involved in the passing game. Right now he is just a flex play for me.
I had a good feeling we were going to see a good change in the Giants offense and I think this trend will continue. Until they can get their run game going though this team will continue to struggle to get in the end zone consistently. Victor Cruz saw a team high 10 targets and shows us he can be valuable in this offense. Larry Donnell is a must own tight end for me right now especially with the injuries at the position. Jennings still doubled the amount of touches than Williams had but Williams was used more often but couldn't take advantage of his opportunities. Only Victor Cruz and Rashad Jennings are worth owning but keep your eye on Rueben Randle.
New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings:
I think it is safe to say that the Tom Brady we saw last year is going to be the same Tom Brady this year. He is an outside top 10 QB right now and for me he is currently outside the top 12. I thought the Patriots would look to reestablish their run game but I figured Vereen would get the carries. Ridley stepped up and showed he is still worth owning in all leagues. Only two players saw more than 2 targets for the Patriots and that was Edelman and Gronkowski and they are the only two pass catchers I want. Shane Vereen's performance is the number 1 reason it is tough to trust any Patriot RB.
I thought Revis would be on Patterson most of the game but he ended up on Jennings and shutting down Cassels comfort receiver. Patterson was 2nd on the team in targets behind Rudolph and tied with Asiata. If Asiata is involved in the passing game like he was this week he is a good flex play. He struggled running but the Vikings barely used McKinnon which means Asiata is the guy if Peterson is out longer.
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos:
Big news from the game was Jamaal Charles ankle injury. This is back to back games that most peoples #1 or #2 overall draft pick. Kniles Davis is a must own in all leagues right now until we hear how Charles ankle is doing. We finally saw Travis Kelce's potential today and there is a lot to like. In the passing offense he is the top player I want to own. I don't trust Bowe and his 3 catches for 40 yards isn't wr3 talent level.
Emmanuel Sanders is quickly becoming Peyton's favorite target. This is back to back games in which he led the team in targets, and had an excellent output. Montee Ball isn't putting up top 10 numbers like most projected, he just isn't as creative as Moreno was, he is a straight hard nosed runner. This game remained pretty close but the Broncos were efficient offensively. Ball is downgraded to an RB2 for me for the time being.
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills:
Tough break for Moreno owners as he went down after his first carry with a hyper extended elbow. No word yet with how much time he'll miss but the Dolphins offense certainly missed him as Lamar Miller and Damien Williams had 16 carries for 65 yards. Wallace is clearly Tannehill's favorite target and my sleeper had his first good game. Jarvis Landry is a good playmaker and has the potential to take over as this teams number 2 wide receiver. Deeper Leagues will want to take a flier on the guy. Charles Clay seems like he is going to be a bottom 12 PPR tight end but I would avoid him in standard leagues.
Sammy Watkins finally broke out and like in my preview he is the only guy that has true fantasy value right now. Spiller had his best game in a while and hopefully that is a sign of good things to come. Both Spiller and Jackson had the same amount of touches so until Spiller can separate in that category you'll have to play the matchup and use in the flex when allowed. Other than that no Wide Receiver saw more than 3 targets.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Washington Redskins:
The leading rusher for the Jaguars was Chad Henne if that tells you anything. They got behind early and had to throw most of the game but either way I am avoiding Gerhart and keeping him on my bench. As for the Jaguar receivers I am stashing Hurns (could've had another monster day if he didn't drop a deep pass early in the game). Lee and Robinson I like for keeper leagues and dynasty leagues. Shorts is injured and is a wait and see once healthy but he should be owned in all leagues if you have IR slots available.
RGIII dislocated his ankle and it could be a season ending injury. Desean Jackson got hurt but no word on his time table either. The story here was Alfred Morris actually getting goal line touches and Niles Paul being a big time tight end play this week. I am curious when healthy if we see a lot more two tight end sets when Jordan Reed is healthy. Kurt Cousins played very well once taking over for RGIII and is worth a stash away in deep leagues. Pierre Garcon disappeared seeing only 4 targets but hopefully that was just Cousins being comfortable with his fellow 2nd teamer Paul.
Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans:
DeMarco Murray is playing like a top 3 running back in the league right now. I don't know if it is Tony Romo's back but he doesn't have the same zip on his ball as he normally does. Terrance Williams had only 2 receptions again this week and seems like with Romo not throwing a good deep ball it takes away his biggest strength. Witten had a better game this week but he is still outside the top 10 for me right now. Dez Bryant and Murray or my only must own players on this team.
For all the talk about how bad the Cowboys defense is they played very well in this game. For a game that wasn't a big blow out I am surprised the Titans only ran the ball 13 times. Wright and Hunter were disappoints and Delanie Walker had another great fantasy day, he is a must own tight end right now as he seems to be Walker's favorite target. Both Shonn Greene and Dexter McCluster were successful when they ran the ball but they barely used him.
New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns:
The biggest story for me here is Mark Ingram, he lead all running backs in touches and saw just as many receptions as the reception machine Pierre Thomas. With the way he is running right now I can't see how the Saints don't let him get the most touches every week. This offense showed how fluky Saints WRs can be. Colston and Cooks are still good flex plays but they are going to be inconsistent especially the rookie. Jimmy Graham is clearly the only guy Brees is looking for and making sure he gets the ball to.
Brian Hoyer took care of the ball and that is all he needed to do this game. Terrance West was the leading ball carrier and got into the endzone but Crowell had the better yards per carry. I would keep monitoring this because Crowell has good upside and the Browns like him. Miles Austin made an appearance this week but clearly Andrew Hawkins should be owned in all PPR leagues. Guy saw double digit targets again and pulled in 6 receptions for 70 yards.
Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals:
Matt Ryan went from the top quarterback to one of the bottom ones. It didn't help that the Bengals knew he had to throw the ball all game to try and catch up. Last week he did a great job spreading the ball around this week it was the big 3 and no one else. Julio Jones and Roddy White are the only receivers I am owning. Disappointing game from Toilolo and Freeman. Jackson looked good when getting carries and I think he may see some more action next week.
Another star goes down with an injury, AJ Green has turf toe and its tough to tell how long he will be out for but if he does play he'll be in pain. Tough news for most fantasy owners because he probably won't be 100% all season long. Giovani Bernard continued his strong season and looks like a surefire top 10 RB this season. With some of the other guys struggling he is going to be talked about in that upper tier top 10. We also saw Jeremy Hill get involved in the offense as well. I don't think he'll be as prominent in the next game as he was today but he definitely will be used. He is a good stash guy. Andy Dalton put up a very respectable game especially after losing his best weapon.
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers:
Joique Bell doubled the amount of touches that Reggie Bush saw and this should be concerning for Bush owners. He outdid him in carries and in receptions and I think it is safe to presume Bush is just going to spell Bell when he the offense needs a change of pace. We saw old Matthew Stafford today but the team was playing on a short week. Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate are the only receivers I want to own on this team. Until a 3rd receiver/tight end emerges I am not taking any chances on any of them.
Cam Newton returned and we saw the ball spread around the offense more so this week than we did last week. I am still not wanting to own any of the panthers running backs they just aren't weren't the hassle for the time being. Olsen is Cam's guy and is playing at an elite tight end level. He is going to be a top 5 tight end by seasons end. Kelvin Benjamin saw 8 targets just had trouble converting them into receptions and Jason Avant saw 7 targets. I think Avant could have value if he sees these kind of targets again.
St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Zac Stacy made it clear this weekend that he is the running back to own in St. Louis. The one thing offensively that I took away from this game is that Brian Quick needs to be owned in more leagues. This is back to back 7 reception games and the Rams are making a point to get him the ball often. Tavon Austin went down with an injury just as it seemed like this was going to be his best game of the season.
Bobby Rainey made a statement and it'll be tough not to want to go to him next game. Doug Martin missed the game and I am not sure he'll return to lead this backfield. Rainey should be added in most leagues, Jackson and Evans were the only receivers/tight ends to see any significant plays. I am down on Jackson right now this offense doesn't seem explosive or allowing him to back big plays downfield.
Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers:
Russell Wilson had another good game and I continue to like him week in week out in all formats. This was an odd game for the Seahawks as they ran a season low 45 plays. I am up and down on Harvin outside of his long TD run (he stepped out of bounds) he really didn't nothing all game long. Outside of Lynch and Harvin I am not owning any other Seahawk skill position player. Harvin I still view as a low end WR2 high end WR3.
Philip Rivers clearly showed that last year wasn't a fluke and we also learned that Gates is back at top tight end form. I am starting Gates over every tight end other than Graham, Gronkowski, Thomas and Olsen. Allen had a good game for playing a tough secondary, Eddie Royal had a strong game but he isn't worth owning unless its an emergency fill in. Not worth starting any of the RBs until one takes over the backfield or receiving full time.
Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders:
It helps that Foster has seen two very good match ups to start the season but he looks in top form right now. He doesn't appear to be as involved as much in the passing game as in years past but he is running the ball just as good as he ever have. Andre Johnson is playing at top 15 level right now and Hopkins is clearly the #2 but a strong touchdown guy getting his 2nd in as many games. His upside is strong but he seems to be the underneath guy and the Texans take a shot every now and again.
James Jones had a monster game coming off a very good game. He is clearly Carr's favorite target and is the only Raiders player I am looking to own in any league right now. Andre Holmes and Mychal Rivera saw 7 targets a piece. I like Rivera for the potential but I don't stash away tight ends in any league.
New York Jets at Green Bay Packers:
This week it was Chris Ivory over Chris Johnson in touches and production. Ivory has a lot of talent and has the potential to overtake Johnson full time if he keeps up this level of play. Eric Decker pulled up late in the game with a tight Hamstring injury and is the only receiver worth owning on this team. Geno Smith is still turn over prone but his potential is uncanny.
Jordy Nelson exploded today and capped it off with an 80 yard touchdown catch. Randall Cobb also had a big game but the big news for the receivers was Davante Adams doubling the targets of Jarrett Boykin. I think it is safe to say Adams is looking like the #3 receiver. Eddie Lacy only had 13 carries but I didn't expect him to see much action today. I wouldn't worry if I was a Lacy owner.
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers:
Cutler had a great game without turning the ball over and working with less than 100% health wide receivers. Jeffrey struggled running routes all game but he gave a good effort. Unless I hear he is 100% next week I would sit him again. His biggest threat is his deep play ability and not being 100 takes that away. Forte had a tough game but that was to be expected against a very good defense. Martellus Bennett is a top 10 tight end when Cutler is healthy.
Crabtree proved last week was just a fluke as he put up the numbers I think everyone is expecting all season long. He is a top 12 WR for me heading into the season and he proved why today. No surprise but Hyde was barely used in a close game, this is Gore's backfield until he gets injured or can't produce. Kaepernick had a tough game and that showed with the rest of his receivers. This is something you'll have to expect every now and again with Kaep as he thinks sometimes his arm strength can make throws it can't.
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