Baltimore Ravens (5-2) at Indianapolis Colts (5-2)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
- J.K. Dobbins - Played 66% of the snaps last week and posted 15/113 rushing and 1/8 receiving on 2 targets. It’s not a good matchup, tho, and the Colts limited the Lions RBs to just 11/8 rushing last week. But given his new-found role, he’s appealing to most as a flex with upside.
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
None of note.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
- Gus Edwards - Had a 32% share last week and a strong 16/87/1 rushing. It’s not a good matchup, but Edwards is very viable if you need help at RB.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
Lamar Jackson continues to struggle and he has failed to top 210 passing yards in six straight games and now he’s without LT Ronnie Stanley. The Colts give up the fewest FPG to QBs (17.8) but Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow have each thrown for 300+ yards in their last two games, and Lamar’s floor remains very acceptable due to his rushing (he did have a rushing TD called back last week).
Marquise Brown may get some squeaky wheel treatment this week after complaining about his lack of production after he saw just two targets in Week 8, but he did score and snaps weren’t an issue with 94%. But he had just a 7.1% target share and now Dez Bryant is likely to play. At least speedster Marvin Hall did burn them for 4/113 receiving last week.
Mark Andrews - He has fallen below 35 receiving yards in four of his seven games this season, and the Colts are giving up the fewest FPG to TEs (7.24), so it’s not looking good. However, T.J. Hockenson did have 7/65 receiving against them last week and Andrews does have two 2 TD games, so he’s still a top option.
Jonathan Taylor - He’s very hard to trust right now, so he’s more of a desperation play, sadly. At this point, it’s impossible to predict how the snaps and touches will be divvied up in this backfield, as Taylor looked to be in the driver’s seat going into last week. Taylor’s off the injury report with his ankle, at least, but it’s a tough matchup. The Ravens are giving up the fourth-fewest FPG to RBs (19.8) this season. Taylor has been good in the passing game, but opportunities are hard to come by.
Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines - Wilkins led the backfield last week with 20/89/1 rushing with Nyheim Hines making a fantasy impact for the first time in a month with 3/54/2 receiving. It’s a bad matchup and their roles aren’t secure, so I’d use only if desperate.
Philip Rivers - He’s got 22+ FP in consecutive games, but fellow 2004 draft class QB Ben Roethlisberger could put up only 182/2 passing against the Ravens last week. They do have a couple of corners hurt this week, at least, but Phil may not have TY Hilton.
Zach Pascal - He ran a route on 91.4% of Rivers’ dropbacks with TY Hilton out last week, but a tough matchup with the Ravens are allowing the ninth-fewest FPG to WRs this season (33.9).
Michael Pittman - Ran a route on 57.1% of Rivers’ dropbacks last week, but tough to trust against a veteran secondary and he hasn’t don’t much yet.
Trey Burton, Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox - The Colts coaches are screwing us at every position, especially TE now with all three guys involved. The Ravens allowed the third-best TE performance to Eric Ebron last week, at least. Burton had a TD run last week and is the best option, but any of the three could led the way for fantasy each week now.
Seattle Seahawks (6-1) at Buffalo Bills (6-2)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
Russell Wilson - Rolling with now with an insane TD rate of 10.2%, which would be an NFL record if he maintains it and the Bills had allowed multiple TDs in five straight games before playing two terrible offenses. They won’t have LB Matt Millano, which hurts them in coverage, and CB Josh Norman, a starter, is also out.
Tyler Lockett - Looks like a Lockett game with DK on Tre White and the Bills have been shaky covering the slot. Even Jakobi Meyers caught 6 balls against the Bills last week.
DeeJay Dallas - Carson and Hyde are out. Saw 56 snaps last week to seven snaps for Travis Homer, who was dinged up. Dallas had a big day thanks to 2 TDs and 23 touches, and it’s a good matchup as the Bills got run all over by Damien Harris for 16/102/1 rushing last week. No LB Matt Milano could help Dallas’ receiving production, but Homer may play more and even veteran Alex Collins could get some snaps. Still, Dallas is the guy right now.
Josh Allen - Will see a lot of zone, which he should be used to, so he will have to stay patient, which so far he has. Seattle is still allowing the second-most FPG to QBs (30.7) and the most passing yards per game (366.4) and even Nick Mullens led the 49ers to three 4th quarter TDs last week. Seattle is also down its top corner in Shaquill Griffin.
Stefon Diggs - Has double-digit FP in every game this season with 6+ catches in each of his last five games, and the Seahawks are also giving up by far the most FPG to WRs (47.0) and the most receiving yards per game (269.3), and they are down top corner in Shaquill Griffin.
Cole Beasley - Quiet last week but had a six-game streak of 11+ FP. Seattle has been burned by slot receivers all year and gives up the third-most points out of the slot. Even Larry Fitzgerald got them for 8/62 in Week 7.
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
- D.K. Metcalf - He was contained by Patrick Peterson two weeks ago, so he is human, and he will see a lot of Tre’Davious White, who is allowing just .69 yards per coverage snap. He could always score, but this is about the toughest matchup out there.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
- John Brown - He did run a route on 96% of Allen’s dropbacks last week and the Seahawks are also giving up by far the most FPG to WRs (47.0) and the most receiving yards per game (269.3), and they are down top corner in Shaquill Griffin.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
- Zack Moss and Devin Singletary - Moss had the edge over Singletary in snaps last week (31 to 28) and they saw the same number of carries (14) and routes run (8). Singletary isn’t going away, but Moss’ role continues to grow. Seattle is tough to run on but they give up the third-most RB targets per game (9.3). It’s hard to feel great about either, tho.
Denver Broncos (3-4) at Atlanta Falcons (2-6)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
Noah Fant - Ran 33 routes to Albert Okwuegbunam’s 12 last week, but Albert O is getting end zone love. Fant still had a solid 7/47 receiving on nine targets, and the Falcons are still giving up the most FPG to TEs (19.3) with a league-high eight TDs allowed to the position.
Jerry Jeudy - Playing more outside with just 11% slot routes last week and he had 4/73 receiving on a season-high 10 targets. The Falcons held the Panther WRs in check last week but did give up a receiving TD to Curtis Samuel and are still allowing the fifth-most FPG to WRs (44.0).
Julio Jones - He has 7+ catches, 9+ targets, and 95+ yards in each of his last three and the Broncos will be down CB A.J. Bouye (concussion) this week.
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
- Phillip Lindsay - He may have already taken over as the lead runner here had he not been banged up, and he’s still questionable with his foot. He’s tough to use unless desperate, as the Falcons are allowing just 18.1/66.5 rushing per game and Melvin Gordon is the main receiving back.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
Drew Lock - First 2 TD game in almost two months last week and he has now thrown 40+ times in consecutive games with a chance to make it three in this one. The Falcons have been more aggressive on defense after firing Dan Quinn, but they are down two pass rushers in McKinley and Fowler and he gets WR Tim Patrick back. Atlanta allowed multiple scores to QBs in each of their first six games and it remains at worst a beatable matchup.
Tim Patrick - He returns to the lineup after posting 14+ FP in three straight games before injuring his hamstring in Week 7, and a solid play if you need him.
Melvin Gordon - Still played more snaps (36 to 29) and he ran more routes (24 to 17) than Phillip Lindsay, but just 8/26 rushing and 6/21 receiving. It’s a good matchup for him in the fact that the Falcons give up just 18.1/66.5 rushing per game compared to 6.5/45.1 receiving per game, and Gordon is the main pass-catcher, so another 4-5 catches are more likely. But sadly, he’s more of a reach now.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
Todd Gurley - Did not look good last week but scored again for the sixth time in eight games. Gurley has been under 3.0 YPC in three straight and Brian Hill looks better. He is getting the ball, though, with 16+ opportunities in every game. The Broncos have allowed just two rushing TDs this season, though, so Gurley is a little scary this week.
Matt Ryan - Has just one 2+ TD game his last six, and Calvin Ridley likely out. But Ryan’s been at a decent 18+ FP in three straight and Julio Jones looks good. Justin Herbert posted 278/3 passing against the Broncos last week.
Russell Gage - Receiver Christian Blake is the direct backup to Ridley, but Gage’s opportunities should increase this week. Gage has just two catches for 26 or fewer yards in four of his last six games, though, so I’d like to look elsewhere for a reach.
Hayden Hurst - He has three straight games with 10+ FP and 50+ receiving yards, and role should be bigger with Ridley likely out. Denver, though, has held Hunter Henry and Travis Kelce each under 8 FP in the last two weeks.
Houston Texans (1-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
Deshaun Watson - He’s at 300+ yards in four straight with 2+ TD passes in five straight. He also got the Jaguars for 359/3 earlier this season.
Will Fuller - Was almost traded, but he stays and has 12+ FP in six of his seven games, including 4/58/1 against the Jaguars in Week 5, so looking fine.
Brandin Cooks - He blew up for 8/161/1 against the Jags in Week 5, and he’s been productive ever since, so use him if you need him.
David Johnson - Has been very solid with 11-17 FPG in his last five games and posted a season-best 96 rushing yards against Jacksonville back in Week 5. He should get 20+ touches, so a good play.
James Robinson - He has 17+ touches in every game this season, but had his worst game of the season against the Texans in Week 6 with 70 scrimmage yards. But he did have success early running it before they fell behind early, and the Texans are allowing the most rushing yards per game to RBs (151.0).
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
None of note.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
None of note.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
Jordan Akins and Darren Fells - Akins returns this week and he saw more snaps and targets than Fells in his three full games to open the season, so I’d like to pass on these two, but the Jaguars defense is allowing a league-high 1 TD per game to TEs, including four TDs in their last three games. Fells scored against them in Week 5.
D.J. Chark - Jags may take more deep shots with Luton, and Chark lucks out with CB Bradley Roby out, as he’s been something of a shutdown corner this year. Working mostly on Roby, he posted 3/16 receiving on four targets against the Texans in Week 5.
Laviska Shenault - Has just 6/54 his last two games and it’s hard to say how he’ll click with Luton. In theory, he can help the young QB on passes near the line of scrimmage.
Jake Luton - He’s a solid prospect, but only a 6th round pick. Gardner Minshew did post 301/2 passing playing from behind against the Texans in Week 5, so 200+ yards wouldn’t be a surprise from the rookie.
Keelan Cole - He’s impossible to trust but did have 2/25/1 receiving on six targets against the Texans in Week 6.
Carolina Panthers (3-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-1)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
- Christian McCaffrey - Returns this week and will give up some snaps and touches to Mike Davis, but if he’s ready to go he’s ready to go, so expect 20+ touches. The Chiefs are much easier to run on than to throw, and they allow 153.5 scrimmage yards per game to RBs this year.
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
None of note.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
None of note.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
Teddy Bridgewater - Banged up last week and has fallen below 20 FP in three straight, and now the Chiefs present a tough challenge. They are allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game to QB (213.4), and they’ve allowed 2+ TD passes in just two of eight games.
Curtis Samuel - Has 3+ catches in five straight games, and he’s scored in 3 straight games, but CMC back in the lineup should hurt his carry total, so still just a reach.
Robby Anderson - Only 5/48 on 8 targets last week, as Curtis Samuel stole his thunder. Panthers should have to throw a lot, at least, but Chiefs are allowing the second-fewest receiving yards per game to WRs (128.6).
DJ Moore - Shut out until the last 3 minutes of the fourth quarter last week and Chiefs are allowing the second-fewest receiving yards per game to WRs (128.6), so it’s cross your fingers time with Moore, who is competing more for targets now with Curtis Samuel.
Patrick Mahomes - The Panthers have allowed 300+ passing yards once this season and multiple passing TDs twice, and their pass rush is coming on. Still, they are beatable and Mahomes is good.
Tyreek Hill - He’s topped 15+ FP in 7 of 8 and nothing really scary about the matchup. Sure, CB Jackson can run, but Hill’s a must-start.
Mecole Hardman - He’s really hard to figure out this year, but he ran a route on 73.8% of their QB dropbacks last week with a 21% target share. At least Sammy Watkins (hamstring) is out again.
Travis Kelce - Back on track last week and Hayden Hurst managed 5/54 receiving against the Panthers last week and could have had more.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Just 32% of the running back carries last week, but still has an edge over Le’Veon Bell in snap share (53% to 33%) and in routes run (37 to 21) the last two weeks. The Panthers have been run on again this year, so it’s a solid matchup at least for CEH. Maybe Bell’s work last year was in part because it was the Jets.
Chicago Bears (5-3) at Tennessee Titans (5-2)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
- Derrick Henry - Bears have some DL injuries this week that should help him, but he doesn’t much help with 75+ yards and/or a TD in 23 of his last 24 games. The Bears are allowing 4.4 YPC this season and six rushing TDs to RBs in seven games this season, and they do have those injuries on the DL with two key guys out.
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
None of note.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
Nick Foles - Since they can’t run it, he’s attempted 39+ passes in every start, but just 6.0 YPA. But the Titans D has been bad (veterans in Vic Beasley and Johnathan Joseph released this week) and they won’t have CB Desmond King and it looks like no Adoree Jackson. The Titans have 2+ TDs to QBs in six straight games
Darnell Mooney and Anthony Miller - Seeing upticks in usage and Mooney has 5+ targets in six straight while Miller saw season-bests in snap share (76%) and targets (11) last week. The Titans have been roasted out of the slot this season and won’t have Desmond King this week, and they are also slow at CB, so Mooney could make a big play.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
David Montgomery - Tougher matchup and his OL is a mess this week, but playing behind a makeshift O-line, Giovani Bernard and Samaje Perine combined for 112/3 scrimmage against the Titans last week, and he will get plenty of touches.
Allen Robinson - Only 11 targets over the last two games, but big game last week and outside WRs Tee Higgins and Auden Tate combined for 13/143 receiving against the Titans last week.
Jimmy Graham - Slowing down lately, so it’s all about the red zone love for him. The Titans have allowed a promising 4 TDs to the TE this year, at least.
Ryan Tannehill - Has thrown for 2 or more TD passes in 6 of 7, but the Bears have allowed multiple TD passes to QBs in just two of their eight games. The good news is those two have some the last two weeks.
A.J. Brown - a TD in four straight but season-lows in catches (4) and yards (24) last week and the Bears are giving up the third-fewest FPG to WRs (28.4) this season.
Corey Davis - He’s averaging 5.8/74 per game in his five full contests, but while the Bears have been shakier against WRs the last 2-3 weeks, they have been one of the stingiest groups in the league against outside WRs.
Jonnu Smith - Has been used more to help out their OL and Anthony Firkser is starting to take away from him, plus he’s averaging just 2.7 targets per game over his last three with WRs Brown and Davis back. The Bears allowed 5/51/1 receiving to Jared Cook last week, at least, and it is a tough matchup for their outside WRs, plus Adam Humphries is out, which does help.
New York Giants (1-7) at Washington Football Team (2-5)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
None of note.
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
Terry McLaurin - Has 7 catches with 74+ yards in each of Allen’s last two starts, including 7/74 receiving on 12 targets against the Giants in Week 6 with top corner James Bradberry trying to slow him down. He’s seen 7+ targets in every game this season.
Antonio Gibson - Had a career-best 128 rushing yards in their last game. Had 9/30 rushing and 4/25 receiving against the Giants in Week 6, but J.D. McKissic bettered him with 6/43 receiving and 8/41 rushing. Still, coming off a breakout rushing performance and out of the bte, Gibson looks like a nice option.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
Kyle Allen - Multiple TDs in his last two starts, including 280/2 passing against the Giants in Week 6. It’s not the best matchup, but Allen has been quite decent his last two starts.
Logan Thomas - Has 4+ targets in every game this season, and production has improved greatly the last two with Allen, including 3/42/1 against the Giants in Week 6. The Giants have allowed 11+ FP in three straight games, which includes Thomas’ performance against them.
Wayne Gallman - Devonta Freeman is out again and last week without him, Freeman led the way with 32 snaps with a TD and 61 total yards. Freeman had 57 total yards against Washington back in Week 6. Gallman probably needs to score to come through with Alfred Morris and Dion Lewis each seeing 21 snaps last week.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
Daniel Jones - Jones is 3-0 against Washington and is better with Sterling Shepard in the lineup, but he did have only 112/1 passing with 74 rushing yards in this matchup in Week 6, sso still tough to trust.
Sterling Shepard - 18 targets and 15+ FP in each of his first two games back but TFT is allowing the fewest FPG to WRs (26.7) and they are facing a league-low 15.9 targets per game.
Darius Slayton - 5/56 receiving on nine targets last week but Jones missed him for some big plays (or he didn’t see him). He posted 2/30 receiving on four targets against Washington In Week 6. He’s boom or bust.
Evan Engram - Has 11/107 receiving on 19 targets in the last two games with Shepard on the field, so he can be used if needed.
Detroit Lions (3-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-5)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
Matthew Stafford - He was activated Saturday night, so he’s going to go and he’s coming off a high-volume game with 300+ yards and multiple TDs. He also put up 364/4 in his lone start against a better Vikings D last year. Kenny Golladay at his disposal this week.
Marvin Jones - The streaky Jones has 13+ FP in his last game after being considered dead fro fantasy. Jones had 8/88/1 receiving on 14 targets in the first two games this year without Golladay, and he had a 4-TD game against the Vikings last year. The Vikings are down two top corners, so a solid play for sure.
T.J. Hockenson - A TD and/or top 50+ yards in all seven games this year and 118/1 receiving in the first two games Golladay missed earlier in the season. Packers TEs Robert Tonyan and Jace Sternberger combined for 8/125 receiving against the Vikings last week.
Dalvin Cook - Played his best game as a pro last week and now has an absurd 11 TDs in just six games. The Lions have allowed multiple TDs to three different backs in seven games.
Kirk Cousins - The Lions have the eighth-worst sack rate in the league and just lost pass rusher Trey Flowers, and they just gave up 263/3 to Phil Rivers of all people, so Kirkie could do very well. The Lions should make a game of it with Matthew Stafford in, and Cousins’ numbers in this matchup were great last year.
Adam Thielen - Only 3/27 last week with Cousins attempting just 14 passes, and he’s now had just three catches in each of his last two games with just nine combined targets. The Lions will also get Desmond Trufant back this week, but it’s overall a good matchup.
Justin Jefferson - Leads the league in yards per target (14.1), but he has been volatile. He’s been better against man, but the Lions are playing less of it. Still, they play a lot of man and the Lions are allowing a promising 38.9 FPG to WRs this season.
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
None of note.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
Danny Amendola - Has 7 targets in each of the two games that Golladay missed earlier and he put up 26 FG in 2 games against the Vikings last year. The Vikes also give up the second-most FP out of the slot this year and are down two corners.
Irv Smith - Has run a route on 73% or more of Cousins’ dropbacks in each of his last three games, and the Colts TEs combined for 26.6 FP in last week’s game with 2 TDs.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
- D’Andre Swift - The nitwit coaches don’t use him enough, but he did have a season-bests in rush share (54%) and snap share (62%) last week. It is a “revenge game” for him but Adrian Peterson has done nothing the last three weeks. The Vikings are allowing 139.8 scrimmage yards per game to opposing RBs, so Swift could easily do something here.
Las Vegas Raiders (4-3) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-5)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
Derek Carr - Throwing out last week’s bad weather game, before that he was on a five-game run of 250+ passing yards with 2 or more TDs. The Chargers defense just got lit up by Drew Lock for 248/3 passing, and won’t likely have Joey Bosa (doubtful). Carr was surgical in this matchup last year, completing 77% of his passes for 8.3 YPA.
Darren Waller - Has 5+ catches in 6 of 7 this year and a league-best 27% target share. Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam combined for 8/56/1 receiving last week against the Chargers, so looking good.
Josh Jacobs - He’s still questionable (knee/illness) but he handled 31 carries last week for 128 rushing last week, yet 0 catches was a buzzkill and no TD. Jacobs has now seen 19+ opportunities in 6 of 7 and the Chargers have been hit for 25+ FP by opposing RBs in the last two games (MGIII-Lindsay/J-Rob).
Justin Herbert - 3+ TDs and he’s scored 23+ FP in four straight and the Raiders have given up 25+ FP to QBs in three straight, excluding last week’s bad weather game against bad QB Baker Mayfield, so little reason to think Herbert can stay hot.
Keenan Allen - Peppered with targets now, averaging 12.8 targets per game in his five full games with Herbert, that alone means you start him.
Justin Jackson - A good play this week after leading the backfield with 47% of the snaps last week. Troymaine Pope (29% last week) is out and Joshua Kelley (24% last week) has lost his confidence. The Raiders are allowing 19/493.7 rushing per game (4.8 YPC) and 6.4/56.0 receiving per game to RBs this season.
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
None of note.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
Henry Ruggs - Has yet to see more than 4 targets in a game in the last three weeks, but did run a route on 90% of Carr’s dropbacks last week and Carr missed him on a deep ball and Ruggs failed to haul in a close TD.
Nelson Agholor - Didn’t register a catch last week on two targets, but ran a route on 90% of Carr’s dropbacks. Agholor could have some competition for playing time if Bryan Edwards is able to return to the lineup, as expected, but he does have upside in this matchup.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
Mike Williams - He’s volatile, with 5/99/1 and 5/109/2 receiving sandwiched between a 1/4 receiving performance two weeks ago.
Hunter Henry - Not getting the love from Herbert and he’s failed to reach 40+ yards in four straight games. Rob Gronkowski hung 5/62/1 receiving in this matchup two weeks ago, at least.
Miami Dolphins (4-3) at Arizona Cardinals (5-2)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
- Chase Edmonds - Will get bell-cow usage this week with Kenyan Drake out and is averaging 6.1 YPC this season with 5+ catches in three of his last four games. Miami has been giving to RBs, giving up 149.0 total yards per game to RBs.
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
DeVante Parker - He did score, but it was a 3-yard TD and his only catch on 2 targets.
CB Patrick Peterson contained D.K. Metcalf (2/23 receiving) in their last game, so you’re in trouble if you need Parker this week.
Mike Gesicki - He has time in with Tua in practice dating back to camp but he also has 15+ receiving yards just once in his last five games, including just 1/8 receiving on two targets in his first game with Tua last week. Good luck with that.
Preston Williams - He has 20+ receiving yards only once in his last five, and only 2/15 receiving on five targets in his first game with Tua last week. Enjoy.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
None of note.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
Tua Tagovailoa - Looked like a rookie in his first game last week because he was, and Miami’s defense let them hide Tua, who threw for just 93 yards and a TD on 22 attempts (4.2 YPA) last week. You’re not considering that guy just yet.
Patrick Laird, Jordan Howard, DeAndre Washington, Salvon Ahmed - So disgusting. It’s likely Howard leading the rushing attack with Laird in the passing game, but there’s downside with the other two potentially in the mix. The Cardinals are at least allowing the seventh-most FPG to RBs (26.3).
Kyler Murray - 24+ FP in every game and multiple TD passes in four of his last five games. The Dolphins have held QBs under 15 FP in three straight games and in four of their last five games, but they won’t play Kyler like they played the Rams last week because he’ll run for 125+ yards, and Xavien Howard looks disinterested on film, at least.
DeAndre Hopkins - He’s leading the league in catches and receiving yards and Robert Woods posted 7/85/1 receiving against the Dolphins last week.
Christian Kirk - Four straight games with 10+ FP, including consecutive performances with 20+ FP thanks to 4 TDs, 2 TDs in each of his last two. But he has more than three catches just once in six games this season playing next to Hopkins. The Dolphins have allowed six TDs to WR in seven games this season, though, and Howard looks beatable.
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-6)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
- James Conner - Has scored in 5 of his last 6 and a great chance for a big game against the Cowboys, who have faced a league-high 27.9 carries per game from RBs for the second-most rushing yards per game (138.6).
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
Amari Cooper - Just 1/5 last week, which could be the norm going forward. Cooper will check out when things aren’t going well. The Steelers have been shaky against the pass at least, but Copper is already looking like a lost cause.
CeeDee Lamb - The silence of the Lamb continues, as CeeDee has just 4/27 receiving on 10 targets over his last two games. Slot WR Willie Snead did go wild against the Steelers last week with 5/106 receiving, if that makes you feel better.
Michael Gallup - Somehow saw a season-best 12 targets from Ben DiNucci last week, with 7/61 receiving. Now we have another QB change and Gallup has been a nightmare this year.
Dalton Schultz - He managed to post 6/53 receiving last week on eight targets with DiNucci, but he’s still a shaky play with a new QB and a bad matchup. The Steelers limited Mark Andrews (3/32) and Jonnu Smith (1/9) the last two weeks.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
Tony Pollard - Hope you traded Ezekiel Elliott two weeks ago when I suggested it because he’s probably checking out and likely not playing with his hamstring. The Steelers are still giving up the second-fewest FPG to RBs (18.0) despite getting gashed for 31/200/1 rushing by J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards last week, but Pollard isn’t a bad option if you’re looking for 10+ FP, since 15+ touches are a lock.
Chase Claypool - Led the Steelers with nine targets last week and may be the better option than Johnson. He has 7 TDs and the Cowboys have allowed the second-most TDs to WRs this season with 15.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
Ben Roethlisberger - Doesn’t look good lately and has fallen below 16+ FP in three straight, but is getting multiple TDs (6 of 7). Cowboys have actually allowed fewer than 225 passing yards in five straight, but a lot of that is a function of their bad run defense and them getting blown out.
Diontae Johnson - He’s not on the injury report, at least. The Cowboys are at least beatable and are allowing the seventh-most FPG to WRs this season (41.1).
JuJu Smith-Schuster - Showing signs of life last two, and Dallas is shaky out of the slot. Dallas is allowing just 11.5 catches per game to WRs, though, since teams don’t have to throw all four quarters.
Eric Ebron - Has been pretty consistent, posting between 43 and 52 receiving yards in 5 of his last 6. Logan Thomas went for 4/60/1 receiving against Dallas back in Week 7.
Cooper Rush - It’s him or Garrett Gilbert this week. The Steelers lead the league in sacks (30) so forget it.
New Orleans Saints (5-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:
Tom Brady - Multiple TDs in 3 straight and in 5 of his last 6 and the Saints have allowed multiple TD passes in all 7 games this year. Brady was off in Week 1 in the first matchup, but he’s been on fire right now and gets Antonio Brown with Chris Godwin also back.
Rob Gronkowski - He’s scored in three straight with 4+ catches and 40+ yards in each of those games. The Saints have been shaky against TEs all year, allowing the third-most FPG to TEs (16.9) with six TDs given up to the position.
Chris Godwin - He’s playing despite having surgery on his index finger less than two weeks ago. He did get 6/79 against the Saints in Week 1, and Slot WR Anthony Miller posted 8/73 receiving on 11 targets against the Saints last week.
PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:
Alvin Kamara - Averaging 9.4 targets and 12.4 carries per game, and continues to pile up the fantasy points. The Bucs have the best 1-2 punch at LB right now with White/Davis and they limited Kamara to just 12/16/1 rushing with 5/51/1 receiving, so it’s not a great week for Kamara, who will be a marked man. I’m smelling a stinker, actually.
Mike Evans - He’s itching to face off with Lattimore, I’m sure, but all the data says he’s a bad play. He’s averaging only 7.3 FPG with Godwin in the lineup, and now AB is in the lineup. Evans had just a two-yard touchdown catch against the Saints earlier this season.
Ronald Jones - He finished with 19/82 total yards against the Saints Week 1, but the Saints are allowing 106.7 scrimmage yards per game to RBs this season and are tough to run on, so he’s not looking good on paper going into this one.
DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:
Antonio Brown - He will slide into Scotty Miller’s spot in the lineup and in the slot and he could be busy early, since Mike Evans has struggled against Marshon Lattimore. AB is a threat to get 10+ PPR points right out of the gate.
Leonard Fournette - Saw more snaps (51 to 17), more carries (15 to 7), and more targets (6 to 4) than Ronald Jones last week, who fumbled on the second drive of the game. The Bucs will miss G Ali Marpet, and Fournette may be needed in the passing game vs. this tough Saints run D.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
Drew Brees - He’s thrown for 280+ yards in 4 of his last 5 with 2 or more TDs in 4 of his last 5 and he will get Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders back. But he had his worst fantasy day against the Buccaneers in the season opener with only 14.4 points and the Bucs pass defense has been good lately (they were flat overall last week).
Michael Thomas - He put up only 3/17 receiving on five targets in Week 1 and it’s his first game back since Week 1. An obvious start, but I’d lower expectations since the Bucs secondary is playing pretty well right now
Emmanuel Sanders - He’s back and he had 3/15/1 receiving on five targets against the Buccaneers back in Week 1 in his first game with Brees. Sterling Shepard posted 8/74 receiving in this matchup last week.
Jared Cook - He’s now scored in three straight and in 4 of his last 5. He also had his most active game against the Buccaneers with 5/80 receiving on seven targets, so he’s still a top-12 guy.
