Sunday Recap: Week 7

Bucs @ Redskins

It was a thrilling 61 point shootout, between the Bucs and Redskins. No, really it was. This was a great game if you wanted to be contrarian, and it paid off. The Bucs looked like they had this game in the bag, until Kirk Cousins drank the magic potion at halftime. Cousins completed 33-40 passes, for over 300 yards, and four scores. He had his safety blanket, Jordan Reed, back from injury, who posted an 11-72-2 line. Reed was the top tight end in week 7, and flew under the radar everywhere. Despite 31 points, Washington had nobody else to mention. The run game was nonexistent, and Pierre Garcon brought his usual five catches for 55 yards to the table. I would not count on Cousins anytime soon, but Reed is a nice value tight end when healthy.

Mike Evans is on the board in 2015, posting an 8-164-1 line. This Washington defense started out hot, but have been suspect over the last few weeks. Jameis Winston threw the ball 29 times, competing passes to nine different receivers. It did not matter, Evans was heavily targeted 12 times, and he made the most of them. Doug Martin had another great day on the ground, rushing for 136 yards on 19 carries. This is his third straight game rushing for over 100 yards, and he now has a 5.0 YPC on the season. His price continues to stay cheap on DraftKings, making him an bargain player until otherwise. The Bucs' big names paid off, and next week they will face a better defense on the road, in Atlanta.

Falcons @ Titans

Ten points from the Atlanta Falcons was a disappointment this weekend, but their big names did not kill any lineups. Matt Ryan linked up with Julio Jones for a score, who had nine catches, for 92 yards. Devonta Freeman kept the train going this week, with 130 yards of offense, but was held without a score. The Atlanta coaching staff can be blamed for not giving him the ball in two goal line situations. Atlanta gets the Tampa defense next week, which sets them up for great matchups all around. However, I will be looking for bigger games for them to pay off their high priced salaries.

The Titans started Zach Mettenberger, in addition to their dysfunctional run game. This was a recipe for disaster, and it showed. The Falcons ability to not capitalize on mistakes, kept the Titans in the game until the end. Kendall Wright had the lone touchdown for Tennesee, while Delanie Walker led the team in yards, and receptions. There is not much to say about this one, as the Titans were one of the three AFC South embarrassments this week.

Vikings @ Lions

The Vikings are quietly 4-2 after beating the Lions this week, and they look sound on both sides of the ball. After giving up 17 first half points, the defense buckled down and held the Lions scoreless for the rest of the game. Teddy Bridgewater had a solid day, with over 300 yards, and two touchdowns. The Stefon Diggs show continued, leading the team in targets, as he posted a 6-108-1 line. He started over Charles Johnson, who was healthy, and it is safe to say Diggs has landed himself in a starting role. Adrian Peterson was healthy enough to play, rushing for 98 yards on 19 carries, although 75 of those came on one run. It was another average game for Peterson, and a game I am sure the tobacco industry is not proud of. Minnesota takes on a putrid Chicago defense next week, and you can lock in the big three for big games.

The Lions looked like they were going to put up another monster game in the first half, especially through the air. Matthew Stafford threw for 256 yards, and two scores. He linked up with Eric Ebron and Calvin Johnson, who both nearly had identical lines. Ebron has taken the next step in Detroit, and his talents are finally being used. Look to target him as a GPP tight end going forward. The second half for Megatron was a letdown. He had just 7 targets, which is disappointing for a player of his caliber. The inconsistent targets is my biggest knock against Johnson, especially with the players floating around his price range.

Steelers @ Chiefs

The Steelers desperately need Ben Roethlisberger back, and so do we. The key Pittsburgh players weren't bad with Landry Jones under center, but it is very clear their ceiling is limited. They had their chances, but Jones turned the ball over at crucial times. He did link up with Martavis Bryant for a touchdown, as he finished the day with 45 yards in addition to the score. Antonio Brown had his first big game since Big Ben went down, with six catches, for 124 yards. While we can get those numbers at lower prices, this was encouraging to see life out of Brown. Le'Veon Bell rushed for over 100 yards, but was a non-factor in the passing game, with just 16 yards. He also did not find the end zone. With the prices of the three players, it is hard to rely on them, but we could see Big Ben back next week.

Kansas City played sound football this week, managing the game on defense, and running the ball well. Charcandrick West had 110 yards, and a touchdown. He was the big surprise in this game, as Alex Smith found Chris Conley in the end zone for the other score. Things were spread out in the passing game, but Travis Kelce led the way in yards, with 73. He still has not busted out since the beginning of the season. With Jeremy Maclin scratched from the lineup, Conley and Albert Wilson saw an increase in usage. I can't see the Chiefs managing all their games like this going forward, meaning Maclin and Kelce will have to have some sort of high volume games. They will be irrelevant next week, as they head to London to take on the Lions.

Browns @ Rams

We got everything we wanted out of this game, with the Rams D/ST scoring right off the bat, and then Todd Gurley clinching the hall of fame ballot. Gurley had 128 yards on two scores, and also four catches for 35 yards. He is an unbelievable talent, who is rushing for 6.0 yards per carry so far in his career. He takes on the 49ers next week, with a chance to continue this pace, and his DraftKings price is just $6,300. Take advantage of Gurley at these prices while you can. Nick Foles' services were not needed, as the defense and running game handled it all. The defense finished with over 20 fantasy points on both sites, and caused pain for those who did not follow the chalk.

There is not much to report from the Browns side, except for Gary Barnidge doing Gary Barnidge things again. He had six catches for 101 yards, including another amazing catch. On a site like Draftkings, Duke Johnson Jr. showed why he should be in play most weeks. He had seven catches for 73 yards. He has the chance to take one to the house any given week, and is an overlooked GPP play, especially with the full point PPR.

Saints @ Colts

Andrew Luck brought Halloween early, and scared everybody who played him in their lineups. He had managed nothing but an interception in the first half, but ended up throwing for over 300 yards, and three scores. Two of those went to T.Y Hilton, who had a monster day, with 150 yards. Hilton saw 15 targets, but only had four catches. Luck was wildly inaccurate, but salvaged what truly could of been a bad day. Moncrief was second in targets among wide receivers, and hauled in an all glorious garbage time touchdown. After a strong showing on offense against New England, Indy clearly took a step in the wrong direction, despite the big lines from some of their players. Going up against a stout Carolina defense next week, I will give them a hard pass for their services.

The Saints played opposite of the Colts, jumping out to a 20-0 lead at halftime, only to score one touchdown in the second half. Brees threw the ball 44 times, but only had 255 yards, and a score. The running game came through for New Orleans, mainly with Mark Ingram. He had 143 yards on just 14 carries, and found the end zone. Khiry Robinson vultured two touchdowns away from the Saints, really limiting the options around him. Willie Snead was a surprising bust this week, as you could say for all the Saints' wideouts again. Brandin Cooks had six catches for 81 yards, and saw 13 targets. After this week, the Saints run game gets a bump from me, as the passing game proves to be too inconsistent.

Texans @ Dolphins

This game was over before it even started, the Dolphins were up 41-0 at the half, and destroyed all chalk plays this weekend. Ryan Tannehill went 18-19, for 282 yards, and four scores. He did not have to do much for the rest of the game, and most of the Dolphins players only played three quarters. Tannehill linked up with Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews for a combined 150 yards, and three scores. It is safe to say the Dolphins are where we thought they would be at before the season started. Lamar Miller was the top dog this weekend, rushing for 175 yards on 14 carries, and also catching three balls for 61 yards. He had two scores, including a long 85 yard touchdown run. He was the difference maker in GPP's this week, and under the new coach in Miami, he is finally getting his touches.

We are down another running back, as Arian Foster tore his achilles, in the fourth quarter. He was looking like vintage Foster before going down, with 120 total yards, and two scores. What makes this injury so disappointing is he should not have been out there in a blowout. Just like before, Alfred Blue and Chris Polk will supply the Houston run game, but DeAndre Hopkins still remains the workhorse. Brian Hoyer was another QB to have a big game in garbage time. He finished with 273 yards, and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, none of those were to DeAndre Hopkins, who had his first down week of the season. He had six catches for 50 yards, but still logged 12 targets. It was Nate Washington of all people, who posted a 9-127-2 line. We should still be high on the Texans passing game moving forward, because really it is all they have.

Jets @ Patriots

This was a back-and-forth affair, and a fun one to watch among the early games. The Jets moved the ball, but could not put up enough points to keep up with Tom Brady. Ryan Fitzpatrick had another solid day under center, throwing for 295 yards, and two scores. Brandon Marshall dropped an easy touchdown pass, and posted a 4-67-0 line. Eric Decker had the big day among wide receivers, with six catches for 94 yards. This Jets offense continues to be fantasy worth, both in the run game, and the pass. Chris Ivory was hindered by an injury for most of the game, but did find the end zone on a pass from Fitzpatrick. It appears to be his hamstring, so this week we should be on Ivory watch.

This was an odd game for the Patriots offense, mainly due to Brady being their leading rusher. He had 15 yards, and a rushing touchdown. He also put up 355 yards, and two scores. With Julian Edelman taken out of the game by the Jets, it was Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski who benefited. Gronk had 11-108-1 on 16 targets, and ran in for a free touchdown towards the end of the game. This was his first dominant game since week one. Amendola had 8-86-1, and made some catches that a lot of the others were not making. It was a dropfest for New England. The run game was likely going to be nonexistent against the Jets, and their defense, but with no Dion Lewis it vanished. LeGarrette Blount had negative three yards, on three carries. It was an odd game, but New England still managed to put up 30.

Raiders @ Chargers

More garbage time festivities, and this time it was Philip Rivers who enjoyed them. He had zero touchdowns entering the fourth quarter, but ended up with three at the end of the game. He found Ladarius Green in the end zone, who filled in for Antonio Gates, and went for 4-45-1. Keenan Allen also posted another high usage game, with nine receptions, for 89 yards, on 13 targets. It was Danny Woodhead who came away with all the garbage points, with an 11-75-2 line, and most of it coming in the fourth quarter. Rivers threw the ball 58 times, which is no shocker, but being down 30-6 at the half was shocking for why he had to throw nearly 60 times. We saw some reliable quarterbacks post awful first half numbers, but end up coming through in the end. A stress test would of sent most of us to the hospital.

The Raiders absolutely dismantled the Chargers defense, and let's not forget they rank in the bottom ten in the league as well. Derek Carr had a monster day, with 289 yards, and three scores. He found Amari Cooper, who had a vicious cutback to the end zone, and finished 133 yards. Michael Crabtree posted a 6-63-1 line, and Clive Walford was the other touchdown recipient. Latavius Murray rushed for 85 yards on 15 carries, and found the end zone on the first drive of the game. I do question his usage in the second half when trying to kill time, but I guess I can't argue with 37 points. This Raiders team has some big weapons, and if you want to go against the grain, they are always there.

Cowboys @ Giants

There was 47 points in this game, and just about all of them were useless to us in fantasy, unless you played the Giants defense, or Darren McFadden. Matt Cassel had his first start for Dallas, and looked worse than Brandon Weeden. He threw three picks, and watched one go back the other way for a score. There was nothing surprising about this Dallas passing attack, as they are off limits until fully healthy. The big shocker was Darren McFadden taking over the game after Joseph Randle left the game. He rushed the ball 29 times, and finished with 152 yards and a score. This offensive line is truly amazing I guess. This was the closest Dallas has come to winning since the injuries occurred, but running the ball 20+ times is the secret for success in Dallas. I just wonder if they will keep it up.

Two defensive/special teams touchdowns, and an Orleans Darkwa touchdown sums up the Giants day for fantasy. Eli Manning looked lost, and was pressured most of the game, while the running attack was split evenly. They rushed the ball 25 times for 132 yards, but nobody saw over ten carries. Darkwa was the only one to see over five. It is an ugly situation for the run game, and as for the passing game, we are reminded why they are GPP only. Odell Beckham Jr. was targeted just six times, catching four balls for 35 yards. With Manning throwing for just 170 yards, nobody had a successful day.

Eagles @ Panthers

It was a sloppy Sunday night football game, but the Panthers stayed undefeated. Despite throwing three interceptions, Cam Newton led the offense with two touchdowns, one being via the ground game. It wasn't an efficient win, but Carolina relied on the ground game, as Jonathan Stewart rushed for 125 yards on 24 carries. After last week's game in Seattle, Stewart has built up some nice momentum, and should keep it going against the Colts. It is unfortunate that Stewart has Newton and Tolbert snatching away his red zone looks, so it lowers his ceiling. His price tag is dirt cheap next week, and can make for a solid value play.

Sam Bradford looked bad yet again, throwing 46 times, while most of the time the ball didn't go over five yards in the air. He threw for 205 yards, and one pick. This is a tough defense to pass on, so I will credit the Panthers defense, but this was a poor showing all around for Philly. The run game has finally started working, with Ryan Matthews breaking one to the house, finishing with 97 yards and a touchdown. DeMarco Murray rushed for 65 yards on 65 carries. Jason Peters went down, and this could mean trouble for Philly's offense. I know he does not rack up fantasy points for us, but he is the lone lineman in Philly actually getting the job done. That is something to keep an eye on. This high powered offense has yet to make an impact for me, and there are too many other offenses to take over theirs.