NFL Weekly Grind Down: Week Four - Page 4
Philadelphia at Denver
| Philadelphia Eagles | Denver Broncos | |||||||||
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| Sun – 4:25PM ET | Mile High Stadium | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 11 | 57 | 23 | -11 | 57 | 34 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 26.3 | 8 | 13 | 1 | Off. | 42.3 | 1 | 1 | 14 | |
| Def. | 28.7 | 26 | 29 | 22 | Def. | 23.7 | 17 | 30 | 1 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Vick | 25.86 | 25.86 | 18 | 18.05 | Manning | 30.34 | 30.34 | 26 | 21.94 | |
| McCoy | 22.13 | 22.13 | 28 | 24.13 | Moreno | 12.40 | 12.40 | 23 | 20.65 | |
| Jackson | 19.13 | 19.13 | 20 | 33.65 | Thomas | 17.57 | 17.57 | 31 | 40.02 | |
| Celek | 5.13 | 5.13 | 17 | 11.43 | Thomas | 16.80 | 16.80 | 15 | 9.72 | |
Philadelphia
- We knew Michael Vick and the Eagles were in for a bit of a roller coaster this season, but I can’t believe how much the week to week talk has changed. After the first week, the Eagles were one of the best offenses in the league, then the Eagles lost and they were playing too careless, and now after last week’s loss people are already calling for heads. You just can’t overreact from week to week, that’s the one thing about the NFL that no other sports have to deal with is a whole week of downtime in between games. I think this Eagles offense is good and I think it is fun to watch. They are going to score a lot of points and give up even more. Vegas has the total of this game set at 57 points which is easily the highest of the week. I don’t love the matchup for Vick this week, but you certainly can’t count him out, especially considering the fact that they will likely get down and he could score some garbage time points. Rating = 6
- The Broncos shut down the running game of the Raiders last week, but that was the Raiders. Lesean McCoy has been a perfect fit for this offense and I think he is going to produce regardless of the matchup. McCoy has tallied over 150 yards from scrimmage in every game so far this season. He may not be worth the price tag, but he should still have a good week. Rating = 7
- DeSean Jackson has 19 catches for 359 yards and 2 TD’s. And he could have a lot more if it wasn’t for a few missed throws and a long TD called back. You have to love this offense because everyone’s stats are inflated. Jackson doesn’t have the best of matchups with Champ Bailey, but I don’t think you can count him out, Vick will air it out deep to him at least a couple of times.
- This offense is built with the TE’s staying back and helping to protect the QB, there aren’t many plays for either Brent Celek or Zach Ertz. Rating = 2
Denver
- Peyton Manning has to be salivating at his matchup this week. The Eagles have already given up 86 points through 3 weeks and this Broncos offense is clicking on all cylinders. Give me Manning against an average defense any day of the week. Give me Manning against an awful defense and well great things will happen. Manning will look to have the most passing TD’s through 4 games and I think he gets it. Don’t over think this one. Even if it turns into a blowout, Manning will get his stats. Rating = 10
- Ronnie Hillman, Montee Ball, and Knowshon Moreno are all in a timeshare at RB. You know that I don’t like when two guys are splitting carries, how do you think I feel about 3 of them splitting carries? Rating = 2
- You have to pick your poison here. Even against this bad Eagles offense I don’t think there are enough balls to go around for Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas, and Wes Welker to all have big games. I have a feeling that this is the week for Demaryius Thomas, he isn’t talked about as being one of the best WR’s in the game because of all the other weapons they have, but something tells me he is going to remind everyone just how good he really is.
- Julius Thomas has caught a TD in each of the first 3 games. He’s pricey, but he’s one of Manning’s favorite targets in the redzone. Rating = 6
New England at Atlanta
| New England Patriots | Atlanta Falcons | |||||||||
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| Sun – 8:30PM ET | Georgia Dome | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 1.5 | 49.5 | 24 | -1.5 | 49.5 | 25.5 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 19.7 | 22 | 22 | 12 | Off. | 23.7 | 12 | 7 | 22 | |
| Def. | 11.3 | 2 | 6 | 24 | Def. | 24.7 | 19 | 25 | 5 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Brady | 14.61 | 14.61 | 24 | 21.33 | Ryan | 19.85 | 19.85 | 2 | 10.97 | |
| Ridley | 3.80 | 3.80 | 13 | 17.62 | Rodgers | 5.83 | 5.83 | 14 | 18.01 | |
| Edelman | 15.33 | 15.33 | 26 | 37.67 | Jones | 20.50 | 20.50 | 4 | 21.64 | |
| Gronkowski | 22 | 12.83 | Gonzalez | 6.93 | 6.93 | 1 | 3.60 | |||
New England
- Tom Brady has not been the Tom Brady that we have come to expect. He has yet to top 300 yards in any game, yet the Patriots are still 3-0. The Pats are saying that Rob Gronkowski is going to give it a go this week which would really help Brady out. Once the confirmation that Gronk is playing comes out, give Brady’s value a bump up. Rating = 6
- I got suckered into the Stevan Ridley pick last week. Though it wasn’t anyone’s fault except my own. The Patriots have always been a mixed bag when it comes to the running game and I honestly didn’t see LeGarrette Blount taking carries away from Ridley. I’m not going to get burned again, they use too many backs for any of them to be fantasy relevant. Rating = 2
- If Gronk can’t suit up this week, you should be playing Julian Edelman on all sites that have a full PPR scoring system. Edelman is a PPR dream with Gronk out. Even though Edelman only had 44 yards last week, his 7 catches made him a decent play. I also think that Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson are in play if Gronk is out, Brady looks like he is trusting them more and more each week.
- Now the big question, is Gronk going to play? It sounds pretty optimistic that he will at this point so plan on using him in your lineups. Obviously check the status leading up to kickoff, but plan on using him right out of the gate. Rating = 8
Atlanta
- Matt Ryan aka Matty Ice is a QB that I love to take in H2H and 50/50 games because he is very reliable. He’s scored at least 16 fantasy points in each of his first 3 games and is usually good for around 300 yards and a couple of TD’s. While the Falcons were able to get a running game going last week, I still think the abscence of Steven Jackson gives Ryan a slight boost. The Pats pass defense isn’t as good as the numbers suggest, they just haven’t faced anyone good. Ryan should be a nice option this week. Rating = 7
- Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling both played well last week for the Falcons filling in for Steven Jackson. Rodgers piled up 93 yards from scrimmage and Snelling piled up 111 yards with a TD. Rodgers should get a few more touches than Snelling, but Snelling is used more in the passing game. Both are in play this week if you can get them cheap enough. Rating = 5
- I know that Roddy White has been banged up and has been more of a decoy than anything, but looking at the target distribution, it’s still hard to believe that he has only received 9 targets in 3 weeks. Until he is healthy, continue to look elsewhere. Julio Jones on the other hand has had 35 targets and has hauled in 27 of those. He is a beast that should be treated as a top 5 WR this week against the Pats.
- Tony Gonzalez has been very quiet this season, I’m not sure if Ryan has just found other options or if he is having trouble separating from defenders. I like to think that he will turn it on soon, but there is no point in spending on him until he starts producing. Rating = 5
Miami at New Orleans
| Miami Dolphins | New Orleans Saints | |||||||||
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| Mon – 8:40PM ET | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 6.5 | 47.5 | 20.5 | -6.5 | 47.5 | 27 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 24.7 | 11 | 14 | 28 | Off. | 23.3 | 15 | 4 | 24 | |
| Def. | 17.7 | 8 | 20 | 19 | Def. | 12.7 | 5 | 4 | 20 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Tannehill | 14.73 | 14.73 | 4 | 11.24 | Brees | 23.05 | 23.05 | 14 | 15.98 | |
| Miller | 7.63 | 7.63 | 17 | 18.70 | Sproles | 10.27 | 10.27 | 22 | 19.85 | |
| Wallace | 9.07 | 9.07 | 5 | 22.02 | Colston | 11.07 | 11.07 | 6 | 22.28 | |
| Clay | 11.13 | 11.13 | 4 | 5.42 | Graham | 23.77 | 23.77 | 29 | 16.85 | |
Miami
- Don’t look now, but Rob Ryan has that Saints defense playing some inspired football. That front seven isn’t full of big names, but they have really played well through the first 3 weeks. I’m starting to believe in that defense more and more. The best part about that defense is that they can start sending blitzes when they have a lead and you know Brees is going to get them that lead. I’ve heard a lot of experts talking about Ryan Tannehill as a good pick this week, but I just don’t see it. I will be the guy to go against the grain and say that Tannehill struggles. Rating = 3
- Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas are still splitting time at RB. Miller obviously has the bigger upside of the two backs, but neither is getting enough touches that they are good fantasy options. Rating = 3
- Mike Wallace had a big Week 2 and has pretty much disappeared in the other two games. I’m not sure what to expect from him in this one, but I like a little bit more consistency out of my players. I will label him as a GPP only play this week. Brian Hartline is along the same lines. If I think Tannehill is going to struggle, that obviously doesn’t mean I think too highly about their receivers.
- Charles Clay is a nice value play at TE this week. The Dolphins use him in a lot of different ways and he has shown that he has some talent. Rating = 5
New Orleans
- I don’t know if you can ever rule out Drew Brees. Especially when he is at home. Last year Brees average over 300 yards and over 3 TD’s in his home games and he is at it again this season averaging 350 yards with 2.5 TD’s per game. The Dolphins aren’t a defense that you avoid taking any players against and Brees remains a top 5 QB this week. Rating = 8
- The running game for the Saints isn’t getting any better. They are a pass first team. Darren Sproles is in play, but he’s in play because of his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. I usually don’t like to mention my gut plays, but I think Sproles finds the endzone this week.
- Marques Colston is not going to win any awards for consistency, but he is a guy in that middle tier that could potentially score a couple of TD’s. Not recommended for H2H and 50/50 but one of my favorite GPP plays this week.
- Jimmy Graham is the best TE in football right now. Back to back weeks with over 130 yards and a TD. He’s Brees’ favorite weapon. Rating = 10