- Running back Jamaal Charles continues to be the best running back in all of fantasy football. He even drew the most targets from noodle-arm Alex Smith. If he ever becomes available in your league, it doesn’t hurt to make an attempt at nabbing him.
- Meanwhile, Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe continues to go to waste beyond as he heads down field. He’s not a viable option in any type of league.
- With a complete lack of running game in Tennessee, look for the Titans receivers to get more looks. So far, it appears Kendall Wright will be the lead dog as he drew eight targets to go with six catches and 74 yards.
- Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston had another sack to bring his season total to 8.5. He continues to be an IDP stud, especially in big play leagues.
Category Archives: Weekly Recap
Dynasty Recap – Week 5 – Bengals stop Patriots, 13-6
- Quarterback Tom Brady went without a touchdown pass for the first time in four years. Luckily, it appears Rob Gronkowski will be back this week and all will be right with the world.
- Running back LeGarrette Blount ran for a respectable 4.3 YPC in his 12 carries for New England. Of course, he also fumbled in the game so don’t be surprised if Stevan Ridley gets another chance to lock down the position.
- On the other side of the field, Giovani Bernard had 13 carries compared to BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ 19. Dynasty owners can expect the back-and-forth routine this year but Bernard should be good for years to come.
- Bengals rookie tight end Tyler Eifert saw a career-high seven targets to go along with five catches and 53 yards. The changing of the guard could become official soon so now would be the time to jump on the Eifert bandwagon.
- Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes had his best game of 2013 with 12 tackles, two tackles for a loss, a pass defended, and an interception. Spikes had a solid 2012 with 92 tackles but that appears to have been his ceiling. I’d sell high on Spikes right now.
Dynasty Recap – Week 5 – Ravens escape Dolphins, 26-23
- Baltimore committed to giving the ball to running back Ray Rice and they came through. Rice had 27 carries, more than double his season-high of 13, and had six catches on seven targets. Rice is still a top-tier dynasty running back so play him with ease.
- With no Anquan Bolden or Dennis Pitta, Torrey Smith is averaging a little over 10 targets a game to go along with 27 catches for 556 yards. It’s amazing what he’s been able to do with a lack of support and solidifies him as a dynasty stud going forward.
- Perennial boom-or-bust Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace had a ‘boom’ week with seven catches for 105 yards. Walllace, who’s never been consistent, along with an offense still trying to figure itself out doesn’t bode well for Wallace’s long-term prospects. Thanks to his big contract this off-season, he’ll get more chances but isn’t worth a long-term spot on your roster.
- Rookie Ravens linebacker Arthur Brown continues to underwhelm and had only one tackle this week. Brown was drafted to take over Ray Lewis’ old spot on the inside but has yet to outplay veteran Daryl Smith. Smith will most likely be gone after this year as he was only signed to a one year deal so look for Brown to move in to the starting lineup in 2014. He’s a buy-low candidate.
Dynasty Recap – Week 5 – Eagles down Giants, 36-21
- With Giants quarterback Eli Manning averaging a whopping 40 pass attempts a game, the targets are coming in droves. This week it was Rueben Randle leading the way with 13 to go with six catches and 96 yards. With Hakeem Nicks expected to leave via free agency this year, Randle is the heir apparent to Nick’s spot and should be targeted in dynasty circles.
- Running back David Wilson had only six carries before leaving with an injury. On the season, Wilson is averaging 3.3 YPC after averaging 5.0 last year. Now could possibly be the best time to pick Wilson off as a buy-low candidate from those fed up with his lack of production.
- Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson is back to his usual boom-or-bust self with seven catches for 132 and a touchdown. He seems to be the favorite no matter who’s at quarterback, totaling 12 targets when the next highest total was LeSean McCoy at eight.
- Speaking of targets, rookie Zach Ertz had a career-high three targets and two catches. It remains to be seen where Ertz will fit in as incumbent Brent Celek is still entrenched as the starter and has three more years on his contract. Ertz could also be a buy-low candidate.
- Quarterback Nick Foles will audition for teams as he takes over for the injured Mike Vick. However, it would seem that, with so many quarterback in 2014’s rookie class, Foles won’t necessarily be able to cash in a la Matt Flynn. I don’t see Foles breaking out.
Dynasty Recap – Week 5 – Saints escape Bears, 26-18
- If you were late to the Alshon Jeffery party, don’t bother showing up. He’s not going anywhere in dynasty circles. And at 23, compared to Brandon Marshall’s 29, Jeffery could be the man very soon.
- Chicago running back Matt Forte has been a top three running back in fantasy this year. If you’re close to a championship. If you’re not, now’s the time to sell high. Forte is 27 and has worn a lot of tread off those tires.
- Saints rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro had another solid outing subbing in for Roman Harper. He filled up the state sheet with six tackles, one sack, and one pass defended. Vaccarro is a defensive back to watch for years to come with the Saints bend-not-break defense.
- Chicago veteran linebacker Lance Briggs had another stellar outing with 14 tackles, a sack, and three tackles for a loss. As mentioned in our recent PFF article, now may be the time to sell high on Briggs. The 32-year old is only under contract through 2014 and, depending on how Chicago finishes this year, big changes could be in store.
Dynasty Recap – Week 5 – Browns beat Bills, 37-24
- Running back C.J. Spiller had only eight carries and no targets while battling through injuries. Even though Spiller has shown he can carry the load, Buffalo still doesn’t take advantage. His carries for the first five games have totaled 17-16-10-23-8 while getting no catches the last two games. He’s still the long-term solution so he might make an ideal buy-low candidate.
- Meanwhile, quarterback E.J. Manual‘s play has gradually declined since a solid two weeks to start the season and will now be out a few weeks with a knee injury. While Manual is the long-term solution in Buffalo, there might be a half-dozen quarterbacks for you to consider drafting in dynasty circles in 2014 that offer more than Manual.
- Cleveland’s running game averaged less than 3.0 YPC. Keep an eye on whoever takes over that role next year as they HAVE to be better than what they have now.
- Buffalo rookie receiver Robert Woods had 13 targets with five catches for 64 yards. He was working well with Manual at quarterback and should continue that when Manual comes back. He’s at the top of the rookie receiver class at the moment.
- Cleveland receiver Josh Gordon had four catches for 84 yards while trade talk swirls. No matter if Gordon gets shipped off, or sticks around Cleveland with a new, presumably better, quarterback, next year, Gordon is a worthy gamble.
- Buffalo linebacker Kiko Alonso continues his great rookie season with 12 tackles.
- On the other side of the field, Barkevious Mingo had four tackles, one pass defended and, more importantly, four quarterback hits, any of which could have been a sack. Mingo continues to disrupt the backfield in his rookie season.
Dynasty Recap – Week 4 – Saints beat Dolphins, 38-17
- Miami tight end Charles Clay had a solid day with six catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. If your league classifies him as a tight end, he could be worth a stash long-term. Incumbent Dustin Keller blew out his knee in pre-season and is a free agent and rookie Dion Sims is better utilized as a blocker.
- Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace continues to struggle. He only caught three of his seven targets, which doesn’t quiet the notion that him and Ryan Tannehill are having communication issues. It was curious that Miami signed Wallace for their west coast offense in the first place. With the team succeeding, it’s doubtful there will be a change in regime/scheme anytime soon.
- Saints undrafted rookie Khiry Robinson led the team in carries with 12. He had only 37 yards but it bodes well that the team trusted him that much for the inevitable departure of Mark Ingram. Robinson is a guy to watch for deep dynasty leagues.
Dynasty Recap – Week 4 – Patriots escape Falcons, 30-23
- Patriots rookie receiver Kenbrell Thompkins is quickly becoming Tom Brady’s favorite target not named Gronkowski. Thompkins still is learning, which is evident when you consider Thompkins had 11 targets but only six catches. But he offers the most ability for Tom Brady and is the receiver to own in dynasty circles.
- With Stevan Jackson still out, the Falcons continue to split running back duties, giving Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling equal billing. Whoever wins the battle to the death is the backup to own in Atlanta as Stevan Jackson, as we’ve seen, might be breaking down more and more.
- Patriots running back Stevan Ridley continues to be downplayed by Bill Belichick. At this point last year he had 74 carries. This year? 47. Something is up but until Ridley has a breakout game, He’s a risk. Of course, his value has also taken a dive so he’s a good hold candidate at the moment.
Dynasty Recap – Week 4 – Broncos obliterate Eagles, 52-20
- Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning did Peyton Manning things and threw for 300+ and four touchdowns. Even though he’s 37, Manning is still a strong buy candidate. 300 yards and three touchdowns appears to be automatic and consistency is golden in fantasy football. Just be sure to grab Brock Osweiler while you can.
- As for the running game, Denver still had their backs carry it about evenly with 12, 11, and eight carries. It’s a situation to avoid for now but Ball, with the most years left on his deal and the highest drafted, is still the guy to own. Now might be a good time to buy low.
- For Philadelphia, quarterback Mike Vick had a decent game with 248 yards to go along with 41 yards rushing. If he makes it to the end of the season, he’s a great contributor for 2013 but you’d be wise to trade him for an asset if you’re able.
- Denver defensive back Duke Ihenacho had his best game since his surprise game one performance. His nine tackles this week were the most since his week one, 12-tackle performance. With only seven tackles combined in weeks two and three, Ihenacho just isn’t a reliable defensive back for dynasty purposes.
Dynasty Recap – Week 4 – Redskins get first win over Raiders, 24-14
- Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III had his first sub-300 yard game this year – but the Redskins got their first win. The team also ran the ball just as much as it passed which is more like the Redskins way. Griffin will still be a value but it’ll be in small doses.
- Speaking of the running game, Redskins running back Alfred Morris had 4.4 YPC after 16 carries but was knocked out with an injury to his ribs. Roy Helu only averaged 3.3 YPC so Morris’ job is plenty safe. Morris is a guy to own in dynasty circles.
- Washington receiver Leonard Hankerson has established himself as the receiver to have opposite Pierre Garcon. He had just as many targets as Garcon (7) to go along with his four catches and 49 yards. Again, Washington is a run-first team so a second receiver in this offense won’t have nearly the same value as others but Hankerson is someone to stash for dynasty purposes.
- I’d just avoid anyone on offense in Oakland. Done and done.
- Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan had two more sacks to give him five for the year. Just 25 and signed through 2014, Kerrigan is a strong play for sacks / big play IDP dynasty leagues.
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