Fantasy Top 5 Recap: ↑Bradshaw, Turner, Gore | ↓Torain, Hillis, Finley
By Editorial Staff
These are a handful of the things that I noticed fantasy wise from this week’s games with each player’s scores from the standard ESPN scoring system.
FANTASY STARS (not just the top 5 overall scorers)
1- Ahmad Bradshaw (30 points)
There is their running game. Imagine if they didn’t resign this guy. Did Miami really choose Reggie Bush over Bradshaw? Turns out it will work out better for everybody though (Andrew Luck).
2- Michael Turner (25)
Had the highest carry count of this season (27), as the Julio Jones injury may have forcedAtlantato go back to doing what it does well. I think he was been overworked the last few seasons and Matt Ryan is going to have to step up his game to take pressure off of him.
3- Aaron Rodgers (23)
Easily the leading MVP candidate right now. Too bad for him they are killing opponents, which is forcing them to pass far less in the 4th (39 compared to 56.3 in the first 3 quarters). Next up…Minnesota!
4- Fred Jackson (22)
This guy would have be a 1st round pick if the a fantasy draft was conducted today. With the WR injuries, he is going to get more passing yards as well. If the Bills make the playoffs andJackson continues with this play he could be the lead candidate for MVP at the RB position.
5- Frank Gore (20)
Three straight 1 touchdown games after his week 3 letdown (3 total points). SF has in fact scored a running TD in every game and Gore is hitting his stride, so this should continue.
FANTASY SURPRISES (players that exceeded expectations)
1- Josh Freeman (20)
Maybe we can just chalk this up to the Saints’ bad passing defense and TB being at home. Freeman only had 3 rushing yards, and that is usally his X factor for a high fantasy output. He has struggled this year and I’m not convinced with Mike Williams hitting a sophomore wall this year.
2- Brandon Marshall (11)
This is quite impressive with him facing off against Revis… oh and saying he would get kicked out before halftime. Shouldn’t the Miami media just not put a mic in front of this guy after admitting his “problems”? Then again what else do they have to look forward to? I wonder if Luck could be bullied into throwing to Marshall so much when he is up against Revis like Matt Moore was.
3- Percy Harvin (7)
Good bounce back game for him. He had 7 receptions (lead team) and 45% of his receiving yards came from Ponder on just two series. And in related news, McNabb takes the under (week 8 ) on getting benched– two weeks earlier than last year.
4- Earnest Graham (12)
During the week Freeman admitted that he would be their lead back, but TB’s offense has looked bad and Graham is 31 years old. TB flies toLondonthis week, so maybe the age and jet lag will kick in.
5- Jordy Nelson (16)
He is still a far 3nd in targets forGreen Bay with 21 (Jennings has 48 & Finley has 35), but he leads the team with yards per catch at 20.7.
FANTASY DISAPPOINTMENTS (players that really underachieved)
1- Ryan Torain (2 points)
Unless you are logged in and refreshing the inactives and starters for the day at the last minute how can you be happy about starting a Washington RB? How about when Hightower sits and Torain starts and still puts up only 22 yards onPhiladelphia! They got behind and had to throw, but when you’re quarterback is Rex Grossman shouldn’t you throw that logic out the window? Torain seems to be the favorite RB of Shanahan, but that can change on a weekly basis.
2- Peyton Hillis (1)
If his agent wouldn’t let him play with a sore throat, then what will he do with a pulled hamstring? This might be a good case of why holding out in training camps works. He has a chance of losing out on a lot of money if he can’t come back and put up the workhorse numbers of last year—Madden Curse?
3- Roddy White (2)
So, does Julio Jones take targets away or help take pressure off of him? Either way he is way off of the production that he has put up consistently in years past.
4- Jermichael Finley (2)
This is one of the worst scenarios– he is too good to sit, but disappoints too much to be happy about it. With James Jones getting a lot more looks, there are just too many weapons in GB for him to put up good numbers consistently.
5- Owen Daniels (1)
He was up against the best TE defense (Baltimore), but this is already his second 1 point fantasy game this season. Andre Johnson’s injury really hurt him in this game as he was rarely open and was only thrown to 3 times. He has a low yards per reception number (12.3), so he thrives on the quantity of receptions.
FANTASY ADDS (not all owned, but should be considered this week)
1- DeMarco Murray (3 points)
Felix Jones is out 2-4 weeks and Choice is now listed as doubtful. Jones has struggled with injuries all season, soMurray has a chance to outshine him with the added touches. Plus, Dallas faces 2 of the top 3 worst rush defenses (STL & PHI) in the next two weeks.
2- Greg Little (7)
McCoy had 45 passing attempts coming off their bye and Little had the most targets (12) off his first start of the season.
3- Devin Hester (21)
He is leading the team with receptions and targets for the Bears at WR and he only has the potential to get a TD with the special teams.
4- Demaryius Thomas (0)
Who knows what he can do, but he may be their only deep threat, so he has a chance to have some breakout games.
5- Montario Hardesty (4)
He is the main back if Hillis misses time and he catches the ball more than Hillis. Madden NFL 13 cover man possibility? I highly doubt that EA dares doing that fan vote for the cover again. But if Hillis is traded then he should be the number one pick up.
FANTASY OVERREACTIONS (don’t go wasting a waiver spot for these guys just yet)
1- Naaman Roosevelt (12 points)
One catch. David Nelson’s touches increased with the WR injuries and C. J. Spiller turned into a WR. If your league makes Spiller a RB/WR combo, then you might want to consider picking him up.
2- Jacoby Jones (13)
Andre Johnson could possibly be back this week and he only put up good numbers because Baltimore was triple teaming Owen Daniels. You just can’t trust the recipient (opposite of beneficiary?).
3- Jerome Simpson (10)
A.J. Green is the TD target, Greshamwas limited against a good TE defense, and Simpson still had 3 drops. Plus, isn’t this guy going to get suspended? How can you get pot sent to your house and not get in trouble. If you were caught with it after being pulled over you would get a game or two.
4- Arrelious Benn (14)
Similar to Roosevelt, his production came off a big TD play. He is still only 5th on receiving targets for TB behind Williams, Winslow, Graham and Parker. And this team will have to convince me against a better passing defense than New Orleans.
5- Carson Palmer (0 points)
Don’t let the trade excitement overshadow the fact that he has been pretty bad the last few years. If you are not going to own Jason Campbell, then don’t bother with Palmer. Does Oakland actually think they can win the Super Bowl this year?!
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