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Bye Weeks: Philadelphia, Tampa Bay
Watkins should bounce back into WR2 territory
this week against an average Vikings pass defense.
Grab a Helmet
Sammy
Watkins v. MIN: Until a visit on Revis Island last week,
Watkins was approaching weekly starter status. With target totals
of 11, 8, 9 and 12 prior to last week, it’s clear the Bills are
making Watkins a focal point of this passing offense. Buffalo is
still a run first team, but Watkins gives the Bills a big play element
that should be more efficient with Kyle Orton behind center. Minnesota
has a very average pass defense, and doesn’t have a defender that
can safely cover Watkins 1-on-1. Pencil Watkins in for a bunch of
targets and opportunities to get into the end zone.
Marques
Colston @ DET: On pace for his worst season since an
injury riddled 2008, Colston seems to have disappeared from this
offense. Breaking down at 31 after numerous lower leg injuries,
Colston looks to have been passed up by other options. While he
might not be able to beat defenses deep, his size and veteran savvy
lead me to believe he still has some juice left. I expect a retooled
Saints offense to emerge from the bye, and if Jimmy Graham is slowed
by his shoulder injury, look for Colson to be a big part of a quick
hitting, precision passing game plan against a ferocious Lions front.
Slants, and hitches, Colston’s bread and butter, especially in the
red zone, make Colson an attractive target; especially in PPR leagues
where he could easily surpass his season high total catches with
5. This pick is clearly gut versus numbers, so take of that what
you may.
Cecil
Shorts v. CLE: Quick, what player, after missing a majority
of the off-season and regular season, started last week and racked
up a 10-103-0 line on 16 targets? Surprised? I was! After being
an afterthought for months, Shorts started against the Titans in
Week 6 and tallied a career high 16 looks from rookie QB Blake Bortles.
Jacksonville simply can’t run the ball, and they haven’t been shy
about letting their rookie signal caller toss the ball around the
yard (35+ attempts in all of his starts). Shorts has a history of
being a productive target monster, and could still be on your leagues
waiver wire. Not bad for a player who has the upside to put up WR2
numbers. There is value here if Shorts can stay healthy. With the
rash of injuries to top WRs, and byes, you could certainly do worse
than giving Shorts a shot.
Grab Some Pine
Cordarrelle
Patterson @ BUF: Boy I had to click over to FFToday.com
at least five times to check the spelling of Cordarrelle’s name!
Unfortunately for fantasy owners, Patterson has more letters in
his name (20) than receptions (17). This simply isn’t good enough
for a player who went high in many drafts and was expected to
be the next breakout star at wide receiver. With the ball in his
hands, Patterson is a unique talent. The problem is he’s not getting
the ball. Yet to surpass 4 catches or 61 receiving yards in a
game, Patterson is hampered by a hip injury, an inability to beat
press coverage, and a very limited route tree. I would seriously
need to see something from the second-year wideout before I trusted
him in my lineup as anything more than a desperate FLEX play.
Going on the road to Buffalo with a rookie QB makes sitting him
even easier.
Mohamed
Sanu v. IND: Having not been versed in Shot Caller
lore, I’m not sure how many players were recommended starts one
week (and were excellent) and recommended sits the next week.
Well this is a potential first for this column (Joseph can let
me know)! As I predicted, Sanu was a target monster last week
(15) as he went off for a career high 11-120-1 line against Carolina.
But before you trot him out again, looking for 20+ fantasy points,
consider a few things. Sanu had 4 of his targets, 3 of his catches
and 27 yards in two overtime possessions. An 8-93-1 line, while
still great, doesn’t look as good as 10+ catches and 100+ yards
he finished with. Also, the Panthers defense is a shell of its
former self, and Sanu was able to get open at will. Up next are
the Colts, who have corners that can match up with Sanu and shut
him down. With what I think will be a run heavy game play, Sanu’s
Week 6 line may prove to be the best game of his career and not
a precursor to future success. Temper expectations and roll with
Sanu only as a WR3.
Lions receivers NOT named Golden
Tate v. NO: This Lions offense was supposed to provide
a smorgasbord of fantasy production. Johnson, Tate, and Ebron
tearing up defenses downfield, while Bush and Bell win mismatches
against linebackers. Stafford, new mechanics in tow, was supposed
to press for 40+ touchdowns and 5,000 yards. But on the way to
being the Greatest Show on Turf 2, Detroit forgot how to pass
block. The Lions have surrendered the third-most sacks in the
league (21), and Stafford has been constantly harassed by pressure
up the middle. Much like the struggles of the Saints, Lions receivers
are not winning battles, and this offense has gone in the tank
since a Week 3 injury to Johnson. The Lions have scored fewer
than 20 points in 4 of their 6 games! Until Johnson returns to
open up things up on offense, Tate is simply the only fantasy
receiving option worth consideration.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
Quarterbacks 
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