Finally, the replacement for aging T.Y. Hilton is becoming apparent
– Michael Pittman. After a monster year at USC, the rookie dealt
with a calf issue early on but over the past two weeks has looked
quick off the line. And it was just two weeks ago that Pittman
toasted the Titans’ secondary for seven catches, 101 yards and
another 21 yards on the ground. Last week he wasn’t used as much,
just three targets, but caught all three, including an explosive
run-after-catch for a 45-yard score. The Titans secondary has
numerous injuries to deal with and keeping up with Pittman might
be too much to ask.
Meyers had been the most active of the Patriots receivers since
Week 8 until last Sunday when he mysteriously saw just three targets
after averaging 10.3 over the previous three games. Damiere Byrd
took up the workload, but I’m expecting New England to go back
to Meyers in Week 12. The game should be relatively high-scoring
and the Patriots will have to throw to keep pace with Kyler Murray.
This is the perfect rebound game for the entire Dolphins offense.
Starting with the quarterback and his top receiver Parker. Parker
didn’t do much in the first meeting between the teams, but
did see eight targets so the opportunities were there. The Jets
have given up five 20-plus points wideout scorers in the last
four games.
The Rams defensive line, led by three-time Defensive Player of
the Year Aaron Donald, doesn’t allow much time for quarterbacks
to find receivers and All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey can shut down almost
any receiver. Which doesn’t bode well for the 49ers’ best wideout
Deebo Samuel (hamstring) who should return from an injury that
has kept him out since Week 8. But without tight end George Kittle
(foot) or Brandon Aiyuk (Covid-19) to provide a threat on the
other side of the line, Samuel can, and will, be shut down.
Stefon Diggs is a great receiver having a great season (73-906-4).
He’s second in the league in targets with 102. But on Sunday
he’s going to disappoint fantasy owners. You may not think
of the Chargers as good defensively since all we hear about is
quarterback Justin Herbert. But they are. In fact, over the past
five weeks, the Chargers rank No.1 against opposing wideouts.
Better than the Rams who are No.1 for the season. Better than
the Football Team. Better than the Bears. Pass rusher Joey Bosa
is back from a concussion. Cornerback Chris Harris might be back.
And the Chargers are beatable on the ground. Diggs won’t
see his usual high level of opportunities and that will lead to
a dud afternoon.
It’s been a rough week for MVS after an overtime fumble
led directly to a Packers loss. Under normal circumstances, Aaron
Rodgers and the Packers would make sure Valdes-Scantling has a
good game this week by feeding him plenty of targets (not Davante
Adams level, but plenty). And if they were playing the Falcons
or Seahawks porous pass defenses I’d expect just that. However,
the Bears defense is a tough nut to crack, ranking third in fantasy
points allowed to opposing wideouts. Allen Lazard came back last
week and TE Robert Tonyan had a solid game. Adams will get the
majority of looks, as usual, Tonyan can beat the Bears, who rank
just 26th against opposing tight ends, and the two wideouts, including
MVS, will share the scraps. That won’t be much.
