Jeff Brubach of The Fake Football recaps the action from week 10 and highlights some key performances, and what it means looking forward.
The Fake Football has been gracious enough to share a weekly article with our users. For additional Fake Football insight, you can visit TheFakeFootball.com
As Sunday of Week 10 finally reached it’s night cap, a big time shootout was expected as Dallas traveled to New Orleans and that expectation was met. By one team. The Saints steamrolled the Cowboys and Drew Brees was his normal, excellent self. In a night where Jimmy Graham was held to 59 yards and no touchdowns, which actually should earn Dallas some sort of trophy, Brees made use of Darren Sproles while the Ghost of Marques Colstons Past paid a visit to the fake football world in a Scrooge-like twist. On the other side of the ball, Tony Romo threw for just 128 yards and Dez Bryant had exactly one reception. So it goes in the land of fantasy footballing! Let’s take a further look at some highlights and lowlights from Week 10′s fantasy action:
Drew Brees: The Saints spread the ball out all over the field on Sunday night, and even got Mark Ingram involved. Yes, Mark Ingram! Brees hit Marques Colston, Darren Sproles, and Pierre Thomas all seven times each on his way to 392 passing yards and a four touchdowns. Brees has averaged 369 passing yards per game over New Orleans’ last three contests and did his damage this week without Jimbo Graham heavily involved. Not a great fantasy football playoff schedule for Brees and New Orleans (STL, CAR twice) but if anyone can overcome tough matchups it is indeed the New Orleans Saints.
Ben Tate: With Arian Foster now out for the season, Ben Tate began his reign as the Texans starting running back in uneventful fashion. Tate handled 15 carries for 55 yards (3.7 ypc) and also caught three passes for eight yards. Tate is no picture of health himself due to sore ribs, but as long as he is upright, he still has some skills and get Jacksonville in Weeks 12 and 14. For you crazy deep leaguers, Dennis Johnson handled the backup duties.
Golden Tate: As Seattle moved to 9-1, Tate put together a great game catching six of seven targets for 106 yards and a score. The absence of Sidney Rice is beneficial for Tate, as he is primarily used on the outside in Seattle. Percy Harvin’s much anticipated return will likely hurt Doug Baldwin more than Tate, so get with the program and start the Golden One next week as Seattle gets Minnesota at home.
Alshon Jeffery: No matter who is under center in Chicago, the top two Bears wide outs pump out some serious fantasy points. This week, it was a combination of Jay Cutler and Josh McCown that targeted Jeffery 18 times, of which Alshon hauled in nine passes for 114 yards. Since Week 3, Jeffery has only one game under 60 yards receiving, which makes him a weekly start in my book. Check it out at your local library. Do they still have those?
Riley Cooper: Mr. Cooper was at it again in Week 10, catching three passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper now has racked up 241 yards and a five-pack of scores over the last two weeks as Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles has been equally as hot. Cooper was likely snagged off waivers in your league last week, but don’t sweat missing out, as Cooper won’t continue averaging 30 yards per catch even with a relatively friendly remaining schedule.
Jake Locker: In his third game back after returning from a hip injury, Locker felt like he needed more time on the couch, so he went ahead and added a possible Lisfranc injury to his foot. Locker just can’t stay healthy and is now expected to miss the remainder of the 2013 season. It feels like about “MoveonfromJakeLocker O’clock,” but I get the feeling that Tennessee will give him another shot next season before throwing in the towel after they go 5-11.
Tavon Austin: Austin has been a tough nut to crack over the course of the 2013 season, as the St. Louis top draft pick has done nothing in the fantasy production department since his two scores in Week 2. This Sunday, Austin decided to get involved as he took a punt return back 98 yards for a touchdown and added two catches for 138 yards and two scores. Austin was essentially playing in his old high school track spikes as he showed the world his absolutely blazing speed. This was a nice picture of what the future holds for Austin and the Rams, but the giddiness should be primarily felt by Austin’s dynasty owners. Redraft owners should temper expectations as big plays are possible, but Austin has had more than three offensive touches just once since Week 3.
T.Y. Hilton: This is just your weekly reminder that T.Y. Hilton deserves legitimate weekly WR1 consideration, as he is just flattening opposing defenses since Reggie Wayne was lost for the season. Even in a game where Andrew Luck and the Colts couldn’t get in any type of rhythm, Hilton still caught seven of eight targets for 130 yards. That is 14 catches, 251 yards and three touchdowns over the last two weeks for Hilton who is now the centerpiece of Indianapolis’ offense (aside from their quarterback, of course). Keep riding this train to title town.
Terrelle Pryor: Pryor jumped out to a quick start on Sunday with a rushing touchdown early on, but did almost nothing after that point as he continued to be hampered by a knee injury. Pryor’s fake football bread and butter, his wheels, failed him as he ran for only 19 yards this week against the New York Giants. Without a healthy stack of rushing yards, Pryor has a difficult road to fantasy relevance so plant him on your bench until he gets healthy and gets running again.
A.J. Green: Thanks to a late game Hail Mary that was gift wrapped at Macy’s and then handed to A.J. Green, the Cincinnati stud wide receiver pumped out his fifth straight 100+ receiving yard performance. Eight grabs for 151 yards and a touchdown was the final line for Green, who is looking every bit as uncoverable as he looked last season. Along with Gio Bernard (who also had himself a nice Week 10), the Bengals have some incredible weapons to utilize in covering up Andy Dalton’s mediocrity. Green will continue his battle with Dez, Demaryius, Marshall and Megatron for wide receiver supremacy next week vs. Cleveland.
Mario Manningham: In his 2013 debut, Manningham had only three catches for 30 yards as San Francisco lost to Carolina on Sunday. What is notable about this three for 30 stat line is the fact that Vernon Davis left with a concussion and Manningham led the 49ers in pass targets with six. Manningham is worth an add, as Colin Kaepernick is desperate for weapons at this point, especially if VD misses time. He is a fairly “snooze-worthy” add but a necessary add nonetheless.
Andre Brown: The Giants eased Brown into action The Giants were so eager to put the Brandon Jacobs/Peyton Hillis era behind them that they immediately force fed Andre Brown 30 carries on Sunday. Brown turned those 30 totes into 115 yards and a score in a very successful 2013 debut. If you were the smart cookie in your league that stashed Brown a few weeks back, go grab yourself a cold one and a pat on the back. Brown and the Giants get Green Bay at home in Week 11, where Brown will likely get another sizeable workload.
Peyton Manning: Eli’s much cooler big brother added another huge performance to his 2013 game log on Sunday, throwing for 330 yards and four touchdowns. The performance was great in all respects, but Manning came away from the game sore after taking a low hit late in the contest. Manning admitted after the game that he will have an MRI on Monday to check in on his sore ankles and knee, so stay tuned for an update. Don’t go donating your bright orange #18 jersey or making trade proposals just yet, but it is something to keep an eye on.
View more articles from The Fake Football:
– Week 10 Waiver Wire Targets
– Fake Football, Real Questions
– All Fantasy Football Articles
