The Browns’ inability to guard slot receivers bodes well for Jamison Crowder
Well, we followed the general Harris pattern with these predictions. Several huge misses – Philip Rivers, Kenny Britt and Tyrell Williams – and a big hit – both Atlanta running backs finishing in the top 15 in the rankings. But, breaking the string was that, for the first time ever, I nailed TWO bold predictions. Thank you, Jack Doyle, for validating my prediction that you’d finish as a top-11 tight end in Week 3!
What? I said a top-10 tight end? You guys aren’t going to give me a break on that? Fine, I see how it goes. But that pineapple upside down cake I baked for you guys? I’m just letting my dog eat it.
Well, I’ll let bygones be bygones and move on to Week 4’s bold predictions. But I’ll remember this.
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1) Brian Hoyer is a top-10 QB (21st in ECR)
Well, I somehow predicted him as a QB1 in this week’s piece, so why not double down on that craziness? Detroit’s defense is pretty banged up and has given up the most fantasy points to QBs this season. They’ve given up 10(!) touchdown passes to opposing quarterbacks through three games.
You know Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense are going to slice through that Bears defense like Rubble cuts through obstacles on Paw Patrol … Shoot, did I slip into the dad zone again? I meant like a hot knife through butter (or something else adults say).
So, Hoyer is going to need to keep up. There shall be points!
2) Cameron Artis-Payne is a top-15 RB (29th in ECR)
Prediction? Yes, prediction … Paaaaaaayne. Never miss an opportunity to make a Rocky III reference, folks. CAP saw about half the running back touches last week, and gained 58 total yards against a stout Minnesota defense.
He gets a much easier test this week, against a Falcons’ team that has given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Add Newton’s foot injury, and there’s a good chance Artis-Payne will wind up with the goal line opportunities.
3) Jamison Crowder is a top-20 WR (38th in ECR)
I feel like I wasn’t paying attention for a minute and Crowder became and integral part of the Redskins’ offense. Huh. Weird. Anyway, Crowder has 25 targets through three games and appears to be the WR2 option in Washington. The Browns are just a mess and have given up the third-most points to opposing wide receivers.
While I expect DeSean Jackson to get his share, the Browns seem particularly vulnerable to slot receivers, getting torched by Jarvis Landry and Jordan Matthews. I pretty much like anyone in Washington who can catch the ball this week, and Crowder meets that description, so come on down!
4) Zach Miller is a top-three TE (11th in ECR)
Well, Hoyer has to throw the ball to somebody, right? If you watched the Bears last weekend, you saw Hoyer look Miller’s way often, with nine targets. Miller wound up with eight catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Going up against a Lions’ defense that is worst in the league against tight ends – both in real life and fantasy – and it should be a huge day for the big guy.
5) Matt Ryan is a bottom-10 QB (14th in ECR)
First, although I didn’t list Ryan as a QB1 in my article, I neglected to mention him as a glaring omission. Look, when you’re going up against Kenny Stills, and he catches a 74-yard touchdown in the first few minutes of the game, it’s hard to focus when you’re writing an article, ok? Ryan has been amazing this year, but I refuse to accept that he’s morphed into a top-five QB.
Regression has to come at some point, and this is as good a time as any. Outdoors, in a short week, against an angry Panthers’ team that is pretty good against quarterbacks? Seems like the right time for me.
Dan Harris is a correspondent with FantasyPros. For more from Dan, check out his archive or follow him @danharris80.
