Dose: Dolphins Squeak by Jets
Still trying to figure out who won that Monday night game? Me too. The real winners are those of us who managed to suffer through the Dolphins’ 16-13 “victory” and not turn the channel. Writing the post-game player blurbs last night, I kept forgetting which team was credited with the win on the scoreboard. The Jets came out as hot as you could have expected from them, ramming the ball right down the Dolphins’ throats on the ground. Geno Smith attempted just six first-half passes compared to 29 run plays. Chris Johnson turned back the clocks and managed a season-high (easily) 105 yards on the ground. Geno Smith finally flat-lined the Jets by tossing an inevitable interception on the final play.
The Dolphins didn’t play like they wanted the win, but they escaped the Meadowlands with their seventh win of the season, putting them at 7-5 as the No. 6 seed in the AFC. Ryan Tannehill was a popular plug-and-play quarterback for Week 13 against the Jets’ pitiful pass defense, but Tannehill, as he so often does, played down to the competition and mustered up all of 9.7 FanDuel points. Mike Wallace didn’t do his quarterback any favors, however, by appearing disinterested in catching a would-be 26-yard touchdown. Tannehill surprisingly put the deep ball on the money, but Wallace went for it with one hand, letting it clank off his mitt and to the turf. Tannehill’s interception was a brutal swing pass at Lamar Miller’s feet. Miller went down for it, but the ball popped into the air for an easy pick. Tannehill’s Week 13 was ugly, but he’s a candidate to put it behind him and show out at home against the Ravens in Week 14. He’ll be on the QB1 radar.
Monday Night Football Notes
Charles Clay missed his second straight game with a knee injury. Dion Sims got the start in his place, catching all four targets for 58 yards. … Jace Amaro (concussion) and Muhammad Wilkerson (toe) were among the Jets’ inactives. … The Jets rushed for 131 yards in the first quarter. That’s the most by any team in the league this season. … Brian Hartline hurt his knee in the first half and was ruled out at halftime. He went 1-9 on one target. In case you weren’t already aware, Hartline is a fantasy and real-life non-factor and is absurdly overpaid. … Jarvis Landry continues to be Tannehill’s go-to guy. He’s out-targeted Mike Wallace 37-31 the past four games. … There’s really nothing else to discuss from this game. Don’t play any Jets the rest of the season.
Don’t forget, for everything NFL, check out Rotoworld’s Player News, and follow @Rotoworld_FB and @NickMensio on Twitter.
In Other News…
CFL standout and ex-Ohio State WR Duron Carter is going to be a highly sought after free agent in February. Cris Carter’s son stands 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds. He was a mess character-wise in college, which led him to Canada. But he’s said to have his head on straight at 23. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports upwards of 15 teams have already shown interest in Carter, who finished out his CFL contract this past week. He can begin visiting NFL teams, but can’t sign until February. The Colts, 49ers, and Seahawks are said to be “very interested” in Carter, while the Browns also plan to work Carter out in the near future. Add him if he’s available in your Dynasty league.
Coach Mike Pettine again decided against naming a starting quarterback for Week 14 against the Colts. Most believe it will be Johnny Manziel. Johnny Football energized the offense, scoring its lone touchdown against the Bills. Isaiah Crowell owners are hoping Manziel gets the nod. His dual-threat skill set would open up more holes for Crowell in the run game. Manziel would be hard not to play on FanDuel in Week 14 at $6,700. The Colts may be without top CB Vontae Davis (concussion). Even if Davis plays, Manziel has QB1 upside.
Rashad Jennings hurt his ankle late in the Giants’ Week 13 loss to the Jaguars after rushing for 96 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. He couldn’t press on the ankle following the game, but said he wasn’t worried about missing any time. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport seems to agree with Jennings’ diagnosis. It’s a situation to monitor as we head into the fantasy playoffs. Jennings is a true workhorse who would be a big loss to any postseason squad. If Jennings is unable to go, Andre Williams would slide in as the No. 1 and be a candidate for 20-plus carries and RB1 outout vs. the dreadful Titans.
Coach Mike Pettine fed Terrance West to the wolves Monday, slamming the rookie running back for his fumble in Sunday’s Week 13 loss to the Bills. West is a marginal talent to begin with, unlike fellow fumbling rookie Isaiah Crowell. Crowell has gobs more upside, and has gotten over his ball-security woes. His grip on the No. 1 job only gets tighter. Pettine went as far to say No. 3 RB Glenn Winston may vault ahead of West on the depth chart this week.
DeSean Jackson suffered a fibula contusion Sunday against the Colts. “Contusion” is just a fancy name for a bruise. Coach Jay Gruden didn’t offer a timetable for Jackson, but reliable Redskins reporter Dianna Marie Russini reported Jackson won’t practice this week but should play Week 14 against the Rams. D-Jax will be a fine WR3 option, even with Colt McCoy at quarterback.
Quarterback & Running Back Slants
Latavius Murray has yet to be cleared of his Week 12 concussion, though coach Tony Sparano said he’s getting “close.” Murray will slide right back into the No. 1 spot. … Bengals OC Hue Jackson put Jeremy Hill on blast Monday, saying Hills needs to block better and break more tackles after rushing for just 40 yards on 13 carries Sunday. … Tony Romo (back) practiced in full Monday. … Zach Mettenberger appears to have avoided a serious right (throwing) shoulder injury. He’s day-to-day. … Joe Banyard was benched in Week 13 for blowing a blitz pickup. … The Bills are hopeful C.J. Spiller (collarbone, I.R./recall) can return in Week 16. … DeAngelo Williams is day-to-day with a broken finger. He’s been off the fantasy radar for weeks. … Blake Bortles is battling shoulder and ankle injuries, but should practice and play this week. … Nick Foles’ collarbone isn’t yet fully healed. … Jamaal Charles played through a bruised knee Sunday night. … Shonn Greene isn’t expected back with the Titans in 2015. … Coach Chuck Pagano showered Dan Herron with praise despite his fumble on Sunday. The Colts know Herron is their best back. … Andre Ellington’s hip pointer isn’t believed to be serious, though he could miss Week 14. … Khiry Robinson (arm) is expected to be eased back into the lineup Week 14. It’s still Mark Ingram’s backfield. … Ben Roethlisberger shook off his right (throwing) hand injury, saying it didn’t affect him in Sunday’s loss.
Wide Receiver & Tight End Slants
Miles Austin (kidney) spent another night in a Buffalo hospital Monday. … Sammy Watkins suffered a hip injury in Week 13. The Bills are in “wait-and-see” mode. Consider him day-to-day for the moment. … Justin Hunter spent Sunday and Monday night in the hospital with a ruptured spleen. He may be headed for I.R. … Coach Chuck Pagano said there’s a good chance Dwayne Allen (ankle) returns to practice this week. … Coach John Harbaugh expressed no concern about Torrey Smith’s knee Monday. … Julius Thomas (ankle) believes he’s close to a return. … Coach Jay Gruden expressed concern in Pierre Garcon’s lack of involvement in the offense. He’s a WR4. … Martellus Bennett (foot) and Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) were limited Monday. … The Falcons expect Roddy White (ankle) to return in Week 14. … Coach Bruce Arians expects Larry Fitzgerald (knee) to practice Wednesday. … Donte Moncrief out-snapped Hakeem Nicks for the second straight week Sunday. Moncrief could go berserk in Week 14 against the Browns if T.Y. Hilton is manned up by Joe Haden. … Charles Johnson played 49-of-50 snaps in Week 3. Meanwhile, Cordarrelle Patterson played just five as the No. 4 receiver.
