Dose: Ingram Delivers On TNF
The NFC South was on display this week on Thursday Night Football and the result was perfectly indicative of the division’s struggles over the first half of the NFL season. Led by running back Mark Ingram, the New Orleans Saints handled the Carolina Panthers 28-10 and now sit atop the division with an underwhelming 4-4 record.
Ingram was the star of this largely uneventful fantasy evening, as the Saints back rumbled his way to 100 yards and two scores on a career-high 30 carries. With fellow New Orleans running backs Khiry Robinson (forearm) and Pierre Thomas (shoulder) out for the last two weeks, Ingram has been a fantasy beast. The Alabama product has totaled 272 yards and three touchdowns over the last five days and is on his way to a potentially lucrative contract year. Ingram will be a solid fantasy option moving forward, as his healthy workload and goal line role will create plenty of opportunity in the New Orleans offense. As an added bonus, Ingram faces these same Carolina Panthers, as well as the porous Atlanta defense during the fantasy playoffs.
Jimmy Graham turned in his best performance in more than a month, catching all seven of his targets for 83 yards and a short-yardage touchdown. Graham’s shoulder seemed to bother him at times, but he played the entire game and now gets ten days to rest prior to New Orleans taking on San Francisco in Week 10. All “decoy” worries surrounding Graham can be safely defused, as the early-round fantasy pick is nearly back to producing at his normal all-world levels.
On the Carolina side of the coin, not much went right on Thursday as quarterback Cam Newton looked terrible outside of one early second half drive. Newton completed just 10 of 28 passes for 151 yards and one interception on the evening and has completed only 39 of 81 passes (48%) over his last three games. With Newton producing erratic (at best) passing statistics, his fantasy value is as dependent on his legs as ever. Hopefully coach Ron Rivera can get the Panthers receivers back in sync with Newton over their layoff prior to Week 10.
Saints at Panthers Quick Slants
No Carolina player caught more than three passes, as tight end Greg Olsen led the way with three grabs for 20 yards. … Standout rookie Kelvin Benjamin was heavily targeted (10) but caught only two of those passes for 18 yards. Look for Benjamin to rebound in a big way as much softer matchups with Philadelphia and Atlanta await in Weeks 10 and 11. … Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams split the Carolina backfield work, as each back handled eight carries. Stewart produced 46 yards, while Williams ran for only 20 yards in addition to a 30-yard reception. … Kenny Stills received a season-high eight targets and hauled in five of those passes for 72 yards. Stills is averaging 77.3 yards per game over the last three weeks and is working his way closer to being a reliable fantasy asset.
In Other News...
Giovani Bernard (hip) missed practice again on Thursday and is looking extremely doubtful to suit up on Sunday. In addition to Bernard missing practice all week, Cincinnati has been “getting [Cedric] Peerman ready as a complimentary back to Jeremy Hill,” according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. All signs are pointing toward the Bengals taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars without Bernard this week, which would make rookie running back Jeremy Hill an extremely appealing option, especially with six NFL teams on bye.
Cleveland’s Ben Tate spoke to the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Thursday and alluded to the fact that the Browns offensive line hasn’t been creating many holes during his recent struggles. Whether the blame should be placed on the running back or the line, Tate needs to turn in a solid effort this week against the soft Tampa Bay defense. Rookie running backs Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell are still receiving work in this backfield so a strong performance is needed to gain the recently underwhelming Tate some breathing room.
Rashad Jennings (knee) will be inactive on Monday Night Football as the New York Giants take on the Indianapolis Colts. Jennings was expected to return to the field with the rest of his team after New York’s Week 9 bye, but his injured knee is requiring more time to heal. Andre Williams will now get another chance to start, but the rookie hasn’t exactly run away with his opportunity as Jennings rehabs his injury. Williams is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry this season and hasn’t cracked 70 yards on the ground in his last four games despite averaging 17.5 carries over that span. Williams will remain a RB2 candidate based on workload alone, but an increase in production would be a welcomed sight.
Reggie Wayne (elbow) missed Thursday’s practice and although it was labeled as a “rest day,” Wayne’s Week 9 status is still in doubt. If Wayne does indeed miss Monday’s game against the Giants, fantasy owners will be wise to roll with impressive rookie Donte Moncrief at wide receiver. With Wayne sitting out in Week 8, Moncrief was targeted a team-high 12 times by Andrew Luck and collected a smooth seven catches for 113 yards and a score. Check out Donte Moncrief’s Metrics by Matt Kelley if you want further evidence of the talent this young receiver possesses.
News and Notes
Michael Vick stated on Thursday that he has “to play with some type of control,” which is quite an understatement. Vick has fantasy value thanks to his wheels but is still a turnover liability. … Dennis Pitta (hip) is unsure whether he will ever return to the field after undergoing hip surgery for a second time. .. Donald Brown (concussion) is practicing in full as the Chargers prepare to take on the Dolphins this week. His role behind Branden Oliver is undetermined, but he will likely play more than the 14 snaps per game that Ronnie Brown has averaged during Brown’s absence. … Ronnie Hillman (shoulder) tweaked his shoulder in practice this week and was limited on Thursday. Despite the ding, Hillman is expected to handle his “normal workload” this week as Denver takes on New England. Hillman’s sudden role as a reliable weekly fantasy starter remains intact.
Injury Quick Slants
Dallas coach Jason Garrett declared that he is “certainly” optimistic about Tony Romo’s (back) chances of playing this week. Romo did not practice on Thursday and is a dicey bet to suit up in Week 9, despite his coach’s positive words. … Doug Martin (ankle) did not practice Thursday but is apparently moving without his walking boot at this point in the week. No matter his footwear, Martin looks doubtful to play this week. Fire up Bobby Rainey and rookie Charles Sims if Martin sits. … Marcedes Lewis (ankle) is now practicing in limited fashion as he attempts to return to Jacksonville’s starting lineup when eligible in Week 12. … Darren Sproles (knee) is healthy and ready for action as Philadelphia takes on Houston in Week 9. … A.J. Green (toe) was limited, but did practice on Thursday. Green is creeping closer to playing and has a shot to suit up this weekend. … Jordan Cameron (concussion) missed practice on Thursday and looks like a long shot to play on Sunday. … Vincent Jackson (ribs) was limited Thursday but no signs have emerged that indicate Jackson is in danger of missing Week 9.
