Dose: Packers Pound Vikings
Week 5 is now officially underway after the Packers and Vikings delivered yet another lopsided Thursday Night Football contest as Green Bay hammered Minnesota 42-10. Aaron Rodgers and company displayed their dominance early and the Christian Ponder-led Vikings offense looked atrocious as the game got out of hand quickly in the first half. The average margin of victory in the five 2014 TNF games now sits at a robust 29 points as NFL teams struggle to prepare for regular season games on such a short turnaround. Despite the latest struggle to produce a competitive Thursday game, there were plenty of fantasy developments in this one, starting with the Packers.
Aaron Rodgers was pulled early as the Green Bay lead escalated, but he turned in an efficient 12-17 passing effort for 156 yards and three touchdowns, including a 66-yard scoring strike to Jordy Nelson. Rodgers’ favorite target didn’t receive his typical mountain of targets in this game due to the situation on the scoreboard, but he still resides comfortably among fantasy football’s top-five wide receivers.
Eddie Lacy finally got moving in the right direction, much to the delight of his fantasy owners, as he racked up yardage in serious chunks on his way to 105 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries. James Starks received a season-high 12 rushing attempts, but Lacy owners can take solace in the fact that Starks only managed 46 yards with the added opportunity. The much advertised “buy-low” window on Lacy is now sealed shut.
OC Norv Turner didn’t do the Vikings any favors with Christian Ponder under center, as the continued refusal to use Cordarrelle Patterson in any remotely creative fashion and absence of Teddy Bridgewater (ankle) made moving the football extremely difficult. Most of this game was played in garbage time, but Ponder’s 22-44, two interception passing effort and 5.0 YPA were the key indicators of Minnesota’s struggles. The Vikings backfield split fell in Matt Asiata’s favor once again, as he received 15 carries to Jerick McKinnon’s seven. Neither back was particularly effective, but it remains apparent that much more talented McKinnon won’t be chipping away at Asiata’s workload as quickly as the fantasy community would prefer.
Vikings at Packers Quick Slants
Minnesota was led in receiving by WR Adam Thielen, who caught four passes for 57 yards. This is all the evidence needed to prove that this game was a garbage time infused mess and a reminder that Vikings receivers will welcome Teddy Bridgewater back with open arms. … After his Week 4 explosion, Jarius Wright caught only three passes for 27 yards but was targeted a team-high eight times. He will certainly be on the fantasy watch list as Minnesota hosts Detroit in Week 6. … Randall Cobb now leads NFL wide receivers in touchdowns (6) after his first quarter score. This TD pace may not continue but he is a top-notch fantasy option in Rodgers’ offense. ... Rookie Davante Adams’ only catch of the night went for 11 yards and his first NFL touchdown. He will continue to have chances to earn the WR3 role in Green Bay as long as Jarrett Boykin (groin) sits out.
Editor's Note: Rotoworld's partner FanDuel is hosting a one-week $350,000 Fantasy Football league for Week 5's games. It's only $10 to join and first prize is $30,000. Starts Sunday, October 5th at 1pm ET. Here's the link.
In Other News….
Cowboys OC Scott Linehan declared that he is not concerned about the heavy workload that has been given to running back DeMarco Murray so far in 2014. Murray is averaging 24.8 carries per game this season and is on pace for a ridiculous total of 397 carries over a 16-game season. Obviously Murray won’t be a threat to carry the ball 400 times, but the main concern is that Dallas will run its offensive focal point into the ground before Thanksgiving. Murray, who has never played more than 14 games in a season, had a career-high 217 carries in 2013 which leads many to believe that he is due to break down eventually. Unfortunately, NFL teams have yet to allow fantasy owners to determine their personnel usage so be sure to have some spare running back depth on your fantasy bench and let the good times roll while Murray remains upright.
The NFL’s most beloved car salesman, Josh Gordon, has been visiting the Cleveland Browns practice facility every day according to the Akron Beacon-Journal. While this isn’t good news for Gordon’s sales numbers, it is encouraging that the young receiver has been a dedicated member of the Cleveland Browns during his suspension. Staying in shape and staying out of trouble are both factors that will help Gordon jump squarely back into the top-tier of fantasy receivers when his suspension ends and the Browns travel to Atlanta in Week 12. If fantasy owners can afford the roster space to stick with Gordon through bye weeks, he will be well worth the wait.
Detroit running back Joique Bell (concussion) has yet to practice after sustaining a concussion in Week 4. It appears that Bell is in serious danger of missing the Week 5 contest between Detroit and Buffalo, which would leave Reggie Bush with a bigger workload than normal. Buffalo is far from a cushy matchup for fantasy running backs but with a monopoly on touches in the Detroit backfield, Bush will be securely in the RB1 conversation this weekend.
Injury Quick Slants
Houston running back Arian Foster (hamstring) practiced Thursday but didn’t offer much insight on his status for Week 5 as he told the Houston Chronicle, “If it feels good enough to play, I’ll suit up.” Yet another Sunday morning decision will await Foster owners this weekend, and Alfred Blue could weasel his way into the starting role once again if Foster sits against the Cowboys. … Rookie Austin Seferian-Jenkins (foot) was back at practice on Thursday and is a nice low-priced tight end option this week with Mike Evans (groin) out. … Eric Decker (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday and is once again a question mark for Week 5. Although the hobbled Decker found the end zone last week, fantasy owners should opt for safer options on Sunday. … Brandon Marshall (ankle) was a full participant in practice on Thursday, which is good news for fantasy folks who will have to continue starting the Bears receiver as long as he is active. … Calvin Johnson (ankle) didn’t practice Thursday, but the extra rest should hopefully push Megatron beyond “decoy” status on Sunday when Detroit hosts Buffalo. … Titans tight end Delanie Walker declared that his current shoulder ailment could be a season-long issue. The problem hasn’t been much of an intrusion so far in 2014 as he is second among NFL tight ends in receiving yardage. … Vernon Davis (back) sat out practice on Thursday and is a dicey bet to play this weekend against Kansas City. Davis owners should have a startable replacement ready to take his spot in Week 5.
