Week 8 AFC Targets and Touches
From here on out, this column will only have players’ six most recent games, regardless if they were active or on a bye. Targets and touches will be in descending order of games played.
All targets and touches data is compiled from Pro Football Reference.
Note: if a player has an asterisk next to a number in their data set, that indicates the player was injured during the game. Also, this data will stick to fantasy relevant players meaning that running backs and wide receivers that only see one target or touch per-game will not be included.
Just as a reminder, the NFC targets and touches report comes out every Wednesday.
Editor's Note: Stay up to date on all the breaking news at the Rotoworld Player News page, and follow @Rotoworld_FB and @GrahamBarfield on Twitter.
Baltimore Ravens
Targets: Steve Smith (Week 2: 16, Week 3: 17, Week 4: 7*, Week 5: 0, Week 6: 10, Week 7: 9), Justin Forsett (4, 7, 1, 5, 8, 4), Crockett Gillmore (6, 3, 0, 0, 6, 7), Kamar Aiken (7, 1, 7, 9, 8, 3), Marlon Brown (4, 5, 4, 4, 4, 5), Maxx Williams (1, 7, 4, 1, 4, 0), Buck Allen (1, 0, 0, 1, 3, 1)
RB Touches: Justin Forsett (19, 14, 27, 25, 24, 15), Javorius Allen (2, 3, 5, 8, 5, 4)
Red zone Targets: Steve Smith (3, 2, 0*, 0, 2, 0), Crockett Gillmore (2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1), Justin Forsett (0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1), Kamar Aiken (0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0), Javorius Allen (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0)
Red zone Carries: Justin Forsett (5, 0, 2, 2, 3, 2), Buck Allen (0, 0, 1, 4, 1, 0)
CBs Thrown At (via PFF): Jimmy Smith 7, 10, 4, 11, 5, 5 (Allowed: 4-62-1, 7-126-1, 2-28, 8-92, 2-53, 4-33-2) and Lardarius Webb 5, 10, 3, 10, 3, 6 (2-24, 5-90-1, 1-9-0, 10-72-1, 1-5, 4-81)
Analysis: After a slow start, Justin Forsett has finished inside of the top-20 running backs in weekly PPR output for four straight weeks and has two finishes inside of the top-12. He's affirmatively back on the weekly "RB1" (top-12) radar.
Buffalo Bills
Targets: Sammy Watkins (8, 2*, 0, 0, 5*, 0), Charles Clay (6, 7, 13, 3, 13, 5), Percy Harvin (5, 8, 8, 4, 0*, 0), LeSean McCoy (3, 3, 0, 0, 4, 4), Robert Woods (3, 5, 5, 2, 6, 13), Karlos Williams (2, 0, 4, 0, 0, 0), Chris Hogan (1, 4, 5, 3, 5, 11), Anthony Dixon (0, 0, 3, 3, 0, 0), Dan Herron (0, 2, 1)
RB Touches: LeSean McCoy (18, 12, 0, 0, 18, 20), Karlos Williams (8, 12, 21, 0, 0, 0), Anthony Dixon (0, 5, 2, 10, 0, 0), Dan Herron (9, 2, 3)
Red zone Targets: Charles Clay (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0), LeSean McCoy (0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0), Percy Harvin (0, 1, 2, 0, 0, 0), Chris Hogan (1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1), Robert Woods (0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 2)
Red zone Carries: LeSean McCoy (2, 1, 0, 0, 4, 1), Karlos Williams (2, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0), Tyrod Taylor (1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0), Anthony Dixon (0, 0, 2, 1, 0, 0)
CBs Thrown At: Stephon Gilmore 13, 6, 10, 6, 8, 4 (8-57-1, 3-66-1, 4-49-1, 2-20, 5-78-1, 3-50-1), Ronald Darby 9, 11, 7, 5, 7, 8 (3-48, 4-51, 2-6, 3-20, 6-53, 2-40), Nickell Robey 6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 1 (5-72, 3-37, 3-18, 3-28, 1-24, 1-5)
Analysis: Akin to the aforementioned Justin Forsett above, LeSean McCoy’s 2015 debut with the Bills didn’t get off of the ground incredibly well. He’s battled a bum hamstring that he injured in the pre-season and seemingly hasn’t been 100% healthy all year. Still, over the last two weeks, he’s rushed for 159 yards on 34 attempts (4.7 yards per carry) and has finished as the RB11 and RB26 in weekly PPR output. The Bills are on a bye in Week 8 and the extra rest should only help McCoy.
Cincinnati Bengals – On Bye in Week 7
Targets: A.J. Green (8, 4, 13, 9, 8, 7), Tyler Eifert (12, 5, 3, 4, 12, 4), Jeremy Hill (0, 1, 0, 0, 2, 1), Giovani Bernard (6, 3, 4, 0, 8, 2), Marvin Jones (3, 5, 8, 2, 8, 12), Mohamed Sanu (3, 2, 4, 6, 5, 4)
RB Touches: Jeremy Hill (19, 11, 12, 9, 9, 17) and Gio Bernard (14, 23, 16, 13, 20, 9)
Red zone Targets: A.J. Green (2, 2, 3, 1, 0, 0), Tyler Eifert (2, 2, 2, 0, 2, 1), Mohamed Sanu (1, 1, 2, 2, 0, 0), Gio Bernard (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0), Marvin Jones (1, 2, 2, 0, 1, 1), Jeremy Hill (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1)
Red zone Carries: Jeremy Hill (8, 0, 4, 4, 2, 0), Gio Bernard (2, 6, 4, 2, 3, 4)
CBs Thrown At: Dre Kirkpatrick 7, 5, 8, 10, 3, 11 (3-31, 4-67-1, 4-53-1, 7-122, 1-7, 7-82) and Adam Jones 7, 7, 5, 1, 1, 5 (5-42, 5-47, 4-36, 0-0, 1-22, 3-25)
Cleveland Browns
Targets: Travis Benjamin (4, 10, 10, 12, 13, 8), Gary Barnidge (1, 10, 6, 10, 9, 7), Duke Johnson (0, 7, 10, 8, 4, 7), Andrew Hawkins (4, 6, 3, 9, 4, 3), Brian Hartline (3, 7, 6, 3, 3, 3), Isaiah Crowell (0, 0, 3, 2, 2, 0), Robert Turbin (1, 2)
RB Touches: Isaiah Crowell (15, 10, 13, 15, 13, 8), Duke Johnson (12, 10, 17, 15, 12, 13), Robert Turbin (10, 6)
Red zone Targets: Andrew Hawkins (0, 2, 0, 3, 0, 0), Gary Barnidge (0, 2, 2, 1, 2, 0), Benjamin (0, 2, 0, 0, 1, 1), Duke Johnson (0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1), Brian Hartline (0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1)
Red zone Carries: Isaiah Crowell (0, 2, 3, 0, 1, 1), Duke Johnson (0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0), Robert Turbin (1, 0)
CBs Thrown At: Joe Haden 7, 8, 6, 0, 5* (6-99-1, 3-34-1, 6-87, 0-0, 4-44) – Inactive in Week 6 & 7 and Tramon Williams 5, 7, 6, 5, 13, 2 (3-37, 3-26, 2-16, 3-59, 5-103-1, 1-20)
Analysis: Here are Gary Barnidge’s last five receiving lines: 6-105-1, 6-75-1, 8-139-1, 3-39-2, and 6-101. He finished as the TE6, TE5, TE5, TE8, and TE5 during that five-week span. I realize that “Gary Barnidge” doesn’t hold the same name value as Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce, but he’s been producing at an unbelievably consistent rate for the position. Nobody ever lost money taking a (Barnidge) profit.
Denver Broncos – On Bye in Week 7
Targets: Emmanuel Sanders (12, 14, 9, 6, 12, 12), Demaryius Thomas (11, 14, 13, 12, 8, 17), C.J. Anderson (8, 1, 1, 1, 2), Jordan Norwood (5, 5, 3, 0, 3, 2), Owen Daniels (2, 5, 9, 5, 5, 3), Virgil Green (1, 3, 1, 0, 0, 0), Ronnie Hillman (0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 5), Bennie Fowler (0, 0, 4, 1, 2, 1)
RB Touches: C.J. Anderson (16, 13, 9, 12, 13, 17) and Ronnie Hillman (12, 9, 8, 12, 8, 23)
Red zone Targets: Demaryius Thomas (0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 0) Emmanuel Sanders (0, 2, 0, 1, 1, 1), Owen Daniels (0, 0, 2, 2, 2, 0), Ronnie Hillman (0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0), Jordan Norwood (0, 3, 0, 0, 1, 1)
Red zone Carries: C.J. Anderson (0, 0, 4, 2, 3, 3) and Ronnie Hillman (1, 2, 1, 2, 0, 1)
CBs Thrown At: Chris Harris Jr. 5, 4, 4, 7, 7, 4 (4-13, 4-58, 3-20, 4-48, 4-40, 2-11), Aqib Talib 4, 5, 9, 7, 3, 7 (2-25, 1-7, 7-70, 6-70-1, 1-19, 3-44), Bradley Roby 3, 0, 3, 8, 4, 4 (2-11, 0-0, 1-5, 6-86, 3-26, 2-25)
Houston Texans
Targets: DeAndre Hopkins (11, 14, 22, 14, 15, 12), Arian Foster (0, 0, 5, 10, 6, 7), Nate Washington (8, 9, 0*, 0, 0, 16), Cecil Shorts (12, 9, 10, 0, 6, 0), Jaelen Strong (0, 0, 0, 2, 1, 1), Keith Mumphery (2, 0, 7, 8, 4, 3)
RB Touches: Arian Foster (0, 0, 11, 28, 23, 23), Alfred Blue (6, 31, 6, 7, 0, 3), Chris Polk (16, 5, 6, 3, 9, 7)
Red zone Targets: DeAndre Hopkins (2, 1, 7, 0, 2, 1), Cecil Shorts (3, 0, 2, 0, 0, 0), Nate Washington (1, 1, 0*, 0, 0, 3), Jaelen Strong (0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0), Keith Mumphery (0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0), Arian Foster (0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 1)
Red zone Carries: Arian Foster (0, 0, 0, 2, 2, 5), Chris Polk (1, 0, 2, 0, 1, 2), Alfred Blue (0, 5, 1, 0, 0, 2)
CBs Thrown At: Kareem Jackson 6, 7, 9, 5, 5, 2* (6-52-1, 5-44, 6-117, 4-41, 3-71-1, 1-2) – Inactive in Week 7, Johnathan Joseph 9, 12, 2, 8, 9, 3 (5-74-1, 2-24, 2-9, 5-55-1, 5-54, 3-21), Kevin Johnson 3, 5, 3, 7, 9, 3 (1-2, 4-74-1, 2-8, 3-33, 5-72, 3-73-2)
Analysis: With Arian Foster’s (Achilles’) injury, the Houston backfield will revert back to the convoluted mess it was in Week 1-3. Unless Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, or Jonathan Grimes emerges as the clear starter, this will be a backfield to avoid in fantasy leagues. Tentatively, Blue is the “starter” but Polk and Grimes will mix in. Without Foster in Week 1-3, the Texans backfield snap split was as follows: Blue (93 snaps), Grimes (85), and Polk (71).
Indianapolis Colts
Targets: T.Y. Hilton (7, 7, 13, 9, 9, 15), Donte Moncrief (8, 7, 9, 3, 11, 6), Frank Gore (1, 2, 7, 0, 3, 8), Andre Johnson (7, 1, 2, 7, 6, 4), Dwayne Allen (0, 0, 0, 1, 3, 1), Phillip Dorsett (6, 3, 3, 2, 2*), 4, Coby Fleener (0, 6, 12, 3, 6, 5), Ahmad Bradshaw (1, 2)
RB Touches: Frank Gore (16, 15, 17, 22, 15, 14) and Ahmad Bradshaw (5, 2)
Red zone Targets: T.Y. Hilton (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 3), Andre Johnson (0, 0, 0, 3, 0, 0), Donte Moncrief (0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 2), Dwayne Allen (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0), Frank Gore (0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0), Coby Fleener (0, 0, 2, 1, 0, 0)
Red zone Carries: Frank Gore (0, 4, 3, 4, 4, 2) and Ahmad Bradshaw (1) – No Red zone rushes in Week 7
CBs Thrown At: Vontae Davis 7, 6, 9, 5, 4, 5 (4-53-1, 4-50-1, 4-55, 3-28-1, 1-10, 3-27), Greg Toler 9, 9, 9 (7-103, 6-102, 4-74), Darius Butler 0, 0, 12, 1, 3, 4 (0-0, 0-0, 10-134-1, 1-6, 1-19, 3-27-1)
Analysis: Instead of talking about the skill players on the Colts, I wanted to mention Andrew Luck here. Yes, he’s played the last two weeks with an injured throwing shoulder – but he has simply not played very well this year. Luck has thrown two or more interceptions in four of his five games and has not completed more than 60% of his passes in a single game this year. Again, he’s playing hurt and nobody can be entirely sure how healthy he actually is. Still, the only reason Luck has produced in fantasy over the last two weeks was due to volume (50 and 44 pass attempts, respectively in Week 6 and 7). Right now, Luck is averaging just 6.7 yards per attempt (down from 7.7 YPA in 2014) and has a career high interception rate (4.3%). He will have to be more efficient over the next two weeks against the Panthers’ and Broncos’ stingy secondaries.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Targets: Allen Robinson (12, 9, 12, 9, 12, 9), T.J. Yeldon (4, 3, 3, 6, 0, 3), Julius Thomas (0, 0, 0, 2, 13, 5), Allen Hurns (4, 4, 15, 6, 7, 8), Marcedes Lewis (4, 2, 8, 4, 2, 2)
RB Touches: T.J. Yeldon (28, 13, 24, 16, 0, 21)
Red zone Targets: Allen Robinson (1, 0, 1, 2, 0, 1), Allen Hurns (0, 0, 2, 1, 1, 1), T.J. Yeldon (0, 0, 0, 2, 0, 1)
Red zone Carries: T.J. Yeldon (6, 1, 3, 1, 0, 3)
CBs Thrown At: Aaron Colvin 5, 6, 5, 0, 5, 8 (5-53, 6-63-1, 2-24, 0-0, 4-41, 4-35) and Davon House 2, 4, 11, 6*, 15, 4 (1-18, 2-23, 5-33, 2-24, 10-138-2, 2-24)
Analysis: Blake Bortles has improved in year two – however slight it may be – and Robinson has given us another example of an incredibly talented receiver being able to produce despite sub-par conditions around him. He has finished as the WR2, WR14, and WR10 over the last three weeks in PPR leagues and is now firmly a fantasy “WR1” (top-12) in my book.
Kansas City Chiefs
Targets: Jeremy Maclin (7, 11, 13, 12, 4*, 0), Travis Kelce (5, 10, 7, 6, 7, 6), Chris Conley (0, 1, 7, 3, 7, 7), Charcandrick West (0, 1, 3, 2, 2, 5), Knile Davis (1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0), Albert Wilson (1, 3, 0, 0, 6, 6)
RB Touches: Charcandrick West (0, 0, 6, 8, 10, 24) and Knile Davis (4, 0, 0, 2, 6, 1)
Red zone Targets: Jeremy Maclin (2, 1, 2, 0, 0, 0), Travis Kelce (1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 0), Chris Conley (0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0), Charcandrick West (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1)
Red zone Carries: Charcandrick West (0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 7), Knile Davis (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)
CBs Thrown At: Marcus Peters 14, 4, 5, 12, 10, 9 (6-55-1, 3-22-1, 4-81-1, 9-86-1, 4-46, 6-125) and Sean Smith 3, 7, 4, 8 (1-5, 4-68, 4-76, 4-49-1)
Analysis: Here’s Kansas City’s backfield split since Jamaal Charles’ injury; snaps: (Charcandrick West – 99 and Knile Davis – 22), RB touches: (West – 34 and Davis – 7), and red zone carries: (West – 9 and Davis – 0). It’s clear that this is West’s backfield from here on out. Knile Davis can be dropped for the flavor of the week waiver wire pick up in 10- and 12-team leagues.
Miami Dolphins
Targets: Jarvis Landry (12, 10, 13, 12, 4, 5), Lamar Miller (1, 6, 3, 2, 3, 3), Jordan Cameron (7, 4, 8, 9, 8, 2), Rishard Matthews (6, 7, 10, 3, 6, 3), Greg Jennings (3, 5, 3, 7, 1, 2), Kenny Stills (3, 4, 1, 8, 2, 0), Damien Williams (1, 4, 3, 1, 0, 2), DeVante Parker (0, 1, 7, 0, 0, 0), Jonas Gray (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1)
RB Touches: Lamar Miller (14, 15, 10, 8, 21, 17), Damien Williams (2, 5, 3, 1, 2, 6), Jonas Gray (0, 0, 9, 1, 8, 13)
Red zone Targets: Jarvis Landry (3, 1, 3, 5, 1, 1), Jordan Cameron (2, 0, 2, 2, 2, 0), Damien Williams (1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0), Rishard Matthews (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0), Kenny Stills (1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0), DeVante Parker (0, 0, 4, 0, 0, 0), Greg Jennings (0, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0)
Red zone Carries: Lamar Miller (0, 3, 1, 0, 1, 2), Damien Williams (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0), Jonas Gray (0, 0, 4, 0, 6, 0)
CBs Thrown At: Brent Grimes 4, 9, 3, 3* (1-4, 5-81, 3-14, 3-89*), Brice McCain 4, 7, 10, 4 (3-49, 4-80-1, 6-100, 1-5), Jamar Taylor 8, 4, 4, 4 (7-54, 2-26, 3-49-1, 3-31)
Analysis: The only person who didn’t think Lamar Miller should receive more touches after Week 1-4 was Joe Philbin. Since Philbin was canned, Miller has exploded back in the last two weeks albeit against below average run defenses (Titans and Texans). Here are Miller’s splits this year, with and without Philbin at the reins: Week 1-4: 37-131-0 rushing (11.75 touches per-game) and Week 6-7: 33-288-2 rushing (19.5 touches per-game). With Miami’s re-commitment to the running game, Miller is back on the “RB1” (top-12) radar.
New England Patriots
Targets: Rob Gronkowski (8, 13, 7, 5, 5, 16), Julian Edelman (12, 19, 11, 5, 10, 9), Dion Lewis (5, 9, 5, 11, 6, 0), Danny Amendola (3, 2, 5, 3, 9, 9), Aaron Dobson (1, 8, 3, 0, 0, 3), Scott Chandler (1, 5, 2, 0, 3, 1), LeGarrette Blount (0, 1, 0, 1, 0), Brandon LaFell (8)
RB Touches: Dion Lewis (19, 13, 13, 14, 7, 0) and LeGarrette Blount (2, 19, 13, 17, 3)
Red zone Targets: Rob Gronkowski (4, 1, 2, 0, 0, 7) Julian Edelman (1, 4, 2, 0, 2, 3), Scott Chandler (1, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0), Aaron Dobson (0, 2, 1, 0, 0, 1), Danny Amendola (0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 1), Dion Lewis (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0), LeGarrette Blount (0, 0, 0, 1, 0)
Red zone Carries: Dion Lewis (2, 3, 4, 2, 1, 0) and LeGarrette Blount (0, 2, 9, 2, 0, 0)
CBs Thrown At: Malcolm Butler 11, 2, 5, 4, 13, 9 (10-151-1, 1-32-1, 2-66-1, 1-17, 7-83-1, 5-82) and Logan Ryan 0, 5, 4, 3, 10, 6 (0-0, 4-39, 4-49, 1-3, 6-73, 4-23)
Analysis: Fantasy owners' who were even moderately concerned about Rob Gronkowski can relax after Week 7. "Gronk" was targeted 16 times as the Patriots threw the ball 54(!) times versus nine rushes against the Jets without Dion Lewis (abdomen) in the lineup. Speaking of which, Lewis' Week 8 status for Thursday Night Football needs to be monitored closely on the Pats' short week.
New York Jets
Targets: Brandon Marshall (9, 10, 14, 11, 9, 7), Eric Decker (3, 11, 0, 5, 7, 12), Bilal Powell (4, 5, 8, 1, 1, 0), Chris Ivory (1, 2, 0, 2, 3, 2), Devin Smith (0, 0, 9, 6, 0, 2), Zac Stacy (0, 0, 2, 3, 2, 1)
RB Touches: Chris Ivory (21, 16, 0, 29, 23, 17), Bilal Powell (14, 16, 17, 1, 5, 0), Zac Stacy (0, 0, 4, 7, 15, 8)
Red zone Targets: Brandon Marshall (2, 1, 3, 2, 0, 1), Eric Decker (1, 2, 0, 2, 1, 2), Chris Ivory (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2), Bilal Powell (1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0), Devin Smith (0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0), Zac Stacy (0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0)
Red zone Carries: Chris Ivory (7, 4, 0, 2, 4, 3), Bilal Powell (2, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0), Zac Stacy (0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1)
CBs Thrown At: Darrelle Revis 6, 9, 2, 3, 5, 5 (3-37, 5-75, 0-0, 1-2, 2-8-1, 3-47), Buster Skrine 2, 10, 5, 10, 5, 3 (1-11, 6-65, 4-34, 6-82, 3-28, 3-31), Antonio Cromartie 1, 4, 4, 7, 6, 6 (1-54-1, 3-71-1, 0-0, 5-64-1, 2-26, 3-32)
Analysis: For just the second time in six games this year, Eric Decker out-targeted Brandon Marshall in Week 7 against the Patriots (12:7). That won’t happen often, but it is worth mentioning Decker has continued to produce at a consistent and underrated pace while playing from the slot (76% of routes) this year. His weekly PPR finishes are as follows: WR31, WR15, inactive, WR26, bye, WR34, and WR19.
Oakland Raiders
Targets: Amari Cooper (9, 11, 11, 9, 4, 6), Michael Crabtree (8, 16, 9, 6, 9, 8), Latavius Murray (7, 3, 1, 5, 4, 1), Mychal Rivera (2, 5, 1, 3, 3, 3), Roy Helu (0, 0, 1, 2, 6, 0)
RB Touches: Latavius Murray (21, 18, 27, 19, 16, 16), Taiwan Jones (4, 3, 2, 0, 0, 5), Roy Helu (0, 0, 1, 7, 6, 4)
Red zone Targets: Amari Cooper (0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0), Michael Crabtree (1, 1, 2, 0, 0, 1), Mychal Rivera (0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 2)
Red zone Carries: Latavius Murray (0, 2, 8, 1, 3, 3) and Taiwan Jones (0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0)
CBs Thrown At: D.J. Hayden 9, 8, 9, 5, 8, 13 (7-67-1, 5-54, 6-62-1, 4-56-1, 5-78, 10-75) and David Amerson 4, 8, 9, 5 (3-32, 5-44, 6-66, 4-47)
Analysis: After posting at least four receptions and 40 yards receiving in his first six games, Amari Cooper now joins an elite list of wide receivers (and Rob Gronkowski) for the most 4-40 games in their age-21 season since 1960. Cooper is averaging 86.5 receiving yards per-game and is arguably having the best age-21 season a rookie receiver has ever had in history.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Targets: Antonio Brown (11, 13, 9, 6, 8, 8), Le’Veon Bell (0, 8, 7, 5, 0, 4), Martavis Bryant (8, 8), Heath Miller (2, 3, 2, 3, 1, 2), Darrius Heyward-Bey (5, 3, 5, 6, 1, 0), Markus Wheaton (4, 3, 1, 3, 2, 4)
RB Touches: Le’Veon Bell (0, 26, 29, 25, 24, 21) and DeAngelo Williams (24, 1, 2, 5, 1, 5)
Red zone Targets: Heath Miller (2, 2, 0, 1, 0, 0), Antonio Brown (1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0), Le’Veon Bell (0, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0), Martavis Bryant (2, 2), Darrius Heyward-Bey (0, 0, 1, 1, 0), Markus Wheaton (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1)
Red zone Carries: Le’Veon Bell (0, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3) and DeAngelo Williams (7, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2)
CBs Thrown At: William Gay 7, 9, 4, 3, 3, 6 (5-37, 6-61, 4-44, 2-15, 2-24, 3-18), Ross Cockrell 4, 3, 2, 5, 6 (4-34, 1-5, 1-15-1, 4-61, 3-68), Antwon Blake 4, 8, 3, 10, 6, 13 (4-41, 6-54, 2-32, 6-76, 5-41, 9-163-1)
Analysis: The big news of the week for Pittsburgh will be Ben Roethlisberger’s (knee) health. Head coach Mike Tomlin said he “expects” Big Ben to play in Week 8 against the Bengals and Roethlisberger himself admitted he was “pretty close” to playing in Week 7 against Kansas City. It’s still too early to tell, but signs are pointing towards Roethlisberger’s return this week.
San Diego Chargers
Targets: Keenan Allen (4, 18, 7, 10, 15, 13), Antonio Gates (11, 16, 0), Danny Woodhead (6, 4, 4, 7, 7, 12), Stevie Johnson (6, 5, 8*, 0, 0, 8), Ladarius Green (6, 0, 6, 5, 4, 9), Melvin Gordon (1, 1, 2, 9, 0, 0), Malcom Floyd (4, 7, 2, 4, 12, 3)
RB Touches: Melvin Gordon (17, 14, 14, 22, 7, 7) and Danny Woodhead (13, 8, 12, 9, 13, 16)
Red zone Targets: Antonio Gates (2, 5, 0), Stevie Johnson (1, 1, 0*, 0, 0, 0), Keenan Allen (0, 1, 0, 1, 2, 0), Ladarius Green (0, 0, 1, 0, 3, 0), Danny Woodhead (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 3), Malcom Floyd (0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0)
Red zone Carries: Danny Woodhead (1, 0, 0, 0, 5, 0) and Melvin Gordon (0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0)
CBs Thrown At: Jason Verrett 3, 2, 0, 5, 2, 4 (2-38, 2-24, 0-0, 2-43, 2-51, 3-93-2), Brandon Flowers 6, 0*, 10, 8, 5, 5 (4-70-2, 0-0, 7-64, 5-138-1, 2-30-1, 3-21), Patrick Robinson 2, 3, 4, 0, 2, 3 (1-2, 2-24, 2-19, 0-0, 1-12, 2-15)
Analysis: The Chargers are throwing the ball a ton. Philip Rivers has already attempted 311 passes in seven games (44.4 per-game) and is on pace to throw for 5,604 passing yards. The NFL record set by Peyton Manning in 2013 was 5,477 yards.
Tennessee Titans
Targets: Kendall Wright (4, 4, 12, 6, 5, 8), Bishop Sankey (4, 2, 2, 3, 3, 1), Delanie Walker (3, 0*, 10, 6, 10, 9), Harry Douglas (2, 8, 6, 3, 4, 0), Justin Hunter (2, 2, 2, 6, 4, 4), Dorial Green-Beckham (0, 2, 2, 0, 6, 1), Dexter McCluster (0, 4, 2, 1, 4, 8), Antonio Andrews (0, 0, 2, 4, 1, 0)
RB Touches: Bishop Sankey (14, 12, 7, 10, 4, 0), Dexter McCluster (2, 14, 6, 9, 8, 11), Antonio Andrews (0, 0, 13, 10, 10, 10)
Red zone Targets: Kendall Wright (0, 0, 4, 0, 1, 1), Delanie Walker (1, 0, 0, 2, 0, 2), Harry Douglas (1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0), Bishop Sankey (1, 2, 0, 1, 0, 0), Dorial Green-Beckham (0, 1, 2, 0, 1, 0), Justin Hunter (0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0), Dexter McCluster (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0)
Red zone Carries: Bishop Sankey (1, 1, 2, 1, 0, 0) and Antonio Andrews (0, 0, 4, 2, 1, 0) – No red zone rushes in Week 7
CBs Thrown At: Coty Sensabaugh 3, 6, 4, 3, 2, 8 (1-18, 4-84-1, 0-0, 3-52-1, 1-13, 5-46), Jason McCourty 4, 5, 7 (1-6, 5-54-1, 5-68), Blidi Wreh-Wilson 6, 3, 5, 0, 5, 4 (2-18 1-50-1, 2-56, 5-92, 4-56)
Analysis: I’m really trying to find something positive to say about the Titans offense, but nothing is coming to mind. Ken Whisenhunt’s team is 3-19 over the last two years, the Titans' ranked 29th in points per play in 2014 and are currently 28th. This all goes without mentioning that "Whiz" routinely fails to put his players’ in the best position to succeed. Despite rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota clearly injuring his knee in Week 6, Ken Whisenhunt left him in the game. Mariota (MCL) missed Week 7 and isn’t a lock to play in Week 8. If this offense succeeds at some point this season, it will be in spite of Whisenhunt.
