Yahoo Sports Fantasy MinuteMostly NFL Notes: Talking Philip Rivers, Tom Brady and a look around the league
Philip Rivers threw for a whopping 503 yards and two scores against a Green Bay defense that entered having allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. He wasn’t intercepted on any of his career-high 65 attempts, although San Diego has now lost back-to-back weeks in gut-wrenching fashion at the goal line essentially as time expired. Despite an offensive line ravaged by injuries, Rivers is on pace to finish with 32 touchdowns and 5,643 passing yards (the latter would be an NFL record). With an upcoming schedule featuring Oak, @Bal, Chi and KC, Rivers’ historic season shouldn’t end any time soon...I predicted a breakout game by Melvin Gordon during Friday’s podcast, and if fumbling twice and getting benched constitutes a breakout, then I hit a home run. Seriously, Gordon’s rookie season has been nothing short of a disaster.
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Keenan Allen was on his way to a massive game, hauling in 14-of-15 targets for 157 yards before departing in the third quarter with a hip injury...Over the last three games, Randall Cobb has totaled 10 catches for 105 yards, good for 5.5 YPT with the best QB on the planet throwing to him. His shoulder injury has to be affecting him greatly...It would be hard to drop Eddie Lacy outright, but I’d do that before I’d put him in my starting lineup at this point. James Starks looks so much faster whenever he touches the ball (albeit while continuing to battle fumbling issues). If Starks is somehow available in your league, spend whatever amount of FAAB you have remaining on him.
It speaks to the high expectations we have of Tom Brady when he throws for 300+ yards and three touchdowns and it almost feels like he let the Colts off easy during the “revenge” game. He now has a 14:1 TD:INT ratio over five games, and his first interception of the year wasn’t even his fault...LeGarrette Blount has five touchdowns over the past three games, and his TD catch Sunday night was the first of his career...The Colts have gone 46 straight contests without a 100-yard rusher, and Andrew Luck has had a running back rush for 100 yards during a game once during his career...This has to be my favorite play of the season so far.
Pittsburgh’s offense was noticeably better after Landry Jones replaced Michael Vick, although Antonio Brown owners were left highly disappointed yet again. If Ben Roethlisberger isn’t ready for Week 7, I’d be shocked if Jones doesn’t get the start, regardless of Vick’s health...Despite having two more losses, I’d pick the Steelers (with Big Ben) over the Broncos on a neutral field without hesitation...Those who stashed Martavis Bryant are going to be very happy they did.
Sammy Watkins was on his way to a nice game before suffering yet another injury, this time while wide open catching a pass in the end zone...Ronald Darby continued to impress, holding A.J. Green in check, but Cincinnati is so loaded it didn’t matter, as Marvin Jones had a big game...LeSean McCoy looked good, and he gets a favorable matchup against Jacksonville in Week 7 before a bye that should help him return for the final push at 100%, so his fantasy arrow is pointing up.
This rally in something called “Headis” is legit.
This answer on Wheel Of Fortune did not solve the puzzle.
This spinning bowling ball trick shot is no joke.
Despite facing a Browns defense that entered having allowed a 10:1 TD:INT ratio (and missing Joe Haden), Peyton Manning tossed just one score and was picked off three times, as he continues to struggle mightily (although he did lay this pancake block!)...Demaryius Thomas has been targeted 75 times this season, resulting in one touchdown. He had a couple of brutal drops Sunday as well...It goes without saying Ronnie Hillman is the preferred back to own in Denver...That’s five touchdowns over the last four games for Gary Barnidge, who can’t be stopped...Up 20-16 with 8:08 left in the fourth quarter, the Browns inexplicably went for two. It took less than 30 seconds for this insane decision to backfire, as Cleveland soon found itself down by a field goal (instead of two).
The Lions/Bears game was awfully exciting for a matchup involving teams who entered with a combined 2-8 record...Alshon Jeffery looked good and should be treated as a top-10 fantasy WR moving forward. I’d rather own Jeffery than Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders or Randall Cobb...Ameer Abdullah with yet another fumble. What a bust. The Lions are averaging 66.5 rushing yards per game, which is nearly 20 fewer than the next lowest team...No idea how this was ruled a TD catch based on what’s normally not ruled a TD catch...It ended up working out, but it was beyond curious when Jim Caldwell called for a FG with the Lions down 31-24 on fourth-and-four with 2:50 left in the fourth quarter. Even if successful, they still needed a touchdown, and he was asking his defense to make a stop against a team that had already scored 31 points...Nice to see Matthew Stafford finally take shots downfield to Calvin Johnson.
Headlines of the Week: Man Tries To Put Out Garbage Fire By Driving Over It In A Van Loaded With Ammunition...Man Eats Ants To Survive For Days Without Water In Outback...Want To Own Part Of A Restaurant? Just Eat A 30- Pound Burrito...Man Knocked Out By Hot Sauce In Fight Over Graham Crackers...Duck Wearing Bow-Tie Walks Into Pub, Drinks Pint, Fights Dog, Loses.
Chris Ivory looks like a flat-out beast and has totaled 362 yards over the last two games (to go along with four touchdowns over four games this season). If a draft were held today, Ivory would be a top-15 overall pick...Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder and Chris Thompson were thrown to 27 times, resulting in 94 yards, as the Jets defense held them to 3.5 YPT.
The Chiefs had been held scoreless for six straight quarters before erupting for 10 points in the fourth Sunday. Any lengthy absence by Jeremy Maclin (concussion) would make an already bad offense a truly dreadful one, especially with Charcandrick West proving emphatically he’s nowhere close to being up to the task of becoming Kansas City’s new feature back...Adrian Peterson has totaled 10 receiving yards over the last three games, as the hope of Norv Turner helping him become a force in the passing game hasn’t exactly come to fruition. Peterson gained 16 yards during his first 17 carries Sunday...Stefon Diggs might already be Minnesota’s best receiver. He should be stashed in all leagues right now.
DeAndre Hopkins secured 10-of-15 targets for 148 yards and two touchdowns in yet another dominant performance. While this one-handed grab was impressive, this helmet catch was even more ridiculous. Over the last four games, he has 38 catches for 575 yards and three scores. Brian Hoyer has made Hopkins’ already elite fantasy value even higher...Julius Thomas looks locked in as a weekly top-10 TE option, at least until his next injury...Blake Bortles has thrown as many touchdown passes over the past two games as Peyton Manning has all season (Bortles also added 58 rushing yards over that span).
Police Blotter: Florida Woman Periscopes While Drunk Driving...Woman Calls 911 For About The 75th Time This Year To Report Missing Cell Phone...Jurors Rule Against Woman Who Sued Nephew, 8, For Breaking Her Wrist During Hug...Man Driving Motorized Wheelchair Arrested For DUI...Connecticut Girl, 11, Draws Stick Figure Sketch Of Suspect That Helps Police Nab Burglar.
The Dolphins entered with one sack on the year and recorded five by halftime, including four by Cameron Wake. Meanwhile, Lamar Miller saw more than 10 carries for the first time since Week 1, and he rewarded the new coaching staff (and patient fantasy owners) by rushing for 113 yards and a score. It doesn’t appear Joe Philbin will be missed...Marcus Mariota has nine turnovers over his past four games, although he was clearly playing hobbled after taking a low blow early on Sunday.
Songs of the Week: Ruelle – Take It All and Modest Mouse – Wicked Campaign
Jimmy Graham and Greg Olsen combined for 271 yards. There were 15 other players targeted in the Panthers/Seahawks game, and they totaled 239 yards. Nice to see Graham finally be a big part of Seattle’s offense...This flea flicker resulting in a 40-yard TD pass was nice...Down 23-20, a Graham Gano missed extra point with 3:58 left might’ve actually helped Carolina, as it led to them being more aggressive at the end rather than settling for a potential game-winning FG...Carolina’s undefeated record had been criticized thanks to an easy schedule, but a win in Seattle suggests they are for real. Then again, the Seahawks could easily be 1-5 right now.
Longread of the Week: Hackers Remotely Kill A Jeep On The Highway – With Me In It
Steve Smith is 36 years old and recently suffered four broken bones in his back yet still managed 137 yards and a score. I’m not ready for him to retire...After a two-game stretch in which he got 5.2 YPA and posted a 0:5 TD:INT ratio, Colin Kaepernick has gotten 9.7 YPA with a 4:0 TD:INT ratio over two contests since. While Kaepernick has shown marked improvement of late, it’s worth noting each of his next five opponents (Sea, @Stl, Atl, @Sea, Ari) ranks in the top-10 in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks.
