STUDS
Beanie Wells RB Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams
The Rams have a horrible run defense (see: DeMarco Murray and a Cowboys single game rushing record) and Wells has actually been somewhat consistent this year. He’s only had 2 duds out of 7 matches this year and one of those, week 3 vs. Seahawks; he missed the game due to a knee injury. That same knee injury flared up last week before the Cardinals game against the Ravens but Wells toughed it out, awkward I know, and ran for 83 yards and a score. Outside of the Seahawks game and his 12-carry 42-yard effort against the Steelers he’s actually scored above 12 points in each game. He’s going to slice and dice the Rams especially with Kevin Kolb ruled out this week and sucky mcsuckerstein QB John Skelton starting this week.
Stats: 25 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD
Jimmy Graham TE New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jimmy Graham has been a revelation all year in his 2nd year out of the University of Miami’s basketball program. The last time these two teams matched up Graham lit the Buccaneers defense for 7 catches and 124 yards and 12 points. The Buccaneers boast a halfway decent pass defense but they are generous to the opposing tight ends giving up an average of 8.9 points a game to the opposing TE getting hit up for 5 TD’s. Graham had his worst output of the year last week (4 catches, 39 yards) but that didn’t stop Drew Brees from consistently targeting him throughout the game. He’s going to have a big week this week chalk it up.
Stats: 6 catches, 108 yards, 1 TD
New York Giants Receiving Corps vs. New England Patriots Secondary
The Giants receiving corps of Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Victor Cruz, and TE Jake Ballard have put up big numbers all year and I don’t see that changing at all this week even if star wideout Nicks gets ruled out of Sunday’s matchup. Victor Cruz has come on strong and Manningham has been a consistent threat on the outside all year with Ballard showing good hands the past few weeks. As a Patriots fan I know full well that if you have WR’s playing against the Patriots horrific secondary insert them into your fantasy lineup. Eli Manning has also been playing at an extremely level this year only throwing 5 picks to 13 TD’s…very un-Eli Manning like. Patriots can’t get pressure on the QB or stop anyone in the passing game look for the Giants receivers to have a field day and rack up yards up and down the field.
Stats: 343 receiving yards and 2 TD’s
DUDS
Steve Johnson WR Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets
Being a top WR and playing the NY Jets means one thing: a ‘vacation’ to Revis Island. Johnson and Ryan Fitzpatrick have had a great connection all year leading Johnson to becoming a top 10 WR week to week but not this week. Darrelle Revis is going to jam up and shut him down this week so if you have another option at WR I’d say go for it.
Stats: 2 catches, 25 yards, 0 TD’s
Ryan Fitzpatrick QB Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets
Fitzpatrick and Johnson’s fates go together hand and hand. Darrelle Revis covering Steve Johnson means that Fitzpatrick’s top option is going to be gone all day meaning heavy workload for second option David Nelson who’s had a good year so far but beleaguered Jets DB Antonio Cromartie actually seems to be finding a groove a little bit the last few matches. The Jets also send an assortment of blitzes made to confuse and trip up the Harvard alum. The Jets defense is stingy and will hold Fitzpatrick in check for the day.
Stats: 227 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INT’s
Phillip Rivers QB San Diego Chargers vs. Green Bay Packers
Phillip Rivers has been a massive disappointment for fantasy owners this year checking in as the 17th ranked QB according to ESPN standard scoring. The Packers defense has been giving up points this year but coming off a bye week I like Dom Capers odds of dialing up a strong scheme to befuddle the Chargers QB. Charles Woodson has been playing great again this year following up his Defensive Player of the Year season last year. Clay Matthews coming off the edge and BJ Raji up the middle are also a cause for concern for the Chargers battered offensive line. Antonio Gates is back in action for Rivers but the Packers have the LB’s to cover him up and keep him under wraps. I’d look for another option unless forced into starting Rivers due to bye week woes.
Stats: 245 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
There are the Views from the Couch picks for this week’s fantasy studs and duds. Before signing off I’d like to send a personal note to Views from the Couch co-creator Justin Lang wishing him well and letting him know that him and his family are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you Langerhans.
Until we cross paths again,
Geoff Jablonski
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