Speed Kills

It's funny how a collection of players can put such a bad product on the field one week, then perform like champions when the head coach has been replaced.

The Miami Dolphins (3-4) appeared to turn into competitors, although it helps to look across the field at the Houston Texans (2-5) for positive motivation. Starting running back Lamar Miller took full advantage of the match up disparity Sunday as Miami defeated Houston 44-26 behind a spectacular performance by the former Hurricane, gaining 236 scrimmage yards while scoring a rushing and receiving touchdown. This earned Miller top Fantasy recognition for week seven. And now, sleepers for week eight.

Byes: Buffalo, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Washington

QB
Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ @ Oak)
Nick Foles (StL vs SF)
Alex Smith (SF vs Det)
RB
Alfred Blue (Hou vs Ten) The Titans possess the fourth-worst defense against the run (129.2 rush ypg). Blue should fill in without a hitch.
Ronnie Hillman (Den vs GB)
Branden Oliver (SD @ Bal)
WR
Stefon Diggs (Min @ Chi)
Kendall Wright (Ten @ Hou) The Texans have given up sixteen receiving touchdowns to this point, the most in the NFL.
Rueben Randle (NYG @ NO)
TE
Heath Miller (Pit vs Cin)
Gary Barnidge (Cle vs Ari)
Eric Ebron (Det @ KC)
DEF
St. Louis vs SF
Minnesota @ Chi
NY Jets @ Oak

QB
Jay Cutler (Chi vs Min)
Matt Cassel (Dal vs Sea)
RB
Carlos Hyde (SF @ StL)
Darren McFadden (Dal vs Sea)
WR
Golden Tate (Det @ KC)
Anquan Boldin (SF @ StL)
TE
Vernon Davis (SF @ StL)
Owen Daniels (Den vs GB)
DEF
Denver vs GB
Baltimore vs SD

Nuk 'Em

Would you take A. J. Green and Antonio Gates in a trade for Alfred Morris and DeAndre Hopkins?
On paper, Team A is offering two top-notch Fantasy performers for Team B's perennial player and an under-achieving tailback. Although this particular proposal looks lopsided for Team A, Team B will be losing "Nuk" - the top receiver in Fantasy through the first six weeks of the 2015 season. Dilemma?

Houston Texans (2-4) star receiver DeAndre Hopkins got medieval on the Jags secondary on Sunday en route to a 31-20 victory at Jacksonville to the tune of 10 receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. It's completely understandable if one elected to keep Hopkins all to themselves. The Clemson Tiger will take his talents to South Beach as Nuk takes on Miami Dolphins' secondary (2-3) on Sunday afternoon.

Byes: Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay

 

QB
Marcus Mariota (Ten vs Atl) The Falcons defense yield the 4th most passing yards in the NFL (290.7 pass ypg). If Mariota's knee doesn't allow him to play, Zach Mettenberger will fit nicely.
Landry Jones (Pit @ KC)
Teddy Bridgewater (Min @ Det)
RB
Frank Gore (Ind vs NO)
Alfred Morris (Was vs TB)
Jonathan Stewart (Car vs Phi)
WR
Ricardo Lockette (Sea @ SF) The 49ers don't have the worst defense in the world against receivers, just the NFL, including giving up six passing plays of forty yards or more this season.
Kendall Wright (Ten vs Atl)
Allen Hurns (Jac vs Buf in London)
TE
Charles Clay (Buf vs Jac in London)
Crockett Gilmore (Bal @ Ari)
Larry Donnell (NYG vs Dal)
DEF
NY Giants vs Dal
Miami vs Hou
New England vs NYJ

 

 

QB

Sam Bradford (Phi @ Car)

Joe Flacco (Bal @ Ari)

RB

Lamar Miller (Mia vs Hou)

Dion Lewis (NE vs NYJ)

WR

Jordan Matthews (Phi @ Car)

Jarvis Landry (Mia vs Hou)

TE

Kyle Rudolph (Min @ Det)

Benjamin Watson (NO @ Ind)

DEF

NY Jets @ NE

Dallas @ NYG



Value of a Buc

After a dismal performance against Tennessee in week one, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) running back Doug Martin didn't look as if he would be second in the NFL in rushing yards by week five. It would be safe to say the fourth-year veteran out of Boise State is officially back.

Martin was the top performer in week five, logging 158 scrimmage yards with two rushing touchdowns and one receiving score in the 38-31 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4). Martin undoubtedly contributed to many Fantasy victories last week. The Bucs will face Washington after they return from their bye.

Byes: Dallas, Oakland, St, Louis, Tampa Bay

 

 

QB

Colin Kaepernick (SF vs Bal)

Ryan Tannehill (Mia @ Ten)

Sam Bradford (Phi vs NYG)

RB

Eddie Lacy (GB vs SD) Normally, Lacy wouldn't be considered a sleeper, but when thirty-four running backs, including Chris Thompson, Ryan Mathews and Charles Sims have better numbers than Lacy, he's not worthy of starting with an injured ankle. Lacy will be facing a San Diego defensive unit that yields 132.4 rushing yards per game, the fourth most in the NFL.

T. J. Yeldon (Jac vs Hou)

Knile Davis (KC @ Min)

WR

Willie Snead (NO vs Atl)

Eddie Royal (Chi @ Det)

Kendall Wright (Ten vs Mia)

TE

Gary Barnidge (Cle vs Den)

Zach Ertz (Phi vs NYG)

Coby Fleener (Ind vs NE)

DEF

Washington @ NYJ

Arizona @ Pit

Tennessee vs Mia



 

 

 

QB
Mike Vick (Pit vs Ari)
Blake Bortles (Jac vs Hou)
RB
Lamar Miller (Mia @ Ten)
CJ Anderson (Den @ Cle)
WR
Pierre Garcon (Was @ NYJ)
Steve Smith Sr. (Bal @ SF)
TE
Jimmy Graham (Sea vs Car)
Travis Kelce (KC @ Min)
DEF
Pittsburgh vs Ari
Buffalo vs Cin

A Tale of Two Seasons

 

 

 

All is well in Atlanta, so far. The machine is well-oiled and running on all cylinders. Even when starters get injured, reserves step up with electrifying continuity.

 

Atlanta Falcons (4-0) running back Devonte Freeman earned top marks Sunday with 149 all-purpose yards while scoring three touchdowns in a 48-21 impaling of the Houston Texans (1-4).

 

The second-year Florida State product has seven rushing touchdown scores in the first four games of the 2015 season. Freeman had 248 yards and one rushing score for the entire 2014 season. Could he be this year's Justin Forsett? More like this season's Devonte Freeman, flying high.

 

 

Byes: Carolina, Miami, Minnesota, NY Jets

 

 

QB

Joe Flacco (Bal vs Cle)

Alex Smith (KC vs Chi)

Sam Bradford (Phi vs NO)

RB

T.J. Yeldon (Jac @ TB)

Anthony Dixon (Buf @ Ten)

Andre Williams (NYG vs SF)

WR

Eddie Royal (Chi @ KC)

Michael Crabtree (Oak vs Den)

Rueben Randle (NYG vs SF) With Victor Cruz hobbled with an under conditioned calf and Odell Beckham demanding double coverage, the LSU alumnus should be solid in week five against the 49ers.

TE

Antonio Gates (SD vs Pit)

Owen Daniels (Den @ Oak)

Charles Clay (Buf @ Ten)

DEF

NY Giants vs SF

San Diego vs Pit

Baltimore vs Cle

QB
Andy Dalton (Cin vs Sea)
Matthew Stafford (Det vs Ari)
RB
Jeremy Hill (Cin vs Sea)
CJ Anderson (Den @ Oak)
WR
Brandin Cooks (NO @ Phi)
Anquan Boldin (SF @ NYG)
TE
Jimmy Graham (Sea @ Cin)
Julius Thomas (Jac @ TB)
DEF
St. Louis @ GB
New England @ Dal