Week nine in the NFL featured many quarterbacks racking up fantasy points. Big names such as Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton and Drew Brees all had big days, while two players with first names starting with the letters “D” and “E” had breakout performances.
Studs:
DeAngelo Williams (Pittsburgh): Whoever says running backs start declining after the age of 30 needs to reevaluate that opinion after seeing Williams play on Sunday. The 32 year old torched the Raiders defense and ran for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns off of 27 carries. The Steelers’ starting running back also added two catches for 55 yards on Sunday. Williams finished the day with 36 points which is 16 points higher than Le’Veon Bell’s best scoring week where he put up 20 against Baltimore. A favorable matchup against Cleveland this week should enable Williams to reach double digits once again.
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay): After averaging 13.5 points per game in his previous four outings, Rodgers posted 32 fantasy points on Sunday against a tough Carolina defense. Rodgers went 25-for-48 and threw for 369 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. The reigning MVP also gained 22 yards on the ground. Rodgers faces Detroit next week and should have a solid day.
Other studs: Cam Newton (Carolina), Marcus Mariota (Tennessee), Drew Brees (New Orleans), Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh)
Pick-ups of the week:
Delanie Walker (Tennessee): The veteran tight end exploded against New Orleans on Sunday making seven receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Walker had only put up double digits once before against Tampa Bay in week one. Walker faces Carolina next week but after that he has three favorable matchups home and away to Jacksonville and a home game against Oakland.
Other pick-ups: Brandon Bolden (N.E.), Devin Funchess (Carolina), Cole Beasley (Dallas)
Busts:
Eddie Lacy (Green Bay): If someone would have told fantasy owners that drafted Eddie Lacy as a top 10 pick in their fantasy drafts that he would have -1 points in a game this year they wouldn’t believe it and draft Lacy anyways. I would have at least. That stat line was sadly true on Sunday. Lacy carried the ball five times for 10 yards and had a fumble. Lacy has a total of 43 points in eight games this season. Don’t start the former Tide running back until he shows something, especially if you have another starting running back on your roster.
Doug Martin (Tampa Bay): The muscle hamster only managed to score two points in a favorable matchup against the New York Giants. Martin ran for 31 yards on 11 carries. A fumble in the second quarter costed Martin two points and due to the Bucs trailing most of the game, the running back was unable to garner many carries. Martin will look to do better next week against the Cowboys who allowed 150 yards and two touchdowns to DeMarco Murray and Ryan Matthews on Sunday night.
Other busts: A.J. Green (Cincinnati), Green Bay DST, Rob Gronkowski (New England), Jeremy Hill (Cincinnati)
Aggie Fantasy:
Johnny Manziel (Cleveland): The former Heisman trophy winner did not have a disastrous day against the Bengals like last year. Manziel completed 15 of 33 passes threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns. The dual threat quarterback also ran the ball four times for 31 yards. Manziel finished his day with 13 points but could have had more points if it weren’t for his receivers dropping passes left and right. The decision will be announced this week whether Manziel or McCown will start on Sunday against Pittsburgh.
Martellus Bennett (Chicago): Since Alshon Jeffrey has returned, Bennett has now become Jay Cutler’s second favorite target. The Bears are thin at the receiver position, so the big tight end has become Cutler’s safety blanket. Monday night against San Diego, Bennett had a good night making eight receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown. Bennett finished the night with a solid 11 points.
