(Neil Miller/Sportsday Wire)
Quarterback
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Ryan Fitzpatrick: Fitzpatrick has not broke 300 yards in a game this season, largely because he hasn’t had to. The Jets defense has kept games low scoring and he has been able to rely on his big back, Chris Ivory. However, he has thrown multiple touchdowns in four out of five games. This week he may have to air it out more to keep up with a stout Patriots offense. The Pats also allow nearly 20 Fantasy points per game to opposing QBs.
Ryan Tannehill: The Dolphins looked rejuvenated last week. Tannehill completed 22 of 29 passes last week for 266 yards and two scores. This week he faces a Texans defense that has allowed 1,500 passing yards and 12 touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. He has the capability of putting up a very big week, as long as he can take care of the ball. He has thrown multiple interceptions in three straight games.
Sit
Sam Bradford: Bradford has thrown multiple interceptions in four out of his six games and nine in total. He faces a Panthers defense that has more interceptions than passing touchdowns allowed. The Panthers have intercepted eight passes this year, while only allowing five passing touchdowns. Do not trust the turnover-prone Bradford this week.
Joe Flacco: With some big name quarterbacks on bye this week, owners could be looking to stream one off waivers. Well, they should scroll right past Flacco’s name. He matches up against a Cardinals defense that is allowing less than 15 Fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. The Cards also have a league-leading 11 interceptions.
Running Back
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Latavius Murray: Murray has a dream matchup against a Chargers defense that has allowed the second-most rushing yards to opposing backs, 773. They have also allowed six rushing touchdowns, 37 receptions, 343 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns to running backs. Murray should be in for a huge day.
Lamar Miller: Miller received a season-high 19 carries last week and was able to make the most out of them, rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown. It was his first touchdown of the year as well as his first 100-yard game. This week he faces the Texans, who allow just over 20 fantasy points to opposing backs.
Sit
Melvin Gordon: It’s time to start calling Gordon for what he has been… a bust. Gordon has yet to score a touchdown or rush for 100 yards. In fact, if you take away the game he rushed for 88 yards his high this year would be 15. He has only seen three carries in the red zone, compared to Danny Woodhead’s 12. He fumbled the ball twice last week, four times now on the year, and the Chargers sat him on their bench. Fantasy owners should do the same, especially against the Raiders, who are only allowing 15.9 fantasy points per game to opposing backs.
Chiefs Running Backs: In the first week post-Jamaal Charles ACL tear, neither Kniles Davis nor Charcandrick West stepped up. West had nine carries for 33 yards, while Davis had five for 13. Both should continue to steal touches from the other and neither should be trusted until this situation plays out. Fantasy owners should definitely stay away this week against a stingy Steelers defense that is allowing just 12.65 fantasy points per game to opposing backs.
Wide Receiver
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Martavis Bryant: It took just one week for Bryant to remind everyone how awesome he can be. He caught six of his eight targets for 137 yards and two touchdowns, including an 88-yarder. This week he faces a Chiefs secondary that has been burned by wide receivers, allowing a league high 1,364 yards and 11 scores. Bryant has a great chance of getting behind the defense and breaking free for a long touchdown.
Stefon Diggs: I am a big believer in Diggs. I have bought in ever since I watched him catch six passes for 87 yards against the Broncos, the best defense against wide receivers in the league. He has 19 targets, 13 receptions and 216 yards in the past two games. This week he gets a Lions defense that is allowing 26 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.
Sit
Amari Cooper: The rookie has been held under 50-yards in two straight games, and three of his five games. This week he gets a Chargers defense that has allowed the third fewest Fantasy points to opposing receivers, as well as only four touchdowns. I have already addressed how bad the Chargers are against the run. Do not expect the Raiders to be airing it out often.
Jordan Matthews: Another bold claim, but Matthews has faltered the last few weeks. He has not topped 60 yards or scored in any of his past four games. Don’t expect that to change against a Panthers defense who is limited opposing receivers to just 18 fantasy points per week and only three touchdowns. While he still is seeing a lot of targets and his receptions make him a borderline WR3 in PPR leagues, those in standard formats should stay away without hesitation.
Tight End
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Jason Witten: No player may benefit more from the change in quarterback than Jason Witten. He had no chemistry with Brandon Weeden and I believe the veteran Matt Cassel will utilize the big tight end. This week he faces a Giants defense that has allowed 41 receptions, 453 yards and four scores to tight ends this season.
Delanie Walker: Walker has fully clicked with Marcus Mariota yet, but last week was the second time in the past three games that he has been targeted 10 times. He posted eight receptions for 97 yards last week. He can have another strong game as he takes on the Falcons, who have allowed 34 receptions and four scores to opposing tight ends.
Sit
Larry Donnell: Donnell looked bad last week, especially having a potential catch stripped away for an interception. Donnell has become extremely touchdown dependent as he has four or less receptions in four of his six games and has not broke 40 yards in any of them. The Cowboys have allowed one touchdown to opposing tight ends.
Zach Ertz: Ertz has only had more than four receptions in one game this year, has topped 50-yards once and has not found the end zone yet this year. The Panthers are allowing less than six fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends and they only have scored once against them. Stay away.
If you have any questions make sure to follow me on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.
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