Just one more week until the defense makes an impact on The Stats Machine. With four weeks in the books, I believe that will be enough statistics to make sense of the defensive landscape. In the mean time, let’s power up the old version of The Stats Machine one last time as see what that soon to be deprecated software has got to say about last week. Will it recognize Aaron Rodgers’ five touchdown effort? How about Devonta Freeman’s huge game against the Cowboys? Who does TSM think had a better week, A.J. Green or Julio Jones? Those of you that have noticed that the title was not “Jones Means Go” are one step ahead of the game. And sometimes that’s all that matters. One step.
Note. Scores cannot be compared across positions as each position has a different formula.
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (Score: 77.8) – Booker T used to shout “I’m the five time, five time, five time, five time WCW Champion” during nearly every interview. I’m thinking Rodgers was declaring something very similar after last week’s game in which he threw for 333 yards and FIVE touchdowns. Now that’s the Aaron Rodgers that everyone drafted. Jordy Nelson who? Rodgers is a stud, and we all know it. Now can you dig it sucka!
Andy Dalton (Score: 71) – The Red Rifle hasn’t been shooting blanks and last week was another example. Dalton threw for 383 yards (more than Rodgers) and 3 touchdowns (less than Rodgers). On the season he has thrown for 866 yards (more than Rodgers) and 8 TDs. Only Rodgers, Tom Brady and Carson Palmer have more. I had a bit more to say about Dalton on Wednesday. You can read that here. I tried to pick him up this week to fill in for Brady, but I was outbid and got stuck with Michael Vick. Yuck!
Running Back (PPR)
Devonta Freeman (Score: 44.75) – Freeman made the most of his opportunity last week with Coleman out. With 141 yards and 3 touchdowns it’s no surprise to find him here. This is one of those examples where TSM is masquerading as Captain Obvious. I’m interested to see what he follows up with this week. In the meantime, he’s another obvious statement, Freeman is a must own. Honorable Mention: Jamaal Charles (Score: 32.36)
Chris Johnson (Score: 29.58) – Here’s what I said the other day. “Six years ago Johnson rushed for 2006 yards, earning the nickname CJ2K. It’s been downhill since then. After last season he should have been renamed CJ600. On 22 attempts he rushed for 110 yards and found the end zone twice. He also had a catch for 40 yards. I don’t trust him, and his opportunities should be short lived with Andre Ellington set to return soon. And let’s not forget about David Johnson. If you have free space on your roster it might not hurt to stash him with Ellington’s injury history, but otherwise I’m don’t expect him to be reliable enough to start unless you absolutely have to.” -me
Running Back
Results are the same as PPR.
Wide Receiver (PPR)
A.J. Green (Score: 55.7) – It’s about time the Green showed up to the party. One more mediocre week and I was about to make a big push to buy low. So much for that opportunity. Ten catches for 227 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns is pretty awesome. Green means go! Honorable Mention: Julio Jones (Score: 51.15)
Rishard Matthews (Score: 36) – Keep an eye on Rishard. He might not know how to spell his first name, but I think he’s going to start making fantasy owners take notice. He could end the season with double digit touchdowns. I’d grab him before it’s too late, which might have happened already.
Wide Receiver
Results are the same as PPR.
Tight End (PPR)
Greg Olsen (Score: 40.4) – Olsen was targeted 11 times last week. That was more than any other tight end. He caught 8 of those passes for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was targeted 14 times the week before. Everything starts with a target. I think we can ignore his week one stats and expect Olsen to be the top three tight end he was drafted as.
Gary Barnidge (Score: 28.65) – Even though he had 10 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown, I want nothing to do with Gary.
Tight End
Results are the same as PPR.
Here are the top tens based solely on the performances as analyzed by The Stats Machine…
Top 10 QBs
Tom Brady
Aaron Rodgers
Andy Dalton
Cam Newton
Tyrod Taylor
Matt Ryan
Carson Palmer
Marcus Mariota
Russell Wilson
Ryan Tannehill
Top 10 RBs
Le’Veon Bell
Jamaal Charles
Devonta Freeman
Mark Ingram
Latavius Murray
Matt Forte
Dion Lewis
Adrian Peterson
Carlos Hyde
Joseph Randle
Giovani Bernard
Top 10 WRs
Julio Jones
Antonio Brown
Larry Fitzgerald
Keenan Allen
Julian Edelman
Randall Cobb
A.J. Green
Brandon Marshall
DeAndre Hopkins
Steve Smith Sr.
Top 10 TEs
Rob Gronkowski
Travis Kelce
Jordan Reed
Jason Witten
Greg Olsen
Tyler Eifert
Jimmy Graham
Charles Clay
Eric Ebron
Crockett Gillmore
The complete stats (Excel spreadsheet).
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