Last week. The Stats Machine had a chance to rest its algorithms and recharge its data structures. This week, it’s ready to pinpoint last week’s top performances. Looking back is always easier than looking ahead, but it’s important that when looking back, to ensure we are examining the right stats. The Stats Machine does that for us. Let’s see what it saw last week.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford (Score: 117.8) – With 27 completions for 405 yards and 4 touchdowns, this performance was the best among quarterbacks so far this season according to The Stats Machine. Coming into this game the Bears were only giving up 197.2 passing yards per game. I see Stafford as more of a matchup kind of player who should be started about 60 percent of the time. Currently with 9 interceptions on the season, only Peyton Manning has more (10).
Philip Rivers (Score: 105.4) – King Philip was at it again. Last week he threw for 503 yards and 2 touchdowns. Yes, 503 yards! Wowzers! On the season he is averaging 352 yards, 2 touchdowns and just over 20 points per game. I’ve always been a fan of Rivers in fantasy. He’s a guy you get at a discount after the big names and he can easily put up top five stats. Currently only four other quarterbacks have scored more fantasy points.
Blake Bortles (Score: 87) – One of those four players that have more points than Rivers is Blake Bortles. Talk about a nice surprise. At this point I’m sure he’s been snatched up in most leagues, especially with the bye weeks underway. In last week’s loss he threw for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns. This, however, also came with 3 interceptions. Bortles has opened up a lot of eyes so far.
Running Back (PPR)
Devonta Freeman (Score: 37.48) – Freeman seems to be a staple in this series. When you’re playing as good as he is there’s no hiding from The Stats Machine. One hundred yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown, 8 receptions and a receiving score. Yes, yes and yes. Why don’t I own this guy anywhere? While this effort did come against the weak Saints rushing defense, it shouldn’t blur the fact that Freeman is the real deal. With 505 yards rushing, only Matt Forte has more (507). However Freeman has 9 rushing TDs compared to Forte’s 2.
Mark Ingram (Score: 35.03) – Ingram’s two rushing touchdowns against a the Falcon’s defense which is allowing 1.6 rushing touchdowns per game is exactly why I love stats. Coming into this game the Falcons were only allowing 73.6 rushing yards per game. That was the fourth lowest in the league. They held Ingram to just 46 yards, but as the numbers projected, he was able to find the end zone (twice).
Honorable Mention: Chris Ivory (34.85), Arian Foster (34.81) and Jonathan Stewart (33.85)
Running Back
Jonathan Stewart (Score: 37.82) – Going up against one of the strongest defenses against the rush (Seattle), Stewart was able to run for 78 yards and 2 scores. He’s averaging only 59.6 yards per game and these were his first two touchdowns of the season. I’m likely only starting him when the matchup is tempting and/or I have a regular starter on a bye.
Mark Ingram (Score: 35.61) – See above
Honorable Mention: Chris Ivory (33.01) and DeMarco Murray (30.53)
Wide Receiver (PPR)
Martavis Bryant (Score: 59.4) – Coming into this game the Cardinals were giving up 145 receiving yards per game. Once Vick was out of the game Bryant put up 137 yards on 6 receptions, scoring 2 six-pointers. Everyone that bet on Antonio Brown, had to watch Martavis go wild. This was his first game back from suspension, and it was a great one. Maybe he should smoke some weed and sit out four games more often!
DeAndre Hopkins (Score: 56.92) – DeAndre, which I believe means “The Andre”, has been the top wide receiver in football. This week he had 10 catches on 15 targets for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the season he is averaging 8.6 receptions, 121 yards in the air and almost a touchdown per game. Over six games those are mighty impressive statistics. If he had a son, I wonder if he’d name him John.
Honorable Mention: Keenan Allen (51.58)
Wide Receiver
Martavis Bryant (Score: 41.75) – See above
DeAndre Hopkins (Score: 34.36) – See above
Tight End (PPR)
Jimmy Graham (Score: 38.64) – Finally Jimmy Graham decided to show up to the party. Other than week 3, he’s been relatively quiet for what we’re used to expecting from him. With 8 receptions on 140 yards he made it clear that he’s still a top tight end. I’m not so certain he has the value he’s had in years past, but I’d still be more than happy to have him in my lineup. Coming into this game the Panthers defense was averaging just 23.3 yards to opposing tight ends. That was the lowest in the league.
Benjamin Watson (Score: 38.05) – Last week’s Saints passing game seem to be all about the Benjamin. After five mediocre games in which he averaged 3 catches for 27.8 yards, Watson exploded with 10 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. Even though this was a great game, I’m still not looking to add him any leagues.
Honorable Mention: Greg Olsen (34.8) and Julius Thomas (34.01)
Tight End
Greg Olsen (Score: 28.70) – Olsen is a top five tight end. This week he showed us why, catching 7 passes for 131 yards and touchdown. This was a short description. Sorry Greg.
Jimmy Graham (Score: 28.32) – See above
Benjamin Watson (Score: 28.18) – See above
Honorable Mention: Julius Thomas (26.61) and Gary Barnidge (25.9)
For a full account of the stats, the Excel Spreadsheet can be downloaded here.
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