If you’ve missed out on Razzball the last few days, shame on you! But if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll probably notice that Niles Paul, Larry Donnell, and Heath Miller have been suggested as waiver adds here. I could write something on each one of those guys, but I won’t recreate the wheel. However, I can’t help my love for Paul, so I’ll have to hope it’s mutual… and while I wait to find out, I’ll lay down some more pro-Paul stats below and suggest another option at TE who hasn’t been mentioned. Are you ready? …Garret Graham. Sh*t! You can find that write-up here.
Last week was a mild success in the Streamers Department. We hit two top-10 TE’s and the 7th ranked QB. Let’s keep it rollin’!
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins (65%) v NYG: There are a lot of things to like about Cousins. First of all, his ego is about 1/100th the size of the other Washington Quarterback. Second of all, he’s been outstanding. He’s 4th in the league in yards per attempt, and he’s been better under pressure than the once mobile RGme. He’s taken 2 sacks in 83 dropbacks, while RG3 took 4 in 45, and Cousins is completing about 72% of his passes when under pressure. He’s more accurate under pressure, than not! WOW! Anyway, that’ll be important against the Giants, cuz. (Note: Right before posting this, I noticed Cousins ownership percentage spiked about 20 points to 65%! If he’s still available in your league, go grab him!)
Teddy Bridgewater (7%) v ATL: Well, Teddy Bridgewater is taking over the Vikings QB duties this week with no threats looming overhead. Cassel is out for the foreseeable future with fractured bones and broken dreams. The starting job is all Bridgewater’s. Since this isn’t the NCAA, I won’t dig into his college stats, but what we learned from Bridgewater is that he’s a pretty intelligent player who can move in the pocket and make NFL throws. NFL teams haven’t had to plan for him yet either, and I like that against a weak ATL defense.
Tight End
Niles Paul (54%) v NYG: I feel like this is cheating. Cousins and Paul are ownable in 12 team leagues. Together even. Sympatico. But seriously, this has been working out well. In Week 2, Paul was targeted 11 times with 10 of those coming from Cousins. In Week 3, Cousins targeted Paul another 9 times. He also has the 2nd most TE targets 20 yards or more down field. Let’s also not overlook the fact that Niles Paul came into the league as a wide receiver who ran a 4.51-40 in the combine. The guy is on the field catch balls. Period. The Giants haven’t yet faced a team with a physical presence like this at TE. Paul will show up big on Thursday night.
Ladarius Green (41%) v Jax: No, Gates isn’t injured. Yes, this is a surprise to us all. Green is a one-week, long shot streamer pick here, and it’s all based on the Jacksonville Jaguars defense he’ll be facing. You should have plenty of solid, high-floor tight ends on the wire this week to stream (see below), but Green is a low-floor, high ceiling guy. He isn’t getting a ton of snaps, but Rivers throws to Green about 1 in every 3 times he lines up. Additionally, tight ends have gouged the Jags over the last 3 weeks combining for 284 yards and 4 touchdowns. If that doesn’t make your end tight, I don’t know what will!
As I pointed out in the opening, honorable mentions go to Larry Donnell (Your TE or Your local Senator?), Heath Miller, and Garrett Graham.
Defense
Washington (7%) v NYG: The Washington Football Team’s defense could be an extremely dangerous unit if they can get rolling. They’re tops in the league in sacks and can really apply pressure up front. The key for this game is making the Giants one-dimensional. Even though the Skins clearly have some issues in coverage, they have the ability to shut down the run game and force Eli Manning to throw. As we’re all well aware, when Manning throws, defensive opportunities grow, and fantasy owners grin with pleasure.
Miami (25%) v OAK: I’d love this match-up in Miami, like it in Oakland, but London makes me a bit…cloudy (had to). Anything can happen really, but the cream usually rises to the top in these international games. Miami boasts a stout defensive front. Earl Mitchell has been unstoppable against the run this year, and the combo of Mitchell/Odrick/Starks (throw Wake in there too!) will wreak havoc on any QB in the pass game. In steps Derek Carr. The added pressure is going to force Carr to make mistakes and take some sacks. I’ll put the over/under at 3.5, and I’ll take my tea with 2 INTs, thank you. Hold the crumpets.
Kicker
Caleb Sturgis (3%) v OAK: Much to my surprise, Oakland has been relatively effective at forcing opponents to kick FG’s from 30 yards and in (9:5 FG:TD ratio). They’re tied for 2nd in the league. Mix that in with the weird shiz going on in Miami with the QB situation, I think we have ourselves some potential for a stalled offense! Also, although Sturgis got tripped up in the first game of the season, he’s been pretty on-point since. Ca-leg Sturgis, anyone? No one? Alright.
Week 3 Recap:
RCL/Yahoo Standard 0.5 PPR Scoring
Ryan Fitzpatrick: 289 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT, 7 rush, 34 yds, 1 TD = 21.96 pts (7th QB)
Ryan Tannehill: 205 yds, 1 TD, 1 rush, 9 yds = 13.10 pts (23rd QB)
Dwayne Allen: 6 tgt, 4 rec, 43 yds, 1 TD = 12.30 pts (5th TE)
Jared Cook: 9 tgt, 7 rec, 75 yds = 11.00 pts (10th TE) – Dropped an easy TD!
BAL: 21 PA, 1 sack = 3.00 pts (T-23rd DST)
Billy Cundiff: 3 PATs = 7.00 pts (27th K)
Dan Carpenter: 1 40-49, 1 PAT = 5.00 pts (T-22nd K)
As always, you can catch me in the streets, or follow me on Twitter @Nicolas_Kern.
