Matt Forte had zero catches in Wk 3. The
first time since Wk 13 of 2011 he's gone catchless in a game.
Grab a Helmet
Matt
Forte v OAK: If I were Forte I’d be begging Bears management
to make me the next player traded away. Sitting on an island in
a sea of suck, Forte is somehow staying a fantasy asset. He’s
come crashing down after a stellar Week 1 (10.5 and 7.5 pts in
his last two games), and actually had zero catches for the first
time since Week 13 of 2011. Forte has a prime match-up against
an Oakland defense that doesn’t exactly inspire fear. Unlike last
week against the Seahawks, Forte should find some running lanes,
and maybe Jimmy Clausen won’t look as outmatched as he did against
Seattle. Look for the Bears to lean on Forte early and often in
this game as the only healthy threat on offense. Volume, and a
few big gains should carry the day, and a spot as a low end RB1
on your team this week.
Frank
Gore v JAX: While Forte has declined each week since
his big Week 1, Gore is slowly rising after his disastrous debut
in Indy. Gore had his best day as a Colt in the Week 3 win vs
Tennesee with 86 yards (6.1 ypc) and two visits to the end zone.
I don’t know that Gore has many 20-plus carry games left, but
this could be the week, as I expect the Colts to try to protect
Luck from himself by establishing the run game against a listless
Jacksonville team. If the Colts offense can get into the red zone
more often, Gore should quickly ascend the running back rankings.
Stuck with a low floor because of his one dimensional game, Gore
should provide your team with a strong RB2 option this week.
Shane
Vereen @ BUF: Vereen, the passing back specialist who
the Giants signed in the offseason to be their money down player
was held catchless last week vs the Redskins. Like Forte, it’s
been several seasons since a healthy Vereen was held without a
reception. Expect that to change in a big way this week vs the
aggressive Bills defense. With a banged up offensive line, and
plenty of attention focused on Beckham and Randle, look for Vereen
to be a frequent outlet for Manning as he looks to combat a pass
rush that will come early and often. Vereen had eight catches
and nearly 100 total yards in Week 2 and I think those numbers
are approachable this week. I like Vereen more as a strong PPR
play, but could serve as a FLEX option in standard leagues.
Grab Some Pine
Doug
Martin/Charles
Sims v. CAR: Yuck! Martin was a popular sleeper pick
among many fantasy mavens after a spry looking preseason. Well,
with the real bullets flying, Martin has been a dud. No, I’m not
bitter I bought into the hype…Ok maybe a little. It seems like
a lifetime ago Martin was a dominant rookie. The Bucs are a sad
26th in the NFL in total yards, with a slipshod offensive line,
and a shaky rookie leading the charge. Until Winston can start
to threaten the defense down the field with Jackson and Evans,
teams are going to feast on this running game. Simms is seeing
some play in the passing game, but not seeing enough volume. Neither
back makes for a satisfying play, especially this week against
a stout Carolina defense. Save yourself the aggravation, and look
elsewhere.
Lamar
Miller v. NYJ: Miami is one of the most perplexing
teams in the NFL. They seem to be oozing talent on both sides
of the ball, but the offense especially is baffling. Miller, possibly
their best offensive skill position player, is nearly invisible
at the start of games, and the coaching staff seems to not realize
it’s OK to run the ball in the first quarter. Every week I keep
waiting for Miami to take some responsibly off of Ryan Tannehill’s
plate, but it never happens. Is this the week they go back to
basics and establish a run game? Who knows! And that’s the problem
facing Miller owners. The match-up isn’t conducive to a renewed
run game plan, and I simply have to see the Fins commit more to
Miller before I can trust him as anything more than a FLEX play.
If you have other options, leave Miller behind.
Todd
Gurley/Tre
Mason @ ARI: The trend for running back sits this week
are poor offensive lines, and discombobulated offensive schemes.
What are the Rams exactly? They have a ferocious front seven and
one of the sorriest run games in the league (29th in the NFL).
Both Mason and Gurley are shaking off the rust of missing time,
and neither looked good against a very beatable Pittsburgh defense.
They could only manage 1.5 yards per carry, and 25 rushing yards.
Remember, last week’s game was close right until the final
minutes. This week the Rams hit the road to take on a surging
Cardinal defense that loves to swarm to the football. Mason and
Gurley will continue to cancel each other out until Gurley is
ready for a more prominent role. That simply won’t happen
this week. Keep them both benched.
