Bye Weeks: Baltimore, Los Angeles,
Miami, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh, San Francisco
Russell Wilson in Week 8: What's the best
thing for a quarterback in a slump? The Saints defense.
Grab a Helmet
Alex
Smith @ IND: So with bye weeks and mediocre play making
quarterbacks more unreliable than normal, it’s time to consider
streaming options on a weekly basis. Smith is never an attractive
option, but the match-up and a few interesting stats make me believe
he’s got a chance at being a solid start this week. In 2015 Smith
completed 20 or more passes only seven times. So far in 2016, he’s
completed 20-plus passes four times, and he’s been over 30 attempts
in four of the six games this year. He’s also facing an Indy defense
that is struggling to slow teams down. I think the Colts sell out
to stop the run this week, and run some single coverage looks. Smith
has been protecting the ball, and I see a host of scoring chances
for this offense. His potential volume and match-up is just right
to make him a sneaky spot start this week.
Derek
Carr @ TB: Carr is a lucky dude. Not only does he throw
one of the prettiest balls in the league, but he’s got two solid
pass catching options out wide, and a really cheap laundry bill.
Carr’s quick release and stout pass protection means he has a chance
to progress through his reads and make the right play. He’s got
a sterling 13-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s thrown at
least one touchdown in every game this season, and sits as a QB1
despite going over 300 yards just twice this season. The Raiders
are 4-0 on the road, and they get a very burnable defense this week
in Tampa. The Bucs were roasted by Carson Palmer and Matt Ryan earlier
this year, and Carr has a chance to do the same. 300 yards and a
pair of scores is a decent bet for the ascending signal caller.
Russell
Wilson @ NO: To say Wilson has been a fantasy bust is
quite the understatement. I’m not sure why his poor play isn’t getting
more attention. In many leagues he was one of the first quarterbacks
selected, and yet he’s the 27th ranked QB, sitting amongst the Blaine
Gabberts, and Brock Osweilers of the world. He’s rushed for exactly
3 yards total in his last four games and only has 5 total touchdowns
on the season. Something’s not right with him physically, as he
lacks the explosive escape ability that made this offense frightening
down the stretch of last year. But when you’re offense is sick and
struggling the New Orleans defense provides the perfect remedy.
Like a bowl of soup, this Saints defense has been boiled on a weekly
basis. They are 28th in the league in sacks with only 9, so Wilson
should have time to work the pocket and hit his receivers all day.
The Saints can score on anyone, and I think this game should yield
a fair bit of points. This could be Wilson’s best game to date,
so don’t miss out.
Grab a Headset
Tyrod
Taylor vs NE: With nearly every possible weapon on
offense hurt, Taylor faces the unenviable task of fronting a New
England defense that’s playing great football. With McCoy and
his top three receivers out last week, Taylor tried his best to
claw his team back against Miami, and he just couldn’t do it.
Taylor will likely be forced to lean on the top flight combination
of Justin Hunter, and Walter Powell at receiver, and Mike Gillislee
at running back. Taylor was decent in their meeting a few weeks
ago, but that was with a full stable of playmakers. This offense
is going to struggle to sustain drives and make big plays giving
Taylor a low floor this week.
Kirk
Cousins @ CIN: Cousins had good numbers last week against
the Lions, but they should have been better. He simply hasn’t
been able to put together a complete game this year, and travels
across the pond to take on a Bengals team that should be able
to generate consistent pressure. Starting blindside tackle Trent
Williams will be hobbled with a knee injury, the backfield is
in flux, and tight end Jordan Reed is iffy. Cousins and this Washington
offense is largely match-up dependent and this one isn’t a positive
one for Cousins and the Skins.
Blake
Bortles @ TEN (Thu): I made the unfortunate mistake
of thinking Bortles could bust out of his funk at home against
a shaky Oakland defense. He fell on his face with a thud, punching
in a meaningless garbage time score. He’s not on the same
page with any of his receivers, is completing an incomprehensible
59 percent of his passes despite having better than average skill
position players. He’s thrown more passes to the other team
as he’s found the end zone (9-9) and while the Tennessee
defense has given up back-to-back 300-yard passers, they are still
one of the top-10 defenses against the pass in the league. Now
the second I bash him, Bortles will probably go out and throw
for 400 and 4 scores, just because that’s the way this season
is going for me this year, but at this point Bortles has given
you absolute zero reason to trust as your fantasy quarterback.
