Slayton and quarterback Tyrod Taylor have specialized in the
long ball the past two games. He caught a 69-yard touchdown pass
against the Eagles two weeks ago and an 80-yard bomb last Sunday
against the Rams. He’s averaging almost six targets per game of
late meaning he can still produce even if he doesn’t catch the
deep ball, but against this porous Eagles’ pass defense he might
get a third long score.
Cooks was active last weekend, seeing eight targets and producing
a solid 17 fantasy points (5-60-1). He faces one of the worst
secondaries in the league and a non-existent pass rush having
traded all their pass rushers earlier this season. After the Commanders
key their defense on CeeDee Lamb, it leaves Cooks with just one
man to beat. He can do that.
DeVonta Smith will be sidelined with a sprained ankle and the
Giants likely double- or triple-team A.J. Brown. If you are Jalen
Hurts, do you throw the ball to Quez Watkins, Olamide Zaccheaus
or future Hall of Fame wideout Julio Jones? Jones caught two touchdown
passes last weekend and should be very active in Week 18.
Grab some Pine
1) Any Patriots receiver vs. New York Jets
The Patriots best combination of Bailey Zappe-to-Demario Douglas
(47-548-0) is not going to repeatedly beat the Jets elite secondary.
Neither will always injured DeVante Parker or Jalen Reagor. The
Jets have allowed just five touchdown receptions to opposing wideouts
in 16 games, five fewer than the next best team (Texans).
Terry McLaurin has had a tough season (except for Week 15 against
the Rams), but he’s still the best receiver the Commanders
have so gets the No.1 CB on the other side of scrimmage. That
and a ferocious Cowboys pass rush will make life hard for McLaurin
in the final week of the season.
Much was expected of Drake London when he was drafted and little
has been realized. He’s still got talent and if the Falcons
ever get a quality quarterback, he (and tight end Kyle Pitts)
might turn things around. London leads the Falcons with 100 targets
and a respectable 65 receptions for 864 yards but doesn’t
get in the end zone enough to be viable (no touchdowns since Week
4). The Saints have allowed just 12 touchdowns to wideouts in
16 games so London’s dry spell likely continues.
