This was a monumental week for star running backs such as Dallas Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliot, Tennesee Titans’ Demarco Murray, and Arizona Cardinals’ David Johnson. This past week they all accounted for two or more touchdowns. Many fantasy games were won or lost in the last few minutes of the Cowboys and Steelers game with Elliot gaining two more touchdowns and reaching over 100 yards. Steelers receiver Antonio Brown also scored and gained over 100 yards, a huge win for owners in bonus leagues. This week high scores are expected, and below are some players that can help your fantasy team this week.
Sleepers:
He’s not much of a sleeper anymore, but New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas’ matchup against the Carolina Panthers’ secondary makes him eligible for the list. The Panthers are allowing the ninth most receiving yards and are tied with the Indianapolis Colts and the Oakland Raiders for the eighth most receiving touchdowns this season. In the past six games, Thomas accounted for five touchdowns and 499 receiving yards. The rookie has hence established himself as quarterback Drew Brees’ favorite target. Scoring will come easy this week against the Saints and Panthers poor defenses, and Thomas should thrive as a result.
Titans Wide receiver Rishard Matthews has taken advantage of quarterback Marcus Mariota’s recent success as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL this year. In the past six weeks, he has emerged as Marriota’s top option in the red zone, scoring six touchdowns. This week they travel to Indianapolis to face a Colts defense that has allowed the seventh most receiving yards and is tied with the Carolina Panthers and the Oakland Raiders with the eighth most receiving touchdowns this season. With Mariota hot, Matthews remains an elite weapon in that top-flight Titan offense.
New York Giants defense is a great option this week against the Chicago Bears. Every week Bears quarterback Jay Cutler consistently turns the ball over and has had four interceptions and two fumbles in four games this season. Last week he threw a pick-six and with the Giants ranking sixth in interceptions, they make a good start against the Bears.
Busts:
With 26 catches and 244 receiving yards over the past two weeks, it would appear Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs is a must start week in and week out, but this week he faces the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are allowing the second fewest receiving yards and the fewest receiving touchdowns this season. In their matchup last year, the Cardinals held Diggs to two catches for 12 yards and he should remain on the bench this week.
The Giants defense this year has been stout against the run allowing the fifth fewest yards and the fifth fewest touchdowns. It begins up front on the line with defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison, who clogs up the middle makes it hard for opposing running backs. Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard has been playing well, but will have trouble finding lanes this week in New York.
Saints running back Tim Hightower appears to have stolen the starting job from fellow running back Mark Ingram when Ingram fumbled against the Seahawks, but Hightower has seen a dip in carries each week going from 26 to 23 to eight. Ingram looks to have the job back and now Hightower doesn’t serve as a relevant fantasy option except as a handcuff.