Category: NFL

Give Carson Palmer Some Love

Carson Palmer is playing some solid and consistent football yet he’s not getting much love from the fantasy world.

Analysis: Palmer has thrown for an average of 293 yards per game and has 5 touchdowns with 2 interceptions through three games this season. He makes a great QB2 and he’s still available in plenty of leagues out there.

It is becoming rather apparent that Oakland is an unbalanced passing team, Darren McFadden has yet to carry the ball twenty times in one game this year as the Raiders rank second to last in the NFL in rushing attempts per game. With Palmer out there slingin’ it every week and not throwing tons of picks, he makes a better fantasy option than a Kevin Kolb or an Alex Smith. Palmer’s quarterback rating sits at 89.3, just above his career average and his best(at the moment) since his 2005-2007 Cincy days.

The Raiders are simply passing the ball too much and fantasy owners need to take notice. Palmer is second in the league in passing attempts while Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown 42 fewer balls this year. Palmer is one dangerous quarterback when he’s not making mistakes and at the moment he isn’t making many.

Last Call On Mikel Leshoure

Mikel Leshoure was on the end of 26 carries Sunday against the Titans in his official NFL debut.

Analysis: Leshoure put up 100 rushing yards and a score on 26 carries to go along with 4 receptions for 34 yards. Considering Leshoure is available in two-thirds of fantasy leagues out there you have to wonder why. Everyone knows he has first round talent and his two game suspension was over after week two. Regardless, 26 carries will catch the attention of the fantasy world so it’s time to make a move for the back because he’s quite capable of putting up solid numbers week in and week out.

There is a possibility that he may struggle but he will have a monopoly on those Detroit red zone carries which is always an added bonus. I’m not quite ready to project him as a RB2 yet but he is a must start at the moment. Just keep in mind that he does have a bye week coming in week five.

To put Leshoure’s talent into perspective, Detroit running back Kevin Smith was on the end of zero carries and zero targets in week three despite starting the first two games of the season.

Streaming Defenses- Week 3

The Indianapolis Colts have a week three contest with the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars.

Analysis: Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert is banged up with toe and hamstring problems at the moment but he should be ready to go for the Indy game. He has led the Jags to a 32nd ranked total offense, 30th in points per game and he himself has the 21st “best” passer rating in the league. When Brees, Cutler, Stafford and Vick get it going expect his passer rating near the bottom of the league once again. The Jags haven’t been able to muster up anything on offense this year and a road game in Indy won’t see Gabbert throwing for three touchdowns.

On the other hand you have a respectable Indy D but they are far from special. They are sixth in the league in sacks which is always a plus when facing a struggling quarterback who has yet to put up decent numbers on the road. The Indy D is available in virtually every league which makes sense but they are certainly worth roster consideration this week. Another defense to take a look at is the Buffalo D, a defense that has tons of talent up front and should beat up on the Browns this week.

Andre Brown For Thursday

New York Giants running back Andre Brown is a must start in week three if Ahmad Bradshaw remains out with a neck injury.

Analysis: Ahmad Bradshaw left Sunday’s game against Tampa with a neck sprain and now his status for his week three contest with the Carolina Panthers is up in the air. What further compounds the situation is the Carolina game is this Thursday which will severely limit Bradshaw’s recovery time. With neck injuries it’s never worth the risk and it appears that Bradshaw will miss the game.

Enter Andre Brown into the mix who carried the rock thirteen times to David Wilson’s three carries in week two. Wilson may be a first round pick but he has struggled mightily as a pro thus far. Brown rushed for 71 yards and a score on those thirteen carries as well as catching two balls for nineteen yards. It appears that he will start in week three and he should be on the end of twenty or so carries which means he is a fantasy must start this week. He’s available in just about every league but he will be going fast.

Danny Amendola- PPR Only?

Yes, Danny Amendola had one hell of a game Sunday against the Skins going for 15 receptions with 160 yards and a score. Amendola only played in one game last year but in 2010 his 85 receptions were a delight to PPR owners everywhere.

Analysis: It’s a given that Danny Amendola is a PPR stud but in standard leagues it’s not so black and white. He did amass 85 receptions in 2010 but he did so for only 689 yards with an 8.1 yards per catch average and only three touchdowns. So he may be a pass catching machine but his touchdown totals are suspect. He’s played in 33 games now as a pro and only has five touchdowns to show for it on 153 receptions. That’s not a good ratio for a lower tier tight end let alone a wide out.

Amendola does have 25 targets through two games and a solid 230 receiving yards but you need to know what to expect going forward. You are going to see a lot of eight reception, 67 yard games without a touchdown from Amendola this season. The touchdowns just aren’t going to be there for you. Even Wes Welker doesn’t even have a 10 touchdown year despite his talent and four 100 plus reception seasons. Know what you’re getting yourself into when you pick Amendola up in standard leagues.