Stock rising
QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills
As Fitzpatrick goes, so goes the Bills. During Buffalo’s unexpected 3-0 start, the Bearded Bomber found the end zone nine times and averaged 280.3 yards per contest. In the ensuing three games in which the Bills went 1-2, Fitzpatrick threw three touchdowns compared to three interceptions with a pedestrian mark of 212 yards per outing. Against a formidable foe in Washington, Fitzpatrick was able to right the ship, hitting 77.8 percent of his passes for 262 yards and two scores in Buffalo’s win on Sunday. While he may not be contributing in the ground game like last season (40 carries, 269 yards in 2010 compared to 20 runs for 44 yards in the current campaign), Fitzpatrick is started in just 33 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. Save for two meetings with the Jets, the Bills have a relatively manageable schedule the rest of the way home, which should facilitate fantasy-friendly numbers for Fitzpatrick owners.
QB: Christian Ponder, Vikings
The rookie out of Florida State was efficient in leading his Vikings to a win over the Panthers in Week 8, hitting 18-of-28 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown. Those figures won’t blow fantasy users out of the water, but Ponder has steadily and noticeably improved over the last three weeks. Granted, the Carolina defense is surrendering a league-high 8.3 yards per attempt, yet Ponder’s cognizance and command of the offense was reminiscent of a seven-year veteran. For owners dealing with byes or injury issues, Ponder is a viable threat with susceptible secondaries in Green Bay, Oakland, Atlanta and Denver on Minnesota’s slate in the upcoming month.
RB: Javon Ringer, Titans
For Ringer proprietors who stood steadfast with the backup back during Chris Johnson’s reign of mediocrity, dividends could be forthcoming. Ringer received a career-high 14 carries and did not disappoint, racking up 60 yards on the ground and adding another 42 in the passing attack (five receptions) in Tennessee’s 27-10 victory over Indianapolis. The Titans have stated their intentions to ride the hot hand, seemingly transforming the team into a split backfield. However, don’t be surprised if Ringer takes the reins as the primary rusher in the second half of the season.
RB: Knowshon Moreno, Broncos
Ok, so maybe we shouldn’t get worked up over 69 yards in a blowout loss. But it was encouraging to see the much-maligned Moreno allotted 14 carries to backup Lance Ball’s six rushes, as well as Moreno’s explosiveness between the tackles. Willis McGahee is likely to miss next week’s game against Oakland, making Moreno a possible option as a No. 2 RB or flex option.
WR: Brandon Lloyd, Rams
Despite the presence of A.J. Feeley (a burden that no man should ever wish upon a receiver), Lloyd hauled in six receptions for the second straight week, this time for 53 yards and a venture into the end zone in St. Louis’ shocking win versus New Orleans. Owners should also be encouraged by the looks in Lloyd’s direction, with 13 targets on Sunday giving the wideout a total of 25 in two games with the Rams. St. Louis has Arizona twice and Seattle on November’s docket. Couple this cupcake stretch with the return of Sam Bradford and it’s not asinine to believe Lloyd vaulting up the charts as a top-15 receiver.
WR: Antonio Brown, Steelers
Some skeptics may claim Brown’s big day (nine receptions, 67 yards, touchdown) may derive from the absence of Hines Ward. Yet the Central Michigan product leads the team with 63 targets on the season and has posted 67 or more yards in five of his past seven games. Rashard Mendenhall and the Steeler rushing scheme have yet to get in gear. If this trend continues, expect Pittsburgh to favor the aerial game, correlating to heightened production out of Brown.
TE: Scott Chandler, Bills
Chandler is this season’s Marcedes Lewis with the yardage amassment, which concededly, is not exactly a ringing endorsement. Yet one cannot ignore Chandler’s six touchdowns in seven games, which is tops among all tight ends. If he fails to score, Chandler won’t be of much fantasy service, but Fitzpatrick’s affinity for his tight end in the red zone makes him a solid play in leagues with 12 or more teams.
DEF: Detroit Lions
The Lions had a field day with Denver, sacking Tim Tebow seven times and housing two turnovers for touchdowns in a 45-10 beatdown of the Broncos. On the season, the Lions are first in the conference in fumble recoveries (seven) and scores (four TDs) and second in sacks (24) and interceptions (11).
Stock regressing
QB: Tim Tebow, Broncos
No heated debate this week, the kid clearly didn’t have it against Detroit. In the fantasy world, Tebow wasn’t as putrid as his performance on the field thanks to 63 yards rushing, but the lack of support from John Fox and Denver management could bring the end of the Tebow Era sooner than imagined.
QB: Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars
True, Gabbert wasn’t started in many leagues this past weekend, but the Jacksonville QB submitted his third straight game of 110 yards or less. After the bye, the Jaguars have beatable teams in Indianapolis and Cleveland on the schedule. Yet unless an owner is in a deeper league or two-QB format, Gabbert isn’t worthy of a roster spot at this juncture. In a related note, I’m all for individualistic impression in appearance, but if a non-lineman/defensive player is going to rock the long locks like Gabbert, he better be, you know, good. Tom Brady could make like Fabio since he was tearing up opposing defenses last year, and Larry Fitzgerald’s dreads are alright thanks to 5,069 yards and 41 touchdowns in the past four seasons. But with just 299 total yards in the past three weeks, time to stop the Samson impersonation, Gabbert.
RB: Chris Johnson, Titans
Let’s all pause for a moment of silence on the death of Chris Johnson’s fantasy career. Some stars shine so bright they burn out before their time. You won many an owner a championship in 2009, and for that we give thanks. Rest in peace, friend.
RB: Ryan Torain, Redskins
Having a Washington rusher in the “Stock regressing” category has almost become a running joke, but owners continue to install a Redskin back in spite of the constant warning. But for once, this placement is not predicated by the fantasy disregard of Mike Shanahan, as Torain’s whopping 14 yards against Buffalo gives him a three-week total of 31 yards on 20 carries. Facing the 49ers in Week 8, who are suffocating backs to a league-low 73.4 yards per game, does not bode well for Torain’s foreseeable forecast.
WR: Greg Little, Browns
On the bright side, Little received a game-high 11 targets from Colt McCoy against San Francisco on Sunday. Alas, only four balls found their way into Little’s hands, amounting to an inconsequential 28 yards on the afternoon. After solid outings in Weeks 5 and 6, the rookie receiver has failed to make a fantasy impact in the last two games.
WR: Nate Washington, Titans
Washington did record a touchdown, but in the last two weeks the Tennessee wideout has an unimpressive five receptions for 44 yards. Sunday’s four-catch performance was particularly disheartening, as Indianapolis seemingly presented an exploitable matchup. The blame doesn’t necessarily fall on Washington, as the other Titans’ receivers have failed to step up in the absence of Kenny Britt. Washington will have another opportunity in a few weeks against the Carolina Panthers, but stay away this week with Cincinnati coming into Nashville.
TE: Vernon Davis, 49ers
The 49ers’ tight end has become a permanent fixture in this space thanks to owners’ continued insistence of starting Davis despite all evidence to the contrary. Subtracting his 114-yard outing from Week 3, Davis has 19 receptions for 184 yards in six games this season. Even with the addition of his early-season conquest, the former first-round pick ranks 13th among tight ends in yards and receptions. A plethora of serviceable tight ends remain available in most leagues (Heath Miller, Jake Ballard) to allow Davis to marinate on the bench until he begins to perform.
DEF: Dallas Cowboys
Sure, he may not be as talented as his brother Rex, but at least Rob Ryan is keeping up the family tradition of unfulfilling predictions. (And before you barrage me with hate mail, know that I love both of the Ryans.)
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