Joe Flacco and Torrey Smith – 63.3 fantasy points
Heading into Week 6, Joe Flacco had passed for three touchdowns in a game on 14 different occasions during his seven-year NFL career (including playoffs). However, only once did he pass for four scores in a game (2009 vs. Bears).
Along for the Flacco fantasy ride today was Torrey Smith. Rememba him? Through the first five games, Smith had no more than three receptions with no more than 53 receiving yards in any one game with only one touchdown through five contests. Naturally, Smith scored two touchdowns less than six minutes into the first quarter. It’s actually Smith’s first two-touchdown performance in the regular season since November 11, 2012 against the Raiders.
Note: Steve Smith scored another 27 fantasy points this week
T.Y. Hilton – 37.3 fantasy points (PPR)
Two yards. Hilton finished two yards shy of breaking the Colts’ franchise record for receiving yards in a game. But here’s the funny part – Hilton, along with Raymond Berry, co-own Indy’s franchise record. Most outside Indianapolis forget Hilton tied Berry’s record with 224 receiving yards with two touchdowns against the Chiefs in a 2013 playoff game.
The 5-foot-9 receiver posted 140 receiving yards in the first quarter against the Texans in Week 6. He finished with nine receptions (nine targets) for 223 yards with a touchdown. Hilton has racked up over 100 receiving yards in 14 games during his three NFL seasons (including playoffs).
Ben Tate and Jordan Cameron – 19.8 and 19.2 fantasy points (PPR)
Over the last two games – following time missed due to injury – Ben Tate has carried the ball 47 times for 202 yards (4.3 YPR) with two touchdowns. The two touchdowns against the Steelers marks only the third time in his career he’s found the end zone multiple times in a game.
As for Cameron, no Norv Turner, no problem, right? The tight end finished with 102 receiving yards on three receptions with a touchdown against the Steelers – ranked 22nd in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends before Week 6. The 102 receiving yards ranks third-best in Cameron’s career (121, 108).
Mohamed Sanu – 28 fantasy points (PPR)
Remember when the Panthers defense was feared or, at the very least, a fantasy football matchup concern? Those days are gone. A.J. Green’s absence (foot) opened the door for Mohamed Sanu to post career-best numbers.
Before Week 6, Sanu had never been targeted more than nine times in a game. He finished with 10 receptions on 14 targets for 120 yards with a touchdown. His 28 fantasy points ranked top four among wide receivers heading into Sunday night.
Ronnie Hillman – 14.6 fantasy points (PPR)
Montee Ball out, Ronnie Hillman in. For the second week in a row, the Jets’ vaunted rush defense allowed a running back to hit 100 rushing yards. Branden Oliver paved the way for Hillman to set career-highs in carries (25) and rush yards 100. Any concern of a Broncos’ running back by committee were muted as Juwan Thompson finished with eight carries followed by some up-and-coming running back named Peyton Manning with one carry for zero yards.
Brandon LaFell – 25.7 fantasy points (PPR)
The Patriots “big” offseason offensive signee finally broke out in Week 6. LaFell only caught four passes, but the 97 yards are the second-highest single-game output of his career and the two touchdowns against the Bills is only the second time he’s scored twice in a game during his five NFL seasons. Brady spread the wealth again with 10 receivers seeing his 37 targets in Week 6. Edelman and Gronk combined for 21 targets.
Jace Amaro – 22.8 fantasy points (PPR)
Four receivers caught 10 or more passes in Week 6 and Amaro was one of the four. The Jets rookie tight end caught 10 of 12 passes for 68 yards with his first-career touchdown.
Derek Carr and Andre Holmes – 33.5 and 28.1
Champagne game with a Kool-Aid finish for Mr. Carr. His 282 passing yards with four touchdowns against the Chargers earned him 33.5 fantasy points before a late-game interception muted the strong performance for the rookie trigger. Carr scored 15.7 fantasy points in the previous two games combined.
For those new to Holmes’ fantasy career arc, a quick glance back to his 2013 game log proves he’s no flash in the pan (all games consecutive):
Not to forget, Holmes scored 18 fantasy points against the Dolphins in London two weeks ago. With Rod Streater out, Holmes and Brice Butler should see an uptick in fantasy value.
Storm Johnson – 9.1 fantasy points
He fell in the end zone for the Jaguars, but the 10 carries weren’t exactly the storm fantasy owners had expected in a close game with no Toby Gerhart to split carries.
Eddie Lacy – 4.0 fantasy points
The proverbial sky will be falling again this week as Lacy failed to reach 50 rushing yards with no touchdowns against the Dolphins. Owners need to remain patient and remember Lacy will never rank outside the Top 36 RBs, which cover RB1, RB2 and RB3 on your roster.
Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker – 6.8 and 1.8 fantasy points
Welker’s lone reception came late in the contest against the Jets. Thanks to Ronnie Hillman’s 24 carries, the number of Peyton Manning targets were limited and fell into the hands of Demaryius and Julius Thomas (18 targets).
Keenan Allen – 5.7 fantasy points
In addition to Lacy’s fantasy football sky falling, Allen owners are losing patience two weeks after 10 receptions for 135 yards. Here’s my two cents on the panic – when Allen produced on a weekly basis during the 2013 season remember Malcom Floyd was hurt and Antonio Gates wasn’t playing like he’s 25 years old again. Philip Rivers’ targets are more spread out than they were a season ago. Also, as for the last two weeks, Branden Oliver has carried the ball 45 times and is also involved in the passing game.
This Week in Antone Smith
Our favorite fantasy phantom did it again! He caught a little dump pass from Matt Ryan and sprinted 41 yards to the house. He finished with 69 total yards with the score and 16.9 fantasy points – ninth-most heading into Sunday night’s matchup.
