2016 NFL WEEKLY GAME PREVIEWS: WEEK 6

The Vikings are 5-0. Of the 49 teams to go 5-0 since 1990 nearly 90 percent of them, 44, made the playoffs.

Through five weeks there have been 58 games within one score in the fourth quarters. That’s one more than in 2013.

There have been five rookies at the quarterback position who have made starts. That’s tied with the 2012 season for the most through five weeks in the last quarter century.

Here's a link to the Fantasy Alarm WEEKLY PLAYER RANKINGS.

Here’s a link to the DFS NFL PLAYBOOK PRO.

Here is a link to the team by team weekly matchups.

** Game recaps are from NFL Media.

** All times listed are EDT.

*** Fantasy rankings are based on a traditional PPR setup.

BYE WEEK: Minnesota, Tampa Bay

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Denver Broncos

C.J. Anderson has produced eight touchdowns his last 10 games (playoffs included). He ran for 95 yards and a score in the last meeting. He is starting to cede work on passing downs to Devontae Booker though, a fact noted in this Daily Dive video. The Chargers have allowed a league worst eight rushing scores and the second most points a week to runners. Booker takes on a Chargers club that allows an average of 10 receptions to the running back per game. He caught 4-of-6 targets last week for 36 yards.

Virgil Green should play this week after missing the last game with a calf issue. He has seven catches for 74 yards the first two weeks. Jeff Heuerman has one reception for 19 yards the last two games. The Chargers allow the 11^th most points a week to ends, but only one score.

Von Miller, playoffs included, has 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pick.

Emmanuel Sanders has blown up the last three games with an average of eight catches, 95 yards and a score. He leads the NFL with seven targets inside the 10-yard line (four catches, two scores). He’s seen at least eight targets each game including 35 the last three. Both Brandon Flowers (concussion) and Jason Verrett (ACL) will miss the game.

Trevor Siemian has five scores and no picks on the road this season. He will almost certainly start ahead of Paxton Lynch this week as he returns from a shoulder issue. Remove his four score outing and Siemian has two touchdowns and three picks in three games. The Chargers are allowing 292 passing yards a game, a 65 percent completion rate and nine passing scores.

Demaryius Thomas has scored in 3-straight games. He’s also scored eight times the past eight meetings. He’s caught at least five passes in 4-straight outings, but he’s yet to see more than seven targets in a game. The last four outings against the Chargers he has averaged six catches, 102 yards and 0.75 scores. Thomas and Sanders have averaged 55 percent of the targets in this offense.

San Diego Chargers

Travis Benjamin was the only guy with more than six targets last week. He saw 11 targets leading to seven grabs and 117 yards. He still hasn’t scored in three games and has been held out of the end zone in 4-of-5 games. The Broncos have allowed one touchdown to wideouts this season.

Antonio Gates has scored four times the last four times he’s faced the Broncos. He fumbled last week and looks old and unathletic though he scored last week. Hunter Henry also scored last week caught three balls for 74 yards. Gates saw 18 snaps while Henry was out there 41 snaps. The Broncos haven’t allowed a score to ends.

Melvin Gordon leads the NFL with seven scores (six rush, one catch). He has scored in all five games. Gordon has seen 24 red zone runs, the most in football. Gordon has failed to run for 40-yards in 2-of-3 games and less than 70-yards in four of five outings. Denver has allowed six rushing scores this season. For more see this Big-3 Video

Melvin Ingram has 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles the last 10.

Dontrelle Inman led all wideouts in snap percentage last week with an 86 percent mark (Williams 68 percent, Benjamin 60 percent). He has seen only 19 targets on the season though leading to 13 receptions and 168 yards with one score.

Philip Rivers has thrown for 300-yards in 3-straight games. He’s thrown six scores in that time, but he’s also been picked off three times. The Broncos are allowing the third fewest yards a week through the air at just 186 yards a game. They have also picked off five passes and permitted three scores. Their total of 19 sacks also leads the league.

Tyrell Williams caught five balls for 117 yards and a score last week. He’s caught five passes or produced a touchdown in every game this season. The last three games he’s averaged five receptions, 75 yards and 0.33 scores.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016

San Francisco 49ers

Blaine Gabbert will take a seat this week as Chip Kelley has named Colin Kaepernick the starter. With Kap looking so poor the last time we saw him on the field, his loss of muscle mass the offseason, and lack of talent around him, he’s not startable this week. The Bills have allowed two passing scores while picking off six passes. They are also third in the league in sacks with 17.

Shaun Draughn has touched the ball 11 times the last four games. He’s simply not being utilized.

Carlos Hyde caught six passes last week and now has a career best 13 receptions. He had 114 yards from scrimmage with a score last week and he now is tied for the NFL lead with six rushing scores. He is also second in the league with 23 red zone carries which is 72 percent of the teams red zone work.

Jeremy Kerley saw 30 percent of the passing targets with Blaine under center. How will that change with Kaepernick? Jeremy was the only wideout who saw more than two targets last week on his way to a 8-102-1 line. He’s scored his last two outings as he’s caught 14 passes for 190 yards.

Vance McDonald is likely to return to action a week after he missed the game allowing Garrett Celek to catching one pass for four yards. The Bills have allowed the 5^th fewest points to tight ends in football no scores).

Quinton Patton should also see an increase in looks. He’s caught 12 passes for 122 yards this season.

Torrey Smith should benefit from the turn to the strong armed Colin K. since Gabbert was simply unwilling to challenge defenses deep. Hard to have any faith in Smith, yet, since he’s seen just seven targets the last three games. Matchup ain’t great either. The Bills have allowed two touchdowns to wideouts this season.

Buffalo Bills

Charles Clay has caught five passes in his last two outings. He’s also caught five passes in 3-of-4 games. He’s yet to score this season and has produced 50-yards just once. The Niners have allowed two scores to ends and the 13^th most points per game to this position.

Mike Gillislee scored last week. He’s carried the ball just 11 times the last three games though has been very effective with 56 yards.

LeSean McCoy has run for 382 yards and three scores over his last three games as the Bills have averaged 178.3 rushing yards the last three games. The Niners are allowing 146.8 yards a game on the ground, the second most in football as they’ve also allowed five rushing scores.

Tyrod Taylor has averaged 28 pass attempts a week. He’s averaged 179 passing yards a game failing to reach 125 yards in 3-of-5 games. He has thrown for three scores in three games. The Niners have allowed just 58 percent of passes to be completed and 228 passing yards a game (9^th best in football). They have allowed 10 passing scores.

Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin led the club last week with six targets. Both only caught two passes. Woods caught just two balls last week after hailing in 13 passes the previous two outings. He’s yet to score this season. The Niners have allowed eight scores to wideouts, the second most in football.

Sammy Watkins doesn’t need another surgery. He’s still at least six weeks away from playing.

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Jacksonville Jaguars

Blake Bortles has tossed two scores in 3-straight games. He’s also turned the ball over six times his last three outings. He’s failed to throw for 210 yards in either of his last two outings. The Bears have allowed only six passing scores this season.

Allen Hurns scored last week, his first of the season. He’s failed to reach 50-yards the last two games. The Bears have allowed the 13^th fewest points to wideout this season though that does include four scores.

Chris Ivory hasn’t scored in two games. He’s carried the ball 20 times for just 43 yards as the o-line isn’t getting it done. The Bears are allowing 4.0 YPC and 118 yards a game. They have also allowed five rushing scores in five games.

Allen Robinson has scored three times his last two outings to push his total of scores up to 15 in 16 games. Robinson has failed to hit 60-yards in 3-straight games but he has seen at least 10 targets in 3-of-4 games.

Julius Thomas has scored 30 times since the starts of 2013, the most by a tight end in football. He should return this week after missing an outing with an elbow issue. He’s caught an average of four passes for 49 yards a game with 0.33 scores.

T.J. Yeldon produced 117 yards from scrimmage last week (71 rush, 46 run). He’s caught 18 passes in four games and at least four in 3-of-4. He still has one score this season and is averaging just 3.2 yards per carry. The Bears have allowed 20 receptions to runners, 6^th lowest in the game.

Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler (hand) will likely miss yet another game. Meanwhile, Brian Hoyer has thrown for at least 300 yards with two scores in 3-straight games. The Jags have allowed eight scores in four games but they have also held opponents to a mere 199 passing yards a week, 7^th best in football.

Alshon Jeffery has failed to catch more than five passes. He’s been held to less than 80-yards in 3-straight since Hoyer took over. He’s yet to score this season. The Jags have allowed seven scores to wideout and the 7^th most points a week to the position.

Jordan Howard saw more than 90 percent of the backfield touches for a second straight week. He produced 163 yards and a score on 19 total touches (three grabs). He’s produced more than 100-yards from scrimmage in both his starts. Ka’Deem Carey touched the ball twice for 17 yards.

Cameron Meredith saw 12 targets last week leading to nine receptions, 130 yards and a score as he appeared on one more snap than Jeffery (62 to 61) and way more than Eddie Royal (38 snaps). Meredith is 6’3”, 210 lbs while Royal checks in at 5’10”, 190. Clearly Meredith is the better red zone option, but he will likely see a lot of Jalen Ramsey. Royal has caught 14 passes the last two games. He’s also scored just once in four games and he’s been held to less than 44 yards in 2-of-3 games.

Zach Miller has scored three times his last three games. In each of the last three games he’s scored or caught seven passes. The Jaguars are allowing the 7^th fewest points to ends and have allowed one score.

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Los Angeles Rams

Tavon Austin has produced 85 yards from scrimmage in 2/3 games. He’s also scored just one time this season and has run for a mere 50 yards in five games. The Lions have allowed seven scores to wideouts, third most in football.

Kenny Britt has caught at least four passes each game this season while averaging 71.2 yards a game. He’s yet to score a touchdown and he’s seen six or fewer targets in 4-of-5 targets.

Benny Cunningham figures to return from a thigh issue. He could eat into the Gurley workload as a pass catcher even though he’s only caught three passes in three games.

Aaron Donald had three sacks the last meeting and has two sacks and a forced fumble his last two games.

Todd Gurley ran for 140 yards and two scores in the meeting last year. Gurley produced 108 yards from scrimmage last week with a touchdown run. He’s scored three times in three games. The Lions are permitting 4.9 YPC and they will be without Haloti Ngata for the game due to a shoulder issue. They have also allowed the 5^th most receptions to runners

Lance Kendricks has caught seven passes the last two games. He’s yet to score this season while averaging less than three receptions and 30 yards a game. The Lions have allowed six scores to ends, most in football.

Case Keenum takes on a Lions team that has allowed 14 passing scores, tied for the most in football. Keenum has thrown at least two scores in 2-straight on the road. He’s also failed to toss a score in 3-of-5 games and has been picked off five times.

Brian Quick has scored three times in three games. He’s also produced at least 50-yards in each of those games.

Detroit Lions

Ezekiel Ansah has 6.5 sacks his last six games at home.

Anquan Boldin has scored in 3-straight versus the Rams. He’s scored twice in four games. Boldin has caught four passes or more in 4-straight. He’s yet to reach 50-yards in a game this season.

Eric Ebron has ankle and knee issues, and it’s sounding likely that he will not suit up this week which benefits Boldin.

Justin Forsett was signed and he should have an immediate role with Zach Zenner failing to establish himself. The signing also seems to signal that Dwayne Washington (ankle) isn’t healthy or trusted by the front office. Forsett might even be the goaline back. The Rams are allowing 122.2 yards on the ground, the 5^th most in football, and they have also allowed five rushing scores. It’s unclear how many touches the mid-week signing will call.  

Marvin Jones has scored five times his last three games against the Rams. Jones has scored three times his last three games. He’s failed to reach 75-yards in either of the last two games. Over five outings Jones is averaging five receptions, 104 yards and 0.60 scores.  

Theo Riddick scored twice as a pass catcher last week as he led the team with six targets catching all six for 33 yards. He has 10 receiving scores since 2014, most for a runner in football. He’s averaging five grabs a week this season. Riddick has carried the ball at least 10 times in 4-straight games despite averaging 3.4 YPC. He has two rushing scores in 49 career games. He has been ruled out this week due to his ankle issue.

Matthew Stafford has a 100 QB Rating in 6/8 games at home. He’s thrown for three scores three times this season. In the other two games he’s thrown one score. He’s been picked off four times in four games. In each of the last two he’s failed to throw for 215 yards. The Rams are allowing 242 passing yards a week and can perform like a top level D at any moment.

Golden Tate was targeted five times last week but he still appeared for less snaps than Boldin. He caught three passes for 39 yards and carried the ball three times for six yards. He’s simply vanished from the Lions offense, a completely indefensible position after catching 90 passes in 2-straight seasons.

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Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell has produced 332 yards from scrimmage in two games. Since the start of the 2014 season he’s averaged 135 yards from scrimmage per game, the most in football. The Fish are allowing a whopping 151 yards a game on the ground, worst in football.

Antonio Brown had five grabs for 138 yards and a score in the last matchup. Brown has scored three times last two outings, five times in five games, and he’s seen at least 11 targets in 4-of-5 games.

Sammie Coates had one hell of a Week 5, one filled with more high’s and low’s than any game should have. Coates saw less snaps than Markus Wheaton (65 to 58 percent). Coates leads the league with a 22.2 YPC mark. However, Coates was seen with a “sizeable” cast on his injured hand. His outlook for the week is incredibly muddled. Wheaton wasn’t practicing early in the week (shoulder). The Dolphins allow the 4^th most points to wideout each week.

Jessie James is the AFC leader with three scores within 10-yards of the end zone. He’s scored three times in four games overall. He’s also caught just 18 passes for 128 yards in five games. The Dolphins have allowed two scores to tight ends.

Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for an average of 340 and 4.5 the last two games. He leads the NFL with 15 touchdown passes, the most ever by a Steeler in five games. He’s thrown for 250-yards in every game at he has at least three scores in 4-of-5 games. Since 2014 this team has only scored 23 points a game on the road.

Eli Rogers (toe) may or may not play this week, but he practiced fully Wednesday. Markus Wheaton has caught four passes for 51 yards on nine targets in three games.

DeAngelo Williams could miss the game this week with an ankle issue. He has scored nine times in his last 10 games. He has no role with Bell on the field.

Miami Dolphins

Jordan Cameron is still dealing with a concussion issue. His return is totally up in the air. He’s caught eight passes for 60 yards in three games. Dion Sims has caught two passes for 15 yards his last two games.

Arian Foster appears likely to return from a groin issue this week. He will lead the backfield in touches when healthy. Jay Ajayi led the way last week with 65 percent of the backfield touches taking the ball 13 times for 47 yards and a score (he led the way with 68 percent of the snaps too). Ajayi has scored in 2/3 games. Damien Williams produced 70 yards last week but 58 came on one play and he only touched the ball three times. The Steelers have allowed the third most grabs to runners.

Jarvis Landry has 144 receptions since the start of 2015, third most in football. He’s seen at least 10 targets in 8-of-9 games. The Steelers have allowed more receptions to wideouts than any in football.

DeVante Parker has been productive at home. His average the last four at home: 3.5 receptions, 80 yards, 0.5 scores. He’s also scored just once this season and has hauled in a mere seven passes the last three games.

Ryan Tannehill threw 18 passes last week despite using 3-wideout sets on 28 of 41 plays. He has six scores and seven picks while being sacked 17 times. Some him, but a lot the offensive line sucking eggs.  The Steelers have only eight sacks and three picks through five games, and they are also allowing 302 passing yards a game, third most in football.

Kenny Stills has two scores in four games. He’s caught one pass the last two weeks though he has gone over 70-yards in 2-of-3 games.

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Cincinnati Bengals

Giovani Bernard touched it 15 times last week, six grabs, leading to 96 yards. He’s carried the ball 19 times the last two games while catching nine passes. Bernard is averaging five receptions a game and the Pats have allowed the third most receptions to runners this season.

Tyler Boyd caught six balls in his second game. In the three since he’s caught just seven balls leading to 61 yards. He’s yet to score this season.

Andy Dalton leads the AFC with 1,503 passing yards. He threw for two scores in the last matchup. However, he has thrown three scores in three games this season. The Patriots are allowing 259 passing yards a game and have permitted seven scores in five games.

Carlos Dunlap has 17.5 sacks his last 21 outings.

Tyler Eifert (back) had that setback last week causing him to miss the game. He was not practicing Wednesday so it sounds like he might miss yet another game. Tyler Kroft caught three passes for 29 yards last week. C.J. Uzomah caught five balls for 43 yards last week. The Pats allow the 8^th most points a week to tight ends despite allowing just two scores.

A.J. Green caught five balls for 81 yards and a score in the last matchup. He’s only scored once in four games but he’s averaging seven receptions and 104 yards a game this season. He’s seen an average of more than 10 targets.

Jeremy Hill touched the ball four times for 12 yards as he deal with a chest/shoulder issue. He is also extremely game flow dependent and this matchup certainly seems to favor Bernard. Still, he has handled 100 percent of the team carries inside the 10-yard line. He’s scored 10 times in 13 games (playoffs included) and has scored 23 times as a runner since 2014, the most in football. The Pats have allowed just two rushing scores this season and a mere 3.7 YPC.

Brandon LaFell saw 11 targets last weeks, three more than Green. He also caught eight passes, double that of Green. LaFell scored twice to zero for Green. Both scores were late in garbage time.

New England Patriots

Danny Amendola has caught two passes for 11 yards the last two games. Oh well.

Martellus Bennett scored three times last week. For more, listen to this audio. Bennett has been held to less than 15 yards twice. He has two games of 100-yards.

Tom Brady has 12 scores in six matchups. He threw for 406 yards and three scores last week in his return from suspension.

LeGarrette Blount saw 18 touches last week, 55 percent of the backfield. He averaged just 2.1 YPC but he also scored. Blount has handled 100 percent of the Pats carries inside the five and 86 percent of the carries inside the 10. He also has five rushing scores, tied for third in the NFL. He’s 4^th in yards in the AFC with 389 on the ground. The Bengals are allowing 4.4 YPC and three rushing scores.

Julian Edelman has scored seven times his last 13 games. He has yet to score this season but that will change soon. He saw 10 targets last week in Tom Brady’s return.

Rob Gronkowski has scored 15 times his last 15 games at home. He caught five passes for 109 yards with Brady’s return last week. The Bengals have allowed only 13 receptions for ends in five games.

Chris Hogan dealt with a concussion scare last week though he caught four balls for 114 yards. Note that he was on the field just 61 percent of the time and that he saw just 12.2 percent of the targets (five).

James White out snapped Blount last week, 47 to 39 percent, as he touched the ball nine times for 89 yards (4-63 as a catcher of the pass). White has caught nine passes, on 11 targets, for 111 yards, the last two games. He’s yet to score this season.

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Carolina Panthers

Cameron Artis-Payne ran for 85 yards and two scores last week. The Saints have allowed a league worst eight rushing scores. The also allow 122 yards, the 6^th most in football. They allow the most points to running backs. However, Jonathan Stewart seems likely to return this week from an ankle issue and that would crush the value of CAP. Fozzy Whittaker has caught a total of 15 passes the las three games. He should continue to catch passes even with JStew back in the fold.

Kelvin Benjamin has a score in the last matchup. The Saints allow the 5^th most points to wideout each week. Benjamin has caught eight passes for 109 yards the last three games. He has one score in those three games.

Devin Funchess has five grabs for 84 yards… this season.

Ted Ginn has nine receptions for 137 yards and no scores… this season.

Cam Newton should return from a concussion to take back his job from Derek Anderson. Newton has thrown for six scores and has run for two more in four games. The Saints are allowing 301 yards a game through the air, 4^th most in the game, but they have also allowed only five passing scores.

Greg Olsen is the only tight end with more than 320 yards. He’s over 500. See this Daily Dive video. He has 27 grabs, 335 yards and three scores the last three matchups.

New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees has thrown for seven scores inside the 10-yard line this season. He threw for 282/3 in the last matchup. He has also thrown 27 scores his last seven games at home. He’s averaging 317 passing yards and 2.5 sores a game this season. #SameAsAlways

Brandon Coleman scored in the last meeting. He saw only three targets last week as Snead returned to the field.

Brandin Cooks went 6-104-1 in the last matchup. He’s scored in 6-of-7 games at home. He caught 84 passes last season. He’s on pace for 72 receptions and 1,020 yards… and he hasn’t been good. Things will improve this week after he hauled in just five of 14 targets for 44 yards the last two games.

Colby Fleener has caught 10 passes for 128 yards and one score the last two games. He’s had only one game this season of 30-yards. The Panthers have allowed four scores to tight ends this season.

Mark Ingram went over 100-yards from scrimmage with a score in the last matchup. He’s scored in the last two meetings. He scored last time on the field. He’s caught 10 passes the last two games and 14 the last three. Hopefully John Kuhn doesn’t snake him again (three scores the last game). The Panthers allow just 3.4 YPC though they have permitted four rushing scores in five games.

Willie Snead has two scores in three games. He’s also dealing with a toe issue that limited him to just one target in his first game back. He’s caught six passes for 77 yards the last two games he’s played.

Michael Thomas has scored in 2-straight games. He’s gone for 55-yards in 3-of-4 games. He’s caught four passes in all four games this season.

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Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens fired their OC, Marc Trestman, and replaced him with Marty Mornhinweg. He will run a west coast style offense that will utilize play action with deep targets in the passing game. That setup should fit the skill set of the team, especially of the quarterback.

Joe Flacco has thrown for only two scores in three games. At least he’s run for two scores in that time. Flacco has thrown at least 40-passes in 4-straight games though he’s been held to less than 215 yards in 2-of-3 games. The Giants have allowed 262 passing yards a week though just six scores in five games (two picks).

Terrance West carried the ball 11 times for 95 yards last week as Kenneth Dixon carried the ball three times for (-1) yards. He also caught a pass. West has run for 208 yards with a score the past two games. Dixon, at this point, is simply a caddy, but it could change soon. West is opposed by a Giants club that is allowing just 3.5 YPC and less than 97 yards a game on the ground.

Breshad Perriman has seen at least four targets in 4-straight games. He’s failed to crest 35 yards in five games this season. He hasn’t scored either.

Dennis Pitta saw eight targets and 74 percent of the snaps last week. Crockett Gillmore saw seven targets last week and was on the field for 68 percent of the snaps. Gillmore scored last week. Pitta leads the AFC tight end group with 28 receptions. The Giants have allowed one score to ends and the 19^th most points a week.

Steve Smith might miss the game this week because of his ankle issue. Kamar Aiken would be the main beneficiary if that is indeed the case, and that could be big as Smith has averaged nine targets in his four healthy games. The Giants have allowed the second most receptions to wideouts.

Justin Tucker is 12-for-12 on field goal attempts this season.

Mike Wallace has three scores this season, none though in three games. He’s failed to reach 45 yards in 3-of-4 outings. Those are disappointing total given that he’s been targeted 21 times the last two games (catching 11 passes). The Giants allow the third most points to wideout each week.

New York Giants

Odell Beckham averaged 119 yards and 0.71 scores in seven games versus the AFC. He’s seen at least 11 targets in 3-of-4 games and in 3-of-4 outings he’s scored or had seven receptions for 86 yards. The Ravens have allowed a league worst nine scores to wideouts.

Victor Cruz didn’t catch either of his two targets last week. He’s averaged three receptions for 49 yards a game. He’s scored once.

Larry Donnell (concussion) is expected to return to game action this week. He’s caught seven of nine targets for 35 yards his last two outings. Will Tye has caught 6-of-9 targets for 80 yards the last two games. The Ravens haven’t allowed a score to ends.

Rashaad Jennings was out last week (thumb). Sounds like he will play this week. He’s produced 100 rushing yards and a score in 2-of-3 games at home. Orleans Darkwa saw seven touches and that produced 11 yards though he has scored twice in three games. Bobby Rainey touched the ball 11 times leading to 74 yards as he caught six balls for 52 yards. Paul Perkins caught three balls for 22 yards. The Ravens allow the 4^th fewest yards a game on the ground (76.0). They have also allowed two rushing scores.

Eli Manning has thrown for 300-yards his last three outings at home. He’s thrown just two scores in three games while being picked off three times. He’s seen his yardage total dip in 3-straight games: 368, 350, 261 and 199. The Ravens are allowing just 191 passing yards a game and have picked off six passes, second most in football.

Sterling Shepard never gets enough looks to truly break through. He’s seen 7, 7, 7 and 8 targets the last four games. He’s scored once in four contests and has been held to a total of six grabs for 44 yards the last two outings.

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Cleveland Browns

Gary Barnidge caught five of eight target last week for 76 yards. That’s 3-straight games of at least five receptions and 57 yards for Gary who has still failed to enter the end zone this season. The Titans have allowed one score to ends and the 13^th fewest points a week to the position.

Corey Coleman is still awaiting a return.

Isaiah Crowell saw 14 of 20 backfield touches last week. He produced a nothing total of 40 yards in the outing. He is third in the AFC with 416 rushing yards. He has a rushing score in 6-of-9 games. He also scored in the last meeting. The Titans have allowed only two rushing scores.

Andrew Hawkins caught four of seven targets for a score last week. He has one touchdown this season, the same number of games he’s caught more than 30-yards of passes.

Duke Johnson has caught 81 passes since 2015, the 4^th most of any runner. The Titans allow the third fewest points a week to runners and they have allowed just 17 catches for runners in five games. Johnson has failed to score this season but he does have 17 receptions his last four games.

Terrelle Pryor has produced two scores and 205 yards from scrimmage his last two road games.

Charlie Whitehurst has been released with Kevin Hogan being promoted from the practice squad. It’s unclear if Hogan or Cody Kessler will be under center (Kessler is working his way back from an injury last week to his ribs).   The Titans are allowing only 222 yards a game and have picked off six passes while allowing only four passing scores.

Terrelle Pryor has caught five passes in 3-straight games. He’s only scored once this season though and has gone past 50-yards just once in five games.

Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry touched the ball seven times for 54 yards. That was just 18 percent of backfield touches last week. He’s a handcuff.

Marcus Mariota looked terrible before scoring four times last week (3 pass, 1 run). Mariota has failed to reach 215 passing yards in 3-straight games and he has only three passing scores in three games. The Browns are allowing the 5^th most points a week to signal callers. They have permitted 13 scores and allow 299 yards a game.

Rishard Matthews caught four passes for a score last time out. That was his first score and just the second time he’s caught four passes this season.

DeMarco Murray touched the ball 32 times last week for 137 yards. He’s gone for 100-yards from scrimmage in 4-straight and over his last three he’s averaging 110 rushing yards and a score. He saw 82 percent of the backfield touches last week.

Tajae Sharpe saw just four targets catching two for 17 yards. He still led all wideouts with an 80 percent snap rate, but he offers nothing offensively as he’s caught four passes for 32 yards the last two games. He’s yet to score.

Delanie Walker has scored twice in three games. He’s seen eight targets his last two outings and has gone for 65-yards in 2/3 games. The Browns have allowed more completions to tight ends than any club in football.

Kendall Wright has caught three balls for 23 yards in two games.

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Philadelphia Eagles

Nelson Agholor appeared on just 77 percent of the snaps last week, well above the 51 percent for Dorial Green-Beckham. DGB saw four targets catching three while Agholor saw seven targets catching two.

Zach Ertz had arguably the best game of his career in the last matchup with a 13-122 line. He failed in a premium matchup last week with the Lions catching three passes for 37 yards (he only saw three targets). The ‘Skins have allowed the third most grabs to tight ends in the game.

Ryan Mathews was healthy, and that meant Kenjon Barner and Wendell Smallwood were utterly useless last week not picking up a single touch. Matthews scored and fumbled on his way to 75 yards on 16 touches (five grabs). Mathews leads all backs in football, despite missed time, with seven carries inside the five-yard line. He’s scored three times on those carries. Darren Sproles out snapped Mathews 53 to 44 percent last week and produced 68 yards on nine touches (4-23 as receiver). Sproles has failed to produce 50 rushing yards in any game and in 3-of-4 he’s failed to total 25 yards as a pass catcher. The Redskins are allowing 130 yards, third most in football, and eight rushing scores is a league worst. They’ve also permitted 5.1 YPC.

Jordan Matthews has a 6-104-1 line in the last matchup. He’s scored four times in three games against the NFC East. He’s only scored twice in four games this season. He’s caught just six of seven targets for 84 yards the last two games.

Carson Wentz has a 100 QB Rating in 3-of-4 games. He’s thrown just one pick in four games. He’s failed to reach 240 yards in 2/4 games. He’s thrown five scores in three games. The Skins are allowing 262 a week through the air at a 69 percent completion rate. They have picked off four passes and allowed just six passing scores in five games.

Washington Redskins

Kirk Cousins has thrown the ball an NFC high 17 times inside the 10-yard line. The Eagles have allowed just three passing scores and permit a mere 194 passing yards a game. He tossed for 365 yards and four scores in the last matchup. He’s averaged 361 yards and 2.67 scores over three matchups with one pick.

Jamison Crowder has seen his snap percentage decrease the last three games from 63 to 57 to 56 percent as it appears he might have been passed by Pierre Garcon for WR2 duties. Crowder saw just three targets last week (3-35) compared to seven for Garcon (5-56).

Josh Doctson continues to miss time with his Achilles issue.

Matt Jones has scored two in a row at home. His last four games he’s averaged 16.5 carries and he’s caught exactly two passes in 3-straight outings. He’s also produced at least 61 yards in 3-of-4 and has averaged 68.5 yards a contest the last four. The Eagles are allowing just 73 yards a game on the ground and two rushing scores.

Pierre Garcon scored last week and he’s scored the last two times he’s faced the Eagles. Garcon has caught 14 passes the last three games and has produced 55 yards in 3/5 games. Alas, he has just one score this season and he’s failed to reach 60-yards in any game this season.

DeSean Jackson is averaging 94 yards in three meetings with the Eagles while scoring once. The Eagles have allowed one touchdown to wideouts this season, the same total as DJax has scored this season. He doesn’t score. He’s also caught four passes for 40 yards the last two weeks. He should see more work this week, especially given the concerns with Reed.

Rob Kelley and Chris Thompson are nobodies. Kelley has carried the ball eight times for 29 yards. Chris Thompson has one score in four games and he’s caught just seven passes for 42 yards the last three games.

Jordan Reed has caught seven receptions in 3-of-4 outings at home. The Eagles haven’t allowed a score to ends and have permitted eight receptions for 52 yards in four games. Reed is in the concussion protocol, again, and may not play this week as he’s had at least four previously documented concussions. Vernon Davis would have to step up, along with Niles Paul.

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Kansas City Chiefs

Jamaal Charles should return to a larger workload this week, his second back (he carried the ball twice for seven yards last week). He says that he’s ready to rock and he’s annihilated the Raiders for eight touchdowns in the past four meetings. Spencer Ware has scored in both his meetings with the Raiders. He figures to take a back seat to Charles this week dropping him into the range of flex options. He’s only scored once in three games but he’s also averaged an impressive 5.3 YPC this season and is at 5.45 YPC his last 126 carries. The Raiders are allowing 4.9 YPC this season and have allowed four rushing scores in five games.

Chris Conley caught six balls last weeks for 70 yards. That’s his first effort over 45-yards this season. He’s also failed to score this season.

Travis Kelce has scored in 2-straight games. That gives him 12 scores in 36 career games. He’s failed to reach 35 yards in 2-of-3 games though he has caught at least five passes each week offering a good deal of consistency at a position that lacks it.

Jeremy Maclin has scored three times in the last two meetings. Maclin has caught 15 passes the last three games, albeit without a score. He’s failed to reach 80-yards in a game. No team allows more points to wideouts than the Raiders.

Alex Smith has thrown for nine scores and no picks his last three starts in Oakland. He has 18 touchdown passes in eight career starts versus the Raiders. The Raiders are allowing the second most points a game to QBs and that includes a league worst 331 passing yards.

Albert Wilson caught five balls on eight targets last week for 52 yards. Tyreek Hill caught five balls for 24 yards and a score last week. Neither can be trusted.

Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr has thrown for 11 scores, six the last two games, and only two picks. The Chiefs lead the NFL with eight picks, thanks to Mr. Fitzpatrick, but they have also produced only five sacks. They are holding quarterbacks to a league averageish 241 passing yards a week.

Amari Cooper has been the target of four passes inside the 10-yard line. He hasn’t caught one. Last week though he went 6-138-1, his first score of the year. He’s caught at least five passes in four games and has averaged 9.5 targets a game.

Michael Crabtree has scored in 2-straight against the Chiefs. He has five scores in his last six outings in the division. He’s scored four times the last two games. The last three weeks Crabtree has averaged six catches, 79 yards and 1.33 scores.

Khalil Mack has 11 sacks in 11 games.

Latavius Murray (toe) may or may not play. He’s scored three times in two home outings against the Chiefs. With Murray out last week DeAndre Washington touched the ball 14 times for 52 yards last week. Jalen Richard touched the ball 14 times for 97 yards last week (6-66 as catcher. Jamize Olawale touched the ball seven times for 24 yards and a score last week. The Chiefs have allowed the 6^th most points a week to runners.

Clive Walford has one score this season. He’s been under 30-yards in 3-of-4 games.

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Dallas Cowboys

Cole Beasley scored last week, his first of the season. He’s produced at least 53 yards in each outing but his average effort is 5.4 receptions for 66.4 yards and 0.20 scores. He’s seen just eight targets the last two games.

Dez Bryant (leg) hopes to return this week but we’re still not certain. He was back at practice Wednesday and was seen without a brace on his injured knee. Bryant has caught 10-of-18 targets the last two games. The Packers have allowed five scores in four games to wideouts.

Ezekiel Elliott has three scores the last two games. He’s touched the ball at least 18 times each game  this season. Over his last three games he’s run for 140, 138 and 134 yards. He’s averaging 5.0 YPC behind that impressive offensive line. Alfred Morris has averaged 4.3 YPC but he’s only averaging six carries a week. The Packers have played four games and in none of them have they allowed 3.0 YPC. They are allowing 43 yards a game on the ground, the best in football.

Sean Lee has 10 tackles in 8-of-10 games.

Dak Prescott has thrown the ball but seven times inside the 10-yard line this season (one score). He still hasn’t been picked off, but he also has just three passing scores in five games. He’s still searching for his second game of 250 passing yards. The Packers are allowing the 11^th most points a week to the signal caller.

Terrance Williams tied for the team lead last week with five targets (Witten) as he caught all five for 70 yards. That’s three in a row with at least four receptions. He still only has one score all season and just 19 targets in five games.

Jason Witten has caught three of fewer balls in 3-of-4 games. He hasn’t scored. He hasn’t hit 55 yards in any of his last four games either.

Green Bay Packers

Davante Adams was targeted eight times caught five balls for 85 yards and a score. He’s scored in 2-straight games and three of four. Still, he’s been under 39-yards in 2-of-3 games and has caught more than three passes just one time this season.

Randall Cobb finally stepped up with 11 targets that he turned into nine grabs and 108 yards. In the last meeting he caught eight balls for 81 yards. Cobb still hasn’t scored this season and has just one game this season of 60-yards (twice he’s been under 45 yards).

Jared Cook will be out yet again. That leaves Richard Rodgers to face the Cowboys who are allowing the 4^th most points to ends this season. Rodgers has one score and just six receptions this season.

Eddie Lacy injured his ankle last week and it’s hard to know how much workload he will see in Week 5 after he touched the ball 12 times for 84 yards (he was missing practice early in the week). He has run for 265 yards and two scores in two career meetings. James Starks stepped up and saw a total of 15 touches last week, three grabs, but he only produced a measly 52 yards. He too is injured and it's uncertain if he will be able to suit up. In the last meeting Starks produced 103 yards from scrimmage with two scores (1 run, 1 receive). The Cowboys are allowing the 5^th fewest points a week to runners.

Jordy Nelson saw 14 targets and scored in Week 5. He also caught a mere four balls for 38 yards. Nelson has scored all five of his touchdown on red zone passes with four of them coming inside the 10-yard line. He’s scored in 4-straight games.

Aaron Rodgers has only seven passing scores in five career meetings. He does have a 109.2 QB Rating at home in his career, the highest in NFL history. For more, check out this Hot Takes article which points out the legitimate concerns he’s dealing with.

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Seattle Seahawks

Doug Baldwin has scored in 5-straight home games. He’s scored eight times in those five games. Baldwin has only one score in three games and twice in that time he’s been under 55 yards. The Falcons have allowed seven scores to wideouts and the 6^th most points a week.

Jimmy Graham has gone for 100-yards in 2-straight games. He’s caught six passes in 2-straight. He’s scored once this season. Another team, but he has eight scores in 10 games against the Falcons. The Falcons are allowing the second most points to tight ends in football.

Tyler Lockett only appeared in 14-of-60 snaps in his last game as he continues to managed his torn PCL. Lockett had an extra week off to heal. We will see if that helps. Note that he has a mere eight receptions in four games and that he’s only returned eight punts though he has averaged a strong 14.8 yards per return.

Christine Michael is the only one of 15 NFL runners who have at least 11 red zone carries but a single touchdown. Michael produced 90 yards from scrimmage and a score in his last game as he caught five passes matching his total the previous two outings. Michael has carried the ball 38 times the last two games and he’s scored three times in two games. The Falcons have allowed only two rushing scores. The Falcons allow the second most grab to runners this season. There’s no obvious answer to take advantage of that though (C.J. Prosise and Alex Collins don’t excite). Thomas Rawls is out yet again.

Paul Richardson has five grabs for 73 yards this season. Jermaine Kearse has caught seven balls for 45 yards the last three games.

Russell Wilson is set to face the Falcons who allow the most points a week to signal callers. He’s had a bye week to heal his lower body issues.

Atlanta Falcons

Targets last week: Six for Coleman, Sanu, Jones

Tevin Coleman was spectacular last week with 10 touches for 163 yards and a score (132 catch, 32 run). Note that he was touching the ball at a 28 percent rate out of the backfield as Devonta Freeman saw 78 percent of the touches (23-88-1 as a runner, 3-35 as a pass catcher). Coleman has scored five times in four outings. Freeman has scored in 3-straight and he’s averaging 121.8 yards from scrimmage his last four games. Seattle is allowing the 4^th fewest points a week to running backs.

Dwight Freeney has a sack in 3-straight.

Julio Jones has seen 8.2 targets a game this season. Through five weeks last year he saw 12.7 targets a game. He’s scored once in three games. He’s failed to reach 30-yards in 2/3 games. The Seahawks have allowed one touchdown to wideouts this season.

Matt Ryan has averaged 340 passing yards his last seven games. He leads the NFL with 1,740 passing yards and is second with 12 touchdowns. Seattle allows a mere 184 passing yards a game and has allowed one passing scores, the lowest in the game.

Mohamed Sanu has caught three or fewer passes, on six or fewer targets, in 4-straight games. He hasn’t scored in that time.

Jacob Tamme and Austin Hooper take on Seattle who has allowed the third fewest points to tight ends in football (zero scores). Tamme has three catches for four yards the last two games. Hooper has caught one pass three times and has caught a total of six passes in five games.

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Houston Texans

C.J. Fiedorowicz caught 4-of-8 targets for 61 yards. Ryan Griffin caught two of six targets for four yards. The Colts are allowing the 17^th most points a week to tight ends.

Will Fuller saw six targets last week. He’s scored once in four games and twice in three outings he’s failed to reach 32 yards. The Colts have allowed the third most completions to wideouts though Filler is averaging just four receptions a game (on eight targets).

DeAndre Hopkins saw nine targets last week on his way to a 5-56-1 line. That’s three scores in five games even for the slowly starting Hopkins. Hopkins has caught 19 balls for 263 yards the last two meetings. The Colts have allowed only three scores to wideouts this season.

Lamar Miller, despite disappearing last week (eight carries, 20 yards), has still averaged 91 yards a game from scrimmage and 23 touches. The scores will come. The Colts have allowed 4.6 YPC and five rushing scores in five games.

Brock Osweiler has three touchdown passes in three games. He’s thrown a pick in every outing and a total of seven in five games. He’s failed to throw for 200-yards in 2-of-3 games. The Colts are allowing the 5^th most passing yards a game, 301 per contest, and have picked off just a single pass all season.

Jaelen Strong tied for the team lead last week with nine targets. He caught five balls for 38 yards. He has scored three times in two games against the Colts.

Indianapolis Colts

Dwayne Allen scored last week and for the second time this season he caught 50 yards of passes with a touchdown. Jack Doyle scored twice in Week 1. He hasn’t scored since. The last two games he’s caught three of four targets for 14 yards. The Texans allow the second fewest points to tight ends in football. That effort includes no scores.

Phillip Dorsett was on the field for 94 percent of the snaps last week. He caught two of three for 26 yards. All he does is run deep threats with a season long average of 19.9 yards per target.

Josh Ferguson takes on the Texans who have allowed only 12 receptions to runners, the fewest in football. After seeing plenty of looks as a pass catcher, including 10 grabs on 14 targets in Weeks 3 and 4, Josh caught just two of four targets last week for 10 yards.

Frank Gore has scored in 2-of-3 contests. He touched the ball 15 times for 79 yards last week. He saw 78 percent of the snaps last week to lead the club. The Texans have allowed seven rushing scores, second most in football, and Gore went for 98 and a score in the last meeting.

T.Y. Hilton has seen at least 10 targets in every game. He’s scored in 3-straight. He only has scored in 3-of-10 games though. Hilton has caught 21 passes for 432 yards and four scores in the last three matchups.

Andrew Luck threw for 370 yards and three scores the last matchup. Luck has allowed just three picks in five games, and in four of five his completion percentage has been at least 64 percent. Luck is averaging 294 yards and two scores per game this season.  The Texans have allowed just three passing scores this season and hold opponents to a league low 181 yards a game.

Donte Moncrief will miss another game with his shoulder issue.

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MONDAY

New York Jets

Bilal Powell hasn’t carried the ball more than four times in a game. He’s averaging an impressive 6.4 YPC. He has caught exactly six passes in 3-striaght games while averaging eight targets an outing. He hasn’t scored this season. Powell was on the field for less than 30 percent of the snaps the first two weeks. The last three weeks the rate has been 41, 52 and 47 percent. The Cardinals have allowed 22 grabs to runners, the 12^th fewest in the game (really 10^th since two of the teams with fewer catches allowed have played four games).

Eric Decker has been placed on the I.R. with a torn rotator cuff. Sounds like season ending surgery is likely. Robbie Anderson will have to step up though of course the player that will be targeted more heavily is Quincy Enunwa. The slot receiver, Enunwa hasn’t scored in four games. He’s averaged 5.4 receptions a game this season for 59 yards. Very moderate given his lack of touchdown prowess.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has three touchdown passes his last four outings. He’s thrown at least 38 passes in 3-straight, but he’s also tossed nine picks and been held to less than 265 passing yards each outing. He looks bad, and the loss of Decker is a killer. The Cardinals have picked off seven passes this season while they are allowing just 190 passing yards a game which is 4^th best.

Matt Forte took 4 touches for just 60 yards last week (two catches for seven yards). That’s three games with an average of 14 carries for 48 yards and no scores on the ground. He also is not catching passes at all with exactly two receptions in 4-straight games. Forte has 529 yards from scrimmage in his last four games on MNF. The Cards are allowing 4.1 YPC and they have permitted six rushing scores.

Brandon Marshall had 15 targets, more than double Quincy Enunwa (seven), last week. Marshall has seven 100-yard games in 11 outings. He has scored 16 times in 21 games with the Jets. He’s scored in five of his last seven games on MNF. He’s produced 100-yards in 6-of-9 MNF games. He has a very difficult matchup against the Cardinals.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ankle) wasn’t practicing early in the week. Does he ever play? Doesn’t seem like it.

Arizona Cardinals

John Brown has a 10 catch, 144 yard game in five outings. The other four outings he’s had nine catches for 103 yards. He still hasn’t scored this season. The Jets allow the second most points to wideout each week.

David Johnson has handled the ball on the ground 20 times in the red zone scoring four times. He’s handled the 6-of-7 carries the team has had inside the 10 with all four of his scores coming inside that yard marker. Johnson leads the league with 695 yards from scrimmage with at least 100-yards in each game. The Jets are allowing just 68 yards a game on the ground and one rushing score through five contests. Andre Ellington is the backup.

Larry Fitzgerald went 6-81-2 last week. He has scored five times his last five home games and he’s scored five times in five games this season. He’s caught at least five passes for 60-yards in every game this season.

Michael Floyd has scored in 2-straight at home. In four games with Palmer under center Floyd is averaging four receptions for 42.5 yards. He has two scores in his last three outings with Palmer. The Jets have allowed a major seven scores to wideouts this season.

Carson Palmer should return from a concussion to take on the Jets who are allowing the 4^th most points a week to quarterbacks including 12 scores and 302 yards a game. Palmer has just one score and five picks his last two starts, though he has thrown for at least 271 yards in all four starts this season.