2016 NFL WEEKLY GAME PREVIEWS: WEEK 9

There was a tie last week giving the NFL back-to-back weeks with ties for the first time since 1997.

There have been 88 games within one score in the fourth quarter through Week 8. That is the most such games in league history, four more than any other season. Baltimore, Detroit, NY Giants and Washington have all been within one score in every game this season.

There have been 68 games decided by eight or fewer points, the most in league history through eight weeks.

Quarterbacks have a 63.3 completion percentage, the best through eight weeks ever.

Quarterbacks have a 90.4 QB Rating, the best ever through eight weeks.

Quarterbacks have thrown for 7.24 yards a pass, the second best mark in the Super Bowl era (7.25 in 2015).

Since 2000, 40 teams have reached the playoffs with a winning percentage at .500 or lower through eight games. Last year, five teams pulled off that trick.

Tom Brady has 48 wins in the month of October, the most in league history.

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

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

** Game recaps are from NFL Media.

** All times listed are EDT.

** Points references are to a traditional PPR setup.

BYE WEEK: Arizona, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New England, Washington

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Atlanta Falcons

Vic Beasley has 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles the past four games.

Tevin Coleman (hamstring) won’t play this week. He has six touchdowns his last six games. Terron Ward will suit up as the second option in the backfield. He carried the ball six times for 46 yards last week.  

Devonta Freeman scored twice last week. He has three rushing scores in five games. The Bucs are the third worst run defense according to PFF and have allowed the 8^th most points to runners.

Taylor Gabriel scored his first NFL touchdown last week. He has 11 receptions this season.  

Julio Jones leads the NFC with 859 receiving yards. He’s also failed to reach 30-yards in 3/6 games. He has scored seven times his last nine against the Bucs. While averaging 111 yards a contest.

Matt Ryan leads the NFL with 2,636 passing yards and in his last three against the Bucs he’s thrown for an average of 333 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Mohamed Sanu caught nine passes for 84 yards and a score last week though five catches and 50 yards came on the Falcons last possession. He hadn’t caught more than five passes in any game this season heading in. He has scored twice in three games. The Bucs have allowed 11 scores to wideouts, second most in football.

Jacob Tamme (shoulder) may or may not play this week. Austin Hooper stepped up last week to catch five passes for 41 yards. The Bucs have allowed one touchdown to tight ends.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cameron Brate scored last week, his third score in five outings. He has caught just seven passes for 89 yards the last three games. The Falcons have allowed the sixth most points a week to tight ends.

Mike Evans is tied for the NFL lead with six receiving scores. He’s scored in 5/7 games this season. He’s scored his last two meetings with the Falcons. The Falcons allow the second most points a week to wideouts.

Adam Humphries hasn’t scored this season. He’s been held under 18 yards in ¾ games.

Doug Martin (hamstring) and Jacquizz Rodgers (foot) are out this week. That will leave the backfield with Antone Smith and Peyton Barber to run for a team that has averaged 154.7 yards per game on the ground the last three outings. Sounds like a RBBC approach with Barber handling goaline work and Smith being the quick hitting, smaller but lightning quick back. ESPN’s Jenna Laine suggested that Smith could lead the backfield in touches. The Falcons have allowed the 7^th most points a week to runners.

Russell Sheppard has scored in each of his last two games as he’s hauled in seven of nine targets for 101 yards. He’s dealing with a hip issue that is costing him practice time and in fact he’s doubtful to play opening up playing time for Cecil Shorts and Freddie Martino.

Jameis Winston threw for 281 yards and four scores in the last matchup. In three meetings with the Falcons he has thrown for six scores with two picks leading to a 101.8 QB Rating. The Falcons are the worst pass defense in fantasy football at stopping QBs including 19 touchdown passes, a league worst.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016

Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell has produced 100-yards from scrimmage in ¾ games against the Ravens. In four games this season he’s averaged a league high 147.3 yards from scrimmage. He also leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage (134.5) since the start of the 2014 season. The Ravens are the best run defense in football according to PFF.

Antonio Brown, playoffs included, last five games against the Ravens: 7.8 receptions and 91 yards. In 4/5 on the road against the Ravens he’s gone for 100-yards. He caught seven passes for 106 yards in the last game with Jones under center.

Sammie Coates leads the NFL with 21.3 yards per catch. He has caught one pass for four yards the last two games as he’s dealt with a hand issue for weeks. The Ravens have allowed a league worst 13 scores to wideouts.

Jessie James hasn’t’ scored in two games. He’s also caught four passes for 31 yards in those two outings. Ladarius Green (ankle, head) could return this week. Uh huh. The Ravens have allowed no scores to ends.

Ben Roethlisberger (knee) sounds like a good bet to play this week. He has nine touchdown passes his last five against the Ravens. Big Ben has thrown for 16 scores in six games this season while averaging 281 yards a week. If he can’t go Landry Jones will be under center.

Eli Rogers should see a good run this week as he’s finally healthy and out of the doghouse. He caught four passes last week for 35 yards.

Lawrence Timmons has produced 66 tackles the last six meetings.

Markus Wheaton has lost his starting spot to Darrius Heyward-Bey. Wheaton’s last catch was on October 9^th. DHB has scored in 2-straight.

DeAngelo Williams went for two scores and 153 yards from scrimmage in the last matchup with no Bell around.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are scoring 16.3 points per game the last three weeks, the second lowest mark in the league.

Kamar Aiken has caught seven of 12 targets for 55 and 64 yards the last two weeks. He hasn’t scored this season or hit 65-yards.

Joe Flacco has thrown for nine scores against just two picks in the past six matchups (playoffs included). Flacco has thrown for two scores in four games. The Steelers have allowed eight passing scores in seven games. They have also picked off only three passes while generating eight sacks, a league low.

Kenneth Dixon, Terrance West, Lorenzo Taliaferro and Buck Allen face Pittsburgh. The Steelers allow the third most points a week to running backs. In the last game West was on the field for 21 offensive snaps, Taliaferro 11 and Dixon four. The club wants to increase the workload of Dixon after West led the backfield last week with 10 rushing yards in the last game. West has run for 208 yards and a score in his last two at home for what it’s worth. The Steelers allow 107 rushing yards a week, at a huge 4.7 YPC, and have permitted eight rushing scores in seven games.

Crockett Gillmore has eight receptions this season.

Breshad Perriman was called out by his head coach a few days back. He’s seen five targets the last four games but has been held under 50-yards each time and under 25 three times. He hasn’t scored this season.

Dennis Pitta has 38 receptions, fourth most at the tight end position, including 17 the last three games as he’s seen 28 targets. Pitta hasn’t scored this season. The Steelers allow the 10^th most points a week to ends, but have permitted just two scores.

Steve Smith (ankle) still wasn’t practicing early in the Week, a bad sign after a bye week.

Mike Wallace caught 10 passes for 120 yards in his last outing and leads the club with 490 receiving yards. The last two games he’s caught 14-of-22 targets for 217 yards. The Steelers allow the seventh fewest points a week to wideouts including just three scores.

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Cleveland Browns

Gary Barnidge is averaging four receptions and 50 yards a game. He hasn’t scored this season.    . In 5/6 games he’s been over 55 yards falling to 42 last time out. The Cowboys have allowed the seventh most points a week to tight ends

Corey Coleman (hand) should return to action this week. The dynamic rookie went for 100/2 in his last game. For more see this Daily Dive video. The Cowboys are without two defensive backs this week in Morris Clairborne and Barry Church.

Isaiah Crowell has scored in 2-straight on the ground. The Cowboys have allowed just three rushing scores, second lowest in the league. Crowell has failed to reach 30 rushing yards in ¾ games and has been held to 13 or fewer carries in each of those four games.

Andrew Hawkins scored twice last week. He has scored three times his last two at home. It doesn’t matter. He hasn’t hit 50 yards in all but one game this season.

Duke Johnson produced 116 yards from scrimmage last week. He hasn’t run for 30-yards in 4-straight games, but he has caught at least four passes in each of the last three (14 total). In two of three games he’s gone for at least 56 yards as a pass catcher. The Cowboys have allowed the second fewest points a week to running backs.

Josh McCown returned from injury to throw for 341 yards and two scores while tossing two picks. It’s unclear if he will start or Cody Kessler (concussion). The Cowboys allow a 68 percent completion percentage, 256 yards a game and have picked off only four passes in seven games. The Cowboys allow the 17^th most points a week to quarterbacks.

Terrelle Pryor didn’t catch a pass in the second half last week but he still had 101 receiving yards and six receptions. He hasn’t scored in two games but he’s been at 6/75 in two of three games while seeing 13 targets in each of those games. Could lose some looks with Coleman back.

Dallas Cowboys

Cole Beasley has scored three times in three games. He’s also gone for 53 yards in every game this season. On average, his per game production is 5.3 receptions, 63.3 yards and 0.43 scores per game.

Dez Bryant caught only four of 14 targets last week but he went over 100-yards and scored while playing nearly every snap. Get this… he’s scored in 14-straight games against the AFC. The Browns have allowed 11 scores to wideouts, second most in football.

Ezekiel Elliott leads the NFL with 799 rushing yards. He has produced 145 yards from scrimmage in 5-straight outings. The Browns allow 4.8 YPC and 143.8 yards a game on the ground. Both those marks are second worst in the NFL. They have allowed 10 rushing scores, third most.

Sean Lee has 10 tackles in 4-straight.

Alfred Morris has six carries for eight yards the last two games. He hasn’t scored in four games.

Dak Prescott has five scores, one pick and a 118.3 QB Rating on the road. The Browns allow the fourth allow the third most points to quarterbacks weekly. The Browns have allowed 19 touchdown passes, a league worst.

Terrance Williams hasn’t scored in three games. He’s seen at least five targets in 4-straight games, and in 2/3 outings he has crested 70-yards. Last week, with Bryant back, he caught two passes for 25 yards. Brice Butler also disappeared with one catch for 19 yards last week.

Jason Witten scored last week, his first of the season. He’s gone 5-straight without hitting 50-yards. The Browns have allowed the second most points a week to tight ends.

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Jacksonville Jaguars

Blake Bortles has 15 touchdowns and seven picks his last six on the road. He threw for 337 and three scores last week even in a poor effort. His struggles have been well chronicled. The Chiefs allow scores, 13 passing touchdowns in seven games, but they also have 11 picks though that was greatly aided by the Ryan Fitzpatrick six pick debacle.  

Allen Hurns went 7-98-1 last week and has gone 4-75 in 2/3 games. See this Big-3 video. The Chiefs allow the fourth most points a week to wideouts.

Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon face the Chiefs who have allowed three rushing scores, second best in the league. That doesn’t speak well for Ivory. The Chiefs have allowed the 14^th most points a week to running backs, though they have allowed 36 receptions to runners, another mid-level total. Snap totals the last two weeks: Ivory (56) and Yeldon (79).

Marqise Lee went 5-straight with at least four receptions. Last time out, even with Bortles big statistical outing, caught just one of three targets for 21 yards.

Allen Robinson has scored 17 times since the start of last season, the most receiving scores in football in that time. The Chiefs have allowed nine passing scores to wideouts. He hasn’t scored the last three games. Four times in seven outings he had 10 targets, but he has failed to catch more than three passes for 49 yards in 2/3 games.

Julius Thomas has scored in 2-straight games. He’s also failed to reach 30-yards in 4-straight outings. The Chiefs have allowed the fourth fewest points a week to ends. That includes just one score.

Kansas City Chiefs

Jamaal Charles is done for the year as he will need another surgery on his surgically repaired knee.

Chris Conley hasn’t scored. He has hit 30-yards just once in three outings. He’s caught eight passes the last three games.

Tyreek Hill has scored four times as a receiver, most amongst rookies. He’s scored the last two games. Still, he’s only seen nine targets the last three games. The Jags have allowed 10 scores to wideouts, third most in football.

Travis Kelce caught seven passes for 101 yards and a score last week. The Jaguars have allowed one touchdown to tight ends. Kelce has scored just once in three games, and three times in four outings he’s failed to record 33 receiving yards.

Jeremy Maclin scored last week and has scored three times the last two matchups. The Jaguars allow the seventh most points a week to wideouts. Alas, Maclin has failed to reach 50-yards in 3-straight outings and four of five. He’s only seen 18 targets the last three weeks catching 10 of them.

Alex Smith apparently wasn’t concussed last week – sure seems like the Chiefs are lying – though he missed substantial time with two hits to the head. However, he has already been ruled out this week. His last nine at home he has a 100.6 QB Rating and 15 touchdown passes. Nick Foles went for 223/2 last week. The Jags have only picked off three passes, they haven’t generated a turnover since Week 4, and allow the 13^th most points a week to signal callers.

Spencer Ware (concussion) may or may not play this week meaning Charcandrick West will have a role, potentially a big one. Ware is averaging 118 yards from scrimmage, 4^th most in football. His last three at home it’s two scores and 138 yards from scrimmage. If he can’t go, and Ware was still in the concussion protocol early in the week, West profiles as a runner with 20-touch upside. The Jags have allowed nine rushing scores, the 4^th most, though they have also permitted just the 17^th most points a week to the position.

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New York Jets

Robby Anderson has caught six passes for 72 yards the last two games. No scores this season though.

Knile Davis is now part of the Jets as is C.J. Spiller who was also signed. Wait, Davis was waived to sign Spiller? All that happened in two hours. The Jets have no idea what they are doing.

Bilal Powell saw 31 offensive snaps last week compared to 43 for Forte. Powell took six carries for 76 yards and a score against the Browns in his first game all season with more than four carries. His pass catching role has vanished with one reception the last two games.

Quincy Enunwa leads the club with 36 receptions. He also has 502 yards and three scores. He’s scored in 2-straight outings going for at least 73 yards in both contests. He’s caught just nine passes the last three games.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for four scores in the last matchup. He’s only thrown two scores his last three outings this season, but he’s also tossed just one pick in four outings (the Dolphins have intercepted just three passes this season). Fitzpatrick has failed to throw for 230 yards in 3-straight while the Dolphins have allowed 231.4 yards a game this season.

Matt Forte has scored four times while producing 252 yards from scrimmage the last two games. He’s carried the ball 55 times while catching six passes the last two games. The Dolphins have allowed the third most rushing yards a week at 135.6. They have also allowed six rushing scores.

Brandon Marshall has averaged eight receptions, 130 yards and a score the last two matchups. He’s scored five times his last four in the division while averaging 118 yards a game. He hasn’t scored in 3-straight games while catching just 10 passes the last three games with a yardage high of 70.

Miami Dolphins

Jay Ajayi has gone for 200 yards the last two games while scoring three times. He has four rushing scores his last three games. He leads the NFL with 6.37 YPC. The Jets lead the league allowing 74 yards a game on the ground and 3.3 YPC.

Jordan Cameron is still in the concussion protocol. Dion Sims is also in the concussion protocol but he is expected to play this week.

Arian Foster is retired. We wish him well.

Jarvis Landry caught 13 passes for 165 yards and a score the last matchup. The last five in the division he has only one score but he’s also caught 8.8 passes for 103.4 yards a game. The Jets allow the third most points a week to wideouts.

DeVante Parker scored in the last meeting. The Jets have allowed 10 scores to wideouts, third most in football. Parker has just 12 receptions in four outings and only once in that time has he produced 30-yards. He hasn’t scored in any of those outings.

Ryan Tannehill threw for 351/3 in the last matchup. He has thrown only three picks in the last five games in the division. He hasn’t thrown a pick in two outings but he also has tossed just one touchdown pass in three games and two in four outings. He’s also been held to 204 of fewer passing yards in ¾ games. No team in football allows more passing yards a week than the Jets (289.1).

Kenny Stills went for 100 and a score the last time out there with five receptions. The previous three games he caught just three passes.

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Detroit Lions

Ameer Abdullah is still out.

Anquan Boldin could lose looks now that Ebron and Riddick are back. With both back last week Boldin saw just three targets. He has scored in 2-of-3 games, but he’s also been able to haul in 4-of-7 passes for 32 yards the last two games.

Eric Ebron went for 5-89-1 in the last matchup. He’s also scored his last two in the matchup. He hasn’t scored in four games this season. The Vikings haven’t allowed a score this season to tight ends and the 19^th most points a week to the position.

Marvin Jones hasn’t scored in two games. Jones has caught just nine passes in three games. Jones has failed to catch 40-yards of passes in ¾ games. The Vikings allow the second fewest points a week to wideouts.

Theo Riddick went for 133 yards from scrimmage in his last outing (77 run, 56 receive). He has received at least 10 carries, but no more than 11, in 5-straight games. In all of those games he’s failed to run for a touchdown. His last two games he’s caught 14 passes, and in ¾ he’s pulled in at least six passes. He’s also scored three times the last two games as a pass catcher. Dwayne   Washington was a healthy scratch last week. The Vikes have allowed four rushing scores, third fewest.

Matthew Stafford has thrown for nine scores and no picks the last four matchup. The Vikings permit the third fewest points a week to signal callers. The Vikes have allowed six passing scores. Stafford hasn’t thrown a pick in 4-straight, but he also has thrown just two passing scores the last two times out.

Golden Tate has caught 21 passes the last three games: eight, six and seven. He’s seen a total of 31 targets in those three outings. He’s only scored once this season, but he’s back to being a weekly PPR threat.

Minnesota Vikings

*OC Norv Turner has resigned. He will be replaced by TE Coach Pat Shurmur. The offense is 25^th in points and 31s in total yards.

Detroit is the second worst defense in football according to PFF.

Matt Asiata has scored in 2-straight at home. He also continues to drop a pass or two every game including two last week. He was also stuffed on multiple runs inside the five yard line. Asiata has averaged 13 carries and 51 yards the last three weeks on the ground. He’s only caught more than three passes one time. The Lions have permitted just three rushing scores, second best in the league.

Sam Bradford has thrown for just five scores in four games at home against the Vikings. Bradford has just one touchdown pass in 4/5 games though he has been picked off just once. Bradford has also failed to throw for 230-yards his last two outings. The Lions are the second worst pass defense against quarterbacks. The Lions have allowed 19 touchdown passes, a league worst.

Stefon Diggs went 6-108-1 in the last matchup. He also has four scores his last four versus NFC North. Last week against the Bears he caught 8-of-13 passes for 76 yards and a score. That was his first game with more than 47 yards in four outings. He’s also scored just once in the four outings with more than seven targets just once.

Charles Johnson last caught a pass on October 9^th.

Jerick McKinnnon (ankle) said that he expects to play this week. Ronnie Hillman stepped up for four runs and two catches last week. His role disappears if Jerick is healthy. The Lions have allowed 111 yards a game on the ground but only three rushing scores. The last four games McKinnon has averaged 16 carries for just 52.3 yards a game on the ground.

Cordarrelle Patterson has scored twice in his last three games at home. He’s also scored in 2/3 games of late. Patterson has seen at least six targets in ¾ games. He’s failed to reach 40-yards receiving though in all but one game this season.

Kyle Rudolph has scored in 2-straight against the Lions. He has also scored in ¾ games at home. He hasn’t scored in 3-straight overall though he does have five receptions each of his last two games. The Lions have allowed the most points a week to tight ends. That includes eight scores in eight games.

Adam Thielen has one score this season. He has seen five or more targets the last three games, though his yardage total has gone down each time out: 127, 52 and 40.

Laquon Treadwell doesn’t have a catch.

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Philadelphia Eagles

Nelson Agholor has failed to catch four passes or to reach 35 yards in five straight games.

Zach Ertz caught nine passes for 152 yards in the last matchup. His last four games overall he has nine receptions for 92 yards. The Giants have allowed one touchdown to tight ends.

Dorial Green-Beckham caught a season best five passes on a season-high nine targets last week. He has only one score this season and only one game over 45-yards, but his star is slightly on the rise.

Josh Huff may have played his last snap with the club. At least that is what we thought until the Eagles decided to ignore his deplorable actions merely because he can play football. SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE NFL.

Ryan Mathews is still the lead back according to HC Doug Pederson. I don’t know many coaches who give eight snaps in a game to their lead back. #Liar

Jordan Matthews has scored five times his last five against the NFC East. He is coming off a career best 11 receptions last week and he also scored, his first touchdown in four games. In ¾ games he’s produced at least 65 yards, even as the offense struggles to produce much through the air.

Darren Sproles is now the lead runner of this team. We think, despite the above statement by the head coach. I wrote about the insanity in Hot Takes, Part II. Sproles produced 103 yards from scrimmage last week as he carried the ball 15 times and caught five passes. He has four touchdowns his last five games against the Giants though he has scored just once this season. Sproles out snapped Mathews eight to 62 last week as the coaching staff has no idea what they are doing. The Giants allow 5.5 receptions a week to runners.

Carson Wentz has four touchdown passes in four games on the road.  The Giants have allowed only seven touchdown passes in seven games. Wentz has thrown a total of two touchdowns his last three games and has failed to throw for more than 202 yards in any of those outings.

New York Giants

Odell Beckham has two scores his last three games at home, and he’s scored twice in three games versus the Eagles. He has averaged eight receptions and 143 yards in his last three at home though he has been held under 57 yards in ¾ games.

Victor Cruz caught five balls for 55 yards last time out. It was his first game over 31 yards in three outings. He’s failed to score in 6-straight.

Larry Donnell caught one pass in his last game and has just one game this season of even 30-yards. Will Tye caught five balls for 67 yards and a score in the last meeting. He has four receptions for 29 yards the last two games. The Eagles have allowed the second fewest points a week to ends.

Rashaad Jennings scored last week, his first of the year, and ran for 170 yards and a score in the last meeting. Still, Jennings has failed to reach 30 rushing yards his last three games. Paul Perkins could start to see his role increase this week. Of course, Bobby Rainey and Orleans Darkwa are also in the mix in a very messy backfield situation. The Eagles have allowed five rushing touchdowns and permit 4.7 YPC, a large number.

Eli Manning the last five home games: 334 yard and two touchdown passes with a 95.7 QB Rating. He’s thrown for at least 350 yards in 3/6 games. However, he’s also been held under 200 passing yards in 2/3. He has thrown two picks in three games as well. The Eagles permit the fifth fewest points a week to signal callers. The Eagles are tied for second in the league with 22 sacks.

Sterling Shepard is second amongst rookies with 31 receptions. He’s hauled in nine of 15 targets the last two games. However, he didn’t hit 35-yards in either outing. He’s failed to reach 40-yards in 4-straight. The Eagles allow the fourth fewest points a week to wideouts.

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Carolina Panthers

The Rams are the 4^th best defense according to PFF.

Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker serve secondary roles. CAP wasn’t even active the last game. Whittaker has carried the ball three times while catching two passes the last two games.

Kelvin Benjamin hasn’t scored in 3-straight games. He has one touchdown in five games. He’s been over 70-yards in 3-straight, but he also failed to hit 40-yards in 2/5. His production is all over the place. The Rams allow the sixth most points a week to wideouts.

Devin Funchess scored two weeks ago but he’s only caught 10 passes all season and has been held under 40-yards the last two times out.

Ted Ginn hasn’t scored this season. He has caught five passes for 53 and five passes for 54 yards the last two outings as he’s seen 14 targets.

Cam Newton has 14 touchdown passes and three picks his last six on the road. He has also run for scores in ¾ on the road. Over his last four games this season he’s thrown four picks and tossed just three scores. He’s also failed to reach 215 passing yards in 2/3 games. He has scored on the ground every other game this season.

Greg Olsen caught one pass last week after catching at least five for 64 yards every game preceding. He will get back to it this week even though the Rams allow the 10^th fewest points a week to tight ends.

Jonathan Stewart ran for 85 yards and two scores last week. In fact, he’s scored twice in 2-straight. He has scored six times his last six games on the road. The Rams have allowed six rushing scores in seven games this season. Stewart also has resumed his huge carry totals with 19 and 25 the last two games.

Los Angeles Rams

Tayvon Austin caught a career best 10 passes last week for a score. He has scored three times his last four games at home (two receive, one run). Flipside. Austin has one score in four games. Austin hasn’t produced 60 receiving yards in 4-straight games.

Kenny Britt has seen eight targets in each of his last two games. He’s caught 10 passes for 179 yards and two scores in those two games. He’s produced 75-yards in ¾ games. The Panthers allow the most points a week to wideouts.

Todd Gurley has produced four rushing scores his last five at home. He’s posted 90-yards from scrimmage in 3-straight. He’s caught at least three passes in 4-straight averaging 4.5 receptions a game the last four, a pace of 72 receptions over 16 contests. The Panthers allow the third fewest yards a week on the ground at 80.1 and are tied for the league lead with a 3.3 YPC.

Lance Kendricks caught seven balls for 55 yards the last game. He scored the outing before that. He’s reached 60-yards one time this season and has scored just once.

Case Keenum has a QB Rating of 85 in 4/6 games. He has tossed four scores the last two games. He’s also been picked off five times in those contests and seven times his last three as he’s thrown for at least 271 yards in each outing. The Panthers allow the third most points to quarterbacks weekly.

Brian Quick saw a season high nine targets last game. He has produced at least 51 yards in 5-straight games but he’s scored only three times in seven games this season, and none the last three.

Robert Quinn has four sacks in five games.

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New Orleans Saints

* The Niners have allowed 562 rushing yards… their last two games, the most ever in team history.

Drew Brees has a QB Rating of 100 in 3-straight. He is averaging 292 passing yards with 2.4 touchdown passes in eight matchups with the Niners. The 49ers have only allowed 222 passing yards a game, 7^th fewest in the league, but they also have 13 sacks while allowing 15 touchdown passes.

Brandon Coleman has caught four passes the last three games and has just once score this season.

Brandin Cooks has scored in 3-straight. He’s caught an average of six passes for 91.7 yards a game in those three. Should be noted that in his last six outings Cooks has reached 92 yards just a single time.  

Coby Fleener was on the field for just 34 percent of the snaps last week. Josh Hill was out there 78 percent of the snaps. Fleener has just one score in four games and three times in that run he’s failed to reach 45-yards. The Niners have allowed only two scores to tight ends.

Mark Ingram and Tim Hightower. No one knows who is in the league at this point as both men will get work. Ingram has ball control issues, and that forced the move to Hightower last week who went for 26 carries and 102 yards. The Niners have a catastrophic run defense that is allowing an unfathomable 185 yards a game on the ground and 10 rushing scores in seven games. The Niners have allowed the fewest receptions to running backs.

Willie Snead hasn’t scored in four games. He has seen a large 19 targets the last two outings with 15 receptions. He’s produced an average of 72 yards the last two outings. The Niners have allowed a league high 13 scores to wideouts.

Michael Thomas leads all rookies with 42 receptions and 500 yards and he’s also scored three times. He’s caught at least five passes in 3-straight games hauling in an average of seven receptions in those three outings.

San Francisco 49ers

Mike Davis, DuJuan Harris and Shaun Draughn saw 21, 24 and 22 snaps in the Niners last game. Heading into Week 9 Carlos Hyde (shoulder) is expected to play, but he was in a non-contact jersey at practice early in the week. OC Curtis Modkins said that be believes that Harris has “earned” more opportunities. Davis scored in his last game. Hyde has scored in 3-straight games at home and he’s scored six times in six games overall. The Saints have allowed a league worst 12 rushing scores. They also allow the most points a week to running backs.

Colin Kaepernick has run for 60-yards his two outings. He’s thrown two scores in two games while averaging 165 passing yards an outing. The Saints have allowed 287 passing yards a week and have picked off just three passes.

Jeremy Kerley has two scores his last three games at home. He’s also caught just four passes for 27 yards the last two games, even with 12 targets.

Vance McDonald has gone 3-straight without a touchdown and has hauled in a total of eight passes in five games.

Quinton Patton has caught seven passes for 65 yards the last two games. That accounts for high level production in this offense.

Torrey Smith has one score in five games. He has reached 20 yards just once in three games.

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Indianapolis Colts

Dwayne Allen (ankle) is still uncertain to play but he did return to practice Wednesday. Jack Doyle has scored in 2-straight games on the road. He is also tied for first at tight end with four scores. Allen is the better play if he’s on the field. The Packers allow the 13^th most points a week to ends though that includes a mere two touchdowns.

Phillip Dorsett caught all five of his targets last week for 33 yards. With Moncrief back, Dorsett falls to third in the pecking order out wide. He has one score this season and has been under 35-yards in 3-straight.

Frank Gore has scored as a pass catcher in 2-straight though he hasn’t scored as a runner in four games. He failed to see 13 carries for the first time last week (nine). The last four versus the Packers he’s scored four times with an average of 104 yards from scrimmage. The Packers are the 4^th best run defense according to PFF. They allow just 74.4 yards per game and 3.3 YPC, and two rushing scores.

T.Y. Hilton (hamstring) is 4^th in the NFL with 709 receiving yards. He saw his workload curtailed last week when Donte Moncrief returned to action, and he was missing practice early in the week with that hammy issue. Hilton has failed to score or to reach 50-yards in 2/3 outings. Moncrief returned from injury to score and see nine targets on his way to four receptions and 41 yards. The Packers have allowed 10 scores to wideouts, third most in football.

Andrew Luck ran for a career best 60 yards last week. He’s tossed two scores in 4/5 games and has been picked off twice in four games. The Packers allow 247 yards a game through the air and 1.86 passing scores a contest.

Green Bay Packers

The Colts are the worst defense according to PFF. The Colts are the second worst run defense according to PFF.

Davante Adams has turned 30 targets into 25 receptions, 206 yards and two scores his last two games.

Randall Cobb missed last week with a hamstring issue. The hope is that he will be able to play this week. He was limited to individual drills early in the week. The last three games he’s played Cobbs has seen an immense total of 37 targets turning them into 27 receptions and two scores.

Eddie Lacy is out. James Starks is out. Knile Davis is now a Jet after he was released. Apparently, Don Jackson will receive 30 touches this week. Or, the Packers will continue their insane idea of playing games without really using running backs which seems a wee bit more likely. The Colts allow the 6^th most points a week to running backs.

Ty Montgomery didn’t play last week with an illness and a kidney situation in addition to a flare up of his sickle cell trait. He’s practicing on a limited basis early in the week but it’s unclear if he will suit up. In his last two outings he’s caught 20 of 25 targets for 82 yards an outing as a pass catcher. He also has 64 yards as a runner in those two games.

Jordy Nelson is tied for the NFL lead with six touchdown receptions, though he has just one score in three games. He scored last week while going for 94 yards as he injured his hand, though he should play through it. He’s failed to reach 70-yards in ¾ outings and has caught just 14 passes the last four games (3.5 receptions an outing).

Aaron Rodgers the last five games at home versus the AFC: 15 touchdowns, zero interceptions. The Colts allow the sixth allow the third most points to quarterbacks weekly. They have picked off only two passes this season. Rodgers has thrown seven scores the last two games and is averaging 45.3 pass attempts the last four games, an immense volume.

Richard Rodgers faces the Colts who have allowed the fourth most points a week to tight ends. Jared Cooks still is dealing with that foot issue.

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Tennessee Titans

The Chargers are the 6^th best defense according to PFF.

The Titans are third in the NFL the last three games with a 30.0 point per game mark.

Derrick Henry went for a score and 97 yards from scrimmage in Week 8 as he carried the ball a season high 16 times. The previous four games he carried the ball 13 times. His role appears to be dependent on the health of Murray, but it's possible he could see another big workload this week. The Chargers allow the second most points a week to running backs.

Andre Johnson has retired.

Marcus Mariota has thrown for 10 scores, versus just one pick, with a 120.7 QB Rating the last four games. He’s also run for 60-yards in 2/4 outings though he’s been under 15 yards the last two. The Chargers are allowing 275 yards a game but they have picked off nine passes in eight games.

Rishard Matthews has scored in ¾ games. Only once in that time has he produced 40-yards though so he’s basically been caught four passes for 35 yards meaning without a touchdown he’s simply not startable. Only once in five outings has he seen more than four targets.

DeMarco Murray has run for 756 rushing yards and scored eight times. That’s only happened five other times in league history in the first eight games of a season. Murray has run for a score or 100 yards in 6-straight games, but he is dealing with a toe issue that caused him to miss snaps in Week 8. The Chargers have allowed 11 rushing scores, second most. They have allowed the most receptions to runners.

Tajae Sharpe hasn’t scored this season. He has five receptions the last three games.

Delanie Walker has a touchdown in 2/3 games on the road. He’s scored once in three games overall. He’s back to being a weekly starter as well. Over his last four games he’s gone for four receptions and 66 yards three times. The last two times out he’s caught 11-of-13 targets for an average of 80 yards and 0.5 scores.

Kendall Wright scored last time out and has two touchdowns his last three games. In two of those games he’s produced 84 yards. Alas, he’s only seen nine targets the last two games and has caught just six passes for 96 yards. He continues to fail to reach 40 percent in terms of snaps each week (39 percent last week).

San Diego Chargers

Travis Benjamin has one score in six games. He has failed to reach 55-yards in 4/5 games. His PCL is a concern as well.

Antonio Gates has scored in 5-of-6 meetings against the Titans. He also had a TD catch last week and over his last four games he’s doubled Hunter Henry in targets (30 to 15). Gates has scored three times his last five outings this season but he has failed to reach 40-yards in a game this season. Henry, after scoring in 3-straight, has seen his role vanish over the last two weeks (three receptions for 30 yards on seven targets).

Melvin Gordon the last two games: three scores, 179 rushing yards and 97 receiving yards (1.5, 90, 44 per game as an average). He leads the NFL with 10 scores and is coming off his best rushing effort this season against the Broncos (23 carries, 111 yards). The Titans allow just 81.9 yards a game on the ground, fifth best, and have permitted just three rushing scores, second best in the league.

Dontrelle Inman is always on the field. He’s never producing much. His last two games he’s caught seven of 13 targets for 130 yards. He could see a much bigger role this week with Benjamin and Williams hurt. 

Philip Rivers faces the Titans who are tied for second in the league with 22 sacks and that might be an issue for Rivers who has a 49.5 percent completion rate with a 58.9 QB Rating while under pressure this season. Rivers has also thrown four picks his last two games and just four passing scores in three games.

Tyrell Williams (knee) isn’t practicing early in the week. He caught only one pass last week as he was physically limited. It was the second time in three outings Williams has failed to reach 30-yards.

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Denver Broncos

C.J. Anderson is on the I.R. leaving the backfield for Devontae Booker. The rookie has scored in 2-straight games. He also touched the ball 24 times last week scoring against the Chargers. Alas, he produced just 84 yards, picked up a shoulder issue and fumbled the ball near the goaline. The Raiders have allowed 125 yards a week, 5^th most, and eight rushing scores in eight games at 4.8 YPC. Kapri Bibbs might even see some success in a support role.

Virgil Green caught four passes for 55 yards last week. He hasn’t scored this season and only has on game over 46 yards. The Raiders have allowed five touchdowns to tight ends, third most in football.

Von Miller has a sack and forced fumble in 2-straight against the Raiders.

Emmanuel Sanders has scored three times while averaging 89 yards a game in his last three against the Raiders. Sanders has caught four receptions exactly in each of the last three games. He’s averaged six receptions that last six outings. He’s produced 68 yards in 4/5 games and over 80 in three of them. He hasn’t scored in four games.

Trevor Siemian has a mere 61.7 completion percentage. He has thrown three scores the last four games. At least he has tossed just one pick in five games. He’s just not doing anything. The last two contests he’s also completed 34 passes out of 63 attempts. There’s just no volume here to speak of.

Demaryius Thomas has caught an average of 7.5 passes for 96 yards in the last eight meetings with the Raiders. Thomas has caught five receptions in 7-straight outings. He’s seen 10 targets, exactly, in each of the last three games. He’s scored four times in six games.

Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr is tied for third in the NFL with 17 passing scores and has just three picks. The Broncos permit the fewest points a week to signal callers. Denver has allowed a league best 184 passing yards an outing. Denver leads the league with 26 sacks though Carr has only been sacked nine times this season. In three home games Carr has thrown for an average of 280 yards and two scores.

Amari Cooper went for 12 grabs and 173 yards last week. He is third in the NFL with 52 grabs and 787 receiving yards and is on pace for 104 receptions and 1,574 yards. He has scored twice in four games and has seen at least 12 targets in ¾.

Michael Crabtree is tied for first in the NFL with six receiving scores though he has just one in three games. He’s caught eight passes in back-to-back games while seeing 27 targets leading to 204 yards. The Broncos allow the fewest points a week to wideouts.

Khalil Mack has 14 sacks his last 15 games.

Latavius Murray has run for five scores his last six games. He still hasn’t carried the ball for 60-yards on the ground in any game this season. Here is the snap breakdown from Week 8: Murray 36, DeAndre Washington 28 and Jalen Richard 17. Murray is in the lead in this backfield, but again, he’s not likely to go off since he continues to share so much work with those other two backs. The Broncos have allowed 117/4 yards a game on the ground, 9^th most, and they have allowed six rushing scores.

Clive Walford faces the Broncos who have allowed two scores to tight ends.

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Buffalo Bills

The Bills are second in the NFL the last three games with a 31.7 point per game mark.

Lorenzo Alexander leads the NFL with nine sacks.

Zach Brown leads the NFL with 87 tackles.

Charles Clay caught five passes in 3-straight games. He then went out and caught just four of 11 targets the last two games. He still hasn’t scored this season. The Seahawks have allowed one touchdown to tight ends.

Mike Gillislee ran for 85 yards and a score last week even though he was limited by game flow with only 12 carries (he added three receptions). He has a rushing score in five of his last six against the NFC. The Seahawks are the second best run defense according to PFF making Gillislee a low level RB2 if McCoy is indeed out. LeSean McCoy has scored his last four games on MNF. Unclear if he will play with his hamstring this week after sitting out Week 8.

Tyrod Taylor leads QBs with 319 rushing yards with at least 25 rushing yards in 7-straight. In his last four games he’s failed to throw for 185 yards three times and just 221 yards in his best effort. He has one touchdown pass in two games. The Seahawks permit the sixth fewest points a week to signal callers. The Seahawks have allowed a mere five touchdown passes, a league best. Seattle is tied for second in the league with 22 sacks.

Sammy Watkins is still out though progressing. Here are the snaps out wide from Week 8: Justin Hunter 64, Walt Powell 61, Robert Woods 47 and Brandon Tate 21. Woods will hope to see more run as his foot heals. Woods caught four of seven passes last week for 50 yards, a week after a 5-44-1 line. Marquise Goodwin hopes to return from a concussion this week.

Seattle Seahawks

Cliff Avril has 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in his past four games.

Doug Baldwin has scored nine times his last five games against the AFC. He’s also scored in 5/6 games at home. He’s been held out of the end zone in four games overall, and he’s been unable to reach 55-yards in ¾ games.

Jimmy Graham caught five passes in 4-straight games heading into his #RevengeGame last week against the Saints. He went out and saw only five targets for three receptions and 34 yards. He hasn’t scored in four games. The Bills have allowed one touchdown to tight ends.

Jermaine Kearse hasn’t scored this season. He has been at 51 and 57 yards the last two weeks.

Tyler Lockett hasn’t reached 35 yards in five games. He hasn’t scored as a pass catcher this season.

Christine Michael has scored six times his last five games (five run, one receive). The Bills have allowed nine rushing scores, the 4^th most. Michael is averaging 63.7 yards a game this season. The last four games he’s hit that mark only once, and that was a 64 yard effort. Moreover, in seven games this season he’s failed to run for 70-yards six times even though he’s had at least 16 carries in 4/5 games.

C.J. Prosise posted 23 rushing yards and 80 receiving last week for a career best 103 yards from scrimmage. People are out of control with their love though. He has six carries and seven receptions in three games, an average of four touches a week.

Thomas Rawls (leg) won’t play this week.

Paul Richardson hasn’t scored this season. He hasn’t hit 40-yards once.

Russell Wilson has won 6/7 games at home with a QB Rating of 110.7. Alas, Wilson has gone 3-straight games without a touchdown pass, a fact I noted in an edition of the Daily Dive. He has five passing scores in seven games. Shocking. Wilson also has 44 rushing yards this season. He’s averaged 34.8 yards per contest for his career. The Bills are tied for the league lead with 26 sacks which is a bad sign for an immobile quarterback who has a moderate, at best, offensive line.