Stars of Week 9
QB: Nick Foles 22-28, 406 yards, 7 TDs
RB: Chris Johnson 23 carries, 150 yards, 2 TDs
WR: Andre Johnson 9 catches, 229 yards, 3 TDs
TE: Jimmy Graham 9 catches, 116 yards, 2 TDs
No Megatron on the list this week, but that’s mostly due to the fact that the Lions were on their bye. So for this week’s honor roll, we have one shocker, two former stars with very quiet 2013 seasons, and one regular in Jimmy Graham. Nick Foles – wow! His record setting performance came against what had quietly been (at least statistically) a solid defense this year in the Oakland Raiders. For the second time this season, we’ll take a closer look at Foles below. Chris Johnson and Andre Johnson each had their first monster performances of the season, and each will also get a closer review as well.
Week 9 Takeaways – A Closer Look
Each week we take a closer look at a handful of performances and sort out what such performances mean going forward.
- Nick Foles: 22-28, 406 yards, 7 TDs
Analysis: The winning percentage for fantasy teams starting Nick Foles this week has to approach the 99 percentile. Who could have predicted this performance? Foles’ explosion against the Raiders should reinforce to you that anything is possible in any given week, whether in fantasy football or in the NFL itself. Sure, Foles’ line has to surprise even his most optimistic fans, but the fact that he had success should not. The combination of his skills, the talent of the Eagles’ offensive and Chip Kelly’s offensive system provide Foles with the platform to put up strong numbers. If health and common sense prevail, Foles will keep the starting QB spot for the Eagles the rest of the season, and if so, he should be viewed as a high-level QB2, with low end QB1 upside in favorable matchups. As with any young quarterback, expect some inconsistency from week to week based on the strength of his matchup.
- Case Keenum: 20-34, 350 yards, 3 TDs
Analysis: The Colts/Texans matchup on Sunday night produced two great QB performances, as Case Keenum nearly matched Andrew Luck. Keenum, an undrafted free agent from Houston, brought the lethargic Texans’ offense back to life after several weeks of mediocrity and pick-sixes. Keenum’s mobility in the pocket will serve him well going forward. As for Keenum as a QB option, he should be viewed as a mid-level QB2 for the balance of the season. He’s shown promise, but as with most rookies, teams will make defensive adjustments once they see more of his game. As such, expectations should remain in check. Feel free to start Keenum in favorable matchups if you don’t have an stud QB on your roster, and you should also expect a slight bump in the performance of the Texans’ pass catchers going forward as well.
- Chris Johnson: 23 carries, 150 yards, 2 TDs
Analysis: Formerly CJ2K, Johnson has had a terrible 2013 season up until Sunday’s performance against the Rams. What we learned from this performance is that Johnson still has the skills to get the job done. Will he perform on a consistent basis though? I remain skeptical. Why did it take until Week 9 of the season for Johnson to come through? Also, note that the Titans plan to use Shonn Greene for the goal line carries, so that will cut into Johnson’s numbers. Since the RB position has lots of uncertainty after the top 10 or so, Johnson remains in the RB2 group. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that the Johnson of old will be back – CJ2K is a thing of the past, and CJ1K is the future.
- Zac Stacy: 27 carries, 127 yards, 2 TDs
Analysis: In just a few weeks time, Zac Stacy has solidified his grip on the Rams starting RB situation, and he has done so with no-doubt performances. Following up last week’s 134 yard output against the Seahawks, Stacy ran wild against the Titans, finding the end zone twice. At this point, we have seen enough from Stacy to upgrade him into solid RB2 status. If you have him, start him with confidence.
- Andre Johnson: 9 catches, 229 yards, 3 TDs
Analysis: Andre Johnson’s owners have been frustrated with his season thus far, at least until this past Sunday when he went off against the Colts. Johnson’s first three TDs of the season all came on Sunday. For owners who have stuck by Johnson, good news is on its way. First, stability seems to have finally found the Texans QB situation, as Keenum should have the job the rest of the way, meaning improved QB play going forward. Second, note that scoring TDs can be a bit fluky, and Johnson’s catches, yards and targets for the season have been similar to past years. So, TDs will follow. Johnson may no longer be in the top-5 WR group, but he’s still a back end WR1.
- Riley Cooper: 5 catches, 139 yards, 3 TDs
Analysis: Cooper was one of many Eagles to partake in the destruction of the Raiders on Sunday. Cooper seems to have developed very nice chemistry with Foles. Cooper’s value will remain highest with Foles as QB, as opposed to Vick or Barkley, so keep that in mind if you end up with Cooper on your team. Assuming Foles remains the QB (only makes sense that he does), Cooper should be pushing high end WR3 status, with a chance for more. We still need to see more from Cooper in order to push him higher, but teams needing a WR should pick him up and see how the upside plays out.
- Tim Wright: 4 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD
Analysis: Not a lot of useful pieces on the 0-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad, one such player is tight end Tim Wright. Very quietly, Wright has been emerging as one of the Bucs’ offensive weapons, and he seems to be a favorite target of Glennon. Wright has scored a TD in each of the past two games, and teams looking for a TE should scoop up Wright. Wright falls into the high end TE2 status for the remainder of the year, and he’s passable as a starter.
Week 10 Rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Peyton Manning, Broncos (at SD)
2. Drew Brees, Saints (DAL)
3. Matthew Stafford, Lions (at CHI)
4. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (at ATL)
5. Andrew Luck, Colts (STL)
6. Tony Romo, Cowboys (at NO)
7. Cam Newton, Panthers (at SF)
8. Philip Rivers, Chargers (DEN)
9. Colin Kaepernick, 49ers (CAR)
10. Robert Griffin III, Redskins (at MIN)
11. Jake Locker, Titans (JAC)
12. Terrelle Pryor, Raiders (at NYG)
13. Eli Manning, Giants (OAK)
14. Nick Foles, Eagles (at GB)
15. Andy Dalton, Bengals (at BAL)
16. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (BUF)
17. Case Keenum, Texans (OAK)
18. Josh McCown/Jay Cutler, Bears (DET)
19. Mike Glennon, Buccaneers (MIA)
20. Joe Flacco, Ravens (CIN)
Running Backs
1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (WAS)
2. Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks (at ATL)
3. Eddie Lacy, Packers (PHI)
4. Matt Forte, Bears (DET)
5. Reggie Bush, Lions (at CHI)
6. LeSean McCoy, Eagles (at GB)
7. Alfred Morris, Redskins (at MIN)
8. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos (at SD)
9. Le’Veon Bell, Steelers (BUF)
10. Zac Stacy, Rams (at IND)
11. Frank Gore, 49ers (CAR)
12. DeMarco Murray, Cowboys (at NO)
13. Chris Johnson, Titans (JAC)
14. Giovani Bernard, Bengals (at BAL)
15. C.J. Spiller, Bills (at PIT)
16. Andre Ellington, Cardinals (HOU)
17. Lamar Miller, Dolphins (at TB)
18. Fred Jackson, Bills (at PIT)
19. Danny Woodhead, Chargers (DEN)
20. Mike James, Buccaneers (MIA)
21. Ray Rice, Ravens (CIN)
22. Trent Richardson, Colts (STL)
23. Andre Brown, Giants (OAK)
24. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (at TEN)
25. Rashad Jennings, Raiders (at NYG)
26. Steven Jackson, Falcons (SEA)
27. Ben Tate, Texans (at ARI)
28. Pierre Thomas, Saints (DAL)
29. James Starks, Packers (PHI)
30. Shonn Greene, Titans (JAC)
Wide Receivers
1. Calvin Johnson, Lions (at CHI)
2. Brandon Marshall, Bears (DET)
3. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (at SD)
4. A.J. Green, Bengals (at BAL)
5. Dez Bryant, Cowboys (at NO)
6. Wes Welker, Broncos (at SD)
7. Andre Johnson, Texans (at ARI)
8. DeSean Jackson, Eagles (at GB)
9. Antonio Brown, Steelers (BUF)
10. Jordy Nelson, Packers (PHI)
11. T.Y. Hilton, Colts (STL)
12. Eric Decker, Broncos (at SD)
13. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (HOU)
14. Alshon Jeffery, Bears (DET)
15. Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers (MIA)
16. Pierre Garcon, Redskins (at MIN)
17. Cecil Shorts, Jaguars (at TEN)
18. Keenan Allen, Chargers (DEN)
19. Victor Cruz, Giants (OAK)
20. Harry Douglas, Falcons (SEA)
21. Golden Tate, Seahawks (at ATL)
22. Hakeem Nicks, Giants (OAK)
23. Torrey Smith, Ravens (CIN)
24. Terrance Williams, Cowboys (at NO)
25. James Jones, Packers (PHI)
26. Anquan Boldin, 49ers (CAR)
27. Mike Wallace, Dolphins (at TB)
28. Riley Cooper, Eagles (at GB)
29. Kendall Wright, Titans (JAC)
30. Jarrett Boykin, Packers (PHI)
Tight Ends
1. Jimmy Graham, Saints (DAL)
2. Vernon Davis, 49ers (CAR)
3. Julius Thomas, Broncos (at SD)
4. Antonio Gates, Chargers (DEN)
5. Jason Witten, Cowboys (at NO)
6. Jordan Reed, Redskins (at MIN)
7. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons (SEA)
8. Coby Fleener, Colts (STL)
9. Martellus Bennett, Bears (DET)
10. Timothy Wright, Buccaneers (MIA)
11. Greg Olsen, Panthers (at SF)
12. Charles Clay, Dolphins (at TB)
13. Jared Cook, Rams (at IND)
14. Garrett Graham, Texans (at ARI)
15. Heath Miller, Steelers (BUF)
Neema Hodjat is the fantasy sports writer for RealGM. He can be reached via email at nhodjat@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @NeemaHodjat.
