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THURSDAY | NOVEMBER 3, 2016
Leonard Floyd Cameron Meredith Jerrell Freeman
At the half
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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
1 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 2 DENVER BRONCOS 3 DALLAS COWBOYS 4 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 5 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 6 PITTSBURGH STEELERS 7 OAKLAND RAIDERS 8 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 9 GREEN BAY PACKERS 10 ATLANTA FALCONS 11 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 12 ARIZONA CARDINALS 13 CINCINNATI BENGALS 14 NEW YORK GIANTS 15 HOUSTON TEXANS 16 WASHINGTON 17 BUFFALO BILLS 18 DETROIT LIONS 19 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 20 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 21 BALTIMORE RAVENS 22 TENNESSEE TITANS 23 MIAMI DOLPHINS 24 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 25 LOS ANGELES RAMS 26 CAROLINA PANTHERS 27 CHICAGO BEARS 28 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 29 NEW YORK JETS 30 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 31 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 32 CLEVELAND BROWNS
As expected, Tom Brady’s been unstoppable Survived a scare from Chargers
Dak isn’t going anywhere after game-winner Foles, Hill save the day
That O-line needs to be fixed in a hurry
Moved up while teams ahead of them lost Derek Carr in the MVP conversation
Offense can’t get it going vs. Saints?
Imagine Rodgers with full complement of weapons Matt Ryan’s big drive gets them back on track Offense lacks big-play potential
Ran into desperate Carolina team
Can the ‘D’ get back to 2015 form? Crucial game off the bye vs. Philly Solid ‘D’ holds Lions to 13 points
Can passing offense stay on this pace?
Not going to beat Belichick twice in a season
Power Rankings Welcome to our ProFootballWeekly.com NFL Week 9 Power Rankings
Only 270 yards vs. Raiders ‘D’
Biggest loss of the season … by 8 points Can they defend home turf vs. Steelers?
Offense stepped up, now in AFC South hunt Can Tannehill have big second half?
Potential season-altering ‘W’ vs. Seattle Will they get back to .500 this season? That’s the Panthers’ ‘D’ we remember
All-around impressive upset win over the Vikings
Please keep in mind as you read them they have nothing to do with who we think will be in the playoffs and Super Bowl, nor do they necessarily indicate who we think the best teams in the league are. These rankings are based on each team’s performance in the first eight weeks of the season, players lost to injury and players expected to return soon. AP PHOTO
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys move up a spot as they beat the Eagles 29-23 in overtime for their sixth straight win
Caldwell had some questions to answer after loss
Unlike Indy to score zero in fourth quarter As unimpressive a win as one can get
Is new OC really going to be the answer? Is there a Plan C at quarterback? The only bad team in town
Pro Football Weekly is produced by Shaw Media, the Daily Herald Media Group and the Chicago Sun-Times in partnership with other Illinois daily newspapers.
BEARS PASS RUSH SHOULD KEEP IMPROVING IN THE SECOND HALF
F
ollow the money in the NFL, and with the Bears, it brings you to the outside linebacker position, where the team has its highest ceiling for the second half of the 2016 season. According to Spotrac, no team in the league is allocating more salary cap dollars on the position than the Bears, who have Pernell McPhee, Willie Young – who got an extension in August — and first-round pick Leonard Floyd. Putting that kind of capital into a position tells you where the Bears expect their defense to get its spark, and heading into the bye, those edge rushers showed a glimpse of how effective they can be. “It builds a little success especially for us and a lot of young guys,” McPhee said following the 20-10 win over Minnesota that featured five sacks and nine QB hits – four of those from McPhee. “It’s going to build a mindset of coming back and getting ready for Tampa Bay and it builds a sense of urgency knowing we can win games and that’s what
it’s all about.” final two months. Outside linebackers It’s a simple formula. coach Clint Hurtt said If McPhee, Floyd, Young that Floyd’s improveand Sam Acho can get ment with his hands after the quarterback has been significant, without Vic Fangio having to employ any blitzand that should lead to es, it lets the Bears keep more production. more players in cover“In the pass rush, age, which is crucial for he’s more active. When a very young secondhe initially got started, ary. The Bears barely he always rushed with blitzed Sam Bradford his hands down, which in that Monday night is bad,” Hurtt said. KEVIN FISHBAIN upset, but they still got “Rushing the passer is kfishbain@ProFootballWeekly.com to him. like a fight – you nev@kfishbain McPhee missed the er see a boxer with his first six games of the hands hanging down season (and the entire offseason trainbecause your’e going to get put to ing program) as he came back from sleep. Having his hands up, a lot more a knee injury. Floyd has missed two active, so he’s winning at the point of games and was in and out of traincontact in the rush much earlier in the ing camp with a variety of injuries. down, so it’s helped him.” Hurtt said Floyd was able to “run Getting those two healthy keeps this around everybody” in college because group ascending and allows for more of his rare speed. Now, the rookie is creativity. And with a focus on the future, all eyes will be on Floyd in the understanding the importance of us-
ing strength and being versatile with his rush to go inside and out. Having McPhee back in the fold is only going to help Floyd and the rest of the ‘D’. “It makes a world of difference,” Hurtt said. “The attitude, the edginess that he brings to the defense, it’s infectious. I think we saw that last year and it’s continued on this year. It’s just part of who he is. And you have the opportunity to keep guys fresh. Willie doesn’t have to go out there and play 60-65 plays in a game. Keep guys fresh going out there, keep pressure on the offensive line.” Hurtt saw that look from McPhee, the “bug-eyed” intensity, during the Monday night upset. That attitude makes McPhee a better pass rusher, and along with Floyd and Young – who leads the team with six sacks – there is a lot of untapped potential for the group that needs to anchor Fangio’s defense. “We’ve got guys who can hunt,” McPhee said, “and we’ve got to keep hunting.”
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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
With McPhee, Floyd healthy, plenty of potential for Bears OLBs
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
I
t was a given coming into the 2016 NFL season that the Bears were still just in Year Two of a minimum three-year rebuilding plan. While it was reasonable to assume they could be a win or three better than last season’s 6-10 finish, the team might also make strides in the development of young talent while not winning any more than last year. But no one predicted they’d be 2-6 at the halfway mark of the season – then again, no one predicted they would beat the Vikings. The Bears have some positive vibes heading into the bye, but 2-6 is 2-6. Has it been due to a lack of NFL talent, injuries or poor coaching? Players key to the future of the Chicago Bears including Jeremy Langford, Kevin White, Hroniss Grasu, Eddie Goldman, Pernell McPhee, Nick Kwiatkoski, Deiondre’ Hall and Kyle Fuller are impossible to grade due to the time they’ve lost to injury. All were drafted to be significant contributors and have given us flashes to suggest they still may be if they can get and stay healthy. If they can, the Bears are clearly better than they appear at the moment, but for now those players get incompletes. Then there is Jay Cutler. Whether this will be his last season as a Bear or he will get another chance to take them back to the playoffs is uncertain, but giving him a grade on 2½ games with a new offensive coordinator is impossible. We can, however, grade the following players’ performances, all of whom were projected to be important pieces of the rebuilding plan and all but five of whom have been acquired by Ryan Pace, and the three coaches most responsible for their play to date.
HEAD COACH
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
JOHN
VIC
FOX
FANGIO
He’s 2-6, has made multiple questionable calls in game management situations, and has a quarterback controversy of his own making that was totally unnecessary.
Fangio has done a lot with a little due to the injuries, has the Bears ninth in total defense and the ‘D’ earned the two division wins.
C-
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
B
QUARTERBACK
DOWELL
BRIAN
LOGGAINS
HOYER
Bears still need work in the red zone, but game plan for Vikings gives hope for a second-half turnaround.
C–
Hoyer was very solid between the 20s but couldn’t put the ball in the end zone. The Bears are last in scoring and 1-4 in his starts.
B
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RUNNING BACK
JORDAN
HOWARD
MASSIE
ALSHON
JEFFERY
WIDE RECEIVER
ROYAL
TIGHT END
MILLER
CENTER
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
CHARLES
LENO JR.
Leno has been average but has had a few of his better moments against top pass rushers. The question is, does he have another gear?
C+
AKIEM
YOUNG
HICKS
B-
AMOS
Amos has been steady but he’s just a guy who rarely makes mistakes and almost as rarely makes big plays. Not bad, just not real good.
B
SAFETY
ADRIAN
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
LEONARD
Hicks has definitely shown some flashes of greatness, like his two sacks vs. the Vikings, but the big man needs to be more consistent.
Consistently the team’s best pass rusher, Young also has become a four-down linebacker and, along with Freeman, the leaders of the defense.
B
DEFENSIVE END
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
B
WILLE
WHITEHAIR
CALLAHAN
We thought he was a nickel but Callahan has played like a quality starting corner when healthy. Problem is he’s hurt so often.
B+
CORNERBACK
BRYCE
FREEMAN
He’s made rookie mistakes but is physical, a battler and thrown into the center spot with little preparation. He’s been impressive.
B
Freeman’s been the most consistent Bear on either side of the ball and always gives you 100 percent; looks like he just needs some help.
CODY
Miller’s done all that he can in the passing game and his run blocking has been reasonable most of the time.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
A-
JERRELL
B+
PORTER
Porter has played at a consistently high level, often through injuries and right now is the Bears’ best player on defense.
B
SITTON
ZACH
OFFENSIVE GUARD
CORNERBACK
TRACY
TREVATHAN
Sitton needed time arriving the Monday before Week 1 but improved every week prior to spraining his ankle.
B
Trevathan was everything you’d hope for before injuring his thumb. Looks like he just needs more time in Fangio’s schemes.
JOSH
Royal’s been very good when he’s on the field, but the little man almost always seems to be battling some kind of injury.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
B
DANNY
B-
EDDIE
LONG
ACHO
Acho is an all-effort guy who is almost always in the right place and seems to find one or two key plays a game.
C+
Battling through shoulder and arm injuries, Long has been himself at times and struggled occasionally with his technique.
B
OFFENSIVE GUARD
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
SAM
UNREIN
KYLE
The forgotten man with Hoyer at quarterback, he has made some big plays when they’ve tried to get him the ball.
Unrein is solid, does his job occupying blockers, doesn’t make mistakes and gives great effort. He just doesn’t make a lot of plays.
D
DEFENSIVE END
MITCH
Massie got a big free agent deal to be a road grader on the run with upside in pass protection. He’s been awful.
A–
WIDE RECEIVER
BOBBY
Howard’s shown tremendous promise and production, and we saw vs. Minnesota why the coaches shouldn’t take the ball away from him.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
B-
SAFETY
HAROLD
FLOYD
Nagging injuries have hurt, but he looks exactly like what we expected – an exceptional athlete who needs to get bigger and stronger.
B-
JONES-QUARTEY
HJQ wants to be a big hitter and we love that, but he makes too many mistakes in coverage and is too often out of position.
C
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
Where can the Chicago Bears improve in the second half of the season? BEARS CAN GET BETTER IN THE RED ZONE AND TAKING THE BALL AWAY ON ‘D’ By KEVIN
FISHBAIN
kfishbain@profootballweekly.com
T
he Bears are feeling as good as a 2-6 team can feel heading into their midseason bye coming off a stunning win over the Vikings on national television. Looking ahead to the second half of the season, the Bears hardly have an imposing schedule. The Vikings are the only remaining opponent that is more than one game above .500 at this juncture. With opportunities to collect more wins, here are four areas of improvement for the Bears in the last two months of the 2016 NFL season: 1. Red-zone offense – A big part of the reason the Bears are scoring a league-worst 16.4 points per game is their inability to convert red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. They
are 25th in the NFL, getting six points instead of three (or zero) on 47.8 percent of their possessions inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Jay Cutler’s return should help that, and getting Alshon Jeffery on the board with his first touchdown of the season prior to the bye could be a good sign, but the Bears don’t have enough talent to leave the red zone without touchdowns as often as they do. The play-calling and execution have to improve.
last in the NFL, with only four interceptions. From defensive backs making more plays on the ball to the front seven forcing (and recovering) fumbles, the defense can manufacture wins by winning the turnover battle more often. That comes with the pass rush and coverage working hand-in-hand.
3. Developing young players – It’s time to look to the
future, and the final eight games give Ryan Pace, John Fox and the Bears’ 2. Creating turnovers – staff a chance to see what Last year’s Bears defense they have in their recent AP didn’t take the ball away Leonard Floyd draft picks, starting with nearly enough, making it Leonard Floyd and Jonathan Bullard. The first-round pick a point of emphasis all offseason – came on strong the last two games well, at least a bigger focal point than with three sacks. Can he continue it already is for every NFL team. At to ascend and make more impact the halfway point, the Bears have plays? This year’s third-round pick, seven takeaways, tied for third-to-
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Bullard, had his best game in Week 8 with two key run stops, but he is still playing limited snaps and hasn’t been the penetrator we saw in the preseason. Can fourth-round safety Deon Bush find his way on the field on ‘D’? What impact can Deiondre’ Hall make when healthy?
4. Getting (and staying) healthy –
Speaking of Hall, forming an accurate evaluation of the young Bears is contingent on recovering from injuries – and hoping they don’t continue. Kevin White’s potential return in December is crucial for his development. Hall showed flashes before his ankle injury and the cornerback room is thin. Bryce Callahan is a player, but he can’t stay healthy. Eddie Goldman can be a force when he returns from his ankle injury. Getting Kyle Long and Josh Sitton back will help an already-impressive O-line.
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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
AP PHOTO
DeShone Kizer
AP PHOTO
Mike Williams
Stats reveal top college prospects at offensive skill positions
S
tats are part of the equation when it comes to evaluating prospects for the NFL Draft. Obviously, the production of the player matters. That said, not only is production important, but also his production against top teams or top players is important. Scouts are always looking for strong matchups to watch when they evaluate tape. With the college football season nearing the stretch run, here is what some of the top offensive skill position players have done to date.
QUARTERBACKS DeShone Kizer | NOTRE DAME
Kizer has been a bit inconsistent and is paying with very inexperienced receivers. Still, he has completed 143 of 241 throws for 2,038 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has also run for 316 yards and seven touchdowns.
Mitch Trubisky | NORTH CAROLINA
The first-year starter keeps improving and has completed 203 of 285 throws for 2,378 yards, 18 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
Deshaun Watson | CLEMSON
After a slow start to the season, Watson has come on strong. For the year he has completed 191 of 301
passes for 2,328 yards, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
been slowed by injuries, yet he still has run for 781 yards on 143 carries and five touchdowns. He has another 24 receptions and two touchdowns when used out of the backfield.
Brad Kaaya | MIAMI (FLA.)
Kaaya’s rating has dropped a bit because he lacks top arm strength and isn’t the most mobile quarterback. Still, his numbers are good. He is 147 of 238 for 1,984 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Nick Chubb | GEORGIA
GREG GABRIEL @greggabe
Chad Kelly | OLE MISS
Kelly can be erratic not only from game to game but from series to series and even play to play. For the year, he has completed 189 of 305 throws for 2,532 yards, 18 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
RUNNING BACKS Leonard Fourtnette | LSU
Injuries have slowed Fournette some but he still has managed to gain 670 yards on only 83 carries (8.1yard average) with five touchdowns.
Dalvin Cook | FLORIDA STATE
Cook consistently puts up big numbers. He has 1,069 yards so far this year and 11 touchdowns. He also has caught 23 passes.
Christian McCaffrey | STANFORD
Like Fournette, McCaffrey has
Chubb has bounced back strong from a serious knee injury with 606 yards on 125 carries.
this season.
Corey Davis | WESTERN MICHIGAN
Corey continues to put up big numbers with 49 receptions for 739 yards and 11 touchdowns. John Ross | WASHINGTON Ross has come on strong with 38 receptions for 534 yards and 11 touchdowns
TIGHT ENDS
O.J. Howard | ALABAMA
Smith-Schuster has had a very productive year so far with 46 receptions for 631 yards and eight TDs.
Tight end isn’t a focal point in the Alabama offense, but Howard still has 22 catches for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Jake Butt | MICHIGAN Jake will be more of a move tight end at the next level. He has 29 receptions for 345 yards and four touchdowns. Evan Engram | OLE MISS Like Butt, Engram will be a move type tight end. He is having a very strong season with 49 catches for 700 yards and six touchdowns. His long reception went for 63 yards. Bucky Hodges | VIRGINIA TECH 31 receptions for 468 yards and five touchdowns
Isaiah Ford | VIRGINIA TECH
Jordan Leggett | CLEMSON
Royce Freeman | OREGON
Freeman is used in a rotational system yet has still run for 561 yards and eight touchdowns. He is not a big part of the Oregon passing game, having only seven receptions to date.
WIDE RECEIVERS Mike Williams | CLEMSON
Williams had seven receptions Saturday night against Florida State and for the year has totaled 46 catches for 648 yards and four touchdowns.
JuJu Smith-Schuster | USC
After catching 75 passes last year, the 6-foot-2 junior has 46 receptions for 648 yards and six touchdowns
Jordan only has 20 receptions, but they have gone for 354 yards and four touchdowns.
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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY |
At midseason, Patriots are the only sure thing By J.C.
The Giants have been decidedly mediocre on offense. Eli Manning has thrown just 8 TDs (6 INTs) this season and New York has no ground game to speak of. Rashad Jennings is averaging just 2.7 yards on 52 carries. MUST START: Odell Beckham Jr. SOLID PLAY: Giants D/ST WORTH A LOOK: Manning, Jennings, Sterling Shepard LAST RESORT: Victor Cruz, Will Tye, Larry Donnell STAY AWAY: Paul Perkins
TALON
A
Fantasy writer | ProFootballWeekly.com
pproaching midseason, you’d expect some clarity regarding the relative quality of teams in the NFL. In 2016, however, the league seems to reset from week to week. The Panthers had been terrible, but dominated the Cardinals in Week 8. Former powerhouses Seattle and Arizona can’t get out of their own way on offense. The Packers were good, then they stunk, now, they’re good again? The Vikings were going to ride a dominant defense and cruise to an NFC North title … until a previously woeful Bears team pasted them on Monday Night. About the only thing fantasy owners can count on right now is that the Patriots are really, really good. And – as sure as God made green apples – we can always look to the Browns as a matchup to exploit. On to Week 9 …
MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT Dallas Cowboys
OPPONENT: AT CLEVELAND, SUNDAY, NOON The Browns have overtaken (undertaken?) the Raiders to become the league’s worst defense. Cleveland has given up an average of 421.5 yards and 29.8 points per game. The Cowboys, on the other hand, can seem to do no wrong. Super Rookie Ezekiel Elliott has 799 yards and is averaging 5.0 yards per carry. With the Browns’ rush defense giving up an average of 4.8 yards per carry, this is a dream matchup. MUST START: Elliott SOLID PLAY: Dak Prescott, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Dan Bailey WORTH A LOOK: Cole Beasley, Cowboys D/ST LAST RESORT: Alfred Morris, Terrance Williams
New Orleans Saints
OPPONENT: AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, SUNDAY, 3:05 Mark Ingram’s fumble earned him a trip onto the bench and into Sean Payton’s doghouse. The thinking here is he will return as the feature back, but monitor the situation. The 49ers’ 30th-ranked defense is giving up 31.7 points and 407 yards per game. MUST START: Drew Brees, Brandin Cooks SOLID PLAY: Ingram, Michael Thomas, Coby Fleener, Wil Lutz WORTH A LOOK: Tim Hightower, Willie Snead LAST RESORT: Saints D/ST
Green Bay Packers
OPPONENT: VS INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, SUNDAY, 3:25 We weren’t sure that 1.5 quarters of offensive production against the Bears was proof that the Pack was back, but their 32 points in Atlanta serves as a stronger indication. With Brady on bye, Aaron Rodgers might be the top QB play of the week. Green Bay is spreading around the targets this season. That makes all of their WRs capable of a good day, but it also means that none of them is a lock. The over/under in this game (around 53) is the highest of the week. Monitor the injury status of Randall
Jacksonville Jaguars
AP PHOTO
Ezekiel Elliott should put up big fantasy numbers Sunday when the Cowboys travel to Cleveland Cobb and Ty Montgomery. MUST START: Rodgers, Mason Crosby SOLID PLAY: Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams WORTH A LOOK: Cobb*, Montgomery* LAST RESORT: Don Jackson, Aaron Ripkowski STAY AWAY: Packers D/ST
ALSO CONSIDER Atlanta Falcons
OPPONENT: AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, THURSDAY, 7:25 Most fantasy owners hate Thursday games. Judging from the ratings, the viewing public feels the same way. Setting aside concerns about an early game, the O/U in this game is 51.5, the second highest of Week 9.
Denver Broncos
OPPONENT: AT OAKLAND RAIDERS, SUNDAY, 7:30 This game is unlikely to be a shootout, but Denver should be able to churn out some yards against Oakland’s 31st-ranked defense. The Broncos should score around 20-24 points and it looks like a particularly good matchup for Devontae Booker and Brandon McManus.
MATCHUPS TO AVOID Detroit Lions
OPPONENT: AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS, SUNDAY, NOON After a Monday Night thumping by Chicago (yes, Chicago), the Vikings can no longer claim the No. 1 defense in the NFL. Having dropped two straight games, Minnesota’s arrow is pointing down. However, the Lions have been wildly inconsistent on offense and the Vikes are still yielding an NFL low 14.9 points per game. Their two losses have been on the road. This feels like a bounce-back game, especially for Minnesota’s defense. MUST START: none SOLID PLAY: Marvin Jones, Eric Ebron WORTH A LOOK: Matthew Stafford, Theo Riddick, Golden Tate, Lions D/ST LAST RESORT: Matt Prater STAY AWAY: Justin Forsett, Zach Zenner
New York Giants
OPPONENT: VS PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, SUNDAY, NOON Philadelphia allows 16.7 points per game – only New England, Seattle, and Minnesota are stingier.
OPPONENT: VS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, SUNDAY, NOON The Chiefs’ 15th-ranked defense could be considered underachievers, but a closer look suggests a unit better than its ranking. In Week 4, they gave up 439 yards and 43 points in a blowout loss to Pittsburgh. Factoring out that game, since Week 2, Kansas City’s opponents have scored 19, 3, 10, 21 and 14 points, respectively. The only team to crest 20 was the explosive Saints – and they scored just 21, including a garbage-time TD. Last week, the Chiefs gave up just 10 to the Colts in Indy. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have regressed from a promising 2015. They are ranked 26th offensively and average just under 20 points per game. This would be a good week to start the Chiefs D/ST. MUST START: none SOLID PLAY: none WORTH A LOOK: Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Julius Thomas LAST RESORT: Blake Bortles, T.J. Yeldon, Chris Ivory, Jaguars D/ST STAY AWAY: Jason Myers
Buffalo Bills
OPPONENT: AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, MONDAY, 7:30 Remember that 6-6 tie in Arizona a couple of weeks ago? Don’t be surprised if this game looks a little like that one. The Seahawks have the league’s 6th-ranked defense in terms of yards. They allow the second-fewest points (15.6) per game. On offense, the Bills are a below average 24th in total yards and a dismal 31st in passing yards. Only the woeful 49ers produce fewer yards through the air. If LeSean McCoy is sidelined, it is hard to envision Buffalo producing at a level that would justify much interest from fantasy owners. MUST START: none SOLID PLAY: McCoy* (if active) WORTH A LOOK: Mike Gillislee (if no McCoy), Bills D/ST LAST RESORT: Tyrod Taylor, Robert Woods, Charles Clay* STAY AWAY: Dan Carpenter
ALSO BEWARE Miami Dolphins
OPPONENT: VS NEW YORK JETS, SUNDAY, NOON The Jets’ defense isn’t very good overall, but they are No. 1 against the run, They give up just 74 rushing yards per game and 3.3 yards per attempt. Jay Ajayi remains a must start, but this is a below-average matchup for him.
* — Check injury status
By ARTHUR
ARKUSH
aarkush@shawmedia.com
A
s a Cubs fan, I’m inherently patient. Yet, ironically, during one of the best possible reminders of the virtue of patience — this magic carpet ride of a Cubs season — I’ve failed to carry any semblance of patience over into my season-long fantasy football leagues. Thus, in the spirit of the Cubs, and me filling in for our resident DFS expert John Sahly for a second week, I thought it might be fun (weird idea of fun, I know; again, Cubs fan) to share a few examples of where failing to stay the course went wrong. After all, it’s another one of the reasons playing DFS might be enticing. Not as enticing as the winning Week 9 FanDuel lineup I’ll share below, but stay with me here. Perhaps you spent your final pick in a season-long draft on Browns WR Terrelle Pryor, like I did. It made good sense. Pryor was a wonderful sleeper candidate, with the type of unique athleticism and versatility to create a high ceiling, and with Josh Gordon’s suspension, an opportunity if the light bulb flashes on. What didn’t make sense was dropping Gordon after two scoreless weeks, when he combined for 6-100. All Pryor has done since is eclipse 75 yards receiving three times and tally four total TDs en route to WR11 overall. Another late-round find, Seahawks TE Jimmy
Jimmy Graham
AP PHOTO
Graham, was always going to take time to assimilate into the Seattle offense. He was coming off a torn PCL, and coordinator Darrell Bevell hadn’t unlocked his new weapon prior to last season’s injury. Sure enough, Graham, after two quiet games to start the season, exploded for 18-302-1 over the next three games, immediately after hitting waivers. Don’t even get me started on a pair of rookie running backs, Denver’s Devontae Booker and Chicago’s Jordan Howard. Howard went from August sleeper to Chicago’s only active non-QB not to
play Week 1 to the RB1 overall last week, his third top-15 finish among backs in October. Did you stay patient with Howard through his inauspicious first two weeks? Booker, after losing a fumble on his first-ever NFL touch, took even longer to get his chance — understandable behind Denver’s $7.5 million man C.J. Anderson. Now, Anderson is on I.R. and Booker went from handcuff to handy plugand-play RB1. So, what’s the lesson here, friends? Don’t make rash decisions early in your season-long leagues, as you’ll often regret them. Now, on to the DFS picks. Eli Manning, $7,500 vs. PHI: Well rested, usually responds from 0-TD outings with vengeance. Devontae Booker, $7,000 at OAK: Sore shoulder willing, he should feast on Raiders. Jay Ajayi, $7,100 vs. NYJ: Not great matchup but his historic run worth investing in. Odell Beckham Jr., $8,900 vs. PHI: The best reason to roster Eli is this stack. Brandin Cooks, $7,600 at SF: Take your pick of Saints skill guys in this matchup. Terrelle Pryor, $7,000 @ Dallas: Cowboys just lost best CB, Cleveland just found best QB. Kyle Rudolph, $5,000 vs. DET: Play TEs vs. Lions until they provide reason not to. Mason Crosby, $4,700 vs. IND: Crosby nearly perfect this season; plenty of points coming. Panthers, $5,200 at L.A.: OK, maybe not the week to start top pick Jared Goff, Rams.
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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
Patience is important in playing fantasy sports
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
By
ARTHUR ARKUSH OVERVIEW
Matthew Stafford may or may not have read all the national media gushing about him last week, but the Lions undoubtedly have to regroup after their three-game winning streak was snapped in Houston with the offense managing a season-low 14 points. Just as Stafford welcomed back Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron, Marvin Jones and Golden Tate disappeared against the Texans’ solid pass defense. To call the Vikings’ secondary solid would be underselling them; the depth and talent at cornerback appears unrivaled league-wide. Thus, if ever there was a need for Detroit’s defense which, save for the whole covering tight ends thing, was fine in Houston, it’s Sunday versus the unimposing Vikings. Unimposing might be overselling Sam Bradford and Co., who have managed just two touchdowns – both in garbage time – during their two-game skid. Indeed, if there was Super Bowl buzz surrounding the Vikings during their 5-0 start, it’s been replaced by critics screaming fraud over a team that can’t protect Bradford (11 sacks, 20 QB hits over past two weeks) or sustain drives on the ground or through the air.
Minnesota’s Halloween horror show in Chicago was nothing short of stunning. In addition to an anemic offense, the ‘D,’ usually adept at limiting big plays and harassing quarterbacks, gave up 403 total yards and 20 points – both the highest totals since last December. “Well it’s difficult right now,” coach Mike Zimmer said of the protection issues plaguing his offense. “We haven’t proven it yet, so I don’t know if hopeful is the right word right this second. We got to get it fixed, though.”
MATCHUP TO WATCH
It’s likely you’ve never heard of Kerry Hyder, Detroit’s sack leader and top pass rusher with Ezekiel Ansah yet to get Ziggy with it, but the Vikings will be aware of No. 61 in Honololu blue. He’ll spend a lot of time lined up across from RT T.J. Clemmings, but turnstile LT Jake Long better have an answer for the vine-like levers of Ansah and Devin Taylor, too. After sending firstand fourth-rounders to Philadelphia in exchange for Bradford, there’s real concern a player with a well-documented injury past won’t last the season.
OVERVIEW
The Packers might have uncovered some new offensive weapons for Aaron Rodgers Sunday, as rookies Geronimo Allison and Trevor Davis, and third-year player Jeff Janis, all caught their first career touchdowns. But Rodgers’ resourcefulness – 73.7 completion percentage, four TDs and 125.7 passer rating – on a day he was missing his top two backs and arguably two most versatile receivers wasn’t enough to cover for a defense lacking even more key pieces. How soon No. 3 CB Quinten Rollins and top pass rusher Clay Matthews can return from their groin and hamstring injuries, respectively, is unknown, but it can’t come soon enough. Not with Green Bay, on the heels of its 33-32 defeat late in Atlanta, returning home to battle another pass-happy team, this one even more desperate for a win than the Falcons. The pass rush, despite a fourth quarter sack each for Mike Daniels and Julius Peppers, was M.I.A. on Matt Ryan’s game-winning drive. Even
Rodgers, who was mostly sensational, saw his accuracy wane with Green Bay attempting to mount a potential game-winning drive in the final 30 seconds. The Colts are looking up at Houston and Tennessee in the AFC South after a home thrashing from the Nick Foles-led Chiefs dropped them to 3-5 and still in search of their first winning streak of 2016.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
With Sam Shields and Damarious Randall out, the Packers desperately need Rollins to return from his three-game absence to contend with Colts leading receiver T.Y. Hilton. Rollins’ quickness could be the potion to counter the explosive Hilton, whose 709 receiving yards is No. 4 in the NFL. That would leave LaDarius Gunter and Demetri Goodson to deal with Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett. Of course, the best cure for what ails Green Bay’s secondary – aside from a magic healing elixir – is consistently pressuring Luck, who’s already absorbed five or more sacks four times.
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Word is Kelly is updating résumé for potential college openings, putting Niners brass in tough spot
I
t was just a couple of months ago that we were hearing all was well in San Francisco with its new head coach, Chip Kelly. Now we’re hearing there is a real chance Kelly will be one and done in the city by the bay, and we really can’t hang this one on Jed York or Trent Baalke. After Kelly won a power struggle for personnel control in Philadelphia and then lost his job because he did such an awful job wielding that control, we’re hearing multiple reports of Kelly’s representatives testing the waters around several plum college job openings because he may be coming to the realization that he is just a better fit in the college game than he is in the NFL. With openings currently at LSU, Baylor and Purdue, and the possibility that jobs will open at Texas, Auburn, USC and Kelly’s old stomping grounds in Oregon, there may never be a better time for him to take the leap back to the game that made him so successful, as opposed to sticking with what may be the worst team in the NFL and showing no real promise of getting better fast. According to our sources, Kelly’s “people” have been quietly planting seeds at most of the schools mentioned above, making it clear that if they do in fact end up with a search for a new coach, they might be pleasantly surprised by Kelly’s willingness and desire to talk. What is not yet clear, according to our sources, is how York and Baalke will react if what we’re hearing is correct. The 49ers will continue to pay Jim Tomsula through 2018, $14 million in total, and certainly don’t want to pay Kelly anything not to coach for them as well. But if it turns out that Kelly is in fact out job shopping, it will also be very difficult for York and Baalke to justify keeping him in San Francisco. Can it really just be three seasons ago (2013) that York and Baalke were
AP PHOTO
With several possible openings at top college programs, the time could be right for 49ers head coach Chip Kelly to leave San Francisco the hottest management team in the NFL, and now they just can’t seem to stay out of their own way?
Report of Bears football consultant well off base We have confirmed with multiple sources very close to the situation that an NFL.com report of the Chicago Bears bringing in an outside consultant to evaluate their football operations with a particular focus on head coach John Fox and his staff is terribly inaccurate at best. What we do believe is that, according to our sources, there has been some consideration by Bears management of evaluating its business practices, and that ownership may have an interest in selling some of its stock to raise cash, although definitely not so much that it would leave the family with less than 51 percent control of the team. We have heard that there may have been and may in fact still be some “consultants” around Halas Hall, but that they are there to assist in the business side of the operation and possibly in valuing the equity in the business with no focus at all on the football side. The NFL.com report falls apart when it says, “As for the front office and general manager Ryan Pace, the current view from inside is that two
years is far too quick to judge those tabbed with acquiring talent, especially with the 2016 draft class showing flashes of being a strong one.” Team Chairman George McCaskey and President and CEO Ted Phillips went to great lengths when Pace was hired to make clear he had complete control of the football operation, including hiring and firing coaches. If you believe Pace is safe – which he clearly is – why would they bring someone else in to do his job for him? Perhaps Fox is on shaky ground – although not according to our sources – but if he is, the Bears are not looking for outside help to tell them how to handle it.
Jerry Jones, Zeke Elliott’s lawyer need to butt out Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is reported to have had a “debate” with Lisa Friel, the NFL’s special counsel for domestic violence investigations, during the recent league meetings in Houston over a league investigation into claims of domestic violence against his star rookie running back, Ezekiel Elliott. When Jones was asked if he got into it with Friel, he replied, “Well, I don’t know about that, but certainly, the volume of it had a lot to do with noise in there.’’ Jones later characterized it as a
“good discussion.” Elliott’s attorney, Frank Salzano, also issued a statement recently directed at NFL investigators urging them to end a six-week investigation about an abuse claim directed at his client. Salzano believes Elliott is being used as a scapegoat for the league’s atrocious handling of the Josh Brown situation. Salzano also targeted the media, saying, “The media has chosen to deflect the recent negative press regarding the NFL’s reported mishandling of several domestic violence matters by focusing on the NFL’s prolonged investigation of Mr. Elliott.” Hmm, sound like somebody’s running for president? Here is Jones’, Salzano’s, and, for that matter, Elliott’s problem. Robert S. Tobias, a principal assistant city attorney in Columbus, Ohio, told USA Today recently he still believes there “were a series of interactions between Mr. Elliott and (his accuser) where violence occurred. “Given the totality of the circumstances, I could not firmly conclude exactly what happened.” That is why the City Attorney’s Office in Columbus declined to press charges. The way we’re hearing it, Roger Goodell and his minions are not about to screw this one up and have it come back and bite them after the Josh Brown mess, and several sources tell us Jones and Salzano are doing their client no favors by airing their grievances publicly. Elliott is certainly innocent until proven guilty, and he might in fact be completely innocent and a victim himself of false charges. Or he might be responsible for “a series of interactions between Mr. Elliott and (his accuser) where violence occurred.” Wouldn’t we all love to know the truth? Either way, we hear there is a strong consensus among the NFL powers-that-be that the league has to get this one right. By forcefully and publicly trying to shut down the league’s investigation, the rookie running back’s surrogates are doing him no favors and begging the league to make the exact same mistakes it made in the Brown and Ray Rice cases.
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
49ers coach Chip Kelly could be one and done in San Francisco
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
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us r io o ! ic s f l e ck h � D a t Sn al He
Jay Cutler’s return and what it means for the Bears? NATE KEVINATKINS FISHBAIN lifted just by having him back in the lineup. The national narrative about Cutler’s lack of leadership was always a little off – this team did vote him a captain and I think teammates – old and new – recognize his abilities. I think more credit should go to Dowell Loggains and that game plan. Maybe the O-line stepping up and Jordan Howard, too, but all of those can still be connected to Cutty’s return, right? Finley: Yes. It’s way too simple to say the Bears were one Jay Cutler atta-boy speech away from being able to win games. His big arm, though, opened up the running game.
PATRICK FINLEY FINLEY PATRICK
People forget that a deep pass to Jeffery – even one that falls incomplete – has value in keeping the defense honest. That certainly happened Monday night. Is Cutler’s return the best thing to ever happen to Jeffery? And what does that bode for the receiver’s second half ? Fishbain: Well, I think Bears Nation might have been a little nervous when the two didn’t connect on four attempts in the first half, but Cutler’s return just increases Jeffery’s ceiling – and maybe his wallet this upcoming offseason. Jeffery, like the whole offense, needs to find the end zone more, and Cut-
ler’s ability to push the ball downfield or put it in a spot for Jeffery to high-point will allow for more opportunities. The question then becomes can Cutler channel his inner-Brian Hoyer and play turnover-free football? If not, it won’t matter how many big plays he creates. Finley: Quick aside: The (Insert Team Here) Nation thing needs to die a fast, humane death. It’s factually incorrect, glib and downright dumb. If you can’t think of a clever name for your fan base, you don’t deserve one. Grrrrr. (Actually, that’d be a good Bears fan base name: Grrrr. But I digress). I don’t
think Cutler can play turnover-free football. There were at least three throws last night that could have easily ended up in the arms of Vikings defenders. I think the better question is, will he lead the team to enough touchdowns to make the inevitable turnovers worthwhile? I think he will – but that doesn’t make him the Bears quarterback of the future, does it? Fishbain: In the words of Jay himself, ‘Whatever happens, happens.’ A strong second half, though, could convince the brass to keep him around next season, allowing the Bears to be patient with a rookie. He’s going to have his opportunities, too. The Bears have games left against mediocre pass defenses in Tampa Bay, Detroit, San Francisco and Tennessee. The best bright spot for Cutler and the offense may be how much better it can be than we saw against Minnesota. But as always with Jay, seeing is believing.
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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
I
n this week’s edition of ‘Take 2,’ Kevin Fishbain of Pro Football Weekly and Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times discuss Jay Cutler’s return and what it could mean for the Bears moving forward. Finley: Jay Cutler’s return to the Bears on Monday set off the following chain reaction: rookie running back Jordan Howard’s 153 rushing yards, Alshon Jeffery’s first touchdown of the season, an actual real-life football victory, two extra days off for his teammates and Cutler’s wife Tweeting, “Can everyone shut up now?” Say this for No. 6, Kev: he’s never dull. But how much of the credit for the Bears’ 20-10 home win against the Vikings should we give the quarterback? Fishbain: It depends on how much we buy into the mental aspect of the game and the fact that so many of his teammates said he “inspired” them with a speech. Other players said they felt
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016
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