Pftt 2016 11 03

Falcons-Bucs, Steelers-Ravens face off in divisional showdowns SINCE 1967

THURSDAY | NOVEMBER 3, 2016

Return of the Raiders THE

AFTER HIS RECORD PERFORMANCE, DEREK CARR AND OAKLAND WILL BATTLE DENVER FOR THE LEAD IN THE AFC WEST

PLUS WAY WE HEAR IT • FANTASY FOOTBALL • GAME PREDICTIONS

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.

S

omewhere, Jerry Jones is smiling. Not just because he struck lightning in a bottle with Dak Prescott – no better than his third choice among this year’s rookie QB crop, no matter what type of revisionist history he prefers. Not because another city’s taxpayers will apparently front much of the bill for a new stadium, this time in Las Vegas, to line his and his fellow owners’ pockets deeper.

And not because of Botox – well, actually, Jones is always smiling because of Botox, but I digress.

No, it’s because Jones has the ultimate luxury in today’s NFL: a real offensive line, capable of making everyone look good. Jones looks good for investing heavily in the position and a true bellcow back while we all screamed from the mountaintop about his susceptible defense. The fabulous freshmen, Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, both might enjoy success on other clubs, too, but not the kind of enjoyment they’re getting from playing behind a trio of former first-rounders and current All-Pros. And yes, the

Dallas defense ... the defenses, are averaging more its offense mauls 3.2 and 2.7 yards per people, the more the carry – the two worst ‘D’ remains on the marks in the NFL. And sideline, where it that’s not even mentioning the savage weekly looks the best.

Indeed, the Cowbeatings Russell Wilson boys, buyoed by their and Sam Bradford are offensive line, are the enduring.

NFC’s best team at the Arizona, one of the halfway point. Big ‘D’ NFL’s few true vertical is No. 1 in rushing, offenses left in 2016, is No. 1 in time of pos26th in sack percentage, session, sixth in the coming off 14th-year HUB ARKUSH NFL on third down, veteran Carson Palmer aarkush@ProFootballWeekly.com 10th in sack percentabsorbing a career-high @ArthurArkush age and tied for third eight sacks and having lost his starting with a plus-58 point left tackle, Jared Veldheer, to a seadifferential.

Meanwhile, three of the teams exson-ending triceps injury. pected to pose the biggest threats in Who does that leave? The Packers the NFC – Seattle, Minnesota and and Falcons, perhaps, and they both Arizona – all seem to have fatal flaws have legitimate offensive lines. But stemming from inadequate front they also have real alternate concerns walls. The Seahawks and Vikings, No. – for Green Bay, battered backfields, 3 and No. 4 in the NFL in rushing last for Atlanta, still questions on defense, season, respectively, and clubs that and regarding its secondary and tertiary options behind Julio Jones. make no bones about their intent to The AFC is easier to figure out. win on the ground and with special

It’s Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the rest of the field. New England’s offensive line is both improving and benefiting from the best quarterback ever. But even behind New England, the Steelers can block the run and the pass. Oakland and Denver both have made great strides up front since last season. Dark-horse Tennessee, whose previous regime invested as earnestly as Jones, is finally starting to reap the rewards, albeit following a near total reboot.

Back to the NFC and the Cowboys.

Other teams, even those within the division like the Giants, have tried, unsuccessfully, to replicate Jones’ purchasing plan with a host of early-round blockers. But credit Dallas for identifying not only the right plan but also the perfect personnel. It’s resulted in the Cowboys, with a fourthround backup under center, and a defense with a host of players no one knows, being in command of the NFC. Whether it’s Prescott or Tony Romo, after a miserable 4-12 last place finish, Jones’ Cowboys this season just might enjoy the last laugh.

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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

Cowboys’ investment in offensive line paying off for NFC’s top team

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

Raiders face real first test when they host the Broncos

By ARTHUR

I

ARKUSH

aarkush@profootballweekly.com

n what could be their swan song in Oakland, the 6-2 Raiders are off to their best start since Jon Gruden’s penultimate season as boss – a 12-4 finish in 2000 that ended in a conference title game defeat to the eventual Super Bowl XXXV champion Ravens.

Here come the Raiders, then, or have they already arrived?

We’re sticking with the former – for now – but that could change Sunday night, when the Black Hole rudely welcomes its bitter rivals, the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos and coAFC West leaders, for perhaps the final time.

Derek Carr willed Oakland to its sixth win –

and a still-perfect 5-0 road mark – in Week 8 over the Buccaneers with one of the great quarterbacking performances of this or any era. With 513 yards, four touchdowns and no picks, Carr joined Hall of Famer Y.A. Tittle and future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger as the only passers in NFL history with that type of video game stat line next to his name.

All due respect to Carr and the Raiders, that was the Buccaneers, the sixth conquest of an opponent with a .500 or worse record by Jack Del Rio’s troops. Suffice to say, the battlegrounds, despite being closer to home, grow increasingly treacherous ahead, starting Sunday night.

Oakland in Week 14 last season snapped an eight-game losing streak versus Denver, 15-12 at Mile High, capitalizing on a Khalil Mack at-

tack and clean, yet choppy, outing by Carr. It was Carr’s first win in four tries against the Broncos.

The division’s second-best club the past several years, the Chiefs, have also had the number of Carr’s Raiders with a 5-1 record since 2014.

Thus, while beating Trevor Siemian and the Broncos still might not quash lingering concerns over Oakland’s slowly improving defense, and only Del Rio’s message being received by his players can answer questions about the NFL’s least disciplined team, it would certainly serve as the first signature win, and some needed validation, on the Raiders’ resume.

For the Broncos, whose defense has thus far withstood heavy offseason turnover to largely resemble last year’s elite group, it’s their division, conference and league until someone takes

Thursday, NBC

Matt Ryan did to the Packers what the Buccaneers had done to them by Derek Carr; with a win, Bucs still game out in division.

STEELERS AT RAVENS Sunday, CBS

Both teams needed the bye to heal – Pittsburgh its injured QB, Baltimore its broken offense.

COWBOYS AT BROWNS Sunday, FOX

Dak Prescott’s Romo-esque game-winner vs. Philly keeps his mentor at bay; the Browns got their first win – a trade for Jamie Collins.

JAGUARS AT CHIEFS Sunday, CBS

Bradley hopes to fix Bortles by promoting the QB coach overseeing his regression to coordinator; Andy Reid’s Chiefs are masters of conquering adversity.

JETS AT DOLPHINS Sunday, CBS

Bryce Petty watch underway for Jets fans despite win; Jay Ajayi, NFL’s hottest runner, takes aim at No. 1 run ‘D.’

LIONS AT VIKINGS Sunday, FOX

AP PHOTO

Derek Carr threw for a franchise-record 513 yards in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay

it from them. But it feels like this is Oakland’s best opportunity during Denver’s five-year reign to do just that.

AFC NORTH STRUGGLES: Despite their brutal four-game losing streak before the bye, the Ravens are a win at home over Pittsburgh from a first-place tie in the AFC North. That says more about the surprising struggles of the AFC North – a strong candidate in the offseason to be the best division in football – than any silver lining John Harbaugh’s club can extract from its recent performances. But Baltimore, with Terrell Suggs, Ronnie Stanley, Marshal Yanda and C.J. Mosley, among others, set to return after the week off, will be healthier. So too will the Steelers, who get a major shot in the arm at

AP PHOTO

The AFC North is up for grabs as Terrell Suggs returns for the Baltimore-Pittsburgh matchup

the skill positions with Ladarius Green, Sammie Coates, Markus Wheaton and DeAngelo Williams all mending and ready to compete to be the beneficiaries in an offense with Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. What about Big Ben? Harbaugh says he’s preparing for Roethlisberger to start, and while we’re not in the betting business at PFW, that’s where the smart money resides. Roethlisberger is the big name, but Cameron Heyward left arguably a larger void as far as Pittsburgh’s inability to stop LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi during its own two-game slide. Heyward is also expected back, but rest assured Baltimore’s interim coordinator Marty Mornhinweg expects Baltimore’s lifeless run game to regain its pulse, perhaps with Kenneth Dixon taking on a larger role.

SPEED RUSH: Doug Pederson’s Eagles let one get away versus the Cowboys and now must knock off the Giants on the road to prevent distancing themselves further from Dallas and Big Blue, which dealt Big ‘D’ its only defeat. The Giants, back on local soil and fresh off the bye following an improved defensive effort, need to get Eli Manning and the offense going after several uninspired showings. … Buffalo and Indianapolis, both at their season’s crossroads, head to unfamiliar Seattle and Green Bay, respectively, of all places desperately seeking new life. … Credit Carolina for clawing back with a resounding defensive stand versus Arizona. Going cross-country is never easy, but Ron Rivera and Sean McDermott replicating that suffocating showing against the Rams’ putrid offense shouldn’t be terribly difficult, either. … Ditto for the other NFC South team on life support, New Orleans, which takes its high-flying offense and disturbing defense to the woeful Niners.

Stafford would prefer if we keep our praise to ourselves after offense hits wall in Houston; Vikings’ O-line struggles unsurprising but defensive meltdown in Chicago a total shocker.

EAGLES AT GIANTS Sunday, FOX

Philadelphia offense was far too conservative in rookie QB battle; Spagnuolo hopes “turnovers-come-in-bunches” adage carries over after bye.

PANTHERS AT RAMS Sunday, FOX

No one enjoyed that overdue front-seven dominance vs.

Cardinals more than David Gettleman; Gregg Williams’ ‘D’ next up after Cam complains about dirty hits.

SAINTS AT 49ERS Sunday, FOX

Drew Brees might not let Saints lose again for a while; Colin Kaepernick might not let 49ers win again for a while.

COLTS AT PACKERS Sunday, CBS

If the Colts let Nick Foles do that, well, Aaron Rodgers, Packers offense might be OK ... Andrew Luck’s first visit to Lambeau means facing backup CBs.

TITANS AT CHARGERS Sunday, CBS

Tennessee had the mini-bye to freshen up exotic smashmouth after pounding Jags into submission; Chargers needed smashmouth at goal line in Denver.

BRONCOS AT RAIDERS Sunday, NBC

Broncos survived Bolts despite rough outing from Siemian, whom Gary Kubiak encourages to keep ripping; Oakland needed every one of Carr’s 513 to survive Bucs.

BILLS AT SEAHAWKS Monday, ESPN

Rex concedes Buffalo back in must-win mode, tough place when Seattle-bound; is it fair to wonder whether Seahawks offense figures it out after just 13 points vs. lowly Saints ‘D?’

TEAMS ON BYE

Arizona, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New England, Washington

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

FALCONS AT BUCCANEERS

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

THIS WEEK’S GAMES ATL @ TB PIT @ BAL DAL @ CLE JAX @ KC NYJ @ MIA PHI @ NYG DET @ MIN CAR @ LA NO @ SF TEN @ SD IND @ GB DEN @ OAK BUF @ SEA

Atlanta 34, Tampa Bay 24 | Falcons feeling it off big win over Packers

Atlanta 31, Tampa Bay 17 | The Bucs stop here

Pittsburgh 23, Baltimore 16 | Steelers ground game wins the day here

Pittsburgh 19, Baltimore 17 | Big Ben rusty, Steelers hang on

Dallas 31, Cleveland 23 | Browns not good enough to shock us here

Dallas 17, Cleveland 16 | ‘Boys survive prime-time hangover

Kansas City 30, Jacksonville 16 | Jags going nowhere, Chiefs just chug along

Kansas City 38, Jacksonville 10 | Jaguars fired wrong coach

Miami 17, N.Y. Jets 16 | Gase’s fish starting to get it, Jets really don’t

Miami 30, N.Y. Jets 17 | Dolphins starting to roll with Gase

N.Y. Giants 27, Philadelphia 26 | My gut says Eli still the pick over Wentz

Philadelphia 25, N.Y. Giants 20 | Wentz wins big one for birds

Minnesota 20, Detroit 16 | Vike D enough for average or worse teams

Minnesota 17, Detroit 16 | Vikings just hanging on in search of points

Carolina 23, Los Angeles 16 | No quit in Rivera’s defending NFC champs

Carolina 25, Los Angeles 20 | Panthers clawing back

New Orleans 30, San Francisco 23 | Saints D still bad, 49ers all bad

New Orleans 35, San Francisco 17 | Niners no match for Saints offense

San Diego 31, Tennessee 17 | Chargers win one more before the big vote

San Diego 28, Tennessee 20 | Chargers mediocre, Titans not there yet

Green Bay 30, Indianapolis 20 | Colts’ defense can’t stop Pack at Lambeau

Green Bay 35, Indianapolis 17 | Pack offense on rise, defense takes control

Oakland 20, Denver 17 | The Raiders finally turn the corner here

Denver 28, Oakland 23 | Broncos still the adults in the division

Seattle 20, Buffalo 16 | Seahawks have issues, still the cream here

Seattle 24, Buffalo 3 | Seahawks getting angry now

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

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

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 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 the hottest management team in the

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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

49ers coach Chip Kelly could be one and done in San Francisco

9

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

us r io o ! ic s f l e ck h � D a t Sn al He

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 circum-

stances, 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.

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PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

NFL, and now they just can’t seem to stay out of their own way?

ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

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

AP PHOTO

Jimmy Graham

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 plug-and-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 when playing fantasy sports

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.

TIGHT ENDS

If you need a replacement for Gronk or Jordan Reed, consider Brate, Ebron or Virgil Green.

1. Greg Olsen, Panthers (at Rams) 2. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. Jaguars) 3. Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (vs. Lions) 4. Delanie Walker, Titans (at Chargers) 5. Jimmy Graham, Seahawks (vs. Bills) 6. Jason Witten, Cowboys (at Browns) 7. Gary Barnidge, Browns (vs. Cowboys) 8. Cameron Brate, Bucs (vs. Falcons) 9. Coby Fleener, Saints (at 49ers) 10. Eric Ebron, Lions (at Vikings) 11. Jack Doyle, Colts (at Packers) 12. Antonio Gates, Chargers (vs Titans) 13. Julius Thomas, Jaguars (at Chiefs) 14. Dennis Pitta, Ravens (vs Steelers) 15. Hunter Henry, Chargers (vs Titans) 16. Zach Ertz, Eagles (at Giants) 17. Virgil Green, Broncos (at Raiders) 18. Jesse James, Steelers (at Ravens) 19. Charles Clay*, Bills (at Seahawks) 20. Vance McDonald, 49ers (vs Saints)

Rodgers seems to have found his groove and faces a soft Indy defense. Dak Prescott is a great streaming option this week versus Browns.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. Colts) 2. Drew Brees, Saints (at 49ers) 3. Matt Ryan, Falcons (at Bucs) 4. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at Browns) 5. Andrew Luck, Colts (at Packers) 6. Cam Newton, Panthers (at Rams) 7. Philip Rivers, Chargers (vs. Titans) 8. Ben Roethlisberger*, Steelers (at Ravens) 9. Marcus Mariota, Titans (at Chargers) 10. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (vs. Bills) 11. Jameis Winston, Bucs (vs. Falcons) 12. Derek Carr, Raiders (vs. Broncos) 13. Eli Manning, Giants (vs. Eagles) 14. Sam Bradford, Vikings (vs. Lions) 15. Matthew Stafford, Lions (at Vikings) 16. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets (at Dolphins) 17. Tyrod Taylor, Bills (at Seahawks) 18. Joe Flacco, Ravens (vs. Steelers) 19. Blake Bortles, Jaguars (at Chiefs) 20. Alex Smith*, Chiefs (vs. Jaguars)

PLACEKICKERS

RUNNING BACKS

It’s a dream matchup for Zeke. If Big Ben can play, move Bell to No. 3. Ware and McCoy are downgraded due to injury concerns.

Be sure to monitor their status.

1. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (at Browns) 2. Devonta Freeman, Falcons (at Bucs) 3. Todd Gurley, Rams (vs. Panthers) 4. Melvin Gordon, Chargers (vs. Titans) 5. LeVeon Bell, Steelers (at Ravens) 6. DeMarco Murray*, Titans (at Chargers) 7. Mark Ingram, Saints (at 49ers) 8. Devontae Booker, Broncos (at Raiders) 9. Carlos Hyde, 49ers (vs. Saints) 10. Matt Forte, Jets (at Dolphins) 11. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers (at Rams) 12. Jay Ajayi, Dolphins (vs. Jets) 13. Christine Michael, Seahawks (vs. Bills) 14. Latavius Murray, Raiders (vs. Broncos) 15. Spencer Ware*, Chiefs (vs. Jaguars) 16. LeSean McCoy*, Bills (at Seahawks) 17. Isaiah Crowell, Browns (vs. Cowboys) 18. Theo Riddick, Lions (at Vikings) 19. Frank Gore, Colts (at Packers) 20. Terrance West, Ravens (vs. Steelers) 21. Derrick Henry, Titans (at Chargers) 22. Tim Hightower, Saints (at 49ers) 23. Charcandrick West, Chiefs (vs. Jaguars) 24. Ryan Mathews, Eagles (at Giants) 25. Rashad Jennings, Giants (vs. Eagles) 26. Mike Gillislee, Bills (at Seahawks) 27. Antone Smith, Bucs (vs. Falcons) 28. Matt Asiata, Vikings (vs. Lions) 29. Chris Ivory, Jaguars (at Chiefs) 30. Duke Johnson, Browns (vs. Cowboys) 31. Bilal Powell, Jets (at Browns) 32. C.J. Prosise, Seahawks (vs. Bills) 33. Kapri Bibbs, Broncos (at Raiders)

Greg Olsen 34. Tevin Coleman*, Falcons (at Bucs) 35. Darren Sproles, Eagles (at Giants) 36. T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars (at Chiefs)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Jones is practicing and should be able to flourish in Tampa. There are a lot of intriguing possibilities with Green Bay and New Orleans, but the plethora of options could water down individual production.

1. Julio Jones*, Falcons (at Bucs) 2. Mike Evans, Bucs (vs. Falcons) 3. Antonio Brown, Steelers (at Ravens) 4. Odell Beckham Jr., Giants (vs. Eagles) 5. Brandin Cooks, Saints (at 49ers) 6. Dez Bryant, Cowboys (at Browns) 7. Jordy Nelson, Packers (vs. Colts) 8. Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (vs. Jets) 9. T.Y. Hilton*, Colts (at Packers) 10. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (at Raiders) 11. Brandon Marshall, Jets (at Dolphins) 12. Amari Cooper, Raiders (vs. Broncos) 13. Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers (at Rams)

AP PHOTO

14. Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos (at Raiders) 15. Donte Moncrief, Colts (at Packers) 16. Doug Baldwin, Seahawks (vs. Bills) 17. Terrelle Pryor, Browns (vs. Cowboys) 18. Allen Robinson, Jaguars (at Chiefs) 19. Devante Adams, Packers (vs. Colts) 20. Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs (vs. Jaguars) 21. Michael Thomas, Saints (at 49ers) 22. Marvin Jones, Lions (at Vikings) 23. Kenny Britt, Rams (vs. Panthers) 24. Michael Crabtree*, Raiders (vs. Broncos) 25. Willie Snead, Saints (at 49ers) 26. Jordan Matthews, Eagles (at Giants) 27. Randall Cobb*, Packers (vs. Colts) 28. Stefon Diggs, Vikings (vs. Lions) 29. Travis Benjamin*, Chargers (vs. Titans) 30. Quincy Enunwa, Jets (at Dolphins) 31. Allen Hurns, Jaguars (at Chiefs) 32. Mike Wallace, Ravens (vs. Steelers) 33. Cole Beasley, Cowboys (at Browns) 34. Mohamed Sanu, Falcons (at Bucs) 35. Kendall Wright, Titans (at Chargers) 36. Tavon Austin, Rams (vs. Panthers)

1. Mason Crosby, Packers (vs Colts) 2. Dan Bailey, Cowboys (at Browns) 3. Matt Bryant, Falcons (at Bucs) 4. Adam Vinatieri, Colts (at Packers) 5. Justin Tucker, Ravens (vs Steelers) 6. Brandon McManus, Broncos (at Raiders) 7. Wil Lutz, Saints (at 49ers) 8. Stephen Hauschka, Seahawks (vs Bills) 9. Cairo Santos, Chiefs (vs Jaguars) 10. Graham Gano, Panthers (at Rams) 11. Josh Lambo, Chargers (vs Titans) 12. Chris Boswell, Steelers (at Ravens) 13. Robbie Gould, Giants (vs Eagles) 14. Blair Walsh, Vikings (vs Lions) 15. Caleb Sturgis, Eagles (at Giants)

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS 1. Vikings (vs Lions) 2. Seahawks (vs Bills) 3. Cowboys (at Browns) 4. Chiefs (vs Jags) 5. Panthers (at Rams) 6. Eagles (at Giants) 7. Bills (at Seahawks) 8. Steelers (at Ravens) 9. Rams (vs Panthers) 10. Jets (at Dolphins) 11. Lions (at Vikings) 12. Dolphins (vs Jets) 13. Chargers (vs Titans) 14. Jaguars (at Chiefs) 15. Packers (vs Colts)

*Check injury status

TEAMS ON BYE

Bears, Bengals, Patriots, Cardinals, Washington and Texans

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

QUARTERBACKS

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

What’s causing NFL’s plummeting TV ratings?

NATE ATKINS HUB ARKUSH

election distractions, national anthem and flag protests, or just that there are better shows on TV now and the NFL is in trouble?

McCaleb: You can’t blame a bad matchup or noncompetitive game for this past Sunday night’s ratings fiasco. It was an intriguing matchup of rookie quarterbacks off to surprisingly good starts (Carson Wentz vs. Dak Prescott) and a battle for the top of the NFC East between America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys, and their arch rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. It went to overtime, and was one of the more entertaining games of the season. Or so I am told. I didn’t watch it, either. That said, I do think bad overall

PATRICK FINLEY DAN McCALEB

matchups in key time slots, poor officiating and – this is probably the main factor – just plain bad football are key reasons why ratings are plummeting. Is it just me, Hub, or does the overall quality of play seem to be declining and is that the key factor?

Arkush: Dan, we’ve absolutely seen a lot more sloppy football and questionable officiating this season. There is no doubt in my mind the level of quarterback play is down and injuries are keeping more stars on the sidelines each week. I’m going with the football just isn’t as good right now, with the important caveat being ... right now. It can still get better.

I do believe once this disaster of an election is over, at least

some fans will refocus. But one factor we haven’t discussed is how many fans do you think are just fed up with Goodell and the 32 owners mishandling their prized asset, and literally turned off by the growing streak of missteps managing the product?

McCaleb: I know some might argue that Goodell’s mishandling of just about everything has turned fans off, but I have a hard time believing that has any impact on viewership. But let me throw out one other potential cause: The NFL isn’t attracting younger viewers as much as it has in the past. It’s just a theory, but fewer kids are playing football today because of the concussion revelations, there are so many

more entertainment options nowadays and, well – and I realize I’m showing my age here – many youngsters just don’t seem to have the attention span to sit through a threeplus-hour game.

Arkush: Wow, a new idea I hadn’t even considered! You know, it’s funny but my kids make fun of me all the time because my grandkids can work my smart phone and iPad so much better than I can, and I couldn’t figure out how to stream a Netflix show if my life depended on it. Have we just given future generations of football fans too many other options, and is the NFL focused on all the wrong issues and competitors? Maybe it’s not the game at all. Is it possible it’s as simple as, after a century of growth, future generations just don’t want the same things we do? Hate to go all deep thinking on you, but how do we put a wrap for now on that?

McCaleb: Well, I think it’s worth a much larger analysis.

But if the NFL is not growing its young audience, it would also make sense that the other top sports leagues aren’t, either.

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

P

ro Football Weekly’s Hub Arkush and Dan McCaleb discuss the NFL’s declining TV ratings in 2016.

Arkush: Hey Dan, full disclosure time. I’m a born and raised Chicago guy and lifelong dangerously addicted Cubs fan, while you’re a devout Clevelander and diehard Indians fan, and we haven’t killed each other yet. In fact, we co-existed nicely and rooted hard against each other while still wishing each other the best throughout the World Series. Maybe we should be running for president? But I wander. Something did get killed the other night: NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ in the TV ratings by Game 5 of the World Series. Really? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged recently that TV ratings were down about 10 percent, but now the unassailable champion of primetime TV, ‘SNF,’ has been thrashed by a mere baseball game, albeit from one of the most intriguing Series matchups in six or seven decades. So is it bad matchups and noncompetitive games, poor officiating,

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016

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