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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was set to lead the league in fantasy points, but the Saints and Giants decided that defense is for losers as Drew Brees and Eli Manning combined for 13 touchdown passes. Brady's 4 touchdown passes were a snoozefest in comparison. Ryan Tannehill finished 4th worst out of quarterbacks with more than 6 passing attempts.
I would also like to disclose that I am not bitter that my opponent this week fielded Drew Brees and that our league offers 500 yard bonus points and that I suffered my first defeat on the year. Not at all.
Running back Dion Lewis collected 112 yards and a touchdown on 11 touches to finish 4th on the week in points. He was behind rookie sensation Todd Gurley, the Broncos Ronnie Hillman, and the Chiefs Charcandrick West. LeGarrette Blount, with his 74 yards, was alongside Lamar Miller's 34 yards and a touchdown. Neither were more than a flex play this week. The Patriots run defense has really stepped up in recent weeks.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman finished 4th on the week in points with 2 touchdowns and 81 yards on 7 receptions. He was far behind the Giants Odell Beckham Jr. (130 yards and 3 touchdowns), and a smidge behind the Chargers Malcom Floyd (92 yards and 2 touchdowns) and the Rams Tavon Austin (119 yards and 2 touchdowns, but a fumble lost). None of the Dolphins receivers had valuable fantasy days.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski was in 2nd for tight ends, behind the Saints Ben Watson, yes that Ben Watson. Watson collected 9 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown. Looks like Drew Brees doesn't miss Jimmy Graham that much. Gronkowski picked up 113 yards and a touchdown, putting him on pace for 91 receptions, 1,477 yards, and 16 touchdowns. That would set the record for receiving yards by a tight end.
The Patriots have nearly shut out opposing tight ends over the past four weeks, allowing 17 receptions for 139 yards and 0 touchdowns total. That's about an average day for Rob Gronkowski.
The New England defense actually ranked second on the week, thanks to a meager 7 points allowed, 2 interceptions, and 5 sacks. This was behind only the Texans defense. Houston held the Titans to 6 points, and also forced one more turnover and collected two additional sacks over the Patriots production.