Week 10 is officially over, but before we officially kiss it goodbye, let’s review what went down.
The highlight of the year might have come this week, as DeAndre Hopkins hauled in a 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown from a scrambling Kyler Murray with :01 second left in the game to beat the Buffalo Bills. Murray has quickly become must watch TV this year, while cementing himself as a fantasy, and real-life, MVP candidate.
DEANDRE HOPKINS CATCHES THE HAIL MARY FOR THE WIN!
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 16, 2020
(@AZCardinals)pic.twitter.com/6YoDckellc
Some running back owners will be more than happy this week. Nick Chubb returned from his five-week stint on injured reserve and immediately rumbled for 126 yards. Fantasy owners will be upset with his decision to step out of bounds at the 1-yard line to ice the Browns victory, but he appears to be fully healthy for the stretch run. It was also a big day for D’Andre Swift fantasy owners. Swift out-touched Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson 21-to-6, carrying the ball 16 times for 81 yards while catching all five of his targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. Hopefully this is performance that forces the Lions coaching staff to stick with their rookie.
Perhaps the biggest news from Week 10 is that Tom Brady passed Jerry Rice for the most PPR points in ESPN fantasy football history. Brady’s 16-yard completion to Antonio Brown in the second quarter on Sunday pushed Brady past Rice’s 5,141.8 career fantasy points. Drew Brees (5,141.4 career fantasy points) was also on pace to pass Rice on Sunday, but an injury left him 0.5 points short.
Brady adds this prestigious mark to his already Hall of Fame resume. I am sure this will be the first record he acknowledges when he checks in to Canton.
So besides all that, let’s recap everything else that went on in Week 10.
Quarterbacks
Stud: Tom Brady (343 total yards, 4 total TDs, 31.84 fantasy points)
Brady took full advantage of the insane talent around him, completing seven passes to Antonio Brown and six to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Brady connected with Evans in the end zone for the eighth time this year, while also finding both of his tight ends (Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate) for scores. He also added a one-yard QB sneak for his fourth score. After failing to score last week while turning the ball over three time, it was an impressive bounce back performance from Brady and the entire Buccaneers offense. TB12 will remain a top QB option in primetime next Monday night against the Rams.
Dud: Russell Wilson (308 total yards, 2 INTs, 1 FUML, 9.92 fantasy points)
Wilson was under duress all afternoon, being sacked six times in Seattle’s 23-16 loss to the Rams. The once MVP-favorite did not look like himself, throwing a cross body interception when their was room to scramble and failing to connect with DK Metcalf on several potential touchdowns. It was his second straight game with at least three turnovers and now has thrown seven interceptions in Seattle’s last four games. Wilson has a short week to try and right the ship against Arizona Thursday night.
Injuries: Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater
Brees was driven into the turf on New Orleans’ first drive of the second half and stayed in for the rest of the half — tossing six passes. However, he stayed on the sidelines to begin the second half and was never seen on the field again. Brees’ Monday MRI revealed he suffered multiple fractured ribs and a collapsed lung on the right side. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that Brees is facing a minimum recovery timetable of 2-to-3 weeks.
Bridgewater went to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game with a knee injury. His MRI revealed a sprained MCL in his right knee. Panthers coach Matt Rhule is hopeful that his QB will be able to practice Wednesday, so it is a situation to monitor.
Waiver Wire: Tua Tagovailoa (168 total yards, 2 TDs, 14.66 fantasy points)
Rostered: 32.6 percent
The stat line won't blow you away, as the rookie failed to throw for over 200 yards for the second time in three starts. However, Tua has now thrown two touchdowns in back-to-back weeks while averaging 18.04 fantasy points per game. He should continue to progress and get more comfortable in Miami’s system; And now has a favorable stretch of games upcoming (at Denver, at New York Jets, vs Cincinnati) which makes him an interesting streaming option at the position.
Running Backs
Stud: Alvin Kamara (98 total yards, 3 total TDs, 34.8 fantasy points)
It was a typical game for 2020 Kamara, running the ball just eight times for 15 yards and two scores. As he’s done so this year, he made his impact in the pass game, hauling in seven of his team-high eight targets for 83 yards and a score. Kamara has yet to rush for 90 yards on the year, but it simply hasn't mattered as he has scored 19.9-plus fantasy points in seven of his eight games. With Drew Brees out, Kamara could be in line for an even larger workload going forward.
Dud: Duke Johnson (54 yards, 5.4 fantasy points)
Johnson looked to be in line for a big day with David Johnson (concussion) out. Duke was the only Houston back to record a carry, but could only muster 54 yards on 14 touches. The biggest disappointment from the game was his lack of involvement in the pass game - failing to haul in his only target. With David Johnson missing at least the next two games, Duke will look for more production next week against the Patriots.
Injuries: Jerick McKinnon, JaMycal Hasty
Another week and more injuries to 49er running backs. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said McKinnon suffered a stinger late in San Francisco’s loss to the Saints. As for Hasty, he left earlier in the game to go to the locker room with a collarbone injury. Luckily for the 49ers, they will have a Week 11 bye to get their roster as healthy as possible.
Waiver Wire: Wayne Gallman Jr. (60 total yards, 2 TDs, 19.0 fantasy points)
Rostered: 30.5 percent
Gallman has started to find his rhythm for the Giants. After his two score performance on Sunday, he has now found the end zone and scored 13-plus fantasy points in four straight games. With Devonta Freeman (ankle) on IR, Gallman will continue to operate as the Giants’ lead back after their Week 11 bye.
Salvon Ahmed (90 total yards, 1 TD, 16.0 fantasy points)
Rostered: 7.0 percent
With Matt Breida (hamstring) and Jordan Howard (coach’s decision) out, the undrafted rookie became Miami’s bell-cow on Sunday. Ahmed responded in a big way, rushing for 85 yards and finding the end zone for the first time in his career. With his strong performance and Miami’s unreliable other options at the position (Howard was cut Monday), Ahmed looks to be in a great spot for a big Week 11 workload.
Kalen Ballage (102 total yards, 15.2 fantasy points)
Rostered: 29.9 percent
For the second straight week Ballage operated as the Chargers’ feature back. With 33 total carries the last two weeks, it looks like he has officially overtaken Joshua Kelley and Troymaine Pope on the depth chart. With the increased touches, Ballage has repsponded, scoring 16.4 and now 15.2 fantasy points. If Austin Ekeler (hamstring) remains out, Ballage will be in a prime spot for another big fantasy performance next week against the Jets.
Wide Receivers
Stud: Cole Beasley (11 catches, 109 yards, 1 TD, 27.9 fantasy points)
Beasley’s 109 yards was his third 100-yard performance on the season, putting him on pace for his first career 1,000-yard season. With John Brown sidelined in the third quarter, Beasley saw 13 targets for a team-high target share (26.5%). His touchdown was a 22-yarder, one of two instances in which the veteran got the best of cornerback Patrick Peterson. Beasley has now scored double-digit fantasy points in seven of Buffalo’s first 10 games and will be a legit WR2 if John Brown is forced to miss time.
Cole Beasley had Patrick Peterson lost
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 15, 2020
(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/Mu3AqcsMZD
Dud: Michael Thomas (2 catches, 27 yards, 4.7 fantasy points)
Once Drew Brees exited the game, New Orleans’ passing offense was a mess. Thomas saw a season high seven targets, but hauled in just two passes as he could not get on the same page as quarterback Jameis Winston. Thomas has managed a disappointing 10 receptions and 95 yards in the three games he’s played this season. He has an extremely favorable Week 11 matchup against Atlanta, but we’ll see how the Saints offense looks without Drew Brees.
Injuries: John Brown, Tyler Lockett
We mentioned Brown left Sunday’s matchup in the third quarter. He was originally deemed questionable to return, but never made it back on the field. Head coach Sean McDermott said Monday that Brown tweaked his ankle in the loss and he should have more information “in the coming days and weeks.” Brown, who was already hobbled by a knee injury, will have a Week 11 bye week to try to get healthy.
Lockett had no issues in Seattle’s loss to the Rams, catching five of nine targets for 66 yards. However, on Monday, head coach Pete Carroll shared the receiver has a “bit of a knee sprain” and is considered day-to-day. Carroll went on to mention that Lockett had discomfort and swelling in his knee. With Seattle playing Thursday night versus Arizona, Lockett could be held out to avoid further injury.
Waiver Wire: Josh Reynolds (8 catches, 94 yards, 17.4 fantasy points)
Rostered: 3.4 percent
Despite LA scoring all three of their touchdowns on the ground, it was Reynolds who led the Rams in catches, targets and yards. Reynolds’ 94-yard performance was more than Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods combined, as his 10 targets were a season-high. Reynolds has now scored over 12.5 fantasy points in three of his last four games, while seeing 32 total targets over that stretch.
Michael Pittman Jr. (7 catches, 122 total yards, 19.2 fantasy points)
Rostered: 5.0 fantasy points
In his third appearance since a three-game stint on injured reserve, it was the rookies best game of his career. Pittman eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time this year while seeing a season-high eight targets. Pittman lead all receivers Thursday night in receptions, receiving yards, and targets, while showing off his speed on a 21-yard reverse in the second half. He’s established himself as a key part of the Colts passing game going forward.
Tight Ends
Stud: Mark Andrews (7 catches, 61 yards, 13.1 fantasy points)
It wasn't a strong week for TEs with Travis Kelce on bye. Andrews’ 13.1 fantasy points was tied for the leagues best with Rob Gronkowski. For Andrews, it was his best receiving stat line on the season as the seven receptions and 61 yards were season highs. His touchdown drought extended to four games, but it was a positive step forward for Andrews.
Dud: Jared Cook (0 fantasy points)
As we mentioned, the Saints offense was a mess without Drew Brees and Cook certainly felt the affects. He failed to secure either of his two targets and now has just five total targets and two receptions since Michael Thomas returned in Week 9. Like Thomas, he has a bounce-back game on deck against a weak Atlanta secondary.
Injuries: Nick Boyle
Boyle isn't much of a fantasy tight end, used mostly as a run blocker, but his season unfortunately came to an end Sunday night. He was carted off with a knee injury after an ugly hit.
Waiver Wire: Jordan Reed (5 catches, 62 yards, 11.2 fantasy points)
Rostered: 15.3 percent
We mentioned last week that opportunities would be present for Reed while filling in for the injured George Kittle (ankle). Reed had a measly Week 9 performance coming off a five week stint on the IR, but looked much better this week against New Orleans. The tight end finished second on the team in targets, catches and receiving yards, and made a ridiculous one-handed catch on a low throw. He’ll have a Week 11 bye before resuming TE1 duties in the 49ers offense.
JORDAN REED JUST NEEDS ONE HAND
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 15, 2020
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/HcamvI89gf
Logan Thomas (4 catches, 66 yards, 10.6 fantasy points)
Rostered: 20.2 percent
As Alex Smith threw the ball 55 times on Sunday, Thomas caught four of six targets for 66 yards - a season high. He continues to steadily produced, hauling in 14 receptions on 20 targets over his last four games, while exceeding the double-digit fantasy mark in three of those contests. He’s a reliable player at a weak position and has a favorable matchup against the Bengals on deck next weekend.
Patriots Player of the Week
Rex Burkhead (66 total yards, 2 total TDs, 22.6 fantasy points)
After nailing the Patriots Player of the Week for two straight weeks, we tried to call our shot with Damiere Byrd this week. That failed, as the wideout did not even see a target in the horrid weather at Gillette. Burkhead meanwhile exceeded in his role as usual, carrying the ball six times for 31 yards and catching four passes (five targets) for 35 yards and two touchdowns — one coming from Jakobi Meyers. Even as Damien Harris (22 carries, 121 yards) was the Patriots lead back, Burkhead continued to be used near the goal line. He does not see consistent work, but his nose for the end zone (three rushing and three receiving touchdowns through nine games) makes him an interesting fantasy option in deeper leagues.
That is all for this week’s recap. Leave a comment below or reach out on Twitter @iambrianhines with any and all questions about your fantasy team!