We are halfway there. Whether you have five or six weeks left in your regular season — buckle up — anything and everything can happen down the home stretch.
With that being said, let’s keep this weeks intro short and sweet. So let’s recap:
Quarterbacks
Stud: Patrick Mahomes (416 passing yards, 5 TDs, 36.64 fantasy points)
Mahomes sat out the final 9:22 and still hung 400-plus yards and five touchdowns on the poor Jets secondary. The five touchdowns matched his total from the last three weeks combined as he rattled off scores of 30, 36, three, 26 and 41 yards. Mahomes hits the halfway point of the season with 21 touchdowns compared to just one interception and will get the Panthers next week before his Week 10 bye.
Dud: Carson Wentz (140 total yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 2 FUML, 8.62 fantasy points)
Wentz appeared to have a great matchup against the brutal Cowboys defense, but he struggled to take care of the ball while throwing for a season-low 123 yards. In total, Wentz threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles as he consistently avoided throwing the ball away. Wentz has now thrown an interception in every game but one this year, while throwing multiple picks in five of eight contests. He’ll look to settle things down in a matchup against the Giants following the Eagles Week 9 bye.
Injuries: Jimmy Garoppolo
Garoppolo was in clear pain on the sideline in the third quarter, which resulted in Nick Mullens taking over. Garoppolo re-aggravated a high-ankle sprain that has been bothering him since Week 2. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported he will miss at least the next six weeks and his season could be over if surgery is required.
Waiver Wire: Drew Lock (247 total yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 19.82 fantasy points)
Lock has not thrown a touchdown pass since Week 1, but tossed three in the fourth quarter on Sunday while leading the Broncos to a 21-point comeback. He did throw his fifth interception in the past three games, but it was also his first game with multiple touchdown throws this season. He hasn't been great, but will head into next week’s plus-matchup against Atlanta with momentum on his side.
Running Backs
Stud: Dalvin Cook (226 total yards, 4 total TDs, 48.6 fantasy points)
If you played against Dalvin Cook this week, I feel your pain. Cook dominated the Packers defense on the ground and through the air, rushing for 163 yards and adding 63 more in the passing game. His biggest play of the game was on a screen pass from Kirk Cousins in which he weaved through the Green Bay defense for a 50-yard score. Cook should continue his success against the Lions next week, who allowed three combined touchdowns to Indianapolis’ running backs this past week.
Dud: Jonathan Taylor (31 total yards, 5.1 fantasy points)
Speaking of Indianapolis running back, Taylor was projected to have a huge game on the ground but mostly watched as Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins stole the show. Hines and Wilkins combined for 41.5 fantasy points while Taylor could only muster a measly 5.1. Colts’ Coach Frank Reich said Monday that Taylor is dealing with “a bit of an ankle injury,” perhaps explaining his lackluster Sunday performance.
Injuries: Darrell Henderson Jr, Tevin Coleman
Henderson left Sunday’s game against Miami early with a thigh injury. Los Angeles has a Week 9 bye, so Henderson has plenty of time to get right. He is not expected to miss any time.
As for Coleman, the story of his career continues. He was forced from Sunday’s game after just three carries with a knee injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game it was the same knee he injured earlier this year. He's missed five game already this season and it looks unlikely he’ll be ready for Thursday night’s matchup against Green Bay.
Waiver Wire: Zack Moss (81 yards, 2 TDs, 20.1 fantasy points)
Rostered: 36.4 percent
Both Moss and Singletary saw 14 carries as Buffalo remained committed to both backs, but Moss has quickly became the better fantasy option. Moss was Buffalo’s exclusive back in the red zone, finishing Sunday’s game with two touchdowns. He has cemented himself as a threat in Buffalo’s high-scoring offense.
JaMycal Hasty (31 total yards, 1 TD, 10.1 fantasy points)
Rostered: 47.4 percent
The 49ers game of musical chairs continues at the running back position. With Coleman out, it was Hasty and Jerick McKinnon’s time to shine. Hasty was shaky early and lost work to McKinnon in the passing game, but he did save his day with a touchdown. He’s the favorite to lead San Fran’s backfield in touches against Green Bay Thursday night.
Wide Receivers
Stud: DK Metcalf (12 catches, 161 yards, 2 TDs, 40.1 fantasy points)
After watching Tyler Lockett explode for 53.0 fantasy points last week, it was Metcalf’s turn this time around. Metcalf’s 15 targets were a career-high as he rattled off a highlight reel 36-yard touchdown and a 35-yard reception. He’s posted 90+ receiving yards in every game but one this year, pilling up 680 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in seven games. He’s a WR1 every game and will look for another dominant outing next week against Buffalo.
DK METCALF IS TOO FAST FOR THE 49ERS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 1, 2020
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/zOYVlh23Wl
Dud: Amari Cooper (1 catch, 5 yards, 1.5 fantasy points)
Cooper was nowhere to be found Sunday night with Ben DiNucci under center. He hauled in his only pass in the fourth quarter during garbage time. Cooper and the Cowboys have a date with the undefeated Steelers next week, which is worrisome for Dallas’ skill players as DiNucci is back under center. Cooper was much more productive with Dalton under center, averaging 7.0 catches, 79.5 yards and 0.5 touchdowns in two games.
Injuries: T.Y. Hilton, Kenny Golladay, Calvin Ridley
Hilton left for the locker room a few minutes before halftime and never returned with a groin injury. He’ll go for an MRI to determine the result, but a disappointing season continues for Hilton. Golladay also left the same game in the second quarter, but with a hip injury. He never returned and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports he is unlikely to play Sunday against the Vikings.
Ridley was seen limping off the field after holding his left foot at the end of a reception. According to Rapoport, Ridley has since been diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain is considered day-to-day. Perhaps the long week will allow Ridley to suit up next week against Denver, but a Week 10 bye will give him plenty of time to get healthy.
Waiver Wire: Curtis Samuel (54 total yards, 2 total TDs, 21.4 fantasy points)
Rostered: 37.1 percent
Samuel’s fantasy value will be interesting to monitor going forward. He’s scored double digit fantasy points in three straight games, but a fair share of that production, including two touchdowns, has come on the ground. With Christian McCaffrey returning soon, he might see less overall work, but the talent level is certainly there. He’s earned a bigger role in the Panthers offense and would be a smart addition to your fantasy bench.
Jakobi Meyers (6 catches, 58 yards, 13.8 fantasy points)
Rostered: 0.5 percent
Even though they don't like too, the Patriots need to throw the football. And in the past two weeks, it has been all Jakobi Meyers in the passing game, leading the team in targets (6, 10) in consecutive weeks. He’s posted double digit fantasy points in back-to-back games and has a strong chance to continue his success next week against the Jets.
Tight Ends
Stud: Travis Kelce (8 catches, 109 yards, 1 TD, 24.9 fantasy points)
As Patrick Mahomes pilled up the yards and touchdowns, Kelce had his highest yardage output on the season with 109. His score was his sixth of the year, as he is on pace to eclipse 1,200 receiving yards for the third straight year. He’s the clear-cut best fantasy tight end.
Dud: Mike Gesicki (1 catch, 8 yards, 1.8 fantasy points)
The rollercoaster of a season continues for Gesicki, catching just one ball or less in a game for the fourth time this season. In his first start, Tua Tagovailoa completed just 12-of-22 passes as Miami’s offense watched their defense dominate. Gesicki will be a boom-or-bust option going forward unless he can establish a connection with the rookie.
Injuries: George Kittle
It’s another brutal break for the 49ers and Kittle, who suffered a broken bone in his foot. According to Adam Schefter, he is expected to miss eight weeks, ending his fantasy season and most likely his regular season.
Waiver Wire: Trey Burton (11 total yards, 1 total TD, 10.1 fantasy points)
Rostered: 9.2 percent
Despite sharing snaps with Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox, Burton continues to deliver. In his four games this season, Burton has seen at least four targets in all of them. He was able to find the end zone on the ground for the second straight game, which is an odd, but appreciated, boost to his value.
Robert Tonyan (5 catches, 79 yards, 12.9 fantasy points)
Rostered: 47.4 percent
After back-to-back lackluster performances, Tonyan put up double digit fantasy points for the fourth time in six games on Sunday. His seven targets were a season-high as he led the Packers with 79 receiving yards. Unfortunately, Davante Adams hauled in all three of Aaron Rodgers’ touchdown passes, but Tonyan has established himself as part of the Green Bay offense moving forward.
Patriots Play of the Week
Damien Harris (102 yards, 1 TD, 16.2 fantasy points)
Not to brag, but we called it. Harris was our Play of the Week for the Patriots in Week 8, and he certainly delivered. Harris’ 102-yards was a new career high and the second time in four games he’s hit 100-yards on the season. He out-carried Rex Burkhead 16-6, while finding the end zone for the first time in his career. If the game script stays in Harris’ favor, he’ll be a strong fantasy running back going forward.
That is all for this week’s recap. Leave a comment below or reach out on Twitter @iambrianhines if you have any questions about your fantasy team!