September 25th, 2009 3:37pm PST
THE FANTASY FIXX
Target Practice: Week Three in the NFL
The weekly trick in fantasy football is having knowledge, but more importantly information. Everyone knows you have to start your studs every Sunday. The difference between winning and losing from week to week, is knowing where to find those hidden gems. If you are looking for much needed help heading into week 3, you’ve targeted the right place and we’ve got your fix..
Who’s worried….
It took just the second week of action for players like Marques Colston and Terrell Owens to get untracked. Both wideouts have yet to be heavily targeted this season, but they still produce when they touch the ball. Owens registered a nice 43-yard catch and run for a score, while Colston posted two trips to the endzone.
Looking at others like Steve Smith of Carolina (30 touches this season leads NFL WRs) and Andre Johnson, after their slow starts each also broke out in week two with a big games. Smith tallied eight catches for 131-yards, while Andre hauled in 10 passes for 149-yards and two scores. Being patient with these studs paid handsomely for fantasy owners in week two.
Another stud that got back on track in week two and undoubtedly served all of his fantasy owners well was Dolphin’s running back Ronnie Brown. After totaling just 53-yards in week one, Brown broke loose for 136-yards on the ground and two touchdowns leading the ‘wildcat’ attack.
Another fantasy thorough bred that is drawing a lot of attention from the fantasy community is Bill’s running back Fred Jackson. While many folks were thinking this kid could be put back on the shelf once Marshawn Lynch returns to the line-up from suspension, that’s not looking like the case these days.
In the first two weeks of the season, Jackson leads (tied with Cedric Benson) all running backs with 54 touches this season and has been highly productive. With 220-yards rushing, 11 receptions, and one receiving touchdown it would be hard to imagine Jackson losing the starting job even when Lynch is back.
Keep your Eye on these gems…
While running backs Matt Forte (43 touches) and Darren McFadden (33 touches) continue to labor in first gear, the high number of chances is a great indicator it’s just a matter of time sooner or later. With Seahawks (allowed 256-rushing yards in week 2) on the slate for the Bear’s running back sooner could come this weekend.
The Raiders running back could have a little more trouble this Sunday with the improved Bronco’s defense (allowing opponents 2.9-yards per carry) up next, but in week 4 he’ll see the Texans (allowing 215-yards/game).
If both receivers Steve “no the other one” Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. have yet to make it on your fantasy radar this season, put them on it now. After two weeks both receivers have emerged as more than relevant options and rank among the top 10 passing targets this season with 23 each. At that many chances, expect to hear their names called often each week.
Very quietly in a crowded Denver backfield it looks like the rookie (Knowshon Moreno) is slowly gaining some momentum as the team’s featured runner. After two games Moreno leads the team’s backfield with 27 touches, but more importantly he picked up 19 of those last week in what was his most productive day as a Bronco. Fantasy owners can and should expect to see more of the same in coming weeks, with his production only getting better from week to week.
Here is the breakdown for fantasy receivers (targets) and fantasy running backs (touches) this season;
Through two weeks:
Top-20 Receiver (Targets)
Player/Team……………………..No of Targets
Steve Smith, CAR…………………30
Santonio Holmes, PIT…………..25
Andre Johnson, HOU……………24
Randy Moss, NEP…………………24
Steven Smith, NYG……………….23
Ted Ginn Jr., MIA………………..23
Calvin Johnson, DET……………22
DeSean Jackson, PHI……………21
Nate Burleson, SEA………………21
Roddy White, ATL………………..20
Reggie Wayne, IND………………20
Laurent Robinson, STL…………19
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, SEA….19
Donald Driver, GBP………………18
Earl Bennett, CHI…………………17
Mario Manningham, NYG……..17
Isaac Bruce, SFO…………………..17
Hines Ward, PIT…………………..17
Julian Edelman, NEP……………16
Wes Welker, NEP…………………16
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI……………16
Torry Holt, WR JAC…………...16
Antwaan Randle El, WAS………16
Chad Ochocinco, CIN……………16
Muhsin Muhammad, CAR…….16
Louis Murphy, OAK……………..16
Top-20 Tight Ends (Targets)
Player/Team……………………..No of Targets
Kellen Winslow, TBB…………20
Brent Celek, PHI……………….18
Chris Cooley, WAS…………….17
Tony Gonzalez, ATL…………..17
John Carlson, SEA…………….16
Owen Daniels, HOU…………..16
Antonio Gates, SDC……………16
Jerramy Stevens, TBB………..14
Dallas Clark, IND………………14
Jason Witten, DAL…………….14
Vernon Davis, SFO…………….13
Todd Heap, BAL………………..13
Dustin Keller, NYJ……………..12
Greg Olsen, CHI…………………12
Robert Royal, CLE………………12
Heath Miller, PIT……………….12
Randy McMichael, STL……….12
Derek Schouman, BUF………..11
Marcedes Lewis, JAC…………..11
Benjamin Watson, NEP……….11
Jeremy Shockey,NOS…………..11
Top-20 Running Backs (Touches)
Player/Team……………..No of Plays (includes intended receiver)
Fred Jackson, BUF…………….58
Cedric Benson, CIN……………54
Michael Turner, ATL………….52
Kevin Smith, DET………………51
Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC…..50
Frank Gore, SFO………………..48
Mike Bell, NOS…………………..46
Matt Forte, CHI………………….45
Adrian Peterson, MIN…………45
Chris Johnson, TEN……………44
DeAngelo Williams, CAR……..41
Steven Jackson, STL……………41
Tim Hightower, ARI……………40
Larry Johnson, KCC…………….40
Clinton Portis, WAS…………….40
Darren McFadden, OAK………39
Ronnie Brown, MIA…………….39
Leon Washington, NYJ………..38
Steve Slaton, HOU……………….37
Ray Rice, BAL……………………..37
Check back every Monday for more “Fantasy Fixx”
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