FSH: THE FANTASY SPORTS ZONE (TARGET PRACTICE)

December 3rd, 2010, Friday

Fantasy Football

Target Practice

In These Hands We Trust

Right now there is no more a sure thing at the wideout spot than the Chiefs Dwayne Bowe. With the frequency that he is seeing balls thrown in his direction, just walking out of the locker room he’s already been targeted several times. In his last three games no other player in the league comes close to his 43 targets and over that time Bowe has been unstoppable.

The Chiefs wide receiver has racked up 465 yards with 32 receptions and seven touchdowns. Bowe may not come close to setting the NFL record for receiving touchdowns, but his 14 thus far this season have already surpassed last year’s top total of 13. Bowe is the hottest scoring fantasy player at the moment, averaging 29 points per game. He’s without a doubt taking advantage of his 14 targets per game.

My Fantasy Notes:

With a big matchup coming up on Monday night with the New England Patriots and their 32 ranked pass defense, wide receiver Santonio Holmes could be licking his chops and looking at a big night. Over the past several weeks Holmes has quietly emerged as the Jets go to receiver. Since his return to action in week five, Holmes leads the team with 56 targets.

In his last three starts Holmes has caught 17 passes for 246 yards on 27 targets. The Jets big play receiver has also scored four times in the past three weeks, including scoring at least once in each of the three games. With the Patriots next on the schedule Holmes looks like a big play ready to happen. The Pats defense has allowed 21 passing touchdowns and 41 pass plays of 20 yards or more; the prospects of a big game for Holmes looks like a lock.

Radar Watch

In My Sites

It appears the Raiders are not going to waste any time getting rookie wide receiver Jacoby Ford into the mix this week. According to the Oakland Tribune, head coach Tom Cable may have hinted Ford would start over Darrius Heyward-Bey this Sunday against the Chargers.

It should not surprise anyone should the Raiders follow through with Cable’s hint. Ford has been a fast rising star in the bay area over the past several weeks. Last Sunday Ford caught four passes for 108 yards and scored on a 44 yard pass from quarterback Bruce Gradkoski; it was Ford’s first career touchdown. It was also his second game of at least 100 yards receiving in his past three games played.

In his last three games, Ford leads the Raiders with 27 targets, 283 yards receiving, and their only touchdown. His 12 receptions also rank second on the team over that span. With a tough matchup with the Chargers this Sunday, Ford may not be primed for a breakout game this week, but with the Jaguars (ranked 27th against the pass) and Bronco’s (ranked 19th) next to follow he could be a nice sleeper play in the fantasy playoffs.

Top 10 Target Leaders for the past three weeks
(unofficial numbers)

1. Dwayne Bowe (43 targets)
2. Larry Fitzgerald (35 targets)
3. Roddy White (35 targets)
4. Steve Johnson (34 targets)
5. Andre Johnson (31 targets)
6. Calvin Johnson (31 targets)
7. Reggie Wayne (31 targets)
8. Jacob Tamme (30 targets)
9. Brandon Lloyd (29 targets)
10.Wes Welker (29 targets)