This week in 2012, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees broke what was once thought to be the unbreakable record. Johnny Unitas’ 47 game streak throwing a touchdown pass. The Saints QB made history, connecting with Devery Henderson on a 40-yard bomb late in the first quarter of a 31-24 triumph over the then San Diego Chargers.
A lot has changed across the NFL landscape since that day but one thing remains constant. Drew Brees can still get it done. Just ask the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brees turned a Sunday night battle with Tom Brady into a laugher. While his counterpart struggled throwing picks, Brees picked the Bucs apart while reclaiming the lead in the touchdown race. Brady’s offense looked completely lost. New weapon Antiono Brown may be in the physical shape it takes to play football, but it looks like it will be a while before he learns the subtle nuances of the Tampa offense. One of Brady’s interceptions was meant for the wide receiver affectionately referred to as AB and the two didn’t appear to be on the same page.
We here at The Undroppables are back on the same page. After a one-week hiatus, I’m here to find some touchdowns! It’s hard to grind tape, record a podcast, write articles, and be interactive on Twitter all while holding down a full-time job. Good thing my social life is in the toilet! But I’m here for my fans! Both of you! So let’s score some fantasy points, eh?
Wide Receiver
Mike Evans is a future Hall-of-Fame WR, but he is on pace for the lowest season totals of his career. (60 catches, 777 yards) Last week he faced off against Marshon Lattimore, who owns him. His last three receiving lines against Lattimore read like a misprint; six targets 0 receptions. He’ll find the sledding much easier against a Carolina secondary that has allowed 572 yards and 4 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers the last two weeks. Evans is still being targeted in the red-zone (7 RZ TDs) and the Tampa offense should get back on track this week.
Those of you with D.J. Chark on your rosters likely rejoiced last week as it took exactly one play for new signal-caller Jake Luton to find him for a 73-yard touchdown. But the best part was the 12 targets! But Zhane and Mr. DJ are unlikely to keep playing that song against Green Bay’s Jaire Alexander. This is exactly why you should pull a Ross Gellar and Pivot to teammate Chris Conley. The former Georgia Bulldog received the second-most targets on the team (8) from Luton and the Jags should face a fairly negative game script, meaning they’re likely to throw. A lot.
Editor’s Note: Jaire Alexander has been ruled out for this Sunday’s game.
Others I like:
Cooper Kupp
Robert Woods
Michael Thomas
Running Back
The Ravens backfield should have a field day Sunday night. Against their last three NFL opponents (Sorry Jets) New England has given up 190 yards and 3 TDs to the Bills. 194 yards and 4 TDs to the 49ers, and 135 yards to the Broncos. The Patriots rush defense is a sieve. Mark Ingram is trending towards playing but if he sits Gus Edwards and rookie JK Dobbins are lineup locks and should almost assuredly find the endzone.
Welcome back, Mr. Chubb. Allow me to show you to your buffet table. That’s right, Nick Chubb should be back just in time for the stretch run and a softer opponent he could not pick. The Texans give up an average of 5.2 adjusted fantasy points to the position. Which is like a guaranteed touchdown every week. Bon appetit, Monsieur Chubb.
While his workload has been somewhat difficult to pin down, Antonio Gibson is getting those premium touches for the Washington Football Team. He is 5-of-7 converting goal to go situations. For their part, the Lions have allowed opposing teams to score 50% of the time in goal to go situations. Sounds like a recipe for success to me.
Others I like:
Zack Moss
Duke Johnson
James Conner
Tight End
If you followed me this offseason you know that I touted Eric Ebron as a potential red-zone target for Ben Roethlisberger. Better late than Never. Ebron has scored in his last two games and has earned a healthy snap percentage. Harrison Bryant and Trey Burton have burned the Bengals recently. Let’s make it three in a row for “Double E”.
Austin Hooper returns this week from appendicitis and while he was slow out of the gate, he started to come on before being sidelined by his appendix. In the three games prior to his surgery Hooper drew 23 targets and was the overall TE No. 6 Weeks 4 through 6 and his floor should be even higher with Odel Beckham sidelined. The Texans have allowed the 10th most points per game to the position. Hooper is in a great spot.
The Chargers rank just 21st in the league defending the TE and while Mike Gesicki has been anything but consistent he should draw added targets with Preston Williams out.
Others I like:
Jimmy Graham
Hunter Henry
Tyler Kroft
