Brian Hoyer vs. Buccaneers defense

What are we to make of Brian Hoyer? No, really. I mean, after Week 4’s win over the Tennessee Titans (which was followed by the Browns’ dismantling of the Steelers), Hoyer was as big-time as LeBron James in Cleveland. Ok, that’s pushing it, but you get my drift. Then, an embarrassing effort against the winless Jacksonville Jaguars led to questions about Johnny Manziel taking over as the starter. Man, people love jumping to conclusions.

Anyway, Hoyer completed 19 of 28 passes for 275 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions — a workmanlike performance — in a victory over the Oakland Raiders in Week 8, and all is good again in Berea, Ohio.

With Mark Barron gone from Tampa Bay’s defense, Hoyer should be in for another solid albeit unspectacular outing in Week 9. Gerald McCoy is an absolute handful, don’t forget that.

At home, the Browns offense will have an efficiency afternoon, especially through the air. So if you’re starting quarterback is on the bye, don’t be afraid to plug Hoyer into your lineup.

Prediction:

Brian Hoyer: 21-for-31, 286 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

 

Andre Ellington vs. Cowboys run defense

Mr. Ellington hasn’t been the yards-per-carry dynamo he was as a rookie. Not even close, really. Last year, the former Clemson star averaged a robust 5.5 yards per carry. This year, his yards-per-carry average has dropped to 3.6, but through seven games he has 128 attempts, which is 10 more than he had all of 2013.

For as surprisingly good as the Cowboys defense has been this season, the run defense has been pretty bad. Right now, Dallas allows a whopping 4.8 yards-per-carry.

Oh yeah, and speedy linebacker Justin Durant is out for the remainder of the year.

The Cardinals are relatively pass-happy with Bruce Arians at the helm, but this is a somewhat underrated matchup for Ellington.

Although Arizona’s offensive line needs work, I expect the nimble runner to have his first 100-yard game of the season and be his typically reliable self in the passing game. Ellington’s certainly an RB 1 this week.

Prediction

Andre Ellington: 19 carries, 113 yards, 4 catches, 35 yards 1 TD

 

Demaryius Thomas vs. Darrelle Revis

Man, what a juicy matchup this is. Demaryius Thomas is one of the few receivers in the NFL who can physically overmatch Revis on every snap, but his hands betray him from time to time.

Don’t expect the Broncos to be “afraid” to throw Thomas’ way just because of Revis’ presence, and actually, a good portion of DT’s yardage comes after the catch on screens or short slants.

The weather may not be great…scratch that… it may be horrible in Foxboro, yet Manning will be slinging the ball all over the field. Emmanuel Sanders is probably the offensive weapon to own, but I think Demaryius will break a long play or two even if Revis shuts him down for the most of the evening.

Thomas has been a fantasy stud of late after a rough start to the season, so I think he’ll be right around 100 yards receiving. However, the biggest question is — who will Peyton throw to in the red zone?

Prediction

Demaryius Thomas: 6 catches, 97 yards, 1 TD