Here are my thoughts on the weekend’s games going forward. These bye week nightmares can be a Trashman’s dream if he pays attention…

 

Redskins vs Bengals

• Kelley was the clear lead back for the ‘Skins, toting the rock 21 times for 97 yards and a TD. Even should Jones miss the week after the bye, Kelley will be a tough sell against the Vikings’ defense. If you can get something for him in trade, more power to you.

• Crowder came alive after DJax made an exit with a shoulder injury and makes for a decent play in week 10 if DJax misses more time. Garcon remains insignificant outside of PPR leagues.

• Vernon Davis may see more usage in week 10 against the Vikings as well if Jackson sits. He caught all 5 of his targets Sunday and looked particularly fast for his age.

• LaFell lost his place in the Bengals pecking order quicker than I expected. Eifert has taken his rightful place as the no.2 target in Cincy, and LaFell is going to be a question mark most weeks, depending almost entirely on TDs.

Chiefs vs Colts

• Alex Smith should be fine for week 9, but I’m not so sure about Spencer Ware. Charcandrick West should be a top consideration for your 1st waiver spot this week.

• I wouldn’t get too excited about Hill’s big day. Most of it came when Foles entered the game, a la second team doctrine, and yes he scored the week before but it was literally his one target that game.

• Moncrief stepped right back in and led the Colts with 9 targets. Pick him up with your first waiver priority if someone happened to drop him in your league. Dorsett came in right behind Hilton with 5 and is a nice consolation prize if you can’t have Donte.

Patriots vs Bills

• Chris Hogan made a splash in Week 8 with 90+ yards, but actually tied for last in targets on the team with Amendola. Don’t go chasing his numbers. He’s still a borderline WR4

• It’s about time to either ship White or pick up Lewis. There can only be one.

• Walter Powell led the Bills in targets with 8. The fact that they face Seattle this week makes him the dregs of waiver wire targets though. You’ll have better options, one of those perhaps being Percy Harvin, who was just signed by the Bills.

• Gillislee had a nice day, but McCoy should be back in their next contest. Gill should be held where you can keep him as a high efficiency handcuff to Shady.

Raiders vs Buccaneers

• Before the season started I told the guys that I’d rather have Carr in fantasy than their favorite son, Kirk Cousins. They thought I was crazy. Well…

• Murray was back to leading a RBBC on Sunday after having much of the field to himself the previous week. I don’t want the headache that will be the Broncos this week. Ship him while he still has good value from Week 7.

• Seth Roberts has gotten 6 or more targets in at least half the games this season. Unfortunately he’s very TD dependent. He would be an immediate pickup if either Cooper or Crabtree went down/

• Shepard had another decent game this week, but it was bolstered by a TD. He would have had only about 20 yards on 2 targets otherwise. The Bucs play Atlanta this week, so he‘ll still retain some flex value.

• A short week makes Quizz unlikely to play on Thursday. There’s a committee behind him made up of Barber, Smith, and newly signed Mike James. My guess would be that Smith would lead out the charge, but the confusion makes them all shaky plays.

Seahawks vs Saints

• The ‘Hawks’ offense lives and dies by Wilson’s leg brace. Let’s hope he sheds it soon. Until then, temper your expectations for their skill players.

• C.J. Prosise is making an argument for flex consideration in PPR leagues. Keep an eye on him this week.

• Hightower often looked better than Ingram when he took over for him last season due to injury, and nothing is different now, except the reason he took over. Hightower is going to get more work going forward. I implored Ingram owners to handcuff him early in the season, so I hope he’s on your rosters. If not, he needs to be there ASAP.

• All three starting Saints WRs are worth starting these days, but Thomas is staying the most consistent. His rock solid floor makes him someone to target before the deadline.

Lions vs Texans

• The Texans’ sometimes dominant secondary kept everyone in check on the outside, so Ebron was free to run over the middle. I don’t see this as a trend. Jones is a nice buy low right now.

• Theo Riddick was in almost complete control of the backfield upon his return. He’s the only Lions back you can rely on in any capacity right now.

• Fiedo continues to thrive in the Texans lackluster passing offense. I said it weeks ago and I’ll repeat it again, pick him up!

• Miller wasn’t explosive, but he gets the bye week to heal up. He’ll be good to go in week 10.

• It may be a lost season for Hopkins with Osweiler under center. You should still be able to get decent value for him on the market off of name recognition.

Jets vs Browns

• Enunwa had a nice line Sunday, but the fact that he hasn’t gotten more than 4 targets a game in 4 weeks still scares me. His a high risk, high reward WR3 going forward.

• Powell shows enough in the passing game to mitigate weeks where he doesn’t get much on the ground. That wasn’t the case this week, but I think he’s worth flexing against Miami in deeper leagues.

• Coleman is slated to practice this week making him a speculative pickup in all formats, and sapping what little value any other Browns WR not named Pryror has.

Cardinals vs Panthers

• JJ Nelson is a confirmed starter now. He needs to be rostered in all formats. Floyd can be dropped.

• He didn’t do much with them, but Ginn was got the most targets against the Cardinals. He’s hit or miss, but the fact that he’s staying involved makes him a better dart throw than most during bye week nightmares.

• Cam’s recent concussion and lack of calls in his favor, when it comes to hits to the QB, has taken him out of the goal line situation.

Chargers vs Broncos

• I suppose with all the WR upheaval this season, Rivers needs to feel safe, and that’s why he’s forgone Henry for Gates in recent week. Both are still worth owning, but Gates is the better play.

• Williams couldn’t get it going against the Broncos, most WRs can’t, but his schedule gets a lot easier from here. He’s one to target in trades.

• Booker should be ok, but I reiterate that Bibbs needs to be owned.

• Even in a win, the leash is getting shorter for Siemian. Keep an eye on Lynch’s progression.

Packers vs Falcons

• Aaron Ripkowski came from nowhere and had the most carries behind Rodgers. Davis was cut, so he’s a non-issue, but I’m staying away from the situation until Montgomery can play again.

• Should Cobb miss more time, Janis is the guy. He played around 95% of snaps on Sunday. Adams is still gold, as long as the Pack is out of RBs.

• Ward deserves flex consideration in week 9 if Coleman can’t go. He’s getting a lot of work.

• Sanu has been as inconsistent as they come, but his use in the red-zone recently has made him a decent option in these bye weeks.

Eagles vs Cowboys

• Philly has terrible WRs, making Sproles invaluable to Wentz. He needs to be owned in all formats.

• Mathews was saved by a TD, but he’s not getting enough snaps(around 10%). Try to trade him if you can.

• Dak’s late game heroics should keep Romo’s injury lingering. He’ll do much better to avoid targeting Dez so much.

• Elliott’s matchup proof. He might be bulletproof.

Vikings vs Bears

• The Vikings looked like a different team last night. Those inter-division matchups can be trap games though. The Bears’ defense has been playing pretty well as of late and makes for streaming consideration.

• Patterson disappeared after a two week flurry. Thielen is the guy I want to own behind Diggs. He offers consistency at least.

• Howard is back on the scene in a major way, but it’s impossible to tell for how long. The Bears will ride the hot hand, but I’m taking trade offers in leagues where I own him.

• Meredith is not in sync with Cutler, but he was the clear no.2 in Chicago on Monday. I’m holding him where I can.