Hot Fire Fantasy Football Questions: Week 10
Our “Hot Fire Fantasy Questions” series takes a look at Week 10 following up recent news, fantasy performances, and implications for owners moving forward. Our Hot Fire contributors from our Fantasy Footballers writing staff includes Matt Okada (@FantasySensei) and Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg)
Make sure you listen to today’s podcast to get Andy, Mike, and Jason’s reactions from all the Week 10 action.
1. Which “big name” RB was the biggest flop in Week 10?
Leonard Fournette
He was averaging 99 yards and a touchdown per game coming into an great matchup with the Chargers. People paid up for him in DFS and he responded with an absolute dud stat line: 17 rushes for 33 yards. Heck, Blake Bortles out-rushed the rookie RB with 34 yards on five scrambles. Fournette lost quite a few snaps late in the game as the Jaguars battled back for their victory, and finished with his second lowest carry count of the season. I expect this was an aberration and may have stemmed from last week’s off-the-field issues, so look for Fournette to bounce back. –Matt Okada
Jordan Howard
This had the set up of a typical Bears game: run the ball in the cold weather and get ahead early. The Packers defense ranked 25th against the run so it looked like a done deal. Howard finished with just 54 yards on 15 carries. Howard was stuffed in the first couple series and actually began the day in the negative. He also saw zero targets which killed you as a fantasy owner. This is the type of game that is in the realm of possibilities for a RB with little passing game appeal. He gets Detroit at home next week which just surrendered almost 200+ yards on the ground to the Browns. Don’t fret. –Kyle Borgognoni
2. Is Robert Woods for real? What is he ROS?
Yes he is. I boldly predicted in the preseason that Woods would finish in the top 16 with 78 catches, 1,140 yards, and 6 TDs. Right now, the Rams leading WR is 14th and is on pace for 69/1,105/7. Not to say I told you so … but I told you so. Woods has overtaken Cooper Kupp as Jared Goff‘s most trusted receiver and is feasting on the Rams’ offensive success. His last two games might be his best of the entire year, but Woods has a high enough target volume and a hot enough quarterback to remain a mid-tier WR2 rest of season. –Matt Okada
It’s hard to ignore and bury our heads in the sand when this offense just won’t let up. The Rams have faced three bottom 5 passing defenses in a row so there’s reason for this ungodly amount of points flying in. We need to sober ourselves and realize 90+ yard TDs aren’t repeatable although seeing upwards of 7 targets can be the norm. With Minnesota and New Orleans the next 2 weeks, I expect Woods to return more to a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 land. –Kyle Borgognoni
3. Give us one buy-low candidate before your league’s deadline.
Doug Martin
It may sound stubborn, but I’m going with Doug Martin. I know, Martin’s production has been weak. But his opportunity has not. After a week of foolish speculation that he might lose his job to Peyton Barber, the Bucs fed Martin 20 carries (no other RB had more than three). That actually tied his season-high and makes five of six games for Martin with at least 13 attempts. He is the workhorse and has a very good upcoming schedule (minus the Panthers in Week 16). Tampa Bay’s overall offensive woes are the only big concern here, but with his current workload Martin is producing at his floor. We should see a fantasy breakout soon and the price should be pretty cheap. –Matt Okada
Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Leonard Fournette
Fournette’s last 4 weeks have been a nightmare: not playing because of injury, a bye week, a DNP-coach’s decision and an abysmal Week 10 against a beatable Chargers run defense. It was clear that Los Angeles’ game plan was to sell out to stop the run and make Blake Bortles beat them. Now is the time to pounce on a locked-and-loaded RB1 who gets guaranteed reps. If the Fournette owner has a bad taste in their mouths, I totally understand. Take advantage and trade at a discount. –Kyle Borgognoni
4. Give us one under-the-radar stat line that fantasy owners should pay attention to.
Derrick Henry
11 rushes for 52 yards. I know, not much. But this was another game where DeMarco Murray‘s rushing production was underwhelming. Yes, he got three TDs and was involved in the passing game, but from a real-world standpoint, Murray avergaed 3.0 yards per carry and continues to look a little old. Henry is probably not worth starting — except in very deep leagues — but he is exactly the kind of guy you want on your bench heading into fantasy playoffs. An extremely high upside handcuff with an aging and battered RB ahead of him. See if you can acquire Henry on the cheap and you might get a championship winner if the cards fall right. –Matt Okada
Brandin Cooks
6 catches on 11 targets for 74 yards. In what looked like a nightmare matchup against Aqib Talib and the Broncos secondary, Cooks was essential to the game plan. In the past, we’ve seen him vanish against top corners. With a monster lead in the 2nd half, Cooks looked crisp on a play-action play in the 3rd quarter and another big gain towards the end of the game. Owners need to know he’s involved and not marginalized in this offense. With some tough divisional matchups on the horizon, Cooks will be counted on in big spots. –Kyle Borgognoni