Giants Daily Blitz Blog

Fantasy Primer: Week 5

The views expressed in this article are not of the New York Football Giants but those of an independent Fantasy Expert.

Start ‘em

Willis McGahee Den RB

Last Week: 19 carries, 112 yards, TD

McGahee takes on a New England Patriots defense that has been solid against the run all year averaging 85.3 yards against, 8th overall. But the Patriots have yet to face a quarterback of the caliber of Peyton Manning, who will attempt to open up the offense off of play action pass and a plethora of half-back draws, that should reward McGahee nicely this weekend in Foxboro.

Jeremy Kerley NYJ WR

Last Week : 2 catches, 12 yards

Excluding last week, Kerley has 8 catches, 185 yards and two touchdowns.  WIth the loss of Santonio Holmes out for the season, Sanchez will depend on the second year man from TCU in a big way come this Monday, as his role in the Jets offense more than likely has expanded    .

Matt Hasselbeck Ten QB

Last Week: 193 passing yards, 2 TD’s, 3 turnovers

It’s always a tough spot coming off the bench against possibly the
best defense in the league (Houston Texans) and try to perform at a high level.  This week Hasselbeck has the ability to show Tennessee what they passed on in the beginning of the season, when they decided to go with 2nd year Quarterback Jake Locker as their starter and not the 14 year vet. Time will tell.

Pierre Garcon: Wsh WR

Last Week: 1 catch, 20 yards

Garcon’s first game back due to his foot injury wasn’t very noteworthy as he was held to just one catch for twenty yards.  He did however catch a break as he recovered a fumble in the end-zone, credited for a touchdown.  Now that it’s been a few weeks, Garcon should be ready to play again at that high level we all know he’s capable of.

Jacob Tamme Den TE

Last Week: 5 catches, 38 yards

Tamme hasn’t had the season in which his current owners have been anticipating with the resurrection of himself and Manning back on the same side.  In week one, the Broncos tight end scored his only touchdown of the year and has combined 10 catches for 82 yards and no touchdowns since.  This weekend Jacob Tamme faces the 25th ranked defense vs pass that is the New England Patriots secondary and should be back in the end-zon in no time.

Top Defense: Bears

Last Week: 5 interceptions, 2 TD’s, Sack, 18 points allowed

The Chicago Bears defense put on a clinic this past Monday Night, as they night only made one of the best quarterbacks in the NFC throw five interceptions but two of them went for scores.  Dallas’ offensive line could not contain the bears pass rush.  Look for more of the same results this week as they travel to Jacksonville.

Sit ‘em

Ryan Fitzpatrick Buf QB

Last Week: 350, 4 TD’s, 4 Interceptions

Fitzpatrick was having an amazing game through halftime and into the 3rd quarter when the Bills were ahead 21-7.  Then the Patriots pass rush and secondary really got to him turning the ball over four times. In week five, Buffalo travels to play the San Francisco 49ers, who have had arguably both the best pass and rush defense in the league for the past year and change.

Fred Davis Wsh TE

Last Week:  4 catches, 70 yards

Davis has had a productive last two weeks, catching 11 passes for 160 yards. He has failed to score a touchdown though all year and rarely gets red zone targets.  The only hope of him scoring in this goal-line run first offense is if he breaks one deep, which is more unlikely
than likely playing a Falcons secondary currently ranking 8th vs. the pass.

Rashard Mendenhall Pit RB

Last Week: Did not play

Mendenhall has missed the entire season due to a previous knee injury. The Eagles run defense ranks 12th in the National Football League and has one of the best defensive fronts to go along with it.  Not the ideal first start a running back wants to match-up with when coming off any type of injury, but specially a knee, when facing such a relentless bunch.

Michael Crabtree SF WR

Last Week: 2 catches, 15 yards

Crabtree didn’t get much opportunity last week vs. the Jets, as the Niners decided to mainly run the ball in their 34-0 win.  The question here isn’t whether Alex Smith will look Crabtree’s way, as it is what the score will be by the second or third quarter that could harm the passing game.

Patriots Defense

Last Week: 4 interceptions, 2 FR, 3 sacks

After forcing a ridiculous six turnovers in Buffalo last week, the Patriots have a more daunting task of playing the Denver Broncos offense.  The Broncos have started to really thrive in past weeks scoring, 37, 31, 27, and 31 in the four games that they have played. Though the secondary may get Manning once or twice due to possibility of high tempo game, the points on the board should be too great to risk it.