Sunday Six Pack: Week Ten

We’re with you every Sunday to provide the Sunday Six Pack, an article featuring six of the biggest storylines heading into each and every week of the season. Keeping tabs on these events will keep you prepared and informed throughout the season – just don’t drive within six hours of reading this. With that in mind, let’s take a look at this week’s Sunday Six Pack:

Can #1) The Return of Roddy

Effectively out since Week 5, it now appears that Roddy White is finally close enough to healthy to return to the field.  Unfortunately, this weeks game against the Seahawks will pit him against lockdown CB Richard Sherman.  Although I’m sure White owners are desperately in need of a contribution from him, this may not be the week to re-insert him into your lineup if you have any kind of reasonable alternative.  If possible, holding him out this week and watching to see how well Roddy really is running and cutting would be the advisable strategy.  In any event, White’s presence on the field should open things up a little for Tony Gonzalez, who had a couple of slow games in a row before breaking out last week against the Panthers for 6 receptions for 81 yards and a TD on 7 targets.

Can #2) No DMC in NYC (or NJ)

With Darren McFadden now injured for second time this season (with the same hamstring injury), Rashad Jennings was able to rack up an impressive stat line while the Raiders were destroyed by Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles (15 carries for 102 yards and a TD, 7 receptions for 74 yards).  Jennings, who was on many waiver wires, even in dynasty leagues, was the hot waiver wire pickup this week and now he gets the New York Giants.  After a rough start, the Giants are now actually ranked 9th in average rushing yards given up per game.  Indeed, once newly acquired LB Jon Beason was up to speed and running the show they held Adrian Peterson to 28 yards on 13 carries in Week 7 and LeSean McCoy to 48 yards on 15 carries in Week 8 before going on bye.  I’d venture to say that Peterson and McCoy are better talents than Jennings, so I would plan on tempering my expectations for Jennings this week.

Can #3) Tough Enough

Questions about the toughness of Bears QB Jay Cutler have largely been based on misunderstandings and facial expressions.  Now with Cutler scheduled to be back under center after only missing 2 weeks with a supposed 4 week groin injury, those questions should be put to bed.  The fantasy QB6 in 4 point per passing TDs through 6 weeks, Cutler should be locked and loaded for teams looking to make a playoff run with big physical WRs Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, PPR stud RB Matt Forte and solid TE Martellus Bennett at his disposal.  The one worry is that Cutler is rushing back and might be risking re-injury, which is something to watch against the Lions big defensive front.  Cutler does catch a small break as rookie Ziggy Ansah looks like he’ll miss the game with an ankle injury.

Can #4) Ship of Foles

Nick Foles put on a display against the Raiders and their patchwork secondary last week, tying an NFL record with 7 TD passes.  This week Foles and Eagles face a Green Bay defense that is ranked 20th in terms of average passing yards per game given up.  Green Bay is also dealing with an injury that you may of heard of and may serve the Eagles with an extra helping of breakout rookie RB Eddie Lacy and his revitalized backup James Starks.  Keeping the Eagles off the field while keeping the game simple for backup Seneca Wallace will likely be a priority for the Packers.  Riley Cooper’s 6 targets last week is right around where he usually is, but he just unusually turned them into 5 receptions for 139 yards and 3 TDs.  Although the Eagles may look to continue their aerial assault, I wouldn’t try to chase that stat line.

Can #5) Cam-dlestick

The Panthers have won 4 straight games and the 49ers have won 5.  Now resurgent Panthers QB Cam Newton leads his team on the road out west to face the 49ers 11th ranked rushing defense in terms of average yards per game given up (they’re 8th in passing yards).  The last time they faced a mobile QB like Newton, they gave up 33 rushing yards to Russell Wilson and 98 rushing yards to Marshawn Lynch.  And even though he’s not in the same league as Wilson and Newtown, Andrew Luck can certainly move and was able to rush for 24 yards while teammate Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 95 yards at the Stick in Week 3.  My point is just that the 49ers’s vaunted rushing defense may be more about reputation and they’ve had trouble with RBs on teams with mobile QBs so far.  For fantasy purposes, the Panthers’ RB trio of DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert will likely syphon each others’ value away, but it might also lead to a big rushing day for Newton and a big road win for the Panthers.

Can #6) Can’t Touch This

Of the QBs who have started every game for their team this season, only Matthew Stafford (10) has been sacked less than Peyton Manning (11) and, shockingly enough, Philip Rivers (12).  We have long since known that Peyton’s ability to make quick decisions and get the ball out has masked deficiencies on his offensive lines, so his low sack total should come as no surprise.  With respect to Rivers’s numbers, the effect of new Head Coach Mike McCoy has really been seen.  Sacked 49 times in 2012 (second only to Aaron Rodgers’ 51), the new Chargers offense has focused on getting the ball out quickly and which has, in turn, revitalized Rivers’ career. As a result, San Diego is 4th in the NFL with an average of 300 passing yards per game.  With a Broncos team that is ranked 30th in terms of average passing yards given up per game and will be once again without Champ Bailey, this games has all the makings of a massive shootout that should be kind to almost all of its skill position players.

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