3M Report: Week Six

Brian Bulmer Posted On October 19, 2015

3ms

Welcome to this week’s edition of the “3M Report” – a weekly look back at the mayhem, magic and mishaps from around the NFL, focusing on situations and players that caught my eye or made me scratch my head in either awe or disbelief. Let’s take a look at week number six of the NFL season.

New Orleans knocks off the 5-0 Falcons in New Orleans to open up week six. I continue to try to understand the struggles of Brandin Cooks. I know Marques Colston is in decline, but it truly feels like the offense has converted into a run first attack with the lack of pass catching options. Cooks is leading the way in targets for the Saints but has not had a game with double digit targets yet. I am not personally a big believer in Cooks as the primary target in New Orleans. I think he makes a great complementary wide receiver, but is not a great primary option in that offense.

He throws a dead duck. He has a noodle arm. He is the current NFL interception leader. Peyton Manning is also the quarterback of an undefeated team. It appears Father Time is catching up with Manning, but despite his repeated efforts to throw interceptions to the opposing team, the Broncos defense is the best in the NFL. They have also played a relatively weak schedule to this point in the season. I expect Manning to get it cleaned up following the bye week and start playing some sharper football. The good news is the Broncos lead the AFC West by four games and Manning and the running game can improve for the Broncos.

Charcandrick West is not Jamaal Charles. I know fantasy owners did not expect him to be, but they may have been hoping. West finished with ten touches for the game for 39 total yards and a lost fumble. Not many teams depend on player the way the Chiefs have leaned on Charles that last few seasons. The Chiefs have to do a better job of getting Travis Kelce and off-season acquisition Jeremy Maclin involved in the offensive game plan. Pierre Thomas may still be available after his workout with Kansas City last week.

Melvin Gordon continues to blow any chance he has of being a three down back this season. I know the lack of healthy offensive lineman hurts his production a bit. To see Danny Woodhead take some goal line as well as play primary third down back says a lot about how much Gordon needs to improve his game. I am seeing similar things with Ameer Abdullah. Both of these talented running backs are being given snaps, but they put the ball on the turf too much and are having trouble beating out some proven veterans on the depth chart. Maybe we are a season away from seeing the true talents of both of these running backs. It may be worth checking the pulse in your league to see what guys would be looking for in a trade for either player. I’m still a believer in both.

[inlinead]After Melvin Gordon fumbled a ball, it appeared the Chargers abandoned the run and it was the Philip Rivers show. Get that man some ice after that game. Rivers completed 43 passes on 65 attempts for 503 yards. Keenan Allen had 14 catches for 157 before leaving the game with a hip injury. Rivers nearly completed the comeback, but it was the Packers knocking the ball down on the goaline to finish the game at Lambeau field. Still, that was quite a performance from the San Diego quarterback, who has been playing at a high level this season.

In the Bruce Arian’s “revenge game” against the Steelers, it was the unsung hero Martavis Bryant with Landry Jones under center due to a Michael Vick pulled hamstring. Bryant caught six passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns. If this is a sign of things to come, I like the outlook better for all wide receivers in Pittsburgh.

Ravens fans, it’s time to panic. I know the Niners were playing at home, but the schedule gets tougher before the bye with games at Arizona then at home against San Diego. If the Ravens drop both games, the bye week may be full of changes.

Lions finally get a win in 2015. It took overtime, but they did get the victory over the Bears.

Seems Golden Tate continues to be part of a touchdown controversy. What is a touchdown in the NFL? The touchdown catch early in the game appeared to be an incomplete pass. Again it leaves viewers, coaches, players, and in many cases referees trying to figure out the interpretation of the rule.

What was that play in the Colts/Patriots game? It ranked up there with the butt fumble for worst plays in football history. The Colts were overmatched by the Patriots, but up until that point in the game the Colts were right in it. Not sure who is at fault, but it does lead to a great deal of public ridicule.

The Panthers continue to show why they are one of the best teams in the NFL after a fantastic come from behind win against Seattle. Greg Olsen and Jimmy Graham seemed to be in sync with their respective quarterbacks and both players led their teams in yards, targets and catches.

What has happened to Eddie Lacy? It appears the Packers favored James Starks over Lacy against the Chargers. The Packers have another wide receiver injured in Ty Montgomery – this opens the door for Jeff Janis and if Davante Adams can get healthy over the bye week.

The Bengals are showing they have more weapons than just AJ Green and Jeremy Hill. Tyler Eifert, Marvin Jones and Giovani Bernard have offered the Bengals a diverse rotation that has allowed them to attack defenses in many different ways. Dalton continues to play at a high level and the Bengals have a two game division lead heading into the bye week.

Sammy Watkins complains and gets more targets. The result was an injured ankle on a touchdown catch. I know the two are not connected, but I found it to be ironic that as Watkins complained about his targets coming off of an hamstring injury then injures his ankle when he was targeted during the game. Bad karma I guess.

Ryan Fitzpatrick. Chris Ivory. Jets 4-1. Patriots in week seven for the division lead. Should be fun.

I was excited to see the Dolphins bounce back. They utilized Lamar Miller and the defense got after the quarterback. Cameron Wake with four first half sacks was very impressive.

Heading into week seven, the Dallas Cowboys announced they will be considering starting Christine Michael and will start Matt Cassel after the bye week. This is the time many dynasty owners have been waiting for. Michael may get an opportunity to show Dallas fans (as well as dynasty owners) what they have been waiting to see.

Let’s hope for more magic, mishaps and mayhem in week seven. Hope your week was filled with maximum production and minimal losses. Good luck in the coming week.

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